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Monday, June 23, 2014

Kershaw is the National League Player of the Week - Several New Blue Heaven Fantasy Cards


This is really no surprise.  After all, if you throw a no-hitter you are probably going to be honored by the league with Player of the Week honors. 

In honor of his incredible feat and subsequent honor as the player of the week, I made several Clayton Kersahw fantasy cards featuring photos taken by Jon SooHoo during his no-hit game. 

Via a Dodger press release:
Starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw of the Los Angeles Dodgers, who threw his first career no-hitter on Wednesday, June 18, has been named National League Player of the Week for the period ending June 22. The announcement was made earlier today on MLB Network.

Kershaw was unhittable in his only start of the week, leading the Dodgers to an 8-0 victory and completing a three-game sweep of the Colorado Rockies at Dodger Stadium. Facing the best-hitting team in the Majors, the three-time N.L. All-Star needed just 107 pitches (79 strikes) in 9.0 innings of work to earn his first career no-hitter and to improve to 7-2 on the season. Kershaw faced just one batter over the minimum in the outing and did not issue a walk, while fanning 15 Rockies hitters. The only batter to reach base did so by way of an error to lead off the seventh inning. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, his 15 strikeouts were the most in Major League history by a pitcher that did not allow a runner to reach base via hit, walk or hit-by-pitch. The previous mark of 14 strikeouts in such a performance was shared by Nap Rucker (September 5, 1908), Sandy Koufax (September 9, 1965) and Matt Cain (June 13, 2012). In addition, the 15 strikeouts were tied for third-most overall in a no-hitter, and tied for the most by a left-hander, matching Hall of Famer Warren Spahn (15 on September 16, 1960). Kershaw's performance was the 22nd no-hitter in Dodger franchise history, which is the most by any Major League club. It came just 24 days after his teammate Josh Beckett threw his first career no-hitter (May 25 vs. PHI), marking the shortest span between no-hitters by a team since Cincinnati's Johnny Vander Meer did it in consecutive starts on June 11 and 15, 1938 (Elias Sports Bureau). With the no-hitter, Kershaw saw his ERA dip to 2.52 (18 ER/64.1 IF) for the season. This is his fourth career Player of the Week honor, having previously won April 1-7, 2013; May 14-20, 2012; and June 20-26, 2011.

Other noteworthy performances last week included Kershaw's Dodger teammate Hyun-Jin Ryu (2-0, 1.50 ERA, 8 SO, 12.0 IP); Colorado's Corey Dickerson (.500, 11 H, 2 HR, 6 RBI, .955 SLG, .522 OBP); Atlanta's Freddie Freeman (.394, 13 H, 4 2B, HR, .667 SLG, .412 OBP); Philadelphia's Ryan Howard (.345, 6 R, 10 H, 3 HR, 9 RBI, .690 SLG, .441 OBP); Milwaukee's Aramis Ramirez (.500, 9 R, 14 H, 4 2B, 3 HR, 10 RBI, .964 SLG, .517 OBP); David Wright (.444, 2 HR, 6 RBI, .815 SLG, .448 OBP) and Zack Wheeler (1-0, 0.00 ERA, CG, SHO, 8 SO, 9.0 IP) of the New York Mets; and Washington's Rafael Soriano (0-0, 1.50 ERA, 4 SV, 6 SO, 5.0 IP).

In recognition of his National League Player of the Week Award, Clayton Kershaw will be awarded a watch, courtesy of Game Time, the leader in licensed sports watches, available at MLB.com.

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* Dodgers Blue Heaven home page *

A Look Back at the 1981 Dodgers World Championship Season Through a Record Narrated by Vin Scully


I don't know you, but I want to say thanks!  Rusty Brewer, thank you for taking the time to put this out.

As you likely know, over the years the Dodgers have put out numerous records for fans to enjoy - most notably several 6 inch records released through Union Oil in the 1960's.  One record in particular, though, has always intrigued me.

Following the Dodgers 1981 World Series they released the above record.  It features Vin Scully retelling the magic of the season... from Fernando's Opening Day start... to the impact of the Dodgers 10th man... to the final out of the World Series...  And, until a couple of weeks ago I had never heard it in its entirety.

Now, thanks to Rusty Brewer that is no longer true. 

Take a seat, put your feet up and listen to the magic of 1981 all over again.

Side 1 - Part 1 of 3

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Side 1 - Part 2 of 3

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Side 1 - Part 3 of 3

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Here is Side 2 of the LP.  BTW, the photo at the very bottom is the backside of the record.

Side 2 - Part 1 of 3

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Side 2 - Part 2 of 3

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Side 2 - Part 3 of 3

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(The backside of the LP)

* Please follow on twitter @ernestreyes *
* Dodgers Blue Heaven home page *

Blog Kiosk: 6/23/2014 - Dodger Links - Uribe Extends Rehab, Fixing Jansen and Beckett's Rebirth


Hyun-Jin Ryu was masterful yesterday afternoon in San Diego; going 6 strong innings in a 2 to 1 win over the Padres.  Thankfully, the bullpen didn't let us down in the later innings.  Pic above via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2014Go here to see more pics from San Diego.
"He wanted a few more at-bats," manager Don Mattingly said on Sunday before the series finale against the Padres. "He got some results hit-wise, but he wasn't comfortable."
“He’s gotta get his release point a little bit better, so the ball has that cutting action,” (Rick) Honeycutt said. “His hand has been a little bit late at times. It’s usually a timing issue for him.”
“I wanted to compete. That was part of what I missed,” Beckett said. “When I came back for those playoff games, I missed the way the guys competed. I wasn’t expecting to go out there and throw the ball the way that I probably have, but I think some of the adjustments I’ve made have been a big key.” 
"I'll try to spread it out," said Mattingly, who generally uses games with the DH to give veterans a breather from defense while keeping their bat in the lineup, rather than a complete game off.

* Please follow on twitter @ernestreyes *
* Dodgers Blue Heaven home page *