Blog Kiosk: 6/27/2018 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

I'm not going to focus on yesterday's loss. It's water under the bridge.

The most important item of the day is how South Korea helped out Mexico in World Cup play this morning. Wow! What an upset.

Photo of Julio Urias and Hyun-Jin Ryu via Urias on Twitter this morning. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Baseball History: In 1939 the Dodgers and Boston Braves/Bees play a 23 inning game that ends in a 2-2 tie. In 1980 Jerry Reuss throws a no-hitter against the Giants at Cadelstick Park, 8-0. He faces just 28 batters, and missed a perfect game due to an error by Bill Russell in the first inning. In 2011 the Dodgers file for bankruptcy following the leagues refusal to approve a multibillion-dollar TV deal with FoxSports.
• Happy Birthday, Jackie Hayes, Bull Durham, Hank Behrman, Wayne Terwilliger, Daryl Ward & Jim Johnson!

Welcome to the Blue, Tony Cingrani!

The second trade of the afternoon was for another left-handed reliever. This time the Dodgers go to Cincy to add 28-year-old lefty Tony Cingrani for catching prospect Hendrik Clementina and former Dodger bench regular Scott Van Slyke. Per a Dodgers press release:

Cingrani, 28, has an 11-20 career record with 17 saves (all in 2016) and a 4.03 ERA in 164 games (30 starts) in six big league seasons with the Reds. Since his debut in 2012, he’s limited the opposition to a career batting average of .231, including a .219 average against left-handed hitters.

Blog Kiosk: 4/13/2017 - Dodgers Links - Just Another Dodger Victory

So many good things happened for the Dodgers last night. To start things off, Andrew Toles belted a line-drive home run to right field (with the wind blowing in, mind you) to start the game and to give the Dodgers an immediate 1-0 lead. Per John Jackson at MLB.com:

"He threw it low and I hit it on a line, so the wind was no factor because it was so low," Toles said. "It was a line drive. The wind was definitely a factor [overall], though."

That early head start was buoyed by another fantastic start by oft-injured Brandon McCarthy. He is clearly back. Per Rowan Kavner at Dodger Insider:

“He did a really good job tonight, kept them off-balance, kept attacking them,” Grandal said. “He’s got a great sinker, obviously, it’s known around the league.”

McCarthy threw six scoreless innings, with three walks, four strike outs and just four singles. Lastly, the Dodgers relief staff continued their dominance. Ross Stripling, Luis Avilan and Kenley Jansen shut things down to earn a Dodgers victory, 2-0. BTW, let's not forget about Chase Utley's smarts. He came around to score on an error in the eight inning that was only made possible due to his hustle. The old man continues to show what he brings to the table -- intelligence, leadership and guile.

The above photo via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2017. Go here to check out more pics by Jon from yesterday game in Chicago. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1939 Yankees first baseman Lou Gehrig, during a spring game against the Dodgers, hit two homers. It would prove to be the last home runs he would ever hit. In 1954 Walter Alston makes his major league debut as the Dodgers manager. In 2009 second baseman Orlando Hudson hit for the "Cycle" against the Giants during the Dodgers home opener. He is the first Dodger to ever accomplish the feat at Dodger Stadium, and the first Dodger to do it in a nine-inning game since Gil Hodges in 1949. In 2012 Dodger starter Aaron Harang struck out nine consecutive Padre batters -- breaking the Dodgers franchise record of eight held by Johnny Podres. The Major League mark is at ten, and is held by Mets pitcher Tom Seaver in 1970.
• Happy Birthday, Kid Elberfeld, Ben Cantwell & Ed Amelung!
  

Blog Kiosk: 3/31/2017 - Dodgers Links - Some Spring Odds and Ends

Early in spring Clayton Kershaw and family hosted ballplayers from several other teams in Arizona to Spring Training PingPong4Purpose charity event, and was kind enough to share some pics at the Kershaw's Challenge website (link here).

