Blog Kiosk: 10/24/2016 - Dodgers Links - It Wasn't Meant to Be

The Dodgers got beat.  There's no way around it.  They got beat by the better team.  A team that did all the little things to win; including a surprise bunt single (just like Vic Davalillo for the Dodgers in 1977) in Game 4 that ended up being a huge spark for their offense.

The Dodgers, on the other hand, were just not themselves in this series.  They committed seven errors in the six games; having only committed 80 errors all season long.  Worse yet, they recorded six of those errors in the last three games they played -- all loses.  Per a transcript of the Dave Roberts' press conference after the game:

Yeah, it's a little bit of a sour taste. Obviously, if we play a clean three games in 4, 5, 6 there could have been a different outcome. And very uncharacteristic of our guys. When you make plays and pitch counts change and the next hitter that's coming up, the outs, everything changes.

So, yeah, when you look back these last three games, to not play our best baseball, there's a little sour taste.

I am constantly reminded that Baseball is as much about losing as it is about winning.  The game is meant to break your heart, and it's ultimate enduring lesson is the value of perseverance.   You must never give up, and always try again.  So it is with a hearty and optimistic growl that I yelp, "wait 'til next year!"

Photo above of Clayton Kershaw and Joc Pederson via Jon SooHoo/Los Angeles Dodgers.  Go here to check out a few more photos from Saturday's game by Jon.  Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History:  In 1972 barrier breaker, Dodgers great and Hall of Famer Jackie Robinson died of an heart attack at the age of 53 at his home in North Stamford, CT.  In 1986 Dodgers shortstop Bill Russell announced his retirement from the game after an 18-year Major League career. 
• Happy Birthday, Rafael Furcal!

Blog Kiosk: 8/3/2015 - Dodger Links - Ethier, Kershaw and Latos

Such young minds to mold.  Orel Hershiser poses with members of the Jr. Dodgers Broadcasters in the dugout at Dodger Stadium yesterday.  I'm not all that familiar with this youth program.  From what I understand, the Dodgers take several kids under their wing to mentor them on the fine art of sports reporting and broadcasting.  They do player interviews, report the news, and do play-by-play action of every 2015 regular season Sunday home game.

Sounds like fun, eh?  Who knows?  Maybe the heir apparent to Vin Scully is being molded as we speak.  Go here for more information about this program.

Photo above via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2015.  Below are some links to check out:

• Via David Adler and Steve Bourbon at MLB.com, "Dodgers sweep Angels on Ethier's 2 homers."

"It was the right time today to put us over the top," Ethier said. "There's not too many times in baseball where you get to take the last shot, and that was one of those opportunities."

• Via Anthony Witrado at ESPN.com, "Clayton Kershaw proves he's back in gear with return to action."

"He seemed a little bit rusty, honestly, early. Just command-wise," manager Don Mattingly said, blaming Kershaw's layoff. "It had been eight days since he pitched, but he got better as the game went on. His pitch count was up early, but he got it in line."
...
"It's crazy what two or three days off will do," Kershaw said. "I don't like days off, apparently. ... If I know they're coming I can deal with it, but this was a little bit different. Overall it worked out.

• Via Eric Stephen at True Blue LA, "Mat Latos makes strong first impression with Dodgers."

"You don't see any fear in him at all," said manager Don Mattingly. "He's attacking guys, whether it's Trout or Pujols."

• Via Steve Bourbon at MLB.com, "Ellis set to be activated from DL on Tuesday."
• It's back!  Via Steve Bourbon at MLB.com, "Dodgers participate in Ice Bucket Challenge."

Friday, the Red Sox restarted the movement that went viral a year ago, and they challenged the Dodgers to follow suit. So Yasiel Puig and Enrique Hernandez stepped up Saturday and were doused in ice.

Watch it here.

• Via Ron Cervenka at Think Blue LA, "Institute for Baseball Studies receives Negro Leagues memorabilia donation."
• I'd like to extend a hearty Blue Heaven congratulations to former Dodgers Rafael Furcal.  Following on Fernando Valenzuela, Furcal became a US citizen last week, via a tweet from Yvonne Carrasco.

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Blog Kiosk: 5/20/2015 - Dodger Links - Hector Olivera, Pablo Fernandez and Rafael Furcal Retires

I so enjoyed watching Rafael Furcal play shortstop for the Dodgers.  He was a wizard on the field and a key cog during the 6 years he was in Los Angeles.  Per Ned Colletti in a story written by Tony Jackson at ESPN:

"When he was at the top of his game and healthy, that was when the offense moved."

I remember those days well.  With Furcal at the top of the order he became the main juggernaut to the teams offense.  He was a table-setter and eventually a leader for many of the young stars coming through the Dodger system. 

