Blog Kiosk: 6/5/2020 - Dodgers Links & News - Some Odds and Ends

I'm not sure if I ever pointed this out, but standing in front of the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, the home of the Brooklyn Nets and New York Islanders, is the flagpole that once stood at Ebbets Field -- former home of the Brooklyn Dodgers. Above is a look at the plaque describing it -- photo via Norman Oder on twitter.

Apparently, a few days ago protesters hung up a BLM flag on it -- which seems appropriate. Photo on the right via NYC Protest Updates 2020 on twitter.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1957 Don Drysdale recorded the first shutout of his career against the Cubs at Roosevelt Stadium in New Jersey, 4-0. In 1977 the Dodgers retired former manager Walter Alston's uniform number #24 at Dodger Stadium. He compiled a 2040-1613 (.558) record for the franchise. It was also Old-Timer's Day as the Dodgers defeated the Padres, 4-2. 
• Happy Birthday, Bill Maloney, Fred Mitchell, Duke Sims & Russ Ortiz!

Blog Kiosk: 5/16/2019 - Dodgers Links - Maeda Does it All

Masterful.

Kenta Maeda struck out 12 Padres (a team season high), walked none and scattered three hits to stifle San Diego and record his fifth win of the season. Best yet, he provided all the offense the Dodgers would need. With two on he hit an 'excuse me' bloop single that drove in the pair in the second inning. Per Rowan Kavner at Dodger Insider:

“It’s hard to imagine him being any better, really, especially when you just saw a team less than 10 days ago,” said manager Dave Roberts. “To go out there, play that cat-and-mouse game, execute the fastball like he did tonight, the slider down below, the split-change…it was really, really fun to watch.”

...
“You see what happens when you put the ball in play,” Verdugo said. “Good things happen.” 

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

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1970 a fourteen year old fan named Alan Fish was struck by a batted baseball at Dodger Stadium and would unfortunately die four days later. This marked the first fatality of a fan from a batted ball in a Major League game. In 2000 was the infamous fight at Wrigley Field that started when Dodgers catcher Chad Kreuter, sitting in the Wrigley exposed bullpen, was hit in the back of the head and had his hat stolen by a unruly fan. Several players and coaches jumped into the stands during the ensuing melee. 
• Happy Birthday, Watty Clark, Rube Walker, Rick Rhoden, Mitch Webster & Eugenio Vélez!

Al Campanis 1949 Brooklyn Eagle Printing Plate - Manager or Front Office?

In his early 30's it became clear that infielder Al Campanis would not be the star on the diamond that he had hoped. After graduating from New York University in 1940 he joined the Brooklyn club and rose up the ladder until his Major League debut as a 26-year old second baseman in 1943. Then the military came calling and Campanis would spend much of his "peak" years in the service of the US Navy during WWII. When he came back home Al continued with his Baseball dream, but his days at the plate were winding down. Fortunately for him, he was well on his way towards making a different kind of impact on the game.

Check Out the Jackie Robinson Foundation Auction

This is a momentous week.  Saturday is the 70th anniversary of Jackie Robinson's first Major League game and to mark the occasion the Dodgers will dedicate their very first statue at Dodger Stadium in his honor.  You can see a preview of what that statue will look like on the right.

In addition, the Jackie Robinson Foundation has partnered up with Goldin Auctions to host the very first Jackie Robinson Foundation auction of rare and important memorabilia. Part of the proceeds from this sale will go directly to the foundation.

Blog Kiosk: 11/2/2016 - Dodgers Links - Calhoun, Bellinger and Clayton Kershaw

In honor of Fernando Valenzuela's 56th birthday yesterday the Dodger Insider blog shared 34 fantastic photos of him from his career in LA -- many of which you may be seeing for the first time.  Go here to check them all out.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History:  In 1977 Tommy John comes in a distant second place in Cy Young voting -- having been beaten by Steve Carlton of the Phillies. John went 20-7 for the Dodgers with an 2.78 ERA, FIP of 3.05, eleven complete games and three shutouts.
• Happy Birthday, Al Campanis!

