Don Newcombe -- A legend has passed

This morning we were shook by the news that Brooklyn Dodger hero Don Newcombe has died at the age of 92. As you know, he was a frequent attendee at Dodger games, and is known to be a mentor to numerous Dodger players throughout the years/decades. Per a tweet by David Vassegh:

Koufax: "Mentor at first, friend at the end. Missed by anyone that got to know him."

Don Newcombe spent eight of his ten year Major League career as a Dodger, and in that time he achieved heights and accomplishments rarely experienced by others.  He became the Rookie of the Year in 1949, won both the Cy Young and MVP Awards in 1956 and was a 4X All-Star. Newk was also considered one of the greatest hitting pitchers in the game. In nearly 1,000 plate appearances he slashed .271/.338/.367/.705 with 33 doubles, three triples, 15 home runs and 108 RBI's.

Blog Kiosk: 2/19/2019 - Dodgers Links and News - Some Odds and Ends

Clayton is faced live batter for the first time this spring yesterday. Pic above via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2019.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1954 the Dodgers signed 19-year old Roberto Clemente to a one-year contract worth $5,000 with a $10,000 signing bonus. He was highly scouted by both the Yankees and Giants, but they all got outbid by the Dodgers. Unfortunately, they would lose Clemente's rights during the upcoming 1954 Rule V Draft to Pittsburgh. In 1983 22-year old Dodger hurler Fernando Valenzuela becomes the first ballplayer awarded an $1,000,000 salary during arbitration. The Dodgers had countered back with a salary of $750,000.
• Happy Birthday, Oscar Roettger, Dick Siebert, Gail Hopkins, Dave Stewart, Josh Reddick & Fabio Castillo! 

Blog Kiosk: 2/18/2019 - Dodgers Links and news - Some Odds and Ends

There's no better place than Camelback Ranch to get autographs from your favorite Dodgers'.

Photo above via @Dodgers on twitter. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1960 Walter O'Malley and the Dodgers completed their purchase of the Chavez Ravine area by paying $494,000 for property valued at $92,000. In 1986 the Dodgers signed 18-year old free agent Dominican infielder José Vizcaíno. He would go on to have an 18 year career in the Majors -- playing five seasons for the Dodgers. In 2017 the Dodgers re-signed Chase "Dad" Utley to a one-year $2 million contract.
• Happy Birthday, Sherry Smith, Manny Mota, Bob Miller, Kevin Tapani, Jamey Carroll & Chad Moeller!

2018 Leaf Flash Baseball - The Two Dodger Prospects

Someone has failed to tell Leaf that the year is now 2019.

Featured here are the two Dodger prospects found in Leaf's newest prospect-heavy card brand named 2018 Leaf Flash Baseball. Having debuted this season as a football set, it is now also a baseball prospect brand and this inaugural set includes some of the top farmhands and young studs in the game (Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Ron Acuna, Shohei Ohtani and Juan Soto). The two Dodgers' available are outfielder DJ Peters and pitcher Michael Grove. Go here to check out a complete checklist.

Base Flash Autographs

#BA-DJP D.J. Peters         #BA-MG1 Michael Grove

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Blog Kiosk: 2/15/2019 - Dodger Links and News - Some Odds and Ends

"Will you be mine?"

Some of the cutest photos ever popped up on twitter yesterday, in celebration of Valentine's Day. It featured a bunch of youngsters and their favorite Dodgers'. Above, via Camelback Ranch on twitter, is Cody Bellinger and on the right is Justin Turner getting his valentine.

BTW, you can check out a bunch of pics from Day 2 of Dodgers Spring Training, via Jon SooHoo and Sue Jo, here. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 2012 MLB sets up a vetting committee, headed by Braves chairman emeritus Bill Bartholomay, to evaluate the various bids to buy the Dodgers from Frank McCourt.  In 2017 the Dodgers signed free agent reliever, former Giants closer and native son Sergio Romo to a one-year $3MM contract. He would not pitch well in Blue. He got into 30 games and recorded a 6.12 ERA, 5.76 FIP while allowing 7 home runs. Romo would eventually be traded to the Rays in late-July.
• Happy Birthday, Hal Lee, Charlie Irwin, George Earnshaw, Joe Moeller, Ron Cey, Rick Auerbach, Russell Martin & Russ Mitchell! 

Blog Kiosk: 2/14/2019 - Dodgers Links and News - Happy Valentine's Day!

This is a good sight.

On Tuesday, former batterymates Clayton Kershaw and Russell Martin were reunited after an eight year separation. It's like they got part of the band back together. Per Ken Gurnick at MLB.com:

"We both have a certain amount of miles on our body from the last time we worked together, but what a career he's had," said Martin. "I remember the last time I caught him he was just fastball, curveball. Now, one of the best pitches he has is the slider. That's the cool thing about baseball, the best players stay the best because they're willing to make adjustments, and Kershaw is one of those guys who's going to do what it takes to stay at the top. It's nice to get back there and reminisce a little bit."

Photo above via @Dodgers on twitter. BTW, Jon SooHoo has shared a whole bunch of pics from yesterdays going-on's at Camelback Ranch, here. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Baseball History: In 1957 the Georgia State Senate approved a bill, introduced by state senator Leon Butts, that prohibits blacks from playing baseball with whites except at religious gatherings -- ten years after MLB had integrated. 

"Anything that tends to break down the bulwarks of segregation must be forcibly met by this general assembly. We have a situation in Georgia which has come about because of a national situation. I am referring to the Negroes in organized baseball in this state. It is unfortunate that some few people would participate in the destruction of our institutions for a few dollars."

• Happy Birthday, Mike Hechinger, Candy LaChance, Tim Jordan, Abe Kruger, Len Gabrielson & Takashi Saito!