It's not often that you see an action photo like this from the early 20th century. Featured is an circa 1913 International News press photo of an unnamed Brooklyn Superbas/Dodgers player sliding into first base. It's hard to tell exactly what's going here, but it appears the batter was trying to avoid a close play at first, but the fielder chose to block the base as he scampered for the ball -- which is not to be seen anywhere. I assume there was some sort of throwing play at home plate -- maybe a bunt or pass ball/wild pitch on a third strike.
Anyway, the pic is currently at auction at RMY (auction link). If you happen to know who the players are please pass that along.
On another note, I remain unconcerned with the Dodgers. It's way too early to begin panicking. Below are more links to check out:
- This Day in Dodgers History: In 1997 Mike Piazza reached base for the eight consecutive plate appearance -- he went 3-for-3 with a walk in a Dodgers win over the Pirates. He would fly out his next at-bat the following day. In 2016 the Dodgers handed the Padres the worst Opening Day loss in Major League history since 1913. They beat them silly, 15-0. Go here for the boxscore.
- Happy Birthday, John Hummel, Pete Kilduff, Joe Vosmik, Mickey Owen, Willie Ramsdell, Gil Hodges & Louis Coleman!
- Video: Steven Douglas at Dodgers Low-Down/Hot Stove Baseball Talk put together a fun Spring Training Dodgers video featuring a whole bunch of prospects (video link).
- Video: Watch LAyton Kershaw talk to Alanna Rizzo about his six innings of work and what he thinks about the humidor at Chase Field (video link).
- ICYMI: recently DFA's outfielder Trayce Thompson was claimed by the Yankees yesterday.
- Eric Stephen at True Blue LA has the opening day rosters for each of our minor league clubs: Triple-A OKC Dodgers (link here); Double-A Tulsa Drillers (link here); Single-A Rancho Cucamonga Quakes (link here); Single-A Great Lakes Loons (link here).
- This is interesting. Via Chris Cwik at Big League Stew; "Branch Rickey found flaws in Roberto Clemente the first time he scouted him." Best yet, this article points to something I didn't know existed. The Library of Congress has the Branch Rickey Papers that include numerous scouting reports that he put together. Go here to check that out.
- Jim Callis, Jonathan Mayo and Mike Rosenbaum at MLB.com share their picks for the, "Biggest breakout prospect for each NL West team." Right-handed hurler Mitchell White is their pick.
When former Dodgers vice president of baseball operations (and current Braves GM) Alex Anthopoulos saw him last spring, he noted that White had stuff befitting a No. 1 overall choice. He can make hitters look bad with a variety of pitches: a 92-97 mph fastball with nasty sink and run, a power slider with late bite that he can turn into an equally effective cutter and a curveball that shows flashes of becoming a true hammer. If he can refine his changeup, control and command, he could be a frontline starter."White has an impact fastball," Dodgers farm director Brandon Gomes said. "He gets swings and misses at the top of the zone and something like a 70 percent ground-ball rate in the bottom half. He has a plus curveball and a plus slider, he's a competitor and he understands pitching. It's all there."
- Via Travis Sawchik at FanGraphs; "Kenley Jansen and April (and March) Alarm." Here's a nice review of what we know so far - velocity is down and so is movement.
- I wholeheartedly endorse this. Via Grant Bisbee at SB Nation; "Reminder: extra innings are great, and anyone who wants to take them away from you is a traitor to God and country: The Dodgers and Diamondbacks played a whopper of a doozy on Monday night, and we need to be thankful for it."
In other words, it was beautiful, sloppy baseball. It’s the kind of chaos that defines the sport and separates it from the rest. Games that travel deep into extra innings allow you to watch the frayed edges of the sport peel apart in real time, and they bend and stretch and weave themselves into something completely different. Pitchers are pinch-hitters. Pinch-hitters are pitchers. Outfielders become infielders. There are no wasted pitches, and it’s almost impossible to overreact.Baseball is slowly laying down the groundwork to take this away.
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