Blog Kiosk: 5/28/2019 - Dodgers Links - MVP! MVP! MVP!

First, I wanted to acknowledge a patch that ballplayers wore for the first time yesterday, for Memorial Day. It is a remembrance poppy that has been used since 1921 to commemorate military personnel who have died in war and was first adopted by the American Legion. See it on the right, via UniWatch.

As for Cody Bellinger (featured in the pic above), he is unbelievable. Cody was a driving force behind this weekends sweep of the Pirates and their Memorial Day win yesterday afternoon. He is slashing .278/.381/.722/1.103 with two home runs, five runs scored and five RBI over the past four games. On top of that, he is looking like a Gold Glover every day. Per Ken Gurnick at MLB.com:

“Words are tough to come by,” said Dodgers manager Dave Roberts. “I don’t know if they give out Gold Gloves in May, but it’s hard to see it play out any other way.” 

Roberts said there’s only one comp to what Bellinger can do to impact a game and he used the name – Mike Trout – with trepidation. 

“You’re talking about slug, average, on base, first-to-third, stolen bases, catching the baseball, outfield assists, all that stuff,” said Roberts. “To do what he can do, to check all those boxes. You’ve got to be careful when you’re talking about Mike Trout. That’s longevity, too. For a two-month span, that’s kind of what you’re talking about.”

Photo above via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2019 at Dodger Insider. Go here to check out more pics from Memorial Day. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1957 the NL officially approves of the move of the Dodgers and Giants to the West Coast, provided both clubs make their request before October 1 and move at the same time. This effectively allowed both clubs to start negotiating with potential host cities. In 1962 Don Newcombe signs a contract to play for the Chunichi Dragons of the Japanese Central League. In 2001 Dodger catcher Paul Lo Duca has a big day. He goes 6-for-6 to lead the Dodgers during an 11-10 win over the Rockies. He records five singles, a three-run home run and four RBI. In 2011 a small fire in a nearby storage area in the Reserve seats at Dodger Stadium forces the evacuation of fans of that section during a game between the Dodgers and Marlins. The fire is controlled quickly and they do not need to evacuate the entire stadium.
• Happy Birthday, Rafael Landestoy, Kirk Gibson & Cory Wade!

Blog Kiosk: 10/29/2018 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

I've been absolutely swamped at work today, so I apologize for this very late post.

First of all, congrats to the Red Sox on their World Series victory.

As you can imagine, yesterday's loss sure does put a damper on the Dodger season. Nevertheless, I am hardly discouraged. I guarantee there are 28 other teams that would have killed to be in our position, so losing really only stings for a bit. Via Alden Gonzalez at ESPN:

"I think you have to realize that we are a really good team to get to go to the World Series two years in a row," Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw said, his response to a question about how the organization can improve to finally win it all. "It might not be a personnel thing; it might just be a 'play better' thing."

...
"The pain that you have last year, it really hurts, but the good thing is that it motivates you to get back here -- and we did," Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen said. "This one hurts, too. You can say all the good things and motivate yourself, but at the end of the day, we're still human. It's still going to hurt."

Photo above via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2018. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1942 Branch Rickey, architect of the St. Louis Cardinals' farm system, resigned as their vice president. He would join the Dodgers three days later as the clubs president - taking over for Larry MacPhail who had enlisted into the Army to serve in WWII.
• Happy Birthday, Sam Kimber, Earl Yingling, Pete Richert, Karim Garcia, Will Venable & Dana Eveland!

Blog Kiosk: 7/26/2018 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Ugh... I don't like losing. Per Ken Gurnick at MLB.com:

"They beat us," said Roberts. "We got beat this series. I don't think we laid down. They got the big hits when they needed to. That's the difference in this series."

Photo above via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2018 at Dodger Insider. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1950 Dodgers outfielder Jim Russell becomes the first ballplayer in major league history to hit a home run from both sides of the plate during a game for the second time in his career. His record is eventually surpassed by Mickey Mantle in 1956 when he does it for a third time. In 1990 super-utilityman Mike Sharperson become the first player in Dodger history to start every infield position in the same season. In 1991 Montreal starter Mark Gardner no-hit the Dodgers for nine innings, but eventually lost the game in the tenth inning. He allowed two singles and reliever Jeff Fassero gave up the winning hit to lose, 1-0.  Dodger pitchers Orel Hershiser, Kevin Gross and Jay Howell combine for a two hit shutout. In 1995 the Dodgers signed free agent amateur pitcher Eric Gagne out of Seminole State College. In 2008 the Dodgers received third baseman Casey Blake from the Indians for Jon Meloan and Carlos Santana. 
• Happy Birthday, John Butler, Sam Leslie, Hoyt Wilhelm, Glenn Mickens, Jody Reed & Brandon Morrow!

