Blog Kiosk: 5/30/2018 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Just another DL bound pitcher. As you certainly know, Kenta Maeda suffered a right hip strain during last nights loss to the Phillies, 6-1. Per Ken Gurnick at MLB.com:

"It's unexpected. Murphy's Law type of thing," said Dodgers manager Dave Roberts, who said he anticipates Maeda being placed on the disabled list. "But our guys are resilient. We keep finding ways to win and battle." 

On the heels of Brock Stewart's four-inning spot start on Monday night, the Dodgers' bullpen had to pick up 7 1/3 innings from Maeda on Tuesday night. That's 12 1/3 bullpen innings in two days, a toll that could be felt for days to come, especially with a weekend series at Coors Field against the first-place Rockies. 

"I thought our 'pen did a good job trying to eat up 23 outs," said Roberts. "It's not ideal. It was really stressed today."

Photo above via Jill Weisleder/Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Insider. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1946 Boston Braves outfielder Bama Rowell became the first player to hit the Bulova clock located above the right field scoreboard with a long drive at Ebbets Field. His wallop shattered the clock face, causing glass to fall on the field and onto Dodger outfielder Dixie Walker. The event is said to have been the inspiration for a similar incident found in the book The Natural that was written by Brooklyn author Bernard Malamud. BTW, Rowell's hit, recorded as a double, should have earned him a free watch from Bulova, but did not receive it until 41 years later, on Bama Rowell day in his hometown of  Citronelle, Alabama. In 1962 Maury Wills becomes the 7th player in history to hit home runs from each side of the plate during a single game. The feat was accomplished against the Mets during the first game of a doubleheader that afternoon.
• Happy Birthday, Jesse Whiting, Al Mamaux, Ed Rakow & Manny Ramirez!

Blog Kiosk: 2/1/2017 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Don Newcombe was a beast in 1955.  He finished the Dodgers only championship season in Brooklyn by going 20-5 with 17 complete games, 143 strike outs and a league leading 1.113 WHIP.  This, of course, would just be a precursor to what would happen the following year.  In 1956 Newcombe would take home both the Cy Young and MVP awards -- a first in Baseball.  Featured above is a 1955 AP wirephoto, dated Jully 11th, that shows Don's complete windup (auction link).  Per the descriptor:

Batter's Eye View of Big Don Newcombe -- Don Newcombe, big Brooklyn righthander and a member of the National League All-Star team, throws a fast one past a sequence camera in Polo Grounds yesterday before Dodgers-Giants game.  Newcombe has 14 and 1 record on the mound this year.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History:  In 1919 the Dodgers traded Jake Daubert to the Reds for outfielder Tommy Griffith.  In 1959 ever-popular Brooklyn Dodgers outfilder Zach Wheat is unanimously elected to the Hall of Fame by the Veterans Committee.  In 1976 East Lansing police arrest Dodgers reliever Mike Marshall for disobeying the orders set by the Michigan State University police prohibiting him from taking batting practice. MSU feared he would hit balls too far and injure students on an adjacent tennis court. Marshall protests that it is against his rights as an MSU instructor and files a lawsuit against the school.
• Happy Birthday, Chuck Churn, Elian Herrera, Justin Sellers & Brett Anderson!
  

Blog Kiosk: 10/22/2016 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends -- Game 6

Game 6 is now.  Above is today;s starting lineup.

Graphic above via SportsNet LA on twitter.  Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History:  In 1965 the Dodgers released Wall Moon, whose famed "Moon Shots" over the short left field wire fence at the Coliseum helped propel Los Angeles towards a championship in 1959. 

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: 10/4/2016 - Dodgers Links - Liberatore, Hershiser, Dodgers Wrestling and Kershaw

So... What are the Dodgers doing while they await their NLDS this coming weekend against the Nationals?

Watching some wrestling, of course.

Featured above are JP Howell, Justin Turner and Josh Reddick, along with WWE star Seth Rollins, at Monday Night RAW in the Staples Center.  As you can see, they gave Rollins his very own Dodgers jersey.  BTW, Reddick is also seen holding the Dodgers "Player of the Game" belt on his shoulder.  In fact, he would later on show off the belt to the wrestling fans in attendance, via a photo shared by Reddick on Instagram on the right.

