Blog Kiosk: 11/4/2019 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Above is a fantastic Sport Magazine press photo, dated to 1965, of Don Drysdale and Ron Fairly (eBay auction link).

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1966 Maury Wills leaves the Dodgers while he is touring with the club in Japan, complaining that his injured right knee needs immediate treatment. He is then traded less than a month later to Pittsburgh for Bob Bailey and Gene Michael.
• Happy Birthday, Bill McCarren, Earl Mattingly, Eddie Basinski & Eric Karros!

Blog Kiosk: 10/31/2019 - Dodgers Links - Happy Halloween and Congrats Nats!

I would like to extend a big Blue Heaven congratulations to the Nationals for their World Series Championship. Out of curiosity, if Kershaw is a choker then what is Verlander? He's 0-6 in World Series games. I must confess that there's a little bit of joy in knowing that Bryce Harper will not be celebrating with that team. BTW, the Dodgers were the only team to win a postseason home game against the Nationals during these playoffs. I can't believe Fernando Rodney finally won a championship. Lastly, a congrats to former Dodgers Brian Dozier, Howie Kendrick, Javy Guerra and Dan Hudson on their new rings.

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

• This Day in Dodger History: In 2017 the Dodgers forced a Game 7 in their World Series matchup against the Houston Astros by defeating Houston and Justin Verlander, 3-1 (boxscore). Kenley Jansen pitched two innings of scoreless relief to earn the save.
• Happy Birthday, Stephen McKeever, Hardie Henderson, Leo Dickerman, Fred McGriff, Oreste Marrero & Javy Guerra!

Blog Kiosk: 7/24/2018 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

The Ultey retirement tour is in full swing. Per Todd Zolecki at MLB.com:

"I thought it was important to let the Philadelphia Phillies fans know that this is going to be the last time that I'm going to have the chance to play in this ballpark," Utley said Monday afternoon. "Whether I was going to continue to play another few years or not, this city was an experience that I'll never forget. Obviously, we had some great success here and the way this city supported this team over those years is pretty remarkable. I've said this a number of times over the years, but fans in this city really elevated our game and made us focus a little bit more. It added a little bit of intensity and adrenaline. In my opinion, those are things that can make a team better."

BTW, the Dodgers eked out a victory last night in Philadephia, 7-6, by smashing four homers and rallying in the ninth. Pic above via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2018 at Dodger Insider. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1931 Brooklyn Robins (Dodgers) outfielder Babe Herman hit for the cycle against the the Pittsburgh Pirates. In 1939 the Brooklyn Dodgers selected Dixie Walker off waivers from the Detroit Tigers. He would go on to play nine season in Brooklyn; slashing .311/.386/.441/.827 for the Dodgers. In 1967 former Dodgers President Branch Rickey is posthumously inducted in the Baseball Hall of Fame. In 1993 Mets outfielder Vince Coleman tossed a M-80 firecracker from his car as he was leaving the Dodger Stadium parking area. It is reported that three people are injured; including an 11-year old boy and a two-year old girl. Coleman eventually pleads guilty to one misdemeanor count of unlawful possession of an explosive device and is sentenced to 200 hours of community service. The incident, along with many others, leads the Mets to announced a month later that he would never play for the team again.
• Happy Birthday, Tommy McCarthy, Joe Wall, Joe Schultz, Preston Ward, Norihiro Nakamura & Scott Van Slyke!

Weekend Autograph Opportunities: Ron Fairly, Stan Williams, Jay Johnstone & Tim Leary

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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Four old-tyme Dodgers will be signing autographs this coming Saturday at the KDB Sports Fest event being held at Iguana's Bar in Rosemead. You can meet Ron Fairly, Stan Williams, Jay Johnstone & Tim Leary. Also in attendance will be AAGPBL star Marge Villa of the Kenosha Comets. Go here for more information. See the flyer below.

Iguana's Bar
8528 Rosemead Blvd
Pico Rivera, California 90660

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

Here's a look at Dodger veteran Pee Wee Reese on Camera Day at the LA Coliseum in April 1959 that is currently available at RMY Auction (auction link).

As nice as the above press photo is I think the photos being taken by those fans would be even cooler to see.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1964 a Hall of Fame Special Veterans Committee elected three former Dodgers' into the Hall of Fame: Burleigh Grimes, Heinie Manush and John Montgomery Ward. Also joining them in the Hall are Red Faber, Tim Keefe and Miller Huggins.
• Happy Birthday, Wes Ferrell, John Tudor, Scott Erickson & Chin-lung Hu!

Diamondbacks Series Starts on Monday - Stadium Giveaways, Pregame Info and Other Stuff!

The next homestand starts on Friday against the Arizona Diamondbacks.   Below are some odds and ends for this upcoming homestand.

The eleventh 2016 issue of the new Dodger Insider magazine, spotlighting the Dodgers’ push toward a title despite the injury to Clayton Kershaw, will be available at Dodger Stadium.  (see it on the left).  On the cover are Kenley Jansen, Adrian Gonzalez, Kenta Maeda, Justin Turner, Corey Seager and Dave Roberts.  The Dodgers merged their previously separate Playbill and Dodger Insider magazines into one publication (at least 80 pages per issue) with a new edition available each homestand.  They are distributed at auto gates (one per vehicle) and via Fan Services for those who use alternate transportation.

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Monday, September 5at 5:10 PM
RHP Zack Greinke vs. RHP Kenta Maeda
SNLA / AM 570 (Eng.), KTNQ 1020 AM (Span.)

Blog Kiosk: 7/12/2016 - Dodgers Links - Urias, Kershaw and Corey Seager

That wasn't half bad.

Last Night was the MLB All-Star Game Home Run Derby and rookie shortstop Corey Seager was slated to face off against the Mark Trumbo, who leads the league in homers this season.  It was the first round of the derby and pitching to Seager was his father, Jeff (as seen in the photo above).  Per Cary Osborne at Dodger Insider:

Seager said choosing dad was a sentimental pick, but he also provided a lot of familiarity. And as we’ve learned with Seager, familiarity breeds success.

“He’s probably as nervous as I am,” Seager said. “He said he’s going to try and not look at me and not stare up. He said he’s just going to try and stare at the catcher and block everything out. I said, ‘Good luck.’”

Overall, I thjink Corey's Dad did just fine.  He threw strikes and Corey hit 15 of them out.  Unfortunately, the inhuman Trumbo bested him with 16 of his won.  Via Alden Gonzalez at MLB.com:

"It was fun," Seager said of the event, ultimately won by Marlins right fielder Giancarlo Stanton. "It was very fun. It was one of those things that not a lot of people get to experience, and to be able to do it, with my dad, was real fun. It was really enjoyable."

Jeff Seager has been throwing batting practice to his three sons -- Kyle and Justin of the Mariners, Corey of the Dodgers -- since they each could even swing. Corey took hacks from him four times a week in North Carolina throughout this past offseason, but this was wholly different.

"I thought I was really lucky that he thought of me and asked me," Jeff Seager said. "Then I started thinking about what it means."

Photo above via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2016.  Go here to check out a bunch of great pics by Jon from the day.  Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodger History: In 1949 Larry Doby of the Cleveland Indians and Jackie Robinson, Roy Campanella and Don Newcombe of the host Dodgers became the first black players to appear in an All-Star game.  In 1966 Maury Wills drove in the winning run on a walk-off single in the 10th inning of the All-Star Game played at Busch Stadium in St. Louis.
• Happy Birthday, Ron Fairly and Howie Kendrick!

Weekend Autograph Opportunities: Scott Schoenweis and Several Dodgers in Rancho Cucamonga

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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The 1962 Union Oil Dodgers Player Portrait Set - A Newly Completed Set for My Collection

WooHoo!  There's nothing like the joy of a completed set.

Last week, I was able to finally finish off another Dodgers Union Oil Player Portrait set.  This time I was able to complete the 1962 Union Oil Dodgers Player Portraits set, and I have scanned it in its entirety in order to share.  Earlier in the year, I snagged a 1969 Union Oil set for a bargain of a price.  This time, I had to build this set from several large lots I was able to find on eBay. 

As you know, these portraits feature drawings by noted artist Nicholas Volpe. The 1962 set consist of 24 different sheets, and measure 8 1/2" x 11".  I am not entirely sure if these were given out by select Union Oil gas stations or were a giveaway at games at Dodger Stadium.  My trusted standard catalog doesn't provide any clues about that, but it does mention that it has been reported that as many as 200,000 copies of each portrait was produced.  I know that sounds like a lot, but considering the passage of time it's likely a vast majority of them are long gone.  Still, it's a gorgeous set that tends to command a premium when in great condition.

Check out the entire set below.  Click on any pic to embiggen.

BTW, I've got only the 1964 set remaining to complete, and  I only need 3 more sheets - Willie Davis, Joe Moeller and Lee Walls.

Larry Burright

Doug Camilli

Andy Carey

Tommy Davis

Willie Davis

Don Drysdale

Ron Fairly

Jim Gilliam

Tim Harkness

Frank Howard

Sandy Koufax

Joe Moeller

Wally Moon

Ron Perranoski

Johnny Podres

Ed Roebuck

John Roseboro

Larry Sherry

Norm Sherry

Duke Snider

Daryl Spencer

Lee Walls

Stan Williams

Maury Wills

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