Blog Kiosk: 12/18/2017 - Dodgers Links - Some Weekend Odds and Ends

(Via tweet from AGon)

Do you know what happens when you spend all weekend shopping and don't bother lifting a finger to check out any news?

Something big happens, like a blockbuster trade, that you don't discover until a couple days later.

That's what I experienced this morning. I dutifully got up and prepared for work, headed to the office and finally decided to check out my news feed -- something I chosen to ignore all weekend long. To my utter surprise, I discovered that old-friend Matt Kemp is back in LA. (For how long? I dunno.) And just as shockingly, the Dodgers shipped high-priced talent Adrian Gonzalez, Brandon McCarthy, Scott Kazmir, along with utilityman Charlie Culberson and some cash to the Braves in return.

Wow! Stay tuned as I think about some "thank you" and "welcome" post with fantasy Baseball cards.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 2009 the Dodgers traded outfielder Juan Pierre to the White Sox for pitchers John Ely and Jon Link. In 2014 the Dodgers traded Tim Federowicz and Matt Kemp to San Diego for Zach Eflin, Yasmani Grandal and Joe Wieland. 
• Happy Birthday, Dave Oldfield, Hub Knolls, Jimmy Pattison, Bill Skowron, Gino Cimoli, Zoilo Versalles, Lance Carter & Micah Johnson!

2017 Topps Transcendent Collection - The Corey Seager Sketch Ball

The highest of the high-end Baseball card brands was officially released today, and I decided to take a little bit of time to see if any of the Dodger cards had made it onto eBay yet. Considering a factory price tag of about $25,000 a box (of which only 87 exist) I figured this would be the only way I'd ever see them. As I was cruising around the online marketplace I saw something that I immediately knew I had to highlight.

Blog Kiosk: 12/15/2017 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Yesterday the Dodgers held their annual Children's Holiday Party at Dodger Stadium, and both Joc Pederson and Austin Barnes were on-hand to take in the festivities... And to play dodgeball. Per Rowan Kanver at Dodger Insider:

A day full of games and gifts also included pictures with Santa Clause, dodgeball and sledding. 

“It kind of brings you back to your childhood for sure, playing dodgeball, sled races, playing in the snow,” Barnes said. “It’s a good time.”

Please tell me that the ball headed for Joc was a direct hit.

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

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1968 Dodgers GM Al Campanis traded his own son, Jim Campanis, to the KC Royals.  In 1987 the Dodgers signed free agent outfielder Mike Davis to a contract.  He would eventually become a hero for taking a walk and stealing a base ahead of Kirk Gibson's walk-off Game 1 World Series homer.  In 2004 the Dodgers signed free agent second baseman Jeff Kent to a three year $21 million contract.  In 2009 the Dodgers trade Juan Pierre to the White Sox for two players to be named later - John Ely and Jon Link. 
• Happy Birthday, George Hemming, Robert Ellis, Nick Buss, Aaron Miles & Doug Rau! 

Welcome to the Blue, Angelo Mora!

With the Winter Meetings officially over there is only one development related to a new addition to the Dodgers to tell you about. This morning, as a part of the Triple-A portion of the Rule 5 Draft, the Dodgers picked up Dominican infielder Angelo Mora from the Baltimore Orioles. Per Rowan Kavner at Dodger Insider:

The versatile 24-year-old infielder hit .291/.334/.435 between Double-A and Triple-A in Philadelphia’s organization last year, spending the majority of the season with Double-A Reading, where he hit .295/.348/.470 with 19 doubles, three triples and nine home runs in 322 plate appearances. 

Mora played all over the place in Double-A last year, logging innings at second base, shortstop, third base, left field and right field. At Triple-A, he only played the infield. The majority of his time was spent as a middle infielder in 2017. 

The switch-hitter batted .287/.330/.409 in 298 plate appearances as a lefty against right-handed pitching and batted .303/.344/.496 in 128 plate appearances as a righty against left-handed pitching.

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.

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