Friday, June 14, 2019

Blog Kiosk: 6/14/2019 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends


Check out this fantastic fan-taken snapshot of Jackie Robinson coaching his son, Jackie Robinson Jr. that I ran into on ebay recently. Junior must be behind on the count -- notice how he's choking up on the bat?

Below are more links to check out:
  • This Day in Dodgers History: In 1991 the Dodgers signed 17-year old amateur free agent pitcher Ismael Valdéz out of Victoria, Mexico. He would eventually play seven seasons in LA during an 12-year Major League career -- accumulating an 61-57 record, an 3.48 ERA, a 3.88 FIP and a WHIP of 1.235 as a Dodger. In 1993 the Dodgers played their very first game in Colorado against the expansion Rockies. Behind the pitching of Pedro Astacio, Los Angeles pounded out 12 hits (including a Jody Reed homer) to win the game, 9-4. In 1995 Dodger hurler Hideo Nomo struck out 16 Pirates to set an Dodgers all-time rookie record for strikeouts.  
  • Happy BirthdayDon Newcombe & Greg Brock!
  • ICYMI: Corey Seager has been placed on the 10-day injured list, retroactive to June 12, with left hamstring strain. In turn, Matt Beaty has been reactivated.

LAS: Speaking of such positive energy, is it hard for you to keep your cool when you are having a bad day? How do you navigate that?
DR: In baseball, it’s kind of an outlet. I have grown to understand from the coaches and players that mentored me when I was a player, that when we come to the ballpark, it’s our escape. If I do have a bad day, I don’t let that be known. It is hard though because I’m always trying to pour into the players and coaches and you don’t really get that reciprocation but that’s kind of the job you sign up for. I love coaching, I love teaching and I love relationships, and that is my fuel and that’s my passion.
And yet here he is, dominating the league. Some of that he credits to yet another unusual routine: the most intense shoulder workout the Dodgers have ever seen. “That’s one thing I agree with my teammates,” Ryu says. “It’s a bit intense.”
Every day he gets a soft-tissue massage and stretches, whether he is pitching or not. On the day after his starts he does shoulder exercises with weights. On the second day he uses a shoulder tube. On the third day he works his upper body and returns to his shoulder program. On the fourth day he scouts his next opponent.
"When I was at Louisville I was a very reserved hitter,” Mann said. "I didn’t really use my body well, use my levers well. Then, when I got drafted with the Dodgers, we made a lot of changes with my lower half and bat path, just making sure I was tapped into all the power that I have and making sure I’m staying through the zone better. It’s paid off so far. I’m happy with the changes we’ve made.”
Mann’s power production stands in notable contrast to his past. He hit a combined 15 home runs in three years at Louisville. He hit only two home runs in 65 games last year after signing.  Now, he’s tied for second in the California League in home runs.


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