Blog Kiosk: 10/18/2016 - Dodgers Links - Kuroda to Retire, Urias in Game 4, and Game 3 Tonight

Dodger Stadium sure looks ready for today's Game 3.  It all begins at 5:08 PM tonight.  BTW, both the auto and stadium gates open at 2:08 PM.

The photo at the very top via Petros & Money on twitter.  Graphic above via @Dodgers on twitter. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History:  This is one of the worst days in Dodger history.  In 1977 Reggie Jackson slammed three home runs against the Dodgers in Game 6 at Yankee Stadium to win the World Series. 
• Happy Birthday, Alex Cora and former manager Burt Shotton!

Blog Kiosk: 9/11/2016 - Dodgers Links - Joe Davis, Kuroda, Buehler and Vin Scully

ICYMI: The Dodgers will be giving out a special commemorative edition of Dodger Insider magazine celebrating the life and career of Vin Scully to the first 50,000 fans in attendance on Sunday, September 25th on Fan Appreciation Day.  You can see it above.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodger History:  In 1998 Kevin Malone is named the Dodgers GM, replacing Tommy Lasorda.  Fans old enough will remember this one.  In 1983 RJ Reynolds squeezed home Pedro Guerrero in the ninth for an improbably walk-off victory against the Atlanta Braves.  The Dodgers scored four runs in the ninth to win.  Tommay Lasorda called his decision to call fro the squeeze his most "daring" of his career.

Blog Kiosk: 7/25/2016 - Dodgers Links - Kuroda, Liberatore and the Hall of Fame

Congratulations to both Mike Piazza and Ken Griffey Jr. on their induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame on Sunday.  Below is a closer look at their plaques.  Go here to watch Piazza's speech, or here for Junior's speech.

Photos above via MLB on twitter here and here.  Also, Dodgers photographer Jon SooHoo shared a bunch of great old pics featuring Piazza in Dodger Blue.  Go here to check those out.  Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodger History:  In 1956 Carl Furrillo is the first Dodger player to hit a home run at Roosevelt Stadium in Jersey City, NJ.  As you may know, the Dodgers played 15 home games there from 1956 to 1957.
• Happy Birthday, Guillermo Mota!

Dodgers Notes from Spring Training: Full-Squad Workout #6

Throughout Spring Training the Dodgers PR department sends out helpful daily notes from Camelback Ranch, and I am happy to pass them along.  See what they've written below.

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(Ellis with the catcher signs, via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2016)

MARCH MADNESS: The Dodgers held their sixth full-squad workout of Spring Training today with some team defense work (pickoffs and rundowns) and live batting practice. Los Angeles, in its eighth season training in Arizona, kicks off Cactus League play Thursday, March 3 against the White Sox.

GETTING IN THE RHYTHM: Chris Hatcher, Brett Anderson, Ross Stripling, Luis Avilan, Zach Lee and Chase DeJong all threw live BP today, while Scott Kazmir, Pedro Baez, Louis Coleman, Mike Bolsinger, Jharel Cotton, Jacob Rhame and Yaisel Sierra all threw regular bullpens.

• Anderson, 28, enters his eighth big league season after serving as a reliable starter for the Dodgers in his first season with the club in 2015. He posted a 10-9 record with a 3.69 ERA in a career-high 31 starts for Los Angeles and also finished with career highs in innings pitched (180.1) and quality starts (18). He led Major League qualifiers with a 66.7 groundball percentage last season and forced 23 groundball double plays, which ranked eighth most among starting pitchers in the senior circuit.

(Yaisel Sierra's first bullpen session, pic via Jon SooHoo on Dodgers twitter)

FIRST IMPRESSIONS: Newly acquired right-handed pitcher Yaisel Sierra participated in his first Spring Training workout with the club today, including throwing his first official bullpen of the spring. Sierra, 24, was signed by the Dodgers to a six-year contract last Sunday and pitched five seasons in Cuba’s Serie Nacional with Holguin (2010-14) and Sancti Spiritus (2012), going 16-21 with 25 saves and a 4.23 ERA in 131 games (25 starts). Sierra, who was ranked No. 13 on Baseball America’s Top 20 Cuban prospects list, pitched for the country’s gold-medal winning national team at the 2014 Central American and Caribbean Games. Sierra will wear No. 70.

MIC CHECK: Dodgers broadcasters Fernando Valenzuela and Pepe Yñiguez arrived in Camelback Ranch yesterday, while Charley Steiner arrived to Spring Training earlier today, as they prepare to call the first Cactus League game on Thursday, March 3 against the White Sox. Steiner, a four-time Emmy Award winner, is entering his 12th season as play-by-play announcer for the Dodgers and will primarily call the action from AM 570 LA Sports. The 17-year Major League veteran and legendary Dodger, Valenzuela enters his second season calling games on SportsNet LA in Spanish alongside Yñiguez, who enters his 18th season with the Dodgers.

