Dodgers Blue Heaven: Blog Kiosk: 9/27/2019 - Dodgers Links

Friday, September 27, 2019

Blog Kiosk: 9/27/2019 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Yesterday was "Costume Travel Day" for the Dodgers. Heck, everyone who boarded the plane, including travelling staff, had to join in on the fun.

If I can find the time, I will make a bunch of fantasy baseball cards of them in costume.

On another note, the Dodgers, on the back of Kershaw's six innings of scoreless two-hit ball, defeated the Padres, 1-0, last night. This was his last outing of the season. Per Ken Gurnick at MLB.com:

“You’re just building confidence,” said Kershaw. “No matter how long you play this game, you struggle and your confidence will go here and there at times. Today, just went in with the mindset to be super aggressive and keep going and don’t worry about all the stuff that’s happened. The results are better today, for sure.

“If I had pitched bad today, it wouldn’t be the end of the world, but it wouldn’t have been fun going into the postseason knowing I had struggled. It’s definitely good to get some momentum and confidence going and realize the pitches I need to make are still in there. It was good, for sure.”

Photo above via @Dodgers on twitter. Below are more links to check out:

This Day in Dodgers History: In 1936 future Dodger Hall of Fame skipper Walter Alston played in his only Major League game. It was as an 24-year old first baseman for the Cardinals, and he got into the game as a late-inning substitution for Johnny Mize. He would commit an error on the field in two chances, and only get a single at-bat -- he struck out. In 1951 future basketball Hall of Famer Bill Sharman was on the bench for the Dodgers as a 25-year old prospect. On this day he would be thrown out of the game, along with 14 other teammates, for "bench-jockeying" after a close play at home. He would never get a chance to play a Major League game, and thus became the only player to be ejected from a game without ever appearing in one. In 1961 Sandy Koufax recorded seven strikeouts against the Phillies to set a new National League record for strikeouts in a season at 269. The mark was previously held by Giants hurler Christy Mathewson who set it in 1903 with 267 strikeouts. In 2000 the Team USA Baseball club, skippered by Tommy Lasorda, beat the Cuban ballclub to win the gold medal in the Olympics.
Happy Birthday, Joe Visner, Doug Baird, Whit Wyatt, Len Matuszek, Jason Phillips, Vicente Padilla & Jon Garland!
Per Jim Callis at MLB.com -- "New Mann: 'Most improved' prospect now at AFL."

"In the offseason, we worked on more on bat path, just lower half, having a more aggressive approach, just trying to do damage in the air ... I just sort of ran with it and made adjustments as the season went along."

(Devin) Mann's defensive transformation may be more stunning than his offensive metamorphosis. He still has fringy speed but has improved his footwork, range and arm strength and now has enough carry on his throws to get the job done at third base. One Dodgers official called him the most improved prospect in the system in 2019.

Via Erick Galindo at LA Taco -- "Dodgers sign a part-time taquero from Jalisco who has a 93-mph fastball."

Octavio Becerra used to work part-time at his uncle’s taco shop in Jalisco. He just signed a contract to pitch for the dynastic Los Angeles Dodgers. What a world!

...
Becerra’s reportedly got a 93-mph fastball and sometimes delivers tacos to homes in Tepatitlán de Morelos for his uncle’s restaurant. His uncle says he can be a pizza delivery driver in Los Angeles if the whole Dodgers thing doesn’t work out.

OMG! Kristopher Negrón and Tony Gonsolin found a cat cafe in San Diego to hang out at, via a tweet from Negrón:

Of course Catman @goooose15 and I found a cat cafe down the street from the hotel. Morning coffee and cats!? Sign me up. pic.twitter.com/HxIZljys3q
— Kristopher Negrón (@KNegs17) September 25, 2019

Here's an event worth checking out, via a tweet from crzblue Emma:

This Sunday! The Baseball Reliquary Presents: A Swinging Centennial: Jackie Robinson at 100 @Dodgers @nlbmprez @sabr #Baseball https://t.co/RzYL7zJvYU pic.twitter.com/R2q5OHhSUK
— crzblue Emma (@crzblue) September 27, 2019

Panini America's blog shares a bunch of preview pics of their upcoming 2019 National Treasures Baseball brand. Below are cards fior Carl Furillo and Dennis Santana. Go here to check out more pics.