Blog Kiosk: 2/7/2020 - Dodgers Links & News - Some Odds and Ends

Here's a great vintage action photograph taken by AP one June day. It features Pee Wee Reese attempting to snag a poorly thrown ball (eBay auction link)

Dodger Steamroll Temporarily Halted -- Tommy Glaviano (12), Cardinals' erstwhile right fielder, legs it pellmell into second for successful steal on bad throw to Dodgers' shortstop Pee Wee Reese in 5th inning of St. Louis-Brooklyn game at Ebbets Field in Brooklyn June 7. Ball (lower center) got away from the Dodger captain and rolled out into short center field. Glaviano took third and later scored on Cards' shortstop Stan Rojek's single. Scorer credited Glaviano with steal and charges Dodgers' catcher Roy Campanella with an error on his throw. All this went for nought as Dodgers won 2-1 to make a sweep of 3-game series over cards. 6/7/1951.

The photo was also part of the George Michael Collection of vintage press photos of ballplayers sliding. For those who don't know, George Michael was the host of a nationally syndicated weekend sports show before the days of cable TV and the internet. It was how I, and many other sports fans, received our weekly sports news. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1958 the Dodgers officially became the Los Angeles Dodgers, Inc. In 2006 the Dodgers signed Japanese pitcher Takashi Saito to a free agent minor league contract. Saito made the Opening Day roster and would quickly become a fan favorite. That first season he would record 24 saves with an 2.07 ERA, 1.87 FIP and come in 8th place in Cy Young voting.
• Happy Birthday, Tom Daly, Mel Almada, Cy Moore, Art Jones, Johnny Werhas & Burt "Happy" Hooton!

2020 Topps Baseball Flagship, Series 1 -- 1985 & Turkey Red Insert Cards

Now that you've seen the Dodgers' base cards (link here), here are several of the inserts you can find in packs. Featured are the Dodger cards found in the 1985 35th Anniversary and Turkey Red sets. I also include a listing of the Silver Pack cards since they are basically replicas of the basic inserts -- they are limited parallels found in promotional silver packs inserted into boxes.

1985 Topps 35th Anniversary

#85-22 Jackie Robinson

Blog Kiosk: 2/6/2020 - Dodgers Links & News - Some Odds and Ends

Whoa! Check out that catch!

With the opening of spring training around the corner, I find myself searching for vintage spring training press photos like the one above. It is a 1954 United Press pic of a player on the bubble -- trying to make the team. Per the descriptor on the reverse (eBay auction link):

Bobbin' Bobby... Vero Beach, FLA: From the expression on Bobby Morgan's face, perhaps the ball landed just a bit too hard in the pocket of his mitt. The Brooklyn Dodgers chief utility man is training at the camp in Vero Beach, Florida, with the prospect of landing the regular third baseman's job. 2/27/54.

Bobby would not get that job. Instead, he would be traded to the Phillies a month later to become Philadelphia's starting shortstop. The Dodgers decided to go with veteran Billy Cox -- with 26-year old youngster Don Hoak as backup.

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 officially 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, Babe Ruth, Andy Sommerville, Rube Ward, Red Downey & Glenn Wright!

2020 Topps Now - First Dodger Cards of the Year - #65 to 69 - Biggest Trade of the Decade

These deals haven't even been officially announced yet. Nevertheless, Topps is making available several 2020 Topps Now cards to celebrate last night madness. As you know, five key players are changing ships, and the Dodgers are heavily involved in all of them.

First, the "big-get" is Mookie Betts. He is moving to Los Angeles to ply his trade in Dodger Blue. Featured above is the Topps Now card announcing the trade. Go here to check it out and order. Below is what's written on the reverse.

The Los Angeles Dodgers staked their claim as super team, acquiring elite outfielder Mookie Betts to add to an already formidable lineup. The 27-year-old star has been a perennial MVP candidate for the past four years, averaging 122 runs scored, 29 home runs and 24 stolen bases per season in that span.

2020 Topps Baseball Flagship, Series 1 -- All the Dodgers Base Cards

If yesterday's trade announcement didn't mark the start of Baseball in the minds of fans, then today's release certainly should.

Today is the official release date of Topps 2020 flagship Baseball card brand, and I've got pics of all of the Dodgers base cards found in the "Series 1" installment of the set. Check them all out below. Go here to see a complete checklist.

As you can see, there are 17 Dodger cards available, and it happens to include cards of three Dodgers who were recently traded -- Alex Verdugo, Kenta Maeda and Joc Pederson. Assuming they don't return to Los Angeles later on in their career, these are likely the last flagship Topps cards we'll see of them.

Also, be sure to check out Kiké Hernández's card below. I think it is easily the best Dodger base card. It features Kiké doing his best "Chorus Line" impression.

Base

#24 Kenley Jansen

#50 Cody Bellinger

Blog Kiosk: 2/5/2020 - Dodgers Links & News - Some Odds and Ends

I know the above custom fantasy baseball card isn't the "Mookie" you were expecting, but it'll have to do for now.

As you surely know, the Dodgers are getting both Mookie Betts and David Price from the Red Sox, and it won't cost us a bucket full of top prospects to get them. Instead, we traded from a position of strength. We sent over several solid current ballplayers (Verdugo, Maeda, & Pederson) who are fan favorites to get two very dynamic studs while not giving up one youngster who rank on our top-30 prospect list. On top of that, Boston is sending the Dodgers cash... cold hard cash... like millions of it.

Unbelievable.

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!