Alexander Guerrero was Back on Field, Yesterday

The Dodger newest Cuban signee has finally returned to the Gigantes del Cibao lineup in the Dominican Winter Leagues.  As you know, he came out of the lineup a few weeks back due to a leg injury.

Guerrero last played on Tuesday, November 12th in a game that featured his first professional home run.

In last nights game he recorded a single in 4 at-bats against Tigres del Licey. See his complete Winter League stats below.

Also,  a pre-game video interview from yesterday with Guerrero is available for viewing.  Watch it below.  Unfortunately, it's all in Spanish, so I haven't a clue what he says, but a coworker does speak the language.  Thankfully, (Thanks, Luis!) he was able to clue me in.  Below are some basic bullet points from the interview:

• The doctor release him that day.  They wanted to make sure he was 100% and ready to go before playing again.  It's their desire for him to continue playing this Winter without any further stoppages.
• He's confident everything will work out.
• While injured he spent his time watching live pitching
• The Dodgers want him to focus on hitting and facing pitchers - i.e. watching live pitching since he hasn't played the game for a while.
• Said he feels comfortable with the work and with 2nd base.  It's a new position for him.  Although not explicit, it appears that he has only been playing 2nd base.

There were a bunch of your typical Baseball cliche's about "giving his all" and "he'll do anything for the team".  For a guy who's been trapped in communist Cuba, he sounds very professional and confident. I didn't figure on him having the kind of public relations skills he obviously displays.  Hopefully, his injury is a thing of the past, and he comes into Spring Training ready to take over 2nd base.

Video Link:

UPDATE:  From Twitter user Ivan Sanz we find out that Guerrero hit a double in his first at-bat this afternoon, and someone from the Dodgers is watching the game.

According to today's game announcer, #dodgers personnel is watching Guerrero tonight. Colletti was at yesterday's game @FeelinKindaBlue
— Ivan Sanz (@isanz33) December 4, 2013

BTW Guerrero had an RBI double in 1st AB tonight, sharp line drive down LF line #Dodgers @mike_petriello @truebluela @FeelinKindaBlue
— Ivan Sanz (@isanz33) December 4, 2013

UPDATE II:  Guerrero finished up tonights game going 1 for 3 with a walk and a RBI double.  Via Ivan Sanz on twitter. 

On last AB, Guerrero flies out to RF, 1-3 tonight with walk and RBI double. @mike_petriello @FeelinKindaBlue @truebluela #Dodgers
— Ivan Sanz (@isanz33) December 4, 2013

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The Kings Unveiled their Jersey for the Game at Dodger Stadium - and it Sucks!

This just proves that the NHL is filled with incompetents.

This morning, the NHL unveiled the Stadium Series jerseys that teams will be wearing later on in the season.  As you know, the LA Kings and Anaheim Ducks will be playing a late January outdoor hockey game at Dodger Stadium, and I'm jazzed about it.

After all, what could be better than my hockey passion merging with all that is good and right (Dodger Baseball)?

Well... I'll tell you what could be better.  If the NHL took the opportunity to use the Baseball tie-in to market the game to Southern California fans.

You see, it's not enough to play a game in Chavez Ravine.  You've got to give us something pleasing to look at, and the Stadium Series Jerseys they unveiled does an atrocious job of doing that.

I am very disappointed by what they have created.  Take a look at the Kings jersey below.  Pre orders are available at the Team LA Store.  Click on any pic to embiggen.

And here's the Ducks jersey.

As you can see, the league decided to stick with the current team colors while adding a bit of chrome shininess to the jersey.  Overall, it's not a bad approach, and if the game was being played at almost any other venue, I might not be so disappointed.  But, they are playing this game at Dodger Stadium, and I believe they are missing a golden opportunity to use that.

What they should have created are Dodgers and Angels themed jersey for the Kings and Ducks.  This could have helped enforce and foster a rivalry that has been slowly building for some time. It would be like the Kings vs. the Ducks, Dodgers vs. the Angels, LA vs. OC.

Instead we get this abomination.

Here's an example of what they should've done.

Last season, the Kings held a special King's Care Foundation auction that featured Dodgers themed jerseys worn by the players during a pre-game warmup.  Take a look at one of them below. 

As you can see, they used classic Dodger Blue, and I would like to add that they looked incredible on the ice.

If the NHL had any marbles they would have worked out a deal with MLB to create this kind of jersey for the game.  They could have gone with a similar script saying Los Angeles, instead of Dodgers, or just used the Kings logo shield on front.

It would have generated enormous interest throughout Southern California, and forced many diehard Kings and Dodger fans to spend some dollars to add this to their collections.  Instead, I'm sitting here sulking at what could have been. 

I won't be placing an order for this jersey.

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Blog Kiosk: 12/3/2013 - Dodgers Links - Belisario Non-Tendered , Nomar Back in Blue and Wilson Rumored to Stay in LA

Here's a great vintage of some 1938 Brooklyn Dodgers singing.  Do you recognize one of them?  Pic via @Dodgers_History on twitter.

• I love it when old Dodgers come back home after retirement.  Via Steve Dilbeck at the LA Times, Nomar Garciaparra has been hired to do pre- and -post game commentary for the new Dodgers TV network called SportsNet LA.  I guess he'll be taking over for Eric Collins/Steve Lyons.  On a side note, Dilbeck notes that the Dodgers are also trying to sign Orel Hershiser.
• Via Jae Seung at Arirang News, "Ryu Hyun-Jin set to return to the U.S. in January".
• I'm a little shocked by this move.  Via Eric Stephen at True Blue LA, the Dodgers decided to non-tender Ronald Belisario.  In other words, they chose to not offer him a contract before last nights deadline for arbitration-eligible players; thereby making Belisario a free agent.  Even with his inconsistency and legal troubles, I figured he still had good enough stuff to be a viable option out of the pen.  Something tells me that he'll find a home somewhere.
• Although I hate how silly rumors get spread around like warm peanut butter on toast, I have to admit that this little update from Tim Brown on twitter warms my heart.  I so hope Wilson stays.

 

Dodgers and Brian Wilson appear to be getting close on a contract agreement.
— Tim Brown (@TBrownYahoo) December 3, 2013

• JP Hoornstra at Inside the Dodgers tells us that the Dodgers also made an offer to free agent reliever Joe Smith; who eventually signed with Angels.
• Craig Calcaterra at Hardball Talk writes, "Is India the Next Hotbed for Baseball Talent?"
• Murray Chass writes a bit about the HOF Expansion ballot that includes union head Marvin Miller. 

Although Miller belongs in the Hall for his matchless impact on Major League Baseball, the Hall’s officials have bungled his status, perhaps deliberately, and now the electors should honor his wishes just as the Hall has dishonored him.

• Via Maury Brown at Forbes, "From ADD To Hypogonadism: How 122 MLB Players Were Allowed To Use Banned Substances".  I knew that there were players who received a waiver, but I had no idea it was that many.

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