Sunday Dodgers Videos: Uribe, Adrian Gonzalez and a Story About a Kid Getting a Season Pass to Ebbets Field

Here are this Sunday's Dodger Videos.

Listen to the recollections of David Eden of how he came to have a season pass to the owner's box in Ebbets Field, home of the Brooklyn Dodgers, 1929.

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Magician Jason Latimer, who's appearing at Club Nokia on Sept. 25, shows Jerry Hairston Jr. and Juan Uribe a new hidden-ball trick.

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ICYMI:  8/13/13: A young Dodgers fan takes a photo with Juan Uribe before the game, then tags him off third to recreate the hidden ball trick.

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DodgerFilms captures the Dodgers "Starting 4" warming up before a game.

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Gary George of IVNews interviewed Adrian Gonzalez in the Dodger clubroom after a win against the Rays, last weekend.

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Dodgers Win Again - 10 In a Row

Oh, Boy!

The Dodgers win on the backs of 8 stellar innings from Clayton Kershaw and a 3 run jack by Juan Uribe in the 9th inning.  Of course, those latter runs wouldn't really matter since Kershaw was so great, but it was very helpful in keeping our bullpen fresh.  Instead of bringing in Jansen to finish off the game, the Dodgers had the luxury of using Brandon League to mop things up. 

We have now won 10 straight games, and 42 games over the last 50.  Not since the 1942 Cardinals has a club played a better stretch of 50 games in the Majors. 

Below are some more interesting stats:

• This is the first 10-game winning streak for the Dodgers since 2006, when they won 11 straight.
• They haven't lost their last 17 series.
• Since the All-Star break they are 25-3.
• They are 19-1 in their last 20 road games.  The previous team to win 19 of 20 road games was the 1916 New York Giants, according to STATS.
• The Dodgers have also won 6 straight in Philadelphia.
• Collectively, Dodgers pitching has thrown 27 straight scoreless innings.
• This win was the 16th shut out for the Dodgers - this leads the Majors.
• Clayton Kershaw won his very first game against the Phillies in his career.
• He also lowered his league leading ERA to 1.80 - nearly half a run lower than the next starting pitcher.
• Kershaw also leads the National League in strike outs with 182.
• He has now gotten into the 8th inning 6 times this season - 3 more than any other starting pitcher in the Majors.
• Over the last 20 games, Dodger starters have gone 14-1 with a 1.84 ERA.
• With Uribe's home run last night, he now has hit more home runs this season than he has over the previous 2 seasons as a Dodger.

There is certainly a lot to celebrate.

(.gif via Dodgers tumblr)

Pic at the very top via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2013.

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Blog Kiosk: 8/17/2013 - Dodgers Links - A Fantasy Brian Wilson Dodger Card, Mitch Poole and Mattingly Knows Streaks

Since Dodger photographer Jon SooHoo shared some recent pics of Brian Wilson in Dodger Blue I had to make my own fantasy Baseball card of him.  Check it about above.  Unfortunately, I didn't have any horizontal card templates with me, so I went with what I had.  I used a 1987 Topps design and a photo by Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2013.  Check out more pics from Jon here.

• ICYMI: Scott Van Slyke has been recalled to the Dodgers; Dee Gordon has been optioned back to Albuquerque.
• Ron Cervenka at Think Blue LA interviews the Dodgers Clubhouse Manager - Mitch Poole.

"In the morning when I get here, I’m pretty much helping my crew sort things out for that day. We’ve got some towels and things that need to be folded still, we’ve got mail that comes in that we’ve got to pick up and deliver, I’m doing some errands… getting toiletries and stuff together for the bathroom. I used to have to get all their food together but now I have it all brought in by truck. I actually have a chef now who does all the cooking so all that’s taken care of. Any odds and ends we need to get, like today I was picking up razor blades and stuff for them to shave with."

• Tony Jackson of Dodger Scribe shares a photo of Hyun-Jin Ryu from when he was in high school.
• "Breaking down Yasiel Puig's season," via Kenton Wong at ESPN.

The most impressive part of his game, though, may be a tool that isn't physical, but mental -- his ability to adjust. Let's take a look at his season so far in segments. 

• MLB Social shares a great Dodgers graphic about the Dodgers phenomenal winning streak.
• "Kanye West gets booed by fans at Los Angeles Dodgers game," via Rachel Maresca at the Daily News.
• Via Bill Plunkett of the OC Register on Sulia:  Mattingly knows winning streaks.

“I played on a team in high school that won 59 straight games so I want to win every day – and I think it’s possible,” Mattingly said when asked if the Dodgers’ historic numbers have begun to amaze him. “Today’s gone. We’ve got Kershaw going tomorrow. We’ve got a chance to win tomorrow. You get caught up in the numbers – you’re not supposed to win like this. You’re not supposed to do it. 

“In my mind, you can win every night. Sometimes you get caught up in saying, ‘Oh, we’re not supposed to be doing this. This isn’t supposed to happen.’ … Not necessarily.”

• Eye on LA Sports shares his evening at Dodger Stadium that includes plenty of Dodger autographs.

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Brian Wilson Came out to Pitch Today

As has been widely reported already, former closer Brian Wilson is in Philadelphia with the Dodgers for the current road trip.  Speculation soon erupted that he would be called up today.  Instead, he was placed on the mound earlier this afternoon to pitch a simulated game. 

He went 1 1/3 innings; facing Dee Gordon, Matt Kemp, Nick Punto and then Kemp again after sitting for a short spell.

There is no word word yet on how he did, but he appeared to give up a couple of hits.  Per Kevin Baxter of the LA Times on twitter:

Wilson is done..don't know how to judge him  really...faced Gordon, Kemp and Nick Punto. Gordon hit a rope. Punto grounded a single to RF.
— Kevin Baxter (@kbaxter11) August 16, 2013

Tony Jackson writes on twitter:

I didn't see much, but I'm told Kemp's ABs vs Wilson weren't particularly telling either way
— Anthony Jackson (@dodgerscribe) August 16, 2013

Brian Wilson is likely to be called up to the Dodgers soon, so it'll be interesting to find out who gets demoted in his place.

My initial thought was that Dee Gordon would be sent back to Albuquerque, but that is now not possible.  The Dodgers announced soon afterwards that Dee is going back to AAA, and Scott Van Slyke has been recalled.

Fortunately, Dodgers photographer Jon SooHoo was on hand to capture some photos of this afternoon session.  Check out some pics of a bunch of Dodgers taking early batting practice and Brian Wilson pitching right here.

Pic above via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2013.

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2000 Upper Deck Master Collection Set of the Brooklyn Dodgers

Not only have I always wanted to write a little something about this set, I've also wanted to add it to my own collection.  Unfortunately, the price has always been far beyond my pocketbook. 

Featured here is the 2000 Upper Deck Master Collection Set of the Brooklyn Dodgers. They were sold as a complete set consisting of 15 base cards, 11 relic/autographed cards and a mystery pack that had 1 of 10 possible relic/autographs cards unique to the Master Collection set.

This is, in my mind, one of the finest looking Dodger sets ever put together.  Check out the pics below to see if you agree with me.

Directly above and below are pics of a wooden case that held the set.  Only 250 total sets exist, and they were sold wholesale from the Upper Deck for about $1,500.00 (maybe $1,000.00 - I don't remember exactly). 

Well, recently a seller broke up a complete set and sold them on eBay.  I dutifully sought to add some of my favorite players to my collection.  Unfortunately, I was not successful, so instead I figured I should at least write about it here.  Check out pics of every base, relic and autographed card in the set below.  Also, I've gathered photos of 5 of the 10 possible mystery cards that were available.

BTW, the total price of all the cards sold on eBay (the 26 cards in the set) was $779.  If I include the mystery pack card then it sold for a grand total of $890.  That's quite a discount compared to what they cost right out of the factory.  I have routinely seen complete sets for sale on eBay and other retailers for about $1,000.00 to $1,500.00.

The value of the set has obviously suffered due to the large number of relics that have flooded the market since 2000.  Furthermore, I wouldn't blame you for doubting the legitimacy of several of the relic pieces.  The Koufax jersey, Jackie bat and Zack Wheat bat pieces are prohibitively expensive, even in 2000.  And considering the recent fake game-used uniform scandal unearthed by the FBI, it might be safe to assume that the better relic pieces are likely fakes.  Heck, I don't think you could ever convince me that the Sandy Koufax jersey piece is real.

Nevertheless, the design of these cards are top notch.

Here are the base cards.  Click on any pic to embiggen.  Each card came in their own plastic case.

#BD1 - Jackie Robinson                            #BD2 - Duke Snider

#BD3 - Pee Wee Reese                              #BD4 - Gil Hodges

#BD5 - Carl Furillo                             #BD6 - Don Newcombe

#BD7 - Sandy Koufax                          #BD8 - Roy Campanella

#BD9 - Jim Gilliam                              #BD10 - Don Drysdale

#BD11 - Sandy Amoros                             #BD12 - Joe Black

#BD13 - Carl Erskine                           #BD14 - Johnny Podres

#BD15 - Zack Wheat

Below is the 11 card relic/autograph base set.

#LOF1 - Gil Hodges                           #LOF2 - Jackie Robinson

#LOF3 - Pee Wee Reese                          #LOF4 - Jim Gilliam

#LOF5 - Roy Campanella                         #LOF6 - Zack Wheat

#LOF7 - Carl Furillo                          #LOF8 - Don Newcombe

#LOF9 - Duke Snider                        #LOF10 - Don Drysdale

#LOF11 - Sandy Koufax

The Sandy Koufax card above sold for $389.99.  I think that was a steal.  Previous sales I've seen over the years were well over $500.00.

Directly below is the Duke Snider/ Don Newcombe auto/relic card from the mystery pack.  It sold for $111.50. 

Here is the complete checklist of the 10 mystery cards.

• Don Newcombe and Carl Furillo Dual Bat
• Duke Snider and Don Newcombe Dual Autograph Bat
• Jackie Robinson and Duke Snider Dual Bat
• Jackie Robinson and Gil Hodges Dual Bat
• Jackie Robinson and Pee Wee Reese Dual Bat
• Jackie Robinson and Roy Campanella Dual Bat
• Sandy Koufax and Don Drysdale Dual Jersey
• Gil Hodges Bat Cut Auto
• Jackie Robinson Bat Cut Auto
• Pee Wee Reese Bat Cut Auto

And below are 4 additional pics of mystery cards.

Robinson & Campanella Dual Bat           Koufax & Drysdale Dual Jersey

Robinson & Reese Dual Bat                Pee Wee Reese Bat Cut Auto

UPDATE:
Here are some more mystery pack cards.

Jackie Robinson and Duke Snider Dual Bat

Jackie Robinson and Gil Hodges Dual Bat

Gil Hodges Bat Cut Auto

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Are Skunks the Dodgers Good Luck Charm?

Check this out.

Do you remember reading back in early June about how a skunk had invaded Dodger Stadium.  Well, if that had escaped your memory, don't worry.  Read this June 4th story at Big League Stew to remind yourself.

Now, according to Chris Erskine at the LA Times there have been 7 sightings since a skunk was first found at Dodger Stadium on June 3rd, and the occurrences appear to be accelerating.

In the last week, Dodgers staff says it has run across at least three of the critters, all on the reserve level near the top of the stadium. On Monday, a skunk scurried under the souvenir kiosk at Section 20, just after 6 p.m., an hour before game time.

As we all know, the Dodgers have been on an historic run.  They've gone from being as much as 12 games under .500 to 20 games over .500, and have recently put together a string of 8 straight wins.

Some have said that the change of Dodger fortunes was a result of players getting healthy.  Others point out that the bullpen is finally pulling their weight.  I think the predominant theory is that the arrival of Yasiel Puig acted as a spark plug.

Now think about this.

Yasiel Puig made his debut in Dodger Blue on June 3rd - the very same day a skunk was first reported found at Dodger Stadium.

Coincidence?

I think not. 

I think that by some cosmic twist of fate, the skunks at Dodger Stadium are our good luck charm.

So, the next time you're watching a home game, be sure to look out for those little black and white critters.  They may be there to make sure the Dodgers don't stink up the place.  After all, that's their job.

Hat Tip: Adrian Glick Kudler at Curbed LA

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