Blog Kiosk: 7/28/2016 - Dodgers Links - Norris, Scully and AJ Ellis

Never mind the outcome of yesterday afternoons game (which we lost, BTW), I want to focus on an event that happened in the second inning of the game.

With two out and men at the corners, the Dodgers inexplicably tried to pull off a double steal.  I say it was unexpected because standing on first base was the slow-footed AJ Ellis.  During his nine year career, that includes 537 games played, Ellis has never stolen base.  Heck, he's only attempted it four times ever.

(pic via Alanna Rizzo on twitter)

So, when he headed for second base with two outs on the board it was a shocked everyone.  So shocking, in fact, that not only did he steal his very first base, but the runner on third, Joc Pederson, came home to score on an errant throw.  Per Jon Weisman at Dodger Insider:

“It was fun to laugh and fun to look in the dugout and see my teammates going nuts,” Ellis said. “I called Marvin Hudson, the second-base umpire, over and asked him if I could have the bag right then. He said, ‘No — you have to wait until in between innings.’

“It’s just fun to have memories with a bunch of guys you have shared history with for so long, so when something like that happens, it’s fun.”

No worries AJ.  Kershaw's got your back.  As we learned, via a tweet from Ken Gurnick, Clayton got a hold of that base and had MLB authenticate it.  You can see it on the right, as tweeted by Alanna Rizzo.  BTW, Ellis did get a steal sign from Dave Roberts.  Via Ken Gurnick and Bill Chastain at MLB.com:

"It was one of those plays where maybe you steal a run, and fortunately it worked out." Per Dave Roberts

The photo at the very top of Ellis stealing second is via Violet Herzfeld/LA Dodgers 2016.  Go here to check out more pics by Violet and Jon SooHoo from yesterdays game.  Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodger History: In 1991 Expos hurler Dennis Martinez throws a perfect game against the Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. It is only the 15th perfect game in Baseball history, and the first no-hitter thrown at the stadium by an opposing pitcher.
• Happy Birthday, Freddie Fitzsimmons!

Vintage Dodgers Memorabilia on eBay - Snapshots and Spring Training in Cuba

I was running around eBay the other day and came across a couple of items I just had to share here (Auction Link).  Featured above is a group of three fan-taken photographs of members of the Brooklyn Dodgers.  According to the seller they were taken at the Polo Grounds - home of the NY Giants.  He also states they're from 1955, but that can't be right. 

At the top right is manager Chuck Dressen, and he was not with the team in 1955.  That season he was managing for the Washington Senators.  He was, on the other hand, manager of the club from 1951 to 1953, and a coach from 1958 to 1959.  To the right of Dressen is Jackie Robinson, and at the bottom is Pee Wee Reese.

One of the more unique items I saw is the below grouping of spring training memorabilia from Havana, Cuba, circa 1941.  (Auction Link)

Vintage 1938 Newsletter "Brooklyn Dodger Doings" at Brockelman and Luckey Auctions

Here is something you don't see everyday.

Featured is a vintage 1938 Brooklyn Dodgers newsletter called, "Brooklyn Dodger Doings." Starting that season the Dodgers began sending fervent fans throughout the country a newsletter explaining the goings-on with the franchise.  The four-page periodical included biographies, news and rare photographs of the Dodgers.  Shown here is the July 30-31, 1938 issue, #7, and it is currently on auction at Brockelman and Luckey (auction link here).  Click on any pic to embiggen.