Blog Kiosk: 4/1/2020 - Dodgers Links & News - Some Odds and Ends

Fernando!

Here's a fun UPI wire photo that I ran into on eBay (auction link).

12/2/1981 -- Hollywood: Left handed pitching sensation for the Los Angeles Dodgers Fernando Valenzuela wears a Mexican sombrero at a press conference after it was announced that he has been named the National League "Rookie of the Year". Valenzuela pitched the Dodgers to the World Championship in 1981.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1963 the Dodgers sold veteran outfielder Duke Snider to the New York Metropolitan's for $40,000. Snider would go on to represent the team in the All-Star Game. In 2013 Clayton Kershaw would be the first Major League pitcher since Don Drysdale, back in 1965, to throw a complete game shutout and hit a home run on Opening Day. Check out the boxscore here. You can watch the homer here.
• Happy Birthday, Ed Kennedy, Ron Perranoski, Matt Herges, John Axford & Chris Withrow!

Blog Kiosk: 12/19/2018 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Ouch!

Featured above is a vintage Associated Press photo of Duke Snider grasping his right elbow after being beaned. (eBay Auction Link)

THE DUKE IS FELLED.  Duke Snider, hard-hitting centerfielder of the Brooklyn Dodgers, holds his right elbow and falls to the ground after being hit by ball being pitched by Giant relief hurler Marv Grissom in tenth inning of game at Polo Grounds, New York, night of June 29.  An examination showed no break, but Snider could hardly lift his arm later.  Giants won, 4 to 3, in 13th inning.

Snider sat out the next two games nursing that elbow, and would prove to be just fine when he came in as a pinch hitter during the third game after this incident. He walloped a triple to drive in a run in the ninth inning -- bringing the Dodgers within one run of tying a game (game link).

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 2005 the Dodgers signed free agent shortstop Rafael Furcal to a three year/$39 million contract and Nomar Garciaparra to a one year/$6 million contract. In 2014 the Dodgers received veteran shortstop Jimmy Rollins from the Phillies in exchange for minor league pitchers Tom Windle and Zach Eflin. 
• Happy Birthday, Lou Koupal, Gordie Windhorn, Tom Wilson, Welcome Gaston, Wally Gilbert, Rex Barney, Geoff Zahn & Mike Fetters!

Blog Kiosk: 7/18/2018 - Dodgers Links - Machado!

Is he, or is he not coming westward?

According to numerous scribes and prognosticators, the Manny Machado sweepstakes has been won by the Dodgers. He will be changing from the horrid orange to majestic Blue, and this Dodger fan cannot be more excited. Of course, it has yet to be confirmed by the league and the respective teams. Nevertheless, I'll take last night's "Selfie" moment as a sign. He's coming!

BTW, you should check out this fantastic photoshopped pic of the Selfie -- showing Machado in Blue -- here. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1939 the Dodgers receive shortstop Pee Wee Reese from the Red Sox in exchange for $35,000, three minor leaguers and a player to be named later. It is later discovered that a poor scouting report filled out by then current Boston shortstop Joe Cronin purposefully downplayed Reese's abilities for fear of losing his job. In 1949 Jackie Robinson testified in front of the House Committee on Un-American Activities to express his disagreement with actor Paul Robeson's assertion that African-Americans would not fight a war against Russia due to America's history of racial animus. In 1957 Gil Hodges hit his 12th career grand slam to tie a National League record held by both Rogers Hornsby and Ralph Kiner.
• Happy Birthday, Johnny Hopp!

Blog Kiosk: 4/30/2018 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

A disappointing first month of the season means someone will get singled-out. Yesterday, it was Cody Bellinger. He was pulled after not running out a double for a triple. Per Eric Stephen at True Blue LA:

“I felt there wasn’t hustle on the ball he hit 421 feet into right center field. He cruised into second base. For me I feel he’s too talented of a player. For a team that’s competing every day and grinding,” manager Dave Roberts said, as seen on SportsNet LA. “You have a right fielder out there who had chills the day prior and throwing up, diving around out there. For Cody not to be on third base — it’s something we talked about before — I wouldn’t be doing him or the team any service by not acting.”

