Blog Kiosk: 3/6/2020 -- Dodgers Links & News -- Some Odds and Ends

Above is a peek at the Dodgers 2020 Yearbook. You can get a copy of the yearbook above here (heck, it's free with a subscription to Dodger Insider Magazine).

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 Chapman's racist insults directed at Jackie Robinson.  
• Happy Birthday, Frank Gatins, John McMakin, George Mohart, Doug Podbielan, Greg Hannahs, Terry Adams & Marcus Thames!

2020 Bowman Next -- Wave 3 -- May, Gonsolin and Ruiz

Wave 3 from Topps 2020 Bowman Next online exclusive set is now available and there are three Dodger prospects found in the 15-card set. They are Dustin May, Tony Gonsolin and Kiebert Ruiz. Check their cards out below. Go here for a complete checklist.

Wave 3 Base

#T33 Dustin May

Blog Kiosk: 3/5/2020 - Dodgers Links & News - Some Odds and Ends

Clayton Kershaw looked pretty good his second time out this Spring. Per Ken Gurnick at MLB.com:

Kershaw struck out four in three scoreless innings, allowing two hits and no walks. 

“There were things I did better in the first game, but I landed my curveballs for strikes better than the first game, which was good,” he said. “A little better command than the last game. Backed up some sliders that they hit hard to shortstop, but overall a good step.”

Unfortunately, his outing was overlooked a bit because of a Dodger-Giant rivalry that continues unabated.

As Kershaw was walking from the mound to the dugout after the third out, Giants third-base coach Ron Wotus passed by en route to his first-base dugout and said something that set off Kershaw. 

.....

“He was upset that I hit him and that’s fine, it’s part of the game and he’s allowed to be upset. I didn’t say anything,” said Kershaw, who said he was hoping Turner had avoided a repeat of two years ago.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1945 the Dodgers, facing war-time travel restrictions, open spring training at Bear Mountain in upstate New York. In 1958 Duke Snider, Johnny Podres, and Don Zimmer are involved in an car accident in Vero Beach while trying to beat a 12:30 am curfew. With Snider driving, they veered off the road into a ditch. They fortunately suffer only minor injuries. BTW, this was the third car accident a Dodger player had suffered over the past two months. First, Roy Campanella was paralyzed then Jim Gilliam was struck by a trailer truck. In 1958 the Dodgers signed 21-year old free agent outfielder Frank "Hondo" Howard. He would play seven years in Dodger Blue -- slashing .269/.326/.495/.822 with 123 homers and 382 runs driven in. In 1966 the players elect Marvin Miller, assistant to the president of the United Steelworkers, as Executive Director of the Major League Players Association.
• Happy Birthday, Bernie Hungling, Lu Blue, Elmer Valo, Chad Fonville, Paul Konerko & Mike MacDougal!

Weekend Autograph Opportunity: Tommy Lasorda in Arizona and Derek Fisher in Santa Ana

Here are this weekends autograph opportunities and events throughout the Southland (and Arizona for Spring Training). As always, be sure to check the Blue Heaven Calendar for other events (a link can always be found on the tab at the top of this page, just left of center), and always confirm with the establishment. Everything is subject to change. Please email me with any tips about upcoming events in Southern California. As the rest of the week progresses I'll update this post with other events (if there are any), as I become aware of them. Also, I don't always list every event below, so be sure to check my Calendar. I always try to favor free signing events over paying events. Click on any pic to embiggen.

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Blog Kiosk: 3/4/2020 - Dodgers Links & News - Some Odds and Ends

Here are five Dodger pitchers warming up during Spring Training in 1949. Per the descriptor on the reverse:

Brooklyn Hurlers Limber Up

Vero Beach, FLA... A quintet of the Brooklyn Dodgers' pitching staff limbering up throwing arms as the Dodgers Spring Training program went into high gear at Vero Beach. Left to Right are Hank Behrman, Joe Hatten, Preacher Roe, Rex Barney and Ralph Branca. 

Dated to 3/4/49 the International News Photo above was taken by famed sports photographer Barney Stein. (eBay auction link) 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 originally going to be called 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!

The Dodgers Lone Leap Year Ballplayer -- Ed Appleton

With the recent passing of Leap Day -- February 29th -- I thought it would be fun to take a look at the lone Dodger ballplayer born on that day. His name is Ed Appleton, and he was a member of the Brooklyn Dodgers during the 1915 and 1916 Baseball seasons.

Having been nicknamed Whitey, for whatever reason, Ed Appleton played much of his professional ball in various leagues in Texas. Which isn't surprising since he was born, raised and died in Arlington, Texas. His first taste of pro-ball was as a 19-year old with the Fort Worth Panthers of the Texas League in 1911 -- where he went a respectable 7-8, while allowing 3.67 runs every nine innings.

Four years later in 1915 he would find himself half-way across the country in Brooklyn, as a swing man in the Dodgers pen. He would start ten games (out of 34 appearances) and would prove to be effective -- recording an 3.32 ERA his rookie season. Unfortunately, he would run into some tough luck that year.