Photo at the very top via Justin Turner on twitter.  Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History:  In 1955 the unbelievable happened.  The Brooklyn Dodgers, behind the brilliant pitching of Johnny Podres, captured their very first World Championship in franchise history.  They defeated the hated NY Yankees in seven games.  In 1959 the Dodgers won the teams very first playoff game in Los Angeles when they defeated the Chicago White Sox, 3-1.  This win put them up two games to one in the series.  They would later on win the World Series in the sixth game four days later.  In 2006 the worst play in Dodgers playoff history happened (in my opinion) when two runners are thrown out at home plate on the same throw during Game 1 of the NLDS against the Mets.  You can relive the horror here.
• Happy Birthday, Mike Sharperson, Stephen Fife and Tony Gwynn Jr.!

2016 Topps Now - Kenley Jansen Becomes All Time Saves King for Dodgers

For the second day in a row a Dodger player is given a 2016 Topps Now card to call his own.  Featured here is Kenley Jansen's card that highlights his franchise leading career save #162.  Go here to check it out and order.

Jansen has been so great for the Dodgers I though I'd pass along some quotes from his teammates acknowledging his work.  Via Jack Baer and Jamal Collier at MLB.com:

"The consistency that he brings every year to the back end of our games, it's nice to have," (Justin) Turner said. "It's nice to know when you pass the ball to him with the lead, you got a really good chance of winning the ballgame."

Blog Kiosk: 4/25/2016 - Dodgers Links - Puig, Scully and Don Mattingley's Return

No doubt Yasiel Puig is having fun again after a tumultuous season last year.  After Saturdays victory against the Rockies he somehow found himself standing among a throng of teens in formal wear.  It is prom season in America and Puig, obviously curios about the occasion, joined the revelry had by the student of ChatfieldHigh School of Littleton, Colorado.  He had the crashed the party and fortunately shared a couple pics on twitter for us to enjoy.

Featured above some of the kids with Puig in the middle (twitter link here).  Below, he poses with members of the high school Baseball team (twitter link here).

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History:  On this day in 1976 Rick Monday saved the American flag from a couple of protesters in the outfield at Dodger Stadium.  The incident was immortalized in the photo seen on the right.
• Happy Birthday, JP Howell!
• Via Jacob Unruh at News OK, "OKC Dodgers: Herges talks talented pitching staff."

Blog Kiosk: 4/13/2016 - Dodgers Links - First Glove, Raised "LA" Logo and Vin Scully

It doesn't get much better than this.

Yesterday's Opening Day was all about celebrating Vin Scully and the many years he sat behind the mic to call games.  Players and personnel from his entire career came out to greet and honor him, and it was clear to see how touched the man of the hour was.  It was quite a sight to see, and I'm sure the moment will be remembered by everyone in attendance.

In the middle of all the pomp and circumstance was probably the best selfie ever taken.  Check it out above.  From L to R: Kershaw (walking away), Newcombe, Valenzuela, Downing, Hershiser (holding camera), Russell, Cey, Magic, Wills, Koufax, Vin, Garvey, Lasorda, Monday.  Pic at the very top via Dodgers on twitter.

As for the game, it was a stinker.  The Dodger got off to an early lead, and Kenta Maeda was crafty in his six inning of scoreless pitching.  Unfortunately, the Dodgers bullpen was not up to the task.  They gave up four runs to lose the game.  Via Jon Weisman at Dodger Insider:

“It’s a long season, and there are going to be ups and downs and guys are gonna struggle. … Right now, these guys aren’t throwing the ball as well as they’d like to or we’d like ’em to. But they’d be the first to say that.”
...
“Right now, you want to give these guys confidence and give them opportunities,” he said. “I expect to be ahead in a lot of games late, and we’re gonna need ’em, if we want to have a great season. So for me, it’s way too early to think about changing the roles.

“You’re seeing certain pitches that aren’t being executed, and over a certain time if that continues, then you’ve got to kind of entertain (changes), but right now, we’re just way too early.”

Check out a bunch of great photos from the game by Jon SooHoo here.  Below are more links to check out:

• Wow!  Via Paul Lukas at ESPN, "Uni Watch: L.A. Dodgers display new 3-D look on batting helmet."

Dodgers Notes from Spring Training: Spring Game 28/Home Game 14

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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Texas Rangers (16-11-1) at LOS ANGELES DODGERS (12-12-3)
Monday, March 28, 2016 – 7:05 p.m. PT | Camelback Ranch - Glendale
LHP Derek Holland (3-1, 2.65) vs. LHP Alex Wood (0-2, 6.00)
TV: SNLA Radio: None

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(Gonzo and Joc, pic via Joc on twitter)

THE FINAL SPRINT: The Dodgers take on the Rangers in the second-to-last home date at Camelback Ranch this spring and the club’s final night game in Arizona. The Dodgers and Rangers tied, 3-3, all the way back on March 4 in Surprise. Following tonight’s contest, the Dodgers have two games left in the Phoenix area prior to the Freeway Series, which begins Thursday night at Dodger Stadium.

• Opening Day, April 4 against the Padres in San Diego, is just one week away!

Dodgers Notes from Spring Training: Spring Game 23/Road Game 13

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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LOS ANGELES DODGERS (10-10-2) at Cleveland Indians (11-10-2)
Thursday, March 24, 2016 – 7:05 p.m. MT | Goodyear Ballpark
LHP Clayton Kershaw (2-0, 1.80) vs. RHP Trevor Bauer (1-0, 4.00)
TV: SNLA Radio: None

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(AGon's new cleat, pic via AGon on twitter)

Dodgers Notes from Spring Training: Spring Game 21/Home Game 10

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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Seattle Mariners (9-11-2) vs. LOS ANGELES DODGERS (10-8-2)
Monday, March 21, 2016 – 1:05 p.m. MT | Camelback Ranch
RHP Hisashi Iwakuma (2-0, 5.87) vs. RHP Kenta Maeda (1-0, 0.00)
TV: None Radio: None

Here’s how the #Dodgers & #Mariners will start today’s game. We’ll get you highlights & analysis at 7PM tonight. pic.twitter.com/umqG65vRH8

— SportsNet LA (@SportsNetLA) March 21, 2016

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(Kenley Jansen, pic via Jon SooHoo on twitter)

IT’S ONLY SPRING: The Dodgers, who have lost their last five games, look to snap their losing streak as they face the Seattle Mariners for the second time this spring at Camelback Ranch. Los Angeles, which played split-squad games yesterday, fell to both the Padres at home, 12-5, and to the Brewers at Maryvale, 3-1. In the home game, minor leaguer Jeremy Kehrt made his first start and appearance of Spring Training, after scheduled starter Mike Bolsinger was scratched prior to the game. Kehrt allowed six runs on nine hits in 1.1 innings of work and recorded the loss,  while Corey Brown drove in two runs on a single during a four-run sixth inning. Over in Maryvale, Scott Kazmir made his third Cactus League start, allowing two runs (one earned) on four hits in 4.0 innings and took the loss. At the plate, Charlie Culberson slugged his second homer of the spring with a solo shot in the fifth inning to collect the only run for the Dodgers.

• The Dodgers are playing the Mariners for the second time this spring after beating the M’s, 8-4, on March 12 at Peoria. Los Angeles swept Seattle in a three-game series at Dodger Stadium last year in their only meetings of the 2015 season.

(AGon, pic via @WBC on twitter)

VIVA MEXICO!: The Dodgers would like to congratulate Adrian Gonzalez and Team Mexico on its 12-1 win in last night’s WBC qualifier against Nicaragua in Mexicali, punching the ticket to the 2017 World Baseball Classic. Gonzalez finished the night going 2-for-3 with a run scored and a walk. He returns to the Dodger lineup in today’s contest against the Mariners, making the start at first base and batting cleanup.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!: The Dodgers would like to wish Frankie Montas a very happy birthday, as he turns 23 today! The right-handed pitcher was acquired from the White Sox in December in a three-team trade and appeared in seven games (two starts) with Chicago last year in his first Major League appearances, going 0-2 with a 4.80 ERA. 

ROSTER MOVES: Prior to yesterday’s game, the Dodgers optioned right-handed pitcher Zach Lee to minor-league camp. The Dodgers have 46 players in big-league camp, excluding Brandon McCarthy and Frankie Montas, who are on the 60-day DL.

ON THE AIR: The Dodger game on Sunday, March 27 against the Cincinnati Reds will be heard on AM 1150 in Los Angeles instead of AM 570 due to a scheduling conflict.

TODAY’S PROBABLE PITCHERS:

• RHP Kenta Maeda will face off against fellow Japanese pitcher Hisashi Iwakuma of Seattle in his fourth start of the spring (0 ER/8.2 IP). Maeda last pitched March 15 when he allowed two unearned runs in 3.2 innings of work against the White Sox. The 27-year-old right-hander was signed to an eight-year contract on Jan. 7 following eight professional seasons with the Hiroshima Carp (2008-15) in which he compiled a 97-67 record with a 2.39 ERA in 218 games (217 starts). During the course of his Japanese career, Maeda won two Sawamura Awards (2010, 2015), given to the league’s best pitcher.
• LHP J.P. Howell will pitch in his sixth game this spring, after tossing 1.0 scoreless inning Saturday against the White Sox. Howell finished the 2015 season with a 6-1 record with one save and tossed scoreless relief in 59 of 65 appearances.
• RHP Kenley Jansen will make his sixth relief appearance, after most recently pitching 1.0 inning Saturday against the White Sox. Jansen enters his seventh big league season after successfully converting 36 of 38 save opportunities last year, the third- highest single-season save percentage in team history (Gagne: 2003-100.0%, 2004-95.7%).
• RHP Louis Coleman is expected to make his seventh Cactus League outing (0 ER/6.0 IP), last pitching 1.0 scoreless inning of relief against the White Sox. Coleman has given up just two hits and no runs thus far. He enters his first season with the Dodgers after signing with the club on Feb. 19, 2016.

(Kershaw & Maeda, pic via Jon SooHoo on twitter)

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Dodgers Notes from Spring Training: Spring Game 5/Home Game 3

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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Monday, March 7, 2016 – 1:05 p.m. MT | Camelback Ranch - Glendale

Cleveland Indians vs. LA Dodgers
RHP Danny Salazar (0-1, 13.50) vs. LHP Alex Wood (NR)
TV: None Radio: None

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(Lining up for the anthem, pic via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2016)

ON A ROLL: The undefeated Dodgers (3-0-1) return home to Camelback Ranch today to take on the Indians (0-4-2) in the first matchup of the spring between the two clubs. Yesterday, the Dodgers downed the Giants 5-2 in Scottsdale after taking the lead in the top of the fifth inning when outfielder Carl Crawford drove in a run with a triple and scored on a sacrifice fly by Yasiel Puig. Crawford finished the day going 2-for-3 with two RBI and shortstop Charlie Culberson continued to swing a hot bat, plating two more runs on a single in the top of the eighth in his only at-bat. Zach Lee pitched 2.0 scoreless innings in his first Spring Training start and Ross Stripling recorded the win, tossing 2.0 scoreless frames.

• The Dodgers last faced the Indians during the regular season in 2014, when the Tribe took two of three at Dodger Stadium.
• Charlie Culberson has gone 5-for-6 (.833) with a double, a triple and three RBI in four Spring Training games for Los Angeles.

YOUNG GUNS: The Dodgers enter the 2016 season with Baseball America’s top-ranked farm system and seven players ranked among the publication’s top 100 prospects: IF Corey Seager (#1), LHP Julio Urias (#4), RHP Jose De Leon (#23), RHP Kenta Maeda (#50), IF/OF Cody Bellinger (#54), RHP Grant Holmes (#72) and OF Alex Verdugo (#100).

(Dave Roberts, pic via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2016)

NEW FRONT MAN: Dave Roberts is in his first season at the helm of the Dodgers after being named the 10th manager in Los Angeles history (28th in franchise history) on Nov. 23, 2015. Roberts, 43, served as the Padres’ bench coach from 2014-15 and was San Diego’s first base coach from 2011-13, after originally joining the organization as a special assistant in 2010. A veteran of 10 MLB seasons, Roberts was the starting center fielder for the Dodgers from 2002-04 and will become the fourth manager in Los Angeles history (15th overall in franchise history) to both play and manage the club.

• Rick Honeycutt returns for an 11th season as Dodger pitching coach and is the lone returning member of the Los Angeles coaching staff beyond catching instructor Steve Yeager. The new-look staff is comprised of bench coach Bob Geren (2015: Mets’ bench coach), hitting coach Turner Ward (2015: D-backs’ hitting coach), first base coach George Lombard (2015: Red Sox’ minor league outfield/baserunning coordinator), third base coach Chris Woodward (2015: Mariners’ first base coach), bullpen coach Josh Bard (2015: Dodgers’ pro scout), assistant hitting coach Tim Hyers (2015: Red Sox’ minor league hitting coordinator) and quality assurance coach Juan Castro (2015: Dodgers’ minor league infield coordinator).

HOT TICKETS!: The Dodgers notched their first sellout of the spring, with 13,122 fans taking in their victory over Arizona on Saturday. Last year, the Dodgers established team records in total (147,066) and average (9,804) Spring Training attendance, while Camelback Ranch saw a record number of fans with a combined attendance of 232,305 between the Dodgers and the White Sox. So far this season, advance ticket sales have been brisk with Camelback Ranch enjoying its best advance ticket sale in its eight-year history. Three additional Dodger games already have sold out - Friday, March 11 (Los Angeles Angels-Dodgers), Saturday night, March 12 (Chicago Cubs-Dodgers) and Friday night, March 25 (San Francisco Giants-Dodgers).

