Blog Kiosk: 11/22/2017 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Kenley Jansen has been spending this winter back home in Curaçao -- hangin' with the kids. Photo above via Jansen on twitter.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1954 the Pittsburgh Pirates took future Hall of Famer Roberto Clemente in the Rule 5 Draft from the Brooklyn Dodgers. As the story goes, the Dodgers had no room for the bonus baby signee on the team roster, so tried to hide him in the minors -- hoping nobody would notice him. Alas, former Dodger GM Branch Rickey spotted him and took Roberto out from under us. In 1977 the Dodgers signed the very first free agent in their history. It is former AL saves leader Terry Forster, who signed a five-year $850,000 contract ($150,000 per season + $100,000 signing bonus). In 1982 Dodger second baseman Steve Sax is named the NL Rookie of the Year.  He is the fourth consecutive Dodger to win the award. In 2006 the Dodgers signed free agent outfielder Juan Pierre to a five year $44 million contract. In 2016 President Barack Obama awards the Presidential Medal of Freedom to broadcaster Vin Scully. You can watch the presentation of the award to Vin here.
• Happy Birthday, Ricky Wright & Ricky Ledée!

Blog Kiosk: 11/21/2017 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

With Black Friday just around the corner I, like much of America, will be spending some time online finding some deals. In order to entice collectors to visit and order from Topps on Black Friday weekend they are offering a special shopping bonus.

The first 1,000 orders for each day over the shopping weekend will receive one of four limited edition Topps Now cards. Blowout Buzz has some details:

The promos will be player-specific to certain days — Aaron Judge (Friday), Mike Trout (Saturday), Carlos Correa (Sunday) and Cody Bellinger (Monday) — and one card will be included with the first 1,000 orders on Topps.com each day. 

There was no posted minimum purchase to receive a card as part of the promotion.

Below are more links to check out:

• This day in Dodgers History: In 1952 Dodgers hurler Joe Black is named the Rookie of the Year. He received 19 of 24 first place votes. 
• Happy Birthday, Simmy Murch, Freddie Lindstrom, Paul Richards, Dick Schofield, Matt West, Andy High & Tripp Cromer!

Blog Kiosk: 11/20/2017 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

It was rivalry weekend here is Southern California. USC faced off against the UCLA on the gridiron and Joc Pederson was on-hand to root for the Trojans. In fact, he lead the team out of the tunnel onto the field. BTW, although Pederson did not go to USC his father did. So, he has a family connection to the university.

Photo above of Joc with Lynn Swann via USC Athletics on twitter. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 2011 the Dodgers signed free agent infielder Luis Cruz. In 2014 the Dodgers acquired relievers Adam Liberatore and Joel Peralta from the Tampa Bay Rays for Greg Harris and Jose Dominguez.
• Happy Birthday, Leon Cadore, Rube Ehrhardt, Jay Johnstone, Rick Monday, JD Drew & Alex Guerrero!

Blog Kiosk: 11/17/2017 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Sing and be merry was the theme in this original December 17, 1974 Sporting News press photo of Don Sutton with some young fans at the Dodgers annual Christmas party. (eBay link) Per the descriptor on the reverse:

Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Don Sutton and Santa Claus lead youngsters in a singing of Christmas carols at the Dodgers' annual party for children on Tuesday at the Stadium Club. More than 200 youngsters were in attendance and Dodger players in attendance included Sutton, Ron Cey, Al Downing, Steve Garvey, Davey Lopes and Steve Yeager.

Those kids in the photo are likely at or near their 50's today. Does anyone recognize themselves? Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1913 Wilbert "Uncle Robbie" Robinson is named the new Brooklyn Dodgers skipper. He would compile a 1375-1341 (.506) record in Brooklyn during his 18-year Hall of Fame career.
• Happy Birthday, Sam Post, Lew McCarty, George Stallings & Brad Havens!

Blog Kiosk: 11/6/2017 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

The Dodgers bought a full page ad in the Houston Chronicle's commemorative section of their paper on Sunday to congratulate the Houston Atros on winning the World Series. See the ad on the right.

Advertising graphic via Chronicle reporter Joseph Duarte on twitter. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: I'm really stretching for news here. In 2006 Dodger fan Charles Littleton, a 22-year old Saginaw Valley State University student is TASERed with 50,000 volts by Saginaw (MI) police when he refuses to remove his Dodger cap during a City Council meeting. He is there to receive extra credit for a sociology class. See a news report here. In 2014 the Dodgers officially hire Zaidi Farhan to be their new General Manager. He takes over a  position previously held by Ned Colletti.
• Happy Birthday, Bob Darnell, John Candelaria & Chad Curtis!