World Series win in European Newspapers

Since I can’t get my hands on the Los Angeles Times, I decided to search some European newspapers for articles about the Dodgers World Series win.

In Europe there is ONE sport: soccer! Anything else is second tier or less. The World Series can count on some exposure, though. Not much, but at least there was mention.

I was surprised that Dutch newspapers didn’t have very elaborate articles about Kenley Jansen, who is from Curacao, which is part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. We always see him as our Dutch Dodger.

There are so many newspapers all accross Europe, I had to do a sample.

Dutch Newspapers

Algemeen Dagblad, De Telegraaf and Trouw decided to go with a short press bureau piece (around 100 words).
De Volkskrant had an extravagantly large article of 517 words by one of their reporters in the USA. He writes about Kershaw finally winning his much deserved ring. Of course Kenley Jansen is mentioned as well.

Other newspapers in Europe

Italian sports newspaper Gazzetto dello Sport has an 764 word long article about the Dodgers and Lakers winning the championships with only 16 days between them. Reporter Davide Chinellato focususses on the part Magic Johnson played in both teams in Los Angeles.

In the good old jolly United Kingdom The Independent has a 400 word long article with the title ‘Dodgers’ MLB glory marred by Covid controversy’. It’s the first article I read in which not the win but Justin Turner’s positive covid test was the focus. Very sad! That same newspaper had another article titled ‘World Series TV ratings drop 32%, previous low from 2012’. A 360 word rant with numbers that are of no interest to anybody outside of the broadcast-business.

The Daily Telegraph wins the prize for shortest mention. 28 words. The entire article reads: ‘Baseball: The Los Angeles Dodgers won their first World Series since 1988 after their 3-1 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays in Arlington sealed the best-of-seven series 4-2.’

In Germany, newspaper Süddeutsche Zeitung, goes all out with an article half a page long. 'This title comforts the city'. It touches on the difficult times people are having in California. Earthquakes, fires. That this title is for all of Southern California. Good article that goes deeper than the average ones.

Dutch News sites Other than the ‘old’ medium newspaper, there is news to find on Dutch news sites. Maybe that's why they don't print articles in the hardcopy newspapers anymore, it's all online nowadays. A selection, all in Dutch!

nos.nl: Los Angeles Dodgers winners of the World Series for the first time since 1988

nos.nl: Jansen extatic: ‘I will carry this with me for the rest of my life’

ad.nl: LA Dodgers wins World Series for the first time in 32 years

ad.nl: Baseball player misses championship party after positive covid test

ad.nl: Robert Eenhoorn proud of Kenley Jansen: ‘that ring, is what it’s all about’

nrc.nl: Baseball player leaves field because of corona, returns after win

foxsports.nl: Dodgers win world series for the first time in 32 years

World Series Press Pins II - 2017

Press pins have been around since the 1911 World Series. Which means there is one for every Brooklyn & Los Angeles appearance. They are small and great items for collectors who do not have a lot of space, like me, to display their Dodgers related stuff. When collecting, the first thing popping in my mind is: COLLECT THEM ALL! In the case of press pins that will never work for me since some of them are quite expensive. The 1916, 1920 pins probably will set you back at least $2000 each. Maybe if I win a lottery, but for now I decided to try to get my hands on one pin for every decade our boys played in the World Series. That comes to 6 press pins: one from the 1940’s, 1950’s, 1960’s, 1970’s, 1980’s and 2010’s.

I did some research and have decided on the ones I want, if I can get my hands on them. They are the ones I think are the most interesting of their decade. First I got my hands on the 1947 pin. Read my blogpost about that Press Pin HERE. Recently my second pin arrived. Another gem!

