Just Another Honor for Kershaw - Wins his 3rd Cy Young

To the surprise of no one, Clayton Kershaw has been awarded his third career Cy Young award this afternoon.  Via the BBWAA release:

Clayton Kershaw was the 14th pitcher to win by a unanimous vote in the NL. The others: Sandy Koufax three times, Greg Maddux twice and once apiece by Randy Johnson, Bob Gibson, Steve Carlton, Rick Sutcliffe, Dwight Gooden, Orel Hershiser, Jake Peavy and Roy Halladay. There has been a unanimous winner in the American League nine times: Roger Clemens, Pedro Martinez and Johan Santana twice each; Denny McLain, Ron Guidry and Justin Verlander once apiece.

Kershaw was the fifth NL pitcher to win the award in consecutive seasons. Maddux and Johnson each won four years in a row. The other back-to-back winners were Koufax and Tim Lincecum. Successive victories have occurred five times in the AL: twice by Clemens and once each by McLain, Martinez and Jim Palmer.

Kershaw’s third Cy Young Award tied the Dodgers’ franchise record of Koufax and marked the ninth time a pitcher has won the award at least that often. Clemens holds the record with seven (six in the AL and one in the NL). Johnson won five times (four in the NL and once in the AL) and Maddux and Carlton four times each (all in the NL). Other three-time winners in addition to Koufax were Martinez (two in the AL and one in the NL), Palmer (all in the AL) and Tom Seaver (all in the NL).

This election marked the 12th time a Dodgers pitcher won the award. In addition to Kershaw and Koufax, Dodgers winners were Don Newcombe, Don Drysdale, Mike Marshall, Fernando Valenzuela, Orel Hershiser and Eric Gagne. No other club has won the award more than seven times.

Kershaw, Cueto and Wainwright were the only pitchers named to every ballot.

Congrats, Clayton!

And now we wait for tomorrow announcement regarding the leagues MVP.

Below is the total vote tally:

Graphic at the very top via @Dodgers on twitter.

UPDATE:  Via a Dodger press release:

 “It is humbling to receive the honor of the National League Cy Young Award again this year,” said Kershaw. “Thank you to the Baseball Writers' Association of America for this acknowledgement of the past season. The significance of this award is not lost on me. I consider it a privilege to even be considered in the same category as Johnny Cueto and Adam Wainwright, two remarkable pitchers and relentless competitors. It seems fitting to share this recognition with my teammates and coaches – I couldn't do my job without their own dedication to excellence in their roles. Today is a special day. To be associated with the men who have won this award before me is something I will not take for granted. But even more, it serves as a reminder that I'm blessed to play the game I love for an organization I greatly admire.”

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“We’re so proud of Clayton as he adds to his historic record of accomplishments and look forward to him continuing it for many years to come,” said Dodger President and CEO Stan Kasten.
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“Clayton Kershaw was the best pitcher in baseball and was most deserving of this honor,” said Dodger Manager Don Mattingly. “He sets a great example for our team with his leadership in the clubhouse, his endless work ethic and his ultra-competitive spirit. On top of being a great athlete, he’s an even greater person in what he does in the community and on behalf of his foundation. There are no negatives to Clayton Kershaw, he’s something special on and off the field.”

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Weekend Autograph Opportunities: NFL Hall of Famer Andre Reed

Here are this weekends autograph opportunities and events throughout the Southland. As always, be sure to check the Blue Heaven Calendar for other events (a link can always be found on the tab at the top of this page, just left of center), and always confirm with the establishment. Everything is subject to change.  Please email me with any tips about upcoming events in Southern California.  As the rest of the week progresses I'll update this post with other events (if there are any) as I become aware of them.  Also, I don't always list every event below, so be sure to check my Calendar.  I always try to favor free signing events over paying events.  Click on any pic to embiggen.

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Hall of Famer wide receiver Andre Reed will be at the office of Dr. Alex C. Liu OD in Rowland Heights for an autograph session.  It will happen on Saturday, November 15th from 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM.  Go here for information.

Dr. Alex C. Liu OD 
19735 E. Colima Rd. 
Rowland Heights, CA 91748

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Blog Kiosk: 11/12/2014 - Dodger Links - Confidence in AJ Ellis

Yasiel Puig sure seems to be enjoyinh himself in Japan.  He is adapting himself to the culture quite well.  Pic above via @DodgersPR on twitter. 

Below are some links to check out:

• The 2015 Spring Training schedule has just been released.  Check out Jon Weisman's post at Dodger Insider for details, here.  The first game is on March 4th and Cactus League play ends on April 1st. 
• Via David Hood at True Blue LA, "Andrew Friedman & the minor leagues."

For their perceived shortcomings in drafting and development, the previous regime has left Friedman with a pretty solid base of young, controllable talent, at least at the top. Given the successes Friedman has had with such talent, and empowered with superior resources to augment this base, it should be worth watching how true he stays to the trends he developed in Tampa Bay.

• Night Owl Cards shares his 1955 copy of Baseball Digest with Don Newcombe on the cover.
• Via Ken Gurnick at MLB.com, "New Dodgers GM Zaidi gives Ellis vote of confidence."

"He's a leader on the team," Zaidi said of Ellis. "He has a relationship with the pitching staff, and we are very mindful of that. Part of this process is to understand the dynamics of the relationships, and he's a big part of the team and the preparation and comfort level of the pitchers."

• Via Nick Diunte at Examiner.com, former Brooklyn Dodgers "Wayne Terwilliger recounts entering the Battle of Saipan in World War II."

“As soon as we got over the reef,” he said, “we were in range of the Japanese, and they started shooting. I started seeing these puffs of water all around us, and it took a second to realize what was causing them. Then we heard small arms fire hitting our tank, and the reality sank in: There were people on that island who wanted us dead.”

• Via William Boor at MLB.com, "Dodgers' Sweeney drives in five to lead Desert Dogs."
• Via Drake Witham at TWC SportsNet LA, "Kershaw stacks up well with those who swept the MVP and Cy Young awards."
• As much as I hate the current situation regarding the Slava Voynov suspension (LA Kings defenseman) for suspicion of domestic violence, I agree with my friend Bobby Scribe at Surly & Scribe, "Dean Lombardi Needs to Sack Up – Slava Should Remain Suspended and No Cap Relief Should be Awarded."

In short, I hold the very unpopular (but objective) opinion that Dean Lombardi can complain all he wants but until the PD and DA confirm they are done and no charges are being filed, Slava should remain suspended and the franchise should bear the consequences of its player’s actions.

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An Early Peak at Dodgers 2015 Promotional Giveaways

As you would suspect, the Dodgers are wasting no time in getting everything ready for the upcoming 2015 Baseball season.  A schedule for the 2015 season has already been announced, as well as, a schedule for the upcoming Spring Training games in Arizona.

Little noticed, though, is that the Dodgers 2015 'Promotion & Giveaways" schedule on their website is also being updated at this very minute.  Via a Hat Tip from Reddit r/Briarsaunt, we find out that various dates have already been filled with potential giveaways.  Go here to check out the Dodgers Giveaway schedule.  

New for the 2015 season will be a series of Cy Young Collectors' Pins.  There will be eight different pin's available; one for each individual Dodger Cy Young winner.  Below is a list with dates:

• Don Newcombe (4/13)
• Don Drysdale (4/27)
• Sandy Koufax (5/14)
• Dr. Mike Marshall (6/18)
• Fernando Valenzuela (8/10)
• Orel Hershiser (8/29)
• Eric Gagne (9/14)
• Clayton Kershaw (9/20)

Clearly, the No-Hitter Pins the Dodgers gave out last season were a big hit with fans.

A 1965 World Series Replica Ring that will be given to fans on the day of the Old-Timers Game (5/16).  Undoubtedly, former players from the '65 club will be in attendance.  There will also be an Hollywood Stars Game (6/6).  Other giveaways include a Garden Gnome (5/25), a Hello Kitty Plush (7/8) and 10 different Bobbleheads.  Unfortunately, it is not known at this time which players will be getting a bobblehead.

BTW, according to Jon Weisman at Dodger Insider, the Garden Gnome to be given out on May 25th will be a Tommy Lasorda Garden Gnome!  Awesome!  I wonder if Andrew Friedman had some influence with this giveaway.  During the 2013 season the Tampa Bay Rays gave away 10,000 Joe Maddon Garden Gnome's and it quickly earned honors as one of the best giveaways of the year throughout Baseball.  Check out a pic of it below.

UPDATE:  Check out a Dodgers press release on their promotional giveaways here.

"Our goal is to continually offer our fans the finest promotional giveaways and events," said Dodger Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer Lon Rosen. "We've put together a lineup featuring new and creative concepts as well as fan-favorite items that have been popular with Dodger fans for many years. We also are bringing back one of our favorite events in the Hollywood Stars game."

NEW ITEMS
New items on the 2015 promotional schedule include: adult replica pullover jacket on April 8 (vs. SD), Tommy Lasorda garden gnome on May 25 (vs. ATL), coaster set on May 27 (vs. ATL), cereal bowl on June 7 (vs. STL), beach bag on June 17 (vs. TEX), Father's Day BBQ set on June 21 (vs. SF), Hello Kitty plush on July 8 (vs. PHI), kids' hamper on July 12 (vs. MIL), spray bottle with fan on August 16 (vs. CIN).

Graphic above via barrysticket.com

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My First Grant Holmes Card for My Collection

I clearly missed out on adding a bunch of affordable Corey Seager autographed cards early in his professional career, so I figured I should get on the bus early to grab some cards of our 2014 1st round draft pick now.  I know it's a gamble, but what the heck, eh?  Check out my first addition in this post.  Featured here is a 2014 Leaf Metal Draft autographed card of Grant Holmes. 

The jury is still out as to whether Holmes will be a front-line starter for the Dodgers in the future, and his stats from his first year in professional ball do not provide a clear indication.  He is promising, though.

Just a couple of weeks after signing his first professional contract in mid-June, Holmes went to work on the mound in the Arizona League for the first time.  He pitched two scoreless innings against Seattle's club; striking out an impressive five batters in two innings of work.  Holmes eventually got into seven rookie level games for the Arizona Dodgers before advancing to the clubs Pioneer League team in Ogden.

Overall, he did well in Arizona. Holmes pitched 30 innings and struck a total of 33 batters.  Furthermore, batters were hitting just .187 against him, so he clearly had a good start.  Grant Holmes has a reputation for having a big mid to high 90's fastball, and early indications are that he was able to use the pitch to overwhelm batters. 

His short Pioneer League stint was not as rosy.  He got into only four games, but got hit hard on a couple of occasions.  Holmes pitched just 18.1 innings; giving up 10 earned runs and 19 hits over that span.  On the bright side, he continued to strike out batters at a healthy clip.  In those 18.1 innings he struck out 25 batters.

Like I said, the jury is still out about Grant Holmes, but you gotta like what we've seen so far.  I've been looking high and low for a current scouting report on him, so once I run across one I'll pass it along.

Below are his career stats, via Baseball Reference:

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Blog Kiosk: 11/11/2014 - Dodger Links - New Dodger Personnel and Kapler's View on Endurance Training

Here is a group photo from yesterday's Frank Robinson Celebrity Golf Invitational at Wilshire Country Club to benefit the Major League Baseball Urban Youth Academy in Compton.   (Photo Credit: Robert Binder/MLB)

In the photo are Frank Robinson, Reggie Jackson, Joe Morgan, Albert Pujols, Chris Dickerson of the Indians, Don Buford, Eric Davis, Kenny Lofton, Gary Matthews, Jr., Bo Porter, Bret Saberhagen,  Dmitri Young, Basketball Hall of Famer Bill Russell, Jerry West, James Worthy, Football Hall of Famer Jim Brown, Boxing Legend Sugar Ray Leonard, actors Carlos Bernard, Benjamin Bratt and Anderson Davis.

Below are some links to check out:

• Does anybody know who this Dodger is?  Bob Lemke shares a bunch of vintage photos featuring ballplayers in Native-American garb; including one pic of a 1950's Dodger prospect named 'Bing' Martin - Bob can't find any information on him.  Check it out here.
• I firmly believe all the 'rumors' about Russell Martin coming to the Dodgers to be a bunch of bunk.  You should not believe a word of it.  His agent is using the Dodger name to drive up the price.  From what I understand, he is seeking a 5-year deal worth $75Mil to $80Mil.  That alone would take us out of the running.  A cost/benefit analysis tells me that signing him would not be worth it.
• Via Mike Oz at Big League Stew, "Tommy Lasorda doesn't think Clayton Kershaw should win NL MVP."
• Via Boston Globe reporter Nick Cafardo on twitter, we have added a couple more folks to the scouting staff:

red sox have lost pro scout Galen Carr and director of player personnel David Finley to the Dodgers.
— Nick Cafardo (@nickcafardo) November 10, 2014

ESPN reporter Mark Saxon throws in another new name to be added to the Dodgers:

Hearing #Dodgers will hire Scott Bream away from the #Tigers to be their pro scouting director
— Mark Saxon (@markasaxon) November 10, 2014

• Via Gabe Kapler on his personal website Kaplifestyle, "Working Smart: Speed and Power."  Gabe suggest that endurance training makes no sense for Baseball players.

While my mentor was correct that strengthening the heart muscle is good for us as human beings, he was off with his assessment that the training makes sense for baseball players. The longest distance we will ever run on a baseball field is 360 feet, perhaps a few more if we factor in angles on the rare inside the park home run. As an outfielder, if I’m manning center field and run from gap to gap, north or south or a combo of the two, my distance will never be longer than 100 feet in any direction. If I was a cross country runner training for a 5 mile race, would I train by sprinting 35 yard blasts? Of course not. So, as baseball players, why do we seek out training that’s actually breaking us down?

Endurance training has also been shown to decrease muscle fiber size, muscle strength, and muscle power, all of which are detrimental to a baseball athlete (4).

Instead, we should be optimizing for speed and power in short bursts.

• I don't know why I found this hilarious.  Matt F. at Heartbreaking Cards of Staggering Genius, "Free's The Finest: Mike Piazza Edition."
• Via Jon Heyman at CBS Sports, "Crawford, Ethier most logical to go as Dodgers try to pare crowed OF."
• The MLB's official historian John Thorn ranks, "Baseball’s 100 Most Important People."

Now, a word about No. 1. It came down to two people—Babe Ruth and Jackie Robinson—who ascended above everyone else for reasons about which you soon will read. But choosing between them for the top spot was an excruciating decision, extending beyond baseball to the United States at large. In fact, it was only after recognizing the breadth of the argument that we finally chose Ruth.

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