Blog Kiosk: 8/13/2019 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Here's a fantastic Associated Press news photograph (with exceptional clarity) featuring the top-end of the 1941 Dodgers rotation, dated June 30th -- found at Hake's Auctions. Per the description on the reverse:

Dodgers' Winning Trio
Three star pitchers of the Brooklyn Dodgers gaze at their record spelled out in baseballs before the start of the Dodgers-Phillies game at Brooklyn, NY, June 30. They are (left to right) Walter Higbe, Hugh Casey and Whit Wyatt. When the game started, Wyatt went into the box and added another one, making it 31 games won.

This trio lead one of the great Dodger teams in franchise history. They ended the season with a pennant winning 100-54 season and faced off against their crosstown rival Yankees. Unfortunately, the Bronx Bombers bested the Bums in five games. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1910 the Dodgers and Pirates play the second game of a double-header to an 8-8 tie. Remarkably, the game included a boxscore where each team had 38 at-bats, 13 hits, 12 assists, 2 errors, 5 strike outs, 3 walks, 1 hit batsman and 1 passed ball. This game was a tie in nearly every respect. In 1951 the Brooklyn Dodgers held Musical Depreciation Night -- where any fan who shows up with an instrument is given free admittance. Approximately 10% of the crowd, or 2,423 fans, participate. In 1982 Steve Sax set a team franchise record for stolen bases by a rookie at 41. In 2007 Nomar Garciaparra, for the first time in his career, is thrown out of a game, and had to be restrained by coach Mariano Duncan. Umpire Tom Hallion tossed him for arguing a called third strike.
• Happy Birthday, Fielder Jones, Kemp Wicker, Wes Flowers, Mudcat Grant, Tom Niedenfuer, Dennis Powell, Tom Prince, Will Ohman & Scott Elbert!

Blog Kiosk: 5/24/2019 - Dodgers LInks - Some Odds and Ends

In honor of this weekends Memorial holiday I thought it apt to share the above 1945 AP photograph of a couple Brooklyn Dodgers in military baseball gear. This was grabbed from VintageBall.com. Per the descriptor on the reverse:

Former Dodgers in the Pacific -- A pair of former Brooklyn Dodger Pitchers, Hugh Casey (left) and Cletus "Boots" Poffenberger (right), talk over the situation before opposing each other in a baseball game, somewhere in the Pacific. Casey's team won the game, 2 to 0. Casey is a Navy Chief Specialist and Boots is a Marine Private First Class.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1947 Carl Furillo hit a three-run pinch-hit first inning home run against the Phillies at Ebbets Field. The early pinch-hit at-bat only occurred because Philly manager Ben Chapman (yeah, that guy) chose to use his right-handed starting pitcher for Brooklyn's first two batters only -- Pee Wee Reese and Jackie Robinson. Then substituted in a lefty for the next three batters. In 1973 the Dodgers and Mets play a 19-inning marathon at Dodger Stadium that takes a then-club record five hours and 42 minutes to complete. The Dodgers lost, 7-3. Outfielder Willie Davis would collect six hits -- tying a NL record. In 2000 sixteen Dodger players and coaches are suspended (a total of 60 games for players and 24 games for coaches) for a fighting incident at Wrigley Field that resulted in numerous players jumping in the stands on May 16th. 
• Happy Birthday, Wilmer Font, Billy Otterson, Fred Jacklitsch, Joe Oeschger, Gus Felix, Clancy Smyres, Ellie Rodriguez, Carlos Hernandez, Jason Grabowski, Jae Weong Seo,  Brad Penny & Andrew Toles!

Some Dodger Heirlooms at Love of the Game Auction

Here's a look at some premium Dodgers-related memorabilia that are currently available at Love of the Game Auctions -- the most notable item being the 1959 Gold Glove Award that was given to first baseman Gil Hodges (seen on right). (Auction Link) Apparently, this is the first time this item has ever appeared on auction.

The oddest and most unique item is the below vintage board game produced by Kamm Games Inc. in 1947. (Auction Link) It is called "Casey on the Mound" and it featured Dodgers star righty Hugh Casey.

Blog Kiosk: 11/7/2017 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

"They're Signed with the Navy"

In wartime all must serve -- even ballplayers. Featured here are two Brooklyn Dodgers who have joined the Armed Forces. Check out Hugh Casey and Pee Wee Reese in the midst of putting on their Navy Baseball uniform. Per the description on the reverse:

They wear different uniforms now but Hugh Casey, (left), and Pee Wee Reese, former Brooklyn Dodgers' pitcher and shortstop respectively, are still playing ball -- but now, it's for Uncle Sam. They're batting 'em out at the Naval Air Station in Norfolk and are the nucleus of one of the best service team in the country.

