Blog Kiosk: 8/24/2020 - Dodgers Links & News - Some Odds and Ends

On Sunday the Dodgers honored the memories of Gianna and Kobe Bryant on what would have been his 42nd birthday. In addition to the pregame ceremony, Gianna and Kobe’s uniform numbers were painted on the pitchers mound for today’s game against the Rockies. See it above. Pic via @Dodgers on twitter:

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1960 Vin Scully famously had fans at Dodger Stadium wish third base umpire Frank Secory a happy birthday during the game. In 1975 Davey Lopes stole three bases against the Expos to extend his Major League record of consecutive steals to 38. Then in the 12th inning of this same game he is thrown out at second base by Gary Carter. Coincidentally, Carter had been the last catcher to throw Lopes out before starting his record streak -- on June 4th. In 2007 the Dodgers signed free agent pitcher David Wells. In 2014 Joc Pederson became only the fourth player in the history of the PCL to have a 30-30 season, and the first to do it in 80 years, when he stole a base for the Albuquerque Isotopes (a Dodgers Triple-A affiliate). He would come up to Los Angeles later that September.
• Happy Birthday, John Brown, Kip Gross, Jeff Kubenka, Kevin Correia & Enrique "Kiké" Hernandez!

Blog Kiosk: 3/30/2020 - Dodgers Links & News - Some Odds and Ends

Wow! Check out this fantastic action shot taken by the United Press (dated 5/20/1956) of Gil Hodges making a fantastic grab of a foul pop-fly. Not only does it include a great catch, but also features the Ebbets Field rightfield wall in the background. (eBay auction link)

Dodger Scooper...
Dodger 1st base,am Gil Hodges charges close to the stands to scoop a pop fly out of the air with his big glove in the 7th inning of the 1st game of the Dodgers-Cubs double header here May 20th. The ball was hit by Cub centerfielder Pete Whisenant. The Dodgers swept both ends of the twin-bill from Chcago by indentical scores of 5-3.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1966 Sandy Koufax and Don Drysdale end their legendary holdout when they signed contracts for $130,000 and $105,000, respectively. The holdout last 32 days. In 1981 the Dodgers traded Mickey Hatcher (and a couple other minor leaguers) to the Twins for Kenny Landreaux. In 1988 the Dodgers signed free agent veteran catcher Rick Dempsey.
• Happy Birthday, Nig Fuller!

I Recently Bought some Nomo's -- Nike Air Max NM

I'm not much of a sneakerhead, but I do know what I like... And what I really like... No... What I'm really lovin' right now is a pair of pre-owned sneakers I recently snagged on eBay. Check it out above and below.

What you see is a pair of Air Max NM -- better known as the Air Nomo Max 1. These were specially branded training shoes made for former Dodgers starting pitcher and Japanese sensation Hideo Nomo starting in 1996 - a year after winning the NL Rookie of the Year Award. The pair I have is a retro version that was released in 2011 -- nearly ten years ago. They had also renamed the shoe from Air Nomo Max 1 to Air Max NM that year.

As you may have noticed, the design of the shoe is meant to reflect the nickname Hideo Nomo had -- The Tornado. The pattern on the upper has solid blue leather with numerous triangular cutouts on each side. This is meant to look like wind swirling around like a tornado.

Blog Kiosk: 11/7/2018 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

I love the look of satisfaction on the face of Dodgers manager Walter Alston in the International News press photo above, dated October 6, 1955 (eBay auction link). It was taken following the Dodgers first world championship -- after all the parties and celebration throughout Brooklyn. Per the description attached to the reverse:

Hail and Farewell -- Brooklyn Manager Walkter Alston, carrying his baggage and a few bats, takes a last look over Ebbets Field before leaing for a long vacation. Brooklynites nursed the father of all hangovers as a result of the cataclysmic celebration that followed the Dodgers winning the first World Series in the history of the borough.

I know, one day, I'll know this feeling too. Below are more links to check out:

• Happy Birthday, Joe Hatten, Dick Stuart, Rich Rodas & Orlando Mercado!

