Blog Kiosk: 4/15/2020 - Dodgers Links & News - Some Odds and Ends

It is Jackie Robinson Day. Featured above is a March 4, 1946 AP press photo of Jackie inspecting some bats. He is wearing a Montreal Royals uniform. (eBay auction link)

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1909, Opening Day, the Brooklyn Superbas (Dodgers) were no-hit by Red Ames of the Giants at the Polo Grounds for nine innings, but eventually prevailed to defeat the crosstown rival in the 13th inning, 3-0. On a side note, the Giants outfield recorded no putouts and the Superbas winning pitcher was Kaiser Wilhelm. In 1915 the Brooklyn Robins are no-hit by future Hall of Famer Rube Marquard of the Giants at the Polo Grounds, 2-0.  In 1947 Jackie Robinson makes his Major League debut at Ebbets Field. He would go 0-for-3, but would also score the go ahead run in the seventh inning after reaching base on an error during a sacrifice bunt. The Dodgers won the game 5-3. In 1958 the Dodgers and Giants play their first major league game on the West Coast. Unfortunately, Ruben Gomez of the Giants blanked the Dodgers at Seals Stadium in San Francisco, 8-0.
• Happy Birthday, Hub Collins, Jack Sheehan, Ted Sizemore, Willie Davis, Jeremy Burnitz & Milton Bradley!

Blog Kiosk: 2/11/2020 - Dodgers Links & News - Some Odds and Ends

In May of 1941 the Dodgers made a big trade with the Cubs that brought veteran second baseman Billy Herman to Brooklyn. He provided stability to a position that was sorely lacking -- slashing .291/.361/.379/.740 while helping the club win the pennant for the first time in 21 years. The AP press photo above from the Chicago Tribune features the newly acquired infield wearing Dodger Blue for the first time (eBay auction link). Below is what's written on the reverse:

Herman Comes to Flatbush -- Billy Herman practices May 6 to take his place at second base in the Brooklyn Dodger lineup. He came to the Dodgers on a trade with the Chicago Cubs.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1997 three new Jackie Robinson cereal boxes, created by General Mills, were unveiled to an eating and collecting public. He would be the first athlete to be honored on all three varieties of Wheaties: Original Wheaties, Honey Frosted Wheaties, and Crispy Wheaties 'n' Raisins. 
• Happy Birthday, Boyd Bartley & Todd Benzinger!

2016 Topps Update Baseball - Team Franklin, Scouting Report and Fire Cards

Here is a look at some of the various Dodgers insert cards found in packs of 2016 Topps Update.  Featured below are the Team Franklin, Sporting Report autograph and Fire cards.  Go here to check out all of my post on this set.

Team Franklin

#TF-19 Josh Reddick

2016 Topps Update Baseball - The Dodgers Base Cards & Variations

Following up on my post sharing the Dodgers "first Pitch" insert cards found in packs of 2016 Topps Update, below are photos of all the Dodgers base cards in the set; including variations.  Go here for a complete checklist.  BTW, there may be more Dodger variations beyond the Thompson and Urias cards indicated below.  So, if more do pop up I'll update this post.

Of note, Austin Barnes, Bud Norris and Josh Reddick (not counting Topps Now) receive their very first cards in a Dodger uniform.  The base set also includes what is likely to be the last card of AJ Ellis in Dodger Blue -- at least until he decides to join the club later on in his career when he's coaching/managing. 

Base Set

#US9 Ross Stripling

#US21 Austin Barnes

Welcome to the Blue, Jesse Chavez!

The Dodgers are very busy today.

We have just gotten word of another Dodgers trade and this time they get a right-handed reliever to join the bullpen.  Per tweets from Ken Rosenthal and Joel Sherman, Southern California native Jesse Chavez is now be a Dodger.  Dodgers starting pitcher Mike Bolsinger will go to the Blue Jays.  Per Jon Weisman at Dodger Insider:

Chavez, who turns 33 on August 21, has a 1.28 WHIP and 4.57 ERA with 42 strikeouts in 41 1/3 innings this year for Toronto. The previous two seasons, he pitched mostly as a starter for Oakland, with a 3.83 ERA from 2014-15.

Blog Kiosk: 7/4/2016 - Dodgers Links - Kershaw, Ethier and Brandon McCarthy

Brandon McCarthy sure did pick a heck of a time to throw his best game as a Dodger.  Having just concluded his rehab from Tommy John Surgery performed in late April last year, McCarthy returned to the mound to blank the Colorado Rockies for five innings at Dodger Stadium.  He struck out eight batters, gave up two hits and walked only one.  Per Ken Gurnick and Thomas Harding at MLB.com:

"It was surprisingly normal," said McCarthy. "I wasn't really expecting it to feel like I'd just get in the swing of things, but it felt normal. I didn't feel too nervous. There wasn't anything going on that I wasn't expecting. Just settled in normally."

Per Doug Padilla at ESPN:

“It was great; this was as good as I’ve seen him in years past,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “The fastball had late life; he threw the breaking ball when he needed to, mixed in a couple changeups. Eight punchouts in five innings; he just kind of continued what our starters have done this entire series. We’re really excited for him. He drove in a run too. It was good to see.”

The Dodgers outshined the Rockies, 4-1, to win their fourth straight and last six out of seven games.  Photo above via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2016.  Go here to check out more pics by Jon and Jill Weisleder from yesterdays game.  Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodger History:  In 1980 Hall of Famer Don Sutton fired the 52nd and final shutout of his career in a 4-0 victory over the Giants at Dodger Stadium.  In 2006 Nomar Garciaparra ties a Major League record for being hit by a pitch three times in a game.

Blog Kiosk: 6/20/2016 - Dodgers Links - A Father's Day Victory

The Dodgers look pretty good in those Father's Day Baby-Blue Dodgers jersey's yesterday afternoon.  I especially loved the high-socks style used by several players; especially Kiké Hernández.  He had tied the game at one with an pinch hit home run to left field in the eighth inning.  Check out his home run swing in the photo on the right, via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2016.

It's also notable how the Dodgers pulled out a victory in the end.  With the game tied at the bottom of the ninth inning Yasmani Grandal came up to bat for AJ Ellis with the bases loaded.  He then proceeded to grind out a six pitch walk to drive in the winning run.  Per Jack Baer and Adam McCalvy at MLB.com:

Grandal's winning walk was that talk of both clubhouses, with Dodgers manager Dave Roberts lauding Grandal's overall plate discipline and the Brewers focused on Thornburg's 1-1 pitch. Catcher Martin Maldonado held it an extra moment for umpire Tim Timmons, who deemed it just off the edge of the plate. But Pitch f/x data from the game suggested similar pitches had been called strikes.

"A 1-1 pitch is the pitch that changes [the outcome of a plate appearance] most often," Thornburg said. "Obviously, I wanted that call. I've gotten that call plenty of times before. But it didn't make or break the AB."

The photos above via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2016.  Go here to check out more pics by Jon from yesterdays game.  Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodger History: In 2008 the Dodgers received an Award of Excellence star from the Hollywood Historic Trust and the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce.  The Dodgers star on the Walk of Fame is located adjacent to the constellation of stars along Hollywood Boulevard at the Hollywood and Highland complex.
• Happy Birthday, Juan Castro!

Blog Kiosk: 5/25/2016 - Dodgers Links - That Strange Game

Last nights game was a mixed bag.

It started out with a fantastic ceremony in honor of the men and women in the armed forces, and included an enlistment ceremony for all four branches.  The photo above, via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2016, features the ceremony.

Then Mike Bolsinger came in to start his second game of the year and was fantastic.  He went 5.2 innings and gave up three hits, two earned runs and recorded six strike outs to win his first game of the season.  During the game, though, a bunch of weird things happened.  In the sixth inning Yasiel Puig came up to bat with two men on and rocketed a deep fly to right field.  In fact, it was so deep he thought he hit a homer, so instead of running hard out of the box he stood and admired it.  When the ball fell short of the wall he traipsed onto first base instead of the base he should have ended up at.    For his transgression he was benched for the rest of the game. Via Chad Thornburg at MLB.com:

"In my opinion, he should have been on second base," Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. "When we talk about playing the game the right way, we've got to be accountable. So that was the decision that I made."

BTW, that was a great call by Dave Roberts.  Listen to him talk about it briefly towards the end of this video (video link).  Via Dan Arritt at ESPN:

"I thought it was a home run, and then I didn't run out the ball, obviously," Puig said through an interpreter. "It was [Roberts'] decision to take me out of the game. It was a decision well made, because all my teammates are out on the field working hard, and I should have run out that ball."

(pic via Cespedes BBQ on twitter)

Then in the seventh inning something funny and strange happened.  A paper airplane landed on the infield with the Dodgers at bat, so the resident "no-fun" ballplayer Joey Votto let everyone know what he thought of that.  He stomped on it like an insolent child.  You can watch a gif of it here.  Obviously, Dodger fans booed him.  Then something incredible happened.  They started chanting "airplane stomper."  I kid you not!

I hope quirky chants like this become a tradition at games.  Heck, maybe decades from now fans will still chant this at the Reds... Just for fun.  It'll be like NY Rangers fans who still chant "Potvin Sucks" nearly 30 years after his terrible check against an Islanders player.

Oh... The Dodgers offense came alive and scored eight runs to win their third straight game.  Go here to check out a bunch of great photos from Jon SooHoo from the game.  Below are more links to check:

• This Day in Dodgers History:  In 2002 Diamondbacks starter Randy Johnson struck out Shawn Green to record his 3,509th career strike out to surpass Hall of Famer Walter Johnson on the all time list.  BTW, Green also hit two homers in the game to become the first Major Leaguer to hit seven round-trippers in three consecutive games.  In 2014 Josh Beckett threw his only career no-hitter against the Phillies.  Watch highlights from the game here.
  

Welcome Back to the Blue, Mike Bolsinger and Luis Avilan!

The Dodgers shuffle both the starting rotation and relief staff this afternoon.  They have recalled right-handed starting pitcher Mike Bolsinger and left-handed reliever Luis Avilan.  They replace right-handed starter Ross Stripling, who has been optioned to AAA-Oklahoma City, and right-handed reliever Chin-Hui Tsao, who has been placed on the 15-Day DL with a right triceps strain. 

Welcome Back to the Blue, Chin-Hui Tsao!

I get the feeling that the retooling of the Dodgers relief staff is just beginning.  The Dodgers announced this afternoon that they are bringing back right-handed reliever Chin-Hui Tsao.  Mike Bolsinger, who started last nights game, has been optioned back to Oklahoma City. 

As you'll recall, the Dodgers initially signed Tsao as a free agent last winter.  He pitched well enough that Spring to be invited to stay with the club in the minors.  Quickly, he worked himself back into Major League shape (after having been out of the Majors for eight years), and eventually pitched in five games for Los Angeles that July with mixed results.  This season he started the year with the Oklahoma City Dodgers and did quite a bit of closing for them. 

Per a Dodgers press release:

Blog Kiosk: 5/19/2016 - Dodgers Links - Yadier Alvarez, Mike Bolsinger and Louis Coleman

Mike Bolsinger returned to the Dodgers rotation and did the best he could.  He scattered six hits and gave up only a lone home run to Mike Trout before the dreaded fifth inning came around.  That's when the wheels fell off.  Bolinger got into another jam, and what could only be called 'bad luck' then sunk the team.  Per Jack Baer at MLB.com:

"I thought Mike had did what we had hoped," Roberts said. "There were 60 pitches that he threw in that last rehab start ... and where he was at with the third time through, I thought he gave us a chance to win."

(Coleman via Jon SooHoo/Dodgers)

In that fifth inning, Bolsinger left the game with two men on and one out when Louis Coleman was called in.  As you may know, Coleman has been one of the more effective relievers on the Dodgers staff.  Since April 25th he had not given up an earned run and allowed just one inherited runner to score in 10.1 innings pitched.  Over that span he has recorded 12 strike outs, walked only two and the opposition was slashing .088/.139/.118/.257.  Of course, this is a small sample size, but you had to like the results so far, and you had to figure he was the right man for the job.  Unfortunately, sometimes a version of Keystone Cops erupts on the field.

First he walked Pujols to load them up.  Then the next batter, CJ Cron, hit a infield single between Seager and Turner to score a run.  Following that was a little dribbler that was mishandled by Kendrick, the evenings 1st baseman, to score another.  Then, Rafael Ortega hit a 'Texas Leaguer' to left that Thompson dove for and missed.  Another fly ball to right scored the last run of the inning.  Overall, four balls where hit with Coleman on the mound, and only one was hit hard - the sacrifice fly.  Nevertheless, five runs crossed the plate to seal the game for the Angels.

Photo at the very top via SportsNet LA on twitter.  Go here to check out more pic from yesterdays game by Dodger photographer Jon SooHoo.  Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodger History: In 1988 Tim Leary threw his second shutout of the season against the Montreal Expos.  He had been winless in his past five starts.

Blog Kiosk: 5/17/2016 - Dodgers Links - Bolsinger, Seager and Trayce Thompson

Dodgers outfielder Trayce Thompson has been fantastic.  He's been so good, in fact, that many are beginning to demand that he start everyday.  Per Jack Baer and Alden Gonzalez at MLB.com:

"Trayce is doing a lot of good things," Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. "He definitely deserves a little more playing time. I know what kind of player he is. He's got a bright future. This game is performance-based, so there's definitely more playing time for Trayce."

Last night Trayce hit two home runs to tie the team lead at six for the season with Corey Seager, and he drove in three of the Dodgers six runs in a losing effort against the Angels.  Over the past nine games he's played Thompson has hit five dingers, knocked in twelve runs, is batting .345 and has a OPS of 1.393.  No doubt he is starting to show that he belongs.

Photo at the top via SportsNet LA on twitter.  Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1947 Hank Greenberg asked Jackie Robinson if he was hurt in a collision with him at first base. Then, he remarked; "Stick in there. You’re doing fine. Keep your chin up."  Jackie would later say that Greenberg was his "Diamond Hero" due to his own battle with bigots when he entered the league.  In 1978 Dodger utility man and professional pinch hitter Lee Lacy becomes the first player in league history to hit three consecutive pinch hit home runs.

Blog Kiosk: 5/13/2016 - Dodgers Links - All About Clayton Kershaw

Preparation.

Clayton Kershaw not only warms up then studies the lineup for an upcoming game, but he also takes a moment to sit in the dugout, look out onto the field and mentally prepare for the job to come.  In the photo above, via a tweet by the @Dodgers, he is shown taking some time before the game to get his mind in the right place.  He's the best there is, and his physical and mental routine are the foundation for his excellence. 

Last nights performance is an example of the outcome we've come to expect from Kershaw.  Per Doug Padilla at ESPN:

“I don’t know how to explain it other than walking guys is how you get in trouble. For me, I’d rather have them string hits together and make them swing the bats to beat me. That’s just always my mentality.

So how good has he been?  According to MLB on twitter, Clayton is the first pitcher since 1913 to record five straight starts with ten or more strike outs and one or fewer walks.  In fact, in eight starts and 62 innings pitched he has walked only four batters.  FOUR!  It's a feat so remarkable that August Fagerstrom at FanGraphs took some time to write about each of those walks here.

Clayton Kershaw’s been nearly perfect this year. The pitcher who was already thought to be just about perfect before any of this is running a career-best ERA, a career-best FIP, and a career-best xFIP through eight starts, and he’s shaved his already-elite walk rate more than every pitcher in baseball except for one. He’s unthinkably walked just four batters out of 225, and a closer look into those walks reveals one walk that featured two borderline strikes and a check swing, another with the season’s worst-called ball plus another missed call, another with a borderline 0-1 call that could’ve swung the count, and a really good at-bat by David Wright with a couple bad misses by Kershaw.

BTW, you can go here to check out more pics from yesterdays game from Jon SooHoo here, and listen to him talk about his performance with Alanna Rizzo here.  Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: Today was supposedly the day in 1947 when Pee Wee Reese put his arm around Jackie Robinson as a sign of solidarity at Crosley Field in Cincinnati.  Of course, we now know this incident never happened.
• Happy Birthday, Johnny Roseboro and John Ely!

Blog Kiosk: 5/9/2016 - Dodgers Links - Baez, Puig and Urias

There was nothing but pink all day.  Featured above are Clayton Kershaw and Yasiel Puig in their Dodgers pink Mother's Day uniforms prior to the start of yesterdays game.  Pic above via Puig on twitter.  Unfortunately, one player didn't have his pink bat.  Via Ken Gurnick at MLB.com:

Howie Kendrick had the go-ahead RBI with his usual bat, but he didn't mean to slight the Mother's Day theme.

"My pink bat got left behind, or I would have used it," he said. "It was in the rack back home, but it missed the plane."

BTW, the Dodgers won the game over the Blue Jays, 4-2.  They rallied, with the game tied at two, in the eight inning off an RBI single by Kendrick.  Then, Kenley Jansen shut the door with his eleventh save of the year.  So far, he is perfect is save opportunities this season.  Via Ken Gurnick at MLB.com:

"When you're really good, people can take you for granted," Kershaw said. "You expect him to go 1-2-3 and strike out the side. But he's not an unknown. It's just a matter of him being so good. What you want from a closer is someone who wants the ball, and Kenley embraces it. He wants to be out there, and that's huge."

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1947, the infamous photo of Jackie Robinson with Phillies manager Ben Chapman is taken prior to a game in Philadelphia.  As you know, Chapman lead an cavalcade of racial slurs against Jackie when they played in Brooklyn several days before, and the ensuing backlash against his actions caused him to seek amends by taking this photo.
• Happy Birthday, Aaron Harang!

Blog Kiosk: 5/7/2016 - Dodgers Links - Maeda, Puig and Russell on Clayton Kershaw

Yasiel Puig has been having an amazing adventure this season, and I don't mean his exploits on the field.  Rather, he's taken every opportunity to soak in the sights and sounds of every city he's visited this season. Thankfully, social media has allowed him to shared every minute.

Before the start of yesterdays game, Puig visited Toronto's CN Tower and headed to the top.  He found himself 1,168' above the ground, strapped himself to some wires and cords and walked around the perimeter of the landmark.  Check out a group of photos at the very top, via his Instagram.

I don't know about you, but I would do this in a heartbeat.  That looks like a bunch of fun.

Then later that night, Yasiel made a perfect throw on a lined double along the right field line to get Darwin Barney at second base.  Go here to check it out.  Puig, quite literally, threw a strike to shortstop Corey Seager.  As for the rest of the evening, things did not go as well.  Sure, Maeda was fantastic, once again.  Unfortunately, a lackluster offense and an even worse bullpen gave it away.  The Dodgers lost the first game of the series against the Blue Jays 5-2.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1959, the Roy Campanella benefit game is played at the Coliseum in front of 93,103 fans.  In 2009, Dodgers outfielder Manny Ramirez is suspended 50-games for a PED violation.
• Happy Birthday, James Loney!

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."

ICYMI: Here's the Dodgers 25-Man Roster

You probably already know that the Dodgers announced their 2016 Opening Day 25-man roster over the weekend.  Nevertheless, I figured I'd outline the guys who will be manning the club to start the season in a post.  There are quite a few surprises, but only because several key injuries have opened the door for some new faces.

Here is the Dodgers 2016 Opening Day roster.

Starting Pitchers (5):

• Clayton Kershaw (L)
• Scott Kazmir (L)
• Kenta Maeda
• Alex Wood (L)
• Ross Stripling

The rookie and first time Major Leaguer, Ross Stripling, beat out Carlos Frias and Zach Lee for a spot on the rotation.  His stay is likely to be a short one.  Stripling will probably go back to minors once either Bolsinger or Ryu is ready to go.

Blog Kiosk: 3/23/2016 - Dodgers Links - Kershaw, Maeda and Burglars Caught at Dodger Stadium

On this #NationalPuppyDay Dodgers super-utility man Kiké Hernandez recently shared a pic of his new puppy named Arizona Hernandez.  Photo above via Kiké's twitter. BTW, Arizona has his very own Instagram account.  Check it out here: azhndezminigoldendoodle.

Below are more links to check out:

• Dodgers injuries continue to mount.  Yesterday we find out that Andre Ethier will be out for up to three months, via Jon Weisman at Dodger Insider: "Andre Ethier to miss 10-14 weeks with fracture."  Then word spread that the recently crowned #5 starter Mike Bolsinger would now not be ready for the start of the season, via a tweet from Andy McCullough.  Fortunately, we have someone waiting in the wings.  This provides an opening for Zach Lee to make the rotation out of Spring Training.  Furthermore, now there are worries that Yasmani Grandal is hurting, via another Andy McCullough tweet:

Yasmani Grandal is going to get tests on his forearm. Dave Roberts said his continued discomfort is "disconcerting."

— Andy McCullough (@McCulloughTimes) March 22, 2016

• Via Tom Ley at Deadspin, "Clayton Kershaw Posed For Pictures With The People Who Rear-Ended Him."  I guess this is one way to get an autograph.  Ha!

Blog Kiosk: 3/22/2016 - Dodgers Links - Bolsinger, Bellinger and Kenta Maeda

Check out this sample platter of some of the good-eats provided by Carl Crawford to his teammates yesterday afternoon, via a pic by Scott Kazmir on twitter.  From what I understand, it was catered by Crawford's family restaurant in Houston called Burns Original BBQ.  You can follow them on twitter here, or check out their Facebook page here. 

Below are more links to check out:

• FYI:  ESPN will be airing the spring game in Cuba between the Tampa Bay Rays and the Cuban National Team at 1:30 PM EST/10:30 AM PST.  ESPN Deportes will also broadcast the game in Spanish, and it'll be live online at WatchESPN. 
• Via Eric Stephen at True Blue LA, "Mike Bolsinger says oblique feels better, but Dodgers remain cautious."

"If I was a reliever I wouldn't be as worried. But being a starter you have to build up. If it's something I only have to wait a week, week and a half building myself back up won't be a big deal," Bolsinger said. "The last week and a half, If I get one start in, I think I'll be good to go."

• No real surprises here.  The Dodgers made more cuts in Spring Training, via a tweet by the Dodgers.  Of note, Cody Bellinger really impressed, and looks to be our first baseman of the future.  BTW, that's still a couple years away.:

Today, the #Dodgers reassigned INF Brandon Hicks, C Shawn Zarraga, OF Corey Brown and INF/OF Cody Bellinger to minor league camp.

— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) March 21, 2016

• Kenta Maeda continues to impress -- not necessarily with his stuff, but his smarts.  Via Doug Padilla at ESPN:

“He has high acumen; his pitchability is off the charts,” Roberts said. “You know what was encouraging was that he shook (off the pitch selection) a couple of times just to get to a certain pitch. You saw him get into the at-bat and saw hitters swing by making the in-at-bat adjustment."

• Via Phil Rogers at MLB.com: "Brother drives Pederson to give his all."

"You know that he and other people with Down syndrome would do anything to just have a normal day where they could go out there and play," Pederson said. "You can never take this for granted. He's an everyday reminder of how fortunate I am, how blessed I am to play a game every day."

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Blog Kiosk: 3/21/2016 - Dodgers Links - Alvarez, Ryu and our 5th Starter

This past Saturday was the Dodgers family day picnic, and Jon SooHoo of the Dodgers was kind enough to share some pics.  Check out Magic Johnson entertaining Clayton Kershaw and his young daughter in the photo above.  Go here to see a few more photos.

Below are more links to check out:

• Another prospect top get excited about.  Via Josh Norris at Baseball America, "Dodgers’ Alvarez Dazzles On Back Fields."

Alvarez used a loose, whippy arm to generate lively fastballs that started out in the low-90s and eventually built to the mid-90s before touching 99 mph near his outing’s end. He coupled the pitch with a low-80s slider that garnered swings and misses as well.

“I think his stuff is pretty good,” said Dodgers catcher Garrett Hope, who was surprised to find out Alvarez was throwing in the upper-90s. “Ninety-nine coming out of your mouth, that kind of blows my mind. I had no idea.”

• Chan Ho Park recently visited with Hyun-Jin Ryu at Camleback Ranch.  Via Ken Gurnick at MLB.com, "Park: Ryu can inspire with successful return."

"Young players watched him and saw you can make the Major Leagues, but it's even more important now for young pitchers to see his recovery and see him come back and pitch well," said Park. "Many young pitchers in Korea are injured and stop playing and we never see how good they can be. And we don't have that many like Ryu.

"So we need to learn from Ryu and from the Dodgers and their system to save our young pitchers. That's my hope and dream. If I opened the door for pitchers to come over here and play, he can open the door for pitchers to recover from injury and return."

• Andre should be OK.  Via Doug Padilla at ESPN, "Hobbled Andre Ethier says foul ball gave him a 'dead leg'"

"I squared myself up pretty good right there," Ethier said. "I wasn't sure if it hit off the ground before it hit my leg or not, and then someone watching the replay said I direct-lined it. It's just one of those plays that happen. My leg is littered with scars and marks from doing that over the years."

• ICYMI: one-time Dodger Chone Figgins to officially retire, via Mark Polishuk at MLB Trade Rumors.  
• Panini America shares a bunch of great pics and video of the San Diego Chicken's recent autograph signing in Santee (Link Here).
• Oy Vey!  Via Eric Stephen at True Blue LA, "Dodgers 5th starter competition officially a mess: Bolsinger scratched, Beachy hurt, Lee optioned."  Certainly not a great situation, but we fortunately have enough time to sort things out.  Ken Gurnick at MLB.com shares a Dave Roberts quote:

"At this point, we'll see," Roberts said when asked who his fifth starter is. "I don't know how long [Bolsinger's] oblique is going to last and how serious it is. Obviously, there's Zach Lee, and I don't know where Beachy is right now.

"It just keeps happening, I guess. Bolsinger has a mild oblique strain, whatever that means, and whatever it takes we'll know as days go on. He'll get treatment and see where it goes from there. You win with pitching and defense. Look where we were at the start of camp and where we are now, it's a little frustrating. Every team goes through it in some capacity. It's another obstacle for us to deal with."

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