Dodgers Nation: Blue Heaven Podcast

Joined by #DNpostgame host, the great Greg Bergman, a noted sportsologist, Clint and Brook -- the Blue Heaven Boys™ -- discuss the latest in Dodgers Nation... but not before a little Los Angeles Rams and Lakers talk. Thank you to our sponsor! Go to visitarizona.com/springtraining to set up your spring training outing today! On the show:JT Realmuto is back on the radar for the Dodgers, so Clint, Brook, Greg, and the live audience give their best thoughts on updated trade scenarios that include top Dodgers prospect Keibert Ruiz. As Joc Pederson trade talks hit the rumor circuit, we wondered whether trading Joc makes sense, and how the Dodgers offseason couldn't be considered successful in the wake of trading Yasiel Puig to only pick up AJ Pollock. Tim Neverett We welcome a first time friend of the show to Blue Heaven, new play-by-play announcer joining the Dodgers in 2019, Mr. Tim Neverett. Some discussion highlights include:No more Sweet Caroline for TimTies to the Dodgers organization including Matt Kemp, Russell Martin, and playing in a Dodger uniform himselfJoe Kelly Fight ClubLos Angeles foodTouching on the Hall of Fame results Open Forum Furthermore, in the final segment, the guys chat about the 13 year anniversary of Kobe Bryant's 81 point game, and then continue on with some Hall of Fame talk. Thoughts include PED users in the hall, "is Mike Mussina a Hall of Famer, or in the 'hall of very good'", and "should Mariano Rivera really have been the first ever unanimous HoF selection?" Also, we meant Harold Baines, not Tim Raines. The open forum also, of course, brought us to Manny Machado and Bryce Harper talk, plus Corey Seager concerns for 2019. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Once again the Blue Heaven Boys™ proved to be the gateway to the Dodgers making any moves this offseason. Thank you to our sponsor! Please visit visitarizona.com/springtraining to plan your trip to Arizona with us! First up, welcome back, Russell Martin! In a surprising, but not totally unexpected move, the Dodgers traded for Martin to help shore up the catching department. The day before, Yasmani Gone-dal signed a 1-year contract with the Milwaukee Brewers, marking the end of his tenure with the Dodgers, and adding another ball dropped to his resume. Clint recaps the Dodgers off-season thus far, but preaches a little patience. Live stream questions include:Should the team make a run at AJ PollockFans looking for justification for the Kemp/Puig/Wood/Farmer tradeWill Grandal have a better year than Russell and Austin combined?The reliance on a lot of things to go right for the Dodgers in 2019And more! In the next segment, we introduce you to K.P. Wee, sports writer and author of "The 1988 Dodgers: Reliving the Championship Season" to discuss his book, and other work. Plus, parallels between the '88 team, and the 2019 team. Pick up K.P.'s book on Amazon, or by using the promo link below! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Since we last left the Dodgers, there was a big trade and little else. Today we address all that and more on the latest episode of the Blue Heaven Podcast! Thank you to our sponsor the Arizona Office of Tourism! Please go to visitarizona.com/springtraining to plan how to join Dodgers Nation at Camelback Ranch! Clint and Brook first break down and react to the trade of Yasiel Puig -- and of course Matt Kemp -- plus analysis of the young players the Dodgers got in return. Bill Plunkett of the Orange County Register joins Blue Heaven for the first time to chat about topics including:JT Realmuto and free agent catching optionsHis reaction to the "Kyle Farmer trade"The potential return of Yasmani GrandalIf A.J. Ellis makes any sense for the DodgersChanges to the coaching staff for 2019And morePlus, as always, questions from the live stream! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bryce Harper and the Dodgers are linked at the hip in the week following the winter meetings. Enter "Harper Watch 2018," and the "Blue Heaven Boys™" are here to let you know what to believe, and reminds you to maybe not trust Reddit rumors. In other news, the Dodgers signed free agent pitcher Joe Kelly, and Clint says that it's time for Los Angeles to make amends. Ken Rosenthal likes AJ Pollock to LA again. Brook says no thank you. The Dodgers announced updates to their broadcast team for 2019 that, thanks to our friend Clint Evans, left Alanna Rizzo feeling left out. Sorry, Alanna. You know we think you're the best. Approaching The End of 2018 The whole Blue Heaven team, plus that pal Evans of ours, discuss our 2018 highlights, and favorite plays. And the team participates in their first annual white elephant gift exchange which one fan says "no one won." Support, bby. Thank you all so much for an amazing 2018! See you in a few weeks! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The MLB Winter Meetings have been crazy for the Dodgers, and it's only been a couple of days. Luckily, the "Blue Heaven Boys™" are on the case. Touching on rumors including: Corey Kluber talk, trade chatter with the Cincinnati Reds, Kemp and Puig potentially having played their last games in Dodger blue, plus Clint and Brook share their "outside the bun" off-season plans. Most importantly, we also welcome Dodgers social media coordinator Sue Jo onto the show to see what makes her tick! So many fantastic and fun topics covered with this super star. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on the Blue Heaven podcast, we discuss several trade rumors surrounding the Dodgers. But first, Dave Roberts and the Dodgers agree to a new 4-year contract. Fans everywhere rejoice. The team also tenders contracts to all 10 of their arbitration eligible players, including a 1-year deal for Tony Cingrani. Owner Magic Johnson reportedly travels to Las Vegas to chat with Bryce Harper, but also, he doesn't. Fans react to trade talks that continue to surround Yasiel Puig ahead of the winter meetings. FRG opines that the Dodgers need to trade Puig at the height of his value, or discuss an extension. Kevin asks: Corey Kluber or Trevor Bauer? Inspired by Tim Rogers' article on Dodgers Nation dot come, the guys discuss second base options for 2019. Before taking a few questions from the live stream, Kevin welcomes Mildra Reyes onto the show to chat about her awesome charitable effort "Dot Dot Smile" (@dotdotsmile.mildra on Instagram), which is helping with a dress drive for the holidays. Visit her IG bio for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on the Blue Heaven podcast, Kevin and FRG discuss some of the latest rumblings on the Dodgers rumor mill. Looking at you, DJ Lemahieu. We wish Kenley Jansen a speedy recovery after a successful heart operation. Of course, congratulations are in order for newly minted "NL Comeback Player of the Year" Matt Kemp. Plus, new coaches are in place for the Dodgers. Next, we take a look at World Series and playoff contenders who have gotten better or worse, this early offseason. We welcome San Francisco Giants third base coach Ron Wotus onto the show to chat about some good, old fashioned Dodgers/Giants rivalry. Our final series of 2018 player grades are given, this time for the bullpen. See how closely your own grades match! In the final segment, we take questions from the live stream ranging from: Where we think Manny Machado play in 2019Will Alex Verdugo finally get his chance?Madbum/Keuchel/Bauer Dodgers in 2019?And more! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With so much going on in Dodgers land this week, Kevin and FRG welcome Brook Smith back to the show to sort through it. First up, we discuss the moves made to the Dodgers 40-man roster for the upcoming Rule-5 Draft. We provide an update on Kenley Janson, and wish him the best. Next, we introduce the new movement known as #Beltre4HittingCoach as we reminisce on Adrian's Dodgers career. Before discussing new Dodgers rumors involving the Indians, laughs are had over the Marlins new asking price for JT Realmuto. Inspired by Twitter, Kevin suggests we discuss new bobblehead concepts for 2019. After the break, Kevin questions FRG on his recent positive Austin Barnes article. And last, but not least, everyone grades the 2018 starting rotation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week in Dodgers Nation, we welcome back Hyun-Jin Ryu, and say good bye to Yasmani Grandal. Tim Rogers comes on to Blue Heaven to discuss the Dodgers minor league catching situation with Kevin and FRG, and everyone puts forward their catcher for the 2019 season. We also wax nostalgic