Friday, December 13, 2019

Blog Kiosk: 12/13/2019 - Dodgers Links & News - Some Odds and Ends


Just three Brooklyn Dodgers' having some fun as they prepare for the 1952 season in Vero Beach (eBay auction link).
Vero Beach, Fla., March 5 -- On the Ball -- Three Brooklyn Dodger batters who accounted for a total of 103 home runs last season set their sights for the 1952 season during Brooklyn training camp session here yesterday. Left to right: Andy Pafko, former Chicago Cubs outfielder who had 30 homers in 1951; first baseman Gil Hodges, who led the Dodgers with 40; and catcher Roy Campanella, who clouted 33 homers.
Below are more links to check out:
  • This Day in Dodgers History: In 1956 the Dodgers tried to do the unthinkable. They announced a trade that would send legendary second baseman Jackie Robinson to the hated NY Giants for pitcher Dick Littlefield and $35,000. It would be voided the next day. Jackie then announce his retirement from the game a few weeks later -- opting instead to start his second career as an executive with Chock Full O'Nuts. In 2001 the Dodgers received Cesar Izturis and Paul Quantril in a trade with Toronto for Chad Ricketts and Luke ProkopecIn 2003 the Dodgers traded Kevin Brown to the Yankees for Brandon Weeden,Yhency Brazoban and Jeff WeaverIn 2005 the Dodgers signed free agent veteran catcher Sandy Alomar. Also, they traded troubled outfielder Milton Bradley and Antonio Perez to the A's for future fan-favorite and Dodger legend Andre Ethier.
  • Happy BirthdayJoe LandrumSteve Wilson, Nate OliverRicky NolascoGeorge ShubaCarl Erskine & Billy Loes! 
  • My Curios Mind: Considering the recent revelation that the Dodgers never made an offer to Anthony Rendon, I have to wonder if those rumors about the Dodgers being interested, in the first place, were true. Maybe -- just maybe -- it was all just a bunch of BS. In other words, the Dodger were never interested to begin with, and all those rumors being spread were always lies. 
  • ICYMI: The Dodgers announced their 2020 coaching staff, and there's really only one new name -- Connor McGuiness, as the assistant pitching coach. Per Rowan Kavner at Dodger Insider -- "Dodgers announce their 2020 Major League coaching staff." You can follow McGuiness  on twitter here: @Cmacniner.
McGuiness, 30, is in his fourth year with the organization and his first year with the Major League staff. He joined the Dodgers in 2017 as the pitching coach for Single-A Great Lakes and worked the last two seasons in the same capacity for High-A Rancho Cucamonga. He joined the Dodgers after serving as a college pitching coach for NCAA D-III Catholic University (2016) and Emory University (2014–2015). In his tenure with the Emory Eagles, he helped lead the team to back-to-back NCAA DIII College World Series, finishing top five in 2015 and runner-up in 2014. He played four years for Emory, going 2–6 with a 6.75 ERA in 41 games for the Eagles.
  • This weeks 2019 Topps Throwback Thursday online exclusive set is a doozy. It features the epic 1979-80 Topps Hockey design (this set includes the Gretzky rookie) and six of the top sluggers in the game. Go here to check it out and order. You can see the Cody Bellinger card on the right.
  • I prefer this kind of sophomoric gossip to the crap we've been fed through the Hot Stove. Via TMZ Sports -- "Dodgers' Joc Pederson Squashes Beef with Nick Turturro... After 'Middle Finger' Incident."
Turturro ran into Joc at Staples Center in L.A. on Tuesday -- where the Kings were playing the NY Rangers -- and the two stars were able to talk things out and make peace!
"I broke bread with Joc Pederson of all people tonight," Nick said ... "We're buddies again!"
  • Per Yonhap News -- "Free agent pitcher Ryu Hyun-jin denies report on preference for West Coast teams."
Earlier in the week, a Minnesota Star Tribune article, citing multiple Twins sources, said Ryu wanted to stay in the West. But speaking to reporters after a local sports awards ceremony in Seoul, Ryu wondered aloud where that came from and added, "I've never once said anything like that."
"No matter where I end up, I'll just try to pitch the best I can," Ryu said.
...
As for reports that the Dodgers are interested in bringing him back, Ryu said, "If the Dodgers wanted to re-sign me, they would have told my agent. I haven't heard from him yet, and honestly, I don't have much to tell you right now."
  • What's that old saying... If at first you don't succeed, try, try again. Per Tom Sunderland at the Bleacher Report -- "LA Dodgers Owner Todd Boehly Considering 2nd Bid for Chelsea FC."
  • As I suspected, Yimi Garcia to sign a Major League deal after being  non-tendered by the Dodgers. Per Jeff Todd at MLB Trade Rumors -- "Marlins To Sign Yimi Garcia."
  • This is a great primer. You can learn just about everything you'd want to know about this new Dodger. Per DodgerChatter at LA Dodger Talk -- "Meet Casey Crosby."
During his two years away from the game, he spent time with his family, worked in a bank and finished a college degree in accounting at Northern Illinois. Although he didn’t watch any regular season baseball, he did tune in to the 2016 World Series as he and his wife Haley had grown up Cub fans. “I watched those games and couldn’t take my eyes off it,” he said.  Although he remembered all too well the pain the game had inflicted on his arm, Casey Crosby again had an itch that needed to be scratched. He opted to try to catch on with an independent team so he could be close to home to finish his degree.
He took a new approach to the game in preparation for another try at mission impossible. His wife took the next step, researching a diet that was designed to naturally help reduce inflammation. 
“Gluten-free, no more dairy, red meat, and a lot less processed sugars,” he said. “No cheese and cheese comes with everything. Now, it’s mainly chicken and pork. Fish is OK, too, but a lot of it is too light for me.”

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

No comments:

Post a Comment

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...