Blog Kiosk: 2/5/2015 - Dodger Links - Grandal, Peralta and Barnes

Sometimes it's best to just get out of the way.

As evidenced in the vintage 1950 AP press photo above, Dodger third baseman Billy Cox came charging hard for a pop fly down the line, but stumbled to the ground when it became obvious he wouldn't get there in time.  Fortunately, the sure-handed Pee Wee Reese was there to make the grab and record the out against Andy Seminick of the Phillies.  Photo found on eBay.  Check out the auction here.

Below are some more links to check out:

• Via Ron Cervenka at Think Blue LA, "Yasmani Grandal – ‘I’m very thankful to be a Dodger.’"
• Via J.P. Hoornstra at Inside the Dodgers, "Dodgers pitcher Joel Peralta had a customs nightmare at Miami International Airport."  The reason Peralta did not attend FanFest because he was detained for six hours by a Miami customs official due to having a wrong visa.
• Via Jon Weisman at Dodger Insider, "The Dodgers’ first true catcher-second baseman could be Austin Barnes."

“I think it’s your hands working,” he said. “It’s mostly your hands. Obviously, the throwing’s a little different. The footwork, you have to get used to. I think one of the biggest challenges of transferring from infield to catcher is blocking the balls, but receiving is something that I think works together with infield and catching.

“I prepare for both. I don’t ever throw one out the window. I think it’s good to have those doors open.”

• Via Steve Dilbeck at the LA Times, "Dodgers' pursuit of Cuban phenom Yoan Moncada will be telling."

The Moncada pursuit will be telling. If the Dodgers are still willing to spend big to revamp their system and set themselves up for the future, they have to go hard for him. But if they truly believe the major overhaul is done and they can back off the big-money purchases that helped bring fan belief back to a battered franchise, then they’ll take a pass.

• Then Jesse Sanchez at MLB.com interviews "Moncada: 'My goal is to sign with a team soon'"

"My goal is to sign with a team soon, start training with them, and make it to the Major Leagues as fast as I can with whichever team that might be," Moncada said in Spanish to MLB.com in his first interview since arriving in the United States in late November. "I know I'm going to do the best I can for as long as I can in this sport."

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