Blog Kiosk: 3/27/2020 - Dodgers Links & News - Some Odds and Ends

Poignant.

Here's a look at the upcoming cover of Sports Illustrated for April 2020. Pic via Stephen Canella at Sports Illustrated -- "Into the Great Big Emptiness."

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1961 Cardinals pitcher Larry Jackson suffers a broken jaw when hit by a fragment of Duke Snider's broken bat during a spring training game. He would be out for four weeks. In 2012 Frank McCourt agrees to sell the Dodgers to a group headed by Stan Kasten, Guggenheim Partners and Magic Johnson for $2 billion.  He also sold the parking lots to the same group for $150 million (while retaining partial ownership).
• Happy Birthday, George Magoon, Bill Collins, Vince Sherlock, Newt Kimball, Wes Covington, Bill Sudakis & Adam Melhuse!

Blog Kiosk: 4/3/2019 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Not only does Cody Bellinger lead the Majors in home runs (5), he also now holds the franchise record for most home runs in the first 300 games of their MLB career -- Bellinger with 69, Piazza with 68 and Howard with 55. Per Rowan Kavner at Dodger Insider:

“Even that first at-bat, I think he just missed a homer,” Roberts said. “Then he comes up with bases loaded, stays on the cut fastball. His at-bat qualities, his takes are good. He’s just seeing it really well. I think this is as good as I’ve seen him.”

Photo above via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2019 at Dodger Insider. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1968 the Dodgers traded for left-hander Hank Aguirre from the Tigers for a player to be named later, minor leaguer Fred Moulder. He played one season in Blue, and is better known for being the worst hitter in Major League history -- slashing .085/.117/.108/.225 and striking out an astounding 61% of the time through a 16-year Major League career. In 1974 the Dodgers traded for soon-to-be fan favorite Pedro Guerrero from the Indians in exchange for pitcher Bruce Ellingsen. In 2004 the Dodgers traded Franklin Gutierrez and Andrew Brown to the Indians for outfielder Milton Bradley. 
• Happy Birthday, Wally Moon & Tim Crews!

Blog Kiosk: 3/15/19 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Yasiel Puig faced the Dodgers and Hyun-Jin Ryu for the first time yesterday afternoon. In his first at-bat he singled to right off Ryu. He then grounded out his next two at-bats.

Photo above via David Vassegh on twitter. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1945 the Dodgers opened their spring camp at Bear Mountain State Park in upstate New York due to wartime travel restrictions. There were real worries that German U-boats would attack the eastern coast of America During WWII. This is the third straight year the Dodgers would practice here. In 1975 the Dodgers signed 37-year old former Giants and future Hall of Fame pitcher Juan Marichal to a free agent contract. He would retire from the game a little over a month later on April 17th. 
• Happy Birthday, Doc Casey, Ralph Miller, Rosy Ryan, Lou Fette, Dick Scott, Mickey Hatcher & Trayce Thompson!

Weekend Autograph Opportunities: Nancy Bea, Roger Owens, Jim Gott, Manny Mota, Al Ferrara, Will Clark and Andre Reed

Here are this weekends autograph opportunities and events throughout the Southland. As always, be sure to check the Blue Heaven Calendar for other events (a link can always be found on the tab at the top of this page, just left of center), and always confirm with the establishment. Everything is subject to change.  Please email me with any tips about upcoming events in Southern California.  As the rest of the week progresses I'll update this post with other events (if there are any) as I become aware of them.  Also, I don't always list every event below, so be sure to check my Calendar.  I always try to favor free signing events over paying events.  Click on any pic to embiggen.

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Blog Kiosk: 11/4/2015 - Dodger Links - Zack Greinke, Dave Roberts and Kiké Hernandez

What do you do when you know that you'll be going under the knife soon?

You go to Disneyland, of course!

Last night we learned that banana-loving infielder-outfielder Kiké Hernandez would be having right shoulder surgery today, via Jon Weisman at Dodger Insider.  So, the 24-year old, who we all know is just a big kid at heart, spent this past weekend running around the Magic Kingdom with his mother.  Just check out the photo tweeted by Kiké above as proof.

There's no word yet on the extend of the injury or the exact procedure being perfomred by Dr. Neal ElAttrache, but Jon wrote that it's minor.  Hopefully, this does nothing to derail a promising future with the Dodgers.

Below are more links to check out:

• Dodger tradition takes a major hit with the retirement of Nancy Bea Hefley.  Via Stacie Wheeler at the Hardball Times, "The Day the Organ Music Died."

