Blog Kiosk: 6/9/2017 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Last night the Dodgers hosted the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation's third annual Blue Diamond Gala at Dodger Stadium (featuring Maroon 5 and Earth, Wind & Fire on stage), and it was a star studded affair. Along with normal cast of current and former Dodger players in attendance you could find folks like Larry King, Mario Lopez, Eric Stonestreet and members of the Los Angeles Chargers milling about. Per Ryan Posner at MLB.com:

"This event has been pretty incredible over the last few years in helping build the foundation," Adrian Gonzalez said. " [The gala] is definitely a lot of fun and it's doing great things for kids in the Los Angeles community."
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"It's kind of nice to get out of your element of baseball for a minute and do something like this," Seager said. "It's definitely pretty cool to have the concert in the outfield, too."

(pic via AM570 on twitter)

Photo at the very top via Steve Garvey on twitter. The B&W pics of Justin Turner and Clayton Kershaw via @Dodgers on twitter. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1919 Dodgers starter and Hall of Famer Rube Marquard breaks his leg running the bases during the game against Cincinnati, ending his season. This next one is wild. In 1945 it was alleged that a recent medically discharged soldier was assaulted by Dodger manager Leo Durocher as he was being held by a Brooklyn patrolman during the sixth inning of that afternoons ballgame at Ebbets Field. He sustained a fractured jaw and other wounds. It is alleged that he was heckling Brooklyn's manager during the game. Durocher would be arrested the next day on felonious assault, but charges would be dropped soon thereafter after the fan receives over $6,000 from the Dodgers for his injuries. Branch Rickey would later defend Durocher, saying we are a "team of ferocious gentleman." In 1955 the Dodgers traded Joe Black to the Reds for Bob Borowski. In 1990 Eddie Murray hit a home run from both sides of the plate in the game against the Padres in San Diego.  Having done this for the tenth time in his career, he ties a MLB record with Mickey Mantle.
• Happy Birthday, Duke Esterbrook, Mack Wheat & Irish Meusel!
  

Reds Series Starts on Friday - Pregame Info and Other Stuff!

The next homestand starts on Friday evening against the Cincinnati Reds.  Below are some odds and ends for this upcoming homestand. Here are some important links:

• 2017 Broadcast Schedule
• Special Events Schedule
• Promotions & Giveaways Schedule
• Silent Auction Schedule 
• Friday Night Fireworks Schedule 
• Viva Los Dodgers Schedule

The Cincinnati Chili Dog Dog will be available for this homestand only against Reds at the Extreme Loaded Dog concession areas located on the field, loge and reserve levels. It features an beef bacon wrapped hot dog with Cincinnati 3 bean chili, diced onions topped off with piled high shredded cheese. See it on the right.

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Friday, June 9th at 7:10 PM
LHP Amir Garrett vs. LHP Rich Hill
TV: SNLA Spanish, SportsNet LA
Radio: 570 LA Sports, KTNQ 1020

2017 Topps Finest - The Dodgers Base Cards

Topps newest Baseball card set has just hit stores. It is their 2017 Finest brand and featured below are the four Dodger players found in the base set. Go here for a complete checklist.

Base Set

#14 Kenta Maeda            #25 Corey Seager

Blog Kiosk: 6/8/2017 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

We finally got the pitching duel we've all been waiting for. Clayton Kershaw and Stephen Strasburg faced off against one another yesterday afternoon, and to the surprise of no one it was a low scoring affair. Kershaw went seven innings, allowed only three hits, one earned run and struck out nine Nationals' batters. Strasburg also pitched a three hitter during six innings work, allowing one earned run and recording eight strike outs. Unfortunately for Washington's pitcher, though he also allowed one unearned run when a wild pitch allowed Adrian Gonzalez to get into scoring position just before Grandal's double to drive in the games eventual winning run. Per Alden Gonzalez at ESPN:

“Very evenly matched,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said, calling the Nationals a “well-managed team, well-coached team. They have a nice blend of veterans and young players that can beat you with speed and power; they can pitch. But we can do some things, too. I don’t think this will be the last we see of these guys.”

After losing two straight to the Nationals the Dodgers salvage the series by not getting swept. They defeat Washington, 2-1. The above photo via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2017. Go here to check out more pics by Jon from yesterday's game. Below are more lins to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1955 the Dodgers sent pitcher Tommy Lasorda down to the minors (Montreal Royals) in order to make room for bonus baby signee Sandy Koufax on the roster. In 1968 Don Drysdale not only set the major league record for consecutive scoreless innings, but also saw his streak end at 58 2/3 innings when the Phillies score a run in the fifth inning on a sacrifice fly by Howie Bedell. In fact, this would be Bedell's only RBI this season. BTW, the Dodgers would win the game, 5-3. In 1991 Mike Scioscia catches his 1,219th game as a Dodgers - setting a franchise mark games caught. In 2016 the Dodgers released Alex Guerrero.
• Happy Birthday, Van Lingle Mungo, Mark Belanger, Kevin Gross & Dave Mlicki!

Weekend Autograph Opportunities: Corey Seager Tonight!

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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After this afternoons game Dodger phenom Corey Seager will head over to the Sports Authentics store at the Puente Hills Mall to sign autographs for fans. He is expected to be there from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM. This is also a pay for signature event -- from $129 to $159 each.

Blog Kiosk: 6/7/2017 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

It's a little frustrating when your team pitches well, but loses the game nevertheless.

Last night the Dodgers lost a tough one as Brandon McCarthy and Max Scherzer dueled it out. Unfortunately, the Nationals pitcher was a bit better as the Dodgers offense continued their slump at the plate for the third straight game. I suppose the saving grace, though is that our pitchers appear to be locked in; especially McCarthy. Per Cary Osborne at Dodger Insider:

“It seems like every single time he gets out there he has control of the game,” Roberts said. “Like Scherzer, he had his mix working today — the breaking ball, the cutter, the two-seamer down below the zone, the four-seamer up. He left the change to Harper up that he hit the double on. But you take those (two) starts out and he’s as good as anyone in the league.”

The Dodgers fall to two games behind the Rockies in the NL West. The Photo above via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2017. Go here to check out more pics by Jon from yesterdays game. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1898 Brooklyn owner Charles Ebbets stepped in to be the teams manager for the remainder of the season. They would not fare very well. The Dodgers would finish in 10th place with a 54-91 record. In 1982 Steve Garvey played in his 1,000th consecutive game. He would receive a standing ovation from fans at Dodger Stadium. In 1995 Tommy Lasorda won his 1,500th game as a major league manager when his Dodgers defeated the Expos, 7-1.
• Happy Birthday, Ike Benners, Bones Ely, Lafayette Henion & Roy Jarvis!