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

I think it is clear at this point that Alex Wood deserves an All-Star Game invitation. Last night he was masterful, once again, as he improved to 10-0 by throwing seven shut out innings with ten strike outs, two walks and only three hits allowed. Per Steve Gilbert and Ken Gurnick at MLB.com:

"I don't know how often you get two 50-plus-win teams in the first half in the same division playing against each other, so it felt a little bigger tonight," said Wood, who allowed three hits. "Tensions were a little bit higher, especially in a 1-0 ballgame. You have to focus and bear down. They were close to kind of breaking through, but fortunately we were able to make some pitches and hold them where they were."

The Dodgers now have 4.5 game lead over the Diamondbacks.

Photo above via @Dodgers on twitter. Go here to check out a bunch of great pics by Dodger photographers Jon SooHoo and Jill Weisleder from the 4th of July. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1938 Leo Durocher recorded a "little league" home run that started as an sacrifice bunt in the seventh inning during the All-Star Game played in Cincinnati. Durocher was credited with a bunt single and came around to score on errors by Jimmy Foxx and Joe DiMaggio. In 1979 the Dodgers purchased the contract of pitcher Fernando Valenzuela from Puebla of the Mexican League. In 1980 the Dodgers retired Duke Snider's uniform #4 during that days Oldtimers Day ceremonies at Dodger Stadium. In 2000 Vin Scully is voted the No. 1 sportscaster of the 20th century by members of the American Sportscasters Association. 
• Happy Birthday, Frank Kellert, Willie Randolph & Germán Rivera!

Weekend Autograph Opportunities: Yeager & Reuss

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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Dodger legend and coach Steve Yeager will be signing autographs at the Sports Authentics store at the Puente Hills Mall on Saturday, July 8th from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM. Go here for more information.

Sports Authentics USA
Puente Hills Mall
1600 South Azusa Avenue
Rowland Heights, CA, 91748
(626)581-2016

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Former Dodger pitcher Jerry Reuss will be signing autographs this coming Saturday, July 8th at the OC Dugout in Anaheim from 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM. Go here for more information.

The OC Dugout
1515 S. Sunkist St., Ste. G
Anaheim, CA 92806

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* Dodgers Blue Heaven home page *

Blog Kiosk: 7/5/2017 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Clayton Kershaw came close to his second career no-hitter last night. Unfortunately, a meek grounder to the right side ruined those plans. Per Steve Gilbert and Joshua Thornton at MLB.com:

"Where [Bellinger] was at," manager Dave Roberts said, "[and] where the second baseman was at, it was kind of in no man's land, so you don't know if you're going to continue to sell out and get it or just give up on it and hope the second baseman has a enough time to get there. It's one of those tough plays and there's no right or wrong answer on that one."

Per Cary Osborne at Dodger Insider:

“I think I made (Dave Roberts’) job a little easier giving up a hit. He didn’t have to worry about keeping me in or not,” Kershaw said. “No-hitters, after the seventh inning you start thinking about it. Six outs is a lot to get in of itself. After six is not on the forefront of my mind yet.”

Photo above via @Dodgers on twitter. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1935 brothers Tony Cuccinello of the Dodgers and Al Cuccinello of the Giants hit home runs against each others team in the same game -- becoming the first brothers to have ever done so. The Brooklyn Dodgers won the game 14-4. Here's an important lesson why you should never count the Giants out. In 1951 the Dodgers swept the Giants in a three-game series to extend their lead to 7.5 games. Dodgers manager Chuck Dressen then declared, "We knocked 'em out. They won't bother us anymore." Of course, the Giants were not done and ended up taking the pennant away from the Dodgers when Bobby Thompson hit the "Shot Heard 'Round the World" later that year. In 1994 the game between the Dodgers and Expos is broadcast live in five languages (English, Spanish, French, Chinese and Korean) for the first time.
• Happy Birthday, Hank Thormahlen, Tommy Warren, Jim Baxes & Doug Bochtler!

Diamondbacks Series Starts on Tuesday - Pregame Info and Other Stuff!

The next homestand starts this coming Tuesday, Independence Day, against the Arizona Diamondbacks.  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 

First of all, vote for JT! Go here, or follow the graphic below:

The Enchilada Dog will be available for this homestand only against Diamondbacks at the Extreme Loaded Dog concession areas located on the field, loge and reserve levels. It features an Super Dodger Dog wrapped in a cheese enchilada topped with smoked pork. See it on the right.

BTW, a Dodgers collectible souvenir cup is now available in concession stands. It features the battery of Clayton Kershaw and Yasmani Grandal. Check it out below

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Tuesday, July 4th at 6:10 PM

LHP Patrick Corbin vs LHP Clayton Kershaw

TV: SNLA Spanish, SportsNet LA

Radio: 570 LA Sports, KTNQ 1020, KMPC 1540

2017 Topps Now -- #317 -- Seager's Brilliant Behind-the-Back Catch

Although the Dodger were unable to complete their sweep of the Padres yesterday afternoon we did get to see a nifty defensive play by Corey Seager during the first inning of that game.

Blog Kiosk: 7/3/2017 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Over the weekend a new Major League record was set when the league collectively hit 1,101 home runs to set a new record for homers during a month. Naturally, Topps released a new 2017 Topps Now card to celebrate the occasion, and it includes rookie slugger Cody Bellinger on the front of the card. Check it out above. Unfortunately, the card is already sold out -- 1,247 cards were made. Check out the reverse of the card on the right.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1925 Robins (Dodgers) second baseman Milt Stock recorded his fourth consecutive four-hit game -- setting an NL mark. In 1958 the Dodgers, in their 35th home game ever in Los Angeles, reached the one million attendance mark.  At Ebbets Field they drew 1,028,258 fans total all season the year prior. In 1974 Dodgers reliever Dr. Mike Marshall appeared in his 13th consecutive game, setting a major league record.  The streak also ended on this day when he didn't make an appearance during the second game of a doubleheader against the Cincinnati Reds. In 1991 the Dodgers traded José González for outfielder Mitch Webster. In 1993 Don Drysdale died of a heart attack in Montreal after broadcasting the Dodgers’ game against the Expos. In 2013 Yasiel Puig becomes the first player to be named Player of the Month for the first month he plays in the major leagues in the 55-year history of the award. 
• Happy Birthday, Cliff Curtis, Jack Dalton, Luke Hamlin, Art Fowler, Howie Schultz, Ed Roebuck, Danny Heep, Juan Rivera & Edinson Volquez!