Welcome to the Blue, Rocky Gale!

In addition to September call-ups like Verdugo and Toles, we got word last night that veteran minor league catcher Rocky Gale has joined the Dodgers for the first time in his career. Congrats and welcome to LA. He will wear #58. Per a Dodgers press release:

(pic via Jon SooHoo at Dodger Insider)

Gale, 30, appeared in 85 games with OKC this season, where he hit .281 (83-for-285) with four home runs and 34 RBI. Gale has played in 14 Major League games in the 2015 and 2017 seasons with the San Diego Padres prior to being signed by Los Angeles as a minor league free agent on February 25. The Portland, Oregon native has slashed .262/.306/.331 in 709 games over nine minor league seasons, and was named a Pacific Coast League Mid-Season All-Star with Oklahoma City this year.

Welcome to the Blue, David Freese!

As you certainly know by now, the Dodgers made another trade prior to the weekend, following the Ryan Madson deal, to bring in added depth to the infield and a sold veteran right-handed bat off the bench. The Dodgers added David Freese, and he is both a recent NLCS and World Series MVP (2011). In exchange, the Dodgers sent minor league infielder Jesus Manuel Valdez to the Pirates. Per a Dodger press release:

Freese, 35, has played in 93 games for Pittsburgh this season, hitting .282 with 29 runs, 10 doubles, one triple, nine home runs and 42 RBI along with a .780 OPS. The veteran infielder has put up very similar splits against both right-handed and left-handed pitchers, hitting .284 (31-for-109) against southpaws compared to a .281 (36-for-128) mark against righties. Defensively, he has appeared in 54 games at third base and 15 games at first base this year, posting a combined .977 fielding percentage.

Welcome to the Ring of Honor, Jaime Jarrín!

It's about time!

Twenty years after being awarded the Ford C. Frick Award from the Baseball Hall of Fame, the Dodgers finally decide to honor Jaime Jarrín with a special pregame ceremony, slated for September 21st, that will rightfully place the Spanish language broadcaster among the "Ring of Honor" at Dodger Stadium. Per a Dodger press release:

Jarrín will join Pee Wee Reese, Tommy Lasorda, Duke Snider, Jim Gilliam, Don Sutton, Walter Alston, Sandy Koufax, Roy Campanella, Jackie Robinson, Don Drysdale and Vin Scully in having their name/number permanently affixed to Dodger Stadium.

Blog Kiosk: 9/3/2018 - Dodgers Links - We're In First Place Now

Matt Kemp! Walk-Off! First Place! Wow!

Those are really the only words I have left after witnessing this weekends magic. The Dodgers now stand alone is first place with 25 games to go. Per Ken Gurnick at MLB.com:

"We have some weapons," said Kemp. "It's September and like I said last night, we got to finish strong and let's go. Two big wins we got, especially in those situations. We have a dangerous group of guys."

On a side note, I was far more worried about that cameraman trailing Kemp as he ran around the field following his walk-off double. You can watch a highlight here. Photo above of Kemp being tackled by Kike Hernandez via Jill Weisleder/LA Dodgers 2018 at Dodger Insider. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1917 Phillies ace and future Hall of Famer Grover Cleveland Alexander pitched both ends of a doubleheader against the Brooklyn Robins/Dodgers, and won both contest while throwing complete games (Boxscore - Game 1 & Game 2). He gave up just seven hits all day long. In 1957 the Dodgers play their last game in their New Jersey home, Roosevelt Stadium -- losing to the Phillies, 3-2. In 1965 it's notable that the Angels changed their name from Los Angeles to the California Angels. In 1985 the received Bill Madlock from the Pirates for RJ Reynolds, Cecil Espy and Sid Bream. In 1987 the Dodgers traded Rick Honeycutt to the A's for pitcher Tim Belcher.
• Happy Birthday, Ed Konetchy, Lindsay Deal, Eddie Stanky, Morrie Martin, Dave Clark, Luis Gonzalez & Brandon Beachy!