Blog Kiosk: 5/8/2020 - Dodgers Links & News - Some Odds and Ends

Here's a fun Herb Scharfman International News press photo from the first day of spring training at Dodgertown in Vero Beach, 1954, and as you can see it features a rather nimble Duke Snider. Don Newcombe, who was on the mound, was aiming for Snider's rear-end, and the Duke had to do a jitterbug to get out of the way. Per the descriptor attached to reverse (eBay auction link):

Pitch went Wild
Vero Beach, Florida -- Brooklyn outfielder Duke Snider isn't going into his dance as might be supposed from his gyrations in this picture. A pitch by Don Newcombe tagged Duke on his trouser seat in Opening Day workouts at Vero Beach yesterday. A sartorial note was added to the scene by Snider who appeared in a polo shirt of violent scarlet, trousers of a golden hue, two-tone shoes and a straw hat modeled like a long-ago box baseball cap. The Dodgers spring training underway under the guidance of their new manager, Walter Alston.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1941 the Giants and Dodgers play an Army-Navy Relief exhibition game that raises over $60,000 for the Navy Relief Fund in front of 24,000 fans. Brooklyn edged out their rivals, 7-6, on a Dolph Camilli home run in the seventh inning. BTW, everyone, including the umpires, coaches and players, paid admission to enter Ebbets Field. In 1973 Willie Stargell hit an Andy Messersmith pitch out of Dodger Stadium. This was the second time he had accomplished the feat at the stadium and only the second time it had ever happened in its history. In other words, Willie Stargell owned Dodger Stadium. In 1981 Fernando Valenzuela pitched his seventh straight victory to open the season -- shutting out the Mets by a score of 1-0 at Shea Stadium.
• Happy Birthday, Dan Brouthers & Adrian Gonzalez!

Blog Kiosk: 6/6/2019 - Dodger Links - Some Odds and Ends

Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose. You just have to hope that at the end of the day you experience more celebration than disappointment. Yesterday's game was obviously disappointing, but I think there's still some things to find encouraging. Our starting pitching continues its dominance and Will Smith has been a nice surprise at the plate. Our relief, on the other hand, is still a work in progress. Per Rowan Kavner at Dodger Insider:

“Baseball’s just a game of adjustments,” Alexander said. “Last year, first month of the season for me, it was really bad. I got sent down, came back up and was pretty solid for the remainder of the year. For me, just keep working. I hate to come in and lose games, give up runs, but it’s a tough job.”

Photo above via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2019 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 1944 the Brooklyn Dodgers received infielder Eddie Stanky from the Cubs for Bob Chipman. In 1957 the first fog-out in major league history occurs during a game at Ebbets Field against the Cubs. After an 86-minute delay the game is halted during the second inning. In 1988 the Dodgers signed amateur free agent slugger Raul Mondesi out of the Dominican Republic. In 1990 the Dodgers recorded their 8,000th franchise victory as they defeat the Braves, 7-5. In 1994 Mike Piazza hit the longest home run ever recorded at Joe Robbie Stadium in Florida. It was off Mark Gardner and is estimated to have traveled 477 feet. In 2006 the number six plays a huge part in the day. The Dodgers, on the sixth day of the sixth month of the sixth year of the century score six runs in the sixth inning during the sixth game of the current homestand.
• Happy Birthday, Fresco Thompson, Jeff Williams & Mark Ellis!

Blog Kiosk: 9/21/2017 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

As we continue to be concerned about the current state of the team, I think it's important to recognize that so many of our ballplayers have close ties to the areas that are currently facing difficult times. A devastating earthquake and a series of destructive storms have pummeled Mexico City, the Southeastern United States, and the Caribbean (especially the island of Puerto Rico). We, like the Dodgers, should keep all of them in our thoughts.

Photo above of Yasiel Puig via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2017. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1934 Cardinals starter Paul "Daffy" Dean ho-hit the Brooklyn Dodgers at Ebbets Field, 3-0. In 1952 the Boston Braves play their last home game in Boston in a game against Brooklyn. Of the 8,822 fans on-hand most are rooting for the Dodgers. The Braves would move to Milwaukee the next season. In 1997 Mike Piazza becomes the first Dodger, and the first player in 25 years, to hit a home run out of Dodger Stadium. He whacked it off Rockies pitcher Frank Castillo over the Left Field Pavilion, and it is said to have traveled 478 feet. Willie Stargell was the last player to do it before Piazza. You can watch the monstrous homer here.
• Happy Birthday, Frank McManus, Max Butcher & Manuel Barrios!

Blog Kiosk: 2/21/2017 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Clayton faced batters for the first time this Spring as he got on the mound on Monday to throw live batting practice to Dodger hitters.  Per Ken Gurnick at MLB.com:

"This day is always not the most fun. It's about as low-adrenaline as you can, and you have to try to be competitive," he said. "Overall, it went OK, and I got it out of the way and can pitch in a real game now. You've got to get your work in. It's necessary. You can't go bullpens into a game, you need to face hitters before a game. It's the same progression since I've been here."

BTW, On Saturday Kershaw was named this seasons Opening Day starter for the seventh straight year.  This honor ties a Dodger franchise record held by both Don Drysdale and Don Sutton. 

Photo above via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2017.  Go here to check out more fantastic pics taken by Jon from Monday.  You can also check out pics from Sunday (here), Saturday (here), and Friday (here).  Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodger History:  In 1957 Dodgers owner Walter O'Malley trades minor league franchises with Phil Wrigley of the Cubs.  Brooklyn trades the Ft. Worth club (Texas League) in return for the Los Angeles Angels (Pacific Coast League).
• Happy Birthday, Ted Savage, Sam Fletcher & Norman Plitt!
  

Blog Kiosk: 7/19/2016 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

With the Dodgers scheduled for a day off in Washington DC yesterday several players and staff members decided to take on the town like a bunch of tourist.  For some, a stop at the FBI Training Center in Quantico, Virginia, was in order, as evidenced in the photo above provided by Dodgers photographer Jon SooHoo on twitter.  For others, a walk around our nations capital would be the highlight of the day.  Check out Kenta Maeda in the photos below, via his Instagram account.

Another player had something else on his mind for his day off, though.  Brandon McCarthy decided to head to the Smithsonian.  Go here to see what he decided to share with the world. 

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodger History: In 1977 Don Sutton is named the All-Star Game MVP at Yankee Stadium.  He pitched three scoreless innings to help the National League win, 7-5.  In 1993 Raul Mondesi made his Major League debut by singling in his first at-bat (as a pinch-hitter in the 7th inning) against Phillies pitcher David West.  
• Happy Birthday, Rachel Robinson!  She is 94 years old today.

eBay Unearths some Pics of the 1997 Dodgers

I was window shopping on eBay this afternoon when I came across a series of photographs that I thought I'd share here.  These aren't exactly vintage in nature, but they do elicit some old memories.

Featured are a bunch of scans from original 35mm color slides that were taken by a photographer named Thearon Henderson - who was on assignment for the Upper Deck Company at the time.  From what I understand, he is currently with Getty.  All of the pics where taken during the 1997 season, and it includes several players you hardly ever see.

Blog Kiosk: 10/28/2015 - Dodger Links - Bernie Sanders, Mattingly and the Dodger Hat Guy

What a fantastic Game 1 to the 2015 World Series.  There was hi-jinks (inside-the-park home run).  There was drama (death of Edinson Volquez's father before the game).  And then there was this guy sitting in the stands behind home plate. 

I see you Dodger fan.  I think all of the Baseball watching world saw you last night, and depending on your affiliation you either loved it or hated it. 

Below are more links to check out:

• I found this totally fascinating.  Via Les Carpenter at The Guardian, "How the Dodgers and baseball shaped Bernie Sanders' world view."  Apparently, Sanders was a Brooklyn Dodger fan as a youth, and the team leaving his hometown had an indelible impact on him.  

“Bernie and I were both Dodger fans and we talk about that,” Gutman says. “It was the (first indication) that those with a lot of money may have an interest that is different than the community’s interests.”

When asked what he means, Gutman replies:

“We never understood that he who pays the piper plays the tune. It was a lesson that it doesn’t matter whether people love (a team) it’s all about the money. I don’t think there had been those kinds of things. We all know now the sports world is all about making money but this was the first time we saw it. This was uprooting a club that had all these historical links to the community.”

• Yeah.  This is awesome.  Via Bill Shaikin at the LA Times, "Juan Uribe and son of Raul Mondesi make World Series rosters."
• Via Joel Sherman at the NY Post, "Chase Utley is coming back — if he can find a team."
• You can listen to Don Mattingly's interview with Dan Patrick here.  He talks a bit about the Marlin's interview what happened to cause him to leave the Dodgers.
• Via Eric Stephen at True Blue LA, "Tim Wallach reportedly interviews for Padres managerial job."
• This is fantastic.  You can now get a Hiccups The Clown bobblehead from the National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum, here.  A portion of the proceeds for each bobblehead will go to PADRES Contra El Cáncer (Parents Against Cancer).  They are individually numbered to 500 only.
  

