Blog Kiosk: 2/19/2015 - Dodger Links - Guerrero, Josh Byrnes and Dodger Give Away Sneak Peeks

Pedro Guerrero is on the mend.  Above is a photo with birthday boy Manny Mota with Pedro at his bedside as he recovers from a minor stroke suffered this past weekend.  Photo via @Dodgers on twitter.

Below are some more links to check out:

• FYI, Camelback Ranch officially opens to fans tomorrow, Friday, February 20th at 9:00 AM, via their facebook.  The team store, concession stands and box office will be open.
• Take a look at a sneak peek at two of the Dodger pins they are giving out this season.  Below are the Don Drysdale and Sandy Koufax Cy Young pins, via @Dodgers on twitter. Check out the Don Newcombe pin they are giving away on April 13th here.

• Here's another Dodger give away preview.  On the right is the 1965 World Series replica ring they are giving away on Saturday, May 16th for Old-Timers Day.  Go here to check out the entire Dodger promotion schedule.
• Listen to Josh Byrnes, Dodgers Senior VP of Baseball Operations, on DodgerTalk from last night here.
• OK.  This is just hilarious.  Via No Coast Bias, "Omaha Storm Chasers Start Twitter Feud With Albuquerque Isotopes Because Of ‘Better Call Saul’"
• Baseball Nut at All About Cards does it right, "Wallet Card Wednesday the Adventures of Wallet Card at Dodger FanFest."  I apologize for neglecting my own Wallet Card.  I still have it, and its gone through a tremendous amount of wear and tear.  It's just that I keep forgetting to take photos of it.
• Now this is interesting.  Via Ryan Tedards at Sports Card Radio, "Panini America Interested In Acquiring Upper Deck."  If this happens then I they'll be seriously considered for a MLB license to create Baseball cards.

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The Oklahoma City Dodgers Online Store is Now Open

Finally!

Over two months after the official announcement of the Dodgers new AAA affiliated club, the Oklahoma City Dodgers, they have finally opened up their online store for fans to peruse.  Go here to check it out.

A bunch of new gear is now available for die-hard fans; including these new caps below.

Or, these things.

Heck, since its official opening this morning one item has already sold out.

No worries though.  They promise it'll be restocked by Opening Day. 

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Dodgers Join Crosstown Rival Angels in Billboard Campaign

It's not every year that two teams situated in the same market can produce an MVP winner the same season, but that's what happened.  As you know, staff ace Clayton Kershaw and super-slugger Mike Trout captured their leagues MVP award last year; marking just the 11th time it's been done in Major League history.  In honor of this rare accomplishment, both teams unveiled a joint billboard yesterday celebrating the accomplishment, and you can see it for yourself on the corner of Highland and Wilshire in Los Angeles.  No word yet if a similar billboard will show up in Orange County.

BTW, this was the 5th time the Dodgers franchise has paired up with a rival to win the MVP award the same season.  The previous 4 pairings happened in Brooklyn.  Check out a complete list of crosstown MVP's below.

For those less inclined to venture into the heart of Los Angeles the Dodgers provided a photo to whet your whistle.

Spotted on the corner of Highland and Wilshire, the Most Valuable Billboard. #MVPKersh pic.twitter.com/qMBVaRhcwt
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) February 18, 2015

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Weekend Autograph Opportunities: Jim "Mudcat" Grant

Here are this weekends autograph opportunities and events throughout the Southland. As always, be sure to check the Blue Heaven Calendar for other events (a link can always be found on the tab at the top of this page, just left of center), and always confirm with the establishment. Everything is subject to change.  Please email me with any tips about upcoming events in Southern California.  As the rest of the week progresses I'll update this post with other events (if there are any) as I become aware of them.  Also, I don't always list every event below, so be sure to check my Calendar.  I always try to favor free signing events over paying events.  Click on any pic to embiggen.

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Former Dodger Jim "Mudcat" Grant will be signing autographs at a Spring Training celebration event at Iguana's Sports Bar in Pico Rivera; hosted by Kenny DeBaca & Friends.  Go here for more information.  Autographs are $20.00 each.  This is the first of many Dodger themed events at Iguana's Sports Bar.  The promoter has reserved this location for a viewing party every Sunday.  Jay Johnstone will be singing free autographs on April 12th.

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 UPDATE:
 Here is another event I was just made aware of.  NFL star Anthony Miller will be signing free autographs at the offices of Dr. Alex Corbin Lui in Rowland Heights.  Go here for more information.

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Blog Kiosk: 2/18/2015 - Dodger Links - Jansen Injured and Out for 3 Months

I just love this Korean advertisement featuring Hyun-Jin Ryu, pic via Dan at @MyKBO on twitter.

Below are some more links to check out:

• And the injury bug bites the Dodgers early.  Via Jon Weisman at Dodger Insider, "Kenley Jansen expected to miss 8-12 weeks after foot surgery."

This morning at Cedars-Sinai in Los Angeles, Dodger pitcher Kenley Jansen underwent surgery to remove a growth from a bone in his left foot. This was discovered when Kenley reported discomfort while running last week. A subsequent X-Ray, MRI and CT scan showed the problem in the 5th metatarsal of his left foot.  The surgery was performed by Drs. Earl Brien and David Thordarson under the direction of Dr. Neal ElAttrache.

Jansen will be on crutches for about 10 days and then a boot for 3-4 weeks. How he progresses during the rehab process will determine his return to competition, but it is expected to be approximately 8-12 weeks.

• Naturally, everyone is wondering who will now close for the Dodgers.  Via Eric Stephen at True Blue LA, "Dodgers have options (in-house) to replace Kenley Jansen at closer."
• Dustin Nosler at Dodgers Digest looks outside of the organization for a closer, "Looking at pitchers who could, temporarily, fill in for Kenley Jansen."
• GCRL shares even more Steve Garvey oddball baseball cards.  This fan is definately a huge Garvey SuperCollector.
• Via Stanley at 1,9870 Miles, "Here's to you, Ernie Rudolph."  This new Dodger blog wrote a great article in honor of an obscure former Dodger who had a birthday recently. 

While not much is known about former Brooklyn Dodgers relief pitcher Ernie Rudolph, one thing is for sure: he had his cup of coffee in the big leagues. Entering his only major league season during World War II, in 1945, the 36-year-old Rudolph was likely called up because talent was scarce during the war.

• Via Rob Neyer at Just a Bit Outside, "Bill Murray's Baseball Summer: An Oral History."

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Blog Kiosk: 2/17/2015 - Dodger Links - Pedro Guerrero is Doing Well

I looks like Yasiel Puig had a blast in New York for the NBA All-Star Weekend.  He was introduced as a PlayStation Hero (complete with his own cartoon caricature), visited the American Natural History Museum while also making fun of Juan Uribe and met all kinds of other famous folks; including the big fellow featured in the above pic.  As Puig wrote on his instagram photo shown above:

It was a pleasure meeting this #beast @shaq I though I was big till I met this little fella!

Below are some more links to check out:

• Via Jon Weisman at Dodger Insider, "Pedro Guerrero recovering in Dominican Republic."
• Via Jon Paul Morosi and Ken Rosenthal at FoxSports.com, "Dodgers reportedly may land top Cuban infielder Hector Olivera."
• Via Dylan Hernandez at the LA Times, "Dodgers' Yasiel Puig in line for MVP seasons, says Mark McGwire."

"If we can put a full season together and if that lull toward the end of the season is not there — he has a big September, big playoffs — there's no question he's going to have several MVPs," McGwire said.

• Via Daniel Brim at Dodgers Digest, "Dodger Pitchers and the Low Strike Zone."

The Dodgers’ top three starters all throw into the lowered strike zone area less often than average. Ryu is particularly adverse to throwing in that area since he throws low pitches less often than most starters in baseball. McCarthy is the highest above the average among Dodger starters, which isn’t surprising since he depends on ground balls. 

• The bettors can't be wrong.  Via Israel Fehr at Big League Stew, "Nationals and Dodgers top win total over/under betting list."

It's no surprise to find the two World Series favorites, the Nationals and Dodgers, at the top of the MLB over/under win total betting list released on Monday by online sportsbook Bovada.

The number for both teams is 92½ wins. Last season Washington won 96 games and Los Angeles finished with 94 wins.

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