Blog Kiosk: 1/16/2017 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

The 14th Annual Professional Baseball Scouts Foundation banquet was held this past Saturday at the Beverly Hilton, and among the many award recipients was Rachel Robinson, wife of Jackie, and Dave Roberts.

Rachel Robinson received the "Pioneer Award" ahead of the upcoming 70th anniversary of the breaking of Baseball's color barrier.  It was also announced that the Jackie Robinson Museum will open later this year in New York.  Read more about this and more via Jon Weisman at Dodger Insider; "Pioneer Award for Rachel Robinson comes at appropriate — and pivotal — moment."  Dave Roberts was honored with the "Tom Lasorda Managerial Achievement Award", and presenting the award was Tommy himself.  Per Ken Gurnick at MLB.com:

Lasorda first had to whisper something to the recipient when he reached the podium.

"I just got a talking to that I better win a championship," Roberts revealed.

Photo at the very top via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2017.  Go here to check out a bunch of great pics taken by Jon from the banquet.  Below are more links to check out:

• Happy Birthday, Bob Ramazzotti & Rod Miller!
  

2016 Panini National Treasures Baseball - The Dodgers Base Cards

Here is a final look at the Dodger cards found in packs of Panini's 2016 National Treasures.  This time we look at the base cards.  Unfortunately, I have yet to see the Jake Daubert or Max Carey cards.  I'll update this post when they pop up.  Go here to see all of my past post on this set.  Go here for a complete checklist.

BTW, there are five different Dodger "Base Variation" cards available.  You can check them all out below.  As you can see, the variation cards include a nickname or an distinguishing accomplishment by the player.

Base Set

#5 Jackie Robinson          #12 Don Drysdale

Blog Kiosk: 1/13/2017 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

He's officially a Dodger now.

Featured above is a vintage International News press photograph showing the Dodgers manager helping newly signed Dodgers coach, Babe Ruth, into his uniform for the very first time.  (RMY Auction Listing) Per the descriptor on the reverse:

Into Uniform Once More... But Only To Coach:  Manager Burleigh Grimes of the Brooklyn Dodgers helps the one-time King of Swat to don his uniform.  Just before the Brooklyn team took to the field to engage in a double-header against the Chicago Cubs.  A few minutes later, the Bambino received a tremendous ovation from 25,000 fans when he made his debut as a Dodger coach.  The beloved ex-home run king spent an hour posing for the movies before the game, signing autographs and hitting fungoes to the outfield.  To top things off Ruth took a turn at bat and drove one of Grimes offerings out of the lot (dated 6/19/1938)

The Dodgers were no-hit by Reds hurler Johnny Vander Meer on June 15, 1938 -- the second of his two consecutive no-hitters that season.  Then the following day Ruth met with the team and officially signed a contract to be a coach for Brooklyn.  He would debut in the uniform on the 19th at Ebbets Field.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History:  In 1988 Steve Garvey announced his retirement from the game of Baseball.
• Happy Birthday, Jimmy Jordan & Elmer Dessens!
  

Writing to a Fan -- Brooklyn Dodgers Catcher Mickey Owens

Mickey Owens is one of a long line of fantastic defensive minded catchers to wear Dodger Blue, and if not for a bungled play during the 1941 World Series he might be considered the best ever.  Nevertheless, his miscue that Fall did little to sully his reputation.  He would go on to be an All-Star four times -- even though he would only slash .257/.316/.310/.627 during those season. 

Which brings me to the letter shown above.  Featured is correspondence written by Mickey from 1991 to a fan named Jim Forrest. (eBay Auction Link)  In it he writes:

I am in the eleventh year of my retirement.  When I retired in 1980 my wife had to handle all the check writing so I have no personal checks.

The clipping you sent me were right.  I paid $2500.00.  And I learned a lesson.  After retirement from Baseball I was elected sheriff of Greene Co., Missouri in the Ozark Mountains.  Served 16 years.  During those years I was stabbed and shot at by some of Missouri's meanest criminals.

When in danger act quickly and give no quarter.  It may save you from serious injury or your life.

2016 Panini National Treasures Baseball - Some of the Dodgers Inserts, Part 2

Here is a look at even more of the Dodger cards that can be found in packs of Panini's 2016 National Treasures Baseball.  These are the remaining inserts I have yet to show.  I hope to share the base cards tomorrow.  As you can see, there are still a bunch of cards I have yet to see.  Go here to see all of my past post on this set.  Go here for a complete checklist.

Leagues Best

#9 Duke Snider                #25 Don Drysdale

They Say Imitation is the Sincerest Form of Flattery

This morning I was prepared to enjoy my day knowing that both Justin Turner and Kenley Jansen would remain in Los Angeles for the foreseeable future.  What I didn't expect to discover was an incredulous feeling in the pit of my stomach when a certain logo of a team relocating to LA was unveiled.  As you certainly know by now, the San Diego Chargers officially announced that they are moving to that new stadium in Inglewood, and in concert with that announcement they released their new re-branded logo.  Check it out below.

Looks strangely familiar... don't it?

For some reason the Chargers believed it would be a good idea build a new fanbase in the city by bastardizing the already familiar and well-loved logo of the Dodgers.  As some might say, imitation is the sincerest form of flatter, but in this case it seems more like an unjust travesty.  As a fervent Dodger fan I don't like it.