I’m trying not to be the person that worries about guys getting hurt when doing good. So moving past that, I think this Habitat for Humanity effort by the Dodgers today is great — and appealingly photogenic.
Roberto Baly of Vin Scully Is My Homeboy and Jon SooHoo of the Dodgers Photog Blog have highlights. Here’s a sampling, featuring Josh and Aurielle Lindblom, Clayton and Ellen Kershaw and Matt Kemp.
© Jon SooHoo/Los Angeles Dodgers 2012
© Roberto Baly/Vin Scully Is My Homeboy
© Jon SooHoo/Los Angeles Dodgers 2012
Braves at Dodgers, 7:10 p.m.
Dee Gordon, SS
Mark Ellis, 2B
Matt Kemp, CF
Juan Rivera, 1B
Andre Ethier, RF
Jerry Hairston Jr., LF
Juan Uribe, 3B
A.J. Ellis, C
Aaron Harang, P
Anonymous
Matty has been doing the same to NL pitchers.
Anonymous
I was at the Habitat event as well (Roberto, were you there? I didn’t see you.) I’m the guy in the yellow shirt in the photos on VSIMHB, and in the photos on my site, Dodgersdiaries.com.
A highlight of the day was when one of our Habitat staff asked Kemp if was worried that the construction work, especially the sledgehammer, would affect his swing. His answer:
“Don’t worry, I work out.”
Roberto Baly
Yes I was there. I was going to ask you if you leave comments here or in True Blue L.A. I’ve seen your face before. Now I know it’s you. Great event! :)
Anonymous
I usually leave comments on Jon’s site. I can’t keep up with True Blue.
Anonymous
Don’t understand why Rivera is batting this high in the lineup especially when Ethier has been doing fine against lefties
Anonymous
Funny how that worked out… :)
Anonymous
OT. SSS, but hard to believe that they would be “phasing out” Elbert. He has had a couple of rough outings, not helped by his walks nor by a .462 BAbip, but he is striking guys out at a 10/9 rate.
Anonymous
Giving back to the community is always good. Glad to see these guys out there. I would prefer the off season though. :)
Anonymous
They stayed far away from the roof we were tearing off, and didn’t put themselves in a situation where they could have been hurt. I was looking out for their safety as much as they were, to be quite honest. Our safety record at Habitat is excellent. 21 years and no Tommy John surgeries required. LOL
Anonymous
dale, I noticed you posted that you can’t get the dodgers on the radio. Have you checked all their radio affiliates? Last season they had 15 in english in CA alone.
Anonymous
yeah. Vegas is shut out. Ironic that for over 20 years, they were on one of the most powerful stations in the west. If I can’t get it on TV, I rely on Yahoo and Dodger Thoughts. One guess which is quicker and more accurate.
Jeffrey Thomas III
Of course Kemp wore some Jordans to do some home demolishing.
Anonymous
Rice pitched on Sunday and Monday, 28 pitches on Sunday only 8 yesterday. Also, he gave up at least 1 run in his 3 appearances before last night. I would think they didn’t want him to pitch 3 consecutive days.
Anonymous
Wow, she sure is purdy!
Anonymous
Mrs. Lindblom is quite attractive ;)
Anonymous
Funny how wealthy athletes’ wives usually share that feature.
Anonymous
Lindblom ain’t wealthy yet, but she’s indeed an attractive woman in person. So’s Clayton’s wife.
Anonymous
He was a 2nd round pick. Guessing the signing bonus was none too shabby. This year salary $483k.
Anonymous
Hey, tonight’s game is the free game of the day on MLB.TV!
Anonymous
And its a home game, so we get Vin the whole time!
Linkmeister
Curse you, Prime Ticket. The Clippers are already in the playoffs, so why are you showing their game instead of the Dodgers?
That said, I’ll check to see if MLB is showing it to me out here and report back.
Anonymous
It’s a KCAL game in L.A.
Linkmeister
Grrrh. And so far MLB on cable is showing me the end of the Yankees-Rangers, as I said. I’ll have to wait and see if it automatically goes over to the Dodgers game.
