Blog Kiosk: 5/6/2020 - Dodgers Links & News - Some Odds and Ends

He's all smiles!

Check out this vintage United Press Photo taken shortly after the Dodgers defeated the Yankees in the 1955 World Series (eBay link).

The Victor and the Loser
New York: Yankee manager Casey Stengel (right) congratulates a smiling Dodger manager Walt Alston in the Brooklyn dressing room after the Dodgers won the rubber game of the World Series to win their first championship. The Dodgers whipped the Yankees, 2-0, to take the 7th and final game of the series at Yankee Stadium Oct. 4th.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1937 Baseball fans at both the Polo Grounds and Ebbets Field see the Hindenberg zeppelin fly overhead - just a few hours before it infamously exploded into a fireball in Lakehurst, New Jersey. In 1947 NL President Ford Frick threatens seven Cardinals players at Ebbets Field with banishment from the league should they follow through with their planned boycott to protest Jackie Robinson. In 1978 Dodger super-utilityman Lee Lacy becomes the first Major Leaguer to hit pinch-hit home runs in consecutive at-bats. On May 17th he would make it three-in-a-row.
• Happy Birthday, Les Webber, Mike McCormick & Mike Kincade!

Blog Kiosk: 9/10/2019 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends - It's Clinch Day!

I missed another Dodgers' 2019 Topps Now card. It was issued over the weekend to celebrate AJ Pollock's three-homer game on Friday night against the Giants. It has a print run of 181 cards. Below is what's written on the reverse:

AJ Pollock impressively hit three solo homeruns against the Giants, one of which traveled at least 420 feet. This was the second three homerun game by a Dodger's player this season but unfortunately this feat was not enough to pull through a win, the Giants won 5-4.

BTW, the Dodgers Magic Number now sits at one! Today could be the day they win the National League West Division. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1992 a report came out about a "security check" that revealed serious issues with two members of a buying group interested in purchasing the Giants and moving them to Florida. One of the investors mentioned was Vince Piazza -- father of recently called-up catcher Mike Piazza of the Dodgers. The deal falls apart, and MLB settles with the group for $6MM (which includes a letter of apology to Vince Piazza). In 1996 outfielder Brett Butler breaks his hand on a bunt attempt when he is hit by a pitch. The 39-year-old Butler, who battled back from cancer surgery, is out for the year after playing five games. In 2016 Rich Hill threw seven perfect innings against the Marlins, but is pulled by Dave Roberts because of concern over a previous blister problem (boxscore). He had thrown 89 pitches at this point. The Dodgers won, 5-0, but the relief staff ended up yielding two hits to negate the perfect game and possible no-hitter.
• Happy Birthday, High Pockets Kelly, Terry Wells, Danys Baez, Chad Hermansen & Nick Green!

Blog Kiosk: 8/27/2019 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Mistakes were made. Errors committed. Game was lost. Per Ken Gurnick at MLB.com:

“There’s no excuse for what happened,” (Dustin) May said. “I should have been behind third to back the ball up. Can’t let it go into the dugout in that situation. A huge situation.” 

“The throw came in and I was assuming Corey [Seager, at shortstop,] was going to cut it off, but it was over his head,” (Justin) Turner said. “I tried to knock it down, and it just sneaked by me.”

Oftentimes, it's the little things that determine your fate. Photo above via Raymond Gorospe/MLB.com at Dodger Insider. Go here to check out more pics from yesterdays game. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1937 Dodger righty Fred Frankhouse throws a rained-shortened (7 2/3 innings) no-hitter, beating the Reds, 5 - 0.  He recorded only three strikeouts and walked six. In 1955 Sandy Koufax earned his first career win during his first career start when he pitched a complete game shutout to defeat the Reds, 7-0. He struck out 14 batters and walked five. In 2005 Dodger second baseman Jeff Kent hit his 300th career homer run as a second baseman -- the first to have ever done so. In 1988 Tommy Lasorda won his 1,000th career game as Manager of the Dodgers. 
• Happy Birthday, Don McJames, Hal Janvrin, Mike Maddux, Jim Thome, Rick Gorecki & Justin Miller!

Blog Kiosk: 7/19/2019 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Check out Pee Wee Reese's acrobatic throw to first. Unfortunately, the runners break-up attempt worked.

Some Snappy Work at Second
Chicago - Marvin Rickert of Cubs slides into 2nd too late in the 5th inning as Brooklyn Dodger Pee Wee Reese leaps high into the air to throw to first in an unsuccessful attempt to double Ed Waitkus in the June 8 game between the Cubs and Dodgers at Wrigley Field. Cubs won, 2-0. (6-9-1946) (boxscore)

Acme press photo above found on eBay (eBay Link). Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1977 Don Sutton took home All-Star Game MVP honors when the NL defeated the AL 7-5 at Yankee Stadium. As the starting pitcher, Sutton threw three scoreless innings, allowing just one hit, one walk and struck out four. Fellow teammate Steve Garvey hit a third inning solo home run. In 1993 outfielder Raul Mondesi made his Major League debut and recorded a single in his very first at-bat. In 2015 Zack Greinke extends his scoreless innings streak to 43 2/3 by pitching eight shutout innings against the Nationals (boxscore)
• Happy Birthday, Bill Hart, Erve Beck, Ben Geraghty, Luis Avilan & Rachel Robinson! 

Blog Kiosk: 4/4/2019 - Dodger Links - Some odds and Ends

They just keep slugging.

Last night the Dodgers extended their consecutive homer streak to start the season to seven games when Kiké Hernández hit his third home run of the season to lead-off the game.

Photo above via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2019 at Dodger Insider. Go here to check out more pics from yesterday's game. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1997 Mike Piazza reached base for the eight consecutive plate appearance -- he went 3-for-3 with a walk in a Dodgers win over the Pirates. He would fly out his next at-bat the following day. In 2016 the Dodgers handed the Padres the worst Opening Day loss in Major League history since 1913. They beat them silly, 15-0. Go here for the boxscore. BTW, this game was Dave Roberts Dodgers managerial debut.
• Happy Birthday, John Hummel, Pete Kilduff, Joe Vosmik, Mickey Owen, Willie Ramsdell, Gil Hodges & Louis Coleman!

Blog Kiosk: 2/18/2019 - Dodgers Links and news - Some Odds and Ends

There's no better place than Camelback Ranch to get autographs from your favorite Dodgers'.

Photo above via @Dodgers on twitter. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1960 Walter O'Malley and the Dodgers completed their purchase of the Chavez Ravine area by paying $494,000 for property valued at $92,000. In 1986 the Dodgers signed 18-year old free agent Dominican infielder José Vizcaíno. He would go on to have an 18 year career in the Majors -- playing five seasons for the Dodgers. In 2017 the Dodgers re-signed Chase "Dad" Utley to a one-year $2 million contract.
• Happy Birthday, Sherry Smith, Manny Mota, Bob Miller, Kevin Tapani, Jamey Carroll & Chad Moeller!

Blog Kiosk: 1/22/2019 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Dave Roberts was Grand Marshall for the Kingdom Day Parade yesterday.

Photo above via Dodgers Foundation on twitter. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1988 seven ballplayers are declared free agents as a result of an Players Association's 1985 collusion lawsuit against the owners. Kirk Gibson is one of those players and he would eventually sign with the Dodgers seven days later. The rest, as they say, is history. In 2007 the Dodgers signed amateur free agent Pedro Báez as a 19-year old third baseman out of the Dominican Republic. He would eventually convert to a relief pitcher in 2013.
• Happy Birthday, Jay Hughes, Jeff Treadway, Chone Figgins, Wayne Kirby & Carlos Ruiz!