Blog Kiosk: 7/1/2020 - Dodgers Links & News - Some Odds and Ends

Here's a really interesting photo I ran into on eBay (link here). It is dated September 24, 1957, and it features Brooklyn Dodger Vice President Buzzi Bavasi seated right in the center (sitting on the right field grandstand steps).

He is wearing shades, as if to hide his appearance from the throng of fans sitting nearby. After all, this day, this game they are watching, would be the very last ballgame ever played at Ebbets Field. The Brooklyn Dodgers would move to Los Angeles the next season.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1917 the Dodgers/Robins play their very first Sunday ballgame, despite there being a state law banning games on this day. They announce that admission will benefit the Militia of Mercy, a wartime charity, and there will be a pregame band concert and military drill exhibition before the game. When the band concert ends ticket sales stop to conform with the Sunday baseball laws. More than 12,000 attend. Nevertheless, Charles Ebbets and manager Wilbert Robinson are arrested, and will pay a small fine. Here is the boxscore. In 1948 Roy Campanella made his Major League debut with the Brooklyn Dodgers. He caught Ralph Branca and recorded three hits --  a double and two singles. In 2011 Dee Gordon completed a stolen base cycle. During the seventh inning he reached base on a force out, stole second, then stole third, and finally swiped home with Casey Blake at the plate.  Gordon is the 40th Major Leaguer to accomplish this during the same frame. Here is the boxscore and you watch him steal home here.
• Happy Birthday, Jack Quinn, Kent Greenfield, Boots Poffenberger & Chris Pérez!

Blog Kiosk: 4/29/2020 - Dodgers Links & News - Some Odds and Ends

This is the best photo I've seen all year, via former Dodger GM Fred Claire on twitter. From L-R: Ron Roenicke, Mike Scioscia, Vin Scully, Fred Claire and Mickey Hatcher.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 2005 closer Eric Gagne is suspended for two games and fined -- even though he was on the disabled list. He had been ejected on April 6th for heckling home plate umpire Bill Hohn. Per league rules, any player on the DL may not take part in any activity during the game. In 2011 Casey Blake is placed on the DL with a staph infection in his left elbow. He would have surgery and be out of commission for a month.
• Happy Birthday, Pat Deisel & Ron Washington! 

Blog Kiosk: 4/23/2020 - Dodgers Links & news - Some Odds and Ends

Here's a fun UP press photo, dated 8/7/1952, of a pregame event for a former Dodger -- Leo Durocher. (eBay auction link)

Wreathed in Smiles... New York: Giant manager Leo Durocher (right) smiles as he bears the easy weight of a huge floral wreath presented to him at the polo grounds, Aug. 7, while Dodger pilot Chick Dressen looks on. Durocher, who holds a plaque given to him by the Section-5 Club, received honors and gifts in a give-away program, as New York met the Brooklyn squad in a night game, the third and last of their current series. Brooklyn won the contest, 7-5.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1946 Dodgers righty Ed Head threw a no-hitter against the Boston Braves, 5-0. He said after the game: “I knew I had it all the time – don’t ask me how, but I knew it.” (boxscore) It was his first appearance after returning from the military. In 1958 Dodger first baseman Gil Hodges hit his 300th career home run on the same day that Pee Wee Reese played his 2,000th career game. In 1999 Cardinals third baseman Fernando Tatis becomes the first player in MLB history to hit two grand slams in one inning when he did it against Chan Ho Park at Dodger Stadium, 12-2. You can watch it here.
• Happy Birthday, James Mulvey, Dolph Camilli, Bob O'Brien & Andruw Jones!

Blog Kiosk: 2/7/2020 - Dodgers Links & News - Some Odds and Ends

Here's a great vintage action photograph taken by AP one June day. It features Pee Wee Reese attempting to snag a poorly thrown ball (eBay auction link)

Dodger Steamroll Temporarily Halted -- Tommy Glaviano (12), Cardinals' erstwhile right fielder, legs it pellmell into second for successful steal on bad throw to Dodgers' shortstop Pee Wee Reese in 5th inning of St. Louis-Brooklyn game at Ebbets Field in Brooklyn June 7. Ball (lower center) got away from the Dodger captain and rolled out into short center field. Glaviano took third and later scored on Cards' shortstop Stan Rojek's single. Scorer credited Glaviano with steal and charges Dodgers' catcher Roy Campanella with an error on his throw. All this went for nought as Dodgers won 2-1 to make a sweep of 3-game series over cards. 6/7/1951.

