Blog Kiosk: 3/11/2020 - Dodgers Links & News - Some Odds and Ends

Check out this vintage photograph I ran into while perusing eBay. It is a Barney Stein photo of the 1956 Brooklyn Dodger team at the Atomic Memorial in Hiroshima during their Tour of Japan series that fall (eBay link). I suspect it was originally found in one of those presentation photo albums the team made for the players and staff that headed for the Far East. You can also see this exact image at the Walter O'Malley.com website, where it says:

A bronze plaque from the Dodgers was presented at the Hiroshima stadium with the following legend: “We dedicate this visit in memory of those baseball fans and others who died by atomic action on August 6, 1945. May their souls rest in peace and with God’s help and man’s resolution peace will prevail, forever, amen.” Among those attending the presentation were Dodger President Walter O’Malley, manager Walter Alston, and Dodger players as Pee Wee Reese, Roy Campanella, and Duke Snider.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1953 the very first spring game is played at the newly built Holman Stadium at Dodgertown in Vero Beach, Florida. The Dodgers faced off against the A's and defeated then, 4-2. In 1972 Dodgers Hall of Fame legend Zach Wheat dies at the age of 83. He was a Brooklyn Dodgers for 18 seasons -- slashing .317/.367/.452/.819 with 131 home runs, 2,804 hits and a batting title in 1918.
• Happy Birthday, Bill Pounds, Joe Dunn, Bobby Abreu, Rich Hill & Pedro Baez!

Blog Kiosk: 10/27/2017 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

For those who don'e already know, tonight's Game 3 of the World Series in Houston will start at 5:20 PM PT this evening. In fact, all future games in the series has had the start times adjusted to begin at that same time.

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

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1890, the Brooklyn Bridegrooms (Dodgers), in their first season as a member of the National League, lost Game 6 of an World Series against the Louisville Colonels of the American Association, 9-8.  The loss shrank the Dodgers lead in the series to 3-2-1 -- Game 3 ended in a 7-7 tie due to darkness.  Game 7 will be played the next day.
• Happy Birthday, Joe Mulvey, Al Scheer, Ed Albosta, Hector Valle, Jason Johnson & Onan Masaoka!

Blog Kiosk: 6/19/217 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Kiké Hernández had quite a day yesterday. After having been a focus of a recent article (link here) about his father's winning battle against cancer, he went out and had a fantastic game on Father's Day. Kiké recorded two doubles, two walks and a game-saving catch in the eight inning to salvage the game. (Watch it here) Per Jeremy Vernon and Ken Gurnick at MLB.com:

"I was playing pretty shallow and Joey Votto is a good enough hitter that I didn't want him to shoot one the other way," said Hernandez. "The fans were talking a lot of trash, so if there was a ball hit anywhere near me, I had to catch it or throw him out at the plate. Off the bat I had a pretty good jump, but I didn't realize how shallow I was. I felt like I ran forever."

Photo above via SportsNet LA on twitter. BTW, to the right is a look at the Dodgers complete Father's Day uniform, via Kiké's twitter. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1952 Carl Erskine throws a no-hitter against the Cubs in the Dodgers' 5-0 victory at Ebbets Field. The only Cub to get on base was the opposing pitcher via a walk. In 1973 Dodger outfielder Willie Davis collects his 2,000th career hit at Dodger Stadium with a two-run home run. In 1990 Dodgers catcher Gary Carter breaks a National League record for career games caught at 1‚862. He passes former Dodger Al Lopez who set the record in 1946. In 1991 the Dodgers signed amateur free agent Juan Castro out of Los Mochis High School in Mexico. Castro is currently the Quality Assurance Coach for the Dodgers.
• Happy Birthday, Bill Swift, Larry Miller, Bob Aspromonte, Jerry Reuss, Butch Davis, Doug Mientkiewicz & Claudio Vargas!

Blog Kiosk: 4/25/2016 - Dodgers Links - Puig, Scully and Don Mattingley's Return

No doubt Yasiel Puig is having fun again after a tumultuous season last year.  After Saturdays victory against the Rockies he somehow found himself standing among a throng of teens in formal wear.  It is prom season in America and Puig, obviously curios about the occasion, joined the revelry had by the student of ChatfieldHigh School of Littleton, Colorado.  He had the crashed the party and fortunately shared a couple pics on twitter for us to enjoy.

