Blog Kiosk: 3/24/2015 - Dodger Links - Rollins and Fernandez

There is nothing like the gleeful celebration after a big win.  You want to cheer loudly, chant boldly and storm the field like a bunch of rabid kids searching for a can to kick.

Featured above is one instance where all three of the above emotions were likely carried out. The vintage International News photo shows the celebration of several local Brooklynites on the diamond after an April 30, 1945 game against the hated New York Giants.  The Dodgers had trailed 3-1 going into their portion of the 8th inning, but rallied to win.  Fans on-hand had been witness to the powerful heroics of Dixie Walker. Via the caption attached to the reverse:

Young Brooklyn Dodger fans are chasing Dixie Walker as the "Peepul's cherce" legs it for the dugout after the end of yesterday's game against the Giants.  Walker added to his popularity with the flatbushers by striking the blow that humbled the New Yorkers 4-3.  He belted out a homer that netted three runs in the 8th inning.

I wonder if that kid with the trumpet was a part of the "Sym-Phony Band."  The press photo above was found on ebay.  Check out the auction here.  Below are some more links to check out:

• Ken Rosenthal at FoxSports shares his recent interview with Jimmy Rollins.

We had that meeting, and they were talking about all those things. When I chose the Dodgers as a team to go to, I wanted a team that had history. The Phillies have been around for a long, long time (dating to 1883). They weren’t -- and I use the term lightly – a “pop-up franchise.” They were part of the original makeup of baseball.

I needed a team, I wanted a team, that had the same historic value in this game, a footprint in this game. This was a place that had it, and even moreso because of the integration factor. Then you start thinking, “OK, that’s in the past. I have to somehow tear that wall down, and start letting it come in.”

• New signee Pablo Millan Fernandez said the following about signing with the Dodgers, via Jesse Sanchez at MLB.com.

"It's a great privilege to sign with such a great team like the Dodgers," Fernandez told MLB.com in a phone interview from the Dominican Republic. "I've always liked the Dodgers, even back when I never even imagined playing at that level. I'm ready to do what they want me to do. I know there are still things to learn."

• JP Hoornstra at Inside the Dodgers shares some comments from Alex Guerrero on fellow Cuban Pablo Millan Fernandez.

“Good control, command, great kid, good attitude, that’s all I can say,” Guerrero said by way of a scouting report. “Slider, fastball — the best thing is that he locates them good.”

• Here's some Baseball business news.  Via Darren Heitner at Forbes, "Louisville Slugger To Be Acquired For $70 Million" by Wilson Sporting Goods.

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Welcome to the Blue, Pablo Millan Fernandez!

The Dodgers have once again dipped into the Cuban Baseball well.  According to Ben Badler at Baseball America, they have just inked 25-year old Cuban right-hander Pablo Millan Fernandez to a minor league contract for $8Million - pending a physical.

There had been minimal buzz on Fernandez in the international scouting community. In Cuba, the 6-foot-1, 185-pound Fernandez was known more for his touch and feel than his pure stuff, with a fastball that ranged from 86-88 mph at this time last year in Cuba. However, more recently Fernandez has increased his fastball into the low-90s, unusual for a pitcher in his mid-20s, with a curveball, slider and changeup in his arsenal as well. Like many Cuban pitchers, Fernandez intentionally threw from several different arm slots, though since arriving in the Dominican Republic to train he has worked to repeat his release point.

Fernandez is expected to begin his career in the minors as a starting pitcher, most likely with one of the Dodgers’ upper minors affiliates. He had primarily been a reliever in Cuba while pitching for Holguin in Serie Nacional. During the 2013-14 season, Fernandez posted a 2.83 ERA with 36 strikeouts and 19 walks in 57 1/3 innings, with 26 of his 27 appearances coming out of the bullpen. His best season in Cuba came in 2011-12, when he threw 95 innings of relief as Holguin’s closer, with enough innings for his 1.52 ERA to lead the league, along with a 70-23 K-BB mark.

This appears to be a good depth move by the Dodgers - and a timely one at that.  All of the sudden the Dodgers are riddled with injuries on their pitching staff, so having a guy like this adds some needed breathing room if you're worried about our arms.  Badler mentions that he'll begin his MLB career as a starter, but his background is as a reliever.  I wouldn't hold out hope that he'll magically become a back-of-the-rotation starter for us, or a potential replacement for Ryu should his woes continue for the long term. On the other hand, if the finesse he is purported to have with his pitches translates into getting Major League hitters out, then who knows?  Fernandez could be a diamond in the rough.

I wonder if he's in camp right now in Arizona.  Anyone know?

In celebration of Fernandez's arrival to the Dodgers I made the above fantasy card for him.  I combined two photos of him (from Cubahora and enCuba24h.com) and used the 1968 Topps Baseball card design.

Below is a video of Fernandez pitching, found via Roberto Baly on twitter.  BTW, Ben Badler's story linked above also includes a video of Fernandez pitching.

Video Link:

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