Blog Kiosk: 2/27/2017 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Friday was photo day for the Dodgers at Camelback Ranch - when media groups around the country come into town to capture the "Boys in Blue" on film (or bytes, if you will).  Above is Adrian Gonzalez with his emoji, taken by Dodger photographer Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2017.  Go here to check out more pics he took on photo day; including practice on the field.

You can also check out pics by Jon SooHoo from Saturday (link here) and Sunday (link here), as well.  Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodger History:  In 1932 the Brooklyn Dodgers signed future Hall of Fame pitcher Waite Hoyt to a free agent contract.
• Happy Birthday, Roy Hutson, Rube Melton, Carl Warwick, Henry Cruz, Willie Banks & Carlos Triunfel!

Blog Kiosk: 12/9/2016 - Dodgers Links - Valentine, Urias, Turner and Sandy Koufax

Once upon a time, Sandy Koufax moonlighted as an actor.  He wasn't a particularly good one, mind you, but he did get quite a few Hollywood roles; especially after leading the Los Angeles Dodgers to a World Series Championship in 1959. Heck, he and many of his teammates suddenly became the toast of the town, and producers quickly came knocking on their doors.

(Koufax with Dorothy Provine)

Featured above is a vintage 1959 ABC promotional photograph that shows Sandy playing a cavalry officer named Johnny in the TV western Colt .45. (eBay Auction Link)  Koufax had a short scene in the episode, titled "Impasse", that resulted in his untimely death.  Jeff Katz, the Mayor of Cooperstown and lover of Baseball, writes on his blog:

Not a very lengthy role, Koufax dies in the opening scene, before the TV critics could get a handle on his acting chops. The quick-witted Koufax gave his own review, “I’ve gone out quicker in some games.” True before 1960, not so true after. The Brooklyn-born lefty was willing to give acting a go. Cognizant that it was his ball playing skills providing him with small screen opportunity, Sandy thought these small chances could lead to more. “I don’t know if I have any acting talent, but if anybody wants to take a chance it’s O.K. with me. If there’s a career for me in acting, fine. I want to go as far as my capabilities will carry me. At 23, I’ve got to think about what I’m going to do after leaving baseball.” He couldn’t imagine that day would come so quickly. For his role as Johnny, credited to “Sanford Koufax,” he was pleased that he didn’t “have to ride a horse, just die.”

On the right is another publicity photo that shows him with actress Dorothy Provine.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History:  In 1981 the traded Jack Perconte and Rick Sutcliffe to the Indians for Jack Fimple, Jorge Orta and Larry White.  In 1992 the Dodgers signed free agent closer Todd Worrell.  In 2012 the Dodgers signed Hyun-Jin Ryu to a six-year, $36 million contract.
• Happy Birthday, Joe Kelley, Enos Kirkpatrick, Juan Samuel, Mat Latos & Eric Stults!

Blog Kiosk: 10/4/2016 - Dodgers Links - Liberatore, Hershiser, Dodgers Wrestling and Kershaw

So... What are the Dodgers doing while they await their NLDS this coming weekend against the Nationals?

Watching some wrestling, of course.

Featured above are JP Howell, Justin Turner and Josh Reddick, along with WWE star Seth Rollins, at Monday Night RAW in the Staples Center.  As you can see, they gave Rollins his very own Dodgers jersey.  BTW, Reddick is also seen holding the Dodgers "Player of the Game" belt on his shoulder.  In fact, he would later on show off the belt to the wrestling fans in attendance, via a photo shared by Reddick on Instagram on the right.

Photo at the very top via Justin Turner on twitter.  Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History:  In 1955 the unbelievable happened.  The Brooklyn Dodgers, behind the brilliant pitching of Johnny Podres, captured their very first World Championship in franchise history.  They defeated the hated NY Yankees in seven games.  In 1959 the Dodgers won the teams very first playoff game in Los Angeles when they defeated the Chicago White Sox, 3-1.  This win put them up two games to one in the series.  They would later on win the World Series in the sixth game four days later.  In 2006 the worst play in Dodgers playoff history happened (in my opinion) when two runners are thrown out at home plate on the same throw during Game 1 of the NLDS against the Mets.  You can relive the horror here.
• Happy Birthday, Mike Sharperson, Stephen Fife and Tony Gwynn Jr.!

Blog Kiosk: 3/18/2016 - Dodgers Links - Team Mexico Eked Out a Victory in First Game

Three Dodgers were in Mexicali, Mexico for the first game of the WBC qualifying tournament.  One as a broadcaster, another to throw out the first pitch and the third to play the game.  Seated from left to right in the photo above are Alex Cora, Fernando Valenzuela and Adrian Gonzalez, as tweeted by Alex Cora.  Fortunately, all three would walk away happy from the days results.  Team Mexico squeaked out a victory against an upstart Czech Republic team.  Via Mark Newman at WorldBaseballClassic.com:

Mexico, a huge favorite in this four-nation qualifier and playing in a party atmosphere at home, scratched out two runs in the first inning and then withstood an eighth-inning homer by Matej Hejma before escaping with a 2-1 victory Thursday over a resilient Czech Republic team.
...
On Thursday, Adrian Gonzalez, the local hero and Dodgers first baseman, walked three times and scored one of the two runs in the first inning. That all happened after he caught the ceremonial first pitch from Fernando Valenzuela, part of a 45-minute pregame spectacle.

