Blog Kiosk: 9/9/2016 - Dodgers Links - Minor League Playoff Updates and Clayton Kershaw Day

It is now officially Kershaw Day.  He'll be stepping back on the mound for the first time since going down on the DL over two months ago.  I'd like to think Clayton would return just as good as when he left, but let's get real.  We should not expect him to be a Cy Young pitcher right out of the gate.  Per Ken Gurnick at MLB.com: 

"To be off two months and not be in a competitive situation, everybody has to be conscious that he's not in midseason form," said Honeycutt. "He wouldn't be going out there unless he felt well enough to do it. At the same time, he still has not been in a competitive situation at the big league level, using all of his pitches. At that time in '14, it was the curveball that was not as good as it can be. That's not only a control pitch, it's a feel pitch and a release point."

For purposes of managing expectations, recall that Kershaw threw seven scoreless innings in his first start off the disabled list in 2014, but he then lost three of his next four starts -- including a seven-run, 1 2/3-inning disaster in Arizona -- before rewriting the record books.

I'm just happy to have him back.

Photo above was tweeted by Kiké Hernández.  Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodger History:  In 1948 Brooklyn Dodgers starting pitcher Rex Barney throws a no-hitter against the Gaints at the Polo Grounds, 2-0.  In 1965 Sandy Koufax threw his perfect game at Dodger Stadium against the Cubs, 1-0.  You can listen to Vin Scully's call of the ninth inning here. 
• Happy Birthday, Kaz Ishii!

Blog Kiosk: 7/7/2016 - Dodgers Links - McCarthy, Scully and Chase Utley

Yesterdays game had it all.  There was an opening inning homer by Justin Turner to give the Dodgers an early lead.  The opposition mounted a vigorous comeback that included several big hits from former Angel Mark Trumbo.  Although starting pitching was lackluster for both team, they ended up combining for a total of 36 strike outs on the day.  BTW, nine innings was not enough to decide the game.  They had to go to extras.  All the while, Chase Utley, an aging 37-year old shortstop, thought to be already over the hill, hammered out six hits throughout the day.  A feat last accomplished by Shawn Green in 2002.  Per Jack Baer and Brittany Ghiroli at MLB.com:

"Just found some open ground out there," Utley said. "Overall it was a good game. Obviously, we're disappointed with the outcome, but we battled. Our relievers did a great job keeping us in the game. Had a lot of guys on base, a few big hits, could have used a couple more."

Via Jack Baer at MLB.com:

"Chase has been great," manager Dave Roberts said. "He finds a way to compete, put the barrel on the ball, and he found some outfield grass today. He's just a pro. The way he conducts his at-bats, I think he got three two-strike hits. Just used the whole field today."

Unfortunately, the exploits of Mr. Greybeard was not enough.  In 14 innings the Orioles outlasted the Dodgers and won, 6-4.  Go here to watch Dave Roberts talk about the game with Alanna Rizzo.

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

• This Day in Dodger History:  In 1959 Don Drysdale pitches a perfect three innings during the All-Star game in Pittsburgh.  In 2004 Kazuhisa Ishii tosses a one-hitter against the Diamondbacks to defeat Arizona 11-0.
• Happy Birthday, Jeff Shaw, Glenn Hoffmann and Brandon McCarthy!

Dodgers Notes from Spring Training: Spring Game 2/Away Game 1

Throughout Spring Training the Dodgers PR department sends out helpful daily notes from Camelback Ranch, and I am happy to pass them along.  See what they've written below.

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 LOS ANGELES DODGERS (1-0) at Texas Rangers (2-0)
Friday, March 4, 2016 – 12:05 p.m. PST | Surprise Recreation Campus
LHP Scott Kazmir (0-0) vs. RHP Chi Chi Gonzalez (0-0)

TV: None Radio: AM 570 (Eng.)

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

Blog Kiosk: 4/30/2015 - Dodger Links - Home Runs, McCarthy and Guerrero Takes the High Road

Kazuhisa Ishii was in the house last night to throw out the ceremonial first pitch.  Great to see you Kaz!

And what a great game to witness, eh?  Heck, Ishii might have felt like he was in a different world.  After all, the Dodgers punched the ball out of the park like they were a mile high in Colorado.  He was witness to four Dodger dingers; including three in the first inning alone.

For whatever reason Dodger Stadium has not been the pitchers paradise it is known for.  I haven't spent much time trying to figure out why that is, and it's probably way too early in the season to believe this is the new normal.  Still, you have to wonder.  Reporters even asked Mattingly what he thought about it (certainly in jest), via a tweet from Bill Plunkett:

Asked Mattingly to explain all the HRs being hit at #Dodgers Stadium: "You mean other than global warming?"

— Bill Plunkett (@billplunkettocr) April 30, 2015

Yeah, that's as good as any other reason.  Or maybe it's this, via Mark Saxon at ESPN:

"I think it's just taken Mac this long to get through to the guys," Mattingly said.

BTW, Jon Weisman at Dodger Insider had some fun with Dodger home run projections.  Check his post out here.  The above photo was taken by Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2015.  Go here to check out more pics by him from yesterday.  Below are some links to check out:

• Alex Guerrero is a high-road kind of person.  Via Mark Saxon at ESPNLosAngeles.com, "Alex Guerrero says he's unfazed by Madison Bumgarner's yelling."  Clearly, Bumgarner prefers the low-road.

“I think he was still thinking about the home run I hit in San Francisco, but I'm not the kind of person who gets upset at that kind of thing,” Guerrero said in Spanish. “To me, it's nothing.”

• Brandon McCarthy to have surgery today, via Alanna Rizzo on twitter:

McCarthy is scheduled for Tommy John Surgery tomorrow AM. It will be performed by Dr. ElAttrache. #Dodgers.
— Alanna Rizzo (@alannarizzo) April 29, 2015

• Via Craig Edwards at FanGraphs, "Joc Pederson Taking the Adam Dunn Path."
• Kudos to Adam Jones, via a Gabe Kapler tweet:

Adam Jones is a strong individual. Much respect for this powerful take. pic.twitter.com/sQDW2ngf92
— gabe kapler (@gabekapler) April 29, 2015

• I really hated the 80's, but the decade definitely had its moments.  Case in point, check out this oldy, but goody.  Here is Steve Sax's parody of the Billy Crystal song "You Look Marvelous;" which features Vin Scully dancing.  Yup!

Video Link:

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Giants Series Starts Tomorrow - Scheduled Autograph Sessions, Pregame Info and Other Stuff!

The next homestand starts Monday evening against the San Francisco Giants.  Below are the scheduled autograph opportunities and other odds and ends for this upcoming homestand.

During this series against the Giants the Think Blue BBQ located in the left-field pavilion plaza will be making Caribbean Sticky Ribs from Monday through Wednesday. The dish features pork spare ribs with pineapple barbeque sauce, ghost pepper and molasses marinade and it will be served with tropical cole slaw.  Yum! 

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Monday, April 27th at 7:10 PM
 
SNLA, MLB Network/AM 570 (Eng.), KTNQ 1020 AM (Span.)

Monday's game starts at 7:10 PM.  Auto gates open at 4:30 PM, and stadium gates open at 5:00 PM.  The second of eight Cy Young Collectors' Pin Series giveaways is this night.  The first 40,000 fans will receive an Don Drysdale pin.  See it on the right.

(Photo via Jon SooHoo)

Hip hop artist Kendrick Lamar will throw out the ceremonial first pitch. Also, to commemorate Drysdale’s collector pin giveaway, Drew Drysdale, Don Drysdale’s daughter, will perform the national anthem. Members of the Drysdale family, Ann Meyers Drysdale, Drew, DJ and Darren will also participate in the ceremonial first pitch.

Dodger alumnus Derrel Thomas will sign autographs in the left-field plaza from 5:00 PM. to 7:00 PM.

• The Military Hero of the Game is U.S. Army Corporal Anthony Guitron of West Covina.
• As part of their focus on education & literacy, LADF will recognize the 2015 Roy & Roxie Campanella Scholarship recipients from California State University Northridge (CUSN)’s College of Health and Human Development, Department of Physical Therapy. Joni Campanella Roan, the daughter of Dodger great Roy Campanella, will also be recognized. The Roy & Roxie Campanella Scholarship Program provides financial assistance to physical therapist students with outstanding clinical potential as they proceed through the physical therapy program. For more than 20 years, the Campanella family has supported physical therapy scholarships at CSUN, providing financial support to 30 students. In 2014, LADF expanded on Campanella’s legacy by committing to the growth from 10 scholars in 2015 to 25 by 2017.

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Tuesday, April 28th at 7:10 PM
  
SNLA, MLB Network/AM 570 (Eng.), KTNQ 1020 AM (Span.)

Tuesday's game starts at 7:10 PM.  Auto gates open at 4:30 PM, and stadium gates open at 5:00 PM.  It is USC Night at Dodger Stadium.  Folks who ordered a special ticket package in the All You Can Eat Right Field Pavilion or Infield Reserve will get an exclusive USC Dodger T-shirt with your ticket.  See that on the left.  If not already sold out go here for information.

