Blog Kiosk: 7/20/2018 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

When Manny met Vinny.

BTW, Manny will wear #8 as a Dodger. Also, it appears that Andrew Toles will be sent down to Triple-A to make room for Machado (via a tweet from Ken Gurnick).

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

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1906 Brooklyn Superbas (Dodgers) pitcher Mal Eason no-hit the Cardinals in St. Louis, 2-0. In 1925 future Hall of Famer and Brooklyn Dodger pitcher Dazzy Vance struck out 17 Cubs to defeat Chicago 4-3 in 10 innings. In 1970 Dodger hurler Bill Singer no hit the Phillies at Dodger Stadium, 5-0. Singer struck out ten, walked none and committed two errors on the field.
• Happy Birthday, Heinie Manush, Claude Crocker & Charles Johnson!

Blog Kiosk: 12/12/2017 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

With both Spring Training on the horizon and the Winter Meetings currently ongoing in Orlando, I thought this vintage, dated March 2, 1946, International News press photo of several old-tyme Dodgers at Daytona Beach would be perfect. (eBay auction link) Per descriptor attached to the reverse:

PITY POOR DODGERS IN BLEAK FLORIDA.  Daytona Beach, Fla.......It's all right for the fortunate people up North.  They can warm be shoveling snow.  But the poor Brooklyn Dodgers, who are spring training down in Daytona Beach have to light a fire to get the chill out of their bones.  Billy Herman is playing fireman here to get a blaze going for Vic Lombardi, Hal Gregg and Lew Riggs.  Cold weather caused postponement of practice called for yesterday."

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1941 the Dodgers traded for soon to be Hall of Famer Arky Vaughan from the Pirates in exchange for Pete Coscarart, Luke Hamlin, Babe Phelps and Jimmy Wasdell. In 1998 the Dodgers signed free agent starting pitcher Kevin Brown to a seven year $105 million contract -- thus becoming the first $100 million man in Baseball. In 2012 the Dodgers received Skip Schumaker in a trade with the Cardinals -- sending Jake Lemmerman to St. Louis in return.
• Happy Birthday, Buzzie Bavasi, Peter O'Malley, Phenomenal Smith, Derrell Griffith & Orlando Hudson! 

Blog Kiosk: 12/1/2017 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

I absolutely love this photo. Per the descriptor on the reverse:

So you think the Dodgers might have some pennant jitters? Well, you couldn't tell by the looks of this carefree group of Sandy Koufax (l), Maury Wills (r) and Don Drysdale (shirtless background) tossing a football around a hallway outside the Dodger locker room before their game with the Cardinals here 9/26/1966. Wet weather prevented batting and infield practice before the game, but this trio of Dodger aces showed their unconcern by finding a football and throwing a few passes to each other.

You can check out the eBay listing for this vintage 1966 UPI Press Photo here. Below are more links to check:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1966 the Dodgers trade Maury Wills to Pittsburgh for Bob Bailey and Gene Michael.
• Happy Birthday, Matt Broderick, Ed Reulbach, Les Munns, Lefty Sloat, Pete Wojey, Cal McLish, Greg McMichael, Cookie Lavagetto & Walter Alston!

Blog Kiosk: 11/16/2017 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Here is another original Willard Mullin drawing I ran into while pursuing the Heritage Auction catalog. (auction link) It dates to the 1956 season and prominently features mascots for the Dodgers, Giants, Braves and Reds.

The famed Brooklyn Dodger "Bum" is seen strutting his stuff while wearing a Sal Maglie button on his lapel. At the same time the NY Giants mascot is on the bottom right screaming "Sic Transit Gloria Fifty-One." In other words, our ol' foe is lamenting the prestige lost since their glorious 1951 season that saw Bobby Thomson hit a walk-off homer to win the pennant. After all, as the cartoon says, many of the players on that Giants team have now moved on -- Maglie to the Dodgers, Thomson to the Braves and starting pitcher Larry Jansen to the Reds.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1966 Sandy Koufax missed out on winning his second MVP award by ten votes to Pirates outfielder Roberto Clemente.  As you know, this would be Koufax's last major league season. 
• Happy Birthday, Joe Strauss, Glenn Burke & Julio Lugo!

Blog Kiosk: 10/30/2017 - Dodgers Links - World Series Weekend Odds and Ends

I'm scared.

Not because I'm afraid of the Dodgers losing (yes, that certainly is a possibility). Rather, I'm frightened by what this series is doing to me. I don't know if my body can stand this anymore.

Clearly, last night was the most thrilling game ever. There were ups and downs experienced by everybody, and I suspect the roller coaster that has been this series will not abate any time soon. What we have here is a good ol' fashioned shootout between the games two most potent offensive forces -- pitching be damned. As most folks have already said, this is turning into one of the greatest World Series' of all time.

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

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1956 the Dodgers sell Ebbets Field to real estate developer Marvin Kratter. The sale includes an initial three-year lease for the team and is eventually extended two more years. This sale is the first clear signal that the franchise would be seeking a new home soon. In 1963 Sandy Koufax is named the National League MVP Award winner. 
• Happy Birthday, Bobby Bragan, Chet Kehn & Tom Brennan!

2017 Topps Now - World Series Edition - #833, #837, #838, #839 &840 - Game 4

I'm extremely late with this, so I apologize for that. Here is a post featuring the 2017 Topps Now cards released in relation to Saturday's Game 4 victory - tying the series up at two games apiece. First up is an Alex Wood card that celebrates his outstanding start. He went 5.2 innings to stymie the Astros and help the Dodgers hold on for a victory. Go here to check it out and order. At the time of this post there is still a couple of hours to order. Also, there are two different autograph/relic limited edition cards also available of Wood (as well as Cody Bellinger), but they are all sold out now. Per the description on the reverse of the Wood card:

Heading into Game 4 of the World Series down 2-1, the Dodgers needed a strong outing from starter Alex Wood, and Wood more than delivered. Wood threw 5.2 inning to start the game, becoming the first Dodgers pitcher in history to reach that mark in a World Series game.

2017 Topps Now -- #766, #767 & #768 -- Game 2 Victory

What a huge game. Not only did the Dodgers offense come through when they needed to, but their relief staff has been unhittable. To help celebrate this fact Topps has issued a Game 2 NLCS Topps Now card to remind us that these role players out of the 'pen deserve some credit to. Check it out above. Go here to check it out and order. It prominently featured Brandon Morrow, Tony Watson, Josh Fields and Kenley Jansen. They collectively recorded twelve straight Cub outs last night. Per Ken Gurnick at MLB.com:

"They're just executing pitches and they're ready when called upon and they're competing," said Roberts. "It's a close-knit group down there. Josh Bard, our bullpen coach, has done a fantastic job with those guys, along with [pitching coach] Rick Honeycutt. And just the preparation. Those guys know exactly what they want to do, and they're going out there and executing."

Blog Kiosk: 8/29/2017 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

I just love this vintage International Newsreel photo of Hall of Famer Zach Wheat that I saw on eBay (link here). It's been well handled with all kinds of editor marks throughout; including his mug being framed for eventual inclusion into the paper. It dates to June 24, 1922 and it appears to feature a pic taken the day prior at the Polo Grounds. The descriptor on the reverse indicates that on that day Wheat recorded his 2,000th career hit.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1948 Jackie Robinson hit for the cycle against the Cardinals during the first game of a doubleheader. He completed the cycle in reverse -- hitting a homer in the 1st, a triple in the 3rd, a double in the 4th and a single in the 8th inning. The Dodgers won 12-7. In 1980 Dodgers coach Manny Mota is reactivated by the Dodgers to be a top pinch-hitter off the bench. He would go 3-for-7 with two RBI's. In 1987 the Dodgers traded Rick Honeycutt to the A's for young starter Tim Belcher. As you know, he would be an important cog to the eventual world champs in 1988.
• Happy Birthday, Elmer Stricklett, Jack Warner, Buck Marrow, Billy Cox, Reggie Williams, Henry Blanco & Chris Taylor!

Blog Kiosk: 7/28/2017 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Last night was the fifth annual Kershaw's Ping Pong 4 Purpose charity event at Dodger Stadium and by all accounts it was a blast. Per Rowan Kavner at Dodger Insider:

“You’re not only coming here supporting a teammate for a good cause, but you’re coming to have fun and meet a lot of cool people,” said Kiké Hernández. “It’s a pretty special event.”

As part of the evening, the Kershaw's presented the Kershaw’s Challenge Impact Award to Magic Johns for his work with the Magic Johnson Foundation. The pic above features that presentation, via Magic Johnson on twitter. BTW, the winners of the ping pong tournament were a couple of fellows named Mike Singer and Michael Weisberg. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1991 Montreal Expos hurler Dennis Martinez throws a perfect game against the Dodgers at Dodger Stadium, 2-0. This is the first no-hitter by an opposing pitcher in Dodger Stadium's history. 
• Happy Birthday, Freddie Fitzsimmons!

Blog Kiosk: 3/29/2017 - Dodgers Links - Some Spring Odds and Ends

A couple of old pros pass down some knowledge to an eager rookie.  Featured above is an April 15, 1956 Associated Press photo featuring a young Drysdale chatting it up with Labine and Furillo while autographing some balls.  (eBay Link) Per the descriptor:

PART OF THE BIG LEAGUE LIFE--Don Drysdale, center, 19-year-old rookie pitcher whose contract has been taken up by the Dodgers, gets introduced to a rainy day chore-autographing baseballs.  He listens to two "old hands"--pitcher Clem Labine, left, and outfielder Carl Furillo as they go about their work during postponement of today's scheduled exhibition game with the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History:  In 2004 the Dodgers purchased outfielder Jason Grabowski from the A's.  They also traded reliever Jason Frasor to the Blue Jays for outfielder Jason Werth.  In 2008 the Dodgers played a pregame exhibition game at the LA Coliseum against the Boston Red Sox in celebration of the 50th annniversary of the club's move from Brooklyn to Los Angeles.  A crowd of 115,300 attended -- the largest to ever see a Baseball game.
• Happy Birthday, Hank Gastright, Rube Dessau, Lee Meyer, Gibby Brack, Tommy Holmes, Mike Ramsey & Brian Jordan!
  

Blog Kiosk: 3/25/2017 - Dodgers Links - Some Spring Odds and Ends

Now this is the way to do it.

This Dodger couple decided to get some help from the Dodgers at Camelback Ranch for a special announcement.  They were looking for the perfect way to let everyone know about a new addition to the family, and fortunately caught the eye of Justin Turner -- as you can see in the photo above.

Congrats!

Now, you know they've got to name the little tyke Justin.... Or Justine.

The above photos via @Dodgers on twitter.  Below are more links to check out:

• Happy Birthday, Jimmy Sebring, Dutch Leonard, Chris Hartje, Brian Barnes, Hyun-Jin Ryu & Erisbel Arruebarrena!

Blog Kiosk: 3/14/2017 - Dodgers Links - Some Spring Odds and Ends

Kenta Maeda was fantastic in his spring start against the Angels yesterday.  He went 3 2/3 innings and allowed just one hit - a solo homer to Albert Pujols.  Overall, he struck out seven batters.  Per Doug Miller at MLB.com:

"The life of his fastball in the zone, and the conviction he had throwing it, was really good," Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said of Maeda. "He's got such good command, but sometimes he tries to be too fine. Today he was down in the zone and he executed all day."

You can also watch Maeda talk about his outing with SportsNet LA here.   BTW, in the video, standing on Kenta's left, is Dodgers Japanese translator Will Ireton, and he has become quite an sensation for the club.  To see what I mean check out these two videos posted up this morning by Alex Wood, here and here.

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

• This Day in Dodgers History:  In 1932 the Dodgers sent 23-year old future Hall of Famer Ernie Lombardi and the still very effective Babe Herman to the Reds for Joe Stripp, Tony Cuccinello and Clyde Sukeforth.
• Happy Birthday, Bill Holbert, Jud Daley, John Miller, Mike Strahler, Kevin Brown & Jose Nunez!
  

Blog Kiosk: 1/26/2017 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

LA Councilmember Gil Cedillo made a special presentation to Dodgers manager Dave Roberts yesterday afternoon at City Hall in recognition of his "Manager of the Year" award for the past season.  This was part of the teams ongoing Dodgers Love L.A. Community Tour that continues with a few more events today.  Go here to watch a bunch of videos from yesterdays events, via Jon Weisman at Dodger Insider.

Fernando Valenzuela is scheduled for a surprise visit somewhere in the Southland.  So, stay tuned for that.  Additionally, Kiké Hernandez and Rob Segedin will make a surprise pizza delivery to a special group of city employees in recognition of their commitment to creating a positive impact in the community.  Lastly, Joc Pederson will host a Pet Family Photo Day at the Silver Lake Dog Park, starting at 2:00 PM.

Photo at the very top via @Dodgers on twitter.  Go here to take a look at a bunch of photos from yesterday from Jon SooHoo, Juan Ocampo and Jill Weisleder.  Below are more links to check out:

• Happy Birthday, Kaiser Wilhelm, Johnny Frederick & Antonio Perez!