Blog Kiosk: 8/16/2019 - Dodgers Links - Youngest to 40

Cody Bellinger launched his 40th homer of the season last night to become the youngest Dodger in franchise history to hit as many home runs -- he is 24-yeas old. Via Christina De Nicola at MLB.com:

Per Andrew Friedman: “Obviously, incredibly talented player who’s had a lot of success, but for him to take that other big step forward has been awesome. Just the maturation that we've seen over the offseason into this year, we think it's a big contributing factor to that.”
...
“He's a special player, when you think about it,” Marlins manager Don Mattingly said. “This guy plays center. He plays first. He's a really good outfielder. He can steal a bag. He has power. The whole thing. It's a different look. He does everything. When you're talking about one of the top guys in the league, they're guys that can do that. It's not just home runs. It's not just average. It's a little bit of everything.”

Photo above via Michael Reaves/Stringer at Dodger Insider. Go here to check out more pics from yesterdays game. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1950 Giants third baseman Hank Thompson hit two inside-the-park home runs off Dodger pitchers Don Bankhead and Carl Erskine at the Polo Grounds. Brooklyn got pummeled 16-7. In 1964 Cardinals great Curt Flood recorded eight consecutive hits against the Dodgers during a doubleheader in Los Angeles; including four hits against Sandy Koufax. Unfortunately, Koufax injured his elbow while on the basepaths and would not pitch again that season. In 1988 the Dodgers traded fan favorite Pedro Guerrero to the Cardinals for starting pitcher John Tudor. This move would prove to be an impactful one. In nine starts Tudor would solidify the rotation by going 4-3 with an 2.41 ERA as the Dodgers head to the World Series.
• Happy Birthday, Hub Northen, Billy Rhiel, Roger Cedeno & Yu Darvish!

Blog Kiosk: 12/19/2018 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Ouch!

Featured above is a vintage Associated Press photo of Duke Snider grasping his right elbow after being beaned. (eBay Auction Link)

THE DUKE IS FELLED.  Duke Snider, hard-hitting centerfielder of the Brooklyn Dodgers, holds his right elbow and falls to the ground after being hit by ball being pitched by Giant relief hurler Marv Grissom in tenth inning of game at Polo Grounds, New York, night of June 29.  An examination showed no break, but Snider could hardly lift his arm later.  Giants won, 4 to 3, in 13th inning.

Snider sat out the next two games nursing that elbow, and would prove to be just fine when he came in as a pinch hitter during the third game after this incident. He walloped a triple to drive in a run in the ninth inning -- bringing the Dodgers within one run of tying a game (game link).

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 2005 the Dodgers signed free agent shortstop Rafael Furcal to a three year/$39 million contract and Nomar Garciaparra to a one year/$6 million contract. In 2014 the Dodgers received veteran shortstop Jimmy Rollins from the Phillies in exchange for minor league pitchers Tom Windle and Zach Eflin. 
• Happy Birthday, Lou Koupal, Gordie Windhorn, Tom Wilson, Welcome Gaston, Wally Gilbert, Rex Barney, Geoff Zahn & Mike Fetters!

Blog Kiosk: 11/29/2018 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Here's a brand new online exclusive card being made available through Topps. It is a holiday advent card set and up for sale is a Clayton Kershaw card (see it above on the right). It's a 20 card set with each card being made available on separate days. The Kershaw sale closes today. Go here for more information.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1966 the Dodgers trade two-time batting champ Tommy Davis and outfielder Derrell Griffith to the Mets for infielder Ron Hunt and outfielder 'Gentleman' Jim Hickman, who leaves New York as the franchise's all-time home run leader with 60. In 2010 the Dodgers signed free agent infielder Juan Uribe to a three-year $21 million contract, He would soon become a fan favorite.
• Happy Birthday, Joe Orengo, Irv Noren, Brian Holton & Vin Scully!

Blog Kiosk: 6/8/2018 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

It appears the Dodgers of old is back. No matter what game and no matter the circumstance, the Dodgers just persevere. Per Mason Wittner at MLB.com:

"It's one of those things where you've got to kind of ask guys to do more than they've been asked to do and stretch them more," Roberts said. "You try to navigate it the best you can and you understand you don't have a whole lot of margin [for error]. To the guys' credit, the bullpen did a fantastic job."

For the second game in a row the Dodgers had to use a bullpen game to get bye. On Wednesday they fell just short of victory. Yesterday, they battled and defeated the Pirates, 8-7. Best yet, Joc Pederson had a career-type of day at the top of the order. He slugged two homers and walloped a double to drive in three runs.

Photo above of Joc Pederson via Justin Berl/Getty Images at Dodger Insider. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1955 the Dodgers sent pitcher Tommy Lasorda down to the minors (Montreal Royals) in order to make room for bonus baby signee Sandy Koufax on the roster. In 1968 Don Drysdale not only set the major league record for consecutive scoreless innings, but also saw his streak end at 58 2/3 innings when the Phillies score a run in the fifth inning on a sacrifice fly by Howie Bedell. In fact, this would be Bedell's only RBI this season. BTW, the Dodgers would win the game, 5-3. In 1991 Mike Scioscia catches his 1,219th game as a Dodgers - setting a franchise mark for games caught. In 2012 the Dodgers are no-hit by six different Mariner pitchers, 1-0. Seattle began the game with Kevin Millwood, then followed Charlie Furbush, Stephen Pryor, Lucas Luetge, Brandon League, and Tom Wilhelmsen.
• Happy Birthday, Van Lingle Mungo, Mark Belanger, Kevin Gross & Dave Mlicki!

Blog Kiosk: 5/31/2018 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Ross Stripling has risen to the occasion. Via Cary Osborne at Dodger Insider:

“When a guy like Kershaw goes down, and Rich Hill, and Kenta gets hurt and Hyun- Jin (Ryu), it’s the next one up (mentality). It’s been great that they’ve trusted me to keep filling that role every five days. I just focus on what I’m doing, my scouting report, Rick Honeycutt prepares me, and just going out when they hand me the ball and get outs till they take the ball from me.”

The right-hander ended the month with a 1.20 ERA — fifth best in the Majors in May by a pitcher who tossed t least 25 innings. In 30 innings, he struck out 41 batters and walked four.

Not only has Matt Kemp surprised us all by leading the Dodger offense, but Ross Stripling has been ace-like. He went seven inning of four hit ball last night to record his third win of the season -- recording nine strike outs and allowing just one run.

Photo above via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2018 at Dodger Insider. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1937 the Brooklyn Dodgers ended Carl Hubbell's consecutive-game winning streak at 24 (over two season) at the Polo Grounds by defeating the Giants, 10-3. In 1948 Tommy Lasorda, as a member of the Schenectady Blue Jays in the Phillies system, struck out 25 batters in a 15 inning game to defeat the Amsterdam Rugmakers.  Lasorda has said that he likely threw more than 300 pitches that day. In 1965 the Dodgers, for the first time in history, field an all switch-hitting infield in the second game of a doubleheader against the Reds.  The players were Wes Parker, Jim Lefebvre, Maury Wills and Jim Gilliam.  In 1968 Don Drysdale pitched his fifth consecutive shutout -- while on his way to breaking the scoreless innings streak. This is the game where a Giants batter was called out on a bases loaded hit-by-pitch since he was ruled to have not made an attempt to get out of the way of the pitch.
• Happy Birthday, George Smith, Kenny Lofton & Dave Roberts!

Blog Kiosk: 3/23/2018 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Just another vintage spring training pic to get you excited for the upcoming season. Per the descriptor on the reverse:

Dated Mar 6, 1949 - WHITMAN FLIES OUT IN INTRA-SQUAD GAME.  Dick Whitman, Dodger outfielder, flies put in first inning of the first intra-squad game for the Brooklyn club at their Vero Beach, Fla., training camp.  Catcher Lembo and umpire Andrews watch the ball sail to the outfield." (eBay link)

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1951 the Brooklyn Dodgers sign a 21-year lease with the City of Vero Beach to build their spring training facility at an old abandoned Naval base. It would be known as Dodgertown. In 2002 the Dodgers traded Jorge Nunez and Matt Herges to the Expos for Guillermo Mota and Wilkin Ruan.
• Happy Birthday, Barney Koch, Jerry Brooks, Joel Peralta & John Link!

Welcome to the Blue, Pat Venditte!

Spring is already guaranteed to be a strange one -- not because of any expected chatter about their missed opportunities in the World Series. Rather, this upcoming Spring Training figures on being weird because we apparently just signed an ambidextrous relief pitcher named Pat Venditte.

Dodgers signed switch-pitcher Pat Venditte to a minor-league deal, source confirms.

— Chris Cotillo (@ChrisCotillo) November 28, 2017

You heard that right.

Blog Kiosk: 11/28/2017 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

The Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation has just opened up a new program called, "Dodgers Foundation Blue Circle." A donation will support their mission to create opportunities for children in need through programs that focus on engaging kids in sports, helping kids stay active, and promoting academic success. On top of that, you can get some cool giveaways depending on the level of your donation. Go here for more information.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1950 Burt Shotten is fired as manager of the Dodgers.  Chuck Dressen, who was managing the Oakland Oaks of the PCL, is named as his replacement. In 1969 second baseman Ted Sizemore is named the NL Rookie of the Year. He became the seventh Dodger to win the award. In 1970 starting pitcher Rick Sutcliffe is named the NL Rookie of the Year. He received 20 of 24 first-place votes.
• Happy Birthday, Billy Gasparino, Jose Parra, Ken Howell, Frank O'Rourke & Pedro Astacio!