2017 World Series
For the 1947 World Series I can only dive into books and go on the internet to get particulars. It was a heart breaker, that much is certain! The 2017 World Series I got to witness myself. The first two games in Dodger Stadium, the third one at Angel City Brewery, the rest at home. And talking about heart breakers, this certainly was one. It took me quite a while to get over it. Then the sign stealing story broke and I felt like we were robbed (we were robbed! Read my blogpost about it HERE). But it wasn't negative at the time. I loved the vibe in Dodger Stadium. The first World Series game there since October 16th 1988, 29 years earlier. It was 103 degrees at game start and LA was ready! There also was this little trinket, which I only laid eyes on some months after the World Series: the 2017 World Series Press Pin designed by Ross Yoshida

Ross Yoshida
LA native Yoshida started working part time for the Dodgers organization when he was in college. After college he would go to Dodger Stadium and answer phone calls. In 2001 he got a job doing graphic design. He stayed with the Dodgers until 2004. He then became a freelancer until the mother ship called him back home. He returned in 2008 as Senior Manager of Design, was named Director in 2017 and Senior Director in 2019. He's also the creative overseer of the organization.

So, we're talking about a guy who knows his Dodgers and his designs are well known if you have been following the team for a while. Take the 'Dodgers 50 years in Los Angeles patch'.

There’s some great of easter eggs in the patch. Take the two palm trees, they stand for the two stadiums the Dodgers have called home in LA.
I got in contact with Ross though Twitter and he was happy to talk about the 2017 pin.

The Pin
It's fresh with clean lines, with the levels in their recognizable colors on a baseball field shaped, golden color pin. Downtown LA looms over the stadium as if it just visited the Top of the Park gift shop, bought itself a hat and a foam finger, ready to root for it's boys in blue. On the back it reads AMINCO/MLBP 2013, www.amincousa.com, Visit MLB.com, CHINA and it has a butterfly clasp. But for some details I turned to Yoshida.

I asked him about the year. Did the Dodgers organization have a good feeling about that season?

Yoshida: “The Dodgers were in the Postseason hunt up until the end of the season, and the World Series pin design has to be submitted to MLB and approved in August. Unfortunately, we missed the Postseason altogether that season. But because there was a possibility in August that we could be hosting a World Series in 2012, we had to be prepared. Not only was a design approved, but a full run of pins were produced — and kept in a safe until we were back in the Fall Classic, which would be 2017! Notice that World Series pins don't have a year anymore? The approval and production process is the reason.”

So, it looks like phantom pins are a thing of the past, then. Maybe good, but I liked those ‘what could have been’ pins. Except the 1951 one. That should have been a legitimate World Series Press Pin.

The pin was produced. Yoshida didn’t have a say in the use of the material. Yoshida: “just the color. We kind of put our trust in the vendor, who specialized in this kind of thing.”

I wondered what eastereggs were in the pin, but I was disappointed a bit. Yoshida: “I love symbolism… but in the case of the 2017 World Series Pin design, there are NO 'Easter eggs' at all!”

But, the star… with the five points… each one for an LA world series win? No? Aww… still makes this an awesome pin. The fourth one that uses Dodger Stadium as it’s center piece (after 1963, 1974 and 1981).

Yoshida also designed the 2018 pin and he tweeted “We also have an approved design for the next Fall Classic”

That guy designed three pins already, and the first two are instant classics. What about that next one? Anything he could tell us about it?

Yoshida: “Sorry, no secret info to reveal here. We had one of the top Clubs in MLB and there was a good chance that we could host another World Series in 2019… obviously, that never came to fruition, but we had to abide by the August deadline to get a WS pin designed and produced. I just hope people will be able to see the finished product, which is spectacular… and soon!

The future pin will probably have ‘2019’ on the back. When we’ll see it? I have no clue, but I have a feeling it will be revealed in the roaring 20’s.

Anyting else you’d like to share?

Yoshida: ”A few last comments about the pin. The design and actual final product means a lot to me for several reasons. One, to be part of a 100+ year baseball tradition of press pins isn't lost on me. Two, it was my first World Series pin design, and I never knew if it would ever see the light of day (I had been working for the Dodgers for 12 years in 2017 and the Club had never made the World Series during that time). Just seeing the pin takes me back to that magical 2017… even though we didn't win the Series, I have so many awesome memories during that time.”

