Blog Kiosk: 8/6/2018 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Thank you, Andre!

You can watch the pregame video honoring Ethier, here. Watch the fun little pregame Q&A between Andre and Jason Bateman, here. Andre then spoke with the Dodgers broadcast booth during the game, here. Per Alden Gonzalez at ESPN:

"It's flattering and humbling to have all this fuss for a guy who was just another player in a long line of great Dodgers," Ethier said, his two sons, Dreson and Retton, seated to his right. "It meant a lot to me to play in L.A. for 12 years and play in front of these fans."
...
"If I could do one more thing," Ethier said, "it would be to play one more game with Matt."

Photo above via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2018 at Dodger Insider. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1981, after a seven-week strike, a split-season format is approved; such that the Yankees, A's, Phillies and Dodgers are declared the first-half champions of their respective divisions. They all would then qualify for the divisional series at the end of the season.
• Happy Birthday, Clem Labine, Andy Messersmith & Ron Davis!
• Check out pics from Andre Ethier's retirement celebration on Friday from Cat Loves the Dodgers. She also shares pics from Sunday's game; which was her birthday weekend and includes her experience on the field before the game, here.
• Per Ken Gurnick at MLB.com; "Kershaw named to Hooton Foundation board: Organization educates youth on dangers of anabolic steroids."

"The biggest thing is to try and teach kids growing up that the proper way to make your dreams come true and get to the big leagues is not by taking a shortcut," said Kershaw.

"It's with hard work. Obviously, a lot of God-given talent and ability. But at the end of the day, how much you put in is how much you get out. It feels good knowing that when you make it, it's because of the abilities you've been given and the hard work."

• Jim Callis at MLB.com ranks the 10-best farm systems, here. The Dodgers are ranked as the eighth best.
• This mornings Baseball America prospect report made note of Dodger outfielder DJ Peters.

Peters combination of speed, power and strikeouts has stayed largely true to form this year with his promotion to Double-A. Yesterday he went 4-for-5 with a double (his 19th), a home run (his 22nd) and a strikeout (his 153rd).

• Via Michelle R. Martinelli at For the Win; "Dodgers' Kenley Jansen had a great short joke after Kevin Hart's first pitch."
• Per Derek Wetmore at 1500ESPN Twin Cities; "Molitor got to watch Brian Dozier’s first home run with the Dodgers, ‘I’m happy for him’"

“I’m happy for him,” Molitor said. “That’s about my only thought. … Not surprising. I don’t think it’s going to affect him to go up there and be a part of the  Dodgers in a pennant race and all those things. I mean, I would think it would be — Doz would always say ‘I’m not going to change wherever I’m going.’ — but I think he has the ability to elevate when things get put on a line a little bit more. So it’s a good start.”

• Via Ken Gurnick at MLB.com; "Dodgers, Nomar introduce new youth academy."

In Los Angeles, the Garciaparra Family's GBG Training Academy in Redondo Beach, Calif., will be the first Dodgers Training Academy, serving all skill levels with accommodations for players and families unable to afford the high price of other academies.

"E|L1 is a player-first organization that values personal development just as much as training and winning, and believes that youth of all ages and skill levels should have greater access to the game," said Garciaparra, the current Dodgers broadcaster who founded GBG with his brother, Michael, and partners, Paul Rappoli and Trolia to develop youth and high school players.

• Via Rich Mueller at Sports Collectors Daily; "Topps: Card Business Not For Sale." 

“The Topps Sports and Entertainment Division is not for sale,” Leiner said.  That should be welcome news for fans of the company.  Leiner did say the division of the company that has produced candy and related consumable products for many years, is apparently open to a buyer.

• Over the weekend news spread quickly, via Ken Rosenthal at The Athletic (subq. req.), that Angels manager and former Dodger legend Mike Scioscia would retire at the end of the season. Since the report, though, Scioscia has denied it. Either way, I'd like to extend a hearty congrats to one of my favorite all-time players. Congrats, Mike!
• Gavin Lux gets player of the month honors, via a tweet by MiLB:

Another @Dodgers prospect with a player of the month award!

It's @RCQuakes SS Gavin Lux out of the A-Advanced California League. pic.twitter.com/tkfB5ps9iI

— Minor League Baseball (@MiLB) August 6, 2018

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