Blog Kiosk: 7/1/2020 - Dodgers Links & News - Some Odds and Ends

Here's a really interesting photo I ran into on eBay (link here). It is dated September 24, 1957, and it features Brooklyn Dodger Vice President Buzzi Bavasi seated right in the center (sitting on the right field grandstand steps).

He is wearing shades, as if to hide his appearance from the throng of fans sitting nearby. After all, this day, this game they are watching, would be the very last ballgame ever played at Ebbets Field. The Brooklyn Dodgers would move to Los Angeles the next season.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1917 the Dodgers/Robins play their very first Sunday ballgame, despite there being a state law banning games on this day. They announce that admission will benefit the Militia of Mercy, a wartime charity, and there will be a pregame band concert and military drill exhibition before the game. When the band concert ends ticket sales stop to conform with the Sunday baseball laws. More than 12,000 attend. Nevertheless, Charles Ebbets and manager Wilbert Robinson are arrested, and will pay a small fine. Here is the boxscore. In 1948 Roy Campanella made his Major League debut with the Brooklyn Dodgers. He caught Ralph Branca and recorded three hits --  a double and two singles. In 2011 Dee Gordon completed a stolen base cycle. During the seventh inning he reached base on a force out, stole second, then stole third, and finally swiped home with Casey Blake at the plate.  Gordon is the 40th Major Leaguer to accomplish this during the same frame. Here is the boxscore and you watch him steal home here.
• Happy Birthday, Jack Quinn, Kent Greenfield, Boots Poffenberger & Chris Pérez!

Dodger Correspondence - From Garagiola to Buzzie on Sandy Amoros

It's been awhile since I've put together a post like this. I, like many collectors, enjoying viewing eBay auctions -- not just to add to the collection, but also to window shop. After all, there's always a bunch of fantastic and unique memorabilia to stare at, and oftentimes they tell a story that you likely never heard before. The letter above is a clear example of this (eBay auction link).

Blog Kiosk: 7/23/2018 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

In honor of Pee Wee Reese' 100th Birthday today I thought I'd put up this fantastic portrait of him as an aspiring 21-year old infielder. This photo recently sold at RMY Auctions at $59.35. Per the description on the reverse:

Harold (Pee Wee) Reese, infielder brought up from Louisville who is expected to fill the shortstop position should manager Le Durocher stay on the bench, pictured at the Brooklyn Dodgers' Spring Training camp.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1962 Jackie Robinson is inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame. You can listen to his induction speech here. In 1974 Steve Garvey, who was a write-in candidate, had a single, double and an RBI during the All-Star Game in Pittsburgh. He would be named the MVP of the game. In 1975 Willie Crawford and Lee Lacy hit pinch-hit home runs in the ninth inning in a loss against the Cardinals, 5-4. The homers tied a Major League record for pinch-hit homers in the same inning.
• Happy Birthday, Hod Ford, Paul Chervinko, Pee Wee Reese (100th Birthday!), Don Drysdale, Nomar Garciaparra, Larry Barnes & Hung-Chih Kuo!

Blog Kiosk: 11/30/2016 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

I've got spring training on the mind.  So much so that I actively seek out spring Baseball photos featuring Dodger players to share on this blog.  Case in point, check out the above vintage press photo, dated March 31, 1940, featuring Reds Manager Bill McKechnie and Brooklyn Dodgers Manager Leo Durocher shaking hands prior to a spring exhibition game at Tampa. (eBay Auction Link)

No doubt this is a friendly match between two rivals in the National League.  Unfortunately, one team far exceeds the other in talent on the field.  The Cincinnati Reds had won the pennant the prior season, and was destined for championship glory in 1940.   They defeated the Detroit Tigers later that fall to capture their second crown in their history.

As for the Dodgers, they would finish twelve games back of the Reds in second place.  Always the bridesmaid never the bride, I suppose.  On another note, ain't that jacket worn by Durocher keen? 

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History:  In 1952, on a local NBC TV program, Jackie Robinson charged that the New York Yankees management is racist for its failure to scout, sign and bring up a black players. George Weiss of the Yanks denied the allegations, saying that the team welcomed black ballplayers, "good enough to make the team." (The Brooklyn Daily Eagle, 12/1/1952, p. 11)  Elston Howard would become New York's first black player in 1955.
• Happy Birthday, Clyde Sukeforth & Shane Victorino!

1966 Union 76 Dodgers 45 RPM Record Set Featuring Vin Scully Interviews

With the off-season officially upon us I though I would take a moment to checklist a scarce set from  the mid-60's.  Featured below are the twelve different Union 76 Los Angeles Dodgers 45 RPM records featuring Vin Scully interviewing 24 different players and executives.

As you can see, it includes a colorful sleeve with drawings done by Nicholas Volpe -- known for the various player portraits handed out by Union 76 over the past several decades.  Furthermore, each sleeve includes a portrait drawing of Vin Scully.  Each record has a separate Scully interview on each side, and fans were able to purchase a single record at participating gas stations for $0.49 each with a minimum purchase of gas.

On the right is a advertising poster for the records that had been previously shared by Mark Langill at Dodger Insider (link here).  Apparently, the poster is thought to be the only copy in existence today.

As for the records, I don't have any recordings to share.  If you happen to know where I could listen to any of them please pass that along to me. 

1966

Union 76 - 7” 33RPM Record EP Set - 12 Record Set

Record One

Sandy Koufax/John Kennedy

Some Dodgers Memorabilia at Hunt's All Star Game Auction - Koufax, Campy and Gwynn

Last week I featured a questionnaire filled out by Dodgers legend Steve Garvey when he was just a rookie in 1970 (link here).  Today, I take a look at several other Dodger collectibles available at Hunt's All-Star Game FanFest auction.

Featured above is a rarity.  It is a Sandy Koufax home jersey that dates to 1966.  (Auction Link Here)  Per the auction description:

The jersey was acquired by a former MLB executive in 1973 (who lived in the Los Angeles area at the time) and has remained within his collection until the current offering. Additionally, the executive was a good acquaintance with long time Brooklyn and Los Angeles Dodgers General Manager Buzzie Bavasi. In 1975, Bavasi became aware of the offered Koufax jersey within the collection of the consignor and in jest sent the executive a charming and satirical official MLB typed communique. The note was hand signed by Buzzie and dated July 31, 1975 teasing him that he "owed" Buzzie a check for $56.00 payable to him for the "stolen" uniform.

Blog Kiosk: 6/15/2016 - Dodgers Links - Puig, Venable and Kenta Maeda

Oh noes!

In a season filled to the brim with injuries seeing Kenta Maeda crumble on the field after being struck on his right knee was distressing.  My immediate thought was, "what else could go wrong?"

At the start of the sixth inning Paul Goldschmidt lined a comebacker that was recorded at an exit velocity of 95 MPH.  Unable to catch it on the fly, the ball struck Kenta just below the knee.  Obviously in pain, Maeda still had the presence of mind to grab the errant ball and throw out the All-Start first baseman to record the first out of the inning.  Soon thereafter, he fell to the turf and writhed in agony.  Per Doug Padilla at ESPN:

"He's feeling better actually now," Roberts said. "It was something with a nerve that just lit him up."

"What I know for sure is that it didn't hit the bone," Maeda said through a translator. "But I wasn't able to put any strength or flex it at all, so I was a little bit in shock."

Fortunately, x-rays later on were negative and only revealed a very bad bruise.  Per Ken Gurnick at MLB.com:

"It's hard to tell at this point, but I will reevaluate [Wednesday]," Maeda said through his interpreter. "My hope is to make the next scheduled start. What I know for sure is it didn't hit the bone, but I wasn't able to put any strength or weight on it and I was kind of shocked. Among all the hits taken in the past, it hurt the most. "

I don't know if this team could have survived another major injury to its starting rotation.  So I think it's fair to say we dodged a bullet.  BTW, the Dodgers were victorious over the Diamondbacks, 7-4.  They slugged four home runs; including a pair by Joc Pederson.

Photo above via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2016.  Go here to check out more pics by Jon from yesterdays game.  Below are more links to check:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1938 Johnny Vander Meer pitched his second consecutive no-hitter, beating the Dodgers at Ebbets Field.  He had no-hit the Braves four days prior.  In 1951 Buzzy Bavasi made his first trade as the Dodgers GM.  He received Andy Pfako, Johnny Schmitz, Wayne Terwilliger, and Rube Walker in exchange for Bruce Edwards, Joe Hatten, Eddie Miksis, and Gene Hermanski. In 1996 the Dodgers turned their first triple play in 47 years.  It was against the Braves in the first inning.
• Happy Birthday, Brett Butler and Dusty Baker!

