Friday, May 29, 2020

Blog Kiosk: 5/29/2020 - Dodgers Links & News - Some Odds and Ends


I have no idea what's going on in the photo above, and neither does the seller on eBay (auction link). It is unmarked and undated. Featured is a vintage B&W photograph, possibly a press photo, showing Gil Hodges, Don Drysdale, Johnny Podres and Pee Wee Reese in their Sunday best.

These Dodgers' appear to be having a good time -- as Podres playfully pushes Reese against the wall, like he's about to get frisked. Or maybe, they are in the midst of a conga line, with Pee Wee leading the pack astray -- right into a wall.

Below are more links to check out:
  • This Day in Dodgers HistoryIn 1905, according to legend, Dodger hurler Elmer Stricklett introduces Baseball to the spitball -- beating the Giants, 4-3. Of course, this is a bunch of mumbo-jumbo. Although, many do credit Stricklett with being one of the first to use it -- having built a reputation for throwing the pitch much earlier in his career on the west coast. In 1957 tough-talking New York Mayor Robert Wagner, following the leagues announcement allowing the Dodgers and Giants to leave New York, states that the city will not be "blackjacked" into doing a deal. In 1980 Dodgers starter Bob Welch throws a one-hit shutout to defeat the Braves, 3-0. He faced the minimum of 27 batters in the game. In 1983 Dodger reliever Steve Howe is readmitted to a drug treatment center after suffering a relapse from his cocaine addiction.
  • Happy BirthdayPhil GallivanJohn KennedyEric DavisTrever Miller & Jerry Hairston!
  • I was recently wondering how many ballplayers died as a result of the Spanish Flu epidemic 100 years ago. The Baseball Hall of Fame helpfully provides the answer. Per Bill Francis at the Baseball Hall of Fame:
Among ballplayers, often recently active, the flu took: Cy Swain, a minor leaguer from 1904 to 1914 who slugged 39 home runs in 1913; Larry Chappell, a big league outfielder for the White Sox, Indians and Boston Braves between 1913 and 1917; catcher Leo McGraw, a minor leaguer between 1910 and 1916; catcher Harry Glenn, a minor leaguer from 1910 to 1918 who spent time with the 1915 Cardinals; minor league pitcher Dave Roth, who played between 1912 and 1916; and minor league pitcher Harry Acton, who played in 1917.
Additionally, a very well liked umpire also died -- Silk O’Loughlin
The obituaries for O’Loughlin, who allegedly received his nickname as a child due to his silky blonde hair, often remarked that he was one of the most “picturesque” figures in the baseball world, “his ‘Ball tuh,’ his long, drown out ‘S-t-r-i-k-e!’ and snappy ‘Fouled-er!’ known the country over.”

Analytic skills and “going with your gut” are indispensable for both vocations.
“I’m a numbers guy, so the ability to scout and do scouting reports and prepare for a lineup has, I think, really transferred over from my stock market stuff,” Stripling said.
  • Wow! Yesterday I shared a photo that is currently available on auction at RMY Auctions that featured a bunch of ballplayers wearing flu mask to combat the Spanish Flu epidemic. Bob D'Angelo at Sports Collectors Daily dug a lot deeper than I did and found a news article related to the event. 
In the photo, titled “Masked ball game,” members of the Standard Murphys squad posed before the first pitch wearing masks, which were mandatory throughout the game. Police officers wearing face coverings patrolled the stadium, prepared to hand out a $50 citation to anyone violating the rule. That included scorekeepers and concessionaires.
It game believed to be the first time baseball players had worn masks during a game; it certainly was the first instance of face coverings during a game in California.
The news article even points out that pitcher Doc Crandall would be barred from throwing his famed spitball since it would be in violation of the mask ordinance -- he can't take his mask off to put spit on the ball. 
(Vin) Scully, the longtime voice of the Los Angeles Dodgers, squared off against (Magic) Johnson, arguably the greatest point guard of all time. Not only did Johnson play for the Lakers, but he also is a part-owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers. In the finals, Scully soundly defeated Johnson, winning by a margin of 62.1%-37.9%.
  • Awesome! Via a tweet from MLB. Someone built Dodger Stadium in their backyard, and it's glorious!

  • John Fogerty was at Dodger Stadium yesterday and sang his song "Centerfield". Happy belated Birthday, John!

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