Blog Kiosk: 6/25/2020 - Dodgers Links & News - Some Odds and Ends

Featured is 1951 ACME press telephoto showing a bunch of fanatic Dodger fans lining up for tickets (eBay auction link). Below is what's written on the reverse:

10/1 - Brooklyn, NY, Brooklyn's Ebbets Field is besieged by determined baseball fans, who line up early to get tickets for the crucial National League playoff opener between the Dodgers and Giants.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1968 Giants rookie Bobby Bonds hit a grand slam against Dodger righty John Purdin in his third at-bat of his first major league game -- becoming only the second player to have ever done so. In 1984 infielder Bill Russell played his 1,953rd game to become the LA Dodgers' all-time leader in games played. He would finish his career in Blue with a total of 2,181 games played -- second best all time in Dodger history. Hall of Famer Zack Wheat best him with 2,322 games played as a Dodger.
• Happy Birthday, Barney White, Don Demeter, Alejandro Peña, Aaron Sele & Paul Maholm!

Blog Kiosk: 6/8/2020 - Dodgers Links & News - Some Odds and Ends

Yesterday Topps released their sixth Dodgers-related 2020 Topps Now 'Turn Back the Clock' online exclusive card and it makes note of Yasiel Puig's remarkable debut in 2013 -- four homers in his first five games. Per the description on the reverse.

June 7, 2013 -- After tallying three home runs and nine RBI in his first four games, Yasiel Puig continued the Scintillating start to his Baseball career. The 22-year-old clubbed a solo shot, marking four home runs in his first five games and giving the Dodgers another dynamic athlete to add to a solid starting lineup.

Unfortunately, it is too late to order this card directly from Topps. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1955 the Dodgers sent pitcher Tommy Lasorda down to the minors (Montreal Royals) in order to make room for bonus baby signee Sandy Koufax on the roster. In 1968 Don Drysdale not only set the major league record for consecutive scoreless innings, but also saw his streak end at 58 2/3 innings when the Phillies score a run in the fifth inning on a sacrifice fly by Howie Bedell. In fact, this would be Bedell's only RBI this season. BTW, the Dodgers would win the game, 5-3. In 1991 Mike Scioscia catches his 1,219th game as a Dodgers - setting a franchise mark for games caught. In 2012 the Dodgers are no-hit by six different Mariner pitchers, 1-0. Seattle began the game with Kevin Millwood, then followed Charlie Furbush, Stephen Pryor, Lucas Luetge, Brandon League, and Tom Wilhelmsen.
• Happy Birthday, Van Lingle Mungo, Mark Belanger, Kevin Gross & Dave Mlicki!

Blog Kiosk: 4/22/2020 - Dodgers Links & News - Some Odds and Ends

This past Saturday marked the 74th anniversary of the historic handshake between Jackie Robinson and Youngstown, Ohio native George Shuba. As you may know, on April 18, 1946 Jackie hit his first homer as a member of the Montreal Royals, and George was at the plate to greet him with a smile and a handshake -- a first during integrated Baseball. Today, a statue is being created to memorialize the happening, and it will be publicly unveiled in Youngstown on April 18, 2021 -- its 75th anniversary. Per robinsonshuba.org:

“While we’re still in the early stages of developing the statue, our progress on these models is very exciting,” said Marc Mellon, the world-class Connecticut-based sculptor crafting the statue. “In the upcoming months I’ll be working on the George Shuba figure. When both figures are completed later this summer, we will first cast them in plaster, refine the surfaces, and then cast them in bronze.” 

The 1946 handshake at home plate after a Robinson home run in his debut professional game has been hailed as the “handshake of the century,” as it marked the racial integration of pro ball, which helped accelerate the breakdown of racial barriers in other areas of American life.
...
“When George Shuba stepped up to shake Jackie Robinson’s hand at home plate, at a time when racism was rampant in our country, he taught America an important lesson and made Youngstown very proud. The statue marking this moment will be a huge source of pride in Youngstown for generations to come.”

