Friday, November 29, 2013

Happy Birthday, Vin!

Thursday, November 28, 2013

Happy Thanksgiving, Party People!

My god, can you imagine being the unpaid intern assigned to execute this shitty graphic? Nonetheless, the baseball world appreciates the sentiment as we scarf down large quantities of carbohydrates with family and friends.

SoSG hopes you have a wonderful holiday. If you're drinking, don't drive. And if you're not drinking, then start.

For a truly great Thanksgiving-themed image, head over to baseballvandals.com.

Sunday, November 24, 2013

Haren Joins Tortuga on Dodgers

Monday, November 18, 2013

Catching Up with the IBWAA

NL MVP

1st Place: Andrew McCutchen, Pittsburgh Pirates
2nd Place: Paul Goldschmidt, Arizona Diamondbacks
3rd Place: Joey Votto, Cincinnati Reds
4th Place: Freddie Freeman, Atlanta Braves
5th Place: Matt Carpenter, St. Louis Cardinals
6th Place: Clayton Kershaw, Los Angeles Dodgers
7th Place: Yadier Molina, St. Louis Cardinals
8th Place: Carlos Gonzalez, Colorado Rockies
9th Place: Hanley Ramirez, Los Angeles Dodgers
10th Place: Adrian Gonzalez, Los Angeles Dodgers

AL MVP

1st Place: Miguel Cabrera, Detroit Tigers
2nd Place: Mike Trout, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
3rd Place: Chris Davis, Baltimore Orioles
4th Place: Josh Donaldson, Oakland Athletics
5th Place: Robinson Cano, New York Yankees
6th Place: Adrian Beltre, Texas Rangers
7th Place: David Ortiz, Boston Red Sox
8th Place: Adam Jones, Baltimore Orioles
9th Place: Dustin Pedroia, Boston Red Sox
10th Place: Evan Longoria, Tampa Bay Rays

NL Cy

1st Place: Clayton Kershaw, Los Angeles Dodgers
2nd Place: Adam Wainwright, St. Louis Cardinals
3rd Place: Jose Fernandez, Miami Marlins
4th Place: Matt Harvey, New York Mets
5th Place: Cliff Lee, Philadelphia Phillies

AL Cy

1st Place: Max Scherzer, Detroit Tigers
2nd Place: Yu Darvish, Texas Rangers
3rd Place: Chris Sale, Chicago White Sox
4th Place: Hisashi Iwakuma, Seattle Mariners
5th Place: Bartolo Colon, Oakland Athletics

AL Manager

1st Place: John Farrell, Boston Red Sox
2nd Place: Terry Francona, Cleveland Indians
3rd Place: Bob Melvin, Oakland Athletics

NL Manager

1st Place: Clint Hurdle, Pittsburgh Pirates
2nd Place: Fredi Gonzalez, Atlanta Braves
3rd Place: Don Mattingly, Los Angeles Dodgers

AL Rookie

1st Place: Wil Myers, Tampa Bay Rays
2nd Place: Jose Iglesias, Detroit Tigers
3rd Place: Chris Archer, Tampa Bay Rays

NL Rookie

1st Place: Jose Fernandez, Miami Marlins
2nd Place: Yasiel Puig, Los Angeles Dodgers
3rd Place: Hyun-Jin Ryu, Los Angeles Dodgers

Friday, November 15, 2013

Too Much Awesome for One Photo?

The State of Clayton Kershaw

The back page of today's LA Times sports section.

From "Dodgers' Clayton Kershaw in special company with Sandy Koufax " by Bill Shaikin at the LA TImes:

Kershaw said there have been no contract talks since the season ended.

"Right now, I'm in L.A. for one more year, regardless," he said. "That's as far as I look."

He said he loves L.A., and he believes the Dodgers can win the World Series. But he declined to make the one declaration the Dodgers and their fans would most love to hear. He would not say L.A. was his first choice.

The Dodgers might be funded by Big Insurance, but the Texas Rangers are funded by Big Oil. The Rangers have Yu Darvish but have also called the likes of C.J. Wilson and Colby Lewis their ace in recent years, so no doubt they would jump at the chance to bring Kershaw home. The Dodgers could sign Masahiro Tanaka, trade for David Price, and consider themselves insured against a Kershaw departure.

It was four years ago that Jamie McCourt was calling herself the face of the Dodgers. Since then, that billing has gone to Magic, and Gonzalez and Matt Kemp.

