Blog Kiosk: 10/12/2018 - Dodgers Links - Game 1 Today!

Who knew Maeda had such style? Check out Kenta sporting a rather stylish outfit with the Dodgers resident fashion maven, Matt Kemp, while on the plane as they head out to Milwaukee for today's game, via the Dodgers on twitter. BTW, the Dodgers released their roster for the NLCS this morning and there is only one notable change. Lefty Julio Urias will replace fellow-lefty Scott Alexander in the bullpen. Check out the entire roster below.

On a side note, I am very excited about this series, and not for why you might think.

One of my favorite teams growing up (other than the Dodgers) was the Brewers, and the reason isn't really all too surprising. The very first little league team I played on was the Brew Crew, so as a child I gravitated, just a bit, towards that club. I followed them in the standings and would collect players like Cecil Cooper, Ben Oglivie, Ted Simmons and Gorman Thomas. But there was one player I was absolutely smitten with. It was Robin Yount, and to this very day I still collect his cards. So, this matchup brings up all kinds of weird feelings -- most of which is utter excitement at seeing a boyhood dream finally come true. As I'm sure you know, this is the very first time the Dodgers and Brewers have ever faced each other in the playoffs.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1916 the Brooklyn Robins lost Game 5 against the Boston Red Sox to lose the World Series. As a side note, Boston played their games at the home of their NL rival, Boston Braves, since their stadium held more patrons than Fenway Park. In 1920 the Cleveland Indians defeated the Brooklyn Robins to win the World Series. In 1949 Vin Scully, after being recruited by Red Barber, worked his very first broadcast of his career when he does play-by-play for a college football game between Maryland and Boston University. He famously called the game from atop the roof during a very frigid day at Fenway Park. In 1988 Orel Hershiser threw a five-hit shutout victory, 6-0, against the NY Mets in Game 7 of the NLCS to advance to the World Series.
• Happy Birthday, Ed Householder, Steve Shirley, Sid Fernandez, Jose Valentin, Tanyon Sturtze & Nick Tepesch!

Blog Kiosk: 7/20/2016 - Dodgers Links - Verdugo, Utley, Ryu and Kazmir

Scott Kazmir not only battled the Nationals last night, he also struggled against cramps that creeped up on him in the fifth inning.  Fortunately, neither was a match for veteran pitcher.  Per Doug Padilla at ESPN:

“I think I drank everything pretty much under the sun: pickle juice, some mustard,” Kazmir said. “I think I had some of that on my face the next half-inning. But it was a lot of stuff that actually worked, so I was good after that.”

While on the mound Kazmir went seven innings, gave up four hits, one earned run and struck out eight batters.  Per Alex Putterman at MLB.com:

"Kaz has a lot of fight in him, and with what we're going through, guys have got to step up," manager Dave Roberts said. "And today was a great outing by Kaz. Everything was working. He had command of everything."

Photos above via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2016.  Go here to check out more pics by Jon from yesterdays game.  Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodger History:  In 1906 Brooklyn pitcher Mal Eason throws a no-hitter against the Cardinals in St. Louis, 2-0.  In 1925 Brooklyn ace Dazzy Vance records 17 strike outs against the Chicago Cubs in a ten inning game.  In 1970 Bill Singer throws a no-hitter against the Philadelphia Phillies at Dodger Stadium. 
• Happy Birthday, Charles Johnson and Heinie Manush!

The Joy of a Completed Set: 1970 Topps Comic Booklets

Do you know that feeling when you spend some time looking through your collection only to realize that you are missing something?  Yhea... I felt that a week or so ago.

I was looking through my oddball insert set binder and came across the 1970 Topps Comic Booklet set.  For those who do not know, a booklet was inserted into every pack of 1970 Topps Baseball.  There are a total of 24 booklets to the set, and they are fairly common and inexpensive.  A complete set can be purchased for less than $50 - sometimes much less if you're patient.

I've had this set for a number of years, but never spent any time looking through them.  So, I decided to checkout the comic artwork and quickly realized I was missing a booklet for a complete set.  Booklet #14, the Ernie Banks, was nowhere to be found.  So, I quickly went on eBay and found an affordable copy to complete my set.  WooHoo!

Check out a scan of the entire set below:

There is only one booklet for each team, and Dodger starter Bill Singer was our representative.  I decided to scan this entire booklet to share with you.  Check it out below.

#17 Bill Singer

* Please follow on twitter @ernestreyes *

* Like Dodgers Blue Heaven on facebook *

* Dodgers Blue Heaven home page *

The Jeff Torborg Collection at Hunt's MLB FanFest Auction - He Caught Koufax's Perfect Game

As promised, here is a look at some items within the Jeff Torborg Collection currently for sale through Hunt Auctions.  As you may know, Hunt's is running their annual All-Star Game FanFest Auction.  Yesterday, I shared some fun Dodgers related memorabilia that struck my eye.  Below, I pick out some of my favorite Dodgers related goodies from the Torborg Collection.

Jeff Torborg was originally signed by the Dodgers out of Rutgers University in 1963 and quickly rose through the ranks.  By the next year, he was catching backup to Johnny Roseboro in Los Angeles, and remained there for 7 years.  In that time, he had the opportunity to catch some historic Dodgers ballgames; including a no-hitter, a perfect game and a pitching streak that would last 20 years.  At the end of his playing career, Torborg joined the coaching ranks, and managed 5 different clubs from 1977 to 2003. 

Below is a charm bracelet that consist of numerous Torborg Baseball memories.  There are a couple pennant/flag on pole charms that celebrate the Dodgers 1965 World Championship and 1966 NL Pennant, a 1977 All-Star Game charm and a 1978 Yankees World Series press charm.

