Blog Kiosk: 9/23/2016 - Dodgers Links - Utley, Vin Scully and Yasmani's Stellar Day

Guess who got to wear the Dodgers "Player of the Game" belt last night?

Yasmani Grandal was a beast.  No... He was a monster... A big Blue switch-hitting behemoth bent on carrying the club the best way he could.  Grandal took out his mighty bat and launched not one, but two home runs (from each side of the plate) to lead the surging and obviously confident Dodgers to a 7-4 victory over the Colorado Rockies.  Per Cary Osborne at Dodger Insider:

“Now that we’re good and healthy and ready to go, we’ve got to turn it up,” Grandal said. “We have, what, nine games left? Let’s get this thing over. Let’s close this. Let’s win the division and keep on playing.”

In other news, comic book legend Stan Lee was at the game to throw out the first pitch.  The photo on the right, tweeted by the Dodgers, features Stan with Josh Reddick

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

• This Day in Dodgers History:  In 1901 the Brooklyn Superbas (Dodgers) set the franchise record for runs scored in a game at 25 against the Cincinnati Reds.  In 1947 the Dodgers held Jackie Robinson Day at Ebbets Field during his rookie season.  Jackie was noticeably moved when his teammates stood besides him at home plate.  In 1962 Maury Wills stole his 96th and 97th bases of the season to break Ty Cobb's Major League record for steals.  In 1978 Lee Lacy hit a pinch-hit home run on the first pitch of his at-bat in the seventh inning -- just moments before Dodgers thirdbase coach Preston Gomez came up to Lacy, shook his hand and whispered, "hit this one over the wall for Junior."  Dodgers coach Junior Gilliam was in the hospital fighting for his life from a brain hemorrhage.  He would pass away a couple of weeks later.
• Happy Birthday, Matt Kemp!

Nomo and Hasegawa Open Up Japan-USA Youth Exhibition Series in Compton

This afternoon was the start of the Japan-USA International Junior High School Baseball Federation exhibition series at the MLB Urban Youth Academy in Compton, and a couple of former Major Leaguers were on-hand to open it up.

Former Dodger Hideo Nomo (who manages the All-Japan 15-U team) and ex-Angel Shigetoshi Hasegawa (who manages the MLB Urban Youth Academy USA team) threw out the ceremonial first pitches. 

The series continues tomorrow with a doubleheader starting at 1:00 PM.  The second game is slated to start at 3:00 PM.  Tickets are priced at $10 per game and children under 12 get in free.  Tickets available by calling 310-373-4888 or by email at office@jerc.org.  I do not know if tickets are available at the gate, but I'd be surprised if they weren't.

Major League Baseball Urban Youth Academy
El Camino College, Compton Center
901 East Artesia Blvd.
Compton, Calif. 90221
310-763-3479

UPDATE:  Ben Platt at MLB.com wrote a great story about the event here.

The Japan-USA International Junior High School Baseball Federation Series has been a showcase event at which young players jointly learn about the culture of both countries since it began six years ago. The series, which takes place at the MLB Urban Youth Academy in Compton and which welcomes ballplayers age 15 and under, is hosted by two trailblazing players who made a name for themselves on both continents.

"In Japan, Major League Baseball is such a big presence in the world of baseball," said Hideo Nomo, who broke the glass ceiling for Japanese League players in 1995 when he won the National League Rookie of the Year Award pitching for the Los Angeles Dodgers. "Having our kids come over here and play with local kids their same age has been a great opportunity and experience for them."

Photo at the very top and below via Ben Platt/MLB.com.

Hideo Nomo and Shigetoshi Hasegawa throw a ceremonial first pitch Saturday before the opener of the Japan-USA International Junior High School Baseball Federation Series at the MLB Urban Youth Academy in Compton, CA - Photo credit: Ben Platt/MLB.com

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Blog Kiosk: 5/16/2014 - Dodger Links - A Huge Hanley Contract, Greinke's Approach and a Sneak Peek at Some Dodger Bobbleheads

There had been an online campaign for fans to vote for their favorite Dodger t-shirt to be given away at Dodger Stadium on May 29th.  The winning t-shirt is above, pic via @Dodgers on twitter.