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1957 John Kennedy becomes the first African-American to play for the Phillies, making Philadephia the last National League teal to integrate (not a huge surprise, really). He would pinch run during their 5-1 loss to the Brooklyn Dodgers at Ebbets Field. In 1981 rookie Fernando Valenzuela hurled his third shutout in four starts to start the season -- defeating Houston, 1-0. Best yet, he was responsible for driving in the Dodgers lone run with a single in the fifth inning off of then-Astro Don Sutton.
• Happy Birthday, Sandy Burke, Tom Long, Ray Benge, Lew Riggs, Jake Daniel, Jack Savage & Dee Gordon!

Blog Kiosk: 4/20/2020 - Dodgers Links & News - Some Odds and Ends

Here's a fantastic AP press photo featuring Pistol Pete's follow-through at the plate -- dated 9/20/1941 (eBay auction link). Per the descriptor on the reverse:

Brooklyn, NY -- Pete Reiser, hard-hitting young center-fielder for the Brooklyn Dodgers, who will be in there swinging for his team during World Series play, if they win the National League flag. 

The Leo Durocher managed Dodgers did win the pennant (with a 100-54 record), but lost to the Bronx Bombers in October. Below are more links to checkout:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1995 Peter O'Malley donates the Brooklyn Dodgers' 1955 World Championship banner to the borough in which it was won, saying, "The flag belongs in Brooklyn." In 1999 the Dodgers surpass the 100 million mark in attendance at Dodger Stadium. In 2011 it is announced that MLB will be taking over the operations of the Dodgers due to concerns over the finances of team owner Frank McCourt. 
• Happy Birthday, Don Mattingly, Germany Smith, Pat Hannivan, Dave Bancroft, Hal Peck, Tom Hutton, Todd Hollandsworth & Ian Thomas! 

Blog Kiosk: 2/5/2020 - Dodgers Links & News - Some Odds and Ends

I know the above custom fantasy baseball card isn't the "Mookie" you were expecting, but it'll have to do for now.

As you surely know, the Dodgers are getting both Mookie Betts and David Price from the Red Sox, and it won't cost us a bucket full of top prospects to get them. Instead, we traded from a position of strength. We sent over several solid current ballplayers (Verdugo, Maeda, & Pederson) who are fan favorites to get two very dynamic studs while not giving up one youngster who rank on our top-30 prospect list. On top of that, Boston is sending the Dodgers cash... cold hard cash... like millions of it.

Unbelievable.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 2009 the Dodgers announced that on May 16th Dodger Stadium will host a regular season game between Mexico City Diablos Rojos and the Monterrey Sultanes of Liga Mexicana de Beisbol (LMB) summer league. Unfortunately, the game was postponed due to a week-long closure of the Mexican League in April due to a swine flu outbreak. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't believe they ever rescheduled the game.
• Happy Birthday, Joe Hutcheson, John Gaddy, Cy Buker & Don Hoak!

Blog Kiosk: 12/2/2019 - Dodgers Links - New Robinson/Shuba Statue to be Created

Mark this on your calendar. April 2021 will mark the 75th anniversary of the historic 1946 handshake between George Shuba and Jackie Robinson, and to honor it Youngstown, Ohio will unveil a statue to celebrate. Dubbed "the handshake of the century", they are aiming to raise $400,000 to complete the 7 foot statue. Go here to help out. Per a press release:

"A handshake at home plate by players of different races is no big deal in America today, but in 1946 it was a historic moment," said Herb Washington, a local businessman and one of the co-chairs of the committee. "We want to memorialize that moment in a way that inspires people to relate more respectfully to those of other races. We need more Americans to follow the examples of Jackie Robinson and George Shuba."
...
"In our book, George is quoted as saying he didn't think at the time that shaking a black player's hand was a big deal," said Greg Gulas, a retired Youngstown State University sports information director and another committee co-chair. "He had played with black and white guys at Chaney High School and in sandlot games in Youngstown for years. He shook Jackie's hand because he had just hit a three-run homer. George was proud to be Jackie's teammate for the Royals and the Dodgers, not because Jackie was black but because he was an incredible baseball player."

Photo above via RobinsonShuba.org -- "Connecticut sculptor Marc Mellon recently created a rough early study of the Robinson Shuba statue. Plans call for the Jackie Robinson and George Shuba likenesses to stand nearly 7 feet tall in the actual statue planned in Youngstown, Ohio." Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1971 the Dodgers trade Doyle Alexander, Bob O'Brien, Sergio Robles and Royle Stillman to the Orioles for pitcher Pete Richert and soon to be Hall of Famer Frank Robinson. Then, the Dodgers trade future MVP winner Dick Allen to the White Sox for Steve Huntz and pitcher Tommy John. In 1981 Fernando Valenzuela is named the NL Rookie of the Year - the third consecutive year a Dodger has won this award. In 2008 Hall of Fame Dodger skipper Tommy Lasorda is honored in a special ceremony by the Emperor of Japan with the Order of the Rising Sun medal for his contributions to the development of Japanese baseball. In 2011 the Dodgers signed free agent starter Chris Capuano to a two-year $9 million contract. He would go 16-19 with an 3.91 ERA, 3.81 FIP and 7.2 K's per nine innings.
• Happy Birthday, Leon Williams, Chip Hale, Peter Moylan & Brett Eibner!

Blog Kiosk: 6/19/217 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Kiké Hernández had quite a day yesterday. After having been a focus of a recent article (link here) about his father's winning battle against cancer, he went out and had a fantastic game on Father's Day. Kiké recorded two doubles, two walks and a game-saving catch in the eight inning to salvage the game. (Watch it here) Per Jeremy Vernon and Ken Gurnick at MLB.com:

"I was playing pretty shallow and Joey Votto is a good enough hitter that I didn't want him to shoot one the other way," said Hernandez. "The fans were talking a lot of trash, so if there was a ball hit anywhere near me, I had to catch it or throw him out at the plate. Off the bat I had a pretty good jump, but I didn't realize how shallow I was. I felt like I ran forever."

Photo above via SportsNet LA on twitter. BTW, to the right is a look at the Dodgers complete Father's Day uniform, via Kiké's twitter. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1952 Carl Erskine throws a no-hitter against the Cubs in the Dodgers' 5-0 victory at Ebbets Field. The only Cub to get on base was the opposing pitcher via a walk. In 1973 Dodger outfielder Willie Davis collects his 2,000th career hit at Dodger Stadium with a two-run home run. In 1990 Dodgers catcher Gary Carter breaks a National League record for career games caught at 1‚862. He passes former Dodger Al Lopez who set the record in 1946. In 1991 the Dodgers signed amateur free agent Juan Castro out of Los Mochis High School in Mexico. Castro is currently the Quality Assurance Coach for the Dodgers.
• Happy Birthday, Bill Swift, Larry Miller, Bob Aspromonte, Jerry Reuss, Butch Davis, Doug Mientkiewicz & Claudio Vargas!

Original Brooklyn Dodger Portraits by Susan Rini

I knew I recognized these from somewhere.

The other day I ran into these gouache on cardboard paintings at an Clean Sweep auction and couldn't help but think that they looked familiar.  Then it hit me.

These are some of the original drawings for those postcard and cachet sets made in the 1980's to early 1990's.  Collectors especially liked to have them autographed by these old timers - much like the Perez Steele postcards from the same time period.  Check out what a couple of the Rini postcards look like on the right. 

As I dug around a bit I found out they were created by artist Suan Rini as a part of a commission for Historic Limited Editions.  Check out the auction here.  They did not sell.

Featured original paintings include Rex Barney, Joe Black, Ralph Branca, Roger Craig, Carl Erskine, Al Gionfriddo, Gene Hermanski, Spider Jorgensen, Clyde King (2 diff.), Billy Loes, Podres/Throneberry, George Shuba and Chris Van Cuyk. 

* Please follow on twitter @ernestreyes *

* Like Dodgers Blue Heaven on facebook *

* Dodgers Blue Heaven home page *

RIP, George Shuba

Former Brooklyn Dodger George "Shotgun" Shuba has passed away at the age of 89 at his home in Youngstown, OH.  RIP, George Shuba.  As you may know, he was recognized for the first inter-racial handshake in modern professional Baseball.  Per Mark Langill at Dodger Insider:

But the teammate was Jackie Robinson, the African-American infielder who that afternoon was breaking the sport’s color barrier. Photographers captured a smiling Robinson shaking hands with Shuba after Robinson’s three-run home run in the third inning against Jersey City pitcher Warren Sandell. Only seconds before the handshake, the Montreal third-base coach conveniently turned his back and walked away from the base. Shuba didn’t give his actions a second thought.

“Our teammate hit a home run, so I shook his hand,” he said. “It didn’t make any difference to me that Jackie was black. He was a great player, and I was glad to have him on the team.”

As I had written a number of years ago, Jackie called George later on to thank him.  This was his response:

‘‘He called me later and thanked me,’’ Shuba said. ‘‘And I said, what for?"... ‘‘I said, ‘Are you on our team? Are you on our side? OK then.’ ’’

Shuba received his nickname, per Roger Kahn, for

"spraying line drives (like when you shoot a shotgun) with a swing so compact that it appeared as natural as a smile".

You can check out his personal website here: GeorgeShuba.com.  Per a Dodger press release:

It was George who extended his hand, "A Handshake for the Century", in offering congratulations near home plate to Jackie Robinson, his Montreal Royals teammate, who hit a home run on Opening Day 1946 at Roosevelt City in Jersey City.  Robinson, the African-American infielder, was breaking the sport’s color barrier that afternoon.

Photographers captured a smiling Robinson shaking hands with Shuba after Robinson’s three-run home run in the third inning against Jersey City pitcher Warren Sandell. (photo at top)

Shuba’s nickname was born after someone compared his line drives to the sound of buckshot. Shuba compiled a lifetime .259 batting average in 355 games with Brooklyn from 1948-55 with 24 home runs and 125 RBI. He was the first National League pinch-hitter to hit a home run in World Series history, connecting against the Yankees in 1953.

Shuba returned to Dodger Stadium in 2005 when the club staged a 50th anniversary celebration of the team’s first and only championship in Brooklyn. Twelve of the 13 living members attended: Shuba, Carl Erskine, Roger Craig, Bob Borkowski, Don Newcombe, Johnny Podres, Clem Labine, Sandy Koufax, Ed Roebuck, Don Zimmer, Tommy Lasorda and Duke Snider (the only player not present was Billy Loes).

Shuba is survived by his wife, Kathryn, his son, Michael, daughters Marlene and Marykay and his sister, Helen.

Funeral services are pending.

* Please follow on twitter @ernestreyes *

* Like Dodgers Blue Heaven on facebook *

* Dodgers Blue Heaven home page *

Blog Kiosk: 12/23/2013 - Dodgers Links - Chris Perez, Beckett and the Dodgers New Minor League Coaching Staffs

Happy Birthday, Hanley Ramirez!  In the above pic Hanley this caught by a surprise Birthday party thrown by his family.  Pic via Hanley's twitter.

• Apparently, we are about to sign another reliever- Chris Perez.  Via MLB Trade Rumors.
• Dustin Nosler at Feelin' Kinda Blue writes, "Zach Lee should be the Dodgers' No. 5 starter in 2014 if no Tanaka, Price".
• Mark Saxon at ESPN writes, "Checking in on the Dodgers' check list".
• Daniel Brim at Blog to the Score writes, "Josh Beckett and 2014 Expectations".  Daniel takes a look at Thoracic Outlet Syndrome and how it has affected other pitchers, post surgery.
• Via Evan Bladh at Think Blue LA, "Saying “Goodbye” To That Dump on the Bay".

