Blog Kiosk: 12/16/2019 - Dodgers Links & News - Some Odds and Ends

Clayton Kershaw, Alex Verdugo and Matt Beaty visited Dodger Stadium on Friday to give some local kids the time of their lives -- as a part of their annual children’s holiday party. Per Rowan Kavner at Dodger Insider:

“For these kids, their families, they’re from LA so their families are big Dodger fans, it’s like they grow into it,” Verdugo said. “The fact that they can come out here, have fun, be kids, be themselves and get to hang out with us, they get a little bit of that personal, ‘Oh man, I got to hang out with Alex, I got to hang out with Clayton — any little memory we can kind of put in their minds and have them cherish growing up, it’s special to me and I’m happy to be part of it all.”

Photo above via Dodger Insider on twitter (Josh Barber/Los Angeles Dodgers). Pic on the right via @Dodgers on twitter. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 2009 the Dodgers signed free agent infielder Jamey Carroll to a two-year contract. He would slash .290/.368/.344/.711 in 803 at-bats. In 2010 the Dodgers signed free agent right-handed reliever Matt Guerrier. In three seasons he would go 6-8 with an 4.24 ERA, in 120 games. In 2014 the Dodgers signed righty starter Brandon McCarthy to a four-year $48 million contract. He would unfortunately be hampered by injuries his whole time in Los Angeles. In 2015 the Dodgers were a part of a three-team trade with the Reds and White Sox. Dodgers got Micah Johnson, Frankie Montas and Trayce Thompson from the Chicago. The Reds received Brandon Dixon, Jose Peraza and Scott Schebler from the Dodgers. The White Sox received Todd Frazier from the Dodgers. In 2017 the Dodgers received Matt Kemp from the Braves for Adrian Gonzalez, Charlie Culberson, Scott Kazmir and Brandon McCarthy. This move was clearly a salary dump for the Dodgers -- although Kemp ended up having a fantastic 2018 season in Los Angeles.
• Happy Birthday, Pete Hotaling & Sammy Strang!

Blog Kiosk: 9/4/2019 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Never count out the old guys.

The story of the season has been the rise of the kids. From Buehler to Bellinger, it is the youngsters who have driven the Dodger bus all season. That said, we've got some wily veterans who don't want you to forget that they've got some heroics left in them too. Last night it was the geezers -- Russell Martin and David Freese -- who got it done. Per Cary Osborne at Dodger Insider:

“I think we’re going to go to Denny’s after this and get on the 55 and older menu, order some Grand Slams,” Turner joked. “No, but it was a good night. Big swing by Russell, two strikes and gives us a lead. And before we even get done giving him high-fives, Freezer gives us a little cushion.”

The Dodgers defeated the Rockies, 5-3, last night. The photo above via Carrie Giordano/Los Angeles Dodgers 2019 at Dodger Insider. Go here to check out more pics from yesterdays game. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1924 the Brooklyn Robins/Dodgers won both ends of a doubleheader against the Boston Braves -- sweeping their fourth doubleheader in four consecutive days. From September 1st to 4th they beat the Phillies twice and the Braves six times. In 1966 the Dodgers become the first team to draw two million fans at home and on the road when they defeated the Reds at Crosley Fields in front of 18,670 patrons, 8-6. In 1969 Willis Davis' Dodger hitting streak comes to an end at 31 consecutive games -- setting a franchise record. It came at the hands of the Padres in San Diego. Dodger Historian Mark Langill wrote a fantastic story about Willie Davis and this record here.
• Happy Birthday, Elmer Horton, George Pfister, Doyle Alexander, Mike Piazza & Brian Myrow!

Blog Kiosk: 2/7/2018 - Dodgersw Links - Some Odds and Ends

After two seasons in Dodger Blue Kenta Maeda finally made it to a Lakers game. Here he is above with Dodger translator Will Ireton (wearing the Lakers Lucha Libre mask) and friend, via Maeda's Instagram. He wrote:

My first @lakers and NBA game was a success! Had a great time and it was even better with a Laker win! 

For the sake of the Lakers season I think he needs to go more often. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1958 the Dodgers officially became the Los Angeles Dodgers, Inc. In 2006 the Dodgers signed Japanese pitcher Takashi Saito to a free agent minor league contract. Saito made the Opening Day roster and would quickly become a fan favorite. That first season he would record 24 saves with an 2.07 ERA, 1.87 FIP and come in 8th place in Cy Young voting.
• Happy Birthday, Tom Daly, Mel Almada, Cy Moore, Art Jones, Johnny Werhas & Burt "Happy" Hooton!

Blog Kiosk 2/6/2018 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds Ends

It's not often you see something like this on the ballfield today. Featured above is a vintage ACME press photo of a pregame ceremony at Ebbets Field in 1946. On this day the Dodger players presented their GM with a gift, and it wasn't a Timex.

Dodgers Give Present to Branch Rickey 9/25/46 -- Dodger Manager Leo Durocher, General Manager Branch Rickey and Dixie Walker (left to right). Dodgers presented a $5,100 boat cruiser to Rickey before the game with the Phillies at Ebbets Field Sept. 25. Walker, spokesman for the team, said "The Boys wanted to do something for the boss in appreciation for what he has done for us."

BTW, that $5,100 present would be worth $61,630 in today's dollars. The press photo above was on auction at RMY, but did not sell (auction link). Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 2014 the Dodgers signed a free agent minor league contract with third baseman Justin Turner.  He had just been released by the Mets, and was only given an invitation to spring training by the Dodgers.  To the surprise of many, Turner would have a breakout season and become an important leader in the clubhouse.
• Happy Birthday, Andy Sommerville, Rube Ward, Red Downey & Glenn Wright!

Blog Kiosk: 2/1/2018 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Here's something historical.

Featured above is an original Sporting News press photo, dated August 26, 1939, featuring an on-camera interview between Dodgers broadcaster Red Barber and Dodger rookie skipper Leo Durocher that is currently on auction at RMY Auction (auction link).

You might be wondering, "what's so important about this pic? After all, we see this scene play out multiple times a day on local sports television."

Well, this game, between the Dodgers and Reds at Ebbets Field, happens to be the very first Baseball game ever broadcast on television. So, the scene you see above is a first for everyone in the photo.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1919 the Dodgers trade Jake Daubert to the Reds for outfielder Tommy Griffith. In 1959 the ever-popular Brooklyn Dodgers outfielder Zach Wheat is unanimously elected to the Hall of Fame by the Veterans Committee. In 1976 East Lansing police arrest Dodgers reliever Mike Marshall for disobeying the orders set by the Michigan State University police prohibiting him from taking batting practice. MSU feared he would hit balls too far and injure students at an adjacent tennis court. Marshall protests that it is against his rights as an MSU instructor and files a lawsuit against the school.
• Happy Birthday, Stan Kasten, Chuck Churn, Elian Herrera, Justin Sellers & Brett Anderson!

The Glory of Will "The Thrill" Ireton

If you've been paying attention to the Dodgers over the past several months then you've no doubt encountered the name Will Ireton.  He is Kenta Maeda's Japanese translator and lovable sidekick.  Furthermore, he has become a Dodger players' favorite.  In fact, Dave Roberts called him the team mascot today after he accomplished a challenge made by Kenley Jansen, per Eric Stephen at True Blue LA:

"That was Will the Thrill, our team mascot. He was challenged by a couple players that he couldn't deadlift 405 pounds,” Roberts said. “As I got wind of this wager, I wanted to see it first hand, so we brought the weight room into the clubhouse this morning. Suffice it to say, he was successful.”

Blog Kiosk: 2/13/2017 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

We are days away from the official start of Spring Training.  This coming Wednesday Dodger pitchers and catcher must report to Camelback Ranch.

BTW, I thought I would also put up a fantastic aerial pic of the Coliseum that was taken during the Dodgers very first home game there in 1958.  A crowd of 78,682 attended.

Pic at the very top via @Dodgers on twitter.  The pic on the right is via Cut4 on twitter.  Below are more links to check out:

• Happy Birthday, Ernie Rudolph, Eddie Pye & Nathan Eovaldi!