Blog Kiosk: 8/24/2020 - Dodgers Links & News - Some Odds and Ends

On Sunday the Dodgers honored the memories of Gianna and Kobe Bryant on what would have been his 42nd birthday. In addition to the pregame ceremony, Gianna and Kobe’s uniform numbers were painted on the pitchers mound for today’s game against the Rockies. See it above. Pic via @Dodgers on twitter:

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1960 Vin Scully famously had fans at Dodger Stadium wish third base umpire Frank Secory a happy birthday during the game. In 1975 Davey Lopes stole three bases against the Expos to extend his Major League record of consecutive steals to 38. Then in the 12th inning of this same game he is thrown out at second base by Gary Carter. Coincidentally, Carter had been the last catcher to throw Lopes out before starting his record streak -- on June 4th. In 2007 the Dodgers signed free agent pitcher David Wells. In 2014 Joc Pederson became only the fourth player in the history of the PCL to have a 30-30 season, and the first to do it in 80 years, when he stole a base for the Albuquerque Isotopes (a Dodgers Triple-A affiliate). He would come up to Los Angeles later that September.
• Happy Birthday, John Brown, Kip Gross, Jeff Kubenka, Kevin Correia & Enrique "Kiké" Hernandez!

Blog Kiosk: 4/22/2020 - Dodgers Links & News - Some Odds and Ends

This past Saturday marked the 74th anniversary of the historic handshake between Jackie Robinson and Youngstown, Ohio native George Shuba. As you may know, on April 18, 1946 Jackie hit his first homer as a member of the Montreal Royals, and George was at the plate to greet him with a smile and a handshake -- a first during integrated Baseball. Today, a statue is being created to memorialize the happening, and it will be publicly unveiled in Youngstown on April 18, 2021 -- its 75th anniversary. Per robinsonshuba.org:

“While we’re still in the early stages of developing the statue, our progress on these models is very exciting,” said Marc Mellon, the world-class Connecticut-based sculptor crafting the statue. “In the upcoming months I’ll be working on the George Shuba figure. When both figures are completed later this summer, we will first cast them in plaster, refine the surfaces, and then cast them in bronze.” 

The 1946 handshake at home plate after a Robinson home run in his debut professional game has been hailed as the “handshake of the century,” as it marked the racial integration of pro ball, which helped accelerate the breakdown of racial barriers in other areas of American life.
...
“When George Shuba stepped up to shake Jackie Robinson’s hand at home plate, at a time when racism was rampant in our country, he taught America an important lesson and made Youngstown very proud. The statue marking this moment will be a huge source of pride in Youngstown for generations to come.”

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1957 John Kennedy becomes the first African-American to play for the Phillies, making Philadephia the last National League teal to integrate (not a huge surprise, really). He would pinch run during their 5-1 loss to the Brooklyn Dodgers at Ebbets Field. In 1981 rookie Fernando Valenzuela hurled his third shutout in four starts to start the season -- defeating Houston, 1-0. Best yet, he was responsible for driving in the Dodgers lone run with a single in the fifth inning off of then-Astro Don Sutton.
• Happy Birthday, Sandy Burke, Tom Long, Ray Benge, Lew Riggs, Jake Daniel, Jack Savage & Dee Gordon!

Blog Kiosk: 2/5/2020 - Dodgers Links & News - Some Odds and Ends

I know the above custom fantasy baseball card isn't the "Mookie" you were expecting, but it'll have to do for now.

As you surely know, the Dodgers are getting both Mookie Betts and David Price from the Red Sox, and it won't cost us a bucket full of top prospects to get them. Instead, we traded from a position of strength. We sent over several solid current ballplayers (Verdugo, Maeda, & Pederson) who are fan favorites to get two very dynamic studs while not giving up one youngster who rank on our top-30 prospect list. On top of that, Boston is sending the Dodgers cash... cold hard cash... like millions of it.

Unbelievable.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 2009 the Dodgers announced that on May 16th Dodger Stadium will host a regular season game between Mexico City Diablos Rojos and the Monterrey Sultanes of Liga Mexicana de Beisbol (LMB) summer league. Unfortunately, the game was postponed due to a week-long closure of the Mexican League in April due to a swine flu outbreak. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't believe they ever rescheduled the game.
• Happy Birthday, Joe Hutcheson, John Gaddy, Cy Buker & Don Hoak!

Blog Kiosk: 1/31/2020 - Dodgers Links & News - Some Odds and Ends

On Wednesday evening the LA Kings held a special ceremony to honor Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gigi, along with the seven other folks who passed away, prior to start of their home game against the Tampa Bay Lightening. As you can see above, Staples Center decided to black-out all of the Lakers banners and retired numbers, except for the two Kobe Bryant retired numbers. I thought it was a very classy move by the stadium.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1941 the Dodgers signed future Hall of Famer Paul Waner to a free agent contract. In 1972 former Brooklyn Dodger players Rube Marquard (known mostly as a Giant) and Dave Bancroft (also mostly a Giant) were selected by an Hall of Fame Special Veterans Committee for enshrinement. In 2001 an article was published in the WSJ related to the most infamous pennant race in National League history. Written by Joshua Prager, he details how the Giants team stole catchers' signs during the 1951 pennant race to help them overcome a Dodgers 13.5 game lead in the National League. You can read the original article here. In 2003 the Dodgers signed free agent pitcher Wilson Alvarez. In 2005 the Dodgers signed pitcher Scott Erickson as a free agent. 
• Happy Birthday, Hank Aguirre, Ted Power, Stuffy Stewart & Jackie Robinson!

Blog Kiosk: 1/29/2020 - Dodgers Links & News - Some Odds and Ends

Check out this fun press photo from Sport magazine that I ran across on eBay (link here). It features a very young Don Drysdale chatting it up with the legendary Duke Snider. The pic is undated, but is likely from the late-50's early '60's.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1958 Roy Campanella is in an early morning car accident in Long Island -- breaking his back and ending his Baseball playing career.  In 1961 one-time Dodger Max Carey, along with deadball era outfielder Billy Hamilton, are elected in the Baseball Hall of Fame. Carey played four seasons in Brooklyn, slashing .260/.346/.339/.685 with three homers and 81 RBI's, and managed the club from 1932-1933. He recorded a 146-161 record as the Dodgers skipper. In 1967 former Dodgers GM Branch Rickey, along with Pirates outfielder Lloyd Waner, are elected by the Veterans Committee into the Baseball Hall of Fame. BTW, Waner was a Dodger for a short time in 1944 -- having had 17 plate appearances in 15 games and slashing .286/.412/.286/.697. In 1988 the Dodgers signed free agent outfielder Kirk Gibson to a three-year $4.5MM contract.
• Happy Birthday, Henry Medicus, Bill Krieg, Ray Hayworth, Hank Edwards, Steve Sax, Jason Schmidt & Mike Bolsinger!

Blog Kiosk: 1/28/2020 - Dodgers Links & News - Some Odds and Ends

Here's the upcoming cover of Time magazine that honors Kobe Bryant, via a tweet from Tania Ganguli. Per Rowan Kavner at Dodger Insider:

“I was so fascinated and in awe with him,” (Justin) Turner said. “Growing up, everything that left my hand was followed by a ‘Kobe.’ What he meant to so many people here in Southern California, the icon that he was in the world, really, it’s just sad. It’s a sad day, and it’ll be a sad week, and I don’t know how long it’s going to take for anyone to get over this — if they ever will.”

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: This isn't Dodger news, but it's worth noting. In 1949 the NY Giants signed their first African-American ballplayer -- Monte Irvin and hurler Ford Smith. In 1961 the International League Board of Directors votes to move the Montreal Baseball franchise to Syracuse, New York, where the former Dodger farm club will play as the Chiefs. In 1982 the Dodgers signed free agent infield prospect Dave Anderson. He would play eight season in Los Angeles and become a World Champion in 1988 as part of the "Stunt Men". In 2004 the Dodgers signed the great Jose Lima to a one-year free agent contract. He would lead the club with a 13-5 record and become a beloved figure in Los Angeles.  In 2013 the Dodgers announce the launch of SportsNet LA, their own regional sports network on Time Warner Cable.
• Happy Birthday, Bill Doak, Lyn Lary, Joe Beckwith & Stu Pederson!

