Blog Kiosk: 2/5/2020 - Dodgers Links & News - Some Odds and Ends

I know the above custom fantasy baseball card isn't the "Mookie" you were expecting, but it'll have to do for now.

As you surely know, the Dodgers are getting both Mookie Betts and David Price from the Red Sox, and it won't cost us a bucket full of top prospects to get them. Instead, we traded from a position of strength. We sent over several solid current ballplayers (Verdugo, Maeda, & Pederson) who are fan favorites to get two very dynamic studs while not giving up one youngster who rank on our top-30 prospect list. On top of that, Boston is sending the Dodgers cash... cold hard cash... like millions of it.

Unbelievable.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 2009 the Dodgers announced that on May 16th Dodger Stadium will host a regular season game between Mexico City Diablos Rojos and the Monterrey Sultanes of Liga Mexicana de Beisbol (LMB) summer league. Unfortunately, the game was postponed due to a week-long closure of the Mexican League in April due to a swine flu outbreak. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't believe they ever rescheduled the game.
• Happy Birthday, Joe Hutcheson, John Gaddy, Cy Buker & Don Hoak!

Blog Kiosk: 4/20/2018 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

One week ago today in 1968 Dodger Hurler Don Drysdale recorded his 191st career win -- breaking a Dodger franchise record held by Dazzy Vance. Don accomplished the feat when he threw a four-hit shutout against the Mets, 1-0. The display behind him also notes that his shutout was the 41st of his career; which was also a Dodgers record.

The photo above was taken by Dodgers photographer Don Ploke and recently sold at RMY Auctions at $39. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1999 the Dodgers surpass the 100 million mark in attendance at Dodger Stadium. In 2011 it is announced that MLB will be taking over the operations of the Dodgers due to concerns over the finances of team owner Frank McCourt. 
• Happy Birthday, Don Mattingly, Germany Smith, Pat Hannivan, Dave Bancroft, Hal Peck, Tom Hutton, Todd Hollandsworth & Ian Thomas! 

Blog Kiosk: 4/12/2018 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Just a fantastic photograph of the "Duke" from 1956. It is currently available at auction at RMY (link here).

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1962 Dodgers left-handed rookie Pete Richert made his major league debut by striking out the first six batters he faced -- tying records for strike outs in an inning (4 K's in the 3rd inning), successive strike outs by a pitcher in his major league debut, and consecutive strikeouts by a relief pitcher. BTW, he also won the game when the Dodgers mounted a comeback by scoring seven runs in the fifth inning.

"I had good stuff and somebody up there likes me," Richert said of his first big league game. "What I mean is that I always say a little prayer when I’m nervous and excited. And I was tonight as I started walking to the mound." 

• Happy Birthday, John Harkins, Mickey O'Neil, Walt Moryn, Vicente Romo, Paul LoDuca, Antonio Osuna & Justin Ruggiano!

Blog Kiosk: 4/6/2018 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Check out these formidable Dodger players. Per the descriptor attached to the bottom:

June 28, 1942 -- Rarin' for another crack at the Yankees -- Six of the Seven Brooklyn Dodgers, who will represent the National League in the July 6 All-Star Game, lined up in front of their dugout here today, 'Champing at the Bit' for another crack at the Yankees, nine of whom will be on the American League roster. Left to Right: Joe Medwick, left field; Billy Herman, second base; Pee Wee Reese, shortstop; Pete Reiser, center field; Mickey Owen, catcher; and Whitlow Wyatt, pitcher. The seventh, third baseman Arky Vaughan, is ill.

The AP wire photo above can be found here on eBay. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1982 the Dodgers raise their 1981 World Series banner at Dodger Stadium. In 2004 Dodger third baseman Adrian Beltre becomes the 36th player in history to hit 100 home runs before the age of 25.
• Happy Birthday, Red Smith, Tom Fitzsimmons, Ernie Lombardi, Dee Moore, Jim Romano, Don Elston & Phil Regan!

Blog Kiosk: 4/4/2018 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

It's not often that you see an action photo like this from the early 20th century. Featured is an circa 1913 International News press photo of an unnamed Brooklyn Superbas/Dodgers player sliding into first base. It's hard to tell exactly what's going here, but it appears the batter was trying to avoid a close play at first, but the fielder chose to block the base as he scampered for the ball -- which is not to be seen anywhere. I assume there was some sort of throwing play at home plate -- maybe a bunt or pass ball/wild pitch on a third strike.

Anyway, the pic is currently at auction at RMY (auction link). If you happen to know who the players are please pass that along.

