Blog Kiosk: 7/12/2017 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Check out the boys during the pre All-Star Game ceremonies above. Who Clayton is gawking at I do not know.

As for the game, I've realized that low-scoring All-Star games are boring, and all I could think about was how I can't wait for the second half to begin.

(pic via @AquaX107 on twitter)

The only Dodger performance of note was by Kenley Jansen. In his single inning of work in the ninth he collected three consecutive strike outs and committed a balk. Heck, the balk was the best part of his outing. With a man on second he forgot to get himself set before delivering his pitch to Avisail Garcia. Almost immediately after throwing the errant pitch he realized his error and was seen visibly laughing about it on the mound -- and as he walked back to the dugout after his outing. No doubt his teammates had some fun at his expense.

Pic above via Jon SooSoo/LA Dodgers 2017. Go here to check out more pics by Jon from yesterdays All-Star Game. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1949 the All-Star Game arrived at Ebbets Field in Brooklyn for the first and only time. This was also the first All-Star Game that included black ballplayers -- Roy Campanella, Jackie Robinson, Don Newcombe and Larry Doby of the Indians. In 1966 Dodger shortstop Maury Wills hit a walk-off single off of Pete Richert of the Senators in the tenth inning of the All-Star Game in St. Louis to help the National League defeat the American League, 2-1. Other Dodger participants include Jim Lefebvre (who went 0-for-2 as the starter at second base) and Sandy Koufax (who made his only career All-Star start, threw three innings, struck out one, gave up one hit and allowed a single run). Dodger pitcher Phil Regan did not pitch.
• Happy Birthday, Jim Pastorious, Ray Mowe, Artie Dede, Al Glossop, Ron Fairly, Mike Munoz, Kelly Wunsch & Howie Kendrick! 
• Per Bill Shaikin at the LA Times; "Commissioner says Dodgers TV deal isn't his business, but MLB is looking into abuse of 10-day disabled list."

“It’s not my job to tell a club to renegotiate its television agreements,” Manfred said. “I think the much more productive course, and we have pursued this course, is to try to work with the parties who actually have an economic interest here” — the Dodgers, Charter and cable and satellite operators.

“I remain very concerned about the issue,” the commissioner added. “As I have said repeatedly, I don’t have a seat at that table.”

• Per Ryan Fagan at the Sporting News; "Alyssa Milano talks Dodgers fandom, sports clothing line, World Series pick."

SN: OK, let’s talk about your Dodgers …

AM: You know what? I don’t even want to talk about the Dodgers because I think I might jinx what they’re doing right now. I get asked when I do interviews, ‘Any predictions?’ and I don’t do predictions, because anything can happen during the season. And when it’s your team that’s doing so well — and we really haven’t had a season like this in, maybe forever? — to talk about it feels bizarrely weird as a sports fan. You know how us sports fans are, superstitious about everything. But it’s very exciting. I kind of watch every game with bated breath, thinking, ‘Is this going to be the game where everything falls apart?’ But, yeah, what an amazing year to be a Dodgers fan.

• Dustin Nosler at Dodgers Digest unveils his; "2017 Dodgers Prospects: Midseason Top 30 update."
• Per Jeff Sullivan at FanGraphs; "The Best Version of Justin Turner Yet."

Turner’s seemingly gotten one step closer. I’ve held onto this theory that pitchers will ultimately have control over the swing-changers, because they can just throw more high fastballs. But, what if the hitters figured out how to adjust? Justin Turner has figured it out. Justin Turner is doing damage everywhere.

* Please follow on twitter @ernestreyes *

* Like Dodgers Blue Heaven on facebook *

* Dodgers Blue Heaven home page *