Dated September 12, 1943, this vintage US Navy press photo from ACME was on auction at RMY, but did not sell. Check out the listing here. Below are more links to check out:

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

Blog Kiosk: 10/14/2016 - Dodgers Links - WooHoo! Dodgers Win

Wow!

That game was epic.  Maybe the best ever.  And I'm not saying that 'cause the Dodgers won... Okay, maybe I'm far more enthusiastic about it 'cause my guys won, but really... Wasn't it the best ever!

• "One of the best games in history," said Dodgers first baseman Adrian Gonzalez. (Link Here)
• "That's probably one of the craziest, if not the craziest, games I've ever been a part of in my career," Nationals right-hander Max Scherzer said. "Man, this is a tough one to be on the wrong side of."  (Link Here)
• "I'm like, wait a minute, am I dreaming right now?" Jansen said, exhausted on the floor of the visiting clubhouse. "It's an awesome feeling to know the best pitcher in the game has your back."  (Link Here) 
• “It was crazy,” Pederson, who finished this NLDS 5 for 15 with two walks, a double and the homer, said on the field after the game in a televised interview. “I’m kind of at a loss for words right now. Washington played great. They fought us to the end, but it just shows what kind of team we are. We stuck together, we believed in each other, we came back.”  (Link Here)
• “I came to [Roberts], you know, once Kenley went out there in the seventh,” Kershaw said. “I was just kind of doing the math. I don't think Kenley's ever done a six-out save, let alone a nine-out save. He threw 20 pitches in that seventh inning, and I just said, 'I'm going to go get loose, see how I feel and I'll let you know, but I might be able to do this.' That's kind of what happened.  (Link Here)
• “I thank God for being able to be at his side,” Urias said through an interpreter. “When I saw him come in the clubhouse and put on his spikes, I knew he was ready to go and I learned a lot about him at that moment. He’s about winning and all that goes through his mind is winning, winning, winning. I’m so glad that everything worked out.”  (Link Here)
• "This encapsulated our season, yeah," manager Dave Roberts said. "It takes 25 guys to win a game [and] that’s what we did [in Game 5]."  (Link Here)

Dave Roberts managed the gutsiest game of Baseball I've ever witnessed... Bar none!  And as a viewer, I am exhausted.

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

• This Day in Dodgers History:  In 1965 Sandy Koufax, on just two days rest, masterfully pitched a 2-0 complete game shutout to defeat the Twins in Game 7 of the World Series to win their fourth championship.  He was named MVP of the series.
• Happy Birthday, Hugh Casey and Ivy Olson!  

1947 Tip Top Bread - All the Dodger Cards

Continuing my quest to catalog, checklist and share pics of every Dodger card in the hobby (no doubt a lifelong endeavor) I now point to you a group of cards many collectors have scarcely come across.  Featured below is the complete 14-card Dodger team set from the 1947 Tip Top Bread set.

This is one of the toughest post-WWII sets to complete.  It is filled with short prints galore due to a distribution that saw regions only receiving teams in their geographical locations.  As such, cards for clubs like the Detroit Tigers, Chicago White Sox and Chicago Cubs are hard to come by while the New York area teams are easier.  Unfortunately, that doesn't mean that Dodger cards are cheap.  The general scarcity of the issue makes completing a team set a costly endeavor, and I hesitate to state a value even in VG condition for fear of coming out too low. 

Bob Bragan                                 Ralph Branca

Blog Kiosk: 11/9/2013 - Dodgers Links - Trading a Dodger Outfielder, Bidding War for Tanaka and Instant Replay in the AFL

Here is a April 1944 International News Press Photo featuring 5 MLB'ers playing ball for the US Navy.  It was taken at a tournament in Honolulu, Hawaii in a match pitting the US Navy team versus the All-Star Nine of Hawaiian ballplayers.  From left to right are Hugh Casey, Brooklyn Dodgers; Tom Ferrick, Cleveland Indians; Vern Olsen, Chicago Cubs; Walter Masterson, Washington Senators; and Jack Hallett, Pittsburgh Pirates. Pic found on eBay.

• I had forgotten to post this up previously.  If you missed this past Wednesday's Off-Season Dodger Talk with Kevin Kennedy and David Vassegh, then you can listen to it here.  
• Ron Cervenka at Think Blue LA has the preliminary home Spring Training schedule for the Dodgers and White Sox at Camelback Ranch.
• Mike Axisa at CBS Sports writes, "Report: Dodgers listening on OFers, who has the most trade value?"  I usually don't like pointing to rumors (because most are BS), but I do firmly believe that the Dodgers will look to trade one of their starting outfielders.  I just have no idea who it will be.  Although, I suspect Andre Ethier will be easier to move.
• Mark Saxon at ESPN thinks the, "Dodgers should listen to offers for Puig".  I could actually be swayed by this, but only as long as the Dodgers sell high.  Like... We should get an unreasonable return; which isn't likely to happen.  So, why am I even mentioning this?
• Via Ken Gurnick at MLB.com, "No rookie was more valuable or exciting than Puig".

Puig became an immediate fan magnet because he plays with an unbridled energy that sometimes turns reckless, earning the nickname "Wild Horse" from Hall of Fame broadcaster Vin Scully. "His energy was infectious," said manager Don Mattingly.

• It's just getting comical now.  Steve Gilbert interviews the Diamondbacks GM at MLB.com, "Kendrick discusses state of the D-backs", and he has some choice words for the Dodgers.  Emphasis mine.

MLB.com: Your rivalry with the Dodgers, I'm sure, has increased over the last year.
Kendrick: It has, and you know, we owe those guys. I think to get the opportunity to begin the payback for them winning the division the very first day of the season is a great opportunity for us.

• There will be big time competition for the services of Masahiro Tanaka.  Via Steve Adams at MLB Trade Rumors, "Yankees Making Tanaka A Top Priority; Won't Pursue Ervin Santana".
• Brian Phillips at Grantland writes, "Man Up", and I couldn't agree more with him.  It's about the recent hazing/bullying brouhaha surrounding the Miami Dolphins.

I am here to hurt you, so I'll also say this: You're a warrior, cool. What the hell are you a warrior for? I'm sorry if this makes it sound like I have emotions other than anger — I assure you that I don't — but tell me this: What's the point of being strong if all you stand for is abusing a suffering teammate?

• Matt Raymond at Autograph University writes, "25 Things I Wish I Knew When I Started Collecting Autographs".
• Via Cory DiBenedetto at Gammon's Daily, "Historic Moment: First tag play overturned by replay".  There is a video of the play, and it appeared to work smoothly.

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Blog Kiosk: 7/27/2013 - Dodger Links - Jansen on Twitter, Logan White and Greinke Disappointed in Braun

Hyuim-Jin Ryu and Shin-Soo Choo shake hands during a press conference yesterday.  Today the Korean superstars will face off against each other for the first time.  Pic via @Dodgers twitter.

• Kenley Jansen is now on twitter.  Follow him at @kenleyjansen74.
• "Sarah's Take: Kemp needs to get it together," via Sarah D. Morris at MLB.com.
• Check out Jon SooHoo's great photos from Vin Scully's bobblehead Night.
• Via Ken Gurnick at MLB.com, "Investment in farm system paying off for Dodgers".

One year later, the farm system is stirring with signs of life. The Yasiel Puig phenomenon is the quick payoff for what promises to be a reopening of a foreign pipeline of talent the Dodgers originally discovered, then abandoned.

More subtle, but no less important, is a sea-change in Draft approach from high-risk, high-reward high schoolers to more projectable college talent that should allow the Dodgers to more quickly fill more holes from within, which had become a frustration in recent years.

• Yesterday, a Dodger Redditor (kittysparkles) had a couple of Red's players come into his work; including the previous nights winning pitcher Matt Latos.  There are some pics and a funny story about kicking his butt on Call of Duty.
• Via ESPN, listen to Carl Crawford on 'Max & Marcellus Show'
• Dustin Nosler at ChadMoriyama.com shares a recent interview with Dodgers' scouting guru Logan White.
• Via Eric Stephen at True Blue LA, "Clayton Kershaw going deeper into games: It has been 24 years since a Dodgers starting pitcher has lasted as deep into games as Clayton Kershaw in 2013".
• "Frank Jobe's Hall of Fame life: The originator of Tommy John surgery has just about done it all," via Doug Miller at MLB.com.
• Via Dylan Hernandez of the LA Times, "Dodgers' Zack Greinke disappointed in former teammate Ryan Braun".

 "The main thing is, yeah, he lied to us," Greinke said. "He forced us to lie for him, threw people under the bus in order to help himself out and didn't care, blamed others for his mistakes and it’s just a lot of things you don’t expect from people."

• Bob Lemke writes about the 1951 suicide of former Dodger Hugh Casey.

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