Blog Kiosk: 10/7/2016 - Dodgers Links - Colletti & Ng for DBacks GM, Kershaw, Turner and Corey Seager

Josh Fields and Grant Dayton took some time off from yesterdays pre-series workout to closely inspect a Baseball.

What they find so fascinating?  I do not know.

Photo above via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2016.  Go here to check out more pics by Jon from yesterdays workout.  Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History:  In 1977, in Game 3 of the NLCS the Dodgers score three runs in the top of the ninth inning to take a 6-5 lead over the Phillies.  The Dodgers eventually won the series the next day to advance to the World Series.  In 1978, in Game 4 of the NLCS the Dodgers defeated the Phillies on a tenth-inning run scoring single by Bill Russell.  This victory won them the NL pennant and earned them a right to face the Yankees in the World Series. 
• Happy Birthday, Brickyard Kennedy!

Blog Kiosk: 10/5/2016 - Dodgers Links - Seager, Grandal, Dayton and the Dodgers Playoff Roster

Last night the Dodgers held a late afternoon workout in front of the chattering group of scribes, and revealed for all their roster for the upcoming playoff series against the Nationals.  ICYMI, here are the players who will be representing the team in Washington DC on Friday:

Catchers (3): Austin Barnes, Yasmani Grandal, Carlos Ruiz; Infielders (5): Adrían González, Chase Utley, Corey Seager, Justin Turner, Charlie Culberson; Infielder-Outfielder (1): Howie Kendrick; Outfielders (5): Yasiel Puig, Joc Pederson, Josh Reddick, Andrew Toles, Andre Ethier; Starting Pitchers (3): Clayton Kershaw, Rich Hill, Kenta Maeda; Swingmen (2): Ross Stripling, Julio Urías; Relief Pitchers (6): Kenley Jansen, Joe Blanton, Pedro Báez, Grant Dayton, Luis Avilan, Josh Fields.

As you can see, there are some notable names missing.  Kiké Hernandez, Rob Segedin, Alex Wood, Brock Stewart and J.P. Howell are not listed.  Although, Stewart, Howell, Wood and Stewart will still travel with the team as possible replacements should an injury arise.  On the exclusion of Howell from the playoff roster Dave Roberts adds, via Jon Weisman at Dodger Insider:

“That was a tough one,” Roberts said. “J.P.’s gonna travel with us, but he’s a guy that for me is one of the glue guys for our team this year. He’s had a lot of success in his career in the postseason, and for him to understand the decision, support it, but still have the opportunity in another series or possibly in this series by way of injury … those are the tough ones, because you know he’s here for the right reasons.”

Photo above via David Vassegh on twitter features the team huddling-up on the pitchers mound for a little meeting.  BTW, Jon SooHoo shares a bunch of fantastic older pics of several Dodger players from the 2004 team who will be active during this years playoffs; including a great photo of Adrian Beltre with Dave Roberts as seen on the right.  Go here to check them out.  Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History:  In 1947 Dodger outfielder Al Gionfriddo robbed Joe Dimaggio of an extra base hit and several RBI's when he made a leaping grab near the left field bullpen during Game 6 of the World Series.  Go here to watch a highlight reel of the play.  In 1980 the Dodgers came back to defeat the Astros, 4-3, to sweep a season-ending, three-game series and force a one-game playoff with the Astros for the National League Western Division title.  Ron Cey had hit a two-run stunner in the 8th inning to help win the game.  Unfortunately, the Dodgers would lose that one-game playoff, 7-1, the next day.
• Happy Birthday, Tracy Woodson!

Blog Kiosk: 3/14/2016 - Dodgers Links - Thompson, Seager and Kenta Maeda

Just a little smooch.

Often in victory emotions can run run wild; as evidenced in the vintage International News press photo taken after Game 6 of the 1947 World Series.  Via the descriptor attached to the reverse:

CELEBRATING THEIR VICTORY THAT EVENED THE SERIES.  New York--This joyous scene in the Dodgers' dressing room at the Yankee Stadium, shows Al Gionfriddo, (left) whose spectacular catch of Joe DiMaggio's terrific smash into left field saved the game, being kissed Pee Wee Reese, as smiling teammates, Walker, Bragan and Stanky, gather around to congratulate their hero.  It was in the sixth inning of today's sixth series game, that Joe went to bat with two men on and blasted a hit the left field fence.  Gionfriddo raced right up against the boards to make the catch, and the Dodgers kept their 8 to 5 lead.  The Dodgers finally won the game 8-6, to even up the series three all."

Below are more links to check out:

• Via Harold Uhlman at Think Blue LA, "What is the status of the Dodgers MLB scouting?"

So what is the status of the Dodgers MLB scouting? Although some of us fear that analytics are taking over in the Dodgers Front Office, that may not be the case. That is, analytics may not trump scouting but just be a tool to use to gather information on players to complement scouting reports. Certainly an expectation is that the current foray into international scouting will continue and intensify and that more importance may well be placed on advance scouting.

• ICYMI: Via Ken Gurnick at MLB.com, "Seager to miss 1-2 weeks with knee sprain."

"It's nothing long term," Friedman said. "As soon as he's asymptomatic, he'll be back. A week or two. There's no tear, there's no surgery, nothing more than treating and waiting until he's asymptomatic and getting him back on the field. He was still feeling sore, but after we checked and we're confident it's nothing that will linger long term."

• Via Barry M. Bloom at MLB.com, "Maeda to stake claim among Japanese arms."

"He's going to fit in very nicely," Roberts said. "For him to be in his prime, he's excited to be here and we're excited to have him. All we want is for him to be himself. He can't be Hideo or Kuroda and Kazuhisa. He has to be himself and that's all we want."

• Via Bill Plunkett at the OC Register, "Trayce Thompson striking out on his own with Dodgers."

“Ever since T-ball, I couldn’t get him to put a bat down,” says Trayce’s father, Mychal Thompson. “Like my other sons, he played all sports growing up. But even during football and basketball seasons, between those games he’d be outside pretending to be a major leaguer. He was always swinging a bat.

“Just like basketball was it for Klay and Mychel, baseball was his game.”

• Just an early reminder.  Ken Burns documentary on Jackie Robinson will premier on KOCE on April 11th and 12th.  Below is a preview video:

Video Link:

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Blog Kiosk: 3/11/2016 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

The rookie coffee run continues for the Dodgers -- even during spring training.  This morning it appears that several of the young kids were tasked with getting coffee for the team, as evidenced in the photo above tweeted by Kyle Farmer.  From L-R: Julio Urias, Jose De Leon, Kyle Farmer?, Jharel Cotton, Caleb Dirks and Jacob Rhame.

Below are more links to check out:

• It's always a pleasure to work with Daniel at C70 At the Bat, so when he asked me to participate in his "Playing Pepper" question and answer session I was happy to oblige.  This series explores my, and several other Dodger bloggers', thoughts on the upcoming Dodger season.  Check out what I wrote, along with Alex Campos at Dodgers Way and Scott Andes at the LA Dodger Report, here.
• Via Richard Kagan at Baseball Magazine, "Brooklyn Dodgers’ World Series Comet: Al Gionfriddo."
• Via Barry M. Bloom at MLB.com, "Injured Guerrero progressing, nearing return."

"He's taking batting practice, taking grounders, but as far as our comfort level of him playing in a Major League game, we're not there yet," Roberts said.

• Via Fox Sports, "MLB Commish Manfred talks Snapchat, Dodgers and PEDs in wide-ranging interview."

Despite the league's wider access in many markets, Manfred did express his concern regarding the Dodgers ongoing TV troubles in which a large percentage of Dodgers' fans have been unable to watch their team in the local market due to limited access to the team's new cable channel. Calling the team one of the league's historic franchises, the commissioner said the league had no problem getting involved in discussions between the team and cable providers but was quick to point out they were limited in their influence.

In other words, there is no change in the situation, and ultimately there really isn't much the league can do.

• Former Dodger Randy Wolf to retire, via Jeff Todd at MLB Trade Rumors.
• Ron Cervenka at Think Blue LA wonders aloud, "Is Scott Schebler the next Paul Konerko, etc?"
• The ever popular Kiké Hernandez now has his very own store.  Go here to check it out.

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Original Brooklyn Dodger Portraits by Susan Rini

I knew I recognized these from somewhere.

The other day I ran into these gouache on cardboard paintings at an Clean Sweep auction and couldn't help but think that they looked familiar.  Then it hit me.

These are some of the original drawings for those postcard and cachet sets made in the 1980's to early 1990's.  Collectors especially liked to have them autographed by these old timers - much like the Perez Steele postcards from the same time period.  Check out what a couple of the Rini postcards look like on the right. 

As I dug around a bit I found out they were created by artist Suan Rini as a part of a commission for Historic Limited Editions.  Check out the auction here.  They did not sell.

Featured original paintings include Rex Barney, Joe Black, Ralph Branca, Roger Craig, Carl Erskine, Al Gionfriddo, Gene Hermanski, Spider Jorgensen, Clyde King (2 diff.), Billy Loes, Podres/Throneberry, George Shuba and Chris Van Cuyk. 

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