Although the aftermath was all about getting cheated out of a World Series win, yes, 2017 was magical and so is this pin.

Follow Ross Yoshida on Twitter: @RYDesignLA

Dodgers Zoom Party III

On monday, the 18th of May, the fourth Dodgers Zoom party took place. It was my third and as with the earlier parties it was a blast, although a bit short (around 43 minutes).

In attendance were Justin turner, Alex Wood, David Price, Cody Bellinger, Austin Barnes, Clayton Kershaw, Dave Roberts and Andre Ethier. There was a surprise appearance by comedian Jo Koy.

Unlike earlier Zoom Parties this time Alanna and Joe tried to ask everybody the same questions so much of the time we would go around the board to get answers. That was a fun idea because it gave the party a different vibe than the previous ones.

One of the questions asked was who the players were starstruck by. Barnes, Turner and Belli all had the same answer: Kobe Bryant, Wood by former presidents George Bush and Bush Jr., Kershaw by Justin Timberlake and Price by Obama before he became president.

All agreed that it will be hard to encourage each other when there is no high fiving, slapping butts and hugs, but they will find some innovative way that’s corona proof.

How they spend their time during the coronacrisis? All of them work out, some take long walks or play video games. Roberts told Barnes that word on the street is that he’s not very good at gaming. Austin concurs. He adds that Gavin is probably the best in the clubhouse with Belli a close second.

There is some discussion about comparing athletes. Jordan vs. LeBron comparison it not possible said Kershaw. It’s two different players from two different times. JT jokingly told Kersh he thinks he’s better than Koufax.

There were some personal questions from fans as well. David Price was asked if he had other jersey numbers in mind before he chose 33. He revealed he wanted number 18 but didn’t want fans to think it would be a reference to 2018. Which is sweet. He was also looking forward to hitting but with the possible add of the DH in the NL he might not hit very soon.

A fan asked when the pitchers started throwing curveballs. Wood, Price and Kersh all started throwing them at age 11-12.

Dave Roberts, this time actually showing his wine bottle, was asked who dropped the most F-bombs last season. His top four: Rich Hill, Walker Buehler, Austin Barnes and then Dave himself.

A cute fan question was: if you had a puppy after which athlete would you name it? Some of the best: Mo (after Mariano Riviera) for Clayton, Wood would call it Barney after Astin Barnes, Price would go for Yogi and Roberts already has a dog called Maury (after Wills).

Great to see the guys again. They really wanna go to work!

If you missed it or want to try to join again, the next Zoom Party is on Monday the 25th of May.

Dodgers Zoom Party II

With the murmur of the possibility of baseball in July, our blue bleeding hearts start to beat faster again. What helps is seeing our boys in blue live during one of the zoom parties. Last week (party #2) was awesome. Go HERE to read my blogpost.

This week I got the chance to join once again. It had that same friendly vibe even with a lot of different faces joining the party.

Alanna Rizzo and Joe Davis hosted and moderated again and were joined by Walker Buehler, Matt Beaty, Dave Roberts, Mookie Betts, Justin Turner, Eric Gagne Max Muncy and Gavin Lux. There were surprise appearances by the one and only Billy Jean King and doctor turned comedian Ken Jeong.

Some of the highlights…

Everybody had been keeping busy. Buehler worked on a deck at his home in Kentucky, Beaty had been cycling on his stationary bike and felt good enough to compete in next year’s Tour de France. Mookie did some fishing and bonded a lot with his 18 month old daughter, who, by the way, was a surprise appearance during the Zoom Party. Gavin played a lot of online games. When asked who his go to guy was for an online Call of Duty encounter he answered that Belli was his guy. Austin Barnes not so much.

