Blog Kiosk: 10/21/2019 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Featured above is a 1941 press photo showing Dodgers skipper Leo Durocher and first baseman Dolph Camilli arguing with the home plate umpire. To the far left is a dejected Pee wee Reese. Apparently, Pee Wee was called out on a third strike, that nobody in the Dodgers dugout liked. Unfortunately, we don't know the exact date of this photo or even who the opponent is, but we do know this is Ebbets Field (eBay auction link).

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1968 the Dodgers sold infielder Bob Bailey to the newest expansion ballclub Montreal Expos. Bailey was attained via a trade with the Pirates for speedster Maury Wills in 1966, and proceeded to stink it up in LA for two season. He slashed .227/.309/.325/.633. Nevertheless, he recorded the Expos very first hit in its franchise's history -- also driving in the clubs first two runs. Bailey also became a mainstay in Montreal, playing seven season in Canada and slashing an impressive .264/.368/.437/.805.
• Happy Birthday, Bill Russell, Franklin Stubbs, Bryan Corey, Toby Hall, Casey Fein & Zach Greinke!

Blog Kiosk: 12/14/2018 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Here's a fun 1943 International Press photo featuring Dodger first baseman Dolf Camilli on the set of the movie Whistling in Brooklyn (eBay auction link). Per the descriptor o the reverse:

MAKING DOLF PURTY FOR THE MOVIES.  New York...Dolf Camilli, Brooklyn first baseman, has some makeup applied as he works out with the Dodgers.  He was photographed by a movie camera for a part in a new Red Skelton movie."

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1954 the Dodgers signed amateur free agent Sandy Koufax to a contract - a $6,000 salary and $14,000 bonus. This made Sandy a "bonus baby" (having a bonus over $4,000) and required the Dodgers to keep him on the Major League roster for two years. As a result, the Dodgers would option Tommy Lasorda to the Montreal Royals. In 1990 the Dodgers signed free agent outfielder Brett Butler to a four-year $13 million contract.
• Happy Birthday, Deacon Van Buren, John Anderson, Charlie Hargreaves, Chris Heisey & Bill Buckner! 

Blog Kiosk: 1/3/2018 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Here's a fun, dated Apr 6, 1943, International News press photo featuring Brooklyn Dodger first baseman Dolph Camilli getting all gussied-up. A couple weeks prior to the start of the season, Camilli along with Leo Durocher, Arky Vaughan, Mickey Owen, Bobo Newsom, and Billy Herman played parts in a movie called "Whistling in Brooklyn". There was even a short appearance made by Dodgers super-fan Hilda Chester.

"MAKING DOLF PURTY FOR THE MOVIES" --  New York...Dolph Camilli, Brooklyn first baseman, has some makeup applied as he works out with the Dodgers.  He was photographed by a movie camera for a part in a new Red Skelton movie."

Pic above via eBay (link here). 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 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!

A Dodger Christmas Card and a Letter to a Fan at BST Auctions

With the Baseball world's attention focused on the playoffs, I thought it would be a nice little respite before the start of this evenings Game 4 to point to an auction currently ongoing. Shown here are a couple of Dodgers related items that jumped out at me in BST's current auction.

Since the holidays are just around the corner I though the above 1955 Dodgers Christmas card would be fun to point out. (Auction Link) As you know, this year was the franchises first championship, so naturally their Christmas card had to reflect that. Above is both the front and back of the card. Below is a team photograph that was placed inside. As you can see, it reads on the reverse:

Blog Kiosk: 9/22/2016 - Dodgers Links - Claire, Kazmir, Maeda and Yasiel Puig's Fantastic Day

All Hail Puig!

Wednesday evening Yasiel Puig decided he was going to drive the Dodgers train, and instead of running off the rails he barrelled through the Giants like there weren't even there.  Last night he showcased his magnificent arm (watch it here), made a highlight sprawling catch on the warning track in right field (watch it here) and powered the Blue Crew by hitting an three-run home run in the first inning of the game (watch it here).  Per Ken Gurnick at MLB.com:

"That's the guy we all know he can be," said third baseman Justin Turner. "He has the potential to be a game-changer. He's an exciting player on both sides of the ball. When he's confident, having fun, playing the game the right way, he makes a big difference. That's why we all wanted him back in September. He can be a key player for us."

He wasn't in the first half of the season, but Puig has responded to an August demotion to Triple-A like it was the wake-up call management intended. Teammates have noticed, and even Puig noticed how they came to his defense Monday night when Bumgarner told Puig not to look at him and the benches cleared.

"I really appreciate the way the team welcomed me since my return, and I try to show I'm grateful for the opportunity," said Puig. "It was nice for them to wait for me after the catch."

As a result of Puig's herculean efforts the Dodgers defeated the Giants 9-3 and increased their lead in the West to six games.  They also dropped their "magic number" to five games.  BTW, his play on the field earned him the teams WWE-styled "player of the game" belt, as evidenced by a photo tweeted by NBC reporter Michael Duarte.

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

• This Day in Dodgers History:  In 1926 Brooklyn Hall of Famer Zach Wheat hit his last home run as a Dodger.  While near second base he severly pulls a muscle and rest nearly five minutes before completing his obligatory run around the bases.  This marks the longest home run trot in history.  In 1986 Fernando Valenzuela became the first Mexican ballplayer to win twenty games in a season.
• Happy Birthday, Doug Camilli, "Sweet" Lou Johnson and Tommy Lasorda!

Dodger Doings - Vintage 1941 Newsletter - Issue #2

Take a brief step back with me to the Dodgers 1941 season.  All year long they battled against St. Louis for National League supremacy.  The Cardinals, having not played in a Fall Classic since they won the World Series in 1934, had quickly rebuilt their club into an resurgent second coming of the "Gashouse Gang." 

The Dodgers, on the other hand, were not the picture of excellence.  Being lead by the feisty Leo Durocher, who happened to be a member of the 1934 World Champion Cardinals, the franchise hadn't seen postseason play since 1920.    BTW, Durocher had been named the manager of the club just a couple years back, and was aiming to prove that he can lead a moribund franchise like Brooklyn.

As featured in the "Dodger Doings" fan newsletter shown here, everyone realized early on that Brooklyn and St. Louis would lock heads all season long. Per the May 24th, Issue #2, newsletter:

Blog Kiosk: 9/9/2014 - Dodger Links - Magic Number is Now 16

It's nice to finally witness some Dodge offense.  They exploded for nine runs yesterday, and even scored four of them before the fifth inning.  Hanley had a four hit game, Crawford had three hits including a homer and Uribe homered as well.  Clayton Kershaw did his part on the mound; going eight innings, giving up one earned run and striking out eight.

Featured above is Magic Johnson with LA Kings mascot Bailey, via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2014.  Go here to check out more photos from the evening.  Last night was Kings Night at Dodger Stadium.  Unfortunately, the Stanley Cup did not make an appearance.  On another note, I want Bailey's jersey so bad. 

The Dodgers now have won four games in a row and increased their division lead to 3.5 games over the Giants.  BTW, their MAGIC NUMBER is now 16.  Now, check out some links below:

• If you watched last night's game then you saw a bit of the Bad News Bears during the top of the sixth inning.  On a single play the Dodgers committed three errors that allowed two runs to score.  It was like watching my nephews little league game in action.  Ken Gurnick at MLB.com has a good rundown of the event; including video.
• Dan Haren is now on twitter.  Follow him here: @ithrow88.  Unfortunately, he might not be there for long.  It appears the trolls have come out of the woodwork.  He recently posted that he is already regretting joining, here.
• the 2015 Dodger schedule is now available for viewing.  Go here to check it out.
• Via Bill Chuck at the Daily Gammons, no one has more hitless relief appearances than JP Howell this season.
• Via Mark Langill at Dodger Insider, "Camilli and Gonzalez: Two of a kind at first."

Dolph Camilli and Adrian Gonzalez have more in common than being the only Dodger left-handed hitting first basemen in the last 75 years of the franchise to post consecutive 100-RBI seasons. Camilli and Gonzalez represent key players acquired under new ownership during their respective eras.

• Via Steve Gilbert at MLB.com, Dodgers Assistant GM DeJon Watson and Agent Dave Stewart on list to be new Diamondbacks GM.
• Via Ken Gurnick at MLB.com, "Frias, Baez could be key cogs in Dodgers' bullpen."
• Via Mark Saxon at ESPNLosAngeles.com, "Don Mattingly likes Dodgers' energy."

“I like the fact guys are talking about the right things, like having good at-bats, and I can feel the energy on the bench,” Mattingly said. “We’ve been more competitive in games we’ve been down. Right now, it’s that time of year. We’re in a pennant race. We know every game is important, every at-bat is important, every play you make on the field is important. Guys know where we’re at.” 

• Via Harold Uhlman at Think Blue LA, "Lookouts advance to Southern League Championship Series."
• Get this T-Shirt!

I've designed a limited edition shirt to raise funds for @sportsspec! Get yours quick: http://t.co/LpO05c739C pic.twitter.com/sDB8FviDkL
— Yasiel Puig (@YasielPuig) September 9, 2014

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Vintage Photo of Pregame Festivites of a Navy Relief Game at Ebbets Field

In addition to the photo I shared last week (a Sandy Koufax Hickock Belt photo), I also added a photo from 1942 featuring the May 8th exhibition Baseball game between the Dodgers and Giants to my collection.

As you know, our country was embroiled in WWII, and this game (along with many others throughout the country) was organized to generate funds for the care of returning injured servicemen.  This particular game was to help the Navy Relief Fund.  All attendees payed an admission ticket price; including all participating ballplayers, coaches and umpires.  Then, all proceeds from the game were donated.  In all, they were able to collect $60,000. A photo of a used ticket stub from the event is shown on the right.

In the vintage press photo you can see they are in the midst of the pregame flag raising ceremony.  Per the description attached to the reverse of the photo:

General view during flag-raising ceremony which preceeded today's Navy Relief twilight game between the Dodgers and Giants at Ebbets Field.  Members of the home team stand at attention in foreground.  Some 40,000 fans, all paying an admission price, saw the game.

BTW, the photo is a ACME News Pictures/NEA Type I press photo.  Also, this particular game is notable, besides its assistance to the Navy, for several reasons.  It was the first twilight game in Baseball in 24 years, and it marked the debut of soon-to-be long-time Ebbets Field organist Gladys Gooding.  Gladys was the second organ player ever in a Major League stadium, and would quickly become an important part of the team.

As for who won the game, it was the Dodgers.  They defeated the Giants 7 to 6 on a 7th inning home run by Dolph Camilli.

Below is a scan of the reverse of the press photo.

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Wheaties: Dolph Camilli

This is a 1938 Wheaties Dolph Camilli card from my collection. It is large in size, approximately 8 1/2" x 6", and would be cut out from the back of a Wheaties box.

eBay: The 1941 MVP

Found on eBay, here is a press photo of Dodger firstbasemen Dolph Camilli accepting a watch for being the 1941 MVP.

(eBay Auction Link)