Blog Kiosk: 3/31/2020 - Dodgers Links & News - Some Odds and Ends

The look of despair is palpable. Per the descriptor on the reverse:

Rough Afternoon in Brooklyn, NY ...
Brooklyn rightfielder Carl Furillo wipes his brow after watching Elston Howard's home run sail over the right field scoreboard in the fourth inning of the final World Series game here Oct. 10th, to increase the Yankee lead to 5-0. New York went on to take the series with a 9-0 rout, as Yogi Berra clouted two consecutive homers, and Bill Skowron slugged a grand-slammer, while young Johnny Kucks blanked the Brooks with three hits.

From the 1956 World Series. The above United Press photo is available on eBay here. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1948 the Dodgers played their very first Major League exhibition game at Dodgertown in Vero Beach, Florida. They competed against their top farm team, Montreal Royals, and defeated them 5-4. Jackie Robinson hit a first inning home run. Per  HistoricDodgertown.com:

Florida Governor Millard Caldwell threw the ceremonial first pitch at so-called “Ebbets Field No. 2.” A sign reading “You Are Now Entering Dodgertown” welcomed a strong showing of some 6,000 fans, paying $1.25 in the grandstands and bolstered the idea of more games being played on base in the future. Baseball Commissioner Happy Chandler, who had suspended Manager Durocher one year earlier, shook hands with “The Lip” and wished him good luck. Vero Mayor Merrill P. Barber looked on and a contingent of the Brooklyn National Guard, who had traveled to Florida to watch the Dodgers, was introduced and went home with a “load of oranges presented to them by the Vero Beach Jaycees.”

• Happy Birthday, Bill Hallman, Gene Snyder & Balvino Galvez!

Vintage Dodger Photos on Auction -- Koufax, Ebbets and Ruth... Oh, My!

Even with the national shutdown in effect numerous auction houses continue to operate 'business as usual' -- which should come as no surprise. Items have already been cataloged, so why not have collectors do some bidding. Whether that's wise, considering a potential downturn in values, only time will tell. Thankfully, none of that really matters to us since we can use these auctions as a little respite to change-up the day.

Right now there are two auction houses I wanted to focus on here -- Love of the Game and Hunt Auctions. Both of these companies have some fantastic vintage photographs I wanted to point out to you.

For instance, check out the above Sandy Koufax photo.

How often do you see an action photo of Sandy taking a mighty swing? It was taken by noted photographer Bud Gray and is available through Love of the Game Auctions (Auction Link). Bud had began his career as a photographer for the Navy during WWII, then as a photojournalist for the Herald Examiner and UPI, and a still photographer for Universal.

To the right is another Sandy Koufax photograph. (Auction Link) This time he is photographed during his very first no-hitter, dated June 30, 1962. On this day he struck out 13 hapless Metropolitan batters.

2020 Topps Now - Bracket Challenge - Belli, Betts and Kershaw Advance

It started with five Dodgers (Bellinger, Betts, Buehler Kershaw and Lux). Then it was four. Now, only three remain.

As you may know, Topps is running the only game in town, and it's a Bracket Challenge (like March Madness) that pits ballplayer against ballplayer. It began with 64 of the best in the league and it has now been whittled down to a "Sweet 16."

The Dodgers' to make the cut are outfielders Cody Bellinger and Mookie Betts and veteran starter Clayton Kershaw. In cepebration of their recent victories Topps has issued second round Topps Now cards for fans to add to their collection. You have about three days to order them.

The first Dodger available is Cody Bellinger (#BB2-2) and he ably beat Yankees infielder DJ LeMahieu in the second round. Check out his card above. You can see the back of the card on the right. Go here to check it out and order.

Blog Kiosk: 3/30/2020 - Dodgers Links & News - Some Odds and Ends

Wow! Check out this fantastic action shot taken by the United Press (dated 5/20/1956) of Gil Hodges making a fantastic grab of a foul pop-fly. Not only does it include a great catch, but also features the Ebbets Field rightfield wall in the background. (eBay auction link)

Dodger Scooper...
Dodger 1st base,am Gil Hodges charges close to the stands to scoop a pop fly out of the air with his big glove in the 7th inning of the 1st game of the Dodgers-Cubs double header here May 20th. The ball was hit by Cub centerfielder Pete Whisenant. The Dodgers swept both ends of the twin-bill from Chcago by indentical scores of 5-3.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1966 Sandy Koufax and Don Drysdale end their legendary holdout when they signed contracts for $130,000 and $105,000, respectively. The holdout last 32 days. In 1981 the Dodgers traded Mickey Hatcher (and a couple other minor leaguers) to the Twins for Kenny Landreaux. In 1988 the Dodgers signed free agent veteran catcher Rick Dempsey.
• Happy Birthday, Nig Fuller!

2020 Topps Gypsy Queen -- All the Dodgers Cards

Earlier this week saw the release of Topps 2020 Gypsy Queen brand and I've got pics of most of the Dodger cards to share. Check them out below. Go here for a complete checklist.

Base

#21 Clayton Kershaw            #92 Justin Turner

Blog Kiosk: 3/27/2020 - Dodgers Links & News - Some Odds and Ends

Poignant.

Here's a look at the upcoming cover of Sports Illustrated for April 2020. Pic via Stephen Canella at Sports Illustrated -- "Into the Great Big Emptiness."

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1961 Cardinals pitcher Larry Jackson suffers a broken jaw when hit by a fragment of Duke Snider's broken bat during a spring training game. He would be out for four weeks. In 2012 Frank McCourt agrees to sell the Dodgers to a group headed by Stan Kasten, Guggenheim Partners and Magic Johnson for $2 billion.  He also sold the parking lots to the same group for $150 million (while retaining partial ownership).
• Happy Birthday, George Magoon, Bill Collins, Vince Sherlock, Newt Kimball, Wes Covington, Bill Sudakis & Adam Melhuse!