Blog Kiosk: 6/18/2019 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

This must've been a very sad day in Flatbush.

Featured above is an April 18, 1958, AP wirephoto of a lone ballplayer walking the field with his head held down at Ebbets Field. As you know, this date corresponds to the opening week of play for Major League Baseball. Unfortunately, the Brooklyn ballclub moved that winter to warmer digs. They are now known as the Los Angeles Dodgers. The headline used in the papers (as indicated on the reverse of photo) says, "Opening Day in Flatbush -- And Nothing But Silence." Written on the side is the following:

Ebbets Field, home of the Brooklyn Dodgers for decades, is spic and span as usual this Spring. But the stands remain empty and desolate and the field bare of players during these opening days of the 1958 season, The Dodgers, new based across the continent in Los Angeles, open their home season today in the huge Los Angeles Coliseum.

Photo above grabbed from an eBay auction (link here). Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1938 the Dodgers sign their newest coach, Babe Ruth, to a contract. He hopes that he'll be installed as manager of the club the following season. As you know, that would not occur. Instead, it becomes clear that he is signed for publicity reasons -- he takes batting practice before the start of each game to guarantee high attendance. In 1988 the Dodgers signed amateur free agent Pedro Martínez. In 2014 Clayton Kershaw no-hit the Rockies at Dodger Stadium, 8-0. He recorded a career high 15 strike outs, no walks and missed a perfect game when Hanley Ramirez committed an error in the 7th inning. Watch Vin Scully's call here. 
• Happy Birthday, Sandy Alomar!

Blog Kiosk: 8/31/2018 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

We just got beat! Per Ken Gurnick at MLB.com:

"They had a three-run homer. We had a solo home run. That was the difference in the game," said Dodgers manager Dave Roberts. "We punched more than we have lately. Robbie Ray is a guy that does punch guys. He made pitches when he needed to. They beat us. We got beat." 

Per Cary Osborne at Dodger Insider:

“Sometimes you have to tip your cap in this game,” said Dodger second baseman Brian Dozier, who was 1-for-4 with a strikeout. “I haven’t faced (Arizona starter) Robbie Ray in a long time. He had good stuff tonight.”

Tonight's battle features Hyun-Jin Ryu versus Zack Greinke. We really need this one.

Photo of a contemplative Walker Buehler via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2018 at Dodger Insider. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1950 Gil Hodges became the fourth Major Leaguer to hit four home runs in one game. It was against the Boston Braves at Ebbets Field. Overall, he went 5-for-6 with nine RBI's, five runs scored and 17 total bases. In 1959 Sandy Koufax set a new National League record when he fanned 18 Giants during a nine inning game at the LA Coliseum. It also tied the Major League mark for strike outs, and set a new Major League record with 31 total strike outs over two consecutive games (he struck out 13 Phillies his last time out). In 1985 the Dodgers got Bill Madlock from the Pirates for RJ Reynolds, Cecil Espy and Sid Bream. In 2006 the Dodgers received veteran Marlon Anderson from the Nationals for pitching prospect Jhonny Nunez. Anderson would have a stellar couple of months in Dodger Blue. He slashed .375/.431/.813/1.243 with seven homers, 15 RBI's and 12 runs scored. In 2009 the Dodgers received starting pitcher Jon Garland from the Diamondbacks for infield prospect Tony Abreu. Garland would get six starts -- going 3-2 with a 2.72 ERA.
• Happy Birthday, Duke Farrell, Ray Berres, Ira Hutchinson, Frank Robinson, Cleo James, Jack Perconte, Tom Candiotti, Mike Hartley, Hideo Nomo & Juan Nicasio!

Blog Kiosk: 8/10/2018 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

There's no quit in this club. Per Anne Rogers at MLB.com:

"We're the type of team that isn't going to quit until the last out," said shortstop Manny Machado, who recorded his 1,000th career hit in the sixth inning. "We got ahead, they came back, we went ahead and we didn't stop fighting."

Last night the Dodgers knocked five homers to come-from-behind to defeat the Rockies, 8-5.