A little over 150 people attended the event, making donations at the door to KC. 50% of the proceeds were to be donated to Kershaw’s Challenge (handicap building project) and the other 50% would be donated to the winner’s choice charity. We were blown away with what the event raised. Just over $14,000 was donated the night-of! Incredible. Clayton and his partner Scott ended up pulling out the big win in the end…as well as Dodger bragging rights until next year’s event.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History:  In 1948 the Dodgers played their very first exhibition game at Dodgertown in Vero Beach, Florida. They played against their top farm team, the Montreal Royals, and defeated them 5-4.  Jackie Robinson hit a first inning home run.  Per HistoricDodgertown.com:

Florida Governor Millard Caldwell threw the ceremonial first pitch at so-called “Ebbets Field No. 2.” A sign reading “You Are Now Entering Dodgertown” welcomed a strong showing of some 6,000 fans, paying $1.25 in the grandstands and bolstered the idea of more games being played on base in the future. Baseball Commissioner Happy Chandler, who had suspended Manager Durocher one year earlier, shook hands with “The Lip” and wished him good luck. Vero Mayor Merrill P. Barber looked on and a contingent of the Brooklyn National Guard, who had traveled to Florida to watch the Dodgers, was introduced and went home with a “load of oranges presented to them by the Vero Beach Jaycees.”

• Happy Birthday, Bill Hallman, Gene Snyder & Balvino Galvez!
  

Blog Kiosk: 3/30/2017 - Dodgers Links - Some Spring Odds and Ends

Wow!  Check out this fantastic group of four photos aligned as a panorama of the Brooklyn Dodgers outfield wall, circa 1943.  (eBay Link)

Below are more links to check:

• This Day in Dodgers History:  In 1966 Sandy Koufax and Don Drysdale end their legendary holdout when they signed contracts for $130,000 and $105,000, respectively.  The holdout last 32 days.  In 1981 the Dodgers traded Mickey Hatcher (and a couple other minor leaguers) to the Twins for Kenny Landreaux.  In 1988 the Dodgers signed free veteran catcher Rick Dempsey.
• Happy Birthday, Nig Fuller!
  

2017 Topps Series 1 Baseball - All the Dodgers Base Cards

For fans like myself today is the official start of the 2017 Baseball season.  I say this because fans and Baseball card collectors alike can now go to their favorite store to get packs of Topps flagship set.  Officially released today is the 2017 Topps Series 1 Baseball set.  Go here for a complete checklist.

For this first series thirteen Dodger players are represented; including superstars Corey Seager and Clayton Kershaw.  The set also includes several players in Dodger uniforms who have since moved on to other teams -- Howie Kendrick, Carlos Ruiz, Josh Reddick and Jose De Leon.  Also, Chase Utley is available in Dodger Blue (he has yet to decide where he'll be playing this season).  Check them all out below.  I've included pics of both the front and reverse (with exception of the Chris Hatcher card).

As I'm sure you've noticed, for the first time since 1971 Topps does not include full career statistics for each player on the reverse.  But is does include social media information for each player (apparently, that's more important).

Base Cards

#5 Corey Seager

#50 Clayton Kershaw

Blog Kiosk: 12/2/2016 - Dodgers Links: Some Odds and Ends

Dodger Stadium now has a new attraction to draw you in this winter.  Starting today and most weekends til early March is a pop-up museum highlighting Dodger history through memorabilia from the National Baseball Hall of Fame, the renowned collection of Gary Cypres and the Dodgers own archives.  Go here for more information.  Admission is $10 per person.

In the photo above, via @Dodgers on twitter, Steve Garvey is shown holding up the uniform of his boyhood idol, Gil Hodges.  Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History:  In 1981 Fernando Valenzuela is named the NL Rookie of the Year.  He becomes the third consecutive Dodger to win the award -- following Steve Howe (1980) and Rick Sutcliffe (1979).
• Happy Birthday, Chip Hale & Peter Moylan!

Blog Kiosk: 8/29/2016 - Dodgers Links - Vin Scully Team Photo Day

It was team photo day for the Dodgers Friday afternoon, and as you can see in the pic above (via @Dodgers on twitter) they had a lot of fun with Vin Scully.  Per Courtney Schellin at ESPN:

What you're looking at is 88 Vin Scully masks on the Los Angeles Dodgers and one smiling Vin Scully in the flesh.

In honor of the broadcasting great, the team wore photo masks of Scully, who will retire this year after having announced for the Dodgers since their days in Brooklyn. That's 67 years in the booth for the franchise.

Go here to check out a bunch of pics taken during team photo day by Jon SooHoo and Juan Ocampo.  BTW, Saturday was the Hollywood Stars game, and you can check out some photos from Jon SooHoo here.  Below are more links to check out.

