Blog Kiosk: 12/10/2019 - Dodgers & News - Some Odds and Ends

I just can't wait for Spring, so when I come across a press photo showing some Dodgers' preparing for the upcoming season I have to share it here. Featured above is Brooklyn catcher Bruce Edwards with youngster Tom Tatum, dated 2/24/1947 (eBay auction link). Per the descriptor on the reverse:

Bat Selection. Bruce Edwards (left), Brooklyn Dodger catcher, looks over some bats with rookie Tom Tatum at the Dodger training area at Havana, Cuba, Feb. 21. Tatum came to the Dodgers from Montreal in the International League where he hit .319 in the 1946 season. Edwards' home is in Sacramento, Calif, and Tatum lives in Nashville, Tenn.

BTW, Tom Tatum had a short career in Brooklyn, but made an impact nonetheless -- and it wasn't for his play on the diamond. Instead, he (like George Shuba the year before in Montreal) is recognized for extending a handshake to Jackie Robinson as he crossed home plate following his first career home run on April 18, 1947. You can see a photo of it on the right. Obviously, this kind of action shouldn't seen as unusual or surprising, but such was the times. On another note, both Tatum and Robinson were teammates on the 1946 Montreal Royals, so this wasn't a big deal for either of them.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1919 the National League officially banned the spitball. The American league would follow the next season. Current spitballers would be grandfathered and be allowed to continue throwing the pitch -- including future Dodger Hall of Famer Burleigh Grimes, who would eventually be the last legal spitballer in the game. In 1986 the Dodgers trade first baseman Greg Brock to Milwaukee for reliever Tim Crews and starter Tim Leary -- both of whom would play important roles during their 1988 World Championship run two years later. In 2012 the Dodgers signed free agent starter Zack Greinke to a six-year $147 million contract that includes an opt-out clause after its third season.
• Happy Birthday, Jimmy Johnston, Jake Hehl, Ted Martinez, Gil Reyes & Mel Rojas!

Blog Kiosk: 1/3/2019 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Just another vintage spring training pic to make you long for the upcoming season, dated 2/23/1947 (eBay Auction Link).

Bat Selection. Bruce Edwards (left), Brooklyn Dodger catcher, looks over some bats with rookie Tom Tatum at the Dodger training area at Havana, Cuba, Feb. 21. Tatum came to the Dodgers from Montreal in the International League where he hit .319 in the 1946 season. Edwards' home is in Sacramento, Calif, and Tatum lives in Nashville, Tenn.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 2005 the trade that sends outfielder Shawn Green from the Dodgers to the Diamondbacks and includes $8 million changing hands is approved by the Commissioner of baseball, Bud Selig. The trade would officially be consummated eight days later. In 2006 the Dodgers signed free agent starting pitcher Brett Tomko to a two year/$8.7 million contract.  
• Happy Birthday, Frenchy Bordagaray & Chris Van Cuyk!

Blog Kiosk: 2/3/2016 - Dodgers Links - Puig, Bellinger and Brandon McCarthy

Spring Baseball is just around the corner, and I just can't wait.  So when I came across this vintage 1951 Acme press photo on eBay I knew I had to share it here.  Per the descriptor attached to the reverse:

Gene Hermanski and Bruce Edwards (right) of the Brooklyn Dodgers oblige with autographs at their spring training camp for Jim Campanis (left) and his younger brother, George.  The youngsters showed up on their bicycle

Below are more links to check out:

• This seems like a must see.  Via Jon Weisman at Dodger Insider he points to an episode of "Lost L.A." on KCET that airs tonight 8:30 PM; entitles "Before the Dodgers."  It features Chavez Ravine.  You can also watch it streaming at KCET, here.
• Via Justin Russo at Dodgers Nation, "Puig Soars To New Heights .. Literally."  Yasiel recently took an helicopter trip around downtown LA.
• Via Matthew Moreno at Dodger Blue, "Brandon McCarthy Hopes To Return Prior To 2016 All-Star Game."

“I would like to be back before the All-Star break,” he said. “My ultimate goal is to make a start or two before the All-Star break. If it doesn’t happen that’s fine, I’m mentally prepared for that. I want to use that as our foundation of, ‘This is where I need to get to.’”

• Apparently, Dodger prospect Cody Bellinger has added some muscle, via his twitter:

S/O to my man @KPTZ3 for helping me put on 20 pounds this off season, Glendale boundddd

— Cody Bellinger (@Cody_Bellinger) February 2, 2016

• Check out the newest digital issue of Baseball Magazine here.  You can download it for free.  Its cover story covers the impact Jackie Robinson had in Brooklyn.
• This is hilarious.  Via Carrabis at Barstool Sports, "Rangers Announce Adrian Beltre Bobblehead Promo With Removable Helmet To Pat His Head."  I really do miss Adrian.
• I thought I'd pass along the news that LA Kings broadcaster Bob Miller is doing well.  He recently had heart bypass surgery.  Via a tweet from the Kings:

Bob Miller Update: pic.twitter.com/3Z8e4FcPM3

— LAKingsPR (@LAKingsPR) February 3, 2016

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1947 Tip Top Bread - All the Dodger Cards

Continuing my quest to catalog, checklist and share pics of every Dodger card in the hobby (no doubt a lifelong endeavor) I now point to you a group of cards many collectors have scarcely come across.  Featured below is the complete 14-card Dodger team set from the 1947 Tip Top Bread set.

This is one of the toughest post-WWII sets to complete.  It is filled with short prints galore due to a distribution that saw regions only receiving teams in their geographical locations.  As such, cards for clubs like the Detroit Tigers, Chicago White Sox and Chicago Cubs are hard to come by while the New York area teams are easier.  Unfortunately, that doesn't mean that Dodger cards are cheap.  The general scarcity of the issue makes completing a team set a costly endeavor, and I hesitate to state a value even in VG condition for fear of coming out too low. 

Bob Bragan                                 Ralph Branca