Lelands has Vintage Pics of Dodgers' as Negro League Ballplayers

Lelands just opened up their Spring auction and it includes several incredible Negro League items featuring future Dodgers. The best of the bunch is the above 1939 photo of an 18-year old Roy Campanella (on the right) as a member of the Baltimore Elite Giants. (Auction Link) Crouching with Campy is his catching mentor Robert 'Eggie' Clark. Eggie was about 33-years old at the time and would soon be a backup to Campy the following season.

1958 Packard Bell Dodgers Regional Set - The Dodger Cards

I was recently checking out the current Lelands Winter Classic auction and came across the above 1958 Packard-Bell poster advertising "pictures" of three Dodger players. (Auction Link) Featured are skipper Walter Alston, beloved player and future coach Jim Gilliam and should-be Hall-of-Famer Gil Hodges.

As you know, 1958 was an important year for the club. It marked the franchise's first season in Los Angeles, and as you can imagine it fueled plenty of interest throughout the Southland. West coast baseball fans without a Major League hometeam to root for came out of the woodwork, so businesses were eager to latch their name/product to the team. The poster featured above is an example of one those early efforts.

2018 Panini National Treasures - The Dodgers Base Cards

Panini's National Treasures Baseball brand hit stores last week and it's filled with nothing but hits. Heck, even the base set consist of either an autograph, relic, or both. Below are all of the Dodgers' found in that base set. Go here to see a complete checklist.

Rookie Materials Signatures

#18 Walker Buehler                      #19 Alex Verdugo

Blog Kiosk: 4/24/2018 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

“Walker threw well, but I think tonight was Kike’s night.”

As much as I want to praise Walker on his phenomenal performance last night -- deserving as he is -- Dave Robert's isn't wrong to point out the obvious. Kiké overshadowed everyone on the field in the same way that R. Lee Ermey stole the show in the movie Full Metal Jacket. Per Rowan Kavner at Dodger Insider:

“It’s a huge value for us, the versatility and what he can do on a baseball field,” Roberts said. “He’s certainly valued. I know myself, I try to figure out ways to get him in every single night, because he just has a way to impact the game.”

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

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1962 Sandy Koufax fanned 18 Cubs at Wrigley Field during a 10-2 win, tying a Major League record for strike outs in a game. In 1998 Mike Piazza tied a Major League record when he walloped his third grand slam of the month during a 12-4 victory over the Cubs.
• Happy Birthday, Harry Harper, Dixie Howell, Bill Singer, Pat Zachry, Bill Krueger & Mike Blowers!

Gil Hodges in "The Geisha Boy"

Steiner Sports, the famed retailer of sports memorabilia, is currently running their Winter Classic Auction, and it happens to include a very unusual item that is notable to both Dodger fans and fans of Jerry Lewis. Featured above is a 1958 Day Player Agreement between Dodgers first baseman Gil Hodges and Paramount Pictures (auction link here).

As you can see, the agreement is for his appearance in an Jerry Lewis 1958 comedy called "The Geisha Boy." Having never seen the flick and being the curious sort, I decided to do some research and share that here. Per IMBD, we find out what this movie is all about:

Gilbert Wooley (Jerry Lewis) is a second-rate magician who is sent to entertain the troops in the pacific. During his time in Japan he becomes attached to a little orphan boy.

2017 Panini National Treasures - The Dodgers Base Cards

Here are the Dodgers base cards found in packs of Panini's 2017 National Treasures Baseball card set. Go here for a complete checklist.

This brand hit store shelves a couple of weeks ago, but I am only now getting to it. As always, this set includes no team emblems or logos. The base set includes both relic and autographed cards (both Dodger signatures require a redemption card), and as you can see it's filled with a bunch of Brooklyn Dodgers. Although I'm not a huge fan of this set, it is refreshing that cards are still being made of some ol' time Dodgers'.

Base 

#3 Don Drysdale                    #9 Gil Hodges

Blog Kiosk: 7/17/2017 - Dodgers Links - Some Weekend Odds and Ends

The Dodgers just keep on rollin'. Instead of boring you with details I thought I would point to the above action photograph taken by Dodgers photographer Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2017. As you can see, Jon decided to photograph the game in a different perspective, and in the process snapped one of my favorite subjects. Here, he captured Kike Hernandez with a broken bat swing -- complete with a piece of the barrel flying off the bat.

Go here to check out more pics by Jon from Sunday's game. You can also see pics from Saturday's game here, or Friday's game here. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1954 the Dodgers field the very first starting nine that consist of a majority of black ballplayers for the first time in Major League history. In 1974 Dodger starter Tommy John suffers an arm injury on the mound against the Expos that would eventually lead to a revolutionary new surgery that would be widely known as "Tommy John" surgery -- to repair a torn ligament in the elbow by replacing it with a ligament taken from another part of the body. The surgery is performed by Dr. Frank Jobe. In 1976 Walter Alson wins his 2,000th game as a manager. His Dodgers defeat the Cubs in Los Angeles, 5-4. Alston would then leave the Dodgers at the end of this season -- finishing with a 2,040-1,613 lifetime mark as skipper.
• Happy Birthday, Eddie Brown!

Blog Kiosk: 1/5/2017 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Safe!

What a fantastic slide by Dodger second baseman and leadoff man Jim Gilliam.  As you can see in the above International News press photo dated September 16, 1954, Gilliam darted beneath a high throw to Reds catcher Andy Seminick to score a run.  (eBay Auction Link)

This game started out great.  The Dodgers were 4.5 games behind the Giants with just nine games left to play before the World Series.  So, the Dodgers needed to hustle if they wanted to find themselves playing in the Fall Classic.  Unfortunately, like this game, the Dodgers would fall far too short of that goal.  Gilliam's score in the first inning would give the team an early lead, but the Reds persevered to win the game, 9-3. 

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History:  In 1998 it is announced that Dodgers hurler Don Sutton will be inducted into the Hall of Fame.  It was his fifth time on the ballot.
• Happy Birthday, Bob Caruthers, Dutch Jordan, Charlie Hough & Bill Dahlen!
  

2016 Panini Pantheon Baseball - The Dodgers Cards

Here is a look at many of the Dodgers cards found in packs of 2016 Panini Pantheon Baseball.  Go here for a complete checklist.  Unfortunately, Panini does not provide an accurate (in terns of card #'s) checklist to work with, so I've done my best to make a Dodgers checklist for collectors.  Keep in mind that most of the card #'s below are inaccurate.

This is a new brand for Panini's Baseball products.  It features a box that consist of eight packs with a single card inside, and you are guaranteed that the one card has either an autograph, relic, or both.  So, this is a set filled only with hits.  As in the past, there are no team or MLB logos since it is only licensed by the players union and not the league.

Base Guilds

500 Home Runs

#21 Gary Sheffield

Blog Kiosk: 12/1/2016 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Here's another spring training related photo.  This time we see an action photograph, originally from "The George Michael Collection" of sliding press photos, of Jim Gilliam.  As you can see, he makes it safely to third base -- ahead of a throw fielded by Eddie Matthews.  It was taken on 3/9/1957 by Harry Hirsch during a spring match in Miami, FL. (Auction Link Here)

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History:  In 1966 the Dodgers trade Maury Wills to Pittsburgh for Bob Bailey and Gene Michael.
• Happy Birthday, Cookie Lavagetto & Walter Alston!

Blog Kiosk: 11/21/2016 - Dodgers Links - Gretzky, Scully, Agon and Kershaw's New Baby!

This past Saturday was Adrian Gonzalez's 2nd Annual Bat4Hope Celebrity Softball Game in benefit of PADRES Contra El Cancer at Dodger Stadium.  As you can see, Joc Pederson joined him, along with Austin Barnes.  Go here to learn more about PADRES Contra El Cancer .

Photo above via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2016.  Go here to check out more pics from the tournament by Jon.  Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History:  In 1952 Dodgers hurler Joe Black is named the Rookie of the Year.  In 1956 Don Newcombe won both the NL MVP and the Cy Young Award (the first ever awarded).  
• Happy Birthday, Andy High and Tripp Cromer!

1966 Union 76 Dodgers 45 RPM Record Set Featuring Vin Scully Interviews

With the off-season officially upon us I though I would take a moment to checklist a scarce set from  the mid-60's.  Featured below are the twelve different Union 76 Los Angeles Dodgers 45 RPM records featuring Vin Scully interviewing 24 different players and executives.

As you can see, it includes a colorful sleeve with drawings done by Nicholas Volpe -- known for the various player portraits handed out by Union 76 over the past several decades.  Furthermore, each sleeve includes a portrait drawing of Vin Scully.  Each record has a separate Scully interview on each side, and fans were able to purchase a single record at participating gas stations for $0.49 each with a minimum purchase of gas.

On the right is a advertising poster for the records that had been previously shared by Mark Langill at Dodger Insider (link here).  Apparently, the poster is thought to be the only copy in existence today.

As for the records, I don't have any recordings to share.  If you happen to know where I could listen to any of them please pass that along to me. 

1966

Union 76 - 7” 33RPM Record EP Set - 12 Record Set

Record One

Sandy Koufax/John Kennedy

Blog Kiosk: 10/17/2016 - Dodgers Links - AGone and Kersh Power Dodgers Past Cubs -- Series Tied at 1

It was the efforts of the two Dodgers above that lead to the team tying the Cubs at one game a piece in the NLCS.  Clayton Kershaw went seven strong innings, allowing just two hits, one walk and recording six strike outs with 84 pitches.  Best yet, he is one of only two pitchers to hold the Cubs scoreless by a 1-0 score in the postseason ever -- the other man being Babe Ruth.  Per Jon Weisman at Dodger Insider:

“Awesome. Watching Kersh, that shows he’s the best in the game,” Jansen said. “His stuff that he had, the way that he pitched against this team. He showed you again, he can just put this team on his back.”

Adrian Gonzalez, for his part, got only one hit, but it was a big one.  On the second pitch of the second inning Gonzalez hit a towering drive to centerfield that cleared the wall for the only run to score in the entire game.

Photo above via @Dodgers/Jon SooHoo on twitter.  Go here to check out a bunch of pics by Jon SooHoo from yesterdays game in Chicago.  Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History:  In 1981 the Dodgers defeated the Montreal Expos in Game 4 of the NLCS at Olympic Stadium, 7-1.  Steve Garvey hit a two-run homer in the eighth to break a 1-1 tie, then the Dodgers scored four more runs in the ninth to run away with it.  They are tied at two games a piece in the series with a deciding Game 5 two days later.
• Happy Birthday, Jim Gilliam! 

Blog Kiosk: 10/10/2016 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Corey Seager is hitting bombs.  Per AJ Cassavell at MLB.com:

Despite the loss, Seager etched his name in postseason lore with his second first-inning home run in as many games. His moonshot off Max Scherzer on Friday made Seager the youngest player in Dodgers history to hit a home run in the postseason -- and it didn't take long for him to earn the No. 2 spot on that list as well.

"Whatever it is, it's something that you're looking for early," Seager said when asked about his fast starts. "Unfortunately, today, it didn't work out."

The Dodgers lost a tough one yesterday afternoon, 5-2.  Photo above via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2016.  Go here to check out more pics by Jon from yesterdays game.  Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History:  In 1978 the Dodgers retired the number of Dodger player/coach Jim Gilliam -- 19.  He had died just two days before from an cerebral hemorrhage.  The ceremony preceeded Game 1 of the World Series against the Yankees.

Diamondbacks Series Starts on Friday - Stadium Giveaways, Pregame Info and Other Stuff!

The next homestand starts on Friday against the Arizona Diamondbacks.   Below are some odds and ends for this upcoming homestand.

The Sonoran Dog will be available for this homestand only against the Diamondbacks at the Extreme Loaded Dog concession areas located on the field, loge and reserve levels. It features a bacon-wrapped super dog with pinto beans, mayonnaise and pico de gallo.

The eighth 2016 issue of the new Dodger Insider magazine, featuring Adrian Gonzalez on the cover, will be available at Dodger Stadium.  (see it on the left).  The Dodgers merged their previously separate Playbill and Dodger Insider magazines into one publication (at least 80 pages per issue) with a new edition available each homestand.  They are distributed at auto gates (one per vehicle) and via Fan Services for those who use alternate transportation.  

---------------

Friday, July 29th at 7:10 PM
RHP Zack Godley vs. RHP Kenta Maeda
SNLA / AM 570 (Eng.), KTNQ 1020 AM (Span.)

Blog Kiosk: 7/21/2016 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

In honor of his pending induction this weekend I made a couple of custom fantasy Baseball cards last night featuring Mike Piazza in a old Albuquerque Dukes uniform.  I used photos recently shared by Bay Area freelance photographer Brad Mangin the other day.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodger History:  In 1956 Junior Gilliam sets a major league record by handling 12 assists at second base. Also on this day, Pee Wee Reese recorded his 2,000th career hit.
  

A Gilliam Gamer and Guerrero's WS MVP Award at Paragon Auctions

Yesterday I featured a fun letter written by Walt Disney to former Dodgers GM Buzzie Bavasi (link here).  Today, I take a look at a couple other Dodgers related collectibles currently on auction at Paragon.

2016 Panini Diamond Kings - All the Dodgers Mini Cards

Now that you've seen the Dodgers base cards found in packs of Panini's 2016 Diamond Kings set, here are the various mini cards that are available. 

DK Minis

#6 Gil Hodges                          #12 Leo Durocher

2016 Panini Diamond Kings - The Dodgers Base Cards and Variation

Returning for a second year is Panini's 2016 Diamond Kings Baseball card set.  Go here for a complete checklist.  This brand offers both current and former greats on cardboard.  As you can see in the pics below, this product focuses on artwork and drawings of the players.  Below are pics of all the Dodgers base cards in the set; including the Corey Seager variation card.

#6 Gil Hodges                                       #12 Leo Durocher

Blog Kiosk: 3/12/2016 - Dodgers Links - Kiké, Hyers and Brandon McCarthy

Spring training is for practice, and featured above is an Dodger great doing just that.  Sprawling on the sand in this vintage "International News" press photo is Jim Gilliam with a picture perfect slide, dated March 1, 1954.  Via a descriptor attached to the reverse:

SLIDE, JUNIOR, SLIDE--Vero Beach, Florida.....Second baseman Junior Gilliam slides in under the watchful eye of Field Director Al Campanis at the Dodgers training quarters as pitchers Don Newcombe and Joe Black watch.

Below are more links to check out:

• This is all kinds of fun.  Via Alysha Tsuji at USA Today, "Kiké Hernandez and the Dodgers mastered filters on MLB Snapchat Day."
• Chris Mitchell at FanGraphs shares their KATOH Projection of Dodgers Prospects (Link Here).
• Via Cary Osborne at Dodger Insider, "Hyers education: Hitting 101."

“I would say all hitters all have their own unique style,” Hyers said. “It’s my job to understand their swing. And it’s not my swing, it’s their swing. You want to get to know them as a person and a player. Be the eyes for them. That’s what I try to do — get to know them, understand and work within the framework of their swing. Stay within the framework of their swing. When they start struggling, remind them of who they are as a player, how they got there and the things they do to be successful. Hitting, a lot of it is mental. It’s negative, because of so many times we fail. There’s the physical part, but the mental part is there also.”

• Via Clinton Riddle at Baseball Magazine, "Walter O’Malley and The Dome That Could Have Been."

• What the heck are these?  I think I just went blind.  Check out Lids newest Baseball cap creation in honor of Spring Training in the above photo.  They are only available from the Lids website (Link Here).  (Hat Tip: Chris Cwik at Big League Stew)
• Via JP Hoornstra at the Daily News, "The Dodgers and Cuba: past, present and future."  JP takes a look at the Dodgers success and failures on the international market, and tells us of what's expected in the future.
• Guess who had a baby?  Congrats, Brandon!

We made a thing and named her Cassidy pic.twitter.com/t0lSnblp9R

— Brandon McCarthy (@BMcCarthy32) March 11, 2016

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