Blog Kiosk: 1/30/2019 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Just one more win.

Featured above is an AP wirephoto showing an overjoyed Clem Labine (eBay Auction Link). Per the description on the reverse:

Clem Labine, Brooklyn's relief artist, leaps for joy as catcher Roy Campanella and first baseman Gil Hodges rush to congratulate hm at the of Sunday's fifth game of (1955) World Series. Labine, fourth game winner, recued Roger Craig in Sunday's game. Dodgers won, 5-3, to take series edge three games to two.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 2003 the Dodgers signed free agent infielder Ron Coomer. He would get into 69 games for the Dodgers; slashing .240/.299/.368/.667 with four homers and 15 RBI's. In 2008 pitcher DJ Houton is sold to the Fukuoka Daiei Hawks (Japan Pacific). In 2017 the Dodgers traded Carlos Frias to the Indians for cash. 
• Happy Birthday, Davey Johnson, Red Smyth, Mal Mallette, Sandy Amoros, Charlie Neal & John Lindsey!
• Podcast: True Blue LA - Podcast episode 1902: Dodgers add Pollock & Martin (Podcast Link).
• Via Ken Gurnick at MLB.com; "Giving back a way of life for Turner and wife: Golf tournament caps busy offseason of charity efforts."

"We feel blessed and we want to give back to people that might need a little loving and are going through tough times," said Turner.

...
"We work with veterans and we work with kids in hospitals, we visit them and try to give them positive experiences when they are going through a tough time," said Turner. "We sent kids to Disneyland that had to spend Christmas Day in the hospital, and that's not supposed to happen. It's because of this event that we have the means to do that."

• Sometimes Reddit breaks news. According to one user, AJ Ellis is retiring. Per u/recoveringatty42 on Reddit:

This morning I was sitting in Southbrook Church in suburban Milwaukee. The speaker was AJ Ellis, longtime Dodger and most recently a Padre. Very impressive and humble guy. He lives in Franklin WI in the offseason and this is his home church. He was entertaining and inspiring. Also told the story of his 3rd child being born in the front seat of the car as he speeds down I-43 still 15 min from the hospital. He said that he got a phone call 6 weeks ago from a team that would be "very easy logistically"! (Since I know it was not the Dodgers, I hoped it was the Brewers. I asked him afterward and he said it was the Cardinals.) But the call "gave [him] no joy". After talking to his wife, he has decided to retire. Good luck in retirement, AJ! I hope to see you coaching very soon!

• Vie Rowan Kavner at Dodger Insider; "Jaime Jarrín receives Vin Scully Lifetime Achievement Award."
• Via Matt Borelli at Dodger Blue; "Max Muncy Presented 2018 Texas Professional Player Of The Year Award By Former Dodgers Third Base Coach Chris Woodward."
• Per Ron Cervenka at Think Blue LA; "Kenley Jansen – That’s what a closer’s all about."

“It’s all about health,” the gentle giant told reporters during the Dodgers annual FanFest event at Dodger Stadium on Saturday. “I’ve lost 25 pounds. Health is everything.”
...
“Anytime you’re talking about the heart and irregular heartbeat, you’ve got to be very careful with it,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said at the time. “You’re talking about altitude. That’s why we want to be proactive and get him back [to Los Angeles].”

Asked how he lost the 25 pounds, Jansen said that he began eating healthier and working out more. Asked specifically what he had cut out in his diet to help him lose that much weight, he gave the answer that we all pretty much knew he would, an answer that caused a number of the gathered media to look down at their own waistlines.

“Sugar … ice cream. It was tough, man, I love ice cream,” he answered.

• ICYMI: Via Alyson Footer at MLB.com; "MLB to honor Jackie Robinson throughout 2019: Centennial celebration of his birth to feature youth activities, team ceremonies and more."
• In old friend news, Jimmy Rollins has joined the Phillies as a special instructor, via Jeff Todd at MLB Trade Rumors. Also, Jeff Todd mentions that Kirk Gibson is now a special assistant to the Tigers GM.
• Alex Campos at Dodgers Digest takes; "A deeper look at A.J. Pollock, the newest Dodger."
• In Padres news, the club, via SD Hat Guy at Gaslamp Ball, announced last week that; "Brown Is Back."
• Here's a minor signing, via a tweet by Bob Nightengale:

Veteran catcher Josh Thole can opt out of his #Dodgers minor-league contract on July 1 if not on #MLB roster roster. He'll be paid $600K if he reaches the big leagues.

— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) January 22, 2019

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