Blog Kiosk: 2/6/2019 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

I love the pure unadulterated joy on their faces.

Above is a September 24, 1947 AP press photo featuring a Dodger celebration unlike anything I've ever seen (eBay Auction Link). Per the description on the reverse:

Julibant Brooklyn Dodgers gather around the piano in the clubhouse at Ebbets Field in their impromptu celebration over the clinching of the National League pennant. Playing the piano for the musically inclined team is catcher Bobby Bragan. Seated on the end of stool in the foreground with a broad grin is Manager Burt Shotton.

Can you just imagine the Dodgers, or any team for that matter, pulling out instruments during a clinching celebration? UPDATE: Who's the guy (with his face cut-off) on the top-left corner with the fantastic mustache? I need to know!

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1956 Dodgers owner Walter O'Malley, in a last ditch effort to save baseball in Brooklyn, lends his public support for a Wagner-Cashmore plan to build a $30-million Brooklyn sports center -- promising to purchase $4 million worth of the bonds. Unfortunately of them, lack of funding from the city's Board of Estimates killed the plan. In 2014 the Dodgers signed a free agent minor league contract with third baseman Justin Turner. He had just been released by the Mets, and was only given an invitation to spring training by the Dodgers. To the surprise of many, Turner would have a breakout season and become an important leader in the clubhouse.
• Happy Birthday, Andy Sommerville, Rube Ward, Red Downey & Glenn Wright!

2019 Topps Series 1 Baseball - Inserts Galore, Part 2

Here is a final look at Dodger cards found in 2019 Topps Series 1. Featured below is a bevy of inserts found in packs. Go here to check out the Dodger base cards.

Legacy of Baseball Autographs

#LBA-MM Max Muncy              #LBA-RS Ross Stripling

Blog Kiosk: 2/5/2019 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Here's a fantastic view of Dodger Stadium in the mist of being built, via RMY Auction (link here).

It is dated to 1958 and was taken by Delmar Watson -- a onetime child actor and news photographer.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 2009 the Dodgers announced that on May 16th Dodger Stadium will host a regular season game between Mexico City Diablos Rojos and the Monterrey Sultanes of Liga Mexicana de Beisbol (LMB) summer league. Unfortunately, the game was postponed due to a week-long closure of the Mexican League in April due to a swine flu outbreak. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't believe they ever rescheduled the game.
• Happy Birthday, Joe Hutcheson, John Gaddy, Cy Buker & Don Hoak!

Weekend Autograph Opportunity: Sax, Cey, Russell & Garvey

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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2019 Topps Series 1 Baseball - Inserts Galore, Part One

Now that you've seen the Dodger base cards, here are several of the inserts you can find in packs. First, I thought I would share the handful of Dodgers found in Topps' 2019 Silver Pack 1984 Chrome promotion. Available at local hobby stores or online hobby retailers, you will receive a silver pack of four cards for each hobby box purchased. A jumbo hobby box should get you two silver packs. Go here for a complete checklist of promo cards.

2019 Topps Baseball Silver Pack Promotion

1984 Chrome Promo Cards

#T84-6 Jackie Robinson      #T84-15 Manny Machado

Blog Kiosk: 1/31/2019 - Dodgers Links - Happy 100th Birthday Jackie Robinson!

The celebration of all things Jackie Robinson begins in earnest today. The Dodgers will honor this day by hosting a celebration for 250 children and parents from Union Rescue Mission. Per a Dodger press release:

The birthday party runs from 6:30-8:30 p.m. in partnership with Worthy of Love, a non-profit organization that hosts monthly birthday parties for children living in the Union Rescue Mission in Downtown Los Angeles. The program will begin at 6:30 p.m. at the Jackie Robinson Statue (in Lot B), where participants will sing “Happy Birthday” to Robinson.  Other activities include a tour of the Jackie Robinson exhibit at the club’s Pop-Up Museum Presented followed by DJ/dancing, a photo booth, a balloon artist, face painting and a petting zoo in the Stadium Club.

Photo above via the Daytona Tortugas on twitter. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1941 the Dodgers signed future Hall of Famer Paul Waner to a free agent contract. In 1972 former Brooklyn Dodger players Rube Marquard (known mostly as a Giant) and Dave Bancroft (also mostly a Giant) were selected by an Hall of Fame Special Veterans Committee for enshrinement. In 2001 an article was published in the WSJ related to the most infamous pennant race in National League history. Written by Joshua Prager, he details how the Giants team stole catchers' signs during the 1951 pennant race to help them overcome a Dodgers 13.5 game lead i the National League. You can read the original article here. In 2003 the Dodgers signed free agent pitcher Wilson Alvarez. In 2005 the Dodgers signed pitcher Scott Erickson as a free agent. 
• Happy Birthday, Hank Aguirre, Ted Power, Stuffy Stewart & Jackie Robinson!