Blog Kiosk: 9/20/2017 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Yu Darvish was very good last night. He went 5.1 innings, giving up one unearned run, four hits and a walk. He also struck out seven phillies. Per Ken Gurnick and Ben Harris at MLB.com:

"I think I'm in a pretty good place," Darvish said. "I think I'm where I need to be at this time of the season."

Unfortunately, one pitcher is not where he needs to be. Pedro Baez came in to hold the lead, but proceeded to yield four runs to lose the game. Per Andy McCullough at the LA Times:

“It hasn’t been a good stretch,” Baez said. “I’m grateful that they keep giving me the opportunity.”

Photo of Yu Darvish above via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2017. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1907 the Dodgers are no-hit by Pirates rookie Nick Maddox, 2-1. In 1959 the Dodgers and Giants play the last ballgame ever at San Francisco's Seals Stadium. The Dodgers defeated the Giants 8-2. The Giants would play at Candlestick Park the next season. In 1993 pinch-hitting machine Dave Hansen collected his 18th pinch-hit of the season to set a new franchise record. In 2011 Clayton Kershaw becomes the first Dodger twenty game winner since Ramon Martinez in 1990. He defeats the Giants 2-1.  BTW, DodgerFilms was there and shared a video that you can watch here.
• Happy Birthday, Nelson Greene, Vic Lombardi & Chuck Dressen!

Game Used Dodgers Gear at Goldin Auctions - Piazza, Henderson, Seager and Niedenfuer

Along with some fantastic vintage Dodger memorabilia available for sale at Goldin Auctions (link here and here) there are several notable game-used Dodgers pieces to gawk at.

In honor of Mike Piazza's recent ascension to Baseball's hallowed hall I share pics of an game-used bat of his.  (Auction link here)  It is dated to 1996 to 1998, so he was either a Dodger, Marlin or a Met when he swung this piece lumber. 

Below is a full game-used uniform that was once worn by Hall of Famer Rickey Henderson - complete with dirt.  Awesome!  (Auction link here)  It also comes with a letter from Rickey providing proof that it's the real thing.  The auctioneer claims that Henderson wore this specific uniform on August 29, 2003 - the day he stole his very last base.  Per the auction description:

On August 29, 2003 Rickey Henderson stood on first base, eyeing that bag ninety feet away. Rockies pitcher Cory Vance knew what he had in mind, as did the 30,000 fans in Dodger Stadium. When Vance fired over to first to pick off Henderson, Rickey exploded towards second and slid in head first under Helton's tag. It would prove to be the last of Henderson's record 1,406 career stolen bases, and this is the very uniform he wore to swipe his last base. The uniform has been matched to stills taken from MLB broadcast of the August 29, 2003 game and one can clearly see the turf marks made on the last steal in evidence on the pants and jersey offered here.

(Auction Link)

Are you wanting to jump on the Corey Seager bandwagon.  Then, the below 2014 Chattanooga Lookouts game-used uniform might be right up your alley.  (Auction link here).

(Auction Link)

I don't care what anyone says, I liked Tom Niedenfuer.

Sure, he could give you heartburn when he got to the mound, but was overall very effective in Blue.  In seven Dodger season he earned 64 saves.  He was also fantastic during the 1981 World Series against the Yankees.  Tom got into two games (1 & 4), pitched five innings, faced 20 batters and gave up zero earned runs.  If not for an errant throw by Ron Cey in Game 4 he would have given up no runs at all.  Of course, folks still shriek in pain when thinking about Ozzie Smith's impossible home run against him during the 1985 NL Championship Series.

Featured below is a collection of game-used caps and a glove once worn by Niedenfuer.  (Auction link here)  All the hat are signed by Tom under the brim; including one that says, “Tom Niedenfuer Last Game Hat Traded to Balt. May 22 1987.”

(Auction Link)

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Collection: A Tom Niedenfuer Fan Favorite Autographed Card

I find it funny that Tom Niedenfuer was given a fan-favorite card in Topps 2005 Baseball card set.  If anything, his status with the fans is mixed.  He was very good as a Dodgers reliever, and is noted for saving 64 games for the Dodgers over 7 seasons.  His ERA in that time was a very respectable 2.76, his ERA+ was 128, and his Dodgers career WAR was a 9.3.  These are all very good numbers for a reliever.

Unfortunately, closers are often judged by how they perform in the big games, and Niedenfuer is notable for losing two of the biggest in Dodgers history.  On back-to-back nights, Tom Niedenfuer gave up walk-off home runs in the 1985 National League Championship series against the Cardinals. 

First, in Game 5 (with the series tied at two wins a piece) Ozzie Smith came up to bat and pounded his first career home run as a left handed batter to win the game.  Then in the following game, Jack Clark came up with two men on and belted a walk-off home run that still gives me tears.

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Dodgers Notes from Spring Training- Day 5

Chad Billingsley sits with Tony Kinkela of Dodgers on Demand, via Twitter @JessRosales1.

Throughout Spring Training the Dodgers PR department sends out helpful daily notes from Camelback Ranch, and I am happy to pass them along.