Featured above some of the kids with Puig in the middle (twitter link here).  Below, he poses with members of the high school Baseball team (twitter link here).

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History:  On this day in 1976 Rick Monday saved the American flag from a couple of protesters in the outfield at Dodger Stadium.  The incident was immortalized in the photo seen on the right.
• Happy Birthday, JP Howell!
• Via Jacob Unruh at News OK, "OKC Dodgers: Herges talks talented pitching staff."

Blog Kiosk: 4/12/2016 - Dodgers Links - Maeda, Urias and Vin Scully

As street dedications go, this event was probably the most captivating.  Yesterday afternoon the City of Los Angeles and the Dodgers officially welcomed a street change that has been a long time coming.  They renamed Elysian Park Avenue to Vin Scully Avenue.  Jon Weisman at Dodger Insider has the complete story; including the entirety of Vin's speech:

“I don’t know you, and I miss you, believe me, each and every day. You have been so kind and so gentle, that again, as I said in my opening remarks, I’m overwhelmed. Just to hear your enthusiasm, the voice that comes roaring up out of the stands, there’s nothing like it.

Photo above via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2016 on the Dodgers twitter.  Take a look at even more pics taken by Jon from the event here.  Below are more links to check out:

• Yeah, I noticed this too.  Clayton Kershaw was getting ridiculously squeezed by the home plate umpire on Saturday.  Via Jeff Sullican at FanGraphs, "We Might Already Have the Season’s Worst Called Ball."
• Via Jon Weisman at Dodger Insider, "Micah Johnson optioned to Oklahoma City."  Howie Kendrick has been activated off the DL.  Another move is likely once Yasmani Grandal is activated.

Sunday Dodger Videos: Herges on Urias, Kershaw and Scott Van Slyke

Here are this Sunday's Dodger videos.

Check out this fun fan-made Dodger themed video for the Dropkick Murphy's song "The Boys are Back."

Video Link:

Listen to RC Quakes pitching coach Matt Herges talk about Dodger prospect Julio Urias, via ieProSports.

Video Link:

David Katz at ThePostGame interviews Clayton Kersahw.  He speaks about being an MVP candidate, the Dodgers potential this season, Yasiel Puig's maturity and why everyone should have a 'World Series or Bust' attitude.

Video Link:

Via Stadium Bound, listen to Scott Van Slyke give his testimony at Dodgers' Faith and Family Day at Dodger Stadium.

Video Link:

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Blog Kiosk: 8/20/2014 - Dodger Links - Dodgers Win, Grienke Questionable and Orel's Ice Bucket Challenge

The Dodgers eeked out a victory last night against the Padres.  After a miserable start that saw him give up three early runs, starter Kevin Correia settled down to give the Dodgers a chance.  All they had to do was score some runs.  As you know, of course, that's been easier said than done.  Fortunately, several Dodgers in the lineup where up to the task.

The middle of the Dodgers batting order woke up and got the job done.  Matt Kemp hit two doubles, Justin Turner whacked two doubles of his own and Carl Crawford blasted a home run to go along with two singles.  They punished Padres starter Ian Kennedy for six runs and eventually held on for an 8 to 6 victory. The above photo is of Crawford, via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2014.

Of note, the very last play of the game had to be reviewed by the umpires.  Jedd Gyorko singled to Puig, who subsequently threw home to get the advancing runner, Abraham Almonte.  Seeing this, Almonte rounded thirdbase and headed back, but was picked off.  Adrian Gonzalez had cutoff Puig's throw and nailed him.  After a umpire review he was called out to end the game.  Watch it here.

The Dodgers now have a four 4.5 4.0 (reduced since the Giants won their appeal) game lead over the Giants.  Here are some more links to check out below.

• ICYMI: The Dodgers called up amateur pugilist Erisbel Arruebarrena from AAA and sent Carlos Triunfel back to Albuquerque.  Per a Dodgers press release:

Arruebarrena most recently played in three rehab games for the Rookie-level AZL Dodgers (right shoulder soreness), going 4-for-11 with two doubles, two homers and four RBI, and has batted .333 with three doubles, two triples, a homer and 11 RBI in 26 games with the Isotopes this season. The 24-year-old has gone 5-for-16 (.313) with two RBI in eight games in two previous call-ups with the Dodgers.

