Blog Kiosk: 6/3/2020 - Dodgers Links & News - Normal is Not Good Enough

When I woke up this morning I saw this headline:

L.A. police use UCLA's Jackie Robinson Stadium as 'field jail'

I don't even know what to think anymore. From the above story, via Dennis Romero at NBC:

"We’re troubled by accounts of Jackie Robinson stadium being used as a 'field jail,'" the university said on Twitter. "This was done without UCLA’s knowledge or permission. As lessee of the stadium, we informed local agencies that UCLA will NOT grant permission should there be a request like this in the future." 

The Los Angeles Police Department acknowledged using the field in West L.A. for suspects arrested during the city's George Floyd protests. "We are no longer using it," Officer Mike Lopez said.

I want to believe this was an oversight, but fear it was a purposeful metaphor. Photo above via Stadium Journey. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1888 the first publication of Ernest L. Thayer's poem Casey at the Bat appears in the San Francisco Examiner. In 1958 Los Angeles residents approved a referendum, by a slim margin of 24,293 votes, that would honor a contract negotiated between the City of Los Angeles and the Dodger to allow the city to sell 300 acres of Chavez Ravine to the Dodgers. In 1989 the Dodgers and Astros play a 22-inning game at the Astrodome that is the longest game in National League history -- it last seven hours and 14 minutes. The game featured Fernando Valenzuela playing first base and center fielder John Shelby going 0-for-10 at the plate. Unfortunately, the Dodgers lost 5-4 (boxscore).
• Happy Birthday, John Dobbs, Jim Gentile, Barry Lyons & Nelson Liriano!
• Per Eric Stephen at True Blue LA -- "The importance of Pee Wee Reese embracing Jackie Robinson."
• Via Mark Townsend at Yahoo Sports -- "Dodgers manager Dave Roberts: 'The leaders of our country aren’t good listeners'"

Roberts, who was hired as the first black manager in Dodgers history following the 2015 season, adds that change starts with leadership. Roberts says that unfortunately, there are not enough leaders willing to listen or engage in meaningful conversation.

“For me, the leaders of our country, unfortunately, aren’t good listeners and that’s how you impose change. People of color want to be heard. And when you have leaders that are put in positions to make change and don’t want to have those uncomfortable conversations, then change isn’t going to happen. There’s a difference between being educated and being ignorant. You have to understand that these situations happen every single day to people of color.”

• Dave Roberts also spoke with John Hartung, via SportsNet LA on twitter:

"The reason people protest and rise up is because they want to be heard."

Dave Roberts speaks out on racism, the protests across the nation and ways people can help maintain momentum and create change. pic.twitter.com/BymCE76Zg4

— SportsNet LA (@SportsNetLA) June 2, 2020

• Via Jack Baer at Yahoo Sports -- "The 8 kinds of statements MLB teams sent out following the death of George Floyd."
• Magic Johnson on the riots, via Anderson Cooper on twitter:

NBA legend @MagicJohnson says despite his fame, he's still warned his sons about the dangers of being black in America.

"It doesn't matter if I'm Magic Johnson or not. My kid, just like I am, still a black man... I had that conversation...if you're pulled over... you comply." pic.twitter.com/S7PO2xlOEc

— Anderson Cooper 360° (@AC360) June 2, 2020

• Mookie Betts on Instagram:

View this post on Instagram

Over the last few days I have sat in disbelief yet again, how a black man can be killed because of the color of his skin. As I continue to process the recent events, I am reminded that our fight is not over. We must not get comfortable when the protesting is over, but remain dedicated to our mission; EQUALITY FOR ALL! I AM MORE THAN AN ATHLETE… I AM A BLACK MAN, A FATHER, A SON, A BROTHER, & A FRIEND. #EnoughIsEnough #GodProtectUs #PleaseStopKillingUs

A post shared by Mookie Betts (@mookiebetts) on May 31, 2020 at 3:57pm PDT

• Clayton Kershaw on Instagram:

View this post on Instagram

When the darkness in the world feels overwhelming, find a way to take action & bring light to it. On June 6th, our family is “racing to rescue” those trapped in violence and slavery. Together with Cali and Charley, we're doing a family bike and scooter ride to raise awareness and critical funds to help protect those who are unsafe during lockdown. Children and women around the world are trapped at home with their abusers and millions of people are susceptible to being trafficked and enslaved. Now more than ever, they need our help to break free from their abusers. Every dollar goes to help International Justice Mission (IJM) respond to the most critical needs, whether it's rescue operations, donating medical supplies to local authorities, or supporting survivor restoration. We can all do something to bring more light into this world. Link in profile.

A post shared by clayton kershaw (@claytonkershaw) on May 30, 2020 at 2:02pm PDT

• Per Neil Paine at FiveThirtyEight -- "MLB Owners Say They Could Lose $4 Billion Even If Games Are Played. Does That Math Add Up?"

In other words, the owners’ proposed salary-reduction scheme looks like a clever sleight-of-hand designed to cause a shortened season — in the midst of a life-changing pandemic for millions of Americans — to essentially give them the same profit as they made during a full season in the midst of a baseball boom. Unless we think baseball teams were just barely breaking even last year (despite record revenues and even the small-market Kansas City Royals selling for $1 billion), it’s hard to believe the owners aren’t trying to live by the words of former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill: “Never let a good crisis go to waste.”

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