Dodgers Blue Heaven: Blog Kiosk: 4/14/2017 - Dodgers Links

Friday, April 14, 2017

Blog Kiosk: 4/14/2017 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Cold bats on a cold day continue to hamper the Dodgers. Yesterday, they could not muster a hit when they needed it most. They went 0-for-10 with runners in scoring position; which only added to their woes against the Cubs. Over the pasty three games they are 1-for-24 with runners in scoring position. Ironically, 1-for-24 equates to a 0.042 average -- maybe the Baseball gods are having a bit of fun with us as we enter Jackie Robinson weekend. Per Rowan Kavner at Dodger Insider:

“When you’ve got to have that hit to push a couple across, we haven’t got it yet. I know it’s not for lack of effort. Maybe a little (wanting it) too much.” — Dave Roberts

The Dodgers got blanked, 4-0. Ryu struggled through 4 2/3 inning, allowing two home runs with the wind blowing in. Per John Jackson at MLB.com:

"The velocity was a little bit down today," Roberts said. "He touched 91 [mph] but pitched at 87, 88. I thought he left a couple of fastballs out over [the plate], one to Rizzo and one to Russell. I thought the changeup was really good.

Photo at the very top via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2017. Go here to check out more pics by Jon from yesterdays game. Below are more links to check out:

This Day in Dodgers History: In 1931 47-year old Brooklyn Robins hurler Jack Quinn becomes the oldest pitcher to start an Opening Day game. He would lose to the Boston Braves, 7-4. In 1964 Sandy Koufax made his only Opening Day start for the Dodgers. He faced the St. Louis Cardinals and threw a six-hit shutout, 4-0. It is also his ninth career complete game without allowing a walk.
Happy Birthday, Jack Radtke, Greg Maddux, Mike Trombley, Brad Ausmus & Carlos Perez!
Audio: Dodgers outfielder Yasiel Puig joined David Vassegh prior to Wednesday's game against the Cubs to discuss his Wild Horse Foundation charity, which is hosting its first-ever charity Texas Hold-Em tournament next month. (Audio Link)
Video: Alanna Rizzo speaks with Dave Roberts after the Dodgers 4-0 loss to the Chicago Cubs on Thursday afternoon. (Video Link)
Video: Spend some time with Corey Seager as he visits his parents home in North Carolina. (Video Link)
Per Jason Stark at ESPN; "An oral history of the night baseball stopped to retire No. 42 forever."
I hope he's learned to speed up his game. Via John Jackson at MLB.com; "Baez set to rejoin Dodgers this weekend: Righty notches successful rehab outing Wednesday with Triple-A Oklahoma City."
Dustin Nosler at Dodgers Digest shares his scouting report on pitcher Mitchell White, here.

If the draft were held again, White certainly wouldn’t have made it to the second round. He might not have made it out of the top half of the first round. He has done nothing but impress since he was selected, and he is on the fast track to the majors.

This weeks Topps exclusive online Throwback Thursday set commemorates this weekends Jackie Robinson Day. It uses a 1972 Topps Baseball subset design and includes Clayton Kershaw (as well as, pics of Jackie Robinson on each card). Check out the Kershaw card on the right. Go here to check it out and order.
OMG! You know those 50/50 raffles that are held at sporting events throughout the country nowadays? Well, on Wednesday the take home prize for a raffle winner in Edmonton got up to $336,000. I kid you not! Per Sean Leahy at Puck Daddy; "Edmonton Oilers fans take home $336K after winning Game 1 50/50 raffle."
The Daytona Torugas, a Reds Single-A club, will be wearing commemorative jerseys as a part of Jackie Robinson Night tomorrow, but with a twist. Instead of wearing #42 they will all wear uniforms with the number #9. Per Ballpark Digest:

Daytona Beach was the first city in Florida to allow Jackie Robinson to play during the 1946 season, a year before his Big League debut. When Jacksonville and Sanford said no, Daytona Beach said yes to Jackie. While playing in this game, Jackie wore the #9. Therefore, both the #9 and #42 jerseys have been retired at Jackie Robinson Ballpark, renamed after him in 1989.

For the first time ever, Minor League Baseball has granted the entire Daytona Tortugas team permission to wear number 9 on Saturday, April 15th, 2017. While all of Major League Baseball, and select Minor League teams, don the #42, Daytona will stand alone once again with the number nine.