Blog Kiosk: 4/21/2015 - Dodger Links - SportsNet LA Woes, Yadiel Alvarez and Brian Wilson as Charlie Sheen

The Dodger face the Giants this evening in San Francisco, and hopefully we experience a better result that what's shown in the photo above, via eBay.  Featured is Brooklyn outfielder Duke Snider sliding hard into home plate, but being called "out" by umpire Larry Goetz - Giants catcher Wes Westrum made the tag. 

On the positive side, this play only briefly stopped a surging Dodger team as they soon turned a mighty October struggle into a laugher.  The October 2, 1951 game was a 10-0 triumph for the   "Bums."  The win brought the Dodgers into a tie with the Giants for the National League crown with the final deciding game the following day.  Unfortunately, that game would end with Bobby Thompson's home run in the ninth inning.

Below are some links to check out:

• Here's another personal fan story about the impact of not having the Dodgers on TV is having on one Long Beach family, via Danny Bonvissuto of Jeans & Ties.
• Via Jon Weisman at Dodger Insider, "Bolsinger, Seager, Urias honored."

Mike Bolsinger, Corey Seager and Julio Urias and Mike Bolsinger each received Player or Pitcher of the Week honors in their minor leagues.

• Via Michale Clair at Cut4, "Vin Scully's most important call yet: This adorable baby with giant cheeks."
• Via Ken Gurnick at MLB.com, "No longer under radar, Garcia realizing dream."

"At the end of June, his velocity jumped, and the 94-95 [mph] started to come out," said Rick Knapp, the Minor League pitching coordinator. "The slider that was always a sore spot is now a weapon. He used the Minor Leagues for exactly what they're for. It's a great thing for a coordinator to see. He makes me proud."

• Here's some Comcast-TWC merger news.  Via Jon Brodkin at Ars Technica, "Comcast could abandon TWC merger if government imposes tough conditions."  It's being speculated that concessions might include affirming recent FCC net neutrality rules and changes.  If that happens I suspect Comcast is out.
• WTF!  Via Dave Schilling at Grantland, "We Went There: Closer Brian Wilson Channeled Charlie Sheen at the ‘Major League’ Live Read."

As is customary with the Film Independent Live Read series, the casting is often against type or so perfectly on the nose that you can’t help but laugh about it. Former Giants and Dodgers closer Brian Wilson portrayed Rick “Wild Thing” Vaughn, mimicking Charlie Sheen’s trademark laconic delivery and even coming to the event in a period-appropriate Indians uniform. 

• Via Jon Heyman at CBS Sports, "Dodgers lead for top Cuban righty; Jays, Nats, D-Backs, Rangers in."  Heyman confirms previous reports saying that the Dodgers are leading in the race for Yadiel Alvarez's services.  BTW, Alvarez is slated to be getting his very own Baseball card very soon.  It's a 2015 Onyx Platinum Elite card.  Check it out via a tweet from Onyx.

2015 Platinum Elite eye candy..Next mega Cuban baseball superstar and first card ever - Yadier Alvares signed cards!! pic.twitter.com/nHgLi0NKfj
— Onyx Authenticated (@Onyx_Authentic) April 20, 2015

• Brett Anderson let's us know about what he thinks of those new padded pitcher caps, via twitter:

Silly me for thinking the old padded hat couldn't get any worse. pic.twitter.com/mrybEy0YIO
— Brett Anderson (@BrettAnderson35) April 20, 2015

* Please follow on twitter @ernestreyes *

* Like Dodgers Blue Heaven on facebook *

* Dodgers Blue Heaven home page *

Scans of the 1951 Jackie Robinson Comic #5

Here are scans of the vintage 1951 Jackie Robinson Comic #5.  There is one more to go before I'm done.  I should have that up tomorrow.

Directly below are links to the other comics I've scanned and shared so far:

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.

So, When Did Joc Pederson Wear Orange?

As you know, I love sharing pics of the newest Dodger Baseball cards in the hobby.  Considering it's likely that I won't have most of them in my collection, I just enjoy having an opportunity to see what they all look like - and I hope some of you enjoy it as well.

Anyway, from time to time a card comes along that has me scratching my head.  For instance, check out the Joc Pederson 2015 Gypsy Queen autographed relic card below.  It had be befuddled.  After all, no Dodger should have to wear orange!

#AR-JP Joc Pederson

So, what's up with the orange colored fabric in this card?  I gotta know.

It's supposedly a game-used memorabilia piece, but from where?

Well, after a little bit of searching I think I've figured it out.  Joc Pederson was named to the 2013 USA Team at the MLB All-Star Futures Game, and was forced to wear the colors of our hated rival up north.  As evidence, check out the below photo. 

Yeah... a Dodger Blue cap with that orange colored jersey just does not look right.  It's downright disgusting.  Heck, it's so bad I think I hate the Gypsy Queen card shown above... Like, really hate it.

(Getty Photo)

* Please follow on twitter @ernestreyes *

* Like Dodgers Blue Heaven on facebook *

* Dodgers Blue Heaven home page *

2015 Topps Gypsy Queen - The Dodger Base Variation Cards

Following up on my post from Friday where I shared pics of all the Dodger base cards found in 2015 Gypsy Queen, below are the handful of variations that can be found.  I've included a pic of the normal base card (on the left) and it's short-printed photo variation card (on the right) below.

Of note, I love the Kenley Jansen variation card below.  It shows Jansen holding a cricket bat that was originally given to Adrian Gonzalez in Australia prior to their Opening Series match-up with the Diamondbacks last season.  It was signed by Australian captain Michael Clarke.

