Blog Kiosk: 5/13/2020 - Dodgers Links & News - Some Odds and Ends

Here's an undated photograph, likely from the mid to late 60's, featuring Dodger Hall of Famers Roy Campanella and Jackie Robinson perusing through Jackie's book Baseball Has Done It (eBay auction link).

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1947 the famous 'embrace that shook the baseball world' occurred at Crosley Field in Cincinnati. The Dodgers, facing the Reds for the first time this season at their home stadium, witness a barrage of racial slurs directed at Jackie Robinson. Team captain Pee Wee Reese, seeing this, engages with Jackie on the field and then put his arm around his shoulder, a gesture that stuns and silences the crowd (or so the story goes). In 1952 Vin Scully experienced something unbelievable. As a youth he dreamed of being a broadcaster. A classmate named Larry Miggins shared a similar dream with him, but he wanted to play Major League Baseball. So on this day Miggins, now a outfielder with the Cardinals, was at-bat with Vin Scully calling the game for the Dodgers in Brooklyn, and proceeded to hit his first career home run in front of his close friend (boxscore). Tom Verducci at Sports Illustrated wrote a bit about it here.

“Incredible, isn’t it?” Scully says. “I mean, really, absolutely incredible. And probably the toughest home run call that I ever had to call because I was a part of it. He hit the home run against Preacher Roe, I’m pretty sure. And I had to fight back tears. I called ‘home run,’ and then I just sat there with this big lump in my throat watching him run around the bases. I mean, how could that possibly happen?”

• Happy Birthday, Jimmy Archer, Carden Gillenwater, Don LeJohn, Bobby Valentine, Johnny Roseboro and John Ely!

Blog Kiosk: 5/11/2020 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Great photo - Bad result. Pete Reiser was out at home. (eBay auction link) Below is what's written on the reverse:

Dusty Dodger Out At Home 

Boston, Mass... Pete Reiser, Dodgers' left fielder made at game try but is declared "out" at the plate in the third inning of the opening game at Braves Field here today. The putout was made on Connie Ryan's throw to Phil Masi. Pee Wee Reese had previously scored on Saunders' fumble. The Boston Braves were trailing the Brooklyn visitors at this stage of the game 2 to 0. (Dated 7.7.1946) (Photo via Myer Ostroff).

Unfortunately, the Dodgers would lose this game, 3-2 (boxscore). Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1963 Sandy Koufax no-hit the Giants at Dodger Stadium, 8-0 (boxscore). In fact, he had a perfect game going into the eighth, before walking the second batter of the inning. Overall, he recorded four strikeouts, two walks and faced only 28 batters - only one more than the minimum. This was also his second career no-hitter.
• Happy Birthday, Gene Hermanski, Bill Bean, Trent Hubbard & Red Patterson!

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

Here's a fun International News Press photo featuring slugger Duke Snider and skipper Chuck Dressen. It is unfortunately undated, but the auction listing (link here) says its from 1953 and the "33" refers to the number of home runs Snider had hit so far that season. As you may know, 1953 was Duke's best year. He would record a 9.2 WAR, hit 42 homers, knock in 126 runs, score a league-high 132 times, while slashing .336/.419/.627/1.046.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1955 future Hall of Fame manger Tommy Lasorda started his first game as a Major League pitcher and got shelled. He would only go one inning, striking out two, walking two and throwing three wild pitches -- tying a Major League record for wild pitches in an inning (boxscore). In 1976 the Dodgers hit seven home runs against the Cubs at Wrigley Field -- winning the game 14-12. Chicago hit two homers of their own. The Dodger home run hitters were Bill Russell, Ed Goodson, Ron Cey, Henry Cruz (2), Steve Yeager and Bill Buckner. The seven homers set a Dodgers team record for dingers in a game. In 2000 Tommy Lasorda is named manager of the United States' Olympic baseball team. Team USA would go on to win the gold medal in the Summer Olympics in Sydney, Australia.
• Happy Birthday, George Dockins, Johnny Rutherford & Reggie Williams!

Blog Kiosk: 8/23/2016 - Dodgers Links - Trevor Oaks, Scott Kazmir and Adrian Gonzalez

I suspect yesterdays exploits at the plate will result in at least one Topps Now card being issued for the Dodgers... Maybe, two.  After all, when you steamroll over an opposition then there will no doubt be plenty of highlights worthy of special recognition. 

Case in point, Adrian Gonzalez (seen high-tening AJ Ellis above) had a career kind of day.  Not only did he start off the Dodger offense by walloping an three-run home run in the first inning, but he also continued to mash the ball all afternoon.  He finished up going 3 for 6 with three home runs and eight RBI's. 

Then in the fifth inning a couple of rookies hit back-to-back first-career home runs.  This unique feat accomplished by Andrew Toles and Rob Segedin had only occurred three other times over the past thirty years.  Per Cody Pace at MLB.com:

"I mean, when I saw he hit his, I looked up on the board and I saw that it was his first, so I was excited for him because I knew, especially because it landed in the net that he was going to get the ball back," Segedin said. "It was a big hit at the time, too. What I was able to do, the next pitch, it was pretty cool."

Later on in the same inning Corey Seager hit his 22nd home run of the year - matching a Dodgers franchise record for homers by a shortstop.  Per Mark Sheldon and Cody Pace at MLB.com:

"There was a lot of good things," Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. "Obviously, Adrian had a career day and Chase [Utley], Corey [Seager], guys were on base all game and to see that these guys didn't let up and continue to put together at-bats, run the bases, hit some balls out of the ballpark, very excited for our offense."

BTW, the Dodgers defeated the Reds, 18-9, and extend their lead to a full game over the Giants.  Photo at the very top via @Dodgers on twitter.  Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodger History:  In 1958 Gil Hodges hit his 14th career grand slam.  It had set a new NL record for grand slams in a career.  In 1989 Tommy Lasorda had Expos mascot Youppi! ejected from a game in Montreal.  The mascot was causing too much noise by jumping on top of the dugout roof during the 22-inning game.  You can watch Youppi! get tossed here. BTW, the Dodgers defeated the Expose, 1-0, on an home run by Rick Dempsey in the 22nd inning.
• Happy Birthday, Casey Blake!

Blog Kiosk: 4/13/2016 - Dodgers Links - First Glove, Raised "LA" Logo and Vin Scully

It doesn't get much better than this.

Yesterday's Opening Day was all about celebrating Vin Scully and the many years he sat behind the mic to call games.  Players and personnel from his entire career came out to greet and honor him, and it was clear to see how touched the man of the hour was.  It was quite a sight to see, and I'm sure the moment will be remembered by everyone in attendance.

In the middle of all the pomp and circumstance was probably the best selfie ever taken.  Check it out above.  From L to R: Kershaw (walking away), Newcombe, Valenzuela, Downing, Hershiser (holding camera), Russell, Cey, Magic, Wills, Koufax, Vin, Garvey, Lasorda, Monday.  Pic at the very top via Dodgers on twitter.

As for the game, it was a stinker.  The Dodger got off to an early lead, and Kenta Maeda was crafty in his six inning of scoreless pitching.  Unfortunately, the Dodgers bullpen was not up to the task.  They gave up four runs to lose the game.  Via Jon Weisman at Dodger Insider:

“It’s a long season, and there are going to be ups and downs and guys are gonna struggle. … Right now, these guys aren’t throwing the ball as well as they’d like to or we’d like ’em to. But they’d be the first to say that.”
...
“Right now, you want to give these guys confidence and give them opportunities,” he said. “I expect to be ahead in a lot of games late, and we’re gonna need ’em, if we want to have a great season. So for me, it’s way too early to think about changing the roles.

“You’re seeing certain pitches that aren’t being executed, and over a certain time if that continues, then you’ve got to kind of entertain (changes), but right now, we’re just way too early.”

Check out a bunch of great photos from the game by Jon SooHoo here.  Below are more links to check out:

• Wow!  Via Paul Lukas at ESPN, "Uni Watch: L.A. Dodgers display new 3-D look on batting helmet."