Monday, August 17, 2015

Blog Kiosk: 8/17/2015 - Dodger Links - Some Odds and Ends


It was team photo day for the Dodgers on Friday.  Check out the group pic above, via @DodgersPR on twitter.

Below are some links to check out:
  • Don prefers to take it one step at a time.  Via Mark Saxon at ESPN, "Are the new Dodgers settling in for the pennant race?"
    "It's way too early for anything like that," manager Don Mattingly said. "We're just trying to win games. The pennant race, for me, is 'every night be ready to play.' It's like that all season long. It just gets heightened as the season goes along."
  • Pedro Moura at the OC Register wrote a two-part piece on Baseball in Brazil.  Check them out.  Part 1: "Brazil has more than 200 million residents and is near other baseball powers, so why isn't it a major pipeline for MLB?"  Part 2:  "Brazil's baseball players feel like foreigners in their own country."
  • Via Steve Dilbeck at the LA Times, "Here's a Dodgers' horse story even Vin Scully couldn't make up."
That’s right, there was a thoroughbred running in the Pennsylvania named after the Dodgers’ legendary broadcaster. And Thursday he settled into the eighth race in the post position right next to the No. 2 horse – Duke of Flatbush, which also was a nickname given to former Dodgers great Duke Snider.
  • Panini America unveiled some preview pics of an upcoming set called 2015 Contenders Baseball; including the Team USA card of Corey Seager on the right.  Go here to check out more pics.  This set focuses on prospects from Team USA, the collegiate level and internationally.
  • Roberto at Vin Scully is My Homeboy tells us about the upcoming 1st Annual Bobblehead Fest @ Jimmy's USA in Whitter.
  • Blue Skinny Fan tells us about the Howie Kendrick Autograph Signing at Alhambra Nissan this past weekend.

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Friday, August 14, 2015

Kiké Hernandez Signing in Long Beach Tomorrow


I suspect that this little event will be a packed affair, so I suggest getting there early.

Tomorrow from noon to 1:30 PM Kiké Hernandez will be in Long Beach to greet fans in his very first promotion with Chiquita banana.  You heard that right, the fellow who popularized the #RallyBanana will be at the North Gate Market on Cherry. 

North Gate Market
4700 Cherry Ave
Long Beach CA 90807

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* Dodgers Blue Heaven home page *

Blog Kiosk: 8/14/2015 - Dodger Links - Some Odds and Ends


Don't quit your Baseball job boys.

Justin Turner Kiké Hernandez and Joc Pederson tried their hand on the tarmac for Southwest Airlines yesterday afternoon in a promotion meant to highlight the partnership they have with the Dodgers.  Photo above via Kiké Hernandez on twitter.

Below are some links to check out:
“We’re going to keep going. I don’t know what you want me to say,” Dodgers manager Don Mattingly said. “Alex has thrown the ball fine, Brett [Anderson] has been throwing the ball good all year long. Mat’s had a couple bad starts back-to-back, so we’ll just keep working and go forward.”
  • Via Mike Petriello at Dodgers Digest, "On Those Underwhelming Rotation Additions."  He does his best to explain that it's way too early to judge the effectiveness of the Dodgers recent trades and I'm inclined to agree. 
  • Via Eric Stephen at True Blue LA, "Andre Ethier ties for 10th on all-time Dodgers doubles list."
  • Panini America released some preview pics from their upcoming 2015 Immaculate Baseball card; including the Fernando Valenzuela card on the right.  Check out more pics here.
  • Wow.  Now I'm envious.  Check out this commemorative Baseball, via Rep. Xavier Beerra on twitter:


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* Dodgers Blue Heaven home page *

Thursday, August 13, 2015

LA Kings Night at Dodger Stadium - Some Pics and Videos


Yesterday was LA Kings Night at Dodger Stadium and social media is filled with photos celebrating the occasion.  As you can see in the photos above and below, five Kings players were on hand: wingers Kyle Clifford and Tyler Toffoli, centerman Jeff Carter and defensemen Matt Greene and Alec Martinez. 

They came out early to the Stadium for some batting practice and shagged some balls in the outfield. 
Check out some fantastic pics from the Kings blogger Jon Rosen here.  He even has some video of them batting.  Below is Jeff Carter taking some swings.

Video Link:

And here's Matt Greene taking his turn at the plate, via the @LAKings on twitter:


As you may know, Greene is a huge Dodger fan.  He can often be seen sporting a LA Dodger cap and even appeared in full Dodger regalia one summer afternoon when the Kings brought along the Stanley Cup to the stadium in 2012.  Check out my original post on that here.  If memory serves me right, Greene hung out in the dugout during the game.

