Blog Kiosk: 12/17/2013 - Dodgers Links - Uribe, Kemp and JP Howell Coming Back?

Andre Ethier spent the day at Dodger Stadium yesterday with 10 year old Emily.  The above pic via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2013.  Listen to Andre Ethier at AM570 as he talks about hagin' with Emily.

• Via Mike Petriello at Mike Scioscia's Tragic Illness, "The Immediate Effects of Juan Uribe’s Return".
• Peter Gammons at the Daily Gammons notes that the Dodgers wanted Uribe for "as much for what he does off the field, as on".  (Hat Tip: JP Hoornstra)

“He was a huge stabilizing force for (Yasiel) Puig,” says one Dodger official. “Puig really wants to do the right things, and he listens to and leans on Uribe. The kid might not have made it through the year without him.”

• Eric Stephen at True Blue LA has the details on the new MLB/NPB posting agreement.  We will soon find out if Japanese ace Masahiro Tanaka becomes available.  The Dodgers are rumored to be very interested in his services.
• Via Gina DiFalco at The Celebrity Cafe, "Khloe Kardashian not dating L.A. Dodgers outfielder Matt Kemp, not ready to date".
• Via Gen at Yakyubaka.com, Takumi Numata finalized his contract with the Dodgers.
• Via Ken Gurnick at MLB.com, "Dodgers reportedly ready to bring back Howell".

The Dodgers and free-agent reliever J.P. Howell are closing in on a contract agreement for two years plus a vesting option, according to a baseball source.

Howell would be guaranteed $11.25 million, with a $6.25 million salary in 2016 if he makes 120 appearances the first two seasons.

• Cards That Never Were starts off the holidays by making some fantasy cards of his favorite Christmas characters.
• Baseball-Reference does the holidays right!  Check out their page of future superstar prospect Rudolph.  I especially love the fantasy Baseball cards they made.  See them below.

* Please follow on twitter @ernestreyes *

* Like Dodgers Blue Heaven on facebook *

* Dodgers Blue Heaven home page *

Blog Kiosk: 12/10/2013 - Dodgers Links - Joe Torre Going to the Hall, Kasten on the Dodgers and Moving On from Uribe?

Check out this spectaular photo found on Reddit.  It is from a April 25, 1965 ballgame between the Dodgers and Phillies.  Willie Davis is captured by a well hidden camera sliding into 2nd base.  Photo by Neil Leifer/Sports Illustrated/Getty Images. 

• Tony Jackson at Dodger Scribe is shutting down his blog. 
• The Hall of Fame Expansion Era Committee decide its time to honor the managers.  Via Barry M. Bloom at MLB.com, "La Russa, Torre, Cox going into Hall of Fame".
• In honor of Joe Torre's selection into the Hall of Fame, Dodgers photographer Jon SooHoo shares a whole bunch of pics featuring Torre.  Check them out here.
• Via Mark Saxon at ESPN, "Stan Kasten on Bobby Cox and rebuilding the farm".

“This year, I think we’re more into fine tuning,” Kasten said. “That doesn’t mean we won’t be opportunistic if some opportunity presents itself, but it also wouldn’t surprise me if we went through the whole winter without doing a big deal.” 

• Mark Saxon also writes, "Dodgers prepared to move on from Juan Uribe".  Uribe is apparently testing the Dodger patience when it comes to their negotiations.

“Everybody can go do what they want to go do,” Colletti said. “Hopefully, this week we’ll have more conversations with them and at least get an update on their position. I’m in need of an update on their position.” 

• Via Roger Schlueter at MLB.com, "Kershaw's greatness reaching historic levels".
• Ken Gurnick at MLB.com writes, "D-backs' Gibson explains Ellis comment".
• Teenage hurler Takumi Numata of Japan visited Dodger Stadium yesterday.  Apparently, he took a tour of the facilities and had a physical.  It's possible that he'll soon sign with the Dodgers.  He shared a pic of himself at Dodger Stadium that you can see here.  In case you forgot, he agreed to sign with the Dodgers earlier in the year, circumventing Japanese Amateur Baseball Association rules, which earned him a lifetime suspension from that league.  
• Luke Adams at MLB Trade Rumors has a rundown of all the various rumors and gossip stories surrounding the Dodgers.  I have little patience for this kind of stuff, but if you're interested in the hot stove you should go there.

* Please follow on twitter @ernestreyes *

* Like Dodgers Blue Heaven on facebook *

* Dodgers Blue Heaven home page *

Blog Kiosk: 9/26/2013 - Dodgers Links - A Postseason Rally, Ethier and Numata

Tim Wallach is hitting some balls during infield practice in the photo above.  Pic via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2013.

• Dodger postseason rally Sunday following final regular season game of the year.  Per a Dodgers press release:

  The Los Angeles Dodgers will hold a Postseason Rally following this Sunday's 1:10 p.m. regular-season finale against the Colorado Rockies in order to offer fans the opportunity to wish the Dodgers well prior to the start of postseason play. The Postseason Rally is free with a ticket for Sunday's game, which also is Fan Appreciation Day.

Dodger players, manager Don Mattingly and Hall of Famer Tommy Lasorda will partake in the Postseason Rally, which will be hosted by television talk show host Arsenio Hall. The Postseason Rally will include musical entertainment and a 2013 season highlights video that will be played on Dodger Vision.

In addition, immediately following Sunday's game, two of the final prizes on Fan Appreciation Day will be awarded-two Dodger season tickets for 2014 as well as an all-expenses paid trip to Australia for two to join the Dodgers for their season opening games with the Arizona Diamondbacks.

• Uh-Oh!  "Dodgers 'worried' over Ethier's playoff status," via Jorge Ortiz at USA Today.

The Los Angeles Dodgers manager said outfielder Andre Ethier has been sent back to L.A. for further tests on his sprained left ankle, which has sidelined him for all but one of the last 10 games.

• "When Blue Is Thicker Than Blood," via Lee Jenkins at Sports Illustrated. 
• "Value of Mark Ellis difficult to track," via Mark Saxon at ESPN.

Ellis is the least-flashy, least-obtrusive, lowest-maintenance everyday player on the Dodgers and, without many people knowing it, he's among the most valuable. On a team of brilliant athletes, $20 million-per-year salaries and puffed-out chests, Ellis falls under none of those categories. He's just a good player in all the ways most people don't bother to track. 

• "Capuano ready to return after fielding test," via Ken Gurnick at MLB.com.
• Orel at Sons of Steve Garvey Shares a pic of a deep-fried bacon Dodger Dog... Mmmm.
• Chad Moriyama has more information about the recent Takumi Numata signing from Japan and the problems it's causing.
• Please stop this.  "2 Arrested In Fatal Stabbing Of Dodgers Fan Following Giants Game," via CBS SF Bay Area.
• I love Sesame Street.

Video Link:

* Please follow on twitter @ernestreyes *

* Like Dodgers Blue Heaven on facebook *

* Dodgers Blue Heaven home page *

Welcome to the Blue, Takumi Numata! See a Fantasy Card Creation

It took me some time, but I was finally able to find a photo of our newest international signee, Takumi Numata.  Check out the above fantasy Baseball card I made of him.  As you can see, I wasn't able to find a great pic, but I guess it'll have to do.

Numata is a 19-year old right-handed pitcher from Nagoya, Aichi, Japan.  He stands 6' 1" and weighs 188 lbs.  I'm unsure exactly what he brings to the table (I don't think anyone besides the scouts know what he can do), so we'll have to wait and see.  He is expected to report to Camelback Ranch to work out with their instructional league team.

It's just nice to see the Dodgers finally reaching throughout the world to sign talent after such a long layoff.

BTW, I think I found Numata's twitter account, but I'll wait to disclose that until I receive confirmation.

UPDATE:  From the wonderful folks on Reddit, below is a video of Numata pitching.  The video description says:

After graduating from high school, he attended Nagoya Sangyo University and dropped out after his first year.  He started playing for the Industrial League club team Edion Aichi Kogyo Daigaku OB Blitz this year.

Video Link:

UPDATE II:  Rodd Gasmer at Dodgers Nation makes note that Japanese Amateur Baseball Association might scuttle this signing.  Check out what he says here.

* Please follow on twitter @ernestreyes *

* Like Dodgers Blue Heaven on facebook *

* Dodgers Blue Heaven home page *

Blog Kiosk: 9/17/2013 - Dodgers Links - Signing Numata from Japan, Alexander Guerrero Blues and Goog Guy Gonzalez

Clayton Kershaw signs for some fans in Arizona in the pic above, via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2013.  See more pics from him from yesterday, here.

• The Dodgers made another International Signing.  This time they go to Japan and sign 19-year old Takumi Numata. Per a Dodgers press release:

Numata, 19, graduated from Ohgaki Nihon University High School in 2012 and played for the Edion AIT OB Blits of the Japanese Industrial League from April-September 2013. The 6-foot-1, 188-pounder from Nagoya, Aichi, Japan was signed by Dodger scouts Isao O'Jimi and Pat Kelly.

Numata is expected to report to Camelback Ranch - Glendale, where he will work out with the Dodgers' Instructional League team.

• Oh, dung!  This kind of move does not bode well.  Maybe Alexander Guerrero isn't headed to the Dodgers.

Source: Alexander Guerrero has signed with Boras Corp. & they are now leading negotiations. They are entertaining offers from all 30 teams.
— Jesse Sanchez (@JesseSanchezMLB) September 16, 2013

• Adrian Gonzalez has been named Dodgers' nominee for the 2013 Roberto Clemente Award.  Clayton Kershaw won the award last year.  Per a Dodgers press release:
  

 The Roberto Clemente Award presented by Chevrolet pays tribute to Clemente's achievements and character by recognizing current players who truly understand the value of helping others. The 15-time MLB All-Star and Hall of Famer who died in a plane crash on New Year's Eve 1972 while attempting to deliver supplies to earthquake victims in Nicaragua.
...
"I'm truly honored to be nominated for this award that pays tribute to Roberto Clemente, one of the greatest in the game who also had an extraordinary impact off the field with his philanthropic efforts," said Gonzalez. "Everyone should strive to be the type of man Clemente was and I am humbled that I am the Dodgers' nominee for this prestigious award. It is very important to me and my wife to give back to the community and I look forward to doing so much more."

• "Diamondbacks 2, Dodgers 1: Hyun-jin Ryu tosses gem, loses," via Eric Stephen at True Blue LA.
• "Billingsley thriving in recovery from Tommy John surgery," via Ken Gurnick at MLB.com.

"My arm probably hasn't felt this good since high school," said Billingsley. "When you're a teenager you pick up a ball and just start throwing, not worrying about having to loosen up. That's how it feels now for the first time since I was in my teens. I'm really happy with how it feels and the way it's going. They have to hold me back, it feels so good."

• Chris Levy at Sports Collectors Daily informs us that there will be a another card show in Culver City on Saturday, October 5th.
• Tony Jackson at Dodger Scribe lays down the smack down on Don Mattingley's managing of the 9th inning in last nights game.  I don't entirely hate the sacrifice bunt, but do not believe it should be the "go-to" play at all times.  I do think there's a time and place for it, and last night was not the time.  He should have let Uribe swing away.
• Via Steve Adams at MLB Trade Rumors, "Mark Kotsay To Retire At Season's End".  Although he has no Dodger ties, I wanted to mention this.  He was a star outfielder while I was in college at Cal State Fullerton, my Alma Mater, and lead the Titans to a College World Series Championship during my senior year.  Congrats on a great career!

* Please follow on twitter @ernestreyes *

* Like Dodgers Blue Heaven on facebook *

* Dodgers Blue Heaven home page *