Blog Kiosk: 12/4/2019 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Here's another great moment from the Dodgers first ever championship in 1955. Featured is outfielder Sandy Amoros crossing home plate after hitting a two-out, two-run homer to give Brooklyn an opening lead in Game 5 of the World Series that they would not relinquish. It was taken by legendary photographer Herb Scharfman. Per the descriptor on the bottom:

Sandy Amoros is greeted at the plate by Gil Hodges (14) and the Dodger bat boy after hitting a two run homer over the rightfield wall in the second inning.

I believe the bat boy is the famed Charlie "The Brow" DiGiovanna. He is well known in the collector world for being the ghost signer (secretarial signature) for many of the Brooklyn Dodger players (something that is very common throughout the league). In fact, a Brooklyn Dodger team signed ball known to be signed by his hand sell decently well -- even when you know they aren't real. You can find the above via via eBay (link here). Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1940 the Brooklyn Dodgers traded John Pintar (minors), Gus Mancuso and $65,000 to the St. Louis Cardinals for soon-to-be All-Star catcher Mickey Owen. In 1941 the Dodgers traded Tony Giuliani and Van Lingle Mungo to the Minneapolis Minors of the American Association for pitcher Joe Hatten. In 1958 the Dodgers traded Gino Cimoli to the St. Louis Cardinals for former "Rookie of the Year" winner Wally Moon and Phil Paine. In 1979 the Dodgers signed outfield free agent Jay Johnstone to a two-year $300,000 contract. In 1988 the Dodgers traded Juan Bell, Brian Holton and Ken Howell to the Baltimore Orioles for Eddie Murray. In 2002 the Dodgers traded  Mark Grudzielanek and Eric Karros to the Chicago Cubs for Chad Hermansen and Todd Hundley.
• Happy Birthday, Chuck Corgan!

2019 Topps Brooklyn Collection - 582 Montgomery Club - All the Dodger Cards

Topps exclusive Baseball card membership club, the 582 Montgomery Club, continues unabated. They just recently finished up their newest recruitment drive, so it's now closed to new collectors. Those who got in will receive many of the same benefits given to members last year. Go here for more information.

Like last year, this years members had an opportunity to purchase packs from a membership exclusive set called '2019 Topps Brooklyn Collection'. It consist of a fifty card base set and numerous autographed cards. Go here for a complete checklist. BTW, this year a seven-card box sold for $200 a piece (limit four per account); whereas, last year they sold packs at $1,000 a piece.

Below is a look at all of the Dodgers found in this exclusive set. I also want to note that I believe the photos for both the Jackie Robinson and Sandy Koufax cards have never been used on cardboard before. So, that's a nice surprise, and I wish they would do that more often -- especially when it comes to these high-end cards.

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#23 Cody Bellinger

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

You know, a photo of Babe Ruth in a Dodgers uniform must always be shared. Featured above is a 1938 vintage photograph of Dodgers first base coach Babe Ruth that is currently available through Hunt Auctions (link here).

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 2007 Dodgers owner Walter O'Malley is elected into the Baseball Hall of Fame by the veterans committee. In 1991 the Dodgers signed free agent knuckleball pitcher Tom Candiotti to a four-year $15,500,000 contract. He would eventually spend six years in Dodger Blue, recording a 52-64 record with an 3.57 ERA, 3.84 FIP and a 14.6 WAR. 
• Happy Birthday, Cozy Dolan, Bill Harris, José Peña, Mark Bradley, Eric Hull & JT Chargois!

2019 Panini Black Friday -- All the Dodger Cards

Now that Black Friday is over here's a look at the Dodger cards Panini America gave away to collectors at local hobby shops throughout the country. Go here for a complete checklist.

Stay tuned, I hope to have a pic of the lone Topps Black Friday card they gave away online.

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#29 Cody Bellinger

2019 Topps On-Demand Set #10 & #19 -- All the Dodger Cards

Here's a look at a couple of other 2019 Topps 'On-Demand' Baseball card sets and the Dodger players within them.

First, let's take a look at Topps set #10 (originally released several months ago). It is called 'MLB Rookie Progression" and only Walker Buehler can be found in it. I had failed to realize this earlier, so I apologize for the last posting of this card. BTW, I have a pic of the Buehler base card, but do not have a photo of the autographed insert that is available.

The second set I show here features artwork by award-winning sports artist and former MLB player Richard Sullivan. It is Topps #19th set of the year and it is known as the 'Momentum Rising' set. As you can see below, the design and art looks an awful lot like an Allen & Ginter card. Go here for a complete checklist of both sets.

MLB Rookie Progression -- Set #10
Sophomore Standouts Insert

#6 Walker Buehler

Blog Kiosk: 12/2/2019 - Dodgers Links - New Robinson/Shuba Statue to be Created

Mark this on your calendar. April 2021 will mark the 75th anniversary of the historic 1946 handshake between George Shuba and Jackie Robinson, and to honor it Youngstown, Ohio will unveil a statue to celebrate. Dubbed "the handshake of the century", they are aiming to raise $400,000 to complete the 7 foot statue. Go here to help out. Per a press release:

"A handshake at home plate by players of different races is no big deal in America today, but in 1946 it was a historic moment," said Herb Washington, a local businessman and one of the co-chairs of the committee. "We want to memorialize that moment in a way that inspires people to relate more respectfully to those of other races. We need more Americans to follow the examples of Jackie Robinson and George Shuba."
...
"In our book, George is quoted as saying he didn't think at the time that shaking a black player's hand was a big deal," said Greg Gulas, a retired Youngstown State University sports information director and another committee co-chair. "He had played with black and white guys at Chaney High School and in sandlot games in Youngstown for years. He shook Jackie's hand because he had just hit a three-run homer. George was proud to be Jackie's teammate for the Royals and the Dodgers, not because Jackie was black but because he was an incredible baseball player."

Photo above via RobinsonShuba.org -- "Connecticut sculptor Marc Mellon recently created a rough early study of the Robinson Shuba statue. Plans call for the Jackie Robinson and George Shuba likenesses to stand nearly 7 feet tall in the actual statue planned in Youngstown, Ohio." Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1971 the Dodgers trade Doyle Alexander, Bob O'Brien, Sergio Robles and Royle Stillman to the Orioles for pitcher Pete Richert and soon to be Hall of Famer Frank Robinson. Then, the Dodgers trade future MVP winner Dick Allen to the White Sox for Steve Huntz and pitcher Tommy John. In 1981 Fernando Valenzuela is named the NL Rookie of the Year - the third consecutive year a Dodger has won this award. In 2008 Hall of Fame Dodger skipper Tommy Lasorda is honored in a special ceremony by the Emperor of Japan with the Order of the Rising Sun medal for his contributions to the development of Japanese baseball. In 2011 the Dodgers signed free agent starter Chris Capuano to a two-year $9 million contract. He would go 16-19 with an 3.91 ERA, 3.81 FIP and 7.2 K's per nine innings.
• Happy Birthday, Leon Williams, Chip Hale, Peter Moylan & Brett Eibner!