Sunday, April 27, 2014

Sunday Dodger Videos: Kershaw, Kemp and Friday Night Fireworks





Here are this Sunday's Dodger videos.


PEHS Game Time shares a report on Clayton Kershaw's rehab start in Rancho Cucamonga on Friday; including the Kersahw press conference after the game.

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Here's a different perspective of this past Friday's Dodger Fireworks - from behind the pavilions.

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Here's a classic.  Rick Monday mimics his Tommy Lasorda in the dugout.

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Matt Kemp and Paul Maholm discuss their performances in the Dodgers' 6-3 win over the Rockies, last night.

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Welcome to the Blue, Carlos Triunfel!


It has been announced this morning that AAA infielder Carlos Triunfel has been recalled, and Dodger reliever Jose Dominguez has been optioned back to Albuquerque.  Per a Dodger press release:
The 24-year-old Triunfel was claimed by the Dodgers on outright waivers from Seattle on April 2. Triunfel, who made his Major League debut with the Mariners on Sept. 2, 2012 vs. Oakland, has shown the versatility to play shortstop (17 G), second base (6 G) and third base (1 G) in his 27 career Major League games with Seattle from 2012-13. At Triple-A Albuquerque this season, the Dominican Republic native is batting .291 (16-for-55) with four doubles and four RBI.
At one time, Triunfel was a highly regarded prospect within the Mariner farm system, but that was 6 years ago.  He was a Mid-Season All-Star in 2007 in the Midwest League and named a Rising Star in 2008 while playing as an 18-year old in the Arizona Fall League.  So, he certainly was on the right trajectory towards stardom. 

A scouting report from 2008 stated: 
A young, exciting, high-ceiling player, he's very instinctual on field with the ability to hit for average and power in the future. He has one of the best arms in baseball, Minors or Majors, with the ability to fill three positions -- shortstop, third, second -- in the infield. He'll have to watch his conditioning and may end up being too big to stay at short, though some think he'll be just fine there.
It remains to be seen if he'll stick around as a Dodger defensive replacement, but one would think that if the infield doesn't work out then maybe the mound might work.  With his reputation for having a strong arm, I suspect that could very well be a potential fallback position.  For now, he is a Dodger infielder, and is likely to get plenty of playing time if Hanley's thumb injury is worse than expected.

I made a Dodger fantasy Baseball card for Triunfel using a 1959 Topps card design and a photo taken from Licey.com.  Check it out above.  Below are his career stats, via Baseball-Reference.


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Saturday, April 26, 2014

Blog Kiosk: 4/26/2014 - Dodger Links - A Puig Movie, Kershaw Pitched Well and Beckett of Old


Yasiel Puig visited with some kids at Children's Hostipal Los Angeles yesterday, pic above via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2014. 
  • I'm not surprised this has happened at all.  Via Dave McNary at Variety, "Dodgers Star Yasiel Puig Biopic Picked Up By Brett Ratner."  
Brett Ratner has acquired movie rights to the story of Los Angeles Dodger Yasiel Puig’s escape from Cuba. He will produce the project with Beau Flynn.

Ratner acquired the feature rights through his RatPac Entertainment to Jesse Katz’ article, published in this month’s Los Angeles Magazine.
"I was happy to pitch five innings because it meant I got up and down five times," said Kershaw, a two-time Cy Young Award winner.
"This was a step in the right direction for me, personally. Just to show myself I can do some things I haven't done in a while," he said. "Pitching innings. I haven't been up and down six times in [a long time]." 
As most fans are well aware, food prices at MLB ballparks can be a little on the high side (okay, a lot on the high side) and Dodger Stadium is no exception. But to be fair, the food prices at both plaza locations aren’t all that unreasonable for the quality and quantity of food that you get.

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    Friday, April 25, 2014

    Take a Look at some Vintage Dodger Photos from Hyee Auctions - Campy, Sandy and the Duke

    Some of my favorite sport memorabilia items to check out on eBay are vintage press photos, and one of the top sellers of them currently has some great Dodger pics to peruse through.  Check out some of my favorites from hyee_auctions below. 