The photo was also part of the George Michael Collection of vintage press photos of ballplayers sliding. For those who don't know, George Michael was the host of a nationally syndicated weekend sports show before the days of cable TV and the internet. It was how I, and many other sports fans, received our weekly sports news. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1958 the Dodgers officially became the Los Angeles Dodgers, Inc. In 2006 the Dodgers signed Japanese pitcher Takashi Saito to a free agent minor league contract. Saito made the Opening Day roster and would quickly become a fan favorite. That first season he would record 24 saves with an 2.07 ERA, 1.87 FIP and come in 8th place in Cy Young voting.
• Happy Birthday, Tom Daly, Mel Almada, Cy Moore, Art Jones, Johnny Werhas & Burt "Happy" Hooton!

Blog Kiosk: 3/9/2018 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Over the years I've posted up a bunch of vintage press photos from the golden era of the game. Today I thought I would pull something out that's a little more modern. Featured above is an 1983 AP photo showing a play at the plate that we are not likely to ever witness again. Hall of Famer Gary Carter -- himself a onetime Dodger -- masterfully blocks the plate to stop Dodger outfielder Ron Roenicke from scoring. (eBay Auction Link)

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1943 the Brooklyn Dodgers received soon-to-be Hall of Fame centerfielder Lloyd "Little Poison" Waner and Al Glossop from the Phillies in exchange for veteran infielder Babe Dahlgren. Although, Waner did not join the club for the 1943 Baseball season. Instead, he asked to be placed on the voluntary retirement list and took a wartime job at the Douglas Aircraft plant in Oklahoma City. Lloyd would eventually join Brooklyn for the 1944 season (playing briefly with his brother Paul -- a fellow Hall of Famer), but would eventually be released by mid-June -- He slashed .286/.412/.286/.697 in just 14 at-bats, primarily as a pinch hitter.
• Happy Birthday, Rube Yarrison, Arky Vaughan, Terry Mulholland, Koyie Hill & Willy Aybar!

Blog Kiosk: 8/19/2016 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

This is something you don't see everyday.  Featured above is a vintage 1939 International News press photo of Dodgers third baseman Cookie Lavagetto tagging out Reds outfielder Wally Berger, and emblazoned across the top are the words, "Thrown Out!"  It is quite a rarity to see words like that in a press photo.

BTW, the pic above was once part of the George Michael Collection of sliding press photographs.  It is currently available for sale through eBay (Auction Link Here).

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodger History:  In 1983 the Dodgers traded for Rangers starting pitcher Rick Honeycutt.  In 1990 Jose Offerman became the first Dodger in franchise history to hit a home run in his very first Major League plate appearance.  In 2008 the Dodgers traded for Greg Maddux (for a second time) to help the team during their playoff run.  It would be several more weeks before the Dodgers finalize and publicly announce their plans to move to Los Angeles.
• Happy Birthday, Chris Capuano and Ron Roenicke!

Blog Kiosk: 8/19/2015 - Dodger Links - Kershaw's Outburst, Puig Hamstring and the Koufax Bobblehead Error

Sometimes emotions get the better of you. 

After believing he struck out A's batter Danny Valencia to end the inning and subsequently misplaying a dribbler towards the mound, Clayton Kershaw displayed a rare bit of sophomoric emotion on the field.  He huffed and puffed and hucked the Baseball with all his might into the Dodgers dugout.  Hopefully, nobody was in the way of that blistering rocket.  You can watch here at Big League Stew.  Via Mark Saxon at ESPN:

Clayton Kershaw called it a "weird night, just felt kind of different out there."
...
"I think he was just wound up pretty tight tonight," Dodgers manager Don Mattingly said. "He puts a lot into every start. It's almost like Sunday in the NFL when he pitches."

Yeah... So, even the "Great Kershaw" isn't perfect.  Fortunately, he didn't act out by screaming at an opposing player; thereby causing a bench-clearing incident and potential fight.  As it were, he was angry at the umpire, then angry at himself.

Photo above via @Dodgers on twitter.  Below are more links to check out:

• Via Matthew Moreno at Dodgers Nation, "Dodgers News: Zack Greinke Believes Clayton Kershaw Is The Best."

While Mattingly hasn’t entertained the comparison of Greinke and Kershaw, the right-hander addressed the topic after picking up his 13th win of the season. “Not really,” Greinke said when asked if there’s a friendly competition between he and Kershaw.

“It might be there, but it’s not something I think about, and I don’t think he does. In the back of my mind without realizing it, it might be there.” Greinke also deferred to the reigning NL MVP in terms of who the ace of the staff is. “I think Clayton is No. 1. He’s the best in the game and he’s amazing,” he said.

• Via Mark Saxon at ESPN, "Don Mattingly says he's not looking over his shoulder after Ron Roenicke hire."