(Josh Ravin, pic via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2015)

GET WELL SOON: Right-handed reliever Josh Ravin was involved in an automobile accident yesterday and broke his left radius. His surgery was scheduled for today. We wish Josh a speedy recovery!  (You can take a look at his broken arm here)

Thank you all for the well wishes!
It's definitely a tough break... ; )

— Josh Ravin™ (@FreshSqueezed22) March 1, 2016

THE BEGINNING: On this date in 2009, the Dodgers played their first-ever game at Camelback Ranch against the Chicago White Sox, with right-handed pitcher Hiroki Kuroda taking the mound and throwing the first-ever pitch at CBR. The club lost, 3-2, to their neighbors, who share one of the largest stadiums in the Cactus League.

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Blog Kiosk: 1/3/2015 - Dodger Links - Jackie Robinson, Dan Haren and Brett Anderson

Check out Jackie Robinson with just some of the trophies and awards he'd collected so far in his career.  It is an undated International News/The Sporting News press photograph that I ran into on eBay.  Go here to check out the auction.

Below are some links to check out:

• Awesome!  Via Jon Weisman at Dodger Insider, "Dribbling on behalf of Jackie Robinson."

I was in a Harlem Globetrotters rabbit hole last weekend when I stumbled upon this connection between famed Harlem Globetrotter Marques Haynes and famed Dodger Jackie Robinson.

• Via Harold Uhlman at Think Blue LA, "A look back at the 2014 Rancho Cucamonga Quakes."
• Via Carson Cistulli at FanGraphs, "The Other Uncertainty Regarding Brett Anderson."  Just something to think/worry about.

Another uncertainty regarding Anderson, however — perhaps related to his injuries and perhaps not — concerns his fastball velocity. For, simultaneous to recording the worst park-adjusted xFIP (96 xFIP-) of his career in 2014, Anderson also recorded his lowest ever average fastball velocity (89.8 mph). There’s a distinct relationship between velocity and success, nor does Anderson appear to be immune from it.

• Via Joe Frisaro at the Fish Pond blog tells us that, "Haren not intending on joining Marlins."

If Miami cannot work out a trade, it is not clear yet if the 12-year big league veteran will retire.

• bpb47 at BaseballPinbackButtons has solved a vintage Jackie Robinson pin mystery in a piece entitled, "ONE MYSTERY SOLVED!"  This really is a big deal for Dodger/Jackie Robinson pin collectors.  Go here to check it out.  It relates to the pin on the right and the letter "J" above the name "Brooklyn Eagle".  We now know what the "J" is all about, and there could possible be pins with many different letters in the marketplace.  ("J" appears to be most common, but "R" and "N" are known to exist.)  On a side note, I was asked about this pin many months ago, but didn't have an answer then.  Now, I do.  Below is a pic of the ad discussed in the story:

• Via David Golebiewski at the Daily Gammons, "Kuroda Quietly Brilliant During MLB Tenure."

In 2015, Kuroda will re-join the Hiroshima Carp having proven to be durable, occasionally dominant, and still capable of vanquishing MLB hitters as he nears his 40th birthday. From 2008-14, Kuroda ranked 19th among starters in innings pitched (1,319) and Wins Above Replacement (21.7). Had he decided to pitch another year in the show — or make just one more stellar start, even — he would have passed Nomo (21.8 WAR) for the highest career WAR total among Japanese-born hurlers.

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Blog Kiosk: 12/31/2014 - Dodger Links - Kuroda, Kershaw and Garvey

An obviously befuddled Jake Pitler, a Brooklyn Dodger coach, looks on as skipper Walter Alston takes a pick axe to a Dodgertown mound during Spring Training.  The photo was taken by legendary team photographer Barney Stein in 1955.  Check out the eBay auction where I found the photo here.

Below are some links to check out:

• RIP, Hank Presswood.  Via Nick Diunte at Examiner.com, "Hank Presswood, Negro League player with Cleveland and Kansas City, dies at 93."

“Willie Grace went to the Buckeyes and he was the one who told them about me,” Presswood said to me during a 2010 phone interview. “He was from Laurel, Mississippi. One day I was working and who was at my job, Grace and the foreman! He asked me about going, and I wanted to go you know. … I said, ‘What in the world are you doing here, I thought you were with the Buckeyes?’ He said, ‘I am with the Buckeyes, but I told them about you. I came after you.’ I was really surprised. I accepted and went on up there.”

• Wow!  The vintage Roy Campanella worn Brooklyn Dodgers jacket I featured in a post last month sold at Grey Flannel Auctions at $71,554.00.
• Via Barry M. Bloom at MLB.com, "Clutch Garvey merits a place among game's best."
• Via Ron Cervenka at Think Blue LA, "Hiroki Kuroda – Dodger Stadium’s other near perfect game."

