Apparently, the Dodgers Tried to Trade for Warren Spahn

I usually refrain from writing about trade rumors. After all, we all know that a vast majority of the 'Hot Stove' is bunk. That said, this one vintage, circa 1950's, rumor has my imagination flowing, so I thought I'd share it here. According to a newspaper cutout attached to a letter written by Walter O'Malley -- that's currently available at REA (Auction Link) -- the Dodgers were charging hard to trade for future Hall of Famer Warren Spahn from the Braves prior to the start of the 1953 season.

Blog Kiosk: 3/13/2019 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Here's another one of those photos that used to reside within the collection of famed sports broadcaster George Michael. Featured above is a live view of Pistol Pete Reiser stealing home (eBay auction link). Per the descriptor on the reverse:

Brooklyn, May 16, 1946... The Dodgers great Base stealer Pete Reiser shows his style in this sequence of photos ar Ebbets Field today. With Stan Rojak at bat, Reiser makes his dash for home. He leads the league in steals and stealing home has become his specialty.

In 1946 Reiser stole home seven times. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1917 Dodger skipper Wilbert Robinson performed some spring antics on the field. After hearing that Gabby Street caught a Baseball thrown from the Washington Monument, Robinson bragged that he could catch a ball dropped from an airplane. So, the stunt was set up, but as legend has it young outfielder Casey Stengel had something else in mind. He substituted a grapefruit for the Baseball. Said fruit was then gloved by Robinson as it fell, but it exploded on his chest. Having seen the fruits red innards splashed all over himself Wilbert exclaimed, "Help me, Lads, I'm covered with my own blood!" Then, he tasted it. On a side note, it has since been revealed that Stengel was not the genius behind this prank. Ruth Law, the pilot, substituted part of her lunch when she realized she forgot to bring a baseball.
• Happy Birthday, Chappie McFarland, Tom Flood, Mal Eason, Lew Malone, Don Bessent, Don Miles & Mariano Duncan!

Dodgers 2017 NLC Ring on Auction

If you haven't had a chance to see the NL Championship ring the Dodgers created after the 2017 season, well here's you chance. Featured is the very first ring from this season that I've seen for sale. It's at Paragon Auctions and it has an opening bid of $1,000 (Auction Link).

As you can see, the top is a rather plain. There's a diamond encrusted LA logo with 'National League Champions 2017' circling its circumference. The sides are far more interesting. One end includes that season's motto, "This Team!" and their regular season record (104-58). The other side has an aerial view of Dodger Stadium and the name of who this ring once belonged to -- Rafael Ozuna.

Blog Kiosk: 3/12/2019 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Tony Gonsolin has been turning heads at the Dodgers camp -- and not just because he fancies cat t-shirts. Rather, he's been lights out during his three appearances this spring, pitching six scoreless innings. Overall, the 25-year old has struck out five, walked none and batters are hitting a paltry .190 off him. Per Matt Borelli at Dodger Blue:

“Minor League Pitcher of the Year, he has a four-pitch mix, he can throw his secondaries for strikes when he needs to, he’s a tough competitor, he’s very intelligent, and the stuff is real,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts answered when asked for his evaluation of Gonsolin. 

“For me to be able to put eyes on him, our coaching staff, was good. The way he carries himself in the clubhouse is very mature.”

Photo above via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2019 at Dodger Insider. Pic on the right via Gonsolin on twitter. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1989 the Dodgers traded outfielder Mike Devereaux to Baltimore for starting pitcher Mike Morgan. Morgan would stay in LA for three seasons -- compiling a 33-36 record with an 3.06 ERA, 3.38 FIP and a 1.162 WHIP. In 2003 Mets catcher Mike Piazza charged the mound to go after Dodgers reliever Guillermo Mota during a spring training game at Thomas J. White Stadium in Port St. Lucie, FL. Mota plunked Piazza on the shoulder, so Piazza stormed after him -- even going so far as to enter the Dodgers clubhouse following the game. Both players would be suspended five games. Per Mike DiGiovanna at the LA Times:

"Where's Mota?" Piazza screamed, checking the trainer's room. "Where's Mota?" he yelled, walking through the clubhouse. Once he realized Dodger reliever Guillermo Mota had left, Piazza walked out the back door, got into his car and sped off.

• Happy Birthday, Frank Schneiberg, Bob Barr, Jim Wynn, Darryl Strawberry, Shawn Gilbert, Steve Finley, Raul Mondesi & Greg Hansell!

2019 Topps RBI 19 Baseball - The Justin Turner Card

The first retail exclusive "point of sale" Topps cards are now available, and it coincided with the March 5th release date of the ever-popular RBI Baseball 19 video game. It includes a one pack of 2019 Topps RBI 19 Baseball cards each specially marked game box at Walmart. I am unsure how many cards are in each pack. There are seven cards in the set, and the only Dodger available is Justin Turner. Go here for a complete checklist.

#Justin Turner RBI-6

Blog Kiosk: 3/11/2019 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Baseball was played at Dodger Stadium this weekend as a part of the College Baseball Classic. In Sunday's prime match-up between the Bruins and Trojans, UCLA came out on top by rallying from a four run deficit to defeat the USC, 7-5.

Photo above via UCLA on twitter. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1953 the Dodgers play their first Spring Training game at Holman Stadium at Dodgertown, Vero Beach, Florida -- defeating the A's, 4-2. In 1972 Dodger Hall of Famer Zack Wheat died at the age of 83. He slashed a lifetime .317/.367/.450/.817 with 2,884 hits and 1,248 RBI's, and still holds many Dodger records. He currently leads the franchise in hits (2,804), total bases (4,003), singles (2,038), doubles (464) and triples (171).
• Happy Birthday, Bill Pounds, Joe Dunn, Bobby Abreu, Rich Hill & Pedro Baez.