(Alex Wood, pic via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2016)

ON THE MOUND: LHP Alex Wood will make his first start of the spring today. He enters his fourth Major League season and his second with the Dodgers after being acquired by the club in an eight-player deal with the Braves on July 30, 2015. Wood, 25, posted career numbers last season, winning a career-high 12 games (12-12) in 32 combined starts, while posting a 3.84 ERA.

• LHP Ian Thomas will make his first appearance of the spring this afternoon. A 2015 mid-season acquisition from the Atlanta Braves,  he made nine relief appearances (one start) for the Dodgers going 1-1 with a 4.00 ERA.
• LHP J.P. Howell, enters his 11th MLB campaign and his fourth season with the Dodgers after leading MLB relievers (min. 40.0 IP) with a 1.43 ERA in a team-high 65 appearances in 2015. He finished the season posting a 6-1 record with one save and tossed scoreless relief in 59 of 65 appearances.
• RHP Kenley Jansen will make his first appearance of the spring. He enters his seventh big league season after successfully converting 36 of 38 save opportunities last year, the third-highest single-season save percentage in team history (Gagne: 2003-100.0%, 2004-95.7%).
• RHP Louis Coleman will be making his second appearance of the spring after tossing a scoreless inning of relief on Friday against the Rangers. Coleman enters his first season with the Dodgers after signing with the club on Feb. 19, 2016.
• RHP Brandon Beachy will make his first appearance of the spring, after making his Dodger debut last season on July 11, 2015 with a start against the Brewers, his first since Aug. 20, 2013. He made two starts with the club after being reinstated from the 60-day disabled list, before being optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City where he went 1-1 with a 3.64 ERA in 10 games (nine starts).
• RHP Yimi Garcia will be making his second appearance of the spring after striking out one batter in a scoreless inning of relief on Thursday against the White Sox.  He ranked among the NL’s best relievers in WHIP (0.95, 5th), opponents’ batting average (.199, 16th), opponents’ on-base percentage (.242, 4th) and strikeout-to-walk ratio (6.60, 3rd) last season.

A LOOK BACK: The Dodgers went 92-70 in 2015, with the club claiming its third consecutive and 14th overall National League West title. It marked the first time in franchise history that the team reached the postseason in three consecutive seasons.

• The Dodgers topped the National League in homers for the first time since 1983, blasting 187, their most since 2004 (203 HR).
• Los Angeles led the Majors with a .988 fielding percentage, while committing the fewest errors (75) of any big league team.
• Los Angeles pitchers combined to post a 3.44 ERA, the fifth-best mark in the Majors, and tied for the big league lead with the Cubs with 21 shutouts.

(Banana mania continues unabated, pic via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2016)

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Blog Kiosk: 3/5/2016 - Dodgers Links - Lee, Howell and Adrian's Bet

Photo above of Manny Mota and his little balloon via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2016.  Go here to check out more pics by Jon from yesterday.

Below are more links to check out:

• Awesome!  I want to see this so bad.  Via One Nación on ESPN, "A-Gon proposes friendly bet the Dodgers will make playoffs."  

@Buster_ESPN so no @Dodgers? How about a friendly bet? We make playoffs you do a @BBTN segment in full @Dodgers uniform.

— Adrian Gonzalez (@Adrian_ElTitan) March 4, 2016

• Topps has signed up Kenta Maeda, so his autograph will be appearing in their Baseball cards very soon.  In fact, Blowout Buzz shares a pic of a Topps Tribute autograph card on their blog (link here).  See it on the right.
• Via Ken Gurnick at MLB.com, "Dodgers tab Lee to start in Anderson's spot."

The Dodgers still consider Brandon Beachy and Mike Bolsinger the early front-runners to replace Anderson in the rotation, but with an entire spring slate remaining, there is time for a full competition that includes Lee, Ross Stripling (who also pitches Sunday), Jose De Leon and Carlos Frias, among others.

• Video: Go behind the scenes for an exclusive look into the team’s first full squad practice and first BP session of the season. (Link Here)
• Via Andy McCullough at the LA Times, "J.P. Howell and Turner Ward bury the hatchet over 2013 Dodgers-Diamondbacks brawl."

"I just wanted to clear things up," Ward told Howell when they connected a day after the initial message, "so you don't get me in the clubhouse when we get there."

Howell found himself laughing. Ward sounded so "gentle" over the phone, his soft Alabama drawl offering a contrast to the image cast by his stern eyes and lantern jaw.

"I'm like, 'Hey, I'm hoping you don't want a rematch,'" Howell said. "Because I think if we went 1-on-1, he's a big boy. I liked the atmosphere a lot better during the brawl than I do 1-on-1 with that guy."

• Via Bill Slane at MLB.com, "Spring full of lessons for Dodgers prospect De Jong."

"Not so much what to do on your start day but what to do between them to get ready for your start day," he said. "We all know how to pitch, but to do the preparation and the little things right to get yourself prepared for that start is what I'm trying to learn from these older guys."

• Jim Callis, Jonathan Mayo and Mike Rosenbaum at MLB.com, share their rankings for best minor league systems in Baseball (Link Here).  The Dodgers #1.

Shortstop Corey Seager, baseball's top prospect, and left-hander Julio Urias, the game's second-best pitching prospect, give the Dodgers a fine head start. But they rank No. 1 on this list because their depth of talent runs so much deeper than it did a year ago. Thanks to breakout players (right-hander Jose De Leon, first baseman Cody Bellinger), fast-developing 2014 draftees (righty Grant Holmes, outfielder Alex Verdugo) and products of a nine-figure 2015 international spending spree (righty Yadier Alvarez, outfielders Yusniel Diaz and Starling Heredia), this system is loaded.

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2016 Topps Heritage - All the Dodgers Base Cards

Take a look at all the Dodgers base cards found in Topps 2016 Heritage set.  Go here for a complete checklist.  I shared pics of all the variations available here.

#12 Andre Ethier                            #38 Adrian Gonzalez

2016 Topps Baseball Series One - All the Dodgers Base Cards

As evidenced by Wednesday's official release of Topps 2016 flagship Baseball card set, the new season is clearly upon us.  Within a few short weeks ballplayers will be heading out to their respective Spring homes, and fans the world-over will be carrying around giant stacks of these cards to get signed.  For Dodger fans here's a look at all of the Dodgers' available in the years Series 1 base set.  Go here for a complete checklist.

Of specials note, there appears to be only one short-printed Dodgers variation card available.  It's of Clayton Kershaw and I'll have a pic of it later on.

#11 Andre Ethier

Blog Kiosk: 1/4/2015 - Dodger Links - Geren, Piazza and More Maeda Contract Details

What a nice perk.  Featured above is a vintage March 1960 press photo from the Bahamas News Bureau featuring numerous members of the LA Dodgers front office and personnel as they are about to embark on a brief one-day excursion to the Bahamas.  They are about to board the Dodgers private plane for the trip.  BTW, via BSmile on twitter, we find out that today marks the anniversary of when they first got the plane in 1957.

Below are more links to check out:

• The Hall of Fame announcement is coming on Wednesday, so there are stories galore about who will or won't get in.  Apparently, former Dodger catcher Mike Piazza appears to be finally headed to Cooperstown.  Via Lyle Spencer at MLB.com, "Piazza's Hall of Fame call may be coming soon."

A Hall of Fame selection by the Veterans Committee in 1997, Lasorda bristled with the suggestion that drafting Piazza was as a personal favor. He claimed this big kid had the power and the will to make it. So began the journey.

"I don't deserve credit for anything Michael did on a baseball field," Lasorda recently said. "He did it the old-fashioned way, with hard work and perseverance. He made himself into a great player with his desire and commitment."

• Via Ron Cervenka at Think Blue LA, "Hard tickets no longer a free option for season ticket holders."  This sucks, but I'm not surprised.
• Over the weekend more details about Maeda's contract started to come into focus.  Via Joel Sherman on twitter:

If it matters, heard guarantee on Maeda’s deal with #Dodgers is 8yrs at $25M, not $24M. Gambling on self with tons of performance bonuses

— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) January 2, 2016

So, it's an heavily incentive-based contract filled will loads of bonuses.  I certainly hope he earns every one.

• Via AJ Cassavell at MLB.com, "History suggests Maeda will be a good value."
• Via Cary Osborne at Dodger Insider, "Kenley Jansen and J.P. Howell form unlikely combo."

As dissimilar as Jansen and Howell might appear, they share a unique bond that works so well that they have a name for their combination: “Cookies n’ Cream.”

