Dodgers Miracle Matchup by IBM?

What the heck is this all about?

I recently came across an old t-shirt promoting an unusual event that features a computer simulated game between two Dodgers' World Series clubs.  It was dubbed a "Miracle Matchup", and it pitted the 1963 club against the 1981 team. (eBay Auction Link)

As a lover of Dodgers' oddball stuff I had to find out more.  Unfortunately, information is a bit lacking.  From what I can gather, IBM put together a group of simulations for various teams and debut the results during an upcoming game in 1986.  In the Dodgers case it was unveiled during a game between the Dodgers and Reds in early September.  I am uncertain if this was an in-game promotion or a commercials fans could watch on television.  If you happen to know anything about this please pass that knowledge along.

Blog Kiosk: 1/4/2016 - Dodgers Links - Puig, Ryu, O'Malley and Adrian Gonzalez

Spring training in New York.

During WWII it was thought unwise to hold spring camp anywhere near the eastern coast.  After all, German U-boats where known to hug the American coastline in an attempt at disrupting supply lines to the European front.  So, the Dodgers spent several March's in Bear Mountain, NY.

Featured above is an International News press photo, dated March 20, 1945, of seven members of the Brooklyn Dodger pitching staff showing off their follow-through at the preseason facility.  (eBay Auction Link)  Per the descriptor on the reverse:

DODGERS PITCHING STAFF.  Bear Mountains, N.Y.....Photographed at the Dodgers spring training camp at Bear Mountains, is team's pitching staff.  (l. to r.) Joe Belmaier, Vic Lombardi (only southpaw in the camp of pitchers), Hal Gregg, Curt Davis, Fred Wells, Otho Nitcholos, and Ben Chapman.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodger History:  In 1957 the Dodgers, Walter O'Malley, purchased a 44-passenger twin engine airplane for $775,000.  They would be the first team to own their own plane.  In 1977 the Dodgers received catcher Johnny Oats from the Phillies in exchange for infielder Ted Sizemore.  In 2001 the Dodgers signed free agent reliever Giovanni Carrara.  In 2006 the Dodgers received Tim Hamulack and Jae Weong Seo from the Mets in exchange for Duaner Sanchez and Steve Schmoll.
• Happy Birthday, Tommy Corcoran, Bart Shirley, Charlie Manuel & Ted Lilly!

Blog Kiosk: 1/3/2016 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

I just can't wait for Baseball to get started.  We are a mere few weeks away from the beginning of spring training, and soon thereafter Opening Day will be here.  While we wait join me in taking a look at the above fantastic in-game-action AP Wirephoto, dated July 22, 1954, featuring a sliding Bob Borkowski of the Reds being tagged out by Roy Campanella.  (eBay Auction Link)

On the play Reds second baseman Johnny Temple hit a grounder to shortstop Pee wee Reese, who unfortunately booted the ball.  Borkowski, standing at second base at the time, tried to take advantage of the miscue and rounded third for home.  Jim Gilliam, who was the kind of guy who never missed a play, dutifully picked up the errant ball and threw a strike to home to record the third out of the inning.  The Dodgers would maintain a one run lead in the game, and eventually win it, 8-5.  BTW, Hall of Fame umpire Jocko Conlon is in the background calling the out.  Also, this photograph was originally a part of the George Michael Collection of Baseball sliding press photos.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodger History:  In 2006 the Dodgers signed free agent starting pitcher Brett Tomko to a two year/$8.7 million contract.
• Happy Birthday, Frenchy Bordagaray & Chris Van Cuyk!

Blog Kiosk: 12/30/2016 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Happy Birthday, Sandy!

Above is a 1967 vintage press photo of Koufax sitting in the broadcast booth for NBC.  As you know, he was a broadcaster for a short time after retiring from the game.  (eBay Auction Link)  I am unsure where exactly the photo was taken, but clearly it's not Dodger Stadium -- those terrace seats are all wrong.  The reverse of the photo makes some indication that this pic is from the 1967 All-Star Game in Anaheim:

National League trainer Bill Buhler had a special visit Tuesday -- Sandy Koufax, who made Buhler's method of ice packing pitching arms famous.

Koufax tossed only words on television in the 15-inning All-Star classic.  But Buhler, the Los Angeles Dodger and form St. Paul Saint trainer, was still working with pitching arms.

Of note, the reverse of the photo has a small news snippet attached stating:

Below are more links to check out:

• Happy Birthday, Jose Morales & Sandy Koufax!

I've Got a Vin Scully Sweatband

This year has seen Dodger and Baseball fans alike celebrating the career and retirement of Vin Scully.  Along with all the deserved accolades and pronouncements has been a flurry of memorabilia for an eager collecting public.  We've seen everything from bobbleheads, pins and t-shirts.  Heck, there's even a placard available that could only be attained during a game against the Giants in San Francisco.  So, even our teams worst enemy saw it fit to honor our poet laureate.

Among all of the items I've run across the above sweatband, that was worn by many of the Dodger players during that last home game against the Rockies, has been the most elusive.

Don't remember it?

Blog Kiosk: 12/29/2016 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Here's an fantastic photograph of Dodger legend Jackie Robinson with the 1950 NL Rookie of the Year, Sam Jethroe, of the Boston Braves.  Pic above via Vintage Baseball on twitter.

Below are more links to check out:

• Happy Birthday, Hank DeBerry & Devon White!