(Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)
Manny Update
Manny Ramirez is scheduled to report to the Dodgers Triple-A farm team on Tuesday to begin his 10 game maximum stint, gearing up to return to the Dodgers after his 50-game suspension has concluded.
The plan is for him to play at Albuquerque for a few days, while they host Nashville from Tuesday through Friday. Manny will then go to San Bernardino and join the Single-A Inland Empire 66ers for a few games before rejoining the Dodgers.
Of course, Manny is Manny and this is subject to change, so caution is urged before buying tickets in expectation of seeing him in either minor league park.
Hurray for Hollywood
Saturday marked the one year anniversary of the Los Angeles Dodgers receiving a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The star is located in front of the Kodak Theater at 6801 Hollywood Blvd, near Highland.
Playing Catch with Dad
The Dodgers opened up the stadium playing field to anyone who wanted to come out and toss a ball around on Sunday. This is the sixth time they have invited families to come and enjoy themselves playing catch on the most magnificent piece of real estate in Southern California.
Gates opened at 10 A.M. and the event lasted three hours. Former Dodger players such as Tommy Davis, "Sweet Lou" Johnson, and Bobby Castillo were on hand for autographs.
Unfazed Blue Crew
The Dodgers were leading Major League Baseball with a 20-7 record when the team was shaken to it's core by the news of Manny Ramirez's suspension on May 7. Behind the veteran leadership of Pierre, Hudson and Blake, the Blue Crew have continued their winning ways after the loss of Manny's services.
Since the time of the suspension, the Dodgers are 25-16, which ties them with the Boston Red Sox for the best mark in the Majors since May 7.
Kershaw Shackles Batters
Coming into Sunday's game, the league was hitting only .217 against Clayton Kershaw, which was good for third best in the National League. He was able to lower that average to .213 after allowing only four hits while facing 29 batters against the Angels.
Powerpoint Demonstration
With Loney's blast in the seventh inning on Sunday, the Dodgers have hit 51 home runs on the season while surrendering 48. While the Dodgers homer total is only 13th in the National League and 27th overall in the Majors, their batting average of .279 leads the NL and is second over all, trailing only the .280 clip of the Angels.
As far as taters surrendered, the Dodgers have the second fewest in both the National League and the Majors, behind the Atlanta Braves who have allowed 45 long balls. However, the Dodger team ERA of 3.56 leads all of baseball.
Thus the current formula reads: best ERA plus 2nd best batting average equals the most wins in baseball.
One Champ Sizing Up Some Contenders
In the front row behind the Dodger dugout Sunday was the freshly minted NBA playoff MVP of the 15 time NBA champion Los Angeles Lakers, Kobe Bryant.
ESPN made sure to provide their audience plenty of shots of Nike's pride and joy, sans that hideous puppet paw shirt he wore during the parade to the Coliseum on Wednesday.
Up Next
After a day off Monday, the Dodgers fly to Chicago and head to the South Side to face the White Sox for a three game set. This will be the second time the Dodgers visit the Sox in interleague play, with the Dodger record standing at 0-3 at U.S. Cellular Field. LA is 2-4 against the White Sox at Dodger Stadium.
Tuesday, the Dodgers will send Hiroki Kuroda (1-3, 3.86) out to face John Danks (5-5, 4.48) with a game time of 5:11 P.M. in Los Angeles carried on KCAL Channel 9.
Wednesday will see Randy Wolf (3-2, 3.29) going against Gavin Floyd (4-5, 4.65) with the same start time, shown in LA on Prime Ticket.
The series concludes Thursday afternoon when Chad Billingsley (9-3, 2.83) faces Clayton Richard (2-1, 4.03) at 11:05 A.M also on Prime Ticket.
Vin Scully will enjoy almost a week off, returning to the airwaves Friday when the Seattle Mariners visit Dodger Stadium. Eric Collins and Steve Lyons will be at the mic for the series in Chicago.
Hopefully there will not be another episode where they blatantly stomp on baseball tradition by continually saying the words "no-hitter" while one is in process.
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