Now You can Read the 1950 Jackie Robinson Comic #1 - Scans of First Half

With Jackie Robinson Day and the Civil Rights Game being played at Dodger Stadium this coming Wednesday, I figured it was about time I take a moment to truly share my Jackie Robinson comic collection.  Back in 2007 I made scans of only the front covers of the 6-comic collection (see that post here), but that post must have been rather unfulfilling.  After all, what good is the cover if you can't take a peek inside.

Considering that, I decided to take some time to scan the actual inner pages, and the first half of the Jackie Robinson #1 comic is below.  I'll have scans of the second half of this comic, as well as, pages from the five other Robinson comics available over the coming days.

This comic series was originally published in 1950 and was written by sports columnist Charles Dexter.  You may know Dexter from his Robinson themed book titled Baseball Has Done It from 1964.  BTW, Cathy Keen at the Smithsonian wrote a fantastic article about these comics that you can check out here.  An excerpt is below:

The abuses he endured are addressed in a vague, sanitized way in the comic book, which mostly covers his minor league career and his call-up to the Dodgers. (This comic was part of a series.) Brief reference is made to "the Jim Crow code." The words "race" and "racist" are never used. Instead, the words "scheming foes," "sinister plotters," and "Jackie's enemies" are used to describe the abusers, virtually implying that there were only a handful of bad apples who made his life unpleasant.

In other words, this comic is far from an explicit retelling of Jackie's life.   Instead, it's sanitized for the youth of that time.

UPDATE:  Directly below are links to the other Jackie Robinson vintage comics I've scanned and shared:

• 1950 JR Comic #1 (the first half) - Link
• 1950 JR Comic #1 (the second half) - Link
• 1950 JR Comic #2 (complete scans) - Link
• 1950 JR Comic #3 (complete scans) - Link 
• 1950 JR Comic #4 (complete scans) -Link
• 1951 JR Comic #5 (complete scans) - Link 
• 1951 JR Comic #6 (complete scans) - Link

Click on any pic to embiggen.

The Ball Tony Gwynn Hit for an Inside-the-Park Grand Slam Off Us

(Auction Link)

I just can't get enough of SCP's current auction of Baseball memorabilia.  It's filled with a ton of Dodger related collectibles.  Over the past several weeks I've shared a vintage Dodger red cap, Duke Snider's testy letter to Buzzie Bavasi and a large grouping of 1956 Dodgers' Tour of Japan contracts.  Now, I share an item found within the estate collection of Tony Gwynn. 

Featured above is the game-used Baseball Gwynn hit for an inside-the-park grand slam against us on June 26, 1997.  That's right folks, the man who was a bit large during the twilight of his career (but rather fit in 1997) accomplished the rare feat in the seventh inning of an 4-4 deadlocked game at Dodger Stadium.   Watch it below (the highlight begins at about the :20 mark).  You can check out the auction item here.

Video Link:

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2015 Topps Museum Baseball - The Dodger Primary Pieces Cards

Here is a look at all the Dodger "Primary Pieces" relic and autograph cards in 2015 Topps Museum; including the quad relic autograph book cards of Kershaw and Puig.  Those two cards are awesome.  The Kershaw book card sold this past weekend on a "Best Offer" basis at just under $600.  The Puig card is currently on eBay with approx nine hours to go and is at $212.50.  Check that auction out here.  I suspect the Puig card value will rise measurably as the day goes on.  Go here to check out all of my past post on this set.

Single-Player Primary Pieces Quad Relics

#PPQR-AGZ Adrian Gonzalez             #PPQR-CKW Clayton Kershaw

Blog Kiosk: 4/13/2015 - Dodger Links - Newcombe, Gagne, Lopes and Guerrero

One game hardly makes a trend, but suffice it to say that Alex Guerrero did a lot at the plate and on the field to bolster his chances at being part of the conversation.  Not too long ago he was thought to be a bad signing, but if he continues to impress that opinion will quickly fade.

Due to a couple of injuries Guerrero had an opportunity to start for the Dodgers on Sunday and made the most of it.  Guerrero went 3 for 5 with a two-run home run, a run scoring double and four RBI's total.  If not for his work with the bat the Dodgers surely would have been swept by the Diamondbacks.  Best yet, Guerrero made several good defensive plays at third base.  Although he is far from a wizard at the hot corner, he just might be able to get the job done there.

Overall, you gotta like that he took the opportunity and ran with it.  The photo above of Guerrero being interviewed by Alanna Rizzo was shared on the @Dodgers twitter.  BTW, Joc Pederson and Yasiel Puig both hit their first home runs on the season as well, so hopefully this is a sign that those bats are ready to come alive.

Below are some links to check out:

• Via Lyle Spencer at MLB.com, "On field and off, Newcombe's life has benefited many."

