Blog Kiosk: 10/10/2018 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

I apologize for the watermark on the above photo. It's obviously not my pic. It is an 1953 Unit D Press Photo that I just ran into on eBay (link here), and I found it fascinating enough to share here. As you can see, it features Carl Furillo wearing an unusual looking headpiece. Per the descriptor on the reverse:

Carl Furillo's head got plenty sore after being hit by pitched balls six times, so the Dodger outfielder's sporting this "Martian-Looking" headgear these days. The plastic gadget fits into Furillo's cap, and saved him from serious injury, July 29, when still another pitched ball made contact during the Dodgers-Cubs game. Furillo says he's quit baseball if he couldn't wear it!

As you'll recall, this isn't the first time a Dodger had sought to protect their head during at-bats. In 1948 Jackie Robinson had done the same -- he had a fiberglass-and-cloth composite sewn into his cap. You can check out a little story where I wrote about it here.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1961 the Mets drafted Dodgers legend Gil Hodges off the Dodgers roster as a part of the expansion draft. In 1978 the Dodgers retired the number of Dodger player/coach Jim Gilliam -- 19.  He had died just two days prior from an cerebral hemorrhage.  The ceremony preceded Game 1 of the World Series against the Yankees.
• Happy Birthday, Ad Gumbert, Fay Thomas, Rich During, Harry Eisenstat, Lee Pfund & Ramon Martinez!

Blog Kiosk: 9/3/2018 - Dodgers Links - We're In First Place Now

Matt Kemp! Walk-Off! First Place! Wow!

Those are really the only words I have left after witnessing this weekends magic. The Dodgers now stand alone is first place with 25 games to go. Per Ken Gurnick at MLB.com:

"We have some weapons," said Kemp. "It's September and like I said last night, we got to finish strong and let's go. Two big wins we got, especially in those situations. We have a dangerous group of guys."

On a side note, I was far more worried about that cameraman trailing Kemp as he ran around the field following his walk-off double. You can watch a highlight here. Photo above of Kemp being tackled by Kike Hernandez via Jill Weisleder/LA Dodgers 2018 at Dodger Insider. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1917 Phillies ace and future Hall of Famer Grover Cleveland Alexander pitched both ends of a doubleheader against the Brooklyn Robins/Dodgers, and won both contest while throwing complete games (Boxscore - Game 1 & Game 2). He gave up just seven hits all day long. In 1957 the Dodgers play their last game in their New Jersey home, Roosevelt Stadium -- losing to the Phillies, 3-2. In 1965 it's notable that the Angels changed their name from Los Angeles to the California Angels. In 1985 the received Bill Madlock from the Pirates for RJ Reynolds, Cecil Espy and Sid Bream. In 1987 the Dodgers traded Rick Honeycutt to the A's for pitcher Tim Belcher.
• Happy Birthday, Ed Konetchy, Lindsay Deal, Eddie Stanky, Morrie Martin, Dave Clark, Luis Gonzalez & Brandon Beachy!

Welcome to the Blue, Ryan Madson!

Will this be the move that saves our bullpen?

As you know, earlier this week the Dodgers claimed Nationals reliever Ryan  "Mad Dog" Madson and had until today to work out a trade. That trade has now been completed, via a tweet by Ken Rosenthal, The player we sent to DC is minor league righty Andrew Istler. Per a Dodger press release:

The Los Angeles Dodgers today acquired right-handed pitcher Ryan Madson (#50) in a trade with the Washington Nationals in exchange for minor league right-handed pitcher Andrew Istler.  

Madson, 38, has made 49 relief appearances with Washington this year, going 2-5 with four saves and a 5.28 ERA (26 ER/44.1 IP). The Long Beach native has been a member of two World Series championship clubs (2008 & 2015) in 13 Major League seasons with the Phillies (2003-2011), Royals (2015), A’s (2016-2017) and Nationals (2017-2018), posting a 61-48 record with 91 saves and a 3.45 ERA in 731 games (18 starts).

Blog Kiosk: 8/31/2018 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

We just got beat! Per Ken Gurnick at MLB.com:

"They had a three-run homer. We had a solo home run. That was the difference in the game," said Dodgers manager Dave Roberts. "We punched more than we have lately. Robbie Ray is a guy that does punch guys. He made pitches when he needed to. They beat us. We got beat." 

Per Cary Osborne at Dodger Insider:

“Sometimes you have to tip your cap in this game,” said Dodger second baseman Brian Dozier, who was 1-for-4 with a strikeout. “I haven’t faced (Arizona starter) Robbie Ray in a long time. He had good stuff tonight.”

Tonight's battle features Hyun-Jin Ryu versus Zack Greinke. We really need this one.

Photo of a contemplative Walker Buehler via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2018 at Dodger Insider. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1950 Gil Hodges became the fourth Major Leaguer to hit four home runs in one game. It was against the Boston Braves at Ebbets Field. Overall, he went 5-for-6 with nine RBI's, five runs scored and 17 total bases. In 1959 Sandy Koufax set a new National League record when he fanned 18 Giants during a nine inning game at the LA Coliseum. It also tied the Major League mark for strike outs, and set a new Major League record with 31 total strike outs over two consecutive games (he struck out 13 Phillies his last time out). In 1985 the Dodgers got Bill Madlock from the Pirates for RJ Reynolds, Cecil Espy and Sid Bream. In 2006 the Dodgers received veteran Marlon Anderson from the Nationals for pitching prospect Jhonny Nunez. Anderson would have a stellar couple of months in Dodger Blue. He slashed .375/.431/.813/1.243 with seven homers, 15 RBI's and 12 runs scored. In 2009 the Dodgers received starting pitcher Jon Garland from the Diamondbacks for infield prospect Tony Abreu. Garland would get six starts -- going 3-2 with a 2.72 ERA.
• Happy Birthday, Duke Farrell, Ray Berres, Ira Hutchinson, Frank Robinson, Cleo James, Jack Perconte, Tom Candiotti, Mike Hartley, Hideo Nomo & Juan Nicasio!