Now You Can Own Joc Pederson's Hooptie - Nicknamed 'Little Chucky'

Here is a fascinating piece of Dodger/Isotope history.

As you might remember, Joc Pederson and the Isotopes gave away a unique prize to a guest at fan appreciation night in Albuquerque this past season.  Up for grabs was Pederson's 'ride' and it was quite a junker.  I think the appropriate term might be 'hooptie.'  Anyway, it was Joc's ride around town as he muscled his way towards an MVP trophy this past season in the Pacific Coast League.

As described in the originally press release for the contest:

The car, nicknamed "Little Chucky," has only 166,000 miles on it and has at least one operable window, which is really all you need. It is perfect for cruising around during the New Mexico summers with its "awesome" stereo system and lack of air conditioning. Kelly Blue Book estimates the value at nearly $1,000 (depending on if it has a full tank of gas). Little Chucky will also come with two complimentary air fresheners and whatever else Pederson forgets to clean out.

(The winner, pic via @AbqTopes on twitter)

'Little Chucky,' as it was affectionately known, was won by a young lady named Renee, and after a few weeks of driving it another 1,000 miles has decided her safety is more important than the prestige.  This same car is now up for sale on eBay, so now you can own Joc Pederson's 'ride.'  Check out the auction listing here.  It has an opening price of $1,200.00.

There is less than 33 hours to get your bid in, so act fast if you want to own a little piece of awesome.

The best part of the auction is the description in the Seller's notes:

“Used High Mileage, Faded and Cracked Paint, Windows don't Work, Light Dents and Scratches, Worn Dash and Missing Plastic Mold Frame Around where the stereo is. Air Conditioner doesn't work and you have to wiggle the steering wheel to get the key to turn at times.”

I wonder if the original air fresheners provided by Joc are included.

Hat Tip: Pedro Moura on twitter.
Pic at the very top via eBay listing (originally from Albuquerque Isotopes_.

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When the Candy Man Wore Blue - a John Candelaria Leaf Autographed Card

Brooklyn native John Cadelaria had a great 19-year Major League career.  Noted for a three-quarters left-handed delivery and throwing a high-90's fastball with pinpoint control, he displayed phenomenal movement that left batters sprawling.  Candelaria was also outspoken, once calling his GM in Pittsburgh a 'Bozo," and vocally expressing a passion for living large by saying "life is a mystery to be lived, not a problem to be solved."

Overall, Cadelaria played for nine different clubs; including the Dodgers from 1991 to 1992.   Over his career he appeared in one All-Star game in 1977, won a World Series trophy with the Pirates in 1979 and was the American League Comback Player of the Year in 1986.  He also threw a no-hitter against the Dodgers in 1976; which was the first Pirate no-no thrown in Pittsburgh.

As I was researching Candelaria I came across an interesting story that is almost too weird to believe.  It's from wikipedia and unsourced, so take it with a grain of salt:

At the age of 15, Candelaria attended a baseball tryout where a Los Angeles Dodgers scout called him the best he had ever seen. The tryout catcher had to be replaced with a major league catcher for fear of injuring the stand-in. By the account of this same scout, Candelaria was in line to sign with the Dodgers before he appeared at a later tryout wearing a shirt that featured a marijuana leaf with the caption "try some, you'll like it." The Dodger executives at the tryout were so appalled by this lighthearted display that they declined to sign him.

Strange, right?  But, considering we're talking about the Candy Man it's not so out-of-bounds.  After all, this was a guy who could party harder than most, while still hurling wicked fastballs on the corner.

Another story I know is true is from his time as a Dodger, via Bill Plascke of the LA Times:

Although he was not given a contract until the end of camp, he made his lasting impression during one of the first intrasquad games.

He threw a fastball that hit teammate Juan Samuel in the elbow, then later confessed to his astonished teammates that he had done it purposely.

"The guy hit a home run against me six years ago. . . . And pay-back can be brutal," Candelaria said.