"He said, 'Don, you'll never know how easy you and Jackie and Roy and Doby made it for me to do my job by what you did on the baseball field,'" Newcombe said. "After everything he'd been through, here he was telling me how we'd helped him with the movement. I'll never forget that."

• Via Ron Cervenka at Think Blue LA, "An interview with 2003 Cy Young award winner Eric Gagné." 

EG: It’s hard to describe. I try to explain to my friends and my kids – my kids are older now and understand – and it’s hard to describe, crazy, emotional, everybody was so into it. The energy in there gets your adrenaline pumping and I think everybody fed off of each other. It was just amazing. I wasn’t there for Fernandomania and all that stuff but I heard it was just amazing. And I’d seen Hell’s Bells for Trevor Hoffman, it was really really cool, so I think I was really really lucky to be part of that.

• Via Ken Gurnick at MLB.com, "Cuban-born players support Dodgers' cause."
• Via Lyle Spencer at MLB.com, "Lopes appreciative of those who came before him."

"I met all the great players, but I never had the opportunity to meet Jackie," Lopes said. "I didn't get to tell him what he meant to me personally -- and to so many other people.

• Jon Weisman at Dodger Insider sets things straight, "Defensive shifts are old news."  I too can't believe there is any controversy in this.  Folks seem desperate to find something to complain about.

Shifts in baseball in 2015, such as the Dodgers have been using, might be more common, more extreme, more committed, more intense on the risk-reward proposition, but they’re an outgrowth of the way baseball has been played as long as I’ve known it — and longer than that I’m sure.

• I guess recently traded for reliever Ryan Webb isn't coming to Los Angeles.  Via Eric Stephen at True Blue LA, "Ryan Webb accepts outright assignment to Triple-A Oklahoma City."

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Mariners Series Starts on Monday - Autograph Appearances, Game Give Aways and Other Stuff!

The next homestand starts on Monday against the Seattle Mariners, and several former Dodger players will be in the house to meet with fans for a free autograph session.  Below are the scheduled opportunities and other odds and ends for this upcoming homestand.

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Monday, April 13th at 7:10 PM

Monday's game starts at 7:10 PM.  Auto gates open at 4:30 PM, and stadium gates open at 5:00 PM.  The first of three Cy Young Collectors' Pin Series giveaways is this night.  The first 40,000 fans will receive an Don Newcombe pin.  see it on the right.

Nico DeJesus from Disney’s “Newsies” a will throw the ceremonial first pitch. LA Opera bass-baritone and LA native Ryan McKinny will perform the national anthem.

Juan Uribe and Adrian Gonzalez will be receiving their Wilson Defensive Player of the Year Awards before the game.  This award is determined by using a formula that combines traditional defensive stats with advanced metrics, as well as the data logged by the baseball experts working for the scouting service Inside Edge.

• The Military Hero of the Game is U.S. Navy Commander Todd P. Klipp of New York. Klipp served active duty for 26 years in several capacities including Commander, Naval Surface Forces Atlantic; Commander, Amphibious Group Four; Commander, Amphibious Group Three; Commander, Naval Special Warfare Command and the Bureau of Naval Personnel. His deployments include to 6th Fleet in the Mediterranean, the North Atlantic with NATO and to 5th Fleet in the Persian Gulf. Klipp finished his naval career at Naval Surface Warfare Command, Port Hueneme Division (NSWC PHD) where he served as the Chief Staff Officer and Department Officer for the Ship Defense and Expeditionary Warfare Department.

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Tuesday, April 14th at 7:10 PM

Tuesday's game starts at 7:10 PM.  Auto gates open at 4:30 PM, and stadium gates open at 5:00 PM.  This is the ever popular Star Wars Night (already sold out).  The Star Wars Celebration convention is in Anaheim the following weekend.  Fans must purchase a ticket package that includes a ticket in the All-You-Can-Eat Right Field Pavilion or Infield Reserve in order to receive the special edition Star Wars/Dodger t-shirt.  Check it out on the left. 

Star Wars characters will be on the field prior to the game, and although not yet officially announced I'm sure one of them will throw out the first pitch.  “American Idol” Top 16 finalist and lead singer of synth-pop act MONOGEM Jen Hirsh will perform the national anthem.

BTW, former Dodger outfielder Kenny Landreaux will be signing free autographs for fans in the left-field plaza from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM.

• The Military Heroes of the Game are U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Lance Weir of Walnut Ridge, AR, and U.S. Marine Corporal Justin Crabbe of Rancho Cucamonga. Weir served a short time in the military due to an accident and is now serving as Veterans Liaison at Canine Companions for Independence where he helps pair wounded veterans with assistance dogs. Crabbe served a six-month deployment to Japan and Afghanistan. Crabbe also serves as Veterans Liaison at Canine Companions for Independence. Headquartered in Santa Rosa, Canine Companions for Independence is a non-profit organization that enhances the lives of people with disabilities by providing highly trained assistance dogs and ongoing support.

