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Tuesday, July 31, 2012
Our Newest Dodgers Say Hello
Below are some screen grabs from our two newest Dodgers on twitter. Go ahead and say hello to Shane Victorino and Brandon League.
Dodgers Blog Kiosk: 7/31/2012
- Per Eric Stephen at True Blue LA, Hanley Ramirez Meets the Media in Los Angeles.
"This organization has a lot of history and tradition. I grew up in the Dominican watching this organization," Ramirez said. "Leaving my family behind, that was the hard thing. But coming here to a contender, knowing that I can win some championships here, it's a very happy time for me and my family."
- Ramona Shelbourne at ESPN wonders, "Welcome to Hanleywood?"
"The blaze that Manny came in with, it's hard to duplicate," Mattingly said of Manny Ramirez' 2008 season with the Dodgers in which he hit .396 with 17 home runs and 53 RBI in 53 games. "I'd rather Hanley just come in, be himself, get comfortable here and look at this as more of a long-term situation."
- Ben Badler at Baseball America points out a couple of hidden gems in the Dodgers farm system, via twitter @BenBadler.
- I don't know if I really understand what a Egraph is. Nevertheless, I thought I would take notice of it since Clayton Kershaw and Don Mattingly have joined them to offer the "next generation" of autographs that include personalized written and voice messages. From my understanding, the player will record a personalized message and digitally sign a photo for you. It would be accessible online. You can also order a framed print, but I believe it would be of a digital autograph and not the real thing. Go here for more information. BTW,
100% of all proceeds from Don Mattingly e-graphs will benefit Mattingly Charities efforts to provide baseball themed programs and equipment for disadvantaged youth while Clayton Kershaw's proceeds will go to the Kershaw's Challenge foundation which supports childrens' charities around the world.
- Greg at Plaschke, Thy Sweater is Argyle scores an awesome auto/relic of Duke Snider in a blog contest.
- Barry Petchesky at Deadspin makes note of 4 Olympic athletes who are stateless.
- I'm just enjoying anything Kings related. Here, Will Ferrell and Zach Galifianakis promote their new film "The Campaign" in Toronto at the Hockey Hall of Fame. Ferrell is wearing a Kings jersey.
Video Link: (Hat Tip: Puck Daddy)
eBay: Dodgers Inflatable Doll
Here is a interesting vintage Dodgers inflatable doll that recently showed up on eBay. The seller indicates it is from the 1960's, and I have no reason to dispute that. I just don't know much about it. This is the first time I've seen this specific toy before.
I had featured another inflatable doll last year, but this doll is very different looking. As you can see in that post and in the photos below, there is a scan of a circa 1960's Dodgers mail order catalog that shows an inflatable doll, but that doll looks nothing like the one above. BTW, the doll below sold on eBay for nearly $50.00.
Welcome Back to the Blue, Shane
Wow! This trade may not be the slam dunk that the Hanley trade appears to be, but you can't deny that Shane Victorino is a gamer. He plays hard and plays with grit. Sure, the Dodger faithful had grown to despise him. Heck, some fans may even hate him. Me, I've been always mindful that he was once a prospect within the Dodger system who was never really given an opportunity to crack the lineup and went unnoticed by several teams before spreading his wings with the Phillies. There, Victorino's will and abilities took hold as he lead the team to five consecutive playoff berths and one World Championship in 2008. I welcome his experience and leadership.
Per FanGraphs, they mention that we really didn't trade anything that we would miss, so this could turn out to be a big winner for us.
Okay, they didn’t actually get him for nothing. To acquire the Phillies center fielder (who will almost certainly play left in LA), the Dodgers gave up 25-year-old reliever Josh Lindblom and enigmatic right-handed pitching prospect Ethan Martin. Reports are that the Dodgers felt comfortable moving Lindblom after acquiring Brandon League from the Mariners last night, but in reality, they should have always been comfortable trading Josh Lindblom for value, because Josh Lindblom is simply not a particularly valuable player.Considering this, it appears that the Brandon League trade was put together to set up a trade for Victorino. So, we give up Leon Landry, Logan Bawcom, Josh Lindblom and Ethan Martin for Brandon League and Shane Victorino. UPDATE: According to a @Dodgers tweet, along with Lindblom and Martin a "player to be named later" will also be going to the Phillies.
Below are stats for Shane Victorino from Baseball Reference.
UPDATE: The Dodgers alredy have a pic with Shane Victorino in a Dodgers uniform. See it below:
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| (pic via twitter @Dodgers) |
UPDATE II: BTW, Shane Victorino is on twitter, but doesn't appear to be very active. Nevertheless, go ahead and follow him! @ShaneVictorino
UPDATE III: From a Dodger press release today:
“We’re excited to add an All-Star caliber player with postseason experience,” said Colletti. “He plays the game with passion, gives us a top of the order bat from both sides of the plate, can steal bases and is solid defensively in the outfield.”
Victorino, 31, is batting .261 with nine homers, 24 steals and 40 RBI in 101 games this season with the Phillies. The switch-hitter is hitting .316 against left-handed pitching this season and is swinging a hot bat of late, having hit safely in five consecutive games and nine of his last 10 at a .378 clip (14-for-37) since July 18.
Welcome to the Blue, Brandon
The Dodgers sure are doing their best to stay competitive this season. Last night, they made a deal with the Mariners to trade 2 prospects for reliever Brandon League. League is a former closer who has struggled this season as he saw his strike out/walk ratio fall significantly from last year. Below is a excerpt from a press release.
The Los Angeles Dodgers today acquired right-handed reliever Brandon League from the Seattle Mariners in exchange for minor league outfielder Leon Landry and minor league right-handed pitcher Logan Bawcom. Dodger General Manager Ned Colletti made the announcement.In exchange, we send away a couple of decent prospects; one of whom has been red hot lately. Leon Landry is a speedy outfielder who has shown that he can hit the ball in high A. In fact, he was recently named the Cal League Player of the week, per MiLB:
League was 0-5 with a 3.63 ERA (18 ER/44.2 IP) and nine saves in 46 games for the Mariners this season, striking out 27 batters and allowing just one home run. The Sacramento, CA native was named to the American League All-Star team in 2011 and went on to save 37 games for Seattle last year.
League’s 37 saves in 42 chances last year ranked third in the American League and tied for fourth on the Mariners’ all-time single-season saves list. The 29-year old hurler recorded 14 consecutive saves from May 18-July 4, 2011. His 88.1 save percentage was the sixth highest in Mariners’ history.
(.467/.469/1.033, 6 G, 14-for-30, 1 2B, 5 3B, 2 HR, 7 RBI, 9 R, 1 BB, 3 K, 3 SB)Logan Bawcom figures on being a reliever and might star as a closer at some point in his career. This year, he has recorded 20 saves with a 2.03 ERA.
Speaking of triples, Landry took over the Minor League lead in three-baggers with five this week, giving him 15 on the season. The 22-year-old outfielder went 4-for-6 with an inside-the-park homer, two triples, four RBIs and three runs scored against visiting Lake Elsinore on Friday night. A third-round pick out of LSU in 2010, Landry also has 26 doubles (third-most in the Cal League) and eight round-trippers to give him a league leading 49 extra-base hits.
Below are stats for Brandon League.
UPDATE: BTW, Brandon League is on twitter- @BrandonLeague43. Go ahead and follow him!
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