Candlestick Park will receive a pounding from the wrecking ball after the 49ers play a final game there on Monday night, December 23rd. It marks the end of an era. And though baseball hasn’t been played in the place since 1999, I can’t help but remember that big old garbage dump of a ballpark that left such an indelible mark on us Dodger fans. 

• Sports Illustrated shares their list of the top 113 moments of 2013, and the Dodgers fill two of the spots.  They feature the Dodgers pool party as #44, and Puigmania as #26.
• Harold Uhlman at Think Blue LA writes about George “Shotgun” Shuba.
• Dodger Penguin shares his recent experience from the Dodgers Mall Tour with a Sweet Lou Johnson autographed baseball.
• Yeah... You should go here and watch the video.  Via Mike Oz at Big League Stew, "Phillie Phanatic stars in MLB spoof of viral video ‘What Does the Fox Say?’"
• The Dodgers recently announced the coaching staff for their minor league system, and it includes brand new managers throughout.  Here is the Dodgers press release, and below a listing of the complete staffs.

Triple-A Albuquerque:
Manager: Damon Berryhill
Pitching Coach: Glenn Dishman
Hitting Coach: Franklin Stubbs

Double-A Chattanooga:
Manager: Razor Shines
Pitching Coach: Scott Radinsky
Hitting Coach: Shawn Wooten

Single-A Rancho Cucamonga:
Manager: P.J. Forbes
Pitching Coach: Matt Herges
Hitting Coach: Mike Eylward

Single-A Great Lakes:
Manager: Bill Haselman
Pitching Coach: Bill Simas
Hitting Coach: Johnny Washington

Rookie-advanced Ogden:
Manager: Lee Tinsley
Pitching Coach: Greg Sabat
Hitting Coach: Leo Garcia

Rookie-level AZL Dodgers:
Manager: John Shoemaker
Pitching Coach: Hector Berrios
Hitting Coach: Henry Cruz

* Please follow on twitter @ernestreyes *

* Like Dodgers Blue Heaven on facebook *

* Dodgers Blue Heaven home page *

Blog Kiosk: 11/5/2013 - Dodgers Links - Garvey & Tommy John on HOF Ballot, Goodbye Elian and Kershaw Chosen as Best NL Pitcher by Peers

The photo above is a great 1953 vintage press photo issued by International News Photos showing some Brooklyn Dodgers diving for cover during a Spring Training game at Vero Beach.  Pic found via eBay.  George Shuba, Ben Wade and coach Jake Pitler cover up.  Is that Roy Campanella in his catcher gear?

• Former Dodgers Tommy John, Joe Torre and Steve Garvey make the list of 12 finalist comprising the 2014 Expansion Era ballot for the Hall of Fame consideration.  The Hall of Fame story can be seen here. Marvin Miller is also on the ballot.  Hopefully, he finally gets in.
• Dodger infielder Elian Herrera has been claimed by the Brewers, via @Dodgers on twitter.  There are now 32 players on the Dodgers 40-man roster.

Today, Elian Herrera was claimed off waivers by the Milwaukee Brewers.
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) November 4, 2013

• Panini's 2013 Prizm Perennial Draft Picks Baseball arrives tomorrow, so Panini released some preview pics to gawk over.  Check out a Joc Pederson and Zach Lee cards below.

• Via Chris Olds at Beckett, "Topps Ultimate Chase Ticket lets father and son enjoy Los Angeles Dodgers’ postseason run".

Thanks to the Topps Ultimate Chase Ticket, Alan Tavelman and his 14-year-old son, Zach, got tickets to every postseason game for their selected team, the Dodgers, after they found one of 10 tickets inside a box of 2013 Topps. The ticket was good for a signed bat — and then a spot in a drawing to win a postseason pass for a team of their choice, which they won.

“At first my son and I were not sure what it was,” said Alan, 53, of Porter Ranch, Calif. “Then we actually read the ticket and we were very excited and could not believe that we actually had one.”

