Blog Kiosk: 8/13/2018 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

You never want to lose a game on a walk-off walk. Never! Per Anne Rogers at MLB.com:

"You're not going to lie about it, it is a blow," starting pitcher Rich Hill said. "You have to regroup. We're going back home to play the Giants, who is another team that's right there. The thing is, you just learn from the mistakes we made here. I know things I have to tighten up. Obviously, this is going to be a tough race all the way down to the finish."

Photo above of Rich Hill via Matt Kelley/MLB.com at Dodger Insider. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1910 the Dodgers and Pirates play the second game of a double-header to an 8-8 tie. Even more remarkable is that it includes a boxscore where each team had 38 at-bats, 13 hits, 12 assists, 2 errors, 5 strike outs, 3 walks, 1 hit batsman and 1 passed ball. This game was a tie in nearly every respect. In 1951 the Brooklyn Dodgers held Musical Depreciation Night; where any fan who shows up with an instrument is given free admittance. Approximately 10% of the crowd, 2,423 fans, participate. In 1982 Steve Sax set a team franchise record for stolen bases by a rookie at 41. In 2007 Nomar Garciaparra, for the first time in his career, is thrown out of a game, and had to be restrained by coach Mariano Duncan. Umpire Tom Hallion tossed him for arguing a called third strike.
• Happy Birthday, Fielder Jones, Kemp Wicker, Wes Flowers, Mudcat Grant, Tom Niedenfuer, Dennis Powell, Tom Prince, Will Ohman & Scott Elbert!

Blog Kiosk: 8/16/2017 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Last night, the Blue Crew held off the White Sox until the inevitable rally began. Per Cary Osborne at Dodger Insider:

“Kind of a weird night,” Wood said. “I didn’t feel like I had my best stuff. We made some (good) pitches. It’s a kind of an interesting dynamic became they’re one of the most aggressive teams in all of baseball, so it was a lot more of my secondary stuff, and I feel like we were able to command that for the most part and made some pitches and they put the ball on the ground and in the air. … I just had to hold us in there till we got that offensive explosion.”

Soon, a bases loaded hit-by-pitch drives in the go-ahead run and opened a floodgate that eventually lead to four more runs crossing the plate.

Oh... And we're 50 games over .500... Let that sink in for a bit...

Pic above via SportsNet LA on twitter. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1950 Giants third baseman Hank Thompson hit two inside-the-park home runs off Dodger pitchers Don Bankhead and Carl Erskine at the Polo Grounds. Brooklyn got pummelled 16-7. In 1964 Cardinals great Curt Flood recorded eight consecutive hits against the Dodgers during a doubleheader in Los Angeles; including four hit against Sandy Koufax. Unfortunately, Koufax injured his elbow while on the basepaths and would not pitch again this season. In 1988 the Dodgers traded fan favorite Pedro Guerrero to the Cardinals for starting pitcher John Tudor. This move would prove to be an impactful one. I nine starts Tudor would solidify the rotation by going 4-3 with an 2.41 ERA and 3.36 FIP.
• Happy Birthday, Hub Northen, Billy Rhiel, Roger Cedeno & Yu Darvish!

2017 Topps Series 1 Baseball - All the Dodgers Base Cards

For fans like myself today is the official start of the 2017 Baseball season.  I say this because fans and Baseball card collectors alike can now go to their favorite store to get packs of Topps flagship set.  Officially released today is the 2017 Topps Series 1 Baseball set.  Go here for a complete checklist.

For this first series thirteen Dodger players are represented; including superstars Corey Seager and Clayton Kershaw.  The set also includes several players in Dodger uniforms who have since moved on to other teams -- Howie Kendrick, Carlos Ruiz, Josh Reddick and Jose De Leon.  Also, Chase Utley is available in Dodger Blue (he has yet to decide where he'll be playing this season).  Check them all out below.  I've included pics of both the front and reverse (with exception of the Chris Hatcher card).

As I'm sure you've noticed, for the first time since 1971 Topps does not include full career statistics for each player on the reverse.  But is does include social media information for each player (apparently, that's more important).

Base Cards

#5 Corey Seager

#50 Clayton Kershaw

Blog Kiosk: 12/2/2016 - Dodgers Links: Some Odds and Ends

Dodger Stadium now has a new attraction to draw you in this winter.  Starting today and most weekends til early March is a pop-up museum highlighting Dodger history through memorabilia from the National Baseball Hall of Fame, the renowned collection of Gary Cypres and the Dodgers own archives.  Go here for more information.  Admission is $10 per person.

In the photo above, via @Dodgers on twitter, Steve Garvey is shown holding up the uniform of his boyhood idol, Gil Hodges.  Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History:  In 1981 Fernando Valenzuela is named the NL Rookie of the Year.  He becomes the third consecutive Dodger to win the award -- following Steve Howe (1980) and Rick Sutcliffe (1979).
• Happy Birthday, Chip Hale & Peter Moylan!

Blog Kiosk: 7/21/2016 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

In honor of his pending induction this weekend I made a couple of custom fantasy Baseball cards last night featuring Mike Piazza in a old Albuquerque Dukes uniform.  I used photos recently shared by Bay Area freelance photographer Brad Mangin the other day.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodger History:  In 1956 Junior Gilliam sets a major league record by handling 12 assists at second base. Also on this day, Pee Wee Reese recorded his 2,000th career hit.
  

Blog Kiosk: 4/16/2016 - Dodgers Links - Anderson, Holmes and JackieRobinson

Above is just some of the gear worn by players during yesterday's Jackie Robinson Day Baseball games.  At top left is Jason Heyward's Nike's (Link Here).  To its right is Curtis Granderson's New Balance shoes (Link Here).  Below left is the Justin Upton's Addidas (Link Here).  To its right is the shoes worn by CC Sabathia (Link Here).