• This Day in Dodger History:  In 1948 Jackie Robinson hits for the backward cycle when he homers in the first inning, triples in the fourth, doubles in the sixth, and completes the rare event with a single in the eighth.
  

2016 Topps Series 2 - The Dodgers Base and Variation Cards

Take a look at all the Dodgers base cards found in packs of 2016 Topps Series 2 below.  A complete checklist of the set can be found here.

Of special note are the three variation cards that exist.  Carl Crawford, Brett Anderson and Scott Van Slyke have cards showing them wearing Jackie Robinson Day (#42) jersey's. The photos for all three of them are from the 2015 season.

#377 Scott Kazmir

#423 Carl Crawford                                 #429 Kenta Maeda

Blog Kiosk: 6/16/2016 - Dodgers Links - Maeda Recovering, Billingsley Ailing and Clayton Kershaw

Although far from perfect, Clayton Kershaw was still good enough to earn a Dodgers victory.  (Of course, a less than perfect Kersahw is still better than 95% of pitchers in the league)  He struck out eleven DBacks and walked only one in the 3-2 win.  Via Ken Gurnick and Jake Rill at MLB.com:

"Clayton saw we needed to win the series and came with the usual intensity and intent," manager Dave Roberts said. "Clayton was Clayton. For us to get that win was not only good for him, but for us."

Fortunately, a bit of luck came our way during this game.  With the Dodgers leading 3-1 and Kershaw on the mound, Paul Goldschmidt hit a deep liner to left field that barely missed going over the fence by inches.  Instead of tying the game with a two-run jack, Goldy was only able to bring Arizona within one run of tying the game.  (Watch the play here)

BTW, the Dodgers three runs all come on a homer by Scott Van Slyke against lefty Patrick Corbin.  (Watch it here)

"Looking for something in I could pull, and he gave it to me," Van Slyke said. "Big league pitchers are good, and you come back and, like, wow, you got to adjust yourself. I know I can hit any lefty if I'm focused and have my swing down."

Photo at the top via Jon SooHoo on the Dodgers twitter.  Go here to check out more pics from Jon from yesterdays game.  Below are more links to check:

• This Day in Dodgers History:In 1958 Don Newcombe is traded by the Dodgers to Cincinnati.  In 1963 rookie Nick Willhite became the first pitcher in LA Dodgers history to throw a shutout in his Major League debut.  He defeated the Cubs, 2-0.  It would be 29 years before another rookie would do the same - Pedro Astacio.
• Happy Birthday, Jonathan Broxton!

Blog Kiosk: 5/25/2016 - Dodgers Links - That Strange Game

Last nights game was a mixed bag.

It started out with a fantastic ceremony in honor of the men and women in the armed forces, and included an enlistment ceremony for all four branches.  The photo above, via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2016, features the ceremony.

Then Mike Bolsinger came in to start his second game of the year and was fantastic.  He went 5.2 innings and gave up three hits, two earned runs and recorded six strike outs to win his first game of the season.  During the game, though, a bunch of weird things happened.  In the sixth inning Yasiel Puig came up to bat with two men on and rocketed a deep fly to right field.  In fact, it was so deep he thought he hit a homer, so instead of running hard out of the box he stood and admired it.  When the ball fell short of the wall he traipsed onto first base instead of the base he should have ended up at.    For his transgression he was benched for the rest of the game. Via Chad Thornburg at MLB.com:

"In my opinion, he should have been on second base," Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. "When we talk about playing the game the right way, we've got to be accountable. So that was the decision that I made."

BTW, that was a great call by Dave Roberts.  Listen to him talk about it briefly towards the end of this video (video link).  Via Dan Arritt at ESPN:

"I thought it was a home run, and then I didn't run out the ball, obviously," Puig said through an interpreter. "It was [Roberts'] decision to take me out of the game. It was a decision well made, because all my teammates are out on the field working hard, and I should have run out that ball."

(pic via Cespedes BBQ on twitter)

Then in the seventh inning something funny and strange happened.  A paper airplane landed on the infield with the Dodgers at bat, so the resident "no-fun" ballplayer Joey Votto let everyone know what he thought of that.  He stomped on it like an insolent child.  You can watch a gif of it here.  Obviously, Dodger fans booed him.  Then something incredible happened.  They started chanting "airplane stomper."  I kid you not!