• Via Jon Heyman at CBS, "Dodgers love Hanley and are talking about big deal, but work remains."

Ramirez, eligible for free agency after this season, is seeking a contract in excess of $100 million, and probably well north of that figure. While no exact numbers have gotten out, it is thought that he is actually seeking something in excess of $130 million. 

• Via Tim Brown at Yahoo Sports, "How Zack Greinke changed his approach to protect his elbow."

Greinke, being Greinke, was perhaps just self-aware enough to change. He still throws plenty of sliders, but hopes to cap them at 15, maybe 20, per start, thereby balancing his desire to win with the hope to pitch again in five days. Perhaps the ulnar collateral ligament goes a thread at a time, he doesn't really know, but if so, he was going to budget his threads, and not pitch straight through his elbow by the time he was 30 and then be no good to himself or his team for a year.

• Via Ken Gurnick at MLB.com, "Dodgers who missed Australia are hitting their marks."

"If I had gone, Australia would have been a mess for me," Greinke said. "Technically, I would have had enough starts to be ready to open the season. But it would have been very tough. Staying back helped me catch up with the workouts."

• Ron Cervenka at Think Blue LA notes that, "David Price is coming to L.A."  He'll be at the Major League Baseball Urban Youth Academy in Compton on Saturday.
• Here is an early peek at the Tommy Lasorda (June 14th) and Hello Kitty (June 3rd) bobbleheads the Dodgers are giving out next month.

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Blog Kiosk: 1/28/2014 - Dodgers Links - Community Caravan, Dazzy Vance and Hugs all Around

How touching.  Good friends reunited.  Pic via @Dodgers on twitter.

• Dodger photographer Jon SooHoo shares a bunch of pics from the first day of the Dodger Community Caravan at Children's Hostipal Los Angeles (CHLA).  See a pic of Matt Kemp and Kenny Landreaux on the right.  Go here to see more.  Jon Weisman at Dodger Insider follows up with a great story, "As Matt Kemp knows, there are challenges, and then there are challenges".

“There’s a little bit of a backstory to it. I had a little brother, growing up — he was sick, he was always in the hospital and he later passed. Just coming to the hospital for me is pretty tough. The smell of a hospital reminds me of my little brother. Coming to see some of these kids, hooked up to these machines, it just takes me back. It’s definitely tough just to come here and see some of this stuff. But it’s what I guess I was born to do, and it’s nice to do and puts everything in perspective.”

• Mark Saxon at ESPN asks five questions about the Dodgers' bullpen.
• Eephus Blue has just finished up a great new t-shirt design focused on AJ Ellis and Clayton Kershaw as Calvin & Hobbes inspired characters.  It's awesome, and I suggest going here to check it out. 
• Via Chad Dotson at Hardball Times, "The improbable career of Dazzy Vance".  He was a former Brooklyn Dodger who came out of nowhere to be a successful pitcher in his 30's.

As Bill James noted in his Historical Baseball Abstract, no one knows the exact procedure performed by this random New Orleans doctor. James speculated that bone chips and debris were cleared out of the elbow. Whatever the doctor did, the pain was gone and Vance could suddenly throw hard again.

• Please send along your prayers and best wished to Dodgers organist Nancy Bea Hefley.  Her husband will be having heart surgery in a couple of weeks, per her twitter @NancyBea.
• Via Josh Tucker at Dodger Insider, "Vin Scully, Clayton Kershaw reap awards from Southern California Sports Broadcasters".
• Via Eric Stephen at True Blue LA, "Steve Garvey has jersey retired at Michigan State on Sunday".
• Via Ron Cervenka at Think Blue LA, "MLB Urban Youth Academy to launch Black History Month activities".

In recognition of Black History Month, the second annual Compton Community Day will be celebrated Saturday, February 1 at the MLB Urban Youth Academy in Compton, featuring dignitaries representing Major League Baseball and the City of Compton. 

• David Laurila at FanGraphs has a Q&A with Hall of Famer Tom Glavine.
• Ryan G at Chaos and Kanji recently visited the Japan Hall of Fame and shares a bunch of pics to prove it.

