Blog Kiosk: 2/28/2015 - Dodger Links - Some Odds and Ends

Spring Training isn't just for practice.  It's also for gettin' your picture taken.  Featured above is Clayton Kershaw is a green screen room.  This morning was Photo Day for the Dodgers as photographers from throughout the country came down to capture the Dodgers on film.  Photo above via @Dodgers on twitter.

Below are some more links to check out:

• Check out this fun new blog: The Dodgers Lego.
• Via Charlie Wilmoth at MLB Trade Rumors, "Juan Pierre Officially Retires."  Pierre was a great Dodger whose play I will remember fondly.  He was a Dodger unsung hero who also got a lot of unnecessary grief from a bunch of fans who thought their snark was funny.  For the record, it wasn't funny.  It was just mean.
• Via Pedro Moura at the OC Register, "Armed with data: Dodgers use analytics in effort to assess risk, decrease frequency of pitching injuries."

“As we are going through available players, we find requisite upside, and we dig into their medical histories to see if it’s a fool’s errand or not,” Friedman said this week. “We appreciate the risk and appreciate the upside.”

• Via Mark Saxon at ESPNLosAngeles.com, "Dodgers going organic this season."

“If it gives us more energy and helps us go longer, I’m all for it,” (Carl) Crawford said, while then admitting he prefers starchy fried southern food when he’s on his own.

“All things considered, it’s probably not what I’d eat if I wasn’t a baseball player, but I get it,” (Brett) Anderson said. 

• The Dodger made another minor league depth addition, via JP Hoornstra on twitter:

OF Travis Witherspoon is in #Dodgers camp on a minor-league deal. Was on #Angels' 40-man roster a couple years ago. @MattEddyBA reported 1st
— J.P. Hoornstra (@jphoornstra) February 27, 2015

• Via Janie McCauley at Yahoo Sports, "Jimmy Rollins adjusts to new uniform back home in California."
• Ted Sobel at The Beast 980 shares his interview with Yasiel Puig, here.
• FYI! I had previously written about Puig's involvement with PlayStation Heroes here.

#PlayStationHEROES app now live on PS4: http://t.co/Pe9vHhwjCs Download & find out how you could play w/ celebrities https://t.co/SsFQ0m6O3F
— PlayStation (@PlayStation) February 26, 2015

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Dodgers Notes from Spring Training: Full –Squad Workout #2

Throughout Spring Training the Dodgers PR department sends out helpful daily notes from Camelback Ranch, and I am happy to pass them along.  See what they've written below.

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(Koufax signing autographs for fans today, pic via David Vassegh on twitter)

IT’S BLACK/BLUE, END OF DISCUSSION: The Dodgers held their second full-squad workout of the spring today, with hitters facing live batting practice for the first time from pitchers Erik Bedard, Sergio Santos, Juan Nicasio, Adam Liberatore, Carlos Frias and Josh Ravin. Chad Gaudin, Ben Rowan and Brandon League also threw bullpens today.

• The Dodgers are still five days away from their first Cactus League game, March 4 against the White Sox, whereas last year at this time, the club had already played two contests.

THE NEXT CHAPTER: In the past few days, two classy former Dodgers hung up their spikes with Mark Ellis and Juan Pierre announcing their retirement. The Dodgers would like to thank both for their contributions to the game and wish them well in their future endeavors.

(Juan Pierre, pic via @Dodgers on twitter)

SAY CHEESE: The Dodgers will hold their annual Photo Day tomorrow, beginning at 7:00 a.m., with players showing off their pearly whites for the Dodger team photographers, MLB Photos, MLB.com, ESPN the Magazine, Topps, USA Today, Getty Images, Baseball Digest and the Associated Press.

SUNDAY CONVERSATION(S): On Sunday, ESPN’s SportsCenter will broadcast live from Camelback Ranch – Glendale, featuring interviews with Adrian Gonzalez, Clayton Kershaw, Jimmy Rollins, Don Mattingly and more. Jay Crawford, Aaron Boone and Tim Kurkjian will anchor the network’s coverage.

A BAKERS DOZEN: During the past three days, Dodger players and their wives were fitted with suits/dresses and casual clothing by Ted Baker London to wear to the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation’s inaugural Blue Diamond Gala honoring the Jackie Robinson Foundation, The Los Angeles Fund for Public Education and the LA84 Foundation. The Gala will take place on Thursday, April 16 at Dodger Stadium and features a cocktail reception in center field, dinner, awards, a Ted Baker London fashion show featuring Dodger players and a performance by Grammy-nominated singer/songwriter Aloe Blacc. For tickets and information on the Blue Diamond Gala sponsorships, please visit www.dodgers.com/gala.

