Foreshadowing: the 1983 Fleer Steve Garvey Card

I was wasting some time this afternoon during my lunch break when I came across a tweet from noted Baseball card collector Night Owl Cards. 

I missed this yesterday, but terrific behind-the-scenes stories about Fleer photography in '80s from Bob Bartosz. http://t.co/dHimRizVNT
— NightOwlCards (@nightowlcards) March 17, 2015

Naturally, I had to click the link, and I was not disappointed. 

Bo at Baseball Cards Come to Life sat down with a former Fleer Baseball card photographer during the 80's and shares some of his stories.  In fact, the photographer, named Bob Bartosz, was responsible for many of the quirky Fleer cards from the time; including the "Black & Blue" card in 1983 set, "Pete & Re-Pete" card from the 1982 set and the Glenn Hubard with a giant snake card found in the 1984 set.  There are a ton of great stories, so you should definitely check it out.

One story in particular is the reason for this post. Bob Bartosz tells us that Steve Garvey knew all along (by the 1982 All-Star break) that he would not be re-signing with the Dodgers after the season.  Knowing this, Bob was able to plan for next years card.  See it at the very bottom. 

Foreshadowing what he had already been told, Bob made sure his 1983 Fleer card included Garvey putting away his Dodger gear at his locker.   This card has been around for over 30 years and it never occurred to me that the photo was symbolic of anything - until now. 

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Dodgers Notes from Spring Training: Spring Game 15 / Road Game 8

Throughout Spring Training the Dodgers PR department sends out helpful daily notes from Camelback Ranch, and I am happy to pass them along.  See what they've written below.

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Los Angeles Dodgers (8-2-4) vs. Texas Rangers (7-6-1)
Tuesday, March 17, 2015 – 1:05 p.m. MT | Surprise Recreation Campus

LHP Hyun-Jin Ryu (0-0, 0.00) vs. RHP Yovani Gallardo (0-0, 21.60)   
TV: SNLA Radio: None

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(St. Patrick's Day 1998, pic via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers)

POT OF GOLD: The Dodgers, who have the Cactus League’s best winning percentage at .800, travel to Surprise to take on the Rangers in the first of four exhibition contests between the clubs this spring. The teams will match up again this weekend as their split-squads travel to San Antonio for a two-game series and will also meet on March 29 in Glendale. The clubs will play four regular-season games in 2015, June 15-16 in Arlington and June 17-18 at Dodger Stadium, marking their first games against each other since 2009 and the Rangers’ first visit to Los Angeles since 2001. The Dodgers will don green caps in today’s game in honor of St. Patrick’s Day!

• Yesterday, the Dodgers optioned pitchers Zach Lee, Chris Reed, Mike Bolsinger, Joe Wieland and Carlos Frias along with catcher Austin Barnes and reassigned infielders O’Koyea Dickson and Erisbel Arruebarrena to minor league camp. Including Brandon Beachy and Chris Withrow, who are on the 60-day disabled list, the Dodgers have 50 players remaining in big league camp.

NO LUCK OF THE IRISH NEEDED: The Dodgers erupted for three home runs, including a pinch-hit grand slam by Darnell Sweeney, during an eight-run eighth inning yesterday to down the A’s, 10-5, at Camelback Ranch for their third consecutive win. Scott Schebler and Chris Heisey also homered during the eighth-inning rally, and Darwin Barney had a game-high three hits, going 3-for-3 with an RBI. Zack Greinke made his second start of the spring, allowing just one hit – a solo home run by Josh Phegley – in 3.0 innings in a no-decision.

TEXAS TWO-STEP: The countdown is on to Big League Weekend, with the Dodgers taking on the Rangers Friday night and Saturday afternoon at the Alamodome in San Antonio! Erik Bedard and Zack Greinke are expected to start the two San Antonio exhibition games for the Dodgers, with a roster that includes Yasmani Grandal, Adrian Gonzalez, Yasiel Puig, and Joc Pederson.

MAKING JACKIE PROUD: Major League Baseball announced yesterday that the Dodgers will play host to the Seattle Mariners at Dodger Stadium in the 2015 Civil Rights Game on Jackie Robinson Day, Wednesday, April 15.  It will mark the first time that Baseball’s tribute to civil rights leaders and figures will be held in conjunction with its annual commemoration of Hall of Famer Jackie Robinson breaking Baseball’s color barrier on April 15, 1947. The Civil Rights Game was developed by MLB to pay tribute to the spirit of the civil rights movement and to honor those who embodied the struggle for equal rights for all Americans. This is the first Civil Rights Game hosted by the Dodgers and second one they have played in (2012), while this will be the first overall for the Mariners.