When Walt Disney Tried to Trade for Tommy Davis

Once a upon a time, Walt Disney visited Dodger Stadium and tried to orchestrate a trade.

Don't believe me?

Check out this letter written by Walt to Dodgers GM Buzzie Bavasi that is found at Paragon Auctions current offering (Auction Link Here).  He writes, dated May 22, 1962, the following:

A Duke Snider Report from the Trenches of the Minor Leagues

After retiring from the game in 1964 Duke Snider rejoined the Dodgers franchise as a scout and manager in the minor leagues.  Tasked with leading the Class-A Tri-City Atoms of Pasco (but playing in Kennewick), Washington in 1966, he shares his utter dismay at the state of affairs with Dodgers GM Buzzie Bavasi in an letter featured in this post.  It is currently for sale through Heritage Auction.

In the letter Duke sends along his thoughts about a couple high-flying prospects he has and provides a report on the happenings at the clubs Class-AAA team in Spokane.

Vintage Dodger Correspondence from Head Trainer Doc Wendler

I came across this neatly typed letter the other day while perusing eBay, and found myself immediately drawn to it.  Not because it's from a superstar we all had heard of, or even a ballplayer who once wore Blue.  Instead, it's a bit of correspondence from someone behind the scenes - an important cog that helped keep the players healthy and in tip top condition.

Featured above is a letter written by Dodger trainer Harold W. Wendler, or Doc Wendler.  Check out the auction here.  Wendler joined the club prior to the 1943 season after spending 26 years as the head athletic trainer at Mississippi State College.  Then for the next 17 years, the golden years as they say, he became a mainstay in the Dodger clubhouse.  Doc assessed injuries, mended broken bodies and massaged aching muscles.  He saw everything from Pete Reiser crashing into the outfield wall to Jackie Robinson being spiked by passing runners.

(pic via Brooklyn Library)

In the letter, dated December 14, 1957 and addressed to Buzzie Bavasi, Doc Wendler tackled a rumor heard in the Dodger front office about his status with the club.  Apparently, gossip spread that Doc would be retiring and not join the franchise out west.  Of course, that couldn't be further from the truth.  Doc was indeed interested in staying, but had some financial concerns that needed to be addressed.  He writes:

Your letter of Dec. 10th arrived just a few hours ago.  The contents surprised me very much.  And I am extremely sorry you heard of my hypothetical retirement plans "second-hand".  I believe you know how impossible retirement is for me also.  Let me assure you of one thing, Buzzie, when I do decide to leave the Dodgers, you will be the first to hear of it, and the news will come direct from me -- not via grapevine.

I must admit there were times over the past four years, and especially last year, when my ulcers hurt to the extent I felt I could not keep going.  During such periods I did remark to John, Jake, Herman, Lee Scott, and others too I'm sure, that "if I didn't feel better, this was going to be my last year."  Pain often makes you say and do things you would not say or do under normal circumstances.  However, for the past two months I have never felt better, and believe the stomach condition has entirely cleared up -- so no problem there.

Going to LA does create problems though -- main one financial for me.  As you no doubt know, I have never signed a contract during my fifteen year affiliation with the Dodgers -- not even a one year one.  When spring training time came I would receive a letter from whoever was road secretary telling me when to report.  It was as simple as that, and I hope no change is necessary.  However, for the past few years, had it not been for World Series help, I would have been operating in the red.  Therefore, I prefer we reach some kind of financial understanding before spring practice begins at Vero. 

Obviously something was worked out between Wendler and Buzzie.  Doc continued as the Dodger trainer until 1959 - receiving one more World Series check.

For Dodger autograph collectors, something signed by personnel can be extremely tough to come by.  So, I suspect the $695 asking price on ths eBay auction might not be entirely out of line.  Also, there is only one known memorabilia item (not including press photos) on the market, that I know of, featuring Doc Wendler doing what he does.  Check out the 1955 Gold Stamp below.  It shows Doc doing something to Carl Furrillo's head.  What exactly, I do not know.

(1955 Golden Stamps)

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Some Dodger Goodies at Heritage Auctions - WS Trophy, Drysdale/Koufax Contract and Vintage Jersey's

Ugh!

