Blog Kiosk: 2/23/2017 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Training and preparation continues apace at Camelback Ranch for the Dodgers.  There are a total of 63 ballplayers now in camp; including 31 pitchers and 32 position players.  Kenta Maeda, Sergio Romo, Luis Avilan, Josh Fields, Pedro Baez, Brock Stewart and Chase De Jong all threw their first live bullpens of the spring yesterday.  Clayton Kershaw, Hyun-Jin Ryu, Steve Geltz, Josh Ravin, Jacob Rhame, Fabio Castillo, Madison Younginer and Patrick Schuster threw regular bullpen sessions

BTW, tomorrow the Dodgers will hold their annual Photo Day in the morning.  Players will be posing for Dodger team photographer Jon SooHoo, SNLA, MLB Photos, MLB.com, Topps, Getty Images, Associated Press, USA Today and LA Times.  This is where many of photos used for Baseball cards released later this year come from.

Photo above via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2017.  Go here to check out more pics by Jon from yesterday.  Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodger History:  In 1960 the demolition of Ebbets Field in Brooklyn begins.  In 2009 the Dodgers signed free agent first baseman Doug Mientkiewicz to a minor league contract.
• Happy Birthday, Grant Thatcher, Phil Haugstad, John Shelby, Bobby Bonilla & Luke Prokopec!
  

Blog Kiosk: 3/18/2016 - Dodgers Links - Team Mexico Eked Out a Victory in First Game

Three Dodgers were in Mexicali, Mexico for the first game of the WBC qualifying tournament.  One as a broadcaster, another to throw out the first pitch and the third to play the game.  Seated from left to right in the photo above are Alex Cora, Fernando Valenzuela and Adrian Gonzalez, as tweeted by Alex Cora.  Fortunately, all three would walk away happy from the days results.  Team Mexico squeaked out a victory against an upstart Czech Republic team.  Via Mark Newman at WorldBaseballClassic.com:

Mexico, a huge favorite in this four-nation qualifier and playing in a party atmosphere at home, scratched out two runs in the first inning and then withstood an eighth-inning homer by Matej Hejma before escaping with a 2-1 victory Thursday over a resilient Czech Republic team.
...
On Thursday, Adrian Gonzalez, the local hero and Dodgers first baseman, walked three times and scored one of the two runs in the first inning. That all happened after he caught the ceremonial first pitch from Fernando Valenzuela, part of a 45-minute pregame spectacle.

"I'm great," Gonzalez said before the game. "Being able to play here in Mexico in the great town of Mexicali, they have a great fan base and people are here from all over to watch us play. Our crowd is one of the best in every WBC. They bring noise and lift us up."

Below are more links to check out:

• More cuts in Dodgers spring camp were announced yesterday.  Via Jon Weisman at Dodger Insider, "Urias, De Leon among seven sent to minors."
• In news that is not entire surprising, Dave Roberts named Kershaw, Kazmie, Maeda and Wood as his starting four, via Eric Stephen at True Blue LA:

Mike Bolsinger, Brandon Beachy and Zach Lee are the three candidates for the fifth starter spot. Though Beachy isn't currently on the 40-man roster, all three have options should the Dodgers decide to use multiple pitchers in the role in April. But Roberts wouldn't rule out Urias just yet, based on talent alone.

• Audio:  Listen to Tony Gwynn Jr with Darren Smith at the Mighty 1090AM radio show.  He chats about the Dodgers pitching concerns, what it was like to grow up as a kid in the Padres clubhouse and his perspective on the Adam LaRoche controversy. (Link Here)
• Video:  Yasiel Puig won't be suspended over nightclub incident. He talks about moving on and his latest outing in Spring Training. (Link Here)
• Former Dodger pitcher Brad Penny to retire, via Jeff Todd at MLB Trade Reports.
• Via Barry Bloom at MLB.com, "Wood returns as Dodgers shape pitching staff."
• With Domingo Ayala's recent contract he decides to tour Jerry Hariston's home in order to make an offer.

Video Link:

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Sunday Dodger Videos: Scully, Ayala with Hairston and Don Rickles

Here are this Sunday's Dodge videos.

ICYMI:  Watch the Guinness Book of World Records present Vin Scully with a plaque for being the longest tenured broadcaster for one club in history.

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This is awkwardly funny.  Future broadcasting legend, Domingo Ayala, decides it's time to plan for life after baseball. Even though he doesn't plan on that being anytime soon, he interviews former MLB star Jerry Hairston Jr. to find out about his transition from playing to broadcasting.

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This is great.  Don Rickles talks to Jimmy Kimmel about the day he took a pitcher out of the game.

Video Link:

Photo at the very top via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2015.

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Domingo Ayala's Spring Dodger Visit - (Video) Part 2 & 3

Domingo Ayala loves the Dodgers.  No doubt! 

And based on the below videos, the Dodgers love him too.

Domingo recently visited the team at Camelback Ranch and spent a bunch of time with several Dodger regulars.  Last week I shared some photos and Part 1 of his video hanging out with the "Boys in Blue."  Below are Part 2 and Part 3. 

Here is the description for Part 2, and take note that he got close and personal with Justin Turner.

In this episode he gets some swings in the cage with Justin Turner and a big league massage from Yosuke "Possum" Nakajima.

Video Link:

Here is Part 3. 

In this episode Domingo Ayala gets some work in with Gold Glove winner, Adrian Gonzalez. He also learns about the feared "Red Slip".

Video Link:

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Domingo! Domingo! Ayala Visted Dodgers Last Week (Video)

Who is Domingo Ayala?

I wonder this every time I see his name, or run across a video online. 

Domingo Ayala is a self-professed Baseball prodigy born in the Dominican Republic, and over the past several years he has traveled the Baseball version of the Silk Road for a shot at the big leagues.  And he is also hilarious.

Just check out his numerous videos online (here) and follow him on twitter (@DomingoBeisbol) for daily highlights to see what I mean.  Ayala ably parodies many of the stereotypes seen from Latin American ballplayers, and does it in a way that puts a smile on your face.  He is far from abrasive.  Instead, you come away with only positive vibes.

It is no surprise that he is well known throughout the Baseball universe, and it's no wonder that team after team is more than happy to have him come by for a visit.  In fact, last week Domingo Ayala visited the Dodgers at Camelback Ranch and spend some time practicing on the field, taking batting practice and gave the club a fun presentation in the clubhouse.  Fortunately, there are photos abound and a video to prove it all.  Check them out below.

(Pederson and Turner with Ayala, pic via Pederson on twitter)

Dodger prospect Enrique Kike Hernandez shared a short video on twitter of Ayala's clubhouse talk.

@DomingoBeisbol giving us a little talk about having confidence! #WalkOffIntentionalWalk #BigTine pic.twitter.com/5nj8DZ4PZE
— Enrique Hernandez (@kikehndez) March 13, 2015

And here is a video shared today by Ayala of his exploits with the Dodgers at Camelback Ranch.  He promises more, so stay tuned.

Video Link:

Photo at the very top, via Domingo Ayala on twitter.

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Blog Kiosk: 12/15/2014 - Dodger Links - Kemp Physical Tuesday, Brandon McCarthy and Jay-Z to Buy Dodgers?

There's no better way to get over the doldrums of a dreary winter than to gaze upon a vintage Spring Training press photo.  Featured above is an April 1948 International Press Photo of Leo Durocher providing some instruction on the mound.  You can check this out on eBay, here.

Below are some links to check out:

• Sy Berger, a former executive at Topps and the Father of the Modern Baseball Card, died on Sunday.  RIP, Sy Berger.  Rich Mueller at Sports Collectors Daily has a collection of stories about him, here.  Check out Night Owl Cards writeup here. 
• I hope you get a laugh out of this one.  Via Abe Abrams at Empire News, "Jay-Z Buys LA Dodgers, Plans On Moving Them Back To Brooklyn For 2015 Season."

“It all came together beautifully,” said Jay-Z, real name Shawn Carter. ”I already own Washington Park, home of the Brooklyn Cyclones. Dodger Stadium suffered just enough damage in a minor November earthquake to make it unsafe, and the Dodgers were a steal at just $2 billion. Washington Park is a little small, but it will be a nice intimate setting until I can build something bigger. I’m going to have my babygirl Beyonce sing the National Anthem on opening day! Hell I may have her sing it every time we’re there. The Brooklyn Dodgers are back home where they belong, it’s a beautiful thing!” 

• Via Matthew Moreno at Dodger Nation, "Yasiel Puig Makes Cousin Jump In Pool After FIFA Loss (VIDEOS)."
• There's no better way to endear yourself to Dodger fans than this.  Via Eric Stephen at True Blue LA, "Brandon McCarthy loves Vin Scully."
• Via Stacie Wheeler at Lasorda's Lair, "Brandon McCarthy is Nice Addition to Dodger Rotation."
• Via Harold Uhlman at Think Blue LA, "A look back at the 2014 Arizona League Dodgers."
• Deal closing soon?  Via Ken Rosenthal on twitter:

Source: Kemp will take his physical with #Padres on Tuesday. The two teams have until Thursday to complete the deal.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) December 15, 2014

• David's Autograph Signing shares his day at the, "2nd Annual Barnyard Wiffleball Invitational 12-14-14" in Anaheim. Several ballplayers were there in support the Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation; including Justin Turner.
• So this happened.  Domingo Ayala made it to the Winter Meetings in San Diego and has a video report to prove it.  He was seeking a "Big Tyne" contract to play ball.  Follow him as he searches for agents, tries to get TV time, and looks for the perfect deal.  I wonder if he got the huge signing bonus he was seeking.

Video Link:

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