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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Blog Kiosk: 12/12/2013 - Dodgers Links - Not Trading Kemp, Mattingly Accuses Cardinals and a Minor Trade

The Dodgers hosted more than 300 children from the community surrounding Dodger Stadium at the Children’s Holiday Party yesterday.  Pic via Jon ShooHoo/LA Dodgers 2013.  Adrian Gonzalez and Al Ferrera are featured in the photo above.  See more pics here.

• Finally, some clarity. Hopefully this stops the rumor mongering.  Via Jayson Stark at ESPN.com, "Dodgers not planning Kemp trade".

"I just met with them," (Dave) Stewart told ESPN.com on Wednesday afternoon. "They said they have no plans to move him -- bottom line."

• Dustin Nosler at Fellin' Kinda Blue provides a Day 3 roundup from the Winter Meetings.
• Check out this ESPN video with Mark Saxon talking about the Matt Kemp situation and the Dodgers possibly still being in the pursuit of Japanese pitcher Masahiro Tanaka.
• Via Steve Adams at MLB Trade Rumors, "Dodgers Acquire Seth Rosin" in a minor trade with the Mets.

Rosin, 25, posted a 4.33 ERA with 6.8 K/9 and 2.5 BB/9 in 126 2/3 innings for the Phillies' Double-A affiliate in 2013. The Giants selected Rosin in the fourth round of the 2010 draft out of the University of Minnesota and traded him to the Phillies along with Nate Schierholtz and Tommy Joseph in the Hunter Pence deal of July 2012. Schierholtz was non-tendered after the 2012 season and signed with the Cubs, leaving Joseph as the last remaining piece of that deal. Of course, Rosin is no guarantee to stick with the Dodgers and could ultimately be returned to the Phillies.

• Former Dodger Edinson Volquez has signed a 1-year deal with the Pirates, via Ken Rosenthal on twitter.

Sources: #Pirates, free-agent RHP Edinson Volquez in agreement on one-year, $5M contract, pending physical.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) December 11, 2013

• Via Mark Saxon at ESPN, "Don Mattingly questions Cardinals".  Did St. Louis steal signs?

"We felt like we had to be sure we kept an eye on their first-base coach and their third-base coach," Mattingly said. "They're the ones with the easiest way to steal signs. Josie's a guy, at third, who's always looking for my signs from our dugout."

• This is what's happening at the Winter Meetings, via a tweet by Bill Shaikin.

Colletti said #Dodgers met with "far more agents than teams" at winter meetings. No deals expected before leaving tomorrow.
— Bill Shaikin (@BillShaikin) December 12, 2013

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Check out the Dodgers NLCS Roster

The Dodgers officially announced their NLDS roster for their match-up against the Cardinals, and it includes a couple of changes.

(graphic via @Dodgers on twitter)

Chris Capuano, used as a long-reliever for the Braves series, will not pitch against the Cardinals.  Considering how poorly he's done against them in his career this is probably for the best.  He has a lifetime ERA of 6.00 against them.  Below are his career stats against them.

Also out of the roster is lefty-reliever Paco Rodriguez.  As you know, he's struggled of late.  Over the last month of the regular season he has recorded an ERA of 5.68 and a batting average against of .308.  In the playoffs, he's given up 4 hits and 2 earned runs in less than an inning of play.  Leaving Paco of the roster effectively leaves us with just one lefty, JP Howell, in the bullpen.  So, this move has some risk.  On the other hand, maybe his 78 appearances this year has been too much of a grind on the 22 year old, and he needs some time off.

Coming onto the roser are right-handed relievers Carlos Marmol and Edinson Volquez.  Both players came to the Dodger late this season; Marmol via a trade with the Cubs for Guerrier and Volquez as a free agent after being dumped by the Padres.

Marmol has pitched surprisingly well during his approximate 3 months with the Dodgers; making 21 appearances with a 2.53 ERA.  He's even done well against the Cardinals in his career.  Check out his career stats against them below.

Edinson Volquez, on the other hand, has not pitched well this season.  In his 6 appearances (5 of which as a starter) in Blue he's given up 13 earned runs in 28 innings.  He likely replaces Capuano as our long-guy out of the 'pen. 

Tonight's game starts at 5:37 PM PST on TBS.  Zack Greinke will go against Joe Kelly. 

Be sure to get home to watch as early as you can.  Put up your shoes and pour a glass of your favorite drink.  Rest, relax and put your Blue on 'cause this game should be a fun one.

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Blog Kiosk: 9/4/2013 - Dodgers Links - Magic Number is now 12

The Dodgers just keep rolling.  Their Magic Number is now 12.  Pic above via @Dodgers on twitter.  Check out Tony Jackson's (Dodger Scribe) great recap of the game here.

• Unsurprisingly, the Dodgers recalled Chris Withrow from AAA, yesterday.  He was temporarily sent down due to the recent pick-up of Edinson Volquez.  Per a Dodgers press release:

Withrow, who will be appearing in his third stint with the Dodgers this season, was optioned on Friday and made one appearance for the Isotopes, tossing a scoreless inning of relief on Sunday at New Orleans. On the season, the right-hander went 4-0 with a 1.71 ERA (5 ER/26.1 IP), while striking out 33 and walking 13 in 25 games at Albuquerque. In 17 appearances with the Dodgers this season, Withrow has posted a 2-0 record with a 3.38 ERA (9 ER/24.0 IP).

• "Clayton Kershaw and How He Ranks Historically," via Andrew Vigliotti at Outside Pitch MLB.
• "The reemergence of Ricky Nolasco," via Alex Skillin at Beyond the Boxscore.
• Matt Kemp is heading to Camelback Ranch to continue his rehab.  Tony Jackson at Dodger Scribe shares, "The plan for Matt Kemp’s trip to CB Ranch".

Don Mattingly said Kemp will get 10-12 at-bats a day, along with outfield work and running work, while he is there. Mattingly was non-committal on what happens after four days, but he did rule out any possibility of the Dodgers activating Kemp on this trip, which ends on Sunday night in Cincinnati.

• "Dodger Stadium map from 1957 proposal," via Josie Becker at True Blue LA.
• Via Ted Berg at For the Win, Yasiel Puig’s new walk-up song is called ‘Yasiel Puig’.
• Via Jeff Passan at Yahoo, Dodger prospect Joc Pederson makes the "Yahoo Sports' all-minor league team".  Corey Seager and Julio Urias are also mentioned.
• Eric Stephen at True Blue LA has the complete 2013 MLB Playoff schedule.
• "(Hanley) Ramirez has felt at home in L.A.," via Mark Saxon at ESPN.

"Nobody knows what goes on in that clubhouse. The last two years, wasn't fun for me. I got hurt a couple times and I was struggling," Ramirez said. "It's not the same when you're struggling. When you're hitting, everything is easy. What can I say, I'm just really happy to be in the Dodgers organization."

• "For your consideration: Dodgers' Ned Colletti, executive of the year," via Steve Dilbeck at the LA Times.  Sounds crazy, I know, but Dilbeck has a point.

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Blog Kiosk: 9/3/2013 - Dodgers Links - Michael Young, Paco Rodriguez and Edinson Volquez to Start

The Newest Dodger, Michael Young, met with reporters in the Dodgers clubhouse for the first time yesterday.  He got into his first game for the Dodgers as a pinch-hitter, but struck out on three pitches.  Pic via @Dodgers on twitter.

• "Michael Young joins Dodgers, gives first interview," via Tony Jackson at Dodger Scribe.  Young definitely has the right attitude.

“They did (tell him what his role would be), but they didn’t have to,” Young said. “You could probably ask every guy in this locker room if he would like to have five at-bats a game, and they would say yes. But it’s a winning team, and I just want to contribute. And with it being a National League ballclub, I will have a chance to contribute every day.”

• "Late-Season Moves Reveal Dodgers Season-Altering Realization," via Jeff Spiegel at Dodgers Nation.
• "Paco Rodriguez gaining confidence, Dodgers gaining confidence in him," via Eric Stephen at True Blue LA.

"In that situation I thought he's bring Wilson in, but I know they have confidence in me. When Honey came out I knew it was all mine. We came up with a game plan, and it was one of those things. Once you know they have trust in you it just makes you that much more confident in yourself," Rodriguez said. "I'm just happy there is confidence in me, that I'm able to do that job."

• Peter Gammons makes note that the Dodgers are in the top-4 of batter clean-up success.
• "Dodgers to give look at Volquez in rotation," via Ken Gurnick at MLB.com.

Mattingly was impressed with Volquez's bullpen session Sunday, which would put Volquez in line to start Wednesday. That would bump Hyun-Jin Ryu, Wednesday's scheduled starter, to Friday and give him two extra days of rest.

• Just a sign that Kings hockey is around the corner, via a tweet from Bailey LA Kings.

All done.... Lets play some hockey!!! @egole86 your photos rock! pic.twitter.com/QuOmCOSMAs
— Bailey LA Kings (@BaileyLAKings) September 2, 2013

• "A Different Side of Ty Cobb," via Tom Bartsch at Sports Collectors Digest.

It is a side of the great Cobb that few have ever seen. The book portrays the aging Tiger Hall of Famer as a man deeply dedicated to his grandchildren.  The book provides a rare glimpse into the private life of the Georgia Peach – a retired ballplayer who still loved the game he helped make the National Pastime. Hersch warmly recalls that Granddaddy Ty would often listen to ball games on the radio: “It really didn’t matter who was playing, so long as the company of his past was with him.”

• Kershaw's Challenge recently shared a video on their blog that features two kids they sponsor in Zambia.  They tell their story about where they came from, and what life is now like living in the Arise Home.
• Dodgers team photographer Jon SooHoo shares some of his favorite photos from the last few decades.

Video Link:

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Welcome to the Blue, Edinson Volquez!

As many of you already know, the Dodgers signed recently released Padres starting pitcher Edinson Volquez.

Per Ken Rosenthal on twitter a couple of days ago.

Source: #Dodgers agree with Volquez on major-league deal, pending physical, other details. #Padres pay all but pro-rated min of his $5.725M.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) August 29, 2013

Well, he is now officially a Dodger.  Volquez was placed on the the Dodgers roster this afternoon and Chris Withrow has been temporarily optioned to Albuquerque.  I say temporarily because the MLB rosters expand on September 1st, so I would expect Withrow to be back in Dodger Blue very quickly.  (UPDATE: For those wondering, the earliest Withrow can be back on the Dodgers is Tuesday)  (UPDATE II:  Also, even with Withrow going to AAA at this time, he would still qualify for the postseason.  The rules are that anybody within the Dodgers organization by August 31st is eligible for the postseason roster.  So, theoretically, Moylan, Guerra and Lee are also eligible.)

As for what Volquez will be doing for us, it doesn't appear he'll be starting games - at least for now.  Per Bill Shaikin on twitter:

Colletti: Volquez to pitch in pen for now.
— Bill Shaikin (@BillShaikin) August 30, 2013

Eric Stephen of True Blue LA on twitter expands even futher:

Plan for Edinson Volquez: pitch in bullpen first. Possibly make a few starts. "He's been a starter," said Mattingly
— Eric Stephen (@truebluela) August 30, 2013

Volquez has arguably been the worst starting pitcher in all of Baseball this season, so he obviously has a lot to work on.  He throws 4 pitches, a low to mid 90's fastball, a two-seam fastball that clocks also in the low 90's, a mid 80's changeup and a mid 70's curveball.  Unfortunately, command of those pitches have been an issue.  Hopefully, the Dodgers pitching staff can correct his problems.

BTW, as Howard Cole of LA Weekely noted, Edinson Volquez once tested positive for PED's back in 2008.  I should also note that Volquez used to have really crazy hair, as evidenced by the below photo from his time as a member of the Reds.  Considering the loose styles in the current Dodger clubhouse, I think a change in grooming might be in order for our new righty out of the pen.  Grow the dew back, Edinson!

As you can see, I made a Dodgers fantasy card for Volquez at the very top of this post.  I used a template for a 1962 Topps vintage Baseball card.

Below are his career stats, via Baseball Reference.


UPDATE: From a Dodgers Press Release:

The Los Angeles Dodgers today signed free agent right-handed pitcher Edinson Volquez to a one-year contract. To make room for Volquez on the active roster, the club optioned right-handed pitcher Chris Withrow to Triple-A Albuquerque.

Volquez, 30, has a 53-50 career record with a 4.77 ERA in nine Major League seasons with the Rangers (2005-07), Reds (2008-11) and Padres (2012-13). The native of the Dominican Republic was selected as a National League All-Star with Cincinnati in 2008, when he ranked among the league leaders in wins (17, T-3^rd), winning percentage (.739, 17-6, T-3^rd), ERA (3.21, 8^th), opponents' batting average (.232, 5^th) and strikeouts (206, T-2^nd).

The six-foot, 225-pounder, who was the Padres' Opening Day starter in 2012 and 2013, went 9-10 with a 6.01 ERA in 27 starts for San Diego this year prior to being designated for assignment on Aug. 25 and released two days later.

Volquez, who will wear uniform number 30, was originally signed by Texas as a non-drafted free agent on Oct. 29, 2001 and has twice been traded, going from Texas to Cincinnati following the 2007 season as part of the Josh Hamilton deal and then to San Diego after the 2011 season as part of a five-player deal.

Withrow, who has had two stints with the Dodgers this season, posted a 2-0 record with a 3.38 ERA (9 ER/24.0 IP) in 17 appearances.

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Blog Kioks: 8/29/2013 - Dodgers Links - Nolasco, Kemp in Rancho Cucamonga and Puig

Ricky Nolasco was masterful yesterday.  Pic above via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2013.

• BTW, the Dodgers "Magic Number" is now 21!
• "Jackie Robinson at the March on Washington, D.C. 50 years ago," via David Brown at Big League Stew.
• "Dodgers' Matt Kemp to play in at least three minor league games," via Dylan Hernandez at the LA Times.
• "Ricky Nolasco trade paying off nicely," via Mark Saxon at ESPN.

Since the Dodgers landed Nolasco from the Miami Marlins on July 6, he is 6-1 with a 2.20 ERA. 

• "Ricky Nolasco would like to re-sign with the Dodgers," via JP Hoornstra at Inside the Dodgers.

“My teammates have been doing a great job of welcoming me here,” Nolasco said after blanking the Cubs. “As far as what the future holds, we’re just going to have to wait and see what happens. I’m from here, and this is where I want to be. We’ll just see what happens.

• "The trouble with Yasiel Puig …," via Tony Jackson at Dodger Scribe.

“(Mattingly) told me I need to prepare well for each pitch. It was the right decision. He felt (Skip) Schumaker could come in and did a better job.”

“Everybody on this team, all these guys, are giving 100 percent. Anybody else can come in and do the job. I am not the best one on the team.”

Personally, I find this whole thing to be overblown.  Mattingly appeared to handle it well, Puig responded maturely and appropriately, and the team looks more united than ever.  Remember, the clubhouse has no responsibility to tell us every gritty detail.  They are not a reality tv show!

• "Edwin Jackson, 10 years later," via Jon Weisman at Dodger Thoughts.
• "Dodgers sign Edinson Volquez. Obviously they’re thinking … I don’t know what they’re thinking," via Chad Moriyama.
• Jon Heyman at CBS Sports notes that the Dodgers might not be so cash rich after they put together a big contract for Clayton Kershaw.

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