Blog Kiosk: 2/20/2019 - Dodgers Links and News- Some Odds and Ends

I had never realized this.

Clearly, Don Newcombe was the inspiration for the Washington Senators logo from the 60's, via a tweet from DC Sports Artist.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1936 the Dodgers and Yankees complete their very first trade with each other. Brooklyn sent Buzz Boyle, Johnny McCarthy and $40,000 to the New York for Buddy Hassett. In 1984 Pedro Guerrero signed a five-year $7MM contract to stay a Dodger. In 2017 the Dodgers signed free agent outfielder Franklin Gutierrez to a one-year $2.6MM contract. He would only get into 35 games (primarily as a pinch hitter) before shutting down in June due to an recurrence of ankylosing spondylitis.
• Happy Birthday, Charlie Babb & Jack Bolling!
• Spring Training Notes: Rich Hill threw live batting practice yesterday to outfielders Paulo Orlando and Shane Peterson and infielder Daniel Castro. Also throwing live batting practice today were Kenley Jansen, Yimi Garcia, Brock Stewart, Hyun-Jin Ryu, Dennis Santana, Adam McCreery, Dustin May, Mitchell White and Tony Gonsolin.
• Podcast: 99% Invisible - Episode 342, Beneath the Ballpark (Podcast Link). There's both a podcast and a written article regarding Dodger Stadium and how it was built.
• Video: Dave Roberts, Clayton Kershaw and Kenley Jansen discuss the passing of Dodgers legend Don Newcombe (Video Link).
• Video: MLB Network looks back at Don Newcombe's incredible career and the impact he had on the game (Video Link).
• Podcast: True Blue LA - Podcast episode 1903: Spring training is here (Podcast Link).
• This really isn't news -- it's just a confirmation of what we already knew. Per Ken Gurnick at MLB.com; "Kershaw to make 9th straight Opening Day start."

"It's very cool," said Kershaw. "The cliche it's just another game, but Opening Day symbolizes a lot of things. I'm excited about it. Being on the same team that long, a team with a long list of great starting pitchers, to be associated with them is kind of special."

• Gurnick at MLB.com also writes that, "Verdugo on track for significant playing time."

"He's earned the right to be on our Major League team and help us win games," said Friedman. "He has a very high floor as a player. He has a very advanced approach at the plate. Tremendous bat-to-ball skills that complements our lineup. Very good defensively. Checks a lot of boxes in what we look for in a player. I expect at the end of the year he'll have logged a significant number of plate appearances."

• MrMopar at 1978 The Year it All Began, reminds us that just 17 Brooklyn Dodger players remain. They are: Eddie Basinski, Tim Thompson, Wayne Terwilliger, Chris Haughey, Randy Jackson, Bobby Morgan, Carl Erskine, Tommy Lasorda, Tommy Brown, Joe Pignatano, Roger Craig, Glenn Mickens, Fred Kipp, Jim Gentile, Don Demeter, Sandy Koufax and Bob Aspromonte.
• Sports Card Info reminds us that the upcoming Piece of the Game’s Baseball Authenticated Masterpieces painted balls will include a Manny Machado ball in a Padres uniform.
• Vin Scully on Don Newcombe, via Jorge Castillo on twitter:

Vin Scully on Don Newcombe. pic.twitter.com/kVEqF5LfPL

— Jorge Castillo (@jorgecastillo) February 20, 2019

• Per Kenley Jansen on Instagram:

View this post on Instagram

Newk meant a lot to me. He was my mentor. He’d always talk to me about how strong I have to be, he spoke to me a lot about mental toughness and physical preparation – running, conditioning. He was encouraging, he’d tell me how good I am. He’d be motivating, he’d say be aggressive out there. He kept me motivated. These words meant a lot, especially from someone like him who played with Jackie Robinson. They are why I am here today playing. I learned so much from this man. Sitting together, knowing his stories, his storytelling, what he, Jackie and Roy Campanella had to go through for us to be here today. He taught me about the history of the game. He talked to me about being a leader. He talked to me about being a good husband and a good father. I’ll miss sitting with him every day before our games. Newk was one of the greatest Dodgers. I am honored for the time I got to spend with him, that I got to sit at Dodger Stadium with him, a legend of this game. I will miss these moments the most. My son Kaden loved him very much. Newk and his wife Karen were with me and my wife Gianni when we got married. He meant a lot to my family. Our hearts, our prayers, everything are with Karen and the Newcombe family. I appreciated all that Karen did for Newk. Newk, I love you. You’re in my heart forever. Thank you. @dodgers

A post shared by Kenley Jansen (@kenleyjansen74) on Feb 19, 2019 at 12:05pm PST

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