Blog Kiosk: 11/4/2019 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Above is a fantastic Sport Magazine press photo, dated to 1965, of Don Drysdale and Ron Fairly (eBay auction link).

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1966 Maury Wills leaves the Dodgers while he is touring with the club in Japan, complaining that his injured right knee needs immediate treatment. He is then traded less than a month later to Pittsburgh for Bob Bailey and Gene Michael.
• Happy Birthday, Bill McCarren, Earl Mattingly, Eddie Basinski & Eric Karros!

Blog Kiosk: 8/19/2019 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

The Dodgers are obviously trying to prepare rookie hurler Dustin May for some relief pitching -- just in time for the playoffs. Unfortunately, his first attempt yesterday did not go so well. He struggled after coming into the game in the sixth inning with the Dodgers leading 3-1. He would go on to allow three hits; including a grand slam to Rafael Ortega. Per Rowan Kavner at Dodger Insider:

“I would contribute it mostly to a lack of command,” May said. “A little amped up, a little excited, but you’ve still got to go out and execute. I didn’t execute very well today, for really any pitch. There’s really only room for improvement from here.”
...
“As far as the role, this is something new we didn’t expect to just be seamless,” Roberts said. “Give him an opportunity to learn and get his feet wet. … My faith, my confidence in Dustin hasn’t wavered.”

Photo above via Adam Hagy/MLB.com at Dodger Insider. Go here to check out more pics from yesterdays game. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1983 the Dodgers traded for Rangers starting pitcher Rick Honeycutt. As you know, he would go on to have a long career with the franchise. In 1990 Jose Offerman became the first Dodger in franchise history to hit a home run in his very first Major League plate appearance. In 2008 the Dodgers traded for Greg Maddux (for a second time) to help the team during their playoff run. In 2015 the Dodgers traded for "DAD" Chase Utley from the Phillies in exchange for John Richy and Darnell Sweeney. In 2017 the Dodgers received veteran outfielder Curtis Granderson from the Mets for pitcher Jacob Rhame. He would slash just .161/.288/.366/.654 in 36 games for the Dodgers.
• Happy Birthday, Tex Carleton, Lance Cormier, Josh Fields, Chris Capuano and Ron Roenicke!

Blog Kiosk: 8/14/2019 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

“It was as good of a night as we’ve had all year,” said manager Dave Roberts.

When you've got the best pitching coach in the game and some of the best youngsters the league can produce, it should come as no surprise that games like last nights happen. Last night we absolutely decimated the lowly Marlins, 15-1, and even witnessed the beauty of Russell Martin as a reliever for the third time this season. BTW, Dustin May is the real deal. He showed us his curve ball and it was very good. Per Rowan Kavner at Dodger Insider:

On Tuesday, May’s sinker-cutter combo stayed as trusted as it has all year, getting a combined seven swinging strikes and 17 called strikes. But he also more frequently incorporated the curveball, throwing it 17 times. 

“The more comfortable I feel with it, the more I’m going to throw it,” said May, who recorded a second straight outing allowing just one run.

Photo above via JC Ruiz/MLB.com at Dodger Insider. Go here to check out more pics from yesterdays blowout game. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1919 the Dodgers and Cubs play a doubleheader that last a total of only two hours and seventeen minutes. In the opener, the Cubs blanked Brooklyn 2-0, in one hour and ten minutes, and in the nightcap it takes the Dodgers one hour and seven minutes to shut out Chicago, 1-0. In 1980 the Dodgers signed amateur free agent pitcher Tom Niedenfuer out of Washington State University. In a couple of years he would be a mainstay in the Dodgers bullpen -- recording 64 saves as a Dodger. 
• Happy Birthday, Magic Johnson, Frank McCourt, Mark Loretta, Scott Stewart, McKay Christensen & Juan Pierre!

Welcome to the Blue, Jedd Gyorko!

The Dodgers made a trade this morning, but it's not one we had hoped for. It has been announced, via a tweet from Ken Rosenthal, that the Dodgers have picked up infielder Jedd Gyorko from the Cardinals. Who St. Louis got in return has not yet been announced. BTW, you can follow Jedd on twitter here: @JGyorko05. Per Jeff Todd at MLB Trade Rumors:

Gyorko, 30, is playing on a $13MM salary this year ($5MM of which is still property of the Padres) and comes with a $13MM option ($1MM buyout) for next season. It’s not clear whether the Dodgers will be stepping into the full obligation.