Blog Kiosk: 5/11/2020 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Great photo - Bad result. Pete Reiser was out at home. (eBay auction link) Below is what's written on the reverse:

Dusty Dodger Out At Home 

Boston, Mass... Pete Reiser, Dodgers' left fielder made at game try but is declared "out" at the plate in the third inning of the opening game at Braves Field here today. The putout was made on Connie Ryan's throw to Phil Masi. Pee Wee Reese had previously scored on Saunders' fumble. The Boston Braves were trailing the Brooklyn visitors at this stage of the game 2 to 0. (Dated 7.7.1946) (Photo via Myer Ostroff).

Unfortunately, the Dodgers would lose this game, 3-2 (boxscore). Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1963 Sandy Koufax no-hit the Giants at Dodger Stadium, 8-0 (boxscore). In fact, he had a perfect game going into the eighth, before walking the second batter of the inning. Overall, he recorded four strikeouts, two walks and faced only 28 batters - only one more than the minimum. This was also his second career no-hitter.
• Happy Birthday, Gene Hermanski, Bill Bean, Trent Hubbard & Red Patterson!

Blog Kiosk: 3/21/2018 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

I missed out on the Dodgers' First Look event yesterday afternoon. This is an annual soiree put together to introduce the upcoming seasons stadium menu items and giveaways to the local media. They brought out all kinds of new items; including a carne asada torta that I will have to try out.

Sue Jo at Dodger Insider provided some details and plenty of photos from the event, here. David Young at True Blue LA put together his own write-up: New Food Items (here) and Giveaways (here).

Photo above via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2018 at Dodger Insider. BTW, it's Chipper Jones Day in Georgia today. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1966 the Dodgers and Astros are the first Major League teams to play on artificial grass when they face each other for a spring training game in the Astrodome.
• Happy Birthday, Mysterious Walker, Bill Lamar, Jim Hughes, Tommy Davis & Carlos Monasterios!

Blog Kiosk: 12/2/2016 - Dodgers Links: Some Odds and Ends

Dodger Stadium now has a new attraction to draw you in this winter.  Starting today and most weekends til early March is a pop-up museum highlighting Dodger history through memorabilia from the National Baseball Hall of Fame, the renowned collection of Gary Cypres and the Dodgers own archives.  Go here for more information.  Admission is $10 per person.

In the photo above, via @Dodgers on twitter, Steve Garvey is shown holding up the uniform of his boyhood idol, Gil Hodges.  Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History:  In 1981 Fernando Valenzuela is named the NL Rookie of the Year.  He becomes the third consecutive Dodger to win the award -- following Steve Howe (1980) and Rick Sutcliffe (1979).
• Happy Birthday, Chip Hale & Peter Moylan!

Blog Kiosk: 10/4/2016 - Dodgers Links - Liberatore, Hershiser, Dodgers Wrestling and Kershaw

So... What are the Dodgers doing while they await their NLDS this coming weekend against the Nationals?

Watching some wrestling, of course.

Featured above are JP Howell, Justin Turner and Josh Reddick, along with WWE star Seth Rollins, at Monday Night RAW in the Staples Center.  As you can see, they gave Rollins his very own Dodgers jersey.  BTW, Reddick is also seen holding the Dodgers "Player of the Game" belt on his shoulder.  In fact, he would later on show off the belt to the wrestling fans in attendance, via a photo shared by Reddick on Instagram on the right.

Photo at the very top via Justin Turner on twitter.  Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History:  In 1955 the unbelievable happened.  The Brooklyn Dodgers, behind the brilliant pitching of Johnny Podres, captured their very first World Championship in franchise history.  They defeated the hated NY Yankees in seven games.  In 1959 the Dodgers won the teams very first playoff game in Los Angeles when they defeated the Chicago White Sox, 3-1.  This win put them up two games to one in the series.  They would later on win the World Series in the sixth game four days later.  In 2006 the worst play in Dodgers playoff history happened (in my opinion) when two runners are thrown out at home plate on the same throw during Game 1 of the NLDS against the Mets.  You can relive the horror here.
• Happy Birthday, Mike Sharperson, Stephen Fife and Tony Gwynn Jr.!

2015 Panini Immaculate College - All the Dodger Cards

This set came out a couple of weeks ago, but I've only recently been able to capture pics of many of the Dodger-related cards.  Featured here is the Collegiate (four-sport) version of Panini's 2015 Immaculate set.  This is strictly a college set, so there are naturally fewer Baseball players inside.  In fact, in the base set I pulled out only three players of note; including current Dodger infielder Chase Utley, Dodger owner Magic Johnson and former coach Mark McGwire.  As for Dodger prospects, only Walker Buehler is available as an insert.  Go here for a complete checklist.

Base (#/99)

#25 Chase Utley - UCLA                #75 Magic Johnson - Michigan State

Blog Kiosk: 12/3/2015 - Dodger Links - McGwire, Rizzo and AJ Ellis the Hunk

Talk 'bout breakin' up the play.

