Braves Series Starts Thursday - Stadium Giveaways, Pregame Info and Other Stuff!

The next homestand starts on Thursday against the Atlanta Braves. Below are some odds and ends for this upcoming homestand. Here are some important links:

• 2017 Broadcast Schedule
• Special Events Schedule
• Promotions & Giveaways Schedule
• Silent Auction Schedule 
• Friday Night Fireworks Schedule 

A new item has been added to the menu at Dodger Stadium. It is called the Think Blue Burrito and it includes pulled pork, black beans, Spanish rice, Pico de Gallo, and avocado crema wrapped in a flour tortilla. See it on the right. You can find it on the Reserve level, Section 32.

Also, for this homestand against the Braves only the Dodgers have made the Chicken Waffle Sammy that includes a Belgian waffle with spicy crispy chicken, candied bacon and maple syrup. See it on the left. It can be found on the Field Level, Section 8 and the Reserve Level, Section 14.

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Thursday, July 20th at 7:10 PM

RHP Mike Foltynewicz vs. RHP Brandon McCarthy

TV: SportsNet LA, SNLA Spanish

Radio: 570 LA Sports, KTNQ 1020

Thursday's game starts at 7:10 PM. Auto gates open at 4:40 PM, and stadium gates open at 5:10 PM.

The first 40,000 fans in attendance will receive Great Dodger Moments Coin #5 featuring the 1984 Olympics. See it on the right.

It is Olympics Night at Dodger Stadium.  Folks who ordered a special ticket package will get an exclusive Olympics Night cap.  See that on the left.  If not already sold out go here for information.

Blog Kiosk: 8/17/2016 - Dodgers Links - Utley's Unforgettable Evening in Philly

Last nights game was unreal.

Not only did it begin with an over minute long standing ovation for leadoff hitter Chase Utley, but it would later be eclipsed by an curtain call after a grand slam by the former Phillies hero in the seventh inning.  Via Doug Padilla at ESPN:

"It's completely overwhelming," Utley said in a postgame news conference. "The standing ovation my first at-bat is something I'll never forget. It was truly special. It really shows how passionate and how great the Philadelphia fan base is. It was probably one of the most nervous at-bats I'll ever have at any level. I was glad to get it over with, to be honest with you."

Per Evan Webeck and Todd Zolecki at MLB.com:

"I think it just goes to show you can change the uniform, but he's always going to be a Phillie at heart," (Ryan) Howard said. "He's always going to be a Phillie to everybody here. I thought it was great. I thought it was awesome. For the fans to give him a curtain call again, it shows what he was able to do here and the impact that he had here on the fans."

BTW, to go along with the shellacking of the Phillies, 15-5, the Dodgers leapfrogged over the Giants to take an half game lead. 

(graphic via @Dodgers on twitter)

Photo at the very top via CSN Philly on twitter.  Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodger History:  In 1992 Dodger hurler Kevin Gross no-hits the Giants at Dodger Stadium, 2-0.  You can watch the last out of his no-hitter here.

Blog Kiosk: 8/10/2016 - Dodgers Links - Kershaw's Gift to Rams and First Place!

On his bobblehead night left fielder Howie Kendrick helped propel the Dodgers over the Phillies, 9-3, and pushed the team into a first place tie with the Giants.  He recorded two hits; including a two-run homer in the second inning and a run scoring double in the fifth inning.  This victory marked the third game in a row in which they have scored eight runs or more.  Per Doug Padilla at ESPN:

"I think it's just coincidence," Kendrick said about the group hot streak. "A lot of guys have been putting in the same work all year and you are starting to see some of the fruits of the labor. Hopefully we can continue to do the same thing and keep the ball rolling. Our pitching has been giving us the opportunity to win. Even when we have gotten down early, guys have battled back and we've put runs on the board and been able to do it that way."

In the meantime, there's no need for celebration yet.  The Dodgers have a long way to go.

"The job's not done yet, so you keep going," said rookie Corey Seager, who had two more hits. "You can celebrate it at the end."

Photo above via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2016.  Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History:  In 1979 Hall of Famer Don Sutton set a Dodgers franchise record with his 50th shutout.  He surpassed Don Drysdale on the Dodgers' all-time list.  In 1995 fans at Dodger Stadium force the Dodgers to forfeit that evenings game against the Cardinals when for a third time they throw promotional giveaway baseballs onto the field during play.  The game was forfeited in the ninth inning after the ejections of Tommy Lasorda and Pedro Guerrero with the Dodgers trailing, 2-1.  Here is the boxscore, via Baseball Reference.

