Blog Kiosk: 7/1/2020 - Dodgers Links & News - Some Odds and Ends

Here's a really interesting photo I ran into on eBay (link here). It is dated September 24, 1957, and it features Brooklyn Dodger Vice President Buzzi Bavasi seated right in the center (sitting on the right field grandstand steps).

He is wearing shades, as if to hide his appearance from the throng of fans sitting nearby. After all, this day, this game they are watching, would be the very last ballgame ever played at Ebbets Field. The Brooklyn Dodgers would move to Los Angeles the next season.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1917 the Dodgers/Robins play their very first Sunday ballgame, despite there being a state law banning games on this day. They announce that admission will benefit the Militia of Mercy, a wartime charity, and there will be a pregame band concert and military drill exhibition before the game. When the band concert ends ticket sales stop to conform with the Sunday baseball laws. More than 12,000 attend. Nevertheless, Charles Ebbets and manager Wilbert Robinson are arrested, and will pay a small fine. Here is the boxscore. In 1948 Roy Campanella made his Major League debut with the Brooklyn Dodgers. He caught Ralph Branca and recorded three hits --  a double and two singles. In 2011 Dee Gordon completed a stolen base cycle. During the seventh inning he reached base on a force out, stole second, then stole third, and finally swiped home with Casey Blake at the plate.  Gordon is the 40th Major Leaguer to accomplish this during the same frame. Here is the boxscore and you watch him steal home here.
• Happy Birthday, Jack Quinn, Kent Greenfield, Boots Poffenberger & Chris Pérez!

Blog Kiosk: 6/25/2020 - Dodgers Links & News - Some Odds and Ends

Featured is 1951 ACME press telephoto showing a bunch of fanatic Dodger fans lining up for tickets (eBay auction link). Below is what's written on the reverse:

10/1 - Brooklyn, NY, Brooklyn's Ebbets Field is besieged by determined baseball fans, who line up early to get tickets for the crucial National League playoff opener between the Dodgers and Giants.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1968 Giants rookie Bobby Bonds hit a grand slam against Dodger righty John Purdin in his third at-bat of his first major league game -- becoming only the second player to have ever done so. In 1984 infielder Bill Russell played his 1,953rd game to become the LA Dodgers' all-time leader in games played. He would finish his career in Blue with a total of 2,181 games played -- second best all time in Dodger history. Hall of Famer Zack Wheat best him with 2,322 games played as a Dodger.
• Happy Birthday, Barney White, Don Demeter, Alejandro Peña, Aaron Sele & Paul Maholm!

2019 Panini Elite Extra Edition -- All the Dodger Cards

Panini's Elite Extra Edition Baseball set is out and it's filled with a bunch of Dodger prospects -- including one ballplayer who's getting his very first card, Ryan Pepiot. Go here to see a complete checklist.

Overall, there are nine Dodger youngsters in the 200 card base set, and all of them have autographed base parallels available to chase after. There are also insert cards of Gavin Lux and Keivert Ruiz.

BTW, Ryan Pepiot is an interesting ballplayer who I'll be keeping keeping an eye on. He was drafted in the third round this past June and recently completed his first year of professional play. Via Brian Crawford at Baseball Essential:

His ability to strikeout batters transitioned nicely to the pro game, as Pepiot racked up 31 strikeouts in 23.1 pro innings split between the AZL Dodgers and the low-A Great Lakes Loons. 

Pepiot records strikeouts regularly thanks to the feel that he has of his four-pitch mix. 

“I throw four pitches. I throw a fastball, a slider, a curveball, and a changeup,” explained Pepiot. “When I’m on the mound, I try to get ahead of hitters early with my fastball. When I’m able to do that, I can mix in my off-speed pitches to keep hitters off-balance.”

He also says that he's comfortable enough in his changeup to throw it in any count, and that's something you love hearing from a prospect.

Base

#25 Kody Hoese

Blog Kiosk: 10/16/2019 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Check out Sandy's new ride, via an eBay auction.

Los Angeles Dodgers star pitcher Sandy Koufax takes possession 10/18/65 of Sport Magazine's Corvette award for his World Series heroics. Koufax won the award in 1963, too. He's the only player to win twice.

This season, like in 1963, Koufax was named the World Series MVP. He started three games, won two of them (both complete game shutouts), struck out 29 batters and allowed only two runners to score (one earned) the entire series.

On another note, please ignore the rumors that claim to link this free agent or that free agent to the Dodgers. It's a load of BS. We hear this kind of crap all year long, and I assure you that it's nothing more than an agent marketing their client or a reporter trying to stir the pot. There's no truth to any of it, and blogs that report it are doing a disservice to Dodger fans. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1949 the Brooklyn Dodgers elect to not renew the contract of Dodger President Branch Rickey. He would soon join the Pirates the following season. In 1985 Jack Clark of the Cardinals created one of my worst memories as a Dodger fan. He belted a come-from-behind two-out, three-run home run in the ninth inning off of Dodger reliever Tom Niedenfuer to take the National League pennant. Watch it here if you must. 
• Happy Birthday, Nick Cullop & Boom-Boom Beck!

2018 Leaf Valiant - All the Dodgers Cards

We're now in the middle of March 2019 and Leaf is still producing sets with 2018 dateline. What's up with that?

Officially hitting stores this week is Leaf's 2018 Valiant Baseball card brand that focuses on the leagues top prospects and recent MLB Draft picks. There are two Dodger youngsters available in this all autograph product. Check them both out below. Go here for a look at the checklist.

Base Autographs

#BA-DJP D.J. Peters

Blog Kiosk: 2/19/2019 - Dodgers Links and News - Some Odds and Ends

Clayton is faced live batter for the first time this spring yesterday. Pic above via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2019.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1954 the Dodgers signed 19-year old Roberto Clemente to a one-year contract worth $5,000 with a $10,000 signing bonus. He was highly scouted by both the Yankees and Giants, but they all got outbid by the Dodgers. Unfortunately, they would lose Clemente's rights during the upcoming 1954 Rule V Draft to Pittsburgh. In 1983 22-year old Dodger hurler Fernando Valenzuela becomes the first ballplayer awarded an $1,000,000 salary during arbitration. The Dodgers had countered back with a salary of $750,000.
• Happy Birthday, Oscar Roettger, Dick Siebert, Gail Hopkins, Dave Stewart, Josh Reddick & Fabio Castillo! 

2018 Leaf Flash Baseball - The Two Dodger Prospects

Someone has failed to tell Leaf that the year is now 2019.

Featured here are the two Dodger prospects found in Leaf's newest prospect-heavy card brand named 2018 Leaf Flash Baseball. Having debuted this season as a football set, it is now also a baseball prospect brand and this inaugural set includes some of the top farmhands and young studs in the game (Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Ron Acuna, Shohei Ohtani and Juan Soto). The two Dodgers' available are outfielder DJ Peters and pitcher Michael Grove. Go here to check out a complete checklist.

Base Flash Autographs

#BA-DJP D.J. Peters         #BA-MG1 Michael Grove

* Please follow on twitter @ernestreyes *

* Like Dodgers Blue Heaven on facebook *

* Dodgers Blue Heaven home page *

2018 Leaf Ultimate Draft - All the Dodgers Cards

Leaf always seems to release a couple of brands a month or two too late. For instance, last week they released their 2018 Leaf Ultimate Draft cards and they'll have their 2018 Leaf Valient cards next month -- even though we are well into the new year. Nevertheless, it's always nice to get new cards of some up-'n-coming prospects.

Featured below are the three Dodgers found in packs of 2018 Leaf Ultimate Draft. Go here for a complete checklist.

1990 Leaf Autograph

#BA-DJP D.J. Peters         #BA-KR1 Keibert Ruiz

2018 Leaf Metal Draft - All the Dodgers Cards

Here is the first Leaf product I've highlighted all year. Featured are the Dodger prospects found in packs of 2018 Leaf Metal Draft. Go here for a complete checklist.

Only three Dodger players are available -- DJ Peters, Keibert Ruiz and Michael Grove.

Base Autographs

#BA-DJP D.J. Peters

Blog Kiosk: 12/21/2018 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Folks have been complaining about 'juiced' baseballs for years. Per the descriptor on the reverse of the 1950 press photo above (eBay Auction Link):

Artful Dodgers-- Two of the Brooklyn boys, Campanella and Snider, examine the inside of the controversial pill. Liveliness of the ball is causing more debate on the diamonds than the possibility of flying saucers.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1982 beloved Dodger first baseman Steve Garvey signed a five-year free agent contract to play for the San Diego Padres. In 1989 the Dodgers signed veteran free agent outfielder Hubie Brooks and reliever Mike Maddux.  In 2001 the Dodgers re-signed free agent starting pitcher Hideo Nomo - he had been traded by the Dodgers in 1998.  
• Happy Birthday, Buddy Carlyle, Howie Reed & Roger McDowell!

