Blog Kiosk: 9/28/2017 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

These guys had a great game yesterday. Austin Barnes, who is looking more and more like our catcher of the future, not only caught a great game but also pounded out three hits; including two doubles, to drive in two runs. Rich Hill is looking like his old self. He pitched seven shutout innings, struck out ten and walked only two batters to record his 12th win of the season. Per Cary Osborne at Dodger Insider:

“I think it all comes down to effort and comes down to the way you go about your business,” Hill said of keeping his feel. “It doesn’t matter when the game is or when the next outing is, for me it’s about keeping that effort consistent and that intensity consistent. When you’re doing that you’re giving yourself a chance.”

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

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1988 Orel Hershiser broke Don Drysdale's Major League record for consecutive scoreless innings pitched at 59.  He went ten scoreless innings against the Padres in San Diego, but unfortunately did not walk away with the victory. The Dodgers eventually in the 16th inning, 2-1.  In 1997 Mike Piazza set the Los Angeles Dodgers record for home runs at 40. He hit two homers against Rockies starter John Thomson in Colorado.
• Happy Birthday, Jack Fournier, Whitey Witt, Glen Moulder, Todd Worrell, Héctor Giménez & Jerry Sands!

2017 Topps Triple Threads - The Dodgers Triple Relic and Autographed Cards

Now that you've seen the base cards, here are some of the inserts. I thought I would start with the cards that gives this brand their name. Featured directly below are both the relics and autographed relics that include cleverly spelled out phrases. These cards have three relic pieces with cutouts that highlights a professional achievement or a nickname. Sometimes, though, they are kinda stupid.

For instance, they gave Julio Urias a card that spells out, "October Kid" -- even though the young lad has mixed and minimal experience in the postseason. Last year he came out of the pen in the NLDS to pitch two scoreless innings against the Nationals. Then later on he started against the Cubs, but got shelled.

On another note, all Corey Seager autographed cards come with a redemption. Also, one of the five different Julio Urias Autographed Triple Relic cards come as a redemption -- which is weird.

Autograph Triple Relics

• #TTAR-CS1 Corey Seager -- Redemption Card
• #TTAR-CS2 Corey Seager -- Redemption Card
• #TTAR-CS3 Corey Seager -- Redemption Card

#TTAR-CBE1 Cody Bellinger

#TTAR-CBE2 Bellinger                 #TTAR-CBE3 Bellinger

Video: Darvish Shares a Players Perspective of the Dodgers Clinching on YouTube

After nearly two months in Dodger Blue Yu Darvish has decided to finally publish his very first Dodgers video on YouTube. For those who don't know, starting this season Darvish opened a channel there, but hadn't been particularly active. While in Texas he put up only eleven videos -- mostly sharing his workout regimen as he prepared for the season. Now, he shares his very first Dodger video and it's awesome. It features his perspective of the Dodgers clinching the division title this past weekend. Go ahead and watch the entire ten minutes below.

BTW, be sure to watch the whole thing. At about the 8:30 mark Kiké Hernández gathers the crew together on the mound to provide some inspiration.

Video Link:
Hat Tip: Redditor u/killerpikachu33

* Please follow on twitter @ernestreyes *

* Like Dodgers Blue Heaven on facebook *

* Dodgers Blue Heaven home page *

Blog Kiosk: 9/27/2017 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

This past month has certainly been a struggle. Nevertheless, we now find ourselves with the best record in the National League and an offense that appears to be waking back up. Best yet, our pitching seems to have turned a corner. Last night Alex Wood staked his claim to a playoff start when he went six innings against the Padres to record his 16th win of the season. Although, he recorded  only one strikeout (which is troubling) while allowing eight hits and only two earned runs. Certainly not the best outing, but I'll take it. Per Joshua Thornton at MLB.com:

"It's out of my control, but I expect to start," Wood said. "I've been pretty good all year. I think guys trust me with the ball in my hands, so we'll see what happens."
...
"He's definitely pitched well," Roberts said. "We're continuing to watch and find a way to win as many games as we can. We're still not prepared to make a decision (about playoff rotation)."

The above pic of Alex Wood via @Dodgers on twitter. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1936 future Dodgers Hall of Fame skipper Walter Alston played in his only Major League game. It was as an 24-year old first baseman for the Cardinals, and he got into the game as a late-inning substitution for Johnny Mize. He would commit an error on the field in two chances, and only get a single at-bat -- he struck out. In 1951 future basketball Hall of Famer Bill Sharman was on the bench for the Dodgers as a 25-year old prospect. On this day he would be thrown out of the game, along with 14 other teammates, for "bench-jockeying" after a close play at home. He would never get a chance to play a Major League game, and thus became the only player to be ejected from a game without ever appearing in one. In 1961 Sandy Koufax recorded seven strikeouts against the Phillies to set a new National League record for strikeouts in a season at 269. The mark was previously held by Giants hurler Christy Mathewson who set it in 1903 with 267 strikeouts. In 2000 the Team USA Baseball team, skippered by Tommy Lasorda, beat the overwhelming favorites Cubans ballclub to win the gold medal in the Olympics.
• Happy Birthday, Joe Visner, Doug Baird, Whit Wyatt, Len Matuszek, Jason Phillips, Vicente Padilla & Jon Garland!

Blog Kiosk: 9/26/2017 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

100 wins never felt so good.

Last night the Dodgers, for the first time since 1974, won their 100th contest of the season -- reaching the mark for the seventh time in franchise history. Furthermore, for just the fourth time in their history they have recorded more than 300 doubles as a team, and are just seven double short of tying a club record. Per AJ Cassavell and Josh Thornton at MLB.com:

"It's quite an accomplishment," Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said about 100 wins. "The guys have done some great things, the coaching, the training staff. It's been a great team effort and it's taken a lot of players to get to this point. We haven't accomplished our ultimate goal, but to step back and say we won 100 baseball games is quite a feat."

Better yet, the victory over the Padres saw Yu Darvish's best outing in Blue. He went seven innings, struck out nine San Diego batters, walked none, allowed just two hits and one earned run. Per Rowan Kavner at Dodger Insider:

“I think I’m in a really good position, physically and mentally,” Darvish said Monday through a translator.

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

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1975 Burt Hooton set a Dodgers record for starters when he won his 12th consecutive game. In 1981 the Dodgers were no-hit by legendary fireballer Nolan Ryan of the Astros in Houston, 5-0. It would be the fifth no-no of his career. You can watch the last out of the game here.
• Happy Birthday, Bernie Neis & Brian Traxler!

2017 Topps Now - #652 - Kershaw Records 7th Season with 200 K's

Yesterday afternoon Clayton Kershaw provided one of a dozen different reason why he is already a Hall of Famer. Not only did he win his 18th game of the year, but he also recorded his 200th strikeout of the season for the seventh time in ten Major League seasons. That puts him in rarefied territory. Over the past 100+ years of the game only twelve pitchers have had that many 200+ strike out seasons, and of those twelve only Detroit's Mickey Lolich is not considered a Hall of Fame caliber player.