Blog Kiosk: 6/28/2018 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Things seems to be going right, right now. Per Ken Gurnick at MLB.com:

"It's scary facing us, I think," said Bellinger, who has four homers in the last six games. "We're clicking right now. It's fun to be a part of."
...
"Everyone just passes the baton, works the at-bats, gets the pitchers working and we are able to capitalize on mistakes," said Pederson.

Max Muncy, Joc Pederson and Cody Bellinger slugged homers last night to lead the Dodgers to victory over the Cubs, 7-5 (boxscore). BTW, the Dodgers have hit 51 homers in June, and sit just two shy of a franchise record and seven short of the Major League mark.

Photo above of Max Muncy via Juan Ocampo/LA Dodgers 2018 at Dodger Insider. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1907 then Yankees catcher Branch Rickey (who would be known for signing Jackie Robinson decades later) saw twelve Senator runners steal a base on him. In 1969 the Dodgers and Don Drysdale shut down the Padres at Jack Murphy Stadium by the lopsided score of 19-0. They break a LA Dodgers all-time record for runs scored in a game. In 2008 the Dodgers were no-hit by the Angels (Jered Weaver and Jose Arredondo), but still won the game, 1-0. The lone run was scored in the fifth inning when a couple of errors and a sacrifice fly by Blake DeWitt scored the eventual winning run.
• Happy Birthday, Fred Miller, Al Downing & Jose Flores!

Blog Kiosk: 1/31/2018 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Here's a fantastic vintage photo recently shared by Old Time Baseball Photos on twitter of the "Roy Campanella Night" exhibition game at the LA Coliseum between the Dodgers and Yankees in early May, 1959.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1941 the Dodgers signed future Hall of Famer Paul Waner to a free agent contract. In 1972 former Brooklyn Dodger players Rube Marquard (known mostly as a Giant) and Dave Bancroft (also mostly a Giant) were selected by an Hall of Fame Special Veterans Committee for enshrinement. In 2001 a certain article was published in the WSJ related to the most infamous pennant race in National League history. Written by Joshua Prager, he details how the Giants team stole catchers' signs during the 1951 pennant race -- overcoming a Dodgers 13.5 game lead. You can read the original article here. In 2003 the Dodgers signed free agent pitcher Wilson Alvarez. In 2005 the Dodgers signed pitcher Scott Erickson as a free agent. 
• Happy Birthday, Hank Aguirre, Ted Power, Stuffy Stewart & Jackie Robinson!

Blog Kiosk: 5/20/2016 - Dodgers Links - Dieter Ruehle and the Angels Honored Vin Scully

Forget about the game.  Let's talk about the Angels (Los Angeles South?) class act.  Yesterday, several players and coach's - many of whom are former Dodgers - payed tribute to Vin Scully in a small get together prior to the start of the game.  They greeted him like an old friend and passed along numerous gifts as a sign of their affection.  Via Fabian Ardaya at MLB.com:

"This is no fanfare," Scioscia said as he surprised Scully in front of a small group consisting of former players, coaches and members of the Angels organization. "All the words have already been said about you and your career."
...
Scioscia spoke fondly of Scully, who called most of his games throughout his playing career when he was a catcher for the Dodgers.

"I've never considered myself a neighbor," Scioscia said. "I've always considered myself a part of the Dodger family."

Along with Scioscia, also on-hand was Mike Trout, Jared Weaver, Dave Hansen, Ron Roenicke and Alfredo Griffin.

As for last nights game, I think Dodgers starter Ross Stripling said it best.  Via Fabian Ardaya and Jack Baer at MLB.com:

"Another frustrating game. It just feels like I'm always battling," Stripling said. "I couldn't get the first guy out to lead off an inning and was constantly in the stretch. Felt like the game was at a snail's pace for me, couldn't imagine what it feels for you guys."

The photo above via @Angels on twitter.  Go here to check out a bunch of great pics by Jon SooHoo from the game.  Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History:  In 1971 Al Downing shut out the Astros, 3-0, in a game that lasted just one hour and 30 minutes - a record at Dodger Stadium.  In 1979 Don Sutton defeated the Reds to become the winningest pitcher in Dodgers franchise history.  He won his 210th game in Blue.
• Happy Birthday, Jason Werth!

Blog Kiosk: 6/10/2014 - Dodger Links - Van Slyke, Kemp's Bubble Bobblehead and the Imminent Return of the Injured

Scott Van Slyke provided some needed power last - to the tune of 2 home runs.  GRaphic above via @Dodgers on twitter.  Ron Cervenka at Think Blue LA wonders, "Is Scott Van Slyke the next Jayson Werth?"

• Via Mark Saxon at ESPNLosAngeles.com, "Juan Uribe and A.J. Ellis nearing returns."

Ellis could be activated from the disabled list as soon as Thursday, according to Dodgers manager Don Mattingly. Uribe said he thinks he could be playing in minor league games “in a couple days.” 

• Jon Weisman at Dodger Insider writes, "Who played first when Garvey didn’t?"
• The, Jon provides a rundown on the All-Star ballot leaders.  Yasiel Puig and Adrian Gonzalez have solid leads.
• I had missed this.  Last weekend the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes gave away a Matt Kemp bobblehead.  Fortunately, DonMexico on Reddit has a photo to share with us.

• I don't quite know what I think about this. Via Ryan Cowley at Make Way for The Kings, "Could LA Clippers Owner Steve Ballmer Really Buy the Los Angeles Kings?"
• Yasiel loves the Kings.  Go Kings Go!

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Blog Kiosk: 3/1/2014 - Dodgers Links - Greinke, Stripling and Hyun-Jin Ryu

Juan Uribe does some major curls in the photo above.  Paco Rodriguez... Not so much.  Pic above via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2014.

• Jon Weisman at Dodger Insider writes, "Paperless tickets: A how-to guide".
• Via Eric Stephen at True Blue LA, "Zack Greinke injury: Dodgers RHP scratched from Saturday bullpen session".
• Via Eric Stephen at True Blue LA, "Ross Stripling injury: Dodgers RHP to have MRI on elbow".

"Five or six days ago he had some stuff going on and didn't let anybody know. In the game the other day he felt it again," said manager Don Mattingly on Friday. "We need to find out what's going on."

• Here's another preview pic from the 2014 Topps Heritage set that comes out next week, via @Toppscards on twitter.  On the right is a Yasiel Puig "1965 Embossed" insert card.
• Via Mike Petriello at Dodgers Digest, "It’s Fun To Watch Joc Pederson".
• Via Mark Saxon at ESPNLosAngeles.com, "Hyun-Jin Ryu is game to pitch in Australia".
• Just to let you know.  Matt Kemp has just signed a bunch of his 2013 autographed redemption cards (Topps Tribute, Tier One & Gypsy Queen), and they are ready to be delivered to collectors, via Topps tumblr.
• Evan Bladh at Opinion of Kingman's Performance shares a bunch of great photos from Camelback Ranch.
• Via Greg Zakwin at Plaschke, Thy Sweater is Argyle; "A Rare Find: 1974 Laughlin All-Star -- Al Rosen and Jackie Robinson".
• Garrett Wilson at the Outside Corner writes, "The best of the worst from MLB Picture Day".
• This is funny.  Via David Brown at Big League Stew, "Jayson Werth would like a word regarding his baseball card".

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Blog Kiosk: 3/27/2012

I just noticed the above 2006 Bowman Chrome Draft Superfractor autographed card of Clayton Kershaw. It is a "1 of 1" card and is probably the rarest and most desired of all Kershaw rookie cards. Superfractor rookie cards like these of superstar players have been known to sell for thousands of dollars. This one was listed at $17,500 but did not sell, but I bet a strong offer would get it.

• RIP, Bert Sugar. Bert may be better known in the boxing world as a Boxing Hall of Fame journalist, but he was also well regarded as being a pioneer in the sports memorabilia hobby. He put together the Sports Collectors Bible in the 70's and was an important promoter of anything collectible. A great writeup by Keith Olbermann on his life can be found at the Baseball Nerd.

• And then there were three. Via LA Times, the Dodgers buyers have been whittled down to three- Steve Cohen, Stan Kroenke & Stan Kasten/ Magic Johnson.
• LA Observed takes a close look at these three buyers, as well.
• GQ interviews Matt Kemp in their newest issue, linked here:

  Zen Out with Phil Jackson

  "I wasn't much of a beach guy when I first moved to town, but I think the older I get, the more I like being on the beach—Malibu, Manhattan Beach. It's really peaceful. I remember one time I was out on the beach, and I saw Phil Jackson just chillin', and I was like, 'This is where I need to be, man....' Nobody was bothering him; everybody was just chillin' and relaxing and just doing whatever they feel like doing. And Phil's all Zenned out. I even thought about buying a house on the beach, but I haven't found anything yet."

• This is hilarious. Jason Werth hit a monster home run this past Sunday, and as luck would have it, he hit his own car, via Hall of Very Good.

  "It just left a hole in the Earth where my truck used to be," Werth said of the estimated 492-foot moonshot that ricocheted off the front bumper of his pickup.

• Wow! A Mars Attacks comic book is set to be released in July. It will follow-up on the original 1962 Topps set of the same name, via IDW Publishing. A new card set is also due to come out. (Hat Tip: Heartbreaking Cards...)
• Here is a interesting wedding idea- how about getting married at the Baseball Hall of Fame, via Cooperstown Chatter.
• Is the card hobby dead? CBS seems to think so. The problems with reports like this is that they will always compare the hobby to its heyday in the 90's, and I think everybody realizes those days are over. Nevertheless, there are numerous segments still on the rise and I think this report discredits the internets impact on collectors who buy and trade solely online.

Video Link:

Collection: Jason Werth SPX Autograph

This is my 2005 Upper Deck SPx autographed card of Jason Werth.

As many of you will recall, this former Phillies bomber hit 95 home runs in 4 years with Philadelphia, but didn't do jack with the Dodgers. Sure, there was always the promise of power, but it never truly developed. Then, a spate of injuries hammered Jason Werth. First, he broke his left wrist during Spring Training in 2005, but still played over 100 games that season. Then, as discomfort continued to plague him exploratory surgery was performed eight months after the initial break that discovered 2 ligament tears. It was repaired, but wouldn't be the end of his problems. Several more wrist related injuries followed that would eventually cause him to miss the entire 2006 season.

At this point, it was obvious that his Dodger career would be over. Werth became a free agent prior to the start of the 2007 season, and the Phillies came calling for his services. His time there would begin his amazing comeback from injury hell.

It's a great testament to his will and perseverance that he could come back from such career lows to eventually be one of the more sought after free agents after the 2010 season.