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Wednesday, April 15th at 7:10 PM

Wednesday's game starts at 7:10 PM.  Auto gates open at 4:30 PM, and stadium gates open at 5:00 PM.  Dodger Stadium will host the Civil Rights Game this evening as a part of Jackie Robinson Day.  The game will be televised on ESPN2.  The first 40,000 fans will receive an Adult Jackie Robinson Replica Jersey.  Check it out on the left.

Magic Johnson and civil rights activist Dolores Huerta will be recognized as recipients of the 2015 MLB Beacon Awards, which recognize individuals whose lives and actions have been emblematic of the spirit of the civil rights movement.  Frank Robinson will also receive a special award in recognition of the 40th Anniversary of him becoming Baseball’s first African-American manager. 

Rachel Robinson (Jackie's wife) will throw out the first pitch prior to the game.  Sandy Koufax, Don Newcombe, Joni Campanella (Roy’s daughter) and scholars from the Jackie Robinson Foundation will also be featured during the pregame ceremony.  TNT Sports Analyst, NBA Champion and star of reality show “Meet the Smiths” Kenny “the Jet” Smith will throw the first pitch.  Grammy nominated artist Tyrese Gibson will perform the National Anthem.

Dodger alumnus Dennis Powell will be signing free autographs for fans in the left-field plaza from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM.

• The Military Hero of the Game is U.S. Army Colonel Cathy M. Davidson of Chicago. Davidson has served in the military 25 years and was commissioned in 1990. Her first assignment was the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit after completing OBC and successfully crossed-training in Neonatal ICU and the Pediatric Unit, after which she earned the “Delta” identifier in 1991. Davidson served as a Clinical Nurse at 121st Evacuation Hospital (EUSA) in Seoul, Korea, Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany and most recently served as Chief, Quality Management Division, Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, Germany. She is currently serving as the Deputy Commander Nursing Services at Weed Army Community Hospital in Fort Irwin.  

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Blog Kiosk: 4/11/2015 - Dodger Links - Gonzo, Pederson and Puig

Sean Astin hammed it up with the boys prior to the start of Friday's game in Phoenix.  Photo above via @Dodgers on twitter.

Honest question.  Did Puig even know who he was?  It's been 12 years since Astin played Samwise Gamgee in the Lord of the Rings trilogy, so I don't think he would have ever seen the film while he was still in Cuba.  (Forgive me for my ignorance, but would a common Cuban be familiar with modern Hollywood films?)  I understand that Sean Astin is a Dodger fan, so no doubt he's probably met Puig before yesterday (I would assume).  Still, I do wonder how much of the American/Western culture Puig knew before coming here.

Below are some links to check out:

• Via Cory DiBenedetto at the Daily Gammons, "Adrian Gonzalez is on fire: In-depth look at his incredible start."
• Via Alec Dopp at the Daily Gammons, "How Legit are Joc Pederson’s Swing-and-Miss Tendencies?"

Clearly, swinging and missing has been a problem for Pederson, even when he tore through Pacific Coast League pitching throughout the 2014 minor league season. His 13.5% swinging strike rate — calculated as whiffs divided by pitches seen — is nearly identical to that which he’s posted thus far in his big league career. He’s swinging about five percent less often and seeing more pitches since his promotion, which at the very least shows us he’s been selective, even sans chase rate in those minor league scoreboards I sifted through. But even so, while Pederson seems to be a patient hitter, he’s making less contact when he does swing, which is particularly concerning by my estimation.

• Via Rob Neyer at Just a Bit Outside, "Has Newk been cheated by the Coop?"  Neyer takes a look at whether Newcombe was an Hall of Famer.
• Check out some great photos from Opening Day game of the Tulsa Drillers (our AA affiliate) taken by Reddit u/kittysparkles here.
• Via David Hood at True Blue LA, "Chris Anderson, Corey Seager stand out in Dodgers Tulsa debut."

• The clothing brand that began as an anti-McCourt parody line called Frankrupt has re-launched with a new line of Dodger-fan themed tee shirts.  Check them out here.  Check out a funny photo of one of their T's on the right.  It's called "Orel Sax 1988 World Champs."  Click on the pic to embiggen.
• The videos below is a part of MLB's new “THIS” campaign and it features Yasiel Puig and several other Dodgers.  Below Yasiel Puig puts on his Latin shoes with some fellow DodgerBros as Clayton Kershaw looks on.

Video Link:

The ever playful Puig goofs around with Uribe and Ryu.

Video Link:

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