By the time he became a Dodger he was in the twilight of his career.  He got into more than 50 games each season with the Dodgers and was used primarily as a left-handed specialist by the team.  By all accounts he was very effective; still able to fling a fastball like a trebuchet aimed at a mighty castle.  As the oldest member of the Dodger club in 1991 and 1992, Cadelaria still had something to give as he searched for one final chance for a ring.

Featured in this post is an autographed 1991 Leaf John Cadeleria card that I added to my collection.  It is a 2014 Leaf Metal Draft 'Leaf Memories' buyback autograph card, and has been numbered 15 out of 45.

Below are his career statistics, via Baseball-Reference:

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Blog Kiosk: 11/14/2014 - Dodger Links - Schebler, Rojas and Farhan Zaidi on the Hot Stove

While playing some Baseball in Japan Yasiel Puig still finds time to do the tourist thing.  Here he is with a Geisha/  Photo via @MLBFanCave on twitter.

Below are some links to check out:

• Via Jim Callis at MLB.com, "Fall League observations: Dodgers' Schebler impresses vs. former No. 1 pick."

(Scott) Schebler had the two best at-bats against Appel. He dealt with six straight mid-90s fastballs in the second inning, getting ahead in the count 3-1 and blasting a 95-mph heater over the fence in right-center. Schebler fouled off a changeup to lead off the fourth before coaxing four straight balls for Appel's lone walk.

• Via Michael Duarte at Latin Times, "Latinos In The US: Dodgers Shortstop Miguel Rojas Talks Journey To Big Leagues, Family And Heritage."

LT: I heard you got married earlier this year, congratulations. I know that your wife, Mariana was living in Caracas until the season started, but since then she has been here with you. How has she helped you this season?
MR: My wife Mariana has been great for me this year because this is the first year she has been here with me in the United States. She keeps me away from distractions. Your first year in the big leagues, there is a lot of media surrounding you and a lot of temptations. That’s been the biggest thing; she has been great for me.

• Via Mark Saxon at ESPNLosAngeles.com, "Lure of Dodgers 'think tank' landed Gabe Kapler."
• Via Erin Edwards at Dodger Insider, "Another Dream(field) becomes a reality."

“This project is a perfect example of what can be accomplished when a community focuses their energies towards the possible,” said Buscaino. “In only one year, Leland Park went from being an abandoned trouble magnet to one of the nicest baseball parks in the City thanks to the efforts of the neighbors, the Department of Recreation and Parks, my office and the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation.”

• In commemoration of Clayton Kershaw's 2014 CY Young award Topps has issued a limited edition 10"x14" prints that uses the vintage 1961 Topps MVP design.  There are three different versions; limited to #/99, #/10 and #/1.  The card on the left below is the more common #/99 variation and the print on the right is limited to #/10 copies.  The "1 of 1" version uses a gold background and is already sold out.  Go here to check them out.

• Listen to Dodger Gm Farhan Zaidi on Hot Stove:

Video Link:

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Clayton Kershaw takes Home the National League MVP Award

To the disdain of Dodger haters everywhere, Clayton Kershaw has been named the National League MVP for the 2014 Baseball season.  He becomes the first pitcher to win the award since Bob Gibson in 1968, and the first Dodger since Kirk Gibson in 1988.

Overall, this is just the 10th time a pitcher has ever been awarded the MVP in the National League; joining a list that includes Carl Hubbell (twice), Dizzy Dean, Bucky Walters, Mort Cooper, Jim Konstanty, Don Newcombe, Sandy Koufax and Bob Gibson.  Kershaw is also the third Dodger pitcher to come home with the big award - more than any other club.  For the 11th time a Dodger has won the MVP - Roy Campanella (three times), Dolph Camilli, Jackie Robinson, Newcombe, Maury Wills, Koufax, Steve Garvey and Kirk Gibson.

As you know, Angels outfielder Mike Trout took home the American League MVP award earlier today, as well.  Per a BBWAA release:

This was the 11th time players from one market were MVPs the same year and the fifth time involving the Dodgers. While in Brooklyn, Camilli won in 1941 with the New York Yankees’ Joe DiMaggio; Campanella and the Yankees’ Yogi Berra won in 1951 and ’55, and Newcombe won with the Yankees’ Mickey Mantle in 1956.