I was hoping this blog post would be more cheery; especially since I was about to feature an 1988 Dodgers World Series Championship trophy that is currently on auction at Heritage.  I was planning on ranting on about how something similar to this could be our prize in less than a month, and how it's about time we have something to celebrate.  Instead, all I can do now is dream about what could have been.  Oh, well.

Below is a 1988 World Series trophy (12" version) that was given to a former front office worker named Shirley L. Adcock.  Check out the auction here.  This exact trophy sold earlier this year through a well know eBay retailer for $2,913.00.

Here's an unusual piece of memorabilia.  As you know, both Don Drysdale and Sandy Koufax chose to negotiate their upcoming contract with the Dodgers for the 1966 season collectively.  In doing so, they were trying to bargain for the best deal they could get.

Initially, they sought a three year contract for $500,000 each ($167,000 per season).  After a month of discussions they settled for less.  Koufax would get $125,000 and Drysdale would get $115,000.  Below is a side agreement to that deal.  In the signed documents below, both Koufax and Drysdale assert their claim to their names and likenesses for endorsement and merchandising interests while assuring the Dodgers the right of first refusal for any conflicts.  It is also signed by Dodger GM Buzzie Bavassi.  Check out the auction here.

(Auction Link)

Here are some great looking vintage Dodger jersey's.  Below is Frank Howard's 1961 home white jersey.  Check out the auction here.

(Auction Link)

Below is Ron Perranoski's road blue jersey.  Check out the auction here.

(Auction Link)

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Duke Snider's Testy Letter to Buzzie Bavasi

The Dodgers 1956 Tour of Japan appears to be a major theme in SCP's current sports memorabilia auction.  Last week I shared a complete grouping of signed contracts for the tour.  Now that the auction is live I see that they also have an unique personal letter addressed to Dodger GM Buzzie Bavasi from Duke Snider regarding said trip.  And it's not exactly a friendly letter.

From what I understand, Snider received a promise from Bavasi that he be allowed to leave the trip early, but once there was unable to do so.  Obviously, this irked the future Hall of Famer.  Duke decided to put pen to paper, on Hotel New Nagoya letterhead no less, and made his feelings known right then and there.

An interesting little tidbit is found in the second paragraph were Snider mentions that Bavasi himself, Furillo and Maglie are the only smart ones - presumably for not going on the trip in the first place.  I wonder what that's all about. 

Check it out in full below.  You'll notice that I couldn't quite make out a couple of words.

Dear Buzzie -

Received your short but to the point letter the other day and believe me it left me with a real empty feeling.  I wish you hadn't even written the letter.  I don't want to even argue about the matter of my coming home early.  If you can't remember a promise then let's forget about it.  Someday I may promise something and be forgetful too.  I now find that getting home at the ball clubs earliest convenience is the second plane Nov 16.  So be it!

The Japanese people are very nice and the trip is a good one.  But I find the only wise people were you, Furillo and Maglie.

Not much news from here.  Give you family my best wishes -

Your Wandering Outfielder,

Duke

BTW, I'll feature more Dodger collectibles from this auction in the coming days.  So stay tuned.

(Auction Link)

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The Brooklyn Dodgers, Roberto Clemente and the Rule 5 Draft

With the Rule 5 Draft quickly approaching it's interesting to see what teams are doing to transition players in and out of their 40-man rosters.  Sometimes trades are consummated, as evidenced by the two most recent Dodger trades with the Rays and Diamondbacks, but other times a club may gamble a bit by leaving a good prospect unprotected in hopes they get passed over by other clubs.

This brings up the main reason why I am writing this post.  The most famous Rule 5 Draftee to ever get plucked off a teams roster and to go on to fantastic heights is Roberto Clemente.  And, as I'm sure you likely know, he was taken by the Pittsburgh Pirates off the 1954 Brooklyn Dodger roster.

That's right folks, the great Roberto Clemente was once a Dodger... shoulda been a Dodger.

This makes me wonder, what the heck happened?  How could a team known for an excellent farm system and having a great ability at recognizing talent not protect a future star like Clemente?  Is there a story behind this?