• Via Eric Stephen at True Blue LA, "2013 MLB free agents: No Dodgers receive qualifying offers". Eric does a great job of explaining what this all means.
• True to the Blue shares a couple of great auction wins; including a Dodger pennant flag that once flew at Wrigley Field.  I love this flag!
• Via Tony Jackson at Dodger Scribe, "Clayton Kershaw named National League Outstanding Pitcher" by the Players' Choice awards.
• This is for Walking Dead fans.  Comic Book Movie.com shares the back story on Michonne; which was originally printed this month in Playboy.

* Please follow on twitter @ernestreyes *

* Like Dodgers Blue Heaven on facebook *

* Dodgers Blue Heaven home page *

Mailbag: A Podres Autograph and Some Bonus Dodger Cards

I recently picked up some Dodger Baseball cards off of eBay, and thought I would share my bounty here.  As a part of a multiple card lot, I received the above 2013 Topps Series 1 Chasing History autographed card of 1955 World Series hero Johnny Podres.  I've got multiple different Podres autographed cards in my collection, but I just can't help but add more to my collection.  Below is the reverse of the card.

Included with the Podres was a whole bunch of other Dodgers, most of which I didn't already have.  Check out some of the more modern issues below.  All of these cards came home with me for about $6 bucks, delivered.

The best of the bunch are the below 1978-1979 TCMA Baseball History Series cards featuring some old-timers.  I've seen these cards a number of times throughout my hobby life, but have never actually added a card to my collection.  So, I was ecstatic that they were included.

Can you name them all?

Here is a key to help you with identifying who they are:

Top Photo (from top row, left to right):

Carmen Mauro, Jim Gilliam, Johnny Roseboro, Rube Walker, Bob Wilson, Don Hoak, Chico Fernandez, George Shuba, and Chuck Templeton.

Bottom Photo:

Preacher Roe, Carl Erskine, Don Newcombe, Karl Spooner, Preacher Roe and Johnny Podres, Gil Hodges, and Wayne Belardi.

* Please follow on twitter @ernestreyes *

* Like Dodgers Blue Heaven on facebook *

* Dodgers Blue Heaven home page *

Geeorge Shuba's 1953 Brooklyn Dodger NL Championship Ring

I love seeing old championship rings like this.  They are subdued and understated, but also majestic in its simplicity.  Although it lacks the shine and glitter of modern rings, I can't help but enjoy these more.  I especially love that the ring above once belonged to former Dodger George Shuba and that it represents the 1953 National Champion Brooklyn Dodgers.

George Shuba, the man that Baseball history seems to have forgotten, played for the Dodgers for 7 season.  His career year was in 1952 when he hit .305 and OPS'd .859, while recording a WAR of 2.1.  That's not too shabby for a part time starter and professional pinch hitter.

The ring featured here is available through Clean Sweep Auctions with a starting bid of $4,000.  Unfortunately, it is not all original.  It was first sold as a part of Shuba's estate in 2006, and the buyer went ahead and had it resized, and upgraded the stones and diamonds.  This is a shame.  I'm sure the new owner thought it would enhance the ring, but to a collector and fan like me I find it sacrilegious.  Why mess around with something already perfect?  After all, I would think that a buyer would be more interested in the history behind the ring and not the value of the stones within it.

(Auction Link)

* Please follow on twitter @ernestreyes *

* Like Dodgers Blue Heaven on facebook *

* Dodgers Blue Heaven home page *

Blog Kiosk: 5/4/2013

 

Clayton Kershaw was masterful last night.  Unfortunately, the Dodgers couldn't score enough runs.  Pic via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2013.

• As you probably already know, Ted Lilly has been placed on the 15-day DL.
• David Brown at Big League Stew writes, "Vintage Vin Scully calls classic Clayton Kershaw curve ball in 2008 spring training."
• David J. Halberstam at the Bleacher Report pens an article about some inaccuracies surrounding Dodgers announcer Red Barber in the '42' Jackie Robinson movie.

