Blog Kiosk: 3/29/2017 - Dodgers Links - Some Spring Odds and Ends

A couple of old pros pass down some knowledge to an eager rookie.  Featured above is an April 15, 1956 Associated Press photo featuring a young Drysdale chatting it up with Labine and Furillo while autographing some balls.  (eBay Link) Per the descriptor:

PART OF THE BIG LEAGUE LIFE--Don Drysdale, center, 19-year-old rookie pitcher whose contract has been taken up by the Dodgers, gets introduced to a rainy day chore-autographing baseballs.  He listens to two "old hands"--pitcher Clem Labine, left, and outfielder Carl Furillo as they go about their work during postponement of today's scheduled exhibition game with the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History:  In 2004 the Dodgers purchased outfielder Jason Grabowski from the A's.  They also traded reliever Jason Frasor to the Blue Jays for outfielder Jason Werth.  In 2008 the Dodgers played a pregame exhibition game at the LA Coliseum against the Boston Red Sox in celebration of the 50th annniversary of the club's move from Brooklyn to Los Angeles.  A crowd of 115,300 attended -- the largest to ever see a Baseball game.
• Happy Birthday, Hank Gastright, Rube Dessau, Lee Meyer, Gibby Brack, Tommy Holmes, Mike Ramsey & Brian Jordan!
  

Highlights From Friday's Dodger Stadium Tour

Following up on my post from Saturday featuring previews of some Dodger promos and new stadium foods, I now share highlights from a Dodger Stadium Tour provided by the team on Friday.  (BTW, you can go here for information about taking a stadium tour yourself.)

A Dodger Scorecard from 1885 of an Error Filled Game

Following up on a post from last week that featured two vintage 1884 Brooklyn Atlantics (the Dodger franchise) scorecards, I now share another scorecard from the following season in 1885 (Auction Link).

As you can see, Brooklyn outfielder John Cassidy is featured prominently on the cover. It dates to a game played on July 31st between Brooklyn and the Philadelphia Athletics, which the A's won 10 to 7, and notes a wild and raucous affair.

There were a total of twenty errors recorded in the game -- including nine by Brooklyn pitcher John Harkins.  Hilariously, the story in the Brooklyn Daily Eagle the next day made sure to let its readers know how bad Harkins was.

Blog Kiosk: 3/28/2017 - Dodgers Links - Ryu Earns a Spot on the Rotation

He's on the comeback trail.

Yesterday Hyun-Jin Ryu received fantastic news.  Although he gave up two homers in his most recent spring start he did prove to the Dodger staff that he belongs in the Dodgers starting rotation. Per Eric Stephen at True Blue LA:

“He just kind of kept plugging away, and showed he’s healthy. He built his innings up,” Roberts said. “It just gives the confidence that he can give us quality starts when he goes out there.” 

Per Bill Plunkett at the OC Register:

“From how I feel right now, I’m definitely confident that I can pitch every five days for this team. … I’ve always been a starting pitcher so it definitely feels good to be back doing what I expect to do. It has a lot of meaning in that regard.”

Photo above via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2016.  Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1991 the Dodgers released longtime Dodger starter Fernando Valenzuela.  Per an AP article in the Lodi News-Sentinel:

"I will never forget Fernando and all he has done for me and the Los Angeles Dodgers," manager Tom Lasorda said. "It was a privilege and honor to manage him over the years because he was without a doubt a great talent and a great competitor. I want to thank him for all the memories."

Sneek Peak at Corey Seager's Import Dragon MLB Figurine

Last season saw the the introduction of Imports Dragon MLB figures to the marketplace. They created 26 different Baseball figurines that year, but there were no Dodger players available.  That changes this season.  For 2017 both Clayton Kershaw and Corey Seager will have figures available for fans and collectors to buy.

The figures are expected to hit store this coming June and there are sixteen players in the initial 2017 checklist.  Go here for the complete checklist.  The company website is here.

You should note that these figurines are not as detailed as the McFarlane issues from a couple years back.

Featured above is the Corey Seager figure in its packaging.  Below is a closer look at it.  Unfortunately, preview photos of the Clayton Kershaw figurine have yet to be released.

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Blog Kiosk: 3/27/2016 - Dodgers Links - Some Spring Odds and Ends

We are almost there.  The season is a week away and both fans and players alike will soon be heading to ballgames back at their teams home fields.  There are only a few days left before scenes like the one seen above will disappear until next Spring.  So enjoy the festivities if you are still there. 

Photograph above via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2017.  Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History:  In 2012 Frank McCourt agrees to sell the Dodgers to a group headed by Stan Kasten, Guggenheim Partners and Magic Johnson for $2 billion.  He also sold the parking lots to the same group for $150 million (while retaining partial ownership).
• Happy Birthday, George Magoon, Bill Collins, Vince Sherlock, Newt Kimball, Wes Covington, Bill Sudakis & Adam Melhuse!