Blog Kiosk: 7/15/2015 - Dodger Links - Pederson, Kershaw and Sandy Koufax

With exception of the National League losing the game, the entire All-Star Game was fantastic.  From pregame to end, it was fun to watch.  My favorite moment was when the "Franchise Four Greatest Living Legends" came onto the field, as evidenced in the photo above tweeted by @SportsCenter.  From L-R: Hank Aaron, Johnny Bench, Sandy Koufax and Willie Mays.

The next best moment was Sandy Koufax's first pitch to Johnny Bench.  Watch it below, via a tweet from @MLBGIFs.  As you would expect, he threw it right down the middle.

Below are some links to check out:

• Via Jon Weisman at Dodger Insider, "Kershaws’ Ping Pong 4 Purpose set for July 30."
• Jon also shares the Dodgers "Dodgers Franchise Four" here - Sandy Koufax, Don Drysdale, Jackie Robinson and Duke Snider.
• A must read!  Via Pedro Moura at the OC Register, "Dodgers' Joc Pederson brings pivotal minor-league coach to Home Run Derby stage."

“Show me what you do that is similar,” (Johnny) Washington said he told Pederson. “And we couldn’t find too many similarities. So we combined the three hitters and tried to make him. And he took to it well.”

“I was frustrated, but it was honestly the best move that ever happened to me,” Pederson recalled Monday. “It made me become so much more open and see what I was doing wrong and why I only hit in batting practice and why it didn’t translate into games. I’m still learning a lot about hitting, but it was special.”

• Via Kevin Kaduk at Big League Stew, "Clayton Kershaw says he isn't a fan of the All-Star 'counting' after taking loss."

"It was fun until I started giving up runs," the Los Angeles Dodgers ace said. 

• Via Ron Cervenka at Think Blue LA, "Greinke has Eric Gagne-moment in 2015 All-Star Game."
• Via Israel Fehr at Big League Stew, "Here's our first look at 'Ferrell Takes The Field'"
• Via Adam Hughes at Sports Collectors Daily, "10 Underrated Baseball Rookie Cards of the 1980s."  Adam's list includes rookie cards for several former Dodger players.

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Kershaw's Great Uncle is Heading Towards Pluto

It's an historic day.  Not only is Clayton Kershaw about to participate in his fifth straight All-Star Game, but his great uncle - who is a great Dodger trivia question - will make his closet approach to Pluto.

You heard me right.  Clyde Tombaugh, Kershaw's great uncle and discoverer of the former classified planet Pluto, has some of his ashes on board the New Horizons probe.  Check out a pic of the canister that's attached to the underside of the spacecraft above.  It reads:

"Interned herein are remains of American Clyde W. Tombaugh, discoverer of Pluto and the solar system's 'third zone'. Adelle and Muron's boy, Patricia's husband, Annette and Alden's father, astronomer, teacher, punster, and friend: Clyde W. Tombaugh (1906–1997)"

As you may know, the New Horizons probe has recently been transmitting breathtaking photos of Pluto to us, and from what I understand it will pass by at its closet point today (7,800 miles from Pluto).  Check out one of those photos on the right.

If you want to learn more about this historic astronomer check out this little article by Meagan Campbell at Macleans, "Remembering Clyde Tombaugh, discoverer of the (dwarf) planet Pluto."  You cna also check out the New Horizon's website at NASA here.

Photo at the very top via r/Alantha on Reddit
Hat Tip: @JimmyBramlett on twitter

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Blog Kiosk: 7/14/2015 - Dodger Links - Greinke, Grandal and Yadier Alvarez

Congrats, Zack!

Grinke will start tonight's All-Star Game.  Photo above via @Dodgers on twitter featured Zack at yesterday's press conference in Cincinnati.  Via a Dodger press release:

Bochy has chosen Greinke as the NL’s starting pitcher. Greinke, a three-time All-Star and the 2009 American League Cy Young Award winner, boasts a Major League best 1.39 ERA at the All-Star break. Greinke (18 GS, 8-2, 123.1 IP, 84 H, 106 SO, 20 BB, 0.84 WHIP, .191 average against) is currently amid a stretch of throwing five consecutive scoreless starts, which comprises a career-high scoreless streak of 35.2 innings. The Florida native has allowed one run or less in 14 of his 18 starts on the season. Greinke, 31, will be the first Dodger hurler to start the All-Star Game since Brad Penny in 2006. Bochy’s lineup includes Dodger rookie outfielder Joc Pederson, who will bat eighth and play left field. The Dodgers now have two all-stars in the starting lineup for the first time since Hideo Nomo and Mike Piazza in 1995. 

Below are some links to check out:

• Via John Erardi at WCPO.com, "How Jackie Robinson made his mark at the 2015 All-Star Game in Cincinnati." 
• Via Mike Oz at Big League Stew, "Champ Pederson and Albert Pujols gave us the Home Run Derby's most heartwarming moment."
• Via Mark Saxon at ESPN, "A Q&A with 'The Best Team Money Can Buy' author Molly Knight."

On Puig: Molly Knight: I have mixed feelings. I don’t want it to just be known as “The Puig Book,” but that being said, he’s also really, really fascinating, probably the most fascinating baseball player alive. He’s certainly a lightning rod. Everyone has an opinion about him. There’s a ton of support from people who love him and a ton of hate from people who don’t love him. I get it. It’s hard to get people to read a book on a topic they don’t have any interest in, and there’s a lot of interest in Puig. So I’m happy if it gets the book attention, and it’s overwhelmingly positive if it gets the book read.

• Mike Petriello at Dodgers Digest also shares an interview with Molly Knight about her new book, here.
• Via Matt Calkins at the San Diego Union Tribune, "Padres blew it with Yasmani Grandal."

Yasmani said he he would have been more consistent with his bat if he were a regular part of the Padres' lineup, but he never approached then-manager Bud Black about it. He didn't talk to Cashner, Ross or Kennedy about his behind-the-plate banishment, either, although he has a pretty good idea of why it happened.

Despite the general San Diego approach being to throw down and away, Grandal thought the power pitchers should be throwing inside in the early part of the count before using the outer half of the plate to record the out. But the veteran hurlers weren't catching his drift, and as a result, he wasn't catching their pitches.

• Check out a couple of great fantasy cards at Cards That Never Were: "1982 All Star Game Honorary Captains: Duke Snider & Yogi Berra."
• Via Amy at FanDemonium, "Most Popular MLB Teams By US State."
• Via Nick Diunte at Baseball Happenings, "Mahlon Duckett, a tribute to the passing of a Negro League legend."

“I hit a game winning home run off of Satchel in Yankee Stadium in 1941,” he said. “I’ll never forget that; it was a great day, Yankee Stadium, about 45,000 people there. There were a lot of great things that happened in the Negro Leagues that a lot of people don’t know about. It was a great league with great ballplayers.”

• Well this is interesting.  Via Sports Card Info, "Super Break’s 2015 National VIP Set," includes a card for recently signed Dodger youngster Yadier Alvarez.  See it below.  You will notice that it is the exact same design used for his 2015 Onyx card.

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A Brief Look at the All-Star #FanFest in Cincy - A Jackie Robinson Display

Man-O-Live!

I sure wish they would bring an All-Star Game to Los Angeles.   It's been 35 years since we've hosted one, and seeing the kind of activities this event brings with it on social media has me green with envy.  Just check out twitter.  There are a bunch of pics from the #FanFest in Cincinnati and it looks like a fantastic time.  Check out some photos below that I thought worth sharing.

Of course, an MLB event like this has to include some history, and Dodger great Jackie Robinson appears to have an prominent display.

Bruin Legend Jackie Robinson featured a #ASG2015 #FanFest @UCLAAthletics pic.twitter.com/VwTrIRkj0d

— liz keating (@eakeating) July 10, 2015

Sneak Peak! I'm live #fanfest this morning. It's a history lesson in baseball. So much to see! #allstarnow @fox19 pic.twitter.com/Q6jvFkTkC2

— Megan O'Rourke (@FOX19Megan) July 10, 2015

I just love the Jackie Robinson 1945 Kansas City Royals uniform above.

And above are a couple of fantastic statues of some Negro League greats - Josh Gibson and Satchel Paige.  Pic via @AllStarGame on twitter.  There was even a mascot autograph session, as evidenced in the photos below, via @schffbd on twitter.

Mascot autograph sessions at #FanFest. @Marlins @RaysBaseball @Mets @Indians pic.twitter.com/rD3V2bb7pf

— Walks Will Haunt (@scheffbd) July 13, 2015

Several ladies from the AAGPBL were on-hand to sign for fans, via @pookiejones18 on twitter.

@AllStarGame #fanfestspirit #fanfest having fun pic.twitter.com/B6Wf31UAQD

— Glenn Meyers (@pookiejones18) July 13, 2015

I thought I would end this post with a photo of our centerfield rookie and soon to be Home Run Derby winner Joc Pederson, via @AllStarGame on twitter.

Pic at the very top via @Toppscards on twitter.

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Blog Kiosk: 7/13/2015 - Dodger Links - Kershaw, Pederson and Don Demeter

As you've certainly heard by now, Clayton Kerrshaw has been added to the National League roster.  Via a Dodger press release:

National League All-Star manager Bruce Bochy of the San Francisco Giants announced today, in conjunction with Major League Baseball, that left-handed pitcher Clayton Kershaw of the Los Angeles Dodgers has been added to the NL’s active roster for the Midsummer Classic.  Kershaw replaces Washington Nationals right-hander Max Scherzer, who started on Sunday afternoon and has elected not to be active during the All-Star Game.

Above is a pic by Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2015 featuring all five Dodger All-Star jerseys who'll be heading over to Cincinnati.  Below are some links to check out:

• BTW, Joc Pederson was named a starter for the All-Star Game, via Jon Weisman at Dodger Insider.
• Via Mark Townsend at Big League Stew, "Dodgers build shrine to former teammate Juan Uribe on his bobblehead day."
• Via Nick Diunte at Baseball Happenings, "Catching up with Brooklyn Dodger Don Demeter."

"The next night I got to pinch hit again and the first swing I took, I hit a home run," he said. "They put me in the Ebbets Hall of Fame because I have a .500 average in Ebbets Field."

• Via Eric Stephen at True Blue LA, "Juan Gonzalez strikes out 2 in MLB Futures Game."
• Via Corey Brock at MLB.com, "Dodgers prospect Farmer gets taste of Future." 

"On the catching side, it's his leadership and his ability to connect with pitchers that has shined," said Dodgers director of player development Gabe Kapler. "He's been an exemplary teammate. It's been a pleasure to watch him rise and a true feather in the cap of our catching specialist, Travis Barbary."

• Via Eric Stephen at True Blue LA, "A.J. Ellis finds his roll in new role."

"There was an adjustment period, figuring out the transition," Ellis admitted. "Fortunately, defensively I have felt good all year. The limited amount of playing time keeps you fresh, so when I do catch I have my legs under me. I'm able to move and throw, and do everything I need to do behind the plate, which is first and foremost the most important part of my job."

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Blog Kiosk: 7/11/2015 - Dodger Links - Kershaw, Guilmet and Beachy

Check out this fantastic colorized attempt of a legendary photograph taken by George Bain of the Dodger dugout during the 1916 World Series.  It was shared by r/IckyChris on r/colorization Reddit.  From left to right: centerfielder Hi Myers, manager Wilbert Robinson, and an unknown mascot/bat boy.

Below are some links to check out:

• You're welcome, Clayton!  Via his twitter:

Ending Twitter hibernation to thank everyone who voted for me! Very cool to see the turn out regardless of the results!

— Clayton Kershaw (@ClaytonKersh22) July 10, 2015

• Jon Weisman at Dodger Insider thinks he still might make it to the All-Star - as the first alternate should any pitcher be unable to attend.
• The Dodgers make another roster move by picking up Preston Guilmet off waivers, via a tweet from Ken Rosenthal.

#Dodgers claim RHP Preston Guilmet on waivers from #Rays.

— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) July 10, 2015

• Via Jon Weisman at Dodger Insider, "Dodgers claim Preston Guilmet, designate Chris Reed for assignment."

Guilmet, 27, has 21 innings of Major League experience with a 6.43 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 7.7 K/9. In Triple-A this year, he has a 1.84 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 8.6 K/9. The Dodgers are his third organization this year, after the Rays claimed him from the Blue Jays on May 13.

• Via Eric Stephen at True Blue, "Brandon Beachy will start Saturday for Dodgers."  He last pitched almost two years ago, and this will be his first start as a Dodger.

"Yesterday when we talked I didn't think he would be the starter today. We knew phyiscally he was ready, just through the trainers and how he's been doing and bouncing back," Mattingly said. "He's had some conversations with Farhan [Zaidi, general manager] and some of the guys, and absolutely feels like he's ready to go. That's what we needed to hear. We weren't worried about the physical part, it was more the mental side, and he sounds ready to go."

• Via Bernie Pleskoff at MLB.com, "Scouting profile: Cody Bellinger."

Bellinger can hit. Not at all flashy, he has a very uncomplicated, easy swing. Bellinger makes good contact, using the barrel of the bat to consistently hit line drives to the right-center-field gap or down the right-field line. He gets out in front of the ball with quick wrists and above-average, but not elite, bat speed. A disciplined hitter with very good mechanics, it will be very surprising if Bellinger doesn't hit for a high batting average throughout his career.

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