Having met Barber a couple of times, I'm afraid he would have been unhappy to see this misrepresentation of him applauding Robinson's home run. Red publicly lambasted the Giants' Russ Hodges for losing it on his famous Bobby Thomson call in 1951. Yes, through the years, there were subtle voice inflections in Red's call suggesting that he was pleased to see Robinson excel, but he never blatantly rooted, and applauding has long been considered taboo in broadcast booths and press boxes.

(pic credit: Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2013)

• Not again!  Hanley Ramirez hurt his hamstring in yesterdays game.  According to Jon Heyman he is heading for the DL.  In his place, Dee Gordon will be back in Dodger Blue.  This has yet to be confirmed by the team, but has already been widely reported as true.  Welcome back to the Blue, Dee!

(twitter link)

• Jim Shonerd at Baseball America writes, "Dodgers’ Onelki Garcia Finally Gets Chance To Shine."  (Hat Tip: JP Hoornstra at Inside the Dodgers)

He pitched with an 89-92 mph fastball leading up to the draft last year—and actually did give up some hits to the beer leaguers—but he started topping out at 97 after he signed. Garcia was slowed by knee issues during spring training ths year, but he was throwing at 90-95 early this season for the Lookouts. His fastball moves with armside sink, and he has a feel for varying its velocity.

• Via Ken Gurnick at MLB.com, "Magill to replace Lilly in revised rotation."
• TMZ picks up the story on how the new '42' Jackie Robinson movie snubbed Geoge "Shotgun" Shuba's first handshake with Jackie.  I wrote about this important incident back in 2007, and followed it up earlier this year as I wondered if the moment would be highlighted in the film.  As you probably know, the movie made no mention of the handshake.  (Hat Tip: Dodger Dugout)
• I did think it was strange that a bunch of Kobe Bryant personal memorabilia is on auction.  Apparently, it was his mother who consigned it to Goldin Auctions, and now Kobe has filed a cease and desist lawsuit to stop its sale.  Via Chris Olds at Beckett.

* Please follow on twitter @ernestreyes *

* Like Dodgers Blue Heaven on facebook *

* Dodgers Blue Heaven home page *

Will George Shuba Get Snubbed?

In 2007, I wrote a blog post focused on an important barrier breaking event related to the breaking of Baseball's color-line.  And no, I'm not talking about the Pee Wee Reese arm-over-the-shoulder event.  Instead, I mentioned an instance that occurred a year before Pee Wee's famous embrace. 

In 1946, George Shuba had shook the hand of a black man, in what had been described as the first interracial handshake in professional Baseball.  Of course, this is a bit of a dubious claim since the term professional would include paid-for-play barnstorming ballplayers, and interracial games and mixed-race teams were not that uncommon prior to Jackie Robinson's rise to fame.  Still, when it comes to Major League play (including the minors) this moment has some resonance.

Unfortunately, this innocuous act by Shuba has seemingly disappeared from the history books.  Rarely is it spoken about in the same breath as Pee Wee's moment, and as one commentator has noted, it is likely this event will be passed over in the upcoming Jackie Robinson movie, '42'. 

From a comment left by an anonymous reader:

I just received the official movie novel book by scholastic.

I wanted to see where they have the Handshake moment in it, well guess what, it's not in the book . Wow.. They just didn't talk about George shaking Jackie's hand at all...like the moment never happened ! The Book says "Jackie was not in a hurry running the bases, especially with two of this teammates making their way ahead of him. Both of them turned and waited for him once they'd crossed home plate, and shook his hand as he joined them" well this never happened , the two so called teammates did not shake Jackie's hand, they crossed home plate about 15 feet away and turned and watched to see if George "Shotgun" Shuba would shake Jackie's hand, they did not shake Jackie's hand, they didn't want to. So looks like someone has History wrong, just look at the associated press photo's web page and you can see a wide angle photo of the moment, it clearly shows the two so called teammates back from homeplate, one on his knees behind the other watching ,waiting to see if George would do it.

