Blog Kiosk: 7/22/2016 - Dodgers Links - Justin Turner is a Beast

All hail Justin Turner!

He was a one man wrecking crew yesterday afternoon.  Justin was responsible for five of the Dodgers six runs on the day by hitting two homers against Washington ace Stephen Strasburg.

I think it's fair to say that JT is out of his early season slump.  He began the year slashing .235/.335/.343/.678 with three home runs and 16 RBI's in the first 50 games.  Via Bill Ladson and Alex Putterman at MLB.com:

"I've felt healthy all year. I don't know what was going on those first two months," Turner said. "I feel good, feel comfortable, and am obviously getting better results."

Since July 1st, over a span of the past 16 games, Turner has been slashing .323/.394/.677/1.072 with six homers and 16 RBI's.  That's definitely much better results.  Via Alex Putterman at MLB.com:

"It's a simple mindset, but execution and mechanically it's tougher to do," (Dave) Roberts said. "But he committed some time in June to get out front and elevate to the pull side, and then you've seen the slug."

The Dodgers defeated the Nationals, 6-3, and now sit four games behind the Giants in NL West and maintains a one game lead over the Marlins in the Wild-Card race.  The 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 1966 Mets left fielder learns he is a new dad when the Dodger Stadium scoreboard relays the message, "Congratulations, Ron Swoboda. Your new son is born tomorrow morning". Cecilia Swoboda gave birth to Chipper, the couple's first child, at 1:05 a.m. eastern standard time, making it the next day on the East Coast. In 1970 Tom Haller hit the very first pinch hit grand slam in Dodgers franchise history.  It was in the seventh inning against Claude Raymond of the Expos, and it sparked an eight-run rally that eventually saw the Dodgers defeat Montreal, 12-10.  In 2005 Yhency Brazoban breaks the clubs rookie record for saves established in 1980 by Steve Howe with 18.

Vintage Dodgers Memorabilia on eBay - Snapshots and Spring Training in Cuba

I was running around eBay the other day and came across a couple of items I just had to share here (Auction Link).  Featured above is a group of three fan-taken photographs of members of the Brooklyn Dodgers.  According to the seller they were taken at the Polo Grounds - home of the NY Giants.  He also states they're from 1955, but that can't be right. 

At the top right is manager Chuck Dressen, and he was not with the team in 1955.  That season he was managing for the Washington Senators.  He was, on the other hand, manager of the club from 1951 to 1953, and a coach from 1958 to 1959.  To the right of Dressen is Jackie Robinson, and at the bottom is Pee Wee Reese.

One of the more unique items I saw is the below grouping of spring training memorabilia from Havana, Cuba, circa 1941.  (Auction Link)

Welcome to the Dodgers, Grant Dayton!

We all knew that Julio Urias was schedule to be called up this morning to start todays game.  What we didn't know is that teammate Grant Dayton, a left-handed reliever in Oklahoma City, would be joining Urias in Washington DC.  Going back down to Triple-A are infielders Charlie Culberson and Zach Walters.  Per a Dodgers press release:

Dayton, 28, will be making his first-career appearance on a big league roster and has gone 5-2 with four saves and a 2.44 ERA in 35 appearances this year with Double-A Tulsa and Triple-A Oklahoma City. In 48.0 innings, he’s limited opponents to a .165 batting average with a 0.79 WHIP, while striking out 85 against just 10 walks. He last pitched on Monday, striking out four in 2.0 scoreless innings at Tacoma (Mariners) and throwing 33 pitches. Dayton, who has gone 26-21 with 19 saves and a 2.79 ERA in 262 games in seven minor league seasons, was acquired by the Dodgers from Miami on July 15, 2015 in exchange for left-handed pitcher Chris Reed and was originally selected by the Marlins in the 11th round of the 2010 draft out of Auburn University.

Blog Kiosk: 7/21/2016 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

In honor of his pending induction this weekend I made a couple of custom fantasy Baseball cards last night featuring Mike Piazza in a old Albuquerque Dukes uniform.  I used photos recently shared by Bay Area freelance photographer Brad Mangin the other day.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodger History:  In 1956 Junior Gilliam sets a major league record by handling 12 assists at second base. Also on this day, Pee Wee Reese recorded his 2,000th career hit.
  

Weekend Autograph Opportunities: Nancy Bea, Roger Owens, Jim Gott, Manny Mota, Al Ferrara, Will Clark and Andre Reed

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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Blog Kiosk: 7/20/2016 - Dodgers Links - Verdugo, Utley, Ryu and Kazmir

Scott Kazmir not only battled the Nationals last night, he also struggled against cramps that creeped up on him in the fifth inning.  Fortunately, neither was a match for veteran pitcher.  Per Doug Padilla at ESPN:

“I think I drank everything pretty much under the sun: pickle juice, some mustard,” Kazmir said. “I think I had some of that on my face the next half-inning. But it was a lot of stuff that actually worked, so I was good after that.”

While on the mound Kazmir went seven innings, gave up four hits, one earned run and struck out eight batters.  Per Alex Putterman at MLB.com:

"Kaz has a lot of fight in him, and with what we're going through, guys have got to step up," manager Dave Roberts said. "And today was a great outing by Kaz. Everything was working. He had command of everything."

Photos 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 1906 Brooklyn pitcher Mal Eason throws a no-hitter against the Cardinals in St. Louis, 2-0.  In 1925 Brooklyn ace Dazzy Vance records 17 strike outs against the Chicago Cubs in a ten inning game.  In 1970 Bill Singer throws a no-hitter against the Philadelphia Phillies at Dodger Stadium. 
• Happy Birthday, Charles Johnson and Heinie Manush!