Blog Kiosk: 8/12/2019 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Here's a fun fact: If not for Hyun-Jin Ryu's terrible June 28th start in Colorado, he would currently be sporting an 1.04 ERA. Per Ken Gurnick at MLB.com:

“It’s an absolute display of the art of pitching,” Turner said of Ryu’s latest masterpiece. “He can pitch to all four quadrants, his command has been great all year. Vintage Ryu. Changing speeds, keeping guys off-balance. He’s like Houdini when he gets in trouble; he finds a way out of it.”

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“It’s definitely unbelievable,” Ryu said of his ERA. “Like I’ve said many times, I don’t think this is all because of myself. There are many people around me, especially my teammates, that have helped me reach that number. My goal is to do what I do and finish the season strong.”

Ryu pitched sevens innings of scoreless ball to win the game -- recording four strikeouts, one walk and allowing only five hits.

Photo above via Jon SooHoo/Los Angeles Dodgers 2019 at Dodger Insider. Go here to check out more pics from yesterdays game. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1984 both Don Drysdale and Pee Wee Reese are inducted in into the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown. Other inductees include Harmon Killebrew, Rick Ferrell and Luis Aparicio. In 1995 the Dodgers defeated the Pirates, 11-10, due to an obscure baseball rule. In the 11th inning with men on 2nd and 3rd, Dodger pinch-hitter Mitch Webster swings at a pitch in the dirt. Pittsburgh catcher Angelo Encarnacion casually picked up the ball using his mask. This is a violation of the rules. A fielder may not use his mask to touch a thrown ball. Tommy Lasorda appealed to the umpires and they agreed that the runners shall advance two bases -- driving in the walk-off winning run. Encarnacion is given an error.
• Happy Birthday, DJ Houlton & Julio Urias!

Some Dodger Goodies at Love of the Game Auctions

Here's my newest post featuring vintage Dodgers memorabilia currently available on auction. This time I take a look through the 'Love of the Game Auction' summer premier catalog, and it fortunately doesn't disappoint.

First of all, there's the above 11" x 13" stadium giveaway card that commemorates the 1966 "Salute to the Stars" celebrity All-Star Game. (Auction Link) As you can see, Milton Berle, Pat Boone, Bobby Darin, Phyllis Diller, Annette Funicello, Dean Martin, Mickey Rooney, Dale Robertson, Sweet Lou Johnson, Sandy Koufax and Don Drysdale can be seen on the card. Additionally, the auction listing shares a promotion video from the 1966 celebrity game that includes highlights and some snarky commentary by Bobby Darin. You can watch it below.

Blog Kiosk: 8/9/2019 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

I think I preferred Kershaw's 1980's retro outfit from last year (see pic on the right).

As you surely know, Clayton's annual Ping Pong4Purpose event was held last night at Dodger Stadium, and by the looks of it fun was had by all. Per Rowan Kavner at Dodger Insider:

“It’s overwhelming just to see everybody that comes out,” Kershaw said. “To get such a great turnout from teammates and to get to have them all here and playing and enjoying themselves and a part of it, it really is a special thing. It makes this night go.”

BTW, proceeds from the event will go to benefit Kershaw’s Challenge’s local and international beneficiaries, including the Dream Center, Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation, Arise Africa, Just Keep Livin’ Foundation, Both Ends Believing and International Justice Mission.

Photo of Bellinger and Kershaw above via Dodgers on twitter. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1975 Davey Lopes stole his 32nd consecutive base without being caught, breaking Max Carey's 1922 record. He would steal six more bases before getting called out. His record would eventually be broken by Cardinal's speedster Vince Coleman in 1989. In 1976 Pirates hurler John Candelaria no-hit the Dodgers at Three Rivers Stadium in Pittsburgh, 2-0. In 1979 longtime Dodgers owner Walter O'Malley died of congestive heart failure at the age of 75.
• Happy Birthday, John Grim, Leo Callahan, Johnny Mitchell, Tom Sunkel, Chuck Essegian, Claude Osteen, Matt Young & Drew Butera!

2019 Topps Now -- #648 -- Russell Martin's Walk-Off

Old man, Russell Martin, was last night's hero.

In the ninth inning he came to the plate with two men on and the Dodgers trailing St. Louis, 1-0, and proceeded to slap a ground ball seeing-eye single through the middle of the infield. Both runners scored and everyone in the stadium celebrated -- except for those wearing red, of course.

To commemorate the Dodgers 10th walk-off of the season Topps has issued a new 2019 Topps Now card for collectors to chase. Go here to check it out and order. Per Rowan Kavner at Dodger Insider:

“A lot of walk-offs have come from young guys,” Martin said after his game-winning hit swept the Cardinals for the Dodgers’ fifth straight victory and 77th win overall this season. “Let the old guys get hot, too, you know?”

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“This team and how we’ve been playing is contagious,” Martin said. “We just always feel like we’re going to win.”

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Diamondbacks Series Starts Friday - Stadium Giveaways, Pregame Info and Other Stuff!

The next homestand starts on Friday against the Arizona Diamondbacks. Below are some odds and ends for this upcoming homestand. I will update this should new information become available. Below are some important links:

• 2019 Broadcast Schedule
• Parking Information 

• Special Events Schedule

• Promotions & Giveaways Schedule

• Silent Auction Schedule 

• Friday Night Fireworks Schedule 

• Dodger Stadium Parking / Transportation 

• Dodger Stadium Express / LA Metro  

Please note that the Dodgers are embarking on a new culinary experience at the stadium. Fans can find the LA Feeds Blue Chef Series located in the right field plaza that will feature a special Chef Series pop-up concession stand. This homestand will feature foods from Park’s BBQ. More information is available at the bottom of this post.

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Friday, August 9th at 7:10 PM

TV: SportsNet LA, SNLA Spanish

Radio: AM 570 LA Sports, KTNQ 1020

Blog Kiosk: 8/8/2019 - Dodgers Links - 'It's unbelievable'

All we do is win! Per Sarah Wexler at Yahoo Sports:

“It just seems like every day, there’s somebody different that you’re pouring Gatorade on,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “It’s really good to see. It’s great for our ballclub -- a testament to their desire, their will to play 27 outs.” 

“It’s unbelievable to be a part of a club where you know you’re never out of it,” said Dustin May, who kept the Dodgers in it with 5 2/3 innings of one-run ball in his second Major League start. “It’s a wonderful feeling.”

The Dodgers beat the Cardinals, 2-1 (boxscore), on their 10th walk-off of the season. This time, it was Russell Martin with the game-winning two-run single up the middle to win.

Photo above via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2019 at Dodger Insider. Go here to check out more pics from yesterdays game. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1903 Dodger pitcher Henry Schmidt is thrown out of the game when he angrily threw the Baseball out of the park (Trevor Bauer style). He did this because a run scored while his idiot infielders were arguing a close call. In 1954 Gil Hodges came up to bat in the eight inning three times. He started the inning by tripling, then hit a double his second time up, and finally flied out to center for the last out of the inning. Amazingly, 12 of the 13 runs scored that inning happened with two outs. In 1963 Frank Howard and Bill "Moose" Skowron of the Dodgers become only the second duo in baseball history to hit back-to-back pinch-hit home runs. In 2000 Dodger Stadium got a dose of homophobia. After being seen kissing, a female couple is removed from the stadium and told to never come back due to "lewd behavior". The Dodgers quickly realized what century they were in and profusely apologized -- contributing tickets to various LGBT groups and providing sensitivity training to its employees.
• Happy Birthday, Alanna Rizzo, Clise Dudley, Tot Pressnell & Frank Howard!