Check Out Some Vintage Vero Beach Pics on eBay

I recently ran into some fantastic vintage 1950's press photos on eBay and knew I had to share some of them here.  They were all taken by veteran New York Post photographer William N. Jacobellis, and they feature several Dodger players at Vero Beach, Florida in the 1950's.  Unfortunately, an exact date is not provided.  Also, all the photos are actually "contact prints" -- prints made by placing the original negative directly on the photographic paper.  So, the prints are only as large as the negative itself (4" x 5"in this case).  Click on any pic to embiggen.

The photograph at the very top features longtime Dodgers executive Al Campanis as a young coach (auction link here).  He is running calisthenic drills on the field.  Below is a fantastic posed shot of Jim Gentile, Jasper Spears and Dick Gray (auction link here).

On the bottom left is another posed photograph -- this time of Joe Pignatano and a Michael Napoli (auction link here).  BTW, Napoli was a Dodgers catcher within the teams minor league system throughout most of his eight-year professional career.  Unfortunately, he never got a cup of coffee.  I am uncertain if he is of any relation to the former Angels catcher of the same name.  On the bottom right is an action photograph of Don Demeter swingin' 'n missin' (auction link here).

The notable thing about the action photos herein is that they were clearly taken at another ballfield, other than Holman Stadium, at Dodgertown.  It's possible they were from one of the backfields in Vero Beach.  Considering the wire fencing and some of the landmarks in the backgrounds this is likely the case.  In fact, in the photograph on the bottom left of Johnny Roseboro you can clearly see the stadium lights of Holman Stadium in the distance (auction link here).  On the bottom right is Charley Neal at the plate (auction link here).

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Blog Kiosk: 3/12/2016 - Dodgers Links - Kiké, Hyers and Brandon McCarthy

Spring training is for practice, and featured above is an Dodger great doing just that.  Sprawling on the sand in this vintage "International News" press photo is Jim Gilliam with a picture perfect slide, dated March 1, 1954.  Via a descriptor attached to the reverse:

SLIDE, JUNIOR, SLIDE--Vero Beach, Florida.....Second baseman Junior Gilliam slides in under the watchful eye of Field Director Al Campanis at the Dodgers training quarters as pitchers Don Newcombe and Joe Black watch.

Below are more links to check out:

• This is all kinds of fun.  Via Alysha Tsuji at USA Today, "Kiké Hernandez and the Dodgers mastered filters on MLB Snapchat Day."
• Chris Mitchell at FanGraphs shares their KATOH Projection of Dodgers Prospects (Link Here).
• Via Cary Osborne at Dodger Insider, "Hyers education: Hitting 101."

“I would say all hitters all have their own unique style,” Hyers said. “It’s my job to understand their swing. And it’s not my swing, it’s their swing. You want to get to know them as a person and a player. Be the eyes for them. That’s what I try to do — get to know them, understand and work within the framework of their swing. Stay within the framework of their swing. When they start struggling, remind them of who they are as a player, how they got there and the things they do to be successful. Hitting, a lot of it is mental. It’s negative, because of so many times we fail. There’s the physical part, but the mental part is there also.”

• Via Clinton Riddle at Baseball Magazine, "Walter O’Malley and The Dome That Could Have Been."

• What the heck are these?  I think I just went blind.  Check out Lids newest Baseball cap creation in honor of Spring Training in the above photo.  They are only available from the Lids website (Link Here).  (Hat Tip: Chris Cwik at Big League Stew)
• Via JP Hoornstra at the Daily News, "The Dodgers and Cuba: past, present and future."  JP takes a look at the Dodgers success and failures on the international market, and tells us of what's expected in the future.
• Guess who had a baby?  Congrats, Brandon!

We made a thing and named her Cassidy pic.twitter.com/t0lSnblp9R

— Brandon McCarthy (@BMcCarthy32) March 11, 2016

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Look Like Fernando - Valenzuela's Sunglasses on eBay

Now you can look like El Toro!

Just imagine yourself strolling through the mall with these cherry shades.  You'd be the hippest hipster around.  These frames scream the 1980's like bright white stone-washed jeans and fluorescent colored shirts.  And from what I understand that's all the rage these day, ain't it?  At least that's what the young-folk tell me today. 

Featured above is something truly majestic, so take a close look.

In addition to the 1958 Dodgers' scouting guide I wrote about yesterday, the same seller also has the above original pair of sunglasses that were once worn and owned by Fernando Valenzuela.  It is of the rose/red lens variety and includes Fernando's name monogrammed along the rim.  Check out the auction here.

