Thursday, February 28, 2019

Blog Kiosk: 2/28/2019 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends


As you'll notice below, this week is the anniversary of Sandy Koufax and Don Drysdale's infamous holdout prior to the start of the 1966 season. They both worked collectively to demand higher salaries, and as you can imagine their gambit caused quite a stir. Heck, even Milton Berle got in on the act. Featured above is a publicity photo from an old show called Hollywood Palace, a Saturday night variety show, and featured are the famous Dodgers duo giving Milton the stink-eye.  (eBay Auction link) They were no doubt in the midst of some serious negotiations. This show aired a few days after they had ended their holdout.

Below are more links to check out:
  • This Day in Dodgers HistoryIn 1966 the great Koufax/Drysdale contract holdout commences. They are seeking a collective three year $1MM contract -- to be split evenly. In 2002 the Dodgers signed free agent Japanese starting pitcher Kaz Ishii after posting a $11.26 million bid to the Tokyo Yakult Swallows for the right to negotiate with him. He would eventually sign a four-year $12.3 million contract with the team.
  • Happy BirthdayAl HumphreyOrlando Alvarez & Trent Oeltjen!
  • Spring Training Notes: Julio Urias was on the mound yesterday for his first Cactus League action of the 2019 campaign. He threw one inning and retired the side, 1, 2, 3. He induced two groundout to thirds and then struck out Oakland's Matt Chapman, swinging. With questions surrounding Kershaw, Urias may find himself with a starting job should be continue to progress. 

  • Below is a closer look at the Cody Bellinger bobblehead the Dodgers are giving out to fans on April 13th against the Brewers. As you can maybe tell, it celebrates Cody's walk-off during Game 4 of the 2018 NLCS against the Brewers. 
  • The Dodgers Single-A Rancho Cucamonga Quakes just released their promotional schedule and it includes five bobblehead giveaways -- Justin Turner, Cody Bellinger, Walker Buehler, Tremor and a fan vote bobble. There will also be a team card set giveaway, as well. Go here to read all about it, via Bobbi Salcido atr the RC Quakes. On the right is the Buehler bobble that includes Walker in an 1961 Ferrari 250 GT (like from the movie).
  • Via Daniel Starkand at Dodger Blue; "Dodgers Prospect D.J. Peters Focused On Having ‘Quality At-Bats,’ Soaking Up Knowledge During Spring Training."
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Peters made some changes to his swing during the offseason, which have been noticeable so far this spring. “D.J. has really worked hard to shorten his swing. To see it pay dividends, I think is good for his confidence,” Roberts said.
“Just the way he plays the game is fun to watch. The refinement is, just understanding sequencing. Mechanically, our hitting guys did a great job. I wouldn’t say it’s a revamped swing, but it’s a much shorter swing. Where velocity and fastballs in the zone beat him at times last year, this time he’s giving himself a much better chance to cover that pitch.”
“Dustin May, there’s some volatility there but there’s definitely All-Star kind of upside as well.” Law said that the Dodgers have boosted their system by adding some “floor.”
“I think they drafted for some floor, I think they traded for some floor, heck the two guys they just got from the Reds [Jeter Downs and Josiah Grey] are both intriguing prospects but with pretty high floors.” 
“I’ll put it this way, I wouldn’t say they haven’t given up some ceiling to get that floor, I still think they are some ceiling left in the system.”

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