Blog Kiosk: 9/12/2017 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

After a lengthy rain delay the Dodgers continued on their streak of loses -- losing to the Giants late last night, 8-6. Ugh! Per Ken Gurnick and Chris Haft at MLB.com:

"I wouldn't say it's demoralizing, but it's disappointing," said Dodgers manager Dave Roberts. "Our guys played hard, I thought we were going to win that game and we were in position to, but we couldn't hold the lead."

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1930 Dodger catcher Al Lopez hit the last Major League bounced home run. It was off Ray Kolp at Ebbets Field. Prior to the rule change any hit ball that bounced over the outfield walls was ruled a homer. Now, it'll be a ground-rule double. In 1963 the NY Mets hold a pregame ceremony in honor of Brooklyn favorite Duke Snider - "I look up into the stands, and it looks like Ebbets Field. The Mets are wonderful, but you can’t take the Dodger out of Brooklyn". In 2000 Dave Hanson broke former Dodger Johnny Frederick's record for pinch-hit home runs during a season with his seventh pinch-homer of the year against Curt Schilling of the Diamondbacks.  BTW, Johnny Frederick set his record of six pinch-homers on this exact same date in 1932.
• Happy Birthday, John Gochnaur, Masao Kida & Franquelis Osoria!

Blog Kiosk: 9/11/2017 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

I am sorry to report that legendary scout Mel Didier has past away, per a tweet from Bob Nightengale. He was 90. As you may know, Mel was the man who wrote the scouting report that Kirk Gibson depended on during the Dodgers thrilling Game 1 walk-off victory. You can check out an excerpt of that report in the photo at the very top, made available via Josh Suchon on twitter. It says, pertinently:

*Like to "backdoor" slider to LH hitters with 3-2 count. 

Below are more links to checkout:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1998 Kevin Malone is named the Dodgers GM, replacing Tommy Lasorda. In 1983 RJ Reynolds squeezed home Pedro Guerrero in the ninth for an improbably walk-off victory against the Atlanta Braves.  The Dodgers scored four runs in the ninth to win. Tommy Lasorda called his decision to call for the squeeze his most "daring" of his career. 
• Happy Birthday, Con Daily, Frank Kitson & Eddie Miksis!

2017 Topps Now -- #577 -- Darvish Fastest Pitcher to 1,000 K's in MLB History

Last Nigh Darvish did something faster than any other ballplayer to have played the game. He struck out his 1,000th career batter in just 812 innings. The next fastest was Kerry Wood with 853 innings, then Stephen Strasburg in 855.1 inning. Unfortunately, his feat was overshadowed by another Dodger loss. Per Eric Stephen at True Blue LA:

“We want to win, and I wanted to go deep in the game. Those are the goals I had today,” Darvish said. “A couple guys came in and congratulated me, and that was great, but that wasn’t my goal today.”

Blog Kiosk: 9/8/2017 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

I think it's always best to accentuate the positive. Per Joshua Thornton at MLB.com:

"The back end of the game, one real highlight was obviously Walker Buehler," Roberts said. "And to see him break in like that, just the presence, the command of all his pitches. It just looked right. It was exciting for us."

Walker pitched two scoreless innings; striking out two and allowing one hit on 26 pitches.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodger History: In 1955 the Brooklyn Dodgers clinched the pennant when they defeated the Milwaukee Braves, 10-2. As you know, they would go on to win the World Series later that season. In 1957 the Dodgers and Giants would play for the last time against one another while still New York based clubs. Unfortunately, the Jints beat the Bums, 3-2.
• Happy Birthday, Val Picinich & Don Aase!

New to the Collection: 1993 Friendship Series in Taiwan Program

I have absolutely no recollection of this occurring. Thankfully, I was able to acquire a fun little pamphlet that tells me a lot about it. Featured here is a program for the three-game 1993 Dodgers Friendship Series played in late-October against the CPBL (Taiwanese Professional Baseball League) All-Stars.

As you'll recall, 1993 was a dismal year for the Dodgers. They finished the season at .500 (81-81) -- 23 games behind the then formidable Atlanta Braves. So I'd imagine an overseas trip to Asia was a desirable respite for the guys. In fact, nearly all the big names came along -- Brett Butler, Raul Mondesi, Darryl Strawberry, Eric Karros, Mike Piazza, Pedro Martínez, Ramon Martínez, Orel Hershiser and manager Tommy Lasorda. Heck, even our poet laureate, Vin Scully, visited Taiwan to comment on the games.

Check out some pics of the program below. Click on any pic to embiggen.

Blog Kiosk: 9/7/2017 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Here is Curtis Granderson presenting an nominee award to Justin Turner for being selected the Dodgers representative for the 2017 Roberto Clemente Award.

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

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1889 the most controversial game in American Association history is held in Brooklyn. The St. Louis Browns hold a 4-2 lead in the ninth over the Bridegrooms and claim it is too dark to continue. The lighted candles in front of their bench make umpire Fred Goldsmith determined to finish the game no matter what. Several St. Louis players are hit with bottles as they leave the grounds. The Browns will forfeit the game the next day because they fear for their safety. In 1903 the Brooklyn Superbas (Dodgers) and the NY Giants play a two-stadium, same-day doubleheader.  The first game began at 10:30 AM at Brooklyn's Washington Park (Giants won, 6-4), and the second game got underway later that afternoon at the Polo Grounds (Brooklyn won, 3-0). In 1924 the pennant race between the Dodgers and Giants got crazy. So much so, a calvacade of fans with crowbars stormed the Ebbets Field gates to watch the already sold out game. 200 officers were called, but an estimated 7,000 fans got in anyway. In 1962 Maury Wills stole four bases against the Pirates to break the modern National League record for stolen bases at 82. In 2001 Shawn Green hit two homers against the Cardinals at Busch Stadium to eclipse a Dodgers franchise record for home runs in a season. Green would finish the season with 49 home runs.
• Happy Birthday, Dave Wallace, Dave Foutz, Ed Poole, Lew Ritter, Curt Davis, Eddie Wilson, Willie Crawford & Brent Cookson!