California-born and Nashville country artist Cam will perform the national anthem. Rae Sremmurd, Interscope hip-hop duo Swae Lee and Slim Jimmy, will throw the ceremonial first pitch.

Dodger alumnus Billy Ashley will sign autographs in the left-field plaza from 5:00 PM. to 7:00 PM. AM 570 LA Sports’ Petros and Money show will broadcast live from left-field pavilion from 3:00 PM. to 7:00 PM.

•  The Military Hero of the Game is U.S. Navy Chief Petty Officer Jeffery Duron of Menifee.

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Wednesday, April 29th at 7:10 PM
  
SNLA/AM 570 (Eng.), KTNQ 1020 AM (Span.)

Wednesday's game starts at 7:10 PM.  Auto gates open at 4:30 PM, and stadium gates open at 5:00 PM. The first 40,000 fans through the turnstiles will receive a Clayton Kershaw Fleece Blanket.  See it on the left.

Former Dodger pitcher Kazuhisa Ishii will throw the ceremonial first pitch. Disney Channel star Coco Jones will perform the national anthem.

Dodger alumnus Al Downing will sign autographs in the left-field plaza from 5:00 PM. to 7:00 PM. AM 570 LA Sports’ Petros and Money show will broadcast live from left-field pavilion from 3:00 PM. to 7:00 PM.

• The Military Hero of the Game is U.S. Marine Corps Sergeant Luis Repreza, a native of El Salvador.
• The Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation (LADF) conducts silent auctions throughout the season featuring more than 25 signed pieces of memorabilia from Dodger players, coaches and alumni. Auctions will take place behind the Vin Scully press box on the club level. The items up for auction on Friday include a Zack Greinke autographed photo, Clayton Kershaw autographed baseball and Joc Pederson autographed Dodger jersey. The auction will end at 8:45 p.m.

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A Kazuhisa Ishii Auto'd Card to Call My Own

Recently, I've been searching high and low for autographed cards of some of my favorite Asian imports.  For some reason players like Nomo, Park, Kuroda and Ishii had not yet found their way into my collection, so I am happy to share with you a recent purchase that changes that situation just a bit.

Check out a 2002 Topps 206 mini autographed card of Kaz Ishii in this post.  This card came out during his rookie year in America, so I guess it's a rookie card. 

Ishii did not spend a great deal of time in the Majors.  He played 3 years for the Dodgers and was traded to the Mets for Jason Phillips; where he played a season before being released.  Then, he unceremoniously returned to Japan to pitch in the Pacific League.  From my understanding, he continued to pitch in Japan until retiring last year.

Via a Japan Times story:

“I’ve been thinking that the time has come,” said Ishii. “I still want to win and feel like I can still play, but I have become tired of the preparations required to do this,” he said.

Kasuhisa Ishii won a total of 182 games over a 21-year career in America and Japan. 

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Collection: Some 2002 SPx Prospect Autographed Cards

Since we are in the midst of Spring Training I figured there would be no better time than now to show off some prospect autographed Baseball cards in my collection.  Featured here are the Dodgers autographed prospects cards from the 2002 SPx set.  Unfortunately, I am only missing the Kazuhisa Ishii card for completion.  In fact, I don't think I've ever seen one.

The most notable player here is former Dodger catcher David Ross.  He had created a nice home for himself in Atlanta, having played there the past 4 seasons as their backup.  As you would expect, Ross was solid defensively and was more than serviceable with the bat.  After all, if a catcher can provide stellar defense and bat about .270 then they're doing their job.  Seeing that, the Boston Red Sox picked him up as a free agent this winter on a two year deal worth $6.2 Mil. 

Congrats, David!  I'm glad to see a former Dodger farmhand having some success.

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An eBay Fail- Missing Out on Ishii

With all of the hoopla surrounding the Dodgers centered on Magic Johnson and his buying group, I thought I would take a moment to lament a recent eBay "fail" on my part.

I am not as active on eBay as I used to be. So, when I do decide to take a run at something I focus on memorabilia I really want. This card featured here qualifies as a card I really wanted to add to my collection. It is a 2005 Donruss Diamond Kings autographed card of Kazuhisa Ishii that is numbered as "1 of 1."

I absolutely love these cards. The artwork is just phenomenal. Unfortunately, when the gavel came down I was nowhere is sight. I had completely forgotten all about it. Damn my memory! It eventually sold at what I though was an affordable $55.88; especially considering it is a lone example.

(eBay Auction Link)