Blog Kiosk: 4/2/2018 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

ICYMI, the Dodgers received their 2017 National League Pennant rings over the weekend. Above is a look at those rings. Per a Dodger press release:

“We’re proud to present our players, coaches and members of the Dodger organization with these one-of-a-kind rings as we celebrate our 2017 National League championship season,” said Lon Rosen, Dodger Executive Vice President & Chief Marketing Officer. 

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1972 47-year old Dodger great Gil Hodges dies of an heart attack. In 2008 Dodgers coach Larry Bowa is ejected from the game for not staying within the boundaries of the coaching box. He is given a three-game suspension for "inappropriate and aggressive conduct," in which he had to be restrained by manager Joe Torre and bench coach Bob Schaefer. As background, Mike Coolbaugh, first base coach for the Double-A Tulsa Drillers, was killed the year prior from a batted ball that struck him in the temple while coaching. You can watch the ejection here.
• Happy Birthday, Hughie "Ee-Yah" Jennings, Don Sutton, Reggie Smith & Mike Kekich!
• Cat Loves the Dodgers shares her pics from this weekend at Dodger Stadium, here.
• Via the LA Times; "Dodgers investigate claim that security beat fan on opening day."
• Via Bill Plunkett at the OC Register; "Dodgers unconcerned by velocity dips from Clayton Kershaw and Kenley Jansen."

“I think with Clayton there is a little bit of a down tick in velocity,” Roberts said. “Still the swings that guys are taking on him, his command all throughout the spring, the secondary pitches have all been sharp. If you’re looking at strictly velocity with Clayton, I’m really not too concerned about it.

“There’s obviously a little more with Kenley. The thing for us is if Kenley says he’s healthy and the training staff and the strength staff say he’s healthy, he’ll be fine. He misfired last night. I know he was frustrated. No one cares more than Kenley. … He was a guy two days after the World Series who was running stairs. So no one cares more than Kenley. There will be an uptick in velocity at some point. As long as he’s healthy and Clayton’s healthy, we’re not too concerned.”

• Per Dave Doyle at Yahoo Sports; "(UFC Champ) Tony Ferguson turned down the Angels' first-pitch request, doesn't care what you think." He's an hardcore Dodger fan.

“They offered me to throw out the first pitch at Angels Stadium, but I had to tell them I’m a Dodgers fan,” Ferguson said Thursday. “I’m Dodgers all day, baby.”

• The Dodgers have added another bobblehead to their stable of giveaways this season. This time it is a Justin Turner bobble that commemorates his walk-off homer during Game 2 of the 2017 National League Championship Series against Cubs. Check it out on the right.He sure wasn't a Dodger for long. 
• Per Eric Stephen at True Blue LA; "Dodgers lose Cory Mazzoni on waivers to Cubs just 3 days after claiming him."
• BTW, the Dodgers made a trade over the weekend with the Cardinals. They traded minor league outfielder Johan Mieses for veteran infielder Breyvic Valera. Per Chad Thornburg at MLB.com:

Valera made his Major League debut in 2017, appearing in five games for the Cardinals. The 26-year-old Venezuelan went 1-for-10 with a walk in those contests. He was designated for assignment by the Cardinals last week. The Dodgers optioned Valera to Triple-A Oklahoma City.

"He's versatile, he can run, he gets on base and doesn't strike out a lot," Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said of Valera. "Actually, he's pretty interesting. At 26, he's on the cusp of making a breakthrough."

• This is a great story. In 2006 a nine year old kid battling cancer named Devin Smeltzer had an opportunity to meet Phillies second baseman Chase Utley for an autograph. Fast forward 10+ years, and they are now teammates. Via ESPN:

"It's a pretty special and unique story with Devin," Utley said after the two were reunited in the middle of the team's clubhouse. "I had the opportunity to meet him when he was 10 years old, battling cancer. I can't even imagine what he was going through, what his parents were going through. And to see him beat cancer, to see ... his ability take over and allow him to play baseball for a living."

• Watch a video below regarding the above story, via SportsNet LA on twitter. Also, the Backstage story from SportsNet LA can been seen here.

Hear about the incredible story of #Dodgers minor leaguer @alka_SMELTZer who survived cancer at the age of 9 and his special connection with a current Dodger.

This story & more on an all-new #BackstageDodgers tonight after the post-game show. pic.twitter.com/76ZKaB5xtp

— SportsNet LA (@SportsNetLA) March 30, 2018

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