Tuesday, December 24, 2013

It's Official: Dodgers Sign 2 Relievers - Chris Perez and Jamey Wright


Over the past several days there has been talk of the Dodgers signing a couple of relievers to shore up their bullpen.  Well, they made those signings official today.

The Dodger announced this afternoon that they have signed both Chris Perez and Jamey Wright to 1-year free agent contacts.

In celebration, I made a couple of fantasy Baseball cards for both of them using a design I've been fiddling with all winter.  BTW, the photo used on the Jamey Wright card was originally taken by Dee Gordon and was shared on Jon SooHoo's photoblog.

As for the new Dodgers, Ned Colletti had this to say about Chris Perez.
"Chris expressed an interest in coming here and pitching in any role Don asks of him,” said Colletti. “We see him adding depth and experience to our bullpen and while Kenley and Brian will close games, we play so many tight games that we couldn’t pass up the chance to add another reliever who has experienced success in the 7th, 8th and 9th inning. It’s a great opportunity for both Chris and the Dodgers."
As you know, Jamey Wright played for the Dodgers in 2012.
"We’re very familiar with Jamey from his time with us in 2012 and he’s capable of pitching in a variety of different roles,” said Colletti “He brings versatility, a veteran presence and added leadership to the staff. We look forward to having him back in 2014.”
Below are their career stats, and you can check out the Dodgers press release for both of them, here and here.  I should add that the rumored signings of both Juan Uribe and Brian Wilson have yet to be made official.

Chris Perez's career stats via Baseball Reference.

Jamey Wright's career stats via Baseball Reference.


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Blog Kiosk: 12/24/2013 - Dodgers Links -


Tommy Lasorda dropped the opening puck at last nights Kings game.  He's done this a number of times over the past several years, and has quite an unusual way of doing it.  He walks up to center ice, never acknowledges the opposing player, barely acknowledges the Kings player, drops the puck and immediately walks away.  It's hilarious.  Watch his puck drop from last night here.

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Monday, December 23, 2013

Happy Festivus Day!



A Festivus for the rest of us!

In honor of this Seinfeld holiday I felt it would only be proper to air some grievances.
  • To the anti-Puigmania fans - why can't you enjoy the story of a young man who escaped Cuba to make something of himself?  He should be welcomed and celebrated instead of demeaned.
  • To the Diamondbacks - just stop whining about the Dodgers pool party, and instead field a better team so you can celebrate in the same way.
  • Please stop pitching the David Price rumors.  I do not believe for a second it's going to happen.  The Dodgers have been very clear about their plans to rebuild the farm system, and there's no reason not to believe them.  They've done everything they said they would do.
  • Dear Cardinal fans, your team is not the beacon of Baseball purity and perfection in the league.
  • To fans worried about the Dodgers not re-signing Clayton Kershaw yet - please take a deep breath and calm down.  There's no reason to be worried.  Just be patient.
  • That last one reminds me about my biggest pet peeve.  In today's world of instant communication the virtue of patience gets lost.  Everyone wants what they want now, and it's an attitude that is irksome.  Everyone needs to take a chill pill.
If you have any other grievances please share them. I'm moving on to the "Feats of Strength." Anyone know where I can find Frank McCourt this holiday season?

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2013 Leaf Trinity Baseball - All the Dodgers Cards

Leaf Trading Cards just released their last Baseball prospect card set for 2013, and it's called Leaf Trinity Baseball.  It is a limited product.  Only 250 - 10 box cases have been produced.  Go here for a complete checklist.

Only one Dodger is included in the set.  It is 2013 1st round draft pick Chris Anderson.  There are three different cards for him.  Unfortunately, the Inscription Autographed card (#DTI-CA1) is only available through a redemption.  Below are the Patch Auto and Pure Glass Auto cards.  BTW, this set includes no base cards, and every card is autographed.

#DTP-CA1 Chris Anderson Patch Auto

#CA1  Chris Anderson  Pure Auto

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Blog Kiosk: 12/23/2013 - Dodgers Links - Chris Perez, Beckett and the Dodgers New Minor League Coaching Staffs


Happy Birthday, Hanley Ramirez!  In the above pic Hanley this caught by a surprise Birthday party thrown by his family.  Pic via Hanley's twitter.
Candlestick Park will receive a pounding from the wrecking ball after the 49ers play a final game there on Monday night, December 23rd. It marks the end of an era. And though baseball hasn’t been played in the place since 1999, I can’t help but remember that big old garbage dump of a ballpark that left such an indelible mark on us Dodger fans. 
  • Sports Illustrated shares their list of the top 113 moments of 2013, and the Dodgers fill two of the spots.  They feature the Dodgers pool party as #44, and Puigmania as #26.
  • Harold Uhlman at Think Blue LA writes about George “Shotgun” Shuba.
  • Dodger Penguin shares his recent experience from the Dodgers Mall Tour with a Sweet Lou Johnson autographed baseball.
  • Yeah... You should go here and watch the video.  Via Mike Oz at Big League Stew, "Phillie Phanatic stars in MLB spoof of viral video ‘What Does the Fox Say?’"
  • The Dodgers recently announced the coaching staff for their minor league system, and it includes brand new managers throughout.  Here is the Dodgers press release, and below a listing of the complete staffs.
Triple-A Albuquerque:
Manager: Damon Berryhill
Pitching Coach: Glenn Dishman
Hitting Coach: Franklin Stubbs

Double-A Chattanooga:
Manager: Razor Shines
Pitching Coach: Scott Radinsky
Hitting Coach: Shawn Wooten

Single-A Rancho Cucamonga:
Manager: P.J. Forbes
Pitching Coach: Matt Herges
Hitting Coach: Mike Eylward

Single-A Great Lakes:
Manager: Bill Haselman
Pitching Coach: Bill Simas
Hitting Coach: Johnny Washington

Rookie-advanced Ogden:
Manager: Lee Tinsley
Pitching Coach: Greg Sabat
Hitting Coach: Leo Garcia

Rookie-level AZL Dodgers:
Manager: John Shoemaker
Pitching Coach: Hector Berrios
Hitting Coach: Henry Cruz

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Monday Dodger Videos: Scully, Ryu, Piazza and Mattingly

This was suppose to be Sunday's Dodgers' videos, but I failed to put this out in time.  So,instead we have Monday Dodger Videos.

Watch Vin Scully sing "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" during the seventh-inning stretch at Wrigley Field on 4/19/98.  (Hat Tip: Reddit UEFL)

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Hyun-Jin Ryu just teamed up with K-Pop stars Cube Entertainment to create a song for charity.  It's a Christmas charity project in benefit of Hanbit Performing Arts Company.  The song is called "Smile Again".

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Here's a fun flashback video of former Dodger catcher Mike Piazza talkin' about hitting home runs.

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Here's an interview session held by Steiner Sports CEO Brandon Steinerwith Don Mattingly and Tino Martinez from early November.

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