Tagged: MLB
Yasiel Puig and George Genovese
I am reading the book about George Genovese titled “A Scout’s Report. My 70 Years in Baseball”. It is written with Dan Taylor. I had a chance to hear Mr. Genovese at a SABR event a few years back, then a couple a few weeks ago I went to his talk/book signing event at South Pasadena. It was an honor to hear him and his author. Mark Langill presented him. In attendance were Fred Claire who was a member of the Dodgers’ front office for 30 years And John Young who played for the Tigers in 1971 and founded RBI (Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities). These two men along with some other people in the audience were there to pay tribute to Mr. Genovese based on what they had to say when they put their hand up. They did not ask a question, they praised Mr. Genovese.
I am fascinated with the book. What a trajectory! What a life! From his playing days in the minor league to playing with the Senators to managing in the minor league under the wings of Branch Rickey when Mr. Rickey was with the Cardinals and the Pirates, to when Mr. Rickey sent him to Mexico to managing in the Texas league for the Giants to being asked to scout in California because his eye for talent was unmatched, to working for the Dodgers.
From Peter Mancuso, Chairman of the Nineteen Century Committee, Society for American Research:
“this book is not just a biography, it is a Masters Degree in Baseball, from how to play, manage, coach, inspire, understand, evaluate and enjoy our great National Pastime..”
I ran into an article from the LA Times When George Genovese was at Dodger Stadium. This part caught my attention:
” The ball soars into center field and Puig, flashing his speed, makes the catch. It reminds Genovese of a young Jose Cardenal or maybe Roberto Clemente starting out in Puerto Rico.
“The kid is so gifted” he says of Puig.”
I value the opinion of a man that has played, managed and still coaches, inspires, understands, evaluates and enjoys our great National Pastime.
MLB NL Player of the Week in his first week: Yasiel Puig
Yasiel Puig had an unbelievable week! In his first week in the Majors, he batted .464 (13 for 28), hit four homeruns which included a grand slam, and got 10 RBI in the leadoff spot. Oh and what can we say of that cannon of an arm? It is just incredible! We don’t expect him to do that every week but what a joy to watch this 22 year old Cuban!
Yasiel Puig’s 13 hits through his first seven games are the most for any Dodger player since 1916. Even in the 8-1 Dodger loss to the Braves on Sunday he managed to go 3 for 5 and make another rocket throw from the outfield. I was at the stadium just saying “WOW!” “Amazing!”
The minute the Puig shirts were in the Dodger stores, people were buying them and you could see them everywhere at the stadium. The Puig jersey hit the store on Sunday or at least is when I saw them in the club level store. Puigmania is in full force at Dodger Stadium.
The prior MLB players of the week for both the American League and National League are
National LeagueApril 1-7
Clayton Kershaw, LA
April 8-14
Matt Harvey, NYM
April 15-21
Carlos Gomez, MIL
April 22-28
Russell Martin, PIT
April 29-May 5
Tim Hudson, ATL
May 6-12
Jean Segura, MIL
May 13-19
Joey Votto, CIN
May 20-26
Domonic Brown, PHI
May 27-June 2
Domonic Brown, PHI
American LeagueApril 1-7
Chris Davis, BAL
April 8-14
Prince Fielder, DET
April 15-21
Andrew Bailey, Mike Napoli, BOS
April 22-28
Josh Donaldson, OAK
April 29-May 5
Ryan Raburn, CLE
May 6-12
Evan Longoria, TB
May 13-19
Justin Masterson, CLE
May 20-26
Jason Castro, HOU
May 27-June 2
Chris Davis, BAL
And this week of June 3 to June 9 is Yasiel Puig!!!
WOO-HOO!! Congratulations Yasiel!
pictures by the great Jon Soo Hoo.
Twas the Night Before Christmas
I’ve been posting this for what? two years. Made just a few changes to the one two years ago.
It was a Night before Christmas
Twas the Night Before Christmas and in every house
All baseball fans were clicking their mouse
They hung all their stockings, decorated their trees
And now it was time to sit down and see what everyone posted on this Christmas Eve.