TAG ME: As Cactus League opening day approaches, many news elements at Camelback will continue to be unveiled with a life-size Tommy Lasorda bobblehead, a new scoreboard on the Dodger replica field, All-Star panels on the legends walk, a LA logo sculpture and large, autographed baseballs paying tribute to the club’s MVPs. With so many photogenic locations, there’s no reason that #CamelbackRanch won’t be trending on social media this spring along with Dodger Stadium, which ranked as the second-most Instagrammed place in the world last year, behind only Disneyland.

(Howie Kendrick signing for fans, pic via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2015)

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World's Largest Marching Band at Dodger Stadium

Once upon a time I was a "Bando."  I wore a strange looking uniform with a giant unwieldy hat while carrying around a brass trombone I barely knew how to play.  And you know what, it was the time of my life.  I thoroughly enjoyed playing in my high school marching band, and often find myself thinking about those days with fondness.

So, when I came across the above patch on eBay (see auction here) I knew I had to find out more.  Unfortunately, information was rather scarce, so I apologize in advance for the poorly done research.  I would like to ask, though, for anyone who was a part of this glorious event to pass along their memories.  I'd really appreciate it.

Featured above is a patch given to participants of a Guinness Book of World Records event.  During the first homestand of the 1985 season 4,524 students from 52 local high schools descended on Dodger Stadium for a pregame show.  There were 3,182 musicians and 1,342 majorettes, flag bearers, drill team members and directors in total.  Best yet, they were to be conducted by the legendary Danny Kaye.  From what I understand, they played three songs and the National Anthem.

Below are a couple of photos found at the Library of Congress; as a part of the "Danny Kaye and Sylvia Fine Collection" in the Music Division.

(Danny Kaye and Sylvia Fine Collection, Library of Congress, Music Division)

(Danny Kaye and Sylvia Fine Collection, Library of Congress, Music Division)

And here is a color photograph from what looks like the top deck of Dodger Stadium.  There sure are a lot of "Bando's" on the field there.

I have no idea if this event still holds the record for the World's Largest Marching Band since the Guinness website doesn't appear to keep this particular record.

(photo via Airplane Life)

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Blog Kiosk: 2/27/2015 - Dodger Links - Koufax, Anderson and I See "White and Gold"

It looks like the Dodgers, up and down the entire system, will be eating well from now on.  Gabe Kapler, the new Director of Player Development, has brought along his passion for healthy eating and living.  From what I understand, ballplayers will now be served meals similar to the menu shown above from Los Angeles to every minor league team in the franchise.  BTW, the photo above was tweeted out by Jon Weisman at Dodger insider yesterday afternoon, and it shows that days lunch menu.

Below are some more links to check out:

• As you know Sandy Koufax has made it out to Camelback Ranch and Jon Weisman at Dodger Insider shares some quotes from him from his first day.  Check them out here.  On Julio Urias:

“He’s impressive. He’s very impressive. This is the first time I’ve seen him throw. It’s a long way from the driving range to the golf course, and it’s a long way from side sessions to the game. He has all the requisites — we just have to see what happens. Physically, he’s very impressive.”

• Brett Anderson shares his first "real" Dodger moment on twitter:

First real "Dodger" moment having Sandy Koufax have nothing but positive things to say after watching me throw a bullpen.
— Brett Anderson (@BAnderson_30) February 26, 2015

• Via Eric Stephen at True Blue LA, "Dodgers confident Joel Peralta will be ready for opening day."
• Just another example of the kind of wacky things that happen during Spring Training.  Apparently the entire Dodger clubhouse was debating the color of that ugly dress that hit the interwebs like a flash flood yesterday.  Via Matthew Moreno at Dodgers Nation, "Dodgers, MLB Players Join ‘What Colors Are The Dress?’ Twitter Debate."  For the record, i see "white and gold."
• Following on Ellis' recent retirement, Stacie Wheeler at Lasorda's Lair writes; "Remembering Mark Ellis's Biggest Dodger Moments."
• I guess some folks are having a difficult time with Enrique "Kike" Hernandez's nickname, via his twitter (what a bunch of dolts!):

To whom it may concern: pic.twitter.com/BahrpCqSqR
— Enrique Hernandez (@kikehndez) February 27, 2015

• Matt F at Heartbreaking Cards of Staggering Genius shares a bunch of fantastic cards and collectibles of former Brooklyn Dodger and Chicago Cub great Andy Pafko.
• If you are heading over to Arizona for Spring Training you should look out for this.  Panini America will be hosting their Second Annual Panini Spring Training Road Trip in late March.  Go here for information.
• What Dale Hansen said.

Video Link:

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Dodgers Notes from Spring Training: Full – Squad Workout #1

Throughout Spring Training the Dodgers PR department sends out helpful daily notes from Camelback Ranch, and I am happy to pass them along.  See what they've written below.

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(Sandy Koufax is in the house!  Pic via Matthew Mesa/LA Dodgers 2015)

LET’S GET IT STARTED: Today marked the first full-squad workout of the 2015 season and Dodger Manager Don Mattingly introduced key personnel including Hall of Famers Sandy Koufax and Tommy Lasorda and Dodger Legends Maury Wills and Manny Mota to the team. President of Baseball Operations Andrew Friedman, Director of Public Relations Joe Jareck, Director of Team Travel Scott Akasaki and Vice President of Medical Services Stan Conte also addressed the team.

• Former Dodger first baseman Eric Karros arrived in Camelback Ranch today and will be a special instructor for the team for a couple days.

NICE TO MEET YOU:  With the full-squad in full gear today, the Dodgers’ 40-man roster is filled with new faces which includes 19 new players since the end of the 2014 season. Joc Pederson, Carlos Frias, Zach Lee and Chris Reed, who were non-roster invitees last year are making their first appearance to Spring Training.

(Full squad workouts, pic via @Dodgers on twitter)

BUSY WEEKEND: On Saturday morning, the Dodgers will have their Photo Day at 7 a.m. and media outlets who are scheduled to attend are Dodgers photographers, MLB Photos, MLB.com, ESPN the Magazine, Topps, LA Times, USA Today, Getty Images, Baseball Digest and Associated Press. On Sunday, the Dodgers will be featured on ESPN SportsCenter, which will air live from Camelback Ranch – Glendale.

BACKSTAGE: DODGERS: SportsNet LA will debut a new season of its signature series, “Backstage: Dodgers,” tonight at 7:00 p.m. The behind-the-scenes documentary series returns with new exclusive inside access to the team that will cover the off-season to the first day of Spring Training and through the last pitch of the season. “Backstage: Dodgers” episodes will debut every Thursday all season and will provide fans with an unrivaled behind-the-scenes view of the players, coaches, executives and Dodger legends inside the clubhouse, out in the community and more.

BLUE DIAMOND GALA: The Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation (LADF) announced today its inaugural Blue Diamond Gala honoring the Jackie Robinson Foundation, The Los Angeles Fund for Public Education and the LA84 Foundation on Thursday, April 16 at Dodger Stadium. The event will kick off with a VIP reception hosted by Dodger owner Earvin “Magic” Johnson at the Top of the Park, a cocktail reception in center field, dinner and awards with a Ted Baker London fashion show featuring Dodger players. There will also be a performance by Grammy nominated singer/songwriter Aloe Blacc. For tickets and information on Blue Diamond Gala sponsorships please visit www.dodgers.com/gala.

(Tommy Lasorda is also in Arizona signing for fans, pic via Camelback Ranch on twitter)

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Blog Kiosk: 2/26/2015 - Dodger Links - Koufax, Pederson and Grandal

If autograph hounds are commonly known as "graphers" then what do you call folks who only want a selfie?  Selfers?  Photo above via Camelback Ranch on twitter . 

Below are some more links to check out:

• Koufax is in the house!  Via Ken Gurnick at MLB.com, "Koufax, Lasorda to greet Dodgers at camp."  They'll be at Camelback Ranch today!
• Via Joseph Werner at Beyond the Boxscore, "Joc Pederson's troubling trend."

Pederson offers up gobs of potential – above-average power and speed, a career walk rate north of 14%, the ability to man center field effectively – but he isn’t a certainty for stardom. In fact, it could be just the opposite. As the Dodgers’ front office aggressively pushed the burgeoning big leaguer quickly through the minor leagues, it appeared that Pederson handled each promotion with aplomb. But his once modest strikeout rate has become increasingly concerning with each stop.

• Via August Fagerstrom at FanGraphs, "An Attempt to Explain Yasiel Puig’s BABIP."
• Via Mark Saxon at ESPNLosAngeles.com, "Yasmani Grandal and the art of stealing strikes."

“I’m trying to make the umpire’s job easier. The better lane I give them to see the ball, the better relationship I’m going to have with them, the more they’re going to trust me,” Grandal said. “I’m always talking to them, trying to see, ‘Hey, do you have a good lane to see? Am I cutting you off? Are you seeing this pitch?’ The relationship between the catcher and pitcher is pretty important, but you also have to have a relationship with the umpire.” 

• An old friend alert!  Mark Ellis has retired, via Susan Slusser at SFGate.com.
• Apparently, the ever cautious Dodgers had Hyun-Jin Ryu get a MRI.  No worries though, Ken Gurnick reports it's fine.

Ryu MRI negative, no workout.
— Ken Gurnick (@kengurnick) February 26, 2015

• Via Mike OZ at Big League Stew, "California stars are dominating MLB merchandise sales."
• AWESOME!  John Thorn, the MLB official historian, put together "A Long and Winding Quiz."
• David Seiderman at Forbes provides a recap of the recently closed Heritage Sports auction, "Sandy Koufax Dodgers Jersey Sells for 580K And Other Highlights From Biggest Sports Auction Ever."

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