Clayton is faced live batter for the first time this spring yesterday. Pic above via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2019.
Below are more links to check out:
- This Day in Dodgers History: In 1954 the Dodgers signed 19-year old Roberto Clemente to a one-year contract worth $5,000 with a $10,000 signing bonus. He was highly scouted by both the Yankees and Giants, but they all got outbid by the Dodgers. Unfortunately, they would lose Clemente's rights during the upcoming 1954 Rule V Draft to Pittsburgh. In 1983 22-year old Dodger hurler Fernando Valenzuela becomes the first ballplayer awarded an $1,000,000 salary during arbitration. The Dodgers had countered back with a salary of $750,000.
- Happy Birthday, Oscar Roettger, Dick Siebert, Gail Hopkins, Dave Stewart, Josh Reddick & Fabio Castillo!
- Spring Training Notes: Clayton Kershaw threw live batting practice on Monday morning to catchers Russell Martin and Josh Thole. BTW, Dave Roberts strongly hinted that Clayton will make his Dodger record ninth Opening Day start (2011-19) -- to the surprise of no one. Josh Sborz, Jaime Schultz, Kevin Quackenbush, Daniel Corcino, Stetson Allie, Josh Smoker and Joe Broussard also threw live batting practice. Kenta Maeda and Ross Stripling worked in the bullpen.
- Per Ken Gurnick at MLB.com; "Kershaw impressive throwing first live BP."
"He looked great," said Martin, who was last a teammate of Kershaw's in 2010. "I felt I put a great at-bat on him and, 3-2, he ends up making a pitch right on the black. Just classic Kershaw. From the box, the curve was nasty, stayed outside the middle of the plate and if he did, it was attack mode. The fastball had a little movement at the end, just bit back and got the corner. He's got so many weapons and a little funky with the delivery, he's just tough to feel comfortable in the box."
- I have begrudging respect for you. Per Henry Schulman at SF Gate; "Giants manager Bruce Bochy will retire after the 2019 season." I've told friends that there are only three Giants' I have respect for -- Willie Mays, Christy Mathewson and John McGraw. Now there's four.
- Via Barry Lewis at Tulsa World; "Scott Hennessey looks for defending champion Drillers to 'do it again'"
“I’m real excited to get to big league spring training, just to see what the daily routine is for those guys just getting started, how they go about it,” said Hennessey, who got his taste of the majors as an extra coach late last season with the Dodgers. “I want to learn as much as I can like I did when I was up last year.”
- Rich Mueller at Sports Collectors Daily shares a bunch of preview pics from Topps ever-popular Allen & Ginter brand. Check out the 2019 A&G Sandy Koufax card on the right. Go here to check out more. This set will arrive at stores on Julty 17th.
- BTW, Funko Pop! figurines will once again release a series of MLB vinyl figurines for fans, and Clayton Kershaw is on the checklist (again). As you'll recall, a Kershaw Funko figure was produced last year (see it here). Go here to check out a checklist via Cardboard Connection.
- On another note, the 2019 Upper Deck National Hockey Card Day is scheduled for this coming Saturday, February 23rd, and participating hobby shops will be giving away a free pack of cards to collectors. A checklist of the set being given out is available here. A list of participating stores can be found here.
- The Dodgers 2019 Topps Now 'Road to Opening Day' online exclusive set is currently available for sale. Go here to check it out and order. There does not appear to be an autographed version of the set for sale. Preview pics are unfortunately not available, but there is a checklist for the 15-card set, and the only rookie indicated is Dennis Santana.
- Via Seth Stasky at The Intelligencer; "(Michael) Grove Begins First Spring Training With Dodgers: Wheeling native excited to get back on the mound."
“I had been playing sports basically my whole life, so when I was out for 22 months, it was tough,” Grove said during a phone interview. “Sitting there and watching every day (during the college season) believing that you can help and contribute, but knowing you can’t is tough.”...
“I really only have a small sample size (since the injury) becaue I’ve only been (throwing) live for about a month and it’s more about getting the feel back and locating pitches,” Grove said. “I am excited to get into some real games and find my own rhythm.”
- Padres are getting set to compete soon. They just signed Manny Machado, via a tweet from Mark Feinsand:
BREAKING: Manny Machado has agreed to terms on a deal with the Padres. According to a league source, it’s for 10 years and $300 million - the biggest free-agent contract in the history of American sports.— Mark Feinsand (@Feinsand) February 19, 2019
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