Blog Kiosk: 1/24/2018 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends - Signing AJ Pollock

Dodger reliever Joe Kelly did some moonlighting last night at a local Smart & Final.

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

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1939 former Dodger Wee Willie Keeler (along with George Sisler and Eddie Collins) are elected into the Baseball Hall of Fame. Keeler had famously said, "hit 'em where they ain't." In 1963 the Dodgers acquired Don Zimmer in a trade with the Reds for a minor leaguer. This is Don's second stint with the team; having originally been signed by Brooklyn as an amateur in 1949 and rising up their ranks. In 2006 the Dodgers signed free agent reliever and soon-to-be legend Joe Beimel. In 2014 the Dodgers signed free agent utilityman Chone Figgins.
• Happy Birthday, Jim Lindsey, Neal Finn & Scott Kazmir!

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

* Please follow on twitter @ernestreyes *

* Like Dodgers Blue Heaven on facebook *

* Dodgers Blue Heaven home page *

Blog Kiosk: 7/8/2015 - Dodger Links - Newcombe, Pierre and Tsao

Yasiel Puig is seen taking batting practice underneath the confines of Dodger Stadium before yesterday's game.  Considering the tough go he's had at it lately, he no doubt needed it.  My question, though, is who is the little tyke on the bottom left of the photo?  Ain't he in mortal danger of getting a ball fouled back towards him?  Tough guy, that kid is.

The above photo via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers.  Go here to check out more pics from him from yesterday's game.  Below are some links to check out:

• Get well!  Via an ESPN report, "Don Newcombe leaves Dodger Stadium for hospital after feeling ill."
• Awesome!  Via Jon Weisman at Dodger Insider, "Juan Pierre is the best of sports."

Juan Pierre, who memorably accompanied his retirement announcement with the amusing lament that while he had 18 career home runs, he wished he had 20, was lighthearted Monday responding to my tweet that he had been the only position player in Dodger history to start in the No. 9 slot in the batting order after the pitcher.

• The 3rd Annual Kershaw's Challenge Ping Pong 4 Purpose charity event is coming up on July 30th.  Go here for information.
• Via Steve Bourbon at MLB.com, "Crawford aims to return after All-Star break."

"I think [trainer] Stan [Conte] has a plan mapped out for him to be playing through the break so they have the same time off that we do," Mattingly said. "Then we can see where he's at."

• Via Eric Stephen at True Blue LA, "Dodgers to call up Chin-hui Tsao, per report."

"He gives me a lot of options to play with, whether it's backdoor breaking balls, cutters inside, fastballs up," said catcher Yasmani Grandal in March. "He can bring it too. I didn't know he could bring it that hard."

• Panini shares some preview picks from their 2015 Immaculate Baseball set; including the Kershaw card on the right.  Go here to see more.
• Nick Diunte at the Examiner.com tells us about a former Dodger who had recently passed away: "Buddy Hicks, former Detroit Tigers infielder, passes away at 87."
• Topps newest online exclusive creation is called "Fire" and it's an art print measuring 10"x14" and numbered for only #/49 copies.  Clayton Kershaw and Yasil Puig prints are available.  See them below.  Go here to check them out.  A rare "1 of 1" sepia version were also available, but have already been sold.

* Please follow on twitter @ernestreyes *

* Like Dodgers Blue Heaven on facebook *

* Dodgers Blue Heaven home page *

Blog Kiosk: 3/3/2015 - Dodger Links - Rollins, League and Some Nomo Memories

As you likely know, tomorrow afternoon is the Dodgers first Spring Training game.  In preparation for the big day, they posted up the anticipated lineup for the game this morning.  Check it out in the photo above tweeted out by ESPN reporter Mark Saxon.

Below are some more links to check out:

• Not that anyone had any doubts, via OC Register reporter Bill Plunkett on twitter:

Clayton Kershaw will be #Dodgers Opening Day starter. Mattingly: "That's our plan. ... We were just waiting for you to ask."
— Bill Plunkett (@billplunkettocr) March 2, 2015

• Via J.P. Hoornstra at Inside the Dodgers, "Jimmy Rollins met with Yasiel Puig for two hours."

“I just walked over to him and we just started talking,” Rollins said. “Two hours later it was ‘I gotta go now.’ My wife was probably like ‘where you at? You said you were done. The baby’s crying.’

• JP Hoornstra also wrote about Brandon League at the Daily News, "Los Angeles Dodgers reliever Brandon League credits giving up alcohol to boost in energy."

