Dodgers Blog Kiosk: 11/3/2012 - Tokyo Giants Win Japan Series Title

Los Angeles Dodgers’ Mesa Solar Sox members pose during Arizona Fall League Monday October 29, 2012 at Surprise Stadium in Surprise, Arizona.  I believe they are Eric Eadington, Onelki Garcia, Red Patterson, Chris Reed, Andres Santiago, Gorman Erickson, Rafael Ynoa, Joc Pederson.  Photo by Jon SooHoo/©Los Angeles Dodgers,LLC 2012.

• Can you believe it?  The Tokyo Yomiuri Giants just won the 2012 Japan Series Title, via Jason Coskray at the Japan Times.  Both Giants teams in America and Japan win their respective league championships in the same year for the first time.  On top of that, the New York Giants won the Super Bowl earlier this year.  It's been quite a year for Giants fans all around.  Below is a video of the last out of the Japan Series Title game.

Video Link:

• Via Eric Stephen at True Blue LA tells us that Javy Guerra has had arthroscopic surgery on his right shoulder on Friday.  He should be ready to go for Spring Training.
• Howard Cole counts himself as one of the righteously indignant.  He is opposed to McGwire joining the Dodgers, and says that no Bash Brother is worthy of wearing Dodger Blue.

These are semi-rhetorical questions, but however you answer them McGwire has gotten more than his fair share of second chances already. He enjoyed a comeback in a city where he’s loved – St. Louis – and he’s got a World Series ring to cherish for the rest of his life, which he no doubt earned. His name is still on the Cooperstown ballot, and he may one day make it.

But his services are not required in L.A. I’m sorry, but they’re just not.

• Ken Burns is coming out with another Baseball documentary in 2015.  It will be focused on Jackie Robinson.  Go to his website at Florentine Films, here.  (Hat Tip: Reddit)  From the description:

It will tell the story of how Robinson, at great risk to the dignity of his race and his own well-being, joined Branch Rickey and the Brooklyn Dodgers, and in the face of mutiny by his teammates, threats of violence from racist fans, and the aggressive, dangerous play of opponents, remained unprovoked and performed spectacularly, transforming national perceptions of what blacks could achieve. And it will showcase his brilliant and exhilarating play on the field, which delighted millions of fans and helped bring Brooklyn a long-awaited World Series championship in 1955.

• Here is a great video featuring Sue Falsone, head physical therapist/trainer for the Los Angeles Dodgers, discussing common injuries in the sport of baseball and provides advice for youth athletes.

Video Link:

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Dodgers Blog Kiosk: 11/2/2012 - McGwire the Dodgers New Batting Coach?

Check out Matt Kemp in the pic above working hard during the off-season to get ready for 2013, pic via twitter @FoxSportsWest.

• Carl Crawford will be on Dodger Talk this coming Wednesday with Jorge Jarrin.  If you have a question for him go here to submit it.
• Dodgers are about to renovate the team clubhouse, not not before several veterans say goodbye, via Ken Gurnick at MLB.com.

"This was basically our home for a decade," said Cey, adding to the nostalgia by wearing a jacket with Dodgers script across the front and marking the record-breaking infield on the back. "There was plenty of celebration in this clubhouse." 

• Mike Petriello writes a story for RotoGraphs about the battle between Brandon League and Kenley Jansen for bullpen dominance.
• It appears that Mark McGwire will be the Dodgers new hitting coach, via Joe Strauss at the St. Louis Dispatch.  (Hat Tip: Great fin by Orel at the Sons of Steve Garvey)

Mark McGwire, who has served as Cardinals hitting coach for three seasons under two managers, has informed the club that he intends to accept a similar position with the Los Angeles Dodgers, sources familiar with the situation told the Post-Dispatch this afternoon.

Though a deal between the Dodgers and McGwire is not considered final, McGwire has told the Cardinals that he does not anticipate accepting their offer of a contract extension.

