Blog Kiosk: 11/13/2017 - Dodgers Links - Some Weekend Odds and Ends

Dodgers alumnus Ron Cey, Manny Mota, Billy Ashley and Dennis Powell came out to Dodger Stadium on Saturday to help train 300 active duty service members and veterans in honor of Veterans Day for an afternoon of batting practice. Per Ron Cervenka at Think Blue LA:

“To watch these families come in, we have over 300 families, they’re veterans and active military,” explains Dodgers vice president of external affairs and community relations Naomi Rodriguez. “But it’s not just the actual veteran or the military, it’s their mother, and their father, and their daughter, and their grandparents. Those are the people also that are supporting our military that serve our country. 

“So when I see them walk into the stadium, there’s this …  it’s like amazing feeling in their eyes. Kids are walking into Dodger Stadium, this beautiful stadium, on the field. How many people get to walk on the field and then enjoy it the way our players enjoy it? So that, for me, is just a great way to say ‘thank you’ to them, to honor their service, and I know they look forward to coming every year.”

Photos above via @Dodgers on twitter. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1974 Steve Garvey was named the National League MVP; receiving 13 of 22 first-place votes. Lou Brock was the runner-up. In 2003 Eric Gagne becomes the ninth reliever to be named a Cy Young winner. He recorded 55 consecutive saves this season.
• Happy Birthday, Andrew Friedman, Moose Clabaugh, Alex Kampouris, Steve Lembo, Steve Bilko, Wes Parker, Tony Abreu & Carlos Frias!

Highlights From Friday's Dodger Stadium Tour

Following up on my post from Saturday featuring previews of some Dodger promos and new stadium foods, I now share highlights from a Dodger Stadium Tour provided by the team on Friday.  (BTW, you can go here for information about taking a stadium tour yourself.)

Blog Kiosk: 8/25/2016 - Dodgers Links - Sborz, Ryu and Rich Hill's Debut

That was one heck of a first game.

After nearly a month of waiting (Rich Hill's trade to the Dodgers happened on August 1st) the 36-year old left-hander finally got onto the mound as a Dodger starter... And boy, did he impress.  Per Jack Baer and Chris Haft at MLB.com:

"Everything felt solid. Mentally, I felt great, body feels good," Hill said. "Something that I've emphasized throughout the entire season in Oakland and carried over here into L.A. is just stay within the moment, a pitch-to-pitch approach and really just making sure you execute each pitch."

Overall, Hill threw six shutout innings by weaving in a loopy and deceptive curve with a fastball that caught most batters by surprise to best the Giants, 1-0.  He struck out only three hitter but walked none on 81 total pitches.  As for the offense, that came on a solo shot by Justin Turner in the fourth inning off of Johnny Cueto.

"It's a cat-and-mouse game every time. He's one of my favorite guys to face. I know how competitive he is. I was with him with the Reds. You're always guessing whether he'll go quick or slow or with the hesitation. Every time we face each other, he does something to make me laugh and he laughs back at me. I always look forward to it."

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

• This Day in Dodgers History:  In 1964 Sandy Koufax recorded his 50th career victory.  He beat the Reds, 7-2.  In 2012 the Dodgers completed a blockbuster trade with the Red Sox to get Adrian Gonzalez, Josh Beckett, Carl Crawford and Nick Punto.

Blog Kiosk: 5/25/2016 - Dodgers Links - That Strange Game

Last nights game was a mixed bag.

It started out with a fantastic ceremony in honor of the men and women in the armed forces, and included an enlistment ceremony for all four branches.  The photo above, via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2016, features the ceremony.

Then Mike Bolsinger came in to start his second game of the year and was fantastic.  He went 5.2 innings and gave up three hits, two earned runs and recorded six strike outs to win his first game of the season.  During the game, though, a bunch of weird things happened.  In the sixth inning Yasiel Puig came up to bat with two men on and rocketed a deep fly to right field.  In fact, it was so deep he thought he hit a homer, so instead of running hard out of the box he stood and admired it.  When the ball fell short of the wall he traipsed onto first base instead of the base he should have ended up at.    For his transgression he was benched for the rest of the game. Via Chad Thornburg at MLB.com:

"In my opinion, he should have been on second base," Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. "When we talk about playing the game the right way, we've got to be accountable. So that was the decision that I made."

BTW, that was a great call by Dave Roberts.  Listen to him talk about it briefly towards the end of this video (video link).  Via Dan Arritt at ESPN:

"I thought it was a home run, and then I didn't run out the ball, obviously," Puig said through an interpreter. "It was [Roberts'] decision to take me out of the game. It was a decision well made, because all my teammates are out on the field working hard, and I should have run out that ball."

(pic via Cespedes BBQ on twitter)

Then in the seventh inning something funny and strange happened.  A paper airplane landed on the infield with the Dodgers at bat, so the resident "no-fun" ballplayer Joey Votto let everyone know what he thought of that.  He stomped on it like an insolent child.  You can watch a gif of it here.  Obviously, Dodger fans booed him.  Then something incredible happened.  They started chanting "airplane stomper."  I kid you not!

I hope quirky chants like this become a tradition at games.  Heck, maybe decades from now fans will still chant this at the Reds... Just for fun.  It'll be like NY Rangers fans who still chant "Potvin Sucks" nearly 30 years after his terrible check against an Islanders player.