Even though Kershaw’s no-no has been ranked as the most dominate no-hitter in modern baseball history by ‘Game Score‘ and was but a Hanley Ramirez throwing error away from becoming baseball’s 24th prefect game, it was not the only near perfect game to be tossed by a Dodger at The Ravine.

• Via Eno Sarris at FanGraphs, "The Best Pitches of 2014 (By Whiffs)."  Clayton Kershaw is mentioned as having the best slider of all starting pitchers... Of Course!
• If you don't already know, there will be a hockey game between the Washington Capitals and the Chicago Blackhawks on News Years Day at Nationals Park in DC, and Mike Bertha at Cut4 has some video of them transforming the field into a hockey rink.  There's also a video of the NHL ice crew playing some ball on ice.  Go here to check that out.

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Blog Kiosk: 12/30/2014 - Dodger Links - Time Warner, Kuroda and Sergio Santos

Missing Baseball in the dead of winter is the worst thing in the world.  I'm left to daydream of batted balls, snagging fly's and tagged out runners while the sky darkens with the treat of a cold rain.  Heck, sometimes I find myself window shopping online in hopes of finding a unique photo to remind why Spring is so eternal.  It's like their a symbol that the new year will truly be reborn once again, and that Baseball will begin anew.

Featured above is a vintage press photo I scoped out on eBay of Brooklyn second baseman Andy High tagging out infield prospect Fred Johnston down low.  It was taken during a Spring training workout in Clearwater, Florida on 3/9/1924 by Underwood & Underwood.

Below are some links to check out:

• Via Eric Stephen at True Blue LA, "Dodgers 2015 projections & fun with The Bill James Handbook."
• Via Ben Bergman at 89.3 KPCC, "Time Warner Cable adds 'sports programming fee' to the bill. Thank you, Dodgers?"  (Hat Tip: Dodgers Chatter)

Starting Jan. 1, your Time Warner Cable bill is going to get a little more expensive, with the addition of a “sports programming fee” of $2.75 a month. The charge is modest, but remember a lot of your cable bill goes to sports already, to pay hefty carriage fees to ESPN and an increasing number of regional sports networks (RSN's).

• Alex Markle at Chavez Ravining shares his own fantasy Baseball cards of the Dodgers.  Check them out here.  The Bubble machine .gif fantasy card is awesome.
• Via August Fagerstrom at FanGraphs, "Appreciating Hiroki Kuroda."  

Kuroda was never the best pitcher in the league; he was never the best pitcher on his team. But he wasn’t supposed to be. What he was, was consistent. In an era where pitchers are more volatile than ever, Kuroda was anything but.

• Here are even more preview pics from Panini America's National Treasures Baseball card set, via Chris Olds at Beckett.  Check out the Kershaw and Puig cards below.

• Via Eric Stephen at True Blue LA, "Dodgers, Sergio Santos reportedly nearing minor league deal."  This is likely a depth move for the Dodger bullpen.
• Via Jeff Sullivan at FanGraphs, "The Team Projections and You (National League)."  His comments about the Dodgers recent makeover keep me optimistic.
• A fun read.  Via William Ryczek at The National Pastime Museum, "Phil Linz and His Harmonica Win the 1964 American League Pennant for the Yankees."

But Linz left his mark on the 1964 pennant race as, of all things, a harmonica player—and not a very good one. 

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Blog Kiosk: 12/29/2014 - Dodger Links - Kuroda to Play in Japan, Justin Tuner and Chin-Hui Tsao?

Here is just another press photo from a a vintage spring.  Featured above is a 1957 International News press photo dated February 27, 1957.  The caption attached to the reverse says:

SAFETY FOIST-----Vero Beach, FLA........ Protected by a screen behind the pitcher's mound, manager Walter Alston keeps a critical eye on things as Fred Krupp pitches during practice at the Dodgers spring camp in Vero Beach.  Alston took this precaution after he was almost beaned by a line drive

Such are the perils of Spring!  I ran into this photo on eBay.  Check out the auction here.

Below are some links to check out:

• Cary Osborne at Dodger Insider give us the inside scoop on, "How Yasiel Puig landed the cover of MLB 15 The Show."

“We wanted to focus on someone whose passion for gaming is only superseded by their passion for baseball. Where gaming is organically part of what’s important to them. In that way, they can more organically speak to the brand and the game.”

• Here's an old friend alert.  Via Jeff Todd at MLB Trade Rumors, "Hiroki Kuroda Plans To Return To Hiroshima Carp."  And as expected, Kuroda's career will go full circle.  He will end his illustrious professional career with the club he started with.  He was a great Dodger pitcher and I had hoped he would play in LA one last time before going back home. 
• Left Field Pavilion made some fantastic graphics in honor of Hiroki Kuroda.  Check those out here.
• Via MLB Fan Cave, "Justin Turner Gives Sad Dodgers Fan a Jersey for Christmas."