(Hyun-Jin Ryu, pic via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2015)

ON THE MOUND: Left-hander Hyun-Jin Ryu will make his second start of the spring today after striking out two in 2.0 hitless, scoreless innings on Thursday at San Diego. Ryu, who has never faced the Rangers, has struggled against American League opponents during the course of his career, going 3-3 with a 4.72 ERA (25 ER/47.2 IP) in eight starts.

• LHP Paco Rodriguez is expected to make his fourth appearance of the spring today, last pitching on Saturday against the Indians. Rodriguez has yet to allow a run and has struck out five in 3.0 innings this spring.
• LHP J.P Howell is also expected to see action today after firing a scoreless inning on Saturday against the Indians.
• RHP Juan Nicasio will make his fourth Cactus League appearance today after tossing a scoreless inning of relief in Friday’s tie with the Reds.
• RHP David Aardsma will also make his fourth appearance of the spring today, last pitching on Saturday against the Indians. Aardsma has allowed just one hit in 3.0 scoreless innings this spring.
• RHP Pedro Baez, who last pitched on Saturday against the Indians, has allowed just one hit in 3.0 innings this spring.
• Los Angeles pitching has been terrific so far this spring, as the club has combined to post a 3.02 ERA and limit opposing hitters to a .209 batting average, striking out 98 and walking just 32 in 125.0 innings.

THE HOME OF THE DODGERS: Yesterday, iHeartMedia Los Angeles and the Dodgers announced the debut of the all-new AM 570 LA Sports.. The new baseball season will bring a new name, a new look, a re-brand, a re-launch and a new co-ownership with the Dodgers to the station formerly known as KLAC. AM 570 LA Sports will be under the co-ownership of iHeartMedia Los Angeles and the Dodgers, will have a new logo and will also incorporate the new 2015 Dodgers slogan “We Love LA.”  Another new addition, Dodger Talk featuring David Vassegh and Kevin Kennedy, will now air immediately following Dodgers baseball games or at 7:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.

(Retired #'s added to Club Level at Dodger Stadium, pic via @DodgerInsider on twitter)

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Blog Kiosk: 3/17/2015 - Dodger Links - Happy St. Patrick's Day!

What the heck?

Today is St. Patrick's Day and the Dodgers will not be wearing green uniforms.  Instead, they'll be donning only a green cap in celebration.  What a shame.

Does anyone when was the last time the team hadn't worn green on this day?  Please let me know.

(Scully, Barber & O'Malley at party, via O'Malley.com)

Although I couldn't tell you how long the tradition of wearing green uni's has existed for the Dodgers, I do know that this day has always been special for the franchise.  The O'Malley's famously hosted a huge party every year starting in 1951 at Dodgertown in Vero Beach for friends, family and employees.  Now, some 17 years after the family sold the team this tradition seems like a distant memory.

Photo above via @Dodgers on twitter.  Go here for some more background on the St. Patrick's Day parties at the Walter O'Malley website.  Below are some more links to check out:

• Via Eric Stephen at True Blue LA, "Brandon League out with shoulder inflammation, to receive injection."
• It''s about time!  Via a tweet from LA Times reporter Kevin Baxter:

Commissioner Rob Manfred said preliminary discussions have begun about bringing the All-Star game back to #Dodger Stadium
— Kevin Baxter (@kbaxter11) March 16, 2015

• An awesome read.  Via Eric Nusbaum at Vice Sports, "The Likable, Unlikely Career of Juan Uribe."

But in his Cy Young acceptance speech this past offseason, Clayton Kershaw—Uribe's exact opposite culturally, stylistically, and personality wise—singled out the third baseman. "Thank you for making me laugh," Kershaw said. "You are one of the most important people in our clubhouse."

• Hilarious!  Via Eric Stephen at True Blue LA, "Zack Greinke on his location, his slider, Ozzy Osbourne & The Alamo."

What about The Alamo?

"I remember a little bit," Greinke recalled. "I remember them saying Ozzy Osbourne peed on it. Hopefully that's true."

