Blog Kiosk: 11/11/2016 - Dodgers Links - Calhoun, Seager and Veterans Day

On this Veterans Day I am elated to have run into the above vintage press photo featuring Don Sutton undergoing training with the US Army.  It is dated to the winter of 1967 and was taken at Ft. Gordon, Georgia.  This followed his second season as a Dodger starting pitcher.  I've, so far, been unable to find much information about his time there.

UPDATE: I just found a brief mention about Sutton's time in Georgia.  It is in The Bulletin from Bend, Oregon.  It adds in the caption, "Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Don Sutton is worried about his control.  Pvt. Sutton, a basic trainee at US Army post in Fort Gordon, Ga., says he scored only a "lousy" 23 out of a possible 40 points on his dummy hand grenade throwing test.  Sutton said he had trouble getting his curve across the target.  Sutton is scheduled to be released from active duty shortly after the 1968 baseball season opens in April."

Another source, via Florida Today, 1968, states that he had a four-month stint with the Army Reserves.

Having said that, I thought I would pass along a couple of websites that focus on Baseball military veterans.  These are some great sources worth your time to check out.  If you happen to know of any more please pass them along.

• Baseball in Wartime (link here)
• Baseball's Greatest Sacrifice (link here)

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History:  In 1981 Fernando Valenzuela was named the very first rookie to win the NL Cy Young Award -- barely edging out Tom Seaver of the Reds, 70-67.  In 1986 Valenzuela is beat by Houston hurler Mike Scott in Cy Young voting.  Scott received fifteen first place votes and Valenzuela received nine.

Blog Kiosk: 11/12/2014 - Dodger Links - Confidence in AJ Ellis

Yasiel Puig sure seems to be enjoyinh himself in Japan.  He is adapting himself to the culture quite well.  Pic above via @DodgersPR on twitter. 

Below are some links to check out:

• The 2015 Spring Training schedule has just been released.  Check out Jon Weisman's post at Dodger Insider for details, here.  The first game is on March 4th and Cactus League play ends on April 1st. 
• Via David Hood at True Blue LA, "Andrew Friedman & the minor leagues."

For their perceived shortcomings in drafting and development, the previous regime has left Friedman with a pretty solid base of young, controllable talent, at least at the top. Given the successes Friedman has had with such talent, and empowered with superior resources to augment this base, it should be worth watching how true he stays to the trends he developed in Tampa Bay.

• Night Owl Cards shares his 1955 copy of Baseball Digest with Don Newcombe on the cover.
• Via Ken Gurnick at MLB.com, "New Dodgers GM Zaidi gives Ellis vote of confidence."

"He's a leader on the team," Zaidi said of Ellis. "He has a relationship with the pitching staff, and we are very mindful of that. Part of this process is to understand the dynamics of the relationships, and he's a big part of the team and the preparation and comfort level of the pitchers."

• Via Nick Diunte at Examiner.com, former Brooklyn Dodgers "Wayne Terwilliger recounts entering the Battle of Saipan in World War II."

“As soon as we got over the reef,” he said, “we were in range of the Japanese, and they started shooting. I started seeing these puffs of water all around us, and it took a second to realize what was causing them. Then we heard small arms fire hitting our tank, and the reality sank in: There were people on that island who wanted us dead.”

• Via William Boor at MLB.com, "Dodgers' Sweeney drives in five to lead Desert Dogs."
• Via Drake Witham at TWC SportsNet LA, "Kershaw stacks up well with those who swept the MVP and Cy Young awards."
• As much as I hate the current situation regarding the Slava Voynov suspension (LA Kings defenseman) for suspicion of domestic violence, I agree with my friend Bobby Scribe at Surly & Scribe, "Dean Lombardi Needs to Sack Up – Slava Should Remain Suspended and No Cap Relief Should be Awarded."

In short, I hold the very unpopular (but objective) opinion that Dean Lombardi can complain all he wants but until the PD and DA confirm they are done and no charges are being filed, Slava should remain suspended and the franchise should bear the consequences of its player’s actions.

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