Photo above via Michael Urakami at Dodger Insider/MLB.com. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1935 the Dodgers signed 21-year old amateur free agent Rod Dedeaux. He would later on go on to become the head baseball coach at the University of Southern California (USC) for 45 season -- winning 11 national titles and 28 conference championships. In 1940 Brooklyn tied a Major League record for consecutive wins to start a season at nine victories when Dodgers hurler Tex Carlton no-hit the Cincinnati Reds, 3-0. 
• Happy Birthday, Paul Wachtel, Phil Garner, Jeff Reboulet & José Peraza!

Blog Kiosk: 2/26/2018 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Not only did we witness a fantastic Cactus League debut for staff ace Clayton Kershaw on Sunday, but we also saw two All-Star brothers play against each other for the first time -- Corey and Kyle Seager. Per Rowan Kavner at Dodger Insider:

“It’s really cool,” Corey said of playing against his brother. “It’s hard to think about, just because it’s him. You’ve been around him your whole life, watched him play a ton. It’s still weird. You still kind of feel like a fan in the stands watching, even though you’re in the dugout. It’s a really cool moment.”

Photo above via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2018. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1952 Dodgers all-star pitcher Don Newcombe is sworn into the Army to serve in the Korean War. The 26-year old would miss the next two seasons, and struggle on the field his first year back in 1954. Then, he would go on to regain his old form over the next two seasons by winning a collective 47 games and leading the Dodgers to its first World Series championship in 1955.
• Happy Birthday, Preacher Roe, Ron Negray & Matt Luke!

Blog Kiosk: 7/12/2017 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Check out the boys during the pre All-Star Game ceremonies above. Who Clayton is gawking at I do not know.

As for the game, I've realized that low-scoring All-Star games are boring, and all I could think about was how I can't wait for the second half to begin.

(pic via @AquaX107 on twitter)

The only Dodger performance of note was by Kenley Jansen. In his single inning of work in the ninth he collected three consecutive strike outs and committed a balk. Heck, the balk was the best part of his outing. With a man on second he forgot to get himself set before delivering his pitch to Avisail Garcia. Almost immediately after throwing the errant pitch he realized his error and was seen visibly laughing about it on the mound -- and as he walked back to the dugout after his outing. No doubt his teammates had some fun at his expense.

Pic above via Jon SooSoo/LA Dodgers 2017. Go here to check out more pics by Jon from yesterdays All-Star Game. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1949 the All-Star Game arrived at Ebbets Field in Brooklyn for the first and only time. This was also the first All-Star Game that included black ballplayers -- Roy Campanella, Jackie Robinson, Don Newcombe and Larry Doby of the Indians. In 1966 Dodger shortstop Maury Wills hit a walk-off single off of Pete Richert of the Senators in the tenth inning of the All-Star Game in St. Louis to help the National League defeat the American League, 2-1. Other Dodger participants include Jim Lefebvre (who went 0-for-2 as the starter at second base) and Sandy Koufax (who made his only career All-Star start, threw three innings, struck out one, gave up one hit and allowed a single run). Dodger pitcher Phil Regan did not pitch.
• Happy Birthday, Jim Pastorious, Ray Mowe, Artie Dede, Al Glossop, Ron Fairly, Mike Munoz, Kelly Wunsch & Howie Kendrick! 

Blog Kiosk: 5/8/2017 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Kenley Jansen had an eventful Saturday evening. Not only did he enter the game with a four-run lead in the eighth inning, striking out a Padre with the bases loaded, but he also had a chance at an at-bat the next half inning. As you can see in the pic above, the tall right-hander got some wood on the pitch. Unfortunately, the result was just a ground out to the shortstop.

BTW, Jansen has only one career hit to his name, and he recorded that in 2010 -- his rookie season. It was off of Phillies pitcher Kyle Kendrick in the fifth inning at Dodger Stadium, and he was inserted in as a pinch hitter for reliever Ramon Troncoso. His single lead to a run scoring a few batters later.

The photo above via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2017. Go here to check out more pics by Jon from Saturday's game. 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. Brooklyn edged out their rivals, 7-6, on a Dolph Camilli homer run. As the story goes, in 1947 St. Louis Cardinals owner Sam Breason (who denied this) stopped a team protest during their first meeting with Jackie Robinson and the Dodgers. In 1973 Willie Stargell hit an Andy Messersmith pitch out of Dodger Stadium. It was the second time he has accomplished the feat at the stadium and only the second time it had ever happened. In 1981 Fernando Valenzuela throws 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: 3/24/2017 - Dodgers Links - Some Spring Odds and Ends

Corey Seager is on the cover of this seasons ESPN the Magazine MLB Preview issue.  It should be on newsstands soon.

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

• This Day in Dodgers History:  In 1982 Fernando Valenzuela ends his three week holdout and reports to Vero Beach for spring camp.  He earned just $42,500 in 1981, requested a raise to $1 million, then had his Dodger contract unilaterally renewed for a reported $350,000. In 2006 the U.S. Postal Service unveils the "Baseball Sluggers" postage stamps that includes Mickey Mantle, Mel Ott, Hank Greenberg and Roy Campanella.  See it on the right.
• Happy Birthday, Jim McCauley, Mike Mowrey, Jim Bucher, Dick Egan, Wilson Alvarez & Jamie Arnold!

Blog Kiosk: 3/10/2017 - Dodgers Links - Some Spring Odds and Ends

Above is an example of what avid Baseball fans had to do to keep track of the season.  Dated September 29, 1946, Dodger fans had just witnessed their team lose the last game of the season to the Braves.  This put them into an virtual tie with the Cardinals for the National League pennant with St. Louis' last game still left to play.  Naturally, without instant media at their fingertips Dodger fans had to stick around the stadium to get news of their rivals battle against Chicago, so they flooded the field awaiting news.  Per the descriptor on the reverse:

Awaiting the Verdict: After they had seen Brooklyn drop their game to the Boston Braves, 4-0, crowds jam the field in front of the scoreboard at Ebbets Field to watch the play-by-play account of the St. Louis Cardinals-Chicago Bubs battle.  Redbirds lost 8 to 3.

With the loss the Dodgers and Cardinals would play a three-game playoff series to decide the pennant.  Unfortunately, the Dodgers would get swept and begin their vacation.

The above photo is current available on auction at RMY Auctions (link here).  Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History:  In 1983 longtime Dodger manager Walter Alston is elected into the Baseball Hall of Fame by the Special Veterans Committee vote. 
• Happy Birthday, Gene DeMontreville, Art Herring & Steve Howe!
  

Blog Kiosk: 3/9/2017 - Dodgers Links - Some Spring Odds and Ends

Joc Pederson is mashing the ball this spring.  Yesterday afternoon he launched his third homer in March.  Per Adam McCalvy at MLB.com:

"I've been working on my swing, my path to the ball, and it's encouraging to see it pay off in the game," said Pederson, who leads the club with three home runs.

"His approach is really consistent, he's not trying to pull the ball too much," manager Dave Roberts said of Pederson. "When he's going hard up the middle, like the line drive to the shortstop [in the third inning], we know he's in a good place."

Pederson also chats about his leadoff home run with Kelli Tennant of SportsNet LA in an interview that you can see here.  Photo above via SportsNet LA on twitter.  Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodger History:  In 1943 he Brooklyn Dodgers received soon-to-be Hall of Fame centerfielder Lloyd "Little Poison" Waner from the Phillies in exchange for veteran infielder Babe Dahlgren.
• Happy Birthday, Rube Yarrison, Arky Vaughan, Terry Mulholland, Koyie Hill & Willy Aybar!
  