    Below is Roy Campanella chatting with Yogi Berra during a pre-1953 World Series workout.  According to the caption glued to the reverse, they are wondering out-loud why they both stick a finger out of their glove when catching.  Notice how Campy has a grip of Yogi's index finger.  It was taken by Herb Scharfman of International News. 
    (Auction Link)

    As a collector I found this below photograph totally fascinating.  Here is a July 30, 1958 photograph of a concession stand for a Dodger game at the Coliseum.  You can see a Dodgers yearbook, some Jay's photo packs, postcards and scorecards.
    (auction link)

    Below is a 1965 St. Paul Pioneer Press Photo of Sandy Koufax on the mound during Game 2 of the 1965 World Series after giving up a few runs.
    (Auction Link)

    Here is a 1954 AP photograph of an 18-year old hurler straight out of the University of Cincinnati - Sandy Koufax.
    (Auction Link)

    Below is a great photo of Babe Herman with his young son Bobby, dated 8/18/1930.  It was by Herman Adnson of Wide World Photos.
    (auction link)

    Here is a 1949 ACME News photo of Campy, Preacher Roe and the Duke in those shiny satin Dodger uniforms.
    (auction link)

    I thought I would finish this post up with a fantastic photo of Duke Snider doing celebrating after the Dodgers 1955 World Series victory.
    (auction link)

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    Colorado Series this Weekend - Scheduled Autograph Signings and Other Stuff!

    The next homestand starts this evening with the Rockies, and several old-time Dodgers will be in the house to sign free autographs for fans.  Below are the scheduled autograph opportunities and other odds and ends for this upcoming homestand.

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    Friday April 25 at 7:10 PM
    RHP Jordan Lyles vs. RHP Josh Beckett

    Tonight's game starts at 7:10 PM.  Auto gates open at 4:30 PM, and stadium gates open at 5:00 PM.  It is Friday Night Fireworks, so fans will be able to go down onto the field after the game.  Edwin Hernandez, who rescued his 18 year-old neighbor from her burning house in Reseda in April, will officially start the game with “It’s Time For Dodger Baseball!”

    Former Dodgers Matt Luke (in right-field pavilion plaza) and Derrel Thomas (in left-field pavilion plaza) will be signing autographs for fans from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM. 

    From a press release:
    • The Veteran of the Game presented by Bank of America is U.S. Coast Guard Chief Petty Officer Brook Bossen. Bossen enlisted in 2000. His role as a Chief Maritime Law Enforcement Specialist has sent him across the country for deployment to the Gulf of Aden, Arabian Gulf and the Mediterranean Sea. Bossan’s accolades include the Coast Guard Commendation Medal and the Coast Guard Achievement Medal.  
    • The Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation (LADF) will hold a silent auction on the Club level by the Vin Scully Press Box. The auction ends at 8:45 p.m. with more than 25 items up for bid, including an Orel Hershiser Autographed 1988 World Series Baseball, Clayton Kershaw Autographed LA Dodgers Jersey and a Kids Take The Field Experience. All proceeds will benefit LADF and its programs in sports and recreation, education and literacy and health and wellness which help children and families throughout the greater Los Angeles region.
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    Saturday, April 26 at 6:10 PM
    RHP Juan Nicasio vs. LHP Paul Maholm

    Saturday's game starts at 6:10 PM.  Auto gates open at 3:30 PM, and stadium gates open at 4:00 PM. This evening will feature the first Dodger Stadium Movie Series event.  The classic Baseball film “Field of Dreams” will air after the game.  More information can be found here.  Renowned fashion designer and founder of BCBG Max Azria will throw the ceremonial first pitch.

    Former Dodgers Tommy Davis (in right-field pavilion plaza) and Tim Leary (in left-field pavilion plaza) will be signing autographs for fans from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM. 

    From a press release:
    • The Veteran of the Game presented by Bank of America is U.S. Marine Corps Sergeant Antonio Tinajero of Los Angeles. Tinajero enlisted 2003, has served with four different units and is trained as an Infantry Assaultman. He is currently assigned to the Wounded Warrior Battalion West, Balboa Detachment in San Diego recovering from injuries he sustained when an Improvised Explosive Device hit his vehicle while on patrol in Afghanistan. Tinajero’s  accolades include two Purple Heart Medals and a Combat Action Ribbon.
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    Sunday, April 27 at 1:10 PM
    LHP Jorge De La Rosa vs. LHP Hyun-Jin Ryu

    Sunday's game starts at 1:10 PM.  Auto gates open at 10:30 AM, and stadium gates open at 11:00 AM. Viva Los Dodgers will be in lot 6, and begins at 11:00 AM.  Former Dodger Mickey Hatcher will be singing autographs there and musical entertainment will be provided by Electro-Cumbia VLDband Cumbia Machin and Ballet Folklorico Guadalajara.  The first 15,000 kids under at age of 14 will receive Hanley Ramirez Replica Jersey.  See a photo of it on the right.

    Former Dodgers “Sweet” Lou Johnson (in right-field pavilion plaza) and Dennis Powell (in left-field pavilion plaza) will be signing autographs for fans from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM. 

    From a press release:
    • The Veteran of the Game presented by Bank of America is U.S. Coast Guard Corporal Lindsay High. High enlisted in 2009 and is stationed at the Fort Irwin National Training Center serving as Combat Documentation Production Specialist. She earned her Parachutist Badge and in 2011, served a deployment to Qatar near the Persian Gulf. High’s accolades include the Army Commendation Medal and being selected as the post wide for the NCO of the Quarter at Fort Irwin.
    • The Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation (LADF) will have a Mystery Bag fundraiser at Viva Los Dodgers at the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation Tent. For a $40 donation, fans can get an  Official Major League Baseball signed by one of ten Dodger Alumni featured, including Nomar Garciaparra, Tommy Davis and Manny Mota and current players including Andre Ethier and Zack Greinke. Only 84 Mystery Bags available. All proceeds will benefit LADF and its programs in sports and recreation, education and literacy and health and wellness which help children and families throughout the greater Los Angeles region.
    • The Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation (LADF) will hold a silent auction on the Club level by the Vin Scully Press Box. The auction ends at 2:45 p.m. with more than 25 items up for bid, including a Yasiel Puig Autographed Baseball, Zack Greinke Autographed LA Dodgers Jersey and a Dee Gordon Autographed Photo. All proceeds will benefit LADF and its programs in sports and recreation, education and literacy and health and wellness which help children and families throughout the greater Los Angeles region.

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    Blog Kiosk: 4/25/2014 - Dodger Links - Jansen Overworked, the Outfield Surplus and Is Wilson Healthy?


    Is that pine tar for bats?  The photo above is worthy of a caption contest.  Hyun-Jin Ryu is found goofing around with Juan Uribe in the pic above, via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2014.
    Even more alarming has been Wilson’s lack of command, but the two issues often are related. Wilson admitted when he went on the disabled list in San Diego that he had concealed some tingling sensations in his elbow from Mattingly and the trainers since spring training. Now, Mattingly said he’ll ask Wilson again whether he’s healthy. 
    "It's not so much that you're hurting feelings," he said. "You want everybody in the mix. But you've got four guys with quality careers and you can't just throw those aside. I assume every time a name is not in the lineup, they're not happy about it."
    • Via Dave Cameron at FanGraphs, "Baseball's Worst Rule is Dead."
    • I found this to be really fun to play with.  The NY Times created an interactive map looking at MLB team loyalty based on facebook likes by zip code.  Click on the map and zoom in to find out were resident's loyalties stand. Awesome!  Unsurprisingly, neither the A's or Mets can call any zip code in the country as home territory.

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