Check out this fantastic vintage "United Press" press photo, dated August 28, 1956, of Cubs outfielder Pete Whisenant with an aggressive slide against Dodger second baseman Charlie Neal.  To use hockey parlance, it looks like Whisenant hip-checked Neal off the base.  Fortunately, the missed opportunity to get the extra out didn't lead to a run, but the Dodgers did lose the game, 4-3.  Photo above via an eBay auction.

Below are more links to check out:

• I'm a huge AJ Ellis fan, so this is welcomed news. Via Mark Saxon at ESPN, "Catcher A.J. Ellis will return to Dodgers in 2016."

They retained one of the most popular players in the clubhouse, agreeing to a $4.5 million, one-year contract with catcher A.J. Ellis on Wednesday.

• BTW, AJ Ellis isn't just a catcher and positive clubhouse presence.  He is also a reality tv actor.  Via Robin Reed at Yahoo TV, "Dodger A.J. Ellis Makes House Call to Lisa Vanderpump on ‘RHOBH’"  There's a video to gawk at, and plenty of material to make you smile.  The best line of all was:

"The LA Dodgers have sent over this gorgeous hunk.  AJ Ellis who, ya know, let me play with his balls... or practice, at least."

• Via Bernie Wilson at Yahoo Sports, "Padres manager Andy Green names McGwire bench coach."

''As a player I pretty much went through anything a player could ever wish upon as far as success, and all the failures,'' he said. ''You learn how to be a man through adversity and failure. The game is built on failure. I know how to bust through that. ... I'm ecstatic about this new role. It's a great challenge for me, moving up in the game.''

• Wow!  According to Erika Owen at Travel + Leisure, Dodger Stadium is the 5th most Instagrammed place in the world.
• SportsNet LA/Dodgers Broadcaster Alanna Rizzo is the Hispanas Organized for Political Equality (HOPE) “HOPE Rising” honoree at their 26th annual awards dinner tonight.  Adrian Gonzalez is expected to introduce her to the masses.  Go here for more information about this event.  Per a Dodger press release:

“I am truly honored to be receiving the HOPE Rising Award,” said Rizzo. “When an organization like HOPE, that for 26 years has been working to advance and amplify the voice of Latinas, notices your work and the impact it has on others, it only elevates my commitment to continue to work harder to open the doors for young Latinas that follow in my footsteps.”

• This is a head-scratcher.  Via Jon Weisman at Dodger Insider, "Dodgers part ways with Juan Nicasio."

Nicasio led all Dodger relievers in 2015 in innings pitched, finishing the year with a 3.86 ERA, 1.56 WHIP and 10.0 strikeouts per nine innings. He had a 2.92 ERA through August 30, before allowing nine runs in his final nine innings and ending up off the Dodgers’ playoff roster.

• Via Eric Stephen at True Blue LA, "Dodgers reportedly hire Neil Rampe, Nate Lucero as new athletic trainers."

* Please follow on twitter @ernestreyes *

* Like Dodgers Blue Heaven on facebook *

* Dodgers Blue Heaven home page *

Blog Kiosk: 11/25/2015 - Dodger Links - Time Warner, Roberts and Turkeys

The Dodgers came out to the MLB Urban Youth Academy in Compton yesterday to hand out turkeys as a part of the 11th Annual Healthy Family Update and Turkey Giveaway.  Via Ben Platt at MLB.com:

"This is my first time at this event," said (Billy) Ashley. "I enjoy giving back to the community, and Thanksgiving is all about being thankful and I'm thankful to be a part of this and to put some smiles on people's faces and some food in their belly."

"This is my second year doing this," said (Tim) Leary. "I find it really rewarding and it's great that the Dodgers are involved, helping to keep families together or help putting someone who doesn't have a family with some food and other people is awesome."

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

• Via Cary Osborne at Dodger Insider, "UCLA, USC (and maybe one big arm) highlight 2016 Dodger Stadium Classic."

Four heavy-hitter college baseball programs make up the field at the 2016 Dodger Stadium Classic.

The games will be played on March 6 at Dodger Stadium and will feature a 3 p.m. clash between crosstown and Pac-12 rivals UCLA and USC, after the Big 12’s Oklahoma Sooners play the SEC’s Mississippi State Bulldogs at 11 a.m.

• Well this sucks.  Topps just announced their 2015 MLB All-Star Rookie Team and Joc Pederson did not make the cut.  Therefore, he will not be getting the ever-popular Topps Rookie Cup logo on his cards next year.  Check out the complete list here.
• Via Ken Gurnick at MLB.com, "Kasten: Roberts' hiring a 'collective process'" 

"At the very end with the last two guys, the owners met them as well, but it's fair to say we made a collective decision," said Kasten. "If there was one person whose decision mattered the most, I'd say it was Andrew. It really was a collective process, but most of it by Andrew along with Farhan and Josh."

• What this guy says.  Via Anthony Irwin at Dodger Nation, "Dodgers Fans Right To Be Optimistic About Roberts Hire."

