Blog Kiosk: 9/9/2016 - Dodgers Links - Minor League Playoff Updates and Clayton Kershaw Day

It is now officially Kershaw Day.  He'll be stepping back on the mound for the first time since going down on the DL over two months ago.  I'd like to think Clayton would return just as good as when he left, but let's get real.  We should not expect him to be a Cy Young pitcher right out of the gate.  Per Ken Gurnick at MLB.com: 

"To be off two months and not be in a competitive situation, everybody has to be conscious that he's not in midseason form," said Honeycutt. "He wouldn't be going out there unless he felt well enough to do it. At the same time, he still has not been in a competitive situation at the big league level, using all of his pitches. At that time in '14, it was the curveball that was not as good as it can be. That's not only a control pitch, it's a feel pitch and a release point."

For purposes of managing expectations, recall that Kershaw threw seven scoreless innings in his first start off the disabled list in 2014, but he then lost three of his next four starts -- including a seven-run, 1 2/3-inning disaster in Arizona -- before rewriting the record books.

I'm just happy to have him back.

Photo above was tweeted by Kiké Hernández.  Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodger History:  In 1948 Brooklyn Dodgers starting pitcher Rex Barney throws a no-hitter against the Gaints at the Polo Grounds, 2-0.  In 1965 Sandy Koufax threw his perfect game at Dodger Stadium against the Cubs, 1-0.  You can listen to Vin Scully's call of the ninth inning here. 
• Happy Birthday, Kaz Ishii!

Vintage Dodgers Newsletter - Dodgers Line Drives - July 1958

Here is another edition of a vintage Dodgers fan newsletter.  This one dates to July 1958, and it features several notes on not only the status of several high-end prospects, but also snippets on who they recently signed.  A big thanks to Dodgers collector Doug for passing this newsletter along.  BTW, this newsletter has been signed by Duke Snider on the top of the first page (see above-left).  Below is a listing of interesting mentions in this newsletter:

• Frank Howard had signed a free agent contract with the Dodgers just four months prior, after having been a standout on the diamond at Ohio State University, and was already pushing to be included into the Dodgers plans in Los Angeles.

(Pete) Reiser recently told a Sporting News" reporter that Howard may be only a year or two away from the National League:

"I'll tell you why, "Reiser explained.  "He's the type of player who practices under pressure.  By that I mean he practices with a purpose.  Nothing about baseball is aimless to him.  He's a real pleasure to coach."

• The Dodgers made sure to honor Laguna Beach resident Jack Norworth.  "Who's he?"  Jack Norworth is the gentleman who wrote the song "Take Me Out to the Ball Game", and this year marked its Golden Anniversary.  During the July 11th game the Dodgers and Major League Baseball presented him with a gold lifetime pass to any game in the country.
• Notably, the Dodgers mention the signing of Ron Fairly, a standout with the National Champs at USC.
• The final page of the newsletter features several fantastic action photographs.

Click any pic to embiggen.

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Blog Kiosk: 9/8/2016 - Dodgers Links - Kazmir, Reddick, Seager, Garlick and Yasiel Puig

After falling back as far as eight games in late June, I am in awe of what the Dodgers have accomplished.  They were seemingly in disarray.  The Dodgers had everything imaginable thrown their way; including a record number of injuries and clubhouse turmoil surrounding an enigmatic star.  Fortunately, cooler heads prevailed and a plan, no doubt hatched before the start of the season, was allowed to flourish.  Depth has been a key to this season, and along with an improving offense (the teams batting was never as bad as early indicators showed) they now find themselves with a five game lead with just 23 games to go. 

It certainly is good to be a Dodger fan right now, eh?

As for last nights game, it was doubly nice to see Yasiel Puig contribute.  He provided much of the offense needed to pull off the teams teams fifth consecutive win.  Puig hit a sacrifice fly in the first inning to help the Dodgers take the lead, and added an insurance run in the sixth inning by homering off Diamondbacks starting pitcher Robin Ray.  Per Jack Baer and Steve Gilbert at MLB.com:

"Yasiel … he can do so many great things, but I think the situational at-bat early in the game helped his confidence," Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. "When you can start him and have [Josh] Reddick and [Andrew] Toles, we've got some depth."

Photo at the very top via Juan Ocampo/LA Dodgers 2016.  Go here to check out more pics by Juan and Jon SooHoo from yesterdays game.  Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodger History:  In 1955 the Brooklyn Dodgers clinched the pennant; assuring a trip to the World Series.  As you know, they went on to defeat the Yankees that Fall to become champions for the first time in franchise history.  In 1957 the Dodgers and Giants face each other for the last time at the Polo Grounds in New York.  In 1967 the Mets honored Brooklyn Dodger pitcher Sandy Koufax at their stadium. 

