This Vintage 1950's Era Baseball Cap is Fire

Wow!

I love this hat.

Check out this circa 1950's children's Baseball cap featuring the names of all the National League teams, at the time. It also includes game-action graphics, a flat red brim, and a red squatchee on top. (eBay auction link)

I have no idea where this vintage headdress comes from, but I'd imagine it's from a comic, candy or gum giveaway. Heck, maybe it's a prize you could've won at a carnival. I dunno.

2019 Panini Elite Extra Edition -- All the Dodger Cards

Panini's Elite Extra Edition Baseball set is out and it's filled with a bunch of Dodger prospects -- including one ballplayer who's getting his very first card, Ryan Pepiot. Go here to see a complete checklist.

Overall, there are nine Dodger youngsters in the 200 card base set, and all of them have autographed base parallels available to chase after. There are also insert cards of Gavin Lux and Keivert Ruiz.

BTW, Ryan Pepiot is an interesting ballplayer who I'll be keeping keeping an eye on. He was drafted in the third round this past June and recently completed his first year of professional play. Via Brian Crawford at Baseball Essential:

His ability to strikeout batters transitioned nicely to the pro game, as Pepiot racked up 31 strikeouts in 23.1 pro innings split between the AZL Dodgers and the low-A Great Lakes Loons. 

Pepiot records strikeouts regularly thanks to the feel that he has of his four-pitch mix. 

“I throw four pitches. I throw a fastball, a slider, a curveball, and a changeup,” explained Pepiot. “When I’m on the mound, I try to get ahead of hitters early with my fastball. When I’m able to do that, I can mix in my off-speed pitches to keep hitters off-balance.”

He also says that he's comfortable enough in his changeup to throw it in any count, and that's something you love hearing from a prospect.

Base

#25 Kody Hoese

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

All the hot stove stuff has me yearning for some Baseball. Featured above is a March 6, 1949 AP press photograph from that springs first game intra-squad game (eBay auction link). I love the backdrop -- seeing all the youngsters in the makeshift dugout and the Dodgertown barracks that house all the ballplayers.

WHITMAN FLIES OUT IN INTRA-SQUAD GAME.  Dick Whitman, Dodger outfielder, flies put in first inning of the first intra-squad game for the Brooklyn club at their Vero Beach, Fla., training camp.  Catcher Lembo and umpire Andrews watch the ball sail to the outfield."

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! 

Welcome to the Blue, Blake Treinen!

As they say, "we are now on the board."

After watching several topflight free agents get signed, it's nice to finally have a deal under our belt. Sure... It ain't the signing we were hoping for, but beggars can't be choosers. The Dodgers are at least doing something. And that something is a new reliever to put in the bullpen. According to Jeff Passan on twitter, the Dodgers have signed right-handed relief pitcher Blake Treinen:

Right-hander Blake Treinen is in agreement with the Los Angeles Dodgers on a one-year, $10 million deal, sources tell ESPN. Treinen had multiple offers in that range and chose the Dodgers.

— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) December 11, 2019

The best part is that it's only a one-year deal.

2019 Topps Advent Calendar & All-MLB First Team Sets with Cody Bellinger

With Christmas quickly approaching, Topps has been releasing holiday Advent Calendar cards as a online exclusive product. Starting a couple of weeks ago, Topps has been selling one Advent card a day, and the Cody Bellinger's card has finally reared its beautiful Christmas bow-wrapped head. Check it out above. You have until tomorrow to place an order for it. Go here to do that. To the bottom right is a look at the reverse of the card. It says:

Blog Kiosk: 12/11/2019 - Dodgers Links & News - Some Odds and Ends

Here is Duke Snider running out a grounder during a spring game in 1956 (eBay auction link). As you may know, Snider would have one of the finest season of his career in 1956 -- leading the league in homers (43), walks (99), OBP (.399), Slugging (.598) and OPS (.997).

3/11/56 - Miami, Fla: Duke Snider, Dodgers, out at 1st during 2nd inning action, Dodgers-Red Sox exhibition game. Norm Zauchin, Red Sox first baseman stretches for ball (just out of glove). United Press Telephoto.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1987 the Dodgers and its rookie GM, Fred Claire, pulled off a trade that would play a significant part in their upcoming 1988 World Series run. They traded starter Bob Welch and Matt Young to the A's and Jack Savage to the Mats for relievers Jesse Orosco, Jay Howell and infielder Alfredo Griffin. Eric Stephen at True Blue LA put together an excellent synopsis of the events that lead to this trade (link here). In 2014 the Dodgers traded Dee Gordon, Dan Haren and Miguel Rojas to the Marlins for Austin Barnes, Chris Hatcher, Andrew Heaney and Enrique Hernandez.
• Happy Birthday, Frank Bell, Gene Wright, Joe Riggert, Ray Phelps, Greg Shanahan, Thomas Howard & Joe Blanton!