Blog Kiosk: 102/14/2017 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Here is another fantastic vintage press photo of an old-tyme Dodger that can be found at RMY Auctions (link here). Featured are (from L-R) Cuban outfield star Pedro Formental, Dick Sisler and Dodgers Game 7 hero of the 1955 World Series Sandy Amorós. They are all decked out in the full uniform of the Habana Club of the Cuban Winter Leagues, circa 1953.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1954 the Dodgers signed amateur free agent Sandy Koufax to a contract - a $6,000 salary and $14,000 bonus.  This made Sandy a "bonus baby" (having a bonus over $4,000) and required the Dodgers to keep him on the Major League roster for two years.  As a result, the Dodgers would option Tommy Lasorda to the Montreal Royals.  In 1990 the Dodgers signed free agent outfielder Brett Butler to a four-year $13 million contract.
• Happy Birthday, Deacon Van Buren, John Anderson, Charlie Hargreaves, Chris Heisey & Bill Buckner! 

Weekend Autograph Opportunities: Tommy Lasorda, Reggie Jackson and a Couple of Lakers

Here are this weekends autograph opportunities and events throughout the Southland. As always, be sure to check the Blue Heaven Calendar for other events (a link can always be found on the tab at the top of this page, just left of center), and always confirm with the establishment. Everything is subject to change.  Please email me with any tips about upcoming events in Southern California.  As the rest of the week progresses I'll update this post with other events (if there are any) as I become aware of them.  Also, I don't always list every event below, so be sure to check my Calendar.  I always try to favor free signing events over paying events.  Click on any pic to embiggen.

---------------------------

Blog Kiosk: 12/13/2017 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Yesterday afternoon, Yu Darvish tweeted the above photo and added the words,

"who has better throwing partner than me?"

Apparently, Darvish and Clayton Kershaw are working out together in Texas -- which is not too surprising considering they both keep their offseason homes there.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1956 the Dodgers tried to do the unthinkable.  They announced a trade that would send legendary second baseman Jackie Robinson to the hated NY Giants for pitcher Dick Littlefield and $35,000. It would be voided the next day. Jackie would then announce his retirement from the game a few weeks later. In 2001 the Dodgers received Cesar Izturis and Paul Quantril in a trade with Toronto for Chad Ricketts and Luke Prokopec. In 2003 the Dodgers traded Kevin Brown to the Yankees for Brandon Weeden,Yhency Brazoban and Jeff Weaver. In 2005 the Dodgers signed free agent veteran catcher Sandy Alomar. Also, they traded troubled outfielder Milton Bradley and Antonio Perez to the A's for Andre Ethier on the same day.
• Happy Birthday, Joe Landrum, Steve Wilson, Nate Oliver, Ricky Nolasco, George Shuba, Carl Erskine & Billy Loes! 

2017 Sportscrate - Final Figurine has Arrived - Joc Pederson

The last of goodies from the 2017 Sportscrate subscription arrived a few weeks back, so I figured I should finally take a moment to put it up. Featured here is the Joc Pederson figurine that was suppose to come in the September edition of Sportscrate.

As you may know, Sportscrate offered a first-of-its-kind team-specific monthly subscription crate service this past season, and fell a bit behind when it came to some of the exclusive items in the crate. Specifically, they went back to the drawing board on the final two player-figurines -- claiming that subscriber feedback lead to changes in physical attributes and better joint articulation.

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

With both Spring Training on the horizon and the Winter Meetings currently ongoing in Orlando, I thought this vintage, dated March 2, 1946, International News press photo of several old-tyme Dodgers at Daytona Beach would be perfect. (eBay auction link) Per descriptor attached to the reverse:

PITY POOR DODGERS IN BLEAK FLORIDA.  Daytona Beach, Fla.......It's all right for the fortunate people up North.  They can warm be shoveling snow.  But the poor Brooklyn Dodgers, who are spring training down in Daytona Beach have to light a fire to get the chill out of their bones.  Billy Herman is playing fireman here to get a blaze going for Vic Lombardi, Hal Gregg and Lew Riggs.  Cold weather caused postponement of practice called for yesterday."

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1941 the Dodgers traded for soon to be Hall of Famer Arky Vaughan from the Pirates in exchange for Pete Coscarart, Luke Hamlin, Babe Phelps and Jimmy Wasdell. In 1998 the Dodgers signed free agent starting pitcher Kevin Brown to a seven year $105 million contract -- thus becoming the first $100 million man in Baseball. In 2012 the Dodgers received Skip Schumaker in a trade with the Cardinals -- sending Jake Lemmerman to St. Louis in return.
• Happy Birthday, Buzzie Bavasi, Peter O'Malley, Phenomenal Smith, Derrell Griffith & Orlando Hudson! 

Blog Kiosk: 12/11/2017 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Here's another vintage photograph taken by legendary Dodgers photographer Barney Stein, circa 1949, of the Dodgers Ebbets Field "Sym-Phony Band" that is currently at auction at RMY (link here).

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1987 the Dodgers and its rookie GM, Fred Claire, pulled off a trade that would play a significant part in their upcoming 1988 World Series run. They traded starter Bob Welch and Matt Young to the A's and Jack Savage to the Mats for relievers Jesse Orosco, Jay Howell and infielder Alfredo Griffin. Eric Stephen at True Blue LA put together an excellent synopsis of the events that lead to this trade (link here). In 2014 the Dodgers traded Dee Gordon, Dan Haren and Miguel Rojas to the Marlins for Austin Barnes, Chris Hatcher, Andrew Heaney and Enrique Hernandez.
• Happy Birthday, Frank Bell, Gene Wright, Joe Riggert, Ray Phelps, Greg Shanahan, Thomas Howard & Joe Blanton!