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

Chris Taylor, Baby! Per Matthew Moreno at Dodger Blue:

“It was a huge play. Chris has done so much to help us win baseball games,” Robert said. “Even the play before, to cut it off and keep the guy at first base. Then come in and make a strong, accurate throw. He does so many things. The triple that he got.

“He’s just a manager’s dream. He’s always ready when called upon and he seems to impact the game any time he’s in there.”

As you know, he recorded an assist on the last out of last nights game to help the Dodgers defeat the Pads, 7-6 (boxscore). Photo above via @Dodgers on twitter. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1908 St. Louis Cardinals hurler Johnny Lush throws a six-inning no-hitter to beat the Dodgers, 2-0. The game was halted due to rain, but still deemed an official game. In 1961 Maury Wills hit his first career home run when he hit a fourth inning solo homer off Cubs pitcher Jack Curtis to give the Dodgers a 5-1 lead. It only took 1,167 at-bats to hit his first dinger. (boxscore) In 1981, after a seven-week strike, a split-season format is approved by the players; such that the Yankees, A's, Phillies and Dodgers are declared the first-half champions of their respective divisions. They all would then qualify for the divisional series at the end of the season. In 2009 Andre Ethier hit his fifth walk-off hit of the season when he walloped a three-run home run against Braves closer Rafael Soriano to give the Dodgers a 5-4 victory. 
• Happy Birthday, Jake McGee, Clem Labine, Andy Messersmith & Ron Davis!

Blog Kiosk: 6/9/2018 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

As you surely know, Matt Kemp and Kenley Jansen have both been selected to be in the 2018 All-Star Game next week -- Kemp chosen through fan-balloting and Jansen via player-balloting. Max Muncy, this seasons surprise slugger, has also been selected as a Final Vote candidate. All you have to do is go here to vote for him.

BTW, I understand that the Dodgers and Yankees have formally teamed-up to rally their fans to send both Max Muncy and Giancarlo Stanton to the game. I am not sure what they plan to do to promote this historically uneasy alliance -- other than a weekend press release and some fancy graphics -- but I do wonder if the ghost of Brooklyn Dodgers past would have a problem with this. I jest, of course.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1996 Dodger catcher Mike Piazza is crowned the All-Star Game MVP. He lead the National League to a 6-0 victory by slugging a solo home run in the 2nd inning and a two-out RBI double in the 3rd inning. You can watch Piazza All-Star highlights and an postgame interview here.
• Happy Birthday, Turner Barber, Fred Johnston & Ray Thomas!

Blog Kiosk: 12/12/2017 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

With both Spring Training on the horizon and the Winter Meetings currently ongoing in Orlando, I thought this vintage, dated March 2, 1946, International News press photo of several old-tyme Dodgers at Daytona Beach would be perfect. (eBay auction link) Per descriptor attached to the reverse:

PITY POOR DODGERS IN BLEAK FLORIDA.  Daytona Beach, Fla.......It's all right for the fortunate people up North.  They can warm be shoveling snow.  But the poor Brooklyn Dodgers, who are spring training down in Daytona Beach have to light a fire to get the chill out of their bones.  Billy Herman is playing fireman here to get a blaze going for Vic Lombardi, Hal Gregg and Lew Riggs.  Cold weather caused postponement of practice called for yesterday."

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: 12/8/2017 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

A clearly concerned Don Newcombe looks on as Phillies third-baseman Willie Jones receives emergency treatment after being hit in the head by a fastball during a spring training game in Clearwater, FL. The vintage UPI press photo is from March 27, 1956, and is currently at auction on eBay.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1947 the Dodgers made a trade with the Pittsburgh Pirates that netted them Billy Cox, Gene Mauch and Preacher Rowe for Hal Gregg, Vic Lombardi and Dixie Walker. As you know, Jackie Robinson playing for Brooklyn precipitated this trade when Dixie Walker made it known to the front office that he did not want to play with him. In 2006 the Dodgers signed free agent outfield Luis Gonzalez to a one-year contract.
• Happy Birthday, Eddie Dent, Alan Foster, Jolbert Cabrera & Reed Johnson!

Blog Kiosk: 12/7/2017 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

As painful this photo may be, I believe it's something that must be shared. Heck, I'd be surprised if this image has ever been widely seen. Featured above is an original Barney Stein photograph, currently at auction at RMY, that shows four Dodger employees dumping boxes full of unused 1951 World Series tickets into what looks like a furnace at Ebbets Field. (auction link)

As you may recall, this was the year Giants cheater Bobby Thompson walloped a walk-off home run off Ralph Branca to end the Dodgers hopes of a championship. Unfortunately, we don't know who the person's pictured are (if you know, please pass that along). We do know that the three chaps in work uniforms are Ebbets Field employees -- likely concessionaires, ticket takers, etc. Just take a gander at the chest of the fellow on the far right. It features Dodgers on his nameplate.

Below are more links to check out:

• This day in Dodgers History: In 2013 the Dodgers signed free agent reliever Brian Wilson. 
• Happy Birthday, Mike Baxter, Tom Lovett, Ryan Theriot & Yasiel Puig!

Blog Kiosk: 12/5/2017 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Even ballplayers love chasing after autographs.

Featured above is a vintage, dated October 13, 1965, UPI press photo of Dodger outfielder "Sweet" Lou Johnson flagging down soon-to-be Hall of Famer Harmon Killebrew for his John Hancock prior to game 6 of the World Series. (eBay auction link) Per the descriptor at the top:

Metropolitan Stadium: Autograph hunter is Dodger outfielder Lou Johnson's pregame role as he seeks signature of Twins slugger Harmon Killebrew here. Johnson had just entered the park and was en route to dressing room when he met Killebrew.

As you may know, the Dodgers would win this World Series the following day -- a game 7 match-up that saw Sandy Koufax throw a three-pitch shutout. BTW, Lou Johnson also hit a solo home run in the fourth inning of that game 7 to score the eventual winning run. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1973 the Dodgers traded outfielder Willie Davis to the Expos for relief pitcher Mike Marshall.  Dr. Marshall, as he is known, went on to win the NL Cy Young Award that next season.  He pitched in 106 games, finished 83 of them and recorded a league high 21 saves as a reliever. In 2011 the Dodgers signed free agent utilityman Jerry Hairston to a two-year $6 million contract. He would soon thereafter retire and join the Dodgers broadcast crew.
• Happy Birthday, Jamie McCourt, Gus Mancuso, Don Padgett, Steve Rachunok, Raleigh Aitchison, Billy Shindle & Ray Moss! 

Blog Kiosk: 11/28/2017 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

The Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation has just opened up a new program called, "Dodgers Foundation Blue Circle." A donation will support their mission to create opportunities for children in need through programs that focus on engaging kids in sports, helping kids stay active, and promoting academic success. On top of that, you can get some cool giveaways depending on the level of your donation. Go here for more information.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1950 Burt Shotten is fired as manager of the Dodgers.  Chuck Dressen, who was managing the Oakland Oaks of the PCL, is named as his replacement. In 1969 second baseman Ted Sizemore is named the NL Rookie of the Year. He became the seventh Dodger to win the award. In 1970 starting pitcher Rick Sutcliffe is named the NL Rookie of the Year. He received 20 of 24 first-place votes.
• Happy Birthday, Billy Gasparino, Jose Parra, Ken Howell, Frank O'Rourke & Pedro Astacio!

Blog Kiosk: 11/17/2017 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Sing and be merry was the theme in this original December 17, 1974 Sporting News press photo of Don Sutton with some young fans at the Dodgers annual Christmas party. (eBay link) Per the descriptor on the reverse:

Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Don Sutton and Santa Claus lead youngsters in a singing of Christmas carols at the Dodgers' annual party for children on Tuesday at the Stadium Club. More than 200 youngsters were in attendance and Dodger players in attendance included Sutton, Ron Cey, Al Downing, Steve Garvey, Davey Lopes and Steve Yeager.

Those kids in the photo are likely at or near their 50's today. Does anyone recognize themselves? Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1913 Wilbert "Uncle Robbie" Robinson is named the new Brooklyn Dodgers skipper. He would compile a 1375-1341 (.506) record in Brooklyn during his 18-year Hall of Fame career.
• Happy Birthday, Sam Post, Lew McCarty, George Stallings & Brad Havens!