Blog Kiosk: 6/20/2017 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Yesterday was bonkers.

Not only did staff ace Clayton Kershaw give up an uncharacteristic four home runs, but the evening also saw a home run parade by both clubs that resulted in a total of eight homers in the game. Two of which were slugged by fast-rising rookie Cody Bellinger. In fact, his two home runs give him 21 on the year - giving him his fifth multihomer game so far and the National League lead in the category after only 51 games as a major leaguer. Per Joshua Thornton at MLB.com:

"It's crazy," said Bellinger, who made his big league debut on April 25. "A month and a half ago, if you told me what I was gonna do, I'd probably call you crazy."

Despite the poor showing on the mound, Kershaw recorded his 10th victory of the season and the Dodgers have now won ten out of the past eleven games. Photo above via Joc Pederson on twitter. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1958 the Dodgers signed amateur free agent Willie Davis out of Roosevelt High School in Los Angeles. In 2000 the Dodgers traded infielder Jose Vizcaino to the Yankees for catcher Jim Leyritz. In 2008 the Dodgers are awarded the Award of Excellence star, which is placed in the Walk of Fame, for their significant contributions to the community by the Hollywood Historic Trust and the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce. In 2009 Dodgers pitcher Jeff Weaver best his younger brother Jered Weaver at Angels Stadium, 6-4. They become the eighth set of siblings to have started against one another.
• Happy Birthday, Luis Alcaraz, Larry See, Paul Bako & Juan Castro!
• Video: Justin Turner reflects on being signed by the Dodgers, teammate pranks while traveling and walks us through his pregame warmup. (video link)
• Per Houston Mitchell at the LA Times; "What advice did Vin Scully pass on? Dodgers announcer Joe Davis answers your questions."

Tony Piscitelli: Have you had the opportunity to consult with Vin Scully?

Davis: Hi Tony -- Vin called me and welcomed me to the team the night before my hiring was announced a couple falls ago. Funny story about that -- not recognizing his number, I twice ignored his calls! You should've seen the look on my face when I listened to the voicemail and realized what I'd done. 

• Clayton Kershaw is the best. Per Adam Weinrib at 12up.com; "Clayton Kershaw Destroys Ball-Stealing Nerd With Perfect Series of Comebacks."
• A depth arm found in the independent leagues. Per the CT Post; "Bluefish’s Rearick signed by Dodgers."

“Chris has been one of our most reliable starters this year,” Bluefish General Manager Paul Herrmann said. “It’s great to see him receive this opportunity and we wish him the best of luck.”

• Per Ron Cervenka at Think Blue LA; "Grandal to help raise leukemia & lymphoma awareness through T-Shirt campaign."
• Per Eric Stephen at True Blue LA; "Carlos Rincon hits 38 HR to win Midwest League Home Run Derby."
• Per Jeff Sullivan at FanGraphs; "What Might Chris Taylor Have Become?"

For the new Chris Taylor, at the plate, easily the closest comp has been recent George Springer. They’re close up there in all four categories, and while Springer has shown the slightly better peak strength, Taylor has made more consistent contact. So, when you wonder how Taylor’s wRC+ might regress, you might decide to be strongly anchored to Springer’s 130. Perhaps that’s still too high, I don’t know, but Taylor has been showing legitimate offensive skills, and his defensive versatility is an obvious plus. Pitchers will have time to try to figure this out, but Taylor hasn’t given an inch.

• Per Blowout Buzz; "Cody Bellinger’s homer binge fuels demand for his few certified autos."
• Per Blowout Buzz; "National Baseball Card Day is back — and it’s set for Aug. 12." Collectors can go to participating stores to receive a pack of Topps National Baseball Card Day cards with a $10 purchase. One of the cards in this set features Corey Seager. See it on the right. Stay tuned for more information as we get closer to that day.
• In all of my years in the hobby I have never heard of this. Per Liz Roscher at Big League Stew; "A bug got trapped in a Mike Trout baseball card because even bugs love him."
• This is definitely worth your time to check out. ESPN has an feature up called "BÉISBOL EXPERIENCE" and it includes 50 interviews with Latino ballplayers, and it recounts their stories and perspectives. Go here to check it out. Current and former Dodgers include Hanley Ramirez, Yasiel Puig, Adrian Beltre, and Julio Urias.

"I lived with several Latinos that did not speak English, so we adapted little by little. We started by ordering food at McDonald's or at Subway after the game. What helped me was pointing at a photo [of food], saying something as if I were murmuring, letting them answer me and saying 'yes.' But I didn't know what they were going to give me. Whatever came, I tried to eat it. I went hungry a lot because I've always hated pickles. A lot of times the food at McDonald's came with a lot of pickles, and when I ordered I'd grab the food, go to the hotel, sit down to eat and open it to find pickles. I'd immediately throw it in the trash."

ADRIÁN BELTRÉ

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