The club last week tendered offers to all coaches except bullpen coach Dyar Miller. The staff's contracts exprired Oct. 31.

McGwire is leaning toward accepting the position with Dodgers manager Don Mattingly's staff because of geography. McGwire and his family live in Orange County and McGwire has long emphasized the role his wife and children play in career decisions.

My Kings season ticket buddy's former boss lives near McGwire's family, and was fortunate to have McGwire provide some neighborly coaching help to his college age son.  From my understanding, Mark McGwire knows what he's doing.

• RIP, Ernie Hays.  He had been the longtime organist for the St. Louis Cardinals (40 years), via Joe Holleman of the St. Louis Post Dispatch.
• Good Guy Bean, via LAist.

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2013 Dodgers Promotion Schedule is Out

The Dodgers just announced their promotional schedule (stadium give-aways) for the 2013 season, and it's a doozy.  There are 10 new bobbleheads, a Hello Kitty bobblehead, a Jackie Robinson Day statue featuring Jackie, Newcombe and Campanella, and much, much, more.

Something tells me I have way too many commas up there.

Anyway, the new ownership is going all out in their first full year.  Of note, there appears to be no plans to bring back a Dodgers Baseball card team set this season.

Boooooo!!!!

Go here for a complete look at the schedule on the Dodgers website.  Below are just the items that really stood out to me.  BTW, as always there will be Friday Night Fireworks and Viva Los Dodgers at Sunday home games.

4/1 - Opening Day, Magnet Schedules
4/3 - Hooded Sweatshirt *  
4/7 - Kids Matt Kemp Replica Jersey ^, Viva Los Dodgers Day, Kids Run The Bases
4/15 - Jackie Robinson, Don Newcombe & Roy Campanella Statue *, Jackie Robinson Night
4/17 - Hello Kitty Fleece Blanket
4/27 - Sports Bag *
4/28 - Kids' Batting Helmet ^, Viva Los Dodgers Day, Kids Run the Bases
4/30 - Hanley Ramirez “I See You” Bobblehead
5/7 - T-Shirt *
5/11 - Natural Balance Pet Foods Bark in the Park #1 °
5/12 - Tote Bag *, Mother's Day & Postgame Walk Around the Park
5/14 - Matt Kemp Bobblehead
5/25 - Jaime Jarrín Bobblehead              
5/26 - MLB Network Drawstring Bag *, Viva Los Dodgers Day, Kids Run the Bases
5/27 - Kids' Fathead ^
5/28 - Magic Johnson T-Shirt *                           
6/4 - Cap #1 *
6/6 - Bobblehead #4
6/8 - Old Timers' Day & Item *, Old Timer's Game
6/9 - Kids' Compression Sleeve ^, Viva Los Dodgers Day, Kids Run the Bases
6/11 - Beach Chair
6/25 - Beach Towel *
6/27 - Sandy Koufax Bobblehead
6/29 - Earbuds *
6/30 - Kids' Performance Shirt ^, Viva Los Dodgers, Kids Run the Bases                  
7/11 - Adrian Gonzalez Bobblehead                               
7/25 - Vin Scully Bobblehead
7/28 - Kids' Sunglasses ^, Viva Los Dodgers, Kids Run the Bases
8/10 - Bobblehead #8              
8/11 - Kids' Back to School Backpack ^, Viva Los Dodgers Day, Kids Run the Bases
8/13 - Cap #2 *
8/27 - Rick Monday “Flag Saving” Bobblehead
8/31 - Adult Replica Jersey *
9/9 - Hello Kitty Mini Bobblehead
9/12 - Magic Johnson Bobblehead
9/14 - La Gran Fiesta – Viva Los Dodgers
9/28 - Sleeved Blanket *, Natural Balance Pet Foods Bark in the Park #2 °
9/29 - Fan Appreciation Day

Giveaways listed are for the first 50,000 fans unless otherwise noted.
^ First 15,000 ticketed kids 14 and under in attendance
*First 40,000 fans
°Special ticket required

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Collectible Classics: A Tommy John Sinkerball

Collectible Classics once again features numerous items from the Tommy John Collection in their newest auction, and there was one item in particular that stuck out to me.

Check out the below autographed Baseball.  It is signed by Tommy John and includes an actual sinker for fishing attached to it.  Written above the signature are the words, "Genuine’ Sinker Ball."

From the auction description:

The sinker was an important part of John’s pitching repertoire. In fact, he was throwing a sinkerball when he sustained the injury that resulted in the surgery that is named for him.

(Auction Link)

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A Friday Musical Interlude with Luis Cruz and Adrian Gonzalez

With yesterday being Fernando Valenzuela's 52nd birthday, it provided a great reminder of how vital Mexican-Americans have become to Southern California, Los Angeles, and the Dodgers.  Fernando was just the first athlete to make his mark on us, and there will surely be more.  In celebration of his Latino heritage a couple of new videos were released yesterday featuring a couple of new Mexican-American Dodger stars: Luis Cruz and Adrian Gonzalez. 

It includes game footage and some excellent tunes from Nacional Records artists La Vida Bohème and Nortec Collective.  Personally, I've never heard of the bands, but I'm also 40 years old so my desire to discover new music has diminished over time.  Still, I have to admit that these two songs had my feet tapping and my head bobbing.

Both La Vida Bohème and Nortec Collective are no strangers to the Dodgers.  They have both played at Viva Los Dodgers this past season.  As a special bonus, FREE downloads from both bands are available as a part a Nacional Records label sampler through Amazon.com.  Go here to download some tunes.

Now, watch the two videos below.  Here is the Luis Cruz Dodgers intro with La Vida Bohème.

Video Link:

Below is the Adrian Gonzalez Dodgers intro with Nortec Collective.  I especially liked this song.

Video Link:

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Dodgers Blog Kiosk: 11/1/2012

Check out the above Dodger Stadium pumpkin via twitter @Dodgers.

• OMG!  Former Brave Pascual Perez was killed in his home in the Dominican Republic, via Hardball Talk.  I vividly remember him as being an unusual character on the field.  Heck, he threw the eephus pitch.  RIP.
• Vin Scully has won another award- the Professional Baseball Scouts Foundation's Allan H. "Bud" Selig Executive Leadership Award, via David Lee at KCOY.com.
• Night Owl Cards continues his countdown of The Best Dodger Cards Ever Made with #70-#61.
• You gotta love Brandon League's attitude.  Via Bill Plunkett at the OC Register, he says, 

"I think in 2013 the LA Dodgers are going to be the team everyone wants to beat, tries to beat. … We’re going to have a target on our back next year and we welcome it."

• Did you catch Dodger Talk last night.  Both Adrian Gonzalez and Tommy Lasorda spoke with Jorge Jarrin.  Listen to it here.
• MLB Trade Rumors makes some predictions on 50 free agents, and it includes the Dodgers getting Lohse and Uehara.
• Per a Dodgers press release, the Dodgers name Bob Engle as the new VP of International Scouting.

“Bob Engle and his knowledge of the international landscape is a great addition to our scouting team,” said Colletti.  “Our new ownership’s directive is to strengthen the Dodgers’ scouting, both domestically and internationally.  Developing future players through heightened scouting is paramount to the long-term success of the Dodgers’ organization.” 

• Mark Langill, the Dodger official historian, writes that Campanella won his first MVP award on this date and a statue featuring Jackie Robinson and Pee Wee Reese was unveiled today.  See a pic of the statue, here.
• Scott Van Slyke is tearing it up in Venezuela, via Ashley Marshall at MLB.com.

• I'd be scared of Timmy too!  Pic via akecke1 on Reddit.  See pic above.
• Puck Daddy has a bunch of lockout inspired Halloween costumes.
• Gunaxin shares some pics of NFL Cheerleaders in Halloween costumes.

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