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"Baseball for All – All Girls Tournament" is This Weekend

If you happen to be free this weekend, especially on Friday, this might be something fun and interesting to watch.  This weekend is the “Baseball for All – All Girls Tournament” at the Major League Baseball Urban Youth Academy in Compton from Friday, October 25 - Sunday, October 27. This is the only all girls' Baseball tournament in the country.

Major League Baseball Urban Youth Academy
El Camino College, Compton Center (west of football field)
901 East Artesia Blvd.
Compton, Calif. 90221
310-763-3479

Participants are in the teens and will play using IBAF Women’s World Cup rules.  I encourage you to attend if you're interested; especially if you have a young daughter.  After all, maybe it's time to come out and lend some support to the ladies of Baseball.  There just might be a diamond in the rough.

To usher in the tournament will be an Opening Ceremony on Friday morning that includes several cast members from the movie "A League of Their Own" and a former All-American Girls Professional Baseball League player.

Appearing will be Patty Pelton (Marbleann Wilkenson), Tracey Reiner (Betty Horn) and Anne Ramsay (Helen Haley) from the movie.  Maybelle Blair, who played for the Peoria Redwings in 1948, will represent the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League and throw out the first pitch.

Friday, October 25

9 a.m. – Practice
11 a.m. – Opening Ceremonies
12:30 – Team 1 vs. Team 2
2:30 p.m. – Team 2 vs. Team 3
4:30 p.m. – Team 3 vs. Team 1

Saturday, October 26

9:30 a.m. – Team 1 vs. Team 3
Noon – Team 2 vs. Team 1
2:30 p.m. Team 3 vs. Team 2

Sunday, October 27

8 a.m. – Semifinals
10:30 a.m. - Championship

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Why Not the California Collegiate League All-Star Game at the Urban Youth Academy on Wednesday?

So, are you aching for some Baseball during this mid-season break?  And I don't mean wasting away in front of the TV watching the MLB All-Star game that's being played across the county.  How about watching an All-Star game closer to home?  Or better yet, how about spending the day scouting some potential future Major League ballplayers?

Well, this coming Wednesday, July 17, at 7:00 p.m. is the California Collegiate League All-Star Game, and it will be played at the Major League Baseball Urban Youth Academy in Compton, California.  Admission is $10 for adults and $3 for children 12 and under. MLB UYA members will be admitted free and receive one free hot dog and soda.  Fox Sports West will broadcast the game live to a national audience.  Here is the California Collegiate League website.

Sixty (60) of this season's top performers and top prospects will participate in the nationally-televised 2013 CCL All-Star Game and Prospect Showcase.  Also, before the game, the 60 players will also participate in pregame workout for scouts and college coaches.  Start time for the scouting combine is 2:00 p.m.

Of the 60 players, 9 were previously drafted by a Major League club; including 2 ballplayers drafted this year.  Go here for a complete list of players.

MLB Urban Youth Academy
901 E Artesia Blvd,
Compton, CA, 90221 

From the press release:

The California Collegiate League is a non-profit organization incorporated by eight non-profit amateur baseball organizations in greater Southern California dedicated to the development of student-athletes from across the country and providing inexpensive family-friendly entertainment to our home communities. The CCL organizes a 39-game championship season from June 1-Aug 15 annually and requires its players to use wood bats and professional-level baseballs to further their development as prospects. In 2012 there were 261 collegiate athletes participating in the league, 156 of which were Division I players, representing 22 Division I conferences and 72 Division I schools.

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The Dodgers Good Works in the Community Never Ends

Even though the Dodgers have had a rough couple of months, they still continue to be good citizens.  See what I mean below.

(pic link: Twitter @Dodgers)

Matt Kemp and former Dodger Juan Pierre visited the Baseball Urban Youth Academy in Compton on Saturday.  Greeting them were a bunch of Little Leaguers.  Both Kemp and Pierre shared their experiences and offered career and life skills advice. Via Austin Laymance at MLB.com:

"There's more to life than baseball, just remember that," Kemp told the group of adoring youngsters. "Baseball is important, it can take you places, it can do a lot of things for you. But there's more to life than baseball, like getting good grades or going to college. Listen to your parents. Listen to your teachers. Make good grades. Not everybody becomes a Major League Baseball player, but you guys can be successful. It depends on how hard you work. If you want to be successful, you have to work hard and your dreams will come true."

