Dodgers Blue Heaven: Blog Kiosk: 1/6/2017 - Dodgers Links

Friday, January 06, 2017

Blog Kiosk: 1/6/2017 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Now this is a Baseball play.

These days it is doubtful anything like the action seen above would happen. First of all, infielders are not expected to perform such acrobatics on the field anymore. Instead, they hug the base and dare the oncoming runner to slide hard. And if the runner does come at the infielder, it is likely that screams of unsportsmanlike conduct will be heard from every medium in the country. Furthermore, a take-out slide, like the one being performed by the nameless Cardinal runner above against Jackie Robinson, just isn't done anymore. Heck, in certain circumstances it is banned.

Photo above via Old Baseball Photos on Twitter. Below are more links to check out:

Happy Birthday, George Shoch, Lee Walls, Marlon Anderson & Ralph Branca!
Via Jon Paul Morosi at MLB.com; "Could WBC rule open door for more aces?: Team USA eyes Kershaw, Bumgarner after creation of 'pitcher pool'

A long-anticipated World Baseball Classic rule change is official: WBC organizers have created a 10-member "designated pitcher pool," from which national teams may add up to two pitchers following each round of the tournament, a source confirmed to MLB.com.

Already, Team USA officials are working to leverage the new asset.

The Americans' wooing of three-time Cy Young Award winner Clayton Kershaw has been an open secret for months. For a tournament seeking broader appeal -- and a team pursuing its first title -- the notion of Kershaw pitching at Dodger Stadium in the semifinal or final is irresistible.

Via Steve Adams at MLB Trade Rumors; "Bobby Wilson Agrees To Minor League Deal With Dodgers."
David Hood at True Blue LA takes a look at, "Dodgers 2017 top prospects: No. 15, Jordan Sheffield."

Sheffield is a fantastic athlete and has made marked improvement in control of his plus offerings. His fastball can sit between 95-97 mph, and when starting every seven days he could hold it deep into starts. The pitch has life arm side, but he must constantly watch his location and plane given his small frame. He was able to get by with just average command in college, but Sheffield has room to improve in this department.