• Panini America shares some preview pics from their upcoming 2015 National Treasures Baseball card set; including the four-player relic card with Clayton Kershaw as seen on the right.  Go here to check out more pics.  BTW, the set comes out in early January 2015.
• I didn't even realize... Via Dave Zirin at The Nation, "For the First Time in History, the World Series Is Between 2 Teams That Were Never Segregated."

But this World Series represents more than just series of tantalizing face-offs. It also has some historical bite. Baseball has long been looked at as a mirror of where we are as a country on issues of race, “a canary in the coal mine,” to quote sports sociologist Dr. Harry Edwards. This World Series offers a particularly bracing and lucid look. In the entire 112-year history of baseball’s championship round, we are presented for the first time with a Fall Classic pitting two teams that never fielded all-white, segregated rosters. 

Zirin also addressed the decreasing rate of African-American participation within the game.

• Here's a couple of stories about how good Dee Gordan really was in 2015.  Via Scott Andes at LA Dodger Talk, "The Risks of Selling High."  Also, Ryan Romano at Beyond the Boxscore, "Don't write off Dee Gordon,"

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The 1998 Dodger Fan Appreciation Baseball Card Sheet

Following up on yesterdays post featuring the 1997 card sheet, I now bring to you the Dodgers 1998 Fan Appreciation Baseball card sheet given away on Fan Appreciation Day.  The featured perforated cards are of Gary Sheffield, Raul Mondesi and Eric Karros.  Go here to check out all of my past post on this give-away.

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A Dodger Fan Appreciation Card Sheet from 1997

I recently picked up a bunch of Dodger Fan Appreciation card sheets, so I will share them one-by-one on this blog.  I will start with the very first sheet issued by the team.  It is from the last home game of the 1997 season and features perforated Baseball cards of Hideo Nomo, Mike Piazza and Chan Ho Park.  There are also photographs of Eric Karros and Raul Mondesi on the corners.

These sheets are not scarce at all.  They measure 8.5" x 11" and can be purchased for a song and a dance.  I received a group of six different sheets for about $10.00 shipped.  Click any pic to embiggen.

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Blog Kiosk: 7/25/2014 - Dodger Links - AJ's Bobblehead, Pederson and what to do with Haren

Here's a great vintage pic of former Dodger slugger Raul Mondesi with his son Raul Mondesi Jr. from 1985, pic via @Dodgers_History on twitter.

• Here is an early peek at the AJ Ellis bobblehead the Dodgers are giving away to fans on Sunday, September7th on the right.  Hat Tip: @DodgersBeat on twitter.
• Via JP Hoornstra at the LA Daily News, "Josh Beckett, Dan Haren give Dodgers some trades to ponder."

From the front office to the manager’s office, the Dodgers have faith that Beckett can make the necessary adjustments in the coming weeks and months. The organization does not perceive that his first-half success was a fluke.

Haren is a different story. His next turn in the rotation will almost certainly be skipped, since the Dodgers have off-days today and Monday.

I wouldn't be surprised to see Haren moved before the trade deadline; especially considering he is about 58 innings short (at 180 innings) of his option automatically vesting.

• Via Teddy Cahill at MLB.com, "Dodgers prospect Pederson joins 20-20 club."
• Pedro Guerrero... Again. 

I would trade Mike Marshalls past for jocs Pedersons future.  @dodgers
— PedroGuerrero (@PedroGuerreroLA) July 24, 2014

• GCRL shares his collection of oddball Steve Garvey memorabilia.  Check that post out here.
• Craig Calcaterra at Hardball Talk writes, "Expert’s Corner: How to troll fans of all 30 teams."  Just brilliant, and he's spot on when it comes to Dodger fans.  We go crazy when someone does what he says.  Check it out.

• Ken Rosenthal at Fox Sports writes, "Free Giancarlo Stanton."
• In honor of the Baseball Hall of Fame's 75th Anniversay and Inducation weekend MLB ballplayers will be wearing the patch on the left on Sunday in its honor, pic via @MLB_PR on twitter.
• This is both crazy and cool.  Via Nick Schwartz at USA Today, "A Korean baseball team is filling the stadium with robot fans."  There's a video so you can see it in action.
• Via Extra Mustard at Sports Illustrated, "We pranked a minor league baseball crowd with some free stuff that no one wanted."  There's an funny video at the link above.

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Blog Kiosk: 6/17/2014 - Dodger Links - Billingsley, Kershaw on Bills and Grant Holmes Close to Signing

What an awesome photo of the California contingent to the 1985 National League All-Star Game roster, pic via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 1995.  Can you name them all?  Answer at the very bottom of post.  Of course, in the mix is Tony Gwynn.  RIP, Tony.

