Blog Kiosk: 5/8/2017 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Kenley Jansen had an eventful Saturday evening. Not only did he enter the game with a four-run lead in the eighth inning, striking out a Padre with the bases loaded, but he also had a chance at an at-bat the next half inning. As you can see in the pic above, the tall right-hander got some wood on the pitch. Unfortunately, the result was just a ground out to the shortstop.

BTW, Jansen has only one career hit to his name, and he recorded that in 2010 -- his rookie season. It was off of Phillies pitcher Kyle Kendrick in the fifth inning at Dodger Stadium, and he was inserted in as a pinch hitter for reliever Ramon Troncoso. His single lead to a run scoring a few batters later.

The photo above via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2017. Go here to check out more pics by Jon from Saturday's game. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1941 the Giants and Dodgers play an Army-Navy Relief exhibition game that raises over $60,000. Brooklyn edged out their rivals, 7-6, on a Dolph Camilli homer run. As the story goes, in 1947 St. Louis Cardinals owner Sam Breason (who denied this) stopped a team protest during their first meeting with Jackie Robinson and the Dodgers. In 1973 Willie Stargell hit an Andy Messersmith pitch out of Dodger Stadium. It was the second time he has accomplished the feat at the stadium and only the second time it had ever happened. In 1981 Fernando Valenzuela throws his seventh straight victory to open the season, shutting out the Mets by a score of 1-0 at Shea Stadium.
• Happy Birthday, Dan Brouthers & Adrian Gonzalez!

2017 Topps Now - #116 - Red-Hot Rookie Hits First Career Grand Slam - Cody Bellinger

With the exception of Jackie Robinson Night, Cody Bellinger has been featured in every 2017 Topps Now Dodgers' card issued so far this season. This fact emphasizes how important he has been for the club. Since being called up twelve days ago Bellinger has slugged five home runs, driven in fifteen, scored eleven times and is slashing a healthy .357/.413/.786/1.199. The Dodgers are 8-3 during that time.

Blog Kiosk: 5/5/2017 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Fans will do just about anything to get a glimpse of their favorite players, and if the events unfolding on the field reaches epic proportions then a lot of fans will risk life and limb to get a gander.

Featured above is an instance of some Brooklyn rooters doing just that. It is late in the 1924 season, and both the Brooklyn Robins (Dodgers) and New York Giants are battling for the pennant. Naturally, the stands were filled to the brim, so you had to be a bit creative and athletic if you wanted to witness history. As you can see, these fanatics decided that they must scale this wall to watch the game. Per the descriptor on the reverse:

Over the top to see the greatest game of the season as the Robins and the Giants battled at Ebbets Field.

Fans scaling the bleachers wall in their last effort to see the greatest game played by the Brooklyns and the Giants.

The above United Newspicture press photo is stamp dated to September 23, 1924 on the reverse, but that doesn't make much sense. (RMY Auction link) The Dodgers and Giants had played their last game of the season in Brooklyn on September 7th. Likely, the date reflects some sort of internal recording keeping system - date received into their archives, maybe?

As for the game played on September 7th... Well, that was an exciting one. At the start of the day Brooklyn was only a half game behind New York, so the game was an important one. The Dodgers and Giants battled all afternoon and eventually found themselves locked in a three run tie going into the eighth inning. Then the Giants broke it open by scoring five runs to take a commanding lead. Brooklyn however, would not quit. They scored a run in their half of the eighth and put together a big rally the following inning to make it close. Unfortunately, they fell one run short and lost to the Giants, 8-7.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1976 the Dodgers hit seven home runs against the Cubs at Wrigley Field -- winning the match 14-12. Chicago hit two homers of their own. The Dodger home run hitters were Bill Russell, Ed Goodson, Ron Cey, Henry Cruz (2), Steve Yeager and Bill Buckner. The seven homers set a Dodgers team record for dingers in a game.
• Happy Birthday, George Dockins, Johnny Rutherford & Reggie Williams!
  

Blog Kiosk: 5/4/2017 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

What a fantastic conclusion to an immense career. Last night the Dodgers officially retired Vin Scully by placing him - alongside many of his friends - in the Dodgers' Ring of Honor. Per Rowan Kavner at Dodger Insider:

“I see faces,” Scully said Wednesday, hours before joining those 10 Dodger legends as the 11th inductee in that illustrious group. “I hear voices. I see those numbers moving.”

Per Eric Stephen at True Blue LA:

“I’ve spent so many thousands of yesterdays, but you get to an age where you say, ‘Yeah, but how many tomorrows?’ If somebody said to you, ‘You’re going to have 123 tomorrows as of today,’ the first thing you’d say is, ‘Whoa, they’re precious. I want to be with the most precious part of my life.’ That’s how I am. No matter how many tomorrows I have, I’m spending the todays exactly the way I wanted to.”

Photos above via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2017 on twitter. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1919 Brooklynites attend the very first major league game played on a Sunday in Brooklyn due to a new law passed by the NY Legislature called the "Sunday Baseball Bill." The Brooklyn Dodgers defeated the Boston Braves at Ebbets Field, 6-2. In 1966 Willie Mays hits his 512nd career home run off of Dodgers hurler Claude Osteen at Candlestick Park. The homer breaks the NL All-Time home run mark held by Mel Ott. In 1976 it is declared Rick Monday Day in Illinois. The then Cubs outfielder is presented with the flag he saved from an on-field burning attempt at Dodger Stadium. In 2009 the Dodgers win their 11th straight game to start the season -- breaking a NL record. In 2012 the Dodgers signed free agent outfield Bobby Abreu to a one-year $9 million contract.
• Happy Birthday, Sid Gautreaux!
  

A Look at All the Cody Bellinger Cards to Date - A Bellinger Checklist

Since it's starting to look like Cody could be here to stay, I thought it would be fun to take a peek at all of the various cards and collectible bearing his name. I am fairly certain the checklist below is complete (as of this date), but if I am missing something please let me know.

As you know, Cody was drafted by the Dodgers in the 4th round of the 2013 MLB June Amateur Draft out of Hamilton High School in Chandler, Arizona. He quickly signed with the team, spent the summer with the Arizona League Dodgers (slashin a paltry .210/.340/.358/.698) and signed his first official Baseball card contract for Panini America. You can see that card below.

BTW, I've included a bobblehead that was given away to season ticket seat-holders for the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes in 2016, and a pic of a ticket stub from his very first MLB game.

2013 Panini Elite Extra Edition Baseball

Autographed Prospects

#158 Cody Bellinger

Blog Kiosk: 5/3/2017 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Cody Bellinger can do it all. Last night he lead a Dodger comeback with a bases-clearing triple in the second inning that entirely erased an early Giants lead in the game. Per Eric Stephen at True Blue LA:

“There’s definitely a spark he’s contributed to our club. Tonight, he had another good night at the plate,” manager Dave Roberts said. “It just seems like every time he takes the field, he does something to help you win. To me, that’s the mark of a winning player.”

Go here to watch complete highlights from last nights game. Photo above via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2017. Go here to check out more pics by Jon from yesterdays game. Below are more links to check:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1947 Branch Rickey makes a trade that sends a signal to the Dodgers clubhouse - He will not waver in his commitement to breaking the color barrier and supporting Jackie Robinson. He trades Kirby Higbe, Dixie Howell, Cal McLish, Hank Behrman and Gene Mauch to Pittsburgh for Al Gionfriddo and $100,000. In 1979 Dodgers hurler Rick Sutcliffe made his first major league start and threw a 5-2 complete game victory at Dodger Stadium over the Phillies. Rick would go on to win the NL ROY Award that season. In 1986 Ron Cey hit his 300th career home run. He did it as a Cub against the Giants.
• Happy Birthday, Dan Bankhead, Chris Cannizzaro, Davey Lopes & Darren Dreifort!