Blog Kiosk: 6/24/2019 - Dodger Links - Some Odds and Ends

Our three young hero's.

Photo above of Alex Verdugo, Will Smith and Matt Beaty via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2019. Go here to check out more pics from yesterdays game. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1947 Jackie Robinson stole home plate for the first time in his career. It was against the Pirates at Forbes Field during the fifth inning to give the Dodgers a lead and it was the eventual winning run, 4-2. In 1955 future Hall of Famer Sandy Koufax makes his Major League debut. He pitches in relief against the Milwaukee Braves and goes two innings -- allowing one hit, one walk and striking out two. In 1958 the Dodgers signed amateur free agent infielder/outfielder Ron Fairly out of USC. He would eventually play 12 seasons in Los Angeles -- slashing .260/.347/.385/.732 while helping the club capture three World Series titles. In 2018 the Dodgers tie a NL record when they collectively hit seven solo home runs during a single game. It was against the Met's at Citi Field and it includes a game-winning homer by Justin Turner, against his old club, in the 12th inning, 8-7.
• Happy Birthday, Jack Banta & Jason Romano!

Blog Kiosk: 4/23/2019 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Check out this fantastic, circa 1950's, photograph taken by Barney Stein of the Brooklyn Dodgers "Sym-Phony" Band that is currently available at RMY Auctions.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1946 Dodgers righty Ed Head threw a no-hitter against the Boston Braves, 5-0. He said after the game: “I knew I had it all the time – don’t ask me how, but I knew it.” (boxscore) It was his first appearance after returning from the military. In 1958 Dodger first baseman Gil Hodges hit his 300th career home run on the same day that Pee Wee Reese played his 2,000th career game. In 1999 Cardinals third baseman Fernando Tatis becomes the first player in MLB history to hit two grand slams in one inning when he did it against Chan Ho Park at Dodger Stadium, 12-2. You can watch it here.
• Happy Birthday, James Mulvey, Dolph Camilli, Bob O'Brien & Andruw Jones!

Blog Kiosk: 9/10/2018 - Dodgers Links - Some Weekend Odds and Ends

The Dodgers gained some ground over the weekend, and we have Justin Turner to thank for that. Yesterday afternoon he went 4-for-5 with a home run, two doubles and two RBI's to lead the club to a 9-6 victory over Colorado. Per Ken Gurnick at MLB.com:

"J.T. led the charge, he's such a pro," Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. "[His value] is hard to quantify. When you're watching how he's grinding at-bats, that's contagious. He's been fantastic."

The Dodgers are now just half a game back of Colorado after taking the weekend series against them. There are only 19 games remaining in the season.

Photo above of Turner via Matt Kelley/MLB.com at Dodger Insider. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: I had no idea about this until now. In 1992 a report came out about a "security check" that revealed serious issues with two members of a buying group interested in purchasing the Giants and moving them to Florida. One of the investors mentioned was Vince Piazza -- father of recently called-up catcher Mike Piazza of the Dodgers. The deal falls apart, and MLB settles with the group for $6MM (which includes a letter of apology to Vince Piazza).
• Happy Birthday, High Pockets Kelly, Terry Wells, Danys Baez, Chad Hermansen & Nick Green!

Blog Kiosk: 8/22/2018 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Stop dawdling! We are running out of time.

The Dodgers lost again last night, 5-2, and the culprit was the lack of timely hitting. They went 1-for-8 with runners in scoring position. Per Ken Gunick at MLB.com:

"It's more than just putting really good players together and now you're going to score seven or eight runs a night," said manager Dave Roberts. "The players we've acquired have done a great job, it's getting everybody else synched up. We get guys on base, now it's moving the line, and we're having a hard time doing that, let alone the two-out hit."
...
"As you're mired in this, it doesn't feel good," Roberts said. "It's a little contagious. You look around the room, these guys have a track record and that's something we expect them to come out of it. We have very good players. They're going to hit. They understand what's at stake."

I still have faith, but there's also a growing sense of fear. BTW, I mean to distract with the pic of Hello Kitty above, via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2018 at Dodger Insider. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1948 the Dodgers recorded a triple steal in the fifth inning of their game against the Boston Braves at Ebbets Field. Jackie Robinson stole home, Gene Hermanski took third and Pee Wee Reese swiped second base. In 1965 Giants hurler Juan Marichal attacked Johnny Roseboro with his bat while at the plate. He had been buzzing Dodger batters all day, so Roseboro - with Marichal at the plate - decided to throw the baseball back to his pitcher while at the same time making sure it barely missed Marichal's face. Quickly, benches cleared and a brawl commenced. See the pic on the right to see what I mean. In 2000 Eric Karros becomes the first Dodger in franchise history to hit two home runs in one inning. It was against the Expos.
• Happy Birthday, Ned Hanlon, Al Bashang, Jeff Weaver, Randy Wolf & David Huff!

