Blog Kiosk: 9/16/2016 - Dodgers Links - Alvarez, Buehler, Jansen and Rich Hill

Things got a little overheated at yesterdays Dodger game. 

Ageless wonder Rich Hill, who had pitched 19 scoreless inning since becoming a Dodger, had finally given up a couple of runs to the lowly Diamondbacks, and apparently he didn't like that one bit.  He was in full-on game mode and made sure everyone in the stadium knew he wouldn't take an inside pitch, which he claims nicked his index finger, lightly.  He chirped and they chirped, the benches cleared, and then things went back to normal.  Per Jake Rill at MLB.com:

"It was just being competitive, just wanted him to get the ball over the plate and really that was the end of it," Hill said. "There was no ill will or anything like that. Just got excited. I saw the pitch, it was supposed to be inside and he just missed. I guess being a pitcher, I just got excited."

Opposing pitcher Archie Bradley said this, per Kevin Zimmerman at Arizona Sports.com:

“It’s just two guys playing the game hard, nothing more than that,” Bradley told the media after the game. “I was going in before he squared to bunt. Maybe the pitch was more in than it should have been.

Unfortunately, the Dodgers were unable to capitalize on the emotion of the evening and lost the first game of the series, 7-3.  

Pic above via ESPN LA on twitter.  Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History:  In 1957 the Los Angeles City Council approved the sale of Chavez Ravine to the Dodgers.  In 1988 Reds pitcher Tom Browning throws a Perfect Game, 1-0, against the Dodgers in Cincinnati.  Browning is the second pitcher to throw a perfect game against the Dodgers - Don Larson threw his perfecto during the 1956 World Series.
• Happy Birthday, Orel Hershiser!

Blog Kiosk: 7/28/2016 - Dodgers Links - Norris, Scully and AJ Ellis

Never mind the outcome of yesterday afternoons game (which we lost, BTW), I want to focus on an event that happened in the second inning of the game.

With two out and men at the corners, the Dodgers inexplicably tried to pull off a double steal.  I say it was unexpected because standing on first base was the slow-footed AJ Ellis.  During his nine year career, that includes 537 games played, Ellis has never stolen base.  Heck, he's only attempted it four times ever.

(pic via Alanna Rizzo on twitter)

So, when he headed for second base with two outs on the board it was a shocked everyone.  So shocking, in fact, that not only did he steal his very first base, but the runner on third, Joc Pederson, came home to score on an errant throw.  Per Jon Weisman at Dodger Insider:

“It was fun to laugh and fun to look in the dugout and see my teammates going nuts,” Ellis said. “I called Marvin Hudson, the second-base umpire, over and asked him if I could have the bag right then. He said, ‘No — you have to wait until in between innings.’

“It’s just fun to have memories with a bunch of guys you have shared history with for so long, so when something like that happens, it’s fun.”

No worries AJ.  Kershaw's got your back.  As we learned, via a tweet from Ken Gurnick, Clayton got a hold of that base and had MLB authenticate it.  You can see it on the right, as tweeted by Alanna Rizzo.  BTW, Ellis did get a steal sign from Dave Roberts.  Via Ken Gurnick and Bill Chastain at MLB.com:

"It was one of those plays where maybe you steal a run, and fortunately it worked out." Per Dave Roberts

The photo at the very top of Ellis stealing second is via Violet Herzfeld/LA Dodgers 2016.  Go here to check out more pics by Violet and Jon SooHoo from yesterdays game.  Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodger History: In 1991 Expos hurler Dennis Martinez throws a perfect game against the Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. It is only the 15th perfect game in Baseball history, and the first no-hitter thrown at the stadium by an opposing pitcher.
• Happy Birthday, Freddie Fitzsimmons!

2015 Topps Heritage Minor League - All the Dodgers Cards

Here is another new Baseball card set from Topps.  It is a part of their Heritage brand and focuses on minor league prospects.  Go here for a complete checklist.

Called Topps Heritage Minor League it features the best and brightest young stars in the game.  Both Julio Urias and Corey Seager are included.  Unfortunately, autographed cards of either of them are not available.  As you can see, its design is based on the vintage 1966 Topps Baseball set.  Check out all of the Dodger cards available in packs below.

Of note is the Corey Seager Base Short Print card.  That Oklahoma City Dodgers uniform he's wearing is sharp looking.

Base Set

#1 Julio Urias                                       #9 Jose De Leon

Rancho Cucamonga Quakes Win Cal League Championship

Woo Hoo!  The kids are good!

The Dodgers Single-A farmclub Rancho Cucamonga Quakes swept the San Jose Giants in convincing fashion.  They recorded five runs on seven hits to win their first championship since 1994.

Leading the way was 2013 4th round draft pick Cody Bellinger.  He batted 3-5 with two doubles and a two-run home run, and was named the series MVP.  Also, 2014 2nd round draft pick Alex Verdugo went 3-4 with a double and two RBI's.  Verdugo was promoted to the Quakes just last month.

Cody Bellinger is the MVP of the 2015 California League Championship. 6 for 14 (.429), HR, 3 R, 3 RBI

— RC Quakes Baseball (@RCQuakes) September 20, 2015

On the mound was 2014 7th round pick Trevor Oaks.  He pitched 7.1 shut out innings for the win; scattering eight hits and recording four strike outs.  Check out the box score here.

Watch the last pitch of the game and the ensuing celebration in the video below.

