2019 Topps 150 Years of Baseball - #71 - Sandy Koufax and the 1965 World Series

The seventh Dodgers' 2019 Topps 150 Years of Baseball card is now available and it is the first Sandy Koufax card in the set. It celebrates his October 14, 1965 complete game shutout to win the World Series. It says the following on the reverse:

Sandy Koufax carved through the Minnesota Twins in Game 7 of the 1965 World Series, striking out 10 batters and allowing just three hits in his complete game shutout. The left-hander's performance sealed the World Series title for the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Blog Kiosk: 8/13/2019 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Here's a fantastic Associated Press news photograph (with exceptional clarity) featuring the top-end of the 1941 Dodgers rotation, dated June 30th -- found at Hake's Auctions. Per the description on the reverse:

Dodgers' Winning Trio
Three star pitchers of the Brooklyn Dodgers gaze at their record spelled out in baseballs before the start of the Dodgers-Phillies game at Brooklyn, NY, June 30. They are (left to right) Walter Higbe, Hugh Casey and Whit Wyatt. When the game started, Wyatt went into the box and added another one, making it 31 games won.

This trio lead one of the great Dodger teams in franchise history. They ended the season with a pennant winning 100-54 season and faced off against their crosstown rival Yankees. Unfortunately, the Bronx Bombers bested the Bums in five games. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1910 the Dodgers and Pirates play the second game of a double-header to an 8-8 tie. Remarkably, the game included a boxscore where each team had 38 at-bats, 13 hits, 12 assists, 2 errors, 5 strike outs, 3 walks, 1 hit batsman and 1 passed ball. This game was a tie in nearly every respect. In 1951 the Brooklyn Dodgers held Musical Depreciation Night -- where any fan who shows up with an instrument is given free admittance. Approximately 10% of the crowd, or 2,423 fans, participate. In 1982 Steve Sax set a team franchise record for stolen bases by a rookie at 41. In 2007 Nomar Garciaparra, for the first time in his career, is thrown out of a game, and had to be restrained by coach Mariano Duncan. Umpire Tom Hallion tossed him for arguing a called third strike.
• Happy Birthday, Fielder Jones, Kemp Wicker, Wes Flowers, Mudcat Grant, Tom Niedenfuer, Dennis Powell, Tom Prince, Will Ohman & Scott Elbert!

Blog Kiosk: 8/12/2019 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Here's a fun fact: If not for Hyun-Jin Ryu's terrible June 28th start in Colorado, he would currently be sporting an 1.04 ERA. Per Ken Gurnick at MLB.com:

“It’s an absolute display of the art of pitching,” Turner said of Ryu’s latest masterpiece. “He can pitch to all four quadrants, his command has been great all year. Vintage Ryu. Changing speeds, keeping guys off-balance. He’s like Houdini when he gets in trouble; he finds a way out of it.”

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“It’s definitely unbelievable,” Ryu said of his ERA. “Like I’ve said many times, I don’t think this is all because of myself. There are many people around me, especially my teammates, that have helped me reach that number. My goal is to do what I do and finish the season strong.”

Ryu pitched sevens innings of scoreless ball to win the game -- recording four strikeouts, one walk and allowing only five hits.

Photo above via Jon SooHoo/Los Angeles Dodgers 2019 at Dodger Insider. Go here to check out more pics from yesterdays game. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1984 both Don Drysdale and Pee Wee Reese are inducted in into the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown. Other inductees include Harmon Killebrew, Rick Ferrell and Luis Aparicio. In 1995 the Dodgers defeated the Pirates, 11-10, due to an obscure baseball rule. In the 11th inning with men on 2nd and 3rd, Dodger pinch-hitter Mitch Webster swings at a pitch in the dirt. Pittsburgh catcher Angelo Encarnacion casually picked up the ball using his mask. This is a violation of the rules. A fielder may not use his mask to touch a thrown ball. Tommy Lasorda appealed to the umpires and they agreed that the runners shall advance two bases -- driving in the walk-off winning run. Encarnacion is given an error.
• Happy Birthday, DJ Houlton & Julio Urias!

Some Dodger Goodies at Love of the Game Auctions

Here's my newest post featuring vintage Dodgers memorabilia currently available on auction. This time I take a look through the 'Love of the Game Auction' summer premier catalog, and it fortunately doesn't disappoint.

First of all, there's the above 11" x 13" stadium giveaway card that commemorates the 1966 "Salute to the Stars" celebrity All-Star Game. (Auction Link) As you can see, Milton Berle, Pat Boone, Bobby Darin, Phyllis Diller, Annette Funicello, Dean Martin, Mickey Rooney, Dale Robertson, Sweet Lou Johnson, Sandy Koufax and Don Drysdale can be seen on the card. Additionally, the auction listing shares a promotion video from the 1966 celebrity game that includes highlights and some snarky commentary by Bobby Darin. You can watch it below.

Blog Kiosk: 8/9/2019 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

I think I preferred Kershaw's 1980's retro outfit from last year (see pic on the right).

As you surely know, Clayton's annual Ping Pong4Purpose event was held last night at Dodger Stadium, and by the looks of it fun was had by all. Per Rowan Kavner at Dodger Insider:

“It’s overwhelming just to see everybody that comes out,” Kershaw said. “To get such a great turnout from teammates and to get to have them all here and playing and enjoying themselves and a part of it, it really is a special thing. It makes this night go.”

BTW, proceeds from the event will go to benefit Kershaw’s Challenge’s local and international beneficiaries, including the Dream Center, Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation, Arise Africa, Just Keep Livin’ Foundation, Both Ends Believing and International Justice Mission.

Photo of Bellinger and Kershaw above via Dodgers on twitter. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1975 Davey Lopes stole his 32nd consecutive base without being caught, breaking Max Carey's 1922 record. He would steal six more bases before getting called out. His record would eventually be broken by Cardinal's speedster Vince Coleman in 1989. In 1976 Pirates hurler John Candelaria no-hit the Dodgers at Three Rivers Stadium in Pittsburgh, 2-0. In 1979 longtime Dodgers owner Walter O'Malley died of congestive heart failure at the age of 75.
• Happy Birthday, John Grim, Leo Callahan, Johnny Mitchell, Tom Sunkel, Chuck Essegian, Claude Osteen, Matt Young & Drew Butera!

2019 Topps Now -- #648 -- Russell Martin's Walk-Off

Old man, Russell Martin, was last night's hero.

In the ninth inning he came to the plate with two men on and the Dodgers trailing St. Louis, 1-0, and proceeded to slap a ground ball seeing-eye single through the middle of the infield. Both runners scored and everyone in the stadium celebrated -- except for those wearing red, of course.

To commemorate the Dodgers 10th walk-off of the season Topps has issued a new 2019 Topps Now card for collectors to chase. Go here to check it out and order. Per Rowan Kavner at Dodger Insider:

“A lot of walk-offs have come from young guys,” Martin said after his game-winning hit swept the Cardinals for the Dodgers’ fifth straight victory and 77th win overall this season. “Let the old guys get hot, too, you know?”

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“This team and how we’ve been playing is contagious,” Martin said. “We just always feel like we’re going to win.”

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