Dodger Thoughts

Frank Sanchez, a 16-year-old shortstop from San Cristobal, Dominican Republic and the nephew of Dodger third baseman Juan Uribe, is one of three international signings announced by the Dodgers today.

Patrick Guerrero, Franklin Taveras and Bob Engle were the signing scouts for Sanchez.

The other two signees are also 16: shortstop Edwin Reyes from Azua, Dominican Republic (signing scout: Taveras) and catcher/infielder Jerson Dometilia from Kenley Jansen’s hometown of Willemstad, Curacao (signing scouts: Rolando Chirino, Guerrero).

— Jon Weisman

What made Clayton Kershaw so award-worthy

By Jon Weisman

On November 12, 2014

In Awards

Jon SooHoo/Los Angeles Dodgers

NL Cy Young Award Announcement:
3 p.m. today, MLB Network
NL MVP Award announcement:
3 p.m. Thursday, MLB Network
More from Ken Gurnick at MLB.com.

By Cary Osborne

Clayton Kershaw clearly doesn’t enjoy talking about himself. His body language shows it when he steers questions about himself into answers about the team.

Even after his magnum opus on June 18 at Dodger Stadium — his first career no-hitter that was an error away from being a perfect game against the Colorado Rockies — his eyes drifted in the interview room. The 26-year-old slumped in a chair, looking like he was sitting on jagged rocks.

Dodgers to play pair of exhibitions in Alamodome

By Jon Weisman

On November 12, 2014

In Spring Training

By Jon Weisman

It won’t be nearly as far as Sydney, but some Dodgers are taking a small detour in March.

Returning to the home of their Double-A team from 1977-2000, the Dodgers will take a split-squad team March 20-21 to San Antonio to play the Texas Rangers in the 2015 H-E-B Big League Weekend.

The two games will be played at the Alamodome in downtown San Antonio. Tickets go on sale Friday.

“We’re excited about this matchup,” said Hall of Fame pitcher Nolan Ryan, co-founder of Ryan Sanders Baseball, the owner of the Triple-A Round Rock Express and co-host of these exhibitions. “The Dodgers are one of the most successful franchises in baseball with some good, young players. For fans in San Antonio and all over the state, it’s a great opportunity to see play them since there is not a National League team in Texas anymore.”

Nearly 50,000 fans attended last year when the Rangers hosted in-state rival Houston for the two-game Big League Weekend at the Alamodome in 2014. The previous year brought the inaugural Big League Weekend, the first baseball event in the building’s 20-year-history, with more than 75,000 in attendance.

Dodgers celebrate, honor veterans at the ballpark

By Jon Weisman

On November 12, 2014

In Community

Happy Veterans Day from Dodger Stadium, where 300 service members are playing ball today … https://t.co/NjIpstwPzA

— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) November 11, 2014

It was a special day at Dodger Stadium as the Dodgers welcomed approximately 300 past and present service members and their families to Dodger Stadium on Tuesday for the annual Veterans Day Batting Practice. Read the story from Chad Thornburg of MLB.com, and enjoy the photos and videos here.

– Jon Weisman

Dome Alone: Puig, MLB stifled in Japan Series Game 1

By Jon Weisman

On November 12, 2014

In International

Ben Platt/MLB.com

Yasiel Puig went 0 for 2 with a walk and was left standing in the on-deck circle when Colorado’s Justin Morneau lined into a game-ending double play in the MLB All-Stars’ 2-0 loss to Samurai Japan in Game 1 of the Japan Series in Osaka.

– Jon Weisman

Just say gnome: Dodgers announce 2015 promotions

By Jon Weisman

On November 11, 2014

In Promotions

Jon SooHoo/Los Angeles Dodgers

By Jon Weisman

There are numerous great promotions at Dodger Stadium next year, but it’s hard not to immediately take note of one particular giveaway.

May 25: Tommy Lasorda garden gnome

On Jackie Robinson Day, which returns to Dodger Stadium on April 15 after a one-year absence, fans for the first time ever will receive an adult Jackie Robinson replica jersey.

Other new items for 2015 will include a Cy Young Collectors’ Pin Series, an adult replica pullover jacket, a coaster set, kids’ cereal bowl, Father’s Day BBQ set, Hello Kitty plush, kids’ hamper and spray bottle with fan.

Returning next season are Friday Night Fireworks and Viva Los Dodgers, as well as 10 bobblehead giveaway nights in 2015.

“Our goal is to continually offer our fans the finest promotional giveaways and events,” said Dodger executive vice president and chief marketing officer Lon Rosen. “We’ve put together a lineup featuring new and creative concepts as well as fan-favorite items that have been popular with Dodger fans for many years. We also are bringing back one of our favorite events in the Hollywood Stars game (June 6).”