• BTW, several Kings (names not confirmed yet) will be heading to tonight's game at Dodger Stadium with the Stanley Cup in tow.  There will be a special pregame ceremony honoring the team and their 2nd Stanley Cup Championship.  BTW, the Kings will have another parade through 3 South Bay cities (Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach and Redondo Beach) on Wednesday.  Go here for information.
• Jared Massey at Dodgers Nation shares his recent interview with Dodger 2014 9th Round Draft Pick Matt Campbell.

JM: If you could, give us a scouting report on yourself
MC: I love throwing my fastball. No matter what the count, situation, etc. I love going to my fastball. I have a slider and a change up and I would say my change up is my favorite off speed pitch of the two.

• Via Eric Stephen at True Blue LA, "Scott Elbert to begin rehab assignment in Ogden."

The collective bargaining agreement allows for rehab assignments to last up to 30 days, and Elbert starting all the way down in rookie ball suggests that the Dodgers will be deliberate and methodical in his rehab.

• Billingsley elects surgery, via a tweet from JP Hoornstra.

Surgery will be next week to reattach flexor tendon. 3 months until he can throw.
— J.P. Hoornstra (@jphoornstra) June 16, 2014

• Jon Weisman at Dodger Insider shares a quote from Clayton Kershaw about Billinglsey.

“Bills is a good friend of mine, so I just feel bad for him,” said Clayton Kershaw, for six years a teammate of Billingsley. “I know how much he loves to complete and how much he wanted to pitch, and I can’t imagine going through that whole rehab process and finding out that news. You just try to put yourself in his shoes and be there for him the best you can, and realize it’s a pretty terrible situation.”

• Via Mark Saxon at ESPNLosAngeles.com, "Dodgers nearing deal with first-round pick."

The player, pitcher Grant Holmes, said he has an agreement in place pending a physical. The allotted slot amount for the No. 22 pick is $1.98 million. 

• In the photo at the very top of this post (from left to right) are: Mike Piazza, Tony Gwynn, Todd Worrell, Jose Offerman, Raul Mondesi, Barry Bonds and Hideo Nomo.

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Blog Kiosk: 4/9/2014 - Dodgers Links - AJ Doin' Fine, A Dodger Mascot from your Nightmares and Kershaw Threw Pain Free

Former Dodger Brad Ausmus came into town as the Detroit Tigers rookie manager.  He stands with Don Mattingly, no doubt an inspiration, in the photo baove.  PIc via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2014.

• Mike Petriello at Dodgers Digest writes, "Here’s How A.J. Ellis Got Injured."
• Via Timothy Burke at Deadspin, "Vin Scully Even Makes Stories About Crack Pipes Endearing."  Video is included.

So here is your opportunity to hear Vin Scully say, "What do you call it.. a crack pipe? I guess that's what you call it."

• Listen to Steve Garvey on the Petros and Money Show talk about his Dodger bat boy days, here. 
• Via JP Hoornstra at Inside the Dodgers, "Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw throws pain-free from 75 feet."
• Steve Dilbeck at the LA Times writes, "Oh, the pain: Dodgers unveil their non-mascot mascot."  I agree.  That thing is not only horrendous, it's what my nightmares are all about.  The photo below is via Scott Killeen on twitter.

“It’s not a mascot,” said Dodgers executive vice president of marketing Lon Rosen. “It’s a unique performance character.”

See, that’s what’s great about being a marketing wiz, you can just make stuff up. Rosen also called it a “bobblehead character,” so you can see he’s really trying hard.

New Dodger mascot? pic.twitter.com/Z2oxi2mBfe
— Scott Killeen  (@scottkilleen) April 5, 2014

• AJ Ellis is sittin' pretty at home after his surgery yesterday; as evidenced by the below photo tweeted by his wife.  By all accounts it was a successful surgery.  It'll be 4 to 6 weeks before he is back.

Surgery went great and this little nurse is helping @AJEllis17 eat his crackers;) pic.twitter.com/YsCzUwj45b
— Cindy Ellis (@Cindyluellis) April 8, 2014

• Via Tim Marchman at Deadspin, "Yasiel Puig Isn't Perfect, But He's Everything Great About Baseball."

These are baseball problems, though. They aren't the makings of a morality play. Puig's flaws, insofar as they're wired in, are basically like an inability to hit backdoor sliders or field hard grounders to the right, and much less serious because they just don't count for all that much. It takes a particular kind of joylessness to fixate on them above everything else about him, because whatever the abstract idea of Puig is, the actual player is special.

