Blog Kiosk: 6/22/2018 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Licensed stock broker and current break-out hurler Ross Stripling visited the NYSE yesterday. Check out his brief interview with Cheddar Live as he discusses his current investments, here.

Photo above via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2018 at Dodger Insider. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1936 Reds outfielder Ival Goodman hit a three-run home run at Ebbets Field that lands and stays on top of the Schaefer Beer scoreboard in right field. Ballpark rules at the time dictate that it is still considered in play, so Goodman rounded the bases for the easiest inside-the-park home run ever. In 1947 Reds pitcher Ewell Blackwell, after having thrown a no-hitter his last time out, lost out on throwing a second consecutive no-no when Dodgers second baseman Eddie Stanky single with one out in the ninth inning. In 1959 Sandy Koufax struck out 16 Phillies batters to set a new record for strikeouts in a night game. 
• Happy Birthday, Luis Maza!

2018 Topps Home Run Challenge - The Cody Bellinger Card

There's a cool quirk found within packs of both Series 1 and 2 of Topps' flagship Baseball card set. They are the Home Run Challenge promotion cards, and as the name suggest these little lottery-styled tickets can earn its bearer a nice little prize if you can pick the day when said player hits a homer.

Blog Kiosk: 6/21/2018 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Yesterday's 4-0 loss at the hands of the Cubs marked our first series loss since mid-May -- a string of nine straight. Fortunately, I don't feel so bad about it. For whatever reason, I can't help but think that nothing but sunny skies are in front of us. Per Ken Gurnick at MLB.com:

"We're going to be somewhere in October," said Roberts. "I can't speak to the opponent, but we're going to be somewhere."
...
"It was a fun series. Two good clubs, very evenly matched. The series could have gone either way. You're not going to win every series, but going into New York, we feel pretty good about ourselves."

Photo above of Chris Taylor via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2018 at Dodger Insider. He had left the game early due to a hamstring issue. Per a Gurnick story:

"It wasn't a pull or anything, but after that play, there were a couple instances where it kind of grabbed. I don't expect to miss any playing days. If everything goes as planned, I think I should be in there."

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1998 the Dodgers replaced their manager, Bill Russell, with coach Glenn Hoffmann. Tommy Lasorda also becomes the GM. In 2016 the Dodgers signed Dean Kremer -- the first ever Israeli to sign a contract with a major league club. He had just been drafted in the 14th round of the 2016 MLB June Amateur Draft.
• Happy Birthday, Randy Moore, Jackie Collum & Rick Sutcliffe!

2018 Topps Series 2 - Even More Dodgers Inserts

Here are the reminder of the Dodgers' Topps Series 2 insert cards found in packs -- with the exception of the 30-card Bellinger Highlight set that I plan to focus on tomorrow. Shown below are the 1983 Topps, Cut Signature, Future Stars, Instant Impact, Longball Legends, Own the Name Relics, Sketch, Home Run Challenge and Silver Pack Promotion cards.

1983 Topps Baseball

#83AS-12 Clayton Kershaw          #83AS-16 Cody Bellinger

Weekend Autograph Opportunity: Dave Stewart and Manny Mota

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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Blog Kiosk: 6/20/2018 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

What an eventful day.

Not only were Dodger fans treated to a double-header, we saw several ejections, a come-from-behind victory, a walk-off loss and then we witnessed a starting pitcher return to form from the DL. Per Cary Osborne at Dodger Insider:

(Rich) Hill walked off the mound and let out a triumphant, cathartic yell. 

Hill left the game with a lead, one the Dodgers would lose along with the game 2–1, but it was a win in the sense that a vital Dodger starting pitcher came back strong and came out healthy. 

“His intensity was good, as always,” said manager Dave Roberts to SportsNet LA’s Alanna Rizzo. “The fastball command, the curveball command — it was on point tonight. You hope to get something like that, but you never know what you’re going to get from a first start back from injury. But again, he was outstanding.”

The Dodgers won the first game, 4-3, on a game winning double by Kyle Farmer in the 9th inning to score two. Then they got beat in the 10th on a walk-off single, 2-1. Photo above of Rich Hill via Jon SooHoo/Los Amgeles Dodgers at Dodger Insider. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1958 the Dodgers signed amateur free agent Willie Davis out of Roosevelt High School in Los Angeles. In 2000 the Dodgers traded infielder Jose Vizcaino to the Yankees for catcher Jim Leyritz. In 2008 the Dodgers are awarded the Award of Excellence star, which is placed on the Walk of Fame, for their significant contributions to the community by the Hollywood Historic Trust and the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce. In 2009 Dodgers pitcher Jeff Weaver best his younger brother Jered Weaver at Angels Stadium, 6-4. They become the eighth set of siblings to have started against one another. 
• Happy Birthday, Luis Alcaraz, Larry See, Paul Bako & Juan Castro!