Blog Kiosk: 9/2/2016 - Dodgers Links - Lux, Buehler, Seager, Puig and Vin Scully to be Broadcast on Channel 5

Finally!

We have some good news regarding televised Dodgers games.  Per Tom Hoffarth at the OC Register, local channel KTLA 5 will simulcast six Dodgers games towards the end of the season.  This will allow fans of Vin Scully to listen, watch and experience the last six games broadcasted by him:

The package of simulcasts will start with the final weekend of home games against Colorado, which run Sept. 23-25 and includes Friday’s Vin Scully appreciation night. KTLA will also have the pregame ceremony starting at 7 p.m. to honor Scully. The Sept. 30-Oct. 2 games in San Francisco end the regular season.

Should the Dodgers make the playoffs, the team expects to make arrangements for Scully to call the games on KLAC-AM (570) radio while they will be televised by a national carrier (ESPN, Fox or TBS).

This far from assuages the anger and frustration that many fans, who have been unable to watch Vin and the Dodgers over the past three season, feel.   That being said, this is an fantastic gesture, and it's greatly appreciated.  But make no mistake, there remains a dark stain.

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

• This Day in Dodger History:  In 1971 Astros outfielder Cesar Cedeno hit an inside-the-park home run against the Dodgers when infielder Jim Lefebvre and right fielder Bill Buckner collided while trying to catch a short fly.  In 1979 Manny Mota became Baseballs all time pinch-hit leader at 145.  In 2003 Eric Gagne set a Major League record for consecutive saves over a two season period at 55.  It was also his 47th consecutive save to start a season.
  

Blog Kiosk: 3/22/2014 - Dodgers Links - Billingsley Throws Live BP and Kemp Homers

Here's Vin Scully in the broadcast booth at Sydney Cricket Ground, pic via @Dodgers on twitter.

• Check out my contest to win a 12-pack case of Big League Chew bubble gum, here.  All you have to do is make a post and "Like" Big League Chew on facebook.  Go here to check out the contest. It closes tonight.
• Mark Langill at Dodger Insider writes, "Opening Day memories: Jim Lefebvre".
• Tom Hoffarth at Farther Off the Wall has a funny take on the Dodgers announcement that little known Champion Broadband has signed up for SportsNetLA - the Dodgers channel.  

• Topps is releasing their 2014 Museum Baseball card set next week.  Check out Yasiel Puig base card to the set on the right, via @Toppscards on twitter.
• Via Jesse Sanchez at MLB.com, "Billingsley throws first live BP session".

"My arm felt good, so that's definitely good, especially being the first time going full bore with the heater and the first time throwing a hard curveball and changeups," Billingsley said. "I was a little rusty, but I was very pleased with the curveball. The timing was a little off, but I threw some good pitches, and overall, I'm pretty pleased with it."

• The Chattanooga Lookouts, the Dodgers AA minor league club, now has an official blog.  Check out Lookout Outlook, here.
• I'm as surprised as anyone.  Apparently, John Hamilton, the owner of the Newport Sports Museum, will be auctioning a bunch of his stuff at SCP's upcoming May auction.  Tom Bartsch at Sports Collector Digest has the story.  I wonder, does this mean that the museum is closing?  I hope not.
• Rich Klein at Sports Collectors Daily writes, "Old Baseball Card Backs Sometimes Reveal Uncommon Courage".
• Via Ken Gurnick at MLB.com, "Kemp homers in Minor League game".
• Via Mark Saxon at ESPNLosAngeles.com, "Bud Selig chimes in on Dodgers' TV holdup".

"I have faith that the parties will work this out," Commissioner Bud Selig at a news conference in Australia before the Dodgers took on the Arizona Diamondbacks. "That's all I can say. We always like things to be as smooth as possible, but there are always times in life when things don't work out exactly right. But I have faith the parties will work it out and I know the parties want to work things out." 

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Snapshots in Time from a 1966 Dodgers Spring Training

It's been awhile since I've shared some of the unique things I find while perusing eBay.  That place is like a giant flea market filled with unusual memorabilia and collectibles that would be difficult to find anywhere else.  For instance, check out the group of 4 photos below that I found at this auction.  Click on the pic to embiggen.

(eBay Auction Link)

These are fan taken photos taken of several beloved Dodgers during Spring Training at Vero Beach in 1966.  They reflect distinctly personal and intimate snapshots of several moments in time.  They are like memories that have been captured to allow us to recall or imagine the day.

When I saw these photos, I was immediately transported to Dodgertown.  I could see myself walking the grounds like a child with a new toy.  Exploration and discovery would be my goal, and as I came across some of these 'Boys in Blue' I would smile and wave hello.

"Can I get a photo with you," is what I would say.  Or, "how about a John Hancock, please?"

Man-O-Live... I do miss going to Spring Training, and one of these days I'll make my way out to Arizona to see the Dodgers there.  Fortunately, I still have my memories from the trips I took many years ago, and I can always look back at the photos I find throughout the 'net to assuage my thirst for those uniquely special moments.

In the photos above you see Jim Lefebvre on the top left, Ron Fairly on the top right, Jim Gilliam on the bottom left and John Kennedy on the bottom right.

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Looking at the 1993 Dodgers Unocal Pin Set

Following up on my posts from the past couple of weeks featuring pinbacks from the Dodgers Unocal pin sets, I now share with you the pins from the 1993 set.  This is the very last pin set Unocal made.  Go here to check out my previous post on these sets.

Pin #1 - Rookies of the Year (Jackie Robinson Award) - In 1992, Eric Karros became the 12th Dodgers overall, and 8th LA Dodgers to win the Rookie of the Year Award, a major league record.  Dodger winners include Jackie Robinson, 1947; Don Newcombe, 1949; Joe Black, 1952; Jim Gilliam, 1953; Frank Howard, 1960; Jim Lefebvre, 1965; Ted Sizemore, 1969; Rick Sutcliffe, 1979; Steve Howe, 1980; Fernando Valenzuela, 1981; Steve Sax, 1982; Karros, 1992.

Pin #2 - No-Hitters - Since the Dodgers moves to LA in 1958, no other Major League team's pitchers have hurled more no-hitters (through 1992): Sandy Koufax, 6/30/62; 5/11/63; 6/4/64; 9/9/65 (perfect game); Bill Singer, 7/20/70; Jerry Reuss, 6/27/80; Fernando Valenzuela, 6/29/90; Kevin Gross, 8/17/1992.

Pin #3 - Dodger Stadium Hosts Rockies - This Collector's pin commemorates the Dodgers' first game against the expansion Colorado Rockies on Friday, May 21, 1993, at Dodger Stadium.

Pin #4 - Dodger Stadium Hosts Marlins - This Collector's pin commemorates the Dodgers' first game against the expansion Florida Marlins on Monday, June 7, 1993, at Dodger Stadium.

Pin #5 - 35th Anniversary of Dodgers in LA - The Dodgers played their first game in Los Angeles on April 18,1958.  Since then, the club has won 5 World Championships and 9 National League pennants, both league highs.

Pin #6 - Largest Crowd - A major league record crowd of 93,103 packed the LA Coliseum on May 7, 1959, as the Dodgers mat the Yankees in an exhibition game that featured an emotional salute to Hall of Fame catcher Roy Campanella.

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The 1969 Union Oil Dodgers Portraits Set - A Recent Purchase for My Collection

Several weeks ago, I hinted at a recent purchase for my collection that had me very excited.  For several years now, I've been on the hunt for complete sets of those Union Oil Dodgers' portraits made in the 1960's.  There are three different one's (1962, 1964 & 1969), and they can be difficult to find.  I've missed the mark on numerous occasions, but finally won a set that is both colorful and gorgeous. Check out my 1969 Union Dodgers Premium Pictures set featuring drawings by Nicholas Volpe.

As I'm sure you know, Volpe has a long history with the Dodgers.  From the early 60's to the early 80's, he created player portraits for the Dodgers that were given away by Union Oil.  This particular set was given away to fans at select weekday night games at Dodger Stadium.  So, this was a very early Stadium Give Away (SGA).  These evenings were billed as "Player Portrait Night".

The cards are a little thinner than a Baseball card (but still sturdy) and measure 8 1/2" x 11".  Only 13 pictures are in the set, and it does not include several key players from the season; like Maury Wills, Manny Mota and Ted Sizemore.

I have scanned the front and reverse of each portrait.  As you can see below, the backs have a player biography, stats, the Dodger home schedule and information about the artist.  Click on any pic to embiggen.

Below are the remaining 12 Dodgers' portrait photos in the set.

Walter Alston

 Jim Brewer

Willie Davis

 Ron Fairly

 Tom Haller

 Jim Lefebvre

 Claude Osteen

 Wes Parker

 Paul Popovich

 Bill Singer

 Bill Sudakis

 Don Sutton

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eBay Auction: The 2 Man Drill

What is this?

I don't know if Roseboro and Jim Lefebvre are just fooling around, but I can't see how this can be an effective drill.

The caption below the pic says,

"Calisthenics in the Los Angeles Dodgers camp finds building up exercises that are different."

No kidding.

(click photo to enlarge)
eBay Auction Link: