Blog Kiosk: 2/7/2018 - Dodgersw Links - Some Odds and Ends

After two seasons in Dodger Blue Kenta Maeda finally made it to a Lakers game. Here he is above with Dodger translator Will Ireton (wearing the Lakers Lucha Libre mask) and friend, via Maeda's Instagram. He wrote:

My first @lakers and NBA game was a success! Had a great time and it was even better with a Laker win! 

For the sake of the Lakers season I think he needs to go more often. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1958 the Dodgers officially became the Los Angeles Dodgers, Inc. In 2006 the Dodgers signed Japanese pitcher Takashi Saito to a free agent minor league contract. Saito made the Opening Day roster and would quickly become a fan favorite. That first season he would record 24 saves with an 2.07 ERA, 1.87 FIP and come in 8th place in Cy Young voting.
• Happy Birthday, Tom Daly, Mel Almada, Cy Moore, Art Jones, Johnny Werhas & Burt "Happy" Hooton!

Blog Kiosk: 11/10/2017 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Although this is far from the most artistic photograph you'll ever see, it is interesting. Featured here is a March 1943 ACME press photo (eBay auction link) of America's finest at West Point watching the Brooklyn Dodgers train. Per the descriptor on the reverse:

Dodgers Try Indoor Training Ground -- General Mud was a wartime stymie in the field of sport, today, He ousted the Dodgers from their Bear Mountain training camp and sent them scurrying to the safety of the West Point Academy Field House. Here, soldiers sneak a look through the net as the famous Bums get the kinks out of their batting arms.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1988 Orel Hershiser was named the winner of the NL Cy Young Award.  He became the ninth pitcher in MLB history to be an unanimous choice.
• Happy Birthday, Billy Earle, Whitey Alpermann, Eddie Eayrs, Chick Fewster, Carmen Mauro, Mike Vail, Matt Magill, Rob Segedin & Shawn Green!

Blog Kiosk: 11/9/2017 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

This is the greatest thing ever!

It also saddens me that I am only hearing about this now.

Featured above is a fantastic mural found in a home now occupied by Lakers radio play-by-play man John Ireland. As you can see, it features a smiling Steve Sax playing some ball with the Three Stooges. According to  Whitney Mcintosh at SB Nation the home was once occupied by former Dodger second baseman Steve Sax, and she shares a fantastic interview with him to talk all about it. Check it out here.

Q: So when did you paint the mural? Was it after the World Series or had it been there for a while?
A: I bought this house … actually, I bought it when it was being constructed in 1984 and this was a game room I had upstairs and there wasn’t much to it other than that I was a big Three Stooges fan and it was a game room, a fun room. So I asked a guy to paint a mural of me and The Three Stooges together and he did.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 2001 the Dodgers received left-handed starting pitcher Omar Daal from the Phillies for Eric Junge and Jesus Cordero. Thirty year old Daal would go on to have a decent year for the Dodgers. He went 11-9 with an 3.90 ERA in 161.1 innings, 105 strikeouts, 54 walks and a 1.3 WAR.
• Happy Birthday, Judge McCredie, Harvey Hendrick, Johnny Gooch & Dick Whitman!

Blog Kiosk: 11/7/2017 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

"They're Signed with the Navy"

In wartime all must serve -- even ballplayers. Featured here are two Brooklyn Dodgers who have joined the Armed Forces. Check out Hugh Casey and Pee Wee Reese in the midst of putting on their Navy Baseball uniform. Per the description on the reverse:

They wear different uniforms now but Hugh Casey, (left), and Pee Wee Reese, former Brooklyn Dodgers' pitcher and shortstop respectively, are still playing ball -- but now, it's for Uncle Sam. They're batting 'em out at the Naval Air Station in Norfolk and are the nucleus of one of the best service team in the country.

Dated September 12, 1943, this vintage US Navy press photo from ACME was on auction at RMY, but did not sell. Check out the listing here. Below are more links to check out:

• Happy Birthday, Joe Hatten, Dick Stuart, Rich Rodas & Orlando Mercado!

