A Look at Players Weekend Uni's and Dodger Nicknames

Later this month (Aug. 23-25) MLB will once again host a Players' Weekend that will feature sleek new uniforms for all, more social media presence than ever before, player nicknames, and custom designs for various pieces of equipment -- including spikes, batting gloves, bats, and catcher’s gear. Featured here is a peek at the uniforms, and as you can see they've gone decidedly minimalistic this season. Instead of the flashy colors like in years past, they've chosen monochromatic all-black or all-white uniforms. Per Chris Cwik at Yahoo Sports:

The colorful uniforms are gone, but there’s a reason for that. Making the new uniforms monochromatic was done to draw more attention to the custom equipment and accessories designed by the players. Bryce Harper’s colorful shoes — which we’re going to assume are coming — will stand out quite a bit if his entire uniform is black.

Blog Kiosk: 8/6/2019 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

"Help is on the way."

While some complained that the Dodgers didn't do enough to grab a reliever before the trade deadline, others realized that there's Major League-ready talent in the minors itching to show their worth. We recently witnessed the potential of Dustin May, and last night we got a good look at another. Tony Gonsolin made his second career start yesterday and proceeded to blank the Cardinals for six innings. Per Rowan Kavner at Dodger Insider:

In a seemingly never-ending line of standout Dodger rookies, Gonsolin has stood out for his precision. 

“I think Tony walked his first guy tonight in his three outings,” said Justin Turner, who recorded two hits and knocked in a run. “That’s something we talked about around the clubhouse — he makes guys earn it.”

Photo above via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2019 at Dodger Insider. Go here to check out more pics from yesterdays game. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1908 St. Louis Cardinals hurler Johnny Lush throws a six-inning no-hitter to beat the Dodgers, 2-0. The game was halted due to rain, but still deemed an official game. In 1961 Muary Wills hit his first career home run when he hit a fourth inning solo homer off Cubs pitcher Jack Curtis to give the Dodgers a 5-1 lead. It only took 1,167 at-bats to hit his first dinger. (boxscore) In 1981, after a seven-week strike, a split-season format is approved by the players; such that the Yankees, A's, Phillies and Dodgers are declared the first-half champions of their respective divisions. They all would then qualify for the divisional series at the end of the season. In 2009 Andre Ethier hit his fifth walk-off hit of the season when he walloped a three-run home run against Braves closer Rafael Soriano to give the Dodgers a 5-4 victory.
• Happy Birthday, Clem Labine, Andy Messersmith & Ron Davis!

2019 Topps Now -- #619, #621, #627 & #633 -- Dodgers Weekend Bounty

You know you've had a fantastic weekend when four different Topps Now cards are issued to celebrate and memorialize your games. Unfortunately, I had failed to write about any of them, so I'll make up for that now by highlighting them here. Overall, three of the four cards are now sold out -- with only the Max Muncy card shown above being available right now. Go here to check it out and order.

As you may know, last night Max Muncy hit a line-drive walk-off double down the right field line to knock in two runs during the ninth inning to defeat the Padres. Per Ken Gurnick at MLB.com:

Blog Kiosk: 8/5/2019 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

No truer words have ever been sent. Per Rowan Kavner at Dodger Insider:

“We’re never out of it,” said Alex Verdugo, who scored one of two runs on Max Muncy’s walk-off double. “For everybody watching, too, don’t leave early. At the end of the day, we can do something special any given moment.”

The Dodgers won last nights game, 11-10, on a walk-off double by Max Muncy to drive in Corey Seager. Photo above via Josh Barber/Los Angeles Dodgers 2019 at Dodger Insider. Go here to check out more pics from last nights game. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1969 Pirates Hall of Famer Willie Stargell becomes the first ballplayer to hit a home run out of Dodger Stadium. He hit the solo shot to the right field pavilion off of Dodgers' right-handed reliever Alan Foster in the 7th inning give Pittsburgh a 4-3 lead. It is estimated to have gone 512-feet. The Pirates would win the game, 11-3. In 1974 Alex Stein, along with his best mate Ashley Whippet, got onto the Dodger Stadium field prior to the start of the ninth inning, and started an unapproved and yet spectacular Frisbee toss and catch routine. It wows the crowd and is credited with starting a Frisbee crazy in the country. BTW, Ashley is a dog. Stein would eventually be arrested for trespassing, but the incident would lead to them performing at the White House and a Super Bowl. Jon Weisman at Dodger Insider wrote all about it here. In 1979 Don Sutton struck out six Giants' batters to become the Dodgers' All-Time strikeout leader with 2,487. He surpassed Don Drysdale. 
• Happy Birthday, John Hale, Carl Crawford & Tim Federowicz!

Cardinals Series Starts Monday - Stadium Giveaways, Pregame Info and Other Stuff!

The next homestand starts on Monday against the St. Louis Cardinals. Below are some odds and ends for this upcoming homestand. I will update this should new and updated information become available. Here are some important links:

• 2019 Broadcast Schedule
• Parking Information 

• Special Events Schedule

• Promotions & Giveaways Schedule

• Silent Auction Schedule 

• Friday Night Fireworks Schedule 

• Dodger Stadium Parking / Transportation 

• Dodger Stadium Express / LA Metro  

Please note that the Dodgers are embarking on a new culinary experience at the stadium. Fans can find the LA Feeds Blue Chef Series located in the right field plaza that will feature a special Chef Series pop-up concession stand. This homestand will feature foods from Park’s BBQ. More information is available at the bottom of this post.

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Monday, August 5th at 7:10 PM

Tony Gonsolin vs Michael Wacha

TV: SportsNet LA, SNLA Spanish

Radio: AM 570 LA Sports, KTNQ 1020

2019 Topps Now - #617 - Kershaw Passes Koufax

The newest Dodgers' 2019 Topps Now card makes note of Clayton Kerashaw's recent strikeout feat. Last night he recorded his 2,397th strikeout to surpass Dodger legend Sandy Koufax on the Dodgers' all-time strikeout list -- only Don Sutton and Don Drysdale have more. Go here to check it out and order. Per Rowan Kavner at Dodger Insider:

“I heard the crowd, but I was a little bit frustrated at myself at the time,” Kershaw said. “But after the game, I have the ball right here. It was really cool. I don’t know what to say other than it’s a special thing.”

Per the descriptor on the reverse:

Clayton Kershaw passed sandy Koufax for the most strikeouts by a left-handed pitcher in Lo Angeles Dodgers history when he retired the 2,397th batter of his career on strikes. Kershaw's milestone came in a solid performance, during which the left-hander struck out five and allowed just two runs over six frames.

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