Nancy Bea is a beloved part of Dodger tradition, and I believed the new front office was working to go back to the true Blue way. But eliminating Nancy Bea’s music degrades the Dodger fan experience at the ballpark. Her music, like Scully’s voice, lent another dimension to the game-watching experience, a component that few other professional sports teams have.

• Via One Nacion at ESPN, "Call it a comeback, Adrian Gonzalez already working on 2016."  AGon has returned to his offseason boxing routine.
• To the surprise of no one, Bud Black to interview with the Dodgers, via a tweet from Ken Rosenthal.  It also appears a decision about a new manager will not be decided for quite a while:

Sources: #Dodgers plan to interview Bud Black for managerial opening. Team about halfway into process. As many as 10 interviews possible.

— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) November 3, 2015

• Also, not a surprise.  Greinke has officially opted out, via a tweet from Bill Shaikin:

Zack Greinke has officially opted out. He is a free agent. #Dodgers

— Bill Shaikin (@BillShaikin) November 4, 2015

• I'm not sure what to make of this, but I would definitely welcome it.  Via Bill Plaschke at the LA Times, Dave Roberts is apparently on top of the Dodgers' list of candidates.

He showed up last week to interview for the Dodgers' managerial vacancy, he aced the interview, and he's now apparently the favorite.
...
You hire Dave Roberts because a team of underachievers needs to be prodded by an overachiever, a team of chill needs a manager whose career could never withstand even one day of complacency. You hire Dave Roberts because, if his popular Dodgers tenure is any indication, his ego wouldn't be too big to embrace new ideas, full front-office communication, and holdover pitching coach Rick Honeycutt.

I hate agreeing with Plaschke.

• Guess who else will be interviewed by the Dodgers - Kirk Gibson.  Via a tweet by Jim Bowden:

Dodgers are going to interview Kirk Gibson for the Manager opening according to club sources. Gibson was NL MGR... https://t.co/YPATGUFzsz

— Jim Bowden (@JimBowden_ESPN) November 4, 2015

• I'm not crying... Really, that's not tears.  Via a tweet from CBS Sports:

LOOK: Andrew McCutchen gets HR ball from boy he visited in hospital https://t.co/SJlOrbYPJC pic.twitter.com/LgMxFkXR8k

— CBS Sports MLB (@CBSSportsMLB) November 3, 2015

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Blog Kiosk: 10/31/2015 - Dodger Links - Honeycutt, Farmer and Darin Erstad?

Check out this fantastic photo of the Ebbets Field press box in 1953 with Vin Scully at the mic.  Photo above via Old Time Baseball Photos on twitter.

Below are more links to check out:

• Remember this!  Per Jon Weisman at Dodger Insider, the 2016 Dodger FanFest will be on Saturday, January 30th.
• Via David Montero at the Daily News, "This Dodgers organist will be in the Bobblehead Hall of Fame."
  

  “I was pretty surprised by it,” (Nancy) Bea said. “I didn’t even know there was such a thing as the Bobblehead Hall of Fame. But that’s great.”

• With word leaking that Mattingly will want pitching coach Rick Honeycutt by his side in Miami, we find out that the Dodgers and Honeycutt are in contract negotiations, via Ken Gurnick at MLB.com.
• Via Jim Callis at MLB.com, "Dodgers in the AFL: Versatile Farmer continuing transition to catcher."
  

  "We have a great pitching staff here, and I'm looking forward to working with them," Farmer said. "Also, honing in on my own skills and working on blocking the ball better, receiving better and stuff like that. It's fun, and it's an honor to be out here."

• Huh... Erstad is an intriguing choice.  He was one of those gritty type of players.  Via a tweet from Ken Rosenthal:

Sources: #Dodgers plan to interview Darin Erstad, University of Nebraska head coach (and former #Angels OFer) for their managerial opening.

— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) October 30, 2015

• Panini America will once again roll out a Black Friday promotion for local card shops this year.  Go here to check out a bunch of pics of the cards that will be available in packs; including the Joc Pederson and Clayton Kershaw cards below.  The Kershaw card is especially awesome.

• This is too bad.  Grantland had some fantastic writing.  Via a ESPN press release:

Effective immediately we are suspending the publication of Grantland.  After careful consideration, we have decided to direct our time and energy going forward to projects that we believe will have a broader and more significant impact across our enterprise.

• BTW, Dave Cameron at InstaGraphs shares some of his favorite Grantland pieces here.

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"The Good - The Bad - The Ugly" of the Dodger Season

It is always terrible when you have to end the season on such a sour note.  A year that began with the dawn of Spring - full of hope - has abruptly ended like a car crash before a race is over.  Make no mistake, a season that doesn't result in a championship is a failure.  Still, there is a lot to be hopeful about.  As the days move forward much will be said about what has transpired over the past 12 month, so I figured I'd throw my two cents in.  Below is my brief rundown on what I thought was "The Good - The Bad - The Ugly" of the past year.