• I have no words.  None!  Check out Tommy Lasorda  singing some song - "Turn down for what" at Instagram, here.  I had no idea what this phrase meant (I feel so old) until I looked it up at the Urban Dictionary.  Check that out here.  After reading that I find this whole thing totally inappropriate. 
• WTF!

Those home runs had me like: pic.twitter.com/sYf8Sc47pk
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) March 16, 2015

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2015 Donruss Baseball - The Dodger Insert, Relic and Autograph Cards

Here is a look at the rest of the 2015 Donruss Dodger cards found in the set.  Last week I showed the base and variation cards.  Below are all of the insert, relic and autographed cards. 

The "Rated Rookie" die-cut card directly below is a bit confusing.  I say that because it doesn't appear to show up on a checklist (see that here).  It doesn't look anything like any other card in the set (especially the "Rated Rookie" portion of the base set).  On the other hand, it may very well be a parallel to the "Rated Rookie" subset found in the base set.  The die-cut card is numbered to #/750 copies and the Silver Die-Cut parallels are said to have the same print run.  So, it's more than likely that this is that card.  Since it looks nothing like the base version it's hard to really know for sure.

Rated Rookie Die Cut

#2  Joc Pederson

All Time Diamond Kings

#22 Mike Piazza

Dodgers Notes from Spring Training: Spring Game 14 / Home Game 7

Throughout Spring Training the Dodgers PR department sends out helpful daily notes from Camelback Ranch, and I am happy to pass them along.  See what they've written below.

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Oakland Athletics (9-5-1) at Los Angeles Dodgers (7-2-4)
Monday, March 16, 2015 – 1:05 p.m. MT | Camelback Ranch

RHP Zack Greinke (0-0, 9.00) vs. RHP Kendall Graveman (2-0, 1.80)  
TV: SNLA Radio: None

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(Big Dodger Heads, via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2015)

STAY HOT: The Dodgers improved to 7-2-4 yesterday after defeating the Mariners in Peoria, 5-2. The club’s .778 winning percentage is currently the best in the Cactus League. Today, Los Angeles meets the A’s for the first of two contests this spring, with the other tilt coming this Friday in Mesa. The clubs will square off in a pair of two separate two-game series this season, with the first coming July 28-29 at Dodger Stadium and the finale is Aug. 18-19 in Oakland. FYI—It’s exactly three weeks until Opening Day!

• Yesterday, the Dodgers flashed some pop, collecting four doubles and a homer in the victory over Seattle. Darwin Barney belted a two-run shot while both Howie Kendrick and Carl Crawford went 2-for-3 with an RBI. On the mound, Clayton Kershaw picked up his second Cactus League victory after yielding one run in 3.1 innings and three hurlers tossed scoreless baseball: Chin-hui Tsao (1.2 IP), Sergio Santos (1.0) and Adam Liberatore (1.0).

MAKING JACKIE PROUD: Major League Baseball announced today that the Dodgers will play host to the Seattle Mariners at Dodger Stadium in the 2015 Civil Rights Game on Jackie Robinson Day, Wednesday, April 15.  It will mark the first time that Baseball’s tribute to civil rights leaders and figures will be held in conjunction with its annual commemoration of Hall of Famer Jackie Robinson breaking Baseball’s color barrier on April 15, 1947. The Civil Rights Game on Jackie Robinson Day will air nationally on ESPN2, with coverage scheduled to begin at 7:00 p.m. PT. The Civil Rights Game was developed by MLB to pay tribute to the spirit of the civil rights movement and to honor those who embodied the struggle for equal rights for all Americans. This is the first Civil Rights Game hosted by the Dodgers and second one they have played in (2012), while this will be the first overall for the Mariners.

(Clayton Kershaw, via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2015)

G’DAY MATE: On this date last year, the Dodgers broke camp at Camelback Ranch and traveled to Sydney, Australia, for MLB’s Opening Series against the Arizona Diamondbacks. Los Angeles won both games down under, before returning home for their “domestic” season opener in San Diego.  Check out all of my past blog post about the Australian games here.

THE COMMISH: Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred visited Dodger camp this morning and briefly addressed the squad during the morning meeting. Manfred will stay for the game and visit with Dodger TV and radio broadcaster Charley Steiner and Senior Advisor to the President Ned Colletti. Colletti will be in the booth with Steiner the next three games.   

