Blog Kiosk: 1/6/2017 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Now this is a Baseball play.

These days it is doubtful anything like the action seen above would happen.  First of all, infielders are not expected to perform such acrobatics on the field anymore.  Instead, they hug the base and dare the oncoming runner to slide hard.  And if the runner does come at the infielder, it is likely that screams of unsportsmanlike conduct will be heard from every medium in the country.  Furthermore, a take-out slide, like the one being performed by the nameless Cardinal runner above against Jackie Robinson, just isn't done anymore.  Heck, in certain circumstances it is banned.

Photo above via Old Baseball Photos on Twitter.  Below are more links to check out:

• Happy Birthday, George Shoch, Lee Walls, Marlon Anderson & Ralph Branca!
  

Dodgers Memorabilia at SCP Auctions

Considering all of the hoopla directed at Vin Scully and his retirement, I thought the above 1947 National League Championship ring was worth noting.  It is available at auction through SCP, and represents one of many different Dodger related collectibles that are currently available.  (Auction Link)  The ring above had formerly belonged to Scully mentor and legendary Dodger broadcast Red Barber.  As you know, it was Red who hired and showed Vin the ropes.  Per the auction description:

It's a ring that originates from one of the most significant seasons in history; the year Jackie Robinson shattered baseball's color barrier. Not one to rest on his laurels, Robinson also led his team to the N.L. pennant (94-60) and won the inaugural Rookie of the Year Award that season. Barber was there for it all.

Below are several other Dodger items that I thought worth mentioning.

Blog Kiosk: 1/5/2017 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Safe!

What a fantastic slide by Dodger second baseman and leadoff man Jim Gilliam.  As you can see in the above International News press photo dated September 16, 1954, Gilliam darted beneath a high throw to Reds catcher Andy Seminick to score a run.  (eBay Auction Link)

This game started out great.  The Dodgers were 4.5 games behind the Giants with just nine games left to play before the World Series.  So, the Dodgers needed to hustle if they wanted to find themselves playing in the Fall Classic.  Unfortunately, like this game, the Dodgers would fall far too short of that goal.  Gilliam's score in the first inning would give the team an early lead, but the Reds persevered to win the game, 9-3. 

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History:  In 1998 it is announced that Dodgers hurler Don Sutton will be inducted into the Hall of Fame.  It was his fifth time on the ballot.
• Happy Birthday, Bob Caruthers, Dutch Jordan, Charlie Hough & Bill Dahlen!
  

Dodgers Miracle Matchup by IBM?

What the heck is this all about?

I recently came across an old t-shirt promoting an unusual event that features a computer simulated game between two Dodgers' World Series clubs.  It was dubbed a "Miracle Matchup", and it pitted the 1963 club against the 1981 team. (eBay Auction Link)

As a lover of Dodgers' oddball stuff I had to find out more.  Unfortunately, information is a bit lacking.  From what I can gather, IBM put together a group of simulations for various teams and debut the results during an upcoming game in 1986.  In the Dodgers case it was unveiled during a game between the Dodgers and Reds in early September.  I am uncertain if this was an in-game promotion or a commercials fans could watch on television.  If you happen to know anything about this please pass that knowledge along.

Blog Kiosk: 1/4/2016 - Dodgers Links - Puig, Ryu, O'Malley and Adrian Gonzalez

Spring training in New York.

During WWII it was thought unwise to hold spring camp anywhere near the eastern coast.  After all, German U-boats where known to hug the American coastline in an attempt at disrupting supply lines to the European front.  So, the Dodgers spent several March's in Bear Mountain, NY.

Featured above is an International News press photo, dated March 20, 1945, of seven members of the Brooklyn Dodger pitching staff showing off their follow-through at the preseason facility.  (eBay Auction Link)  Per the descriptor on the reverse:

DODGERS PITCHING STAFF.  Bear Mountains, N.Y.....Photographed at the Dodgers spring training camp at Bear Mountains, is team's pitching staff.  (l. to r.) Joe Belmaier, Vic Lombardi (only southpaw in the camp of pitchers), Hal Gregg, Curt Davis, Fred Wells, Otho Nitcholos, and Ben Chapman.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodger History:  In 1957 the Dodgers, Walter O'Malley, purchased a 44-passenger twin engine airplane for $775,000.  They would be the first team to own their own plane.  In 1977 the Dodgers received catcher Johnny Oats from the Phillies in exchange for infielder Ted Sizemore.  In 2001 the Dodgers signed free agent reliever Giovanni Carrara.  In 2006 the Dodgers received Tim Hamulack and Jae Weong Seo from the Mets in exchange for Duaner Sanchez and Steve Schmoll.
• Happy Birthday, Tommy Corcoran, Bart Shirley, Charlie Manuel & Ted Lilly!

Blog Kiosk: 1/3/2016 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

I just can't wait for Baseball to get started.  We are a mere few weeks away from the beginning of spring training, and soon thereafter Opening Day will be here.  While we wait join me in taking a look at the above fantastic in-game-action AP Wirephoto, dated July 22, 1954, featuring a sliding Bob Borkowski of the Reds being tagged out by Roy Campanella.  (eBay Auction Link)

On the play Reds second baseman Johnny Temple hit a grounder to shortstop Pee wee Reese, who unfortunately booted the ball.  Borkowski, standing at second base at the time, tried to take advantage of the miscue and rounded third for home.  Jim Gilliam, who was the kind of guy who never missed a play, dutifully picked up the errant ball and threw a strike to home to record the third out of the inning.  The Dodgers would maintain a one run lead in the game, and eventually win it, 8-5.  BTW, Hall of Fame umpire Jocko Conlon is in the background calling the out.  Also, this photograph was originally a part of the George Michael Collection of Baseball sliding press photos.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodger History:  In 2006 the Dodgers signed free agent starting pitcher Brett Tomko to a two year/$8.7 million contract.
• Happy Birthday, Frenchy Bordagaray & Chris Van Cuyk!