"I'm great," Gonzalez said before the game. "Being able to play here in Mexico in the great town of Mexicali, they have a great fan base and people are here from all over to watch us play. Our crowd is one of the best in every WBC. They bring noise and lift us up."

Below are more links to check out:

• More cuts in Dodgers spring camp were announced yesterday.  Via Jon Weisman at Dodger Insider, "Urias, De Leon among seven sent to minors."
• In news that is not entire surprising, Dave Roberts named Kershaw, Kazmie, Maeda and Wood as his starting four, via Eric Stephen at True Blue LA:

Mike Bolsinger, Brandon Beachy and Zach Lee are the three candidates for the fifth starter spot. Though Beachy isn't currently on the 40-man roster, all three have options should the Dodgers decide to use multiple pitchers in the role in April. But Roberts wouldn't rule out Urias just yet, based on talent alone.

• Audio:  Listen to Tony Gwynn Jr with Darren Smith at the Mighty 1090AM radio show.  He chats about the Dodgers pitching concerns, what it was like to grow up as a kid in the Padres clubhouse and his perspective on the Adam LaRoche controversy. (Link Here)
• Video:  Yasiel Puig won't be suspended over nightclub incident. He talks about moving on and his latest outing in Spring Training. (Link Here)
• Former Dodger pitcher Brad Penny to retire, via Jeff Todd at MLB Trade Reports.
• Via Barry Bloom at MLB.com, "Wood returns as Dodgers shape pitching staff."
• With Domingo Ayala's recent contract he decides to tour Jerry Hariston's home in order to make an offer.

Video Link:

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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) at LA Angels (3-5)
Wednesday, March 9, 2016 – 1:10 p.m. MT | Tempe Diablo Stadium
LHP Scott Kazmir (0-0, 9.00) vs. RHP Jered Weaver (0-0, 0.00)
TV: None Radio: None

Dodgers lineup vs. Angels:
Pederson CF
Ethier LF
Gonzalez 1B
Van Slyke RF
Grandal C
Seager SS
Barnes DH
Segedin 3B
Herrera 2B
(Kazmir P)

— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) March 9, 2016

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(Clayton Kershaw, pic via @Dodgers on twitter)

LET ME SEE YOUR HALO: The Dodgers (4-1-1) take on the Angels today in Tempe after beating the Cubs, 7-3, yesterday in Mesa. Andre Ethier and A.J. Ellis posted multi-hit games and Trayce Thompson drilled a two-run triple to help break the game open in the seventh inning. Clayton Kershaw allowed one run and struck out five in 3.0 innings in his second start of the spring and Carlos Frias tossed 2.0 scoreless innings of relief in the victory.

• The Dodgers won five of their six meetings against the Angels last year, sweeping the series at Dodger Stadium and winning two of three games in Anaheim.

FAMILIAR FACES: The Dodgers would like to welcome Ron Cey to Camelback Ranch, where he is making his annual visit as a guest instructor. The six-time All-Star played 12 of his 17 big league seasons with Los Angeles and was a tri-MVP of the 1981 World Series.

• Former Dodger infielder Cesar Izturis also stopped by the Ranch today. Izturis played five of his 13 MLB seasons with the Dodgers from 2002-06.

NEW VOICES: New Dodger broadcasters Joe Davis and Tony Gwynn Jr. were in Glendale this morning in preparation for their new roles with the club:

• Davis, 28, has been calling play-by-play on Fox Sports’ national coverage of college football, Major League Baseball and college basketball and will continue to do so while broadcasting 50 road games for the Dodgers this year. His first Spring Training broadcast will be on March 18, when the Dodgers take on the D-backs.
• Gwynn Jr., 33 will join the Dodgers’ post-game show and DodgerTalk on AM 570 LA Sports and also serve as an analyst on SNLA. In an eight-year Major League career, he played for the Brewers, Padres, the Dodgers and the Phillies. 

(Scott Kazmir, pic via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2016)

TODAY’S PROBABLE PITCHERS:

• LHP Scott Kazmir will make his second start of the spring today against the Angels, for whom he pitched for from 2009-2010. In his Dodger debut against the Rangers on Friday, Kazmir allowed two runs on six hits in 2.0 innings of work in a no-decision. The three-time All-Star enters his 12th Major League season after posting a career-best 3.10 ERA last season with the Athletics and Astros.
• RHP Mike Bolsinger impressed in his first Cactus League appearance, striking out two in 2.0 scoreless innings of relief on Friday against the Rangers. Bolsinger went 6-6 with a 3.62 ERA in 21 starts in three stints with the Dodgers last year after being acquired from Arizona on Nov. 22, 2014.
• RHP Jharel Cotton tossed 2.0 scoreless innings in his spring debut on Friday against the Rangers. The 24-year-old, who is in his first big league camp, progressed from Single-A to Triple-A during the course of the 2015 season, going a combined 6-2 with a 2.45 ERA in 21 games (11starts) with Single-A Great Lakes, Single-A Rancho Cucamonga, Double-A Tulsa and Triple-A Oklahoma City. The native of St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands, was selected in the 20th round of the 2012 First-Year Player Draft out of East Carolina University.
• RHP Chris Hatcher will be making his second appearance of the spring after allowing two runs (one earned) in 1.0 inning of work on Saturday against the D-backs. In his first year with the Dodgers in 2015, Hatcher went 3-5 with four saves and a 3.69 ERA in 49 games following his acquisition from the Marlins in a seven-player trade on Dec. 10, 2014.
• LHP Luis Avilan is also expected to make his second Cactus League appearance today after striking out two batters in 1.0 scoreless inning against the Diamondbacks on Saturday. Avilan, who was acquired in a 2015 midseason trade with the Braves, boasted the fourth lowest percentage of inherited runners scored (16.1) among National League relievers last season.
• RHP Jamey Wright will make his second appearance of the spring after striking out one in a scoreless inning on Saturday against Arizona. 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.
• The Dodgers have three additional pitchers suiting up today from the minor league side: RHP Jeremy Kehrt (#84), RHP Logan Bawcom (#88) and RHP Felipe Gonzalez (#89).

(Roberts and Wills share some bunting knowledge with Crawford and Pederson, pic via @SportsNetLA on twitter)

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Welcome to the Dodgers, Tony Gwynn Jr. and Tim Cates!

The Dodgers made a couple announcement this afternoon, but it's not news from the player-side.  Instead, they let us know of a couple new additions to their broadcast staff - one of whom you should already know. I'd like to extend a warm Dodgers Blue Heaven welcome to former Dodgers outfielder Tony Gwynn Jr. (twitter: @tonygwynnjr) and longtime sports broadcaster Tim Cates (twitter: @timcates). 

Tony Gwynn Jr. will join David Vassegh on the postgame Dodger Talk radio show.  This will be Vassegh's fifth season.  Gwynn, son of Hall of Famer Tony, had played two season for the Dodgers starting in 2011, and recorded career numbers in Blue.  In 239 games for the Dodgers he slashed .245/.294/.326/.619.  Check out his stats via Baseball-Reference here.  From a Dodgers press release:

The 33-year-old Gwynn Jr. played eight seasons in the Major Leagues for the Brewers (2006-08), Padres (2009-10), Dodgers (2011-12) and Phillies (2014). In 685 career games, the San Diego native stole 80 bases, including a career-high 22 with Los Angeles in 2011. He had his best year in 2009, hitting .270 with a career-high 106 hits for the Padres.

...
DodgerTalk can be heard Monday through Friday from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. during spring training and following each game beginning with the “Freeway Series” exhibition games with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim starting Friday, March 31 and through the 2016 season.

Tim Cates will host the teams pregame show, Dodgers on Deck, on AM570 LA Sports Radio.  He is an born and raised Angeleno and graduated from UCLA.  Check out a great story about him at MyBurbank.com here.  Per Jon Weisman at Dodger Insider:

A UCLA graduate, Cates has worked in sports talk radio for almost 20 years, covering the NBA Finals, World Series, Super Bowl and NCAA Final Fours, and serving as a producer, reporter and host on Fox Sports Radio Network and AM 570 LA Sports. Most recently, Cates has hosted UCLA football and basketball pregame and postgame shows, and can also be heard as the studio host for Compass Media Networks coverage of the Oakland Raiders and NCAA football and basketball.

In celebration of them joining the Dodgers I made the above two fantasy Baseball cards.  For the Gwynn Jr. card on the left I using a photo taken by Jon SooHoo during Spring Training in 2013 and the 1964 Topps Baseball card design.  For the Cates card I grabbed a photo taken by Ross A. Benson for a MyBurbank.com story and the 1968 Topps Baseball card design.

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Blog Kiosk: 12/19/2013 - Dodgers Links -

Here's a clear sign that Baseball is just around the corner.  Topps unveiled a pic on twitter of a recently printed 2014 Topps Baseball uncut card sheet to collectors, and I had to share it here.  If you look closely (click on the pic to embiggen) you can see the Hanley Ramirez card on the bottom right. 

• David Wiers at RotoGraphs writes, "Someone Like Ryu".

As the first South Korean player to be posted, some wondered how much the difference in competitive talent would hurt Ryu. One season doesn’t make a career, however it seems as though Ryu is the real deal.

• Watch Matt Kemp speaks to Michelle Marie at ESPN to talk about elation at staying Blue.
• Via Mark Saxon at ESPNLosAngeles.com, "Can the Dodgers bank on Alexander Guerrero?"
• Topps provided an early peek at a 2013 Bowman Sterling Julio Urias autographed card on twitter.  See it on the right.  This set goes live this week.
• Via Mike Ozanian at Forbes, "IMG And Dodgers Sales: How Wall Street Is Changing The Game".
• Via ESPN, Stan Kasten talks to Max & Marcellus about the future of Matt Kemp, the addition of Cuban infielder Alexander Guerrero and says the team is ready to compete as is. 
• Listen to Ned Colletti speak with Petros and Money on AM570.  
• Old Dodger Buddy Tony Gwynn Jr. has just signed with the Phillies, via a Phillies press release.
• Outside Pitch LLC shares a recent interview with Negro League Baseball Museum President Bob Kendrick.

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Blog Kiosk: 4/17/2013

Tonight is Hello Kitty Fleece Blanket Night at the Dodgers game.  50,000 blankets will be given out.  Also, Hello Kitty will throw out the first pitch and help fans sing “Take Me Out to the Ball Game” on the field.  Oy Vey!

• You must watch this video from 2011 of Tony Gwynn Jr being heckled in Colorado, and Gwynn heckling back in his own special way. (Hat Tip: Reddit: SirEinstein)
• Rob Neyer at Baseball Nation takes a look at the villains featured in the Jackie Robinson biopic "42".  He does a great job of telling us how many of them changed.
• Dave Cameron at FanGraphs writes of "The Rejuvenation of Carl Crawford."

Through it all, Carl Crawford has been held up as more than just another player; he’s been the bully pulpit for both sides. Now healthy and away from the spotlight on the west coast — yes, he’s in LA, but he’s playing fifth fiddle to Clayton Kershaw, Matt Kemp, Adrian Gonzalez, and Zack Greinke — Crawford has been given a chance to get his career back on track. And he is taking full advantage.

• Larry Granillo at Baseball Prospectus tells us about Jackie Robinson in Boys' Life.
• Via Bill Shaikin at the LA Times, Hanley Ramirez expects to be back on the field quicker than expected.

"Everybody is going to be shocked," Ramirez said.

• Brad Richardson, an LA Kings centerman, can't be serious.  John Hoven at Mayor's Manor caught him wearing a SF Giants cap, and he provides the worst reason in the world for his transgression. 
• Get'r Dunn at hockey blog Battle of California collects and laughs at the various twitter post making fun of outdoor hockey at Dodger Stadium.  Stop whining, Minnesota!  No one likes your team anyway.
• Score!  The Dutch Card Guy is an active Dodger fan and card collector.  He recently posted up a wicked card purchase that includes 30+ Clayton Kershaw cards.  See his first post of this recent find here.
• "Upper Deck Creates Card for 7-Year-Old Cancer Patient", via Susan Lulgjuraj at Beckett.

• Check out the below vintage video of Jackie's first visit to Wrigley Field in 1947.  (Hat Tip: 2 by 3 Heroes) From the video description:

On May 18, 1947, Jackie Robinson made his first career appearance in Chicago, in front of a sold out Wrigley Field crowd. It still remains the largest paid attendance in the ballpark's history. When the Dodgers announced that Jackie Robinson would be playing for them that season, the Cubs players held a closed door vote about whether or not they would take the field when he came to Chicago. The final vote tally was not released, but the Cubs voted no. Their owner, Phillip Wrigley, also voted no. He was afraid that the white North Side neighborhood surrounding Wrigley Field would rebel and take it out on the Cubs. The players and owners were overruled by Commissioner Happy Chandler, who forced everyone to accept Robinson or be barred from the game.

Video Link:

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Blog Kiosk: 3/18/2013

Above, former Dodger Ron Roenicke and Tommy Lasorda share a moment at the St. Patrick's Day game yesterday.  Pic via Jon SooHoo/ LA Dodgers 2013. See more pics from the day over here.

• Dan DeLuca at news-press.com writes of the "Dodgers' Impact Vanishing in Vero Beach."

“As new people move into the community they don’t have that nostalgic feeling,” said Indian River County Commissioner Peter O’Bryan, who’s lived in Vero Beach for 29 years. “Every year that goes by, there’s less and less of that out there.”

• Left Field Pavilion makes an incredible Matt Kemp '42' movie poster.  It's a must see.
• Javy Guerra has been sent back down to the minors, via Ken Gurnick at MLB.com.

"He was behind [physically] and really never caught up and ran out of time," manager Don Mattingly said. "We're going to stretch him out to where he's a National League long man, two to three innings, so he can keep working on his mix of pitches and knowing he'll pitch on a regular day."

• Tony Gwynn Jr. has also been sent to the minors, via Eric Stephen at True Blue LA.
• Spiegel at Nomo's Sushi Platter blog shares his meeting with Vin Scully.
• Mike Bauman at MLB.com writes "Blue-Collar Colletti at Helm of New-Look Dodgers."

 "People talk about the payroll, 'Oh, gee, the payroll's over $200 million,'" Colletti said Sunday in an interview with MLB.com at Camelback Ranch. "You know, we were at $90 million last year. You're the Dodgers and you play in Los Angeles at Dodger Stadium, and you've got a chance to draw almost four million people a year. And you've got two great baseball cities in Boston and Philly, and their payrolls have been in the $170-$180 [million] range, with two smaller ballparks, too, two smaller areas. If that's where they're at and the Yankees are way up there, too, shouldn't we be somewhere between the Yankees and those two clubs with our payroll, $190-$200[million]?

• Steve Gifford shares some pics of new rehabbed Dodger Stadium on his tumblr account.  (Hat Tip: Roberto at VSIMH)

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Sunday Dodger Videos: Adrians Homer and a Fun Interview with Ryu

Here are Sunday's Dodgers' videos.

Listen to Davey Lopes and Tony Gwynn Jr. speak about Spring Training.

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Check out some vintage video recapping Game 1 of the 1966 World Series.

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Check out Adrian Gonzalez's blasts to center field off R.A. Dickey that is reviewed and upheld as a homer in the third inning in the WBC game against Team USA, yesterday.

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This is a little dated, but still fun.  Danny and Kevin of Danny in LA dropped by the L.A. Dodgers FanFest to meet and interview Mr. Ryu Hyu Jin. After Danny's successful interview with the Dodgers pitcher, Kevin tries to sneak in a couple questions of his own.

Video Link:

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Dodgers Blog Kiosk: 2/21/2013

Check out more photos from Jon SooHoo of yesterdays rainy Spring Training day.  Featured above are Yasiel Puig and Luis Cruz.

• Mark Saxon at ESPN takes a look at the 2013 projections for Clayton Kershaw.

He has learned to minimize pitches and manage counts better each year, something [Chad] Billingsley has not come to grips with yet. He’s much more pitch-efficient than he used to be. 

• This was the best tweet of the day, yesterday.  From Jon Weisman of Dodger Thoughts.

(twitter link)

• Baseball Prospectus provides their rank for the projected 2013 season, and place the Dodgers in 1st place in the National League West.
• Ken Gurnick at MLB.com has some info on the Dodgers ping-pong tournament yesterday.

The Dodgers began a team Ping-Pong tournament Wednesday, featuring eight doubles teams in a double-elimination bracket.

The first victory of the competition went to Peter Moylan and Mark Lowe, who defeated the duo of Carl Crawford and Tony Gwynn Jr.

Each team made up an off-the-cuff nickname to call itself, with the pair of Mark and A.J. Ellis going by "The Law Firm.

• Michael Beller at Sports Illustrated provides his 2013 Dodgers Fantasy Preview.

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Jerry Sands Gets Another Crack At It While Tony Gwynn Jr. Gets DFA'd

This is a game of musical chairs.  Once again, the Dodgers call up Jerry Sands to see if his recent adjustments at the plate will finally translate into big league success.  As indicated by Christopher Jackson at Examiner.com, Jerry

Has hit .400 (8-for-20) with three home runs and 15 RBI in his last five games, including a monster game in Nashville last Sunday where he became the fifth player in Pacific Coast League to hit two grand slams in one game.

What adjustments have been made?

“A couple weeks ago we had a bunch of (roving instructors) and coaches in town,” Sands said. “We kind of decided to go back to my old swing, but still use the things I’ve been working on pretty much the whole year.

“I’ve gotten where I can pull the ball a little bit better, just looking for pitches on what I want to do, get my hands ready a little bit earlier, a little bit of everything we’ve been trying to work on.”

So, who was sent down to make room for Sands?  Per the Dodgers press release:

The Los Angeles Dodgers today designated outfielder Tony Gwynn Jr. for assignment and recalled outfielder/first baseman Jerry Sands from Triple-A Albuquerque. Gwynn was batting .232 with a team-leading four triples and 17 RBI in 103 games with Los Angeles.

Oh well.  I kinda liked Gwynn and thought he had some value to the team.  He's still a great glove out in the field.

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Dodgers Blog Kiosk: 6/12/2012

The Dodgers twitter provides a sneak peek at the Kirk Gibson bobblehead to be given out on July 31st.

• Chad Moriyama notes that the Dodgers have already signed 11 of their 2012 Draft picks.
• Ryan Dempster appears to be within the Dodgers sights, via True Blue LA.
• Dodgers historian Mark Langill has a blog... you have to check it out.  It's called Dodgers History.  From his very first post: 

“How does one become a team historian?”

That is the most common question asked when introduced as a member of the Dodger front office. The answer? In my case, don’t hit the ball in Little League and you’re well on your way to a life filled with reference books, trading cards and anything else related to the sport and the hometown franchise.

• Check out Chris's great post at Dodgerfan.net- "Pacific Northwest Dodger Fan Share Their LA Stories.
• Bob Lemke relays a story I had never heard.  The Dodgers almost traded Duke Snider to Chicago in 1952.

In the lead story on Page 1 of the June 27, 1951, issue, The Sporting News publisher J.G. Taylor Spink wrote, ‘The startling Chicago-Brooklyn four-for-four player trade, which created a storm of discussion June 15, is expected to have an even more sensational sequel next season.

“In 1952, it is learned from a reliable source, the Cubs will receive Outfielder Duke Snider in exchange for $200,000 in cash, as the finale of the multi-player swap arranged just before the trading deadline this year.

• Andre Ethier had a group of his friends on hand for the press conference this afternoon announcing his new contract extension.  Kemp, Gwynn and Guerra sit by.

(Pic via Dodgers Twitter)

• On top of that, Ethier remarked that this year is the best year, ever!

(Pic Link: Eric Stephen Twitter)

• Then, Dylan Hernandez of the LA Times drops some additional news.

(Pic Link: @DylanHernandez)

Blog Kiosk/Dodgers Links: 5/27/2012

Panini provides more preview pics of a new card product made just for kids.  It is called 2012 Triple Play Baseball, and it features many MLB stars in animated glory.  It will be affordable (at just 99 cents a pack), and will include inserts like stickers and usable eye black.  Watch out for it in July.  Check more pics at Panini's blog, here.  Of note, I think the Kemp card below more looks like Kobe Bryant than "Bison."

