Blog Kiosk: 6/9/2020 - Dodgers Links & News - Some Odds and Ends

Featured above is a October 2, 1951 Sporting News press photo featuring a rain delayed Polo Grounds -- just before the Dodgers and Giants would play Game 2 of the three-game playoff to decide the pennant. This pic is found on Ebay (link) and was originally taken by Paul Tepley.

As you know, the Dodgers would eventually win this game, 10-0, before losing to the Giants the following day, on Bobby Thomson's miraculous walk-off homer.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1919 Dodgers starter and Hall of Famer Rube Marquard breaks his leg running the bases during the game against Cincinnati, ending his season. This next one is wild. In 1945 it was alleged that a recent medically discharged soldier was assaulted by Dodger manager Leo Durocher as he was being held by a Brooklyn patrolman during the sixth inning of that afternoons ballgame at Ebbets Field. He sustained a fractured jaw and other wounds. It is alleged that he was heckling Brooklyn's manager during the game. Durocher would be arrested the next day on felonious assault, but charges would be dropped soon thereafter after the fan receives over $6,000 from the Dodgers for his injuries. Branch Rickey would later defend Durocher, saying we are a "team of ferocious gentleman." In 1955 the Dodgers traded Joe Black to the Reds for Bob Borowski. In 1990 Eddie Murray hit a home run from both sides of the plate in the game against the Padres in San Diego.  Having done this for the tenth time in his career, he ties a MLB record with Mickey Mantle.
• Happy Birthday, Duke Esterbrook, Zac Rosscup, Mack Wheat, Joe Kelly & Irish Meusel!

Blog Kiosk: 9/20/2016 - Dodgers Links - Kershaw, Scully and a Giant Petulant Child

What I think we witnessed last night... not the come-from-behind thrilling walk-off victory... was the last remnants of an failing ballclub that saw its leader, its "Ace", an emotionally riddled miscreant, fall apart in an incomprehensible meltdown. 

"Don't look at me!"

That's the scream of a petulant child.  Per Doug Padilla at ESPN:

"It definitely motivates us and it seems to be a distraction to have this problem in their head," Puig said through an interpreter. "They weren't able to pitch the way they were pitching and he had to leave the game."

Folks just need to understand something.  Puig may be an flamboyant man-child, but Bumgarner is unhinged and in serious need of anger management counseling.  Per Jack Baer and Chris Haft at MLB.com:

"That wasn't Puig's fault," Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw said. "Kind of looked like [Bumgarner] was saying don't look at him. We all know Bum's pretty intense out there, but he definitely stirred the fire on that one. He was asking for it. I don't know what he expected to happen."

What did happen was a 2-1 walk-off victory for the good guys.  BTW, Clayton Kershaw was fantastic, save an wild pitch in the third inning, in his six innings.  He recorded seven strike outs, one walk and three hits with 88 pitches thrown.  Photo above via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2016.  Go here to check out more pics from Jon from yesterdays game.  Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodger History:  In 1907 the Dodgers are no-hit by Pirates rookie Nick Maddox, 2-1. In 1959 the Dodgers and Giants play the last ballgame ever at San Francisco's Seals Stadium.. The Dodgers defeated the Giants 8-2.  In 1993 Dave Hanson broke the Dodgers franchise record for pinch hits in a season at 18.  In 2011 Clayton Kershaw becomes the first Dodger twenty game winner since Ramon Martinez in 1990.  He defeats the Giants 2-1.  BTW, DodgerFilms was there and shared a video that you can watch here.
• Happy Birthday, Chuck Dressen!  He was born 122 years ago today.

Blog Kiosk: 9/12/2016 - Dodgers Links - Ethier, Seager, Oklahoma City and Some Dodger Hazing

As you no doubt heard, the Dodgers held their annual "rookie hazing" spectacle on Sunday evening - after their shutout loss to the Marlins.  Above is one of many pics of the guys that are circulating around the 'net.  In years past this event was held during their roadtrip to San Francisco.  This time, however, they decided to have fun with the rookies during their trip to New York.

Photo above via @Dodgers on twitter.  You can go here, here, here, here, here or here to see even more pics.  Best yet, Yasiel's charm came back in classic style.  He borrowed someone's Dodgers cheerleader outfit and did a little dance for the Dodgers and LA's newest team the Rams.  Heck, he even tweeted the gif to Rams rookie quarterback Jared Goff.  To the right is a screengrab, and you can go here to see the gif.  Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers Baseball:  In 1930 Dodger catcher Al Lopez hit the Major Leagues last bounced home run.  Before this day "ground-rule doubles" were recorded as home runs.  In 2000 Dave Hanson broke former Dodger Johnny Frederick's record for pinch-hit home runs during a season with his seventh homer of the year against Curt Schilling of the Diamondbacks.  BTW, Johnny Frederick set his record of six homers on this exact same date in 1932.

Blog Kiosk: 12/5/2013 - Dodgers Links - Isotopes Go Breaking Bad, an Interview with Bundy and Steve Lyons Lays Down Some Snark

This just might be the best thing ever!  Via Danny Wild at MiLB.com, "Isotopes pay tribute to 'Breaking Bad': Heisenberg-esque tee a unique souvenir for Albuquerque fans". 

• Via Chris Flick at True Blue Crew writes, "Is JP Howell targeted by the Nats?"
• Ryan Walton at Valley Bay News caught up with recent Dodger minor league signee Clint Robinson.
• Via Greg Zakwin at Yahoo, "Los Angeles Dodgers Easily Have Best Rotation in Baseball".

While there are plenty of rotations that can lay claim to a top-three ranking in the game, one group clearly stands above all others as easily the best in baseball: the staff of the Los Angeles Dodgers.

• Via Ross Gassmer at Dodgers Nation, "Video: Dodgers’ Clayton Kershaw Discusses Contract, NLCS Loss".
• Via Ken Gurnick at MLB.com, "New (Dodgers) third-base coach Bundy has paid his dues".

"For those of us who have been in the Minor Leagues a long time trying to get to the Major Leagues, with all the hard work you have to do in the Minors, and now to be rewarded, well, I feel like I earned it," Bundy said from Mexico, where he is into his third decade as a Winter League manager because "I'm trying to get better.

• Here's an old friend alert.  Via Dodgers Nation on twitter, former Dodger Dave Hansen has joined the Angels coaching staff as assistant hitting coach.
• Tom Verducci at Sports Illustrated writes a great argument for including Jack Morris into the Hall of Fame.  His article explains what I have believed for some time; that Jack Morris, when placed in context of his peers during his era, was one of the best - if not the best starting pitcher in Baseball.
• This is for those interested in the upcoming 2014 Draft.  Via Jim Callis at MLB.com, "Next year's Draft deeper, packed with pitchers".

"Last year was one of the weakest Drafts I can remember," a scouting director with a National League team said. "Last year was really weak in high school pitching, and this year there's some really good-looking high school pitchers. Last year was the weakest year I've ever seen in shortstops, and this year there are shortstops. It's better in almost everything."

• Steve Lyons is not happy, via his twitter.  Lyons takes a little swipe at the reported newest member of the Dodgers broadcast team, Nomar Garciaparra.  He claims he's not trash talkin', still he sounds a little bitter about his exit.

I certainly wasn't an All Star when I played. Excuse my ego now but the new guy has big shoes to fill...
— Steve Lyons (@SteveLyons12) December 4, 2013

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Collection: Dave Hansen 1996 Leaf Signature

Featured here is a 1996 Leaf Signature Dave Hansen autographed card in my collection.

Hansen became interim batting coach for the Dodgers in the middle of the 2011 season, then took on the full time job the following season.  Unfortunately, a poor Dodgers offense in 2012 lead to his dismissal at the end of the season.  This past October he signed with the Seattle Mariners to be their batting coach.

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Weekend Autograph Opportunities: DodgersFest 2012!!

Here are this weekends autograph opportunities and events throughout the Southland. As always, be sure to check the Blue Heaven Calendar for other events (a link can always be found on the tab at the top of this page, just left of center), and always confirm with the establishment. Everything is subject to change.  Please email me with any tips about upcoming events in Southern California.  As the rest of the week progresses I'll update this post with other events (if there are any) as I become aware of them.  Also, I don't always list every event below, so be sure to check my Calendar.  I always try to favor free signing events over paying events.  Click on any pic to embiggen.

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DodgersFest 2012!  The big, end of the season, Dodgers themed autograph show is coming this Saturday to Frank & Sons in the City of Industry.  18 members of the Dodgers family will be there.  This promises to be a great event.  As always, admission is free.  All times below are subject to change.

Frank & Sons 
19649 San Jose Avenue 
Industry, CA 91748 

I'll start it off by announcing that Magic Johnson will be signing that afternoon starting at 1:00 PM, and ending whenever the demand stops.  You can also get autographs from the great Dodgers infield of the 70's- Garvey, Russell, Lopes and Cey.  There is a Dodgers Infield Super Ticket available, as well.  Details are below, or go here for more information.

Magic Johnson 

1:00pm until completion
small - flat items up to and including 11x14: $99. medium - large flats, baseballs, minis (bats, helmets & mini basketballs) shoes, floor pieces, figurines & equipment: $119. large - bats, helmets, basketballs, jerseys & artwork: $149. inscriptions: $49.

Al "The Bull" Ferrara

9:30am – 11:00am
FREE Autographs

Bill Russell

10:00am – 11:30am
small: $25. medium: $30. large: $35. inscription: $10.

Davey Lopes

10:00am – 11:30am
small: $30. medium: $35. large: $40. inscription: $10.

Ron Cey

10:00am – 11:30am
small: $30. medium: $35. large: $40. inscription: $10.

Steve Garvey

10:00am – 11:30am
small: $35. medium: $40. large: $50. inscription: $10.

****Infield Super Ticket (Super Ticket is one ticket for each member of the Infield) 

balls and small flats up to & including 11x14: $99.
large flats, minis, caps & equipment: $119. 
helmets, bats & jerseys: $139.

Maury Wills

11:00am – 12:30pm
small: $25. medium: $35. large: $45. inscription: $15.

Rick Honeycutt

11:00am – 12:30pm
small: $29. medium: $39. large: $49. inscription: $15.

Burt Hooton

11:30am – 1:00pm
small: $39. medium: $49. large: $59. inscription: $20.

Don Newcombe

11:30am – 1:00pm
small: $39. medium: $49. large: $59. inscription: $20.

Wally Moon

11:30am – 1:00pm
small: $39. medium: $49. large: $59. inscriptions: $20.

Wes Parker

11:30am – 1:00pm
small: $29. medium: $39. large: $49. inscription: $15.

Charlie Hough

1:00pm – 2:30pm
small: $15. medium: $20. large: $25. inscription: $10.

Jaime Jarrin

1:00pm – 2:30pm
small: $49. medium: $59. large: $69. inscription: $20.

Steve Yeager

1:00pm – 2:30pm
small: $20. medium: $25. large: $35. inscription: $10.

Dave Hansen

2:00pm – 3:30pm
small: $20. medium: $25. large: $35. inscription: $10.

Reggie Smith

2:00pm – 3:30pm
small: $29. medium: $39. large: $49. inscription: $15.

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