Blog Kiosk: 8/17/2016 - Dodgers Links - Utley's Unforgettable Evening in Philly

Last nights game was unreal.

Not only did it begin with an over minute long standing ovation for leadoff hitter Chase Utley, but it would later be eclipsed by an curtain call after a grand slam by the former Phillies hero in the seventh inning.  Via Doug Padilla at ESPN:

"It's completely overwhelming," Utley said in a postgame news conference. "The standing ovation my first at-bat is something I'll never forget. It was truly special. It really shows how passionate and how great the Philadelphia fan base is. It was probably one of the most nervous at-bats I'll ever have at any level. I was glad to get it over with, to be honest with you."

Per Evan Webeck and Todd Zolecki at MLB.com:

"I think it just goes to show you can change the uniform, but he's always going to be a Phillie at heart," (Ryan) Howard said. "He's always going to be a Phillie to everybody here. I thought it was great. I thought it was awesome. For the fans to give him a curtain call again, it shows what he was able to do here and the impact that he had here on the fans."

BTW, to go along with the shellacking of the Phillies, 15-5, the Dodgers leapfrogged over the Giants to take an half game lead. 

(graphic via @Dodgers on twitter)

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

• This Day in Dodger History:  In 1992 Dodger hurler Kevin Gross no-hits the Giants at Dodger Stadium, 2-0.  You can watch the last out of his no-hitter here.

Welcome to the Dodgers, Grant Dayton!

We all knew that Julio Urias was schedule to be called up this morning to start todays game.  What we didn't know is that teammate Grant Dayton, a left-handed reliever in Oklahoma City, would be joining Urias in Washington DC.  Going back down to Triple-A are infielders Charlie Culberson and Zach Walters.  Per a Dodgers press release:

Dayton, 28, will be making his first-career appearance on a big league roster and has gone 5-2 with four saves and a 2.44 ERA in 35 appearances this year with Double-A Tulsa and Triple-A Oklahoma City. In 48.0 innings, he’s limited opponents to a .165 batting average with a 0.79 WHIP, while striking out 85 against just 10 walks. He last pitched on Monday, striking out four in 2.0 scoreless innings at Tacoma (Mariners) and throwing 33 pitches. Dayton, who has gone 26-21 with 19 saves and a 2.79 ERA in 262 games in seven minor league seasons, was acquired by the Dodgers from Miami on July 15, 2015 in exchange for left-handed pitcher Chris Reed and was originally selected by the Marlins in the 11th round of the 2010 draft out of Auburn University.

Welcome to the Blue, Zach Walters!

I know this post is late, so I apologize in advance.  Featured above are fantasy Baseball cards I made of our newest Dodger, Zach Walters.  As you know, Trayce Thompson was put on the Disabled List over the weekend, so journeyman super-utility player Zach Walters was called up in his place.  Walters, who we acquired from the Indians in early April, has slashed .298/.346/.491/.836 in Triple-A Oklahoma City this year.  He also has played every position, except for catcher, this season.  Via Jon Weisman at Dodger Insider:

He has played second base, shortstop, third base, left field and right field in his 82-game MLB career, with a .233 on-base percentage and .394 slugging percentage — including 10 homers in 127 big-league at-bats in 2014.

Blog Kiosk: 7/16/2016 - Dodgers Links - Ethier, Thompson and Chris Taylor's Big Night

Chris Taylor had a heck of a game last night.  The young infielder went 3 for 5 with a double, triple, grand slam, for his first career home run and six RBI's.  Per Ken Gurnick at MLB.com:

Taylor became the first Los Angeles Dodger, and only the fourth in franchise history, whose first Major League home run was a grand slam. The others are Chico Fernandez (1956), Irv Palica (1950) and Preston Ward (1948).

"That's pretty cool, that's awesome," Taylor said.

In eight inning of the game Chris came up to the plate with an opportunity to record an elusive cycle.  He was just a single short.  The last time a Dodger had done it was Orlando Hudson in 2009 against the Giants in the home opener.  Having proven his muscle with the bat Taylor attempted to sneak a bunt single past the deep infield on the left side.  Unfortunately, he just missed getting it past a sprawling pitcher, who eventually threw him out.

"I thought it was a good time," said Taylor. "They had the third baseman back and it's always been part of my game, regardless of the hits. In that situation again, I'd try it again. Unfortunately I didn't have good angle and the pitcher made a nice play."

The photos above via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2016.  Go here to check out a bunch of more pics by Jon from yesterdays game.  Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodger History: In 1948 Brooklyn released their manager, Leo Durocher, so that he may become the skipper for the Giants.  Burt Shotten would take over the managerial sport for Brooklyn.

Blog Kiosk: 4/11/2016 - Dodgers Links - Stripling, Robinson and Vin Scully Avenue

Just a friendly reminder, the Vin Scully Avenue dedication ceremony is today.  It all begins at 11:15 AM at the main entrance to Dodger Stadium.  Go here for information.  Pic above via a screengrab from a tweet by KTLA reporter Eric Spillman.  As you can see, they have already started changing the signs.

Below are more links to check out:

• Via Doug Padilla at ESPN, "Stripling family respects Dave Roberts' decision."

"One of the cool things that I experienced this morning was Ross' dad was down in the lobby today and just sought me out," Roberts said "He came up to me and, really kind of emotional, just thanked me for him and his wife for looking out for his son."

When you meet Ross Stripling you see a kid with a good head on his shoulders. When you hear a story like this it becomes clear where it came from.