Blog Kiosk: 12/30/2019 - Dodgers Links & News - Some Odds and Ends

Happy Birthday, Sandy! He turns 84 today.

Featured above is a October 6, 1963 UPI telephoto of Sandy Koufax celebrating the Dodgers World Series sweep of the New York Yankees (eBay auction link). Per the description:

Los Angeles Dodgers star southpaw pitcher Sandy Koufax hoists a champagne toast in dressing room here 10/6, after the Dodgers won the 4th Series game in a row to give them the title. The Dodgers handed New York its first 4-game shutout in 28 trips to the classic.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1958 the Dodgers officially released soon-to-be Hall of Famer Pee Wee Reese. He would then become a Dodgers coach for the 1959 season, then enter broadcasting as a color-man for CBS from 1960 to 1965. In 2015 the Dodgers signed free agent starter Scott Kazmir to a three-year, $48 million contract. He would have a decent first season -- going 10-6 with a 4.56 ERA in 26 starts -- but would end the season on the DL due to hip issues and would not pitch again.
• Happy Birthday, Jose Morales & Sandy Koufax!

Blog Kiosk: 6/21/2019 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Cody doesn't only slug -- he's got a golden glove too. Last night he saved the day when he fielded a sacrifice bunt attempt and threw out the lead-runner at third base. It not only recorded an important first out of the ninth inning, but also helped salvage a precarious one-run lead. Per Ken Gurnick at MLB.com:

"Cody's play saved the game," said catcher Austin Barnes, who added that he would have accepted the out at first base on Austin if Bellinger hadn't cut in front of him. "Cody's crazy. He won the game." 

"I just started crashing once he squared around and knew that Vogt was running," said Bellinger. "It was more of whoever was picking up would throw to the base you think. I didn't hear anything, just focused on third. Turned out to be a big play. It probably would have been the weirdest loss I've ever been a part of. Good thing it wasn't, and a win is a win."

Photo above via Juan Ocampo/Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Insider. Go here to check out more pics from yesterdays game. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1959 former Dodger Don Newcombe, now a pitcher for the Cincinnati Reds, throws a complete game victory over Los Angeles, 17-3, at the LA Memorial Coliseum. It is his eighth win of the season. He recorded six strike outs and goes 4-for-4 at the plate -- all singles with four runs driven in. In 1998 the Dodgers replaced their manager, Bill Russell, with coach Glenn Hoffmann. Fred Claire is also fired, as Tommy Lasorda becomes the new GM. In 2016 the Dodgers signed Dean Kremer -- the first ever Israeli to sign a contract with a major league club. He had just been drafted in the 14th round of the 2016 MLB June Amateur Draft. 
• Happy Birthday, Randy Moore, Jackie Collum & Rick Sutcliffe!

Blog Kiosk: 5/17/2019 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Just another fantastic vintage press photo (eBay link) -- this time it's of a successful steal of third, dated 9/29/1938. Per the descriptor on the reverse.

Can't Catch This Thief
Boston Braves catcher Al Lopez slides safely into third with one of his two stolen bases in yesterdays game with the Dodgers at Ebbets Field. In the fourth inning of the first game Lopez swiped third as Dodgers third sacker Cookie Lavagetto turns with catcher Greek George's late throw. The Bees won the opener 2-1, with the Dodgers taking the nightcap 8-6 before 2,822 paying patrons.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1947 then Pirates slugger Hank Greenberg reached out to Jackie Robinson during a game at Forbes Field. While standing on first base he asked Jackie if he was hurt during a collision with him earlier in the game and then says, "Stick in there. You're doing fine. Keep your chin up." Knowing that Greenberg knew first hand the difficulties he had been facing, due to his own Jewish heritage, Jackie would later name him his "diamond hero." In 1978 Dodger slugger Lee Lacy hit his third consecutive home run as a pinch-hitter -- becoming the first player to have ever done so.
• Happy Birthday, Al Mays, Rube Vickers, Elmer Steele, Harry Riconda & Dick Smith!

Blog Kiosk: 5/15/2019 - Dodgers Links - Pederson Hit His 100th

Congrats, Joc!

Last night he hit 100th career home run, and it was a timely one. With the Dodgers trailing, Joc came up in the third inning with a man on and hit his homer (watch it here) to give the club a lead that they would not relinquish. Per Ken Gurnick at MLB.com:

“I didn’t know it was the 100th when I hit it, but it did help the team win a ballgame, so it was pretty cool,” said Pederson, who has more home runs than singles (10). He is the 29th Dodger to reach the century mark 

“Every time he’s in the box he’s a threat,” manager Dave Roberts said of Pederson. “Credit to our guys and the game plan.

The Dodgers now lead the National League West by 4.5 games -- their biggest lead of the season. Photo above via Josh Barber/Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Insider. Go here to check out more pics from yesterdays game. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1956 the Dodgers purchase starting pitcher Sal "the Barber" Maglie from the Indians. Maglie would go on to have a terrific season with the Dodgers. He went 13-5 with an 2.87 ERA, a 139 ERA+, and come in second behind Don Newcombe in both Cy Young and MVP voting. In 1965 the Dodgers are one-hit by Cubs pitcher Dick Ellsworth, but nevertheless win the game, 3-1, on a three-run homer by Al Ferrara in the eighth inning. In 1998 the unthinkable happened. The Dodgers traded their franchise catcher Mike Piazza and infielder Todd Zeile to the Marlins for Gary Sheffield, Bobby Bonilla, Charles Johnson, Jim Eisenreich and Manuel Barrios. This is when I knew the News Corp/Fox ownership of the Dodgers was a big mistake.
• Happy Birthday, Alex Verdugo, Jack Corcoran, Jimmy Wasdell, Al McBean, Bill North & Josh Beckett!

Blog Kiosk: 4/11/2019 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Here's a fantastic slide by 'Pistol' Pete Reiser against the Cardinals, 9/13/1946. Per the descriptor on the reverse:

Action that had the Dodger fans gripping frantically at the edges of their seats is caught by the camera as the Dodgers' Reiser slides into the home plate to score one of the Dodgers' four runs in the first inning of the game against the St. Louis Cardinals at Ebbets Field today. Reiser scored from second on Stevens single. Slaughter heaved to Del Rice at the plate but Reiser beat the throw.

The above photo, taken by Herb Scharfman, is currently available on eBay, here. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1959 Don Drysdale hits his second Opening Day home run to become the first pitcher with two career homers on Opening Day. Unfortunately, Don's homer would be the only run the Dodgers score this day as they lose to the Cubs, 6-1. In 2000 the Dodgers and Giants play the inaugural game at San Francisco's Pac Bell Park. Dodger shortstop Kevin Elster celebrates the occasion by hitting three home runs to help defeat the Giants, 12-8. In 2013 Zack Greinke breaks his left collarbone as a result of a melee on the field. Greinke had plunked Padres outfielder Carlos Quentin, so he charged the mound. Zack would miss several weeks due to the injury.
• Happy Birthday, Pop Corkhill, Al Nixon, Roy Gordinier & Kenta Maeda!

Blog Kiosk: 8/21/2018 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

What a killjoy.

Just as Dodger nation rejoiced at Jansen's return, we get rocked by a performance that was less than stellar. Per Alden Gonzalez at ESPN:

"Everything was flat," Jansen said, his Dodgers now 2½ games back in the National League West while in fifth place in the wild-card standings. "As I faced hitters, it started to get better. But the first two hitters, I wasn't in my comfort zone. I was battling with myself."

Kenley, who entered a tie game in the ninth inning, yielded two solo homers on his first three pitches to take the loss, 5-3. Per Ken Gurnick at MLB.com:

"The first two hitters, I wasn't in my comfort zone," Jansen said. "I think I tried to maybe be amped up to be back and try hard and everything flattened out. I definitely didn't come back too soon. Stuff happens, but you've got to move forward. Tomorrow, if I have a shot, same hitters, I'm looking forward to it."

Ugh! Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1970 the Dodgers signed amateur free agent infielder Jerry Royster out of Sacramento High School. He would be traded five years later to Atlanta as part of a package for Dusty Baker, and go on to have a ten-year career with the Braves. In 1975 the Cubs pitching brothers of Rick and Paul Reuschel combine to shutout the Dodgers, 7-0. In 1990 the Dodgers lost a tough one. Against the Phillies they allowed nine runs to score in the ninth inning to lose the game, 12-11. You can watch highlights of this shameful game here.
• Happy Birthday, Woody Williams, Shawn Hillegas, John Wetteland, Craig Counsell, Ismael Valdéz & Jesse Chavez!

Welcome to the Blue, JT Chargois!

This past Friday the Dodgers took a flyer on a right-handed reliever in the Twins organization. They picked up, off the waiver wire, JT Chargois, and he seems to be ecstatic about being with the Dodgers. Per Bill Plunkett at the OC Register:

“This place is crazy, man. This is awesome. It’s like Disney World or something,” he said, sitting at his locker Monday morning in the clubhouse at Camelback Ranch. 

“Look at this place – it’s so bright and merry. Even when I was playing catch yesterday I was like, ‘The ball is so light. Why is everything so light and fluffy here?’”

Blog Kiosk: 2/26/2018 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Not only did we witness a fantastic Cactus League debut for staff ace Clayton Kershaw on Sunday, but we also saw two All-Star brothers play against each other for the first time -- Corey and Kyle Seager. Per Rowan Kavner at Dodger Insider:

“It’s really cool,” Corey said of playing against his brother. “It’s hard to think about, just because it’s him. You’ve been around him your whole life, watched him play a ton. It’s still weird. You still kind of feel like a fan in the stands watching, even though you’re in the dugout. It’s a really cool moment.”

Photo above via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2018. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1952 Dodgers all-star pitcher Don Newcombe is sworn into the Army to serve in the Korean War. The 26-year old would miss the next two seasons, and struggle on the field his first year back in 1954. Then, he would go on to regain his old form over the next two seasons by winning a collective 47 games and leading the Dodgers to its first World Series championship in 1955.
• Happy Birthday, Preacher Roe, Ron Negray & Matt Luke!