Google is Ahead of the Curve - Has Already Renamed Street to Vin Scully Avenue

I guess we all already knew how progressive Google is.  They are the movers and shakers of the world, after all.  You should expect that if change is coming, whether its on your computer screens or on main street, they'd be the first to let everyone know.  Heck, even before the "T's" are crossed and the "I's" are dotted Google's online map program has already renamed Elysian Park Avenue to Vin Scully Avenue.

As I learned through a Reddit post yesterday afternoon by r/DonMexico Google maps has their eyes and ears everywhere.  Having witnessed the official pronouncement by the Los Angeles City Council a couple of Friday's ago, Google went ahead and decided to honor Vin Scully before the city has even filed their paperwork.  Check out what I mean in the screengrab below:

(Google Map Link)

That is some swift work by the technological powerhouse.

Yahoo and Bing, on the other hand, continue to live in the past.  They have yet to make an update.

(Bing Map Link)

(Yahoo Map Link)

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A Right Handed Koufax Doll and Vintage Dodgers Cartoons at Hunt Auctions

Hunt Auctions out of Philadelphia is currently running their February online sale and it includes a bunch of great vintage Dodgers items.  In fact, there are well over 100 lots to go through.  Below are a few of my favorites.

Who doesn't love bobbleheads?  They might be the greatest fan souvenir ever made.  On the other hand, in this particular lot a vintage 1960's era "golden base" nodder is overshadowed by a doll that is well over twice its size.  Featured below is an Dodgers doll that is meant to represent the great Sandy Koufax; as evidenced by the #32 on the uniform.  Although, there is one glaring problem.  This doll is of an right-handed player.  As you surely know, Koufax was a lefty.  Nevertheless, I suspect the combined collecting power of the bobble and the doll will translate into a hefty price.

(Auction Link)

Check out this fantastic illustration that celebrates the 1956 World Series between the Yankees and Dodgers.  Unfortunately, the "Boys in Blue" lost the series in seven games.  The drawing was done by an artist named BROB.  I am unsure who this is.  If you happen to know please pass that along.

(Auction Link)

Below is an editorial cartoon by famed Los Angeles Examiner artist Karl Hubenthal.  It is undated, but undoubtedly is from the 1950's - when the Dodgers were still in Brooklyn.  As you can see, it has the sportswriters in mind as it celebrates the upcoming "subway series" between the Dodgers and Yankees.  After all, the folks covering the games won't have to do much traveling to do their jobs.  The cartoon includes the following little ditty:

East Side, West Side --
Back and forth across the town...
No worries about reservations,
Or sleeper jumps to get us down...
No stories to file from upper berths,
Or time-tables that blow our cork...
We can cover the series and not have to leave
The sidewalks of New York!!

(Auction Link)

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Blog Kiosk: 2/11/2016 - Dodgers Links - Some ODss and Ends

A sign of things to come.

Featured above is an vintage color transparency from the Metropolis Collection that is currently being auctioned by Hyee_Auctions on eBay, and it features the then Mayor of Los Angeles Norris Poulson meeting with Walter O'Malley.  It is dated March 6, 1957, a full year before the Dodgers would move to the West Coast, and it includes a sorrowful Brooklyn Dodgers "Bum" listening in.  The clown in the photo is none of than the famous Emmett Kelly.  Also framed in the pic is the Dodgers official plane.  The photograph was taken by Cranston & Elkins of the New York Daily News.

Although nothing was official at the time, I have no doubt the folks in the photo above knew exactly what was going to happen.  The Dodgers were coming to Los Angeles.  They just needed to make sure everyone was on board.  Per the Walter O'Malley website, Mayor Poulson was joined by John Gibson, president of the City Council; Samuel Leask, city administration officer; L.A. County Supervisor Kenneth Hahn; county chief administrative officer John Leach; and Milton Arthur, chairman of the county recreation commission.

Below are more links to check out:

• USA Today names Corey Seager the #1 name to know in the MLB this season.  Kenta Maeda is #11, Julio Urias is at #78, Frankie Montas at #80 and Trayce Thompson at #82.  See story here.

The words “Hall of Famer” are already being tossed around in regard to Seager, 21, by teammate Adrian Gonzalez. Seager’s uncommon combination of talent and composure inspires. He might be the National League’s version of Carlos Correa — a lanky shortstop with power, poise and leadership skills — and his opposite number at All-Star Games for years to come. Lefty-swinging Seager replaced former MVP Jimmy Rollins as the Dodgers’ starting shortstop in September, kept the job in the playoffs and goes into the season as the regular.

• Blowout Buzz shares some preview pics from Topps 2016 Strata set; including the Koufax autographed card on the right.  It is slated to be released on July 27th.  Go here to check out more pics.
• Huh... Apparently, the Dodgers have signed a minor league deal with former Giants infielder Brandon Hicks to Spring Training.  Via Jon Weisman at Dodger Insider, "Dodger mix picks Hicks."
• Via Tracy Ringolsby at MLB.com, "Dodgers securing future with international prospects."

The Dodgers have been every bit as aggressive in the international market as the big league market. And they were not deterred by the sizable tax penalty for exceeding their allotted segment of the international signing pool.

The team set a record by spending $150 million on international players in 2015.

• Keith Law at ESPN ranks the Dodgers farm system at #2 in Baseball:

You can say that they bought this farm-system ranking, and you’d be right, and I don’t think they’d particularly care. However, that doesn’t do justice to the successful draft picks in 2013 and 2014 that line their top 10 around the various high-dollar Cuban signings (and that one Mexican lefty named Urias).

• Via Ken Gurnick at MLB.com, "Football not off Lee's radar."

"I wouldn't say it's completely left the station. It's a decision I'd have to make pretty soon. But I've got an opportunity to prove myself in the big leagues."

• The Baseball Continuum has put up a nice primer on the upcoming World Baseball Classic Qualifier; "World Baseball Classic Qualifier Preview: Sydney (Australia, New Zealand, the Philippines, South Africa)."  Go Philippines!

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2016 Topps Baseball Series One - Dodgers Wacky Pack, Bunt Promos and Lasers and other Scarcities

Here is a final look at the Dodgers cards found in packs of 2016 Topps Series 1 packs.  These are some of the more scarce cards that are available, so I don't have photos of everything.  Go here to see all of my previous post on this set.

Of note are the "Topps Bunt" insert cards that refer to an smartphone app featuring virtual cards that are collected just like real cards - with folks even paying premium values for them on eBay (wha???).  Frankly, I don't get it, but what do I know?   These "real" insert cards are limited to only 25 copies and sell for big prices online.  There is a code on the reverse of the card that you can input on the app for extra virtual cards/points.

Cut Signatures (#/1)

• #CS-DSI Duke Snider
• #CS-DSN Duke Snider

Glove Leather Autographs (Hobby & Jumbo only)

#GLA-SK Sandy Koufax 

 

In The Name Relics (Hobby & Jumbo only)

• #ITN-AG Adrian Gonzalez
• #ITN-CK Clayton Kershaw
• #ITN-JPD Joc Pederson
• #ITN-YG Yasmani Grandal
• #ITN-ZG Zack Greinke

#ITN-ZG Zack Greinke

Weekend Autograph Opportunities: RaiderFest V

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.

---------------------------

RaiderFest V!  Should I say more?

Go here for information, and click on any flyer below to embiggen.  As you can see there are a ton of autograph guest... Wow! 

Frank & Son Collectible Show
19649 E. San Jose Ave.
City of Industry, CA. 91748

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Blog Kiosk: 2/10/2016 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Here's another fantastic pic that comes from an original color transparency that's currently for sale on eBay.  This time I feature Roy Campanella makings his acceptance speech as the newest member of the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown; dated July 29, 1969.  Seated to his right are Stan Musial, Waite Hoyt and Stan Coveleski (from L to R).

Below are more links to check out:

• Via Eric Stephen at True Blue LA, "Bill Haselman introduced as Triple-A Oklahoma City Dodgers manager."

"As a catcher, you're involved in the game pretty much every pitch, calling the game and talking to 11-12 different pitchers on a daily basis getting them ready for a game," Haselman said. "You have a lot of different personalities. It's always a challenge to be able to figure out each individual by themselves and get them to perform the best they can.

"Being involved as a catcher, it's an easy transition as a manager because you've already dealt with half a team your whole playing career."

• Watch Hannah Storm of ESPN interview Magic Johnson about the Dodgers, here.
• Reddit user r/GritMcGritterton put together a fantastic 2015 Dodgers home run video montage that you should check out, here.  You should watch it before they shut it down.
• Via Peter Gammons at the Gammons Daily, "The Transitional Culture of Cuban Baseball Development."  He takes a closer look at the process Cuban players go through when coming to the Major Leagues.

“I think the most important thing with the Cuban players is building a trust that goes both ways,” said the Dodger official.
...
“Donnie tried really hard, and maybe Yasiel wasn’t ready to trust the situation,” said the Dodger official. “Maybe it will take a new situation. Dave Roberts is an incredibly positive person. He has had what we hope have been productive meetings with Puig.”  Then there is George Lombard, Roberts’ prized addition to his coaching staff. The Dodger front office was blown away by Lombard, who is highly intelligent (his grandfather George Francis Fabyan Lombard was the dean of Harvard Business School), his mother Posy became a significant figure in the Civil Rights Movement after graduating from Smith, working closely with the Rev. Martin Luther King before tragically losing her life in an automobile accident on Cape Cod.

Lombard is married to a Cuban-American, knows that Miami community well, understands the Cuban culture. “I think the trust built in establishing a personal and professional relationship is hugely important,” says the Dodger official. “I do think the trust factor is something that can be difficult to build, with the Cuban players dealing with such a different culture, but many players trying to assimilate into our baseball culture from theirs.”

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