“All I care about is winning. This is a pretty good job to have. I'm sure a lot of guys who would like it,” Mattingly said. “That's always the case. Those things are so far down the road, you just worry about winning games. We're in a pennant race.”

• Uh-Oh.  Via Ken Gurnick at MLB.com, "Puig will have MRI on tight right hamstring."

"It sounds like an MRI in the morning," manager Don Mattingly said. "We'll see where it is. I'd just be guessing at this point."

• It's always a pleasure to read from the horses mouth.  Via AJ Ellis at ESPN, "Guest columnist A.J. Ellis: Bench role tough to adapt to, but it's still important."
• Nice catch.  Writer Steve Pond tells us on twitter that the recent Sandy Koufax Bobblehead has a glaring error on it.  As you know, it features Koufax's last pitch against Harvey Kuenn during his perfect game against the Cubs on September 9, 1965. The Dodgers won the game 1-0; having scored their lone run in the fifth inning.  Unfortunately, the scoreboard in the background fails to record that single run.

Hey @Dodgers: Koufax bobblehead scoreboard is wrong, leaves out their run in the 5th inning that night. DUMB mistake. pic.twitter.com/zzyDmGX1jG

— Steve Pond (@stevepond) August 14, 2015

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Welcome Home, Ron Roenicke!

Bring Back All the Dodgers!

This announcement comes as a bit of a surprise.  The Dodgers have brought Ron Roenicke back into the fold.  He has been hired by the team to take over 3rd base duties for the ballclub.

As you may know, the West Covina native started his professional career as a Dodger, and by my estimation is a Dodger through-and-through.  I say this because he had numerous opportunities during his prep career to turn professional, but seemingly waited until is hometown team came calling.  He had been drafted five-times:  Oakland Athletics in 1974, the San Francisco Giants in 1975, the Detroit Tigers in 1976, the Atlanta Braves in 1976, and finally the Dodgers in 1977. It was only then, after hitting .284 with nine home runs for UCLA and being drafted 17th overall, did he sign on the dotted line. 

By 1981 he made his debut in Los Angeles, and continued to play ball professionally until he retired in 1988.  Over that span he played for six different clubs by being a reliable reserve outfielder and switch-hitting batter off the bench. 

In 1992 he joined the Dodger franchise once again as a field coach.  Then in 1994 he earned his stripes as a manager through the entire Dodger system; first with the rookie-level Great Falls, Single-A San Bernardino Spirit, Double-AA San Antonio Missions and Triple-AAA Albuquerque Dukes.  Unfortunately, a logjam in LA stopped his progress.  He went on to work for the Giants, Angels (winning the championship in 2002), and finally as a manager with the Milwaukee Brewers.

In honor of Roenicke's return I made a fantasy Baseball card for him that you can see on the right.  I used the 1971 Topps design and an old B&W photograph I captured from an eBay listing.

Per a Dodger press release:

The Los Angeles Dodgers today announced the hiring of Ron Roenicke, who will coach third base for the remainder of the season. Roenicke managed the Brewers to a 342-331 record from 2011-15, before being replaced in May. The Southern California native was an outfielder in the Majors from 1981-88, including parts of three seasons with the Dodgers (1981-83). Before being named the Brewers’ skipper prior to the 2011 campaign, the 58-year-old was a longtime coach for the Angels, serving as their third base (2000-05) and bench coach (2006-10). 

Dodger coach Lorenzo Bundy will move to the dugout, where he will remain the outfield coordinator. Bundy has been on the Dodgers’ big league staff since 2014.

BTW, with this signing there is speculation brewing, via the Halos Heaven blog, that this could be a move towards bringing back Mike Scioscia.  Frankly, I'd be surprised by this.  On the other hand, anything is possible. 

Below are the career player and managing stats for Roenicke:

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Dodgers Notes from Spring Training: Spring Game 7 / Road Game 4

Throughout Spring Training the Dodgers PR department sends out helpful daily notes from Camelback Ranch, and I am happy to pass them along.  See what they've written below.

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 Los Angeles Dodgers (4-1-1) vs. San Francisco Giants (2-5)
Monday, March 9, 2015 – 1:05 p.m. MT | Scottsdale Stadium

LHP Brett Anderson (0-0) vs. RHP Matt Cain (0-0)
TV: SNLA Radio: None

In case you missed today's Dodgers-Giants lineups, here they are in dry erase board form pic.twitter.com/4Cwa3dC6EQ
— Eric Stephen (@truebluela) March 9, 2015

--------------------------

(Old friends Honeycutt and Roenicke, pic via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2015)

A SAN FRANCISCO TREAT: The Dodgers, unbeaten in their last five games, take on the Giants at Scottsdale Stadium today in the first of two Spring Training meetings between the clubs. Last year, Los Angeles won seven of its last nine games against the Giants and took the season series, 10-9, en route to a second consecutive division title. The Dodgers posted their second-best divisional winning percentage last year, going 50-26 (.658), and will play NL West clubs in three of their next four Cactus League contests.

• Opening Day is just FOUR WEEKS AWAY, Monday, April 6 vs. San Diego.

WALK-OFF THIS WAY: Corey Seager’s double to deep center field in the ninth inning scored the game-winner yesterday, as Los Angeles improved to 4-1-1 on the spring with a 4-3, walk-off win over the Brewers at Camelback Ranch. Brandon McCarthy made his Dodger debut, allowing one run on two hits in 2.0 innings and racking up two of Los Angeles’ 11 strikeouts, and Kyle Jensen powered his second homer of the spring in the victory.

• The Dodgers have now played 41 consecutive errorless innings and have committed just one error through their first six Cactus League contests.
• Los Angeles pitchers have combined to post a 3.33 ERA and limit opposing hitters to a .209 batting average this spring, striking out 47 and walking only 11 in 54.0 innings.
• The Dodgers are averaging six runs per game and have posted a .281 team batting average.

(Kyle Jensen, via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2015)

(Mattingly, via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2015)

ON THE MOUND: Left-hander Brett Anderson will make his Dodger debut and his first start of the spring today. He was limited to only eight starts with Colorado last year by a broken left index finger and lower back surgery but, when healthy, Anderson has posted a 1.29 WHIP and has limited opponents to a .316 on-base percentage during the course of his six-year MLB career. He has only given up only 41 home runs in 494.0 innings in his big league career, averaging only 0.75 home runs per 9.0 innings.

• Veteran LHP Erik Bedard is expected to make his second appearance of the spring today after allowing one run on two hits in 2.0 innings and taking the loss on Wednesday against the White Sox. He has averaged 8.60 strikeouts per 9.0 innings and has posted a 2.34 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 241 career big league games (230 games) over 11 seasons with Baltimore (2005-07), Seattle (2008-09, ’11), Boston (2011), Pittsburgh (2012), Houston (2013) and Tampa Bay (2014).
• 25-year-old RHP Carlos Frias will make his second appearance of the spring today after allowing two runs on three hits in 2.0 innings on Wednesday vs. the White Sox. In his first big league season last year, Frias was 1-1 with a 6.12 ERA in 15 games (two starts) during two stints with the Dodgers.
• RHP Brandon League is also expected to see action today after striking out one in a scoreless frame on Thursday against the White Sox. In 2014, League did not allow a home run in 63.0 innings of work, the most innings by any NL pitcher without allowing a home run.
• RHP Chris Hatcher is expected to appear in today’s game, after pitching a scoreless inning of relief in his first action of the spring on Thursday against the White Sox. Hatcher made his big league debut in 2010 as a catcher and returned the next year as a pitcher, becoming just the first player since 1935 to do so (last: Art Doll, Boston Braves, 1935).
• 24-year-old RHP Yimi Garcia will make his second appearance of the spring today after tossing a scoreless frame on Friday against the Brewers. Garcia saw his first big league action last year and posted a 1.80 ERA (2 ER/10.0 IP) in eight games with Los Angeles.
• Also suiting up for the Dodgers today will be minor leaguers RHP Steve Smith (#95), RHP Jeremy Kehrt (#88) and LHP Mike Thomas (#89).

30 IN 30: MLB Network’s 30 Clubs in 30 Days will be on-site tomorrow for an inside look at Dodger camp. The hour-long special, complete with field reports, interviews and predictions, will air tomorrow at 4:00 p.m. PT on the network.

(Fans, pic via Jon SooHoo/LA DOdgers 2015)

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Sunday Dodgers Videos: Roenicke, Puig and AJ Ellis

Here are this Sunday's Dodgers videos.

Former Dodger Ron Roenicke is interviewed by Robert Barr for the Anchorage Glacier Pilots Winter League Legacy Project.  Barr is working on producing a documentary on a legendary team from 2001.  Go to his website here that includes numerous other videos.  You can also watch Barr's interview with Mickey Hatcher right here.  As a spoiler, Mickey talks about the day he chased a bear in Alaska.

Video Link:

Take a look at Yasiel Puig and Christiano Ronaldo juggling both a soccer ball and Baseball.

Video Link:

Ballhawknet shares a video from Wrigley Field of Yasiel Puig launching batting practice home runs.

Video Link:

Gary George shares a report from the Dodgers Bowling Extravaganza hosted by AJ Ellis.  He interview AJ Ellis, Clayton Kershaw, Chris Withrow and Don Mattingly.

Video Link:

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