Blog Kiosk: 11/13/2019 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

I still believe that we'll get to witness something like this. Per the descriptor on the reverse:

Los Angeles Dodgers star southpaw pitcher Sandy Koufax hoist a champagne toast in dressing room here 10/6, after the Dodgers won the 4th World Series game in a row to give them the title. The Dodgers handed New York its first 4-game shutout in 28 trips to the classic.

UPI photo photo came from an eBay listing, dated 10/6/1963. 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. In 2014 Clayton Kershaw becomes the first pitcher to win the National League MVP award since Bob Gibson of the Cardinals in 1968. He received 18 of 30 first place votes.
• Happy Birthday, Andrew Friedman, Moose Clabaugh, Alex Kampouris, Steve Lembo, Steve Bilko, Wes Parker, Tony Abreu & Carlos Frias!

Blog Kiosk: 11/12/2019 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Both Gavin Lux, Fernando Valenzuela and others were on-hand to greet veterans for some batting practice at Dodger Stadium on Veterans Day, yesterday. Per Daniel Starkand at Dodger Blue:

Phillip Chaidez, a U.S. Air Force veteran that served in Iraq and currently lives in East Los Angeles, was among those in attendance with his family. “It’s really cool,” Chaidez told DodgerBlue.com. 

“I usually don’t like to get stuff for veterans, but this was different because it was something my kids could enjoy so that was the main reason we’re here and really excited to enjoy this day. Think about it, the World Series was down here, this is awesome. My son was able to get some batting advice from a Hall of Famer, doesn’t get any better than that. We’re very appreciative.”

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

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1986 the Dodgers officially released longtime shortstop Bill Russell -- in order to facilitate his recent retirement from the game. He had an 18-year career with Los Angeles and ranked second in franchise history for games played (behind Brooklyn outfielder Zack Wheat). In 2014 Clayton Kershaw is the unanimous winner of the National League Cy Young Award. It is his third Cy Young. He went 21-3 with an 1.77 ERA, 1.81 FIP, six complete games and two shutouts. He will be named the MVP the next day.
• Happy Birthday, Jack Ryan, Red Evans & Greg Gagne!

Blog Kiosk: 9/27/2019 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Yesterday was "Costume Travel Day" for the Dodgers. Heck, everyone who boarded the plane, including travelling staff, had to join in on the fun.

If I can find the time, I will make a bunch of fantasy baseball cards of them in costume.

On another note, the Dodgers, on the back of Kershaw's six innings of scoreless two-hit ball, defeated the Padres, 1-0, last night. This was his last outing of the season. Per Ken Gurnick at MLB.com:

“You’re just building confidence,” said Kershaw. “No matter how long you play this game, you struggle and your confidence will go here and there at times. Today, just went in with the mindset to be super aggressive and keep going and don’t worry about all the stuff that’s happened. The results are better today, for sure. 

“If I had pitched bad today, it wouldn’t be the end of the world, but it wouldn’t have been fun going into the postseason knowing I had struggled. It’s definitely good to get some momentum and confidence going and realize the pitches I need to make are still in there. It was good, for sure.”

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

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1936 future Dodger Hall of Fame skipper Walter Alston played in his only Major League game. It was as an 24-year old first baseman for the Cardinals, and he got into the game as a late-inning substitution for Johnny Mize. He would commit an error on the field in two chances, and only get a single at-bat -- he struck out. In 1951 future basketball Hall of Famer Bill Sharman was on the bench for the Dodgers as a 25-year old prospect. On this day he would be thrown out of the game, along with 14 other teammates, for "bench-jockeying" after a close play at home. He would never get a chance to play a Major League game, and thus became the only player to be ejected from a game without ever appearing in one. In 1961 Sandy Koufax recorded seven strikeouts against the Phillies to set a new National League record for strikeouts in a season at 269. The mark was previously held by Giants hurler Christy Mathewson who set it in 1903 with 267 strikeouts. In 2000 the Team USA Baseball club, skippered by Tommy Lasorda, beat the Cuban ballclub to win the gold medal in the Olympics.
• Happy Birthday, Joe Visner, Doug Baird, Whit Wyatt, Len Matuszek, Jason Phillips, Vicente Padilla & Jon Garland!

Blog Kiosk: 8/21/2019 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Several milestones were reached last night. First, Cody Bellinger became the first Dodger to have 100 RBI since Adrian Gonzalez in 2014. Best yet, he accomplished the feat while in the midst of having his pants fall down. Then he scored his 100th run of the season two innings later. More importantly, Clayton Kershaw recorded his 166th career win to best Dodger Hall of Fame lefty Sandy Koufax. Per Ken Gurnick at MLB.com:

“What Sandy means to this organization and what he means to me personally, it’s an incredible thing, something I never thought would happen,” Kershaw said. “It’s not the most important thing in the world, but it’s something to look back on when all is said and done. It’s an honor, for me, to be mentioned in the same sentence as Sandy, I’ve said that many times. What he was able to accomplish in his career, and would have gone a lot longer if he played today because he could have gotten healthy.”

Both photos above via Jon SooHoo/Los Angeles Dodgers 2019 at Dodger Insider. Go here to check out more pics from yesterdays game. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day In Dodgers History: In 1970 the Dodgers signed amateur free agent infielder Jerry Royster out of Sacramento High School. He would be traded five years later to Atlanta as part of a package for Dusty Baker, and go on to have a ten-year career with the Braves. In 1975 the Cubs pitching brothers of Rick and Paul Reuschel combine to shutout the Dodgers, 7-0. This is the first time brothers have collaborated on a shutout. In 1990 the Dodgers lost a tough one. Against the Phillies they allowed nine runs to score in the ninth inning to lose the game, 12-11. You can watch highlights of this shameful game here. In 2005 the Marlins suspended a bat boy for six games after the 11-year old kid accepted a challenge from Dodger pitcher Brad Penny. He dared the preteen to drink a gallon of milk in an hour without throwing up for $500. The sixth grader drank the milk, but hurled. The Milk Processor Education Program (a lobbying group) offered to pay off the dare and cover his lost wages if he promises to dutifully drink three glasses of milk every day. In 2015 the Dodgers are no-hit by Astro's hurler Mike Fiers, 3-0 (boxscore). 
• Happy Birthday, Woody Williams, Shawn Hillegas, John Wetteland, Craig Counsell, Ismael Valdéz & Jesse Chavez!

Blog Kiosk: 8/5/2019 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

No truer words have ever been sent. Per Rowan Kavner at Dodger Insider:

“We’re never out of it,” said Alex Verdugo, who scored one of two runs on Max Muncy’s walk-off double. “For everybody watching, too, don’t leave early. At the end of the day, we can do something special any given moment.”

The Dodgers won last nights game, 11-10, on a walk-off double by Max Muncy to drive in Corey Seager. Photo above via Josh Barber/Los Angeles Dodgers 2019 at Dodger Insider. Go here to check out more pics from last nights game. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1969 Pirates Hall of Famer Willie Stargell becomes the first ballplayer to hit a home run out of Dodger Stadium. He hit the solo shot to the right field pavilion off of Dodgers' right-handed reliever Alan Foster in the 7th inning give Pittsburgh a 4-3 lead. It is estimated to have gone 512-feet. The Pirates would win the game, 11-3. In 1974 Alex Stein, along with his best mate Ashley Whippet, got onto the Dodger Stadium field prior to the start of the ninth inning, and started an unapproved and yet spectacular Frisbee toss and catch routine. It wows the crowd and is credited with starting a Frisbee crazy in the country. BTW, Ashley is a dog. Stein would eventually be arrested for trespassing, but the incident would lead to them performing at the White House and a Super Bowl. Jon Weisman at Dodger Insider wrote all about it here. In 1979 Don Sutton struck out six Giants' batters to become the Dodgers' All-Time strikeout leader with 2,487. He surpassed Don Drysdale. 
• Happy Birthday, John Hale, Carl Crawford & Tim Federowicz!

Welcome to the Blue, Kristopher Negrón!

Due to some recent injuries -- Chris Taylor, David Freese and Kiké Hernández -- the Dodgers suddenly found themselves lacking in the utility department. So, instead of looking within to find a solution they have reached out to the Mariners to make a deal. Over the weekend the Dodgers traded for utilityman Kristopher Negrón in exchange for minor league prospect Daniel Castro, an infielder. BTW, you can follow Negrón on twitter: @KNegs17. Per a Dodgers press release:

Negrón, 33, has appeared in nine games for the Mariners, batting .227 (5-for-22) with three runs and one RBI. Prior to having his contract selected on July 16, Negrón was batting .310 (95-for-306) with 12 homers and 61 RBI in 82 games for Triple-A Reno. He has played parts of six Major League seasons for the Cincinnati Reds, Arizona Diamondbacks and Mariners, recording a combined .216 batting average with seven homers and 25 RBI. The California native has played seven different positions in his Major League career, recording a .984 fielding percentage in 307 chances. He was originally selected by the Boston Red Sox in the seventh round (223rd overall) of the 2006 First Year Player Draft out Cosumnes River Junior College (Ca.).

Blog Kiosk: 7/29/2019 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Check out some celebrating Dodgers' following their pennant clinching victory over the Phillies on September 23, 1952 (eBay auction link). Can you name them all?

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1983 Steve Garvey's consecutive-game streak ends at 1,207 when he dislocates his left thumb in a home-plate collision with Braves pitcher Pascual Pérez. The injury keeps him from playing the second game of the doubleheader. In 1996 Tommy Lasorda announced his retirement as manager of the Dodgers, following a heart attack and an angioplasty procedure a month prior. Bill Russell is named as his replacement.
• Happy Birthday, Ed Greer, Chief Meyers, George Cutshaw, Dutch Stryker, Luther Roy, Roy Henshaw, Gary Thomasson & Chad Billingsley!