On another note, I remain unconcerned with the Dodgers. It's way too early to begin panicking. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1997 Mike Piazza reached base for the eight consecutive plate appearance -- he went 3-for-3 with a walk in a Dodgers win over the Pirates.  He would fly out his next at-bat the following day. In 2016 the Dodgers handed the Padres the worst Opening Day loss in Major League history since 1913. They beat them silly, 15-0. Go here for the boxscore.
• Happy Birthday, John Hummel, Pete Kilduff, Joe Vosmik, Mickey Owen, Willie Ramsdell, Gil Hodges & Louis Coleman!

Welcome to the Blue, Cory Mazzoni!

As a reminder that something is always happening with the Dodgers we learn today that the club has claimed another player off the waiver wire. With Opening Day around the corner the Dodgers have taken recently waived right-handed pitcher Cory Mazzoni from the Chicago Cubs. To make room for Cory the Dodgers DFA's outfielder Trayce Thompson. Also, Mazzoni will report to Triple-A Oklahoma City. Per a Dodgers press release:

Mazzoni, 28, has appeared in 14 career Major League games over two seasons with the San Diego Padres (2015, ’17). In 116 career minor league games (53 starts), Mazzoni has gone 27-15 with seven saves and has posted a 3.79 ERA with the Mets (2011-14) and Padres (2015-17) organizations. He has struck out 365 batters against 94 walks in 366.0 minor league innings, while holding hitters to a .260 average.

Blog Kiosk: 3/27/2018 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

I can't get enough of these guys.

Pic above of Yasiel Puig attempting to land a wet one on Turner Ward via @Dodgers on twitter. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 2012 Frank McCourt agrees to sell the Dodgers to a group headed by Stan Kasten, Guggenheim Partners and Magic Johnson for $2 billion.  He also sold the parking lots to the same group for $150 million (while retaining partial ownership).
• Happy Birthday, George Magoon, Bill Collins, Vince Sherlock, Newt Kimball, Wes Covington, Bill Sudakis & Adam Melhuse!

2018 Panini's Donruss - All the Dodgers Insert Cards

Now that you've seen the base cards, here is a look at all the Dodgers' inserts found in packs of Panini's 2018 Donruss. As always, when it comes to the public checklist provided by Panini, please ignore the actual card numbers for all the inserts. 

Retro 1984 Signatures

#18 Cody Bellinger

Blog Kiosk: 2/26/2018 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Not only did we witness a fantastic Cactus League debut for staff ace Clayton Kershaw on Sunday, but we also saw two All-Star brothers play against each other for the first time -- Corey and Kyle Seager. Per Rowan Kavner at Dodger Insider:

“It’s really cool,” Corey said of playing against his brother. “It’s hard to think about, just because it’s him. You’ve been around him your whole life, watched him play a ton. It’s still weird. You still kind of feel like a fan in the stands watching, even though you’re in the dugout. It’s a really cool moment.”

Photo above via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2018. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1952 Dodgers all-star pitcher Don Newcombe is sworn into the Army to serve in the Korean War. The 26-year old would miss the next two seasons, and struggle on the field his first year back in 1954. Then, he would go on to regain his old form over the next two seasons by winning a collective 47 games and leading the Dodgers to its first World Series championship in 1955.
• Happy Birthday, Preacher Roe, Ron Negray & Matt Luke!

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.

------------------------

Friday, September 22nd at 7:10 PM

TV: SportsNet LA, SNLA Spanish

Radio: 570 LA Sports, KTNQ 1020

Blog Kiosk: 7/28/2017 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Last night was the fifth annual Kershaw's Ping Pong 4 Purpose charity event at Dodger Stadium and by all accounts it was a blast. Per Rowan Kavner at Dodger Insider:

“You’re not only coming here supporting a teammate for a good cause, but you’re coming to have fun and meet a lot of cool people,” said Kiké Hernández. “It’s a pretty special event.”

As part of the evening, the Kershaw's presented the Kershaw’s Challenge Impact Award to Magic Johns for his work with the Magic Johnson Foundation. The pic above features that presentation, via Magic Johnson on twitter. BTW, the winners of the ping pong tournament were a couple of fellows named Mike Singer and Michael Weisberg. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1991 Montreal Expos hurler Dennis Martinez throws a perfect game against the Dodgers at Dodger Stadium, 2-0. This is the first no-hitter by an opposing pitcher in Dodger Stadium's history. 
• Happy Birthday, Freddie Fitzsimmons!

2017 Topps Stadium Club - The Dodgers Base Cards

The always fun Topps Stadium Club set was released to collectors on Wednesday, and it doesn't disappoint. There are some fantastic photos in the set; including several I've never seen on cardboard. Go here to check out a complete checklist.

Eleven Dodgers are in the 300 card base set, and surprisingly there are no Dodger base variations available to speak of. (Update: One SSP base Dodger variation exist and you can see it here) There are chrome versions of the base cards available, but they are basically just parallels -- carbon copies of the base, but super shiny. A complete Dodger checklist of the Chrome cards is at the very bottom.

My favorite Dodger cards in the set are that of Corey Seager and Jackie Robinson. The photograph on the Seager card frames the entire batters box as he takes a big swing. Then, as if out of nowhere, an arm stretches out in an attempt to catch the pitched ball. I love the Jackie Robinson card mainly because I don't recall ever seeing that photo. Stay tuned for Dodgers inserts next week.

Base Cards

#46 Trayce Thompson        #115 Logan Forsythe

2017 Topps Tier One - Dodgers Break Out, Prime Performers and Prodigious Patch Cards

Here is a look at more Dodger inserts available in packs of Topps 2017 Tier One brand. Featured below are the Break Out, Prime Performers and Prodigious Patch Cards. Go here to check out all of my past post on this set.

Break Out Autographs

• #BOA-JU Julio Urias - redemption card

#BOA-JD De Leon          #BOA-TTH Thompson

2017 Topps Museum Collection - Archival Autograph and Canvas Collection Cards

Now that you've seen the base cards here are a handful of the Dodgers inserts available in packs of Topps 2017 Museum Baseball. Below are the Canvas Collection Reprints and Archival Autograph cards. Go here to check out all of my past post on this set.

I should note that the original art used to create the Canvas Collection Reprints directly below are also available in packs. So far, I've only seen one of the Dodgers original art cards on eBay. Check that out here. It is the Kershaw #CCR-CK card and has an opening bid of $999.99.

Canvas Collection Reprints

#CCR-CK Kershaw            #CCR-CKE Kershaw

#CCR-CKR Kershaw                #CCR-CS Seager

2017 Topps Series 2 - All the Dodgers Base Cards

Here is a look at all of the Dodger base cards found in packs of 2017 Topps Series 2. Go here for a complete checklist. But before I show you those cards I thought I would mention that Clayton Kershaw happens to be this products spokesman. His steely-eyed stare is plastered on every single box. Featured above is a pic of an hobby box.

Now here are the Dodgers base cards.

Base

#375 Yasiel Puig

#388 Yasmani Grandal

Blog Kiosk: 4/13/2017 - Dodgers Links - Just Another Dodger Victory

So many good things happened for the Dodgers last night. To start things off, Andrew Toles belted a line-drive home run to right field (with the wind blowing in, mind you) to start the game and to give the Dodgers an immediate 1-0 lead. Per John Jackson at MLB.com:

"He threw it low and I hit it on a line, so the wind was no factor because it was so low," Toles said. "It was a line drive. The wind was definitely a factor [overall], though."

That early head start was buoyed by another fantastic start by oft-injured Brandon McCarthy. He is clearly back. Per Rowan Kavner at Dodger Insider:

“He did a really good job tonight, kept them off-balance, kept attacking them,” Grandal said. “He’s got a great sinker, obviously, it’s known around the league.”

McCarthy threw six scoreless innings, with three walks, four strike outs and just four singles. Lastly, the Dodgers relief staff continued their dominance. Ross Stripling, Luis Avilan and Kenley Jansen shut things down to earn a Dodgers victory, 2-0. BTW, let's not forget about Chase Utley's smarts. He came around to score on an error in the eight inning that was only made possible due to his hustle. The old man continues to show what he brings to the table -- intelligence, leadership and guile.

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

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1939 Yankees first baseman Lou Gehrig, during a spring game against the Dodgers, hit two homers. It would prove to be the last home runs he would ever hit. In 1954 Walter Alston makes his major league debut as the Dodgers manager. In 2009 second baseman Orlando Hudson hit for the "Cycle" against the Giants during the Dodgers home opener. He is the first Dodger to ever accomplish the feat at Dodger Stadium, and the first Dodger to do it in a nine-inning game since Gil Hodges in 1949. In 2012 Dodger starter Aaron Harang struck out nine consecutive Padre batters -- breaking the Dodgers franchise record of eight held by Johnny Podres. The Major League mark is at ten, and is held by Mets pitcher Tom Seaver in 1970.
• Happy Birthday, Kid Elberfeld, Ben Cantwell & Ed Amelung!
  

Blog Kiosk: 4/7/2017 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Beloved comedian and great friend of the Dodgers, Don Rickles, passed away yesterday at the age of 90.  In his honor I made the above two fantasy Baseball cards of him.  Per Rowan Kavner at Dodger Insider:

“I’ve lost and the world has lost a very dear friend,” Lasorda said in a statement. “I remember the many times he came into our locker room and had our players in stitches before a big game.”

You can watch Don Rickles insult the Dodgers in a great bit from a 1986 television show called "Rickles... On the Loose" here. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History:  In 1969 Dodger reliever Bill Singer is the first major leaguer to officially be credited with a new fangled stat called the save.  It was on Opening Day in Cincinnati, and Singer pitched three scoreless innings to maintain a 3-2 victory over the Reds.  In 1977, on Opening Day, Don Sutton was directed to throw a gopher ball on the first pitch of the game to the Giants lead-off hitter Gary Thomasson.  That ball would then be given to the home plate umpire to be sent to Cooperstown.  As you might expect, the Giant batter instead hit the pitch for a home run.  He claims he had no idea about the plan (yhea, right!).  

"They told him that the first ball he threw would be sent to the Hall of Fame in Cooperstown," Lasorda said. "Well, the first ball he threw was hit by Gary Thomasson halfway up the bleachers. I said to him, ‘They wanted to send the ball to Cooperstown; they didn'’t want someone to hit it there.’" 

This is the same game Frank Sinatra kept his promise to Tommy Lasorda by performing the national anthem at Dodger Stadium.  In 1979 the Dodgers traded pitcher Rick Rhoden to the Pirates for pitcher Jerry Reuss.

• Happy Birthday, Bobby Mitchell, Brett Tomko, Ronnie Belliard & Adrian Beltre!
  

Blog Kiosk: 3/16/2017 - Dodgers Links - Some Spring Odds and Ends

Above is a fantastic vintage 1956 photo taken by legendary Dodger photographer Barney Stein.  It provides a glimpse of the player pregame procession before one of the games of the Brooklyn Dodgers Goodwill Tour in Tokyo.  They are to play the Tokyo Giants.  It recently sold at RMY Auctions (link here).

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History:  In 1976 Dodgers right-handed pitcher Andy Messersmith is granted free agency.  He is principally responsible for the end of the "reserve clause" and is credited for signing the very first contract of the free agency era about a month later.  He won an arbitrator case in favor of free agency in December 1975, and MLB naturally appealed.  They would lose their appeal on March 9th, 1976.  A few days later the league declined appealing to the Supreme Court; effectively granting Messersmith free agency.
• Happy Birthday, Patsy Donovan, Jake Flowers, Lloyd "Little Poison" Waner, Hee-Seop Choi, Brian Wilson & Brandon League!
  

2017 Donruss Baseball - The Rest of the Dodgers' Insert Cards

Here is a last look at the Dodger cards found in packs of Panini's 2017 Donruss Baseball cards.  Below are the 1983 Retro Variations, Signature Series, Diamond Collection relics, New Breed autographs, Promising Pros Materials relics and signatures, Significant Signatures, The Rookies and the Recollection Buybacks.  Go here to see all my post on this set.

Retro Variations 1983

#17 Clayton Kershaw

Blog Kiosk: 1/25/2017 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Yesterday afternoon Trayce Thompson hosted a bunch of kids and their families who are patients at Cedars-Sinai for a movie night at Dodger Stadium.  First, though, he spent some time showing the tykes the Dodgers clubhouse.

Day three of the Dodgers Love L.A. Community Tour is today and it's filled with plenty of appearances throughout LA.  First, Andre Ethier and Julio Urias will hold a clinic for more than 20 Special Olympics of Southern California athletes at the Dodgers Dreamfield at Baldwin Hills Recreation Center from 9:30 Am to 11:30 AM.  At 10:00 AM the Los Angeles City Council will formally recognize Dave Roberts as the 2016 NL "Manager of the Year" at City Hall.  At the same time, Adam Liberatore, Ron Cey, Al Ferrara and Dennis Powell will promote literacy at four different Los Angeles public libraries.  Finally, Ethier and Roberts will take part in a "Thank You Lunch" for the LAPD at the Northeast Community Police Station.

Photo at the very top via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2017.  Go here to check out more pics taken by Jon from yesterday's tour events.  Below are more links to check out:

• Happy Birthday, Ray Schmandt, Ed Head & Ed Goodson!