Much Ado About Nothing - Kershaw and Mattingly are Fine

Move on... Nothing to See Here... Just go back to what you were doing.

It appears that the Baseball world is yapping about the public argument between Clayton Kershaw and Don Mattingly during yesterday's game, and I can't help but think... So what!

Kershaw is a competitor, and like all competitors he wants to finish every game he starts.  So, to see him question Mattingly's move to remove him after just 80 pitches was something to be expected.  Heck, if he didn't come out lashing I would have been worried.  Via Matthew Moreno at Dodgers Nation:

“I’ve seen him like that before. I’ve talked about it numerous times with different guys. It never bothers me,” Mattingly said. “Those guys are being competitive, wanting to stay in the game. That never bothers me, at all. I have to make that decision. He can not like it. We’ll be able to talk about it later, it’s no big deal. I don’t get offended by what went on today at all.”

Kershaw added, via Steve Bourbon at MLB.com:

"I'm not going to talk about that at all. If you guys want to talk about the game, I'm more than happy to talk about it," Kershaw said.

When asked about his emotions in regards to the argument, Kershaw responded simply: "Do you have a baseball question?"

When asked what people will infer from watching the situation and Kershaw refusing to elaborate, the ace held firm.

"Make it up then, that's fine," Kershaw said. "It's between Donnie and I. No one else needs to know."

This type of thing is just the nature of sports... And sure, Kershaw was less than open about the exchange... But, I wouldn't read too much into it.

This being said, though, if Mattingly were to get the boot at seasons end I would expect all the talking heads to point to this and incidents like this as a major factor - "noting" that there must have been dissension within the ranks.... That he didn't have the respect of the clubhouse... That his decisions, many of which have been criticized in ad nauseam throughout the web, had caused all this.

And all the while I'll be shaking my head.  I believe all of these excuses would be red herring arguments.  At the end of the day, any change in the staff by the front office will be based on their desire to place their final stamp on the team.  Like the recent firings within the minor league staffs (10 and counting), they will be wanting to do the same with the big club.  Considering the recent changes, I think it's inevitable and that the only thing that may save Donnie is a World Series victory.

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2015 Topps Triple Threads - The Dodger Deca Cards and Other Scarcities

Here is my final post on Topps 2015 Triple Threads set.  Featured below are pics and a checklist of all the Deca, All-Star and scarce relic cards.  Go here to check out all of my past post on this set.

The Deca cards below feature ten game-used relic pieces in a large booklet card. The best of the bunch are clearly the multiple player cards that consist of five different panels attached together. 

10th Anniversary Deca Relics

#DR-AG Adrian Gonzalez

Blog Kiosk: 9/25/2015 - Dodger Links - Heisey, Hernandez and Ismael Valdez

WooHoo!

Chris Heisey sure did make the most of his opportunities yesterday afternoon.  With the Dodgers still down by a run in the 5th inning he came up to bat with the bases full, and unloaded to deep left for a grand slam.  His homer would give the club a four run cushion and more than enough runs to end the homestand with a victory.  You can watch his home run here.

Considering the roller coaster season he's had it's nice to see him contribute in a big way.  No doubt he's ecstatic that the front office decided to bring him back from Toronto after being released by the Dodgers in mid-August.  Per Jon Weisman at Dodger Insider:

“I had a tough year, up and down, haven’t played like I wanted, but it’s nice to help the team get a win, especially when we need wins to clinch a playoff berth,” Heisey said. “I know Clayton didn’t want to come out of the game. He pitched well, gave up a few runs, but I felt he was in pretty good control. He was a little frustrated coming out, but it was great to get him the win, like I said, and get the team the win.”

Kershaw had this to say about Heisey, via Mark Saxon at ESPN:

“For those guys to step up like that. … Heisey, he’s such a gamer, I love Heis, for him to do that after the kind of year he’s had, it’s unbelievable. I’m thankful, honestly.”

Photo above of Chris Heisey being greeted at home plate by Tuner and Kendrick via @Dodgers on twitter.  Go here to check out a bunch of great pics from Jon SooHoo and Jill Weisleder from yesterday's game.  BTW, the "Magic Number is now at 3 games.  Below are more links to check out:

• Via Steve Bourbon at MLB.com, "Hernandez progressing toward return to Dodgers."
  

  "Kiké for me, 100 percent, he's going to play this season. Unless he has a setback in these next few days," Mattingly said. "He's been running at full speed -- or really close to it -- three or four times and bounced back and recovered every time."

  Puig, on the other hand, is a work in progress.  He may not be back before the end of the season
  

  "Yasiel, the most I've seen on a report is 70 percent. He's still having problems running," Mattingly said.

• There will probably be a bunch of cards like this coming directly from Topps over the coming months.  Available now are limited edition tribute posters that use the vintage 1952 Baseball design of Corey Seager.  They measure 10"x14", are numbered to 99 copies and can be purchased for $29.99.  Check it out here, and a pic is on the right.  The "1 of 1" edition is already sold out.
• Former Dodger pitcher Ismael Valdez has been busy in his native Mexico working to promote and develop Baseball in the country, via Deporte.org, "Unidos CONADE e Ismael Valdez por el impulso del beisbol."  With CONADE (Mexico's National Commission for Physical Culture and Sport) Valdez spoke with over 50 kids and their parents on the importance of teamwork.

• I thought this was worth listening to if you hadn't already.  Below, Vin Scully talks a bit about the passing of Baseball legend Yogi Berra.

Video Link:

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Don Drysdale and Sandy Koufax Auravision Records - Listen to the Interviews

I thought I'd add to the growing checklist I've been compiling of vintage Dodger cards by talking a bit about an unusual card set that doubles as a 33 1/3 RPM record.  It is known in the hobby as the 1964 Auravision set.  It was a premium item that were originally available to fans and collectors as a mail-in offer on the boxes of Milk Duds.  There are 16 records/cards available, they measure 6 3/4" x 6 3/4" and feature a five-minute interview conducted by broadcaster Marty Glickman -- who did pre- and post-game shows for the Brooklyn Dodgers for 22 years. 

As you may know, Glickman is famous in his own right.  He was a world class sprinter on the 1936 US Track & Field Olympic team, but was replaced on the US 400-meter relay (along with another athlete) in the last-minute.  The reason for this appears to be rather nefarious.  You see, Glickman is Jewish and so was the other sprinter who was replaced.  With the Olympics being held in Adolph Hitler's Germany that year many believed they were removed in order to not embarrass the antisemitic leader. 

As for the Auravision set, there are two Dodger players in it: Don Drysdale and Sandy Koufax.  The Drysdale card is above and the Koufax is below.  Click on any pic to embiggen.

Fortunately, a helpful collector provided a recording of the interviews of the Dodger legends on youtube, so check that out below.

BTW, Sports Collectors Digest shares a fascinating story about these cards.  Check that out here.  Apparently, a former ballplayer has thousands of these hidden away, and he claims to have gotten them from a man connected to the mob.  As veteran collectors know, this set is far from rare.  They are plentiful and can be purchased at very affordable levels.  On eBay you can purchase a Drysdale or Koufax record for as little as $10 a piece.

Here is a recording of both the Koufax and Drysdale records.  A big thanks to Mr. Wide World of Zombies (I love your name) for sharing these.

Video Link:

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2015 Topps Triple Threads - The Dodgers Autograph Triple Relic Cards

Take a look at all of the Dodger triple relic cards below.  Several of them include relic pieces spelled out in creative ways.  I think my favorite of the bunch below is the Nomar Garciaparra card that says, "HBP HBP HBP" - which is strange 'cause he didn't exactly lead the league in that category.  Although, getting plunked 59 times in a 14 year career is a healthy number.  Go here to check out all of my past post on this set.  Click on any pic to embiggen.

Autographed Relics (#/18)

#TTAR-AG1 Adrian Gonzalez

Blog Kiosk: 9/24/2015 - Dodger Links - Scully, Ellis and Chase Utley

Chase Utley had quite a game. 

He got off to a fast start, by leading off for the Dodgers with a home run, and never let let off the gas.  Then drove in the go-ahead run in the 8th inning with a double.  Via Steve Bourbon at MLB.com:

"I'd like to be in the lineup anywhere," Utley said. "Just try to have good at-bats wherever you are in the lineup."

Utley definitely contributed with his play in last night's game, but as Don Mattingly notes he's been an even bigger force in the clubhouse.  Via Mark Saxon at ESPN:

"Chase has made a big difference for us since he came -- his tone, the way he plays, his preparation," Mattingly said. "It's been an addition in attitude and the way you go about your business, for sure. Sometimes, you can't measure everything. You look at batting average or whatever with guys; some of it's coming from different areas that are important to your ball club."

Photo above via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2015.  You can see more pics from yesterday's game by Jon on his blog here.  BTW, the Dodgers "Magic Number" is now at 5!  Below are more links to check out:

• Via Cary Osborne at Dodger Insider, "Vin Scully: World-record broadcaster."

During pregame ceremonies at Wednesday’s game at Dodger Stadium, the Hall of Fame broadcaster was given a surprise presentation by Guinness World Records recognizing him for the longest career as a sports broadcaster for a single team. The record stands at 65 years, 5 months and 22 days, which dates back to April 1, 1950.

• Want to know what's it like to catch two aces?  AJ Ellis lets us know.  Via Ellis at the Players' Tribune, "Catching Aces."  This is a must read.  Awesome stuff!

On Kershaw: He pulled me aside and said, “Hey, you’re going to catch Clayton in these starts. We want you to work with him, and mentor and shepherd him.”

I was an older guy for that level, already 26. I think that’s what my role was in the Dodgers organization at the time: helping pitchers develop. Coaches trusted the work I did. Clayton didn’t have a slider yet, and they wanted him to develop a changeup, too. I remember he was warming up before his first start, working on that changeup. It was a very inconsistent pitch for him, and he was having trouble throwing it, missing high and away.

On Greinke: I learned quickly what’s important to Zack and not to waste his time with trivial stuff. We have a mutual love for how the game works and how decisions are made. He is interested on an intellectual level in game management and pitch sequencing. He loves the deeper-level analytics and is really involved in our defensive shifting. It’s also a question of reading Zack and knowing when he wants some space and when he’s ready to engage.

• Rachel Robinson, wife of Jackie, extended her condolences to the Berra Family on facebook:

"My family and I very much mourn the passing of Yogi Berra. We of course admired Yogi’s contribution to the game. And Yogi and his beloved Carmen and I enjoyed a lasting relationship -- often greeting each other through the years with a humorous exchange of “He was out”/ “He was safe” related to that first game of the 1955 World Series. I extend my love and deepest sympathy to Dale, Tim and Larry and their families. Farewell, dear Yogi." 

• Topps is currently polling collectors to see who they want to be card #1 in next years flagship Baseball card set.  Go here to cast your vote.  I obviously chose Clayton Kershaw.  BTW, take a look at a mock-up of the 2016 Topps Kershaw card on the right.
• Via Josh Carpenter at Sports Business Daily, "Minding My Business With Dodgers VP/Ticket Sales David Siegel."

Exec I most admire: MLB Senior VP/Baseball Operations KIM NG. Being a female minority in a typically male-dominated industry, the fact that she’s been able to be an Assistant GM for two teams and now with the league, I’ve always admired her business and political acumen and being able to navigate all those challenges. She’s been a great source of support for me. 

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