Base Variations

#62 Kenley Jansen

Blog Kiosk: 4/20/2015 - Dodger Links - Seager, Ryu and Jansen

There sure has been a lot of celebrating for Dodger fans these days.  The vastness of the stadium has been filled with smiling Blue faces and there's a certain energy in the air that is inescapable.  This Dodger team just wants to win, and win they do.  They hit with the tenacity of a wolverine and pitch with the kind of finesse you witness when watching the Blue Angels streak through the skies. 

It's like the Dodger team of 2015 is something out of a dream.  How else do you describe the offensive punch we've had in our own park. 

"Not the pitcher's park I envisioned," said Brandon McCarthy in an article by Ken Gurnick at MLB.com.

No kidding, Brandon!

Contributions have been coming from all corners.  The bench is proving, so far, to be the best in the league.  The bullpen is markedly more effective.  Heck, the one stain might be the starting staff (strange considering that they've been a rock the past few season), still they've done more than enough to get the job done.  I can only hope that the good times continue, but I know this marathon of a season means we'll eventually hit a slog.  As AJ Ellis added (via the Gurnick article):

"We're just banking wins right now. We know you go through rough patches and the wins get harder to get. This was a big homestand, because we had some come-from-behind wins, which we didn't do last year."

Enjoy it while it's hot, but be ever mindful that it's likely to not always be this way. 

The photo at the very top is via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2015.  Go here to check out more pics from him from Sunday.  Below are some links to check out:

• Via Mark Saxon at ESPNLosAngeles.com, "Prospect Corey Seager's position switch could fast-track him to the majors."  He has just started playing a bit of third base in Tulsa.

"Corey is an athlete. He can play anywhere on the diamond," (Gabe) Kapler responded via text. "In general, we want our men to think of themselves as baseball players rather than labeling themselves in any way. That said, Seager can unequivocally play shortstop and third base. He’s a pro. Exposure to multiple positions can only help our players."

• Via Ron Cervenka at Think Blue LA, "It’s all business for new Quakes manager Bill Haselman."
• Via Eric Stephen at True Blue LA, "Hyun-jin Ryu throwing without pain, but timetable remains unclear."

"I don't know when I'll be able to throw a bullpen. I've just been throwing outside on the field," Ryu said. "So far it's just making sure I have no pain. At this condition I probably could [throw a bullpen session] but I haven't thrown long toss yet."

• Via Ken Gurnick at MLB.com, "Jansen throws off mound for first time since foot surgery."

"Everything went well, I threw strikes and I feel great for the first time," he said. "They told me not to crank it up. So I was hitting that type of velocity holding off a little bit."

• Dodgers Nation shares a fun video from the LA Dodgers Foundation Gala at Dodger Stadium this past Thursday.
• Blue Skinny Fan shares his day at Frank & Sons on Saturday; including getting Rick Monday's signature.
• Panini released more preview pics of thier soon to be released Diamond Kinks set; including the Joc PEderson and Yasiel Puig cards below.  Go here to check out more pics of the set from them.

* Please follow on twitter @ernestreyes *

* Like Dodgers Blue Heaven on facebook *

* Dodgers Blue Heaven home page *

Blog Kiosk: 4/18/2015 - Dodger Links - The Bubble Machine, Hatcher and Daniel Corcino

I just noticed the above photo of one of the Dodger bubble machines used last season by the Dodgers.  Apparently, it is now retired for good as it was auctioned off at the Dodger Foundation Gala held the other night.

From what I understand, there were several different bubble machines used last season so fans shouldn't be too worried that it's legacy has been diminished.  Instead, you should be grateful that it was auctioned off to the highest bidder for a great cause.  Besides, bubbles are not entirely disappearing from Dodger Stadium.  A couple weeks ago I mentioned that Gazillion Bubbles was recently named the “Official Bubbles of the Los Angeles Dodgers” for the 2015 MLB season, and they will be making their first visit tomorrow at Viva Los Dodgers.

Below are some links to check out:

• ICYMI, the Dodgers called up Adam Liberatore from AAA to join the club in Colorado for yesterday's game.

The Dodgers have recalled LHP Adam Liberatore from Triple-A. He’ll be with the team tonight vs. Colorado.
— Pedro Moura (@pedromoura) April 17, 2015

• Via Ron Cervenka at Think Blue LA, "Chris Hatcher is back after hitting small speed bump."

“I wouldn’t necessarily say that I’ve done anything [mechanically], my stuff’s always been there, it’s just how to use it,” said Hatcher after Tuesday night’s exciting come-from-behind 6-5 win over the Seattle Mariners. “A little more confident in it tonight. I didn’t go right after guys with the fastball, I mixed it up a little bit more. When you throw somewhat hard and you’re mixing your split [finger fastball] with your slider, it’s a different look. Everything was good tonight, I like the way it came out.”

• The Dodgers made another move.  Per a press release, they have claimed right-handed pitcher Daniel Corcino from Cincinnati and designated left-handed pitcher Ryan Dennick for assignment. Eric Stephen at True Blue LA tells us a bit about him.
• Oscar Martinez at Lasorda's Lair compares and contrast the comments made by Magic and Ice Cube regarding TWC; "Magic Johnson And Ice Cube Weigh in on the Dodger's TV Fiasco."
• BTW, Oscar is an avid collector and maintains his own card collector blog called, "All Trade Bait, All the Time."  He currently has a new post up where he shares his visit to the Institute For Baseball Studies at Whittier College.  Go here to check it out.  Oscar shares some fantastic photos of some vintage 1960's era glasses a patron had just dropped off.
• Hanley doing Hanley things.  Via Chris Cwik at Big League Stew, "Hanley Ramirez hit a ball so hard that he put a hole in the outfield wall."

* Please follow on twitter @ernestreyes *

* Like Dodgers Blue Heaven on facebook *

* Dodgers Blue Heaven home page *