Unfortunately, injuries became his undoing.  He spent an awful amount of time on the DL, and I remember witnessing one of the events that lead him there.  While chatting with a former OC Register reporter at Vero Beach, Furcal and Jason Repko met in a mighty crash in the outfield.  Furcal was hurt badly and I vividly remember vocally screaming, "NO!"  I also remember how good he was, and I don't mean on the field.  He once chose to sign with the Dodgers because the team offered to give his hometown a firetruck; which is the subject of the photo I used for the fantasy Baseball card above.

As you surely know by know, it was announced last night that Rafael Fucal has announcement his retirement from the game.  Via an AP report:

''To play in the major leagues for 14 seasons was a dream come true,'' Furcal said in a statement. ''I love the game, but at this point, I don't feel like I can play up to my standards anymore and want to spend more time with my beautiful family.''

Fair thee well, Rafael!

Below are some more links to check out:

• Eric Stephen at True Blue LA has contract details for Hector Olivera, here.
• Jon Weisman at Dodger Insider shares a live-blog from the Andrew Friedman conference call from yesterday afternoon, here.  He also has a live-blog of the Hector Olivera conference call here.
• Zach Links at MLB Trade Rumors also has some nice quotes here.

“My whole career I played second base, but I don’t think I’m in the position to decide where I should play or to say what my preference is,” said the Cuban star when asked what position he is most comfortable playing. “Wherever they put me, I’m going to give my best…Wherever they put me, they’ll see results.”

• Since Jon helpfully provided a photo of Olivera in a Dodger uniform I decided to make a new fantasy card for him.  Check it out on the right.  This time, I used the 1971 Topps design.  Click on the pic to embiggen.
• Via Eric Stephen at True Blue LA, "Dodgers plan to stretch Pablo Fernandez as a starter."

"We're going to get him to Arizona as well and start the process of stretching him out," Friedman said. "The upside scenario is that he's a starter for us at some point this year."

And not a moment too soon.

• We'll find out today whether Hyun-Jin Ryu will chose surgery on his shoulder, via Ken Gurnick at MLB.com.

Friedman said surgery is an option, but insisted doctors were still in discussions and a final decision had not been made.

"It hasn't progressed as quickly as we all hoped," Friedman said. "He's worked extra hard to get back, and it isn't happening as quickly as we'd like. It's not a totally clear, a black and white issue. It's more involved than you think."

• Rich Mueller at Sports Collectors Daily shares, "10 Great Sandy Koufax Cards."

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Blog Kiosk: 10/16/2013 - Dodgers Links -

I remain a huge fan of Raffy.  The above pic is of Rafael Furcal and Andre Ethier, via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2013.  See more pics from Jon here.  BTW, the the Dodgers are on the brink of elimination today.  Game 5 is at 1:07 PM.

• ICYMI: My post yesterday on 1961 MLB letters regarding housing segregation during Spring Training; including Dodger GM Bavasi writing, "NOW GET LOST!"
• Dayn Perry at CBS shares an hilarious photoshopped photo featuring the Red Sox, Puig and rally bear.
• "Why Don't The St. Louis Cardinals Respect The Game?"  Via Tom Ley at Deadspin.  Just brilliant!
• Keith Good at Bugs & Cranks introduces us to Puiging.
• Dennis Eckersley is all class.  On the anniversary of Kirk Gibson's monumental 1988 World Series walk-off homer, Eck posted this on his twitter:

Happy Anniversary Kirk Gibson! #postseason #athletics #dodgers
— Dennis Eckersley (@Eck43) October 15, 2013

• Via Chris Olds at Beckett, they share some preview pics of the Topps Update set that's out today.  Check out the Puig and Ryu cards below.

• "Fractured rib forces early exit for Hanley," via Austin Laymance at MLB.com.

"He's feeling a little something," Mattingly said. "I think we're seeing it at the plate. It looks for me a little bit back-sided. When guys can really hit, they're going to use that front side. It looks like he's kind of favoring, going to that back side. He says he's OK. We'll keep hanging in there with him. We'll see where we're at."

But, he expects to play this afternoon, per Laymance at MLB.com.

• "One wrong pitch the difference for Nolasco," via Chris Haft at MLB.com.

"When you see an executed pitch, like Ricky threw, hit out of the ballpark, it makes you know right away it was the wrong pitch call," Ellis said.

• "Dodgers’ TV Network Will Be Approved, Baseball COO Manfred Says," via Scott Soshnick & Peter Schwartz at Bloomberg.com.
• "Revealed: The Story Behind the Dodgers’ Red Numbers," via Paul Lukas at Uni Watch.

In other words, the Dodgers had created a new set of jerseys with the red numbers in anticipation of appearing in the 1951 World Series. But as we all know, Bobby Thomson and the Giants had something to say about that, and the Dodgers never got to appear in the ’51 Fall Classic. So they decided to use the number-clad jerseys as their standard home design the following year.

• I am not the least bit surprised.  "Court Papers: Fake Jerseys Ran Rampant at Card Companies", via Rich Mueller at Sports Collectors Daily.

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Welcome Up to the Blue, Chris Withrow & Alex Castellanos - Some Fantasy Baseball Cards for Them

Don't look now, but a parade of prospects are showing up at Dodger Stadium. 

One day after Justin Seller's call up from AAA, he is being sent back down.  Furthermore, Scott Van Slyke, who is suffering from left shoulder bursitis, is being placed on the 15-day DL.  In their place is minor league outfield prospect Alex Castellanos and pitcher Chris Withrow.

Castellanos came up briefly several times last season, and eventually got into 16 games.  Overall, he batted just .174 in 23 at-bats, but did slug 1 home run.  We originally attained Castellanos via a trade with the Cardinals involving Rafael Furcal in 2011.  Chris Withrow is coming up to the Major Leagues for the second time in his career, although he has yet to actually pitch.  He was originally a 1st Round draft pick for the Dodgers in 2007 (20th overall), and was thought to be a potential middle of the order starting pitcher.  At one time he was ranked the 48th best prospect in Baseball.  Unfortunately, after several years of trying it just didn't pan out.  Soon, he was converted into a reliever and spent most of 2012 to today honing that craft.  Heck, his numbers in Albuquerque look quite good, considering that place is a pitchers nightmare.

In their honor, I decided to make a fantasy Blue Heaven Baseball card for both of them.  See them below.  I used photographs available from Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers. 

Click any pic to embiggen.

Via the Dodgers press release:

Withrow, who will wear No. 44, will be making his Major League debut and has gone 4-0 with a 1.93 ERA in 22 relief appearances with the Isotopes. The 24-year-old last pitched on Friday, striking out three of the four batters he faced, and has not allowed a run in his last seven appearances (7.2 IP). Withrow, who was selected by the Dodgers in the first round (20th overall) in the 2007 First-Year Player Draft, has only allowed earned runs in two of his 22 appearances this year.

Castellanos, 26, has a .270 batting average with eight steals, nine home runs and 28 RBI in 43 games with Albuquerque this season. Castellanos went 4-for-23 (.174) with a triple, a homer and three RBI in 16 big league games with the Dodgers last year and tied for the Dodger team lead with both four home runs and 11 RBI in 29 Cactus League games this spring.

Van Slyke is batting .221 with six home runs, five doubles and 11 RBI in 24 games with the Dodgers, while Sellers posted a .188 batting average with a home run, a double and two RBI in 27 contests for the club.

Below are their career stats:

Alex Castellanos

Chris Withrow

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2011 Topps Stickers: Dodgers

First, check out the Beatles drawing to win the CD, Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band, here. The drawing will take place on Tuesday evening, so there is plenty of time to add your name to the list.

Now on to some Dodger cards... er, Dodger stickers.

This year Topps released a stickers set available at your local store. Each team has 9 players represented. See the Dodgers below. On top of that, there are 9 MLB Legends stickers that are decorated with foil borders, and the Dodgers are well represented. Three of the 9 Legends stickers are Dodgers.

Check out the cards by clicking below.

259	Jerry Sands
260	Matt Kemp
261	Andre Ethier
262	Casey Blake
263	Rafael Furcal
264	Juan Uribe
265	James Loney
266	Dee Gordon
267	Clayton Kershaw
291	Jackie Robinson
293	Roy Campanella
294	Sandy Koufax
137/308	Reds/Dodgers

2011 Allen & Ginter Dodgers- Base Cards

The most anticipated Topps Baseball card set of the year is clearly Allen & Ginter. Collectors flock to the set because of its storied history as a knock-off of a late 19th Century tobacco set of the same name. Topps has incorporated the original design and concept with their own artistic flashes to make a annual set that everyone likes to collect to some degree. Like its vintage forbearer, it consist of stars from all walks of life, not just Baseball players. As proof of its popularity, even with the official released being today, numerous cards have already sold on eBay for huge bucks. Heck, a Manny Pacquiao autographed card just sold for $575 today, a wood "1 of 1" mini of Pacquiao sold for $400, a Josh Hamilton RIP card sold for $475, and a complete mini set sold for $379.99.

Anyway, there are 7 Dodger cards in the base set and 1 short printed high numbered card. Also, like in years past there are numerous parallel cards to chase after. All of the cards below are the normal base cards, with exception of the Furcal- which is a mini version.

#28, John Lindsey - RC
#77, Rafael Furcal

#106, Jonathan Broxton

#124, Chad Billingsley

#125, Clayton Kershaw

#127, James Loney

#226, Andre Ethier

The Matt Kemp card below is special and strange for a couple of different reasons. First, it is a short printed high number card. All cards numbered 301 to 350 are short printed. Secondly, it is a "Crack the Code" parallel card. What is that, you ask? Well, for several years, Allen & Ginter runs a "Crack the Code" contest where a special prize can be won by using certain cards in the set to decipher something. Since puzzles are not my forte (SOSG, you should be all over these), I never pay attention to this. Anyway, check out Kemp's card below. BTW, the code is the designs on the corners. What it means, I do not know.