Check out some great photos from the event via Jon SooHoo, over here.  Watch a video from the Dodgers here.  Below is another video that is worth your time to watch.

Video Link:

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Both AJ Ellis and Brandon League have joined with a non-profit called Vision To Learn in order to distribute free eye glasses to elementary school students in low-income communities throughout California. In fact, they'll be visiting Dorris Place Elementary School tomorrow to do just that.  On top of that, they will host 500 fans (including kids who received eye glasses) for a game at Dodger Stadium on May 24 against the Cardinals.

Per a Dodgers press release:

Research tells us 80% of all learning during a child’s first 12 years is obtained through vision and as many as 15% of students in Los Angeles elementary schools have undetected vision problems. Vision To Learn was created to address this issue and Vision To Learn Mobile Eye Clinic travels throughout the community on a daily basis. Endowing children with good eyesight early in life enables them to better focus on the future. It’s simple - if you can’t see, you can’t learn. To date, Vision To Learn has visited 110 schools, examined 8,129 students, and provided 6,148 children with free eyeglasses.

Both AJ Ellis and Brandon League wear glasses.

Pic credit above: Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2013

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(Credit: Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2012)

Adrian Gonzalez and his wife Betsy have begun hosting families on Viva Los Dodgers Day; starting with this afternoon's Mother’s Day game against the Miami Marlins. Via a Dodgers press release:

This Sunday, Gonzalez will host families from Padres Contra El Cancer, an organization committed to improving the quality of life for Latino children with cancer and their families. The Gonzalez family supports Padres Contra El Cancer throughout the year.

“My wife Betsy and I wanted to get families to Dodger games this season because we think a day at the ballpark is a wonderful way for families to spend time together,” said Adrian Gonzalez. “We chose Viva Los Dodgers Day because it offers a great family-friendly experience right before the game. We’re looking forward to hosting groups that may not have been able to make it out here otherwise.”

72 fans will be hosted by the Gonzalez's for every Sunday Dodger home game.

“We’re very happy to host families at Viva Los Dodgers day at Dodger Stadium,” said Betsy Gonzalez. “Family is the most important thing to us along with building our connection with the LA community. We look forward to this program and to continuing our charitable work in LA with the help of the Dodgers.”

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Weekend Autograph Opportunities: The Long Beach Expo, Compton Cummunity Day, and RaiderFest

Here are this weekends autograph opportunities and events throughout the Southland. As always, be sure to check the Blue Heaven Calendar for other events (a link can always be found on the tab at the top of this page, just left of center), and always confirm with the establishment. Everything is subject to change.  Please email me with any tips about upcoming events in Southern California.  As the rest of the week progresses I'll update this post with other events (if there are any) as I become aware of them.  Also, I don't always list every event below, so be sure to check my Calendar.  I always try to favor free signing events over paying events.  Click on any pic to embiggen.

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Starting tonight til Saturday, the Long Beach Convention Center will be hosting the Long Beach Expo.  This is one of the longest running collector conventions in the southland.  Historically, they have always focused on coins and stamps, but of late they have been trying to bring sports collectibles into the fold.  Last year, there were only a handful of Baseball card dealers, and I suspect there will be the same number -if not a little more.  Still, there are some notable guest signers; such as Magic Johnson and Jerry West.  Go here for details.  BTW, admission is $8, but is free to Collectors Universe Collectors Club members, Set Registry participants, and PCGS CoinFacts subscribers.  Go here for that information.

Location

Long Beach Convention Center
100 South Pine Ave
Long Beach, CA 90802

Show Hours  

Thur. and Fri.: 10 a.m. - 7 p.m.
Sat.: 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Closed Sunday

Magic Johnson, Jerry West and Laffit Pincay, Jr. will be there on Saturday to sign autographs.