“I’m the cookie, you’re the cream,” Jansen said to Howell.

• Via Ken Gurnick at MLB.com, "Geren on Roberts: 'He'll make me better'"

"I like the idea of a young manager leaning on me, having an opportunity to help him and also learning from Doc," said Geren. "We have a group of general managers, all extremely bright, and you know they will bring quality players in year after year. It's the whole package, and New York was a lot of the same.

"This will be the first time I've worked with a younger and less experienced manager, and that's appealing. I was a catching instructor, and I consider myself a teacher. I feel I can make him better, and he'll make me better by challenging me."

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Blog Kiosk: 11/24/2015 - Dodger Links - It's All About Dave Roberts

Dave Roberts is the rage right now.  He has taken over the town like a gaggle of zombies parading down main street.  Since the rumors and subsequent announcement broke there's hardly been room on the newswires for anything but Dave Roberts... And that's a good thing because, by and large, when news this momentous engulfs a city like Los Angeles and it's not bad, then you know you're on to something.  And that something feels like that old Dodger magic.

Featured above is one of many photographs dug up by Dodger photographer Jon SooHoo and shared on his blog.  Go here to check out a bunch more from him.

Below are more links to check out:

• We may have a new trainer joining the Dodgers soon, via Will Carroll on twitter:

Hearing dodgers have new head trainer selected. Neal Rampe from Dbacks.

— Will Carroll (@injuryexpert) November 24, 2015

• How did I ever miss this?  Back in August Gabe Kapler wrote that men should...LOL... Well, men should make that extra effort to get some sun.  Via Kevin Draper at Deadspin, "Gabe Kapler's Advice To Baseball Players: Get A Nice Tan On Your Nuts." Wha?  (Hat Tip: reddit u/DOCKhobo)

Kapler writes about how vitamin d—which you mostly get from sunshine—is important for testosterone production, and that baseball players likely don’t get enough of it because they’re suited and booted with a cap on out in the field. Kapler’s solution to this problem is for baseball players to sunbathe in their birthday suit and get some sol on their cojones. 

• Via Dustin Nosler at Dodgers Digest, "Looking at some fastball-slider lefty options."

If they don’t acquire a lefty reliever with a good slider, it’s possible Liberatore gets a long look at the opening day bullpen. Having a lefty who can throw a good slider against left-handed hitters is far from a bad thing to have. And I know we’re all waiting for Howell to pumpkin, because everything is seemingly going against him being as good as he’s been the last few seasons. Maybe he’ll prove everyone wrong, which would be for the best.

• BTW, here are some more praises for Dave Roberts:

Huge congrats to the @dodgers for hiring an incredible guy to lead the team. Dave Roberts is going to be there for a long time

— Shawn Green (@shawngreen15) November 24, 2015

Congrats on my man Dave Roberts getting the Dodgers managing job! The Dodgers organization is in good hands a guy I always looked up to!

— Juan Pierre (@JPBeastMode) November 24, 2015

#Congratulations to My New Manager Dave Roberts #dodgers #2016 #newyear #newmanager https://t.co/J5d54pnHJX

— Yasiel Puig (@YasielPuig) November 23, 2015

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ICYMI: Check out some Dodgers' in their Halloween Garb

I know Halloween is now a distant memory, but I figured it would be fun to share some photos featuring Dodger players in their best festive attire.  No doubt these guys roamed the streets and alleyways throughout America looking for candy.

Let's start with infielder Jimmy Rollins, who I think is Aladdin, with his family in the photo above.  It was instagramed just as the evening was about to begin.

Below may not show our ace in costume, but I couldn't resist sharing this cute pic of his young daughter as a little sheep. 

Happy fall y'all! pic.twitter.com/wrA5gvfcWN

— Ellen Kershaw (@ellenkershaw) November 1, 2015

Blog Kiosk: 11/5/2015 - Dodger Links - JP Howell, Dave Roberts and Clayton Kershaw

I ran into this vintage 1913 original International Film Service photograph of former Brooklyn Robins infielder George Cutshaw on eBay and wanted to share it.  Check out the auction link here.

Cutshaw was an average second baseman, slashing .260/.303/.342/.645, during his six year stay in Brooklyn during the deadball era of the early teens.  He didn't have much power, but who really did during those times?  Cutshaw was noted for his speed, though.  He recorded more triples than home runs during his career and swiped a total of 271 bases over a twelve year Major League career.