KT
just found the braves feed is blacked out to me in SD…wow…Hopefully MLB free tv works since I don’t have an account this year…so far so good
KT
just found out it’s on 749-1 mlb extra innings channel with the braves anouncers just in case
KT
Good defensive alignment to save a run there…come on guys start it off
KT
They are using the same video feed for both KCAL and the braves feed…the mlb computer feed is about 2-3 seconds ahead
KT
Juan gone!!!!
Anonymous
Way to go!!
KT
welcome john
Anonymous
Anyone else tuning in and seeing 2-0 would assume a Kemp 1st innings HR with Dee or Mark on base :)
Jeffrey Thomas III
I need to complain about Rivera’s lack of power more often. It’s about time Juan!
Anonymous
Who else can we complain on DT about their lack of production , first Uribe follows with a 4-4, now Rivera with his HR :)
KT
MWP of the LA Lakers received a 7 game suspension…I guess they don’t want LA to make it out of the 2nd round
Jeffrey Thomas III
Ron Ron is to blame, nobody else. Such a terrible, classless act. Don’t worry, LA’s other team will do just fine :)
KT
never been a clippers fan…never will be…and they won’t make it to the championship either
The only reason my brother is a clippers fan is because my dad had season tickets (because he couldn’t get good enough laker tickets) so he could see the other teams that came into town…my brother was so young he didn’t understand he wasn’t there to root for the clippers
underdog
Yeah, I can’t blame the NBA for that one, that’s what he deserved. Even if he didn’t mean it maliciously, it was still violent and stupid.
Anonymous
He absolutely meant to do it.
Anonymous
Per Anthony Jackson: Rivera’s HR was first to reach the Loge level since Adam Dunn in 2010. First Dodger since Kemp in ’07.
Anonymous
If I was to go on memory alone, I would say Hairston was batting at least .750
KT
That high inside pitch to the bunters really works…they use the bat to stop the ball…that’s how we got our triple play
KT
now the feeds are finally different and they are almost in snyc now
Linkmeister
Why on earth is an island 2500 miles away blacked out, even on the web? Rats.
KT
Link…I don’t have a current mlb account and I’m considered in the Dodger area even though I live in San Diego and I still get the free game on mlbtv…did you try? or are they only trying to blackout your household ^_^
KT
Nice play Juan…saved a run most likely
underdog
Rivera’s having a nice game — now picking it with the glove, too. Maybe Donnie’s platoon at 1st (even though we’re not supposed to use the p word) is a good idea after all.
Btw, I’m sure Martin Prado appreciates Vin relating the childhood nose-picking story. :)
KT
Big shift for McCann
Jeffrey Thomas III
I love Vin as much as anybody but I’m not sure I can hear him tell us that Uggla means owl one more time and retain my sanity.
KT
Nice hit matty…way to start it off
KT
matty doubled off by maybe 2 inches
Anonymous
I am amazed that Uggla caught that.
KT
yea it was a good play…that’s why Matty was so close to second on that play
Anonymous
Not much of a choice for him on that one.
KT
I agree
Anonymous
My only real complaint of Mattingly is that he doesn’t get out of the dugout and argue the calls he should. He should take a jog out to first on that last call.
KT
he was out…definitely out by my dvr
Anonymous
OK, but still.. When your player seems adamant about a call you might want to have his back once in a while. I remember having similar thoughts last year of Donnie.
KT
the way I look at it is if you come out all the time they being the umps say oh here he comes again…but if you seldom come out then they take you seriously
Anonymous
I don’t think they ever take you seriously…
underdog
Well, happy birthday Chipper Jones. I’ve always liked him, and he grew up a Dodger fan… and that still made me unhappy.
Anonymous
Chipper can have that one, feliz cumpleanos, but we need to get it back.
KT
my 21 month old son hears the clapping and claps for chippers’ HR…I raise my voice a little saying NO and he stops clapping for 2 seconds the hears the croud and starts clapping again…He still has a lot to learn but he’s trying
KT
looked like Harang had a shot at third on that bunt attempt
KT
Come on Aaron
KT
Well there goes Rivera’s early offense exploits that helped us today…at least his defensive exploits have us still tied
KT
Not this time Uggla
Anonymous
His enthusiasm may have deterred Bourne for going all out for it (but I don’t have a dvr).
KT
rewound…that would be a definite yes
Anonymous
Yeah, Bourne’s body language suggested such (at least in his own mind).
KT
Except for the NY and Philly fans Vinny
Good play Dee
KT
Harang walking the tightrope and doesn’t get away with it
KT
willd pitch does him in…that ground ball base hit to ellis would have been an easy out at 2nd
KT
Come on Dee
KT
Yes…make it a double Dee
KT
Nice Mark
Come on Matty
KT
We will take it
KT
No turn
Anonymous
Now Donnie comes out, when Kemp is trotting back to the dugout.
Anonymous
Uh oh, has the old Matt Kemp, Baserunner, returned? That’s 3 outs on the basepaths in 2 nights.
Anonymous
Well, with a lot of practice, he does seem to have the homerun trot down pat.
KT
^_^
Josh
Kemp can certainly be an airhead at times. Why he would even think about taking a step toward second at that point is beyond me.
KT
me too
Ryan Hindinger
Not sure how taking one step 25ft outside of the lane constitutes a commitment, but I guess the rulebook must be pretty clear. Heh.
KT
no he made an attempt about 15 ft pass the bag…it was a definite step
Anonymous
Still.. I think that rule should allow for some umpire interpretation.
KT
Did you see the replay…if you did you could see the intent..then the oh S*** stop
Anonymous
Yep doesn’t matter how far past the bag if you make a move to 2nd, you’re live and able to be tagged out.
KT
At least we are tied again
Anonymous
Based on where that ball was hit, I was thinking it must have been a homer. Force out still scored Gordon!
KT
throw strikes Elbert
KT
Nice inning Scott
KT
Kenley sighting
Come on Juan
KT
Nice job AJ
Ryan Hindinger
Attendance in the ravine looks high tonight.
Anonymous
Yep 44k. That’s a whole bunch for the middle of the week, no?
Anonymous
Natural Balance Pet Foods fleece blanket giveaway. That commercial with Guerra wearing it and doing that odd tribal clapping/praying thing really did the job.
Ryan Hindinger
44,014 I believe Vin said.
Ryan Hindinger
Definitely not bad for a Tuesday night.
Anonymous
I’m gonna go ahead and say this PRE- Kennedy AB. Time to cut ties. Now prove me wrong, Adam.
KT
I don’t know why I was expecting anything different from Adam Kenedy…too tough to come off the bench to pinch hit when you haven’t been hitting at all
Anonymous
Adam Kennedy hasn’t hit in 3 years.
KT
If they’re not a Dodger….I really don’t follow
KT
For a second there I thought Ethier was going to have to jump for the ball by the way he set up
KT
Braves replay showed he went but doesn’t matter now except for the extra pitch
Anonymous
Heyward K, come on Kenley!
Anonymous
Thank you.
KT
you asked for it…you got it…Love it
Anonymous
I’m asking for a Loney HR next….might as well go big!
Anonymous
Nope.
KT
Come on Dee
KT
Brave telecast showed dee’s foot in Harangs size 15 shoe…looked like my son trying to wear my shoes
KT
Do you walk him?
KT
they did but not intentionally
KT
throw it away pitcher
KT
Almost
Anonymous
Let’s go, WGJ!
KT
Come on DP
Anonymous
K will work.
KT
oh yes
KT
Nice Javy…1 more
KT
Kemp played that ball poorly
Anonymous
That’s not very Gold Glovish..
Anonymous
Matt’s gotta shake this jumping act, that in the last few series alone, has interfered with his ability to make running catches that I think he would expect himself to make. That looks like the case on that one.
Josh
Yeah, that ball should have been caught. Hate to pile on the MVP tonight, but he is kind of in la-la land tonight.
Gilbert
He didnt need to jump… way to pretty much cost us the game…. oh btw javy, your fast ball isnt the greatest in the world have some respect for your opponent…. 2 strikes on Pastornicky and Prado and only throwing your fastball… mix it up.
KT
Come on Dre
Anonymous
Vin: Ethier at bat in the bottom of the 9th, down by a run, is not the time for a human interest story on the pitcher.
Gilbert
thats game…. f-ing annoying that they lose like that in that manner
KT
My game is still on…what one are you talking about…Is it over?
Oh I get it now you just gave up
KT
Nice Jerry
Jason Ungar
come on Uribe, if you swing extra hard u can win this thing
Jibin Park
Green light, AJ. Two-run walk-off bomb!
Jibin Park
Or walk.
KT
Come on Tony…Have a good eye
KT
Night all
Anonymous
We wanted it less than they did tonight.
Anonymous
What!? I wanted it.
Gilbert
Kemp lost it for us…He’ll win more games for us then lose but its just the reality…
Michael
Guerra allowing the lead off hitter on hurt. Couldn’t agree more that he shoulda changed up his pitches instead of high fastball after high fastball. It was only a matter of time before the damage was going to be done. And Kemp’s error….unbelievable. Won’t happen often, but definitely cost us the game tonight.
Jason Ungar
whenever we let a leadoff hitter on in the 9th I just assume we will loose
Anonymous
Maybe the ceiling in the photo actually came down on Matt’s head, causing a temporary loss of abilities :)
Anonymous
Interesting criticism of Kemp’s defense last night on a play which, IMO, was much more difficult than his flubbed throw to home last week.
Peter Zales
I think this has been at least three games that Kemp has made bonehead mistakes on the bases. Torre and Bowa must be shaking their heads and rolling their eyes. Regarding his defense, we all know that Kemp is not a natural born CF and therefore a true Golden Glove outfielder. He is probably a better RF with his arm. He doesn’t get a natural jump on the ball and is more athlete than ball player, but, hey, let’s nick pick about the best player in baseball right?!?
Anonymous
I love the position of CF. It is such a difficult position. Applause to those who make it look easy. And overall I think Kemp is one of the best in the game.
Anonymous
I thought Matty made a great attempt. But it looked like he hesitated for a split second when the bat made contact and that was enough. I’d like to think Pete Reiser makes that catch. But if Matty tries to emulate ol Pete that will bring all sorts of “headaches “.
Jon Weisman
I think the Kemp catch looks like one that should be made – except I don’t think most of us can imagine what it’s like to have the wall right there. I think it takes a special fielder not to let that affect you.
It was disappointing that he didn’t catch it, but there’s a reason it’s not ruled an error. The biggest disappointment for me was watching that .170-hitting shortstop reach base four times.
Anonymous
“Pastornicky!!!!!!”
Anonymous
That really bugged me too, starting with his first AB. I know bona fide major leaguers are always dangerous at the plate, but three hits and a walk are a week’s worth for him.
Anonymous
I wonder if the Braves felt the same way about Uribe after Monday night’s game?
Anonymous
Any information released on the severity of Juan Rivera’s injury? All I’ve seen is Mattingly saying he doesn’t excpect him to play on Wednesday.
Jon Weisman
There was going to be no update until at least after Rivera arrived at the ballpark today.
scottF
Juan Rivera just when you showed power?
LF 3b & 1b needs a serious upgrade.
Ned move: Garrett Jones
Reason I say this is Ned never gets a real hitter. Don’t tell me Manny. Mccourt wanted Manny.
Jon Weisman
Manny. (Sorry – I couldn’t resist.)
Anonymous
I blame Habitat for the loss. If Kemp hadn’t been swinging the sledgehammer so hard yesterday morning, he woulda had more energy to track down that ball.
Anonymous
Could be the SVS callup we’ve been waiting for?
Anonymous
The Pirates split a doubleheader with the Rockies. They lost the first game 2-1 and won the second 5-1. That means the Pirates have gone 18 straight games to start the season without scoring more than 5 runs or giving up more than 5 runs.
From what the Pirates announcers said, that broke the mark set by the 1943 Tigers.
http://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/DET/1943-schedule-scores.shtml
In Game 18 for the Tigers that season, they lost 7-6 to the A’s.
In that game, A’s starting pitcher Lum Harris went all 12 innings and scattered 16 hits. There was a war going on! Relief pitchers were needed on the front!
Jon Weisman
NPUT