Blog Kiosk: 3/6/2019 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Just another fantastic spring baseball photo. This time it's of a pitcher who many regard as one of the most underrated hurlers of the 30's.

Dated March 27, 1943. Ex-Dodger -- The Brooklyn Bums were visited by Larry French, formerly a member of their mound corps, recently at their Bear Mountain spring training camp. French, who is now a lieutenant junior grade with the US Navy, is reported seeking permission to play weekend ball with the Dodgers so that he might reach the 200-win mark before hanging up his spikes. Shaking hands with French is Manager Leo Durocher.

Unfortunately, Larry French did not receive such permission. Instead, he began his second career. Larry French would remain in the Navy for 27 years as both in active duty and as a Navy Reservist -- retiring in 1969 as a Captain. BTW, he participated in the invasion of Normandy in June 1944. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1938 the Dodgers received first baseman Dolph Camilli from the Phillies for an outfielder named Eddie Morgan and $45,000. Camilli would spend the next six seasons in Brooklyn -- slashing an overall .270/.392/.497/.889 with 139 home runs, 572 RBI's and an WAR of 29.1. He would also be named the NL MVP in 1941. In 1948 the Dodgers traded second baseman Eddie Stanky to the Boston Braves. Stanky famously yelled at Phillies coach Ben Chapman during a game the season prior due to his racist insults directed at Jackie Robinson.  
• Happy Birthday, Frank Gatins, John McMakin, George Mohart, Doug Podbielan, Greg Hannahs, Terry Adams & Marcus Thames!

2019 Topps 150 Years of Baseball - Sandy's Perfect Game

Topps has just unveiled a brand new online exclusive card brand and it coincides with the 150th anniversary of game.

As you know, in 1869 the very first openly all-professional baseball club is formed and they would be called the Cincinnati Red Stockings. They would play a remarkable undefeated season -- going 60-0 against all-comers. They even defeating the highly regarded clubs from the northeast -- the Mutual's of New York, Atlantic's of Brooklyn, and Eckford of Brooklyn. BTW, this same season the Chicago Base-Ball Association is founded and they would come to be known as the Chicago Cubs.

In celebration of Baseball's 150 year milestone Topps will issue three cards every Tuesday in order to memorialize the greatest accomplishments in the sport. This first week features Sandy Koufax's perfect game on September 9, 1965. Check it out above. Go here to check it out and order. The other two available cards are of Babe Ruth and Mike Trout.

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2018 Topps 852 Montgomery Club Set - The Lone Dodger - Max Muncy

I had forgotten all about this set. Late last year Topps unveiled a collector membership club called '582 Montgomery' that includes several exclusive perks. Members would receive six different exclusive sets and an opportunity to purchase club-exclusive card brands. In December, Topps sold their first exclusive brand, called the Brooklyn Collection (see here), and soon thereafter they released the first membership set. This post takes a look at the lone Dodger found in that set. Go here for a complete checklist.

As you can see, Max Muncy is the lone representative in Topps first 582 Montgomery Club set. See both the base and autograph cards below.

Base

#13 Max Muncy

2019 Topps Heritage - All the Dodgers Insert Cards

Here's a last look at Topps 2019 Heritage brand. Featured below are all of the Dodgers insert cards found in packs.

Real One Autographs

#ROA-MMU Max Muncy

Blog Kiosk: 3/4/2019 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Clayton and son spent part of this weekend playing ball. Adorable!

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

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1912 Charles Ebbets breaks ground on his new ballpark in the Pigtown section of Brooklyn. It was origianlly named Washington Park, but will be renamed Ebbets Field. In 1984 Pee Wee Reese is elected into the Hall of Fame by the Special Veterans Committee. In 2009 the Dodgers re-signed outfielder Manny Ramirez to a two-year $45 million contract.
• Happy Birthday, Jim Korwan, Jeff Pfeffer, Johnny Enzmann, Dazzy Vance, Lefty O'Doul, Bill Hart, Leron Lee, Giovanni Carrara, Bruce Aven, Hiram Bocachica, Sergio Romo & Rubby De La Rosa!

LA Kings Celebrated Dodgers Night Last Night

For the first time since its inception the LA Kings held a Dodgers Night at the Staples Center and I did not attend. Heck, you'd think I'd want to just check out those jazzy Dodger jersey's the team wears during the pregame warm-ups in person. But, no. Instead, I watched the game from the comfort of my couch. Thankfully, my laziness is not a barrier to blogging. So, despite my unwillingness to travel to downtown LA, I've still got plenty of pics -- found throughout social media -- to share here.

For instance, check out the Dodgers hockey jersey's I mentioned, above and on the right. This season the Kings wore Dodger Blue jerseys on the ice. Last year they wore home-whites on the ice (link here), and like always they auctioned them off to fans in benefit of the LA Kings Foundation.