Dodger Correspondence: Jackie's Thoughtful Letter to a Fan

The sincerity and grace displayed in this letter is something I've come to expect from Jackie Robinson. He was not only a trailblazer in the field of civil rights and in the game we love, but he was also a man who had the humility to understand his role in the world and how he can help shape it. As you can see in the letter above, current available at auction thought RR Auctions (link here), he thoughtfully let a fan know how important his letter was and how it affected him.

Below is what he wrote:

Dear Mr. Shaw, 

I may have written you before about the letter you wrote Miss Day. I can say it was so well done and I only wish I had fans such as you that when you felt they were wrong would write letters just as the one you wrote. We in public life need reminders such as yours and I assure you that type of letter is more effective. 

Incidentally I was very much impressed with your ideas on the injuries. I would appreciate it if you felt I need some advice to write because I believe we owe all our success to the public and have a responsibility to you. 

Sincerely, Jackie Robinson

Unfortunately, we don't have Mr. Shaw's original letter to Ms. Day, so we aren't exactly familiar with its context. Nevertheless, I think it's fair to surmise that Mr. Shaw had shown the same kind of sincerity that prompted Jackie to reach out and say not only 'thank you' but also express how important his message was to him.

I wish we had more Mr. Shaw's and Jackie's in the world today. It sometimes seems like our ability to address and admit our faults in todays world gets lost through our prism of social media and outrage news.

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2019 Dodger Spring Training Info - Facility, Schedule and Roster

The Dodgers just released their 2019 Spring Training broadcast schedule, so I thought I would pass that along (see at very bottom). Over 70% of the games the Dodgers play this spring will be televised on either SportsNet LA or online at Dodgers.com. Additionally, once the club releases their 2019 Spring Training player roster (I've been piecing this together and you can see it below) I will update this post with that information (I do currently have the list of non-roster invitees - at the very bottom). To the right is a look at this season's Spring Training Dodger cap. Below are some pertinent dates to keep in mind:

• Tuesday, February 12 - Pitchers and Catchers Report 
• Wednesday, February 13 - Pitchers and Catchers 1st Workout
• Sunday, February 18 - Position Players Report 
• Monday, February 19 - First Full-Squad Workout 
• Thursday, February 20 - Dodgers Photo Day (media related event only) 
• Wednesday, March 6 - All Minor League Players 1st Workout

Here are the typical batting and field practice schedules for home games.

Dodger Links - 2/11/2019 - Dodger Links - Some Odds and Ends

This weekend Cody Bellinger, along with fellow baller and Diamondback prospect Jamie Westbrook, were inducted into the Chandler Sports Hall of Fame. Per Richard Obert at the Arizona Republic:

"He is a great ambassador for Arizona baseball, as well as Hamilton baseball," said Hamilton coach Mike Woods, who coached Bellinger in high school. "He has given back to our program and is a source of pride for everyone in the Chandler community at large."

As you may know, Cody first flirted with fame at the age of 13 when he starred on the 2007 Chandler, Arizona Little League team that played at Williamsport. The photo above featuring Westbrook and Bellinger via Coach Woods on twitter.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1997 three new Jackie Robinson cereal boxes, created by General Mills, were unveiled to an eating and collecting public. He would be the first athlete to be honored on all three varieties of Wheaties: Original Wheaties, Honey Frosted Wheaties, and Crispy Wheaties 'n' Raisins. 
• Happy Birthday, Boyd Bartley & Todd Benzinger!

Blog Kiosk: 2/8/2019 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Above is a 1972 photograph of Frank Robinson with Dodger speedster Maury Wills. It comes from the Los Angeles Times Photographic Archives at UCLA and was taken by Bill Varie (link here).

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1916 National League owners voted down a proposal by Dodgers owner Charles Ebbets to impose a limit of 2,000 seats that a club can sell for 25 cents. In 1933 the Dodgers traded their soon-to-be Hall of Fame pitcher Dazzy Vance to the Cardinals for a couple of scrubs. In 1982 the Dodgers traded longtime second baseman Davey Lopes to the A's for a minor leaguer. This trade broke up the longest-playing infield in major league history. In 1995 the Dodgers signed Japanese free agent pitcher Hideo Nomo. He would have a fantastic rookie campaign -- going 13-6 with an 2.54 ERA, a league leading 236 strike outs and three shutouts.
• Happy Birthday, Bruce Caldwell, Bert Haas, Charlie Householder & Joe Black!

Former Dodger Frank Robinson Dead at 83 - A Dodgers Collectible Checklist

A legend has passed away.

Hall of Famer Frank Robinson, the 1956 Rookie of the Year, two-time MVP winner, 1966 AL Triple Crown winner and one-time AL Manager of the Year has died at the age of 83. Deeply cognizant of his role in history, Robinson took-on the task of being the very first African-American to be named manager in the Major Leagues; saying, "if I had one wish in the world today, it would be that Jackie Robinson could be here to see this happen." Frank also said:

“Every time I put on this uniform, I think of Jackie Robinson.”

As you know, Frank Robinson got to play for the Dodgers during the 1972 season; slashing .251/.353/.442/.795 with 19 home runs and 59 RBI's during an injury plagued season. He would thereafter be traded to the Angels the following season for future Dodger staff ace Andy Messersmith. Below are links to other stories celebrating Frank Robinson's life that I thought worth pointing out:

• Per Mark Langill at Dodger Insider; "Frank Robinson remembered: Hall of Famer passes away at 83 years old."
• Jeff Todd at MLB Trade Rumors; "Frank Robinson Passes Away."
• Richard Justice at MLB.com; "Frank Robinson, legend and pioneer, dies."
• Tyler Waldman at WBAL; "Frank Robinson, Baseball Lifer And Orioles Legend, Has Died."
• Tim Kurkjian at ESPN; "No one tried to embarrass Frank Robinson and got away with it."

"Then he throws me this bastard slider just off the outside part of the plate," Robinson said. "I thought, 'This SOB is trying to strike me out on three pitches ... on my day! He's trying to embarrass me ... on my day. No one does that to me.'"

Also, you can listen to Frank talk about meeting Jackie Robinson for the first time here, via NPR.

In celebration of Robinson's career on cardboard I thought it would be fun to make a couple of fantasy custom Baseball cards of him. Check them out above. Furthermore, I wanted to put together a list of all, or at least, most of his vintage cards and collectibles featuring him as a Dodger. See that below. If I missed anything please let me know.

1972 Topps -- #754 

Weekend Autograph Opportunity: Dave Stewart, Clyde Wright and Jose Canseco!

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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