(Auction Link)

This is the first time I've seen these pins.  Below are 1966 LA Dodgers Goodwill Tour of Japan pins.  Awesome!

(Auction Link)

I guess the Dodgers gave out Rolex's.  Below is a watch celebrating the Dodgers 1966 NL Pennant.  This would look pretty sweet on my wrist.  It's too back I don't wear a watch.  Of course, I don;t think I would spend the thousands of dollars it would take to own this.

(Auction Link)

And now, here's the really good stuff.  As a coach with the Yankees in 1986, Don Sutton gave this to Jeff as a gift.  It is a 300 win game ball from June 18, 1986.  It is inscribed:

"To Jeff, Thanks for the big role you had in my chasing a dream. I really appreciate the friendship we have shared over the years. Good health, happiness, and a warm fire in the winter to you & yours, Don Sutton."

(Auction Link)

On July 20, 1970, Jeff Torborg sat behind the plate as Dodgers hurler Bill Singer threw a no-hitter.  Below is a game ball that Singer inscribed to Torborg.

"Great job Jeff, as usual Many thanks!"

(Auction Link)

Jeff Torborg also caught Don Drysdale's 5th straight shut out.  Below is a ball from that game inscribed by Don to Jeff.

"To Jeff- Thanks for the help. My Best Always, Don Drysdale."

(Auction Link)

And to cap it off, Jeff Torborg caught Sandy Koufax's Perfect game on September 9, 1965.  BTW, Torborg was just 23 years old at the time.  Below is a game ball inscribed by Sandy to Jeff.

"To Jeff, Best wishes + thanks for a good game"

(Auction Link)

* Please follow on twitter @ernestreyes *

* Like Dodgers Blue Heaven on facebook *

* Dodgers Blue Heaven home page *

Looking at the 1993 Dodgers Unocal Pin Set

Following up on my posts from the past couple of weeks featuring pinbacks from the Dodgers Unocal pin sets, I now share with you the pins from the 1993 set.  This is the very last pin set Unocal made.  Go here to check out my previous post on these sets.

Pin #1 - Rookies of the Year (Jackie Robinson Award) - In 1992, Eric Karros became the 12th Dodgers overall, and 8th LA Dodgers to win the Rookie of the Year Award, a major league record.  Dodger winners include Jackie Robinson, 1947; Don Newcombe, 1949; Joe Black, 1952; Jim Gilliam, 1953; Frank Howard, 1960; Jim Lefebvre, 1965; Ted Sizemore, 1969; Rick Sutcliffe, 1979; Steve Howe, 1980; Fernando Valenzuela, 1981; Steve Sax, 1982; Karros, 1992.

Pin #2 - No-Hitters - Since the Dodgers moves to LA in 1958, no other Major League team's pitchers have hurled more no-hitters (through 1992): Sandy Koufax, 6/30/62; 5/11/63; 6/4/64; 9/9/65 (perfect game); Bill Singer, 7/20/70; Jerry Reuss, 6/27/80; Fernando Valenzuela, 6/29/90; Kevin Gross, 8/17/1992.

Pin #3 - Dodger Stadium Hosts Rockies - This Collector's pin commemorates the Dodgers' first game against the expansion Colorado Rockies on Friday, May 21, 1993, at Dodger Stadium.

Pin #4 - Dodger Stadium Hosts Marlins - This Collector's pin commemorates the Dodgers' first game against the expansion Florida Marlins on Monday, June 7, 1993, at Dodger Stadium.

Pin #5 - 35th Anniversary of Dodgers in LA - The Dodgers played their first game in Los Angeles on April 18,1958.  Since then, the club has won 5 World Championships and 9 National League pennants, both league highs.

Pin #6 - Largest Crowd - A major league record crowd of 93,103 packed the LA Coliseum on May 7, 1959, as the Dodgers mat the Yankees in an exhibition game that featured an emotional salute to Hall of Fame catcher Roy Campanella.

* Please follow on twitter @ernestreyes *

* Like Dodgers Blue Heaven on facebook *

* Dodgers Blue Heaven home page *

The 1969 Union Oil Dodgers Portraits Set - A Recent Purchase for My Collection

Several weeks ago, I hinted at a recent purchase for my collection that had me very excited.  For several years now, I've been on the hunt for complete sets of those Union Oil Dodgers' portraits made in the 1960's.  There are three different one's (1962, 1964 & 1969), and they can be difficult to find.  I've missed the mark on numerous occasions, but finally won a set that is both colorful and gorgeous. Check out my 1969 Union Dodgers Premium Pictures set featuring drawings by Nicholas Volpe.

As I'm sure you know, Volpe has a long history with the Dodgers.  From the early 60's to the early 80's, he created player portraits for the Dodgers that were given away by Union Oil.  This particular set was given away to fans at select weekday night games at Dodger Stadium.  So, this was a very early Stadium Give Away (SGA).  These evenings were billed as "Player Portrait Night".

The cards are a little thinner than a Baseball card (but still sturdy) and measure 8 1/2" x 11".  Only 13 pictures are in the set, and it does not include several key players from the season; like Maury Wills, Manny Mota and Ted Sizemore.

I have scanned the front and reverse of each portrait.  As you can see below, the backs have a player biography, stats, the Dodger home schedule and information about the artist.  Click on any pic to embiggen.

Below are the remaining 12 Dodgers' portrait photos in the set.

Walter Alston

 Jim Brewer

Willie Davis

 Ron Fairly

 Tom Haller

 Jim Lefebvre

 Claude Osteen

 Wes Parker

 Paul Popovich

 Bill Singer

 Bill Sudakis

 Don Sutton

* Please follow on twitter @ernestreyes *

* Like Dodgers Blue Heaven on facebook *

* Dodgers Blue Heaven home page *