Well, I'm currently reading an biography by Andy McCue on Water O'Malley called, "Mover & Shaker: Walter O'Malley, the Dodgers, & Baseball's Westward Expansion," and it does its best to explain the machinations behind the scenes.  Below is an excerpt.  BTW, this book is one of the most detailed books I've ever read about O'Malley's Dodgers, and I highly recommend it to any Dodger fan.  Now on to a passage in the book regarding Roberto Clemente:

The other player was another Hall of Famer, Roberto Clemente, and, again, roster limits played a role.  Clemente signed in February 1954 for $15,000.  Because that was over $4,000, the bonus rule mandated the Dodgers put him on their roster or risk having him drafted by another team the next winter.  Bavasi felt the Dodger roster was full and decided to take the risk.  It did not work.  That December (Branch) Rickey and the Pirates drafted Clemente.

In more than three decades of talent evaluation, Buzzie Bavasi made few mistakes.  Clemente was clearly one of them, and an unnecessarily defensive Bavasi told many stories over the years about how it happened, some involving Walter O'Malley.

In the earliest rendering Bavasi gave the loss the "irrelevant" label by saying the Dodgers had signed the Puerto Rican outfielder only to keep him away from the Giants.  A few years later he was resigned.  "That was probably my biggest mistake," he told Charles Maher of the Los Angeles Times.  "We can blame the rules for part of it, but part of it was our judgment."

Later still, his version began to have scapegoats.  The first was O'Malley.  Bavasi said he was fully aware of Clemente's talent and knew Branch Rickey and the Pirates were convinced of it, too.  Bavasi said he went to Rickey, his old mentor, and called on his friendship.  Rickey agreed not to take Clemente.  But, Bavasi said, Rickey and O'Malley got into a shouting match over some unrelated issue at an owners meeting.  O'Malley cursed Rickey and Rickey changed his mind.

In later renderings a racial issue was added.  Bavasi told author Thomas Oliphant both the O'Malley cursing tale and that O'Malley ordered him to limit the number of blacks on the team because he was fearful of fan and team reaction.  Clemente was a very dark-skinned Latino, and in Bavasi's final version it was now O'Malley's partners who had vetoed the idea of more blacks, an angle he also told Oliphant.  He cited the partners as Jim Mulvey and John Smith.  Mulvey was back on the board of directors in 1954, but O'Malley had full control.  Bavasi evidently forgot Smith had been dead neary four years by the time the Dodgers even signed Clemente.

We may never know the real reason for the ill-fated decision to not protect Roberto Clemente from the Rule 5 Draft, or if there's really any reason at all.  After all, sometimes things just happen, and as a Dodger fan that fact only helps you appreciate how crazy this game really is.  As a side note, yesterday was the 60th anniversary of the plundering of the Dodgers by the Pirates.  That sounds so apropos, doesn't it?

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Blog Kiosk: 8/5/2014 - Dodger Links - Awards for Kemp & Kershaw, and a Graphic of the Most Hated MLB Teams

The only highlight from last nights game was Carlos Frias' Major League debut in relief of Zack Greinke in the 8th inning.  He was spectacular.  After allowing a hit to Albert Pujols, Frias proceeded to get the next 6 Angel batters out.  I don't know if he's going to be a solution to our problems in the bullpen, but I like what I've seen so far.  Photo above via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2014.  Go here to see more photos from Jon from yesterday's game.

• ICYMI: Matt Kemp has been named the National League Player of the Week for the period ending August 3rd.  Congrats, Matt!  Via a Dodgers press release:

(graphic via @Dodgers on twitter)

In six games last week, Kemp was tied for the Major League lead with five home runs and nine RBI while pacing the N.L. with a 1.091 slugging percentage and ranking second in the League with 24 total bases. The 29-year-old hit .409 (9-for-22), which was the N.L.’s fourth-highest mark last week, and he compiled a .458 on-base percentage, which was good for sixth. Kemp added a stolen base and six runs scored as his division-leading Dodgers won four of six contests.

• Also, Clayton Kershaw was his 2nd-in-a-row National League Pitcher of the Month for July 2014.  Via a press release:

(graphic via @Dodgers on twitter)

In five outings last month, Kershaw was 4-0 with a N.L.-best 1.07 ERA, allowing just five earned runs in a League-high 42.0 innings of work. The southpaw tossed a Major League-high three complete games last month and tied for first in the N.L. in wins, while posting the second-lowest opponents’ batting average (.165) among qualifying N.L. pitchers. Kershaw fanned 43 during the month, which was good for fourth in the Senior Circuit, while walking only four.

• Jon Weisman at Dodger Insider writes, "An eye-opening look at the Koufax-Drysdale holdout."  Awesome.  He shares Dodger GM Buzzie Bavasi's thought about the situation.
• Via Pedro Moura at the OC Register, "Dodgers' Kemp takes stance against power outage."

Dodgers assistant hitting coach John Valentin revealed that Kemp has changed the way he stands at the plate, and video evidence confirms it.

“He actually has straightened his stance,” Valentin said. “It used to be locked. What that created was a difficulty to have the freedom to stay through the baseball. This offers a clear path to hit balls in and away.”

• Eric Avakian at Dodgers Nation has highlights from Ned Colletti's appearance on ESPN LA Now with Mark Willard on Monday.  He speaks about the development of prospect Joc Pederson.
• I saw this graphic on Reddit, via /u/kmhokies35, and figured I needed to share it here.  I kinda got a chuckle out of it.  Hilariously, Australia hates us.  I guess playing some games there earlier this season and kicking some DBack butt did not win us many friends.  Unsurprisingly, much of the western part of the US hates us.  BTW, this was hardly a scientific study - it's just based on a survey of Baseball fans on Reddit.

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Some Dodgers Vintage Memorabilia at Heritage Auctions

Along with a great letter written by Jackie Robinson and some historically significant Civil War Base Ball relics, there are a handful of incredible Dodgers memorabilia pieces available for sale through Heritage Auctions.  Check some of them out below.

This is a probably as real as it get.  Featured here is a game-used catchers mitt that was once worn by Hall of Famer Roy Campanella.  It originally comes from the personal collection of former Dodger Carl Furillo.

(auction link)

Below is a Sandy Koufax game-used glove, circa 1958.  This glove also comes from the Furillo estate.

(auction link)

Here is former Dodgers GM Buzzie Bavasi's 1959 LA Dodgers World Championship ring.

(auction link)

This next item has an interesting origination story.  The below item was a part of a unusual find from Pittsburgh.  A property owner was doing some rehab work and came across a bunch of cardboard advertising signs that were being used as insulation. 

Featured below is a 1956 P.F. Flyers "Big League Baseball Stars on TV" advertising sign.  As you can see, Duke Snider would be teaching kids, "How to Play the Outfield".

(auction link)

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Blog Kiosk: 10/22/2013 - Dodgers Links - Kemp's Surgery, Don Mattingly Demands, Hillman Fired, Sue Falsone has Left and Andrew Lambo

Above is a pic from yesterday's press conference with Colletti and Mattingly.  Photo via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2013.  Go here for pics from him from yesterday.  It includes something very different.  There are pics of much of the press corps.

• ICYMI: I shared a vintage letter written by Jackie Robinson to Dodgers GM Buzzie Bavasi, and it was not kind.  The letter was like his last goodbye to the ballclub.
• "Did Don Mattingly just talk his way out of Los Angeles?"  Via Tony Jackson at Dodger Scribe.  As you may know, the Dodgers held a press conference yesterday with Mattingly and Ned Colletti.  It did not go well, and by all accounts was very uncomfortable.  Don Mattingly wants a long-term deal.
• Mark Saxon at ESPN followup with, "Don Mattingly: Not in ideal position".

"When you're put in this situation, the organization basically says, 'We don't know if you can manage or not,'" Mattingly said. "So, that's the position I've been in all season long, so that's not a great position for me as a manager. That's the way it is, that's the way the organization wanted it last year, that's fine."

• Matt Kemp had surgery on his ankle yesterday.  Per a Dodgers email to the press:

 The surgery was performed by Dr. Robert Anderson in Charlotte, North Carolina.

The procedure was done arthroscopically and involved removing several spurs, a loose body and doing a microfracture on the talus bone. Kemp will be in a splint for two weeks and a non-weight bearing boot for an additional two weeks. He is expected to be competitive in time for the regular season.

• Dodgers trainer Sue Falsone is no longer with the Dodgers, via a tweet from Ramona Shelburne of ESPN.

Dodgers trainer Sue Falsone is no longer with the organization
— Ramona Shelburne (@ramonashelburne) October 21, 2013

Eric Stephen at True Blue LA has more on her leaving.

"It is with a heavy heart to say that I will not be returning to the LA Dodgers in order to pursue other opportunities within my career."

• The Dodgers do some firing.  Per a Jon Heyman tweet.