George Cutshaw is also notable, as a Dodger, for being the first ballplayer in the clubs history to record six hits during a nine inning game.  On August 9, 1914 in a game against the Cubs in Chicago Cutshaw went a perfect 6 for 6 - all of them singles.

The photograph above is also notable to card collectors for being the original image used for Cutshaw's card in the 1917 E135 Collins-McCarthy Candy Company set.  Check out that card on the right.

Below are more links to check out:

• Jon Weisman at Dodger Insider shares his own list, "Ranking every Dodger season since 1988."
• Via Anthony Irwin at Dodgers Nation, "Dodgers Raise Season Ticket Prices."
• Via JP Hoornstra at Inside the Dodgers, "Dodgers assistant athletic trainer Nancy Patterson Flynn resigns." 
• JP Howell will stay Blue, via a tweet from Buster Olney:

Reliever J.P. Howell is exercising his 2016 player option with the Dodgers, for $6.25 million.

— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) November 5, 2015

• Davey Lopes, on the other hand, will coach 1st base for the Nationals, via Eric Stephen at True Blue LA.
• Here's another story pushing for Dave Roberts.  Via Ken Rosenthal at FoxSports, "Dodgers, with proud history of diversity, could pick Roberts as manager."

The Mariners nearly hired Roberts as their new manager, with one source saying he finished a "very close" second to Scott Servais. Like Kapler, Roberts is a former major-league outfielder. Unlike Kapler, he has major-league coaching experience — five seasons with the Padres, the last two as bench coach.

• Here's another managerial candidate, via a tweet from Ken Rosenthal:

Sources: #Dodgers will interview #Mets bench coach Bob Geren for managerial opening.

— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) November 4, 2015

• Via August Fagerstrom at FanGraphs, "History, Peaks, and Clayton Kershaw."

Probably the biggest part of it is just that pitchers are tougher to compare across generations, and it might be easier to “dismiss” the historic nature of what Kershaw has done by recognizing that it’s happened during one of the most depressed run environments the live-ball era has ever seen.

Even with the run environment considered, what Kershaw has done these past five seasons is absolutely historic.

• Panini America just announced a brand new set that will arrive in January 2016.  It is called National Treasures College, and as the name suggest it focuses on some of the best current and former collegiate athletes.  Unfortunately, Baseball players are likely to play only a small part in the set, but it apparently will include one particular former Dodger of note.  They shared a preview pic of a Jackie Robinson UCLA auto-cut card.  Check it out on the right.  See more preview pics here.
• Here is round two of an Topps online exclusive set called "Topps Fire."  Check out the two Dodger cards available from its initial release in July here.  It features the artwork of Tyson Beck, measure 10"x14" and are limited in number (#/49).  A rare "1 of 1" sepia version is also available.  The new Dodger additions are Joc Pederson and Corey Seager.  Check them out below.  You can order them here.

• Brilliant!  Via a tweet from Metro LA:

Hey Zack Greinke whatever the @Dodgers offer + free TAP card for life. #offeryoucantrefuse #stayzackstay pic.twitter.com/LYVjtkI2Bb

— Metro (@metrolosangeles) November 4, 2015

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Panini Collegiate Cards - Some of the Dodger Players

Panini not only makes professional sports cards, but they also make collegiate cards.  In fact, they've been doing this for quite some time.  Typically, college themed cards are found within their NFL and NBA sets - not surprising since collegiate programs play a big part in those athlete's development.  In Baseball, however, a ballplayer is far more likely to be drafted out of high school and trained in the finer art of the game under the tutelage of a Major League club.   Still, there are numerous exceptions to this rule. 

Panini's newest offering is a series of university specific complete factory sets featuring some of the top collegiate athletic programs in the country and their players.  They include school like Texas A&M, University of Michigan and USC.  Check out a complete listing here.  For the most part, football and basketball players dominate these sets, but there are a handful of notable Baseball players included. 

Unfortunately, not every college in the above listing has been released yet.  In fact, I have yet to see the USC and UCLA sets in hand.  Heck, a UCLA checklist isn't even available yet, and I've been waiting eagerly for that one since there's a chance Jackie Robinson could be included.  In the meantime, most of the other college sets are now available and several current Dodgers are ready to be added to your collections.  Check them out below.  BTW, I'll certainly share any other Dodger cards to pop up as they get released.

For now, there are three current Dodger players wearing the uniform of their alma mater with pride.  First up is Dodger catcher and former ballplayer at the University of Miami Yasmani Grandal.  Set checklist here.

University of Miami

#14 Yasmani Grandal