• I know I'm late on this, but it's better late than never.  You gotta send AJ Ellis to the All-Star Game.  He deseres it.  Go here to vote.  There is also a online campaign.  Check out ajellis2kc.com.
• Check out this Isotopes lineup to Sunday's game, via twitter @AbqTopes.
• Eephus Blue came up with a great new Dodgers design and future trending twitter meme- #Gwinning!  Via twitter @EphusBlue.
• That is awesome!

(Twitter Link: @dodgerscribe)

• Could Nathan Eovaldi be Headed Toward Relief Role with Dodgers?  Eric Stephen Via True Blue LA.
• David was at Friday's game and got a bunch of Astro's signatures at the end of the evening.
• Left Field Pavilion makes a great graphic celebrating AJ Ellis.
• Mattingly intends to give Kemp some real rest, via Steve Dilbeck at the LA Times.

But from now on, Mattingly said Kemp has to be prepared to sit out an occasional game. No streak means no pressure to play him every day.

“I think it makes it easier to say, 'Matt, we need to give you a day. It’s the right day. We’re going to take care of you,'" Mattingly said. "At that point, I know he’ll fight me, but at that point I’ll probably play my manager card."

• Watch AJ Ellis' get a face full of shaving cream and a hose down.

Video Link:

A Look at FanFest Through Twitter

For those of you who could not make it to the Dodgers FanFest this afternoon... well, at least there's twitter.  There is nothing like feeling like you're there through the photos of others.

Here is the entrance to FanFest.

FanFest entrance/ Instagram @wonhophoto

And who is there to greet you?  It's Mickey Mouse dressed up in Blue.

Dodger Mickey/ Instagram @dalillamma

The highlight of the afternoon must have been Vin Scully speaking to the Dodgers faithful.

Vin Skully at FanFest/ Moby @Amber Lee

Wait... Maybe Matt Kemp was the highlight.

Matt Kemp at FanFest/ Instagram @annyu16

Of course, many fans were there for the autographs.  Below, Tony Gwynn Jr., Javy Guerra and Justin Sellers do some signing.

Gwynn, Guerra & Sellers/ twitter @Dodgers

I think this fan scored the best one's of all.  Check out Fernando Valenzuela and Tommy Lasorda below.

Fernando & Lasorda/ Instagram @lizleyva

Videos From Opening Day

Like many of you I was stuck at work for the start of yesterdays Opening Night game between the Dodgers and Padres. On top of that, I did not have a chance to watch any of the game since after work I quickly headed off to the Staples Center for "Fan Appreciation Night" at the Kings game against the San Jose Sharks. It was the second to last game of the season, and the Kings were still fighting for a playoff spot. I'm glad to announce that they claimed a spot last night and will be joining 16 other teams for hockey's second season.

Anyway, since I could not enjoy the kind of Baseball day I would have liked to on Opening Day I figured I should spend a little bit of time tracking down some videos. Check out what I found.

First of all, the Dodgers have a bunch of videos from Opening Day on their website. Unfortunately, I can't embed them at this time. So go here to check them out.

Here is a pre-game video from MartyTownTV that features interviews with Tony Gwynn Jr. and Matt Kemp.

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Oh, Boy! Dee Gordon has quite a glove, via Big League Stew's Play of the Day. This play happened to end the 4th inning.

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And to make you smile, here is Bill Murray's Opening Day "First Pitch" at Wrigley Field.

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Dodgers Notes from Spring Training- Game 22

Throughout Spring Training the Dodgers PR department sends out helpful daily notes from Camelback Ranch, and I am happy to pass them along.

Cleveland Indians (6-12-3) at LOS ANGELES DODGERS (10-7-4)

Saturday, March 24, 2012 – 1:05 p.m., Camelback Ranch - Glendale

RHP Derek Lowe vs. LHP Chris Capuano

Spring Game 22/Home Game 10

Todays Starting Lineup:

Dodgers: Gordon 6, M Ellis 4, Kemp 8, Ethier 9, Rivera 7, Loney 3, Uribe 5, AJ Ellis 2, Capuano 1
Indians: Donald SS, Kipnis 2B, Cabrera DH, LaPorta LF, Kotchman 1B, LaRoche 3B, Spilborghs CF, Cunningham RF, Marson C with Lowe P

Upcoming Spring Training Schedule:

(Pic via Jon SooHoo/ LA Dodgers 2012)

• HOME SWEET HOME: The Dodgers battle the Indians for the second and final time this spring after dropping a 4-3 decision in Goodyear on Monday. Former Dodger Derek Lowe, who went 54-48 with a 3.59 ERA in 137 games (135 starts) with the Dodgers from 2005-08, will get the start for the Tribe this afternoon. The two teams have not played in the regular season since 2008 with Los Angeles holding a 4-2 advantage in the all-time series.

• TIP YOUR CAP: Dodger left-hander Chris Capuano will make his fourth start of the spring today after allowing one run on two hits in 4.0 innings on Sunday against the Angels. The 33-year-old has 10 strikeouts in 8.2 innings this spring and has limited opposing hitters to a .188 batting average (6-for-32). He will be followed to the mound by:

  ● RHP Jamey Wright pitched 2.0 scoreless innings in his Wednesday start against the Padres and has not allowed an earned run in his last three outings (4.0 IP).

  ● RHP Mike MacDougal last pitched on Wednesday and fired a scoreless inning against the Padres. MacDougal has tossed scoreless relief in four of his five appearances this spring.

  ● RHP Kenley Jansen pitched a scoreless inning of relief on Wednesday against the Padres and has tossed scoreless relief in four of his five appearances. Jansen has limited opposing hitters to a .222 batting average (4-for-18) this spring with five strikeouts.

  ● RHP Todd Coffey allowed three runs on four hits in his 1.0 inning of relief on Wednesday against San Diego. He’s allowed runs in each of his last two appearances after striking out three and not allowing a baserunner in his first two outings this spring.

  ● LHP John Grabow has not allowed a run in five appearances this spring (5.2 IP), while limiting opposing hitters to a .211 batting average (4-for-19). Grabow last pitched on Wednesday with a scoreless inning against San Diego.

(Matt Kemp, Pic via Jon SooHoo/ LA Dodgers 2012)

• DREAMING BIG: Earlier today, the Dodgers Dream Foundation, in partnership with the LA84 Foundation and the City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks, unveiled a new Dodgers Dreamfield at Harbor City Recreation Center. Since the beginning of 2011, the Dodgers Dream Foundation and the LA84 Foundation have created 12 new Dodgers Dreamfields in the greater Los Angeles area, increasing the total number of Dreamfields to 21. The dedication was followed by a clinic led by Dodger alumni Bobby Castillo, Kenny Landreaux, Bill Russell and Derrel Thomas.

• DOWN BY THE RIVER: Over on the minor league side, RHP Ronald Belisario, RHP Angel Guzman and LHP Wilfredo Ledezma will pitch in a minor league game against White Sox farmhands. Jerry Sands and Tony Gwynn Jr. will also be participating in minor league games this afternoon to pick up extra at-bats.

• SPLITSVILLE: The Dodgers split a pair of games yesterday with a 17-4 win over the White Sox in Tucson and a 2-0 loss to the Royals in Surprise:

  ● The Los Angeles offense erupted for 23 hits in the Christina-Taylor Green Memorial Foundation benefit game in Tucson, including Matt Kemp’s solo home run in the third inning. Nathan Eovaldi lowered his ERA to 0.84 with 3.0 scoreless innings in his third start (fourth game).

  ● It was a different story in Surprise as the Dodgers were held to just four hits by the Royals. Aaron Harang pitched well in defeat, allowing just one run in 5.0 innings.

  

(Pic via Jon SooHoo/ LA Dodgers 2012)

• THE CHAMPS ARE HERE: Prior to today’s game, the Dodgers will present 51 championship rings to Manager Jody Reed and members of the Rookie-level Arizona League Dodgers, who posted a 34-22 record and beat the Giants, 4-2, in a one-game championship showdown to win the league title. It was the first championship for a Dodger minor league team since Jacksonville won the Southern League title in 2005. Dodger Manager Don Mattingly helped present the rings, which are made of sterling silver with a raised “LA” logo on the ring’s face.

• GIVING BACK: Earlier today, Dodger All-Star outfielder Andre Ethier joined New Balance and the Going to Bat Foundation in presenting the Camelback High School Varsity baseball team with new uniforms and spikes. As part of their partnership, New Balance will also support Ethier’s charitable efforts in Los Angeles with the Union Rescue Mission.

• CONGRATS TOMMY: Special Advisor to the Chairman and Hall of Fame manager Tommy Lasorda will be honored at a gala in Manhattan Beach tonight by the Toberman Youth Center. Lasorda, along with World War II hero Louis Zamperini, will receive their Character & Courage Award as they honor leaders from the Greatest Generation with the goal of teaching those virtues in future generations. Lasorda agreed to be honored at the request of Bill and Joyce Sharman, who work closely with the youth center.

Dodgers Notes from Spring Training- Game 20

Throughout Spring Training the Dodgers PR department sends out helpful daily notes from Camelback Ranch, and I am happy to pass them along.

LOS ANGELES DODGERS (9-6-4) at Chicago White Sox (7-11)

Friday, March 23, 2012 – 1:05 p.m., Kino Veterans Memorial Stadium

RHP Nathan Eovaldi vs. RHP Dylan Axelrod

Spring Game 20/Road Game 10

Todays Starting Lineup:

Dodgers: @skinnyswag9 SS, M Ellis 2B, @TheRealMattKemp CF, Ethier RF, Rivera 1B, Gwynn LF, Hairston 3B, @AJEllis17 C, Fields DH
White Sox: Saladino 2B, Morel 3B, Dunn DH, Alexei Ramirez SS, Fukudome RF, Flowers C, Viciedo, LF, McPherson 1BDanks CF

Upcoming Spring Training Schedule:

There is a split squad games this afternoon. The Dodgers also play the Kansas City Royals in Surprise, AZ at 1:05 PM. Below is that starting lineup:

Dodgers: Angle CF, Sands RF, @jamesloney_7 1B, Uribe 3B, Kennedy 2B, Treanor C, Oeltjen LF, Sellers SS, Harang P
Royals: Dyson 8 Escobar 6 Maier DH Butler 3 Moose 5 Yuni 4 Bourgeois 7 Golson 9 Quintero 2 Hoch 1

(Don Mattingly signing for fans, pic via Jon SooHoo/ LA Dodgers 2012)

• IN LOVING MEMORY: The Dodgers and White Sox will meet for game three of their five-game Cactus League series, but the importance of today’s game in Tucson reaches far beyond baseball. All of the proceeds from the game at Kino Veterans Memorial Stadium this afternoon will go to the Christina-Taylor Green Memorial Foundation. The Christina-Taylor Green Memorial Fund was established by Dodger scout John Green and his family to honor the life and memory of his daughter, Christina-Taylor, through charitable and educational projects that reflect and embody her interests, values and dreams. This is the second consecutive year that the Dodgers have played a benefit game in Tucson to help raise funds for the victims and families affected by the tragic events of January 8, 2011. The Dodgers are 2-0 against the White Sox this spring. The rest of the club is in Surprise today, taking on the Royals.

• ONE DAY LULL: Despite getting shut out on Wednesday by the Padres, the Dodgers enter play today with the third best on-base percentage among National League teams (.347) and the fourth-best slugging percentage (.444). On the hill, the club’s team ERA is 3.46, which ranks fourth among NL squads.

(Tony Gwynn Jr signing for fans, pic via Jon SooHoo/ LA Dodgers 2012)

• NATE THE GREAT: Dodger right-hander Nathan Eovaldi will start for the club in Tucson today after tossing 3.0 scoreless innings in his last start on March 17 vs. the Rockies in Scottsdale. Eovaldi has made three appearances this month (two starts) and allowed just one run in 7.2 innings of work. The Texas native was selected in the 11^th round of the 2008 draft and signed after originally committing to pitch at Texas A&M. Following Eovaldi to the mound in Tucson today will be:

  ● LHP Allen Webster is set to make his Cactus League debut, along with several other Dodger minor leaguers. Webster enters 2012 ranked by Baseball America as the club’s No. 2 prospect after combining to go 11-5 with a 4.03 ERA at Single-A Rancho Cucamonga (nine starts) and Double-A Chattanooga (17 starts) last season.

  ● RHP Ethan Martin was the Dodgers’ first round draft choice (No. 15 overall) in 2008 and was promoted to Double-A Chattanooga on June 26 last season. With the Lookouts, he went 5-3 with a 4.02 ERA in 21 games (three starts).

  ● LHP Chris Reed was the club’s first-round draft choice (No. 16 overall) in 2011 after earning Pac-10 Honorable Mention honors for Stanford last year. Reed made three appearances for Single-A Rancho Cucamonga last year after finishing out his collegiate career.

  ● RHP Zach Lee was taken with the No. 28 pick in 2010 and signed despite having a shot to play quarterback for the LSU Tigers. According to Baseball America, Lee is the top prospect in the Dodger system and the No. 62 prospect overall. The Texas native went 9-6 with a 3.47 ERA in 24 starts for Single-A Great Lakes last season.

  ● RHP Angel Sanchez is a native of the Dominican Republic and went 8-4 with a 2.82 ERA in 20 games (16 starts) for Single-A Great Lakes in 2012.

  ● RHP Shawn Tolleson made his Cactus League debut last Saturday night vs. the Giants and allowed a run in his 1.0 inning. Tolleson was the Dodgers’ Branch Rickey Minor League Player of the Year last season after going a combined 7-2 with 25 saves and a 1.17 ERA in 57 appearances over the three levels.

• ROSTER MOVE: Yesterday, the Dodgers designated RHP Ramon Troncoso for assignment and reinstated RHP Ronald Belisario from the restricted list. Due to Major League rule 16(d), Belisario had to be removed from the restricted list 30 days after reporting to Spring Training. The native of Venezuela will serve a 25-game suspension in 2012 due to a violation of Major League Baseball’s Joint Drug Prevention Program.

(Dee Gordon turing a double play, pic via Jon SooHoo/ LA Dodgers 2012)

• BOUNCE BACK: The Dodgers lost to the Padres, 3-0 on Wednesday, mustering just four scattered singles and a double by Jerry Hairston Jr. On the mound, RHP Jamey Wright fired 2.0 scoreless innings while Mike MacDougal, Scott Rice, Kenley Jansen, John Grabow, Ronald Belisario and Fernando Nieve each tossed a scoreless frame.

• Los Angeles’ four draws this spring tie for the second-most all time by the club along with the 2002 and 2008 campaigns. The Dodger record for Spring Training ties was set in 2006, when the team went 15-13-5.

• RUN THIS TOWN TONIGHT: The 7th Annual LA Sports Awards will air on FOX Sports West tonight at 10:30 p.m., immediately following the Lakers game. The show was recorded March 15 and National League Cy Young Award winner Clayton Kershaw received the 2011 Sportsman of the Year award. In addition to Kershaw’s honor, the Dodgers also were involved in two of the Top-10 moments for 2011. Kershaw’s Cy Young Award-winning season was No. 2, while Matt Kemp’s MVP runner-up campaign was the No. 4 Los Angeles sports moment in 2011.