Dodgers - latimes.com

Young Dodgers fan wears his heart on his sleeve in Giants country

Bill Plaschke — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 21:02:00 PDT

Casey Johnstone is a YouTube star after professing his adoration for Dodgers in fifth-grade graduation speech in heart of Giants country. His honesty and innocence draw gasps, laughs and a special request.

It was a graduation speech. Each fifth-grader at Burlingame's Lincoln Elementary gave one.

Dodgers have to wait a little longer to play Yankees

By Dylan Hernandez, Los Angeles Times — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 20:59:00 PDT

Game on Tuesday, the first one between the clubs in New York since the 1981 World Series, is rained out and will be made up as part of a day-night doubleheader Wednesday.

NEW YORK — The Dodgers waited 32 years to play again in the Bronx. What's another day?

A great day forecast for Don Mattingly in Yankee Stadium

By Dylan Hernandez, Los Angeles Times — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 00:00:00 PDT

Former Yankee Don Mattingly is in New York to manage the Dodgers in a two-game series starting Tuesday. The Dodgers are in last place, but Mattingly is still beloved in the Bronx.

— For a day, maybe even two, Don Mattingly will be king again.

Dodgers' momentum stalls again with 6-3 loss to Pirates

By Dylan Hernandez — Sun, 16 Jun 2013 19:06:00 PDT

Pattern of win-one, lose-one (or more) continues as Zack Greinke and sputtering offense come up short. L.A. hasn't won more than two straight since early April.

PITTSBURGH — This can't continue, not if the Dodgers have any intention of playing baseball in October.

Dodgers' Clayton Kershaw miffed about report on contract talks

By Dylan Hernandez — Sun, 16 Jun 2013 18:50:00 PDT

A report that Dodgers and Clayton Kershaw are making progress toward long-term deal draws a sharp response from pitcher, who accuses club of leaking information.

PITTSBURGH — Clayton Kershaw soon could become the richest pitcher in baseball history.

Dodgers blow lead but recover for 5-3 win over Pirates

By Dylan Hernandez — Sat, 15 Jun 2013 19:55:00 PDT

After Kenley Jansen gives up a home run to Pittsburgh's Travis Snider in the ninth inning, Juan Uribe and Nick Punto each drive in a run in the 11th to give the Dodgers a victory.

PITTSBURGH -- Dodgers Manager Don Mattingly was supposed to watch Toby Keith in concert Saturday night. He never made it.

Dodgers' Stan Kasten shaped by his father's unforgettable lessons

Bill Plaschke — Sat, 15 Jun 2013 19:05:00 PDT

The team president's father survived five years in Nazi concentration camps and emerged with an unquenchable optimism that he passed on to his son.

Of all the important numbers rolling around Stan Kasten's busy brain, from a giant Dodgers payroll to shrinking Dodgers victories to the size of the line at reserved-level bathrooms, the number that most shaped his life is the one he's never known.

Dodgers' Yasiel Puig noncommittal after brawl with Diamondbacks

By Dylan Hernandez — Sat, 15 Jun 2013 20:56:00 PDT

The rookie has had little to say since the bench-clearing melee that led to several suspensions.

PITTSBURGH — Speaking for the first time since he was in the middle of a violent brawl between the Dodgers and Arizona Diamondbacks last week, Yasiel Puig had little to say.

Dodgers' Yasiel Puig could see more high and tight fastballs

By Bill Shaikin — Sat, 15 Jun 2013 15:45:00 PDT

The rookie had hit .500 in his first eight games in the major leagues before he was hit by a pitch by Arizona's Ian Kennedy. Pitchers might try to rattle Puig.

Rocket fuel

Almost alone among pitchers, CC Sabathia brings the durable goods

By Bill Shaikin — Sat, 15 Jun 2013 18:16:00 PDT

Unlike most aces with big contracts, Yankees' CC Sabathia has been at least as effective and healthy, as before his deal. Will Dodgers' Clayton Kershaw follow suit?

The Dodgers have the best pitcher in baseball, and a treasure chest overstuffed with shiny coins from Time Warner Cable.

MLB suspensions are serious business, but Dodgers get a laugh

By Dylan Hernandez — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 22:11:00 PDT

Three players, Manager Don Mattingly and coach Mark McGwire are suspended after brawl, and Arizona pitcher Ian Kennedy gets 10 games. But some of league's actions amuse Dodgers.

PITTSBURGH — The Dodgers reacted with bemusement and amusement Friday after Major League Baseball issued eight suspensions to Dodgers and Arizona Diamondbacks personnel for their roles in a violent brawl during the teams' game Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium.

Dodgers-Diamondbacks suspensions: L.A. wins in a KO

By Bill Plaschke — Sat, 15 Jun 2013 07:22:00 PDT

One could even argue that there was actually a positive Dodgers suspension, as the anemic-hitting team lost its hitting coach Mark McGwire for two games.

One could even argue that there was actually a positive Dodgers suspension, as the anemic-hitting team lost its hitting coach Mark McGwire for two games.

Dodgers, Adrian Gonzalez have tough night in 3-0 loss to Pirates

By Dylan Hernandez — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 21:46:00 PDT

Gonzalez goes 0 for 4 and the Dodgers get only six hits overall. Pittsburgh starter Jeff Locke is masterful in getting his sixth win.

Letters: Frank McCourt? Really?

Fri, 14 Jun 2013 16:42:00 PDT

Fans can't believe the most hated man in the city still has a say in Dodger Stadium's future.

It doesn't say much for the intelligence of Guggenheim Management, the owner of the Dodgers, when Frank McCourt turned out to be the smartest guy in the room.

Dodgers to keep more than $6 billion from TV contract in tentative pact

By Bill Shaikin — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 20:14:00 PDT

In a potential settlement with Major League Baseball, the team could maintain its record player payroll. An agreement in the ongoing talks would end court's jurisdiction over Dodgers.

The Dodgers would retain more than $6 billion from their new television contract under a tentative agreement with Major League Baseball, according to two people familiar with the agreement.

Dodgers' Andre Ethier faces uncertain times

By Dylan Hernandez — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 22:13:00 PDT

As Yasiel Puig progresses, there's speculation team could try to trade veteran outfielder. Trying hard remains the only option, he says.

How sports fans get their moment in the video-board spotlight

By Andrew Gastelum — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 00:00:00 PDT

If you want to be seen on the stadium's Jumbotron screen, it helps to cut loose and get a little crazy.

It starts with a funny dance, or maybe just a kiss. Sometimes it's a clever hand-drawn sign, or some awkward downtime. Then it's gone.

NFL stadium at Chavez Ravine tough sell with Frank McCourt in the mix

Sam Farmer — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 05:00:00 PDT

Documents show the former Dodgers owner has the option to buy back Dodger Stadium land if another sports facility is built there. That doesn't bode well for an NFL deal at the site.

The improbable dream is now even more unlikely.

Fines, suspensions for Dodgers-Diamondbacks brawl expected today

By Dylan Hernandez — Wed, 12 Jun 2013 23:47:00 PDT

No pitches are thrown at batters Wednesday, but the brawl from Tuesday was still on players' minds as Arizona piles up 20 hits in an 8-6, 12-inning victory.

The Dodgers didn't throw at the Diamondbacks on Wednesday night and the Diamondbacks didn't throw at them. The benches never cleared and no punches were exchanged.

Frank McCourt could be sole landlord if NFL comes to Dodger Stadium site

By Bill Shaikin — Wed, 12 Jun 2013 21:00:00 PDT

Previously unreleased details of the sales agreement with Guggenheim show that McCourt will play a key role in whether the NFL returns to L.A. — and he will profit either way.

If the NFL wants to play at Dodger Stadium, Frank McCourt could be the sole landlord.

Baseball can no longer accept that fighting is a part of the game

Bill Plaschke — Wed, 12 Jun 2013 23:01:00 PDT

After the destructive brawl between the Dodgers and Diamondbacks on Tuesday, major league officials need to make the penalties much harsher on those involved.

In the wake of Tuesday night's street fight at Chavez Ravine, longtime fan Janet Ochoa sent the Dodgers an email.

Strained shoulder forces Dodgers' Yasiel Puig to sit out

By Dylan Hernandez — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 00:00:00 PDT

Outfielder is scratched from the lineup, the apparent first casualty of the brawl between the Dodgers and Diamondbacks on Tuesday night. He is listed as day to day.

Outfielder Yasiel Puig was scratched from the lineup Wednesday with what the Dodgers described as a strained right shoulder, becoming the first casualty of the brawl involving the Arizona Diamondbacks on Tuesday night.

Kenley Jansen replaces Brandon League as closer

By Dylan Hernandez — Tue, 11 Jun 2013 22:24:00 PDT

Don Mattingly's move could create more problems in the seventh and eighth innings.

A day after Brandon League blew his second save in four opportunities, Kenley Jansen was named the Dodgers' closer.

Dodgers win after head-banger brawl

By Dylan Hernandez — Tue, 11 Jun 2013 23:12:00 PDT

Six are ejected after Yasiel Puig and Zack Greinke get nailed by pitches, then a three-run double by Tim Federowicz leads to a 5-3 L.A. victory.

Yasiel Puig didn't get a hit or make a spectacular throw on Tuesday night, but he might have changed the Dodgers' season.

Yasiel Puig's merchandise is a hot seller in Dodgers team store

By Dylan Hernandez and Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times — Tue, 11 Jun 2013 00:00:00 PDT

Over a four-day span, the club sold about 3,000 units of items related to the outfielder, who broke into the major leagues last week in a loud way.

Yasiel Puig is not only breaking records on the field, but also in the team store.

Brandon League can't hold ninth-inning lead, Dodgers fall, 5-4

By Bill Shaikin — Mon, 10 Jun 2013 23:31:00 PDT

Reliever gives up four runs to the Diamondbacks and L.A. wastes a fine effort by Clayton Kershaw.

Brandon League shuffled off the mound. The save had been blown. The boos were pretty loud.

Dodgers' Matt Magill founders in 8-1 loss to Braves

By Jim Peltz — Sun, 9 Jun 2013 19:15:00 PDT

Rookie right-hander's poor control proves costly as Atlanta takes full advantage. Dan Uggla hits two home runs.

Dodgers' Hanley Ramirez undergoes an MRI exam on hamstring

By Jim Peltz — Sun, 9 Jun 2013 20:03:00 PDT

Shortstop is not in the starting lineup again Sunday, and there's growing concern about an injury that doesn't seem to be healing.

Bud Selig puts himself in tough spot with crackdown on drugs

By Bill Shaikin — Sat, 8 Jun 2013 20:15:00 PDT

By not heeding the recommendation to outsource the drug program, the MLB commissioner can be perceived as acting in the best interests of his legacy rather than baseball.

Whenever the questions turn to drugs, Bud Selig has two talking points.

Dodgers' Yasiel Puig could make Andre Ethier obsolete

By Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times — Sat, 8 Jun 2013 17:44:00 PDT

The Dodgers' situation with Ethier, who last year signed a contract that guarantees him $85 million and is batting .232 through Friday, parallels the Angels and Vernon Wells.

From Wells to Ethier