Below are more links to check out:

• Video: Backstage: Puig Explores San Francisco - While in town to play the San Francisco Giants, Yasiel Puig made time to explore the City by the Bay. (Link Here)
• Audio: Listen to Vin Scully on His Decision to Retire After 67 Seasons with Ryan Seacrest.  (Link Here)

Blog Kiosk: 4/15/2016 - Dodgers Links - Scully, Maeda and Jackie Robinson Day

Today is Jackie Robinson Day.  Naturally, I had to find a photo of Jackie to share here, and I think I found the perfect one.  Featured above are two young kids, Jackie and wife Rachel, having a dance in Puerto Rico in 1950.  I'm unsure of the circumstances surrounding the photograph.  Pic via Jorge Colon-Delgado in twitter.

BTW, Dave Roberts had this to say about today, via Doug Padilla at ESPN:

“[Newcombe] was his roommate,” Roberts said. “As much as [Newcombe] wants to talk about Jackie and his story, and what he went through, and Maury [Wills] sharing stories, Manny Mota, I’ll listen. Just to be back in a Dodgers uniform and in this capacity, to have these guys who I have known for a decade and sometimes even hear the same stories, that’s what’s great about it. It’s like it’s the first time I’ve ever heard them. But [Friday] will be a special day for sure.”

Below are more links to check out:

• Why I love Vin Scully.  Via Mike Oz at Big League Stew, "Listen up, Vin Scully is about to school you on the number 13."

Dodgers Notes from Spring Training: Spring Game 28/Home Game 14

Throughout Spring Training the Dodgers PR department sends out helpful daily notes from Camelback Ranch, and I am happy to pass them along.  See what they've written below.

------------------

Texas Rangers (16-11-1) at LOS ANGELES DODGERS (12-12-3)
Monday, March 28, 2016 – 7:05 p.m. PT | Camelback Ranch - Glendale
LHP Derek Holland (3-1, 2.65) vs. LHP Alex Wood (0-2, 6.00)
TV: SNLA Radio: None

------------------

(Gonzo and Joc, pic via Joc on twitter)

THE FINAL SPRINT: The Dodgers take on the Rangers in the second-to-last home date at Camelback Ranch this spring and the club’s final night game in Arizona. The Dodgers and Rangers tied, 3-3, all the way back on March 4 in Surprise. Following tonight’s contest, the Dodgers have two games left in the Phoenix area prior to the Freeway Series, which begins Thursday night at Dodger Stadium.

• Opening Day, April 4 against the Padres in San Diego, is just one week away!

Blog Kiosk: 3/23/2016 - Dodgers Links - Kershaw, Maeda and Burglars Caught at Dodger Stadium

On this #NationalPuppyDay Dodgers super-utility man Kiké Hernandez recently shared a pic of his new puppy named Arizona Hernandez.  Photo above via Kiké's twitter. BTW, Arizona has his very own Instagram account.  Check it out here: azhndezminigoldendoodle.

Below are more links to check out:

• Dodgers injuries continue to mount.  Yesterday we find out that Andre Ethier will be out for up to three months, via Jon Weisman at Dodger Insider: "Andre Ethier to miss 10-14 weeks with fracture."  Then word spread that the recently crowned #5 starter Mike Bolsinger would now not be ready for the start of the season, via a tweet from Andy McCullough.  Fortunately, we have someone waiting in the wings.  This provides an opening for Zach Lee to make the rotation out of Spring Training.  Furthermore, now there are worries that Yasmani Grandal is hurting, via another Andy McCullough tweet:

Yasmani Grandal is going to get tests on his forearm. Dave Roberts said his continued discomfort is "disconcerting."

— Andy McCullough (@McCulloughTimes) March 22, 2016

• Via Tom Ley at Deadspin, "Clayton Kershaw Posed For Pictures With The People Who Rear-Ended Him."  I guess this is one way to get an autograph.  Ha!

Dodgers Notes from Spring Training: Spring Game 8/Road Game 5

Throughout Spring Training the Dodgers PR department sends out helpful daily notes from Camelback Ranch, and I am happy to pass them along.  See what they've written below.

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LOS ANGELES DODGERS (4-1-2) at Oakland Athletics (4-3-1)
Thursday, March 10, 2016 – 1:10 p.m. MT | Hohokam Park
RHP Kenta Maeda (0-0, 0.00) vs. LHP Rich Hill (0-0, 6.75)
TV: None Radio: None

Today’s Dodger lineup vs. A’s:
Crawford LF
Hernandez SS
Utley 2B
Van Slyke 1B
Ethier DH
Ellis C
Thompson CF
Culberson 3B
Noel RF
(Maeda P)

— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) March 10, 2016

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(AGon, pic via @Dodgers on twitter)

THE TIES THAT BIND: The Dodgers collected 20 hits in yesterday’s contest, recording their second draw of Spring Training in a high-scoring, 13-13 contest against the Angels in Tempe. At the plate, Joc Pederson and Austin Barnes slugged solo shots in the first and second innings, respectively, for their first home runs of the spring, while Scott Van Slyke hit a two-run blast in the third for his second home run. Cody Bellinger went 3-for-3, with two runs scored after entering the game in the fifth inning. In his second start of the spring, Scott Kazmir allowed five runs and six hits in 1.2 innings.

• The Dodgers dropped the season series to the Athletics, 1-3, last season.

HUNGRY HEARTS: Yesterday, the Dodgers dedicated a newly renovated baseball field at John Muir High School, of which Jackie Robinson is an alumnus. This project was made possible by the Dodgers, Baseball Tomorrow Fund, the Helen and Will Webster Foundation, Nick English, Pasadena Tournament of Roses and the Pasadena Educational Foundation, while the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation (LADF) managed the reconstruction of the field.

• A brief program was held yesterday with Stan Kasten, Dodger president and chief executive officer, Naomi Rodriguez, Dodger vice president, external affairs and community relations, Nichol Whiteman, executive director, LADF, and Kathy Robinson Young, niece of Jackie and Rachel Robinson, along with many other members who invested their efforts into this project. The program was followed by a baseball and softball clinic with members of the John Muir baseball and softball teams led by Dodger alums Kenny Landreaux (fielding), Derrel Thomas (baserunning), Dennis Powell (pitching) and Tommy Davis (hitting).