So, as the vast majority of fans are celebrating the Dodgers’ first minority hire in its incredible history who also happens to have battled cancer and overcome being drafted in the 28th round, what better way to make Dilbeck feel better about himself than to tell everyone to calm down?

Again, though, everyone is aware of everything Dilbeck points out. We just don’t care at this particular moment.

• Via Jon Heyman at CBS Sports, "Mark McGwire expected to become Padres bench coach."
• Here's some Time Warner/Charter news.  Unfortunately, it ain't great.  Via Reinhardt Krause at Investors Business Daily, "Charter-TWC OK May Slide To June, Thanks To Calif."  

Jonathan Atkin, an RBC Capital analyst, in a research report Tuesday, said that "state regulatory bodies are taking on more of an active role in the CHTR/TWC cable merger. In California, an administrative law judge decision is slated for May, with a vote slated for June 16, 2016. This delay of approximately two months vs. the original timeline reflects the (law judge) acceptance of public interest group arguments to introduce evidentiary hearings."

In other words,  since the deal won't close til the middle of summer, at the earliest, you shouldn't expect any movement on the expansion of SportsNet LA until then.  Heck, we might be looking at another year of Dodger baseball not being on TV.

* Please follow on twitter @ernestreyes *

* Like Dodgers Blue Heaven on facebook *

* Dodgers Blue Heaven home page *

2015 Panini Contenders Baseball - The Dodger Insert Cards

Following up on Thursday's blog post featuring the Dodger base cards found in packs of 2015 Panini Contenders Baseball, I now show all of the Dodger insert cards that are available.  Check them out below.  Go here to check out all of my past post on this set.  I hope to have pics of most of the autographed cards in a couple of days.

As you can see, 2015 first round pick Walker Buehler (24th overall) , who has yet to pitch for the club due to Tommy John surgery, is all over the set.

Class Reunion

#12 Walker Buehler

2015 Panini Contenders Baseball - The Dodger Base Cards

Panini America has been making fine use of the Team USA and Collegiate licenses.  They recently put out their Stars & Stripes and Collegiate box sets, and now they have released their Contenders Baseball card set.  It features players (both old and new) in either their university or Team USA garb.  Check out a complete checklist here.

Several of the Dodgers' top prospects are featured; including Seager, Urias, Buehler and Pfeifer.  Check out the base cards below.  Of special note, former Dodger outfielder Frank Howard and hitting coach Mark McGwire are shown in their alumni uniforms.  I'm hopeful that I correctly identified all the Dodger prospects in this set (since they only make mention of their college), but if I missed anyone please let me know.  I should have pics of the Dodger inserts and autographed cards in the next few days.

Base Season Tickets

#2 Corey Seager                                   #41 Frank Howard

Pedro Guerrero Votes for Dusty - Rants on Twitter

Oh, boy!

The end of the Baseball season is oftentimes filled with comedy gold.  For instance, we recently witnessed the ranting of former Dodger infielder Ryan Theriot on twitter - who has a well known bias against the saber-geek squad.  Now, we get to bask at the epic screams of everyone's favorite Dominican ex-Dodger from the 1980's, Pedro Guerrero.

As you may know, Pedro has not been shy about sharing his opinions online.  He curses, he hates (on the Giants) and vocally lobbies for a future job as a Major League manager.  (Please, someone hire him!)  Guerrero also keeps tabs on the team that raised him, and this Dodger fan couldn't be more pleased about that.  Check out his twitter feed to see what I mean (here).

Yesterday, he went onto twitter to tell the world what he thinks the Dodgers should do in the clubhouse.  Pedro Guerrero believes they should hire former Dodger outfielder and well-known "killer of pitchers" Dusty Baker.

It is time for Dusty Baker @dodgers

— PedroGuerrero (@PedroGuerreroLA) October 19, 2015

Man-O-Live! 

I think the collective heads of a lot of fans would explode if this happened. 

Not only that, he would vocally clash with the Dodgers' front office - considering his views on sabermetrics. 

NO WS in 27 fucking years! has to be the change! Mattingly GONE. McGwire GONE. Every body else OK. Dusty wins everywhere bring him home.

— PedroGuerrero (@PedroGuerreroLA) October 19, 2015

As a fervent Dodger fan, I cannot argue against bringing home any former Dodger.  I was raised to look at the team as family, and continue to feel that way... But, as manager... No way.

How much saber shit does Toronto do? is ther saber shit in New York? KC? STL? NO LO CREO! Dusty has the eyes nothing beats the eyes @dodgers

— PedroGuerrero (@PedroGuerreroLA) October 19, 2015

"Look at the Eyes!"

Wait... Aren't all the playoff teams sabermetrically-based, to some extent?

@mrshody Cody hermano my dead grandma could have got to the WS with the dodger budget.

— PedroGuerrero (@PedroGuerreroLA) October 19, 2015

Now this is classic Pedro.  Thank you for this.

Hat Tip: r/_Autumn_Wind on Reddit.
Photo above via @Dodgers on twitter.

* Please follow on twitter @ernestreyes *

* Like Dodgers Blue Heaven on facebook *

* Dodgers Blue Heaven home page *

Blog Kiosk: 9/3/2015 - Dodger Links - Utley, Turner and Oklahoma City Won their Division

Congratulations to the Triple-AAA Oklahoma City Dodgers for clinching the PCL American North Division title last night.  Via Robert Emrich at MiLB.com:

"It was relaxed," Oklahoma City coach Johnny Washington said of the atmosphere prior to the game. "They understood what needed to be accomplished today and they came out ready to play.

And did they ever!  They defeated Iowa by the score of 11-3, on the backs of a pair of home runs by Andy Wilkinsand Chris Heisey and a two-RBI double by Corey Seager. 

The photo above via @okc_dodgers on twitter.  Below are more links to check out:

• Guess who's coming for a cup of coffee?  Via Steve Adams at MLB Trade Rumors, "Dodgers To Promote Corey Seager."  The Phenom is coming!
• Via Steve Bourbon at MLB.com, "Mattingly dismisses Marlins rumors." 
• Utley, you're a Dodger now!  He hit his first home run in Blue last night to help the Dodger sweep the Giants in a 2-1 victory.  Per Ken Gurnick at MLB.com:

"I definitely wasn't trying to hit a home run there, just hit it hard and see what happens," he said. "Obviously, it was the winning run, and that definitely means a lot, especially with Clayton on the mound. I've played a lot of games against him and I thought he was a very good pitcher. Now that I'm playing behind him, I realize he's an extremely good pitcher."

• ICYMI:  The Dodgers recalled outfielder Scott Schebler.  There are now 31 players on the active roster.  Via a Dodger press release:

Schebler, 24, made his Major League debut on June 5 against the Cardinals, going 1-for-3, during a brief, one-day recall with the Dodgers, and batted .241 with 13 home runs and 50 RBI in 121 games with OKC this year. The Iowa native was selected by the Dodgers in the 26th round of the 2010 First-Year Player Draft and was the organization’s 2013 Branch Rickey Minor League Player of the Year.

• Eric Lichtblau of the NYT confirms that Buster Posey is a bad man; "In Sharing Baseball’s Joys, Mourning Something Lost."  (Hat Tip: Sax at Sons of Steve Garvey)
• Via Ron Cervenka at Think Blue LA, "Is Joc Pederson fixed?"
  

  “There’s not one certain way that you have to hit. You take the knowledge from myself or whoever it may be – the stuff they’re passing on to you – and you make it your own, and that’s what Joc’s trying to do right now,” said McGwire. “We’re trying to calm the swing down, not feeling like you have to swing at a hundred and fifty percent all the time. If he can get in that box and feel like he’s swinging about seventy percent, good things are going to happen. It’s all about being patient. This kid, the sky’s the limit for him. I’m his biggest backer and I love him to death and the thing is, he works his rear end off.”

• Via Jeff Todd at MLB Trade Rumors, "Extension Candidate: Justin Turner."
  

  It’s questionable, to be sure, whether he can maintain the power surge that has pushed his isolated slugging mark to over .200. Turner’s 15.6% home run per flyball rate in 2015 may be unsustainable — that’s a career-best by a significant margin — but he has obviously learned something about driving the ball that seems likely to stick. Building off improvements in his contact profile that were evident in his 2013 numbers with the Mets, the 2015 version of Turner makes hard contact in approximately one third of his plate appearances while generating the same soft contact rate (10.8%) as Paul Goldschmidt and Miguel Cabrera.

• This is pretty cool.  Via Shawn Anderson at the Hall of Very Good, "Rockford Peaches Honored at Site of Old Stadium."
• Via Night Owl Cards, "A decade in blue, who knew?"  He takes a look at some of the cards of the longest tentured Dodger - Andre Ethier.

* Please follow on twitter @ernestreyes *

* Like Dodgers Blue Heaven on facebook *

* Dodgers Blue Heaven home page *

LA Kings Night at Dodger Stadium - Some Pics and Videos

Yesterday was LA Kings Night at Dodger Stadium and social media is filled with photos celebrating the occasion.  As you can see in the photos above and below, five Kings players were on hand: wingers Kyle Clifford and Tyler Toffoli, centerman Jeff Carter and defensemen Matt Greene and Alec Martinez. 

They came out early to the Stadium for some batting practice and shagged some balls in the outfield. 

.@LAKings watching #DodgersBP. #LAKingsNight pic.twitter.com/VWHlGU3aVn

— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) August 12, 2015

Check out some fantastic pics from the Kings blogger Jon Rosen here.  He even has some video of them batting.  Below is Jeff Carter taking some swings.

Video Link:

And here's Matt Greene taking his turn at the plate, via the @LAKings on twitter:

Greene in @Dodgers blue 👍 pic.twitter.com/VY4X7wc1GL

— LA Kings (@LAKings) August 12, 2015

As you may know, Greene is a huge Dodger fan.  He can often be seen sporting a LA Dodger cap and even appeared in full Dodger regalia one summer afternoon when the Kings brought along the Stanley Cup to the stadium in 2012.  Check out my original post on that here.  If memory serves me right, Greene hung out in the dugout during the game.

And of course, Bailey was there to greet the fans.

#LAKings RT"Pregame autographs! pic.twitter.com/PMKOp7dFaZ" #SportsRoadhouse

— LAKingsSRH (@LAKingsSRH) August 13, 2015

Here are more pics from around twitter.

Hanging out on the field with Jeff Carter for trivia games #dodgerssocial #Dodgers #LAKings pic.twitter.com/l8FhqDuPqL

— #LAKings #2CupChamps (@CoachCraig18) August 13, 2015

Celebrating #LAKings night @ #Dodgers Stadium! #WeAreAllKings #DodgersSocial #ITFDB #SanMa… http://t.co/D42avrUj4z pic.twitter.com/2WGHraw793

— Augie (@AugieRunGood) August 13, 2015

Celebrate #lakings night @ the Dodger game by bidding on Kings/Dodgers jerseys! Text KINGS to 52182 to check it out pic.twitter.com/7dO8fd3fM2

— Kings Care (@LAKingsCare) August 13, 2015

We are LIVE @Dodgers Stadium for @LAKings Night! pic.twitter.com/4B1uaidcSf

— LA Kings Ice Crew (@LAKingsIceCrew) August 13, 2015

Check out their ceremonial first pitch below.  I think I'll take the fact that they all threw strike as an omen.  The LA Kings will be back stronger than ever this upcoming season.

STEEEEEE-RIKEEEE (x5) pic.twitter.com/Z6y7Y0zXl1

— LA Kings (@LAKings) August 13, 2015

Photo at the very top with Mark McGwire via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2015.

* Please follow on twitter @ernestreyes *

* Like Dodgers Blue Heaven on facebook *

* Dodgers Blue Heaven home page *

2015 Upper Deck Goodwin Champions - The Only Dodger Card

I didn't plan on sharing any cards from this set; especially since there are no obvious Dodger players featured in it.  Then I noticed that Mark McGwire has two different cards, so I figured "why not!"  After all, he's a Dodger now... kind of...

Besides, I feel kind of sad for Upper Deck.  They are basically out of the Baseball card hobby after being the most influential innovator in the business in the early 90's.  Today, after years of poor management, lost licenses and declining prestige are just a mere shadow of what they once were. 

So, here ya go - a Mark McGwire 2015 Upper Deck Goodwin Champions card featuring him in a polo shirt while holding a bat.  At least it's not as gloriously ugly look as that Ron Cey card from last year. 

Go here for a complete checklist of the set.

#47 Mark McGwire

#119 Mark McGwire

Black/White Autographs

#142 Mark McGwire

(redemption card)

* Please follow on twitter @ernestreyes *

* Like Dodgers Blue Heaven on facebook *

* Dodgers Blue Heaven home page *

Out of this World - Actually, Out of Dodger Stadium (videos)

As I'm sure you know by now, Gaincarlo Stanton accomplished something last night that only a handful of others had done.  In his first at-bat of the evening he belted a waist-high fastball that went up and over the outfield bleachers at Dodger Stadium.  This feat had only happened four times in the past by three different players since the stadium's opening, and I thought it would be fun to seek out videos of each one to share here.

First, below is a listing of the "out of the park" homers (including Stanton's drive from last night) at Dodger Stadium, via Dodgers.com:

• Giancarlo Stanton / Miami / 475 feet / Against Mike Bolsinger to Left field / May 12, 2015
• Mark McGwire / St. Louis / 483 feet / Against Jamie Arnold to Left-center / May 22, 1999
• Mike Piazza / Dodgers / 478 feet / Against Frank Castillo (Col) to Left field / Sept. 21, 1997
• Willie Stargell / Pittsburgh  / 470 feet / Against Andy Messersmith to Right field / May 8, 1973
• Willie Stargell / Pittsburgh / 506 ft., 6 in. / Agsinst Alan Foster to Right field / Aug. 5, 1969

As you can see, Pittsburgh great Willie Stargell did it twice during his career.  Below are the videos I was able to track down.  Unfortunately, I just could not find Mark McGwire's home run from 1999. (Strange, eh?)  If you know where it is please pass that along.  Also, there doesn't appear to be footage of Stargell's two home runs, but there is a video the Dodgers put together celebrating the feat.

Stanton' home run from last night:

Video Link:

Mike Piazza home run from 1997:

Video Link:

A tribute video to Willie Stargell's round-trippers:

Video Link:

* Please follow on twitter @ernestreyes *

* Like Dodgers Blue Heaven on facebook *

* Dodgers Blue Heaven home page *

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:

* Please follow on twitter @ernestreyes *

* Like Dodgers Blue Heaven on facebook *

* Dodgers Blue Heaven home page *

Blog Kiosk: 4/11/2015 - Dodger Links - Gonzo, Pederson and Puig

Sean Astin hammed it up with the boys prior to the start of Friday's game in Phoenix.  Photo above via @Dodgers on twitter.

