Dodger Doings - Vintage 1943 Newsletter - Issue #3

Following up on several vintage Dodger newsletters I've shared over the past several weeks, here is a 1943 issue to take a look at.  Go here to check out all my past "Dodger Doings" post.  Click on any pic to embiggen.  Furthermore, I'd like to extend thanks to fellow Dodger collector Doug for passing this along.

Dated June 20, 1943, this newsletter reminds us of the important link between Baseball and World War II.  As you know, several notable ballplayers signed up to fight.  One of which is highlighted on the front page of the featured newsletter.  Check out what was written about former Dodger center fielder Harold "Pete" Reiser. 

Despite the fine play of Augie Galan in centerfield for the Dodgers this season, Brooklyn fans will always remember the kid who came from "nowhere" to win acclaim and fame as the youngest player ever to wear the National League batting championship crown.

When they think of "Pete" Reiser they will think of home runs smashed to win crucial games... they will think of a sturdy young man racing, jumping, diving to make brilliant defensive plays as he roamed his position in centerfield.  And they will think of that waning afternoon in St. Louis in 1942 when that fighting Reiser spirit... that will to win... led him to crash into a concrete wall in a valiant attempt to thwart the "enemy."

Truly, if Pete Reiser is representative of the young American men in uniform, victory must certainly be ours.

2016 Topps Tribute - The Dodgers Milestone Relics and Stamp of Approval Cards

Over the past week I've shared pics of most of the Dodger cards found in packs of 2016 Topps Tribute, but held off on the ones below. 

Why, you ask?

Well, as you can see, each of these cards include a game-used relic piece and an MLB Authentication sticker attached.  What this means is that each specific card and it's game-used material can be traced to a specific game.  So, I though it would be interesting to take a closer look at them.  Featured are the "Milestone Relics" and "Stamp of Approval" relic cards.

MILESTONE RELICS

These cards are numbered to only ten copies, and no parallels exist.  Also, two Dodger players are available: Clayton Kershaw and Corey Seager.  Unfortunately, I can't quite make out the reference number on the Kershaw card below, but I do know that the relic pieces is of a game-used Baseball retrieved from Kershaw's 100th win in the Major Leagues.  In fact, it says as much on the bottom right of the card.  It says:

"Kershaw, Just 27, Wins 100th"

On a side note, an autographed "1 of 1" card does exist, but has yet to surface.  BTW, Kershaw won his 100th game on May 15, 2015 against the Colorado Rockies at Dodger Stadium.  Go here for the boxscore.

#MR-CKE Clayton Kershaw

Blog Kiosk: 7/19/2016 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

With the Dodgers scheduled for a day off in Washington DC yesterday several players and staff members decided to take on the town like a bunch of tourist.  For some, a stop at the FBI Training Center in Quantico, Virginia, was in order, as evidenced in the photo above provided by Dodgers photographer Jon SooHoo on twitter.  For others, a walk around our nations capital would be the highlight of the day.  Check out Kenta Maeda in the photos below, via his Instagram account.

Another player had something else on his mind for his day off, though.  Brandon McCarthy decided to head to the Smithsonian.  Go here to see what he decided to share with the world. 

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodger History: In 1977 Don Sutton is named the All-Star Game MVP at Yankee Stadium.  He pitched three scoreless innings to help the National League win, 7-5.  In 1993 Raul Mondesi made his Major League debut by singling in his first at-bat (as a pinch-hitter in the 7th inning) against Phillies pitcher David West.  
• Happy Birthday, Rachel Robinson!  She is 94 years old today.

Welcome to the Blue, Zach Walters!

I know this post is late, so I apologize in advance.  Featured above are fantasy Baseball cards I made of our newest Dodger, Zach Walters.  As you know, Trayce Thompson was put on the Disabled List over the weekend, so journeyman super-utility player Zach Walters was called up in his place.  Walters, who we acquired from the Indians in early April, has slashed .298/.346/.491/.836 in Triple-A Oklahoma City this year.  He also has played every position, except for catcher, this season.  Via Jon Weisman at Dodger Insider:

He has played second base, shortstop, third base, left field and right field in his 82-game MLB career, with a .233 on-base percentage and .394 slugging percentage — including 10 homers in 127 big-league at-bats in 2014.

2016 Topps Tribute - All the Dodgers Autograph Cards

Below are pics of all the Dodgers autograph cards found in packs of 2016 Topps Tribute Baseball packs.  Go here to check out all of my past post on this set. 

TRIBUTE AUTOGRAPHS

• #TA-CKE Clayton Kershaw (redemption)
• #TA-KM Kenta Maeda (redemption)

#TA-ADG Adrian Gonzalez                       #TA-AW Alex Wood

Blog Kiosk: 7/18/2016 - Dodgers Links - Sports Museum of Los Angeles Now Open to Everyone

As you surely know, yesterday marked the 75th anniversary of the end of Joe DiMaggio's 56-game hitting streak.  For a period of two months DiMaggio owned Baseball.  From May 15 to July 16, 1941 DiMaggio slashed .408/.463/.717/1.181 while slugging 15 home runs, 16 doubles, four triples, driving in 55 runners and scoring 56 times himself.  He also struck out only five times in 247 plate appearances.  In other words, he was a one man wrecking machine.  The Yankees went 41-13-2 during that stretch. 

In honor of his rare feat check out the pics above of an display at the Sports Museum of Los Angeles that celebrates the 56-game hitting streak.  As you may know, this museum has once again opened its door to the general public.  It had been closed and available only through special tours and private events.  Now, sports fans of all stripes can visit the 20,000 square feet museum on the weekends.  Via a press release:

“We are excited to be able to give Dodgers fans and sports fans in general the opportunity to view up close these priceless, one-of-a-kind objects,” Cypres said. “The items in the Sports Museum of Los Angeles bridge the history of the Dodgers in Brooklyn and Los Angeles and it has been a labor of love to acquire them and make them available to the generations of sports fans in Southern California.”

If you have never had a chance to visit then you should do it right away.  In my opinion it's the best Baseball museum outside of Cooperstown, and clearly the best Dodger collection I've ever seen.   Go here for information.  It is open to the general public only on weekends from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Admission is $15 for adults, $12 for seniors 65 and over and students with ID, and $9 for children ages 5-12. On-site parking is $8.  Below is a brief listing of what you can see there:

• T206 Honus Wagner trading card – the Holy Grail among collectors
• Gallery dedicated to Negro Leagues and Jackie Robinson, including his game-worn jersey and bat
• Roy Campanella and Don Newcombe MVP and Cy Young awards, Johnny Podres’ 1955 World Series MVP trophy
• Handful of dirt and first ball thrown out on opening of Brooklyn’s Ebbets Field in 1913 
• Don Drysdale collection from high school days in Van Nuys through Brooklyn and L.A. Dodgers
• World Series trophies from 1970-2000 
• Willie Mays and Willie McCovey game-worn jerseys

Pics above provided by the Sports Museum of Los Angeles.  Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodger History: In 1939 the Dodgers trade for Pee Wee Reese from the Red Sox for $35,000 and a handful of other players.  In 1949 Jackie Robinson testified in front of the House Committee on Un-American Activities to disagree with singer and actor Paul Robeson’s belief that African-Americans would refuse to fight in any war against Russia due to the country’s history of racial discrimination.  In 1957 Gil Hodges his his 12th career gran slam to tie a NL record.
• Happy Birthday, Joe Torre!