Blog Kiosk: 6/12/2020 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

2020 Draft is over and we now have six new prospects to watch -- assuming they sign on the dotted line. On Wednesday they picked University of Louisville right-hander Bobby Miller. Then on Thursday they added five more players -- Landon Knack RHP 60th overall, Clayton Beeter RHP 66th overall, Jake Vogel OF 100th overall, Carson Taylor C 130th overall and Gavin Stone RHP 159th overall.

I made a handful of fantasy custom baseball cards for Knack, Beeter and Vogel. I hope to have more to share soon, so stay tuned.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1940 the Dodgers made one of the biggest trades in their history. They received 1937 Triple Crown winner Joe "Ducky" Medwick and pitcher Curt Davis from the Cardinals for outfielder Ernie Koy, pitcher Carl Doyle, two minor leaguers and $125k in cash (a huge sum in those days). The Dodgers would win the pennant the following season for the first time since 1920. In 1955 Don Newcombe, having won his first ten decisions of the season, lost his first game of the year when Brooklyn falls to the Cubs, 9-5. In 2005 first baseman Hee-Seop Choi hit home runs in his first three at-bats this evening against the Twins to propel the Dodgers over Minnesota, 4-3. Watch all three here. 
• Happy Birthday, Jack O'Brein, Roger Bernadina & Damon Hollins! 

Blog Kiosk: 5/28/2019 - Dodgers Links - MVP! MVP! MVP!

First, I wanted to acknowledge a patch that ballplayers wore for the first time yesterday, for Memorial Day. It is a remembrance poppy that has been used since 1921 to commemorate military personnel who have died in war and was first adopted by the American Legion. See it on the right, via UniWatch.

As for Cody Bellinger (featured in the pic above), he is unbelievable. Cody was a driving force behind this weekends sweep of the Pirates and their Memorial Day win yesterday afternoon. He is slashing .278/.381/.722/1.103 with two home runs, five runs scored and five RBI over the past four games. On top of that, he is looking like a Gold Glover every day. Per Ken Gurnick at MLB.com:

“Words are tough to come by,” said Dodgers manager Dave Roberts. “I don’t know if they give out Gold Gloves in May, but it’s hard to see it play out any other way.” 

Roberts said there’s only one comp to what Bellinger can do to impact a game and he used the name – Mike Trout – with trepidation. 

“You’re talking about slug, average, on base, first-to-third, stolen bases, catching the baseball, outfield assists, all that stuff,” said Roberts. “To do what he can do, to check all those boxes. You’ve got to be careful when you’re talking about Mike Trout. That’s longevity, too. For a two-month span, that’s kind of what you’re talking about.”

Photo above via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2019 at Dodger Insider. Go here to check out more pics from Memorial Day. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1957 the NL officially approves of the move of the Dodgers and Giants to the West Coast, provided both clubs make their request before October 1 and move at the same time. This effectively allowed both clubs to start negotiating with potential host cities. In 1962 Don Newcombe signs a contract to play for the Chunichi Dragons of the Japanese Central League. In 2001 Dodger catcher Paul Lo Duca has a big day. He goes 6-for-6 to lead the Dodgers during an 11-10 win over the Rockies. He records five singles, a three-run home run and four RBI. In 2011 a small fire in a nearby storage area in the Reserve seats at Dodger Stadium forces the evacuation of fans of that section during a game between the Dodgers and Marlins. The fire is controlled quickly and they do not need to evacuate the entire stadium.
• Happy Birthday, Rafael Landestoy, Kirk Gibson & Cory Wade!

Blog Kiosk: 6/10/2015 - Dodger Links - Buehler, Turner and Bob Baffert

Bob Baffert, seen above shaking hands with coach Tim Wallach, was at Dodgers Stadium last night to throw out the first pitch.  His horse, American Pharaoh, recently won the Triple Crown - the first to do so in 37 years.  When asked who he'd compare his horse to on the Dodgers he said (via an AP story on ESPN):

"I guess he'd be like [Yasiel] Puig," Baffert joked. "When he gets out there, he dominates."

The pic above is via Dodger photographer Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2015.  Go here to check out more photos taken by Jon from yesterday's game.  Below are some links to check out:

• Via Eric Stephen at True Blue LA, "Walker Buehler no stranger to Dodger Stadium, looks up to Zack Greinke."

"I have always looked up to Zack Greinke," Buehler said. "We have similar body type, and are similar-type pitchers, I hope I can say."

"I hate to get into comparisons because it sets expectations too high, but it's not far off," Gasparino said. "We didn't really have a Zack comp for him, but Zack would be in his mold of pitchers. He's lean-built,  athletic, really smart, and a guy who can really pitch."

• Via Jon Weisman at Dodger Insider, "There’s never been a Dodger quite like Justin Turner."
• Via Mark Saxon at ESPN, "Los Angeles Dodgers getting healther, looking more dangerous."

"The main thing is, when you're getting guys banged up everywhere, it's not your team," Dodgers manager Don Mattingly said. "Howie is a middle-of-the-order guy who has gotten big hits for us all year. Yasiel hasn't been around all that much, but now that he's back he gives us a different lineup, allows us to do a lot of different things. Just getting your pieces back allows your lineup to flow."

• Via Ken Gurnick at MLB.com, "Dodgers scout Lamb having historic Draft."

"Part of it is luck," said Lamb, in his 17th Draft for the Dodgers. "They've got to fall to the right places, and we've got to like them. As an organization, our cross-checkers and Billy [Gasparino, scouting director] did a great job. And Buehler and Funkhouser, they had to fall so we'd get a shot at them. So, it's a team deal.

• WTF NBC!!!  Via Ed Sherman at the Chicago Tribune, "NBC Sports boss: Shave the hockey playoff beards."

Lazarus said he has lobbied the NHL and its players to end the tradition of the playoff beards. He says the excess facial hair hurts player recognition for fans, perhaps hindering the development of new stars during the highest-rated games of the season.

“The players won't like this, but I wish they all would stop growing beards in the postseason,” Lazarus said. “Let's get their faces out there. Let's talk about how young and attractive they are. What model citizens they are. (Hockey players) truly are one of a kind among professional athletes.

 “I know it's a tradition and superstition, but I think (the beards do) hurt recognition. They have a great opportunity with more endorsements. Or simply more recognition with fans saying, 'That guy looks like the kid next store,' which many of these guys do. I think that would be a nice thing."

FU, Lazarus!

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