Honest question.  Did Puig even know who he was?  It's been 12 years since Astin played Samwise Gamgee in the Lord of the Rings trilogy, so I don't think he would have ever seen the film while he was still in Cuba.  (Forgive me for my ignorance, but would a common Cuban be familiar with modern Hollywood films?)  I understand that Sean Astin is a Dodger fan, so no doubt he's probably met Puig before yesterday (I would assume).  Still, I do wonder how much of the American/Western culture Puig knew before coming here.

Below are some links to check out:

• Via Cory DiBenedetto at the Daily Gammons, "Adrian Gonzalez is on fire: In-depth look at his incredible start."
• Via Alec Dopp at the Daily Gammons, "How Legit are Joc Pederson’s Swing-and-Miss Tendencies?"

Clearly, swinging and missing has been a problem for Pederson, even when he tore through Pacific Coast League pitching throughout the 2014 minor league season. His 13.5% swinging strike rate — calculated as whiffs divided by pitches seen — is nearly identical to that which he’s posted thus far in his big league career. He’s swinging about five percent less often and seeing more pitches since his promotion, which at the very least shows us he’s been selective, even sans chase rate in those minor league scoreboards I sifted through. But even so, while Pederson seems to be a patient hitter, he’s making less contact when he does swing, which is particularly concerning by my estimation.

• Via Rob Neyer at Just a Bit Outside, "Has Newk been cheated by the Coop?"  Neyer takes a look at whether Newcombe was an Hall of Famer.
• Check out some great photos from Opening Day game of the Tulsa Drillers (our AA affiliate) taken by Reddit u/kittysparkles here.
• Via David Hood at True Blue LA, "Chris Anderson, Corey Seager stand out in Dodgers Tulsa debut."

• The clothing brand that began as an anti-McCourt parody line called Frankrupt has re-launched with a new line of Dodger-fan themed tee shirts.  Check them out here.  Check out a funny photo of one of their T's on the right.  It's called "Orel Sax 1988 World Champs."  Click on the pic to embiggen.
• The videos below is a part of MLB's new “THIS” campaign and it features Yasiel Puig and several other Dodgers.  Below Yasiel Puig puts on his Latin shoes with some fellow DodgerBros as Clayton Kershaw looks on.

Video Link:

The ever playful Puig goofs around with Uribe and Ryu.

Video Link:

* Please follow on twitter @ernestreyes *

* Like Dodgers Blue Heaven on facebook *

* Dodgers Blue Heaven home page *

Blog Kiosk: 2/17/2015 - Dodger Links - Pedro Guerrero is Doing Well

I looks like Yasiel Puig had a blast in New York for the NBA All-Star Weekend.  He was introduced as a PlayStation Hero (complete with his own cartoon caricature), visited the American Natural History Museum while also making fun of Juan Uribe and met all kinds of other famous folks; including the big fellow featured in the above pic.  As Puig wrote on his instagram photo shown above:

It was a pleasure meeting this #beast @shaq I though I was big till I met this little fella!

Below are some more links to check out:

• Via Jon Weisman at Dodger Insider, "Pedro Guerrero recovering in Dominican Republic."
• Via Jon Paul Morosi and Ken Rosenthal at FoxSports.com, "Dodgers reportedly may land top Cuban infielder Hector Olivera."
• Via Dylan Hernandez at the LA Times, "Dodgers' Yasiel Puig in line for MVP seasons, says Mark McGwire."

"If we can put a full season together and if that lull toward the end of the season is not there — he has a big September, big playoffs — there's no question he's going to have several MVPs," McGwire said.

• Via Daniel Brim at Dodgers Digest, "Dodger Pitchers and the Low Strike Zone."

The Dodgers’ top three starters all throw into the lowered strike zone area less often than average. Ryu is particularly adverse to throwing in that area since he throws low pitches less often than most starters in baseball. McCarthy is the highest above the average among Dodger starters, which isn’t surprising since he depends on ground balls. 

• The bettors can't be wrong.  Via Israel Fehr at Big League Stew, "Nationals and Dodgers top win total over/under betting list."

It's no surprise to find the two World Series favorites, the Nationals and Dodgers, at the top of the MLB over/under win total betting list released on Monday by online sportsbook Bovada.

The number for both teams is 92½ wins. Last season Washington won 96 games and Los Angeles finished with 94 wins.

* Please follow on twitter @ernestreyes *

* Like Dodgers Blue Heaven on facebook *

* Dodgers Blue Heaven home page *

Blog Kiosk: 8/30/2014 - Dodger Links - Extreme Shifting, Puig's Missing Bat and Praise for Kershaw

In one of the more extreme shifts you'll ever see, the Dodger stacked four infielders on the right side of the infield against Seth Smith of the Padres in the 12th inning of last nights game.  Check out their defensive alignment in the photo above, tweeted out by JP Hoornstra.  Smith, a proven groundball pull hitter, came up with the bases loaded, and did just as they expected (watch it here).  He grounded the ball to Dee Gordon. Unfortunately, the relay throw to home was a little too off the mark to allow for a doubleplay, so the Padres would get another at-bat.  That very next batter slapped a single to the right side to record a walkoff win.

The Dodger fell to the Padres, 3 to 2, and lost a game in the standings to the suddenly surging Giants.  Disappointing, eh?  They coulda, shoulda, won this one.  Haren, although not entirely on the mark last night, pitched six effective innings (watch highlights here).  He sprayed five hits, struck out three, walked one and gave up just two runs (one unearned).  The followup relief crew also held their own until long-man Kevin Correia walked the bases loaded to set up the shift explained above.

The Dodgers offense was helped along by an resurgent Haley Ramirez, who homered for the first time since coming back from the disabled list (watch it here).  Justin Turner continued his hot hitting ways, but that was not enough.  They could only muster two runs on eleven hits.

The Dodgers are now sitting on a 3.5 game lead over the Giants.  Now, below are some links to check out:

• Via Bill Plunkett at the OC Register, "Puig's bat missing some of its sizzle."

“Where has it gone?” McGwire repeated with a laugh when asked about Puig’s power. “You know what — he got off to a fast start with home runs. Once you do that, people think you're a home run hitter. But really it’s all about pitch selection and patience. He’s shown some great stretches with patience and he’s shown some stretches where he’s not patient at all.

“You have to hit strikes. When you simplify the game and stay within your zone, you can get pitches to drive like that. Sometimes he just gets out of that mode and tries too hard. We can’t forget that he's a very young hitter. And young hitters that aren’t really home run hitters that come out hitting home runs — then people try to put things in their mind that they are home run hitters and they try to do too much.”

• Via J.P. Hoornstra at Inside the Dodgers, "Greg Maddux offers some high praise for Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw."

“His consistency is off the charts good,” Maddux said. “Everybody who wears a major-league uniform is good in their own way. There’s guys who can do it every time they put on the uniform. … Every time you see a player whose bad games are good, it’s special.”

• Via Jeffrey Long at Beyond the Boxscore, "How to get a hit against Clayton Kershaw."  Check out this advanced scouting report.
• Chris Olds at Beckett shares some preview pics from Topps 2015 Sticker Baseball set, here.  Check out the Clayton Kershaw sticker on the right.  It is slated to come out on March 4, 2015.

• The new September edition of Dodger Insider Magazine features Clayton Kershaw on the cover and includes a stories on his Ping Pong 4 Purpose charity event, his MVP candidacy and his unprecedented domination of the strike zone in 2014.  There is also a 15-page special section offering the history behind every Dodger uniform number from 00 to 99.  Go here for ordering information or get a copy at souvenir stands at Dodger Stadium when the next homestand opens on Monday against the Nationals.  Check out the cover on the left.
• Via David Brown at Big League Stew, "Family of Jackie Robinson Little Leaguer is homeless."

His mother, Devona Benton, says she and Benton's father, a radiator tech who works part-time, could no longer afford their apartment after her hours were cut as a home-care provider for Catholic Charities. She's worked there for six years and sometimes it's been a struggle, but she says this is the first time her family had to split up to survive. She also is responsible for looking after her 16-year-old son, and for helping with the three grandchildren of her grown daughter. She's hoping and praying for more clients, but until that happens, the family will be fractured.

• OK, fine.  I'm gonna link to a Plaschke article, but only because it's a good one about LA Kings coach Darryl Sutter.  Via Bill Plaschke of the LA Times, "Kings Coach Darryl Sutter is never down on the farm."

* Please follow on twitter @ernestreyes *

* Like Dodgers Blue Heaven on facebook *

* Dodgers Blue Heaven home page *

Blog Kiosk: 7/24/2014 - Dodger Links - An Early Peek at Kemp Figurine

Matt Kemp looked pretty good last night.  He walked twice and drove in a run.  Unfortunately, he was still stymied since he didn't get a hit.  Still, his confidence at the plate is apparent, so I remain hopeful he'll return to form.

• Here's an early peek at the Matt Kemp figurine the Dodgers giving away to fans on Sunday, August 24 on the right.
• Via Dustin Nosler at Dodgers Digest, "Dodgers’ answer to finding a bat at the deadline: Alex Guerrero."  I couldn't agree more.
• Via Mark Saxon at ESPNLosAngeles.com, "McGwire on Canseco: 'It's too late.'"

"Mark, to me, when I played with him, I looked up to him," Canseco told reporters. "I idolized him for a lot of reasons -- the guy was on the field, he was off the field. It haunts me till this day that I said those things about him, even though obviously they were true. I could have gone about it a different way and gotten my point across."

• Be sure to check out this ESPN video 30 for 30 Shorts on the high-five, here.

