Blog Kiosk: 12/14/2016 - Dodgers Links - Holt, Anderson and Jansen's Wedding

I am not sure if I've ever seen what the scoreboard looked like during Dodger games at the LA Coliseum.  So, when I came across the above pic I knew I had to make note of it.  Featured above is the Dodgers scoreboard from Game 5 of the 1959 World Series.  (eBay Auction Link)

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History:  In 1954 the Dodgers signed amateur free agent Sandy Koufax to a contract - a $6,000 salary and $14,000 bonus.  This made Sandy a "bonus baby" (having a bonus over $4,000) and required the Dodgers to keep him on the Major League roster for two years.  As a result, the Dodgers would option Tommy Lasorda to the Montreal Royals.  In 1990 the Dodgers signed free agent outfielder Brett Butler to a four-year $13 million contract.
• Happy Birthday, John Anderson, Charlie Hargreaves, Chris Heisey & Bill Buckner!

Thanks for Staying Blue, Justin Turner!

Oh, boy!  What a way to start a week.

Just when you thought the Dodgers flubbed the winter meetings they go ahead and make some waves.  It only goes to show you that all you need is a little patience.

It appears this past weekend was a turning point for two Dodger free agents, and I can't help but think that a little private gathering in Curaçao had something to do with it.  As you likely know, free agent reliever Kenley Jansen got hitched over the weekend, and among the Dodgers' in attendance was fellow free agent Justin Tuner (as evidenced by the photo tweeted by Turner on right). Now, both of them are expected to stay in Los Angeles.

As you know, we got news that Kenley Jansen had inked a five year/$80 million contract to stay in Los Angeles on Monday - although, still unconfirmed.  Then, almost immediately afterward, rumors spread that the Dodgers had also agreed to basic terms with Justin Turner, most noticeably via a tweet by Ken Rosenthal (btw, Jon Heyman tweets similar numbers):

Blog Kiosk: 12/13/2016 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Few photos tell a story like the one seen above.  Featured is Jackie Robinson with David Campanella, son of Roy, and a young lad named Larry Solomon (possibly the photographers son) at the "Seated Lincoln" memorial statue at the Essex County Courthouse in Newark, NJ. (eBay Auction Link) This photo provides a poignant look at the the man who broke the color barrier in Baseball paying homage at a statue that celebrates the man who helped free the country.  Per the description on the reverse:

Making the eighth annual pilgrimage to the statue of Abraham Lincoln, 9-year-old Larry Solomon places a wreath of flowers in the arms of the Great Emancipator.  Looking on are Brooklyn Dodger star Jackie Robinson and David Campanella, son of Dodger catcher, Roy Campanella.  Thousands of persons were flocking to the cemetery in Springfield, IL, and other Lincoln shrines to pay tribute to him on the 142nd anniversary of his birth, Feb. 12, 1951.

BTW, the pic was taken by Harlem based photographer Chick Solomon for ACME.  Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodger History:  In 1956 the Dodgers tried to do the unthinkable.  They announced the trade that would send legendary second baseman Jackie Robinson to the hated NY Giants for pitcher Dick Littlefield and $35,000. It would be voided the next day.  Jackie would then announce his retirement from the game a few weeks later.  In 2001 the Dodgers received Cesar Izturis and Paul Quantril in a trade with Toronto for Chad Ricketts and Luke Prokopec.  In 2003 the Dodgers traded Kevin Brown to the Yankees for pitchers Yhency Brazoban and Jeff Weaver.  In 2005 the Dodgers signed free agent veteran catcher Sandy Alomar.  Also, they traded troubled outfielder Milton Bradley and Antonio Perez to the A's for Andre Ethier on the same day.
• Happy Birthday, Nate Oliver, Ricky Nolasco, George Shuba, Carl Erskine & Billy Loes!

2016 Bowman Draft Picks & Prospects - All the Dodgers Cards

Last week saw the release of Topps 2016 Bowman Draft Picks & Prospects set, and as always it's filled with a bunch of Dodger farmhands; including first licensed cards for Gavin Lux, DJ Peters, Will Smith and Jordan Sheffield (although, Sheffield does have several Team USA cards).  Go here to check out a complete checklist.  Below are all of the Dodger cards that can be found in packs.

Base

#BD-67 Gavin Lux

Thanks for Staying Blue, Kenley Jansen!

Dodger fans can finally rejoice.  Per various reports, particularly a tweet by Jim Bowden, the Dodgers have apparently agreed to terms with free agent closer and the teams all-time saves leader Kenley Jansen to a long-term deal.

Jansen and Dodgers agree on 5yr $80m deal according to Dodgers source confirmed.

— Jim Bowden (@JimBowden_ESPN) December 12, 2016

It is thought, after getting married over this past weekend in Curaçao, that he'll be able to come to Los Angels this week to finalize the details.  Per Andy McCullough at the LA Times:

When the Dodgers left the Winter Meetings last week, a sense of pessimism pervaded their negotiations with closer Kenley Jansen. He was reportedly weighing a five-year, $80-million offer from Miami, and it was unclear if the Dodgers would match it.

The weekend provided an answer. The Dodgers have reached an agreement with Jansen on those same terms, according to people familiar with the situation. The people requested anonymity because the contract was not finalized.

Obviously, this has yet to be confirmed; nevertheless, I'm gonna celebrate anyway.  In honor of his soon-to-be signing I made the above two fantasy Baseball cards of him.  At the very top is a 1956 Topps Baseball card design with a photograph originally taken by Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2015.  On the above right is a 1952 Topps card design with another pic by Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2016.

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Blog Kiosk: 12/12/2016 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Duke Snider gives in to the paparazzi and finally shows them some leg.  Featured above is a vintage 1955 International News press photo of "The Duke" sharing his knee warp after Game 6 of the World Series.  (eBay Auction Link) Per the descriptor on the reverse:

Dodgers' Duke of Swat, Duke Snider, shows his bandaged knee top press photographers in the Dodger dressing room after the sixth World Series game today which the Yankees took 5-1 to even the series 3-3.  Snider told reporters: "It's my left knee that's hurt, the one I pivot on, but I'll play tomorrow of it doesn't stiffen up."  Snider twisted the knee chasing a Skowron fly and left the game after the third inning.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History:  In 1941 the Dodgers traded for soon to be Hall of Famer Arky Vaughan with the Pirates in exchange for Pete Coscarart, Luke Hamlin, Babe Phelps and Jimmy Wasdell.  In 1998 the Dodgers signed free agent starting pitcher Kevin Brown to a seven year $105 million contract.  In 2012 the Dodgers received Skip Schumaker in a trade with the Cardinals -- sending Jake Lemmerman to St. Louis in return.
• Happy Birthday, Phenomenal Smith, Derrell Griffith & Orlando Hudson!