And of course, Bailey was there to greet the fans.
Here are more pics from around twitter.





Check out their ceremonial first pitch below.  I think I'll take the fact that they all threw strike as an omen.  The LA Kings will be back stronger than ever this upcoming season.
Photo at the very top with Mark McGwire via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2015.

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* Dodgers Blue Heaven home page *

Blog Kiosk: 8/13/2015 - Dodger Links - Urias, Hernandez and Turner


In addition to coming out to Dodger Stadium on occasion to sign autographs for fans, Matt Luke likes to spend time with Dodger hopefuls to teach the fine art of the game.  Featured above in a photo by Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2015 is Luke demonstrating the basics of pitching to a large group of kids in the bullpen. 

Below are some links to check out:
  • Happy belated birthday to Julio Urias.  He turned 19-years old yesterday.  To celebrate it appears that he retweeted every person to wish him a "Happy Birthday" yesterday.  Check out his feed here: @theteenager7.  
  • Via Eric Stephen at True Blue LA, "Kiké Hernandez about to reap rewards of his versatility."
"The best way I can help the team win right now is as a super utility," Hernandez said in March "I'm only 23, I don't see myself as a utility player, but at the moment it's what I have to do to help the team win, so that's what I'm going to do."
  • Via Chi Davidi at SportsNet.ca, recently released Dodger outfielder Chris Heisey to sign with the Blue Jays.
  • He should be reactivated soon.  Via Mark Saxon at ESPN, "Justin Turner details his scary infection."
    "It was scary. It's not a joking matter,"Turner said. "I didn't think it was that bad until I came in after the off-day and [trainer] Stan [Conte] told me I had to get to the emergency room. A couple days later, I was told it was MRSA. That's a pretty scary situation and they got me on all kinds of medicine to get rid of it.”
  • Clayton Kershaw is now the 10th player in history to record at least 200 strikeouts in six straight seasons, via Steve Bourbon at MLB.com.
"It's cool when you get to be associated with those guys," Kershaw said. "I like consistency. When you look around at the Mark Buehrle streak, the Dan Harens, the guys that don't go on the DL that are around a long time, I have a lot of respect for those guys." 

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    * Dodgers Blue Heaven home page *

    Wednesday, August 12, 2015

    Reds Series Starts Tomorrow - Scheduled Autograph Sessions, Pregame Info and Other Stuff!


    The next homestand starts tomorrow evening against the Cincinnati Reds, and several former Dodgers are scheduled for an autograph session with fans.  Below are the scheduled autograph opportunities and other odds and ends for this upcoming homestand.

    ---------------
    Thursday, August 13th at 7:10 PM
    SNLA / AM 570 (Eng.), KTNQ 1020 AM (Span.)

    Thursday's game starts at 7:10 PM.  Auto gates open at 4:40 PM, and stadium gates open at 5:10 PM.  The first 40,000 fans in attendance will receive a Sandy Koufax bobblehead.  See it on the left.

    Dodger alum Derrel Thomas will sign autographs in the left-field plaza from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
    • The Military Heroes of the Game are U.S. Navy Petty Officer Third Class Bailey Whitlow of Midlothian, TX, and U.S. Marine Corps Sergeant Carlos Rivera of Oxnard.
    ---------------
    Friday, August 14th at 7:10 PM
    SNLA / AM 570 (Eng.), KTNQ 1020 AM (Span.)

    Friday's game starts at 7:10 PM.  Auto gates open at 4:40 PM, and stadium gates open at 5:10 PM. It is Friday Night Fireworks, so fans will be able to go down onto the field after the game to watch the spectacle. The theme will be set to songs chosen by Dodger players with a playlist put together by Scott Van Slyke.  Go here for information about future firework themes.

    There will also be a balloon artist in the left-field plaza. DJ Adam will provide musical entertainment in the right-field plaza from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. As part of ThinkCure! weekend, Jacob Lusk will perform the national anthem.

    Dodger alum Matt Luke will sign autographs in the left-field plaza from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
    • The Military Heroes of the Game are U.S. Marine Corps Sergeant Andy Smirnov of Los Angeles and U.S. Army Sergeant Blake Blaney of San Pedro.
    • The Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation (LADF) conducts silent auctions throughout the season featuring more than 25 signed pieces of memorabilia from Dodger players, coaches and alumni. Auctions will take place behind the Vin Scully press box on the Club level. The items up for auction on Friday include a Zack Greinke autographed photo, Clayton Kershaw autographed baseball and Joc Pederson autographed Dodger jersey. The auction will end at 8:45 p.m.
    • The Dodgers will also celebrate NeedleArts at the 10th annual Stitch N’ Pitch Night at Dodger Stadium and part of their group outing, hundreds will be in attendance to knit, crochet, embroider, cross-stitch and needlepoint during the game. Tickets are still available for purchase by visiting www.dodgers.com/stitchnpitch.
    • #ThinkCureWeekend 2015 will take place Friday and Saturday at Dodger Stadium and will raise both awareness and funds for ThinkCure!, an official charity of the Los Angeles Dodgers. Throughout the weekend, courageous cancer patients and survivors will be recognized. A tribute will also be paid to the hard-working healthcare workers and researchers that are on the front lines of the fight against cancer.

    ---------------
    Saturday, August 15th at 6:10 PM
    SNLA / AM 570 (Eng.), KTNQ 1020 AM (Span.)

    Saturday's game starts at 6:10 PM.  Auto gates open at 3:40 PM, and stadium gates open at 4:10 PM.  It is Movie Night at Dodger Stadium.  The club will treat fans to “Back to the Future,” and it will be screened for fans following Saturday’s game. Screenings are free with a game-day ticket. Fans sitting in the right field pavilion and left field pavilion will be invited down to the field postgame for a better viewing experience.

    It is also Girl Scout Night at Dodger Stadium.  Folks who ordered a special ticket package in the All You Can Eat Right Field Pavilion or Infield Reserve will get an exclusive Girl Scout patch with your ticket.  See that on the left.  If not already sold out go here for information.

    DJ Adam will provide entertainment in the right-field pavilion plaza, DJ Lady Sha will provide music in the left-field reserve plaza and classic rock band, The Trip, will play in the right-field reserve plaza from 4:15 p.m. to 5:45 p.m. Fans can take photos with the DeLorean car from “Back to the Future” behind the right-field pavilion from 3:10 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

    “Back to the Future” star Leah Thompson will throw the ceremonial first pitch. As part of ThinkCure! weekend, Terron Brooks will perform the national anthem.

    Dodger alumnus Al Ferrara will sign autographs in the left-field plaza from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
    • The Military Hero of the Game is U.S. Marine Corps Staff Sergeant Tyler Richards of Temecula.
    • #ThinkCureWeekend 2015 will take place Friday and Saturday at Dodger Stadium and will raise both awareness and funds for ThinkCure!, an official charity of the Los Angeles Dodgers. Throughout the weekend, courageous cancer patients and survivors will be recognized. A tribute will also be paid to the hard-working healthcare workers and researchers that are on the front lines of the fight against cancer.

    ---------------
    Sunday, August 16th at 1:10 PM
    SNLA/AM 570 (Eng.), KTNQ 1020 AM (Span.)

    Sunday's game starts at 1:10 PM.  Auto gates open at 10:40 AM, and stadium gates open at 11:10 AM.  The first 40,000 fans in attendance will receive a Dodgers spray bottle with fan.  See it on the left.

    Viva Los Dodgers will take place in lot 6 starting at 11:10 a.m. Dodger alum Mickey Hatcher will sign autographs for fans from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Musical entertainment will be provided by Mariachi Flor De Toloache and Quitapenas.

    Stunt performer, comedian, actor, screenwriter and film producer best known as a co-creator and star of “Jackass” Johnny Knoxville will throw the ceremonial first pitch. The Katinas will perform the national anthem.

    Dodger alum Al Downing will sign autographs in the left-field pavilion from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

    The Dodgers will present their annual Christian Faith Day on Sunday. All fans are invited to bring their gently used clothing and shoes to be donated to the Dream Center and stay after the game to celebrate family and fellowship with Dodgers A.J. Ellis, Adrian Gonzalez, Clayton Kershaw and Scott Van Slyke, who will share their personal testimonies on faith. A special postgame performance is scheduled by the Katinas. 

    This afternoon is also Carnita Asada Sunday after the game at Dodger Stadium.  Go here for information.  Fans can enjoy an authentic Mexican Carne Asada cookout hosted by Justin Turner and presented by Chef Merito.
    • The Military Hero of the Game is U.S. Marine Corps Corporal Kyle Potter of Newbury Park.
    • The Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation (LADF) conducts silent auctions throughout the season featuring more than 25 signed pieces of memorabilia from Dodger players, coaches and alumni. Auctions will take place behind the Vin Scully press box on the Club level. The items up for auction on Sunday include a Kenley Jansen autographed photo, Yasiel Puig autographed baseball and Adrian Gonzalez autographed Dodger jersey. The auction will end at 2:45 p.m.

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    * Dodgers Blue Heaven home page *