(Dedication at John Muir High School, pic via Dodgers Foundation on twitter)

CRUSH ON US: The Dodgers have already notched their first sellout of the spring, with 13,122 fans taking in their victory over Arizona Saturday, and Friday’s rematch against the Angels is already sold out! Last year, the Dodgers established team records in total (147,066) and average (9,804) Spring Training attendance, while Camelback Ranch saw a record number of fans with a combined attendance of 232,305 between the Dodgers and the White Sox. So far this season, advance ticket sales have been brisk with Camelback Ranch enjoying its best advance ticket sale in its eight-year history. Two additional Dodger games already have sold out - Saturday night, March 12 (Chicago Cubs-Dodgers) and Friday night, March 25 (San Francisco Giants-Dodgers).

THE PRICE YOU PAY: The Dodgers announced yesterday that the game on Monday, May 30 in Chicago against the Cubs is scheduled to start at 4:05 PM CT/ 2:05 PM PT. The day before, the Dodgers take on the National League champion Mets at Citi Field at 8:05 p.m. ET on ESPN’s Sunday Night Baseball.

TODAY’S PROBABLE PITCHERS:

• RHP Kenta Maeda will take the mound against the Oakland Athletics for his second Cactus League start. Maeda struck out two in 2.0 scoreless innings in his Dodger debut Saturday against the D-backs. The 27-year-old right-hander was signed to an eight-year contract on Jan. 7 following eight professional seasons with the Hiroshima Carp (2008-15) in which he compiled a 97-67 record with a 2.39 ERA in 218 games (217 starts). During the course of his Japanese career, Maeda won two Sawamura Awards (2010, 2015), given to the league’s best pitcher.
• RHP Yimi Garcia will be making his third appearance of the spring, after striking out one in a scoreless inning Monday against Cleveland. He ranked among the NL’s best relievers in WHIP (0.95, 5th), opponents’ batting average (.199, 16th), opponents’ on-base percentage (.242, 4th) and strikeout-to-walk ratio (6.60, 3rd).
• RHP Jose De Leon is expected to make his second outing of the spring, after earning the win with four strikeouts in 2.0 scoreless innings Saturday. De Leon was 6-7 with a 2.99 ERA in 23 combined starts last year between Single-A Rancho Cucamonga and Double-A Tulsa.
• RHP Chris Anderson struck out three batters and allowed just one hit in 2.0 scoreless frames in his spring debut against Arizona. He went 9-7 with a 4.05 ERA in 23 starts for Double-A Tulsa last season, before being promoted to Triple-A Oklahoma ACity at the end of the campaign.
• LHP Adam Liberatore will appear in his third game of the spring, after allowing one run and striking out a batter in an inning of relief against San Francisco. Liberatore saw his first big league action last season with the Dodgers, going 2-2 with a 4.25 ERA in 39 games.
• RHP Matt West will make his third Cactus League appearance, after allowing one run in 1.0 inning of work Sunday against the Giants. He tossed 3.0 scoreless innings in two relief appearances with the Dodgers after being acquired from the Blue Jays last year.
• The Dodgers have two additional pitchers suiting up today from the minor league side: RHP Logan Bawcom (#88) and RHP Felipe Gonzalez (#89).

(Joc Pederson shooting on goalie Chris Hatcher, pic via Pederson on twitter)

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Blog Kiosk: 1/14/2016 - Dodgers Links - Pederson, Hatcher and the 2016 Draft

Check out who'll be a part of New Era Cap's upcoming marketing campaign for the 2016 season.  Here is Joc Pederson behind the scenes posing with a stylish lid.  Pic via New Cap Era on Instagram.

BTW, Pederson has been running around town like a Hollywood model recently.  Heck, he even posted a pic on Instagram of himself going through a facial treatment.  Although, he doesn't look too happy about it.  Check it out on the right.

Below are more links to check out:

• Jared Massey on twitter lets us know about the Dodgers upcoming draft order:

The Dodgers currently have picks #22, #31 and #36 in this year's draft. They'll add another in the 30s if/when Kendrick signs w another team

— Jared Massey (@JaredJMassey) January 13, 2016

BTW, Hudson Belinsky at Baseball America has a complete rundown on the 2016 MLB Draft Order here.

• Everyone needs words of encouragement.  Via Justin Russo at Dodgers Nation, "Players, Broadcaster Reach Out To Support Blair Walsh."

With just a few ticks remaining on the clock he hooked a 27-yard field goal wide left, and the Vikings were eliminated from the NFL Playoffs. After that mishap, several members of the Los Angeles Dodgers reached out to Blair Walsh to offer their support via social media.

• Chris Hatcher and the Dodgers have settled on a new contract; thereby avoiding an arbitration hearing, via anh Jon Heyman tweet:

chris hatcher settles with dodgers for $1.065M

— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) January 14, 2016

• Congrats, Dee!  Via Steve Adams at MLB Trade Rumors, "Marlins, Dee Gordon Agree To Five-Year, $50MM Extension."
• Huh?... Apparently, a well known cricketer is working on transitioning to Baseball, so he spent some time training with some Dodgers players to get ready.  Via Mark Townsend at Big League Stew, "Cricket star Kieran Powell attempting to transition to baseball."
• This was my biggest concern when it came to football in LA, so I'm happy to learn that taxpayers will not be footing a large part of the bill for that Inglewood football stadium. Via Lindsay Gibbs at Think Progress, "The Biggest Surprise About The Rams’ Relocation to Los Angeles? It’s Actually A Win For Taxpayers."

Stan Kroenke, the billionaire who became the majority owners of the Rams back in 2010, is privately financing this stadium complex, which is said to cost about $2.66 billion plus the $550 million NFL relocation fee. He will receive about $180 million in sales tax kickbacks, but as deMause put it for VICE Sports, “that’s pretty cheap as stadiums go.”

• Willie O'Ree at The Players' Tribune writes about breaking the color barrier in the NHL; including meeting Jackie Robinson as a child and later on as an NHL player: "The Barrier."

“I’m a baseball player,” I say, raising my voice. “But what I really love — is hockey.”

“Oh?” Jackie (Robinson) says, turning back to me, still smiling. “I didn’t know black kids played hockey.”

I smile back.

“Yup.”

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Blog Kiosk: 12/22/2015 - Dodger Links - Anderson, Hatcher and Friedman's Rebuild

Old Dodger Skipper Leo Durocher is doing what many of us hope to be doing soon in the photo above.  He is about to embark onto a plane towards the Dodgers Spring Training home in Havana, Cuba for the 1947 season.  As you know, the emergence of Jackie Robinson that year would cause all kinds of strife behind the scenes that spring; including a petition by several players against Jackie.  Nevertheless, the breaking of the color barrier would soon commence.  BTW, Durocher's was eventually suspended as manager before the start of the season (it was related to his association with known gamblers), but not before squelching the aforementioned petition.  On a side note, Durocher so admired Robinson he started calling him a "Durocher with talent."  The ACME press photo above was found on eBay.

below are more links to check out:

• This is exactly right.  The Dodgers are rebuilding the minor league system while at the same time staying competitive, and within a few short years we'll reap the benefits.  Via Nick Lampe at Beyond the Boxscore, "Andrew Friedman is building a long-term juggernaut without sacrificing the present."

Despite everything that has happened this offseason, the Dodgers are in a better position than ever to compete in 2016 and beyond as a result of some of the moves made by Andrew Friedman and company over the last year. Looking ahead to 2016, the Dodgers are in an excellent position to win the NL West title for the fourth year in a row. At this point in time, FanGraphs depth charts have the Dodgers at 47.6 WAR, which roughly equates to a 95-win team. This total is the second-best in all of baseball behind only the Cubs (51.8 WAR), and it puts them eight games in front of the Giants and 16 games in front of the Diamondbacks.

• I can't believe I forgot to mention this.  Check out this great piece at The Players' Tribune titled, "The Return."  It's all about the MLB Goodwill Tour to Cuba that recently concluded, and it includes some fantastic photos.

The waiters who had been hustling to set tables for dinner on the patio a few feet away suddenly stopped and looked out at the lawn, then back at one another, completely confused. The guy was throwing heat.

A hotel guest ran over and asked in disbelief, “Is that … Clayton Kershaw?”

• Check out who's on the cover of Baseball America 2016 Prospect Handbook - Corey Seager.  Check it out on the right.  You can order a copy here.
• Via David Hood at True Blue LA, "Dodgers top prospects 2016: No. 13, Chris Anderson."

It’s possible that Anderson has more value in trade for the Dodgers, but 2015 was a step back and he could use next season to rebuild value or repackage himself as a reliever. He could return to Tulsa to start next season if the Dodgers wish to continue his development as a starter, but I most likely see his 2016 role in the Oklahoma City bullpen. He’s ranked as high as he is because the potential is still there for late relief, but next season is a make or break season for Anderson’s prospect value. If Anderson’s best stuff shows itself more frequently in relief, it’s possible that he could make his Dodgers’ debut at the end of the 2016 season.

• Via Jon Weisman at Dodger Insider, "How Chris Hatcher shone in 2015’s second half."

“I think early on in the year, I sat there and overanalyzed what I was doing,” he said. “But at the end of the year, it was more, ‘Give me that ball. I’ll move on. If I give up one, give it to me tomorrow.'”

• The Dodgers activity in the international arena continues abated.  Via Eric Stephen at True Blue LA, "Dodgers international notes: Carlos Sierra, Juan Camilo Zabala, Emmanuel Marcano."

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Dodgers' Celebrate on Social Media

You gotta love how the world today brings about an instant connection with your favorite team and players.  It's like we're enjoying the moment right with them.  So, take a second to check out some of my favorite tweets, instagrams and whatnot's from your Los Angeles Dodgers.

To start, check out the fantastic selfie above taken by Justin Turner and shared on instagram.  Clayton looks downright mortified.  It's like he can't believe what's going on.  AJ Ellis, on the other hand, does his best Miley Cyrus impression.

Blog Kiosk: 9/21/2015 - Dodger Links - Koufax, Turner and Kiké Hernandez

Check out this fantastic photo of just a small part of the Mitch Poole bobblehead collection found in the Dodger clubhouse, via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2015. 

Below are more links to check out:

• Via Hillel Kuttler at Haaretz, "Why Sandy Koufax's Refusal to Pitch on Yom Kippur Still Matters."

“The reason the Sandy Koufax example works so well is that baseball is very much a part of American culture and he is Jewish,” Benjamin said. “At some point he had to make a choice.

“So some guy stayed home from work and it was Yom Kippur – he’s not the only one, but he’s a public figure,” she added. “Still today, that example is relevant, it works and it has impact.”  

• Via Anthony Witrado at ESPN, "Justin Turner's status unknown due to sore left knee."

"We'll watch [Turner] over the next few days to see how he does," said Mattingly, who said on Saturday that Turner has been dealing with knee issues for a couple of years. "I don't think it's anything totally new. It just flared up. We'll be cautious with him."

(Buehler w/ Hershiser, via @Dodgers)

• Via Robert Morales at Inside the Dodgers, "No. 1 draft choice Walker Buehler talks Tommy John surgery."

“I’m a little bit more than six weeks out from surgery, so I’ve been in Arizona five of those six weeks,” said Buehler, a right-hander who played his college ball at Vanderbilt. “Things went well, according to plan. Feel good.”

• Via Dodgers Nation, "Don Mattingly Says Chris Hatcher Has Earned 8th Inning Role."

“He seems really confident and he’s having success,” said Mattingly. “I think his confidence is growing. One thing we have seen since he’s been back from the injury is he’s piecing his pitches together differently. His mix is different, he’s learned a little bit about using his pitches.” 

• Via Steve Bourbon at MLB.com, "Hernandez making strides in hamstring rehab."

"Kiké is doing better than anybody on that trail," Mattingly said. "He's been running at almost 100 percent, not feeling anything. He's been doing really well."

Mattingly also added an update on Yasiel Puig:

"Yasiel is like 65 percent, so it's a little bit of a different story," Mattingly said. "His right hamstring is good, the left hamstring is tight."

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Blog Kiosk: 9/7/2015 - Dodger Links - Kershaw, Wood and Brett Anderson

Sometimes it's good to be lucky, or maybe you should say that when it rains it pours.  After all, the Dodgers have been on a hot streak of late, and when that occurs good things often happen.

With the game locked into a one-run game in the 7th inning, Andre Ethier hit a weak chopper to the pitcher.  This should have ended the inning and a potential big inning - the bases where loaded at the time.  Instead, Nick Vincent tossed a floater that sailed over the head of the first baseman.  The bases cleared and gave the Dodgers an insurmountable four run lead.  You can watch it here.

Right now, everything seems to be going our way, and we can only hope it continues.  BTW, the Dodgers "Magic Number" is now 19.

On another note, Brett Anderson was great, but had to exit the game in the middle of the 6th inning due to a leg cramp.  Via Eric Stephen at True Blue LA:

"I felt it a little bit in the Norris at-bat, then on the one pitch Myers it cramped up. You wake up in the middle of the night or when you're stretching you get a calf cramp, usually it goes away. But this was the longest one I ever had. It balled up and wouldn't go away," Anderson said, per the SportsNet LA television broadcast. "I was trying to get through six so we could start fresh in the seventh, but the cramp wouldn't go away.

"I'm going to be fine going forward. I just need to drink more water, Gatorade, electrolytes."

Gatorade... Electrolytes... It's got what Anderson needs.

The photo above of Turner scoring in the 7th inning via @Dodgers on twitter.  Below are more links to check out:

• Via Joel Sherman at the NY Post, "Clayton Kershaw’s true competition isn’t from this century."  Kershaw really is out of this world.

“Twenty or 30 years from now, the next generation will think of Kershaw the we talk about Koufax, Seaver, [Nolan] Ryan,” said Dan O’Dowd, who as general manager of the Rockies from 2008-14 saw Kershaw’s first seven seasons up close in the NL West. “You are dealing with consistency of performance, an overwhelming competitive fire, a great passion for the game, a great teammate, a great ambassador for the game. The only thing that can derail him from being one of the greatest of all time is injury.”

• Things have certainly turned around.  Via AJ Cassavell at MLB.com, "Hatcher handling high-pressure situations."

"He's throwing a couple different breaking balls now," Mattingly said. "He's taking the slider where he threw it hard all the time, and he's got a slower one now, which gives him a little change of pace."

• Via AJ Cassavell at MLB.com, "Ellis finds stroke at precisely the right time."

"Early in the year it was a little bit of a struggle, the lack of playing time," Dodgers manager Don Mattingly said of Ellis. "As he got accustomed to that and kind of accepted it, it seems like he's kind of taken off."

• Via AJ Cassavell at MLB.com, "Wood shows mettle in best outing for Dodgers."

"As a starter, that's what you pride yourself on -- going deep into ballgames, giving guys the best chance to win," said Wood. "[I was] able to show them that's who I could be tonight."

Bill Plunkett at the OC Register adds more:

“Donnie (Mattingly) and I talked,” Wood said. “I told him, ‘I’ve been a horse in Atlanta.’ I said, ‘If you just have that faith in me, more times than not, hopefully I’ll be able to reward you.’

“Fortunately enough, I was able to do it tonight. I hope it continues to be that way.”

• I found this interesting.  This UC Berkeley psychologist wonders, "Do High Fives Help Sports Teams Win?"  Watch a bit about what he says in the below video.

Video Link:

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Blog Kiosk: 5/5/2015 - Dodger Links - Kershaw, Grandal and Another Dodger Trade

Last night was another tough day for our ace.  Don't get me wrong, he pitched really well and certainly deserved to win his 100th career victory.  Unfortunately, Baseball is more than the sum of its parts.  It's a battle that includes skill and some chance, and last night Clayton was stung by the latter.  Via Andrew Wagner at ESPN.com:

“He was just being Kershaw,” said catcher Yasmani Grandal. “Just pounding guys in, breaking bats, getting ground balls, getting ahead of guys. Other than that, he was just being him.”

For seven innings Kershaw was brilliant.  He had out-dueled Brewers pitcher Kyle Lohse but ran into some trouble in the eighth inning.  Kershaw yielded a home run to rookie shortstop Hector Gomez and a double thereafter to Adam Lind to put the tying run in scoring position.

“I felt fine,” said Kershaw, who threw 91 pitches. “Gomez hit a good pitch. The ball was in, he was just ready to ambush and did a good job, and Lind, I just threw a slider right down the middle, overthrew it and he hit it hard.”

A couple of pitches here and there, and all of the sudden it's a different game.  Chris Hatcher came into the game in relief and proceeded to give up the winning run.  Oh, well.  At least Clayton Kershaw is showing improvement with every outing, and I'm far from believing that there is anything wrong with him.  On a side note, Clayton is clearly frustrated with the end results; via David Schoenfield at SweetSpot ESPN:

"I don't feel like answering questions right now. I don't want to analyze it right now. Thanks." 

Below are some more links to check out:

• The times sure are changing for the better.  Via Samer Kalaf at Deadspin, "Two Dudes Smooch On Dodgers' Kiss Cam, To Hearty Applause."  It wasn't too long ago when two women were thrown out for doing the same thing.
• That guy who's riding his bike to every MLB stadium made it to LA on Sunday.  Check out his blog post that tells you all about it.  Via Matt Stolz at Biking for Baseball, "Welcome to LA."

I did stumble upon Nomar Garciaparra and Orel Herscheiser. I actually overheard them talking with a Dodgers player and discussing different techniques they would use to gain an advantage. Orel spoke of purposely batting without batting gloves so he could claim the pine tar on his hands came from his previous at bat. Nomar spoke of how players would wear fake fingernails so they could better grip a baseball. It was pretty unbelievable, I felt like I was right in the clubhouse with the guys.

• They picked up another reliever in a minor trade yesterday.  Via a Dodger press release:

The Los Angeles Dodgers today acquired right-handed pitcher Matt West from the Toronto Blue Jays in exchange for cash considerations and moved left-handed pitcher Hyun-Jin Ryu to the 60-day disabled list.

West, 26, has allowed just one unearned run in 12.1 scoreless innings for the Blue Jays’ Double-A New Hampshire affiliate in the Eastern League this season. The Houston native also has one save and 17 strikeouts against just four walks in his seven appearances.

• Via Ron Cervenka at Think Blue LA, "Grandal admits he was hurt during first two weeks of season."

“We have a great training staff here, they were able to get me healthy,” Grandal said. “It wasn’t a huge injury, it was just an injury where it just bothered me here and there. It’s not that I couldn’t catch or I couldn’t really hit, but there were certain movements that I did that bothered it a lot and we just needed to get it over with.”

• Some very special honors for a couple of Dodger players, via @Dodgers on twitter:

Congrats to April NL Player of the Month Adrian Gonzalez and NL Rookie of the Month Alex Guerrero!

— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) May 4, 2015

• Here's a short little video of Roy Campanella playing captain on his boat, via Flagstaff Films:

Video Link:

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Blog Kiosk: 4/18/2015 - Dodger Links - The Bubble Machine, Hatcher and Daniel Corcino

I just noticed the above photo of one of the Dodger bubble machines used last season by the Dodgers.  Apparently, it is now retired for good as it was auctioned off at the Dodger Foundation Gala held the other night.

From what I understand, there were several different bubble machines used last season so fans shouldn't be too worried that it's legacy has been diminished.  Instead, you should be grateful that it was auctioned off to the highest bidder for a great cause.  Besides, bubbles are not entirely disappearing from Dodger Stadium.  A couple weeks ago I mentioned that Gazillion Bubbles was recently named the “Official Bubbles of the Los Angeles Dodgers” for the 2015 MLB season, and they will be making their first visit tomorrow at Viva Los Dodgers.

Below are some links to check out:

• ICYMI, the Dodgers called up Adam Liberatore from AAA to join the club in Colorado for yesterday's game.

The Dodgers have recalled LHP Adam Liberatore from Triple-A. He’ll be with the team tonight vs. Colorado.
— Pedro Moura (@pedromoura) April 17, 2015

• Via Ron Cervenka at Think Blue LA, "Chris Hatcher is back after hitting small speed bump."

“I wouldn’t necessarily say that I’ve done anything [mechanically], my stuff’s always been there, it’s just how to use it,” said Hatcher after Tuesday night’s exciting come-from-behind 6-5 win over the Seattle Mariners. “A little more confident in it tonight. I didn’t go right after guys with the fastball, I mixed it up a little bit more. When you throw somewhat hard and you’re mixing your split [finger fastball] with your slider, it’s a different look. Everything was good tonight, I like the way it came out.”

• The Dodgers made another move.  Per a press release, they have claimed right-handed pitcher Daniel Corcino from Cincinnati and designated left-handed pitcher Ryan Dennick for assignment. Eric Stephen at True Blue LA tells us a bit about him.
• Oscar Martinez at Lasorda's Lair compares and contrast the comments made by Magic and Ice Cube regarding TWC; "Magic Johnson And Ice Cube Weigh in on the Dodger's TV Fiasco."
• BTW, Oscar is an avid collector and maintains his own card collector blog called, "All Trade Bait, All the Time."  He currently has a new post up where he shares his visit to the Institute For Baseball Studies at Whittier College.  Go here to check it out.  Oscar shares some fantastic photos of some vintage 1960's era glasses a patron had just dropped off.
• Hanley doing Hanley things.  Via Chris Cwik at Big League Stew, "Hanley Ramirez hit a ball so hard that he put a hole in the outfield wall."

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Blog Kiosk: 4/7/2015 - Dodger Links - Rollins Big Opening Day, SportsNet LA and Don Zimmer

Jimmie Rollins received an obligatory liquid bath (watch it here, via StadiumBound) from his teammates after a stellar performance at the plate on opening Day against the Padres.  He has no doubt adorned himself to Dodger fans the world over.  Rollins recorded two hits on the evening; including the eventually game-winning three-run home run (Earl Weaver style) in the 8th inning to put the Dodger on top for good.  The photo above is via @Dodgers on twitter.  BTW, you can check out a whole bunch of fantastic photos of the day from Jon SooHoo here.

Clayton Kershaw was good - just not good enough.  He went six innings in a no-decision, recorded nine strike outs and walked two.  New addition Chris Hatcher recorded the first Dodger save of the season.  BTW, Matt Kemp was his old self for the Padres.  He bested Kershaw by getting two hits against him (including a double) and drive in all three runs against our ace.

On a side note, I've seen photos of the Fried Dodger Dog that is now available at Dodger Stadium and I am not impressed.  You can see it here via a tweet from Arash Markazi of ESPN.  I had figured that it would be breaded (kinda like a corn-dog) and fried, but no.  Instead, it looks like a wrinkled and over-done dog.  I'm a little disappointed with what I've seen.  The Meatball Marinara Cone, on the other hand, looks fantastic.

Below are some links to check out:

• Per CBSLA.com, 60 people were given citations for drinking alcohol in Elysian Park on Opening Day. 
• Howard Cole at Forbes shares his recent interview with a talking head at Time Warner regarding the SportsNet LA blackout.  Check it out here.  Based on the complete lack of response from the spokesman, I think it's fair to say that you should not expect any movement towards a broadcast deal for the 70% of customers any time soon.
• Via Jane Wells at CNBC, "Dodgers CEO on TV shutout: 'It's a difficult blow for us.'"

"For us to still have this many fans unhappy, it's a difficult blow for us," said team President and CEO Stan Kasten in an exclusive interview with CNBC. He called the standoff the most difficult customer relations challenge he's ever faced. "I don't know when the solution will come, but it's not for lack of trying, and until it's fixed, we won't give up." 

• BTW, Sling TV CEO (a part of Dish) publicly stated that they are opposed to the Comcast-TWC merger, via a Bloomberg video. 
• Via Corey Brock at MLB.com, "Cheerful Kemp returns to LA with 'good feelings.'"  As you know, Kemp received a standing ovation prior to his first at-bat (JP Hoornstra shares a video here), then received a chorus of boo's during his second (after knocking in a run against Kershaw).

"Weird," Kemp said. "This is my first time on this [visiting] side, so it's a little different, but I've got good feelings about being here today.

• Kershaw's Challenge has released new t-shirts for the 2015 season.  Go here to check them out.  Clayton is modelling it below.  As you know, proceeds benefit Clayton Kershaw's charity.

• Panini America unveiled a bunch of preview pics of their upcoming 2015 Stars & Stripes USA Baseball card set, and Dodger prospect Corey Seager will be in it.  Check out a couple of Seager's cards below.  Go here to check out the other cards in the set.  I am unsure if there are other Dodger players in the set.  BTW, it releases this coming Friday.

• Awesome!  Via Lane DeGregory at the Tampa Bay Times, "Don Zimmer's wife documented every day of his 66 years in pro baseball (w/video)."  Heck, it goes all the way back to high school - when they first met.

"I started it our senior year, just saving everything," she said. She bought the scrapbook at a dime store, along with some of those cardboard corners people used to use to hold pictures.

After doing her homework and having dinner with her parents, and when she wasn't cheering for Don at a game, she would sit in her room with a stack of newspapers, clipping stories about her boyfriend, underlining each mention of his name.

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Dodgers Notes from Spring Training: Spring Game 25 / Road Game 13

Throughout Spring Training the Dodgers PR department sends out helpful daily notes from Camelback Ranch, and I am happy to pass them along.  See what they've written below.

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Los Angeles Dodgers (12-6-6) at Chicago White Sox (8-11-3)
Thursday, March 26, 2015 – 1:05 p.m. MT | Camelback Ranch

LHP Clayton Kershaw (2-0, 2.03) vs. RHP Brad Penny (1-0, 4.63)
TV: SNLA

Today’s #DodgersST lineup at White Sox: Rollins SS Puig RF Gonzalez 1B Grandal C Kendrick 2B Crawford LF Uribe 3B Ethier CF Kershaw P
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) March 26, 2015

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(Camelback Ranch, via Chris Williams on twitter)

NICE TO SEE YOU AGAIN NEIGHBOR: The Dodgers, who have the Majors’ best spring winning percentage at .667, take on the Chicago White Sox today for the third and final time this spring. The two clubs kicked off the Cactus League schedule on March 4 and 5, splitting the pair of games, a 6-4 Dodger loss in the opener and a 6-1 victory the next day. In just 11 days, the Dodgers will take on the Padres April 6 - Opening Day at Dodger Stadium.

THOSE WINNING WAYS: The Dodgers flexed their muscles in a 9-5 victory over the San Diego Padres yesterday at Camelback Ranch, hitting four home runs and three doubles in the contest. Yasiel Puig and Joc Pederson each hit their team-lead tying fourth homers of the spring while Justin Turner cracked his third and Scott Van Slyke his second. On the mound, Juan Nicasio allowed two runs in 3.0 innings for the victory while J.P. Howell (1.0 IP), David Aardsma (1.0), Paco Rodriguez (1.0) and Yimi Garcia (1.0) all tossed scoreless relief. Rodriguez (7.0 IP) and Garcia (8.1) have not allowed a run all spring. 

• The four home runs give the Dodgers 37 this spring, which leads the Major Leagues. The Cubs are the next closest at 30.

(Puig's HR, via Dodgers on tumblr)

ALL ABOARD: Today the Dodgers announced that the Dodger Stadium Express will return in 2015! LA Metro offers two express services to Dodger Stadium:  The Dodger Stadium Express Union Station and the Dodger Stadium Express South Bay are complimentary services from downtown Los Angeles and the South Bay directly to Dodger Stadium. The Dodger Stadium Express Union Station bus service includes the benefit of enjoying a dedicated bus lane on Sunset Boulevard from Union Station to Elysian Park Ave.  Dodger game-day tickets will be honored as payment to ride the bus service and it will operate 90 minutes before the game and 45 minutes after the game.  Fans can also park at Union Station for $6 and take the Dodger Stadium Express free with a game ticket. For specific route and schedule information, fans can visit www.metro.net/around/dodger-stadium-express or call 323.GO.METRO

• The club will also be adding dedicated prepaid lanes for fans purchasing parking passes in advance for games during the 2015 season. Fans should follow the signage to these designated auto booths at all gates for the dedicated prepaid lanes. To enjoy these dedicated prepaid lanes, the Dodgers encourage fans to purchase their parking in advance to assist in traffic flow and expedite movement through the auto gates. Advance parking prices are $10 and parking at the gate is $20.  The Dodgers also will offer premium parking in advance at $35 and $50 at the gate.  To purchase parking in advance, visit www.dodgers.com/parking.

THEY SAY IT’S YOUR BIRTHDAY: The Dodgers would like to wish a very happy birthday to former infielder and current Special Assistant, Player Personnel Jose Vizcaino. “Vizzy” joined the Dodger front office after retiring as a player in 2006 and, in his playing days, spent his first two years in Los Angeles (1989-90) before joining the squad again from 1998-2000. Vizcaino’s career spanned 18 seasons and he played for the Dodgers (1989-90, 1998-2000), Cubs (1991-93), Mets (1994-96), Indians (1996), Giants (1997, 2006), Yankees (2000), Astros (2001-05) and Cardinals (2006). 

(Pederson's HR, via Dodgers on tumblr)

THE YOUNG BUCK: Joc Pederson has posted a .409/.447/.773 slashline this spring and ranks among the NL leaders in runs (11, T-1st), hits (18, 2nd), batting average (.409, 3rd), total bases (34, 2nd), on-base percentage (.447, T-8th) and slugging percentage (.773, 1st).

• Justin Turner went 2-for-3 with a homer and two runs scored yesterday and is batting .486 with four doubles, three homers and eight RBI, while posting a .513 on-base percentage and a .857 slugging percentage in 14 Cactus League games.
• Second baseman Howie Kendrick went 1-for-3 with a double and an RBI yesterday and is now hitting .405 this spring to go along with five doubles and eight RBI. Kendrick is career .297 hitter in the month of April and has hit more homers (19) in the season’s first month than any other. 

ON THE MOUND: LHP Clayton Kershaw will make his fifth Cactus League start today. Kershaw has allowed three runs on 10 hits through 13.1 innings so far this spring. He last pitched on Friday against the Athletics, when he was struck by a line drive, chipping one of his teeth. He stayed in the game and finished with four strikeouts through 5.0 innings of work.

• Hard-throwing RHP Joel Peralta is expected to make his fifth appearance of the spring today. Through four Cactus League appearances, Peralta has tossed 4.0 innings, surrendering two runs on three hits and striking out four.
• RHP Pedro Baez is also expected to see action today. Baez has held opposing hitters to a .086 batting average this spring, allowing only four hits in 6.2 innings.
• RHP Chris Hatcher will make his seventh Cactus League appearance today. Hatcher has allowed six runs through 5.1 innings this spring.

(Camelback Ranch, via @Dodgers on twitter)

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Dodgers Notes from Spring Training: 3/19/2015 - Happy Birthday Clayton Kershaw

Throughout Spring Training the Dodgers PR department sends out helpful daily notes from Camelback Ranch, and I am happy to pass them along.  See what they've written below.

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(Camelback Ranch, pic via @Dodgers on twitter)

MARCH MADNESS: The Dodgers, who have the Cactus League’s best winning percentage at .727,  take on the Angels in the first of five meetings between the clubs during the exhibition season. Los Angeles won the season series between the clubs last year, 3-1, and the clubs will meet six times during the regular season in 2015, July 31-Aug. 2 at Dodger Stadium and Sept. 7-9 at Angel Stadium.

• The Freeway Series begins exactly two weeks from today, Thursday, April 2 in Anaheim. The Dodgers and Angels will play two 7:05 p.m. games at Angel Stadium before the series shifs to Los Angeles for a 6:10 p.m. game on Saturday, April 4. In anticipation of the Freeway Series, the clubs partnered on a billboard in Hollywood to celebrate the 2014 Most Valuable Player Awards of Clayton Kershaw and Mike Trout, with the script “Is Your MVP Red Or Blue.” Fans are encouraged to show their support by utilizing the hashtags #MVPKersh and #MVPTrout.
• Today’s Angels starter Andrew Heaney was briefly a Dodger when the club acquired the left-hander from the Marlins on Dec. 10 as part of a seven-player deal and subsequently traded him to their I-5 rivals in exchange for Howie Kendrick. Kendrick played the first nine seasons of his career with the Angels from 2006-14 and ranks among the franchise’s all-time leaders (min. 3000 PA) in games played (1,081, 9th), runs (534, 9th), hits (1,204, 6th), batting average (.292, 4th), doubles (249, 5th) and triples (30, T-7th) and is the club’s all-time leader in hits by a second baseman. Kendrick is not expected to play today, but is batting .400 (10-for-25) with a homer and six RBI in 10 games this spring.

(Rain, Rain, Go Away!  At Camelback Ranch, pic via Kevin Baxter on twitter)

ROSTER UPDATE: Following yesterday’s game, the Dodgers optioned OF Scott Schebler and reassigned IF Buck Britton, IF/OF Darnell Sweeney, C Shawn Zarraga, IF Corey Seager and C Chris O’Brien to minor league camp.  Including Brandon Beachy and Chris Withrow, who are on the 60-day disabled list, the Dodgers have 44 players remaining in big league camp.

DOWNER: The Dodgers had their six-game unbeaten streak come to an end yesterday, falling, 7-5 to the Cubs. Two Dodger hitters posted multi-hit games to raise their batting averages to .400, as Joc Pederson went 3-for-3 with a three-run homer to push his average to .429 and Howie Kendrick added two singles to reach the .400 mark on the spring. Brandon McCarthy took the loss in his third start of the spring, allowing six runs on eight hits in 4.0 innings.

• Los Angeles had 12 hits yesterday to increase the club’s batting average to .271 on the spring.

TEXAS TWO-STEP: Big League Weekend, with the Dodgers taking on the Rangers Friday night and Saturday afternoon at the Alamodome in San Antonio, is almost here! The traveling party, which includes starters  Erik Bedard and Zack Greinke along with Yasmani Grandal, Adrian Gonzalez, Yasiel Puig, and Joc Pederson, departs Camelback Ranch this evening for the brief two-day trip to Texas.

ON THE MOUND: Left-hander Brett Anderson will make his third Cactus League start today, last pitching 3.0 scoreless innings in a win over the Indians Saturday. He has allowed only three hits in 5.0 scoreless innings this spring.

• RHP Chris Hatcher is expected to make his fifth appearance of the spring today, last pitching on Monday against the A’s.
• RHP Yimi Garcia is also expected to see action today, last pitching on Monday against the A’s. Garcia has allowed only one hit and struck out three in 4.0 scoreless innings this spring.
• RHP Joel Peralta will make his third Cactus League appearance today, last pitching a scoreless inning on Monday against the A’s.

(Clayton Kershaw, screengrab from MLB video Ping Pong)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!: The Dodgers would like to wish a very happy 27th birthday to Clayton Kershaw today! Kershaw became the first-ever player to win three Cy Young Awards before the age of 27 when he was honored with both the Cy Young and MVP awards this past November.

Happy Birthday @ClaytonKersh22!!!! We all chipped in and got you a years supply of these. pic.twitter.com/jpZyd183uF
— Brett Anderson (@BrettAnderson35) March 19, 2015

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