Oh... The Dodgers offense came alive and scored eight runs to win their third straight game.  Go here to check out a bunch of great photos from Jon SooHoo from the game.  Below are more links to check:

• This Day in Dodgers History:  In 2002 Diamondbacks starter Randy Johnson struck out Shawn Green to record his 3,509th career strike out to surpass Hall of Famer Walter Johnson on the all time list.  BTW, Green also hit two homers in the game to become the first Major Leaguer to hit seven round-trippers in three consecutive games.  In 2014 Josh Beckett threw his only career no-hitter against the Phillies.  Watch highlights from the game here.
  

Blog Kiosk: 7/27/2015 - Dodger Links - Uribe, Greinke and Kenley Jansen

I ain't even mad.

Juan Uribe is just a winner - a clubhouse leader who has a knack for knocking in the winning run while making you smile at your misfortune.  And last night he did just that against the Dodgers.  Via Ken Gurnick at MLB.com:

"It was straight over the plate," Jansen said of the 95-mph cutter that didn't cut. "I tried to elevate it, but it didn't move. He was a good teammate, he's a good friend and he was the best man today."

I miss you Uribear! 

Photo above is via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2015.  Below are some links to check out:

• Congrats to the new family.  Welcome to the Blue, Bode Nicholas Greinke! Via a @Dodgers tweet:

Congratulations to Emily & Zack Greinke on their baby boy, Bode Nicholas Greinke, born last night and coming in at 19", 6 pounds, 5 ounces!

— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) July 24, 2015

• Speaking of Greinke, via Ron Cervenka at Think Blue LA, "Greinke glad streak is over."

“If anything, I feel negative about it,” Greinke told reporters after his streak ended on Sunday afternoon at 45 2/3 innings. “Now I don’t have to answer questions all the time.” 

• Via Carson Cistulli at FanGraphs, "The Fringe Five: Baseball’s Most Compelling Fringe Prospects" includes two Dodger players: Jharel Cotton and Tim Locastro.
• Via Murphy Powell at Beyond the Boxscore, "Kenley Jansen is doing everything better than before."
• The 2015 National Sports Collectors Convention is coming next weekend, so Panini shared some more cards that will be inserted into their wrapper redemption program for the show; including the Joc Pederson autograph card on the right.  Go here to check out more preview pics.
• Roberto at Vin Scully is My Homeboy shares a bunch of pics of the Clayton Kershaw / Josh Beckett "no-hitter" bobblehead the RC Quakes gave out a couple of months back.
• Stealing Home at All Trade Bait, All the Time shares his experience at the recently held Baseball Reliquary Shrine of the Eternals Induction Ceremony; including a whole bunch of great photos.
• David shares his experience at the Masanori "Mashi" Murakami book signing in Whittier a couple of weeks ago, here.  As you may know, Mashi was the very first MLB'er from Japan.

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2015 Topps Stadium Club Baseball - The Dodger Base Cards

It's all about the base!

This just might be the best set of the 2015 Baseball season.  Really!  We aren't even half-way through the season yet and I'm certain there's no way either Topps or Panini could possibly make a better set.

Featured here are all of the Dodger base cards to the 2015 Stadium Club brand, and they are all with almost little exception fantastic.

As you know, Stadium Club focuses on photo quality and uniqueness, and for the second straight year Topps gets high marks on both those factors.  There's beautiful photography all around.  The cards can make you smile, reminisce or gaze like you're looking at a beautiful sunset.

Wow!  Topps has done good... Really good.

Go here to check out a complete checklist to this set.

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Unquestionably, the Fernando Valenzuela card below is the best ever.  Ever!  Ever!  Ever!  I keep staring at it wondering if I might be reaching, jostling or lurking in the background. 

That's me... Right?  At center... At the top... Man... I so want that to be me right there.

I just love this card.

#1 Fernando Valenzuela

2015 Topps Series 2 Baseball - The Dodger Base Cards

Take a look at the Dodger base cards found in packs of Topps Series 2 packs.  This set was officially released to collectors yesterday.  Go here to check out a complete checklist, and here to see all of my previous post on this set.

Of special note is possibly the last Juan Uribe card in a Dodger uniform.  Who am I kidding, though.  Topps is likely to include him as a Dodger in various other upcoming sets.  Also, I especially love the no-hitter tribute card for Josh Beckett.  As you know, he retired from the game over the winter.

#409 Juan Uribe                                      #429 A.J. Ellis

Remembering Drew Butera's Grand Year

As you know, Dodger backup catcher Drew Butera was DFA's a few days back and subsequently traded to the Angels yesterday.  And with that, the Butera Era as a Dodger is over, for now.  After all, at just 31-years of age you never know if he might make another appearance in Dodger Blue.

Most stories written about his departure focused primarily on his inability to hit and his stints as a relief pitcher.  As you know, Drew got onto the mound for a couple of laugher's and ended up showing off a 90+ fastball to the delight of just about everyone.  Watch both appearances here and here.

Heck, his fame on the mound even reached the shores of Japan.  During his stint as a catcher for the MLB squad during the Japan Series numerous fans came armed with signs in honor of Butera.  Check out the photo on the right to see what I mean.  It was tweeted out by @TheReal2ryoSS.

Notable as these appearances were, I think Butera would agree that they were not his main highlight of this past season.  Instead, I think his work behind the plate on Sunday, May 25th ranks as even better.  On this afternoon, Drew Butera caught his second career no-hitter (Francisco Liriano was his first in 2011); becoming the fifth catcher to do so in both leagues. 