It's the gesture most associated with celebration in sports, but few know the story of the high five---from its origins to the professional and personal decline of the man credited with its creation, Glenn Burke.

• Orel at Sons of Steve Garvey writes, "Vin Scully, on BYO Musical Instrument Night at Ebbets Field."  Awesome!
• Shawn Anderson of the Hall of Very Good shares his interview with their Glenn Burke Memorial Courage Award winner Tanner Vavra.  He is a ballplayer in the Midwest League who has one eye.
• It was National Hot Dog day yesterday, so in celebration SI Extra Mustard shares the best hot dogs available from each MLB stadium.  Go here to check that out.
• Hockey is going moneyball.  For those who follow the NHL, the recent signing of Kyle Dubas as assistant GM of the Toronto Maple Leafs did not go unnoticed.  Via Kavitha A. Davidson at Bloomberg View:

The 28-year-old stats guru -- dubbed the "Billy Beane of hockey," after the A's general manager -- is jumping to the big leagues after serving in the Ontario Hockey League. In just three seasons, Kubas turned around the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds from worst to first in the Western division, building a team around advanced statistics.

Of course, if you've really been paying attention then you already know that advanced statistics is already a large part of the game.  Just look at the LA Kings.

• This is the best umpire strike three caller ever!  Really.. Watch it below.  James Kratch at NJ.com has the story.

"The umpire is 'Eddie the Ump.' He calls games like that all the time and is generally a fun guy to be around. He is one of the reasons the league is a great way to spend Sunday afternoons trying to stay young. He also umpires high school and youth games, but would not bring the act on the road to those games as it may cross a line in those circumstances. But with us, it's enjoyable and brings something new to the game."

Video Link:

* Please follow on twitter @ernestreyes *

* Like Dodgers Blue Heaven on facebook *

* Dodgers Blue Heaven home page *

2014 Upper Deck Goodwin Champions - All the Dodger Cards

If you thought Upper Deck had completely stopped making cards with Baseball players in it then you'd be wrong.  Last week, Upper Deck put out their 2014 Goodwin Champions set, and several Dodger players are available in it.  BTW, this set is a multi-sport filled offering, so just about every sport imaginable is represented.

Like Panini America, Upper Deck does not have a MLB license, so there are no team logos.  Heck, even notations about where a ballplayer played are not included.  Instead, the base cards indicate only the sport they played, and as you can see below they use paintings instead of photos on the cards.

Overall, the cards in this set are aesthetically horrible.  If there was an award for the ugliest set of the year, this one would be the favorite to win it.  Its only saving grace is the inclusion of a couple of long forgotten former Dodger players... Oh, and the card I describe below.

Easily, the best Dodger card in the base set is the Ron Cey card directly below.  He is shown in a tux and fancy top hat.  Maybe it's an homage to his nickname as "The Penguin".  After all, isn't that outfit often referred to as a penguin suit?

Base Set

#4 Ron Cey

#69 Steve Garvey

#129 Mark McGwire

Below is a card of old-tyme former Dodger Oyster Burns.  He played for Brooklyn during the franchise's early years, from 1888 to 1895, and was one of the clubs earliest stars.  Oyster batted .300, OPS'd .810 and stole 172 bases during those 8 seasons.  He lead the league in home runs and RBI's in 1890 with 13 and 128, respectively.  Also, during that season he became the first Dodger to hit for the cycle.

His real name was Thomas, but he was nicknamed Oyster because he sold shellfish during the winter.  Oyster Burns was also an loud and obnoxious sort of fellow.  He was described by the New York Clipper as:

"the noisiest man that ever played on the Brooklyn team. His voice reminds one of a buzz-saw."

Ouch!  That hurts, eh?  Of course, considering that he once stabbed a sleeping teammate during a break in a doubleheader the above description might be too soft.

Base Short Prints SP

#133 Oyster Burns

I decided to include the Joe Kelley card below as a Dodger even though he spent a majority of his Hall of Fame career with the Baltimore Orioles.  He played in Brooklyn from 1899 to 1901, and batted .317 during that time period.  Kelley was also an important cog to a club that won 2 pennants while he was with the Superbas.

Base Super Short Prints SSP

#178 Joe Kelley

I know Mark McGwire never played for the Dodgers, but he is our batting coach.  So, I decided to include all of his cards in this post.  Check out a couple of his Goudey cards below. 

Goudey Set

#2 Mark McGwire

Goudey Autographs Set

#2 Mark McGwire

Sport Royalty Autographs Set

#SRA-MM Mark McGwire

Baseball Prospect Autographs

#183 Chris Anderson                                    #195 Joc Pederson

Autographs

#A-GA Steve Garvey

Memorabilia Set

#M-PE Joc Pederson

Memorabilia Platinum Series Set

#M-PE Joc Pederson

* Please follow on twitter @ernestreyes *

* Like Dodgers Blue Heaven on facebook *

* Dodgers Blue Heaven home page *