Video Link:

Cal league champs @RCQuakes #StartingPitchers #ShakeAndQuake pic.twitter.com/rbvEZnWAiK

— Chase De Jong (@ChaseDeJong) September 20, 2015

It's official. RC Quakes are your Cal League Champions. Not many better feelings than this. Got that hardware 💍 #fam pic.twitter.com/0Et1GQ5Yw7

— Joey Curletta (@jcurllll) September 20, 2015

Pic at the very top via the RC Quake's on facebook.

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Here are April's Dodger Pride Award Winners - Minor League Players of the Month for April

The Dodgers just announced their April Dodger Pride Award Winners.  This award celebrates the franchises best performers in the Minor Leagues for the month of April.  

Check them out below.

Triple-A Albuquerque Isotopes

Pitcher - RHP Henry Sosa posted a 1-0 record with a 2.61 ERA (9 ER/31.0 IP), striking out 21 batters against seven walks in five April starts for the Isotopes. The right-hander held opposing batters to a .233 batting average (27-for-116), while allowing only one home run in the month. The 12-year professional, who made 10 starts for the Houston Astros in 2011, was signed by the Dodgers as a free agent on December 13, 2013.

Player - OF Joc Pederson finished April among the Pacific Coast League leaders in several offensive categories including batting average (.398, 2^nd), runs (22, T-3^rd), hits (39, 1^st), home runs (6, T-3^rd), and stolen bases (9, T-2^nd). On the year, the left-handed hitting outfielder is batting .368 (50-for-136) with 11 home runs and 22 RBI, including a .418 batting average (38-for-91) against right-handed pitching. Through 36 games this season, Pederson has also tallied 15 multi-hit games, including six performances with three or more hits. The Northern California native was selected in the 11^th round of the 2010 First-Year Player Draft and entered 2014 as the Dodgers' No. 1 prospect according to Baseball America.

Double-A Chattanooga Lookouts

Pitcher - RHP Tyson Brummett went 2-1 and allowed only one run in 23.0 innings spanning four April starts, leading the Southern League in ERA (0.39) and ranking sixth in opponents' batting average (.181). On the season, the former UCLA pitcher is 3-3 with a 0.83 ERA (4 ER/43.1 IP) and has allowed one run or less in six of his seven starts for the Lookouts. With runners in scoring position this season, the right-hander has allowed only four hits (4-for-36), good for a .111 batting average. Brummett signed with the Dodgers as a free agent on February 20, 2014, after being drafted by the Phillies in the seventh round of the 2007 First-Year Player Draft.

(Pic via Dodger Insider)

Player - OF Scott Schebler drove in 16 runs (T-7^th, Southern League) and clubbed five homers (T-2^nd, Southern League) in 25 April games for Double-A Chattanooga. On the year, the Cedar Rapids, Iowa, native has a .258 batting average with six homers, four triples and 21 RBI, and has excelled in clutch situations, batting .300 (9-for-30) with runners in scoring position. The 23-year-old, who was selected in the 26^th round of the 2010 First-Year Player Draft, was the Dodgers' 2013 Branch Rickey Minor League Player of the Year after batting .296 in 125 games for Single-A Rancho Cucamonga last season.

Single-A Rancho Cucamonga Quakes

(pic via BB Prospectus)

Player - RHP Matt Shelton went 1-1 in April with a 1.76 ERA (3 ER/15.1 IP) in eight appearances for the Quakes, limiting opponents to a .228 batting average (13-for-57) and pitching scoreless relief in seven of his eight outings. The Texas native struck out 14 batters and walked only one in April before being promoted to Double-A Chattanooga on May 1, where he has made four appearances for the Lookouts. The 25-year-old was selected by Los Angeles in the 24^th round of the 2011 First-Year Player Draft.


Player - INF Corey Seager batted .294 (25-for-85) in April, powering 10 extra-base hits, while tallying 13 RBI in 20 games for Single-A Rancho Cucamonga. On the young season, the 20-year-old has raised his average to .333 (40-for-120) with two homers, 11 doubles, two triples and 15 RBI, batting .429 (15-for-35) with a .512 on-base percentage in nine May games. Seager was selected by the Dodgers in the first round (18^th overall) of the 2012 First-Year Player Draft and entered 2014 as the Dodgers' second-best prospect according to Baseball America.

Single-A Great Lakes Loons

(pic via MiLB.com)

Player - RHP Michael Johnson posted a 1-1 record with a 1.35 ERA (2 ER/13.1 IP) and a save in eight April appearances. The right-handed reliever limited opposing hitters to a .200 batting average (10-for-50) with 19 strikeouts and five walks. On the season, the Massachusetts native has a 1.47 ERA (3 ER/18.1 IP) and 22 strikeouts in 11 appearances for the Loons. The 23-year-old, who was selected in the 14^th round of the 2013 First-Year Player Draft, led the Ivy League with seven wins as a senior at Dartmouth College in 2012.

(pic via MiLB.com)

Player - OF Joey Curletta had a terrific month of April, as he was among the Midwest League leaders in several offensive categories, including batting average (.368, 2^nd), runs (18, T-3^rd), hits (39, 1^st), doubles (9, T-3^rd) and RBI (15, T-6^th) in 25 games for Great Lakes. Overall this season, Curletta has posted a .356 batting average (52-for-146) in 35 games, which ranks second among Midwest League hitters, and has seven three-hit performances for Great Lakes. The Arizona native was selected by the Dodgers in the sixth round of the 2012 First-Year Player Draft.

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