2019 Topps 150 Years of Baseball - #17 - Jackie Breaks the Color Barrier

The second Dodger card available through Topps newest online exclusive card brand, 2019 Topps 150 Years of Baseball, features the historic moment Jackie Robinson changed the game and the country. Go here to check it out and order.

Congrats, Hanley!

I just plain forgot to put this in this mornings Blog Kiosk, and since I'm the impatient type I figured I'd just put up a little blurb here.

As you know, Hanley Ramirez was born and raised in the Dominican Republic. Well... As of yesterday, he can also now say that he is also an American citizen.

This morning Hanley shared a photo of him receiving his naturalization certificate, via his twitter.

Congratulations!

* Please follow on twitter @ernestreyes *

* Like Dodgers Blue Heaven on facebook *

* Dodgers Blue Heaven home page *

Blog Kiosk: 4/9/2019 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

I just love this 'In-Action' photo of Pee Wee Reese leaping to make a play on the baserunner. Per the descriptor on the reverse:

Up When He Should Be Down

If Pee Wee Reese didn't have to soar into the stratosphere for catcher Edward's peg to second, Bill Rigney, Giant infielder, might have been a dead pigeon instead of safe when he stole from first in the third inning. His efforts were little more than gesture, however, since Pete Reiser, Dodger outfielder, belted a home and a triple to drive in all of Brooklyn's runs to defeat the Giants 3-1 in a ten inning tilt.

The vintage International News Photo taken by Fred Must, dated 8/8/1946, is available through eBay (link here). Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1913 Ebbets Field host its first Major League game in front of about 10,000 spectators on a frigid Wednesday afternoon. It is an Opening Day contest against the Phillies. Unfortunately, the Superbas got shutout, 1-0. Check out the boxscore here. In 1947 Dodgers skipper Leo Durocher is given a one-year suspension by Commissioner Happy Chandler for "conduct deemed detrimental to baseball." It is related to his association with known gamblers. In 1981 Fernando Valenzuela replaced scheduled starter Jerry Reuss to pitch on Opening Day at Dodger Stadium. He would go on to throw a compelte game shutout -- blanking the Astros 2-0. Check out the boxscore here. As you know, Fernando would go on to win eight consecutive games to start the season and lead the team towards a World Series Championship.
• Happy Birthday, Steve Toole, Tiny Osborne, Fred Frankhouse, Guy Cantrell, Roy Gleason, Oscar Robles & AJ Ellis!

2019 Topps Now - #48 & #59 - Home Run Leader Cody Bellinger

Cody Bellinger had quite a weekend -- earning him two Topps Now cards.

Beginning on Friday, he walloped his league-leading 6th home run of the season against the hapless Rockies -- earning him his second 2019 Topps Now card of the year. Check it out above and to the right. I had neglected putting this card up on Saturday, so I'm a couple of days too late on this notice. BTW, this card sold 378 copies. Below is what's written on the reverse:

Cody Bellinger crushed a three-run home run against the Rockies to lead the Dodgers to a 10-6 victory. With the blast, Bellinger joined Eddie Matthews (1953) and Alex Rodriquez (2007) as the only MLB players ever with six home runs and 16 RBI through the first eight games of a season. Bellinger's home run and RBI totals through 8 games into a season are both franchise records as well.

Blog Kiosk: 4/8/2019 - Dodgers Links - Santa Maria!

Did you see Cody's homer on Sunday? It was both majestic and frightening -- so scary, I am sure that bare-handing the ball would've sheared your hand right off. Watch it here. Overall, the Dodgers are 8-2 and have now scored 84 runs through the first ten games played in the season -- tied for third best in the modern era. Per Ken Gurnick at MLB.com:

“We’re good,” said Bellinger.

Photo above via Harrison Barden/MLB.com at Dodger Insider. Go here to check out more pics from Sunday's game. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1968 Opening Day is postponed throughout Major League Baseball due the funeral of Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. who was assassinated on April 4, 1968. In 1974 Dodger hurler Al Downing gave up a fourth inning home run to Hank Aaron -- surpassing Babe Ruth's record with his 715th homer of his career. You can watch the homer here, as called by Vin Scully. In 1987 GM Al Campanis is fired by the Dodgers following his racially insensitive remarks said on an April 6th telecast of ABC-TV's Nightline. Campanis had said that blacks may lack some of the 'necessities' to be a field manager or general manager. In 1994 Braves lefty Kent Mercker no-hit the Dodgers, 6-0. This game also marked Chan Ho Park's first career start as a Dodgers and the very first game played by a Korean ballplayer in the Major Leagues. Check out the boxscore here.
• Happy Birthday, Lady Baldwin, Pete Cassidy, Kirby Higbe, Turk Farrell & Gary Carter!

Blog Kiosk: 4/5/2019 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Clayton Kershaw got back on the mound last night as the Oklahoma City Dodgers Opening Night starting pitcher -- which begs the question: "Would this qualify as his ninth consecutive Opening Day start as a Dodger?" Per Jacob Unruh at the Oklahoman:

Kershaw threw 4 1/3 innings in the first of what is likely two rehab starts Thursday night as the Oklahoma City Dodgers opened their season against the San Antonio Missions. 

“It was a good first step,” Kershaw said. “I got through everything I needed to, got up for that fifth inning, got some guys on base, worked out of the stretch and did multiple different things. It was a good day.” 

Kershaw allowed two runs on four hits and two walks. He struck out six and threw 61 pitches, 41 of which were strikes. His fastball touched 90 mph. The two runs came in the second — a lead-off home run by Tyrone Taylor on an opening fastball and a run-scoring single by Jacob Nottingham later in the inning.

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

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1913 25,000 fans watched the Dodgers play their first game in their new home, Ebbets Field. It was an exhibition match that saw Brooklyn defeat the Yankees, 3-2. Superbas (Dodgers) outfielder Casey Stengel (the future famed Yankees manager) hit the first home run at the stadium -- an inside-the-park homer in the fifth inning. In 1977 the Dodgers signed free agent first baseman Boog Powell. 
• Happy Birthday, Héctor Olivera & Greg Smith!