Go Kings Go!

It's Memorial Day at the Staples Center.  Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Western Conference Finals between the Kings and the Chicago 'Hawks will be played tonight to a raucous, cheering and raucous crowd. I'll be headed over to my usual location in Section 315, and I promise to be loud.

I am confident the Kings have the right game plan in mind and the right players to execute it.  The Kings have been able to roll out 4 strong forward lines to the consternation of a Chicago team that has been unable, so far, to counter.  With a strong defensive scheme that includes a neutral zone trap, a strong forecheck and a willingness to sacrifice the body to block shots, the offense has been able to find the room to make plays and find the back of the net.

I can't say enough about the work of the two youngsters who have recently been awash with praise - Tanner Pearson and Tyler Toffoli.  They, along with veteran centerman Jeff Carter, have evolved into a serious scoring threat.  With the 'Hawks keyed in on the Kings top line centered by Kopitar, the emergence of this line, since dubbed "That 70's Line" due to their player numbers, has barrelled through the Chicago defense like they don't exist.

Of course, I don't want to come off as too overconfident.  Chicago is clearly one of the best teams in the league, so we shouldn't take anything for granted.  They also have the ability to explode on the scoresheet.  Hopefully, the Kings can continue to stymie the other 'Hawks players not named Toews; since, it's becoming more clear that we only find ourselves in the lead due to our ability to stop his co-stars on the ice.

In a photoshop stupor that formed as a result of Josh Beckett's no-hitter last night and in anticipation of tonight's game, I created a bunch of Kings fantasy Baseball cards - with a Dodgers theme.  Check them out below.

Most of the photos where grabbed from Juan Ocampo/LA Dodgers 2014 night at a Kings game earlier this year.  Go here to check out some Kings players in Dodger Blue.  Below is Kings mascot Bailey with former Dodger/current broadcaster Jerry Hairston.

The below card uses a pic from the @LA Kings twitter account.

Here's another @LAKings twitter photo - this time of star defenseman Drew Doughty.

Here are some more fantasy cards using photos from the @Dodgers twitter account.  On the left is centerman Anze Kopitar, and Captain Dustin Brown is on the right.

On the left is centerman Mike Richards, and on the right is goalie Jonathan Quick.

BTW, you should check out this great montage video featuring highlights from Game 3 created by John Bain on YouTube.

Video Link:

* Please follow on twitter @ernestreyes *

* Like Dodgers Blue Heaven on facebook *

* Dodgers Blue Heaven home page *

Some More Josh Beckett Fantasy Baseball Cards from his No-Hitter

With the excitement of Josh Beckett's no-no still fresh in my mind, I couldn't help going a little photoshop crazy yesterday evening.  Thankfully, a slew of great photos were available online to help me out.  These first four fantasy cards use pics taken by Dodger photographer Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2014.  Check out those photographs here. 

My favorite has to be the one above.  I love how Beckett is framed with the games line score.

The next three fantasy cards used photos taken by the MLB Authenticator on Twitter.  Directly below is the game-used pitching rubber Josh Beckett used to get his no-hitter.  They have pulled it from the mound and authenticated it.  No doubt it'll be headed to a museum near you.

To the left below is the official lineup card used by Don Mattingly for the game, and to the right is the last out game ball from the no-no.  I love how the game ball has splotches of red Gatorade all over it - from the post-win celebration.

* Please follow on twitter @ernestreyes *

* Like Dodgers Blue Heaven on facebook *

* Dodgers Blue Heaven home page *

Blog Kiosk: 5/26/2014 - Dodger Links - Beckett, Hanley and Manny Ramirez

An elated Josh Beckett is surrounded by his Dodger teammates after throwing his no-hitter yesterday, pic via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2014.

• Via David Brown at Big League Stew, "Josh Beckett: No such thing as jinxing a no-hitter."
• Via Michael Radano at MLB.com, "Hanley remains on sidelines with leg ailment."

"It didn't sound very good," Mattingly said. "I checked with him this morning and he gave me the 'not good.' I know the [medical staff is] checking him out and giving him some treatment. At this point, I don't have anything on what we are going to do next. I'm assuming -- I don't want to talk [for the training staff] -- that we may go with an MRI or something."

• Via Albert Chen at Sports Illustrated, "Dodgers prospect Joc Pederson could be the next big thing."

If the Dodgers can somehow find room for Pederson on the major league roster, he could be an impact bat in the lineup. The knock against him has always been his struggles against lefthanders, but he's hitting .292/.378/.492 against them this season. "For starters, he's a lot more patient against them," said one scout who saw him this spring. "The change has been night and day."

Said Pederson, "Honestly, it really has been about being more patient. Not being intimidated by that sixth- and eighth-inning lefty specialist, and swinging at bad pitches to get ahead in the count. I'm waiting for my pitch and trusting myself."

• Evan Bladh at Opinion of Kingman's Performance tells us of watching Dodger Baseball from the Republic of Georgia.
• An old friend alert: Via Zach Links at MLB Trade Rumors, "Cubs Sign Manny Ramirez As Triple-A Player-Coach."

“While Manny is not and will not be a fit on the Cubs major league roster, we do think at this stage of his life he’s a nice fit as a mentor for some of the young talented hitters we have in the organization,”

• Jared Massey at Dodgers Nation notes, "Dodgers Minor League Players of the Week – Seager Won’t Stop Hitting."
• Via Matthew Glidden at The #5 Baseball Card Type Collection writes "Pittsburgh vs. Brooklyn for the 1900 Base Ball World's Championship!"
• Go Kings Go!!

Here's a huge donut dressed as a puck to support the @LAKings during their playoff run. http://t.co/nOA7WYg5ES pic.twitter.com/wqbveVffxQ
— FOX Sports West (@FoxSportsWest) May 25, 2014

* Please follow on twitter @ernestreyes *

* Like Dodgers Blue Heaven on facebook *

* Dodgers Blue Heaven home page *

Sunday Dodger Videos: Puig in the FanCave, Pronouncing Arruebarrena and Beckett's No-Hitter

Here are this Sunday's Dodger videos.

The MLB FanCave did some bat flipping with Yasiel Puig while the Dodgers were in New York.

Video Link:

Then, he visited the FanCave.

Video Link:

ICYMI:  Here's a look at every out from Josh Beckett's no-hitter, yesterday.

Video Link:

Carl Crawford, Justin Turner, Scott Van Slyke and Drew Butera try to pronounce their newest teammate's name - Erisbel Arruebarrena.

Video Link:

* Please follow on twitter @ernestreyes *

* Like Dodgers Blue Heaven on facebook *

* Dodgers Blue Heaven home page *

Reds Series Starts Tomorrow - Chan Ho Park to Sign Autographs, a Ryu Bobblehead and Other Stuff!

The next homestand starts tomorrow evening with the Cincinnati Reds, 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.

---------------

Monday, May 26 at 5:10 PM

Tonight's game starts at 5:10 PM.  Auto gates open at 2:30 PM, and stadium gates open at 3:00 PM.  It is Memorial Day, and the Dodgers will wear specially-designed caps and jerseys featuring an authentic military digital camouflage design licensed from the United States Marine Corps in honor of Memorial Day.  See the Dodger cap on the right.  BTW, 100% of all net proceeds from the sale of these caps to fans go to Welcome Back Veterans (www.welcomebackveterans.org).


The first 40,000 fans through the gates on Monday will receive BBQ apron from the Dodgers.  Check it out on the left.

Memorial pre-game ceremonies will include flag unveiling in center field along with six stars representing each U.S. military branch, Marines, Navy, Army, Air Force and Coast Guard as well as Prisoners of War (POW). Wives of service members who died in service of our nation will officially begin the game with “It’s time for Dodger baseball!” and children of these families will be amongst the children who partake in Kids Take the Field Monday.  Former Dodger, Vietnam Veteran and Purple Heart recipient Roy Gleason will throw the first pitch.  The national anthem and “God Bless America” will be performed by U.S. Coast Guard MK2 Mike Dalager and the U.S. Army will provide the color guard.

• The Veteran of the Game presented by Bank of America is U.S. Navy Quarterman (QM1) Luis Villegas. Villegas enlisted in 2004 and currently serves onboard the USS Essex. His deployments have been in support for Operation Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom and his accolades include four Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals. In honor Memorial Day, Bank of America will be presenting a special flag and display case to Villegas. Navy Veteran Sean Gass, who serves as Bank of America Vice President, Senior Financial Advisor at Bank of America- Merrill Lynch, will be on hand for the presentation.

---------------

Tuesday, May 27th at 7:10 PM

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 Korea Night at Dodger Stadium.  The first 50,000 fans through the gates on Tuesday will receive a Hyun-Jin Ryu Bobblehead from the Dodgers.  See it on the right.

Dodgers legend Chan Ho Park will sign autographs for fans in the right field pavilion plaza starting at 5:30 PM.  He will also throw out the first pitch.  Korean pop star Yong-hwa Jung of CNBLUE  will sing the Korean national anthem, and the US national anthem will be sung by South Korean R&B singer Ali.

• The Veteran of the Game presented by Bank of America is U.S. Army Sergeant Jose Martinez. Martinez enlisted in 1996 having always dreamed of being a soldier. He serves with the HHC 1st Battalion, 5th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade, 25th Infantry Division in Fort Wainwright, Arkansas. Martinez has served deployments three times in Iraq and most recently in Kandahar, Afghanistan and his accolades include multiple Army Commendation Medals and National Defense Service Medals.
• 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 a Clayton Kershaw autographed Baseball, Hyun-Jin Ryu autographed LA Dodgers jersey and a Yasiel Puig 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.

---------------

Wednesday, May 28th at 7:10 PM

Tonight's game starts at 7:10 PM.  Auto gates open at 4:30 PM, and stadium gates open at 5:00 PM.

Rina Cervantes of Norwalk will perform the national anthem and one of Korea’s top superstars, singer and actress SUZY will throw the ceremonial first pitch.  Ryu is scheduled to catch for SUZY.  BTW, Ryu and SUZY co-starred on a Korean reality show called “Runningman” this past winter.  Watch an episode of the show with Ryu at the very bottom.

• The Veteran of the Game presented by Bank of America is U.S. Air Force Senior Airman (SrA) Darien Barrett Foster. Foster enlisted in 2011 and currently serves with the 61st Medical Squadron as a dental technician. Foster is an active member of the L.A. Air Force Base Honor Guard and was recently honored as the 61 Air Base Group Airman of the Year.

Video Link:

* Please follow on twitter @ernestreyes *

* Like Dodgers Blue Heaven on facebook *

* Dodgers Blue Heaven home page *

A No-No Celebration

It couldn't have happened to a better Dodger.

After enduring one of the most difficult years of his career, Josh Beckett throws his first ever Major League no-hitter - the 21st time this has been done by a Dodger.

Congrats, Josh!

Beckett was masterful in this win.  He was in total control throughout the game, and gave no room for the Phillies to operate.  With 128 pitches he struck out 6 and walked only 3.  And to think, he almost called it quits last year.  Suffering through an ailment that caused numbness in this fingers, Beckett struggled and lost confidence.  Soon, he openly lamented that he could be done and retirement might be in his near future.  Then, he had surgery to address a rare condition called thoracic outlet syndrome, and worked his way back to the rotation.  Since his return, Beckett has been phenomenal, and this performance is a sign that he is back.

In celebration of this legendary achievement I made numerous fantasy Baseball cards to mark the occasion.  I used numerous photos grabbed from the @Dodgers twitter feed and used both the vintage 1962 Topps Baseball card design and a design I created this past Spring Training.

(graphic via @Dodgers on twitter)

Watch the last out and the no-no celebration below.

Video Link:

Below he discusses the no-no.

Video Link:

Here are some tweets:

This one is coming home (via @MLB_Authentic): pic.twitter.com/SzHugk4xZz
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) May 25, 2014

The celebration continues in the clubhouse. #Dodgers Photo Blog: http://t.co/tERPMcU2Ko pic.twitter.com/0YS7bnA7vs
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) May 25, 2014

* Please follow on twitter @ernestreyes *

* Like Dodgers Blue Heaven on facebook *

* Dodgers Blue Heaven home page *