I hope quirky chants like this become a tradition at games.  Heck, maybe decades from now fans will still chant this at the Reds... Just for fun.  It'll be like NY Rangers fans who still chant "Potvin Sucks" nearly 30 years after his terrible check against an Islanders player.

Oh... The Dodgers offense came alive and scored eight runs to win their third straight game.  Go here to check out a bunch of great photos from Jon SooHoo from the game.  Below are more links to check:

• This Day in Dodgers History:  In 2002 Diamondbacks starter Randy Johnson struck out Shawn Green to record his 3,509th career strike out to surpass Hall of Famer Walter Johnson on the all time list.  BTW, Green also hit two homers in the game to become the first Major Leaguer to hit seven round-trippers in three consecutive games.  In 2014 Josh Beckett threw his only career no-hitter against the Phillies.  Watch highlights from the game here.
  

Blog Kiosk: 5/24/2016 - Dodgers Links - Urias, Calhoun and Clayton Kershaw

This is a tradition that I'm sure many are going to miss.  Featured above, via a pic by Jon SooHoo, are the umpires from last nights game tipping their caps to the Vin Scully.

For years umpires from throughout the league have honored the man behind the mic with this symbolic gesture before the start of a game, and it'll be strange to not see this ritual once he's gone.

As for the game... Well, Clayton Kershaw is the best.  Via Ken Gurnick at MLB.com:

"It speaks to Clayton. He knows where we're at, where our bullpen is at, how taxed they've been," said A.J. Ellis, who caught all 17 innings Sunday and was back in there Monday with Yasmani Grandal nursing a bruised foot. "For Clayton to meet that challenge and expectations every night, it seems like every time he's pitching it's coming off a tired bullpen. What he's done so far, giving those guys a blow, you should have seen the reception he got coming in from those guys. Expectations are off the charts, they seem unmeetable and he keeps meeting them. His consistency is mindblowing. Our expectations are unfair, what we expect him to do. Yet, he meets them.

"We all know how fortunate we are. I hope all of baseball realizes what they're watching right now. I know Los Angeles, with the ovation he gets going out there for the ninth inning, appreciates his work and completing his job. We don't take it for granted. We see what he puts into it. We are in awe with the consistency, and it's fair to say we all raise our game on the day he pitches."

Dodgers defeated the Reds 1-0.  The only run in the game scored on a double-play ball in the sixth inning.  Go here to check out some pics from the game via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2016.  Below are more links to check:

• This Day in Dodgers History:  In 1973 Willie Davis recorded six hits in an 19 inning loss to the Mets.  BTW, both teams established a NL record for hitting into an combined nine double plays.
• Happy Birthday, Brad Penny!

Blog Kiosk: 5/19/2016 - Dodgers Links - Yadier Alvarez, Mike Bolsinger and Louis Coleman

Mike Bolsinger returned to the Dodgers rotation and did the best he could.  He scattered six hits and gave up only a lone home run to Mike Trout before the dreaded fifth inning came around.  That's when the wheels fell off.  Bolinger got into another jam, and what could only be called 'bad luck' then sunk the team.  Per Jack Baer at MLB.com:

"I thought Mike had did what we had hoped," Roberts said. "There were 60 pitches that he threw in that last rehab start ... and where he was at with the third time through, I thought he gave us a chance to win."

(Coleman via Jon SooHoo/Dodgers)

In that fifth inning, Bolsinger left the game with two men on and one out when Louis Coleman was called in.  As you may know, Coleman has been one of the more effective relievers on the Dodgers staff.  Since April 25th he had not given up an earned run and allowed just one inherited runner to score in 10.1 innings pitched.  Over that span he has recorded 12 strike outs, walked only two and the opposition was slashing .088/.139/.118/.257.  Of course, this is a small sample size, but you had to like the results so far, and you had to figure he was the right man for the job.  Unfortunately, sometimes a version of Keystone Cops erupts on the field.

First he walked Pujols to load them up.  Then the next batter, CJ Cron, hit a infield single between Seager and Turner to score a run.  Following that was a little dribbler that was mishandled by Kendrick, the evenings 1st baseman, to score another.  Then, Rafael Ortega hit a 'Texas Leaguer' to left that Thompson dove for and missed.  Another fly ball to right scored the last run of the inning.  Overall, four balls where hit with Coleman on the mound, and only one was hit hard - the sacrifice fly.  Nevertheless, five runs crossed the plate to seal the game for the Angels.

