Topps Living Set -- #301 -- Mookie Betts

A brand new Dodgers' Topps Living Set card is now available and it features a ballplayer who may never actually wear Dodger Blue in a game. It is of former Red Sox and AL MVP Mookie Betts. As you can see, it's a portrait painting that prominently displays a 2020 All-Star Game patch on his cap - something else that may never happen. Go here to check it out and order. It is available to order over the next week. You can see a complete checklist of the set here. Below is what's written on the reverse of the Betts card:

Mookie Betts is among the elite tier of players who impact the Game in nearly every facet. The 27-year-old, 2018 AL MVP Award winner was dealt to the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 2019 offseason, where his power, speed and innate hitting ability will give the loaded team another weapon in its starting lineup.

Blog Kiosk: 4/7/2020 - Dodgers Links & News - Some Odds and Ends

Here's an awfully awkward looking photograph that appears to feature newest Dodger Ray Sanders meeting Jackie Robinson, with Pee Wee Reese in tow. It is dated to March 12, 1948 and is available through REA (auction link).

As you may know, less than a week back the Dodgers traded Eddie Stanky to the Braves for Sanders, but eventually sent him back to Boston since he had not fully recovered from injuries suffered the previous year.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1969 Dodger reliever Bill Singer is the first Major Leaguer to officially be credited with a new fangled stat called the 'save.' It was on Opening Day in Cincinnati, and Singer pitched three scoreless innings to maintain a 3-2 victory over the Reds. Eric Stephen at True Blue LA wrote a story about it here. In 1977, on Opening Day, Don Sutton was directed to throw a gopher ball on the first pitch of the game to the Giants lead-off hitter Gary Thomasson. That ball would then be given to the home plate umpire to be sent to Cooperstown. As you might expect, the Giant batter instead hit the pitch for a home run. He claims he had no idea about the plan (yhea, right!).

"They told him that the first ball he threw would be sent to the Hall of Fame in Cooperstown," Lasorda said. "Well, the first ball he threw was hit by Gary Thomasson halfway up the bleachers. I said to him, ‘They wanted to send the ball to Cooperstown; they didn’t want someone to hit it there.’" 

This is the same game Frank Sinatra kept his promise to Tommy Lasorda by performing the national anthem at Dodger Stadium.  In 1979 the Dodgers traded pitcher Rick Rhoden to the Pirates for pitcher Jerry Reuss.

• Happy Birthday, Bobby Mitchell, Brett Tomko, Ronnie Belliard & Adrian Beltre!

Blog Kiosk: 4/6/2020 - Dodgers Links & News -- Some Odds and Ends

Check out this 1939 spring training AP press photo featuring three Dodgers' wearing Brooklyn pinstripes as they prepare for the upcoming season (eBay auction link - please ignore the watermark). I just love their socks and imagine that there's a whole lot of red in there. Per the descriptor on the reverse:

Clearwaterm FLA. March 9th -- These three sentries are likely choices to patrol the outfield for the Brooklyn Dodgers this season. Left to right: Oscar "Ox" Eckhardt, up from the Missions of the Coast Leaguel; Freddie Lindstrom, former Chicago Cub; and John Cooney, who came from Indianapolis of the American Association. Cooney has been showing well in spring practice and Eckhardt hit .395 last season.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1982 the Dodgers raise their 1981 World Series banner at Dodger Stadium. In 1989 Orel Hershiser's consecutive scoreless innings streak ends when he give up a run in the first inning to the Reds during his first start of the new season. In 1996 Chan Ho Park becomes the first pitcher born in Korea to win a Major League game. He threw four inning of shutout relief to earn a 3-1 victory over the Cubs. In 2002 Japanese hurler Kazuhisa Ishii made his Major League debut against the Rockies at Dodger Stadium, and proceeded to throw 5.2 innings of scoreless ball to earn his first Major League win. In 2004 Dodger third baseman Adrian Beltre becomes the 36th player in history to hit 100 home runs before the age of 25. He hit it off of Antonio Osuna of the Padres.
• Happy Birthday, Red Smith, Tom Fitzsimmons, Ernie Lombardi, Dee Moore, Jim Romano, Don Elston & Phil Regan!

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

Here is a vintage 1950 photograph taken during the filming of The Jackie Robinson Story featuring Jackie with his military baseball team -- the 761st Black Panther Tank Battalion, based at Fort Hood, Texas. This photo happens to have been signed by Robinson. It is currently available on auction through Heartland (link here). Jackie Robinson is standing on the top row, on the far left.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1968 the Dodgers traded for left-hander Hank Aguirre from the Tigers for a player to be named later -- minor leaguer Fred Moulder. He played one season in Blue, and is best known for being the worst hitter in Major League history -- slashing .085/.117/.108/.225 and striking out an astounding 61% of the time through a 16-year Major League career. In 1974 the Dodgers traded for soon-to-be fan favorite Pedro Guerrero from the Indians in exchange for pitcher Bruce Ellingsen. In 2004 the Dodgers traded Franklin Gutierrez and Andrew Brown to the Indians for outfielder Milton Bradley. 
• Happy Birthday, Wally Moon & Tim Crews!

2020 Topps Now - Bracket Challenge - And Then There Were Two

The Topps Now Bracket Challenge is now down to eight and two Dodgers' are represented -- Cody Bellinger and Mookie Betts. As a result, a third round of Bracket Challenge cards have just been released. BTW, the previous round included future Hall of Famer Clayton Kershaw, but he was unable to upend Mets ace Jacob deGrom in online voting.

The first Dodger card available is of outfielder Cody Bellinger (#BB3-2). See his card above and to the right. He had to defeat Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado. Go here to check it out and order. Unfortunately, he isn't likely to advance any further. His next round opponent is Mike Trout.

Blog Kiosk: 4/2/2020 - Dodgers Links & News - Some Odds and Ends

Dated to Opening Day, April 17, 1934, here's a AP press photo featuring Dodger manager Casey Stengel shaking hands with Boston Braves skipper Bill McKechnie (eBay auction link).

BTW, the Brooklyn Dodgers won that afternoons contest, 8-7, on the back of homers by outfielders Danny Taylor and Hack Wilson and a complete game by Van Lingle Mungo.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1972 47-year old Dodger great Gil Hodges dies of an heart attack. In 2008 Dodgers coach Larry Bowa is ejected from the game for not staying within the boundaries of the coaching box. He is given a three-game suspension for "inappropriate and aggressive conduct," in which he had to be restrained by manager Joe Torre and bench coach Bob Schaefer. As background, Mike Coolbaugh, first base coach for the Double-A Tulsa Drillers, was killed the year prior from a batted ball that struck him in the temple while coaching. You can watch the ejection here.
• Happy Birthday, Hughie "Ee-Yah" Jennings, Don Sutton, Reggie Smith & Mike Kekich!