• David's Autograph Signing writes about getting Raul Mondesi's autograph at Viva Los Dodgers on Sunday.
• Via Earl Bloom at MLB.com, "Billingsley OK; scary pop was only scar tissue."

"It was just scar tissue breaking, like cracking your neck," he said. "It didn't hurt when it happened, it didn't hurt after it. It didn't feel like pain I had in previous injuries."

• Bob Lemke makes a phenomenal 1953 Bowman card of Jackie Robinson.  Check it out here.

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Blog Kiosk: 4/8/2014 - Dodgers Links - Dr. Jobe's Memorial at Dodger Stadium, AJ to have Surgery and Kenley Jansen's Fastball

Dr. Frank Jobe's Memorial Service was held at Dodger Stadium yesterday.  Featured above is Vin Scully opening up the ceremony.  Pic via @Dodgers on twitter.  An AP report of the event at the LA Times is here.  Jon Weisman at Dodger Insider shares his report here; including video.  You can check out a bunch of photos from Jon SooHoo here.

• Dave Cameron at FanGraphs writes, "A Thing Maybe Worth Noting: Kenley Jansen’s Velocity."

Yes, that top line is correct: PITCHF/x has already classified more 97+ mph pitches from Kenley Jansen this year than it did all of last year. Maybe more staggering is the cumulative percentage of the top three lines; of his pitches greater than 90 mph this year, 51% of them have been recorded at 95.0 mph or faster, compared to just 7.2% last year. 

• Mark Langill at Dodger Insider writes about, "Mickey Rooney’s Dodger Stadium show."  As you may know, Mickey Rooney passed away this weekend.  RIP, Mickey Rooney.
• Are you kidding me?  AJ Ellis to have surgery today, via a @Dodgers tweet last night.  I suspect Tim Federowicz will be back.  Jon Weisman at Dodger Insider has mroe information here.

 

#Dodgers catcher AJ Ellis is scheduled to undergo arthroscopic surgery on his left knee for a meniscus tear tomorrow morning in Los Angeles.
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) April 8, 2014

AJ responded thusly:

Blown away yet unsurprised by support of @Dodgers fans. Have total confidence in Dr.ElAttrache and Med Dept to have me back on field ASAP
— AJ Ellis (@AJEllis17) April 8, 2014

• Via Mark Saxon at ESPNLosAngeles.com, "Like Ausmus, Ellis seems like future manager."

“I love the mental side of the game, the strategic part of the game,” Ellis said. “I love having conversations after the game, just learning from Don Mattingly and Tim Wallach and Rick Honeycutt and just trying to devour as much about this great game of baseball as I can.” 

• I don't want to get too excited here, but I think Matt Kemp is back.  Via Eric Stephen at True Blue LA, "Matt Kemp: 'That's my swing right there'."

"My second home run, that's when I know I'm hitting the ball good, when I'm going to right field," Kemp said. "That's my swing right there."

• Via Dylan Hernandez of the LA Times, "Former Dodger Raul Mondesi says Yasiel Puig reminds him of himself."

“He’s still young,” Mondesi said. “People make mistakes when they start playing that young.

“They have to let him develop without putting too much pressure on him. Little by little, he’ll get to where he has to get and he’ll help the team win a lot of games.”

• Topps 2014 Gypsy Queen official goes live on Wednesday.  Check out a bunch of preview pics from Topps facebook page, here.  Check out a couple of Dodger cards below.

• Matthew Glidden at Number 5 Type Collection shares a card of Brooklyn Dodger Larry French from a 1975 TCMA set.

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Blog Kiosk: 4/7/2014 - Dodgers Links - Mondesi Back in LA, Puig's Thumb and a Minor Trade

Raul Mondesi was at Dodger Stadium on Sunday as a part of Viva Los Dodgers.  He was there for a clothes drive and signed autographs for fans.  Pic above via the Dodgers on tumblr.  Check out a bunch of photos from Sunday featuring Mondesi via Jon SooHoo here.

• Dan Le Batard at ESPN The Magazine reminds us why we should continue to be patient with Puig with a piece titled: "Let's cut Yasiel Puig some slack."  He provides some funny examples of 'culture shock' stories from other foreign born players.
• Via Ken Gurnick at MLB.com, "Dodgers still hope Beckett can make start."

With regards to his ankle: "It's a little sore this morning," Mattingly said. "I think he's frustrated, honestly. He felt his stuff was good, his arm felt good. Right now, nothing's changed [about his chances to start]. The next couple of days will tell us."

• Via Eric Stephen at True Blue LA, "Dodgers lose first instant replay challenge of season."

The Dodgers issued their first challenge of the year under MLB's new instant replay system, but manager Don Mattingly's challenge was denied in the seventh inning. A.J. Ellis was thrown out at home plate by Hunter Pence for the third out of the inning, a call that was upheld after review.

• Via Ron Cervenka at Think Blue LA, "Lost in Quakes hype and hoopla, Lindsey Caughel continues to impress."

“I definitely think that Caughel would be the front-runner [to be the first promoted to Double-A Chattanooga] just because of what he did last year and how he pitched in this league last year,” said Quakes pitching coach and former Dodger pitcher Matt Herges. “I expect him to pitch even better this year. He was a late send-down (to the Advanced Single-A level) in spring training, so I’ve got to believe that he’d probably be the first guy [to be promoted].”

• BTW, per a Dodgers press release, they made a minor trade with the Indians over the weekend.  They acquired left-handed pitcher Colt Hynes from Cleveland in exchange for minor league right-handed pitcher Duke von Schamann.  Hynes was added to the 40-man roster and optioned to Triple-A Albuquerque. To create room on the 40-man roster, the Dodgers designated outfielder Mike Baxter for assignment.  This appears to be a depth trade.  The Dodgers wanted another left-hander in AAA as a backup plan.
• Via Ken Gurnick and Earl Bloom at MLB.com, "Puig out of lineup following X-ray, MRI."

"It was pretty swollen this morning when he came in," manager Don Mattingly said. "We'll see. I don't think we expect it to be anything major."

• Steve Dilbeck at the LA Times tells us that Puig just has a thumb ligament strain.
• RJ at RBI Collecting shares some of his autograph "gets" at Rancho Cucamonga; including Beckett, Pederson and Urias.

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This Sunday's Viva Los Dodgers Features Raul Mondesi and Manny Mota Signing Autographs!

This coming Sunday will the seasons first Viva Los Dodger celebration during Opening Weekend, and it includes something very special.  

From a Dodgers press release:

The Dodgers will welcome back former Dodger outfielder Raul Mondesi as part of Dominican Heritage at Viva Los Dodgers this Sunday. Mondesi, current mayor of San Cristobal, Dominican Republic, will be holding a clothing drive to benefit his hometown of San Cristobal. He will accept donations of gently-worn clothing and will sign autographs for fans. Fans that bring a donation will be placed in a priority line for autographs. Viva Los Dodgers autograph sessions are open to all fans with the day's game ticket... Mondesi will also throw the ceremonial first pitch prior to Sunday's game.

HOLY MOLY!  Raul Mondesi will be in town!  And, he'll be singing some autographs for fans.  WooHoo!

UPDATE:  I'm Sorry!  I forgot to mention the time for this event.  Viva Los Dodgers begins at 3:00 PM; about 2 hours before the start of the game.

Additionally,

Dodger coach and SportsNet LA Spanish-language broadcaster Manny Mota will make an appearance and sign autographs for fans as part of Dominican Heritage Day.

As for musical entertainment,

Sunday's family-friendly festival will also feature musical entertainment by La Santa Cecilia, a local Latino alternative rock group and 2014 GRAMMY® award winners for Best Latin Rock, Urban or Alternative Album. LA native, multi-platinum selling music producer, artist and 2014 GRAMMY® award nominee Scoop DeVille will DJ. Raul Campos of KCRW and NUVOtv's "The Collective" will serve as emcee.

Below is promotional schedulefor for future Viva Los Dodgers events:

Date/Game Time	Opponent	Talent
April 6, 5:00 p.m.	Giants	Dominican Heritage Day: La Santa Cecilia, DJ Scoop DeVille,  Raul Mondesi, Manny Mota and special guests
April 20, 1:10 p.m.	Dbacks	Renzo, Mar de Ashe
April 27, 1:10 p.m.	Rockies	Cumbia Machin
May 11, 1:10 p.m.	Giants	Mother's Day: Palenke Soultribe, El Conjunto Nueva Ola
June 1, TBD	Pirates	Las Cafeteras
June 15, 1:10 p.m.	Dbacks	Father's Day: Frankie J, Jungle Fire
June 29, TBD	Cardinals	Mexican Heritage Day: Metalachi, Trio Ellas
July 13, 1:10 p.m.	Padres	La Misa Negra, Diana Fuentes
Aug. 3, TBD	Cubs	TBD
Aug. 17, 1:10 p.m.	Brewers	Cuban Heritage Day: Johnny Polanco y su Conjunto Amistad, Alfred Rodriguez
Aug. 24, 1:10 p.m.	Mets	TBD
Sept. 7, TBD	Dbacks	TBD

Sept. 27, 6:10 p.m.      Rockies             La Gran Fiesta: El Conjunto Nueva Ola

*Additions to talent, autograph sessions and special appearances will be made throughout the season and announced prior to each event.

