Blog Kiosk: 11/29/2014 - Dodger Links - Pee Wee Reese, Zach Lee and Happy Birthday Vin Scully

I came across this great vintage AP press photograph featuring an injured Pee Wee Reese resting at home that was available on eBay.  Below is what was written on the descriptor attached on the reverse, dated 8/21/1940:

Reese Safe at Home

Harold (PeeWee) Reese, Brooklyn Sensational shortstop whose foot was broken Aug. 15 in a game with the Boston Bees (Braves), is shown as he told Lewis Cotton (left) and Jackie Carman (right), neighborhood admirers, all about big-time Baseball.  Reese entertained the boys in his Louisville, KY, home Aug. 21 where he went when his injury put him out of the game for the season.

Below are some links to check out:

• Via Tom Hoffarth at the LA Daily News, "An appreciation: Vin Scully, at 87, and a Shangri-L.A. moment for the senses."  This red-headed kid from the Bronx turns 87 today.  Happy Birthday, Vin!  

“Well, it is a little unbelievable because God has been so good and given me good health — and he did it through my mom, who lived to be 97, so certainly the biggest reason how I got this far is because of her genes,” Scully said Friday morning when asked what it sounded like to be on the cusp of another birthday.

• Australia suffered a sporting tragedy on Thursday when 25-year old star batsman Phillip Hughes died as a result of being struck in the head on Tuesday while on the cricket pitch.  RIP, Phillip Hughes. Unsurprisingly, this has rebooted debate within the sport about player safety.  Cindy Boren at the Washington Times discusses this further.  (Hat Tip: David Pinto at Baseball Musings)
• Roberto Baly at Vin Scully is My Homeboy shares his day spending Blue Friday at Dodger Stadium yesterday.  He got Justin Turner's autograph.
• Via Cary Osborne at Dodger Insider, "Zach Lee works with Kershaw sage in hopes to get to next level."

Lee recently worked with University of Texas pitching coach Skip Johnson, who worked with Clayton Kershaw in the past, most notably before the Dodger ace was drafted. Kershaw, a fellow Texan, credited Johnson in the past with cleaning up some flaws.

“It’s not a drastic change, but it’s trying to give me a little more time on the rubber and not necessarily get out so early, which has helped with command and my arm action as well,” Lee said. “With my lift leg, once I get to the top point of my lift, instead of going out toward home plate right away, I’m kind of going downward and then out.”

• Here's a report on old friend Ronald Belisario.  Via Steve Adams at MLB Trade Rumors, "Ronald Belisario Elects Free Agency."  I'd be surprised if the Dodgers considered bringing him back since he's got a bit of bad history with us.  Although, he was always a rather good pitcher.
• Former Dodger Talk host Ken Levine shared a funny photo on his blog yesterday.  Check it out below.  Go here to check out his blog.

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2014 Panini Classics Baseball - The Dodger Base Cards

Panini America's newest Baseball card set was released last week, and it is called 2014 Panini Classics.  The set includes game-used relics, autographs and a 200-card base set filled with current and retired ballplayers.  Go here to check out a complete checklist.

There are 13 Dodgers in the base set; including several old-tyme Dodger greats.  Check them all out below.  I hope to have pics of all the Dodger relic and autographed cards next week.  Here is a list of parallel base cards that are available: Timeless Tributes Silver #/149, Timeless Tributes Gold #/25, Timeless Tributes Platinum 1/1.

Base Set

#4 Adrian Gonzalez                           #18 Burleigh Grimes

#29 Clayton Kershaw                              #35 Duke Snider

#60 Hanley Ramirez                            #65 Jackie Robinson

#86 Leo Durocher                                      #88 Carl Furillo

#106 Pee Wee Reese                             #119 Roy Campanella

#147 Yasiel Puig                                  #152 Alex Guerrero

#164 Erisbel Arruebarrena

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Blog Kiosk: 11/28/2014 - Dodger Links - Maury Wills and Puig's Nike Cameo

1956 was a banner year for Dodger pitchers, as evidenced in the International News press photo above that was found on eBay.  Featured is Don Drysdale with his Rookie of the Year award and Don Newcombe with his Cy Young and MVP awards.  They were given their awards on opening day at Ebbets Field in Brooklyn on April 18, 1957.  Go here to check out this photo on eBay.

Below are some links to check out:

• Listen to Wednesday's Dodger Talk with Kevin Kennedy and David Vassegh, here.
• Via Ken Gurnick at MLB.com, "Dodgers serve community with 'Season of Giving.'

"Commitment to and investment in the Los Angeles community is woven into the fabric of who we are," said LADF executive director Nichol Whiteman. "Our ability to support youth and families is a direct reflection of our ownership, players, coaches, front office and our fans, and we are proud to be able to make the holidays a bit brighter for many in need."

• Via Cary Osborne at Dodger Insider, "Seasons: Maury Wills' 1962 - not to be taken away."

No one can take that away from Wills, who in 1962 had one of the most memorable seasons in Dodger history. He likes to call it happenstance. The year that Dodger Stadium opened, the Dodgers opened their minds to a new brand of baseball. The Dodgers finished their run at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in 1961. Wills reasons that since the screen in left field was only 251 feet away from home plate at the Coliseum, the Dodgers relied more on the longball and didn’t want to run the risk of making outs by attempting to steal. Thus, Wills stole 35 bases in 1961. The new Dodger Stadium freed him up to have a record-shattering 1962.

• After just claiming off him of waivers earlier this month from the Padres, the Dodgers traded infielder Ryan Jackson for cash to the Royals the day before Thanksgiving, via Steve Adams at MLB Trade Rumors.  Pretty savvy, eh?  The Dodgers get him for nothing, then trade him for cash.
• Yasiel Puig shares his little cameo in a new Nike commercial, as seen on his instagram.

A video posted by puigyasiel (@puigyasiel) on Nov 11, 2014 at 7:31am PST

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Happy Thanksgiving

I'd like to extend a happy Thanksgiving greeting to you and yours.

Happy Holiday Folks!

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Weekend Autograph Opportunities: Blue Friday at Dodger Stadium & Kershaw and Brown at the LA Auto Show

Here are this weekends autograph opportunities and events throughout the Southland. As always, be sure to check the Blue Heaven Calendar for other events (a link can always be found on the tab at the top of this page, just left of center), and always confirm with the establishment. Everything is subject to change.  Please email me with any tips about upcoming events in Southern California.  As the rest of the week progresses I'll update this post with other events (if there are any) as I become aware of them.  Also, I don't always list every event below, so be sure to check my Calendar.  I always try to favor free signing events over paying events.  Click on any pic to embiggen.

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The Dodgers are hosting a Blue Friday sale at the Top of the Park store at Dodger Stadium this coming Friday, November 28th from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM.  Go here for information.  Three Dodgers' will be on hand to sign free autographs for fans.

Justin Turner: 11am-1pm   
Al Ferrara: 1pm-3pm   
Tim Leary: 3pm-5pm

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As you surely know, the LA Auto Show is taking place right now at the LA Convention Center in Downtown LA, and as usual there are a few special guest scheduled to make an appearance to meet fans.  Go here for a complete listing of special guest, and below are a couple of pertinent meet & greets.

Friday, November 28th - 2:00 PM to 3:30 PM
LA Kings Captain Dustin Brown
At the Toyota Live Stage in the Toyota display

The Kershaw event below is now not indicted at the LA Auto Show link, and I am uncertain if it has been cancelled.  Proceed at your own risk.

Sunday, November 30th - 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM
CY Moung and MVP Clayton Kershaw
At the Acura display

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Blog Kiosk: 11/26/2014 - Dodger Links - Gil Hodges, Jose DeLeon and "Dodger Day" in Oklahoma

This just might be the worst photo ever!  Above is Hanly Ramirez and Pablo Sandoval doing the 'I see you' sign, via Sandoval on instagram.

On a more positive note, Hanley thanked the fans on his facebook page. He says,

Thank you God for the blessing of allowing me to wear #Dodgerblue, where I learned how to be a winner, where I shared so many exciting and unforgettable moments with, and received so much love from my beloved #HanleyWood fans. Our 2 division championships in 2 years brought me some of the best times of my career, and I will be forever grateful for that. GRACIAS. @dodgers #donnieyourethebest

Thanks Hanley!  It was a pleasure watching play in Blue.

Below are some links to check out:

• This is for Dodger fans in or near Oklahoma City.  The Dodgers new AAA minor league club will be hostin "Dodger Day" on December 3rd.  Go here for information.  Gabe Kapler and Scott Schebler will be there to sign for fans.

"With the team store being ready to re-open and with all the holiday excitement around Bricktown, we felt this was a great time to celebrate our new partnership with the Dodgers along with our great fans," said RedHawks President/General Manager Michael Byrnes.

The event will feature appearances by new Dodgers Director of Player Development Gabe Kapler and top Dodgers prospect Scott Schebler.

• Via Tom Veducci at Sports Illustrated, "Time for the Hall of Fame to right a wrong by electing Gil Hodges."

Hodges had enough votes to be elected by the Veterans Committee in 1993 (12 out of 16), only to have committee chair Ted Williams disallow the vote of Roy Campanella, one of Hodges' former teammates, because he did not attend the meeting in person. Campanella was hospitalized at the time. With that ballot rejected, Hodges and Leon Day were left one vote short of enshrinement, with 11 of the 15 votes leaving them at 73.3 percent, 1.7 percent shy. Campanella died three months later. Day was elected when the new committee met two years later.

• Carson Cistulli at InstaGraphs has, "A Statistical Report for All the Caribbean Winter Leagues."  He notes that Dodger prospect Jose DeLeon has been impressive.  He then followed up this post by sharing 6 GIF's of DeLeon pitching.  Check out those GIF's here.
• Via Cary Osborne at Dodger Insider, "Max Homa — PGA Tour rookie and Dodger fan."

“I want to golf with Kershaw,” he said. “I want to figure out how he can be so ice cold. Pitching, I think, is a lot like golf. It’s so repetitive, and you need to have a real good mental game. I’d like to see how he does in golf and get inside head.”

• As you might have heard, Hanley Ramirez is expected to play left field for the Red Sox.  Former Dodger Pedro Guerrero provides his assessment of that transition on twitter:

hanley in left is like me at 3rd
— PedroGuerrero (@PedroGuerreroLA) November 25, 2014

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