Blog Kiosk: 4/14/2015 - Dodger Links - Tommy Lasorda, Adrian Gonzalez and Hyun-Jin Ryu

This past Saturday Tommy Lasorda visited CSUN to sign some books, meet with fans and provide an inspiring speech to the youthful ballplayers in that college program.  As evidenced in the photo above, he gave a rousing pep talk to the attentive students athletes prior to that afternoons game.  Photo above via CSUN Athletics.

During the pregame ceremony CSUN Head Baseball Coach Greg Moore, Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Dr. Brandon Martin, President Dr. Dianne Harrison and Matty the Matador presented Lasorda with his very own Matador uniform.  Photo below via BHEPhotos.

Below are some links to check out:

• To the surprise of no one, Adrian Gonzalez was named the National League Player of the Week for the week ending April 12th. Congrats!  Per a press release:

The veteran slugger, who led baseball with 116 RBI in 2014, opened the 2015 campaign on a torrid pace, leading the Majors with five home runs, 14 hits, 32 total bases and a .609 batting average (14-for-23) in six games last week.  Gonzalez also posted the top slugging (1.391) and on-base percentages (.667) in the Majors and led the NL with eight runs scored, while tying for fourth among National Leaguers with seven RBI.  

• What a bunch of petty little babies.  Via Andrew Joseph at AZ Central, "Dodgers fan is asked to wear Diamondbacks jersey."  They've got video to prove it.

We have heard stories in the past about the Diamondbacks asking opposing fans to wear D-Backs colors while sitting in the premium seats behind home plate or agree to change seats. The policy has come under scrutiny, and during Sunday's game against the Dodgers, it evidently happened again.

• Via Bill Plunkett at the OC Register, "Dodgers catcher Grandal defends questionable defensive reputation behind the plate."

“That’s the way it’s been ever since I was in high school,” the Dodgers catcher said. “I’ve been dealing with this for a long time. It hasn’t been just the past couple years.”

• What the heck!  Via Eric Stephen at True Blue LA, "Ryan Webb released by Dodgers, who bought draft pick for $2.7 million."  He then immediately signed a minor league deal with the Indians, via Jeff Todd at MLB Trade Rumors.
• Via Eric Stephen at True Blue LA, "Dodgers proceeding with caution with Hyun-jin Ryu rehab."

"The first week was really trying to be careful with him, and just amp up from there," manager Don Mattingly said on Monday. "We're trying to be cautious, make sure he give himself the us best chance to be healthy when he gets back. The MRIs and reports have not shown anything different than when we first signed him. We're fairly comfortable that it's inflammation and we have to get that out of there. The first time when he took two or three days off before throwing, that wasn't enough."

• Here is something fun.  Via Michael Baumann at Grantland, "The Man From Mildon: Remembering the Year the Dodgers’ Adrian Gonzalez Broke Baseball."  It's an excerpt from a future edition of Ken Burns' Baseball that will be released in 2021.

NARRATOR: Gonzalez continued to hit: 22 home runs in June, 18 more in July. He ended the season with a .662 batting average, 114 home runs, 450 hits, 319 runs scored, and 388 runs batted in, all major league records. The Dodgers won the division by 21 games.

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Now You can Read the 1950 Jackie Robinson Comic #1 - Scans of First Half

With Jackie Robinson Day and the Civil Rights Game being played at Dodger Stadium this coming Wednesday, I figured it was about time I take a moment to truly share my Jackie Robinson comic collection.  Back in 2007 I made scans of only the front covers of the 6-comic collection (see that post here), but that post must have been rather unfulfilling.  After all, what good is the cover if you can't take a peek inside.

Considering that, I decided to take some time to scan the actual inner pages, and the first half of the Jackie Robinson #1 comic is below.  I'll have scans of the second half of this comic, as well as, pages from the five other Robinson comics available over the coming days.

This comic series was originally published in 1950 and was written by sports columnist Charles Dexter.  You may know Dexter from his Robinson themed book titled Baseball Has Done It from 1964.  BTW, Cathy Keen at the Smithsonian wrote a fantastic article about these comics that you can check out here.  An excerpt is below:

The abuses he endured are addressed in a vague, sanitized way in the comic book, which mostly covers his minor league career and his call-up to the Dodgers. (This comic was part of a series.) Brief reference is made to "the Jim Crow code." The words "race" and "racist" are never used. Instead, the words "scheming foes," "sinister plotters," and "Jackie's enemies" are used to describe the abusers, virtually implying that there were only a handful of bad apples who made his life unpleasant.

In other words, this comic is far from an explicit retelling of Jackie's life.   Instead, it's sanitized for the youth of that time.

UPDATE:  Directly below are links to the other Jackie Robinson vintage comics I've scanned and shared:

• 1950 JR Comic #1 (the first half) - Link
• 1950 JR Comic #1 (the second half) - Link
• 1950 JR Comic #2 (complete scans) - Link
• 1950 JR Comic #3 (complete scans) - Link 
• 1950 JR Comic #4 (complete scans) -Link
• 1951 JR Comic #5 (complete scans) - Link 
• 1951 JR Comic #6 (complete scans) - Link

Click on any pic to embiggen.