Photo at the very top via SportsNet LA on twitter.  Go here to check out more pic from yesterdays game by Dodger photographer Jon SooHoo.  Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodger History: In 1988 Tim Leary threw his second shutout of the season against the Montreal Expos.  He had been winless in his past five starts.

Blog Kiosk: 5/16/2016 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

This guy showed up at Dodger Stadium on both Saturday and Sunday to the delight of players and fans alike.  We first noticed him when Ziggy Marley shared a pic of him signing this fans uniform (link here) on Saturday.  Then, he appeared again on Sunday (link here) with a whole new set of drawings on his face.

Photo at the top via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2016.  Go here to check out more pics by Jon from yesterdays game here.  Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: On this day in 1970 a fourteen year old fan named Alan Fish was struck by a Baseball at Dodger Stadium and die four days later.  This marked the first fatality of a fan from a batted ball in a Major League game, and it happened off the bat of Manny Mota.  Tom Hoffarth provides more detail about the incident here.  In 2000 was the infamous fight at Wrigley Field that started when Dodgers catcher Chad Kreuter was hit in the back of the head and had his hat stolen by a unruly fan.  Several players and coached jumped into the stands during the melee.
• Happy Birthday, Rube Walker!

Blog Kiosk: 5/2/2016 - Dodgers Links - Scully, Pederson and Kershaw's Masterpiece

Sometimes you have to take matters into your own hands.

Clayton Kershaw, having witnessed six straight losses, decided to put the team on his back.  He carried the club through nine masterful innings, and even knocked in the only Dodger run to lead the club to a 1-0 victory over the Padres.  Overall, he struck out fourteen, allowed three hits and walk nobody in his complete game shutout.  Kershaw threw only 101 pitches, and had a perfect game going into the fifth inning.  Per Jack Baer and AJ Cassavell at MLB.com:

"That's as dominant as I've seen him," manager Dave Roberts said. "As prepared and as much conviction as he has every fifth day, knowing what we were going through as a team, you talk about great players putting their team on their backs. That's what he did today. He won't say that, but that's exactly what happened."

Per Doug Padilla at ESPN:

"You'd be lying if you said you didn't want to be the guy who ended the streak, so that definitely feels good," Kershaw said. "We needed a win, there's no doubt about it, and it wasn't pretty today."

Clayton chats about his evening on the mound with Allana Rizzo here.  As for the team, they couldn't have been more elated at the days outcome.  In fact, they held an impromptu dance party in the clubhouse to celebrate; as evidenced by numerous videos shared on social media (here, here, here and here).

Pic above via Kike Hernandez on twitter.  Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History:  In 1928 Giants manager John McGraw made one of the more noteworthy managerial calls in the history of the game.  He called for an intentional walk against the Dodgers with the bases loaded and two outs in the ninth inning to drive in a run.  The next batter struck out to end the game at 2-1.

Blog Kiosk: 4/21/2016 - Dodgers Links - Maeda and Chase Utley

The old man can still play.

At 37 years of age, Chase Utley is proving that this dog still has some jump in his step.  He sparked a Dodger team by making key plays on the field and scoring the go ahead run in the 10th inning after singling and stealing second base to put him in scoring position.  Per Jon Cooper at MLB.com:

"George made us all aware that [Grilli] can be slow at times," Utley said. "That first pitch, he was pretty slow to the plate, and we took advantage of it."

Utley not only swiped the base, but he changed the tone of the inning. The former Braves closer walked the ensuing hitter, Corey Seager, on four pitches, and then he give up an RBI double to Justin Turner.

"It was huge," said Roberts, a prolific basestealer during his career. "Now Grilli's got to pitch Corey Seager really carefully, and then J.T. gets the double, and we just kept the line moving. So that stolen base changed the inning completely."

And the catalyst for all that was the man expected to play a backup role this year.  Instead, Utley has slashed .306/.370/.408/.779, and forced himself onto the everyday lineup.  Pic above via SportsNet LA on twitter.  Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History:  On this day in in 1967 the Dodgers experienced their very first rain out at Dodger Stadium against the Cardinals.  It snapped an 737 games streak of consecutive games at home.
• Happy Birthday to Joc Pederson and Jesse Orosco!

