Blog Kiosk: 4/14/2014 - Dodger Links - Puig's Untold Story, Alex Guerrero has a Big Debut and Eric Smith

The DBacks mascot gave Justin Turner a nice little pat on the rear end on Sunday, pic via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2014.

• Via Jesse Katz at LA Magazine, "Escape from Cuba: Yasiel Puig's Untold Journey to the Dodgers."

Once the speedboat navigated the reefs that shield the three-square-mile island and puttered into the docks at Laguna Makáx, the last of Puig’s obstacles should have been cleared. Free of the Cuban security apparatus, free of the American embargo, he could begin shopping for an agent and showing off for scouts. In baseball terms, Mexico was practically the United States. But almost as soon as Puig had showered off the grime of his trek—after his group had toasted their arrival with an unfamiliar beer, its label stamped with two Xs, and tuned the TV to a Mexican sitcom—the celebration came to an end. The smugglers were anxious to get on with things. The job was done. Where was the money?

• Ken Gurnick at MLB.com, "Dodgers insert Maholm for series with Giants."

Josh Beckett, Paul Maholm and Hyun-Jin Ryu, in order, will start the three games of the upcoming series in San Francisco, Dodgers manager Don Mattingly announced on Sunday.

• Via Ken Gurnick at MLB.com, "Wilson nears return; Beckett on target for Tuesday."
• Via Eric Stephen at True Blue LA, "Adrian Gonzalez, Dee Gordon complete Dodgers sweep of Diamondbacks."
• Alexander Guerrero is now playing in Albuquerque, via a tweet from the team.

Transactions: INF Alex Guerrero added to roster. INF Brendan Harris was released.
— Albuquerque Isotopes (@AbqTopes) April 12, 2014

• Guerrerohad a huge first game in Albuquerque.  Via Christopher Jackson at the Examiner.com, "Alexander Guerrero shines but bullpen falters again for Isotopes."

"That wasn't what I was thinking during the game; I just went to the plate looking to make contact," Guerrero said through his translator David Longley.

• Via Ron Cervenka at Think Blue LA, "The Other Golden Voice of the Dodgers."  Ron writes a great story on our PA announcer.

No, it’s not the golden voice of Hall of Fame broadcaster Vin Scully, it’s the other golden voice of the Dodgers – Eric Smith, the Dodgers longtime Public Address (PA) announcer and he is, hands down, the best in the business.

• Dodger Penguin headed to El Teyepac Cafe for the Jerry Reuss signing and shares his experience.  Roberto at Vin Scully is My Homeboy did the same thing here.  I'm working on a review of Reuss's book that hopefully will be done by the end of the week, and an online interview with him the following week.

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Sunday Dodger Videos: Lopes Speaks About Aaron's Home Run

Here are this Sunday's Dodger videos.

Here are highlights from the Dodgers Championship Game 6 against the White Sox in the 1959 World Series.

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From the past homestand, watch the boys fool around in the dugout during Lupe Fiasco's performance before a game. 

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Don Mattingly discusses Zack Greinke's strong performance vs. the D-backs and Adrian Gonzalez's recent hot streak

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Davey Lopes remembers Hank Aaron's 715th homer and discusses rooting for Hank to break the home run record.

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Blog Kiosk: 4/12/2014 - Dodger Links - Dodgers Sign a Couple Kids, Joc Pederson, and Chris Withrow

Adrian Gonzalez's home run swing, pic above via Jon SooHoo/2014 LA Dodgers. See more of Jon's photos from yesterday here.

(pic via Olimpiazzurra)

• The Dodgers signed a kid from Italy.  Via Federazione Italiana Baseball Softball, "Federico Celli signs with the Los Angeles Dodgers."  (Hat Tip: /Dodgers on Reddit Magikrat)

The young outfield prospect out of Romagna will begin his adventure in the States in Rookie ball as soon as he finishes High School in Italy. Celli, (born) 1995, grew up playing for Rimini Riviera, and is currently finishing up his 3rd year with the FIBS Baseball Academy in Tirrenia. The youngster has also played with the Italian National team at the throughout the youth level, and just a year ago he was on the Under 18 squad that won the European Championship. 

• The Dodgers also signed a kid 17 kid from (I think) Nicaragua named Alvaro Rubi, via Gerald Hernández at La Prensa.  (Hat Tip: JP Hoornstra on twitter)
• Via Mike Petriello at Dodger Insider, "Joc Pederson Off To Just A Fantastic Start in Triple-A."
• Via Eric Stephen at True Blue LA, "Chris Withrow making strong bid to stay in Dodgers bullpen."

"His stuff is power stuff, it's back end," Mattingly said on Wednesday. "It's late in the game stuff, and we're seeing it. He's been lights out."

• A darling for many fans during this past Spring Training, it has now been reported, via Steve Adams at MLB Trade Rumors, that Seth Rosin has been returned to his original team - the Phillies - after being DFA'd by the Rangers.  Seth is racking up a ton of miles.
• Oh!  This is awesome.  Take a look at the Dodgers inflatable chair they are giving out to the 1st 40,000 fans on May 8th, pic via Jon Weisman at Dodger Insider.

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Dodgers Memorabilia at REA Auctions - The Dodger Bling

Here is my latest post featuring Dodger memorabilia available through REA.  Go here to take a look at my past post on this auction.  This time I share some Dodger shiny hardware.  Check out some Dodger bling below.

Directly below is Duke Snider's 1956 Brooklyn Dodgers National League Championship Ring.  It denotes the teams last pennant in Brooklyn.  Also, it was once a part of the Barry Halper collection - a noted collector and one-time limited partner of the Yankees.

This next ring is even better than the one above.  Below is the 1955 World Series Brookly Dodgers ring given to Dodgers coach Billy Herman.  This ring also came from the Barry Halper collection.

If a ring doesn't strike your fancy, how about a 1955 Brooklyn Dodgers World Championship Pendant? 

(Auction Link)

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The Rivalry Continues Online - Puig and Pence Battle on MLB14

Does this mean that Puig's hand is just fine, and he's holding out on playing ball in order to be in his best shape to face Hunter Pence?

I jest, of course.  Or, maybe not.  Considering his recent mishap, Puig should probably just DL himself and let another more able teammate to take over, but I digress.

This coming Monday, April 14th, starting at 11:00 AM PST, Yasiel Puig and Hunter Pence will duel each other on an PS4.  They will play MLB 14, and the masses can watch it all live online.  It's be the gaming show of the year, and I suspect every sports gaming geek in the world watch - or, not.

Go here for more details.  The show will be on IGN.  Below are some screen grabs and a teaser trailer for the event.

Below is a teaser trailer for the live MLB 14 game faceoff.

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Blog Kiosk: 4/11/2014 - Dodger Links - Some Dodger Odds and Ends

Check out the fantastic photo above of the very first Opening Day game at Dodger Stadium, via @Dodgers_History on twitter.

• Via Pedro Moura at the OC Register, "Dodger Stadium renovations built for the fans, by a fan."

“I knew it as a fan first, and for me, that was huge,” (Janet Marie) Smith said. “I understood how different it was as a stadium compared to most places. There was no central entry, there was no moving upstairs. The problems were well-known. What the solutions were going to be took a little figuring out.”

• Via Mark Saxon at ESPNLosAngeles.com, "Dodgers in better shape to withstand injuries."

“A lot of teams have things going on,” Dodgers manager Don Mattingly told reporters this week. “It’s really what Ned and his guys prepared for during the winter when you’re trying to build a team, build depth.” 

• JP Hoornstra at the Daily Bulletin talks to AJ Ellis about some changes he is pondering.

“When I catch, I tend to put more of my weight on my left side,” Ellis said. “I’m carrying the heavier frame than most other catchers. All that pressure on my left side, it’s going to put a lot of stress in that area. It’s maybe something I need to reconsider — the way I catch, my stance — maybe even it out more 50-50. The way I like to catch, the way I’ve caught my whole life, is to have that weight loaded over there.”

• Andrew Grant at True Blue LA wonders, "What to expect from Chad Billingsley."

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