Mailbag: Nate Eovaldi Bowman Sterling Autographed card

I just had to do it. 

After watching Nate Eovaldi's last start against the Dodgers, where he pitched 7 solid innings with a flying fastball clocked in the mid-90's, I figured I should add his 2011 Bowman Sterling autographed card to my collection. 

I know he lost that game, but I was impressed.  He looked like a different pitcher out there.  Maybe the opportunity to show off to his old club provided extra motivation, or maybe he was feeling especially great that day. 

I dunno.

All I know is that I suspect we haven't heard the last of him.  I'm not saying that he'll be an ace making the kind of money Zack and Clayton do.  What I am saying is that I figure Eovaldi will have a long career as an end-of-the-rotation starter, at the very least.

And you know what?  That ain't too bad. 

Besides, it was super cheap, so why not?

Check out a pic of the card above and below.  Click the photo to embiggen.

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Blog Kiosk: 9/18/2013 - Dodgers Links - Kemp's Big Return

Matt Kemp sure had a big game in debut in the starting lineup yesterday.  Pic above via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2013.  See more of his pics from the day here.

• "Matt Kemp, Hanley Ramirez rekindle Dodgers fire," via Eric Stephen at True Blue LA.

"I miss baseball, man. I haven't played in a while so it felt good to be in front of the crowd," Kemp said after the game. "It's a good feeling."

• Left Field Pavilion celebrates Kemp's return with a great graphic.  See it here.
• Tony Jackson at Dodger Scribe has some pregame notes for tonight's game.  It's a must watch!
• This whole Alexander Guerrero situation has me thinking that the Dodgers are getting jerked around.  Frankly, I think they should consider just walking away, as a matter of principle. Or, at the very least, stick to your number and don't move from it.  Heck, the guy hasn't played a game in a couple of years, and the risk would solely rest with the Dodgers.  Besides, it's not like they'll just hand him a 2nd base job, he still has to earn it, and he'll be paid handsomely for the opportunity to earn it.  On the other hand, if he decides to not sign with anybody and play a year in another league to show (prove) his worth, then I say pursue him based upon those results.  Via a tweet by @Jesse Sanchez.

Guerrero switched agents. Verbal agreements from past agency are not binding. Wants overall better deal. @mgaax @DodgersNation @AlexRod018
— Jesse Sanchez (@JesseSanchezMLB) September 17, 2013

• Dustin Nosler at Feelin' Kinda Blue shares his 2013 Dodgers all-prospect team.
• The Dodgers add 4 players to the Glendale Desert Dogs, via twitter.

#Dodgers add four pitchers to 2013 AFL Glendale Desert Dogs roster: LH Onelki Garcia & Mike Thomas, RH Yimi Garcia & Shawn Tolleson.
— Arizona Fall League (@MLBazFallLeague) September 17, 2013

• Jeff Jaffe at Hardball Times shares a great story about a game 20 years ago where a drunken fan caused the Red Sox to lose a game to the Yankees.
• John Thorn at Our Game provides a history lesson on the origin of the batting average.

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Welcome to the Blue, Takumi Numata! See a Fantasy Card Creation

It took me some time, but I was finally able to find a photo of our newest international signee, Takumi Numata.  Check out the above fantasy Baseball card I made of him.  As you can see, I wasn't able to find a great pic, but I guess it'll have to do.

Numata is a 19-year old right-handed pitcher from Nagoya, Aichi, Japan.  He stands 6' 1" and weighs 188 lbs.  I'm unsure exactly what he brings to the table (I don't think anyone besides the scouts know what he can do), so we'll have to wait and see.  He is expected to report to Camelback Ranch to work out with their instructional league team.

It's just nice to see the Dodgers finally reaching throughout the world to sign talent after such a long layoff.

BTW, I think I found Numata's twitter account, but I'll wait to disclose that until I receive confirmation.

UPDATE:  From the wonderful folks on Reddit, below is a video of Numata pitching.  The video description says:

After graduating from high school, he attended Nagoya Sangyo University and dropped out after his first year.  He started playing for the Industrial League club team Edion Aichi Kogyo Daigaku OB Blitz this year.

Video Link:

UPDATE II:  Rodd Gasmer at Dodgers Nation makes note that Japanese Amateur Baseball Association might scuttle this signing.  Check out what he says here.

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Blog Kiosk: 9/17/2013 - Dodgers Links - Signing Numata from Japan, Alexander Guerrero Blues and Goog Guy Gonzalez

Clayton Kershaw signs for some fans in Arizona in the pic above, via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2013.  See more pics from him from yesterday, here.

• The Dodgers made another International Signing.  This time they go to Japan and sign 19-year old Takumi Numata. Per a Dodgers press release:

Numata, 19, graduated from Ohgaki Nihon University High School in 2012 and played for the Edion AIT OB Blits of the Japanese Industrial League from April-September 2013. The 6-foot-1, 188-pounder from Nagoya, Aichi, Japan was signed by Dodger scouts Isao O'Jimi and Pat Kelly.

Numata is expected to report to Camelback Ranch - Glendale, where he will work out with the Dodgers' Instructional League team.

• Oh, dung!  This kind of move does not bode well.  Maybe Alexander Guerrero isn't headed to the Dodgers.

Source: Alexander Guerrero has signed with Boras Corp. & they are now leading negotiations. They are entertaining offers from all 30 teams.
— Jesse Sanchez (@JesseSanchezMLB) September 16, 2013

• Adrian Gonzalez has been named Dodgers' nominee for the 2013 Roberto Clemente Award.  Clayton Kershaw won the award last year.  Per a Dodgers press release:
  

 The Roberto Clemente Award presented by Chevrolet pays tribute to Clemente's achievements and character by recognizing current players who truly understand the value of helping others. The 15-time MLB All-Star and Hall of Famer who died in a plane crash on New Year's Eve 1972 while attempting to deliver supplies to earthquake victims in Nicaragua.
...
"I'm truly honored to be nominated for this award that pays tribute to Roberto Clemente, one of the greatest in the game who also had an extraordinary impact off the field with his philanthropic efforts," said Gonzalez. "Everyone should strive to be the type of man Clemente was and I am humbled that I am the Dodgers' nominee for this prestigious award. It is very important to me and my wife to give back to the community and I look forward to doing so much more."

• "Diamondbacks 2, Dodgers 1: Hyun-jin Ryu tosses gem, loses," via Eric Stephen at True Blue LA.
• "Billingsley thriving in recovery from Tommy John surgery," via Ken Gurnick at MLB.com.

"My arm probably hasn't felt this good since high school," said Billingsley. "When you're a teenager you pick up a ball and just start throwing, not worrying about having to loosen up. That's how it feels now for the first time since I was in my teens. I'm really happy with how it feels and the way it's going. They have to hold me back, it feels so good."

• Chris Levy at Sports Collectors Daily informs us that there will be a another card show in Culver City on Saturday, October 5th.
• Tony Jackson at Dodger Scribe lays down the smack down on Don Mattingley's managing of the 9th inning in last nights game.  I don't entirely hate the sacrifice bunt, but do not believe it should be the "go-to" play at all times.  I do think there's a time and place for it, and last night was not the time.  He should have let Uribe swing away.
• Via Steve Adams at MLB Trade Rumors, "Mark Kotsay To Retire At Season's End".  Although he has no Dodger ties, I wanted to mention this.  He was a star outfielder while I was in college at Cal State Fullerton, my Alma Mater, and lead the Titans to a College World Series Championship during my senior year.  Congrats on a great career!

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Welcome Back, Matt!

As has been rumored all day, Matt Kemp has officially be reinstated to the Dodgers player roster.  He is currently in Arizona with the team, and is expected to be available to pinch hit today.

Per a Dodgers press release:

The Los Angeles Dodgers today reinstated outfielder Matt Kemp from the disabled list.

Kemp last played on July 21 at Washington, going 3-for-4 with a double, a homer and three RBI in that contest before suffering a left ankle sprain on a play at the plate in the ninth inning. The two-time All-Star made five rehab starts with Single-A Rancho Cucamonga before continuing his rehab at Camelback Ranch - Glendale once the minor league season ended. The 28-year-old has hit .263 with five home runs and 27 RBI in 62 games this season, which has featured three trips to the DL.

The Dodgers now have 36 players on their active roster.

Pic above via twitter @lilymota5.

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Blog Kiosk: 9/16/2013 - Dodgers Links - Uribe Loves to Dance, Puig Injured and Kemp Coming Back

Juan Uribe decided to have some fun with a photojournalist over the weekend.  He grabbed her as she was taking some photos and wanted to dance, in the photo above.  Watch a video of the event at the very bottom of this post.  Pic via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2013.

• "Charley Steiner shares thoughts on the McCourts, Vin Scully and love," via Steve Dilbeck at the LA Times.
• "Dodgers bring smile to son of slain police officer," via Brian Rokos at the Press Enterprise.
• "Yasiel Puig is fine, Carl Crawford is not," via Tony Jackson at Dodger Scribe.  Please... Just hold it together for another month or so.
• "Dodgers have trust issues -- in Yasiel Puig not annihilating them," via Steve Dilbeck at the LA Times.

Teammates have visions of their bodies being splattered to all parts of the outfield after being steamrolled by Puig.

“Those infielders, I know they don’t trust him,” said Manager Don Mattingly. “He comes in — and the outfielders are the same way — it’s hard to trust him because he runs into people. And he doesn’t stop and back off of balls.”

• Matt Kemp is coming back?  "Matt Kemp injury: Dodgers CF could return Monday, might be healthiest outfielder," via Eric Stephen at True Blue LA.  Hopefully he's ready to rake!

"We'll see him tomorrow. He'll be at the ballpark tomorrow working out early with us, running, doing the bases and doing all that," Mattingly said. "I've been told that depending on where he's at, it could be tomorrow. I don't know. Obviously we want him to be healthy."

• "Dodgers' Nick Buss a hit in major league debut," via Kevin Baxter at the LA Times.  See my blog post from Saturday about Nick's nickname.
• "Actor Wheaton describes life as a die-hard Dodgers fan: Former Trekkie, who has bled blue since birth, takes part in 'Express Written Consent'," via Alyson Footer at MLB.com.  There's a video to watch.  Wheaton is a huge LA area sports fan.  When the LA Kings won their recent championship his wife recorded him going crazy at his home.  It's a classic and well worth the watch.  See that video here.

"I pretty much grew up in this stadium," he said. "It wasn't until I was 10 or 11 years old that I figured out that Vin Scully came out of all the radios that were all over the place. I just figured 'Oh, that's the voice of baseball.' The way that someone growing up in Chicago would think of Harry Caray as the voice of baseball, Vin Scully is very much the voice of baseball for me."

• "Vin Scully video of the night: 'It Takes Two' opening," via Kevin Roderick at LA Observed.  Check out a fun vintage video they share of Vin in a silk-style robe. 
• Watch this very funny video of Juan Uribe grabbing a Korean photojournalist (I think) for a dance in the dugout.

Video Link:

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