Blog Kiosk: 7/27/2018 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Let's hope that Rich Hill is now back to his ol' self again after making some adjustments. Last night he hurled a three-hitter over seven scoreless innings against the Braves to win, 8-2. Per Ken Gurnick at MLB.com:

"The changes were very minuscule, but huge overall," he said. "Looking back on it, absolutely, it was a good thing. Tonight was a good night. The ball came out really well, and I'm looking forward to continuing that. That's what the bullpen and the work are for in between starts, to keep that feel and make sure you stick with the mechanical changes we made and don't veer off." 

Hill said he dropped down sidearm more than usual on Thursday night with great success, helping to continue his career dominance over the Braves. He's 5-0 with a 1.74 ERA in nine games (seven starts) against them. This was his first start in Georgia since 2007.

Photo above of Rich Hill and Joc Pederson via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2018 at Dodger Insider. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1890 the Brooklyn Gladiators (the ballclub that replaced our beloved Brooklyn Bridgegrooms -- who had jumped to the National League) of the American Association found themselves with an 13-8 lead going into the eighth inning against the Columbus Salons when they ran out of baseballs to use. Brooklyn, since they were the home team, were forced to forfeit the game. This club would disband before the season ends. In 1918 Robins (Dodgers) starter Harry Heitman, in his major league debut, gave up four consecutive hits (all of whom eventually scored) and is then pulled for a reliever. He would never pitch in the majors again -- effectively ending his career with a career ERA of infinity. 
• Happy Birthday, Charlie Robinson, Jack Doscher, Zach Taylor, Jim Faulkner, Leo Durocher, Bill Sayles, Tom Goodwin & Shea Hillenbrand!

Dodgers Pick Righty Michael Grove in the Second Round - Welcome to the Blue!

The Dodgers second pick yesterday afternoon has a story similar to a rookie currently making waves with the Dodgers. Like Walker Buehler, Michael Grove, the Dodgers 2nd Round Pick, had to have Tommy John Surgery as a young lad. Unlike Buehler, Grove had his done just over a year ago while Walker had his performed immediately after signing a pro contract with the Dodgers three years ago. So, in a way Grove is way ahead of Buehler. BTW, you can follow the right-hander on twitter here: @mgrove_2. Per a Dodgers press release:

In the second round, Los Angeles selected West Virginia University right-handed pitcher Michael Grove. The Wheeling, West Virginia native missed the 2018 season, but prior to missing his junior campaign he went 5-5 with a 3.13 ERA (32 ER/92.0 IP) in 25 collegiate games (16 starts), while also holding the opposition to a .220 batting average. As a sophomore in 2017, he made nine starts, going 3-1 with a 2.87 ERA and striking out 61 batters against 15 walks in 47.0 innings before sustaining a season-ending arm injury. As a freshman in 2016, he went 2-4 with a 3.40 ERA and collected one save in 16 games (seven starts) for the Mountaineers. Grove was also named to the 2016 All-Big 12 Honorable Mention team and the 2017 All-Big 12 Second Team. The 6-foot-3, 200-pound pitcher was scouted by Dodgers’ scout Jonah Rosenthal.

Blog Kiosk: 6/5/2018 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

As you know the Dodgers selected high-schooler JT Ginn as their 1st Round Pick (30th overall) last night, and as we collectors have come to expect he already has a bunch of Baseball cards to chase after. Unusually, our 2nd Round Pick, Michael Grove, a college pitcher out of West Virginia, does not appear to have any cards on the market. Nevertheless, I'll be sure to be making a couple of fantasy Baseball cards for both of them soon. So stay tuned for that.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day In Dodgers History: In 1977 the Dodgers retired former manager Walter Alston's uniform number #24 at Dodger Stadium. He compiled a 2040-1613 (.558) record for the franchise. It was also Old-Timer's Day as the Dodgers defeated the Padres, 4-2.
• Happy Birthday, Bill Maloney, Fred Mitchell, Duke Sims & Russ Ortiz!