Blog Kiosk: 3/1/2017 - Dodgers Links - Some Spring Odds and Ends

Wonderkid Julio Urias made his first spring start yesterday; throwing 14-pitches in one inning of work, giving up two singles, allowing one run and recording two strike outs.  He then went in the bullpen to throw another inning.  Per Ken Gurnick at MLB.com:

"My goal this year is to better what I have," said Urias. "Last year at midseason, I worked with [pitching coach Rick] Honeycutt on the curveball and slider. I threw one curve today, threw one slider for the strikeout, and overall felt well."

He is slowly working to prepare himself for a full season slog.  As you know, the Dodgers are likely to control his workload and limit the number of innings he throws -- as they should.  He has never thrown more than 122 innings during any one season, so there is a legitimate worry about hurting his arm.  I suspect they'll try to stretch him out this year to no more than 180 innings (and that might be too high).

Photo at the very top via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2017.  Go here to check out even more pics by Jon from yesterday.  Below are more links to check out:

• Of Note: This is not Dodger news, but I thought it was important enough to share.  In 1947 the Cleveland Indians, in anticipation of signing a black ballplayer, set up their spring camp in Phoenix.  The Giants do the same.  They chose Arizona because of its relatively tolerant racial climate. They would sign Larry Doby later in the year.
• Happy Birthday, Tim Thompson, Bert Hamric, Omar Daal & Blake Hawksworth!
  

Blog Kiosk: 2/14/2017 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Above is a fantastic look at Tommy Lasorda's Dodger office, likely taken in the late 70's.  Directly behind him is his Frank Sinatra wall, and directly to his right are a group of 1977 Topps Dodger cards on a plaque.  Via Arash Markazi at ESPN in a story about Tommy's Dodger Stadium office:

"This is my life," Lasorda said as he stretched his arms out and looked around. "It's all right here in this room. It's all my friends and family. It's like a museum."

Photo above via @Cut4 on twitter.  Below are more links to check out:

• Happy Birthday, Candy LaChance, Tim Jordan, Abe Kruger, Len Gabrielson & Takashi Saito!
  

Blog Kiosk: 1/13/2017 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

He's officially a Dodger now.

Featured above is a vintage International News press photograph showing the Dodgers manager helping newly signed Dodgers coach, Babe Ruth, into his uniform for the very first time.  (RMY Auction Listing) Per the descriptor on the reverse:

Into Uniform Once More... But Only To Coach:  Manager Burleigh Grimes of the Brooklyn Dodgers helps the one-time King of Swat to don his uniform.  Just before the Brooklyn team took to the field to engage in a double-header against the Chicago Cubs.  A few minutes later, the Bambino received a tremendous ovation from 25,000 fans when he made his debut as a Dodger coach.  The beloved ex-home run king spent an hour posing for the movies before the game, signing autographs and hitting fungoes to the outfield.  To top things off Ruth took a turn at bat and drove one of Grimes offerings out of the lot (dated 6/19/1938)

The Dodgers were no-hit by Reds hurler Johnny Vander Meer on June 15, 1938 -- the second of his two consecutive no-hitters that season.  Then the following day Ruth met with the team and officially signed a contract to be a coach for Brooklyn.  He would debut in the uniform on the 19th at Ebbets Field.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History:  In 1988 Steve Garvey announced his retirement from the game of Baseball.
• Happy Birthday, Jimmy Jordan & Elmer Dessens!
  

Blog Kiosk: 12/22/2016 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

It looks like Maury Wills is about to steal a base with Ernie Banks holding him on.

Featured above is a vintage, circa 1960's, Kodachrome 35mm Slide Transparency of in-game action between the Dodgers and Cubs.  (Auction Link Here)  Unfortunately, it is not dated but we do know it was taken at Wrigley Field, and by the looks of it Maury is about to steal one of the 29 bases he stole in Chicago throughout his career.  The photo was taken by noted Chicago area freelance photographer Lee Balterman.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History:  In 2001 the Dodgers traded a couple of minor leaguers for outfielder and future manager Dave Roberts. 
• Happy Birthday, Buster Burrell, Tex Erwin, Al Ferrara, Steve Garvey & Ken Landreaux!

Blog Kiosk: 11/14/2016 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

This past Friday on Veterans Day the Dodgers hosted a 300+ contingent of American military personnel and veterans for an afternoon of batting practice, food and tours at Dodger Stadium.  Per Ken Gurnick at MLB.com:

"The Dodgers want to honor the men and women that serve our country, and not just the service people, but their family and loved ones," said Naomi Rodriguez, Dodgers vice president of external affairs.
"We want them to come here and have a great time, have a Dodger Dog. I mean, it's everyone's fantasy to hit a ball at Dodger Stadium. So we give them that opportunity to walk to home plate and take batting practice and have a great time."

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

• Happy Birthday, Jim Brewer!

WTF! The Justice Department Suing AT&T over a Dodgers TV Conspiracy

What the heck is going on!

Word is spreading that the Justice Department filed suit today against AT&T accusing their DirectTV unit of an concerted, orchestrated and collusionary campaign to illegally block carriage of the Los Angeles Dodgers' TV channel -- SportsNet LA.

Wha...?

Per Meg James of the LA Times:

In a lawsuit filed Wednesday in federal court in Los Angeles, the Justice Department accused DirecTV of being a ringleader in an effort to make sure that three other pay-TV companies — Cox Communications, Charter Communications and AT&T (which was then separate from DirecTV) -- would refuse to carry SportsNet LA, the Dodgers-owned TV channel.

The lawsuit alleges that the four companies engaged in illegal conduct, sharing nonpublic information among themselves, to gain bargaining leverage in negotiations with Time Warner Cable, which was struggling to get the pay TV companies to sign up for the channel.

This is like some sort of corporate conspiracy, and only adds fuel to the belief in most Americans that cable companies are a bunch of conniving monsters who should be forced to relinquish any and all monopolies that they enjoy.  This whole thing makes me sick to my stomach.

UPDATE:  Per a Justice Department press release:

The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, alleges that DIRECTV unlawfully exchanged competitively-sensitive information with Cox, Charter and AT&T during the companies’ negotiations for the right to telecast the Dodgers Channel.  Specifically, the complaint alleges that DIRECTV and each of these competitors agreed to and did exchange non-public information about their companies’ ongoing negotiations to telecast the Dodgers Channel, as well as their companies’ future plans to carry – or not carry – the channel.  The complaint also alleges that the companies engaged in this conduct in order unlawfully to obtain bargaining leverage and to reduce the risk that they would lose subscribers if they decided not to carry the channel but a competitor chose to do so.  The complaint further alleges that the information learned through these unlawful agreements was a material factor in the companies’ decisions not to carry the Dodgers Channel.  The Dodgers Channel is still not carried by DIRECTV, Cox or AT&T.

“As the complaint explains, Dodgers fans were denied a fair competitive process when DIRECTV orchestrated a series of information exchanges with direct competitors that ultimately made consumers less likely to be able to watch their hometown team,” said Deputy Assistant Attorney General Jonathan Sallet of the Justice Department’s Antitrust Division.  “Competition, not collusion, best serves consumers and that is especially true when, as with pay-television providers, consumers have only a handful of choices in the marketplace.”

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With Time Warner Gone -- It's Now Time to Hate Charter Communications

Ugh!

Just when I thought things could get better with Time Warner out of the picture, I've come to recently realize that Charter might be just as bad -- if not worse.  Based upon several comments in an article released yesterday by LA Times reporter Meg James ("Charter introduces Spectrum brand in Southern California") we should NOT expect to see Dodger Baseball broadcasted widely throughout the Los Angeles area next season.  Instead, we will likely be experiencing a fourth straight season of the "Dodgers Blackout."

The SportsNet LA channel will be priced higher next season, returning to its initial rate of more than $4.50 a month per subscriber home. That is the amount that AT&T’s DirecTV, Cox Communications and Frontier Communications all have complained was too high. Time Warner Cable, which entered into a long-term deal to distribute the sports channel, in March had offered a reduced rate for one year to encourage other pay-TV providers to carry it — but the proposed discount has since been abandoned.

“That deal is no longer on the table -- it didn’t work,” Charter Chief Executive Thomas Rutledge said Tuesday in an interview with the Los Angeles Times. “We would love to sell the channel to others, but no one has bought it — and we are not giving it away. So if consumers want the Dodger channel, they’ll need to subscribe to us to get it.”

Same sh*t, different company.

Keep this in mind, the deal the Dodgers initially signed with Time Warner was for 25 years, so assuming the above stance remains constant over that time we might not see wide coverage until 2039!

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Blog Kiosk: 7/26/2016 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

As a departure from the mundane, Bobby Morgan is seen in the vintage press photo (via an eBay listing) above aiming at his target during spring training, 1950.  Per the descriptor on the reverse:

Bobby Morgan, Brooklyn Dodgers rookie infielder from Oklahoma City, Okla., sets his sights on a bat during training at the Dodgers Vero Beach, Fla., spring training camp. March 5.  Morgan was voted the Most Valuable Player in the International League last year while playing with Montreal.  He compiled a batting average last year of .337. 

Bobby did make the club as the teams starting third baseman in 1950, but didn't enjoy the same success he had with the Royals.  He batted just .226 on the year.  Thereafter, he became primarily an utility guy on the diamond for the Brooklyn Dodgers.  Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodger History:  In 1951 Dodgers outfielder Jim Russell becomes the first player in Major League history to hit home runs from both sides of the plate in a single game for the second time in a career.  In 1990 Mike Sharperson became the first player in LA Dodgers history to start at every infield position during a season.
• Happy Birthday, Hoyt Wilhelm!

Blog Kiosk: 7/21/2016 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

In honor of his pending induction this weekend I made a couple of custom fantasy Baseball cards last night featuring Mike Piazza in a old Albuquerque Dukes uniform.  I used photos recently shared by Bay Area freelance photographer Brad Mangin the other day.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodger History:  In 1956 Junior Gilliam sets a major league record by handling 12 assists at second base. Also on this day, Pee Wee Reese recorded his 2,000th career hit.
  

Blog Kiosk: 5/18/2016 - Dodgers Links - Kershaw, Maeda's Bobble and the Time Warner/Charter Merger is Done

Kenta Maeda finally got a look at the promotional bobblehead the Dodgers are giving out on Tuesday, July 26th against the Tampa Bay Rays.  As you can see, in the photo tweeted out by the Dodgers, he definitely got a kick out of it.  On the right is a better look at the bobble, via another tweet by the Dodgers.

BTW, Clayton Kershaw was fantastic once again last night.  For the sixth straight game, resetting the MLB record, he recorded double-digit strike outs and had one or less walks.  Overall, he went eight innings, allowed four hits, struck out eleven and walked none to record his sixth win of the season.  Via Ken Gurnick and Fabian Ardaya at MLB.com:

"When you see [Mike] Trout walking up to the batter's box and he looks at me and shakes his head like, 'I'm going to take my medicine,' that respect is earned," said Dodgers manager Dave Roberts. "There's that novelty, that respect that Clayton has from other players, so when you get in there, you're almost defeated."

On another note, the Dodgers youngsters continue to wreck the ball.  For the third straight game one of the kids hit a couple long balls in the game.  On Sunday, Corey Seager hit two homers.  On Monday, Trayce Thompson hammered two of his own.  Then last night, Joc Pederson pocketed a couple while Seager hit another. 

Go here to check out a bunch of great pics from yesterdays game from Jon SooHoo.  Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1931 Dodgers outfielder Babe Herman would hit for the cycle for the first time. He would do it against Cincinnati, and accomplish this feat three times in his career.
• Happy Birthday, Eric Young!