Blog Kiosk: 11/19/2015 - Dodger Links - Saito, Gordon and Veteran's Batting Practice

A group of 300 military veterans visited Dodger Stadium yesterday for batting practice with Kenley Jansen, Dodger alumni like Billy Ashley and Al Downing and fellow veterans Don Newcombe and Roy Gleason. Via Ken Gurnick at MLB.com:

"The players understand we're not as young as we used to be, but to give us the attention makes me feel happy," said (Ret. Lt. Col. David) Friend, who retired after 30 years of service. "I was particularly happy to see Don Newcombe. When I was going overseas, I saw him at a base in Virginia."

Via Anthony Irwin at Dodger Nation:

Kenley Jansen, who was at the park for conditioning, also took in the festivities before getting to work. He ran the stairs as the batting practice took place on the field. 

“It’s just great to be here for them. They’ve given so much for us, I just want to give back,” he said.

Featured in the pic above is Don Newcombe welcoming the crowd, via the Dodgers on twitter.  Check out more photos from the days activities by Jon SooHoo here.  Below are more links to check out:

• Congrats to Jake Arrieta for being selected the 2015 NL Cy Young winner, via BBWAA.  He edged out Zack Greinke by just 22 points.

• Eric Stephen at True Blue LA shares the final numbers on the Dodgers 2015 payroll.  It's striking how many of the top paid players didn't play for the Dodgers at all... So many dumped contracts.
• An old friend to join San Diego - Takashi Saito.  Via Dennis Lin on twitter:

Former All-Star closer Takashi Saito will be an intern in the Padres' FO. Padres exec Logan White was a key figure in signing Saito in '06.

— Dennis Lin (@dennistlin) November 18, 2015

• Here's a fantastic story via Clark Spencer at the Miami Herald on Dee Gordon; "Loss of his mother to domestic violence spurred Dee Gordon to comfort others."

Gordon, through his Flash of Hope program, is working with children in Miami-Dade County who have lost a parent from domestic abuse, just as he lost his mother 20 years ago.

“I went through it, and when I went through it, I didn’t have anybody,” Gordon said. “Nobody could relate to me. So now I just want to relate to kids and give back my time.”

• Via Bob Elliott at the Toronto Sun, " Blue Jays could have interest in Dodgers executive Byrnes as GM."   Elliott also mentions that Ned Colletti interviewed for the President job in July.
• Roberto at Vin Scully is My Homeboy tells us all about getting the autograph of former Dodger John Werhas.

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Weekend Autograph Opportunities: Clippers Guard Austin Rivers

Here are this weekends autograph opportunities and events throughout the Southland. As always, be sure to check the Blue Heaven Calendar for other events (a link can always be found on the tab at the top of this page, just left of center), and always confirm with the establishment. Everything is subject to change.  Please email me with any tips about upcoming events in Southern California.  As the rest of the week progresses I'll update this post with other events (if there are any) as I become aware of them.  Also, I don't always list every event below, so be sure to check my Calendar.  I always try to favor free signing events over paying events.  Click on any pic to embiggen.

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Clippers guard Austin Rivers will be signing autographs on Saturday November 21st from 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM in Tarzana at Valley Sports Cards.  Go here for information.

Valley Sports Cards
19640 Ventura Blvd. 
Tarzana, CA 91356

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That Rascally Rabbit from Brooklyn

I know this stuffed rabbit doll looks nothing like the famous Looney Tunes character, and it certainly is not licensed by the vaunted animation house.  Still, when I first saw this vintage plush currently at auction at Inside the Park Collectibles my mind immediately raced towards childhood memories of sitting in front of the tube watching Bugs Bunny and his various cartoon friends. 

Just check out that hat.  That's got to be the Brooklyn "B"... And those pinstripes hearken back to the days when they use to wear pinstripes on the field... And when you consider that Bugs was born in a warren under Ebbets Field, at least that's the story, the answer is clear. 

This is Bugs Bunny - albeit an unofficial creation of the lovable hare.  Check out the auction here.

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Blog Kiosk: 11/18/2015 - Dodger Links - Captain Joe Shoemaker Wins Coolbaugh Award

O Captain!  My Captain!