It comes from the collection of Maxine Voss - who was the personal assistant to Dodger GM Al Campanis during his final four years with the Dodgers.  She had been with the Dodger organization for eleven years, and is noted to have been on the Board of Directors of the Campanella Foundation.

As for the sunglasses they come with a note on the letterhead of Valenzuela's agent Antonio DeMarco gifting the specs to Maxine Voss.  Check that out below.

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A Peek Inside a 1958 Dodgers Scouting Book from Al Campanis

From time to time you run into something really fascinating on eBay.  That's not to say that the past items I've featured from the online auction house aren't as interesting, it's just that this particular item really takes the cake.  The above guide is purported to be Al Campanis' personal spring training notebook for the 1958 season - the Dodgers first in Los Angeles.  It includes everything from schedules, rules, player notes and photographs.  Check out the auction listing here.

As you may know, Al Campanis was a lifelong Dodger.  He was originally signed by the franchise as a 23-year old free agent in 1940, became a scout for the team after his retirement from playing and eventually rose to the clubs GM position until the infamous incident on "Nightline" in 1987. 

The guidebook appears to be filled with all kind of scouting goodness.  There's grades and notes for every player on the roster, as seen below.  Click on any pic to embiggen.

For Sandy Koufax is says:

Good curve but needs control

There's also scouting notes on numerous up-'n-coming prospects.

Including notes on a couple of well known future Dodgers' - Maury Wills and Frank Howard.

For Wills it says:

Hands too close to his body.  Falls away from the plate.  Not covered outside.  Is afraid of the ball.

Must keep his hands away from his body.  Must step more towards the pitcher keeling his front shoulder in.  This will help him on balls away, especially the slow stuff.

On Frank Howard:

Not covered outside on let-up stuff.  Collapses front knee.  Front shoulder comes out too soon.  Steps hard instead of smooth.  Has a big stride.  Might habe to be shortened.  Is a fine student.  Pulls everything.  Must hit ball where it is pitched.  Must stay with outside pitch a little longer.  Is a bit far from the plate.

Heck, there are even rules for the batting cages; including this one helpful suggestion:

"Be serious when practicing your bunting"

I have no idea what something like this is worth to a collector, but it sure provides some valuable and interesting information about the Dodgers of yore.

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Blog Kiosk: 10/20/2015 - Dodger Links - Greinke, Kiké and some Brooklyn Superstitions

We've all seen team photos and group photos of ballplayers, but when is the last time you saw something like this?  Featured above is a 1961 LA Dodgers group photo of every manager within the their system; including the folks who are in charge of scouting and the farm system.

From L-R: Fresco Thompson (Farm System Director), Danny Ozark (OMaha, AAA), Rube Walker (Atlanta, AA), Walt Alston, Roy Smalley (Reno, C), Al Ronning (Great Falls, C), Al Campanis (Director of Scouting), Roy Hartsfield (Greenville, A), Spider Jorgenson (Artesia, D), Stan Wasiak (Salem, B), Preston Gomez (Spokane, AAA), George Scherger (Panama City, D) and Ed Serrano (Orlando, D).

The photo above is currently available through RMY Auctions, and is certainly a rarity in the hobby.  Check out the auction here.  Below are more links to check out:

• presidual at True Blue LA takes a look at, "Zack Greinke and the fateful fastball."

At the end of the day, we simply witnessed a Cy Young candidate with impeccable command miss his spot in a crucial situation. A sublime athlete turned human right before our eyes. It's unfortunate that it happened in Game 5, but no more so than the uncovered base or the eight stranded runners were. There's no reason for regret. It's just baseball.

• Kiké Hernandez recently visited the Staples Center to take in a Kings hockey game.  Naturally, the hockey club reached out for an interview.  Check that out here.

LAKings.com: What brought you to the game tonight and have you ever been to a Kings game before?
Hernandez: “No, this is my first game. I’m here for a few weeks until I go home and I saw that there was a Kings game. I live here, downtown, so I was like ‘Why not go to my first hockey game ever?’”

LAKings.com: Can you ice skate?
Hernandez: “I can. I’ve done it a few times. I’m not the best but I can do it.”

• I just love this stuff.  John Thorn at Our Game shares, "Some Superstitions of the Year 1886," and it's fantastic.  There are even a couple of old Brooklyn susperstitions:

Porter, Brooklyn pitcher, had worn a red sleeveless jacket and shirt when pitching for over two years. The outfit did not match the club uniforms but he wore it anyway. When he was slated to pitch in St. Louis one day it was found that the jacket was in a laundry which was closed, it being Sunday. Porter was so affected he cried. Manager Byrne came to the rescue by getting the manager of the laundry to supply the garment in time. The overjoyed Porter won his game.
...

Naturally birds were an omen in Brooklyn. When a black pigeon circled around the ball park Brooklyn always won. But when it flew over in company with two white pigeons the score would be close.

• I am glad to read that there are some good and responsible collectors out there willing to do the right thing.  Via Rich Mueller at Sports Collectors Daily, "Missing 19th Century Red Stockings Card Returned to NYPL."  There have been far too many thefts from public institutions that likely represent millions in dollars of lost cultural artifacts.

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Blog Kiosk: 6/1/2015 - Dodger Links - Some Odds and Ends

Above is a 1963 UPI telephoto of Dodger starting pitchers Johnny Podres and Sandy Koufax that I found on eBay.  Per the caption:

Yanlee Stadium:  Johnny Podres (L), Dodgers' starting pitcher, gets some good advice from Sandy Koufax before the second World Series game here 10/3.  Sandy knows his way around the Yankee batting order.  He set a new Series record by striking out 15 as the Dodgers won the opener, 5-2.

Below are some more links to check out:

• ICYMI:  Paco Rodriguez was placed on the 15-day DL with an elbow strain.  Matt West was called up from AAA.  Per Jon Weisman at Dodger Insider:

Paco Rodriguez has had trouble finishing pitches, manager Don Mattingly told reporters this morning, so he has been placed on the disabled list and is heading to Los Angeles for examination on his left elbow.

• Jon Weisman also provides a peek at the June issue of Dodger Insider Magazine, here.  Check it out on the right.  Joc Pederson is on the cover.
• Via Jim Callis at MLB.com, "Dodgers' class of '68 tops list of 10 best Drafts."

"He actually showed me how to draft," Campanis told MLB.com's Ken Gurnick in a 1988 story for Baseball America. "He explained the difference between drafting the best athlete or going for need. He showed us how to rank players on a scale of 100 based on fundamental skills. He took a neophyte and taught me how to approach a draft, and I think this helped us."

• Via Mark Saxon at ESPNLosAngeles.com, "Data show A.J. Ellis is the best pitch-caller in baseball."

“It’s about manipulating a hitter’s body sometimes based on how they’re reacting to certain pitches,” Ellis said.

The Dodgers have known for years that Ellis is a skilled pitch-caller. He prepares his own scouting reports based on video work and works with pitching coach Rick Honeycutt throughout the game to adjust the plan of attack.

“I just love a guy who takes a lot of pride in what he does,” Honeycutt said. “When you get the uniformity we’ve had the last four years or so, I think you have to give him some of the credit for that.”

• Ron Cervenka at Think Blue LA writes about first baseman prospect Cody Bellinger: "Dodgers may have AGon’s replacement in their grasp."
• Check out Clayton Kershaw on The Dan Patrick Show below.  (Hat Tip: Eric Stephen at True Blue LA):

Video Link:

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Blog Kiosk: 5/16/2015 - Dodger Links - Ethier, Dodgers' Hello Kitty Plush Doll and a Fan Ejection?

Here is a fantastic vintage press photo taken by International News, dated March 1, 1954, that I ran across on eBay.  It features several Dodger greats getting some needed practice before the season starts.  After having an impressive rookie campaign the season prior, Junior Gilliam looks to be showing a couple of pitchers how to slide.  After all, all reports I've read indicate that Gilliam had a high Baseball-IQ, and just naturally seemed to understand every part of the game.  Below is what is written on the caption attached to the reverse:

SLIDE, JUNIOR, SLIDE--Vero Beach, Florida.....Second baseman Junior Gilliam slides in under the watchful eye of Field Director Al Campanis at the Dodgers training quarters as pitchers Don Newcombe and Joe Black watch.