A nice break to read what friends had posted was just what they needed but they frownded!
When they went to click on their sites, none could be found!
Oh no! we’re afraid everyone is out of town!
Is the internet down the reason we cannot read?
How could this happen in our time of need?
The users all panicked, they shivered in fright,
They pined for their read/write and settled in for the night.
“Did we misspell the links? Did we hit the wrong key? Did it go to LALA land?” Oh such misery!
And then in a flash, with a stroke of a key, One by one, they discovered their Christmas Eve reads.
Their eyes how they twinkled, they laughed and smiled. And they settled into the chair to read/write for a while.
Their hearts were delighted, they felt just like kids, But it’s still such a mystery where all links had hid.
Was it there all the time and they just didn’t see? Or did Santa step in and do a good deed?
Good baseball fans are on Santa’s list
And good bloggers and posters he vows never to miss.
It’s been a long night, time to climb into bed,
So they shut down their computers and laid down their heads.
But in a quiet of night, before things came to an end, They heard
“HAPPY CHRISTMAS TO ALL, AND TO ALL A GOOD-NIGHT!”
Look what Santa Dodgers sent me. (it was sent to all Season ticket holders. The coffee mug at the end. The items before like the stadium in 2008, the Globe with the glove and the replica seats are from prior years. The Christmas card with Tommy is next. Miss Piggy bobblehead is in the back. I have Kermit too somewhere.
Rest in Peace Boyd Bartley
Rest in peace Boyd Bartley.
Every year on New Years Day, I do a post paying tribute to all the Dodgers that have passed away during the year. Last night I was up until very late updating my list, checking the list of MLB players that have passed away and checking who were Dodgers. I told my brother Vic this morning “There are 75 players that have passed away with Ryan Freel” I was surprised by the high number and told him that I hoped it will not go up.
I had to come to work today. While at work I got a message from Nick of www.examiner.com with the bad news that Boyd Bartley had passed away last Friday. See his article here http://www.examiner.com/article/boyd-bartley-92-former-brooklyn-dodger-player-and-scout-signed-orel-hershiser
Boyd Barley (02-11-1920 to 12-21-2012) He was 92.
Here is part of the article:
Bartley was signed out of the University of Illinois in 1943 after receiving a bonus from the Dodgers to steer him away from his hometown Chicago Cubs. The young shortstop was heralded for his defensive prowess and received comparisons to then-Indians shortstop Lou Boudreau. The Dodgers wasted little time in testing Bartley’s skills, inserting him in to the lineup a day after he was signed, starting both games of a doubleheader against the Cincinnati Reds
Sadly, Bartley never lived up to the comparison to the future Hall of Famer. Bartley made three errors in his first three games, shaking the confidence of manager Leo Durocher. He would last nine games in a week-and-a-half, batting 1-21, with his only hit coming ironically against the Chicago Cubs. Bartley was sent down to Montreal due to his lack of production, as the 37-year-old Durocher inserted himself into the shortstop role.
Also this:
While serving with the Army in the Pacific, Bartley was operating a jeep when he encountered a Japanese patrol. In his attempt to escape the patrol, his vehicle flipped over and he injured his shoulder. His arm would never fully recover.
Starting in 1968 he became a scout for the Dodgers, holding the position for over 25 years. His most prized signing, Orel Hershiser. The prized Dodger pitcher fondly recalled Bartley’s courtship in his 2001 biography, “Between the Lines.”
“In a few weeks Boyd Bartley, a Dodger scout, came to our home in Detroit to present their offer. Because I wasn’t going to turn twenty–one for three more months, my dad had to be in the meeting. Mr. Bartley offered me ten thousand dollars, an assignment, and a dream. ‘We’ll send you to our Class A team in Clinton, Iowa. You’ll have the chance to grow and develop and work your way up the ladder to play in the big leagues. We want you to pitch in Dodger Stadium some day.’ I was awestruck by his words. My dream was about to come true. I was going to turn pro. After a short meeting in the kitchen with my dad and mom, I took the offer.”
