Blog Kiosk: 2/21/2019 - Dodgers Links and News - Some Odds and Ends

Yesterday was Photo Day at Camelback Ranch, and as you might expect some great pics were shared all over social media. As you know, everyone from Major League Baseball to Topps Baseball cards came out with their camera's. Featured above, via a tweet from the Dodgers, is Kenley Jansen and little Joe Kelly. Go here to check out more pics from Photo Day by Jon SooHoo.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1953 Tommy Lasorda is sold to the St. Louis Brown. He would then be returned to the Dodgers in late-March. In 1957 Dodgers owner Walter O'Malley traded minor league franchises with Phil Wrigley of the Cubs. Brooklyn traded the Ft. Worth club (Texas League) in return for the Los Angeles Angels (Pacific Coast League). In 1984 outfielder Dusty Baker is granted free agency. He played eight season in Los Angeles, slashing .281/.343/.437/.780 with 144 home runs and 586 RBI's. 
• Happy Birthday, Jack Billingham, Franklin Gutierrez, Ted Savage, Sam Fletcher & Norman Plitt!

Blog Kiosk: 6/9/2017 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Last night the Dodgers hosted the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation's third annual Blue Diamond Gala at Dodger Stadium (featuring Maroon 5 and Earth, Wind & Fire on stage), and it was a star studded affair. Along with normal cast of current and former Dodger players in attendance you could find folks like Larry King, Mario Lopez, Eric Stonestreet and members of the Los Angeles Chargers milling about. Per Ryan Posner at MLB.com:

"This event has been pretty incredible over the last few years in helping build the foundation," Adrian Gonzalez said. " [The gala] is definitely a lot of fun and it's doing great things for kids in the Los Angeles community."
...
"It's kind of nice to get out of your element of baseball for a minute and do something like this," Seager said. "It's definitely pretty cool to have the concert in the outfield, too."

(pic via AM570 on twitter)

Photo at the very top via Steve Garvey on twitter. The B&W pics of Justin Turner and Clayton Kershaw via @Dodgers on twitter. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1919 Dodgers starter and Hall of Famer Rube Marquard breaks his leg running the bases during the game against Cincinnati, ending his season. This next one is wild. In 1945 it was alleged that a recent medically discharged soldier was assaulted by Dodger manager Leo Durocher as he was being held by a Brooklyn patrolman during the sixth inning of that afternoons ballgame at Ebbets Field. He sustained a fractured jaw and other wounds. It is alleged that he was heckling Brooklyn's manager during the game. Durocher would be arrested the next day on felonious assault, but charges would be dropped soon thereafter after the fan receives over $6,000 from the Dodgers for his injuries. Branch Rickey would later defend Durocher, saying we are a "team of ferocious gentleman." In 1955 the Dodgers traded Joe Black to the Reds for Bob Borowski. In 1990 Eddie Murray hit a home run from both sides of the plate in the game against the Padres in San Diego.  Having done this for the tenth time in his career, he ties a MLB record with Mickey Mantle.
• Happy Birthday, Duke Esterbrook, Mack Wheat & Irish Meusel!
  

Blog Kiosk: 5/19/2017 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

It was nice to see several former Dodgers back in town. AJ Ellis, Dee Gordon former manager Don Mattingly. Photos above all via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2017. Go here to check out more pics by Jon from yesterdays game.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1988 Tim Leary threw his second shutout of the season against the Montreal Expos.  He had been winless in his past five starts. Leary would go on to be an important cog in the World Series championship team. He would be the #2 man in the rotation - going 17-11 with an 2.91 ERA, nine complete games and six shutouts. In 2015 the Dodgers officially signed Cuban defector Héctor Olivera to a six year/$62.5 million contract (including a $28 million signing bonus). He would then be traded a couple of months later to the Braves in a three team trade that netted the Dodgers Alex Wood and a bunch of other players not worth mentioning.
• Happy Birthday, Dutch Schliebner, Jim Hickman, Earl Naylor & Bill Antonello!
  

2016 Topps Chrome - The Rest of the Dodgers Cards

Here is a last look at the Dodgers cards found in packs of 2016 Topps Chrome Baseball packs.  Below are all of the insert and autograph cards that are available.  Go here to check out all of my past post on this set.

Rookie Autographs

#RA-CS Corey Seager                     #RA-FM Frankie Montas

Blog Kiosk: 7/1/2016 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Kenta Maeda killed it yesterday.  In six innings of work he scattered three hits and gave up the Brewers lone run of the day to lead the Dodgers to a victory over Milwaukee, 8-1.  Per Ken Gurnick and Adam McCalvy at MLB.com:

"Kenta had his breaking ball working, he threw good changeups," said manager Dave Roberts. "For him to give us six innings [was] huge for the 'pen."

