Look at these All-Stars smiling wide.
As you likely know by know, the Dodgers will be represented by three players during this upcoming All-Star Game in San Diego. They are shortstop Corey Seager, closer Kenley Jansen and ace Clayton Kershaw (not shown). Selection was based on player balloting. This will be a first All-Star appearance for both Seager and Jansen. Kershaw is now a six time All-Star, but will not be playing due to a mildly herniated disc. BTW, below are some additional facts:
- Jansen, 28, leads all relievers with a 0.66 WHIP and ranks among National League relievers in saves (25, 2nd), ERA (1.30, 3rd), opponents’ batting average (.153, 3rd) and strikeout-to-walk ratio (8.80, 2nd, 44 SO/5 BB) in 36 appearances this year.
- Jansen, who became the franchise’s all-time saves leader earlier this year, is the first Dodger reliever to be named to the All-Star team since 2010 (Jonathan Broxton & Hong-Chih Kuo) and is just the third All-Star ever from Curacao, joining Andruw Jones (2000, ’02-03, ’05-06) and Jair Jurrjens (2011).
- Kershaw, 28, is the first Dodger to be named to six consecutive All-Star teams (2011-16) since Fernando Valenzuela (1981-86).
- Seager, at 22 years, 69 days, is the youngest position player to be honored as an All-Star in franchise history (previous: Pete Reiser: 22 years, 113 days) and the third-youngest Dodger All-Star overall (at the time of their first selection), behind only Fernando Valenzuela (20 years, 281 days in 1981) and Ralph Branca (21 years, 183 days in 1947).
- Seager is just the second Dodger rookie shortstop to be selected, joining Bill Grabarkewitz in 1970, and the first Dodger shortstop to be named an All-Star since Rafael Furcal in 2010.
- This Day in Dodger History: In 1938 Leo Durocher hit a bunt home run as the Dodgers rep during the All-Star game in Cincinnati. Per a description at Baseball Almanac:
Frank McCormick had opened the seventh with a single and Leo Durocher, the next batter, was ordered to sacrifice. He followed the order as third baseman Jimmie Foxx charged in. Playing the ball, Foxx made the scoop and threw the ball into right field. Joe DiMaggio, in right in deference to Earl Averill, raced in, picked up the ball and fired it home. The throw was too high and sailed over catcher Bill Dickey's head, allowing McCormick to score. Meanwhile, Durocher never stopped running until he reached home.
In 2000 Vin Scully is voted the #1 sportscaster of the 20th century by members of the American Sportscasters Association. - Happy Birthday, Willie Randolph!
- ICYMI, the Dodgers have optioned Julio Urias to Triple-A Oklahoma City and recalled Luis Avilan in his place. As you know, they have a strict pitch limit in place for Julio, and he is no doubt coming close to meeting those numbers. So far this season he has thrown a total of 77.1 innings (both in LA and in minors), and has never pitched more than 87.2 innings in a year at anytime in his career. You should expect that he'll exceed those prior numbers, but not by a significant amount. Per Jon Weisman at Dodger Insider; "Dodgers to recall Luis Avilan, option Julio Urías."
- Via Daniel Starkand at Dodger Blue; "Dodgers News: Trayce Thompson Credits Justin Turner And Other Veteran Leadership."
“We have great examples with Howie, Adrian, Chase and A.J. They act and prepare the same,” he said over the weekend. “You couldn’t tell if they’re 0-for-4 or 4-for-4. That’s what it’s all about, to be the same guy, battle and be confident in yourself. We have some great examples.”
Thompson placed importance on Turner, the Dodgers’ No. 3 hitter. “I think it all starts with JT, I think a lot of credit should be given to him,” the young outfielder said.
“He wasn’t himself in the beginning of the season but he’s been the same guy each day, great teammate and everything. I’m very happen for him. It’s been good for me being a younger guy to follow someone like that.”
- Topps released several preview pics of the 2016 Bowman Inception set on twitter; including the autographed Corey Seager card on the right.
- Via Grant Bisbee at McCovey Chronicles; "The Dodgers have wasted a lot of money, and it might be working."
Which brings us to the point, the grand statement, the thesis. The Dodgers’ hoarding of high-risk/high-reward players wasn’t supposed to be a plan that worked all the time. It was supposed to be a plan that worked some of the time, but when it worked, my goodness, how it was going to work. No, Alex Guerrero didn’t slug his way into a five-win season, but Yasiel Puig has, and he might again. Anderson didn’t stay healthy enough to justify his 2016 salary, but McCarthy just might. It was about playing 12 players with a 1-in-11 chance of providing an outstanding return on their investment.
- Via ESPN Deportes; "Adolfo Ramírez, 17 year old pitcher, signed with the Dodgers." He signed the contract on Sunday, and will be headed to the teams facilities in the Dominican Republic on Thursday, July 7th.
- Via Mark Langill at Dodger Insider; "Fifty years ago, Orioles gave Dodgers afternoon blues." Mark takes a look back at the 1966 World Series that featured Los Angeles and Baltimore.
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