“I was getting enough sleep, eating as well as possible,” League said. “The only other factor I saw was alcohol.”

• Via Ken Gurnick at MLB.com, "Ryu, Peralta feel good after bullpen sessions."  Everything seems fine and on schedule.
• Via Jon Weisman at Dodger Insider, "Hideo Nomo remembers first day in Dodger uniform, 20 years ago."  Today is the 20th anniversary of the day Nomo first put on a Dodger uniform.

“On the eve prior to the start of Spring Training in March of 1995, I arrived in Dodgertown for the first time,” Nomo said. “As it was dark, all I could see were the baseball fields and lodging facilities. I thought to myself ‘there is nothing to do here except to play baseball.’

• Roberto Baly at Vin Scully is My Homeboy informs us about an interesting upcoming event: "The Baseball Reliquary Presents Turning Back the Clock: Baseball in Los Angeles."
• John Thorn at Our Game, "Diamond Visions: Baseball’s Greatest Photographs."
• I couldn't agree any more with Grant Bisbee of SB Nation's assessment of Juan Pierre's legacy: "Dangit, Juan Pierre, we'll miss you."

He was The Departed of players, not nearly as good or awful as its greatest supporters and detractors claim.

• Paul Post at Sports Collectors Digest writes a fantastic article on former Major Leaguer Jim Abbott: "Player Interview: Jim Abbott Talks No-Hitter, A-D-A-P-T."

“He’s got such great stuff,” Abbott said of Kershaw. “A no-hitter is a countdown of outs. I watched the game . . . and you get caught up in that happening again. You relate to the feelings he’s feeling and the catcher’s feeling, the fielders are feeling and the fans are feeling. It’s nice to have that connection.”

* Please follow on twitter @ernestreyes *

* Like Dodgers Blue Heaven on facebook *

* Dodgers Blue Heaven home page *

Blog Kiosk: 2/28/2015 - Dodger Links - Some Odds and Ends

Spring Training isn't just for practice.  It's also for gettin' your picture taken.  Featured above is Clayton Kershaw is a green screen room.  This morning was Photo Day for the Dodgers as photographers from throughout the country came down to capture the Dodgers on film.  Photo above via @Dodgers on twitter.

Below are some more links to check out:

• Check out this fun new blog: The Dodgers Lego.
• Via Charlie Wilmoth at MLB Trade Rumors, "Juan Pierre Officially Retires."  Pierre was a great Dodger whose play I will remember fondly.  He was a Dodger unsung hero who also got a lot of unnecessary grief from a bunch of fans who thought their snark was funny.  For the record, it wasn't funny.  It was just mean.
• Via Pedro Moura at the OC Register, "Armed with data: Dodgers use analytics in effort to assess risk, decrease frequency of pitching injuries."

“As we are going through available players, we find requisite upside, and we dig into their medical histories to see if it’s a fool’s errand or not,” Friedman said this week. “We appreciate the risk and appreciate the upside.”

• Via Mark Saxon at ESPNLosAngeles.com, "Dodgers going organic this season."

“If it gives us more energy and helps us go longer, I’m all for it,” (Carl) Crawford said, while then admitting he prefers starchy fried southern food when he’s on his own.

“All things considered, it’s probably not what I’d eat if I wasn’t a baseball player, but I get it,” (Brett) Anderson said. 

• The Dodger made another minor league depth addition, via JP Hoornstra on twitter:

OF Travis Witherspoon is in #Dodgers camp on a minor-league deal. Was on #Angels' 40-man roster a couple years ago. @MattEddyBA reported 1st
— J.P. Hoornstra (@jphoornstra) February 27, 2015

• Via Janie McCauley at Yahoo Sports, "Jimmy Rollins adjusts to new uniform back home in California."
• Ted Sobel at The Beast 980 shares his interview with Yasiel Puig, here.
• FYI! I had previously written about Puig's involvement with PlayStation Heroes here.

#PlayStationHEROES app now live on PS4: http://t.co/Pe9vHhwjCs Download & find out how you could play w/ celebrities https://t.co/SsFQ0m6O3F
— PlayStation (@PlayStation) February 26, 2015

* Please follow on twitter @ernestreyes *

* Like Dodgers Blue Heaven on facebook *

* Dodgers Blue Heaven home page *

Dodgers Notes from Spring Training: Full –Squad Workout #2

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.

--------------------------

(Koufax signing autographs for fans today, pic via David Vassegh on twitter)

IT’S BLACK/BLUE, END OF DISCUSSION: The Dodgers held their second full-squad workout of the spring today, with hitters facing live batting practice for the first time from pitchers Erik Bedard, Sergio Santos, Juan Nicasio, Adam Liberatore, Carlos Frias and Josh Ravin. Chad Gaudin, Ben Rowan and Brandon League also threw bullpens today.

• The Dodgers are still five days away from their first Cactus League game, March 4 against the White Sox, whereas last year at this time, the club had already played two contests.

THE NEXT CHAPTER: In the past few days, two classy former Dodgers hung up their spikes with Mark Ellis and Juan Pierre announcing their retirement. The Dodgers would like to thank both for their contributions to the game and wish them well in their future endeavors.

(Juan Pierre, pic via @Dodgers on twitter)

SAY CHEESE: The Dodgers will hold their annual Photo Day tomorrow, beginning at 7:00 a.m., with players showing off their pearly whites for the Dodger team photographers, MLB Photos, MLB.com, ESPN the Magazine, Topps, USA Today, Getty Images, Baseball Digest and the Associated Press.

SUNDAY CONVERSATION(S): On Sunday, ESPN’s SportsCenter will broadcast live from Camelback Ranch – Glendale, featuring interviews with Adrian Gonzalez, Clayton Kershaw, Jimmy Rollins, Don Mattingly and more. Jay Crawford, Aaron Boone and Tim Kurkjian will anchor the network’s coverage.

A BAKERS DOZEN: During the past three days, Dodger players and their wives were fitted with suits/dresses and casual clothing by Ted Baker London to wear to the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation’s inaugural Blue Diamond Gala honoring the Jackie Robinson Foundation, The Los Angeles Fund for Public Education and the LA84 Foundation. The Gala will take place on Thursday, April 16 at Dodger Stadium and features a cocktail reception in center field, dinner, awards, a Ted Baker London fashion show featuring Dodger players and a performance by Grammy-nominated singer/songwriter Aloe Blacc. For tickets and information on the Blue Diamond Gala sponsorships, please visit www.dodgers.com/gala.

TAG ME: As Cactus League opening day approaches, many news elements at Camelback will continue to be unveiled with a life-size Tommy Lasorda bobblehead, a new scoreboard on the Dodger replica field, All-Star panels on the legends walk, a LA logo sculpture and large, autographed baseballs paying tribute to the club’s MVPs. With so many photogenic locations, there’s no reason that #CamelbackRanch won’t be trending on social media this spring along with Dodger Stadium, which ranked as the second-most Instagrammed place in the world last year, behind only Disneyland.

(Howie Kendrick signing for fans, pic via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2015)

* Please follow on twitter @ernestreyes *

* Like Dodgers Blue Heaven on facebook *

* Dodgers Blue Heaven home page *

Blog Kiosk: 10/23/2014 - Dodger Links - Kershaw and Gordon Make Sporting News All-Star Team

Here is a fantastic 1947 AP photo featuring rising star outfielder Pete Reiser with three newly signed Dodger coaches.  Per the descriptor on the reverse:

Feb 3, 1947.  "REISER SHOWS COACHES.  Pete Reiser (right), star outfielder of the Brooklyn Dodgers, demonstrates batting grip to three newly signed Dodger coaches, left to right: Clyde Sukeforth, Aldoboro, Me., Ray Blades, McLeansboro, Ill.. and Jake Pitler of Binghamton. N.Y., In the Brooklyn, N.Y. office of the Dodgers, Feb. 3."

I ran into this photo on eBay.  Check it out here.

Here are some links to check out:

• Continuing a tradition that goes all the way back to the 1920's, The Sporting News announced their National League All-Star team yesterday, and it includes Clayton Kershaw and Dee Gordon.  Check out their story here.  They even made some fantasy Baseball cards for each player fashioned after the 1954 Topps Baseball card set that are worth a look.  Check out the Dee Gordon on the right.
• Via Mike Podhorzer at RotoGraphs, "Dee Gordon: The New Juan Pierre?"

Smartly, Gordon takes full advantage of his speed and complete lack of power by slapping the ball on the ground. But he had a pop-up problem in the past. He got that under control finally and actually posted a lower than average mark. His batted ball profile looks a lot closer to Juan Pierre‘s now, which is where it needs to be. He’ll need a high BABIP though because he strikes out far more than Pierre ever did.

• Via Spencer Fordin at MLB.com, "Dodgers' Sweeney just misses cycle in Fall League play."