Photo above via Matt Kelley/MLB.com at Dodger Insider. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1966 former Dodger manager Chuck Dressen died at the age of 67. In 1979 Don Sutton recorded his 50th shutout as a Dodger -- setting a new franchise record -- when he defeated the Giants at Candlestick Park, 9-0. In 1995 the first forfeit in 16 years happened during a game between the Dodgers and Cardinals at Dodger Stadium. Following the ejection of Raul Mondesi and Tommy Lasorda in the ninth inning, fans starting throwing souvenir Baseballs onto the field. The balls were given to them as a game giveaway as they entered the stadium. Watch an ESPN news story about it here.
• Happy Birthday, Rocky Colavito & Al Osuna!

2017 Bowman Chrome Mini - All the Dodgers Cards

Last week Topps released a complete factory set of 2017 Bowman Chrome Mini cards, and it includes cardboard of many of the top rookies and prospects in the Dodgers system. Go here for a complete checklist.

None of the Dodger cards found here are new us. We've seen both the designs and photo selections available in either their Bowman or Bowman Chrome sets released earlier this season. The only thing unique about this product is that they are miniaturized versions of those cards. Check out all of the Dodger cards below.

Base -- 2017 Bowman Rookies

#55 Rob Segedin

2017 Topps Update Series - Dodgers Inserts: All-Rookie, Heroes, Untouchables and 1987

Now that you've seen the base cards, here are some of the Dodgers' inserts that can be found in packs of 2017 Topps Update. You will find the 1987 Topps throwback cards, a Dodgers' Cut Signature checklist, Heroes of Autumn, Topps All-Rookie Cup and Untouchables cards.

BTW, it appears that neither Cody Bellinger or Corey Seager have autograph cards inserted into packs. There are only redemptions available. Also, the Topps All-Rookie Cup cards are lame. They include a reprint of the Fernando Valenzuela's 1982 card, but fail to include a "Rookie Cup" logo. I understand the original card didn't have one either, but if you're going to include him this kind of set then you need to make the effort to actually have the "Cup" in there. Heck, having that card reprinted with the "Cup" would make it a very unique issue. Instead, Topps has failed us all.

1987 Topps Baseball - Rookies and Trades

#US87-34 Cody Bellinger         #US87-39 Corey Seager

Giants Series Starts Friday - Autographs, Pregame Info and Other Stuff!

The next homestand starts on Friday against the San Francisco Giants. Below are some odds and ends for this upcoming homestand. Here are some important links:

• 2017 Broadcast Schedule
• Special Events Schedule
• Promotions & Giveaways Schedule
• Silent Auction Schedule 
• Friday Night Fireworks Schedule 
• Viva Los Dodgers Schedule

The Brunch At The Park will be available for this homestand only against Giants available Field section 22 and 23 and Loge section 136. It features Kings Hawaiian bun dipped in French toast batter stuffed with Farmer John’s breakfast sausage, fresh berries, maple syrup and powdered sugar. See it on the right.

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Friday, September 22nd at 7:10 PM

TV: SportsNet LA, SNLA Spanish

Radio: 570 LA Sports, KTNQ 1020

2017 Topps Heritage High Number - Dodgers Base, Variation and Parallel Cards

Topps 2017 Heritage High Numbers Baseball was released earlier this week, and below is a look at all the Dodger cards in the base set. Go here for a complete checklist. This set includes Cody Bellinger's first Heritage card.

Base Set

#507 Brandon McCarthy

#528 Logan Forsythe

Blog Kiosk: 8/16/2017 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Last night, the Blue Crew held off the White Sox until the inevitable rally began. Per Cary Osborne at Dodger Insider:

“Kind of a weird night,” Wood said. “I didn’t feel like I had my best stuff. We made some (good) pitches. It’s a kind of an interesting dynamic became they’re one of the most aggressive teams in all of baseball, so it was a lot more of my secondary stuff, and I feel like we were able to command that for the most part and made some pitches and they put the ball on the ground and in the air. … I just had to hold us in there till we got that offensive explosion.”

Soon, a bases loaded hit-by-pitch drives in the go-ahead run and opened a floodgate that eventually lead to four more runs crossing the plate.

Oh... And we're 50 games over .500... Let that sink in for a bit...

Pic above via SportsNet LA on twitter. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1950 Giants third baseman Hank Thompson hit two inside-the-park home runs off Dodger pitchers Don Bankhead and Carl Erskine at the Polo Grounds. Brooklyn got pummelled 16-7. In 1964 Cardinals great Curt Flood recorded eight consecutive hits against the Dodgers during a doubleheader in Los Angeles; including four hit against Sandy Koufax. Unfortunately, Koufax injured his elbow while on the basepaths and would not pitch again this season. In 1988 the Dodgers traded fan favorite Pedro Guerrero to the Cardinals for starting pitcher John Tudor. This move would prove to be an impactful one. I nine starts Tudor would solidify the rotation by going 4-3 with an 2.41 ERA and 3.36 FIP.
• Happy Birthday, Hub Northen, Billy Rhiel, Roger Cedeno & Yu Darvish!

2017 Topps Chrome - All the Dodgers Base & Rookie Autograph Cards

New in stores is the super-shiny version of Topps flagship Baseball card set -- 2017 Topps Chrome Baseball. Below are all of the Dodger base and autographed base cards. Go here for a complete checklist.

Of note, we see Cody Bellinger in the Topps flagship set design for the very first time, and it's likely the exact card we'll see of him in the upcoming Topps Update set.

Base Cards

#14 Kenta Maeda            #25 Clayton Kershaw

#34 Andrew Toles

2017 Topps Series 2 - The Dodgers Variation Cards

There are four short-printed Dodger variation cards available in packs of 2017 Topps Series 2. Take a look at all of them below. I have paired each one with its normal base version. Notably, Jackie Robinson and Sandy Koufax have replaced Yasiel Puig and Kenta Maeda, respectively, on their cards. They are referred to as Legends Variations.

I also thought it was very accurate of Topps to make sure that the "LA" logo for the Koufax card reflects what the logo actually looked like during his playing days. As you can see, the "LA" is much skinnier than it is today -- much like how my waste-line has ballooned in size as the years have gone by.

Variations

#375 Jackie Robinson

Base                                      Variation

Reverse of Jackie Robinson Card

2017 Topps Finest - All the Dodgers Insert Cards

Now that you've seen the base cards, here are all of the various Dodgers' inserts available in packs of 2017 Topps Finest. Go here for all of my past post on this set.

The best thing about this product is that not only are there no redemption cards for the Dodger players and all autographs are on-card.

Finest Autographs

#FA-CK Clayton Kershaw       #FA-CS Corey Seager

Blog Kiosk: 5/30/2017 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Rich Hill was dominant against the Cardinals yesterday afternoon. He went five strong innings, allowing just two hits, two walks and one earned run. Best yet, the Dodgers bullpen recorded four straight scoreless innings to help the Dodger win their fifth consecutive game. Per Scott Chasen and Joe Harris at MLB.com:

"Those guys did a heck of a job tonight with the bullpen," Hill said. "It's a reason why they're the best in baseball, so it's a lot of fun to see."

Per Rowan Kaver at Dodger Insider:

“I feel much more comfortable where I am now, getting my hand out of my glove, getting timing down,” Hill said. “It’s huge. You could see it today, it was much more crisp and clean and the ball was coming out much more efficiently.”

Pic above via SportsNet LA on twitter. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1946 Boston Braves outfielder Bama Rowell became the first player to hit the Bulova clock located above the right field scoreboard with a long drive at Ebbets Field.  His wallop shattered the clock face, causing glass to fall on the field and onto Dodger outfielder Dixie Walker. The event is said to have been the inspiration for a similar incident found in the book The Natural that was written by Brooklyn author Bernard Malamud. In 1962 Maury Wills becomes the 7th player in history to hit home runs from each side of the plate during a single game.  The feat was accomplished against the Mets during the first game of a doubleheader that afternoon.
• Happy Birthday, Jesse Whiting, Al Mamaux, Ed Rakow & Manny Ramirez!
  

2017 Bowman Baseball - The Dodgers Base and Prospect Cards

Topps Bowman Baseball card set is now officially in stores. As you know, this brand focuses on the top prospects in the game, and includes first-cards for many rising future stars. For instance, this set provides Dodger collectors with the first licensed card for right-handed pitcher Dustin May. Go here for a complete checklist. Below are all of the Dodger base and prospect base cards.

Base Cards

#2 Kenta Maeda               #50 Corey Seager

Blog Kiosk: 4/18/2017 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

In honor of his debut in a Dodger uniform I made the above two fantasy baseball cards for Michael Gonzalez. As you may know, 17-year old Gonzalez signed a one-day contract with the Dodgers yesterday as part of the Make-A-Wish Foundation. You can find out more about Michael here.

The photos used above via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2017. Go here to check out more pics by Jon from yesterday game. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1925 Charles Ebbets, the Dodgers owner and president, dies of an heart attack on the morning of his teams home opener at Ebbets Field. In 1939 Red Barber announces the first ever regular season Dodger game to be broadcast in Brooklyn. In 1946 Jackie Robinson makes his debut as a second baseman for the Montreal Royals. He belts a home runs and three singles. In 1947 Burt Shotten is named the Dodgers manager - replacing Leo Durocher who was suspended by the league ten days prior. In 1950 Vin Scully calls his very first game as a Dodgers broadcaster. In 1952 Willie Mays is knocked unconscious when he runs in to the Ebbets Field outfield wall while making a game saving catch. In 1958 Los Angeles holds a downtown parade for the the Dodgers before their first home game at the Coliseum. A National League record 78,672 fans crowd the stadium to watch their new team defeat the soon-to-be-hated Giants, 6-5. In 1964 Sandy Koufax throws his second career Immaculate Inning - three strike outs on nine pitches during one inning. In 1966 Maury Wills becomes the first batter to get a hit on artificial grass - a single off of Robin Roberts at the Astrodome. In 2008 the Dodgers announce that Joe Beimel had been selected by fans to get a bobblehead.
• Happy Birthday, Hughie Hearne, Tommy McMillan, Nick Polly, Bobby Castillo, Jim Eisenreich & Brady Clark!
  

Blog Kiosk: 3/22/2017 - Dodgers Links - Some Spring Odds and Ends

USA!  USA!  USA!

The Finals is tonight.  Don't miss it.  You can watch it on the MLB network starting at 6:00 PM.  I am sure tickets for the game are still available.  They will be facing Puerto Rico -- which is actually a US territory.  So, in a way, we've already won.

BTW, they debut a couple of Extreme Loaded Dogs at the stadium last night -- one for each team.  On the above left is the Japan Dog and on its right is the American Dog.  Which do you prefer?

Photo at the very top via @Dodgers on twitter.  Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History:  In 1962 a former Giant who still remains anonymous revealed that the Giants had help during the 1951 playoffs against the Dodgers (this is the series where Bobby Thompson hit that infamous homer).  They had a sign-stealing clubhouse spy at their home field.
• Happy Birthday, Bill McClellan, Overton Tremper, Ramon Martinez & Juan Uribe!

Blog Kiosk: 3/10/2017 - Dodgers Links - Some Spring Odds and Ends

Above is an example of what avid Baseball fans had to do to keep track of the season.  Dated September 29, 1946, Dodger fans had just witnessed their team lose the last game of the season to the Braves.  This put them into an virtual tie with the Cardinals for the National League pennant with St. Louis' last game still left to play.  Naturally, without instant media at their fingertips Dodger fans had to stick around the stadium to get news of their rivals battle against Chicago, so they flooded the field awaiting news.  Per the descriptor on the reverse:

Awaiting the Verdict: After they had seen Brooklyn drop their game to the Boston Braves, 4-0, crowds jam the field in front of the scoreboard at Ebbets Field to watch the play-by-play account of the St. Louis Cardinals-Chicago Bubs battle.  Redbirds lost 8 to 3.

With the loss the Dodgers and Cardinals would play a three-game playoff series to decide the pennant.  Unfortunately, the Dodgers would get swept and begin their vacation.

The above photo is current available on auction at RMY Auctions (link here).  Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History:  In 1983 longtime Dodger manager Walter Alston is elected into the Baseball Hall of Fame by the Special Veterans Committee vote. 
• Happy Birthday, Gene DeMontreville, Art Herring & Steve Howe!
  

Blog Kiosk: 11/10/2016 - Dodgers Links - Verdugo, DeJong, Seager, Zaidi and the 2017 Spring Schedule

The 2017 Dodgers Spring Training schedule has officially been set.  The graphic above of the schedule is via Camelback Ranch on twitter.  Go here or here for more information.

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 was the unanimous choice.
• Happy Birthday, Rob Segedin and Shawn Green!

Weekend Autograph Opportunities: Kiké Hernandez, Howie Kendrick and Rob Segedin (UPDATE: and Andrew Toles)

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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Kiké will be greeting and signing autographs for fans at a local Vons this coming Friday afternoon from 11:00 AM to Noon.

Vons
4520 Sunset Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90027

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Both Rob Segedin and Howie Kendrick will be at Ultimate Pastime Sports to sign autographs for fans.  Go here for more information.
Ultimate Pastime Sports
1614 South Carlos Avenue, Suite K
Ontario, CA 91761

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Andrew Toles will be signing at Bobblemania in Monterey Park on Saturday, September 3rd from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM. (Hat Tip: Roberto at Vin Scully is My Homeboy)

BobbleMania
2334 South Atlantic Boulevard, Suite A
Monterey Park, CA 91754

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Blog Kiosk: 8/30/2016 Dodgers Links - Puig, Bellinger and Adrian Gonzalez

Before the start of the misery that was yesterdays ballgame, Dodgers slugging first baseman Adrian Gonzalez spent the early afternoon enjoying the beauty and majesty of Denver's Downtown Aquarium, as evidenced by a pic he tweeted out.

As for the game, let's just forget all about it.  After all, we wasted a good start by Kenta Maeda.  He went five innings and gave up two earned runs on four hits - leaving the Dodgers still contention to take the game.  The Rockies scoring at that point was as an result of a two-run homer by Nick Hundley.  Per Ken Gurnick and Ben Weinrib at MLB.com:

"Overall I thought I pitched pretty well," said Maeda. "That one pitch, a slider, was definitely a mistake pitch. I always want to pitch longer, but that one pitch led to the team losing. It was very regrettable."

Frankly, it was a five run seventh inning by Colorado ruined it all.

"It got away from us," said Roberts. "I liked the matchup with Grant and we got a scoreless inning there. And this park, if you keep it close, you have a chance, but it just didn't go our way tonight."

Heck, when you only score a single run in Coors Field you are not likely to win. With the 8-1 loss the Dodgers now hold a precarious 1.5 game lead over the Giants.  Below are more links to check out:

• Today in Dodger History:  In 1952 former Dodger infielder Arky Vaughn dies in a fishing accident.  He drowned in a lake near Eagleville, CA when his boat capsized.  In 1953 Roy Campanella tied a NL record for RBI's by a catcher at 122.  He would finish the year with a Major League best 142 RBI's for a catcher.

Blog Kiosk: 8/24/2016 - Dodgers Links - Buehler, Jackie Robinson Highway and Another Dodgers Victory

So much awesome last night.

The Dodgers extended their lead in the NL West to two games last night by defeating the Giants, 9-5.  Per Ken Gurnick and Chris Haft at MLB.com:

"It was a big team offensive effort," said (Adrian) Gonzalez. "We just had good at-bats throughout the middle of the lineup tonight. We struggled early in the year, but now we're doing our part."

And even though Kenta Maeda was far from his best, having uncharacteristically thrown two wild pitches and walking four in five innings, he did out duel an obviously flustered Madison Bumgarner.  The Dodgers knocked out nine hits against MadBum to score five during his five innings pitched.  Kenta's outing was highlighted by a key strike out that ended his evening in the fifth inning.

"For him to punch out Pence in the fifth, that was a fun sequence," said Dodgers manager Dave Roberts. "That was a spot right there, I wanted him to get Pence. I felt that was his hitter."

Photo above via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2016.  Go here to check out more pics taken by Jon and Jill Weisleder from yesterdays game.  Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers Baseball:  In 1941 the Dodger "SymPhony" band makes it debut at Ebbets Field.  In 1957 the Dodgers tied a Major League record by using eight pitchers in one game during an 13-3 loss against the Milwaukee Braves.  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 a Major League record 38th consecutive base.  The streak also ended when he was caught stealing later on in the same game.
• Happy Birthday, Enrique "Kiké" Hernandez!