One young Dodgers fan had his Christmas dampened by the fact that his favorite team had just traded his favorite player, Matt Kemp. But current Dodger Justin Turner came to the rescue with the perfect solution.

• Panini America released more preview pics from their upcoming National Treasures Baseball card set here.  Check out an autographed Clayton Kershaw booklet card on the right.
• Via Jon Weisman at Dodger Insider, "2014 postscript: From piano to panic, a Kershaw no-hitter odyssey."  Jon shares his story of the day Kershaw threw his no-hitter.

By this time in my Dodger life, Kershaw knew generally who I was, but it’s not as if he really knew me — I’m not sure if he even knew my name. So you can imagine how taken aback I was when he put his glove down on some gear near me and asked, “Can you watch this for a minute?”

• Via Bill Skaikin at The LA Times, "Dodgers close to signing Taiwanese pitcher Chin-Hui Tsao."

Tsao, 33, appeared in 21 games as a reliever for the Dodgers in 2007. He previously played for the Colorado Rockies, becoming the first Taiwanese pitcher in Major League Baseball.

And as Evan Bladh at Opinion of Kingman's Performance indicates, "Chin-hui Tsao Should Have to Be Vetted by MLB Before Reinstatement."  Tsao is currently banned from playing ball in Taiwan due to fixing games and recently prohibited from playing in Australia, as a result.

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Blog Kiosk: 8/8/2013 - Dodgers Links - Kemp, Puig and Brian Wilson

Matt Kemp is working hard to get back into the lineup.  Pic via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2013.

• "Kemp takes batting practice for first time since injury: Dodgers star eligible to return Tuesday, but yet to begin running on left ankle," via Chad Thornburg at MLB.com.

"It felt good to get back out there and hit a little bit," Kemp said. "I felt like a real baseball player. It's been tough. Play a little bit, don't play, out for a while, come back. You know, it's a start. It's better than where I was."

• "Yasiel Puig’s top five moments so far this season — what’s your favorite?  Via Mike Oz at Big League Stew.
• "Yasiel Puig, Plate Disciplinarian," via Jon Weisman at Dodger Thoughts.

His ups were followed by some downs, and his downs have now turned into some ups. The ride will continue, but it’s hard not to be excited by his ability to show power with restraint.

• Puig has just signed an endorsement deal with Italian sunglass maker Rudy Project.  Go here for information.  (Hat Tip: True to the Blue)

“Although Rudy Project is more commonly known in cycling and running sports, having an athlete like Yasiel Puig wear our sunglasses while playing for the Dodgers will allow our brand to be widely recognized as we enter into the baseball market,” remarked Rudy Project North America Co-owner Steve Wagner. “All of us within the company are proud that Puig chose Rudy Project eyewear and sunglasses to be his choice on and off the field. We’ll keep making the best eyewear in the world and hope Puig just keeps everyone in awe of his play.”

• I love reading about how well Hiroki Kuroda is doing.  I only wish he was doing it in Dodger Blue.  "Hiroki Kuroda’s Case for the Cy Young Award," via Matt Klaassen at FanGraphs.
• "Brian Wilson pitches scoreless inning in first minor league rehab game," via Eric Stephen at True Blue LA.
• Check out a pic of Brian Wilson as he he heads out to the field in preparation of pitching, via DodgersBeat on twitter.

And it begins for @BrianWilson38 as a Dodger. #Dodgers #FearTheBeard pic.twitter.com/AWglS5dOgX
— DodgersBeat (@DodgersBeat) August 8, 2013

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Dodgers Vs. Yankees Tonight and Tomorrow - Details Here

In one of the more anticipated match-ups of the year, the Yankees come to town to face the Dodgers in a series that is sure to invoke historic memories.  I'll be going to the game, courtesy of Barry's Tickets, and will sit in one of my favorite spots - the Top Deck.  Sure, I won't anywhere near the field, but you can see everything from up there.  Besides, the fans are better in the cheap seats.  BTW, Barry's Tickets recently became an sponsor of this blog, so I wanted to give them a Shout Out - "You Feelin' Me!"

Per a Dodger press release:

The Dodgers take on the Yankees for the second time this season as Los Angeles played its first-ever regular season road games against the New York Yankees in a two-game series in the Bronx from June 18-19. The Dodgers have split their eight regular-season meetings with New York. The clubs have met 66 times in the postseason with New York holding a 37-29 advantage and the 11 World Series meetings between the Dodgers and Yankees is the most common Fall Classic matchup and ranks second in all-time meetings for a championship title among the four major pro sports.

The Dodger will honor Mariano Rivera prior to tonights game.  Auto and stadium gates open early at 5:10 p.m. Comedian Ken Jeong, best known as “Mr. Chow” in the Hangover trilogy, will read the Dodgers’ starting lineup.

(The) Veteran of the Game is U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel Patti Taylor of Cranesville, NY. Taylor enlisted in 1964, was trained in Combat Medicine and served in numerous army installations throughout the country. She was deployed to Vietnam and served in support of Operation Desert Storm/Shield, Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. Taylor is currently a volunteer nurse for Operation Mend at UCLA where wounded service members are brought for reconstructive and functional surgeries due to injuries sustained while deployed. Taylor’s accolades include two Army Achievement Medals and the Army Commendation Medal. 

Wednesday's game with the Yankees with feature Clayton Kershaw versus Hiroki Kuroda.  Like yesterday, auto and stadium gates open early at 5:10 p.m.Samuel L. Jackson will read the Dodgers’ starting lineup.

Wednesday’s Veteran of the Game is U.S. Marine Corps Sergeant Patryck Stanwood of West Hills. Stanwood enlisted in 2005 and has served at Camp Pendleton, CA and Kaneohe, HI and was deployed to Afghanistan, Kuwait, Jordan and Australia. He was trained as an Embarkation Chief, was recently honorably discharged from the Marine Corps and is now pursuing his Bachelor of Science in Business Management at Cal State Northridge. Stanwood’s accolades include the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal and the NATO Medal – ISAF Afghanistan.

BTW, the Dodgers and Sanrio (maker of Hello Kitty) are teaming up.

The Dodgers and Sanrio are launching exclusive Hello Kitty co-branded merchandise that will be available starting tomorrow at all official team stores at Dodger Stadium. These items will include Hello Kitty stickers ($4), pin ($10), plush mascot ($12), keychain ($15), coin purse ($21), pouch ($23), sunglasses ($25), cap ($34), plush ($35), phone case ($40), Kids Tee ($40), Girls Tee ($40), Tote bag ($57) and women’s hoodie ($92).

Goodness gracious.  There will be more Hello Kitty in Blue to give me nightmares.

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Blog Kiosk: 5/22/2013

Perfection in motion.  Above is a pic of Clayton Kershaw doing what he does best.  Pic via the Dodgers tumblr Dodger Dugout Steps.

• David Brown at Big League Stew first reported that every MLB team will be wearing special camouflage uniforms to commemorate Memorial Day this year.  Then, Roberto at VSIMH tracks down photos of the Dodger cap and jersey.  See the cap to the right.
• Check out Greg Zakwin's (of Plaschke, Thy Sweater is Argyle fame) first piece on Yahoo entitled, "Los Angeles Dodgers Have a History of Mishandling Injuries, but They Did Right by Zack Greinke and His Broken Collarbone."
• Tommy Lasorda and Charlie Hough will represent the Dodgers on the first day of the 2013 Baseball Draft, via Spencer Fordin at MLB.com.
• Michael Clair at Baseball Prospectus writes a piece that ... well, let's just say that I'm sure the Baseball world tried to forget about this.  He analyzes the ballplayers who appeared within the pages of Playgirl in the 80's.  BTW, our own Steve Yeager is included.
• I miss Kuroda.  Via Brian Costa at the Wall Street Journal, Kuroda may be the best free agent signing the Yankees have ever made.  Sigh.
• Eric Nusbaum at SB Nation writes about one of the greatest sluggers to ever play the game that no one knows about.  Meet Hector Espino - Mexico's greatest hitter.

Yet Héctor Espino did not feel deprived or denied of anything; he could have played, yet he chose not to. To him there was nothing unfortunate at all about staying in Mexico. He embraced the baseball of his nation, and in doing so also rejected the notion that Mexico was some kind of little brother; that the United States owns the history of the sport. He refused to allow himself to be defined in American terms, to be measured by those who did not know him or his country. In the United States, Espino would have been a foreign entity - always and forever a Mexican slugger. His reward for staying home was a kind of heroism, a unique status of immeasurable respect and deep reverence that eludes all but a very few. Where else but Mexico could Espino have been Espino?

• Dodger Penguin shares a a great autographed Baseball of Roger Craig that has the notation 1955 Champs.  Awesome!  I hate knowing that he used to skipper the hated SF Giants, but having that Dodger notation on the ball really helps erase that memory.
• Greg at Plaschke, Thy Sweater is Argyle shares his haul from this past weekends card show in Culver City.  I love the vintage Batman cards he got.  The artwork is fantastic.  Jesse at LA Inspiration also shares what he came home with.

