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: 1/29/2020 - Dodgers Links & News - Some Odds and Ends

Check out this fun press photo from Sport magazine that I ran across on eBay (link here). It features a very young Don Drysdale chatting it up with the legendary Duke Snider. The pic is undated, but is likely from the late-50's early '60's.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1958 Roy Campanella is in an early morning car accident in Long Island -- breaking his back and ending his Baseball playing career.  In 1961 one-time Dodger Max Carey, along with deadball era outfielder Billy Hamilton, are elected in the Baseball Hall of Fame. Carey played four seasons in Brooklyn, slashing .260/.346/.339/.685 with three homers and 81 RBI's, and managed the club from 1932-1933. He recorded a 146-161 record as the Dodgers skipper. In 1967 former Dodgers GM Branch Rickey, along with Pirates outfielder Lloyd Waner, are elected by the Veterans Committee into the Baseball Hall of Fame. BTW, Waner was a Dodger for a short time in 1944 -- having had 17 plate appearances in 15 games and slashing .286/.412/.286/.697. In 1988 the Dodgers signed free agent outfielder Kirk Gibson to a three-year $4.5MM contract.
• Happy Birthday, Henry Medicus, Bill Krieg, Ray Hayworth, Hank Edwards, Steve Sax, Jason Schmidt & Mike Bolsinger!

Blog Kiosk: 12/12/2019 - Dodgers Links & News - Some Odds and Ends

All the hot stove stuff has me yearning for some Baseball. Featured above is a March 6, 1949 AP press photograph from that springs first game intra-squad game (eBay auction link). I love the backdrop -- seeing all the youngsters in the makeshift dugout and the Dodgertown barracks that house all the ballplayers.

WHITMAN FLIES OUT IN INTRA-SQUAD GAME.  Dick Whitman, Dodger outfielder, flies put in first inning of the first intra-squad game for the Brooklyn club at their Vero Beach, Fla., training camp.  Catcher Lembo and umpire Andrews watch the ball sail to the outfield."

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1941 the Dodgers traded for soon to be Hall of Famer Arky Vaughan from the Pirates in exchange for Pete Coscarart, Luke Hamlin, Babe Phelps and Jimmy Wasdell. In 1998 the Dodgers signed free agent starting pitcher Kevin Brown to a seven year $105 million contract -- thus becoming the first $100 million man in Baseball. In 2012 the Dodgers received Skip Schumaker in a trade with the Cardinals -- sending Jake Lemmerman to St. Louis in return.
• Happy Birthday, Buzzie Bavasi, Peter O'Malley, Phenomenal Smith, Derrell Griffith & Orlando Hudson! 

Blog Kiosk: 12/4/2019 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Here's another great moment from the Dodgers first ever championship in 1955. Featured is outfielder Sandy Amoros crossing home plate after hitting a two-out, two-run homer to give Brooklyn an opening lead in Game 5 of the World Series that they would not relinquish. It was taken by legendary photographer Herb Scharfman. Per the descriptor on the bottom:

Sandy Amoros is greeted at the plate by Gil Hodges (14) and the Dodger bat boy after hitting a two run homer over the rightfield wall in the second inning.

I believe the bat boy is the famed Charlie "The Brow" DiGiovanna. He is well known in the collector world for being the ghost signer (secretarial signature) for many of the Brooklyn Dodger players (something that is very common throughout the league). In fact, a Brooklyn Dodger team signed ball known to be signed by his hand sell decently well -- even when you know they aren't real. You can find the above via via eBay (link here). Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1940 the Brooklyn Dodgers traded John Pintar (minors), Gus Mancuso and $65,000 to the St. Louis Cardinals for soon-to-be All-Star catcher Mickey Owen. In 1941 the Dodgers traded Tony Giuliani and Van Lingle Mungo to the Minneapolis Minors of the American Association for pitcher Joe Hatten. In 1958 the Dodgers traded Gino Cimoli to the St. Louis Cardinals for former "Rookie of the Year" winner Wally Moon and Phil Paine. In 1979 the Dodgers signed outfield free agent Jay Johnstone to a two-year $300,000 contract. In 1988 the Dodgers traded Juan Bell, Brian Holton and Ken Howell to the Baltimore Orioles for Eddie Murray. In 2002 the Dodgers traded  Mark Grudzielanek and Eric Karros to the Chicago Cubs for Chad Hermansen and Todd Hundley.
• Happy Birthday, Chuck Corgan!