Dodgers Blog Kiosk: 8/31/2017 - Dodgers Links - Alex Verdugo is Coming!

A four game losing streak typically isn't something to worry about; especially when you've got a 17 game lead over your next closest competitor. Still, I do feel a certain sense of dread... like, will another shoe drop? Then I remember some wise words from our elder statesman/poet laureate, Vin Scully:

"But in the history of the Brooklyn and LA Dodgers, nothing has ever come easy."

And then I calm down and realize that this is all part of the ride. Per Bill Plunkett on twitter:

Justin Turner: “It’s good for us. Going thru adversity, dealing with stuff we haven’t dealt with in awhile”

Photo above via @Dodgers on twitter. The Dodgers will be fine. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1950 Gil Hodges became the fourth Major Leaguer to hit four home runs in one game. It was against the Boston Braves at Ebbets Field. Overall, he went 5-for-6 with nine RBI's, five runs scored and 17 total bases. In 1959 Sandy Koufax set a new National League record when he fanned 18 Giants during a nine inning game at the LA Coliseum. It also tied the Major League mark for strike outs, and set a new Major League record with 31 total strike outs over two consecutive games (he struck out 13 Phillies his last time out). In 1985 the Dodgers got Bill Madlock from the Pirates for RJ Reynolds, Cecil Espy and Sid Bream. In 2006 the Dodgers received veteran Marlon Anderson from the Nationals for pitching prospect Jhonny Nunez. Anderson would have a stellar couple of months in Dodger Blue. He slashed .375/.431/.813/1.243 with seven homers, 15 RBI's and 12 runs scored. In 2009 the Dodgers received starting pitcher Jon Garland from the Diamondbacks for infield prospect Tony Abreu. Garland would get six starts -- going 3-2 with a 2.72 ERA.
• Happy Birthday, Duke Farrell, Ray Berres, Ira Hutchinson, Frank Robinson, Cleo James, Jack Perconte, Tom Candiotti, Mike Hartley, Hideo Nomo & Juan Nicasio!

Topps Now Card to Benefit Houston Flood Victims -- All Proceeds go to American Red Cross

It's times like this that allow every community -- even us Baseball card collecting fools -- to come together to help those in need. As you surely know, Houston and much of coastal Texas has been getting hammered by a hurricane that has caused residents to flee and lives to be lost. The ensuing floods are causing untold amounts of dread and destruction.

In a belief that "every little bit counts" Topps has decided to do something that we can all participate in. This morning they issued a 2017 Topps Now card featuring several Houston Astros players lining up for a moment of silence in honor of the flood victims before Tuesday evenings game, and all proceeds from its sale will go directly to the American Red Cross. Go here to check it out and order. They are listed at $9.99 each (or lower with a quantity purchase).

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Blog Kiosk: 8/30/2017 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Over his last two outings, Rich Hill showed fans the two most extreme ways to lose a game. This past Wesdnesday, he was on the verge of either a perfect game or no-hitter, but came away with a loss instead when he yielded a walk-off homer to end the game. Then last night Rich Hill went to the other side of the losing spectrum when he got shelled in the very first inning -- giving up five runs on six hits. Per Steve Gilbert and Ken Gurnick at MLB.com:

"I was terrible," said Hill, who allowed six runs on eight hits over 3 2/3 innings and fell to 9-6. "Everybody did what we were supposed to do, and I was terrible."

Suddenly, we find ourselves with a little three game losing streak -- only the fourth time we've lost as many in-a-row all season long. As much as I want to start feeling dread I know that this team doesn't give in to those kind of trifle insecurities. They are doing fine. Per Ken Gurnick at MLB.com:

"It's baseball. It's going to happen," said Taylor, who celebrated his 27th birthday on Tuesday. "We're going to continue going about our business the way we have, come to the park looking to get a win tomorrow. I think we ran into good teams that have played us tough and we lost a couple of close games."

Photo above via @Dodgers on twitter. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1918 the Dodgers and Giants play a 56-minute game at the Polo Grounds that saw New York beat Brooklyn, 1-0. In 1952 former Dodger infielder and future Hall of Famer Arky Vaughan dies in a fishing accident.  He and a friend drowned in a lake near Eagleville, CA when their boat capsized. In 1953 Roy Campanella tied a NL record for RBI's by a catcher during a season at 122. He did it by going 4-for-5 with five RBI's and three runs scored against the Cardinals. Campy would finish the year with a Major League best 142 RBI's for a catcher. In 2015 Cubs hurler Jake Arrieta no-hit the Dodgers at Dodger Stadium, 2-0. It is the 12th no-hitter ever thrown at Chavez Ravine.
• Happy Birthday, Bert Tooley, Kiki Cuyler, Tommy Dean & Roberto Hernández!

Blog Kiosk: 8/29/2017 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

I just love this vintage International Newsreel photo of Hall of Famer Zach Wheat that I saw on eBay (link here). It's been well handled with all kinds of editor marks throughout; including his mug being framed for eventual inclusion into the paper. It dates to June 24, 1922 and it appears to feature a pic taken the day prior at the Polo Grounds. The descriptor on the reverse indicates that on that day Wheat recorded his 2,000th career hit.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1948 Jackie Robinson hit for the cycle against the Cardinals during the first game of a doubleheader. He completed the cycle in reverse -- hitting a homer in the 1st, a triple in the 3rd, a double in the 4th and a single in the 8th inning. The Dodgers won 12-7. In 1980 Dodgers coach Manny Mota is reactivated by the Dodgers to be a top pinch-hitter off the bench. He would go 3-for-7 with two RBI's. In 1987 the Dodgers traded Rick Honeycutt to the A's for young starter Tim Belcher. As you know, he would be an important cog to the eventual world champs in 1988.
• Happy Birthday, Elmer Stricklett, Jack Warner, Buck Marrow, Billy Cox, Reggie Williams, Henry Blanco & Chris Taylor!

Players Weekend Fantasy Dodger Cards

I just couldn't stop myself from making a bunch of fantasy Baseball cards of the Dodgers from Players Weekend. Check them all out here.

Blog Kiosk: 8/28/2017 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

It took Players Weekend for the Dodgers to finally lose a series. They last felt the sting during an early June set against the Nationals. That's 21 consecutive series' they have either tied or won. Per Joshua Thornton and Austin Laymance at MLB.com:

"I think that -- look at our club offensively -- I think that's where we're a little cold right now," Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. "It happens to every ballclub at some point in time in the season. You look at the guys throughout the lineup that aren't swinging the bat the way they're capable of or have been this year, it's all kind of happening at once. We'll get through it."

Photo above via @Dodgers on twitter. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1945 Branch Rickey and Jackie Robinson meet to discuss plans for integrating Baseball. During the three hour meeting Rickey berates Robinson with a flurry of racial epithets to test his mettle. In 1952 the Brooklyn Dodgers set a National League record when they hit into a double play in their 23rd consecutive game. In 2002 Eric Gagne recorded his 45th save of the season, setting a franchise record and earning a bottle of Dom Perignon autographed by each Dodger teammate. In 2003 Eric Gagne recorded his 44th straight save to establish a new Major League record.
• Happy Birthday, Joe Yeager, Goody Rosen & Darren Lewis!