Welcome to the Blue, Joe Kelly!

If you can't beat him... sign him!

As you all surely know by now, the Dodgers made their first real free agent signing of the winter, and it's a person we all know (and probably hate). After all, no pitcher did more to deflate Dodger bats during the World Series than this guy. Reliever Joe Kelly, the man responsible for throwing six scoreless innings when it counted, is now a Dodger.

Blog Kiosk: 12/13/2018 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

The Dodgers held their annual Children's Holiday Party at Dodger Stadium yesterday, and as you can see fun was had by all. Featured above is Cody Bellinger getting pelted by a group of cheerful youngsters.

Photo above via @Dodgers on twitter. 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 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 future fan-favorite Andre Ethier.
• Happy Birthday, Joe Landrum, Steve Wilson, Nate Oliver, Ricky Nolasco, George Shuba, Carl Erskine & Billy Loes! 

2018 Topps Dynasty - All the Dodgers Cards

Last week saw the release of Topps high-end Dynasty brand, and featured below are most of the signed Dodger cards I could track down. Go here for a complete checklist.

There are three Dodgers in the base Autograph Patch set, and typically each players has several different autographed cards available. From what I can tell, Clayton Kershaw has at least four different Dodger cards available, but there may be more. Mike Piazza and Rickey Henderson appear to only have one Dodger card a piece.

Autographed Patch

#Clayton Kershaw

#AP-CK1                                        #AP-CK2

Blog Kiosk: 12/12/2018 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

At one point, Walter O'Malley had dreams about building a domed stadium in Brooklyn. Featured above is a May 11, 1957 AP press photo featuring O'Malley showing off his design (eBay Auction Link). Strangely, with him are New York Giants president Horace Stoneham, San Francisco Mayor George Christopher and SF County Cupervisor Francis McCarty. As you know, the Dodgers would soon announce their intention of leaving the Brooklyn borough for Los Angeles.

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! 

Collecting Cards Gets Weird

Have you heard about a 1990 basketball card and how it intersects with one of the more infamous murders of the 80's?

Last week a redditor named u/Pirate_Redbeard shocked the hobby (and apparently much of the news reading public) when it was pointed out that a 1990-91 Hoops card of Mark Jackson also features two young murderous chaps enjoying courtside seats in the background.

Sitting behind Jackson are Lyle and Erik Menendez.

I kid you not!

Check out the bubble on the right. On the left is a close up view.

Furthermore, it was also mentioned that the photo was taken after the duo killed their parents, but before their eventual arrest several months later.

Wow!

Al Campanis 1949 Brooklyn Eagle Printing Plate - Manager or Front Office?

In his early 30's it became clear that infielder Al Campanis would not be the star on the diamond that he had hoped. After graduating from New York University in 1940 he joined the Brooklyn club and rose up the ladder until his Major League debut as a 26-year old second baseman in 1943. Then the military came calling and Campanis would spend much of his "peak" years in the service of the US Navy during WWII. When he came back home Al continued with his Baseball dream, but his days at the plate were winding down. Fortunately for him, he was well on his way towards making a different kind of impact on the game.