Here's a fantastic in-action United Press photo featuring the first at-bat between Ralph Branca and Bobby Thomson after last season's "Shot Heard 'Round the World." (eBay auction link) Per the descriptor on the reverse:
This Time Thomson Walks
Renewing old acquaintances, Giants slugger Bobby Thomson, whose homer in the playoffs the last season gave the pennant flag to the 'miracle' team, faces Dodger hurler Ralph Branca for the first time this season. In their clash at Ebbets Field, April 19. It was Branca who pitched that fatal ball back in '51. This time Thomson walked. Roy Campanella is the Dodger backstop, and the plate umpire is Bill Stewart.Below are more links to check out:
- This Day in Dodgers History: In 1982 the Dodgers and Cubs played a 17 inning game that was temporarily halted at a tie, 1-1, because of darkness (this was before Wrigley Field had lights). The next day they begin where they left off. The Dodgers would eventually win on a sacrifice fly by Dusty Baker in the 21st inning. In 1992 Dodgers hurler Kevin Gross no-hit the Giants at Dodger Stadium, 2-0. Watch the last out of the game, as called by Vin Scully, here. Per a NY Times article:
"The later it got, the more the adrenaline started pumping," Gross said. "It was just a blur when that last out was made."
- Happy Birthday, George Harper, Doug McWeeny, Joe Bradshaw, Boog Powell, Brad Wellman, Jeff Fischer & Kyle Farmer!
- Take a look at pics from Wednesday's game against the Dodgers from Cat Loves the Dodgers.
- Podcast: Dodgers Nation - Lasorda ‘n FRG | Episode 15 | Blue Heaven Podcast (Podcast Link)
- ICYMI: Yasiel Puig received a 2-game suspension for the little scuffle on the field the other night. The Giant ballplayer only received a fine. I suspect an appeal will be forthcoming.
- Via Matthew Moreno at Dodger Blue; "Camila And Matthew McConaughey Receiving Kershaw’s Challenge Impact Award At 6th Annual Ping Pong 4 Purpose."
- Per Dan Szymborski at Fangraphs; "The Redisappearance of Matt Kemp."
Through the end of May, Kemp batted .418 when hitting a fastball with a .758 slugging percentage. Those numbers have remained excellent, to the tune of a .377 batting average and a .689 slugging percentage. For his career, those numbers are .328/.601. Matt Kemp remains a hitter who lives or dies on the hard stuff and whose success in 2018 has been largely driven by seeing and hitting a lot of fastballs; taking a few of them away from him has a larger negative effect on his performance than for most hitters.
- Watch this! Mike Oz at Yahoo Sports; "David Ross remembers his Braves and Dodgers days on 'Old Baseball Cards'"
- This mornings Baseball America prospect report made note of third baseman Christian Santana:
Santana hit a massive home run last night for his California League-leading 22nd. He's also second in the minors (behind Peter Alonso) in the minor league RBI race with 99.
- Via Evan Petzold at From the Nest; "Lou Iannotti shines off the field for Loons after short-lived playing career."
The 2018 season is Iannotti’s first with the Dodgers. It’s also his first removed from playing baseball, the sport he worked at for years. It hasn’t been easy for him to adjust to preparing for a game but never playing.But being around baseball is what Iannotti loves it.
As a performance science coach, he assists the other coaches to help the players improve. He works directly with manager John Shoemaker, hitting coach Jair Fernandez, pitching coach Bobby Cuellar and assistant coach Seth Connor. The five of them prepare for the game just as much as players, working long hours.
- Wow! Via Nick Diunte at Baseball Happenings; "Martin Dihigo rare pitching video in Cuba emerges." He's one of the great legends of the Negro Leagues.
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