Blog Kiosk: 3/12/2018 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Born in Brooklyn in the early 40's, Sen. Bernie Sanders maintains his love for the club -- even as he moved to the northeast and became a Senator in Vermont. Yesterday, he visited the Dodgers at Camelback Ranch and spent plenty of time talking Baseball with Dave Roberts (as shown in the pic above) and hitting with Yasiel Puig (per pic on the right). Both photos are via Sanders' twitter here and here.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1989 the Dodgers traded outfielder Mike Devereaux to Baltimore for starting pitcher Mike Morgan. Morgan would stay in LA for three seasons -- compiling a 33-36 record with an 3.06 ERA, 3.38 FIP and a 1.162 WHIP. In 2003 Mets catcher Mike Piazza charged the mound to go after Dodgers reliever Guillermo Mota during a spring training game at Thomas J. White Stadium in Port St. Lucie, FL. Mota plunked Piazza on the shoulder, so Piazza stormed after him -- even going into the Dodgers clubhouse. Both players would be suspended five games. 
• Happy Birthday, Frank Schneiberg, Bob Barr, Jim Wynn, Darryl Strawberry, Shawn Gilbert, Steve Finley, Raul Mondesi & Greg Hansell!

Blog Kiosk: 2/19/2018 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

This is a good beginning.

Today is the first full squad workout for the Dodgers, and as you can see in the pic above (via @Dodgers on twitter) they began the morning huddled in the clubhouse like a team on a mission. Per Rowan Kavner at Dodger Insider:

“I think it is a good sign,” (Dave) Roberts said. “It’s a good sign as far as those guys showing up wanting to work, and it’s our jobs as coaches to really understand we have a long way to go, so we’ve got to temper it a little bit. 

“It’s funny. Outside of the kind of normal pleasantries of seeing guys you hadn’t seen, it’s sort of business as usual, and I like that mindset here. It’s very workman-like, methodical, and that’s kind of what we want our ball club to be.”

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1983 22-year old Dodger hurler Fernando Valenzuela becomes the first ballplayer awarded an $1,000,000 salary during arbitration.
• Happy Birthday, Oscar Roettger, Dick Siebert, Gail Hopkins, Dave Stewart, Josh Reddick & Fabio Castillo!

2017 Topps Now - World Series Edition - #833, #837, #838, #839 &840 - Game 4

I'm extremely late with this, so I apologize for that. Here is a post featuring the 2017 Topps Now cards released in relation to Saturday's Game 4 victory - tying the series up at two games apiece. First up is an Alex Wood card that celebrates his outstanding start. He went 5.2 innings to stymie the Astros and help the Dodgers hold on for a victory. Go here to check it out and order. At the time of this post there is still a couple of hours to order. Also, there are two different autograph/relic limited edition cards also available of Wood (as well as Cody Bellinger), but they are all sold out now. Per the description on the reverse of the Wood card:

Heading into Game 4 of the World Series down 2-1, the Dodgers needed a strong outing from starter Alex Wood, and Wood more than delivered. Wood threw 5.2 inning to start the game, becoming the first Dodgers pitcher in history to reach that mark in a World Series game.

Fantasy Baseball Cards from Game 4

Even with the loss nothing can stop the fantasy baseball card machine. Featured here are some fantasy cards featuring pics from Game 4 from 'round the 'net.

2017 Topps Now -- #766, #767 & #768 -- Game 2 Victory

What a huge game. Not only did the Dodgers offense come through when they needed to, but their relief staff has been unhittable. To help celebrate this fact Topps has issued a Game 2 NLCS Topps Now card to remind us that these role players out of the 'pen deserve some credit to. Check it out above. Go here to check it out and order. It prominently featured Brandon Morrow, Tony Watson, Josh Fields and Kenley Jansen. They collectively recorded twelve straight Cub outs last night. Per Ken Gurnick at MLB.com:

"They're just executing pitches and they're ready when called upon and they're competing," said Roberts. "It's a close-knit group down there. Josh Bard, our bullpen coach, has done a fantastic job with those guys, along with [pitching coach] Rick Honeycutt. And just the preparation. Those guys know exactly what they want to do, and they're going out there and executing."

Blog Kiosk: 10/2/2017 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

What a heck of a season. Per Ken Gurnick at MLB.com:

"Pretty fun season," said Chase Utley. "Now the real fun begins."

The Dodgers 104th win last night set a new Los Angeles record for wins in a season, and also equaled the second most wins by the franchise in their history (last accomplished in 1942). As for the final playoff roster Dave Roberts had this to say, via Rowan Kavner at Dodger Insider:

“There’s going to be some fun debates over the next couple days,” Roberts said.

Photo above of Josh Fields and Kyle Farmer via @Dodgers on twitter. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1963 Sandy Koufax becomes the first pitcher to fan fifteen in a World Series game as he defeated the Yankees, 5-2, during Game 1. Watch highlights of this game as called by Vin Scully here. In 1977 Dusty Baker hit his 30th homer of the year to become the fourth player on the team (along with Ron Cey, Steve Garvey and Reggie Smith) to have hit as many home runs during a season. This is the first time this has happened in the hiostory of the game. In 2004 Steve Finley hit a ninth inning walk-off grand slam against the Giants at Dodger Stadium that clinched the NL West title for the Dodgers. Watch Vin Scully's call here.
• Happy Birthday, Ray Lucas & Maury Wills!

Blog Kiosk: 8/2/2017 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

This team just wins, and it's ridiculous.

Since June 6th they are 40-6, and have won an MLB record 53 consecutive games when having any kind of lead in a game. Their starting pitchers have held other teams to two earned runs or less in 76 of their 106 games. Heck, they've reach 75 wins faster than any other Dodger team in franchise history. In other words, this team is becoming legendary.

And to add to the leagues misery, the Dodgers recent trade has already paid dividends. Lefty reliever Tony Watson got into last nights game, and immediately made an impact. With the game on the line he pitched a scoreless eighth to record his first hold as a Dodger. Per Rowan Kavner at Dodger Insider:

“Made it exciting, but got out of it,” Watson said. 

Watson allowed a lead-off single to Brandon Phillips but recorded the next three outs, including a pop-out to Freddie Freeman to end the inning and strand a runner at third base. 

“I wanted to see him face Freeman right there, and that’s the reason we got him,” Roberts said.

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

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1938 Dodgers President Larry MacPhail introduced the yellow baseball. It was used during the first game of a doubleheader at Ebbets Field against the Cardinals. The Dodgers won that game, 6-2. The yellow baseball would only be used three more times this season. In 1982 the United States Postal Service unveiled a new 20-cent stamp commemorating Jackie Robinson at a ceremony in Cooperstown, NY.  Robinson becomes the first ballplayer to be depicted on the US postage stamp. Check it out on the right.
• Happy Birthday, Bill Hill, Jim Holmes, Bill Posedel, Mike Venafro, Matt Guerrier & Onelki García!

Welcome to the Blue, Tony Watson!

Wow!

Just when I thought the Dodgers would be standing put they go ahead and complete a flurry of trades just before the end of the non-waiver trade deadline.

As shocking as this news has been, I am far from dismayed. In fact, they ended up trading a bunch of prospect (none of whom are considered our best) and a former Dodger bench regular for three pitchers who aim to help the club during the final stretch.

First of all, the Dodgers received left-handed reliever Tony Watson from the Pittsburgh Pirates for right-handed pitching prospect Angel German and infield prospect Oneil Cruz. He began the season as the Pirates closer but was removed in June when he blew consecutive save opportunities.