Blog Kiosk: 12/23/2019 - Dodgers Links & News - Some Odds and Ends

In honor of today's Festivus Day I bring to you a letter written by Tommy Lasorda to George Castanza, of Seinfeld fame, that attempts to recruit him for the Dodgers (Hat Tip: u/WoodyPecker on Reddit). It says:

Congratulations on a great career with the Yankees! You lasted than any of Steinbrenner's managers! 

Everyone know that the Yankees hadn't won for years until you joined them. Their batters couldn't hit water if they fell out of a boat! But you get there and they win a World Series championship. Now, I want you to do the same for the Dodgers. 

We're looking for your bhig ideas. Like the cotton uniforms, for example... BRILLIANT! They'll be great in LA. I got my order from the very top, George. Now that you're a FREE AGENT, we'll do whatever it takes to get you in Dodger Blue. All the Slim Fast you'll ever need, if that's what it takes.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1953 Dodgers second baseman Jim "Junior" Gilliam is named the National League Rookie of the Year. He slashed .278/.383/.415/.798 with a league leading 17 triples. In 1958 traded infielder and future Hall of Fame manager Sparky Anderson to the Phillies for Rip Repulski, Jim Golden and Gene Snyder. In 2004 the Dodgers signed free agent outfielder JD Drew to a five-year, $55 million deal contract that includes and option clause after the second season. He would slash .284/.399/.505/.905 his first two years, and immediately exercised that option to become a free agent. He would then five-year, $70 million contract with the Red Sox. In 2016 the Dodgers signed team-leader Justin Turner to a four-year, $64 million contract.
• Happy Birthday, Doc Gessler, Bunny Fabrique, Danny Taylor, Ox Eckhardt, Max Rosenfeld, Pat Ankenman, Tim Harkness, Ray Lamb, Tim Leary, Cody Ross & Hanley Ramírez!

2019 Bowman’s Best -- All the Dodgers Cards

Bowman's Best, a prospect-centered Topps brand, was released this week for collectors to hoard. It once again features some of the top youngsters in the game today, and includes on-card autographs that have been so popular with collectors. Overall, there are five Dodgers' available in the 'Veterans and Rookies" part of the base set, but no Dodgers' highlighted in the 'Top Prospects' portion. There are, however, five Dodgers' prospect autographed cards to chase after. Go here for a complete checklist.

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#11 Hyun-Jin Ryu              #14 Clayton Kershaw

Blog Kiosk: 12/20/2019 - Dodgers Links & News - Some Odds and Ends

Check out this fantastic September 22,1946 action shot of Pee Wee Reese (eBay auction link).

Safe at Third -- Pee Wee Reese of the Brooklyn Dodgers is sale at third base when Dodgers catcher Bruce Edwards bunted to Braves pitcher Johnny Sain in the third inning of the first game between the Dodgers and the Braves at Braves Field. Sain's throw to Nanny Fernandez Braves third sacker was too late.

The Dodgers would unfortunately lose this first game of a doubleheader, 4-2, but take the nightcap, 8-1. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1976 the Dodgers traded Ted Sizemore to the Phillies for catcher Johnny Oats and a minor leaguer. In 1989 the Dodgers traded Mike Marshall and Alejandro Peña to the Mets for infielder Juan Samuel. In 2005 the Dodgers signed free agent outfielder Kenny Lofton.
• Happy Birthday, Branch Rickey, Erik Goeddel, Harry Stovey, Bob Hall, Butch Henline, Fred Merkle & Snooks Dowd!

2019 Bowman Next Top 2020 Prospects - Online Exclusive - Gavin Lux

I've been wondering if Topps would add Gavin Lux to this set.

Over the past several weeks Topps has been releasing individual cards, on a daily basis, of a new online exclusive set that they are calling 2019 Bowman Next - a set featuring the Top-20 prospects of 2020. It began with Tigers outfield prospect Riley Green, and has included other notable youngsters like Bobby Witt Jr. of the Royals, Jo Adell of the Angels and Brendon Rodgers of the Rockies. Now, it includes the Dodger top-dog, Gavin Lux. Go here to check it out and order. You can also see a complete checklist here. Below is what's written on the back of the card:

Gavin Lux quickly rose through the Minor League ranks, raking at each level of the Minors before reaching the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2019. The slugging infielder posted an incredible .347  batting average with 26 home runs and 76 RBI before joining the MLB club.

The description above doesn't quite explain what a fantastic year Lux had in 2019. He began the season with the Double-A Tulsa Drillers and slashed a sold .313/.375/.521/.896 in 64 games. He would then advance to the Oklahoma City Dodgers -- their Triple A club -- and absolutely demolished PCL pitching. In 49 games he slashed .392/.478/.719/1.197 with 13 home runs, 39 RBI and committed just four errors on the field. For that he was named to the mid-season Texas League All-Star Game, the All-Star Futures Game and was Baseball America's Minor League Player of the Year. The Dodgers also named him their minor league player of the year for the second consecutive season. Per Alden Gonzalez at ESPN:

Blog Kiosk: 12/19/2019 - Dodgers Links & News - Some Odds and Ends

What the heck?

Check out the above undated (likely 1950's) vintage photograph featuring the Dodgers pitching staff being directed by backstop Roy Campanella (eBay link). What Campy is doing exactly, I do not know. He's got his hands cupped over his ears, like he's expecting a loud sound.

As for the pitchers in the photo, I can clearly see Don Newcombe (third on the left), and according the a notation on the back Ralph Branca is there too. Unfortunately, I can't quite place Branca. I think he might be just to the right of Newcombe. I also think Johnny Podres is the second person to the left of Newcombe.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 2005 the Dodgers signed free agent shortstop Rafael Furcal to a three year/$39 million contract and Nomar Garciaparra to a one year/$6 million contract. In 2014 the Dodgers received veteran shortstop Jimmy Rollins from the Phillies in exchange for minor league pitchers Tom Windle and Zach Eflin. 
• Happy Birthday, Lou Koupal, Gordie Windhorn, Tom Wilson, Welcome Gaston, Wally Gilbert, Rex Barney, Geoff Zahn & Mike Fetters!

2019-20 Topps 582 Montgomery Club Set #1 -- All the Dodger Cards

The first exclusive set, as part of the 2019-20 Topps 582 Montgomery Club, is now in collectors hands, I've got pics of the two Dodgers available -- Max Muncy and Will Smith. See them below. Go here for a complete checklist.

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#8 Will Smith                  #14 Max Muncy