The Good

• Another season with Vin Scully is like a gift from the heavens - A Blue Heaven.
• Justin Turner - Last season was no fluke!  Turner has made himself into a very effective producer on the field and in the box.  If you were only to look at what he did as a Met you'd think there was no way he could sustain what he had done for the Dodgers, but anecdotal evidence suggest otherwise.  An epiphany while working out with Marlon Byrd a couple of years ago has lead to this.  If you don't know what I mean then check out this story by Eno Sarris at FanGraphs.
• Corey Seager - He is clearly the future on the left side of the infield for the Dodgers.  I suspect the shortstop job will be his to lose come Spring.
• Starting pitching duo of Clayton Kershaw and Zack Greinke - It was a pleasure to watch them feed off each other this season.  Hopefully, this continues for a few more years.
• Kiké Hernandez and the #RallyBanana - What a fantastic pickup in the Dee Gordon trade.  Not only has be performed well, but he is proving to be a good clubhouse presence.
• Andre Ethier - I think he proved to the naysayers that he is still an productive player.  He slashed .294/.366/.486/.852.
• We won that Matt Kemp for Yasmani Grandal trade (for now).  Unfortunately, an injury late in the season hurt Grandal's bat, but I can assuredly say that I'm happy to have Yas on the team.
• Justin Ruggiano - Who would have thought he'd be so important in September.  Unfortunately, his magic didn't extend to the postseason.

The Bad

• Finding out that next season is likely to be Vin Scully's last at Dodger Stadium.
• Nancy Bea Heafley - Her retirement announcement was a shock to the system.  Her play on the organ will be missed.  Heck, the organ in general will be missed.  No doubt, we are in the midst of an changing of an era.
• Yasiel Puig - Obviously, injuries had much to do with this, but I also sense that he's lost some fire.  I fear that the complaints about how he should respect the game and his perceived entitled attitude in the clubhouse may be wearing on him.
• Jim Johnson - His short stint with the Dodgers is best forgotten.
• Mat Latos - Clearly, he was not a good choice to anchor the starting rotation.  Worse yet, putting Mike Bolsinger in the minors for Latos was an ill-advised move.
• Alex Guerrero - He is not as good as we had hoped, and was ultimately a waste of a roster spot.

The Ugly

• I can't help but think that Nancy Bea Hefley was mistreated by someone within the Dodgers front office.  For background on this check out Bill Plachke's article about it.
• The defensive shift during Game 5 of the NLDS that caught the infielders napping and resulted in the tying run scoring.
• Injuries Galore! - From the back end of the starting rotation to just about every position player on the team, the Dodgers were constantly hampered at every turn.  In fact, the injury problem was so bad, a front office thought to have created more than enough depth found itself with no depth at all.  Go figure.
• Joc Pederson - He sure did regress - BIG TIME - during the second half.  Fortunately, there's a lot there to build on.
• The constant public harping about Don Mattingly's job security was an annoyance and a distraction.  Unfortunately, this is unlikely to stop anytime soon.
• Zack Greinke opting out of his contract scares the daylights out of me.  Please... Please stay a Dodger!

I'm sure as more time passes I could add to this list.  For now, these are my initial impressions.

Photo above via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers

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Blog Kiosk: 10/5/2015 - Dodger Links - Greinke the Comedian, Seager the Starter and Rollins as Lasorda

The Dodgers finished off the season on a grand note.  They sweeped the Padres to record their best home record in LA Dodger history, going 55-26.  Clayton Kershaw threw seven strike outs to become the first pitcher in thirteen years to reach 300 - he finished with 301.  And, to top off the last game of the season Jimmy Rollins was named the surprise manager of the game - going so far as to wear Lasorda's #2 uniform and sporting a portly belly in his honor.  Check out the great photo above, tweeted out by the Dodgers, showing Rollins and the guest pitching coach Kenley Jansen - who wore #40 in honor of Rick Honeycutt.  Rollins talks about it here.  Go here to check out some great photos from Dodger photographer Jon SooHoo of the last game.

Below, Yasiel Puig takes on final moment to get a photograph with Nancy Bea Hefley and her husband.  Photo via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2015.

Below are more links to check out:

• I love Zach Greinke, via a tweet from Bill Plunkett:

Told Greinke I had NL Cy Young vote and asked who I should vote for. He said he lost all faith in process knowing I had a vote #offmyballot

— Bill Plunkett (@billplunkettocr) October 4, 2015

• Via Adam Rubin at ESPN, "New York Mets set rotation for NLDS vs. Dodgers."

