Blog Kiosk: 7/10/2016 - Dodgers Links - Toles, McCarthy and Liberatore

It was "Pups in the Park" day at Dodger Stadium and the four-legged canine guest in attendance were entertained with a fantastic victory.  Brandon McCarthy went five innings; giving up three runs on three hits, three walks and six strike outs.  Per Ken Gurnick and Jack Baer at MLB.com:

"It felt very weird and it was a struggle, but at least I'm happy to get through five [innings], keep the game close and give the offense and bullpen a chance to win it," said McCarthy, who had surgery April 29 of last year.

As McCarthy said the bullpen was solid.  Per Doug Padilla at ESPN:

 “I know all of us would like to get deeper into games and it’s something we want,” McCarthy said. “There are a lot of guys dealing with a lot of different situations, so it’s not a group of five horses that are healthy, happy and have been here all year. It’s guys that are a little bit of hodge-podge, so it’s on all of us to get deeper into games. The bullpen has been outstanding in picking us up, but we need to do our share in the second half to make sure we take some of the load off them.”

In fact, Dodgers reliever Adam Liberatore broke a franchise record last night.  He threw his 24th consecutive scoreless inning; breaking John Candelaria's record.

“He told me congrats, and I really didn’t know what he was talking about,” Liberatore said. “It seemed like a really weird thing to say in that situation. I’m getting pulled and the guy is saying congrats. I was like ‘What?’”

In the dugout, he soon learned what all the fuss was about, getting a game ball and the adoration from his teammates. The moment was made better for the Pittsburgh native when he learned of Candelaria’s involvement in the record.

“I know that name a little bit so that’s cool,” Liberatore said of the former Pirates and Dodgers pitcher.

The photos above via Jill Weisleder/LA Dodgers 2016.  Go here to check out more pics by Jill and Jon SooHoo from yesterdays game; including more dogs.  Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodger History:  In 1943 a Dodgers clubhouse dispute almost leads to a players strike.  Teammates were at odds with management due to a suspension of pitcher Bobo Newsome.  Durocher suspended Newsome for insubordination and his teammates threatened to not play.  Eventually Branch Rickey intervenes and the game against Pittsburgh is played.  In 1984 Fernando Valenzuela and Dwight Good combine to strike out six consecutive AL batters in the All-Star game in Candlestick Park.

A Yasmani Grandal 2016 Topps Now Card - #231

Yasmani Grandal had a once in a lifetime game on Friday.  The oft-injured catcher drove in six on a 5-for-5 night that included three home runs.  Heck, he even executed a perfect bunt single on a defensive shift and threw out a runner at second base in the fourth inning.  To commemorate the day, naturally, a Topps Now card was be created, and it is currently available til the end of today.  I should have posted this up yesterday, so I apologize for the late notice.  Go here to check it out and order.

BTW, he is only the third catcher in Major League history to hit three homers in a five hit game.  Per Jack Baer and Ken Gurnick at MLB.com:

"It was surreal," said Grandal. "It makes me feel great, to be with two Hall of Famers, guys that did what they did, offensively and defensively. It still hasn't kicked in. When I get home and lay down, it will hit me a lot more."

Via Dave Roberts in the same article:

"As crazy as this night was, to look at Yas' night, it's one for the books," said Dodgers manager Dave Roberts. "The work he's put in, the guy is watching video, working with the coaches, and to finally get rewarded with a historical night was great."

Go here to watch all three video featuring the home runs.

UPDATE:  The print run for this card is 286 copies.  

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Happy Vin Scully Day!

It's good to be governor.

Per a press release:

Senate President pro Tempore Kevin de León (D-Los Angeles), in his capacity as Acting Governor, issued a proclamation today declaring July 8, 2016 as “Vin Scully Day” in the State of California to honor the legendary Los Angeles Dodgers announcer.

Welcome to the Blue, Andrew Toles!

Here's a Cinderella story of a different kind.  Just a couple weeks ago the Dodgers brought up a kid who began the season in Single-A.  His name was Brock Stewart, and he made his Major League debut as a starter last week after beginning the year at the bottom of the ladder.  Now we have a similar scenario in Andrew Toles.  As you may have heard, the Dodgers are planning to bring up the outfielder (per JP Hoornstra at Inside the Dodgers), and he too began the season in Single-A.  Although, unlike Stewart, Toles journey had a far more circuitous route. 

2016 Panini America Father's Day Promo's - All the Dodgers Cards

I had just plain forgotten about this set.  Featured below are the Dodgers cards found in the Panini America Father's Day packs.  Go here for a complete checklist.

As you'll recall, select sports card hobby shops throughout North America offered limited edition packs to customers as a promotion on Father's Day.  The cards included stars and rookies from the MLB, NBA, NFL, NASCAR and soccer.  There were even collegiate-themed cards available.

Of note, the Base and Rookie sets have several different parallel cards available; including autographed versions.  I've seen an Corey Seager autograph card (pic shared below), but am uncertain if an autographed Kershaw card also exist.  If you happen to know please pass that knowledge along.

Base

#26 Clayton Kershaw

Blog Kiosk: 7/8/2016 - Dodgers Links - Seager, Maddux and Hyun-Jin Ryu

After months of waiting the Korean "Monster" finally got back onto the Dodgers mound.  In late May, nearly 14 months ago, Ryu underwent surgery on his left shoulder to repair a torn labrum.  Since that time he's worked tirelessly to get back to Los Angeles, and I think it's fair to say that the Dodgers are pleased.  Regardless of the lackluster results they received last night. Per Sarah Wexler at Dodgers Digest:

“Getting him back out there was a victory in itself,” Dave Roberts said. “I think the bigger answer will be how he feels tomorrow and the next day going forward. But to see Ryu take the mound tonight was great.” 

Ryu could only go 4 2/3 innings; having given up eight hits, six earned runs, two walks and four strike outs on 89 total pitches thrown.  Per Doug Padilla at ESPN:

But the Dodgers were realistic and not expecting total domination, just a baseline from which to move forward. They got that, seeing Ryu work through an opponent with a fastball that ranged from 89-92 mph, and offspeed pitches that sometimes dipped into the upper 60s.

"That's how he was before, pitching in all spectrums of velocity when he was so dominate for us in 2013, 2014," said catcher A.J. Ellis, who was pleased to see his old battery-mate make a return to the mound. "He knows how to pitch. He's such an amazing athlete out there on the mound, he has such an amazing feel and great body control. He adds and subtracts really well. I'm just really excited to see him out there today."

Dodgers lost to the Padres, 6-0, and are now 6.5 games behind the Giants.  They are also effectively ties with the Mets for the Wild Card spot.  Photo above via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2016.  Go here to check out more pics by Jon from yesterdays game.  Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodger History:  In 1949 Giants infielder Hank Thompson faced Dodgers pitcher Don Newcombe at the plate; marking the first time a black batter hit against a black pitcher in Major League history.  In 1980 the All-Star Game is played at Dodger Stadium.  The National League wins for the ninth consecutive time.
• Happy Birthday, Ferdinand Abell (one of the original founders of the Dodgers)!