The true face of the Dodgers is the face of unparalleled accountability, work ethic and leadership. The face of the Dodgers is the guy who leaves next week to visit the orphanage he and his wife built in Zambia. The face of the Dodgers is the distinguished gentleman and worthy heir to Koufax.

Let us hope the Kershaw story is not entitled "Legacy, Interrupted."

When a smart veteran reporter like Shaikin wonders out loud if Kershaw intends to stay with the Dodgers, I start to worry. In the meanwhile, let's enjoy Kershaw while we have him.

Wednesday, November 13, 2013

Kershaw Wins Award...for Being Adorable

Tuesday, November 12, 2013

Hurdle Edges Out Mattingly For 2013 NL Manager Of The Year

Mattingly finished second:

Cleveland's Terry Francona and Pittsburgh's Clint Hurdle were honored as the top managers in baseball Tuesday night. [...]

Hurdle guided the Pirates to their first winning season since 1992. They finished 94-68, third-best in the NL.

They lost in five games to the Cardinals in the NL Division Series.

"It's a bit overwhelming, to tell you the truth," Hurdle said in an interview on MLB Network. "It's humbling. It's gratifying from an organizational standpoint."

It was the first Manager of the Year honor for the 56-year-old Hurdle. His highest finish had been third in 2007, when he led the Colorado Rockies to the World Series.

The only other Pittsburgh manager to win the award was Jim Leyland in 1990 and 1992, the bookends to three consecutive division titles for the Pirates.

Hurdle was the only manager picked on every ballot. He had 140 points in the 5-3-1 scoring system to 68 points for Don Mattingly, who received two first-place votes after leading the Dodgers to the NL West title.

All right, maybe it wasn't that close. Damn 5-3-1 scoring system.

Monday, November 11, 2013

Dodgers 2014 Coaching Staff Announced

Lorenzo Bundy moves from AAA to 3B coach, Wallach as had been previously reported moves to the bench. Still horrible to remember what Bundy's brother Ted did to all those people.*

* We can also go with King Kong Bundy and/or McGeorge Bundy jokes if we get desperate.

Saturday, November 09, 2013

And All We Have To Do To Get David Price Is Give Up Zach Lee

That is, according to Jim Bowden of ESPN, who places the Dodgers as the #1 landing spot for Rays starter David Price (link insider only):

I also think it's unlikely the Rays decide to trade Price within the AL East unless they were to be completely overwhelmed by an offer. Here are the six best trade partners to acquire Price from the Rays this offseason:

1. Los Angeles Dodgers

Dodgers owners Mark Walters and Magic Johnson got a good taste of the postseason until their team was eliminated by the St. Louis Cardinals in the National League Championship Series. They are supremely motivated to win a world championship and will do everything they can to win it next season. They are working on a long-term deal with ace Clayton Kershaw; they already have Zack Greinke and Hyun-Jin Ryu tied up long term. If they acquire Price, they would control him for at least two years. More important, the Dodgers would instantly become World Series favorites.

The Dodgers have enough in their farm system to make this type of deal with the Rays as long as they're willing to part with a top pitching prospect such as Zach Lee, Ross Stripling and Chris Reed as well as top outfield prospect Joc Pederson. Pederson is one of the most underrated outfield prospects and would be a long-term answer for the Rays. Pederson would give them a young, solid outfield of Myers, Desmond Jennings and Pederson. If they get Lee in the deal, he could join their rotation around the All-Star break.

Rays' trade targets:

  • Primary: Joc Pederson, Zach Lee, Corey Seager
  • Secondary: Chris Withrow, Ross Stripling, Chris Reed
  • Throw-ins: Dee Gordon, Tim Federowicz, Jose Dominguez

Tell you what we'll do Dee Gordon for David Price, straight up. Call it, Tampa.

Greinke: Slugging, Even When Others Were Slogging

Props to Dodgers starter Zack Greinke for picking up a 2013 Silver Slugger award:

LOS ANGELES -- Starter Zack Greinke was awarded the Silver Slugger on Wednesday as the best hitting pitcher in the National League, the first Dodgers pitcher to win the honor in 20 years.

Greinke batted .328 with 19 hits, seven walks and a .409 on-base percentage. His batting average was highest for a Dodgers pitcher since Orel Hershiser's .356 in 1993, the last time a Dodgers pitcher won a Silver Slugger. Tim Leary (1988) and Fernando Valenzuela (1981, 1983) are the only other Dodgers pitchers to win the award.

Greinke just completed the first year of a six-year, $147 million contract. He went 15-4 with a 2.63 ERA, despite missing a month with a broken collarbone suffered in a brawl April 11 in San Diego.

Greinke came into the season with a .170 career batting average, having spent only 1 1/2 seasons in the National League.

Greinke was the only Dodger to pick up a Silver Slugger award this year (Pedro Alvarez of the Pirates edged out Luis Cruz at third).

Friday, November 08, 2013

Okay, I'm Salty Again

I asked Siri "When are the Dodgers next playing, in Sydney?" And this was her response:

Not cool, Siri. Not cool.

UPDATE: Oh yeah, that's right. I feel a bit better now.

Tuesday, November 05, 2013

Come Meet D.E.L.I.N.O in D.E.L.A.W.A.R.E

From the AP News Wire. Breaking Story.

Jeremy Maclin and Delino DeShields to Make Special Appearances

PITTSBURGH, Oct. 25, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- DICK'S Sporting Goods (NYSE: DKS), the largest U.S. based full-line sporting goods retailer, invites the community of Dover to their three-day grand opening weekend.

On Saturday, Philadelphia Eagles WR Jeremy Maclin will make an appearance in-store from 12:30-2:00 p.m.** A 2009 first round pick, Maclin has recorded 26 touchdowns and over 3,400 yards in four seasons.

On Saturday, former MLB player Delino DeShields will make an appearance in-store from 4:00-6:00 p.m.** A Delaware native, DeShields collected 1,548 hits and 463 stolen bases over his 13 year career.

Follow me HERE: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Delino-DeShields/11570168953?hc_location=stream

Monday, November 04, 2013

Ignite That Hot Stove

Hiroki Kuroda? David Price?

ESPN.com completed its divisional review with the NL West, and says the Dodgers-- "heavy favorites in the West"--will be dealing this winter:

On June 21, the Dodgers were 30-42, they were 9.5 games out of first place, Don Mattingly was about to be fired and the team with baseball's highest payroll was a complete disaster. Then the Dodgers won six in a row, kicking off one of the most remarkable stretches in baseball history: They would go 42-8 over a 50-game stretch during which they posted a 2.45 ERA and averaged 4.9 runs per game.

Yasiel Puig was a lightning rod for the surge, having been called up in early June, but Hanley Ramirez returned from the DL and was the NL's best hitter the final four months, Clayton Kershaw had another Cy Young-caliber season and Zack Greinke showed why he was worth the big free agent money. The season ended with a disappointing loss to the Cardinals in the NLCS, with Kershaw getting shelled in Game 6 and Dodgers fans wondering what would have happened if Ramirez hadn't fractured a rib in the first game of the series.

Primary needs

The Dodgers have three-fifths of the rotation locked in with Kershaw, Greinke and Hyun-Jin Ryu and will have Josh Beckett and Chad Billingsley returning from injuries (with Beckett expected to be ready for spring training and Billingsley perhaps in May after Tommy John surgery), but expect them to be a player in the starting pitcher.

They also signed Cuban infielder Alexander Guerrero, who is expected to compete for the second base job. Juan Uribe is a free agent, opening up a potential slot on the left side of the infield, depending on whether Ramirez plays third base or shortstop. Bullpen depth will also be a priority.

Free agents
• 2B Mark Ellis
• 3B Juan Uribe
• IF Michael Young
• IF Nick Punto
• IF Jerry Hairston
• OF Skip Schumaker
• P Chris Capuano
• P Ricky Nolasco
• RP Brian Wilson
• RP J.P. Howell
• RP Carlos Marmol

Expected losses

The Dodgers may bring back Ellis to hedge their bet on whether Guerrero is ready to jump straight to the majors. They'd consider bringing back Wilson and Howell, although Wilson will look for the opportunity to be a closer, which he won't get with Kenley Jansen around. The team could decide to bring back Uribe, but the Dodgers may still have the taste of his poor 2011 and 2012 seasons.

Potential targets

For the Dodgers, that's just something to walk around with in their very deep pockets. They do have about $30 million coming off the books, although Kershaw will get a big raise in his final year before free agency and they do have $175 committed to just 12 players (not including Kershaw). Expect them to make a huge offer for Japanese right-hander Masahiro Tanaka. Barring that, they could look to re-sign Nolasco, bring back Hiroki Kuroda on a one-year deal, or look to deal prospects for Tampa Bay lefty David Price.

Shortstop Stephen Drew is another attractive free agent who would improve the team's defense if Ramirez is moved over to third.

Outlook

No matter who the Dodgers bring in --- and they'll bring in somebody -- they'll enter 2014 as the heavy favorites in the NL West. The most interesting offseason decision they face could be whether they trade Matt Kemp or Andre Ethier – in either case, they'd have to eat some money to make a deal happen -- to erase the outfield logjam, not that the group will ever be healthy at the same time. Ethier is probably the guy they'd like to trade as he's not a center fielder and doesn't have a position with Puig and Carl Crawford in the corners."

Let's get that hot stove cookin'!

Dia de Los Dodgers

One of my favorite things to do each year is to attend the Dia de Los Muertos (Day of the Dead) celebration at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery. For those of you unfamiliar, Dia de Los Muertos is a time for family and friends to remember and honor friends and family members who have died. The mood is festive, not somber, however, and there are some great traditions associated with the celebration, including building private altars ("ofrendas") honoring the deceased. The ofrendas feature sugar skulls, marigolds, the favorite foods and beverages of the departed, and favorite or symbolic possessions of the deceased.

Yesterday I again found myself wandering through Hollywood Forever Cemetery, fresh off some terrific street tacos and a coupla Negra Modelos. The altars this year were nothing short of amazing. They seem to get more creative each year. But one thing that struck Mrs. Dusty and me was how many of them prominently featured Dodger-related pictures, clothing, and other items. Caps, bobbleheads, pictures of lost loved ones at Dodger Stadium, flags and pennants, blankets, t-shirts, baseball cards, you name it. Which made me to realize what a huge influence the Dodgers have throughout the greater Los Angeles community. Clearly, supporting the Dodgers is a big part of many people's lives, binding families and friends together with a sense of regional and community pride. To process death, I suppose, we seek to remember that which bound us together in life, thus the prominent Dodgers theme as expressed through memorabilia.

With that in mind, I present some images I captured as I helped honor the lives of those being celebrated. Rest in Blue.











Sunday, November 03, 2013

Mike Napoli Owns Boston

Via Deadspin, we learn about how Mike Napoli spent his post-rally parade time in Boston:

Apparently Napoli started in on the cheap yellow fizzy stuff while riding on the duck boats along the Charles River as part of the victory rally. He then went to not one but two locals near Fenway Park where he drank more beer, took shots with the adoring Red Sox fans, bartended, sprayed beer on people, and ended up shirtless.

We should sign this guy.

[More pictures at Deadspin]

Saturday, November 02, 2013

Some Vintage Dad

Thanks to Terry Elrod for the photo. Explains Terry:

Steve and my father use to associate when spring training was going on. Don Elrod, he managed a Lincoln Mercury dealer in Fort Pierce back in the late 70s early 80s. Steve would do commercials for the store. Long time ago.



Friday, November 01, 2013

Options Declined On Mark Ellis, Chris Capuano

$1M to both Capuano and Mellis, as the Dodgers declined options on both, rather than pay either big money for the 2014 season:

The Dodgers on Thursday declined the 2014 options on left-hander Chris Capuano and second baseman Mark Ellis, buying out each for $1 million to make them free agents, although either could re-sign with the club.

The Dodgers and Capuano had a mutual option at $8 million for 2014, while the club held a $5.75 million option on Ellis. The team seems to have more interest in bringing back Ellis, but in a reduced role after signing Cuban free agent infielder Alexander Guerrero, based on comments made last week by general manager Ned Colletti.

Ellis, 36, would be viewed as insurance at second base if the 26-year-old Guerrero isn't ready to start the season in the Major Leagues. Ellis also could be a starting option at second if the Dodgers believe Guerrero can handle shortstop and Hanley Ramirez would be willing to move to third base. The Dodgers will evaluate Guerrero while he plays in the Dominican winter league. [...]

Capuano, 35, had a rugged season in 2013, also his second with the club. He went on the disabled list in April with a strained calf muscle suffered in a benches-clearing incident with the Padres, then in June with a strained lat muscle and was limited in September with a strained groin. He went 4-7 with a 4.26 ERA in 24 games, 20 starts, one of them on three days' rest in June when the club was in a real jam. He would still be valuable to the club as a left-handed swingman, but not at an $8 million salary, especially with right-handers batting .312 against him.

Mark Ellis was a steady albeit old second baseman, and this certainly puts a lot of pressure on Guerrero to be ready soon. As a friend of mine mentioned last night, Mellis could have made a good Schumaker-like utility player for us off the bench.

Capuano wasn't worth $8M to be a distant 4 or 5 starter. Hopefully he ends up finding a home at a lower salary, but my hope is that that home is somewhere else; despite rare pockets of steadiness, Capuano was more often than not a shaky starter. Either player could still end up back with the Dodgers having tested free agency.

TiqIQ Contest

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