Rest in peace Mr. Bartley. There are now 42 Brooklyn Dodger players alive.
Thanks Nick. Glad you made a trip to Dodger Stadium and I got to mee you and your girlfriend. Maybe I will see you at next year SABR convention.
Reviewing the Dodgers 2013 Spring Training and making Vacation Plans
I jotted dates from the Spring schedule and the regular Dodger 2013 schedule so that I can request vacation. I was telling myself “don’t schedule vacation during Winter but then I got an email from MLB saying “Enter for a chance to shadow an MLB writer at the Winter Meetings. I read it and started saying “YES! YES!” “YES!” A co-worker heard me and responded “I don’ think you are excited about work” haha. I told him about the email to which he responded “Figures” I never win any of these contests but I still entered. One of these days….
Pitchers and Catchers report in 84 days! Woohoo!
The Dodgers will play Mexico’s WBC team, which includes Adrian Gonzalez and Luis Cruz at Camelback Ranch on March 6, 2013. Shoot! that is on a Wednesday.
Los Angeles Dodgers 2013 Spring Training Schedule
| Day | Date | Opponent | Location | Time |
| Saturday | 2/23 | CWS | Glendale | 1:05 p.m. |
| Sunday | 2/24 | CWS | Glendale | 1:05 p.m. |
| Monday | 2/25 | CHC | Glendale | 1:05 p.m. |
| Tuesday | 2/26 | SF | Glendale | 1:05 p.m. |
| Wednesday | 2/27 | CHC | Mesa | 1:05 p.m. |
| Thursday | 2/28 | LAA | Glendale | 1:05 p.m. |
| Friday | 3/1 | SD (ss) | Glendale | 1:05 p.m. |
| 3/1 | LAA (ss) | Tempe | 1:05 p.m. | |
| Saturday | 3/2 | SEA | Peoria | 1:05 p.m. |
| Sunday | 3/3 | CLE | Glendale | 1:05 p.m. |
| Monday | 3/4 | Off Day | ||
| Tuesday | 3/5 | SD | Peoria | 1:05 p.m. |
| Wednesday | 3/6 | CLE | Goodyear | 1:05 p.m. |
| 3/6 | Mexico | Glendale | 1:05 p.m. | |
| Thursday | 3/7 | TEX | Glendale | 1:05 p.m. |
| Friday | 3/8 | SF (ss) | Scottsdale | 1:05 p.m. |
| 3/8 | CIN (ss) | Glendale | 7:05 p.m. | |
| Saturday | 3/9 | SEA | Glendale | 1:05 p.m. |
| Sunday | 3/10 | COL | Talking Stick | 1:10 p.m. |
| Monday | 3/11 | MIL | Maryvale | 1:05 p.m. |
| Tuesday | 3/12 | CIN | Goodyear | 7:05 p.m. |
| Wednesday | 3/13 | Off Day | ||
| Thursday | 3/14 | CHC | Glendale | 1:05 p.m. |
| Friday | 3/15 | SD (ss) | Peoria | 1:05 p.m. |
| 3/15 | KC (ss) | Glendale | 7:05 p.m. | |
| Saturday | 3/16 | TEX | Surprise | 1:05 p.m. |
| Sunday | 3/17 | MIL (ss) | Glendale | 1:05 p.m. |
| 3/17 | ARI (ss) | Talking Stick | 1:05 p.m. | |
| Monday | 3/18 | ARI | Glendale | 1:05 p.m. |
| Tuesday | 3/19 | OAK | Glendale | 1:05 p.m. |
| Wednesday | 3/20 | KC | Surprise | 1:05 p.m. |
| Thursday | 3/21 | Off Day | ||
| Friday | 3/22 | CIN | Glendale | 1:05 p.m. |
| Saturday | 3/23 | CWS | Glendale | 7:05 p.m. |
| Sunday | 3/24 | OAK | Phoenix | 1:05 p.m. |
| Monday | 3/25 | KC | Surprise | 6:05 p.m. |
| Tuesday | 3/26 | COL | Glendale | 7:05 p.m. |
| Wednesday | 3/27 | SEA | Peoria | 1:05 p.m. |
| Thursday | 3/28 | LAA | Anaheim | TBD |
| Friday | 3/29 | LAA | Dodger Stadium | 7:10 p.m. |
| Saturday | 3/30 | LAA | Anaheim | TBD |
MLB Postseason: Another Quadruple Header
Sunday I was planning on going to the San Clemente Seafest but after seeing that there was going to be an MLB Postseason quadruple header on TV, I decided to stay home. I am glad I did stay home to watch most of the four game series. Yeah, I vegetated but in between I did get some cooking done.. I’ll take the train ride to San Clemente another weekend.