ON THE MOUND: Right-hander Zack Greinke will make his second start of the spring today after giving up two runs on two hits in 2.0 innings pitched. Greinke won his first career Gold Glove Award in 2014, committing just one error in 59 total chances (.983 fielding percentage).

• LHP David Huff is expected to make his third appearance of the spring today. Through two Cactus League appearances, Huff has tossed 3.2 scoreless innings, surrendering only two hits and striking out four.
• LHP Daniel Coulombe is also expected to see action today. Coulombe has held opposing hitters to a .100 batting average this spring, allowing only one hit in 3.0 innings.
• Veteran RHP Chad Gaudin will make his third Cactus League appearance today after picking up the save in Thursday’s win over the Padres. Gaudin has recorded five strikeouts and has yet to allow a run in 3.0 innings of work this spring.
• RHP Chris Hatcher will make his fourth appearance of the spring today. In his first three Cactus League appearances this spring, Hatcher has tossed three scoreless innings, allowing only three hits and holding opposing hitters to a .231 batting average.
• 24-year-old RHP Yimi Garcia will see action today, for the fourth time this spring. Garcia has held opposing hitters to a .091 batting average in 3.1 scoreless innings.
• RHP Joel Peralta is expected to make his second Cactus League appearance today. Peralta allowed one run and two hits in 1.0 inning of relief in Friday’s 3-3 tie with the Reds.

STUDS: Los Angeles pitching has been terrific so far this spring, as the club has combined to post a 2.87 ERA and limit opposing hitters to a .210 batting average, striking out 90 and walking just 28 in 116.0 innings. The 2.87 mark ranks second among NL clubs, trailing just Cincinnati (2.66).

TEXAS TWO STEP: The countdown is on to Big League Weekend, with the Dodgers taking on the Rangers Friday night and Saturday afternoon at the Alamodome in San Antonio! Erik Bedard and Zack Greinke are expected to start the two San Antonio exhibition games for the Dodgers, with a roster that includes Yasmani Grandal, Adrian Gonzalez, Yasiel Puig, and Joc Pederson.

BRANDON’S BDAY: The Dodgers would like to wish a very happy 32nd birthday to Brandon League. League is getting an injection in his shoulder today to try to resolve his soreness. He last pitched on March 9.

(Agon & Puig, via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2015)

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Blog Kiosk: 3/16/2015 - Dodger Links - Kershaw, Grandal and Tsao

Ever the perfectionist, Clayton Kershaw was unhappy with his spring outing yesterday afternoon.  In 3 1/3 innings of work he allowed just one run, but walked three and gave up four hits.  Per Ken Gurnick at MLB.com:

"I was all over the place, had no idea where the ball was going," Kershaw said. "I'm getting worse as the spring is going. I walked three in three innings. I have a lot of things to figure out. I would have liked to get through four innings, but my pitch count was so high I couldn't do it."

I wouldn't be too concerned about his recent outings this March.  Spring training is for working out the kinks and Kershaw appears determined to do just that.  Given his history and his desire to be the best pitcher in the league, I find his words encouraging.  The photo above was taken by Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2015.  Go here to check out more photos from Jon from yesterday.

Below are some more links to check out:

• I don't think their unfamiliarity with each other is an issue.  Certainly, there's an learning curve they both have to go through, but I doubt it played a part in yesterday's game.  Via Kevin Baxter at the LA Times, "Dodgers' Clayton Kershaw, Yasmani Grandal may not be on same page yet."
• Via Richard Justice at MLB.com, "Dodgers' new middle men bring proven poise."  On Kendrick and Rollins:

"I think they bring a ton to the table for us," Mattingly said. "They create stability up the middle. Both those guys come from good organizations with winning traditions, and still can play and are leaders. Also, two guys who are still playing really well."

• ICYMI, Julio Urias, Chris Anderson, Ryan Buchter and Josh Ravin were sent to the Dodgers' minor league camp.  Eric Stephen at True Blue LA has more.
• Via Ken Gurnick at MLB.com, "Dodgers' Tsao could pull off rare feat by returning to Majors."

"His stuff is good," said Mattingly. "I kind of left him in there for a shot at Cano and those guys. He's been interesting to watch."

• Via Jon Weisman at Dodger Insider, "New AM 570 LA Sports debuts today."

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