Blog Kiosk: 5/28/2020 - Dodgers Links & News - Some Odds and Ends

Check out this vintage NEA press panoramic photograph featuring several Major League ballplayers wearing mask while playing a barnstorming game in California, dated February 10, 1919 (RMY Auctions). Per the descriptor on the reverse:

Masked Ball Game, Pasadena, Cal. -- The first baseball game in which the players, umpire and spectators wore "flu" mask was played when the Pasadena and Standard Murphy clubs clashed at Pasadena. The game went 11 innings and not once during the time did any of the players remove the masks. The rooting of the fans and their "kill the umpire" cry was somewhat muffled by the gauze masks, but otherwise they appeared to enjoy the contest. Our photo shows the masked marvels, left to right: Truck Hannah, NY Am., C; Doc Crandall, Boston Nat., P; Chick Gandil, Chi Sox, 1st; Art Griggs, Det. Am, 2nd; Fred McMullen, Chi Sox, 3rd; Olie Olsen, Brooklyn Nat., LF; Carl Sawyer, NY Amer., SS; George Cutshaw, Pitt Nat., 2nd; Bill Piercy, NY Am., P; Buster Crandel, Mascot.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1957 the NL officially approves the move of the Dodgers and Giants to the West Coast, provided both clubs make their request before October 1 and move at the same time. This effectively allowed both clubs to start negotiating with potential host cities. In 1962 Don Newcombe signs a contract to play for the Chunichi Dragons of the Japanese Central League. In 2001 Dodger catcher Paul Lo Duca has a big day. He goes 6-for-6 to lead the Dodgers during an 11-10 (boxscore) win over the Rockies. He records five singles, a three-run home run and four RBI. In 2011 a small fire in a nearby storage area in the Reserve seats at Dodger Stadium forces the evacuation of fans of that section during a game between the Dodgers and Marlins. The fire is controlled quickly and they do not need to evacuate the entire stadium.
• Happy Birthday, Rafael Landestoy, Kirk Gibson & Cory Wade!

2020 Bowman Baseball -- All the Dodger Insert Cards

Now that you've seen the Dodger base cards, check out most of their inserts below. As you would expect, this set includes numerous autographed cards of our best prospects -- Andy Pages, Kody Hoese, Josiah Gray and Gavin Lux. There is even a signed card from Jeter Downs -- a fellow traded to the Red Sox as part of the Mookie Betts deal. A complete checklist of this set can be found here.

Chrome Prospect Autographs

#CPA-AP Andy Pages          #CPA-JA Jacob Amaya

2020 Panini Select -- All the Dodgers Base Cards

Panini America released their Select brand last week and I've got pics of all the Dodgers base cards to share. Check them out below. Go here for a complete checklist.

Notably, there is a Mookie Betts cards available that designates him as a Dodger, but it clearly features him wearing a Boston Red Sox uniform.

Base

#9 Cody Bellinger

Blog Kiosk: 5/27/2020 - Dodgers Links & News - Some Odds and Ends

A hopeful and elated Charley Dressen is seen above in a 1953 AP press photo, from October 3, 1953 (eBay auction link). Per a descriptor on the reverse:

Two's a magic number for manager Charley Dressen of the Brooklyn Dodgers who flashed a happy smile after his club drew even with the New York Yankees by winning the fourth game of the World Series, 7-3. Those two fingers he is holding up could be a victory sign or the number of games he thinks the series will have to go to end in his favor.

Unfortunately, Dressen's smile would turn upside down. The Dodgers lose the next two games and the '53 series. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1888 fan favorite Adonis Terry pitched his second career no-hitter for Brooklyn Bridegrooms at Washington Park, 4-0. It was against the Louisville Colonels -- a club that would eventually fold following the 1899 season. BTW, I just ran into a website dedicated to Adonis Terry. Check it out here. In 2015 the Dodgers traded beloved Juan Uribe, and Chris Withrow to the Braves for Alberto Callaspo, Juan Jaime, Eric Stults and Ian Thomas. Uribe spent over 4 season with Los Angeles -- slashing .260/.306/.381/.687 with 28 homeruns, 155 RBI and an overall WAR of 6.8.
• Happy Birthday, Ed Crane, Lefty Hopper, Jacob Brumfield & Todd Hundley!

2020 Topps Project 2020 -- Sandy Koufax by Naturel -- #89

Naturel, aka Lawrence Atoigue, has already made a big splash in Topps Project 2020 card set. His Jackie Robinson card (you can see it at the bottom) was one of the earliest cards available, so its print run was a significantly low 1,302 copies. Several weeks have passed bye since then, and the popularity of Project 2020 cards has seemingly increased exponentially. As a result, his Robinson base card (which originally sold for about $20) has just sold for a lofty $1,600 -- which quite frankly is outrageous.

There are all kind of theories as to why values have been skyrocketing. Is it a strange "pump & dump" scheme? Has Topps actually been successful at expanding the collector base -- by appealing to a subculture that has always had a tertiary interest in the hobby (street culture/sneakerheads)? And will this new collector base remain, or are they a flash in the pan? Has the recent pandemic finally caused American minds to go crazy -- to the point of latching on to our newest fad with reckless economic abandon?

Blog Kiosk: 5/26/2020 - Dodgers Links & News - Some Odds and Ends

On Sunday the Dodger, in partnership with Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS), created a Fallen Heroes Lights display at Dodger Stadium in honor of Memorial Day. Each individual light will honor the memory of a military member that served our country. The thousands of red, white and blue lights in the Dodger Stadium outfield will also represent the families of these fallen heroes that are supported by TAPS in California.

All photos above provided by the Dodgers. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Baseball History: In 1957 the Dodger got back Tommy Lasorda. After having been drafted by Brooklyn in 1948 he bounced around from the Phillies to the Browns to the A's and then to the Yankees before returning home. As you know, he would remain with the franchise for the remainder of his entire Baseball career. In 1970 the Dodgers knocked out 20 hits against the hated Giants at Candlestick Park during their 19-3 victory. This is the all-time record for highest number of runs scored total against our rival. In 1971 Maury Wills recorded his 2,000th career hit at Dodger Stadium against Gaylord Perry and the Giants. It was a run-scoring single in the fifth inning. Unfortunately, the Dodgers lost the game, 6-4.
• Happy Birthday, Jack Cronin & Rob Murphy!