Blog Kiosk: 5/1/2019 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

You can't win without a little help from your friends.

Cody Bellinger still continues to mash, but it was the efforts of those who've had a slow start that gave the Dodgers a victory last night. Chris Taylor, who is well below the Mendoza line, knocked in two with a double in the sixth. Justin Turner finally hit his first homer of the season when he took lefty Ty Blach deep to centerfield. David Freese recorded a double and a three-run jack to break-out of an 0-for-18 slump. Per Ken Gurnick at MLB.com:

“We take pride in our roles and we want to do our part,” said Freese. “We have a good enough team that we can falter and still get victories. That’s not always going to happen. Belly’s not always going to be Player of the Month with the best April in history.”
...
“If you look at the guys that have hit left-handed pitching throughout their career, really haven’t yet,” said manager Dave Roberts. “It’s a long season. We’re going to face a lot of lefties this week and I think the numbers will start to correct.”

Photo above of David Freese via Michael Urakami/MLB.com at Dodger Insider. Go here to check out more pics from yesterdays game. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1906 the Brooklyn Superbas (Dodgers) are no-hit by Philadelphia southpaw John Lush, 6-0. In 1920 the Dodgers and Boston Braves play a 26-inning game - the longest in major league history. Starting pitchers Leon Cadore of Brooklyn and Joe Oeschger of Boston both finish the game, as it ends in a 1-1 tie after nearly four hours of play. In 1965 Tommy Davis dislocates and breaks his ankle while sliding into second base trying to break up a double play. In 2012 a new Dodgers ownership group takes over the franchise -- headed by Stan Kasten, Mark Walter at Guggenheim Financial and Magic Johnson.
• Happy Birthday, Charlie Reynolds, Von Joshua, Ray Searage, Phil Hiatt & Iván De Jesus!
• Via Eric Longenhagen and Kiley McDaniel at FanGraphs -- "Top 35 Prospects: Los Angeles Dodgers."
• This mornings Baseball America Prospect Report makes note of Dodger infielder Jeter Downs:

Downs had a three-hit game for high Class A Rancho Cucamonga. He doubled and hit a home run while also scoring three times. Although the Dodgers’ No. 13 prospect shows flashes of a future above-average hit tool, he is currently batting .213/.276/.371 with eight extra-base hits in 89 at-bats.

• Per Devan Fink at FanGraphs -- "Just How Hot Has Cody Bellinger Been?"

For one, according to Evan Boyd of Stat by STATS, Bellinger’s 1.413 OPS through 30 player games was the highest since Barry Bonds (1.540) in 2004, and the fifth-highest mark through 30 games in the live ball era, going back to 1920. Secondly, according to the Elias Sports Bureau, Bellinger’s Triple Crown stats (.434 average, 14 HR, 37 RBIs) were the highest of any player in major league history after 30 games.

What’s more, Bellinger has produced 3.0 WAR in just 31 games. If that sounds like a lot, that’s because it is.

• The Liga Mexicana de Beisbol (the Mexican Baseball League) will honor Dodger great Fernando Valenzuela on July 6th when his number (#34) will be retired by the entire league, via Universal Sport. 

• Cross your fingers! Via Ken Gurnick at MLB.com -- "Pollock on IL, undergoing exploratory procedure."

“We’re just hoping things go well,” said Roberts. “It’s concerning any time you’re talking about an infection and past surgery. Advising our guys to remain positive until we know more information. I’m trying to choose my words wisely. We’ll know more after the game.”

Roberts said Pollock’s elbow swelled and discolored, which signaled the infection. He reiterated that the elbow condition surfaced in the last few days and, in his opinion, was not responsible for the slow start of Pollock, who was signed to a four-year, $55 million contract in the offseason.

• This isn't Baseball news... well, not really. It does, on the other hand, have a tangential connection to the Dodgers. As you may know, legendary Dodger General Manager Branch Rickey attended Ohio Wesleyan University, and this institution of learning if often credited with playing a significant role in molding Rickey's desire to desegregate Baseball. For those who don't know, this school's founding vision was one of activism -- they rallied to end slavery, segregation and now homophobia. Per Adora Namigadde at WOSU -- "Ohio Wesleyan Takes ‘One-Year Pause’ With Methodist Church Over LGBTQ Issues."
• Superpowers, via a tweet from the Dodgers:

Which super powers does Alex want? #VivaLosDodgers pic.twitter.com/Diq8ny7SsX

— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) April 28, 2019

* Please follow on twitter @ernestreyes *

* Like Dodgers Blue Heaven on facebook *

* Dodgers Blue Heaven home page *