No doubt he was aware what he needed to do.  Via Doug Padilla at ESPN:

“It hurts to lose Kershaw,” Maeda said afterward through an interpreter. “But my job is to throw as many innings as possible regardless and help the team win.”

BTW, Corey Seager continues to rake.  He slammed his 17th home run of the season (a two-run shot), walked and singled to extend his hitting streak to thirteen games.  Watch him chat about his day with Alanna Rizzo here.

The pic above via @Dodgers on twitter.  Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodger History:  In 1948 Roy Campanella made his Major League debut with the Brooklyn Dodgers.  He caught Ralph Branca and hit a double and two singles.  In 2011 Dee Gordon completed a stolen base cycle.  During the seventh inning he reached base on a force out, stole second, then stole third, and finally swiped home with Casey Blake at the plate.  Gordon is the 40th Major Leaguer to accomplish this in the same frame.

2016 Topps Tier One - The Dodgers Scarcities

Here is my final post on the 2016 Topps Tier One set.  Featured below is a checklist (and some pics) of the Dodgers scarcities that can be found.  Most of the cards indicated below are either numbered to one or ten, so they are all hard to come by.

Prodigious Patches (#/10)

• #PP-CK Clayton Kershaw

Autographed Prodigious Patches (#/10)

• #APP-AG Adrian Gonzalez
• #APP-CSE Corey Seager
• #APP-NG Nomar Garciaparra

#APP-AG Adrian Gonzalez

#APP-NG Nomar Garciaparra

Blog Kiosk: 4/30/2016 - Dodgers Links - Gordon, Goff and Gabe Kapler

Matt Kemp gained some measure of revenge as he belted a go-ahead three-run home run to propel the Padres over the Dodgers last night.  Unfortunately, the Dodgers 5-1 loss came at the expense of an brilliant outing by starter Alex Wood - who went seven innings, struck out nine and allowed just one run. 

If only the Dodgers offense could put some runs on the board.  As it were, they couldn't.  The team floundered, and so it seems that their closed door meeting before the game had not yet set in.  Per Jon Weisman at Dodger Insider:

“You just got to get back to the fundamentals and trying to play clean, crisp baseball and play every pitch,” Roberts said. “I think that there are signs of that. … Whether we’re winning games or not winning games, I still think there’s a process that needs to be in place, and you just don’t want things to get away from you. So right now, it’s kind of hit the reset button a little bit.”

Among other issues, Roberts has the sense that Dodger batters are pressing at the plate.

“You know, it’s funny — I think it’s just guys are trying too hard,” he said. “And you hear it all the time when guys aren’t swinging well, that guys want to do it so bad, it’s a little bit, ‘Try a little less hard.’ Because guys just start swinging the bat, and you start coming out of the strike zone.”

This all strikes me as a minor blip on the road.  This team is too good to disappear into oblivion, and I suspect it'll be something we'll remember as an molehill.

Photo above via SportsNet LA on twitter.  Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1940 Dodgers pitcher James 'Tex' Carleton throws a no-hitter against the Cincinnati Reds.  It is the teams ninth straight victory to start the season.

Blog Kiosk: 4/29/2016 - Dodgers Links - Outfield Analytics and Dee Gordon is Suspended

Here's a great pic of two old Dodgers, Don Newcombe and Manny Mota.  Photo via @Dodgers on twitter.

As for the game... Well, I don't really wanna talk about it.  Maeda was good until he ran out of gas in the seventh inning.  Pedro Baez couldn't get an out when he needed it.  Heck, the schlub balked in a run.  Then to make matters worse, the Dodgers offense continues to press.  They could only muster three runs in the loss.

Oh well, we get swept by a team managed by our old skipper, and that's got to make him feel pretty good.  Via Ken Gurnick at MLB.com:

"We just got outplayed," manager Dave Roberts said, and not by just any team, but the one managed by his predecessor as Dodgers manager, Don Mattingly. It was the first series sweep in Los Angeles in Marlins history.

Of course, last nights game wasn't the biggest news of the evening.  What really got folks talking was the revelation that Dee Gordon, a man so beloved even after being traded to Miami, has tested positive for PED's and is suspended for 80 games.  Wha...?

Wow, Dee Gordon got 80 games for testing positive for exogenous Testosterone and Clostebol

— Eric Stephen (@truebluela) April 29, 2016

To make matters worse, he likely failed testing weeks ago (maybe during spring training) and was in the midst of an appeal that he only dropped right after last nights game.  That certainly adds insult to injury.