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Adding to the Oddball Collection: A Mondesi Figurine

I've just added more goofiness to my Dodger oddball collection.  In fact, I'm fairly certain this item provides proof that I am a geek, through and through.

I recently received the above 1997 Headliners figurine of Raul Mondesi.  This was a part of a lot I purchased on eBay recently that also included a Don Drysdale Club 53 ceramic cup and a Jackie Robinson comic book.

I hadn't intended on having these little statues in my collection, but sometimes you just can't help it.  I had previously received the Hideo Nomo and Mike Piazza figurines from an old lot I purchased many moons ago.  So, now I have 3 Dodger figurines from the set.  All I need now is the Eric Karros to complete the Dodger team set.

BTW, these figurine are very inexpensive.  Even in unopened condition it shouldn't cost more than a few bucks to buy one.  In fact, shipping is likely to cost more the the toy.

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Collection: 1996 Donruss Signature of Raul Mondesi

Raul Mondesi was an absolute stud for the Dodgers.  He could do everything.  He could hit for power, run like the wind, and play the field like a modern day Roberto Clemente.  That might be a bit of an overstatement... anyway, I loved the guy in Dodger Blue.  Heck, I loved hearing the screams from fans whenever he came up to the plate... "Raaauuuuuuuullll!" 

As a side note, since leaving the Major Leagues Raul has built a career in politics in his native home.  Currently, he is the mayor of San Cristóbal Province in the Dominican Republic.

Featured above and below is a 1996 Donruss Signatures bronze autographed card of Raul Mondesi from my collection.

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Dodgers Blog Kiosk: 6/27/2012

Talk about fair-weather.  Josh Macciello can kiss my rear-end.  I'm not sure why he thinks the current Dodgers owners are getting a free pass.  A team excelling well beyond expectations goes through a rough patch and this guy blames the fans for not demanding immediate changes.  I suppose we should trade the farm for a short term fix.

I should also add that I do trust Stan Kasten to steer this ship in the near-term and long-term interest of the team.  That said, I'm not quite at "In Stan, I Trust" mode yet, but considering his track record I wouldn't be wrong in believing that.

• Matt Kemp is the National League team captain- which means he gets to choose who will be in the Home Run Derby.  Adam Berry at MLB reports that Kemp has decided that Bryce Harper will not be participating.  

"It's not because he's a rookie. It's just that there are other guys out there that are capable," Kemp told USA Today. "I'm not saying he wouldn't do a good job in the Home Run Derby. He's going to have plenty of time to participate in many Home Run Derbies. Just not this year. Nothing against him. I love watching him play." 

• Eye on LA Sports notes:

The Dodgers have informed their season ticket holders that they’ll have the exclusive opportunity to purchase individual tickets to the Sandy Koufax (August 7 vs COL) & Vin Scully (August 30 vs ARI) Bobblehead Nights starting at 10am this Friday, June 29.

In the email they informed that those tickets won’t be available to the general public, each season ticket account is limited to 8 tickets per game.

Obviously, this isn't the best solution for non-season ticket holders, but I don't begrudge the Dodgers for doing it.  After all, there's still StubHub, and this is a back door way of rewarding their season ticket holders.  Check out Eye on LA Sports to comment.

• MLB's Official Historian, John Thorn, writes about Baseball's first professional contract.
• Via Deadspin, A Dodgers son makes a big mistake.  Raul Mondesi Jr. failed to touch home plate on a game tying home run.

"On any home run, the umpire has one job, and that's to watch the plate and make sure the runners touch it. He said he (Mondesi) missed it by eight inches. It's a terrible way to lose a ballgame, but the guys learned a good lesson. From now on, make sure you jump on the plate on a homer," he added (Helena manager Jeff Isom).

• "How to be Classy in 3 Easy Steps," via Will Cady's Ego.
• Nephew to Don Mattingly, Danny Mattingly, commits to play football at Notre Dame, via CBS Sports.
• Get your Los Angeles Kings Stanley Cup Champions wallpaper, right here!

• This is pretty great.  Check out an oral history of the 1992 Dream Team at GQ.
• "Minnesota African American Museum Includes Negro League Display," via Tom Edwards at Sports Collectors Digest.

Dodgers Notes from Spring Training- Day 20

Throughout Spring Training the Dodgers PR department sends out helpful daily notes from Camelback Ranch, and I am happy to pass them along.