Dodger hurler Josh Beckett was the master on the diamond as Butera guided him to the greatest performance of his career.  Per a story on MLB.com by Michael Radano:

"I was a nervous wreck from the fourth inning on," said Butera, who worked with Beckett over a 128-pitch afternoon. "He told me he had never gotten a no-hitter into the fourth and I'm like, great, now I'm off my thinking pattern. But he said it every inning. You try not to think too far ahead. One hitter and one pitch at a time. It never gets old."
...
"I was just as excited for Josh as I was for Liriano. We won the game, we won the series, we won the road trip, now maybe we can get some momentum. These things don't happen every day. They happen once in a lifetime, maybe."

Lightening certainly struck twice for Drew Butera. 

(Butera hugging Beckett after no-hitter, pic via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2014)

In honor of Drew Butera's stay in Dodger Blue I decided to Waholize him.  Check that out at the very top.  You can do the same to your favorite picture at BigHugeLabs, here.

BTW, being the class act that he is, Drew Butera thanked us all on twitter yesterday:

I Want to thank the dodgers and the fans for the great experience and support. Enjoyed my time there.
— Drew Butera (@drewbutera) December 10, 2014

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2014 Bowman Chrome Baseball - All the Dodger Base Cards

I had just plain forgotten all about this set.  A couple of weeks back, or so, Topps released their 2014 Bowman Chrome Baseball card set, I now have a bunch of photos of the Dodger cards to share with you.  Go here for a complete checklist.

As you know, the Bowman brand tends to focus on prospects and rising stars, but its base set does include many veterans.  Check out all of the base cards below.

Of note, there is a short-printed photo variation card to #19 Alex Guerrero that you can see below.  Also, the Prospect Base Set includes the very first Topps Baseball card of Brandon Dixon.  He was the Dodgers 3rd round pick from the 2013 Draft.  BTW, the Yimi Garcia card in the Prospect Base Set includes a couple of different short-printed variations; including an error card that I have yet to see.  I will add a photo of the error Garcia card when it is available.

#3 Erisbel Arruebarrena                              #19 Alex Guerrero

Blog Kiosk: 10/8/2014 - Dodger Links - Thanks for a Great Season

Things started out well for the Dodgers.  They had MVP candidate Clayton Kershaw on the mound and the Dodger Jobu all gussied up and pretty in the clubhouse.  Unfortunately, the Baseball gods struck us down with its mighty hammer and gave us the blues.  The pic above is via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2014.  Go here to see more photos of his from yesterday.

I won't bother recounting any details of the Dodgers loss, or provide explanations as to why it happened.  I just think that's all a big waste of time right now.  Instead, I'd like to take this brief moment to say thanks to the team for a wonderful season of Dodger Baseball.  Most of all, I'd like to say thanks to all of you for visiting my little blog.  It's been a fun year and and I promise next year will be even better.

As you might have guessed, posting is likely to decrease over the coming days and weeks (maybe), but I won't be disappearing.  Baseball collecting never ends and I suspect this winter will be filled with plenty of Dodger news.

BTW, the LA Kings hockey season officially starts tonight, so we've (assuming your a fan) got that to immediately look forward to.  Go Kings Go!

Check out some links below:

• Read Don Mattingly's postgame interview with the press after Game 4, here.

I mean, Holliday hits the ball barely out of reach of Dee, Peralta hits the ball and it hits off Hanley's glove, and then had a curveball there. So at the end of the day, I think it's not really a situation that you try to change too much or manipulate too much.

• Via Ken Gurnick at MLB.com, "Right-hander Beckett announces plans to retire."

"I just don't see me going through that rehab and coming back to pitch at this point in my life," he said.

• Yasiel Puig was playing through an ankle issue, Via Dylan Hernandez of the LA Times.  His benching for Game 4 suddenly make a lot of sense. He had difficulty getting around on the fastball due to his ankle.
• Via Chris Olds at Beckett, Panini America recently announced they will be released a card set called Panini Classics.  Check out some preview pics here.  To the right is an autographed Clayton Kershaw card.
• Here's the first bit of Dodger winter news.  Per Chris Cotillo of MLB Daily Dish on twitter, Brian Wilson has already told the Dodgers that he will exercise his $9Mil option for 2015.  No kidding, eh?

Sources: Brian Wilson has informed #Dodgers that he will exercise his player option for 2015.
— Chris Cotillo (@ChrisCotillo) October 8, 2014

• I'm not sure if this is indicative of anything, but it is concerning, via a tweet from Eric Stephen:

In last week, Dodgers have lost 3 from player development: De Jon Watson (AZ), Roy Clark (Atl), Rafael Chaves (pitching coordinator, Phi)
— Eric Stephen (@truebluela) October 7, 2014

• Via the LA Kings, "Discovery Cube LA Partners with LA Kings to Celebrate the Science of Hockey in a Permanent New Exhibit."

“The Science of Hockey” will debut in early 2015 at the new Discovery Cube Los Angeles (DCLA) as one of the most technically advanced sports-themed exhibits in the world. Announced for the first time today by representatives from the Discovery Science Foundation (DSF) and the Kings Care Foundation, the permanent destination attraction will combine hands-on hockey learning focused on the skills of the sport with unique participatory experiences that explain the scientific realities of the game.