Blog Kiosk: 12/9/2016 - Dodgers Links - Valentine, Urias, Turner and Sandy Koufax

Once upon a time, Sandy Koufax moonlighted as an actor.  He wasn't a particularly good one, mind you, but he did get quite a few Hollywood roles; especially after leading the Los Angeles Dodgers to a World Series Championship in 1959. Heck, he and many of his teammates suddenly became the toast of the town, and producers quickly came knocking on their doors.

(Koufax with Dorothy Provine)

Featured above is a vintage 1959 ABC promotional photograph that shows Sandy playing a cavalry officer named Johnny in the TV western Colt .45. (eBay Auction Link)  Koufax had a short scene in the episode, titled "Impasse", that resulted in his untimely death.  Jeff Katz, the Mayor of Cooperstown and lover of Baseball, writes on his blog:

Not a very lengthy role, Koufax dies in the opening scene, before the TV critics could get a handle on his acting chops. The quick-witted Koufax gave his own review, “I’ve gone out quicker in some games.” True before 1960, not so true after. The Brooklyn-born lefty was willing to give acting a go. Cognizant that it was his ball playing skills providing him with small screen opportunity, Sandy thought these small chances could lead to more. “I don’t know if I have any acting talent, but if anybody wants to take a chance it’s O.K. with me. If there’s a career for me in acting, fine. I want to go as far as my capabilities will carry me. At 23, I’ve got to think about what I’m going to do after leaving baseball.” He couldn’t imagine that day would come so quickly. For his role as Johnny, credited to “Sanford Koufax,” he was pleased that he didn’t “have to ride a horse, just die.”

On the right is another publicity photo that shows him with actress Dorothy Provine.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History:  In 1981 the traded Jack Perconte and Rick Sutcliffe to the Indians for Jack Fimple, Jorge Orta and Larry White.  In 1992 the Dodgers signed free agent closer Todd Worrell.  In 2012 the Dodgers signed Hyun-Jin Ryu to a six-year, $36 million contract.
• Happy Birthday, Joe Kelley, Enos Kirkpatrick, Juan Samuel, Mat Latos & Eric Stults!

Blog Kiosk: 11/25/2016 - Dodgers Links - Cash, Sheffield and Ralph Branca

Here's a fantastic International News press photo, dated April 3, 1950, Ralph Branca while warming up on the mound during spring training at Vero Beach.  Pic above via eBay (link here).

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History:  In 1972 first baseman Wes Parker won his sixth straight Gold Glove Award.  He would retire at the end of this season.
• Happy Birthday, Octavio Dotel, Gene Bailey, Ben Wade &  Grant Dayton!

Dodgers Blog Kiosk: 8/6/2012

Don Newcombe is getting into the act.  He wants the Dodgers to know that he see's them.  (Pic via twitter @Dodgers Jon SooHoo/Dodgers 2012)

• Tommy Lasorda was in Baltimore signing at the National Sports Collectors Convention and had this to tweet.

(twitter link)

• Via David Pinto at Baseball Musings we hear of a story Bobby Valentine told about Tommy Lasorda while he was in the minors.

Bobby played outfield in rookie ball, but Lasorda stuck the 19 year old at shortstop, where he fielded poorly. He fielded so poorly that the other players got together and demanded that Valentine be demoted.

Go to the link for more of the story.

• I wish I knew about this, Matt Kemp made a special appearance at the Diamond Supply Co. Store and David's Autograph Signings was there.
• I've noticed Chad Billingsley's playoff beard, too.  Left Field Pavilion blog makes a great graphic celebrating it.
• Jerry Sands is on fire in Albuquerque.  Christopher Jackson from the Examiner.com has more.

“A couple weeks ago we had a bunch of (roving instructors) and coaches in town,” Sands said. “We kind of decided to go back to my old swing, but still use the things I’ve been working on pretty much the whole year.

• Via ESPN's Dodger Report, Dodgers' New Additions are Adding Up.

Victorino, his shirt already soaked in sweat, then looked at the imaginary watch on his right wrist and said they “better start showing up earlier around here.”

Now, Victorino said it with a smile on his face and shared a laugh with Loney and Guerra as he grabbed his glove and went back to work, but the message was clear: If the Dodgers are to get to and win a World Series as Victorino’s Philadelphia Phillies did in 2008, things are going to have to change.

I love the attitude these new guys can bring.

• Via mauceri on reddit, how sports can take down barriers.  South Korea vs. North Korea in a Olympic table tennis match.  Sometimes, all it takes is a handshake to get it started.

• Zach Schonbrun of the NY Times writes a fascinating article about a single pitch thrown by Freddy Garcia that had physics experts baffled.
• With the recent success of the Mars rover Curiosity I thought this letter from Letters of Note was timely.  It is from 1970 and is written to a nun who wonders why we spend billions when so many are suffering on earth.  Dr. Ernst Stuhlinger a NASA Associate Director for Science responds.  It is a long read, but is as pertinent today as it was then, as well as in the distant past.

The townspeople, however, became angry when they realized that the count was wasting his money, as they thought, on a stunt without purpose. "We are suffering from this plague," they said, "while he is paying that man for a useless hobby!" But the count remained firm. "I give you as much as I can afford," he said, "but I will also support this man and his work, because I know that someday something will come out of it!"

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Blog Kiosk: 11/30/2011

Here is another interesting 2011 Topps Triple Thread I recently ran into on eBay. It is a one-of-kind jumbo patch book card of our soon-to-be 50/50 man. It sold for what I thought was an unbelievable $224.50. (Auction Link)

• It looks like Adam Kennedy will be in Blue for $800k on a 1 year contract, via MLB Trade Rumors.
• Baseball America's top 10 Dodgers prospects, via @Dodgers tweet:
• Listen to Don Newcombe speak about Matt Kemp on MLB Network Radio, here. Don talks about an open invitation from Willie Mays to Matt Kemp to talk about Baseball. Willie believes Kemp is a couple of steps from being one of the best center fielders ever.
  
• Now, listen to Don Newcombe speak about Clayton Kershaw in the same interview, here.
  
• 'Baseball Executives, players weight in on what makes a good owner,' via Mike DiGiovanna at the LA Times.

  "The bottom line is he put great players on the field, and he delivered championships," Cashman said. "He built something the fans can be proud of, and that's what a great owner does."

• Former Dodger Bobby Valentine will be the new Red Sox coach, via Big League Stew.
• The Murdoch's, the principle owners of the Fox Sports networks, appear to be in a little bit of trouble. On top of the phone hacking scandal there is word that they may also have hacked into computers of high level ministers in Northern Ireland containing sensitive intelligence information. One thing is certain, the Murdoch influence is waning in Europe and it's likely to spread to America. This may be the reason that MLB has been willing to turn its back on Fox while siding with McCourt in the sale of a future TV contract. Fox does not wield the kind of power they once had.
  
• Larry King has now thrown his hat into the ring. He joins Dennis Gilbert's group. Via Tony Jackson at ESPN.

  The source said King's financial stake in the ownership group is comparatively small. The group's primary investors, the source said, are two high-ranking executives with Imperial Capital, a Los Angeles-based investment bank with offices in five other U.S. cities.

• This is the best news I've heard all year. Well... Actually, it rivals the McCourt sale announcement in my mind. Fugazi will be releasing an archive of 800 live shows on a pay-what-you-want basis. Check it out here.

  The punk band’s loyal following will be thrilled to learn that the Fugazi Live Series, a massive archive of Fugazi shows spanning from 1987 to 2003, will launch to the public on December 1st.

In celebration, listen to them play live.

Video Link:

Blog Kiosk: 4/5/2011

• Tommy Lasorda tells another great story about Steve Sax on his blog.
  
• Tom Hoffarth interviews Bobby Valentine.
  
• Vin Scully is My Homeboy has some great pics from the Dodgers newest Dreamfield at Martin Luther King Jr. Recreation Center.
• New Mexico Fan has the 2011 Albuquerque Isotopes Opening Day roster.
  
• Children's Hospital Los Angeles launches an interactive guide featuring local LA sports stars, via Kings website. There will be 4 parts with Pau Gasol being the first star to be featured. See it here. James Loney is the Dodger who is represented. I'll certainly pass it along once it goes live. Here is the schedule:

  · “Where’s Pau Now?” featuring Pau Gasol: April 1 – May 5, 2011
  · “Look for Luc” featuring Luc Robitaille: May 7 – June 10, 2011
  · “Locate Landon” featuring Landon Donovan: June 12 – July 16, 2011
  · “Find James First” featuring James Loney: July 18 – August 20, 2011

  
• Check out what I think is the coolest #5 type card collection item so far, right here.
  
• As a follow-up to my April Fools Joke on Friday, here is a version of the Rebecca Black song that is actually really good. I guess you can't go wrong with Colbert and Fallon.

Video Link:

Bobby Valentine Documentary Tonight

Former Dodger, Bobby Valentine, is in a new ESPN documentary about Bobby and the team he manages the Chiba Lotte Marines. It should be a fun show. It's on ESPN2 tonight at 6:00 PST (9:00 EST). Below is a promo video.


Video Link: ESPN:

Collector Spotlight: Mark From Washington

This is a feature I've been wanting to do for a long time now. I know there is a large community of Dodger collectors out there who would love the opportunity to share their collection with other fans. As luck would have it, I came across a fan through eBay with a great Baseball room and an even better story.
A couple of weeks ago on eBay I came across a 1976 Centennial Game Used Bat of former Dodger outfielder Glenn Burke- made famous as the inventor of the high-five in Baseball- being sold by a long distance Dodger fan Mark (Dodgerbats) from Washington. He was kind enough to share his story.

Thank you for taking the time to share your Dodger fanaticism and collection. What are your earliest or fondest memories of the Dodgers?

My earliest and fondest Dodger memory is sitting in the farm truck with my dad, late at night, listening to Vin Scully describe the Dodger game! I grew up on a farm in Northern Montana. When the local radio stations would cut their power late at night, we could get the LA radio station all the way up to our Montana State!

Who is your favorite player- either in the past or now?

My favorite Dodger of the past is a tie! The tie goes to Bobby Valentine and Manny Mota!

My favorite current Dodger is Jason Repko! If he ever gets healthy, WATCH OUT! I'm just afraid that he might not ever get healthy, which is really sad! Hey, that kind of reminds me of my Bobby Valentine! Tuff breaks for some of the MLBers! But then again, that's how some of our other Dodgers get a chance to play, like Blake Dewitt! Blake's lookin' good!

I see from the photos on your eBay page that you have quite a collection from baseball bats to uniforms in your own Baseball room. Are they all Dodger related items? What is your collecting focus?

My main focus in collecting is Dodgers game used bats of past and present players. I also have a few Dodgers game worn jerseys, and other equipment such as a Maury Wills Equipment Bag, a pair of Tommy Lasorda's game worn pants, Eric Karros's game worn belt, Ron Cey's game worn undershirt, etc etc.. I only collect Dodger items, as I wouldn't even be able to sleep at night if I had anything in my Dodger Den from another team! LOL!

How long have you been a collector? How long have you been collecting Dodgers stuff?

I've been collecting Dodger memorabilia since 1968. My dad took me to a Great Falls Giants game in Montana. We sat out in our truck just outside of the left field wall, listening to the game on the radio. The Announcer said the famous words, "AND A LONG FLY BALL!" It was the very first homerun baseball that I ever got, and the homerun was hit by no other than Bobby Valentine! He was playing for the Ogden minor league farm system at the time!

Please share your favorite bat or uniform. Do you have another (other than a bat or uniform) that you consider your favorite?

My favorite bat in my collection would have to be my 1976 Bicentennial Manny Mota bat! The Bicentennial bats are getting very hard to come by. I also love my "LASORDA'S DUGOUT" restaurant entry rug. It makes my whole Dodger Den! :)

Is there anything on your want list you want me to put up to let other Dodger fans/ collectors to know your looking for?

The #1 item on my Dodgers wish-list is quite unique! I'm looking for a 1996 Mike Blowers game worn jersey. He only played half of the 1996 season because he unfortunately blew his knee out! Where did all his 1996 jerseys go??? I'm guessing they sent most of them down to the minors. My father did business with Mike Blowers up here in the Seattle area, where we live now! Therefore, Mike has always been one of our favorites! He's a very nice man!

Thanks again for sharing my Dodger Love with others! I sure wish I lived in Southern California! You have no idea what it's like to be a Dodger fan stuck in Seattle Mariner Country! My friends give me a pretty bad time!

The last time we visited California on vacation, I bought an ice chest and brought home $250.00 worth of Farmer John Foot Long Dodger Hot Dogs! Now my Dad and I sit in our Dodger Stadium Seats eating Dodger Dogs, while watching the Dodgers on MLB-TV! "GO DODGERS GO!"

Mark, thank you so much for sharing. I must say that I never knew how far Dodger fandom stretched, and BTW I'm envious of your Lasorda Dugout rug. That's awesome!

If anyone has a Dodger collection that you would like to share please write to me. I'd love to share your stories. I'm hoping that this segment will be the first of many.