Blog Kiosk: 12/9/2016 - Dodgers Links - Valentine, Urias, Turner and Sandy Koufax

Once upon a time, Sandy Koufax moonlighted as an actor.  He wasn't a particularly good one, mind you, but he did get quite a few Hollywood roles; especially after leading the Los Angeles Dodgers to a World Series Championship in 1959. Heck, he and many of his teammates suddenly became the toast of the town, and producers quickly came knocking on their doors.

(Koufax with Dorothy Provine)

Featured above is a vintage 1959 ABC promotional photograph that shows Sandy playing a cavalry officer named Johnny in the TV western Colt .45. (eBay Auction Link)  Koufax had a short scene in the episode, titled "Impasse", that resulted in his untimely death.  Jeff Katz, the Mayor of Cooperstown and lover of Baseball, writes on his blog:

Not a very lengthy role, Koufax dies in the opening scene, before the TV critics could get a handle on his acting chops. The quick-witted Koufax gave his own review, “I’ve gone out quicker in some games.” True before 1960, not so true after. The Brooklyn-born lefty was willing to give acting a go. Cognizant that it was his ball playing skills providing him with small screen opportunity, Sandy thought these small chances could lead to more. “I don’t know if I have any acting talent, but if anybody wants to take a chance it’s O.K. with me. If there’s a career for me in acting, fine. I want to go as far as my capabilities will carry me. At 23, I’ve got to think about what I’m going to do after leaving baseball.” He couldn’t imagine that day would come so quickly. For his role as Johnny, credited to “Sanford Koufax,” he was pleased that he didn’t “have to ride a horse, just die.”

On the right is another publicity photo that shows him with actress Dorothy Provine.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History:  In 1981 the traded Jack Perconte and Rick Sutcliffe to the Indians for Jack Fimple, Jorge Orta and Larry White.  In 1992 the Dodgers signed free agent closer Todd Worrell.  In 2012 the Dodgers signed Hyun-Jin Ryu to a six-year, $36 million contract.
• Happy Birthday, Joe Kelley, Enos Kirkpatrick, Juan Samuel, Mat Latos & Eric Stults!

Blog Kiosk: 9/28/2016 - Dodgers Links - Culberson, Puig, Urias, the Nationals and Vin Scully

Hey... We scored a run.

Last night the Dodgers played their first game after clinching their fourth consecutive division championship and lost... Not that I'm fretting, or anything. 

The Dodgers are in the midst of preparing for the division series against the Nationals, so the outcome of the last five games of the regular season are less important than setting up the club for success in October.  Per Doug Padilla at ESPN:

Manager Dave Roberts did start nearly all of his regulars in the first game after clinching the National League West on Sunday, but starter Kenta Maeda only went four innings, as did left fielder Andrew Toles and first baseman Adrian Gonzalez.
...
"As you saw tonight, I normally wouldn't have taken Toles out as early as I did, but I want to get Andre [Ethier] some at-bats, and it was nice to see him get that last at-bat and get a walk and have a competitive three at-bats," Roberts said. "Toles will start tomorrow, and we'll see how the game plays out. And Adrian had a sinus infection, so that's why he came out of the game."

It's not as if the Dodgers do not care about playing host to the Nationals for the opening two games of the NLDS, plus a potential deciding Game 5. But post-clinch baseball is usually different from the version that preceded it.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers Baseball:  In 1988 Orel Hershiser broke Don Drysdale Major League record for consecutive scoreless innings pitched at 59.  He threw ten scoreless innings against the Padres in San Diego.  In 1997 Mike Piazza set the Los Angeles Dodgers record for home runs at 40. 
• Happy Birthday, Todd Worrell and Jerry Sands!

eBay Unearths some Pics of the 1997 Dodgers

I was window shopping on eBay this afternoon when I came across a series of photographs that I thought I'd share here.  These aren't exactly vintage in nature, but they do elicit some old memories.

Featured are a bunch of scans from original 35mm color slides that were taken by a photographer named Thearon Henderson - who was on assignment for the Upper Deck Company at the time.  From what I understand, he is currently with Getty.  All of the pics where taken during the 1997 season, and it includes several players you hardly ever see.

Blog Kiosk: 6/17/2014 - Dodger Links - Billingsley, Kershaw on Bills and Grant Holmes Close to Signing

What an awesome photo of the California contingent to the 1985 National League All-Star Game roster, pic via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 1995.  Can you name them all?  Answer at the very bottom of post.  Of course, in the mix is Tony Gwynn.  RIP, Tony.

• BTW, several Kings (names not confirmed yet) will be heading to tonight's game at Dodger Stadium with the Stanley Cup in tow.  There will be a special pregame ceremony honoring the team and their 2nd Stanley Cup Championship.  BTW, the Kings will have another parade through 3 South Bay cities (Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach and Redondo Beach) on Wednesday.  Go here for information.
• Jared Massey at Dodgers Nation shares his recent interview with Dodger 2014 9th Round Draft Pick Matt Campbell.

JM: If you could, give us a scouting report on yourself
MC: I love throwing my fastball. No matter what the count, situation, etc. I love going to my fastball. I have a slider and a change up and I would say my change up is my favorite off speed pitch of the two.

• Via Eric Stephen at True Blue LA, "Scott Elbert to begin rehab assignment in Ogden."

The collective bargaining agreement allows for rehab assignments to last up to 30 days, and Elbert starting all the way down in rookie ball suggests that the Dodgers will be deliberate and methodical in his rehab.

• Billingsley elects surgery, via a tweet from JP Hoornstra.

Surgery will be next week to reattach flexor tendon. 3 months until he can throw.
— J.P. Hoornstra (@jphoornstra) June 16, 2014

• Jon Weisman at Dodger Insider shares a quote from Clayton Kershaw about Billinglsey.

“Bills is a good friend of mine, so I just feel bad for him,” said Clayton Kershaw, for six years a teammate of Billingsley. “I know how much he loves to complete and how much he wanted to pitch, and I can’t imagine going through that whole rehab process and finding out that news. You just try to put yourself in his shoes and be there for him the best you can, and realize it’s a pretty terrible situation.”

• Via Mark Saxon at ESPNLosAngeles.com, "Dodgers nearing deal with first-round pick."

The player, pitcher Grant Holmes, said he has an agreement in place pending a physical. The allotted slot amount for the No. 22 pick is $1.98 million. 

• In the photo at the very top of this post (from left to right) are: Mike Piazza, Tony Gwynn, Todd Worrell, Jose Offerman, Raul Mondesi, Barry Bonds and Hideo Nomo.

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