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2014 Topps Triple Threads Baseball - The Dodger Unity Jumbo Cards

Here is a final look at Topps 2014 Triple Thread Baseball card set.  Go here to check out all of my past post on this set.  Check out all of the Unity Dodger insert cards below.

BTW, according to a checklist there are three different AJ Ellis Unity Single Jumbo Relic cards, but I have only seen two different versions so far.  If you have a photo of the missing third card please pass it along. I also need a better photo of the Josh Beckett card.

Unity Single Jumbo Relics Set

#UJR-AE A.J. Ellis

Blog Kiosk: 9/7/2014 - Dodger Links - Another Dodger Victory

Thank goodness for some good pitching and clutch hitting.  Hyun-Jin Ryu went a strong 6.2 innings last night; giving up just four hits and striking out six.  He also tossed a career high 114 pitches.  Unfortunately, two late runs in the seventh inning caused him to leave the game with a no-decision. No worries, though, the Dodger bats found a way to take home a victory.

After a first inning two-run homer by Adrian Gonzalez, the Dodgers offense remained quiet until the eighth inning.  That's when they were able to string together a few hits to score three runs.  Of note, the recently called up Roger Bernadina came in as a pinch-runner and scored the eventual winning run on Dee Gordon's single.  In the photo above Dee is seen celebrating his run-driving hit, pic via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2014.  Go here to see more photos from the day from Jon.  BTW, Dee went 3 for 4 on the evening; driving in a run and scoring twice.  Hanley Ramirez also drove in two runs in the eighth inning with a double to left field.

The Dodgers held on for a 5 to 2 victory over the Diamondbacks, and hold on to a 2.0 game lead over the Giants.  This division is going down to the wire.  Now, below are some links to check out.

• Via Eric Stephen at True Blue LA, "Josh Beckett's last hurrah."

Beckett hasn't pitched for the Dodgers since Aug. 3, sidelined with a hip injury that will require surgery. The 34-year-old right-hander confirmed to reporters on Friday that his 2014 season was done, and that he is mulling retirement.

• Via Bill Plunkett at the OC Register, "Selig laments 'regrettable' Dodger TV impasse."

“I’m always an optimist,” said Selig, who will step down as commissioner this winter. “This is in no one’s best interest obviously. I have to hope and believe some way, some day, somehow we will get this done.

• Via Daniel Brim at Dodgers Digest, "Brian Wilson Is Losing Velocity."

Yikes. Wilson’s velocity has been on a steep downward trend for most of the season. In April, Wilson’s four seam fastball was averaging 94.2 mph. He hasn’t thrown the pitch in September, but in August it was averaging 91. His sinker has gone from 93.2 mph average to 89.3 mph average. His cutter, which he throws more than half of the time, has gone from 90.6 mph to 86.7 mph. Wilson has lost four miles per hour velocity average across all of his hard stuff this season alone.

• Sarah at We're Born Again, there's New Grass on the Field tells us about the time Dodger Stadium got flooded.
• Blue Skinny Fan shares his day at Frank & Sons on Saturday getting Joc Pederson's autograph.
• Via Derek Thompson at The Atlantic, "The Simple Technology That Accidentally Ruined Baseball."

The irony is that MLB did everything that an economist or corporate guru would have advised. Baseball embraced emerging technology rather than banish it. It used analytics to improve the work of its elite employees. It used reviews to encourage exceptional performance among umpires. And the league got exactly what they wanted: a more-perfect strike zone.

But is that really baseball's highest goal? A perfect strike zone, at the expense of steadily evaporating offense?

• Watch Mo'ne Davis pitch against Jimmy Fallon.

Video Link:

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Blog Kiosk: 9/4/2014 - Dodger Links - A Disappointing Dodger Loss so Thank Goodness for a Day Off

I have no words.

The Dodgers should have won yesterday's game, but they didn't.  And frankly, I don't have the energy to recount how screwed up that is.  If you want a good rundown on the frustrating sequence of events that was yesterday's loss check out Mike Petriello post at Dodgers Digest, "Nationals 8, Dodgers 5: The Game That Broke Baseball."  He hit it out of the park - if only the Dodgers could do the same.

Thankfully, I was working throughout the afternoon, so I didn't have to sit through it all.  Instead, I received intermittent updates; which is probably just as bad as sitting through that mess.  I dunno...

A shining light in yesterdays loss was the performance of starting pitcher Carlos Frias.  He was effective in his six innings of play; having given up just three hits, walked only one, struck out four and allowed no runs.  Frias may prove to be an important piece down the stretch.  The photo above is of Frias, via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2014.  Go here to check out more pics from Jon.

The Dodgers maintain a 2.0 game lead over the Giants.  They have a day off today.  Now, below are some links to check out.

• Happy Birthday, Mike Piazza!  He is 46 years old today.
• Bill Chuck at the Daily Gammons writes, "Want to defeat the Dodgers? Let them load the bases."
• Via Eric Stephen at True Blue LA, "Vin Scully to reduce schedule in 2015."  As he gets older he'll be more selective about what road games he calls. 
• Carson Cistulli at FanGraphs writes, "The Fringe Five: Baseball’s Most Compelling Fringe Prospects" that includes Dodger farmhand Jharel Cotton.