• THE ARTISTS: As we near the first full squad workout, 80% of the starting rotation fired bullpens today as Clayton Kershaw, Chad Billingsley, Ted Lilly and Aaron Harang took the mound along with Jamey Wright, Fernando Nieve, Angel Guzman, Wilfredo Ledezma, Josh Lindblom, Nathan Eovaldi, Chris Withrow, Scott Rice, Ryan Tucker and Michael Antonini.

(Pic Credit: Jon SooHoo/Los Angeles Dodgers)

• SORE HORSE(S): A couple of Dodger non-roster pitchers were nursing injuries today as right-hander Shane Lindsay (right shoulder soreness) has yet to throw a bullpen this spring. RHP Ryan Tucker (stiff neck) was able to loosen up and throw his scheduled bullpen session.

• THE DESCENDANTS: The Dodgers would like to welcome former right-handed reliever Tom Niedenfuer to Camelback Ranch-Glendale. Niedenfuer led the Dodgers in saves in both 1984 and 1985 and his 64 rescues from 1981-87 rank 10^th in franchise history. Of the hurlers ahead of Niedenfuer on the list, six amassed their totals after he did, including the top three of Eric Gagné (161, 2002-2006), Jeff Shaw (129, 1998-2001) and Todd Worrell (127, 1993-97). Other include No. 6 Jay Howell (85, 1988-92), No. 7 Jonathan Broxton (84, 2006-11) and No. 9 Takashi Saito (81, 2006-08). Current closer Javy Guerra is tied for 26^th on that list with 21 saves.

• MY WEEK WITH PSYCHO: The Dodgers would like to welcome PRIME TICKET’s Steve Lyons, who arrived at Camelback Ranch today to shoot several pieces that will air throughout the season. Lyons will be in Arizona until March 2, interviewing Don Mattingly, Matt Kemp, Clayton Kershaw, Dee Gordon and Mark Ellis, among others. Lyons is beginning his eighth season as a member of the Dodger broadcasts, providing analysis alongside Eric Collins for all road games outside of the National League West. “Psycho” also provides analysis for PRIME TICKET’s “Dodgers Live” pre and post-game shows, where he breaks down the games with Patrick O’Neal, Jim Watson and Chris McGee.

(Pic Credit Jon SooHoo/ Los Angeles Dodgers)

• THE TREE OF LIFE: The Dodgers would like to wish a very happy birthday to former outfielder and first baseman Matt Luke, who turns 42 today. Luke wore Dodger Blue in 1998 and 1999, hitting 12 home runs in just 237 at-bats. Currently, he is a member of the Dodgers Alumni Association, making community appearances and hosting autograph signings on behalf of the club.

• 9 AM IN LOS ANGELES: This Saturday, March 3 at 10:00 a.m. fans can purchase a limited number of Opening Day tickets as well as single-game regular season tickets at Dodger Stadium and on Dodgers.com. Prices on many advanced individual tickets for the 2012 season after Opening Day have been reduced as much as $20 per ticket. The Dodger Stadium gates will open at 9:00 a.m. and the annual On Sale festivities will include music, trivia and contests, hosted by AM 570 Fox Sports Radio. Additionally, fans that purchase at least one ticket at Dodger Stadium at the On Sale event will receive a Dodger gift.

• THE HELP: On March 1, the Dodgers will hold their annual open tryout here at Camelback Ranch – Glendale, hosted by the amateur scouting department. The tryout will take place from 9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. and potential prospects can call 323-224-1512 for details and instructions.
  

Collection: 1982 Albuquerque Dukes

Take a look back at the 1982 Albuquerque Dukes minor league set with me as I briefly reminisce about those great Dodger teams from the 80's. Many of these players, here, would occupy key positions for the club as they won pennants and a World Championship.

Above is a nerdy looking Orel Hershiser, Tom "I give up big home runs" Niedenfuer, Brian Holton, Joe Beckwith, and a pitcher who would star for other teams John Franco. Imagine what we could have done with Franco in our bullpen? Below is a sample of the reverse of the cards.
Below is Greg "Pornstache" Brock, Dave "You Always Surprised Me" Anderson and Dave "Brother of Steve" Sax.
Candy Maldonado's and Mike Marshall's cards are below.

eBay Buy: 1984 Dodgers Smokey the Bear Fire Safety Set

I recently made a great pick-up on eBay that was both cheap and unique.

In the 80's, the Forestry Service issued special sets for many Baseball teams that would typically be handed out during a game. The cards were about the same size as your typical Baseball card, made with very thin card stock and would usually consist of most of the players on the team. "Smokey the Bear" would frequently be featured prominently.

In 1984, they did something different. The Dodgers set had only 4 cards. Steve Sax, Ken Landreaux, Tom Niedenfuer and Smokey the Bear were featured. On top of that, the almost paper thin cards measured a robust 5x7 inches. Check them out below.
I love how they are standing in a forest right next to the Smokey, but why is Landreaux shovel-less. Both Steve and Tom have their tools at the ready.

I paid a very affordable $3.00 + $3.00 shipping. The set looks great, but I wish it included more players.

Smokey looks like he could hit it a country mile.

Photoalbum Link: 1984 Dodgers Smokey the Bear: