Blog Kiosk: 2/27/2020 - Dodgers Links & News - Some Odds and Ends

And the crowd goes wild!

Featured above is a April 30, 1945 International News press photo of slugger Dixie Walker avoiding the rush of fans after a Dodger victory. It's from a game played at Ebbets Field on April 29th (boxscore link). Below is what's written on the reverse:

"Young Brooklyn Dodger fans are chasing Dixie Walker as the "Peepul's Cherce: legs it for the dugout after the end of yesterday's game against the Giants. Walker added to his popularity with the flatbushers by striking the blow that humbled the New Yorkers 4-3. He belted out a homer that netted three runs in the 8th inning."

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1901 the NL Rules Committee declares that all foul balls would now count as strikes, except after two strikes. They do this in order to lower their cost of lost foul balls. In 1908 the sacrifice fly rule is adopted for the first time. In 2011 Dodger Hall of Fame outfielder Duke Snider dies of an undisclosed illness in Escondido. He was the last living Brooklyn Dodger who was on the field for the final out of the 1955 World Series.
• Happy Birthday, Roy Hutson, Rube Melton, Carl Warwick, Henry Cruz, Willie Banks & Carlos Triunfel!

Blog Kiosk 2/6/2018 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds Ends

It's not often you see something like this on the ballfield today. Featured above is a vintage ACME press photo of a pregame ceremony at Ebbets Field in 1946. On this day the Dodger players presented their GM with a gift, and it wasn't a Timex.

Dodgers Give Present to Branch Rickey 9/25/46 -- Dodger Manager Leo Durocher, General Manager Branch Rickey and Dixie Walker (left to right). Dodgers presented a $5,100 boat cruiser to Rickey before the game with the Phillies at Ebbets Field Sept. 25. Walker, spokesman for the team, said "The Boys wanted to do something for the boss in appreciation for what he has done for us."

BTW, that $5,100 present would be worth $61,630 in today's dollars. The press photo above was on auction at RMY, but did not sell (auction link). Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 2014 the Dodgers signed a free agent minor league contract with third baseman Justin Turner.  He had just been released by the Mets, and was only given an invitation to spring training by the Dodgers.  To the surprise of many, Turner would have a breakout season and become an important leader in the clubhouse.
• Happy Birthday, Andy Sommerville, Rube Ward, Red Downey & Glenn Wright!

Blog Kiosk: 3/24/2015 - Dodger Links - Rollins and Fernandez

There is nothing like the gleeful celebration after a big win.  You want to cheer loudly, chant boldly and storm the field like a bunch of rabid kids searching for a can to kick.

Featured above is one instance where all three of the above emotions were likely carried out. The vintage International News photo shows the celebration of several local Brooklynites on the diamond after an April 30, 1945 game against the hated New York Giants.  The Dodgers had trailed 3-1 going into their portion of the 8th inning, but rallied to win.  Fans on-hand had been witness to the powerful heroics of Dixie Walker. Via the caption attached to the reverse:

Young Brooklyn Dodger fans are chasing Dixie Walker as the "Peepul's cherce" legs it for the dugout after the end of yesterday's game against the Giants.  Walker added to his popularity with the flatbushers by striking the blow that humbled the New Yorkers 4-3.  He belted out a homer that netted three runs in the 8th inning.

I wonder if that kid with the trumpet was a part of the "Sym-Phony Band."  The press photo above was found on ebay.  Check out the auction here.  Below are some more links to check out:

• Ken Rosenthal at FoxSports shares his recent interview with Jimmy Rollins.

We had that meeting, and they were talking about all those things. When I chose the Dodgers as a team to go to, I wanted a team that had history. The Phillies have been around for a long, long time (dating to 1883). They weren’t -- and I use the term lightly – a “pop-up franchise.” They were part of the original makeup of baseball.

I needed a team, I wanted a team, that had the same historic value in this game, a footprint in this game. This was a place that had it, and even moreso because of the integration factor. Then you start thinking, “OK, that’s in the past. I have to somehow tear that wall down, and start letting it come in.”

• New signee Pablo Millan Fernandez said the following about signing with the Dodgers, via Jesse Sanchez at MLB.com.

"It's a great privilege to sign with such a great team like the Dodgers," Fernandez told MLB.com in a phone interview from the Dominican Republic. "I've always liked the Dodgers, even back when I never even imagined playing at that level. I'm ready to do what they want me to do. I know there are still things to learn."

• JP Hoornstra at Inside the Dodgers shares some comments from Alex Guerrero on fellow Cuban Pablo Millan Fernandez.

“Good control, command, great kid, good attitude, that’s all I can say,” Guerrero said by way of a scouting report. “Slider, fastball — the best thing is that he locates them good.”

• Here's some Baseball business news.  Via Darren Heitner at Forbes, "Louisville Slugger To Be Acquired For $70 Million" by Wilson Sporting Goods.

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Blog Kiosk: 10/14/2014 - Dodger Links - Some Odds and Ends

Check out this vintage press photo I ran across on eBay last night.  It appears to be a press photo, but doesn't have the type of markings on the reverse you would typically expect to see.  Still, it's a wonderful image of some olde-tyme Brooklyn Dodgers on the steps of their dugout.  Check out the eBay auction here.

The photo is clearly from 1942; as evidenced by the 'Health' patch on the players left shoulder.  From 1942 to 1945 MLB players wore patriotic patches like this for those four years during WWII.  This particular patch was only worn for one season, 1942, then was replaced with a similar looking patch - red stripes replaced the 'Health' lettering.

I'm fairly poor at photo identification, but I am certain that that fellow on the far left is Joe Medwick.  On his left is Billy Herman.  Then, Pee Wee Reese, Pete Reiser, Mickey Owen and Dixie Walker.  Let me know if you think otherwise.

Here are some links to check out:

• Via Eric Stephen at True Blue LA, "Dodgers outright Stephen Fife to Triple-A Oklahoma City." 

Starting pitcher Stephen Fife cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A Oklahoma City, the team confirmed. Fife is no longer on the 40-man roster.

Fife is likely out for all of 2015 after having Tommy John surgery on Aug. 13 to repair a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow.

• Are you ready for Halloween.  Well, MiLB on twitter is here to help you out.  They posted on a Vin Scully pumpkin template. Print out the PDF and carve your own Scully pumpkin.

"Hi everybody, and a very pleasant #Halloween to you, wherever you may be." The Vin Scully pumpkin template (PDF): http://t.co/xfe4OjZeHX
— MiLB.com (@MiLB) October 13, 2014

• The Topps 2014 Baseball Update Set comes out on Wednesday.  On twitter they have been released preview pics to collectors to check out.  On the right is a Clayton Kershaw All-Star Game Jumbo Patch Relic card.
• BTW, Baltimore Orioles manager Buck Showalter and Pittsburgh Pirates manager Clint Hurdle were named the 2014 Connie Mack Award winners today by the Baseball Bloggers Alliance.  The Connie Mack Award recognizes those considered the top manager for the season. Not bad choices, eh?  I, on the other hand, had someone else mind for the NL winner.  Go here to see who were my picks for the BBA (Baseball Bloggers Alliance) Post Season Awards.

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Legendary Auctions: Willard Mullin

Legendary Auctions currently has up a couple of editorial cartoons by Willard Mullin (the creator of the original "Bum") featuring the Dodgers.

Titled "The Hard Way", Mullin makes note of the Dodgers overworked players as they had 11 extra inning games over the past 44 games. The classic "Bum" is hunched over the poker table holding his chips tight while still winning hands despite the difficult circumstances. Too bad this years Dodgers have not been able to do the same. Unfortunately, an exact date of the cartoon is not indicated by Legendary Auctions, but it is assumed to be sometime in the 50's. Be sure to click on the pick below to enlarge.

(click pic to enlarge)
(Auction Link)

Here is a 1949 Mullin cartoon featuring Jackie Robinson and Roger Hornsby.

The topic is batting championships, as Jackie Robinson was on his way to his first-and-only title in '49, and Mullin was reflecting on past National League marks. Accompanying the very large and impressive renderings of Robinson and Hornsby are a selection of statistical ditties about Stan Musial's batting title the previous year, Larry Doyle's League-leading .320 average in 1915 and the five previous Dodgers that won the batting crown: Jake Daubert, Zack Wheat, Lefty O'Doul, Pete Reiser and Dixie Walker.

(click pic to enlarge)
(Auction Link)