Dodgers Blue Heaven: Blog Kiosk: 10/1/2014 - Dodger Links

Wednesday, October 01, 2014

Blog Kiosk: 10/1/2014 - Dodger Links - Dodgers and Kings in SI

Guess who'll be on the cover of this coming weeks Sports Illustrated?

My two favorite players from my two favorite franchises will be featured in next weeks west regional issue of Sports Illustrated - Clayton Kershaw and Anze Kopitar. BTW, you shouldn't worry about the SI curse. Per JP Hoornstra at Inside the Dodgers, Adam Wainwright, our opponent in the NLDS and the Cardinals ace, is featured in the central regional issue cover.

Go Dodgers!

Go Kings Go!

OK, now that I got that out of my system check out some links below:

Via Chad Thornburg at MLB.com, "Gordon cleared for Game 1 after right hip irritation."

"I think people are making more out of it [than it is]," Gordon said. "It's just really close to the playoffs, and I need to be at the top of the lineup for us. It is what it is. You guys will see, I'll be out there Friday night."

Via Jon Weisman at Dodger Insider, "The top myths about the 2014 Dodgers." Jon does his best to knock these down.
The Guggenheim empire just keeps growing. The Dodgers have renewed their relationship with KLAC for radio broadcast and also acquired an equity position (an ownership stake) in the network. A few weeks back they purchased a piece of their AAA club - Oklahoma City RedHawks. That's what I call vertical integration.

“We are looking forward to expanding KLAC’s content in this new partnership for our passionate and loyal fan base,” said Dodgers President & CEO Stan Kasten. “We will be teaming up with the fantastic creative team at iHeartMedia on a number of projects and initiatives, to enhance our fans engagement. And what better team to tell the story than from broadcast talent of Vin, Rick and Charley.”

GCRL let me know that a Marcus Thames (remember him?) 2011 Topps Diamond embedded card is up on eBay, here. The seller is asking $5k; which is obviously unrealistic. If I remember correctly the Kershaw All-Star diamond card sold for under $300.00. See a photo of the Thames card on the right.
It looks like Dodger Penguin had a great year. Check out his 2014 season with the Dodger in Pictures, here.
Via Mark Saxon at ESPNLosAngeles.com, "Dodgers not holding grudge over hit batters."

“We’ve had all year long if we wanted revenge or anything like that,” Mattingly said. “We’re trying to win games. It’s really not a concern if somebody gets hit. You can’t go to the plate worrying about getting hit. You can’t go to the mound thinking, ‘I’ve got to hit somebody and establish.’ We all come to play.”

Matt Kemp has been named the National Leagues Player of the Month for September. Via a Dodger press release:

Kemp led the Majors with nine home runs and tied his Dodger teammate Adrian Gonzalez for the Major League lead in RBI with 25, while leading the NL with 63 total bases and 21 runs scored. The 30-year-old slugger posted a .322 batting average (29-for-90) down the stretch, clubbing seven doubles and slugging .700 - the Senior Circuit's second-highest mark.

The photo of Kemp below was taken by Dodger photographer Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2014 yesterday afternoon during the teams first workout of the postseason. Go here to check out more pics from the day here.