Blog Kiosk: 10/11/2017 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

I had a little bit of time last night so I put together the above two fantasy Baseball cards featuring Cody Bellinger's phenomenal catch the other day. I used designs from the 1994 Bowman and 1952 Topps sets. Later on today I'll share a bunch more that feature pics from Game 3.

Below are some links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1965 Willie Davis stole three bases against the Twins in Game 2 of the Fall Classic to become only the second player in World Series history to have done so. In 1978 rookie Dodger pitcher Bob Welch came out of the bullpen during the ninth inning of Game 2 of the World Series and proceeded to get out both Thurman Munson and Reggie Jackson of the Yankees to preserve a victory, 4-3. The Jackson out has become a thing of lore. It's one of the more dramatic strike outs you'll ever see. Watch it here. In 1981 Jerry Reuss shutout the Astros, 4-0, to win the best-of-five divisional series and earn the right to face Montreal for the National League Pennant.
• Happy Birthday, Bob Chipman, Bob Stinson & Gregg Olson!

Blog Kiosk: 10/4/2017 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

You hard working lucky duckies!

Thirty students got a big surprise earlier this week. They were presented with tickets to Game 1 of the NLDS this coming Friday, via the Dodgers, for demonstrating academic improvement and athletic excellence. Dodger alumnus Dennis Powell and Ken Landreaux were on-hand. Per Joshua Thornton at MLB.com:

"It's just great to see," Powell said. "It's also great to let them know that someone is watching them." 

The Dodgers will also provide transportation to and from Dodger Stadium. 

"This is exciting," senior Mario Robinson said. "We don't really get stuff like this at school. For me, to be nominated for something educational and people noticing me about everything I do helping out with Mr. Corley is just amazing."

With all the bad stuff happening around us I thought that something cheery was in order. Photo above via Jill Weisleder/Los Angeles Dodgers. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1955 the day Dodger fans have been waiting finally happened. On this day the Brooklyn Dodgers defeated the New York Yankees in Game 7 of the World Series to win a championship for the very first time in its franchise. In 1959 the Dodgers won the teams very first playoff game in Los Angeles when they defeated the Chicago White Sox, 3-1.  92,234 fans attended the game at the LA Coliseum, setting a new record for attendance for a World Series game. This win put them up two games to one in the series.  They would win the World Series in the sixth game four days later.  In 2006 the worst play in Dodgers playoff history happened (in my opinion) when two runners are thrown out at home plate on the same throw during Game 1 of the NLDS against the Mets.  You can relive the horror here.
• Happy Birthday, Rip Ripulski, John Duffie, Mike Sharperson, Dennis Cook, Adam Riggs, Tony Gwynn, Jr. & Stephen Fife!

Blog Kiosk: 9/13/2017 - Dodgers Links - A Win and a Playoff Spot -- Woo Hoo!

Yeah!

That was a tough win last night. The Dodgers battled, fought and scraped their way towards snapping a losing streak that has been bane to faithful fans everywhere. Kershaw was good, but at times struggled. The offense showed signs of life, but still stranded eleven runners on base. The relief staff got the job done, but they sure did make me feel like downing a shot of whiskey after it was all said and done. Per Cary Osborne at Dodger Insider:

“This is a good thing for us,” Jansen told SportsNet LA’s Alanna Rizzo. “It keeps us humble and keeps us in check. it shows you this game is not always going to love you. You love this game and sometimes it’s not going your way. Sometimes you have to be patient and remind you how hard it is to get to the playoffs and how hard it is to win the World Series.”

BTW, with the win last night the Dodgers finally clinched a playoff spot. Per Ken Gurnick at MLB.com:

"When you get off to the start we did, teams are going to gun for you, people prepare and they're out to beat you," said manager Dave Roberts. "Now, with the win, we can exhale and reset. You'll see some guys enjoy a win more than typically enjoy a win. That's a good thing. We'll refocus tomorrow. Usually there's handshakes [after wins], but tonight there were hugs."

Photo above via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2017. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1925 future Brooklyn Hall of Famer Dazzy Vance no-hit Phillies at Ebbets Field, 10-1. In 1977 outfielder Dusty Baker set a franchise record by recording five RBI's on a single inning -- during the second inning of a game against the Padres. His hits include a two-run double and a three-run homer.
• Happy Birthday, Harry Redmond, Dutch Ruether, John Kelleher, Sam Crane, Otho Nitcholas, Morrie Aderholt, Rick Dempsey, Andy LaRoche & Zach Lee!

Blog Kiosk: 8/21/2017 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Kenta Maeda and Tigers ace Justin Verlander were locked in a pitching duel Sunday afternoon - both of whom had no-hitters going into the 6th inning. Then the Dodgers stuck first when newly acquired outfielder Curtis Granderson hit his first homer as a Dodger to break up Verlander's no-no. Soon thereafter, Maeda lost his when he coughed up four runs during his half of the 6th inning. Per Jason Beck and Catherine Slonksnis at MLB.com:

(Pic via @Dodgers on twitter)

"Well, it's good to go ahead and try to put us in a situation, at that point, to break up the no-hitter, to give us the lead," Granderson said. "But to not get enough to help this team win tonight, I'm a little dissatisfied because you want to put yourself in a situation where we could earn the sweep here."

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

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1970 the Dodgers signed amateur free agent infielder Jerry Royster out of Sacramento High School. He would be traded five years later to Atlanta as part of a package for Dusty Baker, and go on to have a ten-year career with the Braves. In 1975 the Cubs pitching brothers of Rick and Paul Reuschel combine to shutout the Dodgers, 7-0.
• Happy Birthday, Woody Williams, Shawn Hillegas, John Wetteland, Craig Counsell, Ismael Valdéz & Jesse Chavez!

Blog Kiosk: 5/8/2017 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Kenley Jansen had an eventful Saturday evening. Not only did he enter the game with a four-run lead in the eighth inning, striking out a Padre with the bases loaded, but he also had a chance at an at-bat the next half inning. As you can see in the pic above, the tall right-hander got some wood on the pitch. Unfortunately, the result was just a ground out to the shortstop.

BTW, Jansen has only one career hit to his name, and he recorded that in 2010 -- his rookie season. It was off of Phillies pitcher Kyle Kendrick in the fifth inning at Dodger Stadium, and he was inserted in as a pinch hitter for reliever Ramon Troncoso. His single lead to a run scoring a few batters later.

The photo above via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2017. Go here to check out more pics by Jon from Saturday's game. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1941 the Giants and Dodgers play an Army-Navy Relief exhibition game that raises over $60,000. Brooklyn edged out their rivals, 7-6, on a Dolph Camilli homer run. As the story goes, in 1947 St. Louis Cardinals owner Sam Breason (who denied this) stopped a team protest during their first meeting with Jackie Robinson and the Dodgers. In 1973 Willie Stargell hit an Andy Messersmith pitch out of Dodger Stadium. It was the second time he has accomplished the feat at the stadium and only the second time it had ever happened. In 1981 Fernando Valenzuela throws his seventh straight victory to open the season, shutting out the Mets by a score of 1-0 at Shea Stadium.
• Happy Birthday, Dan Brouthers & Adrian Gonzalez!

Blog Kiosk: 12/6/2016 - Dodgers Links - Roberts on Puig, Kershaw, and Logo Creep

Clayton Kershaw made his way to the 2016 Winter Meetings in Maryland yesterday to help usher in a new era in on-field Baseball uniforms.  As you may know, it was announced that Under Armour will be the game’s official uniform outfitter starting in 2020 - taking over for Majestic.  To help introduce the brand to the Baseball public was Kershaw, along with Francisco Lindor on his right and Brian Dozier on his left.

One item of note that I thought worth mentioning (originally noted by Paul Lukas at UniWatch) is the inclusion of a brand makers-mark (logo) on the front upper-right chest area of the new uniforms - a first for the league.  In the past, the Majestic makers-mark was seen on the sleeve.  Now, it'll be front and center.  Slowly but surely logo adverts on uniforms will become the norm.  Ugh....

You should definitely take a look at Paul's post at UniWatch.  He shares some photoshopped pics that shows what the logo-creep will look like.  It's a little unsettling (as the Baseball purest I often am), but I imagine most folks won't think anything of it.

Photograph at the very top via David Vassegh on twitter.  Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History:  In 1973 the Dodgers traded Claude Osteen to the Astros for Jim Wynn.  In 2006 the Dodgers signed free agent pitcher Jason Schmidt.  In 2007 signed free agent outfielder Andruw Jones.  Wow!  This is a bad day to sign free agents, eh?
• Happy Birthday, Tommy Brown & Dodgers broadcaster Joe Davis!

Blog Kiosk: 11/15/2016 - Dodgers Links - Demolition, Puig, Agon and Corey Seager

A couple weeks back I shared some unique photos featuring the progress of the demolition of a ballpark called Washington Park II -- the former home of the Brooklyn Dodgers from 1898-1912 (link here).  These date to 1926 and were taken by a local photographer for the Brooklyn Edison Company.  As you may know, Con Edison of New York (no doubt an offspring of the Brooklyn Edison Company) currently sits on the land this stadium once stood.

Now, I've run into even more photos of the demolition and this time we get a close-up look at the grandstands that once housed thousands of hollering fans.  They are available through eBay (links here, here, here, here, here and here).  Click on any pic to embiggen.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History:  In 1962 Dodger Hall of Famer Don Drysdale is named the NL Cy Young Award winner.  He went 25-9 with an 2.83 ERA, 19 complete games and 232 strike outs.  In 1988 Dodgers outfielder and legend Kirk Gibson was named the NL MVP.  BTW, he is the first MVP to not have been selected for the All-Star Game in the same season. 

Blog Kiosk: 11/2/2016 - Dodgers Links - Calhoun, Bellinger and Clayton Kershaw

In honor of Fernando Valenzuela's 56th birthday yesterday the Dodger Insider blog shared 34 fantastic photos of him from his career in LA -- many of which you may be seeing for the first time.  Go here to check them all out.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History:  In 1977 Tommy John comes in a distant second place in Cy Young voting -- having been beaten by Steve Carlton of the Phillies. John went 20-7 for the Dodgers with an 2.78 ERA, FIP of 3.05, eleven complete games and three shutouts.
• Happy Birthday, Al Campanis!

Dodgers Blog Kiosk: 12/10/2012

Take a look at Dodger Stadium now.  Pic via twitter @DodgerPulse.

• This is all Matt Kemp had to say about the weekend.

(twitter link)

• Via Richard Justice at MLB.com, New Dodgers Owners Prove They Mean Business.
• RIP, PJ Carey.  He was a Dodger senior advisor for player development.  Via Thomas Harding at MLB.com.
• Chad Moriyama reports that prospect Shohei Otani will sign with a Japanese team rather than join the MLB.
• Roberto at Vin Scully is My Homeboy notes that both Peter O'Malley and Vin Scully were at the Danny Kaye Centennial salute.
• Check out this great Baseball card quality fantasy card of Hyun-Jin Ryu tweeted by the @Dodgers below.

(twitter link)

• And, since I couldn't help myself.... I decided to make another Ryu fantasy Baseball card, but a bit less glamorous.  The pic was originally a screen grab from Shark Reborn that features Ryu when he was on a Korean game show.

• Check this out.  A discovery within the archives of Academy Award winning writer/director Richard Brooks unearthed rare color film footage of Satchel Paige pitching at old Wrigley Field in Los Angeles in a November 1948 exhibition game.  It was shot by Brooks.  Also, a commenter notes that MGM boss Louis B. Mayer is clearly seen at the 0:15 mark- he's the second "M" of MGM. Paige was pitching for a barnstorming team of Negro League players called the "Royals" against the Gene Bearden- Bob Lemon All-Stars.  (Hat Tip: Baseball Happenings)

Video Link:

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Dodgers Blog Kiosk: 10/25/2012

Here is a photo shared by Tommy Lasorda on twitter of a caricature of himself in the Baseball Cafe in the Tokyo Dome.

• Are you looking for some Dodger Talk?  Well, now you can listen to the show this winter- starting this coming Wednesday, via a Dodgers press release.

The Dodgers announced today that starting Wednesday, October 31, Dodger Spanish-language broadcaster Jorge Jarrín will host a one-hour weekly show on AM 570 FOX Sports LA, “Dodger Talk – Offseason Edition.” The AM 570 Fox Sports LA program will air each Wednesday from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. Fans will have access to the latest Dodger news, interviews with Dodger players, coaches and front office executives. The inaugural guest on “Dodger Talk – Offseason Edition” next Wednesday is All-Star first baseman Adrian Gonzalez.

• Matt Kemp's shoulder was worse than the doctors imagined, via Ken Gurnick at MLB.com.

"When I hurt it, I asked the doctors if I could damage it more by playing with it and they said no, so I kept playing, and when they got in there they were surprised that I could play with it. It was worse than they thought," said Kemp in his first comments to the media since the operation. 

• Eric Stephen at True Blue LA has the 2013 tentative Camelback Ranch Spring Training schedule.
• With all of the Shohei Otani talk recently Mike Rosenbaum at the Bleacher Report wonders how he ranks when compared to Yu Darvish and other prospects.
• Dodgers assistant GM Logan White seems to believe he would be a No. 1 draft pick if he was in the USA, via the Dallas Morning News.

While answering a question about Otani's impending free agency, (Jim) Callis referenced a meeting between Dodgers assistant GM Logan White and the Japanese media in September. White told the assembled press that Otani "had the talent to be the top overall choice in the MLB draft."

• Via Nate Aderhold at Baseball Nation, since Otani was drafted by the Nippon Ham Fighters he would be ineligible to sign with any MLB club until April 2013.  So, everything is premature at this point.
• LA Kings broadcaster Bob Miller writes a great article at LA Kings Insider about some of the old stadiums that no longer exist.

As the interview started, Red Wing fans started throwing glass bottles from the upper deck.  When one crashed close to Pete and Marcel, Pete said on the air, ‘This is London’ as reporters did during the bombing of that city during World War II.  Pete quickly decided to end the interview and he and Marcel got safely off the ice.

• Ryan G at This Card is Cool finds a really cool card in Japan.  It's a Upper Deck/Kellogg Japanese card of old friend Takashi Saito in a Dodgers uniform.  Awesome!  And it can be yours for the right trade.
• WAGs of the 2012 World Series, via Busted Coverage.
• PSA just rolled out a new online resource for the autograph collector called PSA Autograph Facts.

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Dodgers Blog Kiosk: 10/12/2012

Even with all of the controversy surrounding game-used relics in cards, I still find this card really cool.  Found on ebay is this "1 of 1" 2012 Triple Threads All-Star booklet card of Matt Kemp.  It appears to include game-used apparel from the 2011 All-Star game.

• GCRL shares a whole bunch of his Ron Cey autographed cards.  Then, he comes up with a great post about a new trending meme called "Suttoning".
• The Dodgers third base coach Tim Wallach is expected to interview for the open Boston Red Sox managerial position, via the Boston Herald.
• Howard Cole grades the 2012 Dodgers.
• I would like to extend a big Blue Heaven congratulations to the Ellis' on the recent birth of Audrey!

(Twitter Link)

• The Dodgers continue to search for talent internationally.  As has been reported widely, the Dodgers spoke with 18 year old Japanese right-handed pitcher Shohei Otani, via WEEI.  Eric Stephen at True Blue LA,   Mike Petriello at Mike Scioscia's Tragic Illness, and Chad Moriyama go into it deeper.
• For you aspiring journalism professionals this should be an interesting read.  Tom Hoffarth at the Daily News reports that LA Kings Insider blog reporter Rich Hammond left his job as an independent reporter employed by the Kings because the NHL was unhappy with an interview he wrote with Kings winger (enforcer) and team player representative Kevin Westgarth about the lockout.  His position was always rife with peril.  It's a difficult balance between being an objective report and being paid by those he reports on.  It seems that he did not feel comfortable with the notion that the Kings could safeguard his work, even as the Kings promised that they could.  So, having the kind of integrity his readers have come to appreciate, Hammond's chose to resign and work elsewhere.  Niesy at Jewels from the Crown has more.
• I miss hockey.  
• Yeah!  Cheerleaders in a house of horrors, via Terez Owens.

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