on the passing of former Dodger Ken Howell. And Kevin and FRG break down their next series of 2018 Dodgers player grades, this time in the outfield, before opining on what the Dodgers need to put them over the top in 2019. In this episode we alsoCongratulate Walker Buehler on his third place finish for NL Rookie of the YearDiscuss the revelation that Brian Dozier was playing with a moderately significant knee issue Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the first full-live episode of the Blue Heaven podcast, Kevin and FRG break down what lead to Farhan Zaidi's departure from the Los Angeles Dodgers. They also share their early off season wish list, welcome back Clayton Kershaw and David Freese, and grade the 2018 Dodgers' infield. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dodgers 2018 season reviews, key off-season dates, and free agent previews, oh my! The 2018 Dodgers' season came to end much too young, and the Blue Heaven boys are sad and upset with how it all happened. On the first funeral in the podcast's history, Kevin and FRG each deliver their eulogies for the 2018 season, before breaking down where it all broke down for the Dodgers. Next, Clayton Kershaw, and Dave Roberts are big points of topic in the off-season and free agency preview segment. Just before a Halloween themed One Last Note guessing game, the guys rundown all the key days to look forward to in the off-season. We guarantee this episode will be spooktacular... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's Dodgers World Series time, bby! In a Blue Heaven first, the entire episode was recorded LIVE in front of an internet audience. Kevin and FRG welcome Fox and ESPN (and Dodgers) stats man Rick Krajewski into the Dodgers Nation studios to talk all things World Series. Topics include:Max MuncyDavid FreeseReal. American. Taylor.Chris Sale, David Price, and the Red Sox pitchingPedro Baez and Ryan Madson, Dodger bullpen heroesKenley Jansen somehow being an unsung heroAnd hubris? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Friend of the show Michael Duarte of NBC LA hops on the phone to chat Dodgers NLCS with Kevin and FRG.   Topics include: - Manny vs Aguilar - Manny vs Hustle - Manny vs Utley - Chris Taylor: A man's man - Craig Counsell, managing chess, not baseball - The Curious Case of Cody Bellinger After, we drop in a hot cut from Thursday's Dodgers Nation live stream, with some great interaction with our fans! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 25 of Blue Heaven -- affectionately titled "Catching for Dummies" -- finds Kevin and FRG chatting with Los Angeles Times editor, and "Dodgers Dugout" newsletter writer -- friend of the show -- Houston Mitchell about games 1 and 2 of the NLCS against the Brewers. Along with a bit about what to expect from the Dodgers while at home for 3 games. After getting off the phone with Houston, the guys continue their recap of what went wrong, even when it went right, during the first 2 games of the series, before looking ahead to Walker Buehler, Rich Hill, and Clayton Kershaw on the mound at Dodger Stadium.   Pedro Baez gets praised, "Yas-Many PassedBall" gets born, and JT rakes; plus a shocking BAE of the Week first! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode is really just too good... Kevin and FRG, along with Greg Bergman (of ESPN and #DNpostgame fame) talk all sorts of Dodgers playoff baseball! First, of course, comes the celebration of winning the NLDS in 4 games with song and dance. Next, the Blue Heaven podcast welcomes back friends of the show, Dodgers play by play man, Joe Davis (fresh off the national stage), along with SportsnetLA in-studio analyst Jerry Hairston Jr, to discuss what went right in the NLDS, a bit of what went wrong, and what we might expect to see in the NLCS versus the Milwaukee Brewers. Later, FRG asks for Kevin and Greg's thoughts on a few concerns from the NLDS round of the playoffs -- looking at you, Cody Bellinger -- before all three give their takeaways from the series. In the last section, FRG has a bone to pick with MLB on some hot topics before everyone discusses the upcoming NLCS, including potential roster changes, and matchup concerns. This really is must-listen podcasting here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices