Blog Kiosk: 11/14/2015 - Dodger Links - Cricket, Scully and the Manager Search Narrowing

Here's a look at where the wicket is placed on the pitch at Dodger Stadium.  Pic above tweeted by Nick @njmiller4.  The Cricket All-Stars match is tonight at 6:30 PM and you can go here for ticket information.

Young Ryan hitting @ShaneWarne for 6 during his @MasterCard #pricelesssurprises experience pic.twitter.com/8ASmup9S66

— Cricket All Stars (@T20AllStars) November 13, 2015

Below are more links to check out:

• You should watch this.  Via CBS, "Exclusive Interview: Jim Hill Sits Down With Vin And Sandy Scully."

“What we did Jim, really, in trying to be fair, believe it or not, one of the guidelines for us was ‘The Brady Bunch’ on television,” Scully said. “Not so much for Sandy and me, but for our children, because they would watch ‘The Brady Bunch’, they would relate to that situation of families melding together.”

• The search for a new Dodger manager is narrowing.  Via Jim Bowden at ESPN Insider, "Dodgers narrow managerial search to four candidates."

The Los Angeles Dodgers have interviewed nine candidates for their managerial opening and are going to bring back four of them as finalists next week. The four will come from the following five candidates: Bud Black, Darrin Erstad, Gabe Kapler, Kirk Gibson and Dave Roberts. The rest of the field is no longer in contention, according to sources familiar with the search.

JP Hoornstra at Inside the Dodgers has a different take:

One source told me that three candidates, not four, will get second interviews, and that one of the three might not be from the group of five ESPN reported. So we’ll see. The Dodgers aren’t confirming a specific number of second-interview candidates yet. 

• Wow. Via Owen Watson at FanGraphs, "The 2015 Rookie Class Was the Best in 100 Years."
• LOL!  I guess no one loves Chris Denorfia.  Via Steven Luke at NBC San Diego, "600 Padres Bobbleheads Mysteriously Left Near Local Residents' Doorstep." 

“We thought it was from a drug cartel or something,” echoed roommate Jalena Lau. “But when we went through them, they were just regular bobbleheads."

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Brett Anderson to Stay Blue - Accepts Qualifying Offer

Dodger starter Brett Anderson had a decision to make.  Will he stay or will he go.

Now we have an answer.  According to a tweet by Buster Olney, he has decided to stay a Dodger:

Brett Anderson accepted the Dodgers' qualifying offer.

— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) November 13, 2015

What this means is that Brett Anderson will continue pitching for the club in 2016 for a salary of $15,800,000.00.  Via Jon Weisman at Dodger Insider:

Anderson, who turns 28 just before Spring Training, set a career high in innings (180 1/3) this year and had his best season since 2009, with a 3.69 ERA, a career-high 18 quality starts and an MLB-leading 66.3 percent groundball rate.

I gotta say that I'm happy to have him back.  He had a good season, and figures on being an important cog in the Dodger rotation next year.

BTW, Anderson commented just a moment ago on twitter about his decision:

Here's to being back in Dodger Blue for at least another year.

— Brett Anderson (@BrettAnderson35) November 13, 2015

And teammate Justin Turner welcomed him back:

@BrettAnderson35 And to playing 10 feet in front of the baseline all year #NoMoreSwingingBunts Glad to have you back buddy! #LA

— Justin Turner (@redturn2) November 13, 2015

In celebration of his decision to stay with the club I made the above fantasy card of him.  The photograph was taken by Dodger photographer Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2015 and I used both the 1972 Topps Baseball card designs.

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Blog Kiosk: 11/13/2015 - Dodger Links - Gordon, Ryu and Cricket at Dodger Stadium

Who are these bloke's in the photo above?

They are the international cricket all-stars who are scheduled to play an exhibition game at Dodger Stadium tomorrow evening.  Via David Wharton at the LA Times:

The Cricket All-Stars tour features 29 of the best players from the past two decades, with a roster including renowned batsman Brian Lara of Trinidad and Tobago and bowlers Wasim Akram of Pakistan and Glenn McGrath of Australia.

Warne, famed for his bowling skills, has come out of retirement to be one of the captains. Tendulkar has done likewise after a career that saw him help India to the 2011 World Cup and become the only player to complete 30,000 runs in international competition.

In other words, many of these guys are a big deal in the sport.  I don't know much about the game (except that matches can go on for days), but have always been fascinated by it.  After all, cricket is kind of like Baseball's long lost cousin from across the pond.  Go here to get tickets.

One other thing, why have I not seen any pics of what Dodger Stadium looks like as a cricket field?  I've search high and low online and I can't find a thing.  What's the deal with that?  Will someone please take some pics and post them online.

Photo above via Sachin Tendulkar on twitter.  Below are more links to check out:

• Wow!  Dee Gordon has had a fantastic winter so far.  Not only did he end the season as the batting crown and stolen base winner, but he also took home the gold glove and silver slugger awards.  Congrats!  We may yet rue the day we gave up on his promise.  I also think it's fair to say that the Marlins are coming out smelling like roses on that trade right now.  Of course, we've yet to truly see the promise of Hernandez, Barnes, Hatcher and a future draft pick (assuming Kendrick goes elsewhere).  Still, Gordon's break-out does make me wonder what could have been.

Thank you Franklin Stubbs and Gene Clines for spending countless hours working with me in 2014 so I could hone my skills.

— Dee Gordon (@FlashGJr) November 13, 2015

• Via Dylan Hernandez at the LA Times, "Dodgers GM Farhan Zaidi reflects on trade of Dee Gordon to Marlins."

I would say he exceeded our expectations," Zaidi said. "I think he exceeded everybody's expectations. That's a testament to him and his work ethic and his ability to improve. There were definitely people in our organization that felt like he had shown that ability to improve."

• Congrats!  Via Jon Weisman at Dodger Insider, "Maury Wills to receive lifetime honor at scouts dinner."
• Via Scott Pratt at RotoGraphs, "Justin Turner, The Forgotten Dodgers Star."

When the Dodgers traded Juan Uribe on May 27, long-time super utility player Justin Turner finally became a full-time starter. In the months since, Turner’s performance earned him praise, including from Dave Cameron on JABO, but it didn’t quite click for me just how good Turner had been until I looked at his offensive numbers from the past two seasons. Among hitters with at least 500 plate appearances since 2014, Turner has the 11th-best wRC+ (148), just behind Anthony Rizzo and ahead of players including Nelson Cruz, Jose Abreu, Michael Brantley, and the likely first selected fantasy third baseman in 2016 drafts, Josh Donaldson.

• This is great news.  Via Brian Han at the Korea Times, "A new Ryu: Dodgers’ pitcher slimmer, stronger returning from surgery."

“He has been speeding up his rehab,” it wrote in a Thursday press release. “He’s been working really hard. On behalf of the player, we’d like to thank the fans for supporting him through his recovery so far. He hasn’t been down on himself, and things have gone well.”

Furthermore, U.S. agent Scott Boras told reporters that he has been throwing long toss from 90 feet and “should be ready to go for spring training.”

• Robot Chicken presents Steve Aoki as the newest Dodger pitcher.  (Hat Tip: u/dablumoon on reddit)

Video Link:

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2015 Panini Contenders Baseball - The Dodger Base Cards

Panini America has been making fine use of the Team USA and Collegiate licenses.  They recently put out their Stars & Stripes and Collegiate box sets, and now they have released their Contenders Baseball card set.  It features players (both old and new) in either their university or Team USA garb.  Check out a complete checklist here.

Several of the Dodgers' top prospects are featured; including Seager, Urias, Buehler and Pfeifer.  Check out the base cards below.  Of special note, former Dodger outfielder Frank Howard and hitting coach Mark McGwire are shown in their alumni uniforms.  I'm hopeful that I correctly identified all the Dodger prospects in this set (since they only make mention of their college), but if I missed anyone please let me know.  I should have pics of the Dodger inserts and autographed cards in the next few days.

Base Season Tickets

#2 Corey Seager                                   #41 Frank Howard

Blog Kiosk: 11/12/2015 - Dodger Links - Meet Joe Davis and the Largest Karros Collection in the World

Do you know who this fellow is?

Yeah, neither do I.

Featured above is a vintage 1934 AP Press Photo taken during Spring Training of a 28-year old pitcher trying to make a career out of the game.  His name is Phil Page, and he did make the Dodgers roster to start the season.  Unfortunately, his stint was short. Page got into six games for Brooklyn, but yielded thirteen hits and seven runs in ten innings pitched out of the bullpen.  He would never pitch in the Major Leagues again.

What I love about the photo isn't the hopeful yet fearful stare of a young man still confident in his abilities, but knowing at the same time that he must make his mark is now.  What I love is that fantastic Dodger uniform.  It's a beaut. 

There are red stripes all around the Brooklyn name, collars and short-sleeves, and I imagine they provided a stunning accent to the jersey.  I bet the Brooklyn name just "popped."  It must have been a sight to see these.  They didn't actually wear this pinstriped jersey until the following season - 1935.  Apparently, they decided to debut it during their spring sessions in Florida in 1934. 

The above pic was found on eBay.  Check out the auction here.  Below are more links to check out:

• The Dodgers have added a new broadcaster to their roster - Joe Davis.  You can follow Joe on twitter here: @Joe_Davis.  Jon Weisman at Dodger insider pens a great biography on him here; including a video reel of some of his work with FoxSports.  Per a Dodger press release.  

Davis, 27, is one of the most impressive young broadcasting talents on the national scene, having called Major League Baseball, college football and college basketball for FOX Sports.   Davis will call 50 road television games on SportsNet LA with Orel Hershiser, Nomar Garciaparra and Alanna Rizzo next season.  Davis will be joining Hall of Famer Vin Scully, who will return for his 67th season. Charley Steiner will handle the television play-by-play for the remaining road television games and when he isn’t doing television, Steiner will team with Rick Monday to handle the Dodgers’ radio broadcasts on AM 570 LA Sports Radio.

“I’m so honored to have this opportunity,” said Davis.  “With such a deep, storied history, the Dodgers are one of the great organizations in all of sports.  I’m looking forward to being a part of the fantastic crew already in place, and can’t wait to work with Vin, Orel, Nomar, Charley, Rick and Alanna.” 

• BTW, Steve Dilbeck at the LA Times wonders aloud: "Did Dodgers just name Vin Scully's heir apparent with Joe Davis hire?"  Talk about pressure, eh?  I think it's best to say that this is more of a tryout for a guy who appears to be well regarded.
• Via Dylan Hernandez at the LA Times, "Justin Turner's knee surgery included microfracture procedure."
• David Hood at True Blue LA takes a look at, "Dodgers top 2016 prospects: No. 26-30."
• Via Make Gameday Everyday, "Changes in MLB attendance by team in 2015 vs. 2014."  There is a nice graphic showing how attendance changed team by team.
• Reliever Darren O'Day appears to be the guy being bandied about as the next potential Dodger free agent signing, via Jerry Crasnick on twitter:

The #Dodgers are showing significant interest in free agent reliever Darren O'Day, according to an MLB source.

— Jerry Crasnick (@jcrasnick) November 11, 2015

Scott Andes at LA Dodger Talk puts together a nice review on who he is, here.

• Ha!  Via Night Owl Cards, "What 868 Eric Karros cards from 1992 Upper Deck looks like."  He tells us all about how he came to be in possession of the largest stash of Karros rookie cards in the world.

I believe I now have an order of protection level of Eric Karros rookie cards. pic.twitter.com/CkpGUb6yWU

— NightOwlCards (@nightowlcards) November 6, 2015

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UPDATED! Weekend Autograph Opportunities: Garvey, Leary, Grant and JT Snow in Anaheim

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.

BTW, there is suppose to be a Dodger Nation Celebration at Iguana's Bar in Pico Rivera on Saturday, and am awaiting confirmation of the autograph guest scheduled to appear.  Go here for information.  At last report, Jay Johnstone, Mudcat Grant, Rudy Law and Tim Leary were scheduled to appear, and I have no reason to believe that has changed.  There may possibly be another guest showing up, as well.  Stay tuned!  As soon as I hear more I'll update this post.

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Former Angel first baseman JT Snow will be signing autographs this coming Saturday, November 14th at the new OC Dugout location near Anaheim Stadium from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM.  Go here for more information. 

OC Dugout
1515 S. Sunkist St., Ste. G 
Anaheim, CA 92806

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Steve Garvey is scheduled to appear at the new Sports Authority store in Rolling Hills Estates.  An article about it was published in the Daily Breeze, here.

Shoppers will have a chance to win gift cards and meet former Los Angeles Dodgers player Steve Garvey at the grand opening next weekend of a new Sports Authority in the Peninsula Center in Rolling Hills Estates.

Beginning at 8 a.m. on Nov. 14, the first 50 shoppers in line will receive $20 Sports Authority cash cards and the next 50 will receive $10 cash cards, the store said. Garvey, an MLB great and motivational speaker, will make an appearance at the store from 3-4:30 p.m.

Sports Authority
51B Peninsula Ctr
Rolling Hills Estates , CA 90274
Phone: (310) 377-0418

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Both Tim Leary and Jim "Mudcat" Grant will be signing autographs at Bobblemania Saturday evening.  Go here for information.  This was the even originally scheduled at Iguana's Bar in Pico Rivera, but has moved.   

4pm to 6pm - JIM 'MUDCAT' GRANT
Autograph + Photo-Op = Only 15.00

5pm to 7pm - TIM LEARY - 88 Champion!
Autograph + Photo-Op = Only $10.00

Bobblemania
2334 S. Atlantic Blvd., Suite A
Monterey Park, CA 91754

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