Blog Kiosk: 8/23/2014 - Dodger Links - Haren's Sharp, No More Isotopes and Seager is Cal League MVP

Haren does it again.

Just when you thought his effectiveness on the mound was done, he comes back and pitches a gem.  In seven innings of work against the Mets last night he struck out six, walked none and gave up just three hits; including an opening batter solo home run to Curtis Granderson (his 25th of the season). 

Haren was quick and efficient, and according to Eric Stephen at True Blue LA, he earned a $250,000 bonus for reaching 150 innings pitched this season.  BTW, at 180 inning pitched his contract automatically vest for next season. 

Via Dylan Hernandez at the LA Times, Haren had this to say about a contract for next year:

"I couldn't care less," Haren said. "It might sound stupid, but who knows if I would want to play next year? I'd rather throw 179 2/3 and us win the division, honestly. I've made enough money in my life. I've been blessed. Hopefully, my kids' kids are set up. It's a lot of money, I don't want to devalue that and sound like a snob, but my goal is for this team to achieve what we set out to."

The photo above via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2014.  Go here to check out more pics from yesterday's game from Jon.

Thankfully, the Dodgers offense came alive as they spread around eleven hits to score six run and earn a victory.  Dee Gordon was superb.  He knocked in the first Dodger run in the third inning on a single and recorded his Major League leading eleventh triple in the seventh inning.

With the 6 to 2 victory over the Mets they hold onto an 3.5 game lead over the Giants.  Now, here are some more links to check out below.

• Via Mike Bertha at Cut4, "Yasiel Puig is so popular that people are naming their children after him."
• Bye Bye, Albuquerque.  Via Michael Baldwin at NewsOK.com, "Oklahoma City RedHawks will be Los Angeles Dodgers' Triple-A affiliate."

A group affiliated with the Dodgers is on the brink of purchasing the local pro baseball team. The group is in the final stages of contract negotiations that began several weeks ago with Mandalay, which announced earlier this year it would be selling its five minor league baseball properties.

Looks like the cat got out of the bag too early.  Apparently, this is all news to the Isotopes GM John Traub (via a tweet from Albuquerque Journal writer Rick Wright) and Dodgers Assistant GM De Jon Watson (via a Wright tweet).  The Albuquerque Journal has a report on it right here.

• Jon Weisman at Dodger Insider takes a look at, "The top Dodger bench players of the 21st century."  Chad Kreuter and Alex Cora top the list.  My all-time favorite was Olmedo Saenz - "The Killer Tomato."
• BTW, Jon also tells us that Corey Seager has been named the California League MVP.
• Now, you can win Joc's hooptie!  Via an Isotopes press release, "Joc Pederson's Car To Be Given Away Next Friday."

One lucky fan at the Albuquerque Isotopes game next Friday, Aug. 29, will drive away (or tow away) outfielder Joc Pederson's luxurious 1994 Buick Century. Fans will not want to miss the chance to win this one-of-a-kind car driven by the next Los Angeles Dodgers superstar.

The car, nicknamed "Little Chucky," has only 166,000 miles on it and has at least one operable window, which is really all you need. It is perfect for cruising around during the New Mexico summers with its "awesome" stereo system and lack of air conditioning. Kelly Blue Book estimates the value at nearly $1,000 (depending on if it has a full tank of gas). Little Chucky will also come with two complimentary air fresheners and whatever else Pederson forgets to clean out.

ICYMI, the @AbqTopes on Aug. 29 are giving away Joc Pederson's car, a 1994 Buick Century pic.twitter.com/vaAn4ZnS5O
— Eric Stephen (@truebluela) August 22, 2014

• Via Mark Townsend at Big League Stew, "MLB's blackout restrictions may be relaxed in 2015."

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Thanks for the Memories Olmedo!

The Killer Tomato has officially cleared waivers and been given his unconditional release by the Dodgers. The once longest tenured Dodger player is now a free agent. It looks like the other league is his most likely destination.