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Dodgers Blog Kiosk: 11/21/2012

• Oh well.  Kuroda has resigned with the Yankees for 1-year at $15Mil, via Hard Ball Talk.  I am genuinely disappointed about this.
• I'm not quite sure what this means, but according to Danny Knobler at CBS Sports the Dodgers are calling around asking about Zach Grienke.  This might have something to do with Grienke's widely reported issues with depression and social anxiety disorder.  For some background, go here. 
• Here's a strange combo.  Chan Ho Park, Larry King and PSY were hanging out, via Samer Kalaf at Deadspin.  Sounds like a bad joke, eh?
• Are you wondering if there will be a Dodgers Black Friday sale?  Well, wonder no more.  The Dodgers will host a BLUE FRIDAY sale at Dodgers Stadium.  It will be at the Left Loge by parking lot D.  See the tweet below.

(twitter link)

• I guess we dodged a bullet.  Steve Dilbeck at the LA Times is reporting that one of the other suitors to buy the Dodgers, Steve Cohen, has just been indicted on insider-trading.
• Roberto at Vin Scully is My Homeboy translates an article from Puerto Rico that featured Yasiel Puig as he discusses how he left Cuba.
• Go to Night Owl Cards to see his list of the Best Dodgers cards ever made, #50-#41.
• Per a recent Dodgers press release, they added minor leaguers Steven Ames and Matt Magill to the 40 man roster:

Ames, 24, who hails from Vancouver, WA, pitched for Double-A Chattanooga of the Southern League last year and was 3-3 with 18 saves and a 1.56 ERA in 54 games. The reliever struck out 72 batters in 63.1 innings of work and held right-handed hitters to a .177 average (25-for-141). Ames was selected by the Dodgers in the 17th round of the 2007 First-Year Player Draft.

Magill, 23, is a local product, who was drafted out of Royal High School in Simi Valley, CA in the 31st round of the 2008 First-Year Player Draft. The California native had a great season at Double-A Chattanooga in 2012 as he started 26 games for the Lookouts, posting an 11-8 record with a 3.75 ERA. The right-hander fanned 168 batters in his 146.1 innings, including four games with 10 or more strikeouts.

• The below photo was tweeted by Patrick O'Neal.  If I'm not mistaken, they are going to tear out all of that concrete, as well.

(tweet link)

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Dodgers Blog Kiosk: 11/19/2012 - Kuroda, Fujikawa, Grienke and Ryu

Dee Gordon shared a photo on twitter of his new glove.  He wrote, "My new baby! I can't wait to dirty you up!!!"

• Happy Birthday, Roy Campanella.  He would have been 91 today.  (Hat Tip: Greg Zakwin ArgyledPlaschke) 
• Be sure to check out Sean Kane's website, Painted Glove Collectibles, featuring his artwork on vintage Baseball gloves.  He recently completed an incredible Jackie Robinson glove.  I am currently working on a interview with the artist and hope to have it up online after Thanksgiving.
• Mike Petriello at Mike Scioscia's Tragic Illness writes about the upcoming Rule 5 Draft.
• Mark Saxon at ESPN notes that the Dodgers might have the inside track on Hiroki Kuroda.

Previously, teams have been under the impression that Kuroda would either re-sign with the New York Yankees or return to his native Japan to finish his career. But Kuroda has told friends that his first preference is to pitch in Southern California, where his two daughters are attending elementary school. 

• Gerry Fraley of the Dallas Morning News notes that Japanese free agent closer Kyuji Fujikawa is in America visiting MLB clubs interested in his services; including the Dodgers.  In fact, he is expected to be in LA soon.  (MLB Trade Rumors)

Fujikawa, considered among the top closers in Nippon Pro Baseball over the last decade, toured the facilities of Arizona and the Chicago Cubs in the last week. He is expected to also visit with the Los Angeles Angels and Los Angeles Dodgers, both of whom have expressed interest.

• Via Michael Silverman at the Boston Herald, the Dodgers are considered the top contenders for Zach Grienke's services.  (Hat Tip: Hard Ball Talk)

According to an industry insider, the Dodgers are the favorites to wind up with top free agent starter Zack Greinke, with the Angels and Rangers on the outside looking in. 

• Derek Carty at Baseball Prospectus scouts the fantasy value of Hyun-Jin Ryu.
• Be sure to follow the updates to the Dodgers Mall Tour this winter.  More Dodger players are being announced all of the time.
• Congratulations to the LA Galaxy on their return to the MLS Cup Championship.  Pic below via twitter @LAGalaxy.

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Hiroki, Come Home!

As you may know, old friend Hiroki Kuroda was set to decide today whether to accept the Yankees' qualifying offer for a one-year contract at $13.3Mil.  If he declined, then he would become a free agent.

Well, it has just been reported that Kuroda will test the market, once again.

(twitter link)

What does this mean?