Today there is another quadruple header! I am at work but I will work with my headphones on while I listen to some of the local announcers on MLB At Bat. I tend to switch between the home and away team announcers. I have found them a little too homers. That is something that you don’t find with Vin Scully, Jaime Jarrin and Pepe Yniguez.
When I find myself on the road and my MLB At Bat fails me at the stadium, I turn to my radio and listen to the local announcers. In addition to enjoying the game, I like to listen to the local commercials to see who their local sponsors are. I found the milk commercials at Minnesota …wholesome :-). By the way, avocados from Mexico commercials in the MLB Postseason? Cool! It did make me want some avocado . Talking about avocados, last weekend was the Avocado festival in Carpinteria, CA.
this reminds me of the avocado trees back home in Honduras. It also reminded me of Duke Snider who had an avocado farm in Fallbrook, CA.
The quadruple header for today:
St Louis at WAS 10 AM PT (1 PM ET) on MLBNetwork. Carpenter against Edwin Jackson.
SF at CIN 1 PM PT (4 PM ET) on TBS Barry Zito against Mike Leake
BAL at NY 4:30 PM PT (7:30 PM ET) on TBS on ESPN radio Miguel Gonzalez against Kuroda-san.
DET at OAK 6:30 PM PT (9:30 PM ET) on TNT Mike Scherzer against AJ Griffin
Ex-Dodgers in the postseason: Kuroda-san, Jonathan Broxton, Guilleromo Mota, Edwin Jackson, Derek Lowe, Jayson Werth, Russell Martin, Jim Thome, Jim Johnson, Xavier Paul, Dioner Navarro and David Ross (Braves)
photo of San Clemente: California-Blog.com. Vin and Jaime from my calendar, third photo: : Bob Carey, Los Angeles Times, Avocado pic from coop.foodnotes.com
p.s. Jaime Jarrin twitted this “commendable drive of Clayton Kershaw to intensify the collection of funds to help kids in Zambia. He will have a golf tournament on November 12th in Los Angeles.
I like the quotes once you publish your post here at the MLB Blogs. This is from today:
The art of writing is the art of discovering what you believe. — Gustave Flaubert
Dodgers Sweep the Rockies. I am just waiting for Monday.
Dodgers Sweep!
Dodgers sweep the Rockies! Is so good to be seeing the Boys in Blue playing well! Now the Giants come to town starting tomorrow but before the game…
I am just waiting for Monday.
A few years back I went on a Dodger road trip to Phoenix. All decked in Dodger blue, my friend Erik and I were having having lunch at the Cheesecake Factory The waitress asked us if were going to the Dodger game. We said yes and she said “I am just waiting for Monday”
She came back with our drinks and starts talking about being a Cubs fan, about the Cubs in town starting Monday and having tickets for Monday’s game. After she left, Erik says “I thought she was talking about Rick Monday” I tell him “Mee too!” and we started laughing.
It was an inside joke for us. We would drop the “Iam just waiting for Monday” and we would start laughing
So why am I saying “I am just waiting for Monday!’ Ben Platts of MLB will interview me for the MLB Blogs! Is going to be a video interview.
Bobby Castillo back at Dodger Stadium!
I was glad to see Bobby Castillo back at Dodger Stadium! He had suffered a stroke back in May and had been recuperating.
Bobby threw out the first pictch on Saturday
and Fernando Caught him
Manny Mota also threw out the first pitch on Saturday \
Is Adrian showing Herrera some signals?
Thanks Jill for this picture!
pictures by photographers Jon SooHoo and Jill Weisleder of Dodgers.com. visist the Dodgers photo blog at http://Dodgersphotog.mlblogs.com
#24 Walter Alston and the MLB All-Star Game
My MLB fan blog came in at #24 for the month of June! This is the second time since I started the blog three years ago that I get #24! Back then I dedicated it to Walter Alson and I posted a beautiful article written by Jim Murray about Walter Alston. http://crzblue.mlblogs.com/2010/12/10/24-walter-alston-a-jim-murray-column/
I will again dedicate the #24 ranking to Walter Alston but this time emphasizing the nine All-Star games Walter Alston managed winning seven.
Walter Alston managed the All-Star game in 1954, 1956, 1957, 1960(1), 1960(2), 1964, 1966, 1967 and 1975.
1954 at Cleveland Municipal Stadium. American League 11, National League 9. .
Looking at the 1954 All-Star roster, it stood out that all the players that represented the National League were born in the US. For the American League there were four players born outside of the US, There were Minie Miñoso from Cuba, Chico Carrasquel from Venezuela, Bobby Ávila from Mexico, and Sandy Consuegra from Cuba.
1956 at GRifith Stadium, Washington DC. National League won 7-3
Again the National League did not have a Latin player. The American League had Vic Power aka Victor Pellot from Puerto Rico.
1957 at Sportsman’s Park. St Louis. American League 6, National League 5.
From Baseball-Almanac:
Controversy surrounded the 1957 outing as the fanatical Cincinnati voters stuffed the ballot boxes and elected nearly their entire team (minus first baseman George Crowe & the batboy) onto the National League’s starting roster. This upset Commissioner Ford Frick greatly and he responded by removing Gus Bell and Wally Post from the starting nine. He also transferred the responsibility for All-Star voting to the players, managers and coaches the next year.
1960 LET’S PLAY TWO!!
1960. 1st game. Municipal Stadium. Kansas City, Mo. National League 5, American League 3.
The new format of two games were almost scheduled back to back on July 11 and July 13.
1960. 2nd Game. Yankee Stadium. National League 6, American League 0.
1964 Shea Stadium. New York. National League 7, American League 4.
Starting pitchers: Don Drysdale against Dean Chance. Drysdale went three scoreless innings. Juan Marichal won the game pitching the 9th inning. Sandy Koufax did not pitch. The National League came from behind to score 4 in the 9th.
1966 Bush Memorial Stadium. St Louis, Mo. National League 2, American League 1.
From Baseball Almanac:
The top story of the 1966 All-Star Game had nothing to do with baseball. It was the blistering one hundred five-degree game time temperature. Spectators in St. Louis’ Busch Stadium were passing out in the stands and smelling salts and oxygen were required in the dugouts. Despite these intense conditions, the game went on as scheduled, although no one wanted to spend much time on the field.
Game went 10 innings. Sandy Koufax started the game and Gaylord Perry won it. Joe Torre was the starting catcher.
1967 Anaheim Stadium. National League 2, American League 1
Orlando Cepeda, Roberto Clemente and Juan Marichal were in the starting lineup. Joe Torre was the starting catcher.
The game went 15 innings. This game went into the record books for both the longest All-Star Game as well as the first game in which home runs accounted for all of the scoring.
Tony Perez was the All-Star MVP.
1975 County Stadium. Milwaukee. National League 6, American League 3.
Starting pitchers: Vida Blue and Jerry Reuss. Steve Garvey and Jimmy Wynn lead off the second inning with back-to-back homeruns.
Bill Madlock and Jon Matlack became the first & only players to share the All-Star award.
Hall of Famer Walter Alston managed all these nine MLB All-Star games winning seven out of nine.
ref: Baseball-Almanac.com Sportslogos.net
Only 22 Perfect Games from 1880 to 2012 but two in 2012
With Matt Cain pitching a perfect game last night against the Astros, we already have two perfect games this year and is only June 14. There were also two perfect games in 2010. Are they turning out to be less rare?
Here is the list of the 22 MLB perfectos:
Worcester Ruby Legs LEE RICHMOND, JUNE 12, 1880, against the Cleveland Blues
The Providence Grays JOHN MONTGOMERY WARD, JUNE 17, 1880 against the Buffalo Bisons.
Boston Americans, CY YOUNG, MAY 5, 1904 against the Philadelphia A’s.
Cleveland Naps ADDIE JOSS, OCT. 2, 1908 against the Chicago White Sox.
Chicago White Sox CHARLIE ROBERTSON, APRIL 30, 1922 against the Detroit Tigers.
New York Yankees DON LARSEN, OCTOBER 8, 1956 against the Brooklyn Dodgers.
Philadelphia Phillies JIM BUNNING, JUNE 21, 1964 against the Mets.
Los Angeles Dodgers SANDY KOUFAX September 9, 1965 against the Chicago Cubs
Oakland A’s, CATFISH HUNTER, MAY 8, 1968 against the Twins.
Cleveland Indians LEN BARKER, MAY 15, 1981 against the Toronto Blue Jays.
California Angels MIKE WITT, SEPT. 30, 1984 against the Texas Rangers
Cincinnati Reds TOM BROWNING, SEPT. 16, 1988 against the Los Angeles Dodgers
Montreal Expos DENNIS MARTINEZ, JULY 28, 1991 against the Dodgers
Texas Rangers KENNY ROGERS, JULY 28, 1994 defeated the Angels
Yankees DAVID WELLS, MAY 17, 1998. defeated the Twins,
Yankees DAVID CONE, JULY 18, 1999 against the Montreal Expos
Arizona Diamondbacks RANDY JOHNSON, MAY 18, 2004 against the Braves
Chicago White Sox MARK BUERHLE, JULY 23, 2009 defeated the Tampa Bay Rays,
Oakland A’s DALLAS BRADEN, MAY 9, 2010 defeated the Rays,
Phillies ROY HALLADAY, MAY 29, 2010 against the Marlins
Chicago White Sox PHILIP HUMBER, APRIL 21, 2012 against Seattle Mariners
San Francisco Giants MATT CAIN, JUNE 13, 2012 against Houston.
I guess Matt Cain does not believe on the 13th being a bad luck day.
The month with the most Perfect games is May with seven followed by June and July with four. None in the dog days of August.
yes, that is my Sandy koufax baseball that I won at the Safe at Home event with Sandy Koufax at LA Live.
Congratulations to all that have pitched perfect games
‘ITwas the Night Before Opening Day
‘Twas the night before Opening Day, when all through the park
not a creature was stirring, not even a lark
The bats were hung by the helmets with care,
In hopes that the Dodgers soon would be there
The fans were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of a parade danced in their heads;
While Lorena had tweeted that she was loading the MLB At Bat App
I settled down to take a short nap
When out on the field there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from my bed to see what was the matter.
Away to Petco Park we flew like a flash,
Drove up I-5 almost near crashed.
The MLB Bloggers were blogging like there was no tomorrow
While Padre fans drank Coronas; drowning their sorrows,
When, my wondering eyes saw the mound and the bases
It was Clayton Kershaw, the CY Young of 2011 aces,
With a smooth young coach acting so calmly
I knew in a moment it must have been Mattingly.
More rapid than the Eagles his courses they came,
And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name;
“Now Kemp! now, Ethier! now, Dee Gordon and Loney!
On, Javy, on Jansen! and hopefully Billingsley!
Can’t wait till Thursday; Opening Day is the reason
“Good luck to my Dodgers and to the fans a great-season.”
IT’S TIME FOR DODGER BASEBALL!!
Dodger Blue World 