Session Times: (Saturday, February 9)
12 p.m.	Laffit Pincay, Jr.
12 p.m.	Jerry West
1 p.m.	Magic Johnson

Session Prices:
$29	Laffit Pincay, Jr. signature
$99	Magic Johnson signature
$99	Jerry West signature
$179	Magic Johnson and Jerry West combination rate
$25	Inscriptions

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In celebration of Black History Month, Compton Community Day will be held at the MLB Urban Youth Academy in Compton.  On top of that, numerous Baseball greats and dignitaries will be there.  Below are the particulars.  I do not know if any autographs will be available, but with Frank Robinson in the house, how can you not give it a try?

Where:

Major League Baseball Urban Youth Academy
El Camino College, Compton Center
901 East Artesia Blvd.
Compton , California 90221
310-763-3479

When:

Sunday, Feb. 10
11:00 a.m. – Welcome and introduction of VIPs and sponsors
11:30 a.m. – Youth Baseball Skills events – Hosted by Compton College baseball team
Girls Softball games – Hosted by MLB UYA coaching staff
Baseball Basics – Hosted by area high schools
2:00 p.m. – MLB UYA ceremonies
2:30 p.m. – Negro Leagues Tribute Game

Who:

MLB Executive Vice President of Baseball Development and Hall of Famer Frank Robinson; three-time World Series Champion Manager Tony La Russa; MLB Urban Youth Academy Manager and former MLB All-Star Don Buford; former MLB All-Star Jim “Mudcat” Grant; MLB UYA coach and former MLB All-Star Ken Landreaux; MLB Vice President Youth and Facility Development and former Angels catcher Darrell Miller; former Negro Leagues player Simon “Pops” Peters; Compton Mayor Eric J. Perrodin; NAACP President-Compton Chapter Paulette Simpson Gipson; NAACP Vice President-Compton Chapter LaTanya Ganter; Compton College President Dr. Keith Curry; L.A. Southwest College President Dr. Jack Daniels; L.A. Southwest College Vice President Ferris Trimble; and Compton Unified School District school board members. Performing the national anthem at the 11 a.m. ceremony will be China Anne McClain from the Disney Channel original series A.N.T. Farm and the McClain sisters.  

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This Saturday is also RaiderFest at Frank & Sons.  Check out the below flyer's for information, or go here for details about autograph prices.

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This Sunday is Comption Community Day and Several Baseball Greats will be On-Hand

In celebration of Black History Month, Compton Community Day will be held at the MLB Urban Youth Academy in Compton.  On top of that, numerous Baseball greats and dignitaries will be there.  Below are the particulars.

Where:

Major League Baseball Urban Youth Academy
El Camino College, Compton Center
901 East Artesia Blvd.
Compton , California 90221
310-763-3479

When:

Sunday, Feb. 10
11:00 a.m. – Welcome and introduction of VIPs and sponsors
11:30 a.m. – Youth Baseball Skills events – Hosted by Compton College baseball team
Girls Softball games – Hosted by MLB UYA coaching staff
Baseball Basics – Hosted by area high schools
2:00 p.m. – MLB UYA ceremonies
2:30 p.m. – Negro Leagues Tribute Game

Who:

MLB Executive Vice President of Baseball Development and Hall of Famer Frank Robinson; three-time World Series Champion Manager Tony La Russa; MLB Urban Youth Academy Manager and former MLB All-Star Don Buford; former MLB All-Star Jim “Mudcat” Grant; MLB UYA coach and former MLB All-Star Ken Landreaux; MLB Vice President Youth and Facility Development and former Angels catcher Darrell Miller; former Negro Leagues player Simon “Pops” Peters; Compton Mayor Eric J. Perrodin; NAACP President-Compton Chapter Paulette Simpson Gipson; NAACP Vice President-Compton Chapter LaTanya Ganter; Compton College President Dr. Keith Curry; L.A. Southwest College President Dr. Jack Daniels; L.A. Southwest College Vice President Ferris Trimble; and Compton Unified School District school board members. Performing the national anthem at the 11 a.m. ceremony will be China Anne McClain from the Disney Channel original series A.N.T. Farm and the McClain sisters..  

                                

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