Dodgers Diamond Anniversary Gets a Special Patch

The marriage between the City of Los Angeles and Dodgers will be 60 years strong this season, so naturally a commemorative patch is in order. This afternoon the team unveiled that patch. Check out an graphic of it above. Below is a look at the real thing on a Kenta Maeda jersey.

Blog Kiosk: 1/23/2018 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

The first leg of the Dodgers 2018 Community Tour yesterday included an afternoon with firefighters and first responders at Dodger Stadium. They took part in batting practice and had an opportunity to meet with a whole bunch of Dodgers'. Per Rowan Kavner at Dodger Insider:

“We’ve been shoulder to shoulder with our citizens that have just endured an incredible situation, and it does wear on our personnel,” Millers said. “For the Dodgers organization just to give us a little time on the field where many of us have dreamt to be, it’s fantastic.” 

Wood said he knows how crazy the last couple months had to be for all the firefighters who were at Dodger Stadium on Monday, so he’s glad they got to have a day to just enjoy themselves. 

“You see the news with all the wildfires and everything,” Wood said. “I know it’s probably taken a pretty big toll on a lot of these guys and a lot of hours and work they’ve had to put in. To have a day just for them out here and to be a part of it, it’s pretty cool.”

Photo above via LA County FD on twitter. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1932 the Brooklyn Dodgers traded for future Hall of Famer Hack Wilson (during the tail end of his career) from the Cardinals for a minor leaguer and some cash. In 1962 Jackie Robinson, along with Bob Feller, are selected for the Baseball Hall of Fame in their first years of eligibility. 
• Happy Birthday, Joey Amalfitano (a Dodgers pitching coach) & Billy Mullen!

This Pic is Cooler than I Originally Thought

I am so annoyed with myself right now, and as I am wont to do these days, I blame it on the flu.

What happened is last week I ran across the above vintage 1955 press photo on eBay (link here) featuring an in-action pic of Tommy Lasorda. Knowing how rare something like this is to see (considering how short his playing career was) I focused on just that fact... But, as helpfully pointed out by Jon Weisman on twitter, it proved to be so much more interesting than that.

Blog Kiosk: 1/22/2018 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Dodgers wedding #6 happened over the weekend. Congrats, Mr. & Mrs. Barnes!

Barnes, Pederson, Ryu, Wood, Stripling and Turner have gotten married this winter.

Photo above via Barnes on Instagram. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1988 seven ballplayers are declared free agents as a result of an Players Association's 1985 collusion lawsuit against the owners. Kirk Gibson is one of those players, and he would eventually sign with the Dodgers seven days later. The rest, as they say, is history. In 2007 the Dodgers signed amateur free agent Pedro Báez as a 19-year old third baseman out of the Dominican Republic. He would eventually convert to a relief pitcher in 2013.
• Happy Birthday, Jay Hughes, Jeff Treadway, Chone Figgins, Wayne Kirby & Carlos Ruiz!

Welcome to the Blue, Jake Peter!

I blame the flu!

I know this trade occurred two weeks ago, so apologize for this late post. As you already know, the Dodgers completed a three-team trade that netted them a reliever named Scott Alexander and a utility player named Jake Peter. This post celebrates Jake's addition to the ballclub. Per a Dodger press release:

The Los Angeles Dodgers today announced the completion of a three-team trade with the White Sox and the Royals, with the Dodgers receiving left-handed pitcher Scott Alexander and minor league infielder Jake Peter; the White Sox receiving left-handed pitcher Luis Avilán, right-handed pitcher Joakim Soria and cash considerations; and the Royals receiving infielder Erick Mejia and right-handed pitcher Trevor Oaks.

Blog Kiosk: 1/19/2018 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Gorgeous!

Newest Dodger hurler Tom Koehler just got a new glove, via a pic on his twitter.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1972 Sandy Koufax was elected in the Baseball Hall of Fame -- become the youngest player to ever to be enshrined. In 1983 the Dodgers traded popular third baseman Ron Cey to the Cubs for Vance Lovelace and a minor leaguer. 
• Happy Birthday, Dolly Stark & Shawn Tolleson!