Billy Jean King had been doing loads of fundraising and interviews for the Dodgers Foundation. She also mentioned she could not imagine being in this lockdown without the modern technology to keep in touch with everybody.

Ken Jeong Joined and was flattered that Justin used a picture of them together as a background. He wanted the rest of the boys to leave so he could have a 1 on 1 with Turner. Which was funny. He got serious as well. Talking about the importance of staying in touch during these difficult times. But he turned funny again when he told everyone if they needed a teamdoctor, he would do it, and he had loads of ointments. He proudly told about his flag waving antics before game 7 of the 2017 World Series. He and Rob Lowe paraded around on the Asstros dugout and Carlos Correa splashed him with water.

Eric Gagne was serious. He looked back on his career. How he would get scared in the 7th inning. But that being unpredictable on the mound was how he became the great pitcher he was.

Dave Roberts only had good words about his guys. They are all stars! But they are even better off the field. Roberts also downed a good amount of red wine. I presume it was product placement of Red Stitch Wine from Cardiff, California. ;)

Mookie couldn’t wait to put on his Dodger uniform for real. Now, you can say something like that but his face showed us he really wanted to get out on the field and show what he can do. Which is exactly what the fans want to hear!

All in all, as it was last week, it was loads of fun seeing the boys. They looked relaxed but ready to get back to work. Let’s hope they can, soon!

Dodgers Zoom Party

Spring training had started and suddenly was cancelled. All the players went home and stayed there. Being with their families, working out on their own. Opening day was postponed, the All Star Game will probably be cancelled. No concrete news on how and if, when the regular season will start. Corona is a bitch and I thought I would not see my boys in Blue live in any capacity this year.

Then the Dodgers organization came up with the idea of a Zoom Party. Active and former Dodgers just chatting away from home, with the occasional celebrity added in the mix (Cedric the Entertainer in this case). Now that sounded sweet, so I tried to get an access code. No such luck the first time, but lo and behold, I got access to the second Zoom Party. Okay, so did more than 11-thousand other fans, but who’s counting? It felt special.

Fifteen minutes before the Zoom Party started I got my login information. And on May 5th 2020, at 3am (yes, it was an early morning for me here over in the Netherlands) Alanna Rizzo and Joe Davis came online to welcome the fans. They were surrounded by so many great names. Lucky for me there were a lot of personal favorites among them.

Rizzo and Davis were accompanied by: Orel Hershiser, Adrian Gonzalez, Steve Garvey, Justin Turner, Ross Stripling, Kike Hernandez, Kenley Jansen, Cody Bellinger, Clayton Kershaw and André Ethier. Now, that’s a lineup!

Alanna and Joe moderated the party and the banter started from the get go. Joe asked Jansen about him playing basketball when Kenley’s feed froze so Belli told him: ‘Kenley, you’re rich, get better wifi’. Watch that clip! Ethier, who was in full gear, including the pants, told his kids were streaming Youtube videos all day (on four iPads and six tv’s).

But it wasn’t all fun and games. Some serious topics came up. Private issues like homeschooling the kids. But also baseball related stuff like the chance that Orel’s consecutive scoreless innings record could be broken. Watch the clip!

It was fun, good to see how they had a blast together. It shows on the field but it was good to see it still works in these weird times. It felt good to see them. If you haven’t had a chance yet, try to get into the next Dodgers Zoom Party on Monday the 11th at 6pm, pacific.

A rant about actions or lack thereof...

While we are all waiting for the bats and arms to do the talking, spring training games are only days away, there still is enough talk about the cheating Astros. Some people criticize players who attack the Astros players, but aren’t they the ones who particularly are hurt by this? May they, please, have their say? And while we’re on the subject… fans should be allowed to air their grievances as well. Get it out in the open! Some are more modest, others go bat shit crazy. Good! We all mourn in different ways.

