Blog Kiosk: 1/15/2020 - Dodgers Links & News - Some Odds and Ends

I wonder what is on Campanella's mind in the photo above.

Watches Old Teammate -- Vero Beach, FLA: Probably recalling the no-hit games of 1952 and 1956 when they were batter-mates, Roy Campanella watches pitcher Carl Erskine warm up during a training session here. Campanella is now a special coach with the Los Angeles Dodgers. 3/4/59.

Photo above available on auction on eBay. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1957 the Dodgers extend their lease at Ebbets Field for another three years -- as a fallback in case Los Angeles is unable to secure land for a new stadium. They would leave Brooklyn a year later. In 2002 the Dodgers traded outfielder Gary Sheffield to the Braves for Brian Jordan, Odalis Perez and Andrew Brown. In 2009 the Dodgers nightmare is over. They released outfielder Andruw Jones.
• Happy Birthday, Dr. Mike Marshall, William Brennan & Delino DeShields!

2019 Bowman Draft -- All the Dodger Cards

2019 Bowman Draft Baseball cards are now in stores and it's filled with some of the top up-'n-comin' Dodger prospects in the minors. Go here for a complete set checklist.

Overall, there are seven Dodgers' in the 200 card base set; including the very first Topps-produced cards of Brandon Lewis, Jack Little and Michael Busch. Notably, five of the seven Dodgers here are listed (according to MLB Prospect Watch) in their top-30 rankings. Check that listing out below:

#5 Jeter Downs
#7 Kody Hoese
#8 Michael Bucsh
#19 Jimmy Lewis
#23 Christian Santana

Base

Base                                Base Chrome

#BD-40 Brandon Lewis     #BDC40 Brandon Lewis

Blog Kiosk: 8/20/2019 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

The elation on their faces is palpable.

Featured above is an October 2, 1963 AP press photo of Sandy Koufax with old friend Carl Erskine within the Yankee Stadium clubhouse following Game 1 of the World Series (eBay auction link). As you know, Sandy recorded a six-hit complete game to defeat the Bronx Bombers, 5-2 (boxscore). He struck out an unbelievable 15 batters and walked only three. BTW, the Dodgers ended up sweeping the Yankees to take the crown.

UPDATE: Jon Weisman of Dodger Thoughts passes along some info I had failed to realize. Per a tweet from him:

The significance of Erskine being in that pic with Koufax is that Koufax broke the World Series strikeout record that Erskine set 10 years earlier to the day. And Erskine was there to see it. #brothersinarms https://t.co/iRWOPm8hgi

— Jon Weisman (@jonweisman) August 20, 2019

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1945 seventeen year old Dodger shortstop Tommy Brown became the youngest player in Major League history to hit a home run. He hit it off of Pirates hurler Preacher Roe in the seventh inning, and it would be the only run the Dodgers would score in a losing effort, 11-1. In 1978 Steve Garvey and Don Sutton have a scuffle in the clubhouse before their game against the Mets at Shea Stadium. Sutton had been critical of Garvey in a Washington Post story (here's a followup story) -- saying that he was more interested in his off-field persona than his play, and that Reggie Smith was the teams real MVP.

"All you hear about on our team is Steve Garvey the All-American boy. But Reggie Smith was the real MVP. We all know it . . . (Smith) has carried us the last two years. He is not a facade. He does not have the Madison Avenue image."

• Happy Birthday, Frank Bonner, Ed McLane, Bill Crouch, Al Lopez, Fred Norman, Lance Rautzhan, Kal Daniels, Jamie Hoffman & Blake DeWitt!

Blog Kiosk: 6/14/2019 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Check out this fantastic fan-taken snapshot of Jackie Robinson coaching his son, Jackie Robinson Jr. that I ran into on ebay recently. Junior must be behind on the count -- notice how he's choking up on the bat?

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1991 the Dodgers signed 17-year old amateur free agent pitcher Ismael Valdéz out of Victoria, Mexico. He would eventually play seven seasons in LA during an 12-year Major League career -- accumulating an 61-57 record, an 3.48 ERA, a 3.88 FIP and a WHIP of 1.235 as a Dodger. In 1993 the Dodgers played their very first game in Colorado against the expansion Rockies. Behind the pitching of Pedro Astacio, Los Angeles pounded out 12 hits (including a Jody Reed homer) to win the game, 9-4. In 1995 Dodger hurler Hideo Nomo struck out 16 Pirates to set an Dodgers all-time rookie record for strikeouts.  
• Happy Birthday, Don Newcombe & Greg Brock!