(pic via @Angels on twitter)

Vote totals for the National League ballot was close.  Kershaw and second place Giancarlo Stanton were separated by just 57 points.  Kershaw received 355 points (18 first place votes) compared to Stanton's 298 points (8 first place votes).  Andrew McCutchen was a close third with 271 points (4 first place votes).

I had written this previously on my ballot for the BBA (BAseball Blogger Alliance) postseason awards:

You can call me a homer all you want, but this was clearly one of those seasons where not a single non-pitching position player established themselves as the leagues best.  So, it's only appropriate that a pitcher of Kershaw's class be considered for MVP.  After all, no batter came close to eclipsing Kershaw's 8.0 WAR for the season, and no player was more impactful to their teams regular season success.  Consider this, when Clayton started his 41 inning scoreless innings streak on June 13th the Dodgers were 8 games back of the Giants.  By the time the streak was over they had a 0.5 game lead in the division.

Of note, back in late-July there was a series of incidents during a game against the Cardinals where Hanley Ramirez was hit by a pitch around the head by the infamous Joe Kelly.  Kershaw, seeing the lack of respect that pitcher had for his own abilities and the Dodgers, retaliated in the most professional of ways.  He threw a purpose pitch in the perfect spot - on Matt Holliday's bum.  No harm, but a slight foul.  Then later on he said this:

“But what I will say is, though, it’s tough when you see Hanley get hit like that so many times. It’s one thing to miss in[side], but when you’re missing up and in at a guy’s face like that, that’s really scary. … When you throw that hard, you need to have a better idea where the ball’s going.”

That's the kind of message your best player, a leader and the MVP candidate has to make.  Enough is enough, and nobody is better at delivering that kind of message than Clayton Kershaw.

Go here to check out a complete list of players who received votes this season.  Of note, three other Dodgers also received votes on the MVP ballot.  Adrian Gonzalez, who lead the Majors in RBI's, received 57 points and was seventh overall in balloting.  Yasiel Puig received 8 points and second baseman Dee Gordon received 1 point.  Dee Gordon is certainly a surprise here.  He seemingly came out of nowhere to win the Dodger second base job and came out of the gate like a bull.  Dee reasserted himself into the Dodger plans by making himself an important cog in the Dodger machine.  He batted .298 with a Major League leading 12 triples and 64 stolen bases.  BTW, John Maffei of U-T San Diego was the reporter who gave Gordon his 10th place vote.

Below is a video of Kershaw winning the award.

Video Link:

Here's a highlight video featuring Kershaw for winning both the Cy Young and MVP this past season.

Video Link:

Pic at the very top via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2014.

UPDATE:  From a Dodgers press release:

 "An individual player is part of a greater whole--a player is part of a team. So any recognition of a single player is really just a reflection of the bigger picture," said Kershaw. "I'm really humbled to receive the award for Most Valuable Player in the National League. Apart from previous recognition, this award feels significant in a different way. I never imagined getting to receive this honor. To the Baseball Writers' Association of America--thank you. To my teammates and coaches--this is a shared honor. I'm thankful to share seasons with gifted guys I respect. To the Dodgers organization and fans--playing baseball in Los Angeles is a privilege and I'm proud to represent you. I'm overwhelmed by the honors this off season has rendered. Thanks for making the 2014 baseball season one I will remember for the rest of my life."

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Alamodome Here We Come - Dodgers to Play Two Spring Games in San Antonio

Following up on a series of successful spring games the past two years, the Texas Rangers have invited the LA Dodgers to play a couple spring training games at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas.  The event is called the H-E-B Big League Weekend and it is scheduled for Friday, March 20 (7:00 p.m.) and Saturday, March 21 (1:00 p.m.).  Via a press release:

“We’re excited about this match up,” said Nolan Ryan.  “The Dodgers are one of the most successful franchises in baseball with some good, young players.  For fans in San Antonio and all over the state it’s a great opportunity to see us play them since there is not a National League team in Texas anymore.”