The lack of punishment by ‘commissioner’ Manfred is beyond comprehension. What message do you want to send out to kids and baseball lovers in general when your actions are so weak? It’s even more mindblowing that the ‘commissioner’ “is making it clear that retaliation against Houston by throwing at their batters will not be tolerated. In a recent interview with ESPN, Manfred revealed that he intends to release a memo to the other 29 teams, warning that there will be increased punishments for hitting Astros players. (thespun.com)”. So, a team can cheat it’s way to a World Series title, the ‘commissioner’ says: “the shame is punishment enough”, but retaliations against those who unrightfully got their hands on a ring and the trophy will be ‘increasedly punished’?
What the fuck, Manfred?

And another thing… you are the ‘commissioner’ of Major League Baseball, you douche! Baseball should be your number one priority! Do you know what all teams play for, every 162 game regular season? A spot to be able to battle on in October. For what? THE COMMISSIONER’S TROPHY! That’s the only thing that counts. And you call it JUST A PIECE OF METAL?

Master of Puppets is more than JUST A PIECE OF METAL, the Golden Record on the Voyager is more than JUST A PIECE OF METAL, a Purple Heart is more than JUST A PIECE OF METAL. The Commissioner’s Trophy is more than JUST A PIECE OF METAL. It’s what franchises play for. That, and the ring! It represents MLB. You should represent MLB as well, Rob!

I’m a Dodgers fan, but I write this as a baseball fan in general. If my Dodgers had done what the Astros did… I would be ashamed for a long, long time! This is a shit stain on the Astros organization for EVER!

To end this rant on a positive, and yes, blue note… my Dodgers seem to have a load of positive energy and a great starting lineup! Let’s look forward, make us all forget 2017 (and 2018, for that matter!). This is 2020! THIS IS NEXT YEAR!

We got robbed!

Somehow, the entire cheatgate never really registered, since the story became public. Ofcourse I read all the articles but instead of getting angry or sad, I just became numb. Now, after all the punishments have been dealt… anger is rising in me.
Flashback to october 2017… the Dodgers looked like they were going to do what I, and every blue bleeding dodger fan, had been waiting for: reach the World Series. Where the Cubs dumped the Boys in Blue in the NLCS in 2016, the Dodgers completely whiped Chicago off the stage in 2017. And lo and behold, goosebumps everywhere, when I heard the 8 best words in a sentence: ‘The Dodgers are going to the World Series’.
I packed my bags, bought a plane ticket to LA and was there, at Dodger Stadium at the first two games since they won in 1988. A Surreal and satisfying feeling. (I wrote about my World Series experience in THIS blog entry). Game one was awesome, afterwards it was great to high five Dodgers faithful around the stadium. Everybody felt this would be next year.
Although we ultimately lost, I enjoyed this World Series. There were awesome plays, great games and while it was a bitter pill to swallow, I accepted the outcome eventually.

Flashforward to november 2019… stories of sign stealing began to surface. Was this for real? Again? After one of the best Dodger teams ever got robbed in 1951, did they do it to us AGAIN? In 2017 AND 2018? What the actual fuck? Then a state of apathy set in.

Now that the dust has settled and the Astos got their punishment, I’m mad. $5 million is a laugh! No first and second round draft picks for 2 years, some suspensions and firings. Well, that will teach them… NOT! To be honest, I only see one true punishment. Strip them from their World Series Title. They cheated. Armstrong cheated as well, he was stripped from his Tour the France wins. No winners for 7 straight years.

Saddest thing of all is the fun they took away from the whole 2017 World Series experience. I was heartbroken when we lost in 7 games, but after a few months I could accept it and looked back on a fantastic series with awesome games and absurd scoring. Now, I know it was all fake.
And even worse… all those older people who have been waiting for years for a Dodgers championship. Tommy Lasorda, Vin Scully, fans who died recently, that moment of glory (which was imminent if we had won that game 5, and we would have!) was taken away from them.

In short: I’m mad, sad and very curious how many heads will roll and ultimately see only one result: no winners of the 2017 World Series, just losers.