A preset 20-game Mini Plan offers all 10 bobblehead giveaways, all 8 Cy Young pins, Opening Day and Jackie Robinson Day. A 30-game Flex Plan allows for any 2015 home game, including Opening Day, and features rights to purchase tickets to potential NLDS and NLCS postseason games. Fans can also add additional games to 30-game Flex Plans. Tickets for the mini plans start at $17 per game, and details are available now.

Fans can also sign up for the 2015 season ticket wait list at www.dodgers.com/seasontickets.

Dodgers’ 2015 Spring Training schedule unveiled

By Jon Weisman

On November 11, 2014

In Schedule, Spring Training

By Jon Weisman

Could Spring Training really be right around the corner? Depending how big your corner is, yes.

The Dodgers announced today that they will begin their 2015 Spring Training schedule March 4 against the Chicago White Sox at Camelback Ranch – Glendale in Arizona. The full schedule can be found here.

Los Angeles will play 15 home games and 17 overall at Camelback Ranch, including at least one home game each of the four Cactus League Weekends. The Dodgers also host the Giants at Camelback on March 27.

After Cactus League play concludes, the Dodgers will play the Angels in Anaheim on April 2 and April 3, before wrapping up exhibition play April 4 against the Angels in Dodger Stadium.

Season tickets, mini plans, group tickets and suites are all available now at www.dodgers.com/spring or by calling (623) 302-5000. A full schedule of promotions is available at www.camelbackranchbaseball.com. Single-game tickets are scheduled to go on sale on January 12.

Opening Day for the Dodgers’ 2015 regular season is April 6 at Dodger Stadium against the Padres.

Puig, Butera contribute to MLB exhibition victory in Japan

By Jon Weisman

On November 11, 2014

In International

[mlbvideo id=”36912293″ width=”550″ height=”308″ /]

Ben Platt/MLB.com

By Jon Weisman

Yasiel Puig had the first RBI of the game with this single to right field in what ultimately became an 8-7 exhibition victory in Japan for the MLB team over a team made up players from the Hanshin Tigers and Yomiuri Giants.

Puig’s Dodger teammate Drew Butera had a key play after an 8-1 MLB lead had been cut to a single run. Butera picked off the tying run at second base in the bottom of the eighth inning.

[mlbvideo id=”36913095″ width=”550″ height=”308″ /]

Puig went 1 for 4 in the game, while Butera, who entered in the seventh inning, struck out in his only plate appearance.

Welcome to Japan, Yasiel Puig

By Jon Weisman

On November 10, 2014

In International

An enthusiastic Yasiel Puig took part in welcome ceremonies after the MLB team’s arrival for this week’s Japan All-Star Series. Thanks to Ben Platt of MLB.com for the photos.

— Jon Weisman

Kershaw Week on SportsNet LA

By Jon Weisman

On November 10, 2014

In Awards, Television

[mlbvideo id=”36894437″ width=”550″ height=”308″ /]
Beginning today and continuing through Sunday, SportsNet LA is dedicating much of its programming schedule to a celebration of National League Cy Young and Most Valuable Player Award candidate Clayton Kershaw. Highlights include:

8 p.m. Monday: “Backstage: Dodgers, The Best of Clayton Kershaw 2014”
9 p.m. Tuesday: “Timeless Dodgers,” Giants at Dodgers, September 20, 2011: Kershaw’s 20th win en route to the 2011 NL Cy Young Award
4 p.m. Wednesday: “Access SportsNet: Dodgers” Cy Young Award Announcement Special
4 p.m. Thursday: “Access SportsNet: Dodgers” MVP Award Announcement Special
7 p.m. Friday: “Dodgers Squeeze Play” 21-hour marathon – condensed versions of all 21 of Kershaw’s wins in 2014 air back-to-back
5 p.m. Saturday: “Timeless Dodgers,” Rockies at Dodgers, June 18 (Kershaw’s no-hitter)

— Jon Weisman

Historic Dodgertown officially becomes landmark location

By Jon Weisman

On November 9, 2014

In Uncategorized

Today is the start of the annual Dodgers Adult Baseball Camp at Vero Beach’s Historic Dodgertown — which, in other news, will be made an official Florida Heritage Landmark on Monday.

Former Dodger owner and Historic Dodgertown chairman Peter O’Malley will participate in ceremonies along with Tommy Lasorda.

“This recognition is appropriate because of Historic Dodgertown’s significance in baseball history,” O’Malley said in a statement. “It truly is unique and we appreciate the efforts of all those involved to gain this special designation.”

Added Ruth Stanbridge, Indian River County historian and former county commissioner: “For years as the County Historian, I had wanted to write the perfect historic marker for Dodgertown. It was to reflect on how our WWII training fields had been turned into a ‘field of dreams’ for decades of young men of all races who only wanted to play baseball.”

– Jon Weisman

A long wait rewarded: The 1981 Dodgers

By Jon Weisman

On November 8, 2014

In History

Ron Cey signs an autograph near a replica of the 1981 World Series trophy on November 8, 2011.

By Jon Weisman

Three years ago today, I published this piece for Dodger Thoughts at ESPN Los Angeles on the 30th anniversary of the 1981 World Series champions.

The 1980s might be considered the last glory days for the Los Angeles Dodgers. But for Dodger fans at the start of that decade, those were desperate times.

It had been 15 seasons since the Dodgers had won World Series title, their longest drought since Next Year first came in 1955. They had suffered through three near-misses, each arguably more agonizing than the last, in their 1974, 1977 and 1978 Fall Classic falls.

The 1980 Dodgers had arguably the most dramatic season yet of that era, winning three games on the final three days of the regular season before falling in a 163rd game against Houston still painful for those who remember it.

Even their hot start in ’81, when the Dodgers won 29 of their first 40 games, was clouded by — yes, this resonates today — off-field issues. A labor crisis was brewing, the sport’s biggest yet. Would the Dodgers, potentially the best team in baseball, even be able to finish their season?

Some Dodger fans today – especially the younger ones – don’t think of the 1981 World Series title much, or at least they take it for granted. The 1988 title is the one on everyone’s frontal lobe: Kirk Gibson, Orel Hershiser and friends giving the franchise its last taste of October glory. It’s the team that the desperate fans of today call back to.

The 1981 team, though, is the team that for which the desperate fans of the last generation give thanks. …

I spoke to Bob Welch that day, though I didn’t quote him for the story. I wish I had.

Read the entire piece here.

Happy 100th birthday to epoch-spanning actor and Dodger fan Norman Lloyd

By Jon Weisman

On November 8, 2014

In Celebrities

From Scott Foundas’ Variety feature on Norman Lloyd, the unparalleled actor who turns 100 today:

Frequently, those conversations turn to baseball, another subject on which Lloyd, a lifelong Dodgers fan, holds extensive knowledge. “We had a phone conversation after the Dodgers lost in the playoffs last year,” Olbermann recalls. “He was dreadfully concerned about Clayton Kershaw having thrown too many pitches in the last game. When we talk baseball, it runs the gamut from when he saw Babe Ruth rip his pants during the 1926 World Series — he was in person for that — to Yasiel Puig. There’s no datedness to what he has to say, and that’s the extraordinary thing about him.”

– Jon Weisman

A.J. Ellis reflects on Kershaw and NLDS Game 4

By Jon Weisman

On November 8, 2014

In Postseason

[mlbvideo id=”36770561″ width=”550″ height=”308″ /]
By Jon Weisman

Dodger catcher A.J. Ellis spoke to AM 570’s DodgerTalk with David Vasseigh and Kevin Kennedy for nearly 30 minutes Wednesday on a variety of subjects encompassing the 2014 season. If you click the link, the interview begins at approximately the 13-minute mark.

Though Ellis, like everyone else, realizes that ultimately the Dodgers didn’t get the job done, one subject that Ellis touched on is how much grief Clayton Kershaw received after his second playoff defeat in Game 4 of the National League Division Series, wondering how much of that grief was deserved.

We didn’t stop the hires: Gabe Kapler, Billy Gasparino join Dodger front office

By Jon Weisman

On November 7, 2014

In Front office, Transactions

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GB8CF6Bmi3I&w=550&h=309]
By Jon Weisman

The past 24 hours in the Dodger front office should be sponsored by Hires Root Beer.

The third and fourth people to officially join the executive staff since Thursday evening are Gabe Kapler as director of player development and Billy Gasparino as director of amateur scouting. Ken Gurnick of MLB.com has more on the newbie newbies.

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

Page 144 of 381

Dodgers sign Juan Uribe’s nephew, two others

What made Clayton Kershaw so award-worthy

Dodgers to play pair of exhibitions in Alamodome

Dodgers celebrate, honor veterans at the ballpark

Dome Alone: Puig, MLB stifled in Japan Series Game 1

Just say gnome: Dodgers announce 2015 promotions

Dodgers’ 2015 Spring Training schedule unveiled

Puig, Butera contribute to MLB exhibition victory in Japan

Welcome to Japan, Yasiel Puig

Kershaw Week on SportsNet LA

Historic Dodgertown officially becomes landmark location

A long wait rewarded: The 1981 Dodgers

Happy 100th birthday to epoch-spanning actor and Dodger fan Norman Lloyd

A.J. Ellis reflects on Kershaw and NLDS Game 4

We didn’t stop the hires: Gabe Kapler, Billy Gasparino join Dodger front office

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