The Ball Tony Gwynn Hit for an Inside-the-Park Grand Slam Off Us

(Auction Link)

I just can't get enough of SCP's current auction of Baseball memorabilia.  It's filled with a ton of Dodger related collectibles.  Over the past several weeks I've shared a vintage Dodger red cap, Duke Snider's testy letter to Buzzie Bavasi and a large grouping of 1956 Dodgers' Tour of Japan contracts.  Now, I share an item found within the estate collection of Tony Gwynn. 

Featured above is the game-used Baseball Gwynn hit for an inside-the-park grand slam against us on June 26, 1997.  That's right folks, the man who was a bit large during the twilight of his career (but rather fit in 1997) accomplished the rare feat in the seventh inning of an 4-4 deadlocked game at Dodger Stadium.   Watch it below (the highlight begins at about the :20 mark).  You can check out the auction item here.

Video Link:

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2015 Topps Museum Baseball - The Dodger Primary Pieces Cards

Here is a look at all the Dodger "Primary Pieces" relic and autograph cards in 2015 Topps Museum; including the quad relic autograph book cards of Kershaw and Puig.  Those two cards are awesome.  The Kershaw book card sold this past weekend on a "Best Offer" basis at just under $600.  The Puig card is currently on eBay with approx nine hours to go and is at $212.50.  Check that auction out here.  I suspect the Puig card value will rise measurably as the day goes on.  Go here to check out all of my past post on this set.

Single-Player Primary Pieces Quad Relics

#PPQR-AGZ Adrian Gonzalez             #PPQR-CKW Clayton Kershaw

Blog Kiosk: 4/13/2015 - Dodger Links - Newcombe, Gagne, Lopes and Guerrero

One game hardly makes a trend, but suffice it to say that Alex Guerrero did a lot at the plate and on the field to bolster his chances at being part of the conversation.  Not too long ago he was thought to be a bad signing, but if he continues to impress that opinion will quickly fade.

Due to a couple of injuries Guerrero had an opportunity to start for the Dodgers on Sunday and made the most of it.  Guerrero went 3 for 5 with a two-run home run, a run scoring double and four RBI's total.  If not for his work with the bat the Dodgers surely would have been swept by the Diamondbacks.  Best yet, Guerrero made several good defensive plays at third base.  Although he is far from a wizard at the hot corner, he just might be able to get the job done there.

Overall, you gotta like that he took the opportunity and ran with it.  The photo above of Guerrero being interviewed by Alanna Rizzo was shared on the @Dodgers twitter.  BTW, Joc Pederson and Yasiel Puig both hit their first home runs on the season as well, so hopefully this is a sign that those bats are ready to come alive.

Below are some links to check out:

• Via Lyle Spencer at MLB.com, "On field and off, Newcombe's life has benefited many."

"He said, 'Don, you'll never know how easy you and Jackie and Roy and Doby made it for me to do my job by what you did on the baseball field,'" Newcombe said. "After everything he'd been through, here he was telling me how we'd helped him with the movement. I'll never forget that."

• Via Ron Cervenka at Think Blue LA, "An interview with 2003 Cy Young award winner Eric Gagné." 

EG: It’s hard to describe. I try to explain to my friends and my kids – my kids are older now and understand – and it’s hard to describe, crazy, emotional, everybody was so into it. The energy in there gets your adrenaline pumping and I think everybody fed off of each other. It was just amazing. I wasn’t there for Fernandomania and all that stuff but I heard it was just amazing. And I’d seen Hell’s Bells for Trevor Hoffman, it was really really cool, so I think I was really really lucky to be part of that.

• Via Ken Gurnick at MLB.com, "Cuban-born players support Dodgers' cause."
• Via Lyle Spencer at MLB.com, "Lopes appreciative of those who came before him."

"I met all the great players, but I never had the opportunity to meet Jackie," Lopes said. "I didn't get to tell him what he meant to me personally -- and to so many other people.

• Jon Weisman at Dodger Insider sets things straight, "Defensive shifts are old news."  I too can't believe there is any controversy in this.  Folks seem desperate to find something to complain about.

Shifts in baseball in 2015, such as the Dodgers have been using, might be more common, more extreme, more committed, more intense on the risk-reward proposition, but they’re an outgrowth of the way baseball has been played as long as I’ve known it — and longer than that I’m sure.

• I guess recently traded for reliever Ryan Webb isn't coming to Los Angeles.  Via Eric Stephen at True Blue LA, "Ryan Webb accepts outright assignment to Triple-A Oklahoma City."

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Mariners Series Starts on Monday - Autograph Appearances, Game Give Aways and Other Stuff!

The next homestand starts on Monday against the Seattle Mariners, and several former Dodger players will be in the house to meet with fans for a free autograph session.  Below are the scheduled opportunities and other odds and ends for this upcoming homestand.

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Monday, April 13th at 7:10 PM

Monday's game starts at 7:10 PM.  Auto gates open at 4:30 PM, and stadium gates open at 5:00 PM.  The first of three Cy Young Collectors' Pin Series giveaways is this night.  The first 40,000 fans will receive an Don Newcombe pin.  see it on the right.

Nico DeJesus from Disney’s “Newsies” a will throw the ceremonial first pitch. LA Opera bass-baritone and LA native Ryan McKinny will perform the national anthem.

Juan Uribe and Adrian Gonzalez will be receiving their Wilson Defensive Player of the Year Awards before the game.  This award is determined by using a formula that combines traditional defensive stats with advanced metrics, as well as the data logged by the baseball experts working for the scouting service Inside Edge.

• The Military Hero of the Game is U.S. Navy Commander Todd P. Klipp of New York. Klipp served active duty for 26 years in several capacities including Commander, Naval Surface Forces Atlantic; Commander, Amphibious Group Four; Commander, Amphibious Group Three; Commander, Naval Special Warfare Command and the Bureau of Naval Personnel. His deployments include to 6th Fleet in the Mediterranean, the North Atlantic with NATO and to 5th Fleet in the Persian Gulf. Klipp finished his naval career at Naval Surface Warfare Command, Port Hueneme Division (NSWC PHD) where he served as the Chief Staff Officer and Department Officer for the Ship Defense and Expeditionary Warfare Department.

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Tuesday, April 14th at 7:10 PM

Tuesday's game starts at 7:10 PM.  Auto gates open at 4:30 PM, and stadium gates open at 5:00 PM.  This is the ever popular Star Wars Night (already sold out).  The Star Wars Celebration convention is in Anaheim the following weekend.  Fans must purchase a ticket package that includes a ticket in the All-You-Can-Eat Right Field Pavilion or Infield Reserve in order to receive the special edition Star Wars/Dodger t-shirt.  Check it out on the left. 

Star Wars characters will be on the field prior to the game, and although not yet officially announced I'm sure one of them will throw out the first pitch.  “American Idol” Top 16 finalist and lead singer of synth-pop act MONOGEM Jen Hirsh will perform the national anthem.

BTW, former Dodger outfielder Kenny Landreaux will be signing free autographs for fans in the left-field plaza from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM.

• The Military Heroes of the Game are U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Lance Weir of Walnut Ridge, AR, and U.S. Marine Corporal Justin Crabbe of Rancho Cucamonga. Weir served a short time in the military due to an accident and is now serving as Veterans Liaison at Canine Companions for Independence where he helps pair wounded veterans with assistance dogs. Crabbe served a six-month deployment to Japan and Afghanistan. Crabbe also serves as Veterans Liaison at Canine Companions for Independence. Headquartered in Santa Rosa, Canine Companions for Independence is a non-profit organization that enhances the lives of people with disabilities by providing highly trained assistance dogs and ongoing support.

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Wednesday, April 15th at 7:10 PM

Wednesday's game starts at 7:10 PM.  Auto gates open at 4:30 PM, and stadium gates open at 5:00 PM.  Dodger Stadium will host the Civil Rights Game this evening as a part of Jackie Robinson Day.  The game will be televised on ESPN2.  The first 40,000 fans will receive an Adult Jackie Robinson Replica Jersey.  Check it out on the left.

Magic Johnson and civil rights activist Dolores Huerta will be recognized as recipients of the 2015 MLB Beacon Awards, which recognize individuals whose lives and actions have been emblematic of the spirit of the civil rights movement.  Frank Robinson will also receive a special award in recognition of the 40th Anniversary of him becoming Baseball’s first African-American manager. 

Rachel Robinson (Jackie's wife) will throw out the first pitch prior to the game.  Sandy Koufax, Don Newcombe, Joni Campanella (Roy’s daughter) and scholars from the Jackie Robinson Foundation will also be featured during the pregame ceremony.  TNT Sports Analyst, NBA Champion and star of reality show “Meet the Smiths” Kenny “the Jet” Smith will throw the first pitch.  Grammy nominated artist Tyrese Gibson will perform the National Anthem.

Dodger alumnus Dennis Powell will be signing free autographs for fans in the left-field plaza from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM.

• The Military Hero of the Game is U.S. Army Colonel Cathy M. Davidson of Chicago. Davidson has served in the military 25 years and was commissioned in 1990. Her first assignment was the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit after completing OBC and successfully crossed-training in Neonatal ICU and the Pediatric Unit, after which she earned the “Delta” identifier in 1991. Davidson served as a Clinical Nurse at 121st Evacuation Hospital (EUSA) in Seoul, Korea, Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany and most recently served as Chief, Quality Management Division, Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, Germany. She is currently serving as the Deputy Commander Nursing Services at Weed Army Community Hospital in Fort Irwin.  

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