Blog Kiosk: 6/26/2020 - Dodgers Links & News - Some Odds and Ends

Wow! What a fantastic photo.

The base-runner is coming in hard with a hook-slide, while sticking his arms out like Spitfire in attack mode. Best yet, Ted Cieslak of the Phillies has his tongue out --  no doubt concentrating on making sure he swipes the plate before being tagged out by Brooklyn Dodger backstop Mickey Owen. Per the descriptor on the reverse (eBay auction link):

Even Insults Don't Help --
New York... Ciedlak, of the Philadelphia Phillies, sticks his tongue out at catcher Owen of the Brooklyn Dodgers as he tries desperately to beat the ball to the sack in second inning of the secon game of today's Didger-Philly Double-Header at Ebbets Field. Peacock's hit to right field started the play. Right fielder Walker got the ball down to Owen in time for the out. The Dodgers won the first game 4 to 1. 

Interestingly, the International Press Photo above considers the tongue lashing by Cieslak to be an insult. Nowadays, it's almost considered an endearment.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1944 the Dodgers, Giants and Yankees play an exhibit charity game in front of 50,000 fans for the war bond movement dubbed the Tri-Cornered Baseball Game. The Dodgers won the contest: Dodgers 5, Yankees 1, Giants 0. Check out what I wrote about it here. Nathalie Alonso at MLB.com wrote a story about it that came out last year. It's excellent. Check it out here. In 1996 Tommy Lasorda undergoes an angioplasty after suffering a mild heart attack. Bill Russell is named Los Angeles' interim manager. In 1997 Tony Gwynn broke my heart. During the seventh-inning against the Dodgers, he hit a inside-the-park grand slam at Dodger Stadium to lead the Padres in victory, 9-7. The homer put Gwynn over the .400 mark.  In 1999 Dodgers catcher Todd Hundley hit a three-run game-winning home run off of Giants closer Robb Nen in the ninth inning to spark a come-from-behind victory at Candlestick Park, 7-6. 
• Happy Birthday, Jean-Pierre Roy, Henry Schmidt, Rodney Myers & Babe Herman!

Blog Kiosk: 7/24/2019 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

That was a thrilling game... And sure, we didn't come out on top this time, but you gotta admit that there is no better way for a game to end. Some people like their walk-offs -- I'll take a game-ending play at the plate anytime. Per Ken Gurnick at MLB.com:

“To be honest, it wasn’t really close,” said Bellinger. “Calhoun threw the ball real hard and accurate. I was out by a lot.” 

Hernandez said he knew he hit the ball hard enough that Calhoun might have difficulty fielding it cleanly. 

“I knew he might misplay it, and in a way he did, but the ball got to him so quick, he had a chance to set his feet and make a strong throw,” said Hernandez. “As a defender, you’re expecting the guy to go. Your job is to make a good, low throw. It takes perfect throws for our guys to get thrown out. Sometimes you’ve got to tip your cap to the opposition.”

Photo above via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2019. Go here to check out more pics from yesterday's game. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1931 Brooklyn Robins (Dodgers) outfielder Babe Herman hit for the cycle against the the Pittsburgh Pirates. In 1939 the Brooklyn Dodgers selected Dixie Walker off waivers from the Detroit Tigers. He would go on to play nine season in Brooklyn -- slashing .311/.386/.441/.827 for the Dodgers. In 1967 Dodgers President Branch Rickey is posthumously inducted in the Baseball Hall of Fame. In 1993 Mets outfielder Vince Coleman tossed a M-80 firecracker from his car as he was leaving the Dodger Stadium parking area. It is reported that three people are injured; including an 11-year old boy and a two-year old girl. Coleman eventually pleaded guilty to one misdemeanor count of unlawful possession of an explosive device and is sentenced to 200 hours of community service. The incident, along with many others, leads the Mets to announced a month later that he would never play for the team again. 
• Happy Birthday, Tommy McCarthy, Joe Wall, Joe Schultz, Preston Ward, Norihiro Nakamura & Scott Van Slyke!

Blog Kiosk: 4/13/2018 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Last night Sharon Robinson, daughter of Jackie, accepted the inaugural Reagan Institute Summit on Education (RISE) award on behalf of The Jackie Robinson Foundation. RISE is dedicated to elevating the national conversation on education by creating space for leaders from diverse industries and political backgrounds to have purposeful discussion of the issues.

Photo above via the Jackie Robinson Foundation on twitter. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1939 Yankees first baseman Lou Gehrig, during a spring training game against the Dodgers in Norfolk, Virginia, hit two homers that would prove to be the last home runs he would ever hit. In 1954 Walter Alston made his major league debut as the Dodgers manager. In 2009 second baseman Orlando Hudson hit for the "Cycle" against the Giants during the Dodgers home opener. He is the first Dodger to accomplish the feat at Dodger Stadium, and the first Dodger to do it in a nine-inning game since Gil Hodges in 1949. In 2012 Dodger starter Aaron Harang struck out nine consecutive Padre batters -- breaking the Dodgers franchise record of eight held by Johnny Podres. The Major League mark is at ten, and is held by Mets pitcher Tom Seaver in 1970. 
• Happy Birthday, Kid Elberfeld, Ben Cantwell & Ed Amelung!

Blog Kiosk: 4/12/2018 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Just a fantastic photograph of the "Duke" from 1956. It is currently available at auction at RMY (link here).

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1962 Dodgers left-handed rookie Pete Richert made his major league debut by striking out the first six batters he faced -- tying records for strike outs in an inning (4 K's in the 3rd inning), successive strike outs by a pitcher in his major league debut, and consecutive strikeouts by a relief pitcher. BTW, he also won the game when the Dodgers mounted a comeback by scoring seven runs in the fifth inning.

"I had good stuff and somebody up there likes me," Richert said of his first big league game. "What I mean is that I always say a little prayer when I’m nervous and excited. And I was tonight as I started walking to the mound." 

• Happy Birthday, John Harkins, Mickey O'Neil, Walt Moryn, Vicente Romo, Paul LoDuca, Antonio Osuna & Justin Ruggiano!

Blog Kiosk: 4/11/2018 - Dodgers Links - Go Kings Go!

Corey Seager was given his second Silver Slugger Award prior to the start of last nights game. As a thank you, Seager walloped his first homer of the season during the game in the 1st inning - right after Chris Taylor did the same. Per Ken Gurnick at MLB.com:

"Can't really have a bad night getting that award," said Seager, who also won the award in his 2016 rookie season. "It was nice to get some runs early. They've been hard to come by. Everybody knew it was coming. Now it's just a matter of repeating."

On another note, the Kings begin the playoffs tonight against the Las Vegas Knights, so I'll be stuck to the tube watching that match-up. Go Kings Go!

In unrelated hockey news, I thought I would pass along Helene Elliott's story at the LA Times: "The hockey community is leaving hockey sticks out for the Humboldt boys."

The idea reportedly came from Brian Munz of Canada's TSN network, who posted a picture from a friend in Humboldt who had left a single stick on his front porch. The accompanying caption read, "Leaving it out on the porch tonight. The boys might need it ... wherever they are." It caught on quickly and spread far afield. Using the hashtag #Sticksoutfortheboys or #SticksoutforHumboldt, people have posted stunning photographs on social media of the sticks and tributes they've left outside homes in cities, prairies and suburbs.

Photo above via Jon SooHoo @Dodgers on twitter. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1959 Don Drysdale hits his second Opening Day home run to become the first pitcher with two career homers on Opening Day. Unfortunately, Don's homer would be the only run the Dodgers score this day as they lose to the Cubs, 6-1.
• Happy Birthday, Pop Corkhill, Al Nixon, Roy Gordinier & Kenta Maeda!