LOS ANGELES DODGERS (5-1-2) at Los Angeles Angels (5-3)

Monday, March 12, 2012 – 1:05 p.m., Tempe Diablo Stadium

RHP Aaron Harang vs. RHP Jered Weaver

Spring Game 9/Road Game 6

Todays Starting Lineup:

Dodgers: Gordon, 6; Kennedy, 4; Kemp, 8; Ethier, DH; Rivera, 7; Hairston, 5; Sullivan, 9; A. Ellis, 2; Fields, 9; Harang, 1.
Angels: Aybar SS, Kendrick 2B, Pujols 1B, Hunter RF, Wells LF, Abreu DH, Trumbo 3B, Ianetta C, Bourjos CF, Weaver SP.

Upcoming Spring Training Schedule:

• RED HOT AND BLUE: The Dodgers take their Cactus-League best 5-1-2 record to Tempe’s Diablo Stadium this afternoon to take on their I-5 rivals, the Angels. The two teams will meet again in Cactus League action on March 18 at Camelback Ranch –Glendale, prior to their exhibition Freeway Series from April 2-4. During the regular season, the Dodgers and Halos will meet six times, starting with a three-game set at Dodger Stadium from June 11-13. With four wins and a tie in its last five games, the Dodgers have the Cactus League’s best record with a 5-1-2 mark through eight contests. The club also has the best record among National League squads and trails only the Tigers (6-1-1) for the Majors’ best mark so far in the spring season.

• ALL PHASES: Los Angeles ranks fourth among National League teams with a .286 team batting average and is tied for third with 10 home runs, despite playing in just eight games. The Dodgers rank third among all NL clubs with a 3.38 ERA (27 ER/72.0 IP) and have committed just three errors, which ties them with the Cardinals and Astros for the fewest among NL teams.

• CUBBIE-BLANKING: The Dodgers shut out the Cubs, 5-0, yesterday at Camelback Ranch – Glendale, getting 3.0 scoreless innings from LHP Ted Lilly in his second Cactus League outing. Following Lilly, the Dodger bullpen continued its stellar work this spring as six different hurlers fired a combined 6.0 scoreless innings while yielding just three hits. The offense was keyed by outfielder Trent Oeltjen (2-for-3, 2B, 2 R) and designated hitter Tony Gwynn Jr. (2 RBI).

(Photo Credit: Juan Ocampo/ LA Dodgers 2012)

• THE BIG “H”: New Dodger starter Aaron Harang will make his second Cactus League appearance this afternoon in Tempe after making his debut last Wednesday in Phoenix against the A’s. Harang is coming off one of the best seasons of his 10-year big league career after leading the Padres with 14 wins and posting a career-low 3.64 ERA in 28 starts last season. Since 2004, Harang ranks among the National League leaders in wins (85, 7th), strikeouts (1,223, 3rd), innings pitched (1,467.2, 4th) and complete games (13, T-7^th). The California native will be followed to the hill today by RHP Chris Withrow, LHP Wilfredo Ledezma, RHP Angel Guzman, RHP Ryan Tucker and LHP Scott Rice.

• FAMILIAR FACES: Two players very familiar to Angels fans will be in the Dodger starting lineup today as Adam Kennedy starts at second and Juan Rivera will be in left field. Kennedy, who played in Anaheim from 2000-06, ranks among the Angels’ franchise leaders in games (992, 9^th), hits (935, 13^th), doubles (176, 9^th) and triples (32, T-4^th). He was the 2002 MVP of the American League Championship Series vs. Minnesota after hitting .357 (5-for-14) with three homers and five RBI in four games. Rivera played in Orange County from 2005-10, blasting 92 homers during that six-year stretch, which also includes the 2007 campaign when he played in just 14 games due to injury. The Venezuela native set career highs with the Angels in 2009 with 152 hits, 72 runs, 25 homers and 88 RBI.

(Photo Credit: Juan Ocampo/ LA Dodgers 2012)

• BIRTHDAY BOYS IN THE OUTFIELD: A quartet of famous former Dodger outfielders were born on this day as Raul Mondesi turns 41, 2004 home run hero Steve Finley is 47, Darryl Strawberry celebrates birthday No. 50 and Jimmy “The Toy Cannon” Wynn would have been 70 years old today.

• GOING TO BE A CLASSIC: The 3^rd annual Dodgertown Classic will take place tomorrow, March 13, at Dodger Stadium with UC Irvine taking on Pepperdine at 2:00 p.m. and USC battling its crosstown rival, UCLA at 6:30 p.m. There will be discounted concessions and free parking with an all-day ticket costing only $7 in advance and $12 tomorrow.