"Everybody in the dugout was letting me know I was a triple away, so I was going for it," said Sweeney, who had five triples for Double-A Chattanooga last year. "Lance held up the runner because he probably would've gotten thrown out at home. That's just the way the game goes sometimes."

• Via the Korea Times, "Ryu Hyun-jin reflects on his second season, vows to take better care of his body."

“I don’t want to go through the same fate next season. I think I am going to have to take care of my body better in the winter. I will start my offseason training earlier than before and focus on preventing injuries.”

• Via Chris Erskine at the LA Times, "Where Giants are concerned, Dodgers fans have a spite to the finish."  This is a fun article about how much we Dodger fans hate the Giants.

I think it was God who summed it up best the other day, when he tweeted: "Go Giants! And take the 49ers with you!"

• Topps newest direct-sale poster print are called "Topps Historic World Series Winners" and below is a pic of the Dodger print.  They are limited to only 99 copies, are already framed and are priced at $74.99.  Go here to check it out. 

• So, one of my favorite LA Kings blogs, The Royal Half, recently asked me if they could use some of my photos from a 'Meet the Players' session a couple of years back, so I happily obliged.  I had no idea what they wanted it for, but figured it would be for some sort of collage with a bunch of other fan photos.  Instead, something more hilarious occurred and I can't stop laughing about it.  I got photoshopped out.  LOL!  Check it out here. The ghostly version of me looks like a deformed ET.  Am I right?

* Please follow on twitter @ernestreyes *

* Like Dodgers Blue Heaven on facebook *

* Dodgers Blue Heaven home page *

The Dodgers Good Works in the Community Never Ends

Even though the Dodgers have had a rough couple of months, they still continue to be good citizens.  See what I mean below.

(pic link: Twitter @Dodgers)

Matt Kemp and former Dodger Juan Pierre visited the Baseball Urban Youth Academy in Compton on Saturday.  Greeting them were a bunch of Little Leaguers.  Both Kemp and Pierre shared their experiences and offered career and life skills advice. Via Austin Laymance at MLB.com:

"There's more to life than baseball, just remember that," Kemp told the group of adoring youngsters. "Baseball is important, it can take you places, it can do a lot of things for you. But there's more to life than baseball, like getting good grades or going to college. Listen to your parents. Listen to your teachers. Make good grades. Not everybody becomes a Major League Baseball player, but you guys can be successful. It depends on how hard you work. If you want to be successful, you have to work hard and your dreams will come true."

Check out some great photos from the event via Jon SooHoo, over here.  Watch a video from the Dodgers here.  Below is another video that is worth your time to watch.

Video Link:

-----------------------

Both AJ Ellis and Brandon League have joined with a non-profit called Vision To Learn in order to distribute free eye glasses to elementary school students in low-income communities throughout California. In fact, they'll be visiting Dorris Place Elementary School tomorrow to do just that.  On top of that, they will host 500 fans (including kids who received eye glasses) for a game at Dodger Stadium on May 24 against the Cardinals.

Per a Dodgers press release:

Research tells us 80% of all learning during a child’s first 12 years is obtained through vision and as many as 15% of students in Los Angeles elementary schools have undetected vision problems. Vision To Learn was created to address this issue and Vision To Learn Mobile Eye Clinic travels throughout the community on a daily basis. Endowing children with good eyesight early in life enables them to better focus on the future. It’s simple - if you can’t see, you can’t learn. To date, Vision To Learn has visited 110 schools, examined 8,129 students, and provided 6,148 children with free eyeglasses.

Both AJ Ellis and Brandon League wear glasses.

Pic credit above: Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2013

-----------------------

(Credit: Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2012)

Adrian Gonzalez and his wife Betsy have begun hosting families on Viva Los Dodgers Day; starting with this afternoon's Mother’s Day game against the Miami Marlins. Via a Dodgers press release:

This Sunday, Gonzalez will host families from Padres Contra El Cancer, an organization committed to improving the quality of life for Latino children with cancer and their families. The Gonzalez family supports Padres Contra El Cancer throughout the year.

“My wife Betsy and I wanted to get families to Dodger games this season because we think a day at the ballpark is a wonderful way for families to spend time together,” said Adrian Gonzalez. “We chose Viva Los Dodgers Day because it offers a great family-friendly experience right before the game. We’re looking forward to hosting groups that may not have been able to make it out here otherwise.”

72 fans will be hosted by the Gonzalez's for every Sunday Dodger home game.