The production has been excellent. Regard: over 25 appearances (20 starts) and 126.2 innings, Cotton has produced almost precisely the same strikeout-walk differential (about 20 percentage points, in each case) as considerably more celebrated Dodgers prospect (and Cotton’s High-A teammate) Julio Urias*. The point which separates the pair, besides Urias’s considerable youth, is that, while Urias features three plus pitches, Cotton’s fastball and breaking pitches are inferior to his changeup.

• Topps newest direct sale product is a movie pin-up poster, measuring 18" x 24", featuring the 2014 Dodger playoff race.  See it on the right.  It is limited to 99 copies.  Check it out at Topps here.
• Matt Eddy at Baseball America names Corey Seager and Joc Pederson to their 2014 Minor League All-Star Team.
• Here's some news that is not at all surprising.  Via Michael Lananna at MLB.com, "Beckett likely done for the season." 

"He threw the other day, and it went OK," Mattingly said. "Still, I don't think that leaves us enough time to get him ready to pitch."

• I won't take too much advantage of this funny moment at Dodger Stadium yesterday, but I will link to this SB Nation story about it.  Via Seth Rosenthal, "Here's how you can get an entire section to yourself at a baseball game."
• BTW, they have started building the ice surface at Staple Center for the upcoming Kings season.  WooHoo!

.@baileylakings putting the lucky pennies in the ice here @staplescenter pic.twitter.com/X7r6pNvIHA
— STAPLES Center (@STAPLESCenter) September 3, 2014

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Nationals Series Starts Tomorrow - Scheduled Autograph Signings, Game Give Aways and Other Stuff!

The next homestand starts on Monday against the Washington Nationals, and several olde-tyme Dodgers will be in the house to sign free autographs for fans.  Below are the scheduled autograph opportunities and other odds and ends for this upcoming homestand.

BTW, the Extreme Loaded Dog concession stands will be making the Washington Dog, an all-beef hot dog wrapped in Virginia Ham.  It will be available Friday through Sunday at extreme loaded dog concession stands on the Field, Loge and Reserve levels. 

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Monday, September 1st at 5:10 PM

Happy Labor Day!  Monday's game starts at 5:10 PM.  Auto gates open at 2:30 PM, and stadium gates open at 3:00 PM.  This afternoon the Dodgers celebrate Josh Beckett's No-Hitter.  The first 40,000 fans will receive an Beckett Commemorative No-Hitter Pin.  Check it out on the right.

As part of his 27,273-mile media tour, Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao, eight-division world champion in boxing, will throw the ceremonial first pitch on Monday.  The Filharmonic, who appeared on NBC’s “The Sing-Off,” will perform prior to Monday’s game and will also sing the national anthem.

Former Dodgers Tim Leary (in right-field pavilion plaza) and Ken Landreaux (in left-field pavilion plaza) will be signing autographs for fans from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM.

• The Veteran of the Game presented by Bank of America is U.S. Marine Corps Sergeant Leon Pierce of Los Angeles. Pierce enlisted in 2002 and served with a Mortar Platoon maintaining personnel and equipment and ensuring his unit was mentally and physically prepared for combat operations. While deployed at Camp Leatherneck in the Helmand Province, Afghanistan, his vehicle was hit by an IED where he sustained several injuries. He is now recovering at the Wounded Warrior Battalion West, Camp Pendleton and hopes to attend SDSU to become a trauma nurse. Pierce’s accolades include the Purple Heart and the Iraq and Afghanistan Campaign Medals. Bank of America Senior Vice President Global Commercial Banking Felix Whittaker will present Pierce with an authenticated flag that has proudly flown over Dodger Stadium and display case.

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Tuesday, September 2nd at 7:10 PM

Tueday's game starts at 7:10 PM.  Auto gates open at 4:30 PM, and stadium gates open at 5:00 PM. It is another Dodger bobblehead day. The first 50,000 fans will receive a Magic Johnson Bobblehead.  See the bobblehead on the left.

Dodgers Radio AM 570 Fox Sports LA’s Petros and Money show will broadcast live from the left-field pavilion plaza. R&B singer Jeffrey Osborne will perform the national anthem.

Former Dodgers Dennis Powell (in right-field pavilion plaza) and Derrel Thomas (in left-field pavilion plaza) will be signing autographs for fans from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM.

• The Veteran of the Game presented by Bank of America is U.S. Marine Corps Sergeant Wyatt Waldron of Palmdale. Waldron was a 50 Caliber Heavy Machine Gunner with the 3rd Battalion 4th Marine Infantry and served three combat tours in Iraq. In 2004, his unit fought in the battle of Fallujah, Iraq, and pulled down the statue of Saddam Hussein. Waldron’s accolades include the Purple Heart for injuries he sustained from an IED blast, two Marine Corps Medals with Valor and the Silver Star. 

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Wednesday, September 3rd at 12:10 PM

Wednesday's game starts early at 12:10 PM.  Auto gates open at 9:30 AM, and stadium gates open at 10:00 AM.

Singer and songwriter Kim Devine will perform the national anthem. 

Former Dodgers Billy Ashley (in right-field pavilion plaza) and Matt Luke (in left-field pavilion plaza) will be signing autographs for fans from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM.

• The Veteran of the Game presented by Bank of America is U.S. Air Force Staff Sergeant John Smith. In 1961, after hearing President John F. Kennedy’s first inaugural speech in which he stated ‘“Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country,” Smith enlisted in the Air Force and served at the School of Aerospace Medicine at Brooks Air Force Base doing medical research. 

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Josh Beckett to DL - All Hail Josh Beckett

As expected, Josh Beckett has been placed on the 15-day disabled list.  To replace him is newly acquired starting pitcher Roberto Hernandez - who starts tonight's game.  Per a Dodger press release:

The Los Angeles Dodgers today placed right-handed pitcher Josh Beckett on the 15-day disabled list (retroactive to August 4) with a left hip impingement and activated right-handed pitcher Roberto Hernandez, who was acquired yesterday from Philadelphia.

Beckett has made 20 starts for the Dodgers this season, posting a 6-6 record with a 2.88 ERA (37 ER/115.2 IP) with 107 strikeouts. The 14-year Major League veteran made three starts since being reinstated on July 22 from the same injury that sidelined him on July 8 and will be placed on the DL for the third time this season.

And with that move, the Josh Beckett era in Dodger Blue may be over, and I, for one, will miss him. 

Josh Beckett was an able warrior who battled all odds to pitch again, and pitch effectively.  During his short stint in Los Angeles he suffered through injuries and a loss of confidence that rattled his mind and caused him to openly talk about retiring. Still, he fought back and worked hard to stay in the Dodgers rotation. 

For his efforts, he was rewarded with an unlikely season that saw him strike out nearly a batter every inning and maintain an ERA of under 3.00.  Better yet, he had flashes of brilliance that resulted in two 2-hitters, a 1-hitter and his only career no-hitter just a couple of months ago. 

The photos from that no-hit game are priceless, and given this news I suggest taking a moment to check out Jon SooHoo's photo blog from that game to relive the afternoon (go here).  The photos in this post are from that game, via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2014.  Also, Jon Weisman at Dodger Insider shares a couple of great articles about Beckett that were originally printed in the Dodger Insider Magazine, here.

BTW, LA Times reporter Dylan Hernandez tweeted that Don Mattingly believes that Beckett will pitch again this season.  As impossible as this may seem, considering his current hip injury and the rumors that surgery is in his near future, I wouldn't be surprised.  Like I intimated above, Josh Beckett ain't no quitter, and I have no doubt that he'll do everything he can to get back on that mound.

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Blog Kiosk: 8/8/2014 - Dodger Links - Beckett Likely Headed to DL and Colletti Looking for Deals

I hardly think of the Angels as a rival.  Still, it's nice to beat the crosstown wannabe LA team in their own home in Orange County.  No doubt we had them running in fear as the streets were awash in blood blue.

Hyun-Jin Ryu was great again last night.  He pitched seven strong innings, gave up just two hits and recorded four strike outs.  Ryu mixed up his pitches nicely, but often got behind in the count to the Angel batters.  Fortunately, his off-speed pitch was on key, so he was able to fool many of them at the plate.

On top of that, the Dodger Bubble Machine is back after a short hiatus.  Apparently, an MLB higher-up (cough, Torre, cough) made mention to the team that we couldn't have that in the dugout, but the ensuing and rapidly growing chorus of boo's and mocking gestures changed that view real quick.  The Bubble Machine is now an official member of the team, and it's only a matter of time before it joins the 40-man roster.  Until then, it will be packaged incognito-like with the rest of the Dodger hardware.  The photo at the very top is of the famous toy, via the @Dodgers on twitter.

Now, here are some more Dodger links to check out.

• Josh Beckett just might be done for the season.  Via Bill Shaikin of the LA Times on twitter, he recently had an MRI and is expected to go on the DL - recently traded for pitcher Roberto Hernandez will take his spot on the roster.

Josh Beckett's locker in Anaheim is cleared out. He had MRI (hip) & is expected to go on DL for Roberto Hernandez, who starts tomorrow.
— Bill Shaikin (@BillShaikin) August 7, 2014

• Via Dan Arritt at ESPNLosAngeles.com, "Colletti keeps eye out for another pitcher."

"As I've said many times, you better have enough of everything," Colletti said Thursday from the dugout as the Dodgers took batting practice before their series and regular-season finale against the Los Angeles Angels. 

• Here's an under the radar signing.  Via Eric Stephen at True Blue LA, "Dodgers sign Bruce Billings to minor league contract."
• Wow!  Check out this Jell-O shot creation made to look like Dodger Stadium, here.  I feel drunk just looking at it.  This photo is via /u/HoserUSC on Reddit.
• BTW, Eric Stephen at True Blue LA lets us know on twitter that once heralded pitching prospect Chris Reed has been promoted to AAA-Albuquerque.  BTW, you should check a scouting report on Reed by Chris Blessing at RotoScounting, here.

Dodgers promoted Chris Reed to Triple-A @AbqTopes
— Eric Stephen (@truebluela) August 7, 2014

• Ben Lindbergh at Grantland writes about the myth that pitching wins championships.  Fascinating stuff.

So why doesn’t the quality of a team’s top three starters or its ace register as significant? For one thing, the differences between teams are compressed in the playoffs, relative to the regular season: Teams with terrible staffs don’t make it to October, so the gulf between the best- and worst-pitching playoff teams isn’t as stark as we’re used to seeing during the season’s first six months. Perhaps more importantly, there’s more than one way to win baseball games, and even under an expanded playoff format, teams don’t get to October without doing something well. A team with an inferior pitching staff often makes up for its weakness on the mound by being better on offense.

• WooHoo!  Kings Hall of Famer and current VP of the team Luc Robitaille is getting a statue of himself at The Staples Center, via Jon Rosen of the LA Kings Insider.

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Blog Kiosk: 7/25/2014 - Dodger Links - AJ's Bobblehead, Pederson and what to do with Haren

Here's a great vintage pic of former Dodger slugger Raul Mondesi with his son Raul Mondesi Jr. from 1985, pic via @Dodgers_History on twitter.

• Here is an early peek at the AJ Ellis bobblehead the Dodgers are giving away to fans on Sunday, September7th on the right.  Hat Tip: @DodgersBeat on twitter.
• Via JP Hoornstra at the LA Daily News, "Josh Beckett, Dan Haren give Dodgers some trades to ponder."

From the front office to the manager’s office, the Dodgers have faith that Beckett can make the necessary adjustments in the coming weeks and months. The organization does not perceive that his first-half success was a fluke.

Haren is a different story. His next turn in the rotation will almost certainly be skipped, since the Dodgers have off-days today and Monday.

I wouldn't be surprised to see Haren moved before the trade deadline; especially considering he is about 58 innings short (at 180 innings) of his option automatically vesting.

• Via Teddy Cahill at MLB.com, "Dodgers prospect Pederson joins 20-20 club."
• Pedro Guerrero... Again. 

I would trade Mike Marshalls past for jocs Pedersons future.  @dodgers
— PedroGuerrero (@PedroGuerreroLA) July 24, 2014

• GCRL shares his collection of oddball Steve Garvey memorabilia.  Check that post out here.
• Craig Calcaterra at Hardball Talk writes, "Expert’s Corner: How to troll fans of all 30 teams."  Just brilliant, and he's spot on when it comes to Dodger fans.  We go crazy when someone does what he says.  Check it out.

• Ken Rosenthal at Fox Sports writes, "Free Giancarlo Stanton."
• In honor of the Baseball Hall of Fame's 75th Anniversay and Inducation weekend MLB ballplayers will be wearing the patch on the left on Sunday in its honor, pic via @MLB_PR on twitter.
• This is both crazy and cool.  Via Nick Schwartz at USA Today, "A Korean baseball team is filling the stadium with robot fans."  There's a video so you can see it in action.
• Via Extra Mustard at Sports Illustrated, "We pranked a minor league baseball crowd with some free stuff that no one wanted."  There's an funny video at the link above.

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Blog Kiosk: 7/23/2014 - Dodger Links - Dodger Loss Hurt Last Night and Dee Collecting Awards

The Dodgers lost a wild one last night against the Pirates, 12 to 7.  There were hit batters, a thrown out pitcher, wild arguments, a bunch of home runs, some timely errors and relievers imploded all around.  For awhile it looked like the Dodgers could pull out a victory, but that was not to be.  If you ask me, the number one thing the Dodgers should to do is improve their bullpen.  This was a winnable game, and they were just not good enough to get the job done.  I think it's about time to have some faith in the kids (i.e. Paco, Dominguez, Garcia, etc.).  Pic above is of Justin Turner getting nailed in the arm, via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2014.

BTW, Josh Beckett was hard on himself when discussing the Dodgers loss, via Ken Gurnick at MLB.com.

"This loss pretty much falls on me," Beckett said. "I put our guys in a bad situation, having to eat innings up that way. I feel I can do a better job making small adjustments and didn't do it today. That's not competing."

Also, Adrian Gonzalez's home run last night was the 250th of his career.  Congrats, Agon!  Now, below are your daily Dodger Links:

• Here is an early peak at the Zack Greinke bobblehead the Dodgers are giving away to fans on Wednesday, August 20th on the right.
• Via Jon Weisman at Dodger Insider, "Dee Gordon wins Heart and Hustle Award."

“Dee absolutely deserves this award,” said MLBPAA director of communications Nikki Warner. “He embodies all that the award represents, and his passion for the game is unmatched.”

• Via Eric Stephen at True Blue LA, "Dodgers sign 33 of 40 draft picks, plus thoughts from Logan White."

"It's really tough to take 40 rounds of players every year and put them in your system, because you don't have enough places for them to play," White said. "Then what happens is you start releasing players with only a year, a year and a half in the minor leagues, and that's not a good process either."

• I look at this as a good omen.  Via a Dodger press release, the Dodgers RBI Jr. Division team, boys ages 13-15, earned a spot in the RBI World Series this past weekend. The RBI World Series will take place on August 6-17 at Globe Life Park in Arlington, Texas.  

Winning pitcher Nolan Martinez threw a complete game four-hitter allowing just one earned run. Catcher Brendan Casillas went 3 for 3 with a single, double and triple. Shortstop John Jackson and center fielder Micah Wallette had two hits apiece for Dodgers RBI. Second baseman Jorge Corrales made momentum changing key defensive plays. Three players on the Dodgers RBI Jr. Division All Star Team are defending RBI World Series champs, CJ Fernandezees, Max Sterner and Micah Wallette along with manager Erikk Aldridge.

• Pedro Guerrero... yes, that guy... made an interesting trade proposal on twitter.  So, what do you think?