The Dee Gordon announcement came tonight because he only just dropped his appeal and wanted to tell his teammates what happened.

— Tim Brown (@TBrownYahoo) April 29, 2016

He claims that he did not knowingly ingest the illegal substances (per his recent statement), but the damage is done.  He's just a case of another false (failed) hero.  Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 2005 Eric Gagne, who was on the DL, is suspended and fined for two games.  He had heckled home plate umpire Bill Hohn; in violation of a rule saying that an DL'd player may not take part in any activity during the game.

Blog Kiosk: 4/22/2016 - Dodgers Links - Grandal, Kershaw and Joc Pederson

Yasmani Grandal is smokin' hot... Like, he's hittin' with the kind of magnificence we expect of a Roy Hobbs.

Yesterday afternoon Grandal came off the bench and proved to be a difference maker at the plate.  Having spelled Ellis in the 8th inning, he walked in his first at-bat.  It was in extra innings, though, where his presence was felt.  In the 10th inning and the game deadlocked at one run apiece, Yasmani slammed a double to deep left centerfield to drive in Hernandez (watch it here), who had singled just before.  Then, Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen quickly shut to door in the bottom half of the inning to secure a 2-1 victory over Atlanta.

Since coming off the DL, Yasmani Grandal has been slashing an incredible .438/.609/.688/1.296.  In just 23 plate appearances he has tied the team lead in doubles (four) and walks (seven).  Watch him talk about this past game with Alanna Rizzo, here.  Pic above via Dodgers Blue on twitter.

BTW, Kershaw was far from being his best on the mound yesterday.  In eight innings of work he gave up ten hits and had to scramble quite a bit.  Still, he only gave up a single run to keep the Dodgers in the game.  Per Doug Padilla at ESPN:

“Weird day,” Kershaw said. “You give up a bunch of runs and give up 10 hits, you say you got shelled. You don’t give up a bunch of runs and you give up 10 hits, you scattered it, as they say. It was just a weird deal. Five hits in the first two innings, you just turn the page after that. You really look at it as two games almost.”

Go here to watch some highlights of him on the mound.  Also, Clayton commented about that weird pitch from the 4th inning that you can see below.  Here are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History:  Today is the 69th anniversary of the infamous game where Phillies manager Ben Chapman and his team hurled racist epitaphs at Jackie Robinson during the game - causing quite an uproar throughout the nation.  Chapman would eventually be forced to take the infamous photo on the right soon thereafter.
• Happy Birthday, Dee Gordon!

Blog Kiosk: 1/20/2016 - Dodgers Links - Koufax, Maeda and Jose DeLeon

Immediately following his retirement from the game in 1966, Sandy Koufax signed a 10-year contract for $1 Million to broadcast games on NBC's Saturday Game of the Week.  He was paired with fellow former Dodger Pee Wee Reese to do color commentating til 1968.  Unfortunately, Sandy would only stay on the job for six years; having walked away before the beginning of the 1973 Baseball season.  It is said that he never felt comfortable in front of the camera.  Featured above is an NBC press photo of Koufax as a rookie broadcaster in 1967 that was for sale at an RMY Auction recently. 

Below are more links to check out:

• Via Matt Krupnick at The Guardian, "How TV rights have made the LA Dodgers the greatest team never seen."

“I call it the greatest team never seen,” he said, noting his own anger over Scully’s absence from LA airwaves. “I mean, this guy is a national treasure. That $8.35bn is what’s most important, not the fans.”

• Via Kyle Ringo at Big League Stew, "Jackie Robinson's widow says MLB has work to do in diversity."

"We're talking about very few (black) coaches, very few managers ... so there's room for real progress, where people can come into the sport and feel they're going to be respected and given opportunities," Rachel Robinson said.

• Via Eric Avakian at Dodger Blue, "Zack Greinke & Clayton Kershaw Duo, Dave Roberts Hire Nominated For L.A. Sports Award."
• Via JP Hoornstra at Inside the Dodgers, "Kris Johnson on his Hiroshima Carp teammate, Kenta Maeda."

“One of the nicest young men that I met over there. He’s also like a big kid, likes to have a lot of fun. Joking around with him is easy. He had a Hi-Chew (candy) rep on speed dial. I asked him to hook it up. Each sleeve has five (candies), each box has 12 sleeves, each case has 12 boxes. He comes back with four cases. I was handing them out left and right. That’s just off the field stuff. 

• Blowout Buzz has some preview pics from Topps 2016 Archives set; expected to be in stores in June.  One of the insert sets will focus on the movie Bull Durham.  Check out the Nuke LaLoosh card on the right.  Check out more preview cards here.
• Dodgers prospect Jose DeLeon was named by MLBPipeline.com as the #5 top right-handed pitching prospect in the game.  Via Jim Callis at MLB.com:

De Leon has skyrocketed from his lowly Draft status and a 6.96 ERA in his pro debut to leading the Minors with 12.8 strikeouts per nine innings and reaching Double-A in 2015, just two years later. De Leon's stuff and command have gotten a lot better since he improved his conditioning and mechanics, giving him a riding 92-96 mph fastball, a plus changeup and an effective if inconsistent slider.

• Just a fun story about the kid who got away.  Via Mark Sandritter at Lookit, "Dee Gordon signed a $50 million contract and immediately went to get McNuggets."
• Ha!  Via Blowout Buzz, "Donald Trump, Hillary Clinton among politicians getting Garbage Pail Kids treatment from Topps."

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Blog Kiosk: 1/14/2016 - Dodgers Links - Pederson, Hatcher and the 2016 Draft

Check out who'll be a part of New Era Cap's upcoming marketing campaign for the 2016 season.  Here is Joc Pederson behind the scenes posing with a stylish lid.  Pic via New Cap Era on Instagram.

BTW, Pederson has been running around town like a Hollywood model recently.  Heck, he even posted a pic on Instagram of himself going through a facial treatment.  Although, he doesn't look too happy about it.  Check it out on the right.

Below are more links to check out:

• Jared Massey on twitter lets us know about the Dodgers upcoming draft order:

The Dodgers currently have picks #22, #31 and #36 in this year's draft. They'll add another in the 30s if/when Kendrick signs w another team

— Jared Massey (@JaredJMassey) January 13, 2016

BTW, Hudson Belinsky at Baseball America has a complete rundown on the 2016 MLB Draft Order here.

• Everyone needs words of encouragement.  Via Justin Russo at Dodgers Nation, "Players, Broadcaster Reach Out To Support Blair Walsh."

With just a few ticks remaining on the clock he hooked a 27-yard field goal wide left, and the Vikings were eliminated from the NFL Playoffs. After that mishap, several members of the Los Angeles Dodgers reached out to Blair Walsh to offer their support via social media.

• Chris Hatcher and the Dodgers have settled on a new contract; thereby avoiding an arbitration hearing, via anh Jon Heyman tweet:

chris hatcher settles with dodgers for $1.065M

— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) January 14, 2016

• Congrats, Dee!  Via Steve Adams at MLB Trade Rumors, "Marlins, Dee Gordon Agree To Five-Year, $50MM Extension."
• Huh?... Apparently, a well known cricketer is working on transitioning to Baseball, so he spent some time training with some Dodgers players to get ready.  Via Mark Townsend at Big League Stew, "Cricket star Kieran Powell attempting to transition to baseball."
• This was my biggest concern when it came to football in LA, so I'm happy to learn that taxpayers will not be footing a large part of the bill for that Inglewood football stadium. Via Lindsay Gibbs at Think Progress, "The Biggest Surprise About The Rams’ Relocation to Los Angeles? It’s Actually A Win For Taxpayers."

Stan Kroenke, the billionaire who became the majority owners of the Rams back in 2010, is privately financing this stadium complex, which is said to cost about $2.66 billion plus the $550 million NFL relocation fee. He will receive about $180 million in sales tax kickbacks, but as deMause put it for VICE Sports, “that’s pretty cheap as stadiums go.”

• Willie O'Ree at The Players' Tribune writes about breaking the color barrier in the NHL; including meeting Jackie Robinson as a child and later on as an NHL player: "The Barrier."

“I’m a baseball player,” I say, raising my voice. “But what I really love — is hockey.”

“Oh?” Jackie (Robinson) says, turning back to me, still smiling. “I didn’t know black kids played hockey.”

I smile back.

“Yup.”

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Blog Kiosk: 11/19/2015 - Dodger Links - Saito, Gordon and Veteran's Batting Practice

A group of 300 military veterans visited Dodger Stadium yesterday for batting practice with Kenley Jansen, Dodger alumni like Billy Ashley and Al Downing and fellow veterans Don Newcombe and Roy Gleason. Via Ken Gurnick at MLB.com:

"The players understand we're not as young as we used to be, but to give us the attention makes me feel happy," said (Ret. Lt. Col. David) Friend, who retired after 30 years of service. "I was particularly happy to see Don Newcombe. When I was going overseas, I saw him at a base in Virginia."

Via Anthony Irwin at Dodger Nation:

Kenley Jansen, who was at the park for conditioning, also took in the festivities before getting to work. He ran the stairs as the batting practice took place on the field. 

“It’s just great to be here for them. They’ve given so much for us, I just want to give back,” he said.

Featured in the pic above is Don Newcombe welcoming the crowd, via the Dodgers on twitter.  Check out more photos from the days activities by Jon SooHoo here.  Below are more links to check out:

• Congrats to Jake Arrieta for being selected the 2015 NL Cy Young winner, via BBWAA.  He edged out Zack Greinke by just 22 points.

• Eric Stephen at True Blue LA shares the final numbers on the Dodgers 2015 payroll.  It's striking how many of the top paid players didn't play for the Dodgers at all... So many dumped contracts.
• An old friend to join San Diego - Takashi Saito.  Via Dennis Lin on twitter:

Former All-Star closer Takashi Saito will be an intern in the Padres' FO. Padres exec Logan White was a key figure in signing Saito in '06.

— Dennis Lin (@dennistlin) November 18, 2015

• Here's a fantastic story via Clark Spencer at the Miami Herald on Dee Gordon; "Loss of his mother to domestic violence spurred Dee Gordon to comfort others."

Gordon, through his Flash of Hope program, is working with children in Miami-Dade County who have lost a parent from domestic abuse, just as he lost his mother 20 years ago.

“I went through it, and when I went through it, I didn’t have anybody,” Gordon said. “Nobody could relate to me. So now I just want to relate to kids and give back my time.”

• Via Bob Elliott at the Toronto Sun, " Blue Jays could have interest in Dodgers executive Byrnes as GM."   Elliott also mentions that Ned Colletti interviewed for the President job in July.
• Roberto at Vin Scully is My Homeboy tells us all about getting the autograph of former Dodger John Werhas.

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Blog Kiosk: 11/13/2015 - Dodger Links - Gordon, Ryu and Cricket at Dodger Stadium

Who are these bloke's in the photo above?

They are the international cricket all-stars who are scheduled to play an exhibition game at Dodger Stadium tomorrow evening.  Via David Wharton at the LA Times:

The Cricket All-Stars tour features 29 of the best players from the past two decades, with a roster including renowned batsman Brian Lara of Trinidad and Tobago and bowlers Wasim Akram of Pakistan and Glenn McGrath of Australia.

Warne, famed for his bowling skills, has come out of retirement to be one of the captains. Tendulkar has done likewise after a career that saw him help India to the 2011 World Cup and become the only player to complete 30,000 runs in international competition.

In other words, many of these guys are a big deal in the sport.  I don't know much about the game (except that matches can go on for days), but have always been fascinated by it.  After all, cricket is kind of like Baseball's long lost cousin from across the pond.  Go here to get tickets.

One other thing, why have I not seen any pics of what Dodger Stadium looks like as a cricket field?  I've search high and low online and I can't find a thing.  What's the deal with that?  Will someone please take some pics and post them online.

Photo above via Sachin Tendulkar on twitter.  Below are more links to check out:

• Wow!  Dee Gordon has had a fantastic winter so far.  Not only did he end the season as the batting crown and stolen base winner, but he also took home the gold glove and silver slugger awards.  Congrats!  We may yet rue the day we gave up on his promise.  I also think it's fair to say that the Marlins are coming out smelling like roses on that trade right now.  Of course, we've yet to truly see the promise of Hernandez, Barnes, Hatcher and a future draft pick (assuming Kendrick goes elsewhere).  Still, Gordon's break-out does make me wonder what could have been.

Thank you Franklin Stubbs and Gene Clines for spending countless hours working with me in 2014 so I could hone my skills.

— Dee Gordon (@FlashGJr) November 13, 2015

• Via Dylan Hernandez at the LA Times, "Dodgers GM Farhan Zaidi reflects on trade of Dee Gordon to Marlins."

I would say he exceeded our expectations," Zaidi said. "I think he exceeded everybody's expectations. That's a testament to him and his work ethic and his ability to improve. There were definitely people in our organization that felt like he had shown that ability to improve."

• Congrats!  Via Jon Weisman at Dodger Insider, "Maury Wills to receive lifetime honor at scouts dinner."
• Via Scott Pratt at RotoGraphs, "Justin Turner, The Forgotten Dodgers Star."

When the Dodgers traded Juan Uribe on May 27, long-time super utility player Justin Turner finally became a full-time starter. In the months since, Turner’s performance earned him praise, including from Dave Cameron on JABO, but it didn’t quite click for me just how good Turner had been until I looked at his offensive numbers from the past two seasons. Among hitters with at least 500 plate appearances since 2014, Turner has the 11th-best wRC+ (148), just behind Anthony Rizzo and ahead of players including Nelson Cruz, Jose Abreu, Michael Brantley, and the likely first selected fantasy third baseman in 2016 drafts, Josh Donaldson.

• This is great news.  Via Brian Han at the Korea Times, "A new Ryu: Dodgers’ pitcher slimmer, stronger returning from surgery."

“He has been speeding up his rehab,” it wrote in a Thursday press release. “He’s been working really hard. On behalf of the player, we’d like to thank the fans for supporting him through his recovery so far. He hasn’t been down on himself, and things have gone well.”

Furthermore, U.S. agent Scott Boras told reporters that he has been throwing long toss from 90 feet and “should be ready to go for spring training.”

• Robot Chicken presents Steve Aoki as the newest Dodger pitcher.  (Hat Tip: u/dablumoon on reddit)

Video Link:

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Blog Kiosk: 10/28/2015 - Dodger Links - Bernie Sanders, Mattingly and the Dodger Hat Guy

What a fantastic Game 1 to the 2015 World Series.  There was hi-jinks (inside-the-park home run).  There was drama (death of Edinson Volquez's father before the game).  And then there was this guy sitting in the stands behind home plate. 

I see you Dodger fan.  I think all of the Baseball watching world saw you last night, and depending on your affiliation you either loved it or hated it. 

Below are more links to check out:

• I found this totally fascinating.  Via Les Carpenter at The Guardian, "How the Dodgers and baseball shaped Bernie Sanders' world view."  Apparently, Sanders was a Brooklyn Dodger fan as a youth, and the team leaving his hometown had an indelible impact on him.  

“Bernie and I were both Dodger fans and we talk about that,” Gutman says. “It was the (first indication) that those with a lot of money may have an interest that is different than the community’s interests.”

When asked what he means, Gutman replies:

“We never understood that he who pays the piper plays the tune. It was a lesson that it doesn’t matter whether people love (a team) it’s all about the money. I don’t think there had been those kinds of things. We all know now the sports world is all about making money but this was the first time we saw it. This was uprooting a club that had all these historical links to the community.”

• Yeah.  This is awesome.  Via Bill Shaikin at the LA Times, "Juan Uribe and son of Raul Mondesi make World Series rosters."
• Via Joel Sherman at the NY Post, "Chase Utley is coming back — if he can find a team."
• You can listen to Don Mattingly's interview with Dan Patrick here.  He talks a bit about the Marlin's interview what happened to cause him to leave the Dodgers.
• Via Eric Stephen at True Blue LA, "Tim Wallach reportedly interviews for Padres managerial job."
• This is fantastic.  You can now get a Hiccups The Clown bobblehead from the National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum, here.  A portion of the proceeds for each bobblehead will go to PADRES Contra El Cáncer (Parents Against Cancer).  They are individually numbered to 500 only.
  

• Panini America shares some preview pics from their upcoming 2015 National Treasures Baseball card set; including the four-player relic card with Clayton Kershaw as seen on the right.  Go here to check out more pics.  BTW, the set comes out in early January 2015.
• I didn't even realize... Via Dave Zirin at The Nation, "For the First Time in History, the World Series Is Between 2 Teams That Were Never Segregated."

But this World Series represents more than just series of tantalizing face-offs. It also has some historical bite. Baseball has long been looked at as a mirror of where we are as a country on issues of race, “a canary in the coal mine,” to quote sports sociologist Dr. Harry Edwards. This World Series offers a particularly bracing and lucid look. In the entire 112-year history of baseball’s championship round, we are presented for the first time with a Fall Classic pitting two teams that never fielded all-white, segregated rosters. 

Zirin also addressed the decreasing rate of African-American participation within the game.

• Here's a couple of stories about how good Dee Gordan really was in 2015.  Via Scott Andes at LA Dodger Talk, "The Risks of Selling High."  Also, Ryan Romano at Beyond the Boxscore, "Don't write off Dee Gordon,"

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2015 Topps Update Baseball - The Dodgers' Insert Cards

Below are most of the Dodgers' insert cards found in packs of 2015 Topps Update.  Go here to check out all of my previous post on this set.  I should have many of the All-Star cards found within the set tomorrow.

Unfortunately, I have yet to see any of the Bunt Code cards of the two Dodger players below.  These cards are related to the online app called "Topps BUNT" that is an virtual trading card game.

Bunt Code Cards (#25)

• #Joc Pederson
• #Zack Greinke

Career High Jumbo Relics (#/25)

#CHJR-JPE Joc Pederson

Career Highlights Autographs

#CHA-DG Dee Gordon

Blog Kiosk: 10/5/2015 - Dodger Links - Greinke the Comedian, Seager the Starter and Rollins as Lasorda

The Dodgers finished off the season on a grand note.  They sweeped the Padres to record their best home record in LA Dodger history, going 55-26.  Clayton Kershaw threw seven strike outs to become the first pitcher in thirteen years to reach 300 - he finished with 301.  And, to top off the last game of the season Jimmy Rollins was named the surprise manager of the game - going so far as to wear Lasorda's #2 uniform and sporting a portly belly in his honor.  Check out the great photo above, tweeted out by the Dodgers, showing Rollins and the guest pitching coach Kenley Jansen - who wore #40 in honor of Rick Honeycutt.  Rollins talks about it here.  Go here to check out some great photos from Dodger photographer Jon SooHoo of the last game.

Below, Yasiel Puig takes on final moment to get a photograph with Nancy Bea Hefley and her husband.  Photo via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2015.

Below are more links to check out:

• I love Zach Greinke, via a tweet from Bill Plunkett:

Told Greinke I had NL Cy Young vote and asked who I should vote for. He said he lost all faith in process knowing I had a vote #offmyballot

— Bill Plunkett (@billplunkettocr) October 4, 2015

• Via Adam Rubin at ESPN, "New York Mets set rotation for NLDS vs. Dodgers."

Jacob deGrom will start Friday's opener at Dodger Stadium, likely against Clayton Kershaw. Noah Syndergaard then gets Game 2 in Los Angeles, followed by Matt Harvey in Game 3 when the series shifts to Citi Field, manager Terry Collins said Sunday.

• No surprise here.  Via Steve Dilbeck at the LA Times, "Dodgers give rookie Corey Seager short notice he's a starter." 

"They're going to play him," Rollins said. "We had a conversation and that's the way it was said: 'We're going to go with the kid. That's the lineup we feel is best.'"

• Via Matthew Moreno at Dodgers Nation, "A.J. Ellis Values Consistency Heading Into Postseason."
  

  “We got to pitch to our strengths, pitch to our game plan and at this stage in the game, it’s about execution.” While Mattingly has used various lineups throughout the season, the one in Friday’s game resembled what may take the field in the postseason.
  
  “It’s important. I think it shows the importance everybody is putting home-field advantage in the first round,” Ellis said of regular starters still playing throughout the weekend. “To play here, where we’ve played so well this season. To have Clayton and Zack here would be huge for us.”

• Via Ron Cervenka at Think Blue LA, "Turner’s power surge couldn’t come at a better time."
• Nick Diunte at Examiner.com writes a book review on "Clem Labine: Always a Dodger" Richard Ellott.
• This is terrible news.  Via Ken Gurnick at MLB.com, "(Josh) Ravin's brother shot, in stable condition."  Amy Powell at ABC7 has a report, as well.  He had this to say on twitter, and I don't necessarily disagree:

My brother was shot 3× this morning by a mentally unstable person...We don't need gun control. We need Mental Health Control!

— Josh Ravin™ (@FreshSqueezed22) October 4, 2015

• Congrats to Dee Gordon for winning the NL Batting crown.  He also become the first person to lead the league in batting and stolen bases since Jackie Robinson in 1949.  Below is a tweet from the Marlins celebrating his achievement.

A curtain call from his teammates. #Respect pic.twitter.com/pE0IL5AsXI

— Miami Marlins (@Marlins) October 4, 2015

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Dodgers' Celebrate on Social Media

You gotta love how the world today brings about an instant connection with your favorite team and players.  It's like we're enjoying the moment right with them.  So, take a second to check out some of my favorite tweets, instagrams and whatnot's from your Los Angeles Dodgers.

To start, check out the fantastic selfie above taken by Justin Turner and shared on instagram.  Clayton looks downright mortified.  It's like he can't believe what's going on.  AJ Ellis, on the other hand, does his best Miley Cyrus impression.

Blog Kiosk: 9/1/2015 - Dodger Links - A Couple of Trades and Kiké Hernandez 's Magic Banana Suit

The magic of the banana knows no bounds.

With the game tied in extra innings, Kiké Hernandez came out of the clubhouse to provide some good luck.  Via Matthew Moreno on twitter:

Kiké put on the banana suit/jacket around the 12th, Friedman told him to go back to the dugout and that he would pay his fine.

— Matthew Moreno (@MMoreno1015) September 1, 2015

It obviously worked.  The Dodgers beat the Giants on a walkoff single by Adrian Gonzalez in the 14th inning, 5-4.

Pic above via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2015.  Go here to check out more photos taken by Jon from yesterday's game.  Below are more links to check out:

• Ah, crap!  Via Mark Saxon at ESPN, "Enrique Hernandez could be out for weeks with hamstring strain." In Hernandez's place is catcher Austin Barnes.  BTW, with it being roster expansion time the Dodgers have also called up Joe Jackson, Joel Peralta and Mike Bolsinger from the minor leagues.
• Check out the cover of the September issue of Dodger Insider magazine, via Jon Weisman at Dodger Insider.  A pic of it is on the right.  Clayton Kershaw is on the cover.
• Via David Schoenfield at ESPN, "How bad baserunning has hurt the Dodgers."  This story makes me wonder if this is the Dee Gordon effect. That's not to say we never should have traded Gordon.  After all, we've benefited greatly from the players we got, but it's clear that his prowess on the basepaths have been sorely missed.
• Sometimes they come full circle.  Per Jeff Todd at MLB Trade Rumors, "Dodgers To Acquire Justin Ruggiano."  As you may know, Ruggiano was originally drafted by the Dodgers before being traded to Tampa Bay a couple of years later.  Here's the gist of why this trade is likely being done:

Most importantly, even during his MLB time this year, Ruggiano continued to hit lefties hard, as he has throughout his career. He’ll presumably be looked upon as an option against southpaws in Los Angeles. The Dodgers were in need of another right-handed-hitting outfield bat down the stretch after seeing both Yasiel Puig and Kike Hernandez go down to injuries in recent days.

• Jeff Todd also adds that the Dodgers have reacquired Chris Heisey from Toronto.  Wha...?
• It is welcome news that he is being reconsidered, but as stated in the following article it's likely to come to pass.  After all, Joe did take the money.  Via Chris Cwik at Big League Stew, "Shoeless Joe Jackson Museum says MLB has come to a decision on reinstatement." UPDATE: Via Shawn Anderson at the Hall of Vary Good, "Shoeless Joe to Remain Banned from Baseball."

“I have reviewed our records concerning the responses of both Commissioner (Bart) Giamatti and Commissioner (Fay) Vincent, who declined to reconsider Mr. Jackson’s case,” Manfred stated in a letter to Marcley. “I agree with that determination and conclude that it would not be appropriate for me to re-open the matter.”

I think this should settle things.  If they won't consider Joe Jackson for reinstatement then they sure as hell won't consider Pete Rose.

• This is super ridiculous, and hilarious.  Via Tyler Durden at Zero Hedge, "The "Chicago Cubs No Hitter" Indicator Spells Doom For The Market."

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2015 Allen & Ginter Baseball - Autograph, Relic and Some Dodger Insert Cards

Following up on the Dodger base cards I shared in a post on Friday, below are the autograph, relic and "Starting Points" insert Dodger cards that are available.  Of note, Dee Gordon, Matt Kemp and Adrian Beltre have Dodger cards in the "Starting Points" set.

Autographs

#AGA-CKE Clayton Kershaw 

(redemption)

#AGA-JPE Joc Pederson                    #AGA-YGA Yimi Garcia

Blog Kiosk: 6/29/2015 - Dodger Links - Puig, Kershaw and a Lasorda Asteroid

Peek-a-boo! 

Photo above via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2015.  Go here to check out more pics from Jon in Miami.  Below are some links to check out:

• Huh!  Via Scott Andres at Lasorda's Lair, "Tommy Lasorda Asteroid To Travel Near Earth Today."  This occurred the other day.
• Via Walter Villa at ESPN, "Yasiel Puig back in Dodgers' lineup, receives challenge from manager."

"It's really almost up to him," Mattingly said. "Is he going to make adjustments to pitching and how they are pitching him? Is he a guy who just goes up there reacting, or does he actually have a game plan?

"Usually, the guys who have a game plan are the ones who can change over time. If you are just reacting, then the way you are the first time we see you is probably what you are your whole career."

• Via Frank Cesare at the Gammons Daily, "Clayton Kershaw’s Slow Start."

There isn’t a mechanical flaw or a decrease in talent for Kershaw. It’s been a combination of bad luck and not being as crisp as he typically is. Although his GB/FB rate is up to 1.98 from 2014’s 1.77, and his FB% is down to 25.6% from last year’s 29.2%, his HR/FB rate has jumped from 6.6% to 17.2%.

• Via Bill Plunkett at the OC Register, "Dodgers getting up-close look at better version of Dee Gordon."

This year’s success comes from being in “a great situation” where his game fits better than it would have in the Dodgers’ lineup, Gordon said.

“I appreciate every opportunity they gave me,” he said. “I think it was better for me to go to a different situation.”

• Via Jon Weisman at Dodger Insider, "Vin Scully’s ‘tryout’ with Brooklyn in center field."

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