All I can say is this is unfortunate.  I can understand making Reese's embrace a major focal point, but I do not understand why Shuba's act is glossed over.  I guess it's all about the remaking of history to fit within the short attention spans of todays entertainment obsessed culture.

Sure, the new Robinson movie will likely be awesome and worthy of your time, but please keep in mind that it will not provide the full story- just a simplified version of it.

BTW, the pic above is of that handshake and is taken from Shuba's official website, here.

* Please follow on twitter @ernestreyes *

* Like Dodgers Blue Heaven on facebook *

* Dodgers Blue Heaven home page *

Dodgers Blog Kiosk: 12/31/2012

Today is the 40th anniversary of the death of Roberto Clemente. He was killed in a plane crash in the midst of transporting aid packages to those affected by a deadly earthquake in Managua, Nicaragua.  His body was never recovered. Roberto also started out his professional Baseball career with the Brooklyn Dodgers.

• Mike Petriello at Mike Scioscia's Tragic Illness reminds us that the Dodgers offseason is far from over.
• Eric Stephen at True Blue LA analyzes Bill James 2013 projections for Dodger pitchers.
• Ron Cervenka at Think Blue LA writes of his autograph obsession and Baseball's Greatest moment.
• Harold Uhlman at Think Blue LA remembers the great George "Shotgun" Shuba.

“Shotgun” got his nickname for the way he sprayed line drives while he was in the Dodgers’ farm system, but his smooth left-handed swing wasn’t a fluke, it was the result of a tenacious practice regimen when he was a teenager. 

• Bill Baer at ESPN compares Cole Hamels versus Zach Grienke.

Is Hamels really as good -- and Greinke really as bad -- as ERA indicates? It doesn't appear to be the case in a vacuum. If you put both pitchers in the same league facing the same hitters with the same defense behind them, they would likely put up remarkably similar numbers. Now with the Dodgers, though, Greinke will have a defense that is sufficiently average according to ultimate zone rating, and he will benefit from the pitcher-friendly confines of Dodger Stadium. Perhaps 2013 is the year Greinke returns to his Cy Young-caliber ways. 

* Please follow on twitter @ernestreyes *

* Like Dodgers Blue Heaven on facebook *

* Dodgers Blue Heaven home page *

The Original Barrier Breaker

As Dodger fans we are given a steady diet of history. From the "Shot Heard Around the World" to Hilda Chester and her cowbell. From the lovable bum to the 1955 World Championship. From Walter Alston to Tommy Lasorda. We have all embraced the stories and the fables. Not surprisingly, Dodgers history oftentimes crisscrosses with the history of our country.

This sets us up for the seminal event we all know well. An event that would be remembered and discussed throughout the country. It was a sign that things are changing. That America was maturing. On a Spring afternoon, Pee Wee Reese welcomed his new teammate, Jackie Robinson, with a friendly smile and an arm around the shoulders.

The Baseball world and our country would never be the same. But did you know it was not the first act of kindness to a African-American man in organized Baseball. There was another event, just a year before, that also helped open the doors.

The Tribune Chronicle tells us all about it.

The Montreal Royals, a Dodger minor league affiliate, started the 1946 Baseball season with Jackie Robinson in the line-up. In his first game Jackie hit a homerun. George "Shotgun" Shuba was at homeplate to congratulate Jackie as he crossed home plate.

"This moment is described as the first interracial handshake in profession Baseball."

Apparently, Jackie had some worry that his teammates would not shake his hand. Bitterness and fear was still the order of the day. For George Shuba's random act of kindness Jackie called George to thank him.

George Shuba recalls the conversation.

‘‘He called me later and thanked me,’’ Shuba said. ‘‘And I said, what for?"... ‘‘I said, ‘Are you on our team? Are you on our side? OK then.’ ’’

Check out the link for the story. There is one photo that exist of this historic moment and Mr. Shuba recently donated a copy to the Austintown Historical Society.

Tribune Chronicle Link:

Hat Tip: Sports Collectors Daily: