Blog Kiosk: 8/4/2017 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

It is Yu Darvish Day! He'll pitch his first game as a Dodger this evening against the Mets, starting at 4:10 PM PST.

In other news, the Dodgers defeated the Braves last night, 7-4. Chris Taylor continues to just hit. He hit his 13th homer of the season to lead the club. Per Mark Bowman and Jaylon Thompson at MLB.com:

"It was a hitter's count with a guy in scoring position," Taylor said. "I wanted to be aggressive and be ready for the fastball. He has good life on his fastball, and I wanted to get in front as he left the pitch over the middle."

Photo above via Seiko Darvis on twitter. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1941 Dodgers backstop Mickey Owen became the first catcher to field three foul flies in the same inning -- during the third inning of an 11-6 win over the Giants. In 1942 the Dodgers and Giants played a game that ended up in a 1-1 tie at the Polo Grounds. It should've ended in a 5-1 Brooklyn victory when Pee Wee Reese whacked a grand slam in the ninth inning, but that was negated due to a wartime curfew of 9:10 PM. This would be the last twilight-wartime game played. In 1948 future Hall of Fame broadcaster Ernie Harwell called his first Major League game. He was filling in for Dodgers legend Red Barber, who was recovering from a bleeding ulcer. The Dodgers attained Harwell's rights by trading catcher Cliff Dapper to the Atlanta Crackers -- the first and only time a trade like this was ever done. In 1980 Maury Wills becomes the manager for the Seattle Mariners. He is the third black manager in MLB history. 
• Happy Birthday, Dolf Luque, Tuck Stainback, Joe Pignatano, Eric Weaver, Eric Milton, Luke Allen, Alex Castellanos & Mike Freeman!
• ICYMI: Six Dodger games will now be broadcast on KTLA5. Access SportsNet: Dodgers will also air before the game. Below is the schedule:

Tuesday, August 22, 4:05 pm at Pittsburgh Pirates
Tuesday, August 29, 6:40 pm at Arizona Diamondbacks
Tuesday, September 5, 7:10 pm vs. Arizona Diamondbacks
Tuesday, September 12, 7:15 pm at San Francisco Giants
Tuesday, September 19, 4:05 pm at Philadelphia Phillies
Tuesday, September 26, 7:10 pm vs. San Diego Padres

• Video: Alanna Rizzo catches up with Chris Taylor after his three hit, two RBI night against the Braves on Thursday. (video link)
• Per Jerry Crasnick at ESPN; "Dodgers' Kyle Farmer, Alex Wood share a tattoo tribute to paralyzed former teammate."

"When you have a best friend who is very good in baseball, and it's taken away from him and you get an opportunity to live out his dream -- and that was your dream as well -- you kind of feel like you're playing for him," Farmer says.

• Per Jim Callis at MLB.com, the Dodgers, despite their recent flurry of trades, are ranked as having the 10th best farm system in the game.
• Ugh....! Per Lauren Rosenblatt at the LA Times; "Trump switches former Dodgers co-owner Jamie McCourt's ambassadorship from Belgium to France."

McCourt donated more than $400,000 to the Trump Victory fund, $50,800 to the Trump inauguration and more than $170,00 to the Republican National Committee. 

She was an early supporter of Trump, joining 100 other business executives and CEOs in signing a letter championing Trump’s economic plans in October 2016. She was also listed as a 2016 State Victory Finance Chair for Trump’s campaign and helped to host a fundraiser breakfast for Trump’s transition to the presidency.

• Topps just released their design for the 2018 Topps Baseball flagship set. See it on the right. 
• Via Evan Henerson at Labor411.org; "It’s a (Dodger) Dog’s Life for UFCW Steward at Farmer John."

He learned all the jobs in the Weenie Division, beginning as a packer and moving up to becoming an emulsifier operator. When he first started working at Farmer John, Cordon had no idea that he was making a product that was a true local favorite. He learned quickly, and reports that his daughter used to earn schoolyard credibility by boasting that her dad made Dodger Dogs. Sometimes he sees them served at parties.

“I’m very satisfied making this product,” Cordon said. “It’s an icon for the city of L.A. and I’m happy that people from other places outside of L.A. come to L.A. just to eat the Dodger Dogs. I’m satisfied that the work my co-workers and I do is appreciated.”

• Blowout Buzz provides an early sneak peek at the 2017 Topps Dynasty Baseball card set. Check out a Jackie Robinson autographed card on the right. This set goes live on November 1st.
• Per Rachel Spacek at the LA Times; "Dodgers' Andre Ethier scores big in $4.9-million sale of his Arizona mansion."
• This weeks Topps 2017 Throwback Thursday online exclusive set includes Corey Seager. He is a part of an "In-Season Call-Ups" set that uses the 1976 Topps All-Time All-Stars subset design. Check out the Seager card below. Go here to check it out and order.

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