Scans of my 1950 Don Newcombe Comic Book

Finally! Here's a look at my dusty, but well loved Don Newcombe comic book. It was published in 1950 by Fawcett Publications -- the same folks who created the Jackie Robinson comics from the same time period (link here) -- following his near unanimous selection as the 1949 Rookie of the Year. 

As promised, I've scanned each page to share here. Check them all out below. Click on any pic to embiggen.

Blog Kiosk: 3/26/2019 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Pee Wee Reese could soar like an eagle.

Featured above is a 1957 spring training pic taken by Herb Scharfman of Reese at Dodgertown. Per the descriptor on the reverse:

Veteran Captain Pee Wee Reese of the Brooklyn Dodgers may not be as young as some of his teammates at the Dodgers spring camp, but he still has plenty of zip and bounce. He is floating over the pitchers batting screen here like a two-year-old.

The above pic is currently available through RMY Auctions (link here). Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1953 the St. Louis Browns returned pitcher Tommy Lasorda to the Dodgers after having just purchased him a month prior. In 1984 Jackie Robinson was posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Ronald Reagan in a White House ceremony. Rachel Robinson accepted the award on her late husband's behalf. At the time, Jackie was just the third ballplayer to be given the distinction (Moe Berg and Joe DiMaggio were the others). You can watch the presentation here. In 1991 the Dodgers sign free agent catcher and future Hall of Famer Gary Carter to a one-year $500,000 contract. 
• Happy Birthday, Jack McCarthy, Joe Klugmann, José Vizcaíno & Frank Lankford!

Blog Kiosk: 3/22/2019 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Are those taco's I see?

LAD Executive Chef Ryan Evans shared a bunch of new munchies that'll be available at Dodger Stadium at Dodger Insider; including the chicken taco's seen above. Go here to check them all out. Other new items include Chicken burrito bowl and a veggie burger.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1962 a former Giant, who wanted to remains anonymous, revealed that the Giants had help during the 1951 playoff against the Dodgers (this is the series where Bobby Thompson hit that infamous homer). They had a sign-stealing clubhouse spy at their home field for the last three months of the season. In 1993 Indians pitchers Steven Olin, Bob Ojeda and Tim Crews (a former Dodger) are in a boating accident at Little Lake Nellie in Clermont, Florida that kills both Olin and Crews. Ojeda is seriously injured in the crash. In 2014 the Dodgers and Diamondbacks begin the regular season in Sydney, Australia. The Blue Crew defeat Arizona, 3-1, behind a stellar start by Clayton Kershaw (6.2 innings, 7 strikeouts and one earned run) and a double and home run by Scott Van Slyke (boxscore).
• Happy Birthday, Bill McClellan, Overton Tremper, Ramon Martinez & Juan Uribe!

2019 Topps Inception - All the Dodger Cards

The Topps Inception brand can now officially be found on hobby shop shelves. There are only a handful of Dodgers' available -- including just three ballplayers in the base set and only two autographed insert cards. Check them all out below. Go here for a complete checklist.

Base

#11 Clayton Kershaw

Blog Kiosk: 3/21/2019 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Here's a fantastic vintage pic taken by famed Baseball photographer Charles Conlon of the Brookyn Dodgers outfield, circa 1932-33. Featured are Johnny Frederick, Lefty O'Doul and Hack Wilson. It is currently available at Love of the Game Auctions.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodger History: In 1966 the Dodgers and Astros are the first Major League teams to play on artificial grass when they face each other for a spring training game in the Astrodome.
• Happy Birthday, Mysterious Walker, Bill Lamar, Jim Hughes, Tommy Davis & Carlos Monasterios!

Topps Living Set - #162 - Enrique "Kiké" Hernández

The first 2019 Topps Living Set card and ninth overall Dodger available for sale is super-utilityman Enrique "Kiké" Hernández. Go here to check it out and order.

I'm surprised that Kiké gets the honor of being the first of the year. I had figured they'd give the honor to a Hall of Famer like Koufax, or a ballplayer likely playing his last season in Dodger Blue -- like Rich Hill or Hyun-Jin Ryu. Nevertheless, I'll consider his selection to be a sign of good luck. Kiké's been on fire this spring, and I think we all hope that his hot hitting will extend into the regular season.