Blog Kiosk: 4/19/2019 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

The Dodgers decided to celebrate National High Five Day by defeating the Brewers for their fifth consecutive victory last night. Best yet, it all came about as a result of the clubs fifth straight quality start -- this time by Julio Urias, who went 6 innings of scoreless one-hit ball. He also struck out a career high nine batters. (boxscore) Per Rowan Kavner at Dodger Insider:

“When your fastball is working, when it’s being placed well, the batter has to think about three pitches to worry about,” said Urías, who also got five swinging strikes with his changeup. “When you throw it with conviction, things go well.”

Photo above via Joo SooHoo/LA 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 1890 the Brooklyn Bridegrooms (Dodgers) play their very first game as a member of the National League. In 1938 Dodgers outfielder Ernie Koy hit a home run in his first major league at-bat. In 1956 Roy Campanella recorded his 1,000th career hit at New Jersey's Roosevelt Stadium - a tenth inning double. This was also the first ever MLB game played in New Jersey. The Dodgers would play several home games here just prior to moving to Los Angeles. In 1968 Met's hurler Nolan Ryan throws an Immaculate Inning (three strikes out on nine pitches in one inning) against the Dodgers in the third inning.
• Happy Birthday, Bill Greenwood, RJ Reynolds, Brett Mayne, Jose Cruz, Dennys Reyes, George Sherrill, Joe Beimel & Alberto Callaspo!

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!

2012 Topps Heritage Minor Leagues Set Just Released- Check Out the Dodgers Cards

Even with the season coming to a close more Baseball card sets get released.  This past Wednesday, Topps officially unveiled their 2012 Topps Heritage Minor League set to the masses.  As you can guess, this set is geared to the prospect collector and includes several top ranked Dodger youngsters.  Check out the base cards below.  Also, several of the autographed insert cards of Dodgers prospects are featured below.

113 Logan Bawcom

Check out Logan on twitter at @LoganBawcom. 

165 Joc Pederson

This guy has been hitting the heck out of the ball in Rancho Cucamonga.   

167 Pratt Maynard

193 Allen Webster 

As you know, Allen Webster is no longer a Dodger farmhand.  He was traded to Boston as a part of the deal that sent Adrian Gonzalez, Josh Beckett and Carl Crawford to the Dodgers.

205 Zach Lee  

Here is Mr. Untouchable.  This is the prospect everyone wanted, but no one could have.  Even with all of the activity on the trade front the Dodgers were still able to keep their No. 1 pitching prospect.  BTW, this card is a "short printed" base card, so he is wanted in more ways than one.

Below are the "Real One Autographed" insert cards of Dodgers prospects that can be found in this set.

ROA-JP Joc Pederson 

ROA-PM Pratt Maynard 

This is a "Real One Dual" autographed card that features Zach Lee and Joc Pederson.

ROD-LP Zach Lee - Joc Pederson

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Welcome to the Blue, Brandon

The Dodgers sure are doing their best to stay competitive this season.  Last night, they made a deal with the Mariners to trade 2 prospects for reliever Brandon League.  League is a former closer who has struggled this season as he saw his strike out/walk ratio fall significantly from last year.  Below is a excerpt from a press release.

The Los Angeles Dodgers today acquired right-handed reliever Brandon League from the Seattle Mariners in exchange for minor league outfielder Leon Landry and minor league right-handed pitcher Logan Bawcom. Dodger General Manager Ned Colletti made the announcement.

League was 0-5 with a 3.63 ERA (18 ER/44.2 IP) and nine saves in 46 games for the Mariners this season, striking out 27 batters and allowing just one home run. The Sacramento, CA native was named to the American League All-Star team in 2011 and went on to save 37 games for Seattle last year.

League’s 37 saves in 42 chances last year ranked third in the American League and tied for fourth on the Mariners’ all-time single-season saves list. The 29-year old hurler recorded 14 consecutive saves from May 18-July 4, 2011. His 88.1 save percentage was the sixth highest in Mariners’ history.

In exchange, we send away a couple of decent prospects; one of whom has been red hot lately.  Leon Landry is a speedy outfielder who has shown that he can hit the ball in high A.  In fact, he was recently named the Cal League Player of the week, per MiLB:

(.467/.469/1.033, 6 G, 14-for-30, 1 2B, 5 3B, 2 HR, 7 RBI, 9 R, 1 BB, 3 K, 3 SB)
Speaking of triples, Landry took over the Minor League lead in three-baggers with five this week, giving him 15 on the season. The 22-year-old outfielder went 4-for-6 with an inside-the-park homer, two triples, four RBIs and three runs scored against visiting Lake Elsinore on Friday night. A third-round pick out of LSU in 2010, Landry also has 26 doubles (third-most in the Cal League) and eight round-trippers to give him a league leading 49 extra-base hits.

Logan Bawcom figures on being a reliever and might star as a closer at some point in his career.  This year, he has recorded 20 saves with a 2.03 ERA.

Below are stats for Brandon League.


UPDATE:  BTW, Brandon League is on twitter- @BrandonLeague43.  Go ahead and follow him!

(twitter link: @BrandonLeague43)

Dodgers Notes from Spring Training- Day 25

Throughout Spring Training the Dodgers PR department sends out helpful daily notes from Camelback Ranch, and I am happy to pass them along.

San Francisco Giants (11-4-2) at LOS ANGELES DODGERS (8-4-2)

Saturday, March 17, 2012 – 7:05 p.m., Camelback Ranch - Glendale

RHP Aaron Harang vs. LHP Brian Burres

Spring Game 15/Home Game 7

Todays Starting Lineup:

Dodgers: Sellers 3B, DeJesus 2B, Kemp CF, Rivera LF, Sands RF, Loney 1B, Cruz SS, Treanor C, Harang P, Scully announcer
Giants:

Upcoming Spring Training Schedule:

(Photo Credit: Jon SooHoo/ LA Dodgers 2012)

• CACTUS LEAGUE HEAVIES: Two of the Cactus League’s best will be on display tonight as a split-squad of Dodgers takes on a split-squad of Giants this evening at Camelback Ranch – Glendale. This will be the second of three meetings with the Giants this spring as the Dodgers will head to Scottsdale on Wednesday, March 28. During the regular season, the Giants and Dodgers clash 18 times, with the first series coming from May 7-9 at Dodger Stadium. The clubs meet six times in September, including the final three games at Chavez Ravine from Oct. 1-3.

• HURLERS: Right-hander Aaron Harang takes the mound for his third start of the spring season today after firing 3.0 innings and allowing one run in a victory over the Angels in Tempe last Monday. Harang is coming off one of the best seasons of his 10-year big league career after leading the Padres with 14 wins and posting a career-low 3.64 ERA in 28 starts last season. Since 2004, Harang ranks among the National League leaders in wins (85, 7th), strikeouts (1,223, 3rd), innings pitched (1,467.2, 4th) and complete games (13, T-7^th). He will be followed to the mound by:

  ● RHP Jamey Wright last pitched on Wednesday against the Reds, allowing an unearned run in 1.0 inning. The Texas native has given up three runs (two earned) in 4.0 Cactus League innings this spring.

  ● RHP Ramon Troncoso fired a scoreless inning last Tuesday vs. Colorado and has yielded just one run in three 2012 Spring Training appearances. Troncoso made the club’s Opening Day roster from 2008-10, but spent the majority of last year with Triple-A Albuquerque, going 2-4 with a 5.05 ERA in 35 relief appearances for the Isotopes.

  ● RHP Josh Lindblom last pitched on Wednesday in Goodyear and gave up just one hit in a scoreless frame. The right-hander out of Purdue went 1-0 with a 2.73 ERA (9 ER/29.2 IP) in 27 appearances for the Dodgers last year.

  ● LHP Matt Chico allowed one run on two hits last Tuesday vs. Colorado and has a 6.00 ERA (2 ER/3.0 IP) this spring. The 28-year-old pitched for USC and Palomar Community College.

(Photo Credit: Jon SooHoo/ LA Dodgers 2012)

• EARLIER TODAY: The Dodgers scored four runs in the ninth to tie the game, but lost to the Rockies in Scottsdale, 7-6, on a walk-off home run by Tim Wheeler. The Dodgers have now alternated wins and losses since beating the Angels on Monday. All-Star outfielder Andre Ethier was 2-for-2 with a double and now has seven extra-base hits in his nine games. On the mound, Nathan Eovaldi tossed 3.0 scoreless innings in his second Cactus League start while minor leaguer RHP Logan Bawcom (0-1) took the loss.

• HOT TICKET!: The Dodgers’ home games at Camelback Ranch-Glendale tonight and tomorrow have sold out. Dodger Special Advisor to the Chairman Don Newcombe will throw a ceremonial first pitch prior to tonight’s game against the Giants, which will be followed by fireworks sponsored by Salt River Project. Weather permitting, the Dodgers and the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim will face off at 1:05 p.m. tomorrow in front of another capacity crowd.

• POT OF GOLD: The Dodgers enter today’s contests with the best Spring Training record among National League clubs at 8-3-2 and have the second-best team ERA with a 3.08 mark. Los Angeles has also produced at the plate with a .287 team batting average, third-best among NL clubs, and a league-best .365 on-base percentage.

• AN IRISH GOODBYE: On this day in 2008, the Dodgers played their final Spring Training game in Vero Beach. “Dodgertown” was the Spring Training home of the Dodgers for 60 years.

  ● On March 17, 1946 in Daytona Beach, the Dodgers took the field against their minor league farm team, the Montreal Royals. With Jackie Robinson in the lineup for Montreal, the game marked the first appearance of an integrated team in organized baseball in this century. More than 40 years later, the field was renamed Jackie Robinson Ballpark.

(Photo Credit: Jon SooHoo/ LA Dodgers 2012)

• GOING GREEN: The Dodgers will wear green jerseys and hats in both of their games today in honor of St. Patrick’s Day. Following the games, players will sign their jerseys to be auctioned off by the Dodgers Dream Foundation during the season.

• IT’S TIME FOR DODGER BASEBALL!: The Dodgers would like to welcome Hall of Famer broadcaster Vin Scully to Camelback Ranch – Glendale. Scully will call tonight’s game against the Giants on PRIME TICKET and tomorrow’s contest against the Angels on KCAL 9 as he kicks off his 63^rd season broadcasting the Dodgers.

• SURE TO KICK OFF A MANIA!: Fernando Valenzuela made his first appearance of the spring at Camelback Ranch yesterday and will join Hall of Famer Jaime Jarrin and Pepe Yniguez in the booth for Dodgers’ Spanish Radio broadcasts tonight and tomorrow. This weekend also marks the club’s fifth annual Mexican Media Weekend with representatives from ZETA, TV Azteca, Sintesis TV and Puro Beisbol making the trip to Glendale to cover the Dodgers.

• ANOTHER REASON TO CELEBRATE: The Dodgers would like to wish a very happy 41^st birthday to Special Assistant to the GM, Bill Mueller! The former AL batting champion enters his seventh season in the Dodger front office and sixth as a Special Assistant.

Blog Kiosk: 12/8/2011

Panini shared some preview images of their upcoming Baseball set called 2011 Donruss Elite Extra Edition Baseball cards. Above is the '2 Sports Star' card of top Dodgers prospect Zach Lee.

• James Loney had a run-in with the law last month. TMZ has the story. LA Times has some info also. Apparently, no drugs or alcohol were involved, which portends to something else. On the other hand, Occam's Razor tells me that the toil that comes naturally from being in an accident is the most likely reason for his behavior (crossing fingers, here). Nevertheless, let's speculate. Strangely, he continued to tweet. Assuming this is actually him, on the day of the incident he wrote this (likely before the confrontation):It seems obvious that something important happened- a growing experience of some sort. What is it? Who knows? Maybe he was tweeting while driving. What we do know is that his tweeting didn't stop. Loney continued to tweet daily starting the very next day after his hospitalization. Strange stuff, indeed. Stranger when you consider that he hung out with Charlie Sheen a week later at a charity poker tournament, has a inclination towards self help advise, loved the ESPN film 'Unguarded' that's about a athlete recovering from addiction, and loves wacky radio shows where he slaps a DJ on the butt. All of this after getting arrested for an accident and acting strangely. See, gossip writing can be fun.
• A veiled thread that the Dodgers may be facing a $1Billion lawsuit from Fox, via tweet: @BillShaikin.
• Kirk Gibson will be Grand Marshall of the Fiesta Bowl Parade, via Big League Stew.
• Say hello to the twitter account of Dodgers prospect Logan Bawcom.
  
• Japanese phenom pitcher Yu Darvish to be posted, via MLB Trade Rumors. I'd like to see the Dodgers bid, but I know they won't.
  
• Just another reason to hate the current Dodgers situation. CJ Wilson basically said he is a Dodger fan and would have come here, everything else being equal. (Tweet Link: @jorgearangure)
• Manny Ramirez marketing himself, via tweet: @BobKlap.
• Dodger make Harang signing official, vis Dodgers Press Release.

  "Aaron gives us added depth and another veteran arm to add to our starting rotation," said Colletti. "He had a solid year with the Padres last season and his addition gives us an experienced one through five heading into Spring Training."

• Here is an old video from the Matt Kemp contract announcement. He declares that his bow tie is a clip on. LOL!

Video Link: