Dodger Thoughts

Jon Weisman's outlet for dealing psychologically with the Los Angeles Dodgers, baseball and life

Month: December 2014 (Page 2 of 3)

Video: Howie Kendrick 2014 highlights

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On December 15, 2014

In Uncategorized

Howie Kendrick was the sixth-best defensive second baseman in 2014, according to Fangraphs. (Andy King/Getty Images)

Howie Kendrick was the sixth-best defensive second baseman in 2014, according to Fangraphs. (Andy King/Getty Images)

By Jon Weisman

Dee Gordon was excitement personified for the Dodgers in 2014, which is part of what makes it hard to see him head off to Miami.

But if you weren’t paying attention, Gordon’s successor at second base, Howie Kendrick, provided his own human highlight reel this year, to go with a career-high .347 on-base percentage and a higher Wins Above Replacement than any second baseman in the National League.

Here’s just a sample of Kendrick’s top moments from the past season.

April 18: Kendrick got two bases on this drive, and then he got two more, for a total of four bases. That’s a home run, kids. In fact, it was his second homer of the game.
[mlbvideo id=”32179825″ width=”550″ height=”308″ /]

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Dodger Stadium, after the rain

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On December 12, 2014

In Dodger Stadium

[wpvideo srA1rD8k]

A few snaps after today’s storm slung away …

— Jon Weisman

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Photos: International Scout of the Year Mike Brito

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On December 12, 2014

In Uncategorized

Photos by Preston C. Mack, MLBAM

Photos by Preston C. Mack/MLBAM

During the busy Winter Meetings on Wednesday, Mike Brito received his award as baseball’s International Scout of the Year. Below are more photos of the Dodgers’ beloved scout from the evening.

— Jon Weisman

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Andrew Friedman speaks about Wednesday’s trades

By

On December 11, 2014

In Front office, Transactions

[mlbvideo id=”37044215″ width=”550″ height=”308″ /]

By Jon Weisman

In the wee hours, Dodger president of baseball operations Andrew Freidman discussed Wednesday’s exchange of players with the Marlins and Angels. Above is some video, below are some excerpts …

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It has been some day

By

On December 10, 2014

In Thinking out loud, Transactions

Kendrick-FB-size

By Jon Weisman

To say the least, I’ve been following today’s Winter Meetings extravaganza with personal as well as professional interest.

I’ve been writing, rewriting, rewriting … but the piece I want to end up with needs to wait until the dust settles.

In the meantime, travel to dodgers.com for the latest news.

Dodgers trade Butera in first deal with Angels since ’76

By

On December 9, 2014

In Transactions

Jon SooHoo/Los Angeles Dodgers

Jon SooHoo/Los Angeles Dodgers

By Jon Weisman

Drew Butera’s time in a Dodger uniform has officially come to a close, with the Dodgers trading him to the Angels for a player to be named later or cash considerations. Butera was designated for assignment December 5.

This was the first Dodger-Angels trade involving a Major Leaguer since the Dodgers acquired catcher Ellie Rodriguez from the Angels for outfielder Orlando Alvarez on March 21, 1976. That year, Rodriguez batted .212 with a .400 on-base percentage in 90 plate appearances, while Alvarez went 7 for 42 for the Angels, in what would be the final MLB season for both.

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Zack Greinke was a Giant-killer in 2014

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On December 9, 2014

In Pitching

Los Angeles Dodgers at Chicago Cubs

By Jon Weisman

It didn’t get very much press in 2014, but Zack Greinke had an absolutely dominant season against the World Series champion San Francisco Giants.

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Hodges, Wills, Allen denied Hall of Fame — but they’re not alone

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On December 8, 2014

In Uncategorized

Al Campanis and Walter Alston introduce Dick Allen as a Dodger before the 1971 season.

Al Campanis and Walter Alston introduce Dick Allen as a Dodger before the 1971 season.

By Jon Weisman

Given how difficult it is for former players to reach the Hall of Fame via the Veterans Committee, it’s not really a surprise that Dodger greats Gil Hodges and Maury Wills fell short of election today. In fact, none of the 10 candidates made it in.

Another former Dodger, though one less identified with the uniform — Dick Allen — came closest to election, joining Tony Oliva in finishing exactly one vote short.  Allen had a .395 on-base percentage and .468 slugging percentage with 23 home runs in 1971 (all team highs), his only season with the Dodgers.

