Blog Kiosk: 7/8/2020 - Dodgers Links & News - Some Odds and Ends

I've been absolutely swamped lately, so I apologize for the lack of recent post.

Check out the always cheery Joc Pederson showing his love for the game, via a tweet from the Dodgers.

We're so close to watching Baseball -- I can almost taste it. In fact, the Dodgers are holding an intrasquad game this afternoon, at 6:40 PM, that will be streamed live on the Dodgers’ Twitter and Facebook with commentary from Alanna Rizzo and Nomar Garciaparra. It’s expected to last 3 innings.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1901 the Brooklyn Superbas defeat the St. Louis Cardinals, 7-5, as a result of a questionable call by the umpire. This act infuriates Cardinals fans, to the point of rushing umpire Hank O'Day and giving him a split lip. He has to be rescued by the police. In 1907 Cubs manager Frank Chance, after being pelted with pop bottles, hurls a bottle back at the crowd that cut's a boy's leg. This resulted in a mob that forces Chance to leave the park in an armored car witha police escort after the Cubs defeat the Dodgers, 5-0 (boxscore). In 1949 Giants infielder Hank Thompson faced Dodgers pitcher Don Newcombe at the plate -- marking the first time a black batter hit against a black pitcher in Major League history (boxscore). Thompson would hit a pop fly to third in his first at-bat, and go 0-for-2 with a walk overall In 1980 the All-Star Game is played at Dodger Stadium. The National League wins, 4-2 (boxscore), for the ninth consecutive time.
• Happy Birthday, George Hunter, Rowdy Elliott, Tex Wilson, George Fallon, Charlie Gilbert, George Culver, Lerrin LaGrow, Mike Ramsey, Danny Ardoin & Ferdinand Abell (one of the original founders of the Dodgers)!

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: 8/4/2017 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

It is Yu Darvish Day! He'll pitch his first game as a Dodger this evening against the Mets, starting at 4:10 PM PST.

In other news, the Dodgers defeated the Braves last night, 7-4. Chris Taylor continues to just hit. He hit his 13th homer of the season to lead the club. Per Mark Bowman and Jaylon Thompson at MLB.com:

"It was a hitter's count with a guy in scoring position," Taylor said. "I wanted to be aggressive and be ready for the fastball. He has good life on his fastball, and I wanted to get in front as he left the pitch over the middle."

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

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1941 Dodgers backstop Mickey Owen became the first catcher to field three foul flies in the same inning -- during the third inning of an 11-6 win over the Giants. In 1942 the Dodgers and Giants played a game that ended up in a 1-1 tie at the Polo Grounds. It should've ended in a 5-1 Brooklyn victory when Pee Wee Reese whacked a grand slam in the ninth inning, but that was negated due to a wartime curfew of 9:10 PM. This would be the last twilight-wartime game played. In 1948 future Hall of Fame broadcaster Ernie Harwell called his first Major League game. He was filling in for Dodgers legend Red Barber, who was recovering from a bleeding ulcer. The Dodgers attained Harwell's rights by trading catcher Cliff Dapper to the Atlanta Crackers -- the first and only time a trade like this was ever done. In 1980 Maury Wills becomes the manager for the Seattle Mariners. He is the third black manager in MLB history. 
• Happy Birthday, Dolf Luque, Tuck Stainback, Joe Pignatano, Eric Weaver, Eric Milton, Luke Allen, Alex Castellanos & Mike Freeman!

Blog Kiosk: 6/23/2017 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

This series against the Mets was ridiculous. The Dodgers set a new franchise record when they collectively hit 15 homers during the four-game set. The last of which scored the game winning run to help the Dodgers sweep the Mets. It was hit by Joc Pederson on the very first pitch of the seventh inning. I think it's safe to say, after a crushing collision in the outfield a month ago, that he is on the mend. Per Cary Osborne at Dodger Insider:

“I think he’s getting there, and the one gauge for me is seeing his plate discipline,” said Dodger manager Dave Roberts. “And over the last 10 games he’s not offering at everything moving forward. So when balls are out of the strike zone he’s doing a good job taking. And he’s getting on base at an incredible rate right now. The next piece is when he gets balls in the strike zone to do what he did tonight.”

Photo above via Juan Ocampo/LA Dodgers 2017. Go here to check out more pics by Juan and Jon SooHoo from yesterdays game. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1930 the Dodgers recorded twelve consecutive hits in the sixth inning during their game against the Pirates at Forbes Field. In 1956 Dodgers shortstop Don Zimmer is hit in the face with a pitch thrown by Reds hurler Hal Jeffcoat, breaking his cheekbone. In 1958 the Dodgers traded Don Newcombe to the Reds for Steve Bilko, Johnny Klippstein and players to be named later. The Dodgers also released longtime catcher Rube Walker. He would become a Dodgers minor league manager the next season, and is principally remembered for being the pitching coach for the 1969 World Champion "Amazin'" Mets. In 1973 the much-ballyhooed infield of Steve Garvey, Davey Lopes, Bill Russell and Ron Cey begin their 8 ½ years together as they are all inserted into the starting lineup in the second game of a doubleheader at Cincinnati for the first time.  In 1976 they traded reliever Dr. Mike Marshall to the Braves for Lee Lacy and Elias Sosa.  
• Happy Birthday, Jerry Nops, Dick Egan, Karl Spooner, Tom Haller, Dave Goltz & Mark Hendrickson!