Tuesday, April 22, 2014

Blog Kiosk: 4/22/2014 - Dodger Links - Arruebarrena Plays, More Dodger Give-Away Previews and Greinke


This is a great photo of an unfortunate play.  Carlos Ruiz tags out Yasiel Puig between 3rd and home in the 1st inning.  It set a tone for the rest of the game as they would not get another runner to 3rd base.  Pic via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2014.
  • Via Dustin Nosler at Dodgers Digest, "Dodgers’ SS prospect Erisbel Arruebarrena makes professional debut."
  • Here's a peek at the Dodger pennant being given away at Dodger Stadium on Saturday, May 10th against the Giants.  See it on the right.   It has a old-timey kind of look to it.  
  • On Tuesday, June 17th the Dodgers are giving away a facsimile autographed Dodger Baseball.  See it on the left, below.  Awesome, right?
  • Jon Weisman at Dodger Insider explores, "The crazy rise in strikeouts for the Dodgers."
Dodger pitchers have never struck out more than 1,292 batters in a season, a record set in 2013. This year, they’re on pace for 1,543. And Clayton Kershaw hasn’t pitched in a game since March.
In the novel, the reclusive writer was the real-life J.D. Salinger. Why was he not a character in the movie? The answer involves both moxie and cowardice.
  • Jon Chapper at Dodger Insider tells us that the Dodgers are nearing 10,000 total franchise National League wins, and we are either 3 or 16 wins away from it - depending on who you ask.
  • Greg Katz at the LAist shares some delectable photos of some of the new foods being offered at Dodger Stadium.  Yummmmm...
  • Eno Harris at FoxSports notes that Greinke has always played around with his pitching repertoire in order to stay ahead of hitter.
  • Via Ken Gurnick at MLB.com, "Dodgers name training room after Dr. Jobe."
  • ICYMI:  The Dodgers recalled right-handed pitcher Jose Dominguez from Triple-A yesterday and optioned infielder/outfielder Chone Figgins to Albuquerque.  This is expected to be a short term move, so as to help out an overworked bullpen.

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Monday, April 21, 2014

A Ryu Bobblehead Preview - Some Dodgers Had Some Fun With It


Earlier this afternoon, a yet-to-be unveiled Dodger bobblehead made an appearance in the Dodger dugout.  It appears the Dodgers PR staff was preparing some promotional photos and videos that included Puig having some fun with the ceramic doll.  Better yet, others got into the act.

BTW, Ryu's bobblehead will be given out to fans on Tuesday, May 27th in a game against the Reds.

At the very top is a close up of Hyun-Jin Ryu's bobblehead, pic via Beto Duran on twitter.  Then, Puig shows it off.


He can fly!  Pic via @Dodgers on twitter.


Then, Juan Uribe got a hold of the Ryu bobblehead and took it with him to infield practice (pic via Beto Duran on twitter).


Puig's bobblehead suddenly made an appearance, so Uribe responded with some violence (via @Dodgers on twitter)


Here's a close up view, via Beto Duran on twitter.


I think Juan Uribe is a bit jealous that he isn't getting one.  Puig, in turn had some unkind words, via Bill Plunkett on twitter.


The hijinks never ends in the Dodger clubhouse.  Who said this team can't gel - that the melting pot that is the Dodgers is incompatible with chemistry?  From the look of it, this Dodger team has plenty of chemistry.

UPDATE:  Check out the boys with their bobbles, via a tweet from the Ryu.



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The Stan Williams 1961 Union Oil Dodger Family Booklet

Here is another post featuring the 1961 Union Oil Dodger Family Booklet set.  Go here to see my past post showcasing this set; including complete scans of both the Vin Scully/Jerry Doggett and Sandy Koufax booklets.  This time I share the Stan Williams Booklet.

"Big Daddy" as he was also known stood 6' 5" tall and had a blazing fastball.   Unfortunately, he was unable to harness his skills to be a top of the rotation guy.  Never mind though, with a pitching staff as good as the Dodgers back then he played an important role by averaging 25 starts a year in Blue. Overall, Williams recorded 57 win against 46 losses in 5 years. 

So, what did he consider to be his key to success?  Well, the booklet provides some insight.
Stan Williams calls the three most important assets he's acquired the "three C's" - confidence, concentration, control.  Without the first two, he believes, control is impossible to any pitcher.  "My concentration," he says, in all modesty, "is so keen now that I never see the crowd.  I couldn't tell you if 100 or 100,000 are in the park.  All I see id the diamond."
Below are complete scans of every page from Stan William's 1961 Union Oil Dodger Family Booklet.  Click any pic to embiggen. 









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Blog Kiosk: 4/21/2014 - Dodger Links - Puiggy, Kershaw Getting Close and the Continued Saga of Uribe's Fantastic Outfits


Just Puig being Puig.  What a play by Puig on Miguel Montero's drive down the line.  Watch it here.  Gif via Dodger Dugout.
"This was full effort for me," he said. "You can't simulate the adrenaline of a big league game. But as far as [a] 10 a.m. sim game, that's all I got."
"I'm trying to do what I did in the second half of last year, to focus on location and not focus on how hard I'm throwing. Really I'm just trying to focus on keeping the ball down," Haren said. "This year I've gotten a lot more ground balls. I don't know what I can attest that to, other than focusing on keeping the ball at the knees or below. I've tended to be a fly ball pitcher over my career, but this year I've gotten a few more ground balls."
"You're seeing him adapt to who he is right now," manager Don Mattingly said. "He's putting doubt in hitters' minds. It's two [good starts] in a row, so hopefully he's just building. 


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Sunday, April 20, 2014

The Next Homestand Against Phillies - Scheduled Autograph Signings!

The next homestand starts tomorrow with the Phillies, and several old-time Dodgers will be in the house to sign free autographs for fans.  Below are the scheduled autograph opportunities and other odds and ends for this upcoming homestand.

BTW, the Extreme Loaded Dog concession stands will be making the Philly Dog, a Super Dodger Dog combined with Philly cheese steak meat, caramelized onions and melted cheese.  Mmmm...  Check out a pic on the right.

---------------
Monday April 21
LHP Cliff Lee vs. LHP Paul Maholm

Monday's game starts at 7:10 PM.  Auto gates open at 4:30 PM, and stadium gates open at 5:00 PM.  2014 Sochi Olympics luger and La Cañada native Kate Hansen will throw the ceremonial first pitch and officially start the game with “It’s Time for Dodger Baseball!”  Meredith, Chris and Cam Jobe, sons of the late pioneering medical surgeon Dr. Frank Jobe, will throw an honorary first pitch. The national anthem will be performed by David Larsen, who portrays Elder Price in the TONY Award winning musical “The Book of Mormon.”  Also, 34 actors from “The Book of Mormon” will lead the crowd in singing “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” during the 7th inning stretch.

Former Dodgers Matt Luke (in right-field pavilion plaza) and Mickey Hatcher (in left-field pavilion plaza) will be signing autographs for fans from 5:00 PM to 7:10 PM. 

From a press release:
The Veteran of the Game presented by Bank of America is U.S. Army Specialist Cheyne Gomez of Hacienda Heights. Gomez enlisted in 2008 to follow in the footsteps of his grandfather and is assigned to the 1908th Medical Detachment and was deployed to Iraq in 2009. Gomez’s accolades include the Iraq Campaign Medal with Campaign Star and the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal. 
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Tuesday, April 22
RHP A.J. Burnett vs. LHP Hyun-Jin Ryu

Tuesday's game starts at 7:10 PM.  Auto gates open at 4:30 PM, and stadium gates open at 5:00 PM. The first 40,000 fans through the gates will receive a Dodger blanket.  See a pic on the left.  The national anthem will be performed by Los Angeles native Elliot Yamin of “American Idol” fame.

Former Dodgers Tim Leary (in right-field pavilion plaza) and Lee Lacy (in left-field pavilion plaza) will be signing autographs for fans from 5:00 PM to 7:10 PM.

From a press release:
The Veteran of the Game presented by Bank of America is U.S. Army Specialist Candy Gamboa of Los Angeles. Gamboa enlisted in 2011 inspired by September 11 and serves with the HHC 508th Military Police Battalion. Gamboa is currently on a mid-deployment break from her assignment in Afghanistan. Her accolades include two Army Achievement Medals. 
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Wednesday, April 23
LHP Cole Hamels vs. RHP Zack Greinke

Wednesday's game starts at 7:10 PM.  Auto gates open at 4:30 PM, and stadium gates open at 5:00 PM. USC alumnus and Laker Nick Young and UCLA alumnus and Laker Jordan Farmar will throw the ceremonial first pitch and officially start the game with “It’s Time for Dodger Baseball!” Country recording artist Eric Paslay will perform the national anthem.

Former Dodgers Kenny Landreaux (in right-field pavilion plaza) and Ken McMullen (in left-field pavilion plaza) will be signing autographs for fans from 5:00 PM to 7:10 PM. 

From a press release:
The Veteran of the Game presented by Bank of America is U.S. Marine Corps Corporal Francisco Demara, Jr. of Victorville. Demara enlisted in 2010 and is assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 7th Marines at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center in Twentynine Palms. Demara has served two combat tours to Helmand Province in Afghanistan, proudly displaying a Dodger banner on both deployments. His accolades include the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Navy Commendation Medal and the NATO Defense Medal.  
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Thursday, April 24
RHP Kyle Kendrick vs. RHP Dan Haren

Thursday's game starts at 7:10 PM.  Auto gates open at 4:30 PM, and stadium gates open at 5:00 PM.  This is Clayton Kershaw Bobblehead Night.  The first 50,000 fans in attendance will receive one.  Check out what it looks like on the right.  Max Greenfield, star of “New Girl,” will throw the ceremonial first pitch.  The Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation (LADF) will hold a silent auction on the Club level by the Vin Scully Press Box.

Former Dodgers Billy Ashley (in right-field pavilion plaza) and Al Ferrara (in left-field pavilion plaza) will be signing autographs for fans from 5:00 PM to 7:10 PM. 

From a press release:
The Veteran of the Game presented by Bank of America is U.S. Marine Corps Captain Vic Sanceda of La Puente. Sanceda enlisted in 2005 and is responsible for source staffing requirements for units deploying overseas and is the Officer In Charge of personnel affairs for Division field exercises. His accolades include a Combat Action Ribbon and Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals.

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Sunday Dodger Videos: Katz Speaks about his Puig Story on CBS

Here are this Sunday's Dodger videos.

Contributing writer Jesse Katz wrote "Escape from Cuba: Yasiel Puig's Untold Journey to the Dodgers" in LA Magazine  (read it here).  CBS News' Ben Tracy sat down with Katz to discuss how the Los Angeles Dodgers player got from his native Cuba to the U.S. through Mexico with the help of smugglers and cartel members.

Video Link:

ICYMI: Last Week, Yasiel Puig and Hyun-Jin Ryu had some fun fooling around in the dugout before their game against the Giants.

Video Link:

Here's a vintage recap video featuring the 1963 World Series between the Dodgers and Yankees.  I love the old footage of Dodger Stadium.

Video Link:

Ryu has some power.  Watch him hit 2 home runs in batting practice on Saturday.

Video Link:

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