Blog Kiosk: 3/2/2020 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

LeBron James was seen sporting a Jackie Robinson Brooklyn Dodgers jersey over the weekend, via a tweet from the Lakers.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1956 the Dodgers sold pitching prospect Tommy Lasorda to the Kansas City A's. In 1976 the Dodgers traded outfielder Willie Crawford to the Cardinals for infielder Ted Sizemore.
• Happy Birthday, William Fischer, Moe Berg, Woody English, Cal Abrams, Chico Fernandez, Jay Gibbons & Bud Norris!
• Video: Steven Douglas at Sports Illustrated has a Spring Conversation with the Dodgers' Matt Beaty (video link).
• Per Joel Sherman at The New York Post -- "Nothing can cripple Mookie Betts and the Dodgers." Apparently, MLB told the Dodgers that Betts was not involved in any cheating.

The Dodgers, though, asked MLB if it should be concerned about acquiring Betts and were assured not to worry.

“I know with our front office, we do a lot of our due diligence before we make a deal,” Roberts said. “We have no questions or any concerns, none at all.”

• Via Bob Nightengale at USA Today -- "Free from the grind of Boston, David Price loving his new life with Dodgers: 'I couldn't be happier'"

“It’s such a big difference from Boston to here,’’ says Price, who makes his Los Angeles Dodgers spring-training debut Monday. “Really, it’s night and day."

...
“That was a big day for me, a very big day,’’ Price says, recounting the details. “I came in, got undressed, showered, came back to my locker, and stood there for 10 or 15 minutes. There were maybe two or three [reporters] hanging out, talking to other guys, and nobody came over to talk to me about my day. I couldn’t believe it. 

“It was like after me and Mookie had our introductory press conference at Dodger Stadium, we walk off the field when it was all done, and Mookie says, 'That’s it? Is this a joke?'"

• I'm not surprised at all. Via TC Zencka at MLB Trade Rumors -- "Kenta Maeda Asked Out Of Los Angeles."
• Via Ron Cervenka at Think Blue LA -- "Alvarez – and $16 Million – Let Go by Dodgers."

“We were going to have to make a move in the next couple weeks, and so now he’s kind of dealing with a lat/shoulder thing that we’re still getting testing on,” Roberts said after Friday’s game. “We wish him the best and see what happens.”

When Dodgers pitchers and catchers reported for Spring Training on February 14, Alvarez was given a 30-day window to show the Dodgers that his past indiscretions were indeed past and that he was ready to move forward. He acknowledged that he had worked with a psychologist and fully realized this could be – and probably was – his last opportunity; at least with the Dodgers.

• Via Rosie DiManno at The Star -- "‘I know what it feels like to be the bad guy’ — Blue Jay Ken Giles would give back tainted World Series ring, if it helps."

“Whatever they ask, I would oblige. Because what was going on at the time was not OK.”

...
“I was not aware about anything,” Giles states flatly. For this ex-Astro, so notoriously hard on himself that he once socked himself in the jaw after giving up a three-run ninth-inning homer, the refutation sounds genuine. “It crushed me to learn about the stuff that went on when I was there. I had no idea. I had no clue whatsoever. I was blindsided by the commissioner’s report. Up until then, I honestly didn’t believe it. Just crazy.”

• Via Steve Adams at MLB Trade Rumors -- "Tom Koehler Retires." As you'll recall, he was signed by the Dodgers as a free agent in late 2017, but never got on the field for the "Boys in Blue" due to shoulder problems.
• David Price's plans, via a tweet from Bill Plunkett:

David Price is planning to pitch exclusively out of the stretch this season, according to #Dodgers manager Dave Roberts. Has done it at times previously in his career. Just a way to simplify his delivery, Roberts said.

— Bill Plunkett (@billplunkettocr) February 28, 2020

• In response to Mike Trout's monster blast at the golf range, here is Cody Bellinger, via a tweet from Cut4. It appears that several Dodgers' were on-hand with several Angels' for a little bit of fun.

Come for @Cody_Bellinger's rocket off of a golf club.

Stay for his reaction. pic.twitter.com/QhM4BPphzA

— Cut4 (@Cut4) March 2, 2020

• Of course, Bellinger is now ailing, via a tweet from David Vassegh:

Dave Roberts said he doesn't believe that Cody Bellinger's side soreness has anything to do with swinging at Top Golf last night and scratching him is just being cautious
"It's really not a big deal, Cody wants to play, there is no gain, it just makes no sense."

— David Vassegh (@THEREAL_DV) March 2, 2020

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