Blog Kiosk: 5/8/2020 - Dodgers Links & News - Some Odds and Ends

Here's a fun Herb Scharfman International News press photo from the first day of spring training at Dodgertown in Vero Beach, 1954, and as you can see it features a rather nimble Duke Snider. Don Newcombe, who was on the mound, was aiming for Snider's rear-end, and the Duke had to do a jitterbug to get out of the way. Per the descriptor attached to reverse (eBay auction link):

Pitch went Wild
Vero Beach, Florida -- Brooklyn outfielder Duke Snider isn't going into his dance as might be supposed from his gyrations in this picture. A pitch by Don Newcombe tagged Duke on his trouser seat in Opening Day workouts at Vero Beach yesterday. A sartorial note was added to the scene by Snider who appeared in a polo shirt of violent scarlet, trousers of a golden hue, two-tone shoes and a straw hat modeled like a long-ago box baseball cap. The Dodgers spring training underway under the guidance of their new manager, Walter Alston.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1941 the Giants and Dodgers play an Army-Navy Relief exhibition game that raises over $60,000 for the Navy Relief Fund in front of 24,000 fans. Brooklyn edged out their rivals, 7-6, on a Dolph Camilli home run in the seventh inning. BTW, everyone, including the umpires, coaches and players, paid admission to enter Ebbets Field. In 1973 Willie Stargell hit an Andy Messersmith pitch out of Dodger Stadium. This was the second time he had accomplished the feat at the stadium and only the second time it had ever happened in its history. In other words, Willie Stargell owned Dodger Stadium. In 1981 Fernando Valenzuela pitched his seventh straight victory to open the season -- shutting out the Mets by a score of 1-0 at Shea Stadium.
• Happy Birthday, Dan Brouthers & Adrian Gonzalez!

2020 Topps Definitive Collection - All the Dodger Cards

A couple of weeks back Topps released their super-premium brand, 2020 Topps Definitive Collection. For the price of about $1500 (holy smokes) you can get a single pack of eight cards -- six of which are autographed. Go here for a complete checklist.

As always, this set features clean and crisp background designs -- always in white with numerous colored parallels available. Also, all autographs are on-card (with exception of the cut signatures).

Below is a look at most of the Dodger cards available. I make special note of a Joc Pederson relic card with a game-used jersey piece attached.

Definitive Rookie Autographs

#DRA-DM Dustin May         #DRA-DMA Dustin May

Blog Kiosk: 5/6/2020 - Dodgers Links & News - Some Odds and Ends

He's all smiles!

Check out this vintage United Press Photo taken shortly after the Dodgers defeated the Yankees in the 1955 World Series (eBay link).

The Victor and the Loser
New York: Yankee manager Casey Stengel (right) congratulates a smiling Dodger manager Walt Alston in the Brooklyn dressing room after the Dodgers won the rubber game of the World Series to win their first championship. The Dodgers whipped the Yankees, 2-0, to take the 7th and final game of the series at Yankee Stadium Oct. 4th.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1937 Baseball fans at both the Polo Grounds and Ebbets Field see the Hindenberg zeppelin fly overhead - just a few hours before it infamously exploded into a fireball in Lakehurst, New Jersey. In 1947 NL President Ford Frick threatens seven Cardinals players at Ebbets Field with banishment from the league should they follow through with their planned boycott to protest Jackie Robinson. In 1978 Dodger super-utilityman Lee Lacy becomes the first Major Leaguer to hit pinch-hit home runs in consecutive at-bats. On May 17th he would make it three-in-a-row.
• Happy Birthday, Les Webber, Mike McCormick & Mike Kincade!

2020 Topps On-Demand #5 - MLB Rookie Progression - Graterol, Lux & Gonsolin

Several weeks back Topps released an On-Demand card set online called "MLB Rookie Progression" and it came out in a series of four different waves of ten cards. Only three Dodgers can be found in the 40 card set and I've got pics of all of them, including photos of any parallel autographed cards. Check them out below. Go here for a complete checklist.

Base -- Week 1

#10 Brusdar Graterol

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

Here's a fun International News Press photo featuring slugger Duke Snider and skipper Chuck Dressen. It is unfortunately undated, but the auction listing (link here) says its from 1953 and the "33" refers to the number of home runs Snider had hit so far that season. As you may know, 1953 was Duke's best year. He would record a 9.2 WAR, hit 42 homers, knock in 126 runs, score a league-high 132 times, while slashing .336/.419/.627/1.046.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1955 future Hall of Fame manger Tommy Lasorda started his first game as a Major League pitcher and got shelled. He would only go one inning, striking out two, walking two and throwing three wild pitches -- tying a Major League record for wild pitches in an inning (boxscore). In 1976 the Dodgers hit seven home runs against the Cubs at Wrigley Field -- winning the game 14-12. Chicago hit two homers of their own. The Dodger home run hitters were Bill Russell, Ed Goodson, Ron Cey, Henry Cruz (2), Steve Yeager and Bill Buckner. The seven homers set a Dodgers team record for dingers in a game. In 2000 Tommy Lasorda is named manager of the United States' Olympic baseball team. Team USA would go on to win the gold medal in the Summer Olympics in Sydney, Australia.
• Happy Birthday, George Dockins, Johnny Rutherford & Reggie Williams!

2020 Bowman 1st Edition Baseball -- All the Dodger Prospects

As you likely know, COVID-19 has affected the Baseball card hobby in many ways -- one of which is the delay of various card brand releases. One of those products is the very popular Bowman Baseball set. As you know, this brand ushers in many of the future young stars found in the game. So, Topps decided to create an online-only version of the set to satisfy collector demand, and it caused quite a stir in the hobby. In fact, collectors on social media complained mightily.

The online-only set is called 2020 Bowman 1st Edition and it sold out instantaneously. Go here for a complete checklist.

Topps made limited packs available over three consecutive days, limiting each buyer to only 24 packs (costing a collector $359.76 overall). Unfortunately, it's limited nature and potential high resale value meant that the packs would sell out fast -- I just don't think Topps realized how fast it would be.

Their website quickly crashed and fans got locked out.