#310, Matt Kemp, short print

Blog Kiosk: 7/7/2011

Pic from Matt Kemp on twitter. Oh... BTW, Vote for Ethier!

• Here are some photos of Gene Simmons throwing out the first pitch at Dodger Stadium from this past Tuesday, via Ultimate Classic Rock.
• A voice of reason from the Baseball nerd, Keith Olbermann.

  The Dodgers have enough to worry about, but the construction in which Rafael Furcal is healthy, Dee Gordon has the makings of a lighter-hitting Jose Reyes, and Jamey Carroll actually has trade value – and they send Gordon back to Albuquerque - is nuts…you trade Carroll before he turns back into a pumpkin, shift the willing Furcal to second and thus reduce some of the wear and tear on his body, and let Gordon run wild and free at the major league level. Anything else suggests the Dodgers are operating under a delusion bigger than any of Frank McCourt’s – that the team is competitive this year…

• NY Baseball Digest gets to know Andre Ethier.
• Ice Cube talks about the Dodgers, via Huffington Post.
  
  

  With the Dodgers I'm pretty much just a fan who's upset at the fact that this storied franchise is in so much turmoil. The fans are not coming out to the park; it's just a terrible thing. I don't have nothing against Frank McMormick [sic, McCourt] or his wife, none of that. But what I see is that as long as he has control of the team, the city may be perceived that as a team that's not going anywhere, and that's not a good thing.

• Kareem Abdul-Jabbar gives his two cents on the Dodger mess, via ESPN.

  I have been a Dodgers fan since I was a boy living in the far northern tip of Manhattan. My dad was born and raised in Brooklyn and I would listen with him to Red Barber and Vin Scully broadcast games on the radio. I went to Ebbets Field on two occasions to see my heroes in the flesh.

• Ethier's campaign commercial. (Hat Tip: Vin Scully is my Homeboy)

YouTube Link:

Dee Gordon Stays in the Show

With the anticipated return of Rafael Furcal to the Dodgers lineup many thought the only course of action was the eventual return to Albuquerque for Dee Gordon. Well, something unexpected happened instead. To make room Furcal, Casey Blake was placed on the 15 day disable list with a strained neck. So, Blake takes a rest, Furcal returns to the lineup and Dee stays in LA.

BTW, VOTE FOR ANDRE!!!!

Hat Tip: CBS Los Angeles:

(Pic Link: Los Angeles Dodgers/ Jon SooHoo)

2011 Topps Series 2 Dodgers

I recently received my winnings from the case break I participated in through the "A Cardboard Problem" case break. Check out the Dodger base cards and various short prints below.

Here are the Dodger base cards in the Series 2 set.
Of the 9 cards above I really liked the card back from the Matt Kemp card. See it below. How can you go wrong with Duke Snider calling you a potential Hall of Famer, and considering the kind of season Kemp is having so far I think he is well on his way.
Here is the coolest Dodger base card. It is the Dodger team card featuring both Kemp and Andre Ethier with their Silver Slugger Awards.
This is the reverse of the Dodger team card.
In the Series 2 set there are 25 short prints of future and current Hall of Famers. I was fortunate to get the Sandy Koufax short print in the case break, but missed out on the other two Dodgers available- Pee Wee Reese and Duke Snider. I also received the Koufax Platinum Diamond Anniversary. See them both below.
Here is the back side of the Koufax card.
Other than the Platinum Diamond Anniversary parallel there are also a bunch of other parallels available; such as black border, platinum border, printing plates, canary diamond and gold border cards. Below is the gold border Hiroki Kuroda card I received.

2011 Topps Gypsy Queen: Dodger Base

I just picked up my bounty from a recent Gypsy Queen group case break I participated in last week and I'm as happy as a clam. I'll post the big "hits" I got later on- they are pretty damn good, so stay tuned. In the meantime, here are the Dodger base cards.

I have to add that I really like the look of these cards. The drawings are great, and some of the inserts aren't too bad either. The backs are lacking in substance- I wish they added some stats (or maybe a cartoon) to fill out the reverse. As you can see there is only a short biography. As always, click on any of the pics to enlarge.

#4, Jackie Robinson

#15, Matt Kemp

#35 Pee Wee Reese

#59, Duke Snider

#66, Sandy Koufax

#87, Clayton Kershaw

#123, Ted Lilly

#183 Rafael Furcal

#237 Roy Campanella

#257 James Loney

#273, Chad Billingsley

#292, Andre Ethier

#310, Jon Garland