Happy Roberto Clemente Day!

In honor of this special Baseball day, Roberto Clemente Day, I made the above two fantasy Baseball cards.  As you can see, they feature Clemente in 1954 Montreal Royals garb.  As the story goes, the Dodgers had signed up Clemente as a free agent that year, and due to league rules regarding roster limits decided to try to stash him in Montreal - away from the prying eyes of the rest of the league.

Unfortunately, the ruse did not work. 

Former Dodger President Branch Rickey (the man who signed Jackie Robinson) had joined the Pirates ballclub in 1950, and was apparently very aware of his abilities.  So much so, that when the "Rule 5" draft came along he quickly plucked him off the Dodgers.  The rest, as they say, is history.

BTW, in that lone season in Montreal in 1954 Clemente slashed .257/.286/.372/.657 in 148 at-bats.  He recorded two home runs, 12 RBI's and scored 27 times.  From what I understand, the Dodgers purposely had him ride the pine for a majority of the season - primarily coming in as a defensive replacement.

Also, I thought I would share a snippet about the Clemente situation that I read in the book "Mover & Shaker: Walter O'Malley, the Dodgers, & Baseball's Westward Expansion" by Andy McCue. 

Weekend Autograph Opportunities: The Long Beach Coin, Currency, Stamp & Sports Collectible Show

Here are this weekends autograph opportunities and events throughout the Southland. As always, be sure to check the Blue Heaven Calendar for other events (a link can always be found on the tab at the top of this page, just left of center), and always confirm with the establishment. Everything is subject to change.  Please email me with any tips about upcoming events in Southern California.  As the rest of the week progresses I'll update this post with other events (if there are any) as I become aware of them.  Also, I don't always list every event below, so be sure to check my Calendar.  I always try to favor free signing events over paying events.  Click on any pic to embiggen.

As you can see, I am not aware of any scheduled sports autograph events for this weekend.  There is, on the other hand, a collector convention worth checking out.

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The Long Beach Coin, Currency, Stamp & Sports Collectible Show is this weekend.  It opens tomorrow morning and runs til Saturday.  Go here for information.  Admission is basically free - just be sure to go to the website and follow the steps (become a member Collectors Universe/PSA member).

This is primarily a coin, currency and stamp show, but there are a few sports collector dealers there.  In the past they had sports autograph guest, but that isn't the case this week.  BTW, this convention has been going on since 1964, and is one of the longest running shows of its kind.

Long Beach Convention & Entertainment Center
300 E Ocean Blvd
Long Beach, CA 90802

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2016 Topps Archives Signature - All the Dodgers Cards

If you love to chase after buy-back autographed cards and have an affinity towards the players of yesteryear then this product is for you.  Last week Topps released, for the second year in a row, their 2016 Topps Archives Signatures brand.  As you may know, it solely focuses on older Topps cards that have been signed by the respective player.  In other words, there is no base set.  Instead, each pack/box includes a single encased certified autographed Baseball card.

There are over a 100 different players available and several of them have Dodger ties.  They include Andy Pafko, Don Drysdale, Don Zimmer, Duke Snider, Eric Davis, Frank Robinson, Gary Carter, Greg Maddux, Hoyt Wilhelm, Leo Durocher, Mike Piazza, Nomar Garciaparra, Sandy Koufax, Shawn Green and Steve Garvey.  Go here for a listing of players that can be found. There is no guarantee, of course, that the players above have a signed Dodger card in the product.  After all, both Hoyt Wilhelm and Frank Robinson were short-term Dodger players, and there are really only a handful of Topps cards of them as a Dodger available.  Nevertheless, I've done my best to catalogue what is available.  If you run across something I don't list here please let me know.

Below is a listing of known (so far to me) Dodger cards.  Of note, if your a fan of Steve Garvey or Shawn Green then chances are high you'll find one in a box.  There are a ton of them available.  Furthermore, the list below is not likely to be complete.  There are no doubt numerous "1 of 1" cards and other scarcities still lurking in unopened boxes or in private collections.

UPDATE:  You can check out a listing of the 2015 Archives Signature Dodgers cards here.

Eric Davis

• 1992 Bowman (#/30) 
• 1992 Topps Stadium Club (#/5)
• 1993 Bowman (#/39)
• 1993 Topps (#/35)
• 1993 Topps Stadium Club (#/10)

 1993 Bowman (#/39)                1993 Topps (#/35)