Blog Kiosk: 10/22/2015 - Dodger Links - Some Odds and Ends

Is it wrong for me to yearn for Spring?  The 2015 Baseball isn't even done yet.  Still, I can't wait for those gates at Camelback Ranch to open up again.  2016 figures on being something entirely new, and potentially exciting.  The Dodgers will be ushering in a new era - complete with a new manager - to go along with its new front office.  I'll have more on Mattingly's departure later on.

In the meantime, check out the above fantastic 1928 ACME press photo from an Brooklyn Dodgers/Robins Spring training camp in Clearwater, Florida.  Featured are Hall of Famers Wilbert Robinson and Dazzy Vance hashing out their plan for the upcoming season.  It is currently available for sale through RMY Auctions.  Check it out here.

Below are more links to check out:

• Via Cary Osborne at Dodger Insider, "Turner’s postseason one of the best in Dodger history."

Turner is just one of four Dodger players to OPS 1.300 or higher with a minimum of 15 plate appearances in a series.

• ICYMI:  The Dodgers pick up some scraps in hopes of finding gold.  They claimed right-handed pitcher Lisalverto Bonilla from the Texas Rangers and placed the 25-year-old on the 60-day disabled list (recovery from April Tommy John surgery).  Per a Dodger press release:
  

  Bonilla missed the entire 2015 season due to injury after making his Major League debut in 2014 and going 3-0 with a 3.05 ERA in five games (three starts) with the Rangers. In 170 minor league games (43 starts) in six minor league seasons, Bonilla has posted a 27-20 record with 15 saves and a 3.17 ERA, while limiting opponents to a .232 batting average with 489 strikeouts in 429.0 innings. Bonilla, who was honored with a 2012 selection to the Futures Game, was originally signed by the Phillies in 2008 as a free agent out of the Dominican Republic and then traded to Texas in 2012.

• Now that the minor league season is over, Baseball America takes a look at best and brightest of the 2015 Baseball draft by sharing their "Best Of" list that includes several Dodgers.  Check it out here.  38th Round pick Edwin Drexler was named the second best fastest runner, 11th round pick Imani Abdullah was named the third best late-round pick and 1st rounder Kyle Funkhauser was named the top draftee to get away.
• Could Baseball return as an Olympic sport?  Via the Australian Baseball Digest, "BASEBALL/SOFTBALL SHORTLISTED FOR TOKYO 2020 OLYMPIC GAMES."

“Reinstatement back into the Olympic Games is an extensive process for the sport, so it is encouraging this evening to receive the news that Baseball/Softball has made it to the next step, and it is credit to the sports global movement”, said Baseball Australia President, David Hynes.

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Blog Kiosk: 1/2/2014 - Dodgers Links - Vin Scully and the Rose Parade

Here's a great pic of Vin Scully at the Rose Parade, via @MLB on twitter.  Check out even more great photos of Vin's day from Dodger photographer Jon SooHoo, here.

• Check out a digital copy of the 125th Rose Parade program right here.
• Watch a Vin Scully pre-parade interview from KTLA.
• Via Ben Platt at MLB.com, "Scully has exhilarating time at Rose Parade".

"I think to sum it up, you'd use the word exhilarating," said Scully, describing what it was like to lead the parade of floats down Pasadena's Colorado Avenue. "From the moment we reached the Tournament House, all the pre-parade excitement. The little chill in the air, that really got your attention, all the pageantry and, above all, all the good spirits of all of the volunteers, along with the policemen and motorcycle officers. It is just an incredible experience from the time we arrived this morning until now."

• Mark Aubrey at Mark's Ephemera made an awesome Vin Scully Rose Parade fantasy Baseball card.  Check it out here. 
• Via Bill Hanstock at SB Nation, "Vin Scully is the Rose Parade Grand Marshal, deal with it".  He shares a great .gif of Vin and his sunglasses.
• Here's a great .gif of Vin waving to the crowd, via the Dodgers tumblr.

• Stay tuned for January 6th.  The Dodgers are restarting their own team blog and Jon Weisman will be spearheading the effort.  WooHoo!  I can't think of anybody else who could do the job.  Via Ken Gurnick at MLB.com, "Weisman's dream becomes reality with new position".

"I'll have the benefit of insider access I've never had. It's just my second week, but I feel like I did 10 years ago. There's an untapped area. There are tons of coverage we can do, and I want to break new ground. I want to do more with the magazine online and just promote a more dynamic content experience. Dodgers.com remains the home page. The blog will be distributed through the home page. There will be multiple posts a day. It will be a constant source of material. ... It's all pretty amazing -- and it's pretty daunting. I feel a great deal of responsibility."

• Kings forward Dustin Brown and goalie Jonathan Quick have been selected to the 2014 US Olympic hockey team, via Jon Rosen at Kings Insider.  BTW, I want this Olympic jersey, so bad!

• Too funny.  Via Greg Wyshynski at Puck Daddy, "USA Hockey mistakenly tells 67-year-old Canadian he made Olympic roster".

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Blog Kiosk: 9/9/2013 - Dodgers Links - Ryu to Start Wednesday, Kemp is Coming Back and Kings Bobbleheads

The 12th edition of Dodgers Playbill, featuring Dodger closer Kenley Jansen on the cover, makes its debut this week. A story on Jansen’s dominance, short features on Zack Greinke winning NL Pitcher of the Month for August and Dodger Hall of Fame broadcaster Vin Scully being named the Grand Marshal of the 2014 Rose Parade is also included.

• Via Tony Jackson at Dodger Scribe, Hyun-Jin Ryu should be ready for his next start this coming Wednesday.
• Matt Kemp could be ready in 10 days?  Via a tweet from Bill Plunkett of the OC Register:

Mattingly said told by med director Stan Conte that it would likely be 10 days before Kemp was ready for games. Mgr assumed that meant MLB
— Bill Plunkett (@billplunkettocr) September 8, 2013

• The Dodgers have now lost 4-in-a-row for the first time in ages.  Bill Plunkett on sulia.com shares a quote from Clayton Kershaw about it

"Overall, it's a good time for us to lose some games -- if we're going to lose -- so we can remember what that feeling is like and bounce back and hopefully gain some momentum and carry it through to the playoffs."

• Highly touted Cuban infielder Alexander Guerrero has been cleared to sign with a MLB team.  The Dodgers were last reported to have agreed to a contract before things went haywire.  Via a tweet from @dSoldevila.
• "Where’s Yasiel Puig’s discipline? It’s been coming for a while now," via Chad Moriyama.
• "When Yasiel Puig Crushed a Pitcher’s Pitch," via Jeff Sullivan at FanGraphs.
• "Zack Greinke does it all," via Neil Weinberg at Beyond the Boxscore.
• Kings Bobbleheads!  Via a tweet from Jon Rosen of LA Kings Insider.  BTW, Rosen has pics and videos from this past weekends LA Kings FanFest.

Kings will wear vintage jerseys & give away bobbleheads (bobble-fist for Wells) on those dates.
— Jon Rosen (@lakingsinsider) September 8, 2013

• As you may already know, the 2020 Olympic Games will be held in Tokyo, Japan.  Well, Baseball/Softball made a bid to return as a medal sport, but lost out to wrestling that was fighting to stay.  Via AP on ESPN, "Wrestling reinstated for 2020 Games".

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Dodgers Blog Kiosk: 9/7/2012

Check out the pic above from New Balance Baseball on twitter featuring Hanley Ramirez's new shoes.

• Via Bill Shaikin at the LA Times we find out that the Dodgers are looking to sign Ned Colletti to a long term contract.
• Here comes the blame game.  Roberto Baly at Vin Scully is My Homeboy notes some ridiculous twitter comments from Dodgers fans that were sent to Matt Kemp. Calm down, folks!  
• Via Nomo at the Sons of Steve Garvey, we find out that the Dodgers have put up a high-res photo of the fans at the Vin Scully bobblehead game.  Go here to check it out.  I've already found myself up in the reserve section, and I look uncomfortable in my seat.
• Ben Reiter at SI writes about the Dodgers recent trade activity and he makes some sense.

The staggering sums involved only serve to distract from what Colletti has accomplished. He turned three major leaguers who have never played in an All-Star game -- first baseman James Loney, starting pitcher Nathan Eovaldi and reliever Josh Lindblom -- and seven prospects, none of whom has ever been ranked higher than 90th on Baseball America's annual Top 100 prospects list, into a cache of proven stars, all 32 or younger. "It's not like we went and out and loaded up with players who have the sun starting to set on their careers," says Colletti. "They're in the midst of their primes."

• Josh Tinley at Midwest Sports Fan shares "8 Incredible Moments from the 2012 Paralympics".  After reading and watching some of the videos, I have to know one thing.  How exactly does someone play soccer blind?  I'm beyond speechless.
• Another stain on the card hobby.  Sports Collectors Daily notes that a fifth dealer has plead guilty to selling fake game-used jerseys; including jerseys sold to card manufacturers.

Some of the jerseys were sold to trading card manufacturers although it hasn’t been revealed whether any of the swatches cut from those jerseys were ever used on cards.

• Summer Anne Burton at BuzzFeed shares 20 vintage photos from the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League.  (Hat Tip: Eephus League)
• Today is the 1-year anniversary of the Lokomotiv Yaroslavl plane crash that killed the entire team.  Puck Daddy commemorates this by sharing a video featuring a Pavol Demitra tribute.  Demitra was one of the players killed in that plane crash, and he was one of my favorite Kings players during those lean King years.  Puck Daddy starts the video in the middle when stories are shared between Luc Robitaille, Jeremy Roenick and Demitra, but I suggest starting from the beginning.  It includes a bunch of behind the scenes footage.
• Still looking for a chance to hang out with the Stanley Cup?  Well, Luc Robitaille is throwing a charity fundraiser for Echoes of Hope this coming Saturday evening at the South Bar by Vizio in Santa Monica (3001 Wilshire Blvd.).  See the below flyer for details. (Hat Tip: LA Kings Insider)

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Dodgers Blog Kiosk: 9/5/2012

Fernando loves Hello Kitty, pic via Dodgers on facebook.

• 'Topes Tatler speaks with Dodgers prospect Brian Cavazos-Galvez.

“I can do a little bit of everything and I think that’s the biggest thing I can give to the organization,” Cavazos-Galvez said. “I feel that I’m doing a bunch of little things that can be put together and allow me to showcase myself.”

• Injured pitchers continues to be a problem for the Dodgers.  Via Eric Stephen at True Blue LA we hear that Billingsley may not be coming back this season, Javy Guerra was placed on the DL,  Josh Wall recalled from AAA, and Terd Lilly may still be able to contribute this season.
• 3 Olympic gymnast were at the Dodger Stadium (McKayla Maroney, Gabby Douglas and Kyla Ross) and there are pics to prove it.  Check out Just Jared Jr.  The below pic is from twitter @Dodgers. BTW, McKayla Maroney doesn't seemed impressed with the Dodgers- see what I mean here at NorthSideWire.

(twitter @Dodgers)

• For posterity, I will put up this link (through a google cache) of an article written by a Marko Realmonte on Bleacher Report calling for the Dodgers to get rid of Vin Scully.  The article has since been taken down.  Thanks to the Dodgerbros on reddit for keeping it alive and for noting that this Marko guy is a Giants fan... really, he photographs the Giants- see his twitter, here.  He wrote:

If the product on the field is new, fresh and exciting, then why is grandpa still at the mic?

Yeah, it's that bad.

• Greg Zakwin of Plaschke, Thy Sweater is Argyle meets his nemesis.  Hilarity ensues.
• Mississippi Matt Smith notes on Fangraphs that statistical analysis cannot explain the Orioles.  It only goes to show that advanced metrics isn't everything. 
• Matt at Heartbreaking Cards of Staggering Genius visits the Field of Dreams and has pics to prove it.  I'm gonna make it there one of these days.
• A 1976 Olympic Gold Medal from the USA Basketball team is on auction through Grey Flannel Auctions.

• Vance Garnett at the Washington Times recalls the phenomenal pitching performance of a 20 year old hurler named Walter Johnson as he blanked the Yankees in 3 consecutive games over 4 days during a Labor Day weekend in 1908.
• Washington's racing Presidents do it Gangnam Style.

Video Link:

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Dodgers Blog Kiosk: 8/16/2012

Check out Yasiel Puig signing autographs for the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes, pic via twitter @Grandmasboy31.

• How does 1st place look to you?

• Per Mark Emory at MLB.com, Mattingly "bummed" about Melky.

Upon hearing of Cabrera's suspension, the Dodgers manager admitted he was "a little bummed out."

"I know Melky's a good kid," Mattingly said. "Honestly, I like him a lot."

The skipper expands further on what this means to the Dodgers.

"We can't look at anybody to help us, we can't look at the schedule, anything like that. I mean, yeah, it's just silly stuff."

• Listen to Ned Colletti speak about the recent rebuild of the Dodgers on Sportsradio 93-7 The Fan radio in Pittsburgh, via CBS Pittsburgh.
• The "Player to be Named Later" part of the Joe Blanton trade has been consummated, via Bill Shaikin on twitter.

• Night Owl Cards sounds off on the whole Melky Cabrera mess and the cynicism that spawns from it.  It's a great read and well worth your time.
• Following up on King Felix Hernandez's perfect game yesterday, Beyond the Boxscore charts out the best and worst lineups to ever have a perfect game thrown against them.
• BTW, Olympic hero Hope Solo is having a book signing at Barnes & Noble, the Grove at Farmers Market this coming Monday, August 20th at 7:00 PM.  Go here for details.
• Via Athlon Sports, The 50 Best Baseball Nicknames of All-Time.

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Dodgers Blog Kiosk: 8/13/2012

The Dodgers stand in front of their team plane in Oct. 1957 as they make the official move from Brooklyn to LA, pic via twitter @si_vault.

• Per Manny Navarro at The Miami Herald, "Ex-Marlin Hanley Ramirez Returns, Say's There's No Pressure in LA."

“I’m not trying to do too many things,” he said. “If I do something wrong, I’m not going to disappoint the fans or the team. I have people here that tell me all the time, ‘Don’t try to be the hero; take it easy. Everybody here has your back.’ ”

• Misty May-Treanor surprised husband, Matt in Miami, via Tom Green at MLB.com.

"Everybody was asking me if I was going to stay for closing [ceremonies], but I wanted to go back and see my husband," May-Treanor said. "I wanted to get here because he's a big support system and he's one of my biggest fans. He really helped push me to be able to do this again, so I wanted to come see him right away."

• Steven at Zim's Autographs was at Drew League semi-pro basketball league game and snagged a bunch of autos.  He has plenty of photographs; including a huge score.  His nephews got Metta World Peace's shoes signed by him.
• Brandon Lennox at True Blue LA speculates that Dodgers prospect Yasiel Puig may be headed to Rancho Cucamonga.  The Cuban appears to be rising up the ladder rather fast, but don't expect him in LA this season.  That would be unreasonable.
• For the codebreaker in you, check out how the 2012 Topps Allen & Ginter code was broken, via First Point of Aries. 
• Here's another edition of how sports can take down barriers.  Pic via Arman2a on reddit.

• Vintage Sportscards brings up a scarce San Diego Padres collectible given out to fans by McDonalds in 1974.
• Shark Week!  Brought to you by Chipper Jones via twitter.

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Dodgers Blog Kiosk: 8/9/2012

Apparently, Sandy Koufax was at yesterdays game.  Pic via Jon SooHoo/ Dodgers 2012.  Jon writes,

Thank you Sandy for allowing me to take you from the clubhouse up to the press box for this photo. Thank you Vin for allowing me to interrupt your pre-game ritual to take this photo. All of your fans in blue truly appreciate it. Now I really feel like Barney Stein.

• Left Field Pavilion wonders where is the Think Blue sign.
• Al Yellon at SB Nation speculates that a Dodgers' TV rights deal could be worth as much as $8Billion.  $8 Billion!!!
• I'm not sure if this is a good thing.  Per Gaslamp Ball, Tiger Woods is a Dodgers fan.

"Absolutely," Tiger Woods said when asked if he’d be interested in owning one of his favorite teams. "I just need a lot more money. My teams are the Lakers, Dodgers, and the Raiders, so I’ve got to play really well."

• Alex Angert of MLB.com writes about Matt Treanor's joy at seeing his wife win her third gold medal.

"I'm not afraid to cry," said Treanor. "I'm not afraid to snap a bat over my neck or whatever it is. That's the way I am. That is the way I'm built. Being Irish-Italian doesn't always help, either."

• Jon Weisman of Dodger Thoughts writes for CityThink at LA Magazine, "When Mike Trout Surpasses Matt Kemp."

At the start of the season, there's no one in baseball I would have traded Matt Kemp for. But now, I would exchange him straight up for Mike Trout, the superb fielder, baserunner and hitter who just turned 21. Not that the Angels are offering.

• Former Dodger Rick Auerbach is True Blue.  As seen on Reddit via StickyStanceMikey we find out what he thought it was like playing with Johnny Bench when he was on the Reds.  

• The Baseball Continuum takes a look at the other sports that Baseball has spawned.
• Have you ever wondered what a formal warning from MLB looks like for taking too long on the mound?  Baseball Prospectus has a copy of a letter sent by Joe Garagiola Jr. (a Senior VP) to Rockies Pitcher Mike Eckstrom.
• If Charlie Parker Was a Gunslinger... puts up a great photo of a 1955 women's Japanese softball team.
• Best cake ever!  Via Puck Daddy.  It was made for Kings goalie Jonathan Quick to help him celebrate his day with the Cup.

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Gold! Misty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh do it for a Third Time

There is now a gold medalist in the Dodger family.  I would like to extend a great big Dodgers Blue Heaven congratulations to the beach volleyball team of Misty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh on their gold medal winning performance this afternoon. 

Since I didn't have a chance to watch the game live, I thought I would troll "the twitter" to see what updates I could get. Below are some pics I gathered up.

As you can imagine, Matt Treanor, the proud husband of this blogs favorite Olympian was on pins and needles today.  He came into the park early to catch the game, and while in the clubhouse, as the photo below suggest he hid himself in the privacy of Don Mattingly's office.

(twitter pic @Dodgers Jon SooHoo)

He would soon, though be surrounded by a teammate and his skipper.  Both Don Mattingly and Clayton Kershaw watch the match in support.

(twitter pic @Dodgers Jon SooHoo)

And to the joy of all, Misty and Kerri win their third straight gold medal.  Below, Al Roker (yes, that Al Roker) shares a pic on twitter showing them celebrating after their win.

(twitter pic @alroker)

Here is another Al Roker pic of them celebrating.

(twitter pic @alroker)

Several other fans share more pics.

(twitter pic @Carlos_DKight)

Here is the best one of the day.  Misty gives a big thumbs up to the cheering crowd while Kerri gets ready with the flag.

(twitter pic @MeganPura)

While here at home, Matt Treanor sports the Olympic rings in what must have been an emotional moment.  No doubt, he is proud as heck.  Pic below via twitter @Dodgers Jon SooHoo/Dodgers 2012.

(twitter pic @Dodgers Jon SooHoo)

 

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Dodgers Blog Kiosk: 8/7/2012 - Links and More

As Vin Scully says, "boys will be boys."  Ted Lilly gets the old bubblegum treatment.  Pic via twitter @Dodgers.

• Dodgers announced via a press release the hiring of Janet Marie Smith to oversee the planning and development of Dodger Stadium.  Hopefully, she can balance the historical nature of the ballfield with some modern amenities to benefit the fan experience at home games.  Based on her success in Atlanta and Baltimore, I think she just might be able to do it.
• In fact, with Janet Marie Smith's hiring we learn from Dylan Hernandez of the LA Times that renovations will begin in earnest starting this winter.

"She kind of likes that retro '50s feel that this ballpark has, that really no other ballpark has. And no other ballpark has the palm trees and the San Gabriel Mountains. These are the things she would like to build on."

The Dodgers will be looking to add modern amenities.

"Kids' areas, more bars and restaurants, relaxation areas, history displays, interactive areas — the kinds of things you find in modern ballparks," Kasten said.

• Topps shows off a signed Sandy Koufax 2012 Allen & Ginter card that they just received from the left hander.  Redemption cards were put into packs, so collectors who had turned them in should be receiving them soon.  Pic at right via twitter @ToppsCards.  See the Tier 1 Koufax autographed card here.
• Via Alex Angert at MLB.com, we hear that Victorino wants to stay a Dodger.

"I don't want to just be a two-month or three-month rental," Victorino said in the report. "I want to be here." 

• BTW, the 2012 Topps finest set officially goes live this coming Wednesday.  Check out the base card design on the left of Matt Kemp.  Pic via twitter @ToppsCards.  I'll be sure to share the Dodgers cards in the set soon.
• During "The National" the Net54 Vintage Baseball Forum dinner was the event to be at for vintage Baseball collectors.  Many of the more prominent collectors and dealers use that forum, so if you want to pick anyone's brain about the hobby that is the best place to go.  Sports Collectors Daily was there and writes a report on a guest speaker's comments about the recent indictments of hobby heavyweights Bill Mastro, Doug Allen and Mark Theotikos.

"The government has investigated fraud in the hobby before but those defendants in those cases tended to be bottom feeders, guys who operated in the shadows and out of the public light (but) these are the big boys of your industry and now they've been indicted.  They were the kings of sports memorabilia and now the federal government is saying they're crooks.  They are, of course, innocent until proven guilty."

• The Foul Bunt Blog recently took a tour of Camden Yards and shares a bunch of photos.
• This is just plain cool.  Baseball Nuggets shares some images from a book published in 1913 about the 5th Olympiad in Sweden where they discuss Baseball being played as an exhibition sport.  There are even pictures.

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Dodgers Blog Kiosk: 8/6/2012

Don Newcombe is getting into the act.  He wants the Dodgers to know that he see's them.  (Pic via twitter @Dodgers Jon SooHoo/Dodgers 2012)

• Tommy Lasorda was in Baltimore signing at the National Sports Collectors Convention and had this to tweet.

(twitter link)

• Via David Pinto at Baseball Musings we hear of a story Bobby Valentine told about Tommy Lasorda while he was in the minors.

Bobby played outfield in rookie ball, but Lasorda stuck the 19 year old at shortstop, where he fielded poorly. He fielded so poorly that the other players got together and demanded that Valentine be demoted.

Go to the link for more of the story.

• I wish I knew about this, Matt Kemp made a special appearance at the Diamond Supply Co. Store and David's Autograph Signings was there.
• I've noticed Chad Billingsley's playoff beard, too.  Left Field Pavilion blog makes a great graphic celebrating it.
• Jerry Sands is on fire in Albuquerque.  Christopher Jackson from the Examiner.com has more.

“A couple weeks ago we had a bunch of (roving instructors) and coaches in town,” Sands said. “We kind of decided to go back to my old swing, but still use the things I’ve been working on pretty much the whole year.

• Via ESPN's Dodger Report, Dodgers' New Additions are Adding Up.

Victorino, his shirt already soaked in sweat, then looked at the imaginary watch on his right wrist and said they “better start showing up earlier around here.”

Now, Victorino said it with a smile on his face and shared a laugh with Loney and Guerra as he grabbed his glove and went back to work, but the message was clear: If the Dodgers are to get to and win a World Series as Victorino’s Philadelphia Phillies did in 2008, things are going to have to change.

I love the attitude these new guys can bring.

• Via mauceri on reddit, how sports can take down barriers.  South Korea vs. North Korea in a Olympic table tennis match.  Sometimes, all it takes is a handshake to get it started.

• Zach Schonbrun of the NY Times writes a fascinating article about a single pitch thrown by Freddy Garcia that had physics experts baffled.
• With the recent success of the Mars rover Curiosity I thought this letter from Letters of Note was timely.  It is from 1970 and is written to a nun who wonders why we spend billions when so many are suffering on earth.  Dr. Ernst Stuhlinger a NASA Associate Director for Science responds.  It is a long read, but is as pertinent today as it was then, as well as in the distant past.

The townspeople, however, became angry when they realized that the count was wasting his money, as they thought, on a stunt without purpose. "We are suffering from this plague," they said, "while he is paying that man for a useless hobby!" But the count remained firm. "I give you as much as I can afford," he said, "but I will also support this man and his work, because I know that someday something will come out of it!"

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Dodgers Blog Kiosk: 8/3/2012

What an awesome photo!  A boy sells souvenirs outside Ebbets Field, home of the Brooklyn Dodgers from 1913 to 1957. (Corbis)  Pic via Sports Illustrated.  You can clearly see many PM-10 pins; including many of the different ribbons, mini-bats and dolls attached to them.

• Roberto at Vin Scully is My Homeboy provides some helpful tips about getting autographs.
• Hey, Steve Garvey is on twitter.
• Ben at Let's Go Dodgers finds a photo of everyone's favorite neurotic father of Malcolm in the Middle, Bryan Cranston, sporting a Dodgers jersey.  You gotta love celebrities showing their Dodger pride. 
• Dodger Bobble shares some pics from the recent Kirk Gibson bobblehead game.
• "Cliff Lee Reportedly On Waivers: Your Move, Dodgers," via True Blue LA.  Dave Cameron at FanGraphs argues that the Dodgers should claim him.

Is 4/100 a gross overpay for Lee for a team with massive revenues? I don’t think so. He probably won’t be worth that money, and it could even be pretty ugly by the last year of the deal, but Lee’s still an excellent pitcher right now and projects to remain one for the next several years. Given the significant difference he could make to the Dodgers organization right now and the mediocre alternatives that they’ll have to consider overpaying this winter, claiming Lee on waivers is a risk the Dodgers should take. 

• 2012 Topps Mini boxes were officially debuted at the National and they can be only purchased directly from Topps.  With each box purchase a 5 card promo set is given out to collectors.  Matt Kemp is included in the promo set.  See it below.

• The Smithsonian National Museum of American History writes about Civil War Baseball.
• Via Metro.us, What if Every Olympics Was Photographed Like Beach Volleyball.  Fair is fair, right?
• Numerous Baseball teams had their facebook pages hacked, via Deadspin.
• Wow! So this happened.  A minor league umpire ejected the stadium music engineer for playing the song "Three Blind Mice," via SBNation. Below is a video of the ejection, via YouTube.

• I love boxing, so the blatant rigging of fights in the Olympics has me pissed off.  Check out Deadspin for their report.

It was, by any account, the biggest competitive disgrace of the Olympics so far. And there's reason to ask if this was more than the usual Olympic boxing incompetence, but rather something more sinister.

• Via Mike Scioscia's Tragic Illness, a video from Lone Star Dugout features the newest Dodgers Cuban prospect Yasiel Puig's first professional at-bat.

Yasiel Puig debut vs. AZL Giants (8/1/2012) from Jason Cole on Vimeo.

Video Link:

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From Half Way Across the World Dodgers Catcher, Matt Treanor, Cheers on his Wife, Misty May

With the 2012 Summer Olympics in London happening right now and with the Dodgers retooled to compete for a playoff spot, Matt Treanor, the Dodgers backup catcher can only watch on the television as his better-half competes for another gold.  As you know, Matt Treanor and Misty May Treanor have been happily married for almost 8 years, and unsurprisingly he has never had a chance to see her battle for Olympic glory.  Ken Gurnick at MLB has the story:

"Misty's very understanding of what I do," Treanor said. "Of course, I want to be there to support her. But she knows that I'm watching. I won't say it doesn't take a toll on the relationship. I want to be there for the end result, good or bad. It's tough, but it's the path we chose."
...
"I'm excited and nervous," he said. "Probably like her watching me play. When I watch her, I have no control. She's probably way more comfortable playing than I am watching her." 

No doubt we are all pushing for her and Kerri Walsh to take home the gold.

If you didn't have a chance to see this previously after their match against the Czech Republic, you can now watch it on youtube.  Misty May gave a shout out to her husband and the Dodgers.  Woo Hoo!  She is definitely True Blue.  It's a little hard to hear so turn up the volume.  Furthermore, I wouldn't be surprised if this gets taken down, so watch it now before the Olympic authorities or NBC have it taken down.

Video Link:


Pic Credit above via twitter @Dodgers Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers

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Dodgers Blog Kiosk: 8/1/2012

The photo above was tweeted last night by Shane Victorino.  He is on his way to Dodger Stadium.  (pic via twitter @ShaneVictorino)

• Matt Kemp now has his own website.  Check it out here. (Hat Tip: Vin Scully is My Homeboy)
• Dodgers photograph Jon SooHoo posted up a bunch of pics from a 2004 photo shoot that includes some young and green aspiring Major Leaguers; including a young Kemp, Victorino, Ellis, etc.
• Ken Rosenthal writes "Why the Dodgers Didn't Get Dempster."

They had four young pitchers whom they refused to trade for a potential free agent such as right-hander Ryan Dempster. And they ultimately lost Dempster to the Texas Rangers when none of their other offers satisfied the Chicago Cubs.

The four untouchables in the Dempster talks, according to major-league sources, were right-handers Zach Lee, Allen Webster and Rubby De La Rosa, and left-hander Chris Reed.

• Bobby Abreau has been designated for assignment to allow Shane Victorino onto the roster, via a Dodgers press release.
• In other recent Dodger signings, apparently Ned Colletti made a move to sign another former Dodger, via twitter @VladimirShpunt.

• Mr. Grumpy, Kirk Gibson, is not a fan of his bobblehead, via Andrew L. John at the LA Times.

“I think it’s totally ridiculous,” said Gibson, who is in town as the manager of the Arizona Diamondbacks. The Dodgers face the Diamondbacks Tuesday and Wednesday.

“It’s not my style, to be honest with you," Gibson said. “Yeah, I do have a history here. It was a very cool thing that happened while I was here. I got to experience a world championship with some great teammates.”

• Chad Moriyama gifcap's the heck out of Hairston's error last night, and I am thankful for it.
• The Jolly Tomato writes a review of Dodger Stadium culinary delights.  (Hat Tip: Dodger Thoughts)
• Check out this incredible Letter of Note.  The only nephew of Hitler sents a letter to President Roosevelt seeking his help in allowing him to fight under the stars and stripes.  He had previously been denied because of his last name.  

Your favorable decision on my appeal alone would ensure that continued benevolent spirit on the part of the American people, which today I feel so much a part of. I most respectfully assure you, Mr. President, that as in the past I would do my utmost in the future to be worthy of the great honour I am seeking through your kind aid, in the sure knowledge that my endeavors on behalf of the great principles of Democracy will at least bear favourable comparison to the activities of many individuals who for so long have been unworthy of the fine privilege of calling themselves Americans.

• Have you ever wondered how they make those memorabilia/relic infused cards?  Well, Panini shares a video showing the entire process.

Video Link:

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