Blog Kiosk: 2/11/2020 - Dodgers Links & News - Some Odds and Ends

In May of 1941 the Dodgers made a big trade with the Cubs that brought veteran second baseman Billy Herman to Brooklyn. He provided stability to a position that was sorely lacking -- slashing .291/.361/.379/.740 while helping the club win the pennant for the first time in 21 years. The AP press photo above from the Chicago Tribune features the newly acquired infield wearing Dodger Blue for the first time (eBay auction link). Below is what's written on the reverse:

Herman Comes to Flatbush -- Billy Herman practices May 6 to take his place at second base in the Brooklyn Dodger lineup. He came to the Dodgers on a trade with the Chicago Cubs.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1997 three new Jackie Robinson cereal boxes, created by General Mills, were unveiled to an eating and collecting public. He would be the first athlete to be honored on all three varieties of Wheaties: Original Wheaties, Honey Frosted Wheaties, and Crispy Wheaties 'n' Raisins. 
• Happy Birthday, Boyd Bartley & Todd Benzinger!
• Per La Velle E. Neal III at the Star Tribune -- "Twins, Dodgers complete Brusdar Graterol-Kenta Maeda trade: The on-again, off-again deal is set, with L.A. starter headed to the Twins and a top pitching prospect bound for the Dodgers."
• To make room for all the trades the Dodgers designated a couple of ballplayers, via a tweet from Bill Plunkett:

#Dodgers have DFAed Tyler White and Kyle Garlick in order to make room for trade acquisitions. Joc Pederson and Ross Stripling survive their week in transfer portal.
(Go ahead and tweet the fist pump GIF now @RossStripling)

— Bill Plunkett (@billplunkettocr) February 11, 2020

• I like this assessment, via a tweet from Steve Matz Fan:

Dodgers' NL ranks by position (Fangraphs projected WAR)
C: 3rd
1B: 5th
2B: 4th
SS: 1st
3B: 4th
LF: 4th
CF: 1st
RF: 1st
SP: 3rd
RP: 5th

Bat: 1st
Pit: 3rd
Overall: 1st (54.4, next is 44.0)

That is absolutely outrageous. Say it with me, WORLD SERIES FAVORITES

— Steven Matz Fan (@matz_fan) February 10, 2020

• Per Mike Commito at NHL.com -- "Luc Robitaille Reflects on Bringing Cup to Dodger Stadium."
• Per Liz Roscher at Yahoo Sports -- "Ex-Astros pitcher Charlie Morton on sign-stealing scandal: 'I regret not doing more to stop it'"
• Bolsinger is sueing the Astros! Via Nancy Armour at USA Today -- "Pitcher Mike Bolsinger says cheating Astros changed course of his career."

But the damage they did to Mike Bolsinger – to his career and to his whole life – was particularly harsh, and the former Toronto Blue Jays pitcher wants them held accountable. Bolsinger filed a civil lawsuit in Los Angeles Superior Court on Monday, accusing the Astros of unfair business practices, negligence and intentional interference with contractual and economic relations.

Yes, Bolsinger is seeking unspecified damages, but they’re not all for himself. He wants the Astros to forfeit the roughly $31 million in bonuses from their ill-gotten World Series title, and for the money to go to charities in Los Angeles focused on bettering kids’ lives, as well as to create a fund for retired baseball players who need financial assistance.

Jeff Todd and MLB Trade Rumors digs deeper into it -- "Mike Bolsinger Sues Astros Over Sign-Stealing Scheme."

There will be quite a few opportunities for this matter to go away without much of interest taking place. The case seems sure to be removed to federal court; it could involve whole rounds of litigation over whether it can even be heard and if so in what venue. Finding a legal claim to suit the facts isn’t straightforward, so it could get kicked on a motion to dismiss. If Bolsinger’s side can make it past some initial hurdles, the Astros might try to settle it out. There’d surely be some major battles over how much information can be obtained through discovery. Once all the cards are on the table, there’ll be yet more ways for the Houston club to halt the proceedings (summary judgment, further settlement talks).

• Thank you, Kenta Maeda! He expresses his thoughts about playing in LA, via his Instagram:

View this post on Instagram

Dear Dodgers, Players, Staff, and Fans, I would like to take this moment to express my gratitude for welcoming my family from Japan to Los Angeles. Coming from Japan, there were a lot of difference from both living in the United States and playing in MLB for the first time, but you guys have made every moment enjoyable and I’m happy to have belonged to a fantastic organization. Being able to play in back to back World Series was truly a highlight of my baseball career. I thank the amazing staff and teammates for the past 4 seasons as I learned a tremendous amount from each and one of you. I also appreciate the fans for cheering me both on and off field. I will do my best to level up and win games for the Twins. I’ll see you next in the World Series. @dodgers #thankyou #dodgers

A post shared by 前田 健太 (kenta maeda) (@18_maeken) on Feb 10, 2020 at 7:06pm PST

• Topps newest online exclusive set takes their Bowman Next brand to another level. Last year they issued a couple of cards weekly to collectors exclusively online. This year, they decide to issue 15-card sets weekly. So far, they have sold a total of 770 sets from Wave 1, and this set includes Dodger prospects Jeter Downs (now with the Red Sox) and hurler Josiah Gray. Wave 2 is now available for order (go here to check it out) and it includes a card of Gavin Lux. You can see Lux's card below. You can go here for a complete checklist.

• Interesting, via a tweet from Future Dodgers:

From FanGraphs' latest draft update, this year's draft is expected to be deeper than usual, making the pick the Dodgers acquired from the Twins, at 67th overall, even more valuable. https://t.co/rxxZEvn6b1 pic.twitter.com/eR4HeRt8el

— Future Dodgers (@FutureDodgers) February 10, 2020

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