“Oh my gosh, no” -- Hear Vin Scully's Response to the Presidential Medal of Freedom

I can't stop smiling.  This is the greatest thing ever.

Via a tweet from the Dodgers, watch and listen to White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest call Vin Scully with the news of him being selected as an 2016 recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom. 

Gotta love #VIN. Here's @WhiteHouse @PressSec calling Vin Scully to let him know he's a recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom. pic.twitter.com/uvoks5tAR1

— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) November 16, 2016

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Three Dodgers Make Topps 2016 MLB All-Star Rookie Team - Get 2016 Topps Now Cards

As part of a tradition that has existed for numerous decades Topps has named their 2016 MLB All-Star Rookie Team, and it includes three Dodgers' players -- Corey Seager, Julio Urias and Kenta Maeda.  No doubt this is a testament to a flourishing minor league system.  Per a Topps release:

The Topps All-Star Rookie Team began in 1959. The winners also receive a gold “cup” on their official Topps baseball card in the 2017 set, which has been a tradition for many years.
...

The Topps MLB All-Star Rookie Team – nicknamed the Topps Rookie Cup – is awarded to one player for each position, a right-hander starter, a left-handed starter, and a relief pitcher.

Vin Scully will Receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom Next Week

Wow!

There is no greater honor for a citizen, a civilian, if you will, in the United States than to receive the President Medal of Freedom.  So, it is with great joy and admiration that I announce that Vin Scully, the grand orator and wordsmith, will receive the honor this coming Tuesday.  Per a Dodger press release:

Today, President Barack Obama named 21 recipients of the Presidential Medal of Freedom which included Hall of Famer Vin Scully who this year completed his 67th and final season in the broadcast booth for the Dodgers. The Presidential Medal of Freedom is the nation’s highest civilian honor, presented to individuals who have made especially meritorious contributions to the security or national interests of the United States, to world peace, or to cultural or other significant public or private endeavors. The awards will be presented at the White House on November 22.

President Obama said, “The Presidential Medal of Freedom is not just our nation’s highest civilian honor – it’s a tribute to the idea that all of us, no matter where we come from, have the opportunity to change this country for the better. From scientists, philanthropists, and public servants to activists, athletes, and artists, these 21 individuals have helped push America forward, inspiring millions of people around the world along the way.”

Scully will join the following individuals in being awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Elouise Cobell (posthumous), Ellen DeGeneres, Robert De Niro, Richard Garwin, Bill and Melinda Gates, Frank Gehry, Margaret H. Hamilton, Tom Hanks, Grace Hopper (posthumous), Michael Jordan, Maya Lin, Lorne Michaels, Newt Minow, Eduardo Padrón, Robert Redford, Diana Ross, Bruce Springsteen and Cicely Tyson.

In commemoration I made the above fantasy Baseball card using the 1990 Fleer design.  Unfortunately, I am not entirely certain who originally took the photo I used in it, so I apologize for that.  As time permits, I may make a few more fantasy card of Vin, so stay tuned.

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Blog Kiosk: 11/16/2016 - Dodgers Links - Congrats, Skip! Dave Roberts is Manager of the Year!

Check out this fantastic panoramic photograph of the 1916 Brooklyn Robins (Dodgers) that is currently available at Hunt Auctions (link here).  It features the entire club, with exception of the kid with the bullhorn on the far right, in those fantastic checkered Brooklyn uniforms. 

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History:  In 1966 Sandy Koufax missed out on winning his second MVP award by ten votes to Pirates outfielder Roberto Clemente.  As you know, this would be Koufax's last major league season. 
• Happy Birthday, Julio Lugo!

Corey Seager NL Rookie of the Year Award Winner - 2016 Topps Now Cards - #OS-16

To the surprise of no one, Corey Seager was named the unanimous winner of the National League "Rookie of the Year" Award winner last night.  In honor of that Topps is making available an Topps Now card to commemorate the honor.  Go here to check it out and order.

Additionally, Topps has created six different (and massively overpriced) game-used relic cards that come from Game 2 of the NLDS against the Washington Nationals.  As you will recall, he walloped a first inning solo home run during the game.  You can check those out at the very bottom of this post.

Blog Kiosk: 11/15/2016 - Dodgers Links - Demolition, Puig, Agon and Corey Seager

A couple weeks back I shared some unique photos featuring the progress of the demolition of a ballpark called Washington Park II -- the former home of the Brooklyn Dodgers from 1898-1912 (link here).  These date to 1926 and were taken by a local photographer for the Brooklyn Edison Company.  As you may know, Con Edison of New York (no doubt an offspring of the Brooklyn Edison Company) currently sits on the land this stadium once stood.

Now, I've run into even more photos of the demolition and this time we get a close-up look at the grandstands that once housed thousands of hollering fans.  They are available through eBay (links here, here, here, here, here and here).  Click on any pic to embiggen.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History:  In 1962 Dodger Hall of Famer Don Drysdale is named the NL Cy Young Award winner.  He went 25-9 with an 2.83 ERA, 19 complete games and 232 strike outs.  In 1988 Dodgers outfielder and legend Kirk Gibson was named the NL MVP.  BTW, he is the first MVP to not have been selected for the All-Star Game in the same season.