(Stopping) on his way out of the clubhouse (he) made a prophetic statement to teammate Shea Hillenbrand.

"See you in the American League," Saenz said.

The big guy had a knack for hitting spectacular homeruns and run scoring base hits at the right time.

Mid Season pick-ups Shea Hillenbrand and Roberto Hernandez also become free agents.

Story Link: LA Daily News:

Photo Link:

From Good to Bad to Worse

What a miserable past week we've experienced. It starts with a battle against our division rival, the Padres, that ends in a embarrassing shellacking. Chris Young, who must have looked like Cy Young to Dodger hitters, out-duels returning pitcher Jason Schmidt on Tuesday. Trevor Hoffman, the man who has recorded a majority of his saves against us, records his 500th Wednesday night. Then, the usually dependable bullpen falters in the last game of the series on Thursday. We get swept and move from 1st place to 3rd place in a blink of an eye.

Next comes the Toronto Blue Jays who are playing less that .500 ball. They have been the subject of rumors indicating that they may be dismantled after a disappointing start to the season. They should have been a team ripe for the picking. Instead, the Dodgers look like a minor league squad. Our offense has disappeared. Our saving grace was a walk-off homerun from Olmedo the Killer Tomato on Friday. A great individual performance from Derek Lowe was wasted in Saturday's game. Sunday's game was difficult to watch as we give up a collective 11 runs.

Jon writes,

"It is interesting that the lowest point of the Dodger season - five losses in six games - comes in transition to some new blood. I'm sure the Dodgers are feeling down, but I'm eager to see what comes. And it's not even that I expect problems to be solved overnight - the kids need all of our patience. It's just that the guys with potential are here, and I'm not one who believes that potential is a dirty word."

Jon is right, I welcome the opportunity to see all of our young farmhands on the field. These kids deserve a chance to play. Colletti's plan to field a team of aging veterans is on the verge of ruin and the only remedy is the farm system that has already paid some dividends. Let them play!

Image Link: Crescent Blues:

Way To Go Olmedo!

When all seemed lost the Killer Tomato comes through again.



Warholizer Link:

Game MVP: Olmedo Seanz

What's that old saying? The first one is always the toughest.

Generator Link: The Talking Tomato:

Disappointed Again

What a terrible game! It was a hot Saturday afternoon filled with flying balls sprayed to all areas of the stadium. There were 4 homeruns- 3 by the Giants and one by Olmedo Saenz. 18 runs were scored in total as the Giants ran over the Dodgers 11-7. We got close, but the evil Giants kept pulling away.

Lowe gave up 4 runs in the 1st before the stadium was half filled. All hope seemed lost. Then the Dodgers came back with 3 in their bottom half of the 2nd inning. New back-up catcher Toby Hall contributed with a groundball single to center to score 2 runs, and Furcal's single to drive in Hall made the game salvageable. We were behind by only one run with 7 to go. Unfortunately, Lowe was inconsistent and proceeded to give up more runs as he allowed 7 earned runs total in 4.2 innings of work. Fortunately, the Dodgers never give up.

Once again, the Dodgers offense came through as Olmedo brought us to within one run again in the 8th inning, 8-7. Broxton, our big Ox in the bullpen came in the 9th to shut down the Giants and keep the Dodgers in it. But fate had other things in mind. He gave up 3 runs, making it 11 to 7, virtually nailing the coffin shut this afternoon. But, the 2006 Dodgers would have nothing to do with that kind of thinking.

A sign of staying power and resilience is when a team learns to never give up when down. The Dodgers showed they can catch up at any time. Even in late innings. They loaded the bases with 2 out in the ninth with hot hitting super future star catcher Russell Martin at the plate. He was the tying run! Russell then hit a high fly to center for the third out. This afternoons game was over. The rally flamed out this time.

I got up from the couch, cleaned off the coffee table and put away my dishes. Oh Well! Even though I saw a ray of hope, I could not help being a little disappointing. We didn't win this game, but you wait til tomorrow. It's a new day.

An Ode to Olmedo: The Killer Tomato