Blog Kiosk: 11/14/2017 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Check out this fantastic photo tweeted out by Alex Cheremeteff‏. Dated to 5/29/1953, it features several old-tyme Dodgers ushering in a new season for the Uptown Little League at Kennard Field, Pittsburgh. On the top row are (from L-R) Roy Campanella, Gair Allie, Jackie Robinson, Joe Black, Carlos Bernier, Sam Narron, and Ronald Gray holding shoes on left. Photo was taken by Pittsburgh photographer Charles “Teenie” Harris during his 40-year career with the Pittsburgh Courier. I also ran into another photo of Harris' from this day located in the archives of the Carnegie Museum of Art that you can check out on the right.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1979 the Dodgers signed free agent starting pitcher David Goltz to a six-year $3MM contract. The former eight-year Twins veteran went 9-19 with a 4.25 ERA in three season with the team before being release in 1982.
• Happy Birthday, Harry Howell, Red Sheridan, Jim Brewer & Tim Hamulak!

Blog Kiosk: 8/11/2017 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Darvish was not perfect and he was far from efficient. Still, an ace pitcher, given a less than ideal start, will more often than not find a way to win. Yu Darvish, no doubt, did that last night. Per Cary Osborne at Dodger Insider:

For the second time in as many games as a Dodger, Darvish struck out 10 batters. And despite the deep counts — nine 3-ball counts total — he walked two batters. 

“I fele like I was able to do the least job, going five innings, and I got the strikeouts to get (their) guys out,” Darvish told SportsNet LA’s Alanna Rizzo. “I struggled to throw first pitch strikes. … It was a battle throughout the game.”

In fact, according to ESPN Darvish is only the second Dodger since 1900 to record 10+ strike outs in each of his first two starts in Blue. Karl Spooner in in 1954 is the other.

Photo above via ESPN on twitter. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1950 the Dodgers were no-ht by Vern Bickford of the Boston Braves, 7-0. He needed only 97 pitches to accomplish the feat. In 1951 the first color televised broadcast of a ballgame is aired on WCBS-TV. It featured a game at Ebbets Field between the Dodgers and the Boston Braves. Unfortunately, the Boys of Summer lose the contest, 8-1. In 1962 the Dodgers protest the Giants tactic of wetting down the basepaths in order to slow down speedster Maury Wills at Candlestick Park. The Dodgers would lose 5-4. Giants manager Alvin Dark would forever earn the nickname "The Swamp Fox." In 1969 Don Drysdale announced his retirement from the game.  In 2015 every home team won their game -- making that a first in the live ball era with a full slate of games. 
• Happy Birthday, Bobo Newsom, Luis Olmo, Dennis Lewallyn, Rex Hudson, Mike Huff & Bubba Crosby!

Pop-Up Museum Tour with Maury Wills at FanFest

I had only one event at the 2017 Dodgers FanFest scheduled for myself.  I had missed out on getting any autographs online, so I decided to do the next best thing.  I scheduled a guided tour with Dodgers legend Maury Wills at the Dodgers "Pop-Up Museum", and it proved to be the highlight of my afternoon.

Before I get started I thought I would make note of a couple trophies (seen above) currently being displayed in the club level of the stadium - near the elevators.  I had seen these as our tour group was heading up to the museum.  At the above right are two Baseball Organization of the Year Awards (1981 & 1997) that were presented to the Dodgers by Topps - the trading card company. These are obviously pertinent to this blog.

Also, go to this link if you are interested in visiting the museum yourself.  It will run only until early March, so you need to get out there soon. 

Blog Kiosk: 12/21/2016 - Dodgers Links - Alvarez, De Leon, and Sandy Koufax

This old man looked like he could still pitch.

Featured above is a look at a circa 1970's original color transparency of a greyer Sandy Koufax playing catch at Vero Beach.  (Auction Link Here)  As you know, he was retired by this time, so he was likely visiting folks at Dodgertown.  I am unsure if this is from one of his spring trips to school the youngsters or from some other event.  Nevertheless, he sure does look like he could have gotten on the mound to play some ball.  Best yet, his black stirrups are fantastic.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History:  In 1989 the Dodgers signed both Hubie Brooks and Mike Maddux as free agents.  In 2001 the Dodgers signed free agent pitcher Hideo Nomo - he had been traded by the Dodgers in 1998. 
• Happy Birthday, Howie Reed & Roger McDowell!

2016 Panini Prime Cuts Baseball - All the Dodgers Insert Cards

Here is a listing of all the Dodgers insert cards found in packs of 2016 Panini Prime Cuts Baseball.  Unfortunately, I do not have photos for all of them, and will add them as they come up.  Furthermore, ignore the numbering indicated below.  For whatever stupid reason Panini does not provide accurate details about how they number these cards in the checklist they provide to the hobby.  Why?  I dunno.  It's just one of many things that is starting to annoy me about them.

Biography Relics

#16 Don Drysdale                                #19 Adrian Beltre

Blog Kiosk: 9/17/2016 - Dodgers Links - Anderson, Scully and Kenta Maeda

Kenta Maeda was brilliant enough to help the Dodgers defeat the Diamondbacks, 3-2.  Uncharacteristically wild, he went five arduous innings, recording six strike outs, three walks and one earned run with 94 pitches. It was enough, though, to help him earn his fifteenth victory of the season.  It also dropped the clubs "Magic Number" to just twelve games.  Via Doug Padilla at ESPN:

"He started to get a little better with his command, but he was just on the edges too much and missing with his fastball," manager Dave Roberts said. "With Kenta, you can tell. When he is getting ahead of guys with the fastball and then throwing the slider and is around the zone you know he has good rhythm. And he didn't have it [Friday] until the fourth inning. It was a grind for him."
...
"He still found a way, like he seemingly always does, to give us a chance to win a baseball game," Roberts said. "That's a sign of a great competitor, which Kenta is, and a winning pitcher. I don't know the win-loss, but Kenta, every single time he takes the mound he gives us a chance to win."

Maeda added more, via Ken Gurnick and Jake Rill at MLB.com:

"My command was off in general today and I wasn't able to get into a groove and put a lot of pressure on the other players to pick up the slack," said Maeda. "I felt okay overall, just didn't have my fastball command. Our team scored early in the game and that helped me."

Photo above via @Dodgers on twitter.  Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History:  In 1912 Brooklyn outfielder and future Hall of Famer Casey Stengel made his Major League debut.  He collects four hits, drives in two runs and swipes a pair of stolen bases.  In 1979 Dodger catcher Joe Ferguson hit his 20th homer of the season against the Atlanta Braves, which gave the team their fifth player with at least 20 homers on the year for the first time in franchise history.  In 1981 Fernando Valenzuela ties a Major League record for shutouts at eight when he defeated the Atlanta Braves, 2-0.  In 1996 Hideo Nomo threw the Dodgers 20th no-hitter in franchise history.  He defeated the Colorado Rockies, 9-0.  Watch the last out of this game here.

Blog Kiosk: 9/1/2016 - Dodgers Links - Puig, Scully, Utley's Losing Bet with Seager and Andrew Toles

Wow!

Andrew Toles impresses me at every turn.  Via Ken Gurnick at MLB.com: 

"Andrew is a beautiful human," said Dave Roberts. "The guys have really taken to him. He's a heck of a ballplayer. His story and trek to the big leagues is amazing. Just as a baseball player, he's so calm and cool. A little bit of the naivete and not knowing how good the ballplayers are and the ballparks are and just going out there and playing like it's his backyard."

Last night Toles came up to the plate with two outs in the ninth inning and the bases loaded.  The Dodgers had been embarrassingly shutout, 7-0, by the Rockies just hours before, and were aching for something good to happen.  With the team down by two, Andrew Toles did his best to oblige.  He peered intently at Colorado reliever Adam Ottavino in that last at-bat and took a mighty swing at the second pitch of the exchange.  The ball floated and drifted towards deep left field, and despite initial impressions it did not land on safe ground.  Instead, it landed with a roar in the seats for a grand slam - Andrew's first of his career.

"I thought it was an out, but it went over the fence and we won," said Toles, who admitted he didn't expect to make such an immediate impact. "I just go up there, not try to think too much and make things happen."

It goes to show you that the old saying- "ignorance is bliss" - has its advantages.  You can listen to Toles talk about his evening here.  Photo above via @Dodgers on twitter.  Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodger History:  In 1890 the Bridegrooms (Dodgers) and Pittsburgh played the first ever triple-header at Brooklyn's Washington Park.  To the joy of those on hand the Bridegrooms swept Alleghenys.  In 1941 Dodger infielder Dolph Camilli hit his 200th career home run.  In 1969 Willie Davis tied a Dodgers franchise record by recording his 29th consecutive hit.  The record was originally set by Zach Wheat in 1916.

Blog Kiosk: 8/31/2016 - Dodgers Links - Puig, Newcombe, Kershaw and Last Nights Rain Delay

After waiting over 2.5 hours they finally postponed last night game due to rain, so both teams will face off against each other in a doubleheader today.  The first game will be at 12:10 PT with Ross Stripling pitching for the Dodgers and Tyler Anderson pitching for the Rockies.  The second game is slated to begin at 5:10 PT with Rich Hill pitching for the Dodgers and Jeff Hoffman pitching for the Rockies.  This is the Dodgers first twin-bill of the season.

In commemoration of last nights rain out I made the above two fantasy Baseball cards using the 2007 Topps Baseball card design and photos shared by the @Dodgers on twitter.  Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodger History:  In 1950 Gil Hodges became the fourth Major Leaguer to hit four home runs in a single game.  He also tied a Major League record for total bases in a game with 17.  In 1959 Sandy Koufax struck out 18 Giants batters to establish a new MLB record for strike outs in a nine-inning game.  In 2010 the Dodgers traded for pitcher Jon Garland.
• Happy Birthday, Hideo Nomo and Tom Candiotti!

Blog Kiosk: 7/15/2016 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

As a final goodbye to All-Star weekend I thought I'd put up this fantastic vintage photograph of Jackie Robinson congratulating Stan "the Man" Musial on the plate after hitting an homer in the first inning of the 1949 All-Star Game in Brooklyn.  The photo was originally tweeted by @OTBaseballPhotos.

The American League eventually bested the National League, 11-7.  Jackie was 1-4 with a walk, a double and three runs scored.  Pee Wee Reese went an unheralded 0-5 with a walk.  Gil Hodges batted 1-3 with a run scored.  Roy Campanella would go 0-2 with a walk.  Preacher Roe pitched a scoreless inning in relief.  Lastly, Don Newcombe took the loss, as he threw 2.2 innings, gave up two runs on three hits and recorded one walk.  He did not strike out a batter, though, Don did get an RBI on a sacrifice fly in the second inning.  Check out the boxscore here.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodger History:  In 1955 Dodgers hurler Don Newcombe hit his sixth home run of the season as a pitcher, tying a National League record.  He would eventually finish the year with seven home runs.  In 1995 rookie pitcher Hideo Nomo won his seventh straight decision in a game against the Florida Marlins.  In 2004 Eric Gagne set the Dodgers career mark for saves with 130 against the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Blog Kiosk: 6/29/2016 - Dodgers Links - Kershaw, Pederson and Julio Urias

Wouldn't you know it.  On his seventh try as a starter, while wearing his favorite number seven on his uniform, Julio Urias earned his first Major League victory.  Via Doug Padilla at ESPN:

“It’s beautiful, incredible; it’s one of the best days of my life,” Urias said through an interpreter. “What more can I say?”

Not only that, he recorded his first Major League hit that happened to score Joc Pederson for the fifth run of the game.  As for what he did on the mound, I think it's best to characterize it as being effectively wild.  In six innings he gave up two hits, two earned runs, six strike outs, picked off one and walked a whopping six batters.

“You know what, he made pitches when he needed to,” Roberts said. “That’s one of the things with Julio is that as he continues to make major league starts and continues to try to be efficient; the walks tonight are something he needs to get better at, but when he needed to make pitches and throw strikes, he did that. The fastball had life, the breaking ball; he threw some really good changeups tonight.”

As relieved as he was afterward to be in possession of not one game ball for the victory but also a second one for his first career hit, Urias also knows he was fortunate.

“I struggled with some pitches, and obviously the walks were too many for any starter, but the good thing was that we could get the win and we could get the results we needed,” Urias said.

Watch Julio Urias speak about his evening with Alanna Rizzo here.

Pic above via SportsNet LA on twitter.  Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodger History: In 1990 Fernando Valenzuela no-hit the Cardinals, 6-0, at Dodger Stadium.  With 119 pitches he struck out seven and walked three.  Also, on this same night, former Dodgers starter Dave Stewart threw a no-hitter against the Blue Jays; thereby marking the first time in modern Baseball history that two no-hitters were thrown on the same day.  Via Tommy Lasorda, at the time: 

"And it couldn't have happened to a tougher, more competitive guy," Lasorda said. "You look at Fernando and he has done everything in his career except a no-hitter. And now . . . this."

In 1995 Hideo Nomo struck out thirteen Rockies to give him a then team record of 50 strike outs in four consecutive starts.  In 1996 Mike Piazza hit three home runs against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field.  He is the fifth Dodger to hit three homers in a game.

• Happy Birthday, Pedro Guerrero, Rick Honeycutt and Wilbert "Robbie" Robinson!

Blog Kiosk: 6/14/2016 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

The kid continues to mash!

Corey Seager has been fantastic.  In last nights game he had a hand in both runs the Dodgers scored.  He came home on a double by the recently resurgent Justin Turner in the first inning, and then tied the game in the fifth when he homered off Grienke.  Unfortunately, it wasn't enough to defeat Zack and the Diamondbacks.  The Dodgers lost 3-2.  BTW, last night was the first game the Dodgers played against Greinke since he skipped town.  Via Doug Padilla at ESPN:

“It was probably a little more [fun] than normal,” Greinke said. “But I’ve played on several teams, so I’m used to facing former teams. That really wasn’t much. But the fans were pretty loud today, so that made it more so of an intense game.”
...

“The first couple innings, the first time through the order they were swinging a lot early,” Greinke said. “And they were taking the pitches I wanted them to swing at. The first couple innings was a combination of me not pitching real good and them taking quality at-bats. The last three innings I thought I pitched better -- besides the home-run pitch to Seager.”

Photo above via Jon SooHoo on the Dodgers twitter.  Go here to check out more pics by Jon from yesterdays game.  Below are more links to check:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1993 the Dodgers play their first ever game in Colorado.  They defeat the Rockies 9-4.  In 1995 Hideo Nomo set an Dodgers all-time rookie record for strike outs in a game at 16 against the Pittsburgh Pirates.
• Happy Birthday, Don Newcombe and Greg Brock!  Newk turns 90 today!

Blog Kiosk: 6/4/2016 - Dodgers Links - Seager! Seager! Seager!

What a night.  Corey Seager was a one man wrecking machine.  He blasted three home runs to lead the Dodgers to a 4-2 victory, and even received his first curtain call of his career.  Per Cary Osborne at Dodger Insider:

“That’s fun, that put a smile on my face,” Seager said of the atmosphere in the dugout after he hit home run No. 3 — a liner over the short fence in left field off Atlanta reliever Hunter Cervenka. “That’s something you really enjoy and soak in.”

His homers marks the first time a Dodger rookie has hit three dingers in one game since Don Demeter in 1959.

The above pic via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2016.  Go here to check out more pics by Jon from yesterdays game.  Below are more links to check:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1964 Sandy Koufax would throw his third career no-hitter against the Phillies.  In 1968 Don Drysdale threw his sixth consecutive shutout of the season.  His scoreless streak was extended to 54 innings.  This is also the day Robert Kennedy made note of Drysdale's efforts in a speech at the Ambassador Hotel after winning the CA primary.  Soon thereafter, he would be assassinated.  In 1972 the Dodgers retired Roy Campanella's number - #39.  In 1998 the Dodgers traded Hideo Nomo to the Mets for Dave Mlicki and Greg McMichael.  Ugh! 

Blog Kiosk: 6/2/2016 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Sometimes you just can't help it.  Sometimes the other pitcher was just better.

Jon Lester got on to the mound against the Dodgers and dominated.  He threw a 113 pitch complete game, his first of the season, and finished the evening retiring the last fifteen batters he faced.  The only run scored against him was an home run, on the Lester's second pitch of the game, to Kiké Hernández to start the game.  After that, the Dodgers had nothing.  Via Carrie Muskat and Brian Hedger at MLB.com:

"I think that might have been the best I've seen Jonny since I've been here," Cubs manager Joe Maddon said. "He gives up a leadoff homer and then nothing. That's physically the best I've seen him pitch here."

All you can do is tip your cap.

BTW, the Dodger pitcher were up to the task of matching Jon Lester.  Unfortunately, it wasn't enough.  Mike Bolsinger, the Dodgers starter, only allowed a two-run homer to Bryant, but that was all they needed to defeat the Dodgers, 2-1.

"He matched [Lester] pretty much pitch for pitch, and made a mistake, and Bryant hit it out of the ballpark," Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. "I thought we had a chance to win all night and didn't really give ourselves a chance." 

The above photo of Hernández's homer via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2016.  Go here to check out more pics by Jon from yesterdays game.  Below are more links to check:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1995 Hideo Nomo recorded his first Major League win.  It would be against the NY Mets.  Nomo went eight innings, gave up two hits and struck out six in a 2-1 victory.  Also, he would then win his next five starts.
• Happy Birthday, Chin-Hui Tsao!

Blog Kiosk: 4/27/2016 - Dodgers Links - Piazza, Oaks and the Kings Came for a Visit

With the Kings now out of the playoffs (boo!) several of them made their way to Dodger Stadium yesterday afternoon for some batting practice.  Photo above via @Dodgers on twitter: from L to R: Luke Schenn, Tyler Toffoli, Milan Lucic, Matt Greene, Andy Andreoff, Jhonas Enroth and Brayden McNabb.

As for the game last night, it was both  a gem and a stinker.  Clayton Kershaw was his usual self through the first five innings - giving up only one hit and striking out eight Marlins batters.  Then the sixth came around and everything fell apart.  Five consecutive hits, climaxing with an three-run bomb by Giancarlo Stanton, scored five runs, and spelled an end to the ace's unbeaten record this season.  The Dodgers lost the game 6-3.  Via Joe Frisaro and Ken Gurnick at MLB.com:

"That's a tough one to let get away," said Kershaw. "We had a 3-0 lead. My job is to keep it, and I didn't do my job there. Got to do a better job limiting the damage. I obviously missed my spot with Stanton, and that's what he does, makes you pay for stuff like that. And I gave up some two-strike hits. Everything you're not supposed to do, I kind of did that inning."

Below are more links to check out:

• This day in Dodger History:  In 2004, as a Met, Mike Piazza would tie the all-time mark for career home runs by a catcher at 351 at Dodger Stadium. It was hit against Hideo Nomo.
• Happy Birthday, Corey Seager!

Dodgers Notes from Spring Training: Spring Game 28/Home Game 14

Throughout Spring Training the Dodgers PR department sends out helpful daily notes from Camelback Ranch, and I am happy to pass them along.  See what they've written below.

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Texas Rangers (16-11-1) at LOS ANGELES DODGERS (12-12-3)
Monday, March 28, 2016 – 7:05 p.m. PT | Camelback Ranch - Glendale
LHP Derek Holland (3-1, 2.65) vs. LHP Alex Wood (0-2, 6.00)
TV: SNLA Radio: None

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(Gonzo and Joc, pic via Joc on twitter)

THE FINAL SPRINT: The Dodgers take on the Rangers in the second-to-last home date at Camelback Ranch this spring and the club’s final night game in Arizona. The Dodgers and Rangers tied, 3-3, all the way back on March 4 in Surprise. Following tonight’s contest, the Dodgers have two games left in the Phoenix area prior to the Freeway Series, which begins Thursday night at Dodger Stadium.

• Opening Day, April 4 against the Padres in San Diego, is just one week away!

Blog Kiosk: 2/12/2016 - Dodgers Links - Nomo, Koufax and a Brief Time Warner Update

Sandy is lounging on the grass at Wrigley Field!

Above is a fantastic pic of Sandy Koufax from an original 1960's color transparency/slide from the Metropolis Collection that was being auctioned by Hyee_Auctions on eBay.  It recent sold for $113.50.  The photo was taken by Chicago based photographer Lee Balterman.  He had started out as a photographer for the Army during WWII then did freelance work for magazines such as Life, Fortune, and Sports Illustrated.

Below are more links to check out:

• Here's some good news on the Time Warner front -- however slight it might be.  The California PUC is speeding up their review of the proposal merger between the company and Charter.  Via Robert W. Welkos at CFTN, "California ALJ Advances Time Warner Cable-Charter Decision Date."

Administrative Law Judge Karl J. Bemesderfer issued a scheduling order pushing up a final decision to May 12 from the previously announced June 10 date, and said that a proposed decision in the case would be issued April 12.

So, it's conceivable that SportsNet LA can be in everybody's homes before the All-Star break.  Assuming, of course, they can hammer out agreements with the other cable companies right away.

• I'm not one for reporting trade rumors, but this is one I can get behind.  Via Steve Adams at MLB Trade Rumors, "Dodgers Shopping Alex Guerrero."
• Via Eric Stephen at True Blue LA, "Double-A Tulsa releases 2016 spring training schedule."
• Via Baseball America, the Dodgers have the #1 ranked minor league system in the game this year.
• Old friend Hideo Nomo just became a Padres.  Via a San Diego press release, "Padres name Hideo Nomo Advisor, Baseball Operations."

"I am very happy to join the San Diego Padres and return to Major League Baseball," said Nomo. "My hope is that my advice will be handed down to the young players of Padres. It is also an opportunity for me to learn, and I hope to help bring a World Championship to the Padres. I look forward to working with A.J Preller and all of the Padres baseball operations staff."

• MLB Network ranks Yasiel Puig as the eighth best right fielder in the game.  Watch the video here.

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