Blog Kiosk: 5/13/2020 - Dodgers Links & News - Some Odds and Ends

Here's an undated photograph, likely from the mid to late 60's, featuring Dodger Hall of Famers Roy Campanella and Jackie Robinson perusing through Jackie's book Baseball Has Done It (eBay auction link).

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1947 the famous 'embrace that shook the baseball world' occurred at Crosley Field in Cincinnati. The Dodgers, facing the Reds for the first time this season at their home stadium, witness a barrage of racial slurs directed at Jackie Robinson. Team captain Pee Wee Reese, seeing this, engages with Jackie on the field and then put his arm around his shoulder, a gesture that stuns and silences the crowd (or so the story goes). In 1952 Vin Scully experienced something unbelievable. As a youth he dreamed of being a broadcaster. A classmate named Larry Miggins shared a similar dream with him, but he wanted to play Major League Baseball. So on this day Miggins, now a outfielder with the Cardinals, was at-bat with Vin Scully calling the game for the Dodgers in Brooklyn, and proceeded to hit his first career home run in front of his close friend (boxscore). Tom Verducci at Sports Illustrated wrote a bit about it here.

“Incredible, isn’t it?” Scully says. “I mean, really, absolutely incredible. And probably the toughest home run call that I ever had to call because I was a part of it. He hit the home run against Preacher Roe, I’m pretty sure. And I had to fight back tears. I called ‘home run,’ and then I just sat there with this big lump in my throat watching him run around the bases. I mean, how could that possibly happen?”

• Happy Birthday, Jimmy Archer, Carden Gillenwater, Don LeJohn, Bobby Valentine, Johnny Roseboro and John Ely!

Blog Kiosk: 8/8/2016 - Dodgers Links - Honeycutt, Segedin and AGon!

Much like the Olympics in Rio, one record after another was set or surpassed this weekend at Dodger Stadium.  First, on Saturday rookie infielder Corey Seager hit his 31st double of the season; thereby setting a new Los Angeles Dodgers record for doubles by rookie.  He jumped over former Dodger first baseman Eric Karros, who established the record in 1992 during his Rookie of the Year season.  Per Ron Cervenka at Think Blue LA:

“It’s cool. The long history of the Dodgers it’s just cool to get in the books no matter how it is. It’s exciting for sure,” Seager said.

Then on Sunday Adrian Gonzalez become the 140th ballplayer in Major League history to hit 300 hoe runs.  Per Jack Baer at MLB.com:

"I've seen a lot of those homers with me and against me -- 300, that's a big number," manager Dave Roberts said. "He's a guy that is very underrated right now in his career and the stability that he brings to a club. To get that big hit for us, for us to get the extra insurance, but also for him personally, I think that he doesn't really thrive and care much about individual accomplishments, but that's a big number and a lot to be said for his career."

Far more surprising was the performance of longtime minor leaguer Rob Segedin.  After toiling for six years within the Yankees minor league system he finally got into his very first Major League game on Sunday, and he did not disappoint.  Segedin went two for three with a double and set a club record for with four RBI's during a Major League debut.  Per Jack Baer and Quinn Roberts at MLB.com:

"It was great to see him drive in a few runs, a couple big, huge hits," Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. "When you imagine a debut, 50,000 people, big hits and contributing to a huge win, players going crazy for him, it's something that he'll obviously remember. A non-roster invitee this spring and had a great year in Triple-A, he earned that opportunity and took advantage of it today."

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

• This Day in Dodger History:  In 1957 Dodgers owner Walter O'Malley officially announced that the team would be moving to Los Angeles.  In 2000 Dodgers starting pitcher Darren Dreifort hit two home runs in a single game.  Infamously, on this same day a female couple was asked to to leave Dodger Stadium after being seen kissing.  They were told to never "set foot back on the premises" for "lewd behavior".  My, have times changed.

Blog Kiosk: 7/27/2016 - Dodgers Links - Ruehle, Kershaw, Ethier and Kenta Maeda

I was going to make note of Bud Norris' fantastic performance on the mound yesterday evening (and I still might), but this is far more fun.  Featured in the photo above and below, via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2016, is Kenta Maeda with his doppelganger.

From what I understand, this super-fan came to the game in full uniform, which happened to be both Maeda bobblehead night and Japan Night at the stadium, and was immediately noticed by someone with the Dodgers.  Soon, he was invited to the dugout, met with the pitcher himself and even hung out with the rest of the rest of the guys in the dugout.  Check out this fun video of the kid entertaining the "Boys in Blue."

As for Norris, he was fantastic in 6.1 innings of work.  He struck out six, walked two, gave up just two hits and no runs to earn his third victory as a Dodger.  Via Doug Padilla at ESPN:

“I think that even before he came over, he was really throwing the ball well, and I still think the best of Bud Norris, we’re still going to see,” manager Dave Roberts said. “Tonight he was really good. And he’ll say this too: There is even more in there. For him to come here, he wants to be a Dodger and to give us a huge lift, he expects that of himself and of us, the same.”

Go here to check out a bunch of great pics by Jon SooHoo and Juan Ocampo from yesterdays game.  BTW, the Dodgers remain 2.5 games behind the Giants in the West and hold a holds a 2.5 game lead over Miami in the Wild-Card race.  Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodger History: In 1996 Darren Driefort appeared in a game for the first time since having Tommy John surgery for the first time.  He threw 1.1 innings of scoreless relief against the Astros. 
• Happy Birthday, Leo Durocher!

eBay Unearths some Pics of the 1997 Dodgers

I was window shopping on eBay this afternoon when I came across a series of photographs that I thought I'd share here.  These aren't exactly vintage in nature, but they do elicit some old memories.

Featured are a bunch of scans from original 35mm color slides that were taken by a photographer named Thearon Henderson - who was on assignment for the Upper Deck Company at the time.  From what I understand, he is currently with Getty.  All of the pics where taken during the 1997 season, and it includes several players you hardly ever see.

Blog Kiosk: 5/3/2016 - Dodgers Links - Ebbets Field, Maeda and Josh Ravin's Suspension

Wow!  There's nuthin' 'round the ol' joint.

Shown above, via a tweet by Old Baseball Photos, is Ebbets Field just prior to its opening in 1913.  You can see the grandstands and the backside of the outfield walls, but nothing else (except a few buildings here and there).  I always assumed Brooklyn was built out the way it is today, but clearly that is wrong.  The immediate area was as barren as a bald head.

A little bit of research tells me that Pigtown, the neighborhood this area was called due to the existence of several large pig farms, was economically depressed.  It's inhabitants were largely poor and crime was known to be a problem.  Folks would come into town to dump their junk there and farm animals were known to roam around recklessly.  The metropolis it is today was just a dream back then.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1947 the Branch Rickey traded five Dodgers players; including Kirby Higby, to Pittsburgh.  The move was seen as a message to the players on his support for Jackie Robinson.
• Happy Birthday, Davey Lopes and Darren Dreifort!

Sunday Dodger Videos: Kershaw, McGlothin Talks About Jackie and a 1979 Vintage Full Game Video Against the Giants

Here are this Sunday's Dodger Videos.

Clayton Kershaw joined the Dan Patrick Show to talk about the All-Star Game and the Dodgers’ season.

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This is just awesome.  From KnoxNews.com we hear from Pat McGlothin who recalls his playing days with the Brooklyn Dodgers and Jackie Robinson in 1949-50.

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Darren Dreifort discusses playing baseball in Alaska with his brother and in Wichita.  Via the Anchorage Glacier Pilots Legacy Project.

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Wow!  Photo Day was a mad house!  Stadium Bound captures Matt Kemp meeting with the fans in the video below. Here is a video he got of Hyun-Jin Ryu with fans.

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Wow!  Check this out.  Here is a complete game vintage video of the Dodgers playing against the Giants from August 10, 1979.  Don Sutton started against Bob Knepper.  BTW, Don went all the way.

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