Wednesday, January 24, 2018

Blog Kiosk: 1/24/2018 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends


The Dodgers Community Tour yesterday included a special visit by Yasiel Puig at a local McDonald's and Joc Pederson for a doggie 'Meet & Greet.' Per Michael Duerte at NBC Los Angeles:
Puig signed autographs for fans and employees, and posed for pictures throughout the hours that he was there, saying that he couldn't eat too much McDonald's on the day as he was preparing for Spring Training which takes place next month in Glendale, Arizona. 
"For spring training, I can't eat too much McDonald's today," Puig told the employees at the restaurant. "All of my team is at the stadium right now... Practice and be ready for spring training and make a good year and try to win the championship."
Photo above via @Dodgers on twitter. Pic on the right via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2018. Below are more links to check out:
  • This Day in Dodgers HistoryIn 1939 former Dodger Wee Willie Keeler (along with George Sisler and Eddie Collins) are elected into the Baseball Hall of Fame. Keeler famously said, "hit 'em where they ain't." In 1963 the Dodgers acquired Don Zimmer in a trade with the Reds for a minor leaguer.  This is Don's second stint with the team; having originally been signed by them as an amateur in 1949 and rising up their ranks. In 2006 the Dodgers signed free agent reliever and soon-to-be legend Joe Beimel. In 2014 the Dodgers signed free agent utilityman Chone Figgins.
  • Happy Birthday, Jim LindseyNeal Finn & Scott Kazmir!
  • Via Bill Plunkett at the LA Daily News; "Dodger Stadium will feature expanded safety netting for 2018 season."
The Dodgers will be among the growing number of teams adding expanded safety netting to the area behind home plate at their stadium for the 2018 season.
“We will be expanding the netting at our games,” Dodgers president and CEO Stan Kasten confirmed Tuesday. “We have not yet decided on a configuration or materials but we hope to have an announcement before the start of spring training.”
  • Blowout Buzz shares a bunch of preview pics from Topps 2018 Stadium Club Baseball card set; including a look at the Cody Bellinger card seen on the right. Go here to check out more pics. This set is slated to hit stores on June 27th. 
  • Via Thomas Gase at the Times-Herald; "Vallejo High baseball star Joe Thurston heading to Vallejo Sports Hall of Fame."
“The thing I remember about the Dodgers more than anything was that they were first class in everything,” Thurston said. “Love them or hate them, everyone knows about them from either the Brooklyn days or now in Los Angeles. I had a lot of veteran players helping me out like Maury Wills (1962 NL MVP). He taught me to use my speed and hit the ball in the gap and become a good bunter.”
Thurston got his big league call-up in 2002, and his red-eye flight to Houston’s Minute Maid Park also had former Chicago Cubs catcher, David Ross, aboard it. 
“I got called up but didn’t play for a few days,” Thurston said. “Still to be at Minute Maid Park, a major league park? It was like the Grand Canyon. If you haven’t seen it in person it’s not the same. Pictures and movies don’t do it justice. I was walking through the tunnel to see the field and let me tell you, there was no bad grass anywhere. There was no dry spots on that field. It was amazing.”
  • Boo! Per Shalise Manza Young at Big League Stew; "Idiot drives on 'Field of Dreams' site in Iowa, causing significant damage." Bring out the pitchforks! No, seriously... This is screwed up!
  • We are only a week away from the official release of Topps 2018 flagship set, so details will quickly be coming down the pike. We learn today, via Blowout Buzz, that bonus promo packs’ for collectors buying at hobby shops will be given out featuring Chromed 1983 styled Topps cards. This special set highlights its 35th anniversary. Check out the Cody Bellinger card below. Go here to find out more.

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