The Case of Former Dodgers Pitcher Mysterious Walker

So who was this guy and how did he earn the nickname that has me more curious than a sloth of bears circling a trash bin? 

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As I was preparing this mornings Blog Kiosk I came across a Dodger birthday of a former Brooklyn ballplayer that I had never heard of... But I should of, 'cause with the kind of nickname he bears this lad should be a part of Dodger lore.

His name is Fred Mitchell Walker, and he is more interestingly known as either "Mysterious Mitchell" or "Mysterious Walker."

As the story goes, Fred showed up one day pitching for the San Francisco Seals of the Pacific Coast League towards the tail end of the 1910 season.  At the time he gave his name as only Fred Mitchell -- striking out his real last name of Walker.  But that's not the most mysterious thing about him.  From what I understand, he refused all interview request, did not pose for photographs, and according to one report (link here) pitched with a mask on.

A Vintage Dodgers Lunch Tray

The weirder the better, I always say.

Featured here is something you don't see very often.  Above is a circa 1960's Dodgers cafeteria lunch tray that is currently available for sale through Hunt Auctions (link here).  The exact origins are unknown to the auction house, but I'd be willing to bet these were used by personnel at the stadium. 

Furthermore, it looks very similar to a tray I came across five years ago (and wrote about here).  That tray included head shot of several Dodger players (Johnny Podres, Don Drysdale, Maury Wills, John Roseboro, Willie Davis, Frank Howard, Sandy Koufax, Wally Moon and Duke Snider), as well as, the Dodger logo in the middle. 

I have no idea what that value is for something like this, but I think it would be best served if an autograph collectors to grab this one.  It would look glorious with signatures all around it.

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Blog Kiosk: 3/21/2017 - Dodgers Links - Some Spring Odds and Ends

I've been a bit derelict in my duties on this blog due to a cold that just won't go away.  It sucks and I'm hoping that spending some time in the office doing some work and putting up this blog will ease my ills.  Considering this I decided to track down a vintage pic related to a cold and the Dodgers and came up with the above photograph of Babe Ruth.  Although his scenario is far more pressing then my illness I decided it was worth putting up.

Featured above is a circa 1938 press photo (as found on eBay) featuring Dodgers coach Babe Ruth taking a brief leave from the team to attend to his ailing daughter, Julia.  Per John McMurray at SABR:

George Herman (Babe) Ruth, rushed by motor cycle escort from Ebbets Field, where he had been coaching the Brooklyn Dodgers, gave his 22-year-old adopted daughter, Julia, 500 cubic centimeters of his blood in a transfusion at 6 o’clock last night at the Manhattan Eye, Ear and Throat Hospital, 210 East Sixty-fourth [sic] Street. After the transfusion, Ruth rested for an hour and then drove his wife, Mrs. Claire Ruth, home. Fifty youngsters from the neighborhood of the hospital met him at its doors as he left, asking for his autograph. He told them he was forced to refuse because his right arm felt weakened.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodger History:  In 1966 the Dodgers and Astros are the first Major League teams to play on artificial grass when they play a spring training game at the Astrodome.
• Happy Birthday, Mysterious Walker, Bill Lamar, Jim Hughes, Tommy Davis & Carlos Monasterios!

Blog Kiosk: 3/17/2017 - Dodgers Links - Some Spring Odds and Ends

During the old days ballplayers had to keep various side-gigs during the winter off-season.  Yogi Berra and Phil Rizzuto sold suits, John McGraw had a vaudeville show for a short time, and Waite Hoyt was a mortician.  Sometimes players spent their winter, especially if they were younger, going to school.  Proof of that is featured in the photo above.  It is a International News Photo taken by Hugh Broderick, dated Monday, October 11, 1947 of Ralph Branca getting back to the books less than a week after losing the 1947 World Series.  Per the descriptor on the reverse:

On the Mound for Fair Science
This studious young man engaged in a chemistry experiment in the laboratory of New York University is Ralph Branca.  Who, as pitcher for the Brooklyn Dodgers in the recent World Series against the New York Yankees, made his share of headlines.  Branca is a sophomore student at the university, majoring in physical education.

The above photo recently sold at RMY's auction (link here). Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History:  In 1946 the Dodgers and Montreal Royals (with Jackie Robinson in the lineup for the first time) played a spring training game in Daytona Beach.  This marked the first appearance of an integrated club in organization baseball that century.  Four decades later they would rename the field in Daytona Jackie Robinson Ballpark.  In 1955 the Brooklyn Dodgers traded pitcher Erv Palica to the Orioles for infielder Frank Kellert.
• Happy Birthday, Whitey Ock, "Pistol" Pete Reiser & Bill Mueller!
  

2017 Topps Opening Day - All the Dodgers Cards

Topps 2017 Opening Day Baseball card brand was officially released yesterday, and like in the past it is a rehashed version of the flagship card brand released in early February.  The difference in the two sets is that this product has fewer cards, is far more affordable in value, and it uses the Opening Day logo as part of the design.  Go here for a complete checklist.

Below are of the Dodger cards available in the set.  So far, only one base variation card is known, and it's of Clayton Kershaw getting ready for batting practice.  If more appear I will be sure to update this post.

Base Set

#4 Justin Turner

Blog Kiosk: 3/16/2017 - Dodgers Links - Some Spring Odds and Ends

Above is a fantastic vintage 1956 photo taken by legendary Dodger photographer Barney Stein.  It provides a glimpse of the player pregame procession before one of the games of the Brooklyn Dodgers Goodwill Tour in Tokyo.  They are to play the Tokyo Giants.  It recently sold at RMY Auctions (link here).

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History:  In 1976 Dodgers right-handed pitcher Andy Messersmith is granted free agency.  He is principally responsible for the end of the "reserve clause" and is credited for signing the very first contract of the free agency era about a month later.  He won an arbitrator case in favor of free agency in December 1975, and MLB naturally appealed.  They would lose their appeal on March 9th, 1976.  A few days later the league declined appealing to the Supreme Court; effectively granting Messersmith free agency.
• Happy Birthday, Patsy Donovan, Jake Flowers, Lloyd "Little Poison" Waner, Hee-Seop Choi, Brian Wilson & Brandon League!