Accolades from all circles are coming in for longtime Dodger minor league manager, teacher and mentor Joe Shoemaker.  He was named the recipient of the eighth annual Mike Coolbaugh Award - presented annually to those who have shown outstanding baseball work ethic, knowledge of the game and skill in mentoring young players on the field.  That pretty much describes Shoemaker to a "T". As you may recall, he was appointed “Captain” of Player Development this past September for his dedication through the course of 39 years with the club, and now dons a "C" on his jersey.

He said the following about winning the award, per a Dodger press release:

“With numerous qualified instructors eligible for this award, I feel extremely fortunate to be the recipient of this year’s Mike Coolbaugh Award,” said Shoemaker, who led the Ogden Raptors to a 43-33 mark in his 22nd season as a manager in the Dodgers organization. “Past, present and future winners of this award have the distinct privilege on honoring the legacy of Mike Coolbaugh, who throughout his career displayed passion, determination and perseverance, all valuable traits for a professional athlete. I am grateful to Pat O’Conner, Minor League Baseball, the entire Los Angeles Dodgers organization and most importantly, the Coolbaugh family for recognizing me with this award.”

Photo at the very top via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2015.  Below are more links to check out:

• Kiké Hernandez has begun rehab, via his tweet:

Day 1 of rehab ✔️

— Enrique Hernandez (@kikehndez) November 18, 2015

• Now down to just two candidates?  Via a tweet from Jerry Crasnick:

Indications are #Dodgers manager job will come down to Gabe Kapler and Dave Roberts. Bud Black appears to be out of the mix.

— Jerry Crasnick (@jcrasnick) November 18, 2015

• Via Jon Weisman at Dodger Insider, "Clayton Kershaw extends efforts for underprivileged."

On Thursday, Kershaw and his wife Ellen will host their second annual benefit concert in Dallas to benefit Kershaw’s Challenge, the nonprofit charity they founded to transform at-risk communities and the lives of children worldwide. Country music artist Easton Corbin is the featured performer.

• Via Ken Gurnick at MLB.com, "Kershaw donates to building of UYA in Texas." 

Dodgers pitcher and Dallas native Clayton Kershaw made a personal financial donation toward construction of the Texas Rangers MLB Urban Youth Academy in West Dallas.
...
"Kershaw's Challenge is all about giving kids an opportunity," Kershaw said. "We never expected to have a partnership with the Rangers, but it's awesome. We just wanted to do something here in our hometown … in our backyard. It's an incredible partnership."

• Via Eric Stephen at True Blue LA, "Dodgers reportedly hire Drew Saylor as minor league coach."
• Via Steven Quach on Dodger Nation, "Nomar Garciaparra Appears in Online Golf Series."
• Via Sports Card Info, "MacGyver’s Baseball Card Episode."  I don't remember this episode at all, but now that it's mentioned I am going to have to watch it.
• Great stuff for the uniform geek inside all of us.  Via Paul Lukas at UniWatch, "Squatchee Etymology: A Uni Watch Investigation."

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A Visual Checklist of Sandy Koufax Baseball Cards - 1955 to 1959

With the silly season (i.e. Baseball hotstove) in full swing I thought I would take some time this winter to put together comprehensive checklists of cards for select Dodger players (both retired and current).  In the past I did this for Corey Seager, Clayton Kershaw and Vin Scully.  Today, I share with you Part 1 of a checklist for Hall of Famer Sandy Koufax.  This listing include all known cards from the 1950's - 1955 to 1959.  Click on any pic to embiggen.  BTW, if I am missing any card issues please let me know.

UPDATE:  You can view Part II here.  This covers 1960 to 1962.  Part III can be viewed here.  It covers from 1963 to 1964.  Part IV can be viewed here - covers 1965 to 1967.

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All Dodger collectors know this card, and certainly most want it in their collection.  It's a must have for any vintage collector.  The very first card in this Koufax checklist is his 1955 Topps rookie card.  See it directly below. 

Hilariously, the cartoon on the reverse is obviously wrong.  It is a "True of False" quiz that ask where Baseball was first played.  It states incorrectly that Cooperstown is the birthplace of the game.  As we know now, that story was just an elaborate marketing ploy.  The games origins is far more complex than a simple birthplace.  Instead, I think it's fair to say that it grew organically over a period of decades prior to the Civil War.

#123 - 1955 Topps

   

#NNO - 1955 Golden Stamp Book - Blank/Stamp Back

Blog Kiosk: 11/17/2015 - Dodger Links - Genovese, Anderson and Yimi Signing Cards

Yimi Garcia is seen hard at work during the off-season signing cards for Topps in the photo above, as tweeted by Yimi.  I'm not entirely familiar with the design he's signing, but I'd place my bet on those being an insert from the upcoming 2016 Topps flagship set.  I can't wait to find one.

Below are more links to check out:

• Mark Langill at Dodger Insider writes a great piece, "Remembering scout George Genovese (1922-2015)."

“George was one of the greatest scouts there ever was,” said Hall of Fame manager Tommy Lasorda, a Dodger scout between 1960 and 1965. “I scouted against George and I scouted with George. He put a lot of guys in the big leagues. He was an exceptional man and one of my best friends. I’m going to miss him.”

...

“Believing in a player you have discovered is really believing in yourself, your judgement, your evaluation and projecting skills,” Genovese said in his 2015 autobiography, “A Scout’s Report: My 70 Years in Baseball,” co-written with Dan Taylor. “It can bring a scout tremendous satisfaction, but he has to be prepared because it can also bring its share of disappointment.”

• Via Josh Jackson at MiLB.com, "Verdugo, Bellinger on the rise for Dodgers." (Hat Tip: Jon Weisman at Dodger Insider)  Gabe Kapler shares his thoughts on a number of different Dodger prospects; including Julio Urias and Corey Seager.  Here's more quotes from Kapler from the same interview.

On Bellinger: "He's got a loose, athletic, flexible, whippy swing that generates bat speed and he identifies he pitches he can drive and attacks them," Kapler said.

On Verdugo: "With Alex, it's cut and dry. He took huge steps forward -- his ability to be a good teammate and control his emotions on the field and to prepare his body and mind every single night on and off the field," Kapler said. "He has a strong arm and the ability to play all three outfield positions.

• Via Rachel Heacock at Beyond the Boxscore, "Assessing the Dodgers' managerial options."

Black has experience, but if the Dodgers were impressed enough by Kapler and Roberts to let them get this far, it stands to reason that one of them would get the job. If the Dodgers were looking for a seasoned manager, they could have kept their old one. Instead, it looks like they'll be charting a new course, and Kapler or Roberts would serve as a good choice to do so. Soon enough, the Dodgers will name their 2016 manager and relieve themselves of the weight of being the last team in Major League Baseball without a skipper.

• Joc Pederson came in 6th place in the 2015 NL Rookie of the Year race, via the BBWAA website.  He received one single third place vote from an Agence France Presses (a French news service?) reporter Marcos Enrique Hernández out of the MIA chapter.  Kris Bryant, of course, took home the prize.
• Jon Weisman at Dodger Insider shares some quotes from Brett Anderson that answer why he took the Qualifying Offer.  He just likes it in LA.

“My situation is a little bit unique in the fact that I’m younger than most to have been offered a qualifying offer,” said Anderson, who will be 28 next season. “I liked being in L.A., and I liked my teammates and I liked everything about it, other than the ending to the season. Everything in consideration, the one-year deal fit myself again, and hopefully (with) the stigma of a health record off my back, go into next year and see what happens.”

• Via Tyler Maun at MiLB.com, "Glendale notes: Farmer catches up in AFL."

"It's definitely a learning process," Farmer said. "Especially if you want to make it to the big leagues, you have to know what the pitcher has, what he's going to throw, what his put-out pitch is, what he likes to do behind in the count to a hitter.

"There are so many things, it's like a chess match. Each inning, with a pitcher you don't know how to catch, it's a different chess match, and it's a tougher chess match when you don't know how to catch them. Once you see what they have, everybody's objective is to get the batter out."

• Congrats!  Via Chris Cwik at Big League Stew, "Yogi Berra and Willie Mays to receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom."

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