Puig Arrives Late - Scratched from Game - Kemp Now In

I can just imagine the howls from the peanut gallery now.

"Puig is an irresponsible oaf!" 

"He is a clubhouse cancer!"

"He needs to grow up!"

And, you know what?  Considering the news that has been percolating this morning, the naysayers would be right.

It has been reported widely on twitter that Yasiel Puig was late to the Dodgers workout.  He missed his rotation in the batting cage and was not on the field for early workouts.  Via Bill Plunkett at the OC Register on twitter:

Yasiel Puig arrived late. Was not on the field for most off the workout and has been pulled from #Dodgers lineup. Kemp is in.
— Bill Plunkett (@billplunkettocr) April 4, 2014

As a result, returning outfielder Matt Kemp has been inserted into todays starting lineup.  Check it out below, via David Vassegh on twitter:

New lineup.  Yasiel Puig was late to ballpark.  Arrived approx 10:15am.  Don't know reason yet pic.twitter.com/OPdQmcsZ1Y
— David Vassegh (@THEREAL_DV) April 4, 2014

I've been willing to excuse much of the shenanigans surrounding Puig, but this is going too far.  It's Opening Day and he should know better by now.

What's the deal, Puig!

Here's a great photo from Scott Killeen on twitter of Manny Mota having a discussion with Yasiel.  I am sure it's the same lecture he's heard numerous times before.

@sosgsosg Puig getting schooled pic.twitter.com/x0MH61ir3K
— Scott Killeen  (@scottkilleen) April 4, 2014

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2014 Topps Museum baseball - Some Dodger Jumbo Relic Cards

Here are some more Dodger relic cards that can be found in packs of 2014 Topps Museum Baseball card packs.  This time, I share some of the 'Jumbo' relic cards that are available.  In my mind, these cards would look great autographed.  If you have one of these, I would suggest getting the player to sign it for you.  It would make the card look phenomenal.  Go here to check out my past post from this set.

Jumbo Lumber Relics

#MMJL-CK Clayton Kershaw

#MMJL-HR Hyun-Jin Ryu

#MMJL-MK Matt Kemp

#MMJL-SG Steve Garvey

Momentous Material Jumbo Relics

#MMJR-AEL A.J. Ellis

#MMJR-CB Chad Billingsley

#MMJR-HR Hanley Ramirez

#MMJR-MK Matt Kemp

There is also a Momentous Material Jumbo Patch Relics card of Matt Kemp (##MMJPR-MK) available, but a sample has yet to be unearthed.  I imagine it uses the same design and photo as the Kemp card directly above, but includes a monster uniform patch.

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It's Opening Day at Dodger Stadium - Matt Kemp has been Reinstated

What a wonderful day for some Dodger Baseball, and a perfect afternoon for Opening Day at Dodger Stadium.  To usher in the morning, the first thing I saw when I turned on my computer at work and saw my news feed was the above photo.  It was posted up by the Dodgers on tumblr.  Thank you, guys!

The first Dodger news story of the day is that Matt Kemp has officially rejoined the team.  He been reinstated.  Outfielder Mike Baxter has been sent down to AAA.  Via Ken Gurnick at MLB.com:

"I'm as ready as I can be, and [I'm] excited to get out and compete again," Kemp said. "I've done all the practicing I can do, I've done the rehab. I've busted my butt and now I hope all the work has paid off."

(Matt Kemp, pic via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2014)

The early word is that Kemp will not be in today's starting lineup; which has him fuming a bit.  Via Eric Stephen on twitter:

Don Mattingly on Matt Kemp reacting to not being in lineup today: "I don't think he was too happy about it."
— Eric Stephen (@truebluela) April 4, 2014

Alanna Rizzo adds on twitter:

Mattingly wants to get Kemp in the mix but doesn't want him to throw him into the fire. He'll likely get in the game in later innings.
— Alanna Rizzo (@alannarizzo) April 4, 2014

Then, Mattingly made an apt analogy, via Pedro Moura on twitter:

Mattingly compared Kemp's return to Dwyane Wade's for the Heat, where his minutes rose gradually: "I don't want to throw him into the fire."
— Pedro Moura (@pedromoura) April 4, 2014

The plan is to ease him into the regular starting job, so as to not put too much strain on him.  Frankly, this is exactly what the Dodgers should do, regardless of what Kemp thinks.  Sometimes, you just have to save the man from himself.

Below is the Dodgers starting lineup against the Giants.

(Starting Lineup, pic via @Dodgers on twitter)

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A Scarce 1958 Dodgers Bell Brand Set at MHCC Auctions

Mile High Card Company has their April 2014 auction up, and it includes a very rare near-set of 1958 Dodgers Bell Brand cards still enclosed within their original cellophane wrappers.  A total of 9 cards are a part of the auction; only missing the Johnny Podres card for completion.  See them below.

(Auction Link)

Since I find it unlikely that I'll every complete a full set of these, I thought I would share this auction with all of you.  BTW, I do have one of the cards in my collection - it's a Roy Campanella card in PSA 6 condition.

As I'm sure you know, this set is extremely scarce, and to find them still in their packaging is incredible... No, unbelievable.  Generally, 1958 Dodgers Bell Brand cards are rare in any condition.  They were inserted into packs of Bell Brand Potato Chips, so they are often found stained with chip grease or badly damaged from being in those bags.  The cards measure 3" x 4".  At the time of this posting, this auction lot is already priced over $9,000.  Wow!

(Auction Link)

Just to be complete, below is a pic of the Johnny Podres 1958 Bell Brand Baseball card, so that you can get a look at what a complete 10-card set looks like.

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This Sunday's Viva Los Dodgers Features Raul Mondesi and Manny Mota Signing Autographs!

This coming Sunday will the seasons first Viva Los Dodger celebration during Opening Weekend, and it includes something very special.  

From a Dodgers press release:

The Dodgers will welcome back former Dodger outfielder Raul Mondesi as part of Dominican Heritage at Viva Los Dodgers this Sunday. Mondesi, current mayor of San Cristobal, Dominican Republic, will be holding a clothing drive to benefit his hometown of San Cristobal. He will accept donations of gently-worn clothing and will sign autographs for fans. Fans that bring a donation will be placed in a priority line for autographs. Viva Los Dodgers autograph sessions are open to all fans with the day's game ticket... Mondesi will also throw the ceremonial first pitch prior to Sunday's game.

HOLY MOLY!  Raul Mondesi will be in town!  And, he'll be singing some autographs for fans.  WooHoo!

UPDATE:  I'm Sorry!  I forgot to mention the time for this event.  Viva Los Dodgers begins at 3:00 PM; about 2 hours before the start of the game.

Additionally,

Dodger coach and SportsNet LA Spanish-language broadcaster Manny Mota will make an appearance and sign autographs for fans as part of Dominican Heritage Day.

As for musical entertainment,

Sunday's family-friendly festival will also feature musical entertainment by La Santa Cecilia, a local Latino alternative rock group and 2014 GRAMMY® award winners for Best Latin Rock, Urban or Alternative Album. LA native, multi-platinum selling music producer, artist and 2014 GRAMMY® award nominee Scoop DeVille will DJ. Raul Campos of KCRW and NUVOtv's "The Collective" will serve as emcee.

Below is promotional schedulefor for future Viva Los Dodgers events:

Date/Game Time	Opponent	Talent
April 6, 5:00 p.m.	Giants	Dominican Heritage Day: La Santa Cecilia, DJ Scoop DeVille,  Raul Mondesi, Manny Mota and special guests
April 20, 1:10 p.m.	Dbacks	Renzo, Mar de Ashe
April 27, 1:10 p.m.	Rockies	Cumbia Machin
May 11, 1:10 p.m.	Giants	Mother's Day: Palenke Soultribe, El Conjunto Nueva Ola
June 1, TBD	Pirates	Las Cafeteras
June 15, 1:10 p.m.	Dbacks	Father's Day: Frankie J, Jungle Fire
June 29, TBD	Cardinals	Mexican Heritage Day: Metalachi, Trio Ellas
July 13, 1:10 p.m.	Padres	La Misa Negra, Diana Fuentes
Aug. 3, TBD	Cubs	TBD
Aug. 17, 1:10 p.m.	Brewers	Cuban Heritage Day: Johnny Polanco y su Conjunto Amistad, Alfred Rodriguez
Aug. 24, 1:10 p.m.	Mets	TBD
Sept. 7, TBD	Dbacks	TBD

Sept. 27, 6:10 p.m.      Rockies             La Gran Fiesta: El Conjunto Nueva Ola

*Additions to talent, autograph sessions and special appearances will be made throughout the season and announced prior to each event.

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Blog Kiosk: 4/4/2014 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends on Opening Day

I love this photo.  Above is a fans-eye-view of the ballfield at the Coliseum during the 1958 Baseball season, pic via @DugoutLegends.

• Mark Langill at the Dodger Insider tells us why Opening Day at Dodger Stadium is a day game. 
• Via Cory DiBenedetto at the Daily Gammons, "Hyun-Jin Ryu's zone location approach."
• Daniel Brim at Dodgers Digest takes a look at, "Hyun-Jin Ryu’s Other New Toy."

The curveball wasn’t only different pitch for Ryu. According to the data, Ryu has added a sinker (the pitch could also be a two-seam fastball, since Brooks often groups the two pitches together).

• ICYMI:  Brian Wilson was officially placed on the 15-day DL, and the Dodgers recalled reliever Jose Dominguez from AAA.

The Los Angeles Dodgers today placed right-handed pitcher Brian Wilson on the 15-day disabled list (retroactive to March 31) with right elbow ulnar nerve inflammation and recalled right-handed pitcher Jose Dominguez from Triple-A Albuquerque. In nine appearances for the Dodgers in 2013, the hard-throwing right-hander posted a 2.16 ERA (2 ER/8.1 IP) with three walks and four strikeouts in his first big league season.

• Via Bill Shaikin at the LA Times, "Dodgers' Clayton Kershaw leads MLB pitchers in jersey sales."
• Via Dylan Hernandez at the LA Times, "Dodgers' Yasiel Puig seeks advice, gets it."

"I'm preparing very well in practice, in batting practice, everything I'm doing with the coaches," he said. "I'm learning more about the pitchers, the pitches they throw, how to not let them beat me with pitches out of the zone, wait for the pitches I can hit and to trust my hands."

• Via Cary Osborne at Dodger Insider, "Trayvon Robinson: You can come home again."
• Via Ken Gurnick at MLB.com, "Kemp confident he's ready for Dodgers' home opener."

 "I'm as ready as I can be, and [I'm] excited to get out and compete again," Kemp said. "I've done all the practicing I can do, I've done the rehab. I've busted my butt and now I hope all the work has paid off."

• So, first we hear that the Dodgers SportsNet LA negotiations between Time Warner and Direct TV have stopped since Direct TV walked away from the table(via Joe Flint at the LA Times).  Then, we hear that this announcement was just a sly tactic by Time Warner, and Direct TV is in fact still talking with them (via Ben Bergman at KPCC).  Who knows what to believe. 

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