Jacob deGrom will start Friday's opener at Dodger Stadium, likely against Clayton Kershaw. Noah Syndergaard then gets Game 2 in Los Angeles, followed by Matt Harvey in Game 3 when the series shifts to Citi Field, manager Terry Collins said Sunday.

• No surprise here.  Via Steve Dilbeck at the LA Times, "Dodgers give rookie Corey Seager short notice he's a starter." 

"They're going to play him," Rollins said. "We had a conversation and that's the way it was said: 'We're going to go with the kid. That's the lineup we feel is best.'"

• Via Matthew Moreno at Dodgers Nation, "A.J. Ellis Values Consistency Heading Into Postseason."
  

  “We got to pitch to our strengths, pitch to our game plan and at this stage in the game, it’s about execution.” While Mattingly has used various lineups throughout the season, the one in Friday’s game resembled what may take the field in the postseason.
  
  “It’s important. I think it shows the importance everybody is putting home-field advantage in the first round,” Ellis said of regular starters still playing throughout the weekend. “To play here, where we’ve played so well this season. To have Clayton and Zack here would be huge for us.”

• Via Ron Cervenka at Think Blue LA, "Turner’s power surge couldn’t come at a better time."
• Nick Diunte at Examiner.com writes a book review on "Clem Labine: Always a Dodger" Richard Ellott.
• This is terrible news.  Via Ken Gurnick at MLB.com, "(Josh) Ravin's brother shot, in stable condition."  Amy Powell at ABC7 has a report, as well.  He had this to say on twitter, and I don't necessarily disagree:

My brother was shot 3× this morning by a mentally unstable person...We don't need gun control. We need Mental Health Control!

— Josh Ravin™ (@FreshSqueezed22) October 4, 2015

• Congrats to Dee Gordon for winning the NL Batting crown.  He also become the first person to lead the league in batting and stolen bases since Jackie Robinson in 1949.  Below is a tweet from the Marlins celebrating his achievement.

A curtain call from his teammates. #Respect pic.twitter.com/pE0IL5AsXI

— Miami Marlins (@Marlins) October 4, 2015

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Blog Kiosk: 10/3/2015 - Dodger Links - McCarthy, Greinke and Matt Kemp

Together again.

On the day Nancy Bea Hefley announced her retirement she gets with former Dodger outfielder Matt Kemp one last time for a photograph.  It's also just as nice to see the two former teammates, Kemp and Andre Ethier, together again in the photo below.  Both pics via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2015.  Go here to see more pics from Jon of yesterday's game.

Although Kemp has had an fairly up-'n-down season this year he still managed to drive in 100 runs while slashing 265/.312/.443.  Certainly not a marked improvement over last years numbers, he still proved that he can be an effective hitter at the plate.  Unfortunately, his season has been cut short.  He will sit out the final five games of the year due to a sore right hand.  Via Jeff Sanders at the San Diego Tribune:

“Every time I swing, it got irritated – sharp little pain,” Kemp said after Tuesday’s game. “I wanted to keep going, but they thought it would be better for me to sit this one out.”

Below are more links to check out:

• Via Ken Gurnick at MLB.com, "Wrist injury may keep Van Slyke out of postseason."
• This is fun.  Via Gemma Kaneko at Cut4, "Which Dodgers player are you? Only this quiz can determine the answer."  Apparently, I'm like Zach Greinke.

Congratulations, you're Zack Greinke! You're focused and hard-working and very, very polite. Most importantly, you have GREAT hair.

• Via Eno Sarris at FanGraphs, "Zack Greinke on Pitching Inside."  Sarris breaks down, piece by piece, the statement made by Zach below.

“I noticed that when you throw away to people, they hit the ball hard,” the Dodgers’ pitcher said, “But they get out a lot more often, too. If you come in to them, they don’t hit the ball hard as often, but somehow they find a way to get hits more often. They’re getting hits more often inside even though their better swings are away and they’re hitting the ball hard more often away. I think they hit a lot of harder fly balls but most guys don’t have enough power to hit it over the opposite field defender’s head. A 300-foot hit is an out most of the time. Inside ground balls, there are so many more places you can hit that ball. Some guys can inside out it, some can hit it up the middle, some guys can roll over it and go down the third base line. You can hit it anywhere. But the outside pitch?”

• As for who should win the Cy Young, I think Brandon McCarthy has got it right.  Check out his recent tweet below:

NL CY Young voters: no matter which of the three you vote for, you got it right. Congrats! And horribly wrong. Idiot.

— Brandon McCarthy (@BMcCarthy32) October 2, 2015

• For those interested, the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes will be hosting a Championship Trophy Viewing Party on Thursday, October 15th at LoanMart Field.  Go here for information.
• Topps has just released a 10" x 14" poster printed on trading card stock that celebrates the Dodgers entry into the 2015 postseason.  It is stylized as a concert poster.  Check it out on the right.  It is limited to 25 copies, and a "1 of 1" version in gold is also available.  Check it out here.
• This really sucks.  I liked Paco a lot.  Hopefully, he can bounce back quickly.  Via Jeff Todd at MLB Trade Rumors, "Paco Rodriguez Undergoes Tommy John Surgery."
• I wasn't very happy when I first heard about this kind of thing happening, so I'm glad they are trying to stop it.  Via Craig Calcaterra at NBC Sports, "Congress to ban “pay for patriotism” promotions at stadiums."
• As you may know, the A's recently hired the first woman coach - Justine Siegal.  Here is an interview with her, via Kiley Kroh at Think Progress: "Baseball Is For Girls: A Conversation With The First Female Coach For An MLB Team."

Well, I love baseball. And I love coaching. I’ve wanted to be a college baseball coach since I was 16 and, at that time, a woman had never done that. Then I got to coach with the Rox, which was professional. For me, you can’t ask whether it was one or the other — am I doing it because I love coaching or am I doing it to show that it can be done? — because it’s both. I consider it an honor to be a role model and almost everything I do is in essence to show girls that their dreams can come true. But it’s not just girls that need to be shown that they have a place in baseball, it’s that boys need to know that girls have a place in baseball. And when you can be a productive member of staff, then you get the best of both worlds, which is be in the game you love, help players become better, and show the world that girls and women can be part of this game.

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Nancy Bea Hefley to Retire at End of Season

This is terrible news.  The melodic tunes, since reduced over the past few years, will be no more.  Dodger fans, the stadium and all those who enjoy a good tune played on the organ will be losing something grand.

Nancy Bea Hefley has just announced that she will retire at the conclusion of this season.

For 28 years she has entertained the crowd with ballads as varied as "Master of the House", "Funiculi Funicula" and "When I'm 64".  Now, who knows if anyone will ever come in to really replace that sound.  No doubt, modern DJ music will invade our ears at every waking moment, and the sounds of the old Roland organ will fade away like a distant memory.

Per a Dodger press release:

“I have had a wonderful time playing for the Dodgers and their fans,” said Hefley.  “My husband and I felt that this was the right time to settle down in our home in Silver Springs and eliminate all the travel.  The Dodgers have told me I can come back and make guest appearances and I greatly appreciate this gesture.  I hope to get back to Dodger Stadium on occasion.”

Something I didn't realize was that Nancy lived in Silver Springs, NV, and would commute to Los Angeles for each homestand -  renting a second home locally.  That's quite a lot mileage, so at 79-years of age I can certainly understand why she wants to hang it up.  Still, I'm saddened by this news, and desperately want to fall at her feet in hopes she'll change her mind. 

In honor of her, please check out a couple of videos of her playing some notable tunes below:

Master of the House - Orel Hershiser's theme song.

Video Link:

When I'm 64

Video Link:

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Weekend Autograph Opportunities: Molly Knight, Tim Leary and Nancy Bea Hefley

Here are this weekends autograph opportunities and events throughout the Southland. As always, be sure to check the Blue Heaven Calendar for other events (a link can always be found on the tab at the top of this page, just left of center), and always confirm with the establishment. Everything is subject to change.  Please email me with any tips about upcoming events in Southern California.  As the rest of the week progresses I'll update this post with other events (if there are any) as I become aware of them.  Also, I don't always list every event below, so be sure to check my Calendar.  I always try to favor free signing events over paying events.  Click on any pic to embiggen.

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You've heard of the book.  Now, you can meet the author.  Tonight, Molly Knight will be at Vroman's Bookstore to sign her new Dodger book for fans.  Go here for information.

Event date: Wednesday, July 22, 2015 - 7:00pm
Vroman's Bookstore
695 East Colorado Boulevard
Pasadena, CA 91101

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This is probably the best Dodger autograph event of the year.  Nancy Bea Hefley will be signing autographs and her new bobblehead at Ultimate Pastime in Ontario.  Go here or here for information.

We are proud to announce that we have the EXCLUSIVE rights to the FIRST EVER Nancy Bea bobblehead! Not only does her HEAD bobble, but her HAND does too!! The Meet & Greet with Nancy will take place in Ontario, Ca. on Saturday, July 25, 2015! This will be an event you won't want to miss & will be fun for the WHOLE FAMILY!! Nancy has agreed to inscribe, "Take me out to the Ballgame" on the first 200 of these!!!! ***ONLY 1,200 bobbles are available. GOLD PACKAGE (VIP) - $79 ONLY The first 200!!! (Includes a Limited Edition, signed "Take me out to the ballgame" Bobble (#'d), A Photo-Op with Nancy, An Autographed 8x10 photo of Nancy, VIP line access, Food & Drinks & Memories to Last a Lifetime.) SILVER PACKAGE - $49 (Includes an Autographed Bobble, A Photo-Op with Nancy, Food & Drinks & Memories to Last a Lifetime. *** Bring your own items to be signed!!! Additional autographs will be available for only $19 & inscriptions for $10 each. *** This will be the ONLY time Nancy will be signing these. She will not sign this bobble at ANY other event.

Ultimate Pastime
1614 S Carlos Ave Suite K
Ontario, California

BTW, former Dodger Al Ferrara will also be there to sign free autographs for fans; starting at 10:00 AM.

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1988 World Series Champion Tim Leary will be at Iguana's Bar in Pico Rivera on Sunday, July 26 from 12:00 PM noon to 2:00 PM.  Go here for information.

Iguana's Bar
8528 Rosemead Blvd
Pico Rivera, California 90660

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Blog Kiosk: 4/6/2015 - Dodger Links - RIP, Billy DeLury

Longtime Dodger employee and constant fixture around everything Dodgers, Bill DeLury, passed away over the weekend.  He joined the club in 1950, the same year Vin Scully became an broadcaster, and did just about every job imaginable for the club as he rose up the ladder.  For 20 years he was the teams traveling secretary, and in recent years was the assistant to the broadcasters and to the traveling secretary.  No doubt, he will be sorely missed.

Per a Dodger press release:

“Billy's consistent dedication and outstanding character were both an inspiration in our front office as well as a daily reminder of our roots in Brooklyn,” Dodger president and CEO Stan Kasten said. “His presence will be missed by all who knew him.”

“I was privileged to know Bill DeLury for more than 60 years from the time he was an office boy in Brooklyn and rose to become a most valuable member of the organization as our traveling secretary,” said Vin Scully. “A Dodger from head to toe.  A respected baseball man.  And a deeply religious husband and father. Anyone and everyone in baseball who knew Bill will mourn his passing and he will be truly missed.”

Mark Langill, the Dodgers official historian, pens a great piece at Dodger Insider in his honor, here.  Evan Bladh at Think Blue LA also has an excellent piece worth checking out, here.

Photo at the very top is of Billy DeLury being introduced at Dodgertown in 1995, via Jon SooHoo.  Check out more pics from Jon's vault of DeLury here.  Below are some links to check out:

• Via Megan Zahneis at MLB.com, "Proud new father Kershaw set for action."

"You are never bored. You always have something to do. She is starting to have a real personality and loves to smile," Kershaw said with a smile lighting up his face. "It is pretty fun."

• Ryu on the mend.  Via a tweet from Ken Gurnick:

Ryu begins throwing Monday.
— Ken Gurnick (@kengurnick) April 4, 2015

• Via Anthony Witrado at ESPN, "Dodgers add another arm in Scott Baker."  Also, via Ken Gurnick at MLB.com, "Dodgers acquire Minor League pitcher (Rudy) Owens from Oakland."  Both of these are minor league deals.  They add additional depth to the Dodgers and both will report to AAA.
• Via Jon Weisman at Dodger Insider, "Mattingly says analytics have yielded new insights."

“As we’re learning more about it, seeing a different set of numbers and ways to evaluate, it’s interesting to see how certain guys kind of fit in, where they’ve been really good and where their deficiencies are,” Mattingly said. “That’s been the most interesting part for me, going over player plans and things like that and seeing how different guys are really good at one thing — that you kind of noticed, but you didn’t really know to paint that picture — it’s been nice doing that.”

• Blue Skinny Fan was a Frank & Sons on Saturday to get Eric Gagne's signature.  Check out his trip report here.
• Via Bill Plaschke at the LA Times, we find out that Dodger organist Nancy Bea Hefley's role during games has been drastically reduced.  Boo!  Boo!  

Missing will be the soothing sound of a ballpark organ, as 28-year veteran Nancy Bea Hefley's workload has been reduced to one song during the actual game. One. She waits for seven innings, plays "Take Me Out to the Ballgame," and goes home.

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Dodgers Notes from Spring Training: Pitchers & Catchers Workout #5 - All Players Accounted For

Throughout Spring Training the Dodgers PR department sends out helpful daily notes from Camelback Ranch, and I am happy to pass them along.  See what they've written below.

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(Boomer, DeLury, Wallach, Corrales and hidden Mattingly, pic via Jon SooHoo)

TURN UP TUESDAYS: Today marked the fifth day of workouts for pitchers and catchers at Camelback Ranch – Glendale. Position players report tomorrow, with the first full-squad workout of 2015 scheduled for Thursday.

• Zack Greinke, who was given a lubricating injection in his right elbow on Thursday, February 19, returned to the mound today and threw his first “official” bullpen of the spring.
• Sergio Santos and newly acquired right-hander Dustin McGowan also threw their first “official” bullpens of the spring.
• Erik Bedard, Juan Nicasio, Brandon League, Adam Liberatore, Josh Ravin, Carlos Frias and Hyun-Jin Ryu all threw their scheduled bullpen sessions today.

ROLL CALL: With first full-squad workouts scheduled for Thursday, all position players have already reported to camp early for voluntary workouts. Carl Crawford, who reported to camp today, and Howie Kendrick and Alex Guerrero, who reported late yesterday, brought Camelback Ranch to full capacity at 60 players for Spring Training.

(Pic via Camelback Ranch on twitter)

TORNEO DE BEISBOL DE VALENCIA: The Dodgers, in collaboration with the City and State of Valencia, Spain, are hosting the second annual Early Bird U19 National Baseball Team event in the 2015 Torneo de Beisbol de Valencia. The tournament, which consists of six nations, started today and will continue until March 1. Juan Garcia Puig, Dodgers international scout and coach of the local baseball team, Valencia Astros, helped coordinate the event with the full support of the Confederation of European Baseball. All parties involved in the event envision that the tournament becoming an annual event that will come to be the official opening of the baseball season in Europe. Spain took home the gold over Germany in the first Torneo de Beisbol de Valencia last year.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!: The Los Angeles Dodgers would like to wish Dodger Stadium organist Nancy Bea Hefley a Happy Birthday. Hefley joined the Dodgers as the organist in 1988 and through the years, she has amassed a repertoire of more than 2,000 songs and she maintains a spreadsheet of every anthem performer she has accompanied at Dodger Stadium.Go here to check out my post featuring a Blue Heaven Nancy Bea Hefley Baseball card set.

SCORPION ALERT: A few days ago, a pair of scorpions were spotted on the White Sox side of camp and today they reached the Dodger side, stinging Public Relations maestro Jon Chapper on his left arm. The scorpion, who had been hiding out in Chapper’s jacket sleeve, survived the altercation and sent Jon scampering to the training room. Luckily, Chap was treated promptly with an ice wrap and is not expected to miss any time.

(A Dodger Fanaticos, pic via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2015)

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A Fantasy Baseball Card Set on Nancy Bea Hefley's Birthday

For those Dodger fans that still appreciate a good organ at the ballgame today is quite notable.  It is Nancy Bea Hefley's birthday.  Congrats!

In celebration I made the above fantasy card for her.  I used a photo taken by Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2012 and the 1987 Topps Baseball card design.  And since I was supremely bored at work during my lunch hour this afternoon, I decided to make a Nancy Bea Hefley Baseball card set that includes photos grabbed from her twitter account.  Check out her twitter here.  It includes numerous photographs of her with other celebrities.

Now, all you have to do is print them out, stick them on cardboard and trade them with your friends.

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Weekend Autograph Opportunities: Lasorda, Chan Ho Park, AGon and Nancy Bea!

Here are this weekends autograph opportunities and events throughout the Southland. As always, be sure to check the Blue Heaven Calendar for other events (a link can always be found on the tab at the top of this page, just left of center), and always confirm with the establishment. Everything is subject to change.  Please email me with any tips about upcoming events in Southern California.  As the rest of the week progresses I'll update this post with other events (if there are any) as I become aware of them.  Also, I don't always list every event below, so be sure to check my Calendar.  I always try to favor free signing events over paying events.  Click on any pic to embiggen.

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This weekend is the first autograph signing opportunity of the new year.  It is being held at Frank & Sons in the City of Industry.  Nancy Bea, Tommy Lasorda, Chan Ho Park and Adrian Gonzalez will be meeting, greeting and signing for fans.  Go here or here for information.  Click on any flyer below to embiggen.

Frank & Son Collectible Show
19649 San Jose Avenue
City of Industry, CA 91748

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Blog Kiosk: 5/29/2014 - Dodger Links - Jamie Romak, Trading for a Catcher and Wilson's Bobblehead

What could be better than a photo featuring Dodger organist Nancy Bea Hefley and slugger Yasiel Puig, via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2014.

• Via Scott Miller at MLB.com, "Determination pays off as Romak gets 'the call'"  BTW, since Jon SooHoo took some new photos of Romak yesterday, I decided to make a new fantasy card for him.  Check it out on the right.

Romak said he trusted his abilities throughout, and then he said something that is a pretty good lesson in any walk of life.

"I didn't put much emphasis on where I wasn't," Romak said. "I worried about where I was."

• The Dodgers have acquired minor league catcher Johnny Monell from the Cubs, via Steve Adams of MLB Trade Rumors.  This was likely done to fill a spot that was vacated due to the Guerrero incident.
• Via Mike Oz at Big League Stew, "Jury selection begins in Giants fan Bryan Stow's civil suit against Dodgers."
• Check out some photographs from a recent Albuquerque Isotopes game taken by Redditor brianplayspiano.
• Here's an early peek at the Brian Wilson bobblehead the Dodgers are giving away on June 26th, via @Dodgers twitter.  Notice that it has a real hairy beard. 

First look at the Brian Wilson Bobblehead (June 26): https://t.co/RvKMIFtHc0
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) May 28, 2014

• Via Mark Saxon at ESPNLosAngeles.com, "Stock watch: Josh Beckett takes over."  Beckett, until recently, has been quietly putting together a great comeback season.
• Via Jon Weisman at Dodger Insider, "Chris Withrow facing Tommy John surgery."

Chris Withrow underwent an examination by Dr. ElAttrache on May 23rd to evaluate pain in his right elbow. Dr. Elattrache diagnosed his problem as a tear of the Ulnar Collateral Ligament and recommended Tommy John surgery. He was subsequently placed on the Major League disabled list. Withrow is seeking a second opinion next week and will proceed with further treatment.

• Oh, come on... Really?  I officially disown this guy as a Kings fan.  You Don't belong!  Don't be a wussy!  Via Greg Wyshynski at Puck Daddy, "Corey Crawford allegedly sprays Kings fan, who files police report: TMZ." 

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Blog Kiosk: 1/28/2014 - Dodgers Links - Community Caravan, Dazzy Vance and Hugs all Around

How touching.  Good friends reunited.  Pic via @Dodgers on twitter.

• Dodger photographer Jon SooHoo shares a bunch of pics from the first day of the Dodger Community Caravan at Children's Hostipal Los Angeles (CHLA).  See a pic of Matt Kemp and Kenny Landreaux on the right.  Go here to see more.  Jon Weisman at Dodger Insider follows up with a great story, "As Matt Kemp knows, there are challenges, and then there are challenges".

“There’s a little bit of a backstory to it. I had a little brother, growing up — he was sick, he was always in the hospital and he later passed. Just coming to the hospital for me is pretty tough. The smell of a hospital reminds me of my little brother. Coming to see some of these kids, hooked up to these machines, it just takes me back. It’s definitely tough just to come here and see some of this stuff. But it’s what I guess I was born to do, and it’s nice to do and puts everything in perspective.”

• Mark Saxon at ESPN asks five questions about the Dodgers' bullpen.
• Eephus Blue has just finished up a great new t-shirt design focused on AJ Ellis and Clayton Kershaw as Calvin & Hobbes inspired characters.  It's awesome, and I suggest going here to check it out. 
• Via Chad Dotson at Hardball Times, "The improbable career of Dazzy Vance".  He was a former Brooklyn Dodger who came out of nowhere to be a successful pitcher in his 30's.

As Bill James noted in his Historical Baseball Abstract, no one knows the exact procedure performed by this random New Orleans doctor. James speculated that bone chips and debris were cleared out of the elbow. Whatever the doctor did, the pain was gone and Vance could suddenly throw hard again.

• Please send along your prayers and best wished to Dodgers organist Nancy Bea Hefley.  Her husband will be having heart surgery in a couple of weeks, per her twitter @NancyBea.
• Via Josh Tucker at Dodger Insider, "Vin Scully, Clayton Kershaw reap awards from Southern California Sports Broadcasters".
• Via Eric Stephen at True Blue LA, "Steve Garvey has jersey retired at Michigan State on Sunday".
• Via Ron Cervenka at Think Blue LA, "MLB Urban Youth Academy to launch Black History Month activities".

In recognition of Black History Month, the second annual Compton Community Day will be celebrated Saturday, February 1 at the MLB Urban Youth Academy in Compton, featuring dignitaries representing Major League Baseball and the City of Compton. 

• David Laurila at FanGraphs has a Q&A with Hall of Famer Tom Glavine.
• Ryan G at Chaos and Kanji recently visited the Japan Hall of Fame and shares a bunch of pics to prove it.

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