Blog Kiosk: 4/13/2016 - Dodgers Links - First Glove, Raised "LA" Logo and Vin Scully

It doesn't get much better than this.

Yesterday's Opening Day was all about celebrating Vin Scully and the many years he sat behind the mic to call games.  Players and personnel from his entire career came out to greet and honor him, and it was clear to see how touched the man of the hour was.  It was quite a sight to see, and I'm sure the moment will be remembered by everyone in attendance.

In the middle of all the pomp and circumstance was probably the best selfie ever taken.  Check it out above.  From L to R: Kershaw (walking away), Newcombe, Valenzuela, Downing, Hershiser (holding camera), Russell, Cey, Magic, Wills, Koufax, Vin, Garvey, Lasorda, Monday.  Pic at the very top via Dodgers on twitter.

As for the game, it was a stinker.  The Dodger got off to an early lead, and Kenta Maeda was crafty in his six inning of scoreless pitching.  Unfortunately, the Dodgers bullpen was not up to the task.  They gave up four runs to lose the game.  Via Jon Weisman at Dodger Insider:

“It’s a long season, and there are going to be ups and downs and guys are gonna struggle. … Right now, these guys aren’t throwing the ball as well as they’d like to or we’d like ’em to. But they’d be the first to say that.”
...
“Right now, you want to give these guys confidence and give them opportunities,” he said. “I expect to be ahead in a lot of games late, and we’re gonna need ’em, if we want to have a great season. So for me, it’s way too early to think about changing the roles.

“You’re seeing certain pitches that aren’t being executed, and over a certain time if that continues, then you’ve got to kind of entertain (changes), but right now, we’re just way too early.”

Check out a bunch of great photos from the game by Jon SooHoo here.  Below are more links to check out:

• Wow!  Via Paul Lukas at ESPN, "Uni Watch: L.A. Dodgers display new 3-D look on batting helmet."

Dodgers Notes from Spring Training: Spring Game 32/Home Game 17

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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L.A. Angels (16-8-6) vs. LOS ANGELES DODGERS (13-15-3)
Friday, April 1, 2016 – 7:10 p.m. PT | Dodger Stadium
LHP Hector Santiago (1-0, 3.52) vs. RHP Kenta Maeda (1-1, 1.89)
TV: SNLA Radio: KLAC/KTNQ

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(Maeda bows with LLWS Champs from Japan, pic via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2016)

KONNICHIWA!: The Dodgers continue their three-game Freeway Series against the Angels tonight at Dodger Stadium, before heading to Anaheim for a 6:05 p.m. game Saturday (LHP Alex Wood vs. RHP Nick Tropeano) to conclude Spring Training. Tonight’s starter, Kenta Maeda, will make his first Dodger Stadium appearance in his final tune-up before the start of the season, after signing with the club during the offseason from Japan. After an off-day Sunday, the Dodgers kick off the regular season Monday against the Padres at PETCO Park.

St. Patrick's Day Magic on Fantasy Baseball Cards

I decided to have a little bit of fun with many of the photos I saw throughout the web this afternoon by making some fantasy Baseball cards.  As you can see, my subject matter was yesterday's St. Patrick's Day festivities and those awesomely themed jerseys the Dodgers wore.  I also decided to use my all-time favorite card design -- the 1972 Topps Baseball card with a greenish hue.  Check them all out.

Photos used in the fantasy cards above were grabbed from numerous different sources; including the Dodgers tumbler, @Dodgers on twitter, Joc Pederson's twitter and the Dodgers on Instagram.

* Please follow on twitter @ernestreyes *

* Like Dodgers Blue Heaven on facebook *

* Dodgers Blue Heaven home page *

Dodgers Notes from Spring Training: Spring Game 17/Road Game 9

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 (10-4-2) at Arizona Diamondbacks (12-4-1)
Friday, March 18, 2016 – 1:10 p.m. MT | Salt River Fields at Talking Stick
RHP Brandon Beachy (0-0, 0.00) vs. RHP Zack Godley (0-0, 7.20)
TV: None Radio: AM 570 (English)

Today's Dodger lineup:
Ethier LF
Kendrick 2B
Turner 3B
Utley 1B
Puig RF
Grandal C
Hernandez SS
Thompson CF
Beachy P

— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) March 18, 2016

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(Alex Wood, pic via @Dodgers on twitter)

MOVING FORWARD: The Dodgers, who are back on the road today, will take on the Diamondbacks in their last match-up of the spring at Salt River Fields. Los Angeles fell to the World Champion Kansas City Royals in yesterday’s contest, a 5-1 defeat at Camelback Ranch. At the plate, Joc Pederson doubled in the first inning and then was driven in by a Scott Van Slyke double to record the lone run for the Dodgers. On the mound, Alex Wood allowed just one run on four hits in 3.0 innings in his second start of the spring and Kenley Jansen, Louis Coleman and Pedro Baez each tossed a scoreless inning of relief, while Ross Stripling recorded four strikeouts in two scoreless frames.

(Van Slyke, pic via @Dodgers on twitter)

• The Dodgers beat the Diamondbacks, 7-2, in their last meeting on March 5 at Camelback Ranch.
• Los Angeles, who will host Arizona in its home regular-season opener on April 12, took the 2015 season series from the Diamondbacks, 13-6.

LIGHTING’EM UP: The Dodger offense has been clicking on all cylinders this spring, ranking among the National League clubs in slugging percentage .482 (2nd), batting average .283 (3rd) and on-base percentage (T-3rd). Individually, Scott Van Slyke ranks among the NL’s best in average (.414, 2nd), home runs (3, T-8th), on-base percentage (.500, T-3rd) and slugging percentage (.828, 3rd), while Austin Barnes and Rob Segedin are tied for second with four Spring Training homers.

(Agon at WBC, pic via WBC on twitter)

VIVA MEXICO!: The Dodgers would like to congratulate Adrian Gonzalez and Team Mexico on its 2-1 win in last night’s WBC qualifier against the Czech Republic! Gonzalez finished the night going 0-for-1 with three walks and a run scored. Dodger great Fernando Valenzuela, who served as a pitching coach for Team Mexico in the 2006, 2009 and 2013 World Baseball Classics, tournaments, threw the ceremonial first pitch prior to the game in Mexicali. Team Mexico will face Nicaragua on Friday at Mexicali.

TRIMMING THE ROOM: The Dodgers made their second cuts of the spring after yesterday’s game, optioning INF Micah Johnson, RHP Yaisel Sierra, RHP Ross Stripling and LHP Ian Thomas, while reassigning RHP Jose De Leon, LHP Julio Urias and C Jack Murphy to minor-league camp. The Dodgers have 47 players in big-league camp, excluding Brandon McCarthy and Frankie Montas, who are on the 60-day DL.

TODAY’S PROBABLE PITCHERS:

• RHP Brandon Beachy will make his second start of the spring, throwing 3.0 scoreless frames against the Cubs March 12. Beachy, who has appeared in two games thus far during Spring Training, has yet to give up a run in 5.0 innings of work. He made two starts with the Dodgers in 2015 after being reinstated from the 60-day disabled list, before being optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City where he went 1-1 with a 3.64 ERA in 10 games (nine starts).
• RHP Yimi Garcia will make his sixth appearance, last pitching Wednesday against the Rockies, allowing one run in an inning of relief. He ranked among the NL’s best relievers in WHIP (0.95, 5th), opponents’ batting average (.199, 16th), opponents’ on-base percentage (.242, 4th) and strikeout-to-walk ratio (6.60, 3rd).
• LHP Adam Liberatore will appear in his sixth Cactus League game, after tossing a perfect inning Wednesday against Colorado. Liberatore saw his first big league action last season with the Dodgers, going 2-2 with a 4.25 ERA in 39 games.
• LHP Luis Avilan will appear in his fifth game of the spring, after striking out the only batter he faced against the White Sox Tuesday. He combined to go 2-5 with a 4.05 ERA and a 1.18 WHIP in 73 relief appearances for the Braves and the Dodgers last season.
• RHP Jamey Wright has thrown 3.1 innings of work in four outings this spring (6 ER), last pitching Tuesday against the White Sox. Wright, a 19-year MLB veteran, last pitched in the Majors in 2014, going 5-4 with a 4.35 ERA in 61 appearances with the Dodgers.

(Kiké Hernandez, pic via Dodgers tumblr)

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