Blog Kiosk: 8/17/2016 - Dodgers Links - Utley's Unforgettable Evening in Philly

Last nights game was unreal.

Not only did it begin with an over minute long standing ovation for leadoff hitter Chase Utley, but it would later be eclipsed by an curtain call after a grand slam by the former Phillies hero in the seventh inning.  Via Doug Padilla at ESPN:

"It's completely overwhelming," Utley said in a postgame news conference. "The standing ovation my first at-bat is something I'll never forget. It was truly special. It really shows how passionate and how great the Philadelphia fan base is. It was probably one of the most nervous at-bats I'll ever have at any level. I was glad to get it over with, to be honest with you."

Per Evan Webeck and Todd Zolecki at MLB.com:

"I think it just goes to show you can change the uniform, but he's always going to be a Phillie at heart," (Ryan) Howard said. "He's always going to be a Phillie to everybody here. I thought it was great. I thought it was awesome. For the fans to give him a curtain call again, it shows what he was able to do here and the impact that he had here on the fans."

BTW, to go along with the shellacking of the Phillies, 15-5, the Dodgers leapfrogged over the Giants to take an half game lead. 

(graphic via @Dodgers on twitter)

Photo at the very top via CSN Philly on twitter.  Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodger History:  In 1992 Dodger hurler Kevin Gross no-hits the Giants at Dodger Stadium, 2-0.  You can watch the last out of his no-hitter here.
• The Players' Tribune visited Dodger Stadium last week to experience Clayton Kershaw's "Ping-Pong 4 Purpose" event and they shared some words and photos on their blog.  Go here to check it out.
• Via Evan Webeck at MLB.com; "Anderson set for next start after wrist scare."

"My arm feels good," Anderson said. "So I'm gonna throw a bullpen here tomorrow, the next day, and go from there."

• Via Eric Avakian at Dodger Blue; "Zach Walters Released From Organization."
• This mornings Baseball America prospect report makes note of Dodger pitcher Yadier Alvarez:

The Dodgers’ No. 10 prospect at midseason, Alvarez pitched five no-hit innings Tuesday for low Class A Great Lakes in a 12-0 win over Lansing (Blue Jays). Alvarez struck out eight and walked three, touching 100 mph, manager Gil Velasquez told reporters. Overall at two levels, the 19-year-old Cuban—who got a $16 million bonus—is 3-2, 2.12 with 68 strikeouts in 46 2/3 innings. Alvarez has a lively, loose arm and a lithe, athletic frame that allows him to repeat his delivery easily. The breaking ball has good angle and the changeup is in development. 

• This is a fun story that is more about Hardy than Kershaw.  Via Eddie Matz at ESPN; "J.J. Hardy would come out of pingpong retirement for showdown with Clayton Kershaw." 

He’s such a pingpong junkie that he has made a habit of chatting up opposing players to see who the big kahunas are in other clubhouses around the league. “You hear a lot about Clayton Kershaw.” He’s even talked to the Dodgers ace’s teammates to see how he stacks up.

“I’ve asked Andre Ethier and Howie Kendrick, because they've seen me play pingpong,” says Hardy. “They say it'd be a good match.”

• Giovanni Balistreri at When Topps Had Balls shares a fantasy Baseball card featuring former Dodger infielder Rick Auerbach on a 1977 Topps card (Link Here).
• Via Dan Glickman at the Hall of Very Good; "Wisdom and Links: The Meaning of Baseball in the Olympics."  He makes an important point that having Baseball as an Olympic sport means that other nations will provide funds for the development of the game in their countries.  This will naturally lead to talent being found in areas not currently known for playing the game and increase exposure of the game in those same countries.  Overall, it's a win-win... even if Major Leaguers do not play.
• I just thought this was cool.  Via This Is Colossal, they share some fantastic photographs taken by Richard James Daniels.  He "captures the Philippines’ love for basketball by photographing hundreds of makeshift basketball courts across the country."
• Wow!  Per Ross Yoshida, the Dodgers Director of Graphic Design, on twitter: 

On Fri night, @kikehndez became the first Dodger to wear striped hosiery in a game since 1937. (Photo: @JonSooHoo ) pic.twitter.com/LuaYPWzCax

— Ross Yoshida (@RYDesignLA) August 15, 2016

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