Below are some links to check out:

• Via Ron Cervenka at Think Blue LA, "Dodgers announce rain-delay ticket offer for May 25-27 Braves series."
• ICYMI: Kenley Jansen has been reinstated from the DL and reliever Daniel Coulombe has been options back to AAA, via a tweet from @DodgersPR.
• Via Dylan Hernandez at the LA Times, "Dodgers outfielder Andre Ethier is playing like old self."

"It's frustrating, but not everything's going to go good and go the way you want it to be," he said. "You have to grind through things. You're going to have ups and down, not only in the course of the year but in the course of your career. You have to figure out a way to ride them out and keep fighting and keep finding a way to improve and make adjustments."

• Here's an early peek at the Hello Kitty plush Dodger doll that is being given away to fans on Wednesday, July 8th against the Phillies.  Check out the Dodgers promotional schedule here.
• Benjamin Hill at Ben's Biz Blog recently visited Historic Dodgertown and shared a bunch of pics.  Check them out here.
• I wonder if this could potentially be big news for Dodger fans; especially to those who have been locked out due to the cable situation?  Via Timothy Burke at Deadspin, "Judge Grants Class-Action Status To Sports TV Blackout Antitrust Case."  Jon Brodkin at Arstechnica also writes about the lawsuit in more detail.
• This is for the Baseball history buffs out there.  Via Rich Mueller at Sports Collectors Daily, "(Masnori) Murakami to Return to U.S. for Autographs."  Masnori was the first Japanese born player to appear in the major leagues, and he has just finished a new book on his experiences.
• Via David Seideman at Forbes, "Weighing The Risks and Rewards of Investing In Today's Vintage Baseball Card Boom."
• During Thursday's game at the bottom of the ninth inning the home plate umpire is seen moving towards the fans behind him and looked to be motioning at a fan.  The initial reaction by most is that he tried to have a fan ejected from the game; which is rare but certainly within his purview.  I spent some time trying to find out about the incident and came across the below post on reddit, here.  It appears that the flash used by a fan was the problem.  DodgerFilms makes note of the incident at the 10:13 mark in this video here.

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Blog Kiosk: 12/7/2013 - Dodgers Links - Happy Birthday Yasiel! - Kemp to be Traded?

Happy Birthday, Yasiel!  He turns 23 today.  Pic via @Dodgers on twitter.

• Via Ken Gurnick at MLB.com, "Dodgers eyeing infielder, relievers at Winter Meetings".
• Via Eric Stephen at True Blue LA, "Jarret Martin is living the dream".  Eric examines his potential as he enters his first big league spring training.
• Chad Moriyama writes about, "Yimi Garcia, high-spin fastballs, and Trackman".
• Howard Cole at LA Weekly writes, "Why the Dodgers Should Pass on a Hanley Ramirez Contract Extension".
• Gordon Edes at ESPNBoston.com writes, "Matt Kemp's agent thinks trade could come".

"This is the first time we've experienced this," Stewart said. "This is the first time we've heard it this much, and the first time we really believe something could happen." 

• Brian Wilson can do it all.  He's also happy to be back with the Dodgers, via a tweet he posted yesterday.

Looking forward to playing right wing for the Kings. I mean power forward for the Lakers. 00ps I mean be a Dodger again...or do all three
— Brian Wilson (@BrianWilson38) December 6, 2013

• Rob Neyer at Baseball Nation wrties, "10 for the COOP".  He examines 10 folks who should be in the HOF, but don't appear to be receiving the recognition they deserve.  Several former Dodgers are on the list; including Al Campanis.

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Blog Kiosk: 11/2/2013 - Dodgers Links - Ryu talks adjustments, Persuing Tanaka and Happy Birthday Al Campanis

Happy Birthday, Al Campanis!  He would have been 97 today.  The photo above was found on eBay and features him as skipper of the Newport News Dodgers (1950).  Portsmouth Cubs infielder Pep Rambert is seen wearing a kilt as he jokes with the days umpires.  He is poking fun at the Dodgers new uniform; which includes shorts.

• Via Baek Byung-yeul at the Korea Times, "Ryu: big leagues were no major adjustment".

''I would like to give myself 99 points out of a 100. I took one point out because I think I could have prepared better for the tiring major league season, which involves a lot of travelling and adjusting to time zones. Ninety-nine also happens to be my jersey number,’’ he said. 