Blog Kiosk: 8/9/2018 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

This is why you know he's the greatest. Per Ken Gurnick at MLB.com:

"I didn't have much of anything tonight. It was pretty much smoke and mirrors," said Kershaw. "That's a good team. I was getting ahead of a few guys, but a lot of hits with two strikes. Didn't have those put-away pitches tonight. This was definitely not one of my most memorable performances, that's for sure."

Even with him being less than his best Kershaw was still able to hold a playoff contending club to only two runs in six innings. Heck, this was only the second start of his career where he was only able to strike out one batter.

Unfortunately, we ended up on the wrong side of the win column last night, 3-2. Photo above via Christine Kroeckel/MLB.com at Dodger Insider. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1975 Davey Lopes stole his 32nd consecutive base without being caught, breaking Max Carey's 1922 record. He would steal six more bases before getting called out. His record would eventually be broken by Cardinal's speedster Vince Coleman in 1989.  In 1976 Pirates hurler John Candelaria no-hit the Dodgers at Three Rivers Stadium in Pittsburgh. In 1979 longtime Dodgers owner Walter O'Malley died of congestive heart failure at the age of 75.
• Happy Birthday, John Grim, Leo Callahan, Johnny Mitchell, Tom Sunkel, Chuck Essegian, Claude Osteen, Matt Young & Drew Butera!

Blog Kiosk: 7/20/2018 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

When Manny met Vinny.

BTW, Manny will wear #8 as a Dodger. Also, it appears that Andrew Toles will be sent down to Triple-A to make room for Machado (via a tweet from Ken Gurnick).

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

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1906 Brooklyn Superbas (Dodgers) pitcher Mal Eason no-hit the Cardinals in St. Louis, 2-0. In 1925 future Hall of Famer and Brooklyn Dodger pitcher Dazzy Vance struck out 17 Cubs to defeat Chicago 4-3 in 10 innings. In 1970 Dodger hurler Bill Singer no hit the Phillies at Dodger Stadium, 5-0. Singer struck out ten, walked none and committed two errors on the field.
• Happy Birthday, Heinie Manush, Claude Crocker & Charles Johnson!

Blog Kiosk: 6/25/2018 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Seven homers! All solos!

The last one was hit by Justin Tuner in the 10th inning to win the game, 8-7. Per Ken Gurnick at MLB.com:

"I was just trying to hit the ball on the barrel," said Turner, who was 2-for-16 on the weeklong swing through Chicago and New York. "It's been a whole road trip of getting beat, getting jammed. What a day, a bunch of home runs and sweep a series against the Mets on the road. It will make for a happy flight going home."

Photo above via Jon SooHoo/Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Insider. Below are more links to checkout:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1984 infielder Bill Russell played his 1,953rd game to become the LA Dodgers' all-time leader in games played. He would finish his career in Blue with a total of 2,181 games played -- second best all time in Dodger history. Hall of famer Zack Wheat best him with 2,322 games played as a Dodger.
• Happy Birthday, Barney White, Don Demeter, Alejandro Peña, Aaron Sele & Paul Maholm!

2017 Topps Pro Debut - The Dodgers Insert Cards

Here are most of the Dodger insert cards found in packs of Topps 2017 Pro Debut Baseball card set.

Pennant Patches

#PP-CB Cody Bellinger

Blog Kiosk: 3/15/2017 - Dodgers Links - Some Spring Odds and Ends

As you may know, the Great Lakes Loons, a Dodgers Single-A minor league affiliate, won the 2016 MidWest League Championship.  Yesterday afternoon the guys got together for a special championship ring ceremony at Camelback Ranch.  Above is group picture of the team, via the Loons on twitter.  Go here to see even more pics.  At right is a closer-up look at the ring.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers Baseball:  In 1945 the Dodgers opened their spring camp at Bear Mountain State Park in upstate New York due to wartime travel restrictions.  There were real worries that German U-boats would attack the eastern coast of America.  This is the third straight year the Dodgers would practice here.  In 1975 the Dodgers signed former Giants pitcher Juan Marichal to a free agent contract.  He would retire from the game a little over a month later on April 17th. 
• Happy Birthday, Doc Casey, Ralph Miller, Rosy Ryan, Lou Fette, Dick Scott, Mickey Hatcher & Trayce Thompson!
  

