Blog Kiosk: 11/9/2013 - Dodgers Links - Trading a Dodger Outfielder, Bidding War for Tanaka and Instant Replay in the AFL

Here is a April 1944 International News Press Photo featuring 5 MLB'ers playing ball for the US Navy.  It was taken at a tournament in Honolulu, Hawaii in a match pitting the US Navy team versus the All-Star Nine of Hawaiian ballplayers.  From left to right are Hugh Casey, Brooklyn Dodgers; Tom Ferrick, Cleveland Indians; Vern Olsen, Chicago Cubs; Walter Masterson, Washington Senators; and Jack Hallett, Pittsburgh Pirates. Pic found on eBay.

• I had forgotten to post this up previously.  If you missed this past Wednesday's Off-Season Dodger Talk with Kevin Kennedy and David Vassegh, then you can listen to it here.  
• Ron Cervenka at Think Blue LA has the preliminary home Spring Training schedule for the Dodgers and White Sox at Camelback Ranch.
• Mike Axisa at CBS Sports writes, "Report: Dodgers listening on OFers, who has the most trade value?"  I usually don't like pointing to rumors (because most are BS), but I do firmly believe that the Dodgers will look to trade one of their starting outfielders.  I just have no idea who it will be.  Although, I suspect Andre Ethier will be easier to move.
• Mark Saxon at ESPN thinks the, "Dodgers should listen to offers for Puig".  I could actually be swayed by this, but only as long as the Dodgers sell high.  Like... We should get an unreasonable return; which isn't likely to happen.  So, why am I even mentioning this?
• Via Ken Gurnick at MLB.com, "No rookie was more valuable or exciting than Puig".

Puig became an immediate fan magnet because he plays with an unbridled energy that sometimes turns reckless, earning the nickname "Wild Horse" from Hall of Fame broadcaster Vin Scully. "His energy was infectious," said manager Don Mattingly.

• It's just getting comical now.  Steve Gilbert interviews the Diamondbacks GM at MLB.com, "Kendrick discusses state of the D-backs", and he has some choice words for the Dodgers.  Emphasis mine.

MLB.com: Your rivalry with the Dodgers, I'm sure, has increased over the last year.
Kendrick: It has, and you know, we owe those guys. I think to get the opportunity to begin the payback for them winning the division the very first day of the season is a great opportunity for us.

• There will be big time competition for the services of Masahiro Tanaka.  Via Steve Adams at MLB Trade Rumors, "Yankees Making Tanaka A Top Priority; Won't Pursue Ervin Santana".
• Brian Phillips at Grantland writes, "Man Up", and I couldn't agree more with him.  It's about the recent hazing/bullying brouhaha surrounding the Miami Dolphins.

I am here to hurt you, so I'll also say this: You're a warrior, cool. What the hell are you a warrior for? I'm sorry if this makes it sound like I have emotions other than anger — I assure you that I don't — but tell me this: What's the point of being strong if all you stand for is abusing a suffering teammate?

• Matt Raymond at Autograph University writes, "25 Things I Wish I Knew When I Started Collecting Autographs".
• Via Cory DiBenedetto at Gammon's Daily, "Historic Moment: First tag play overturned by replay".  There is a video of the play, and it appeared to work smoothly.

* Please follow on twitter @ernestreyes *

* Like Dodgers Blue Heaven on facebook *

* Dodgers Blue Heaven home page *

Baseball Bloggers Alliance Year End Awards - Clayton Kershaw Named Walter Johnson Award Winner

For the 5th consecutive year, the Baseball Blogger Alliance came together to vote on the best ballplayers of this past season.  The BBA is a collection of several hundred Baseball writers and hardcore fans from throughout North America - covering every team, the game's history and fantasy Baseball fanatics.  We are encouraged to use one another to deepen our understanding of the game and the teams that play it.  Go here to find more about this organization.

Unlike in past years, there is little controversy in this years winners.  Go here to check out who I chose as this seasons best in the National League.

Here are the winners from the BBA:

2013 Connie Mack Award - Best Manager

American League – John Farrell – Boston Red Sox
The Red Sox skipper won the closest of all the votes held by the BBA this year.  Garnering 38% of the vote, Farrell held off the Cleveland Indians’ Terry Francona by less than 3%.

National League – Clint Hurdle – Pittsburgh Pirates
Hurdle was the recipient of 79% of the vote from the BBA membership.

2013 Willie Mays Award - Top Rookies

American League – Wil Myers – Tampa Bay Rays
Myers would arrive on the scene in June and immediately show that the hype was worthy of his presence.  Myers earned 95% of the BBA vote this year.

National League – Jose Fernandez – Miami Marlins
The National League winner had to withstand a late-season surge from Dodgers’ outfielder Yasiel Puig.  Fernandez produced a season that could withstand Puig-mania and earned the BBA’s respect along the way with 71% of the vote.

2013 Goose Gossage Award – Best Relief Pitcher

American League – Koji Uehara – Boston Red Sox
Uehara joined the Red Sox this season and became one of the most polarizing figures on the team.  His 21 saves were a key part of the Red Sox success this year and his continued success throughout the postseason made him a star.  His 52% of the BBA vote was good enough to hold off Greg Holland of the Kansas City Royals, who garnered 36% of the BBA support for his fine season.

National League – Craig Kimbrel – Atlanta Braves
In 2011, Atlanta Braves closer Craig Kimbrel was awarded both the Goose Gossage and Willie Mays awards.  Last season, Kimbrel received 87% of the vote to claim his second consecutive award as the National League’s premier relief pitcher.  Kimbrel received an astonishing 90% of the vote from the Alliance to claim his third straight Goose Gossage Award.

2013 Walter Johnson Award –Best Starting Pitcher

American League – Max Scherzer – Detroit Tigers
The Tigers’ pitcher was dominant throughout most of the season and the Alliance recognized that with 95% of their vote.

National League – Clayton Kershaw – Los Angeles Dodgers
Not to be outdone, Kershaw garnered 98% of the vote on the National League side of the BBA.  Kershaw proved once again to be dominant and the BBA recognized that by making him a two-time winner of the Johnson award (2011).

2013 Stan Musial Award - Best Ballplayer

American League – Mike Trout – Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
The Angels’ outfielder would garner his second-consecutive Musial Award by holding off the Tigers’ Miguel Cabrera once again in 2013. Trout earned 65% of the Alliance vote while Cabrera would take the other 35%, marking the second straight year that the two players would receive the only votes. 

National League – Andrew McCutchen – Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pirates phenomenal season comes to fruition for one of the team’s most consistent stars. McCutchen was the team’s leader on and off the field and the Alliance recognized his importance to the great run the Pirates produced. Cutch received 69% of the BBA vote to earn his first Musial award.

* Please follow on twitter @ernestreyes *

* Like Dodgers Blue Heaven on facebook *

* Dodgers Blue Heaven home page *

Attention Fans! - The Dodgers 2013 Holiday Mall Tour Begins Next Weekend! Yeager and Wills will be Signing in Culver City

The 2013 Baseball may be over, but that doesn't mean you should put the game the bed for the year.  So, get up on your feet and start thinking Blue!

Fortunately, the Dodgers are more than happy to help you get excited about the 2014 season.  Starting next weekend, on Saturday, November 16th the Dodgers will begin their 2013 Holiday Mall Tour at the Westfield Culver City Mall (at Macy's Court) with a fan meet and greet autograph appearance with Steve Yeager and Maury Wills.

So far, there are 5 different events scheduled over the next couple of months.  Go here for more information, or go here for my most recent updates on this mall tour.  Autograph session timing will vary, and appearances are subject to change.  BTW, there will be crafts for kids and other family friendly activities.  Go to this link for the most up to date information on this mall tour.

Below is the current schedule.  There will be more announcements over the coming weeks.  Check out my Autographs/Events Calendar for even more fan opportunities.

Saturday, November 16th

Westfield Culver City - Macy's Court
6000 Sepulveda Boulevard
Culver City, CA 90230
10am-5pm
Players: Steve Yeager: 11-1; Maury Wills: 2-4

Friday, November 29th-Black Friday!

Westfield Promenade - Level 2 by AMC
6100 Topanga Canyon Blvd
San Fernando Valley, CA 91367
11am-6pm
Players: Steve Sax: Time TBD; Steve Garvey: Time TBD

Saturday, November 30th

West Covina - Sears Court Level 2
112 Plaza Dr
West Covina, CA 91790
11am-6pm
Players: Steve Garvey: Time TBD

Saturday, December 7th

Santa Anita - The Promenade by Macy's
400 S Baldwin Ave
Arcadia, California 91007
11am-6pm
Players: Steve Garvey: Time TBD; Fernando Valenzuela: Time TBD

Saturday, December 14th

Century City - Center Court in front of Zara
10250 Santa Monica Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90067
11am-6pm
Players: TBD

Saturday, December 21st

Del Amo Fashion Center
3525 W Carson St
Torrance, CA 90503
11am-6pm
Players: TBD

* Please follow on twitter @ernestreyes *

* Like Dodgers Blue Heaven on facebook *

* Dodgers Blue Heaven home page *

Blog Kiosk: 11/8/2013 - Dodgers Links - Ryu in Korea, Uribe the Best Dodger Glove, and Dodgers Talking Trade?

(auction link)

Here is a May 18, 1945 AP press photo of 3 members of the US Navy ballteam.  From left to right; Johnny Vander Meer of the Cincinnati Reds, Pinky Mays of the Philadelphia Phillies and Pee Wee Reese (at center).  Pic via eBay.

• Via Asia Society.org, Hyun-Jin Ryu received the Cultural Achievement Award from the Asia Society Korea Center.
• Dan at MyKBO shares some video from a charity ballgame in Korea that featured Ryu playing some first base and batting 4th in the lineup.
• SB Nation names Clayton Kershaw the NL's Best Pitcher.  Does he get an actual award for this?
• Juan Uribe was named the Dodgers 2013 Wilson Defensive Player of the Year, via a tweet from the @Dodgers.

Juan Uribe has been named the #Dodgers 2013 Wilson Defensive Player of the Year. Congrats, Papi! https://t.co/aorngs1u4J
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) November 8, 2013

• Via Chad Moriyama, "2013 Rule 5 Draft: Dodgers prospects to consider adding to the 40-man".  The first 3 selections are great choices, and I suspect we'll be seeing them at Dodger Stadium sometime next season.
• Via Ken Rosenthal at FoxSports talks about some rumors; "Tulowitzki, Dodger vets top trade talk". 

That possibility, in fact, already is in the works; the Dodgers, according to major-league sources, are listening on Matt Kemp, Andre Ethier and Carl Crawford, telling prospective suitors, “If you’re interested in one of them, make us an offer.”

• Recent Dodger signee Alexander Guerrero played in his first professional game yesterday for Gigantes Del Cibao in the Dominican Winter Leagues, and he got a hit in his first at-bat.  In his second at-bat, he doubled down the left field line to drive in 2 with the bases loaded.  His third time up he struck out.  Check out a pic below of him in uniform before the game.

Alexander Guerrero listo para el juego de hoy. #CaemeAtras pic.twitter.com/gHfzojPgar
— Gigantes Del Cibao (@GigantesSFM) November 7, 2013

• Via Tom Bartsch at Sports Collectors Digest, "Memory Lane Preview: 1954 Dodgers Signed Ball has Quite a Story".

“Jackie Robinson took me by the hand and said, ‘To commemorate this occasion, I’m going to get the team to sign this baseball’,” Dr. Davis remembered. Minutes later, the boy was in possession of an official National League ball signed by 22 Dodgers, including six future Hall of Famers, plus Newcombe and Gilliam. It was a treasured possession and he proudly displayed it as he grew into a man.

Watch a video of the owner talking about it below.

Video Link:

* Please follow on twitter @ernestreyes *

* Like Dodgers Blue Heaven on facebook *

* Dodgers Blue Heaven home page *

Congrats, Charley Steiner - He Will be Inducted into the National Radio Hall of Fame

I would like to extend an hearty Blue Heaven congratulations to Dodgers broadcaster Charley Steiner.  This coming Saturday, he will be inducted in the National Radio Hall of Fame in Chicago.  Check out his biography at the National Radio Hall of Fame, here.

Steiner joins 7 other radio legends being honored that evening; which also includes Los Angeles area Spanish broadcaster Eddie “Piolín” Sotelo.  BTW, past inductees include Vin Scully, Red Barber, Mel Allen, Harry Carey, Ronald Reagan and Ernie Harwell.

Charley Steiner has quite a resume.  He started his career in 1969 in Peoria, Illinois and quickly moved on to Davenport in 1971 to host his first sports show.  Since then, Steiner has has worked for WOR in New York, a sports director for RKO, was an ESPN sportscaster, did play-by-play for the Yankees with WCBS, then radio/television duties for the Dodgers.  Over that span he has won the Emmy 4-times.


Pic at the very top featuring Vin Scully, Sandy Koufax and Charley Steiner via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2013.

* Please follow on twitter @ernestreyes *

* Like Dodgers Blue Heaven on facebook *

* Dodgers Blue Heaven home page *

Vintage Jackie Robinson and Some Negro League Photos at Hake's

Hake's Auctions does it again.  Over the past several years they have had some incredible Negro League photos available for sale.  As a fan with a voracious appetite for this league, I have thoroughly enjoyed seeing them. They provide an historic snapshot of some long forgotten players. 

As you may know, most of them come from the Richard Merkin Collection; who was a very active collector of everything Negro Leagues related.  Others have come from the Cesar S. Lopez collection, creator of www.cubanball.com.

The below 1947 photo of Jackie Robinson comes from the Lopez Collection.  It features Jackie with Cuban Sports Director Genaro Suarez Rocabruna during Spring Training in Cuba.  As a way of hiding his true intentions of bringing Jackie up to Brooklyn, the Dodgers trained on the island to keep their plans secret.  Jackie trained with the minor league squad, but Branch Rickey kept a watchful eye.  Eventually, they made the historic announcement to the supposed surprise of Baseball.

(auction link)

This next photo comes from the Richard Merkin Collection.  The next photo is of Hall of Famer Oscar Charleston and Fats Jenkins and dates to 1925.  Charleston is on the right.  Per the auction description:

Both men played for this Eastern Colored League team from 1924-1927. Clarence Reginald "Fats" Jenkins played both baseball and basketball. In his more than 20 years in the Negro Leagues, his baseball teams included the New York Lincoln Giants, New York Black Yankees and Pittsburgh Crawfords. His basketball teams included Cum Posey's Loendi Big Five based in Pittsburgh, and the New York Renaissance, the last of the Colored World Champions in 1925. Oscar was one of the greatest legends of the Negro Leagues. A multi-talented star, he was renowned by those who saw him play as the finest all-around player in Negro League history and was dubbed the "Black Ty Cobb" by sports writers.

(auction link)

These next group of photos are glass plate negatives of the Royal Poinciana Hotel Baseball Club.  Per the auction description:

During the first two decades of the 20th Century, the Royal Poinciana Hotel Baseball Club included many notable Negro League baseball greats brought to Florida during the winter to play after the Negro League season was over. We believe these slides date to 1912-1913 and includes players from the Brooklyn Royal Giants including Jap Payne, Walter Ball, Pearl Webster, Frank Wickware, Sam Crawford, Frank Earle and Bill Handy. This is evidenced by two players who are shown in their Giants uniforms while the rest of the team wears their Royal Poinciana uniforms.

(auction link)

(auction link)

(auction link)

(auction link)

* Please follow on twitter @ernestreyes *

* Like Dodgers Blue Heaven on facebook *

* Dodgers Blue Heaven home page *