Blog Kiosk: 8/23/2016 - Dodgers Links - Trevor Oaks, Scott Kazmir and Adrian Gonzalez

I suspect yesterdays exploits at the plate will result in at least one Topps Now card being issued for the Dodgers... Maybe, two.  After all, when you steamroll over an opposition then there will no doubt be plenty of highlights worthy of special recognition. 

Case in point, Adrian Gonzalez (seen high-tening AJ Ellis above) had a career kind of day.  Not only did he start off the Dodger offense by walloping an three-run home run in the first inning, but he also continued to mash the ball all afternoon.  He finished up going 3 for 6 with three home runs and eight RBI's. 

Then in the fifth inning a couple of rookies hit back-to-back first-career home runs.  This unique feat accomplished by Andrew Toles and Rob Segedin had only occurred three other times over the past thirty years.  Per Cody Pace at MLB.com:

"I mean, when I saw he hit his, I looked up on the board and I saw that it was his first, so I was excited for him because I knew, especially because it landed in the net that he was going to get the ball back," Segedin said. "It was a big hit at the time, too. What I was able to do, the next pitch, it was pretty cool."

Later on in the same inning Corey Seager hit his 22nd home run of the year - matching a Dodgers franchise record for homers by a shortstop.  Per Mark Sheldon and Cody Pace at MLB.com:

"There was a lot of good things," Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. "Obviously, Adrian had a career day and Chase [Utley], Corey [Seager], guys were on base all game and to see that these guys didn't let up and continue to put together at-bats, run the bases, hit some balls out of the ballpark, very excited for our offense."

BTW, the Dodgers defeated the Reds, 18-9, and extend their lead to a full game over the Giants.  Photo at the very top via @Dodgers on twitter.  Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodger History:  In 1958 Gil Hodges hit his 14th career grand slam.  It had set a new NL record for grand slams in a career.  In 1989 Tommy Lasorda had Expos mascot Youppi! ejected from a game in Montreal.  The mascot was causing too much noise by jumping on top of the dugout roof during the 22-inning game.  You can watch Youppi! get tossed here. BTW, the Dodgers defeated the Expose, 1-0, on an home run by Rick Dempsey in the 22nd inning.
• Happy Birthday, Casey Blake!

Blog Kiosk: 6/2/2014 - Dodger Links - Zach Greinke is Impressive

Check out some of the cast members of 'A League of Their Own' that were in attendance at Saturday's game in the pic above, photo via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2014. 

• Via Lyle Spencer and Michael Lananna at MLB.com, "Greinke's approach impresses staffmate Haren."

"Zack's just so smart," Haren said. "He knows what he can do with what he's got. His stuff is really good. He's using his slider a lot, and it's one of the best in baseball. Zack knows how to pitch. He studies hitters and has the ability to execute his game plan with four really good pitches.

"He doesn't give in [to hitters], but he challenges guys. His walks are low, and his strikeouts are high. He keeps hitters off-balance with the ability to throw any pitch in any count."

• Via Bill Shaikin at the LA Times, "Dodgers, TWC could take legal action over SportsNet LA."

At issue: Are all the cable and satellite operators saying no to SportsNet LA acting independently or collectively?

• Via Matthew Moreno at Dodger Insider, "Dodgers News: Matt Kemp Named Face Of Ad Campaign For Gap Outlet Stores."
• Via Brian Kamenetzky at ESPNLosAngeles.com, "Dodgers need to focus on 'good' baseball."

"That's just stuff on paper," Mattingly said. "I think we've got to get away from that. I mean, we've got to make [winning consistently] happen, and we're capable of having games like this and we're capable of running off games and winning games. I don't want to get away from that, and I don't mind the expectations at all.

• Via Eric Stephen at True BLue LA, "Chad Billingsley to pitch simulated game Tuesday, rehab starts likely begin next weekend."

"I'm just anxious to get back out there. I've been through this whole process, but you have to just be patient and keep working," Billingsley said. "It can be very frustrating at times, but it's all just part of the process."

• This is both hilarious and very sad.  Via Harrison Mooney at Puck Daddy, "Jimmy Fallon gets his wish, as sad Youppi tours Montreal in a Rangers jersey."  You may remember Youppi as the old Montreal Expos mascot.  Well, he has since been adopted by the Montreal Canadians hockey team and paid up on a bet he lost to Jimmy Fallon when the NY Rangers defeated his team in the playoffs

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Blog Kiosk: 11/18/2013 - Dodgers Links - Kershaw Won the Branch Rickey Award, a Puig McFarlane Figurine and 4 New Dodger Minor Leaguers

Guess where Adrian Gonzalez went?  Pic above via his twitter @AdrianTitan23.

• Via Thomas Harding at MLB.com, "Humanitarian Kershaw gets Branch Rickey Award".
• True to the Blue tells us that Yasiel Puig will be getting a McFarlane figurine in 2014 - for MLB Series 32.  It is set to be released in April 2014, and 2 collector chase figurines will be made available.  One scarce variation will include a "big head" and white uniform, and another will feature Puig in a grey road uniform.  Go here to see a pic of it.
• Mike Pettriello at Mike Scioscia's Tragic Illness writes, "Deadline Nearing To Protect Prospects From Rule V Draft".
• Ross Gasmer at Dodgers Nation keeps us informed of some Minor League Dodger free agent signings - Juan Gonzalez, Justin Souza, J.C. Boscan, and Jamie Romak.
• Via Jon Rosen at LA Kings Insider, "Dodger Stadium tickets on sale Tuesday".

Tickets to the Stadium Series game between the Los Angeles Kings and Anaheim Ducks at Dodger Stadium on January 25 will go on sale to the public via Ticketmaster.com and Ticketmaster.ca at 10:00 a.m. PT on Tuesday, November 19.

• Via Ron Cervenka at Think Blue LA, "The Little Pony rides off into the sunset".  It's all about fan favorite Nick Punto.
• Zack Hample shares some great old photos from Olympic Stadium in Montreal, home of the Expos.

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Blog Kiosk: 7/22/2013 - Dodgers Links -

Check out this great photo of the very first plane owned by a MLB club.  It is a Convair 440 bought by the Dodgers in 1957.  Photo via Michael Beschloss on twitter.

• Vin Scully discusses why he has always prepared thoroughly for a game in a video provided by Comcast Sportsnet.  Check it out.
• Check out a bunch of pics from National Park from yesterday provided by a Redittor named phuckduck in imgur.
• "Matt Kemp injures ankle in win, Dodgers say no DL for now," via Eric Stephen at True Blue LA.  There is video available to view.
• Bill Plunkett with the OC Register shares some quotes from Kemp about the ankle injury on Sulia.

 "It's a little sore, a little swollen but I don't think it's that bad."
Kemp admitted the injury was a result of not running hard. He assumed the play was going to be at first base (and Carl Crawford would beat it out for a hit) and had to speed up and lunge for the plate at the last second.
"It's my fault," Kemp said. "I wasn't running hard. That's an easy hit for CC. ... CC has every right to be mad at me. He would have had another hit if I was running hard.
"The result of my not running hard is he doesn't get that fourth hit and I rolled my ankle. That's all my fault. ... I shouldn't have been in that situation."
Kemp did not have X-rays taken of his ankle and doesn't anticipate needing any.
"The biggest thing will be how it feels waking up tomorrow."

• Dodger Penguin was at the Paul LoDuca signing at Harry's Dugout and shares some photos.
• "Dodgers GM Ned Colletti doesn't see any big trades in the works," via Dylan Hernandez at the LA Times.

"When I call around teams, there's not a lot of names of position players being discussed," Colletti said. "I'm not sure if there's a market out there on the sell side."

• Expos fans came out in force to a Blue Jays game in support of bringing the game back to Montreal, via Anna Fogel at NESN.  Even Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper had something to say.

I hope that the efforts of @ExposNation will one day be rewarded with a team in Montreal. #Expos
— Stephen Harper (@pmharper) July 20, 2013

• Joe Student at Busted Coverage has a copy of the room assignment list for the Cleveland Indians and it includes some hilarious pseudonyms. 
• The Giants season really is going to the birds.  Via Fox Sports, seagulls have started to invade AT&T Park.

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