Sources: #dodgers fire bench coach trey hillman and advance scout wade taylor. The 2 are close to mattingly.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeymanCBS) October 22, 2013

• Chris Olds at Beckett takes a "Behind the Scenes" look at the making of World Series bats at the Louisville Slugger Factory.
• Do you remember this guy?  The Baseball Professor names Andrew Lambo as his fantasy Baseball sleeper pick for 2014.  Lambo was drafted by the Dodgers in 2007 and eventually traded to the Pirates in 2010.
• Here is some news about another Cuban ballplayer.  As you know, highly regarding slugger Jose Abreu signed a huge deal with the White Sox this past weekend.  Well, Chris Olds at Beckett let's us know that he will be making his debut appearance on a Topps card in their 2014 Bowman Set.  See the card on the right.

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Jackie Robinson's Goodbye Letter to the Dodgers, via Heritage Auctions

This letter from Jackie Robinson to then Dodgers GM Buzzie Bavasi hit me like a ton of bricks.  Certainly, this often scathing communication must have hit the Dodger organization hard too.

Available for sale through Heritage Auctions is a personal letter from Jackie, on "Chock Full o' Nuts" letterhead, to Buzzie that appears to be his final goodbye. 

It is obvious from the letter that Jackie had little love for O'Malley, but he also expresses deep regret at the lost friendship he had with Bavasi.  Additionally, and more shockingly, Jackie disparages the club by accusing them of maliciously getting rid of records related to his time with the Dodgers.

I had thought that Jackie's retirement from the team and game came on a sour note, but I had no idea this kind of animosity existed between him and the club.  Read the entire letter below (dated December 14, 1961), and check out the auction here.

Dear Buzzie:

For whatever it is worth, you must know that I have been disappointed because a friendship I once felt has deteriorated.  Whether I am to blame or you are is not the important thing.  It happened, and frankly, it has disturbed me.

If we were completely honest, we would have to admit that not too many people cooperated with you or the Dodgers any more than I did.  There were few, if any, players who did the off-season promotional work that I did and none more willing to help when it came to contract time.  I was not completely unaware of my value to the Club.  I signed many contracts knowing full well what I was doing.  I will admit it was not a "one-way street", but I did more than my share to be helpful to you and the Club.  It mattered little to me that O'Malley was such a man that he resented anyone having a high regard for another individual because he disliked him.  It mattered little to me that it went beyond this even to the extent of resenting my efforts for equality.  It did matter to me, Buzzie, that you questioned my integrity and did so to the press.  This has been the one thing I find hard to forgive.  If it had been someone I had had problems with, it would not have mattered, but a person I considered a friend and one that I felt I had helped out in many cases and he in turn had done several favors for me did cause concern.  I hate losing a friendship I thought genuine, but these things happen.  We frequently put the wrong emphasis on situations or at least misinterpret the meaning of the act.

The atmosphere that has existed since 1956 has been regarded by me as something a person of my temperment must expect from people who do not believe in the things I believe in, but felt an organization like yours must be pretty small if records were destroyed because of personality differences. I merely wanted to make it a complete break if this was the desire of the Dodgers organization.

As for the file in questions, Mr. Wilson informed me that my file was lost or misplaced in the transfer of records from New York to California.  Therefore, no pictures would be sent for his story.  It may be a mistake, but if you check you would probably find Jackie Robinson never existed as far as your present files are concerned.  I think you know this is alright with me for my concern has not been for records, they never have meant much to me, only our personal relationship.

Best regards.

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Goldin Auctions: 1961 Baseball GM's Respond to PA About Spring Training Housing Segregation - Dodgers GM Bavasi has a Hilarious Response

Segregation in Baseball didn't entirely end with Jackie Robinson.  In fact, it was just the opening salvo in a movement to make the game an equal battlefield for all to play in.  There were many hurdles still left to cross.

As I'm sure you know, Spring Training in those days was largely played in segregated Florida.  As a result, ballplayers typically could not be housed or even eat under the same roof.  As time went on that changed as some teams created their own facilities or found willing establishments.  Still, in 1961, some 14 years after Jackie, housing in Florida remained unequal.

As evidenced by a collection currently available for sale through Goldin Auctions we discover how each team faired in leveling the housing playing field.  In 1961 MLBPA approached each team to provide an update on how desegregating was going and this auction includes the official responses from every team (with exception of the Red Sox and Phillies).  Check out the auction here.  You'll notice that several clubs were still trying to work through this issue.

The Dodgers, on the other hand, were the bellwethers.  There are two letters from the Dodgers, signed by GM Buzzie Bavasi and President Walter O'Malley, and they are pointed and hilarious.  Considering how their club started it all, I am not surprised they responded in a snarky manner.

Above is the letter Walter O'Malley sent.  He says:

Your letter of August 7th, I believe might be sort of in the nature of a form letter as it actually does not apply to our club which trains at Dodgertown, Vero Beach.  You will recall from your visits that all our players, office staff, executives, directors and owners are housed and eat under one common roof.

So, Dodgertown was way ahead of the curve.

A fascinating part of O'Malley's letter is what he writes next.

There are local city ordinances that are not in keeping with our thinking which, however, cover situations off our self-contained base.  Our relations with the local political administration are not cordial at the moment and we have even been giving some thought to transferring our base to the West Coast unless we see signs of improvement.

This is the first I've heard that in 1961 the Dodgers had considered moving out of Florida.

Dodgers GM Buzzie Bavasi's response to the MLBPA takes a more, shall I say, sarcastic road.

You folks must be out of your mind.  We eat, sleep and drink under the same roof.  That is the only reason we train at Dodgertown.  You must know that.  If you are referring to the motion picture theatre downtown, or the barber-shop however, we have these facilities at the Base.  NOW GET LOST! (emphasis mine)

As you know, management was not very fond of the players association, so this might have more to do with that then any sense of being annoyed with being asked.

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Dodgers Correspondence: Buzzie Bavasi Versus a Reporter

Here is another Dodgers Correspondence letter I ran into on eBay.  It is a letter from Buzzie Bavasi to the Atlanta Journal reporter Furman Bisher.  Apparently, Buzzie is a little unhappy with him.  Check out what he writes: 

Someone is not telling the truth.  Even if I had expressed my opinion re your story, what right would you have to tell Drysdale this.  I thought a good newspaperman never revealed the source of his story.  At least this is the excuse I get all the time.

I do not want to belabor the situation but Drysdale certainly told me just what you were supposed to have said to him.

Sorry I will not be in Atlanta this week-end as I would like to discuss this with you and get it off my mind once and for all.

Ouch!  It sounds like Buzzie is mad!  I wonder if this has to do with the famous contract negotiation/ hold-out situation with Sandy Koufax early in the 1966 season.

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New Hall of Fame Consideration for 2 Former Dodgers

This is pretty exciting news for Dodger fans and team history buffs.

Former Dodger GM Buzzie Bavasi and Dodger first baseman Gil Hodges are a part of the 10 man Golden Era Ballot for entrance into the Baseball Hall of Fame. This is for the Class of 2012 and promises to be very competitive. All 10 names on this ballot have merit. Other potential entrants include Ken Boyer, Charlie Finley, Jim Kaat, Minnie Minoso, Tony Oliva, Allie Reynolds, Ron Santo and Luis Tiant.

In my mind, Buzzie Bavasi should not be overlooked here. He easily ranks as one of the most important names in Dodger lore. Often overshadowed by Branch Rickey, he was an important cog that brought about the integration of Baseball and several championships to both the Brooklyn and Los Angeles Dodgers. From 1946 to 1947 he was GM of the Nashua Dodgers which featured both Roy Campanella and Don Newcombe.

from a NY Times obituary:

Bavasi remembered challenging the manager of the Lynn Red Sox to a fight, with all the opposing players sitting nearby on the team bus, after a game in which, according to Bavasi, the manager had hurled racial slurs at Campanella and Newcombe. It was the “first time in my life I had ever challenged anybody,” Bavasi said, “and here I was challenging an entire baseball team.”

Then, from 1948 to 1950 he was the GM for the Dodgers top farm club, Montreal Royals. Soon, he would join the Dodgers to be their longtime GM from 1951 through 1968. The Dodgers first, and only, World Championship in Brooklyn happened under his watch in 1955. By the time he was done leading the 'Boys in Blue' he captured 4 World Titles and 8 League Championships. Of course, his work was not done. He was instrumental in the formation of a expansion team in San Diego.

Per the HOF story:

Any candidate to receive votes on 75 percent of the ballots cast by the 16-member Golden Era Committee will earn election to the National Baseball Hall of Fame and will be inducted in Cooperstown on July 22, 2012, along with any electees who emerge from the 2012 Baseball Writers' Association of America election, to be announced on Jan. 9.