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Minor league highlights from 2014

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On December 8, 2014

In Minor leagues

Minor League Wrap

In the October issue of Dodger Insider magazine, Cary Osborne took this snapshot of highlights from the Dodger farm system in 2014, and I thought it would be nice to share with our blog audience before this year passes into next. Click the image above to enlarge.

— Jon Weisman

Guarantee Opening Day seats with a Dodger Mini Plan

By

On December 7, 2014

In Tickets

Jill Weisleder/Los Angeles Dodgers

Jill Weisleder/Los Angeles Dodgers

Holiday Mall Tour begins today 
The Dodgers’ Holiday Mall Tour hits the Topanga Westfield mall today from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Orel Hershiser will sign autographs there from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., followed by Justin Turner from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Dodger 2015 Mini Plans will be on sale. Details can be found at dodgers.com/malltour.

If you want to guarantee your seat to Opening Day 2015 — as well as to a big chunk of next season’s games — you can sign up for a Dodger Mini Plan, starting today.

Dodger Mini Plans come in two options: a 20-game set plan and a 30-game flex plan.

The 20-gamer includes Opening Day, Jackie Robinson Day (with the first ever Jackie Robinson replica jersey giveaway), all 10 bobblehead games and all eight Cy Young Collectors’ Pins games. You’ll also have access to a presale of postseason tickets, if applicable.

Step up to the 30-game flex plan, and you can pick the games you want to go to: Opening Day, games against the Giants, any promotions, any of the 81 home dates.  You’ll also get rights to potential Wild Card, National League Division Series and National League Championship Series at Dodger Stadium in 2015.

Visit dodgers.com/miniplans for more information. Pricing information can be found here. And if you’re interested in a Mini Plan with premium seating, click here.

— Jon Weisman

Three more trophies for Clayton Kershaw

By

On December 7, 2014

In Awards

[mlbvideo id=”37032255″ width=”550″ height=”308″ /]

Clayton Kershaw on Saturday won three MLB.com Greatness in Baseball Yearly Awards (GIBBYs). Ken Gurnick of MLB.com has more.

— Jon Weisman

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Dodgers claim catcher Ryan Lavarnway from Red Sox, designate Drew Butera for assignment

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On December 5, 2014

In Transactions

[mlbvideo id=”28912279″ width=”550″ height=”308″ /]

By Jon Weisman

Ryan Lavarnway, a 27-year-old catcher who spent most of last season with Boston’s Triple-A team in Pawtucket, has been claimed on waivers by the Dodgers, who have designated Drew Butera for assignment.

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Video: Talking shop with A.J. Ellis

By

On December 5, 2014

In Uncategorized

[mlbvideo id=”37022131″ width=”550″ height=”308″ /]

A.J. Ellis spoke to MLB Network’s “Hot Stove” on a number of subjects Thursday. Check it out …

— Jon Weisman

Magic Johnson to receive rare Sports Illustrated Sportsman of the Year Legacy Award

By

On December 4, 2014

In Awards

Jon SooHoo/Los Angeles Dodgers

Jon SooHoo/Los Angeles Dodgers

By Jon Weisman

Dodger ownership partner Earvin “Magic” Johnson has become the second ever recipient of the Sports Illustrated Sportsman of the Year Legacy Award, which “celebrates individuals whose dedication to the ideals of sportsmanship has spanned decades and whose lifetime of achievement in athletics has directly or indirectly changed the world.”

Sports Illustrated today announced the award, whose only previous honoree was Special Olympics founder Eunice Kennedy Shriver in 2008. More from Ben Golliver at SI:

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Adrian Gonzalez leads trip to Mexico

By

On December 3, 2014

In International

ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS AT LOS ANGELES DODGERS

Jon SooHoo/Los Angeles Dodgers

By Jon Weisman

Adrian Gonzalez and his family will be joined by Fernando Valenzuela, Dodger president and CEO Stan Kasten and Dodger executive vice president and chief marketing officer Lon Rosen in Mexico City on Thursday for the Premio Nacional de Deportes (PND) ceremony honoring Gonzalez.

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Attendance

1991-2013
Dodgers at home: 1,028-812 (.558695)
When Jon attended: 338-267 (.558677)*
When Jon didn’t: 695-554 (.556)
* includes road games attended

2013
Dodgers at home: 51-35 (.593)
When Jon attended: 5-2 (.714)
When Jon didn’t: 46-33 (.582)

Note: I got so busy working for the Dodgers that in 2014, I stopped keeping track, much to my regret. 

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