“We’re very happy to host families at Viva Los Dodgers day at Dodger Stadium,” said Betsy Gonzalez. “Family is the most important thing to us along with building our connection with the LA community. We look forward to this program and to continuing our charitable work in LA with the help of the Dodgers.”

* Please follow on twitter @ernestreyes *

* Like Dodgers Blue Heaven on facebook *

* Dodgers Blue Heaven home page *

Blog Kiosk: 5/11/2013

Oh, Juan Pierre... I look back at your time with the Dodger with great fondness.  Pic via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2013.

• Zack Greinke pitched yesterday in Rancho Cucamonga and gave up 8 runs, via Eric Stephen at True Blue LA.  Ken Gurnick at MLB.com shares a quote from Greinke saying he is ready to go.

"I am," Greinke said when asked if he was ready to be activated. "I won't be in midseason form, but I feel I'm able to get guys out.

"I just have to get my right arm ready. I'll definitely head somewhere. I can't say [where] without talking to somebody. I'm sure they'd rather me pitch better than the results. I felt I pitched OK. Get the lights of a Major League game and it's different, you step up another notch."

• Via Dodger Nation, "Dodgers News: Tommy Lasorda Defends Don Mattingly."
• Joe Posnanski writes about an unusual fact regarding Hall of Famer Warren Spahn and the Brooklyn Dodgers.
• Via Mike Oz at Big League Stew, Manny Ramirez as the Incredible Hulk.
• This is classically great.  Yakko's Nations of the World - Animaniacs.

Video Link:

* Please follow on twitter @ernestreyes *

* Like Dodgers Blue Heaven on facebook *

* Dodgers Blue Heaven home page *

June 30th Is the Day

More good news is coming down the pike. The LA Times reports that about $30 million is required for payroll on June 30th and the Dodgers have no chance of meeting that.

The Dodgers owe about $10 million in payroll Wednesday, according to one of the people, but that figure roughly triples for the June 30 payment as several deferred salaries come due, including more than $8 million to Manny Ramirez.

The Dodgers appear to have "no chance" to meet the June 30 payroll without a cash infusion from a new television contract, according to a person familiar with McCourt's finances but not authorized to discuss them. If McCourt misses payroll, Selig could make the payments for him, seize the team and put it up for sale.

From my understanding, deferred payments are also due to Juan Pierre and Andruw Jones.

Our long regional nightmare may soon be coming to an end. (I'm crossing my fingers)

I guess the only thing that could stop the inevitable is if Selig approves the TV deal soon thereby giving McCourt the funds to continue his ownership. But, by the sounds of this LA Times report, that doesn't seem likely since the MLB report is not due until the end of this month which probably makes it too late for McCourt to gather the funds to make payroll.

Perfect timing, eh?

That Selig, he's a crafty one.

A Dodger St. Patrick's Day

Since the days of O'Malley, St. Patrick's Day has always had a special place in the hearts of Dodger nation. Games were always packed (even on a weekday), the team wore green and the entire community celebrated the day as if it were a national holiday.

I was fortunate to have experienced this event one Spring afternoon in 2007. I had failed to realize that my first Spring game while on vacation would be on the Irish holiday so I was ill-prepared for the festivities. Fortunately, I arrived very early, so I was able to secure a ticket. Soon, all of Dodgertown was packed. Green was everywhere.

Since I find myself reminiscing I thought I would post some of the pics I took that day. I had a whole bunch more, but they didn't turn out that well.

Jeff Kent

Juan Pierre

Nomar Garciaparra

Rafael Furcal

2009 Topps 206 Dodgers

Topps recently unveiled their "206" set and the collecting world seems very happy about it. Personally, I'm not a bit fan of the cards. I just don't like the photos and backgrounds of the Boys in Blue. Besides, the set pales in comparison to the cards it is meant to resemble- the famous tobacco cards from 1909 called T206. One thing to note is that it marks the 100th anniversary of that vintage set.

Below are the Dodger base cards. There are three old-time Dodgers included in the set- Roy Campanella, Pee Wee Reese and Jackie Robinson. A mini version of each card is also available.

Jon Broxton

Chad Billingsley

Roy Campanella

Andre Ethier

Rafael Furcal

Orlando Hudson

Matt Kemp

Clayton Kershaw

James Loney

Russell Martin

Juan Pierre

Manny Ramirez

PeeWee Reese

Jackie Robinson

As has become commonplace, several cards have parallel short printed cards inserted in packs. Below is a example of the Roy Campanella base card (on the right) and it's short printed brother (on the left).
Gold bordered mini cards are also included.
Limited "one of one" printing plates are also part of the set. Below is a Rafael Furcal printing plate.
Another premium are silk version of every mini card in the set. I believe they are numbered to 50. Manny Ramirez's silk card is below.A game-used jersey relic of James Loney is below.
An even cooler game-used bat relic card of Jackie Robinson is below.
Clayton Kershaw's inserted autograph card is below.

Pierre Traded

The savior of last year. The man who was "Beast Mode." Our 4th outfielder who became our saving grace has been traded to the White Sox.

(pic link: Farther Off the Wall)

From the Dodger press release:

LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles Dodgers today announced that they have traded outfielder Juan Pierre to the White Sox for two players to be named. Dodger General Manager Ned Colletti made the announcement.

“Juan always put the Dodgers first, even when it wasn’t in his personal best interest,” said Colletti. “In this day, that is a rare attribute. When he and I spoke at the end of the season, we agreed that if an opportunity presented itself in which his chance to play would be enhanced, we would pursue it and that’s what we’ve done. He deserved the chance to play more.”

During his three seasons with Los Angeles , Pierre batted .294 with a .339 on-base percentage and 134 stolen bases in 173 attempts. Last season, his 10^th in the Majors, Pierre hit .308 (117-for-380) with a .365 on-base percentage in 145 games.

The Dodgers will receive the two players to be named on or before Jan. 7, 2010.

Thanks for the hard work, Juan!

Below are some Juan Pierre Videos celebrating how good he was for us when we needed him. DodgerFilms captures the award presentation given to Juan for being the Player of the Month of May 2009.

YouTube Link: DodgerFilms:

His month of May included this clutch "walk-off walk" in the 10th inning to win the game against the Angels on May 23, 2009.

YouTube Link: DodgerFilms:

Pierre Exemplifies Spirit and Leadership

(pic Link: UmpBump)

I have just received word that Juan Pierre has been awarded this years winner of the Roy Campanella Award. The prize is given to the Dodger player who best exemplifies the spirit and leadership once shown by our Hall of Fame catcher.

I can't think of any other player who deserves this the most.

From the press release:

In his third season with the Dodgers, Pierre is hitting .305 with 56 runs and 27 stolen bases in 142 games. The outfielder has started 74 games overall, 62 in left field and 12 in center field, making just one error in those contests. The Alabama native is hitting .300 (93-for-310) with 16 doubles, four triples, 41 runs scored, 27 RBI, and 25 stolen bases in those starts.

Pierre filled in admirably during Manny Ramirez’s 50-game suspension this season, starting all 50 games in left field and hitting .318 (68-for-214) with 14 doubles, 21 RBI, 16 walks, 32 runs scored, and a .381 on-base percentage in that time. Pierre also stole 21 bases in 28 attempts during the 50 games, good for a 75 percent success rate. The Dodgers went 29-21 over that span.

Pierre won the clubhouse nod for the honor in the closest balloting in the Roy Campanella Award’s four-year history. Beginning on the first day of Spring Training at Camelback Ranch – Glendale, Pierre wore a t-shirt that simply read “BEAST MODE” on the front and “24/7, 365” on the back. The slogan became an early rallying cry for the Dodgers and helped propel the team to the best record in the Major Leagues at the All-Star break with a record of 56-32.

Over the second half of the season, the 10-year veteran has established himself as not only the Dodgers’ top pinch-hitter, but also one of the best pinch-hitters in the National League. Pierre leads all Major Leaguers with 12 pinch-hits since the All-Star break and overall is hitting .333 (14-for-42) with two triples, five walks, nine runs scored, and a .404 on-base percentage in 49 pinch-hitting plate appearances.

Pierre is batting .317 vs. left-handers, .307 with runners in scoring position, and .366 against the National League West. The speedy outfielder stole at least 25 bases for the ninth consecutive season and is currently tied for fifth in the NL in that category, despite just 74 starts.

Off the field, Pierre continued his “ Pierre ’s Pack” community initiative this season in which he treated groups from after school inner-city organizations to tickets, a meal, and a pre-game meet-and-greet. Pierre also joined James Loney at the State Farm Dodgers Dream Foundation’s annual bowling Extravaganza in July as well as lending a hand to Orlando Hudson during his “Around the Mound” tour in May.

The above statue is not the actual award. It is a vintage memorabilia piece from 1956 called Big League Stars statues. It measures only 2" tall and uses the same mold as the Dairy Queen set put out in the same year.