Blog Kiosk: 12/23/2016 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Dashing and Debonair.

Featured here is an original 120mm photo transparency of an photogenic Sandy Koufax in a photoshoot taken in the 60's. (eBay Auction Link)  I believe it was taken by LA theatrical photographer Jay Thompson.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History:  In 1953 second baseman Jim Gilliam was named Rookie of the Year.  In 1958 the Dodgers received infielder and future Hall of Fame manager Sparky Anderson from the Phillies for Jim Golden, Rip Pepulski and Gene Snyder.  In 2004 the Dodgers signed free agent outfielder JD Drew to a five year/$55 million contract; which included an opt-out clause after his second season.  As you know, JD did exercise the opt-out.
• Happy Birthday, Bunny Fabrique, Doc Gessler, Danny Taylor, Tim Leary, Cody Ross & Hanley Ramirez!

Blog Kiosk: 9/19/2016 - Dodgers Links - Kazmir, Jansen, Turner and the Champion Loons

Congratulations to the Dodgers Single-A affiliate Great Lakes Loons on their Midwest League Championship series win over the Clinton LumberKings last night.  This achievement marks their first championship in their ten-year history.  The game itself was highlighted by an five-run come-from-behind sixth inning that gave the Loons a lead they never would relinquished.  Per Hugh Bernreuter at MLive:

"I think the tough times in the first half made it possible for us to persevere in games like this," Loons manager Gil Velazquez said. "Winning a championship in the minor leagues means something.

"They learned how to play when the pressure is off the charts. They learned how to come through and play big in tough situations. They played in a playoff situation and succeeded. It shows what they're made of. They carry that for the rest of their lives."

Hopefully, many of them will carry the experience learned there to the Dodgers.  Photo above via Great Lakes Loons on twitter.  Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodger History:  In 2000 a Dodger fan, in addition to other court-ordered restrictions, has been banned from attending home games in Los Angeles for 18 months. The irate patron threw coffee in the face of a Mets fan who was cheering a grand slam hit by New York's catcher Todd Pratt.
• Happy Birthday, Charlie Haeger, Joe Ferguson and Duke Snider!

Blog Kiosk: 9/16/2016 - Dodgers Links - Alvarez, Buehler, Jansen and Rich Hill

Things got a little overheated at yesterdays Dodger game. 

Ageless wonder Rich Hill, who had pitched 19 scoreless inning since becoming a Dodger, had finally given up a couple of runs to the lowly Diamondbacks, and apparently he didn't like that one bit.  He was in full-on game mode and made sure everyone in the stadium knew he wouldn't take an inside pitch, which he claims nicked his index finger, lightly.  He chirped and they chirped, the benches cleared, and then things went back to normal.  Per Jake Rill at MLB.com:

"It was just being competitive, just wanted him to get the ball over the plate and really that was the end of it," Hill said. "There was no ill will or anything like that. Just got excited. I saw the pitch, it was supposed to be inside and he just missed. I guess being a pitcher, I just got excited."

Opposing pitcher Archie Bradley said this, per Kevin Zimmerman at Arizona Sports.com:

“It’s just two guys playing the game hard, nothing more than that,” Bradley told the media after the game. “I was going in before he squared to bunt. Maybe the pitch was more in than it should have been.

Unfortunately, the Dodgers were unable to capitalize on the emotion of the evening and lost the first game of the series, 7-3.  

Pic above via ESPN LA on twitter.  Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History:  In 1957 the Los Angeles City Council approved the sale of Chavez Ravine to the Dodgers.  In 1988 Reds pitcher Tom Browning throws a Perfect Game, 1-0, against the Dodgers in Cincinnati.  Browning is the second pitcher to throw a perfect game against the Dodgers - Don Larson threw his perfecto during the 1956 World Series.
• Happy Birthday, Orel Hershiser!

Blog Kiosk: 9/14/2016 - Dodgers Links - Seager, No Scully for Playoffs and the Loons Advance

The Loons carried the day. 

As you may know, the Dodgers Single-A club Great Lakes Loons were in the midst of a playoff series against the West Michigan White Caps.  The series was tied at one game apiece going into last nights deciding game.  Everything was looking bleak to start for the Loons as they were no-hit through the first six innings.  Then the bats started to come alive.  Per Matt DeVries at MiLB.com; "On to the Midwest League Championship."

The fireworks of the night would come courtesy of second baseman Omar Estevez. With Whitecaps reliever Drew Smith (BS 1, L 2-1) on the mound and (Brendon) Davis already on base after his second single of the game, Estevez smacked a ball over the wall in left field for a two-run home run to give the Loons their first lead of the game.

Insurance runs were on the way in the top of the 9th inning when Gage Green scored on Davis' third hit of the game and Saige Jenco scurried home on a wild pitch by Mark Ecker to push the lead to 5-2 for Great Lakes.

They now earn the right to face the Clinton LumberKings for the Midwest League Championship on Wednesday.  Photo above of the team celebration via DJ Peters on twitter.  Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History:  In 1945, during an overnight trip between St. Louis and Chicago, the Brooklyn Dodgers train rammed into an gasoline truck, sending flames everywhere.  The train engineer and a firefighter were killed.  The Dodgers survived without serious injury because the momentum of their section carried it through the burning remains.  I had previously written about this incident here.  In 1993 Mike Piazza hit home runs no. 29 and 30 to break the Major League record for homers by a rookie catcher.  In 2002 24-year old Chin-Feng Chen becomes the first Taiwan-born ballplayer to make an appearance in the Major League game.  The first baseman walked as a Dodger pinch-hitter and eventually scored a run.  
• Happy Birthday, Jerry Doggett!  Jon Weisman at Dodger Insider pens a great piece celebrating his 100th birthday today (link here).
  

Blog Kiosk: 9/13/2016 - Dodgers Links - Potential Puig Trade Revealed and Dodger Fans Rule Yankee Stadium

What the...?

Never in my life could I ever have expected a crowd of Dodger fans to out-root, out-cheer and simply overcome the hometown crowd at Yankee Stadium.  As you may have heard, a group of over 1,300 loud Dodger fans, a contingent that came along with Dodgers fan group Pantone 294, overwhelmed Yamkee fans in their own home.  Heck, they even performed their own "roll call" of Dodger players on the field (watch the NY commentators discuss it here).  Billy Witz at the NY Times has a good rundown on the spectacle:

The longest-tenured Yankee, left fielder Brett Gardner, who was well within earshot of the Dodgers fans, said in reference to the crowd: “Even the Red Sox, they don’t have maybe as big a following or aren’t as rowdy. It’s a little bit different, but I thought it was a good atmosphere. If we’re going to play well down the stretch and get back into the postseason like we aspire to do, we’re going to have to play well in that atmosphere, whether it’s at the Stadium or on the road.”

Best yet, the folks at Pantone 294 brought some luck to the Blue Crew.  The Dodgers hammered out an impressive 8-2 victory behind an fantastic second career start by Jose De Leon.  Via Doug Padilla at ESPN:

“It was electric and everything I expected,” De Leon said of his Yankee Stadium debut. “I was a little more nervous than I was in L.A. Since I grew up a Red Sox fan, I really wanted to beat the Yankees, so it was a good one."

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

• This Day in Dodgers History:  In 1925 Dodger starter Dazzy Vance ho-hit the Phillies at Ebbets Field, 10-1. Check out the boxscore here.  In 1977 Dodger outfielder Dusty Baker set a franchise record by driving in five runs in one inning.  It was against the Padres at Dodger Stadium. 
• Happy Birthday, Dutch Ruether and Rick Dempsey!

Blog Kiosk: 9/12/2016 - Dodgers Links - Ethier, Seager, Oklahoma City and Some Dodger Hazing

As you no doubt heard, the Dodgers held their annual "rookie hazing" spectacle on Sunday evening - after their shutout loss to the Marlins.  Above is one of many pics of the guys that are circulating around the 'net.  In years past this event was held during their roadtrip to San Francisco.  This time, however, they decided to have fun with the rookies during their trip to New York.

Photo above via @Dodgers on twitter.  You can go here, here, here, here, here or here to see even more pics.  Best yet, Yasiel's charm came back in classic style.  He borrowed someone's Dodgers cheerleader outfit and did a little dance for the Dodgers and LA's newest team the Rams.  Heck, he even tweeted the gif to Rams rookie quarterback Jared Goff.  To the right is a screengrab, and you can go here to see the gif.  Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers Baseball:  In 1930 Dodger catcher Al Lopez hit the Major Leagues last bounced home run.  Before this day "ground-rule doubles" were recorded as home runs.  In 2000 Dave Hanson broke former Dodger Johnny Frederick's record for pinch-hit home runs during a season with his seventh homer of the year against Curt Schilling of the Diamondbacks.  BTW, Johnny Frederick set his record of six homers on this exact same date in 1932.

Blog Kiosk: 9/11/2016 - Dodgers Links - Joe Davis, Kuroda, Buehler and Vin Scully

ICYMI: The Dodgers will be giving out a special commemorative edition of Dodger Insider magazine celebrating the life and career of Vin Scully to the first 50,000 fans in attendance on Sunday, September 25th on Fan Appreciation Day.  You can see it above.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodger History:  In 1998 Kevin Malone is named the Dodgers GM, replacing Tommy Lasorda.  Fans old enough will remember this one.  In 1983 RJ Reynolds squeezed home Pedro Guerrero in the ninth for an improbably walk-off victory against the Atlanta Braves.  The Dodgers scored four runs in the ninth to win.  Tommay Lasorda called his decision to call fro the squeeze his most "daring" of his career.

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: 8/3/2016 - Dodgers Links - Robinson Highway, Puig Problems and Brandon McCarthy

Brandon McCarthy came out to make his sixth start since coming back from Tommy John Surgery last night and didn't seem right.  Maybe it was the high altitude that did him in.  Or maybe it was the 38 minute rain delay in the middle of the first inning with him on the mound that did it.  I dunno.  Per Ken Gurnick at MLB.com:

"Never felt like that on a mound before," said McCarthy, whose first four starts were sharp, followed by one bad inning in a four-inning start, then Tuesday's three-run outing. "Coming back, there's a lot of ups and downs, but when the feeling was off, I was able to get through it. Tonight, just the opposite. There were just some horrific, bad pitches in there. I just felt very weird."

McCarthy needed 85 pitches to get through three innings.  He gave up three hits, walked five, struck out only two and allowed three earned runs.  You can listen to Dave Roberts talk about the outing here.  BTW, reliever Jesse Chavez did not impress in his first outing as a Dodger.  He came in to pitch the sixth inning and gave up three runs.  If not for an inning ending double play with the bases loaded it would have been much worse.

Fortunately, the slumping Giants couldn't get past the moribund Philadelphia Phillies.  They lost to keep the Dodgers two games behind in the division race.

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

• This Day in Dodger History: In 1959 the second All-Star Game of the season is played at the LA Memorial Coliseum.  The AL defeated the NL, 5-3, on a third inning two-run homer by Yogi Berra off Don Drysdale.  In 2013 the Dodgers set a franchise record by winning their 13th consecutive victory.

Blog Kiosk: 2/16/2016 - Dodgers Links - Buehler, Montas and Dave Roberts

You know Spring Training is around the corner when the Dodgers trucks are packed up and shipped to Arizona.   Via a pic by the @Dodgers on twitter, they filled them with cargo and arrived safely in Glendale on Saturday.  Via Ken Gurnick at MLB.com:

Each truck holds 20 tons of gear, which includes computers and front-office supplies and even a 1,500-pound bobblehead of Hall of Fame manager Tom Lasorda, which normally resides at the Lasorda Italian Restaurant behind the right field pavilion at Dodger Stadium.

In other developments, the Dodgers ground crew have been hard at work transforming the field at Dodger Stadium into game-ready shape.  Check out the process in all of its time-lapsed glory in the tweet below:

Watch the #Dodgers Grounds Crew do work. #HurryUpBaseball pic.twitter.com/SHCTzDdPkL

— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) February 13, 2016

Below are more links to check out:

• This Mike Trout rumors are proof of how bored sports writers are, and how gullible reporters think fans are.
• Fantastic.  Jeff Sanders at the San Diego Tribune writes, "How San Diego's Dave Roberts won the Los Angeles Dodgers over."  

Outside, the No. 42 that once emblazoned Robinson’s Dodgers jersey hangs below the outfield’s pavilion roofing, the sacred number peeled right from a Brooklyn-era jersey that Dave Roberts wears today as a storied franchise’s first minority manager.

“I asked him about that just before he was hired,” Waymon Roberts acknowledged while standing off to the corner following his son’s official introduction. “It initially didn’t register that it was such a big deal.”

• Via Andy McCullough at the LA Times, "How the new Dodgers manager is preparing his team for success." 

"The No. 1 goal ... is for us ... to create an unbreakable bond within the group," Roberts said over breakfast at a cafe in Carlsbad. "Where no distractions ... get us away from staying together ... or getting our focus off track."

• David Hood at True Blue LA takes a look at Dodgers prospect Walker Buehler, here.

"Good things come to those who wait," as the old adage goes, so I elected not to ding Buehler for the surgery because the value when healthy is just too significant to downgrade. Buehler is the last prospect ranked before the elite tiers, and has the highest floor and ceiling of pitching prospects rated thus far. Though this review will likely look the same at this time next season, be patient, because Buehler could be battling for the position of top pitching prospect in the system at some point in 2017.

• Via Ken Gurnick at MLB.com, "Montas may miss 4 months after rib surgery."

Rookie right-hander Frankie Montas, the centerpiece for the Dodgers in a December three-team trade, will miss two to four months after undergoing rib resection surgery on Friday, it was announced.

According to the club, Montas had a stress reaction in his rib, and the procedure was performed by Dr. Greg Pearl in Dallas. Pearl performed a similar operation for thoracic outlet syndrome on Josh Beckett two years ago when the veteran right-hander experienced numbness in his pitching hand. Beckett returned to action, threw a no-hitter, then retired at the end of the 2014 season.

• Via Eric Stephen at True Blue LA, "Great Lakes Loons unveil new logos, uniforms for 2016."
• Via Bill Plaschke at the LA Times, "His job is a hunt-and-peck type of thing at Dodger Stadium." 

This is a Valentine's Day tale about the hopeless romantic who spends his summers scouring the Los Angeles sports landscape looking for love. His cuddly nickname is "Panda," he's been married 21 years to a woman with whom he's had four wedding ceremonies, and he has a job where every day is sprinkled with tiny candy hearts.

Valdivia directs the Dodger Stadium Kiss Cam.

* Please follow on twitter @ernestreyes *

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Blog Kiosk: 2/21/2015 - Dodgher Links - Urias, Kershaw and Corey Seager

Spring has just begun and Dodger Nation is already showing up in droves to catch a glimpse of the "Boys in Blue."  The above photo of a couple of Dodger "fanaticos" was taken by Dodger photographer Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2015.  Go here to check out more pics of his from yesterday. 

Below are some more links to check out:

• Via Jorge L. Ortiz at USA Today, "Lean, mean, only 18: Dodgers' Julio Urias gets serious."

"Fernando already completed his own great career. Now it's up to me to do what I can,'' he said. "I don't know if I'll ever measure up to what he did, but I have to put in the work. I know about the comparisons, but I don't feel any pressure to live up to what he accomplished. I'll have my own career and hopefully it's a successful one as well.''

• Via Ken Gurnick at MLB.com, "Kershaw unimpressed by first 'pen session of spring."

"I'm healthy and feel great, but it was a pretty bad [bullpen session]," said Kershaw. "I hope the next one is better. I was all over the place, but my arm and body feel good."

Ellis saw it differently.

"He was really good," said Ellis. "I think he's ahead of us and just waiting for us to catch up."

• Via Mike Petriello at FanGraphs, "The Dodgers And The Cubans That Haven’t Worked Out."
• Topps has just released a Retro Spring Training 10" x 14" print available directly from them online.  A pic is on the right.  Go here to check them out.  A version numbered to 49 copies is available at $24.99.  I think this would look great with a bunch of signatures.  
• Eric Stephen at True Blue LA shares what appears to be the first Dodger prank of the young season, here.  JP Howell did the ol' "hid all his stuff" prank on new Dodger pitcher and friend Joel Peralta.
• Via Mark Saxon at ESPN LA, "Corey Seager makes a good first impression."

“I just want to soak up as much as I can,” Seager said. “Just observe is basically what I’m trying to do.” 

• I don't even know why I'm linking to this.  It's just plain stupid... And slightly entertaining... Even if Tommy wasn't that entertained.  Via TMZ, "Tommy Lasorda Nods Off at Hot Burlesque Show."
• Old friend alert.  Former Dodger Nick Punto will not be playing ball this season, but may resume his career the following year, via Steve Adams at MLB Trade Rumors.  Also, Dan Haren showed up for the Marlins Spring Training in Florida, via the Marlins on twitter.  I guess all of that talk several months back about not wanting to play for them was just posturing.
• The Dodgers single-A affiliate Great Lake Loons will host Star Wars Night, via their twitter:

* Please follow on twitter @ernestreyes *

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