Blog Kiosk: 11/26/2019 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Roy is "A-Okay".

Roy Campanella, popular Brooklyn Dodger catcher, winks and gives the "okay" sign to a group of admiring small fry after a physician said Campy's injured left hand isn't permanently damaged and he's fit for duty in the All-Star game in Cleveland.

Dated July 13, 1954, the above vintage press photo (available through eBay) features some very relieved Brooklyn fans with Roy Campanella. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1962 the Dodgers traded right-handed hurler Stan Williams to the Yankees for first baseman Bill Skowron. He would play just one season for Los Angeles -- slashing .203/.252/.287/.539 in 89 games. In 1965 Dodgers second baseman Jim Lefebvre is voted National League Rookie of the Year. In 2010 the Dodgers signed free agent righty Jon Garland to a one-year $5 million contract. Garland would start nine games, going 1-5 with an 4.33 ERA, then go on the disabled list with shoulder discomfort -- leading to shoulder surgery.
• Happy Birthday, Jim Canavan, Dan McFarlan, Bob Lee, Jeff Torborg, Jorge Orta & Jay Howell!

Blog Kiosk: 8/21/2019 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Several milestones were reached last night. First, Cody Bellinger became the first Dodger to have 100 RBI since Adrian Gonzalez in 2014. Best yet, he accomplished the feat while in the midst of having his pants fall down. Then he scored his 100th run of the season two innings later. More importantly, Clayton Kershaw recorded his 166th career win to best Dodger Hall of Fame lefty Sandy Koufax. Per Ken Gurnick at MLB.com:

“What Sandy means to this organization and what he means to me personally, it’s an incredible thing, something I never thought would happen,” Kershaw said. “It’s not the most important thing in the world, but it’s something to look back on when all is said and done. It’s an honor, for me, to be mentioned in the same sentence as Sandy, I’ve said that many times. What he was able to accomplish in his career, and would have gone a lot longer if he played today because he could have gotten healthy.”

Both photos above via Jon SooHoo/Los Angeles Dodgers 2019 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 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. This is the first time brothers have collaborated on a shutout. 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. In 2005 the Marlins suspended a bat boy for six games after the 11-year old kid accepted a challenge from Dodger pitcher Brad Penny. He dared the preteen to drink a gallon of milk in an hour without throwing up for $500. The sixth grader drank the milk, but hurled. The Milk Processor Education Program (a lobbying group) offered to pay off the dare and cover his lost wages if he promises to dutifully drink three glasses of milk every day. In 2015 the Dodgers are no-hit by Astro's hurler Mike Fiers, 3-0 (boxscore). 
• Happy Birthday, Woody Williams, Shawn Hillegas, John Wetteland, Craig Counsell, Ismael Valdéz & Jesse Chavez!

Blog Kiosk: 4/16/2019 - Dodgers Links - Jackie Robinson Day Walk-Off Magic

Above is the only photo that matters. Vin Scully was on-hand at Dodger Stadium to help celebrate Jackie Robinson Day with Rachel Robinson. Photo above via @Dodgers on twitter.

The photo on the right comes a close second. As you surely know, Joc Pederson belted a two-run walk-off homer to help defeat the Reds, 3-2. Pic on the right via @Dodgers on twitter. Per Ken Gurnick at MLB.com:

“He just comes up big in big moments,” Roberts said. “This closer, Iglesias, is one of the best in the game. Joc got a hanging breaking ball, stayed in there and walked him off. We kind of stole it from them.”

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1945 the Boston Red Sox give tryouts to three Negro League ballplayers at Fenway Park -- Sam Jethroe, Jackie Robinson, and Marvin Williams. None are signed by the club. Their loss is our gain. In 1975 newly signed free agent and soon-to-be Hall of fame pitcher Juan Marichal made his last appearance in a game when he started for the Dodgers against the Reds. He would throw 2.1 innings and give up four runs. He would retire soon afterwards. In 1983 former Dodger Steve Garvey appeared in his 1,118th consecutive game to break the National League record. He broke the record as a Padre, but played 1,107 of those games in Dodger Blue.
• Happy Birthday, Ned Colleti, Paul Waner, Babe Phelps, Sergio Robles & Paco Rodríguez!

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!

Welcome to the Blue, Jaime Schultz!

Last week the Dodger completed their first trade of 2019, and they did it in the most unsurprising way. The Dodgers, as they are wont to do, added additional depth to their pitching roster by trading their 20th round 2018 pick, pitcher Caleb Sampen, to the Tampa Bay Rays (Andrew Friedman's former employer) for righty reliever Jaime Schultz. Per a Dodger press release:

The Los Angeles Dodgers today acquired right-handed pitcher Jaime Schultz from the Tampa Bay Rays in exchange for minor league right-handed pitcher Caleb Sampen.