Furthermore, the Dodgers will be returning to San Antonio after a 23 year hiatus.  As you may know, the Dodgers AA minor league affiliate was in San Antonio from 1977 to 2000.  Notable Dodgers to have played in San Antonio on their way up to Los Angeles include Adrian Beltre, Bob Welch, Mike Scioscia, Orel Hershiser, Fernando Valenzuela, Steve Sax, Ramon Martinez, John Wetteland, Raul Mondesi, Mike Piazza and Eric Gagne.

“The Los Angeles Dodgers are looking forward to visiting San Antonio for Big League Weekend this spring with the Texas Rangers,” said Dodgers' President & CEO Stan Kasten.  “Playing in the Alamodome should be quite an experience for our team and our fans.”

Last year the Rangers played host to the Houston Astros in Alamodome, and in 2012 they played the San Diego Padres.  Tickets go on sale tomorrow for the games against the Dodgers.  Go here for information and tickets.

“The Rangers are very happy to be returning to San Antonio and Big League Weekend in 2015,” said Rangers President of Baseball Operations Jon Daniels. “Ryan Sanders Baseball puts on a first class event and has done an amazing job in converting the Alamodome into a Major League Baseball facility. The reception we received playing before the tremendous fans of the San Antonio area has been outstanding and we look forward to another great weekend with the Dodgers.”

BTW, from what I understand a sports collectors show at the Alamodome had been planned for that weekend in the past, so I expect that will continue for 2015.  You can also follow the Big League Weekend on twitter here: @SABigLeagueWknd.

(Rangers manager Jeff Banister makes announcement, via @SABigLeagueWknd on twitter)

Here are more photos of the field at past ballgames in the Alamodome, via @SABigLeagueWknd.  Click on any pic to embiggen.

Pic at the very top via @SABigLeagueWknd on twitter.

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Dodger Stock Certificate Available for Sale at Legendary Auctions

Ephemera is a broad branch of collecting that is not well known, but is something most sports collectors are active participants in.  It typically consist of paper (printed) items that were originally meant to be discarded after their intended use.  Although, that is a bit of an antiquated definition.  Maybe the best explanation I've read is from noted collector Maurice Rickards who said that ephemera is “minor transient documents of everyday life.”  This could be flyers, business cards, calendars or event tickets.  These days ephemera collecting has expanded even further towards certificates, bank notes, letters and even trading cards. 

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Featured here are a couple of unique ephemera items related to the Dodgers that I wanted to point out.  They are currently available for sale through Legendary Auctions and will be closing next week. 

Directly below is a 1966 letter from National League President Warren Giles to Dodger owner Walter O'Malley.  In the letter he officially notifies O'Malley that the Dodgers are the victors of the National League.  It seems a bit odd to me that this is something O'Malley has to be told, but I guess official recognition is required. 

(Auction Link)

This next item is just plain awesome.  Below is a Brooklyn Dodgers ownership stock certificate dated June 18, 1948 and signed by team President Branch Rickey.  It is for 10 shares of stock and has been issued to Marie McKeever Mulvey.  BTW, Marie has signed the certificate on the reverse.

Marie, or Dearie as she was known to friends, was the daughter of construction contractor Stephen McKeever.  As you may know, Stephen and his brother Ed partnered up with Charles Ebbets to build Ebbets Field; taking a significant ownership stake in the process.  Together with Ebbets they continued to operate the franchise until Charles Ebbets died in 1925.  Thereafter, the McKeever's became the primary operators of the club until Stephen's death in 1938.

At that point, Dearie became an owner of the team; along with the Brooklyn Trust Company (owners of the estate of Charles Ebbets) who had designated Walter O'Malley as their overseer.  She maintained significant ownership in the club until her death in 1968, at which time her husband took control until he sold the family's final shares to O'Malley in 1975.  BTW, her husband was James Mulvey, who was once President of Samuel Goldwyn Productions.

I wonder if I went to Stan Kasten with this document, would he grant me part ownership in the club?  Do you think I could finagle my way into the ownership box?

Yeah, probably not.

(Auction Link)

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