Blog Kiosk: 1/27/2020 - Dodgers Links & News - RIP, Kobe Bryant

RIP. My deepest condolences to the family and friends of the Altobelli, Bryant, Chester, Mauser and Zobayan families. Photo above via @MLB on twitter.

Below are more link to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1933 the Dodgers signed aging veteran first baseman Joe Judge. He would slash just .214/.261/.250/.511 in 42 games before being released by the club. 
• Happy Birthday, Gil Hatfield, Bert Inks, Bob Barrett, Fred Heimach, Bob Borkowski, Nick Willhite & Angel Berroa!

Weekend Autograph Opportunity: Nomar and Kobe!

Here are this weekends autograph opportunities and events throughout the Southland. As always, be sure to check the Blue Heaven Calendar for other events (a link can always be found on the tab at the top of this page, just left of center), and always confirm with the establishment. Everything is subject to change.  Please email me with any tips about upcoming events in Southern California.  As the rest of the week progresses I'll update this post with other events (if there are any), as I become aware of them.  Also, I don't always list every event below, so be sure to check my Calendar.  I always try to favor free signing events over paying events.  Click on any pic to embiggen.

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Blog Kiosk: 5/10/2018 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Sometimes you need just need a little bit of help from the Baseball gods.

Three of the Dodgers first four runs scored last night came from some unlikely plays: two wild pitches and a hit-by-pitch. Per Ken Gurnick at MLB.com:

"We were gifted some runs," said Dodgers manager Dave Roberts. "It wasn't ideal, but we'll take it. There was really no rhythm and it was kind of funky. But I thought the energy was really consistent. We're fighting. We realize the situation we've put ourselves in, that an urgency has got to be there."
...
"Sometimes," said Jansen, "you've just got to be lucky."

Pic above of Taylor getting hit via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers at Dodger Insider. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodger History: In 1955 Don Newcombe threw a complete game shutout against the Cubs while facing the minimum of 27 batters, 3-0. He allowed just one hit, to second baseman Gene Baker, who would subsequently be caught stealing. In 1966 the Dodgers sent 1955 World Series hero Johnny Podres to the Tigers as part of an conditional deal. In 1968 the Dodgers signed free agent infielder Ken Boyer. At the age of 37 the aging All-Star would slash .271/.317/.403/.720 with 60 hits, six home runs and 41 RBI's that season. In 1996 Tommy Lasorda managed his 3,000th major league game. It was against the Cardinals, and the Dodgers defeated them in twelve innings, 3-2. 
• Happy Birthday, Bill Davidson, Jim Hickman & John Cummings!

Blog Kiosk: 4/14/2016 - Dodgers Links - Kobe, Kendrick and Justin Turner

Fans celebrate their favorite players in all sorts of different ways.  Some folks go all out by wearing a full length uniform to show their fanaticism.  Others simply follow, collect or are more subtle when it comes to expressing their fandom.  Yesterday, a couple of Dodgers' showed their appreciation to retiring forward Kobe Bryant in totally different ways, and it happens to coincide with what I said above.

On the top left is Dodgers third baseman Justin Turner in full Kobe Bryant regalia in honor of the Lakers great last NBA game.  He shared this pic of himself on twitter yesterday afternoon.  To the right are commemorative cleats and batting gloves provided by Nike to Yasiel Puig (as well as others throughout Baseball) that he wore during last night's game.  This photo was also shared on twitter.  Other players to get the Bryant Baseball gear include Adrian Gonzalez and Mike Trout.

Below are more links to check out:

• Those new "LA" logo helmet 3-D things are not faring so well.  Sax at Sons of Steve Garvey shares a pic from yesterdays game showing Puig's helmet in need of some repair.
• Via Jack Baer at MLB.com, "Kendrick to see more time in left field."

Fantasy Dodgers Cards of Kobe Bryant

With the Baseball season in full bloom I'd like to think that the Dodgers are on everybody's mind, but just ain't true today.  'Cause today is #MambaDay, and it seems like everyone is thinking about Kobe Bryant.  He will be playing his very last game at the Staples Center tonight.

Since I am a slave to the masses and unwilling to buck those whims, I figured I'd take a bit of time to make a few Kobe/Dodgers fantasy Baseball cards in honor of the occasion.