Blog Kiosk: 4/6/2018 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Check out these formidable Dodger players. Per the descriptor attached to the bottom:

June 28, 1942 -- Rarin' for another crack at the Yankees -- Six of the Seven Brooklyn Dodgers, who will represent the National League in the July 6 All-Star Game, lined up in front of their dugout here today, 'Champing at the Bit' for another crack at the Yankees, nine of whom will be on the American League roster. Left to Right: Joe Medwick, left field; Billy Herman, second base; Pee Wee Reese, shortstop; Pete Reiser, center field; Mickey Owen, catcher; and Whitlow Wyatt, pitcher. The seventh, third baseman Arky Vaughan, is ill.

The AP wire photo above can be found here on eBay. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1982 the Dodgers raise their 1981 World Series banner at Dodger Stadium. In 2004 Dodger third baseman Adrian Beltre becomes the 36th player in history to hit 100 home runs before the age of 25.
• Happy Birthday, Red Smith, Tom Fitzsimmons, Ernie Lombardi, Dee Moore, Jim Romano, Don Elston & Phil Regan!
• Podcast: Starting 9 by Barstool Sports - This episode features an interview with former MLB player and current analyst for SportsNet LA, Jerry Hairston Jr, who touches on Clayton Kershaw, Kenley Jansen's early struggles, Bryce Harper, Shohei Ohtani and more (podcast link).
• Here's another Dodger addition. Per Alanna Rizzo on twitter:

The #Dodgers claimed right-handed pitcher Alec Asher from the Baltimore Orioles. Asher will be optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City.

— Alanna Rizzo (@alannarizzo) April 5, 2018

Per a Dodgers press release:

Asher, 26, has gone 4-12 with a 5.55 ERA (72 ER/116.2 IP) and has struck out 76 batters against 37 walks in 36 career Major League games (18 starts) over three seasons with the Philadelphia Phillies (2015-16) and the Baltimore Orioles (2017). In 120 career minor league games (99 starts), Asher has gone 35-36 with five saves and has posted a 3.50 ERA with the Rangers (2012-15), Phillies (2015-16) and Orioles (2017) organizations. He has punched out 502 career batters against 148 walks in 571.0 minor league innings, while holding the opposition to a .244 average.

In 2017, Asher appeared in 24 games (six starts) over four stints with the Orioles, going 2-5 with a 5.25 ERA (35 ER/60.0 IP) and striking out 47 batters against 23 walks. He held batters to a .263 average, including limiting left-handed hitters to a .220 mark. He also made 10 starts for Baltimore’s Triple-A Norwalk, going 3-3 with a 4.65 ERA (26 ER/50.1 IP) and striking out 36 against 15 walks. The Lakeland, Florida native was originally selected by the Rangers in the fourth round of the 2012 First-Year Player Draft out of Polk Community College (FL).

• Trayce Thompson is starting to bounce around like a pinball. Via the Yankees twitter, he has now been claimed by the A's:

TRANSACTION: OF Trayce Thompson was claimed off waivers today by the Oakland Athletics.

— Yankees PR Dept. (@YankeesPR) April 5, 2018

• Another recent acquisition has been claimed. Per Eric Stephen on twitter, Jesus Liranzo has been taken by the Pirates:

The Pirates claimed RHP Jesus Liranzo off waivers from the Dodgers. He was acquired by LA Monday, DFA'd Tuesday

— Eric Stephen (@truebluela) April 5, 2018

• The Cardboard Connection has a bunch of preview pics for Topps 2018 Diamond Icons super-premium Baseball card set; including the Kershaw card seen on the right. Go here to check out more. This brand is slated to hit store shelves on July 11th.
• Congrats, Adrian. This Dodger fan still misses you. Via Jay Jaffe at FanGraphs; "Adrian Beltre Becomes the Latin American Hit King."
• This was a treat to watch. Mike Oz at Big League Stew gets the legendary Felipe Alou to open up some Baseball cards with him. Check it out here.
• Via Hugh Bernreuter at Michigan Live; "Dodgers prospect Riley Otteson benefits from two-year mission to Japan."

"It's made me a better person, more mature," Otteson said. "It helped me a lot. You can't go to a country you've never been to, live with a companion you don't know, learn to speak a language you don't know and talk about something you aren't completely familiar with and not become a more mature, better person."

• This weeks 2018 Topps Throwback Thursday online exclusive set celebrates some of the games most exciting international signings, and includes cards of both Yasiel Puig and Kenta Maeda. Go here to check it out and order.

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