Whatever MLB team that signs Kuroda to a free agent contract will have to do it at a cost.  They will lose their upcoming 1st round draft pick.  Additionally, the Yankees will gain (I think this is the right term) a supplemental 1st round draft pick as compensation.  This would not be the draft pick the new team loses, but it is a draft pick made available to the Yankees after the initial 30 teams make their 1st round draft picks.

So, is signing Kuroda worth the loss of that 1st round draft pick.

I say YES!  Although it's likely that Hiroki Kuroda will only stay stateside for another couple of years the stability he provides to the starting rotation today makes it worth it.  That man is a warrior, and a desirable piece to the puzzle that has been the Dodgers.  Sure, he's not an ace, but no pitcher in the market today brings the experience and consistency that Kuroda brings.

Some have argued that the loss of that 1st round draft pick is far too costly.  That the future potential we lose is a significant financial and talent loss in the future.  Overall, I tend agree with that, but draft picks aren't entirely risk free.  In Baseball (unlike other sports) it is very difficult to accurately forecast whether any one player will succeed.  Heck, most early pitching draft picks do not come close to being as good as Kuroda.  So, why hope that we potentially might have a star pitcher a few years down the road when you can assure yourself of that high performing pitcher today.

On top of that, with the Dodgers expanding their scouting overseas, they can easily compensate that draft pick loss by upping their efforts in Asia and Latin America.  And if I'm not mistaken, the Dodgers are already doing that.

So, sign Hiroki Kuroda and let him come home to the Dodgers.  He never should have been allowed to leave anyway.

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Dodgers Blog Kiosk: 11/5/2012

In the photo above former Dodgers Joe Pignatano and Ralph Branca, along with Gil Hodges Jr, meet with the press prior to the Opening Home Game of the Brooklyn Nets.  Pic via twitter @EmmaSpan.

• How many LA Dodgers from the 2000's can you name in 20 minutes?  Check your knowledge, here.
• Kuroda is apparently choosing between the Yankees or the Hiroshima Carp, via Mike Axisa at River Avenue Blues.
• Dee Gordon had a big day in the Dominican Winter League, via MLB.com.

Licey 10, Estrellas 1
Dodgers shortstop Dee Gordon tripled and drove in a game-high three runs to lead the Tigres in a romp over Oriente. Rangers' No. 2 prospect Mike Olt, Frisco teammate Engel Beltre and Dodgers prospect Tim Federowicz each scored twice as Licey tallied 16 hits in the contest. The lone Estrellas run came on a solo homer by Felix Pie (Dodgers) in the first. Box score

• Check out the Top 10 Great Lakes Loons Games of 2012 on their blog, From the Nest (Part 1) (Part 2).  They are a Class A minor league club of the Dodgers. 
• Dodgers prospect Alfredo Silverio is outrighted to Albuquerque in a move that takes him off the 40-man roster, Ken Gurnick at MLB.com.

Silverio, considered one of the organization's better outfield prospects a year ago, was seriously injured in a January auto accident in his native Dominican Republic and missed the entire 2012 season. 

• Via Steve Dilbeck at the LA Times, Tagg Romney, son of Mitt, was an employee for the Dodgers at one time.

During his approximately one-year tenure with the Dodgers, insiders described him as everything from a “very nice guy who was just in way over his head” to a “vacuous-eyed, transparent political appointment.”

• Just in case you care.  Manny Ramirez is set to play in the Dominican Winter League this week, via Javier Maymi at ESPN.
• Dave Cameron at FanGraphs takes a look at "The 25 Best- and 5 Worst- Free Agent Values."
• Justin Sellers recently visited Universal Studios Halloween Horror Nights.  Check out his adventure below.

Video Link:

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Dodgers Blog Kiosk: 10/30/2012

Be sure to check out The Cleveland Show this coming Sunday as both Matt Kemp and Andre Ethier make an appearance.  Pic via twitter @Dodgers.

• Tickets are available for Dodgers Night at a Clippers game.  Go here.  At the right is the Dodgers themed t-shirt that will be given away to fans who purchase through this offer.
• Cheech Marin writes in the Huffington Post about his Dodger upbringing.

Years later, I remember one of the most surreal moments I ever had as an adult. At some charity event with a lot of sports figures in attendance, I was at the bar getting a drink. I turned around and there was this huge guy standing in front in me smiling. He stuck out his hand and said "Hi, Cheech. I'm Don Newcombe." I stood there for what seemed like a year with my mouth wide open. I was instantly 10 years old and all I could think of was "Don Newcombe knows my name?" 

• Ken Gurnick at MLB.com speaks with recent Dodgers hiree Gerry Hunsicker.

"In L.A., Stan is obviously excited about what's going on and the direction they're heading, and it was possible they would need a senior level executive to assist him and Ned, be an extra set of eyes and ears," said Hunsicker. "So not only is there my admiration for Stan, but the fact it's the Dodgers. 

• Molly Knight at ESPN writes about the birth of AJ Ellis third child- while on Interstate 43 earlier this month.
• Dodgers looking at bringing back Kuroda? via Ken Gurnick at MLB.com.
• Andre Etheir trade, not happening.  via Jon Heyman at CBS.
• Sports Collectors Daily reports on the 2012 World Series artifacts to make it to the Cooperstown.
• Busted Coverage has pics of a bunch of athletes in their Halloween best.

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Dodgers Blog Kiosk: 7/9/2012

Here's a peek at the Tommy Lasorda/ Walter Alston bobblehead being given out on July 14th, via twitter @Dodgers.

• Dodgers 1st round pick Corey Seager is off to a fast start in his pro career.  In his second game ever he gets 3 hits while scoring twice, via Robert Emrich at MLB.com.  Seager went 1 for 3 in his first game this past Saturday.

 "That was really exciting," Seager said. "I've been waiting for it since last Saturday and I finally got in and I finally got to play. First two innings, I was nervous. The game was going a little fast, but after the second, everything kind of slowed down and it was all right."

• "Yankees' Kuroda Was Molded by Pain in Japan", via David Waldstein of the New York Times.

“Many players would faint in practice,” Kuroda said with the assistance of his interpreter, Kenji Nimura. “I did go to the river and drink. It was not the cleanest river, either. I would like to believe it was clean, but it was not a beautiful river."

• Evan on twitter @newmixicofan put up some pics of Matt Kemp in Albuquerque during his second stint this season.  Below is my favorite pic of all.

• Dodgers prospect Chris Reed pitched in the 2012 All-Star Futures Game in Kansas City, via Alden Gonzalez at MLB.com.

"It's exciting," Reed said by his locker at Kauffman Stadium, where he suited up for the World team. "It's obviously a new experience coming into a new season, great city, and obviously a nice ballpark to play in.  A lot of talent here."

• Just a little bit of controversy brewing in the autographed Koufax contest at Beckett.  Greg has more.

• "Baseball Treasure Walks into All-Star FanFest", via Sports Collectors Daily.  There is a video in the link.

This year's event was in Kansas City and hundreds of people have shown up to find out what their sports cards and sports memorabilia are worth. Much of it is of the modern vintage but once in awhile a gem walks in the door, often in the hands of older folks who have hung onto it for years.

• Nick Diunte at the Examiner.com interviews Chuck Stevens, who was the first MLB'er to face Satchel Paige in a real MLB game.

“When Satch relieved against us [in Cleveland], he was just spotting the ball around. [It seemed like] he had lost 60 mph off of his fastball. He threw his breaking stuff and he had great control so you knew he was going to be around the plate all the time. He wasn’t going to overpower you like I had seen him in his earlier days,” he said.

• Cole Hamels loves the Dodgers, via Leslie Gudel at CSNPhilly.com.

LG: I’m going to ask you about one team specifically, because it’s been talked about much of the season. Is there an appeal to the Dodgers for you?

CH: It’s going home, I mean, that’s pretty much it. I know the West Coast really well.  I pitch really well on the west coast. I think it’s appealing to every player when they’re growing up that, one day, hoping they can play in the major leagues, it’s always to play for your home team. Even though the Padres were obviously the home team I grew up with, the Dodgers were kind of there neck and neck, so I think that’s the closest home team I would ever get to.  

2012 Topps Heritage- Dodgers Base Cards

This was another big week for Baseball card collectors. Just a couple of days ago Topps officially released their 2012 Heritage set that emulates the vintage 1963 Topps set. There are plenty of Dodgers represented in it. Check out all of the Dodgers base cards below.

I plan on picking up some packs over the weekend, so I'll be sure to share what I get then. I might even try to take a video of the break.

1 NL Batting Leaders - Kemp, Reyes, Braun, Pence, Votto

3 NL Home Run Leaders - Kemp, Fielder, Pujols, Uggla, Stanton

5 NL ERA Leaders - Kershaw, Halladay, Lee, Vogelsong, Lincecum

9 NL Strikeout Leaders - Kershaw, Lee, Halladay, Lincecum, Gallardo

105 James Loney

123 Andre Ethier

150 Hiroki Kuroda

154 Don Mattingly - Mgr.

196 Tim Federowicz - RC

210 Clayton Kershaw

261 Javy Guerra

Matt Kemp has a short print in the set. Directly below is the normal Heritage card for him, but below that is the short printed variation with the photos flipped.

279 Matt Kemp

310 Jerry Sands

360 Chad Billingsley

363 Aaron Harang

411 Nathan Eovaldi

412 Dodgers Big Three - Kemp, Ethier, Kershaw

427 Dee Gordon SP

431 Jerry Hairston Jr. SP

439 Aaron Miles SP