I would do Kemp for Colon and Zack Wheeler and lucas Duda and so would the mets I am thinking.  Need to bury the fucking giants. @dodgers
— PedroGuerrero (@PedroGuerreroLA) July 22, 2014

• Via Shawn Anderson at the Hall of Very Good, they are adding three new members: Luis Tiant, Tony Oliva and The San Diego Chicken. 
• In memorabilia auction news, Keith Olbermann tells all about the plea bargain Bill Mastro has accepted for mail fraud related to his Baseball auction business.  He's the guy who trimmed the T206 Honus Wagner card into a super-mint specimen.  I've purchased several items through Mastro/Legendary Auctions over the years, so I do have a special interest in this case.  Fortunately, I don't believe I've been harmed by shill bidding; although I'm certain I benefited from it (i.e. I had bid too much for an item and immediately had bidders remorse.  A subsequent shill bid, I think, the day of the auction closing saved me from that embarrassing mistake.). 

Video Link:

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Beckett is Back from DL to Pitch Tonight - Dealing with Torn Labrum

Josh Beckett is either a warrior of the godly class, or a reckless fool who is risking a future Baseball career.

As you may know, Josh Beckett was placed on the Disabled List in early July for what had been described as a left hip impingement.  As Mark Saxon at ESPNLosAngeles.com mentioned at the time:

Beckett, 34, has been dealing with intermittent pain in the hip for a couple of weeks, and he felt a twinge while running the bases Sunday in Colorado, leaving the game after pitching five scoreless innings.

Well, Beckett has just been called back up to start tonight's game against Pittsburgh.  At the same time, we are learning more about his current condition, via Evan Petzold at Sports Injury Alert:

Beckett has been dealing with a torn labrum and two cysts in one of his hips. He has recovered from his injury and will start on Tuesday against the Pirates. Beckett believes he will be fine, the injections are helping but we do not know how long that can last until it becomes overwhelming.

Holy Batman, Robin!  So, he's going to tough it out and pitch tonight?  That's a little crazy if you ask me.  I get that his hip is feeling much better, but how long should we expect that to last?  And, at what point does the health and well being of a player trump the teams desire to win.  I get that it's likely Beckett who is going all out to continue to contribute, but at some point a more rational head needs to step in.  A torn anything can't possibly portend to anything but bad news for the immediate future; both on the field and to his quality of life after the game.

The corollary move to Beckett's recall is to send left-handed reliever Paco Rodriguez back down to Albuquerque.  Paco pitched well during his most recent stint with the team.  He had back-to-back scoreless appearances on Friday and Saturday.

Pic at the very top via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2014

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Blog Kiosk: 7/18/2014 - Dodger Links - Matt Kemp, a Couple No-Hitter Pins and Pederson's All-Star Experience

The Dodgers landed in St. Louis for their series against the Cardinals yesterday afternoon.  Shown above is traveling secretary Scott Akasaki and Juan Uribe in the photo above, via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2014. BTW, if you're wondering what Scott Akasaki does as the traveling secretary then watch this helpful video.

• With the silly rumor season about to go into overdrive I think it's important to remember that 99% of all rumors you hear are a load of BS.  You are not hearing any special insight.  You are not getting "Inside Baseball" information.  You are not getting a peek at closely held negotiations.  I would suggest ignoring them all.  THEY MEAN NOTHING!  And, I assure you that most rumors are made up by bored reporters making unfounded assertions from innocent conversations so that they have something to write.
• Via Jeff Sullivan at FanGraphs, "Matt Kemp’s Wish is a Pitching Staff’s Nightmare."  Kemp wants to be an everyday centerfielder, but it seems clear that this isn't likely on the Dodgers.

Matt Kemp would one day like to return to center field. That’s almost certainly not going to happen in Los Angeles. And one hopes that’s almost certainly not going to happen anywhere else, either. Kemp wasn’t a very good center fielder even before having a major operation, and pretty soon there’s going to be a 3 in front of his age. It’s not even clear he’s a particularly capable corner outfielder, and though his bat remains sufficiently intriguing to justify a trade pursuit, Kemp should probably be traded to a team in the American League that down the road could slot him in at DH. That might not be what Kemp wants, and that might be a future obstacle, but what Kemp wants could drive a pitching staff crazy. What Kemp wants would make his baseball team worse.

• Meanwhile, Jerry Hairston Jr. had an interesting take on comments made by Kemp's agent that lead to the story above, via a twitter conversation with a fan.

.@hung12low It's no big deal. Just his agents way of protecting his client. #la #Dodgers
— Jerry Hairston, Jr. (@TheRealJHair) July 17, 2014

• Last week, I mentioned that the Dodgers would be giving out commemorative no-hitter pins in September.  Now, Jon Weisman at Dodger Insider has mockups of what they will look like here.  They are definite must haves.  See them below:

• Wow.  You don't see this very often.  The Albuquerque Isotopes had to forfeit a game last week, via Shaun P Kernahan at Grading on the Curve.
• Clary Osborne at Dodger Insider tells us how you can play fantasy football with the Dodgers... for reals!

“We’re all excited to share our passion of fantasy football to raise money for some great causes,” said Dodger catcher A.J. Ellis. “I’m looking forward to some good competition and a little trash talk in the Big Blue Fantasy Football League, but like all things I do, I’m playing to win, so bring your “A” game!”

• Via Christopher Jackson at Albuquerque Baseball Examiner, "Isotopes Notebook: Pederson enjoyed his All-Star experience."

“I think it was a pretty good experience,” Pederson said. “Any all-star game you go to is a special time. It’s an honor to represent the Isotopes and Dodgers in such an event.”

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