• Not good.  Zack Greinke could miss a start.  Check out this tweet by Eric Stephen of True Blue LA below:

Don Matingly wouldn't say Zack Greinke would start Thursday. Didn't want to go into detail. Said more info to follow tomorrow
— Eric Stephen (@truebluela) August 20, 2014

 

• Via Michael Lananna at MLB.com, "Perez fires perfect inning in first rehab outing."

"If he holds up in that setting and everything's good with his foot, then we kind of move into getting him into a bullpen situation, where he's getting back into our routine," Mattingly said.

• Via Ryan Walton at Valley Bay News, "Julio Urias Continues to Exceed Expectations."

“It’s not your typical stuff coming from a kid who just turned 18,” said (Matt) Herges. “You see the numbers on the fastball. He touches upper 90′s. You see the spin on his breaking ball and you’re thinking this is an upper level guy or an older guy. You see the changeup that makes everybody look foolish.”

• Greatest coach ever!  Via Mike Oz at Big League Stew, "Little League World Series coach delivers heartwarming speech after loss."
• Watch Orel Hershiser accepts the Ice Bucket Challenge to help raise awareness for ALS, below.

Video Link:

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Blog Kiosk: 4/7/2014 - Dodgers Links - Mondesi Back in LA, Puig's Thumb and a Minor Trade

Raul Mondesi was at Dodger Stadium on Sunday as a part of Viva Los Dodgers.  He was there for a clothes drive and signed autographs for fans.  Pic above via the Dodgers on tumblr.  Check out a bunch of photos from Sunday featuring Mondesi via Jon SooHoo here.

• Dan Le Batard at ESPN The Magazine reminds us why we should continue to be patient with Puig with a piece titled: "Let's cut Yasiel Puig some slack."  He provides some funny examples of 'culture shock' stories from other foreign born players.
• Via Ken Gurnick at MLB.com, "Dodgers still hope Beckett can make start."

With regards to his ankle: "It's a little sore this morning," Mattingly said. "I think he's frustrated, honestly. He felt his stuff was good, his arm felt good. Right now, nothing's changed [about his chances to start]. The next couple of days will tell us."

• Via Eric Stephen at True Blue LA, "Dodgers lose first instant replay challenge of season."

The Dodgers issued their first challenge of the year under MLB's new instant replay system, but manager Don Mattingly's challenge was denied in the seventh inning. A.J. Ellis was thrown out at home plate by Hunter Pence for the third out of the inning, a call that was upheld after review.

• Via Ron Cervenka at Think Blue LA, "Lost in Quakes hype and hoopla, Lindsey Caughel continues to impress."

“I definitely think that Caughel would be the front-runner [to be the first promoted to Double-A Chattanooga] just because of what he did last year and how he pitched in this league last year,” said Quakes pitching coach and former Dodger pitcher Matt Herges. “I expect him to pitch even better this year. He was a late send-down (to the Advanced Single-A level) in spring training, so I’ve got to believe that he’d probably be the first guy [to be promoted].”

• BTW, per a Dodgers press release, they made a minor trade with the Indians over the weekend.  They acquired left-handed pitcher Colt Hynes from Cleveland in exchange for minor league right-handed pitcher Duke von Schamann.  Hynes was added to the 40-man roster and optioned to Triple-A Albuquerque. To create room on the 40-man roster, the Dodgers designated outfielder Mike Baxter for assignment.  This appears to be a depth trade.  The Dodgers wanted another left-hander in AAA as a backup plan.
• Via Ken Gurnick and Earl Bloom at MLB.com, "Puig out of lineup following X-ray, MRI."

"It was pretty swollen this morning when he came in," manager Don Mattingly said. "We'll see. I don't think we expect it to be anything major."

• Steve Dilbeck at the LA Times tells us that Puig just has a thumb ligament strain.
• RJ at RBI Collecting shares some of his autograph "gets" at Rancho Cucamonga; including Beckett, Pederson and Urias.

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