• You must check out Emma at Dodger Blue World's blog post.  She shares a whole bunch of photos from her recent visit to the Sports Museum of Los Angeles.  Awesome!
• Via Ken Gurnick at MLB.com, "Torre has the favorite in Breeders' Cup Classic: MLB exec, former manager part-owner of morning-line favorite Game on Dude".
• Via Mark Saxon at ESPN, "The costs and benefits of pursuing Masahiro Tanaka".

Tanaka, who turned 25 today, had a 1.27 ERA for the Rakuten Eagles over 212 innings and there are scouts who think he has the best split-finger fastball in the world. He’s not the power pitcher Yu Darvish is, but some scouts say he has better command and 24-0 (in a highly competitive league) is 24-0. 

• Alexander Guerrero will begin Winter League play next week, via a tweet from Gigantes Del Cibao.  Translated: "Official: Alexander Guerrero Cuban will be in uniform @GigantesSFM this Thursday, Nov 7 against @TigresdelLicey.

Oficial: Cubano Alexander Guerrero estará en uniforme de @GigantesSFM este jueves 07 contra @TigresdelLicey. #CaemeAtras
— Gigantes Del Cibao (@GigantesSFM) November 1, 2013

• Via Ron Cervenka at Think Blue LA, "Is the writing on the wall for Dee Gordon?"
• Via Scott Andes at Lasorda's Lair, "Dodgers Sign Fabio Martinez Because The Lookouts Need Players".  He is noted for a great fastball, but lacks control.

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A Glenn Burke Biopic May Be in the Works

Who's Glenn Burke, you say?

Well, Burke was a former Dodgers draftee who is thought to be the first person involved in the high-five, and regardless of what you've read recently, Burke was also the first professional sports athlete to come out of the closet to both his teammates and management.  Jason Collins, on the other hand, was the first athlete to do that and make it publicly known while still working his trade.

Well, via Mike Fleming Jr at Deadline Hollywood we learn that a biopic on his life may soon be produced, and it's likely that Collins recent admission has a lot to do with that.  Per Fleming's article.

Long before veteran hoops player Jason Collins made a groundbreaking announcement this week that he is a gay athlete, there was former Los Angeles Dodgers and Oakland A’s 70s phenom outfielder Glenn Burke. Burke, who right up front made his teammates and team management aware he was gay, back when this was really taboo. Post-retirement, he became the first baseball player to come out publicly, during a Today Show interview with Bryant Gumbel in 1982. Jamie Lee Curtis and JUMA Entertainment are hoping the attention being paid to Collins will provide momentum for a story she has been trying for years to tell about Burke, based on Out At Home: The Glenn Burke Story, the autobiography written by Burke with Erik Sherman.

There something remarkable about how the Dodgers seem to always have some involvement in socially significant changes.  Heck, it's something that this Dodger fan has a great appreciation for.

(Hat Tip: Alyssa Rosenberg at Think Progress)

UPDATE:  I thought it would be appropriate to add that Burke's stay with the Dodgers was hardly sunflowers and lemonade.  In fact, you could say that his time with the Dodgers was anything but that.  So, the Dodgers franchise was hardly a hero in the Glenn Burke life story.  I think it's pretty clear that homophobia played a large part in his eventual trade and lack of playing time.  From wikipedia:

Burke's association with the Dodgers was a difficult one. According to his 1995 autobiography Out at Home, Los Angeles Dodgers General Manager Al Campanis offered to pay for a lavish honeymoon if Burke agreed to get married. Burke refused to participate in the sham,allegedly responding, "to a woman?" He also angered Dodgers' manager Tommy Lasorda by befriending the manager's estranged gay son, Tommy Lasorda, Jr.  The Dodgers eventually dealt Burke to the Oakland Athletics for Billy North, by some accounts a much less talented player, suggesting homophobia was behind the trade. There, he received little playing time in the 1978 and 1979 seasons. Upon taking the managerial reins in 1980, manager Billy Martin used the word "faggot" in the clubhouse and some teammates avoided showering with him. After he suffered a knee injury before the season began, the A's sent him to the minors in Utah. The A's released him from his contract in 1980.

UPDATE II:  I've just been told that Comcast SportsNet Bay Area made a documentary on the life of Glenn Burke that aired in 2010 called "Out".  Here is a press release for the documentary.  Below is a trailer to the documentary.  If anyone knows where I can watch it please pass that along. 

Video Link:

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Blog Kiosk: 4/2/2012

Topps unveiled a uncut sheet of some of their mini cards (fashioned after the 1987 Topps set) that will be in Series 2 Topps Baseball packs on Twitter. Check out the great looking Sandy Koufax card at the bottom right.

• When LA Icons Converge: Magic Johnson Reaches Out to Vin Scully, via Steve Dilbeck at LA Times.

  “It was interesting,” Scully said. “When the phone rang and I picked it up, I recognized that voice. And as I told him, 'If it’s possible, I can hear your smile.' ”

• Mike Petriello wrote a piece for Rotographs predicting a huge season for Andre Ethier. Time to add him to your roto team.
  
• I don't think I had seen this before. Here is a October 2011 GQ article about Vin Scully as he looks back at his greatest calls, via Daniel Riley. (Hat Tip: Eephus League)
  

  1953 World Series, Game 1 September 30, 1953

  The Call: At age 25, Scully becomes the youngest ever to call a World Series.

  "There was a labor disagreement: Red (Barber) felt that he had done a lot of World Series games and they were still paying—believe it or not—just $200 a game. So Red appealed, and they said, 'No that's what you're gonna get.' So he said, 'I'm not gonna do it.' Well out of the blue I got a phone call saying, 'We want you to do the World Series.' I thought, 'Well, whoa whoa whoa.' So I call Red and I said, 'Look, I've been doing this four years, I don't wanna do a World Series over your labor negotiation.' He said, 'Vinny, what's going on with me, it's not gonna change, and if you don't do it, they'll get somebody else to do it. So I'm giving you my blessing. Do it.'

• The Biz of Baseball explores the Dodgers sale.

  How Does Gueggenheim Partners Fit In?
  This is one of the most important, and least talked about aspects of the sale. Walter is the CEO of Gueggenheim Partners, a privately held, diversified financial services firm. The firm is where the bulk of the money is coming from. With more than $125 billion under management, the Dodgers will become part corporate, part privately owned.

• @Si_Vault on Twitter has a copy of an old scouting report on Nomar Garciaparra.
  
• The Legacy of Al Campanis, via William Weinbaum of ESPN.
  
• Eovaldi wins Mulvey Award for top rookie in Spring Training, via Ken Gurnick.
  
• Zach Hample was in Tokyo for the start of the Baseball season and has pictures to prove it.
• FanGraphs shares the "Important Graph" with its readers. This graph states that a baseball enthusiast’s ability to care for most everything declines considerably as the official start of the season approaches. That sounds about right.
  

Grey Flannel Auctions: The Al Campanis Collection

Earlier in the week, I highlighted a Game-Used Sandy Koufax jersey that is up for sale at Grey Flannel Auctions. If you haven't seen it you should definitely check it out.

Well, that jersey is not the only notable Dodgers memorabilia item to be found in Grey Flannel's recent offering. They have also secured the rights to sell memorabilia from the collection of former Dodgers player and General Manager Al Campanis.

Campanis was a fairly successful GM, having led the Blue Crew to 4 World Series and 1 championship. Also, before taking the top spot he was the scout who discovered a young Sandy Koufax. BTW, he is infamous for two other things. First, he traded Jim Campanis away- his own son! Second, he made the following unfortunate statement on Nightline in 1987 (the 40th anniversary of Jackie Robinson breaking the color barrier):

African-Americans "may not have some of the necessities to be, let's say, a field manager, or, perhaps, a general manager"

The latter was a stain that would forever follow Campanis. After resigning two days after this interview he would never again work in organized Baseball.

Anyway, here are a handful of great items Dodger fans can gawk over. Below is his 1981 World Series Championship ring.

(Auction Link)

This isn't necessarily a Dodger bat, but it is very cool. This is a bat from Mexico with tribal art drawn on it. It is undated and scarcity is unknown, but it's a nice piece of folk art that I think would look cool on the wall.

(Auction Link)

This lot from the Campanis Estate is probably the most interesting of the bunch; especially for its historical value. It consist of a collection of Campanis awards, personal effects, and notes. The notes include

Interview notes between Ted Koppel and Campanis regarding “why is it that there are no Black managers, no Black General Managers, no Black Owners?”

This would probably make for some interesting reading.

(Auction Link)

Auto Collection: Al Campanis

With the recent news of the theft and quick return of Jim Campanis's World Series ring I figured it would be timely to highlight this card. Here is my 2006 Upper Deck Exquisite Cuts autographed card of Al Campanis- Jim's Dad. It is numbered 13 out of 65.

As you may recall, Al Campanis ended his career as the Dodgers GM on a sour note. I won't get into the details (go here for background), but I will say that I never faulted him. I understand what he was trying to say even though he may have said it poorly.

Blog Kiosk 9/28/2008

So what are you doing on Wednesday?

• Robert of Trolley Dodgers finds a great video at Flickr featuring the demolition of Ebbets Field in Brooklyn. Go here to see the video.
• Trolley Dodgers also comes across some incredible photos posted by the Library of Congress on Flickr featuring the Brooklyn Dodgers from the early part of the 20th Century. Check them out here. Below is Red Smith.
• On the day the Dodgers clinch the division title Erin watches an unsuspecting Dodger fan who accidentally falls onto the field get tackled by security. Read about it here. Heavy handed tactics by those in authority seems to be more the rule than the exception these days.
• Of course, you must check out the hazing pics of Dodger rookies at Sons of Steve Garvey. Clayton Kershaw is dressed as Little Bo Peep.
• Cardboard Junkie opens up packs of 2008 Upper Deck X and pulls a Furcal.
• Night Owl Cards shows off a great early 70's set featuring the 1952 Brooklyn Dodgers from prolific card producer TCMA. They are well known for being the chief manufacturer of minor league Baseball cards in the 80's. Check out his website for more pics from the set. Clearly, the best card is below. You just can't beat a card featuring an infield with Jackie, Gil, Campy, Pee Wee and Billy Cox. One of these days I'm gonna add this set to my collection. Fortunately, they are not particularly rare or expensive. BTW, this collector blog is run by a Dodger fan so expect to find plenty of Dodger cards featured throughout.
• Here is a brand new collector blog that will focus on vintage Topps cards and other oddball stuff called The Topps Archives. They start off great by highlighting an interesting press photo celebrating the an early Topps Company publicity stunt in the late 40's.
• 117 original paintings used to make the 1953 Topps set have just been consigned to REA's April 2009 auction. A complete list has yet to released, but I'm hoping Pee Wee Reese shows up. The Jackie Robinson and Campanella was sold in the 1989 Guersney's Auction for $71,000 and $33,000, respectivley. Probably the most desired painting yet to find it's way to the market from this set is probably Satchel Paige. I wouldn't be surprised to see it reach well into the 6 figures if it goes on sale. Read The Infield Dirt for more.
• This video is unbelievable. Never pass out drunk at a ball game, especially in New York. Hat Tip: Lion in Oil:

• I promise this will be my only politically partisan post regarding our upcoming Presidential election. It's just that I dig this video so much and I love this song from Le Miserables.

YouTube Video Link: NatHeadquartersObama:

My Only Regret is that I Don't Play Golf

So, this past Thursday a bunch of guys from my office took the afternoon off to play some golf. It was for a charitable event that the Director of the company I work for help start and put together. The charity is called New Directions for Women. It is a non-profit drug and alcohol treatment provider for women, pregnant women and women with children. It's a great cause that seeks to address an important need.

Anyway, I don't golf at all. In fact, my swing is so bad I should just take a Baseball bat with me to hit those little balls instead of a driver. So, I opted to not participate on that afternoon. I would soon regret that decision.

Mr. Jim Campanis, former Dodger farmhand and son of Al Campanis, the former Dodger GM was on hand that afternoon.

Just my luck, right?

He retold stories of his time in Baseball and the Dodgers. More importantly, he was wearing his 1988 Los Angeles Dodgers World Series ring. In fact, he let a bunch of folks wear his ring. Below is Jim, my boss, wearing the ring with Mr. Campanis by his side (on the right). The interns from my office also had a chance to put on the gold and diamond clad beauty.

At the same time I was in the office working. What kind of idiot am I!