Blog Kiosk: 8/9/2017 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Check out this fantastic, dated April 12, 1932, original type I International News Photo from Opening Day featuring three new Dodgers -- all of whom would eventually be inducted in the Hall of Fame -- that is currently on auction at RMY Auctions (link here). Per the description on the reverse:

A Trio of Newcomers at Brooklyn Opening
Three notables who came in for a large share of the attention at the game between Brooklyn and the Boston Braves which rang up the curtain on the new season at Ebbets Field this afternoon (Tuesday.) The new Brooklyn Men are, left to right: Hack Wilson, late of the Chicago Cubs; Max Carey, new manager; and George Kelly, another new recruit to the Brooklyn aggregation.

Unfortunately, the new faces did little to change Brooklyn's fortunes. After all, this team was still trying to shake off nearly two decades of futility experienced under Robbie Robinson's "Daffiness Boys".

On a side note, it was around this time that famed sports cartoonist Willard Mullin created the famous "Brooklyn Bum" caricature for the Dodgers.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1975 Davey Lopes stole his 32nd consecutive base without being caught, breaking Max Carey's 1922 record. He would steal six more bases before getting caught. His record would eventually be broken by Cardinal's speedster Vince Coleman in 1989.  In 1976 Pirates hurler John Candelaria no-hit the Dodgers at Three Rivers Stadium in Pittsburgh. In 1979 longtime Dodgers owner Walter O'Malley died of congestive heart failure at the age of 75.
• Happy Birthday, John Grim, Leo Callahan, Johnny Mitchell, Tom Sunkel, Chuck Essegian, Claude Osteen, Matt Young & Drew Butera!

Welcome to the Blue, Dylan Floro!

Here's a little bit of news that escaped my attention over the weekend. On Friday the Dodgers announced that they had claimed right-handed reliever Dylan Floro from the Chicago Cubs. They immediately shipped him to Triple-A Oklahoma City in hopes that they found another diamond. As you know, the team likes to chase after ballplayers that have unrealized skills, and Floro appears to have something to offer. Per a brief report by John Sickels on Floro at Minor League Ball in 2016:

As you may anticipate from his background, he doesn't have a blazing fastball, working with heat in the 80s. He'll mix in a variety of breaking balls and change-ups and his delivery has some funky deception. He succeeded in college and the lower minors because he is allergic to walks and generally possess pinpoint location. Triple-A hitters exposed his thin margin for error when he started last year, but he's been more successful in shorter stretches coming out of the bullpen.

Blog Kiosk: 8/8/2017 - Dodgers Links - Yu's New Glove, Rear-Ending Seager and Cody's Bobble

The Dodgers recently announced than an 11th bobblehead would be given out to fans this season, and it will feature rookie phenom Cody Bellinger. Yesterday a preview pic was release, and it gloriously shows-off Bellinger's sweet swing. The bobble will be given out to the first 40,000 fans in attendance on Friday, September 8th against the Rockies.

Photo above via @Dodgers on twitter. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1903 Dodger pitcher Henry Schmidt is thrown out of the game when he angrily threw the Baseball out of the park. He did this because a run scored while his infielders were arguing a close call. In 1954 Gil Hodges came up to bat in the eight inning three times. He started the inning by tripling, then hit a double his second time up, and finally flied out to center for the last out of the inning. Amazingly, 12 of the 13 runs scored that inning happened with two outs. In 1963 Frank Howard and Bill "Moose" Skowron of the Dodgers become only the second duo in baseball history to hit back-to-back pinch-hit home runs. In 2000 Dodger Stadium got a dose of homophobia. After being seen kissing during a kiss-cam, a female couple is removed from the stadium and told to never come back due to "lewd behavior". The Dodgers quickly realized what century they were in and profusely apologized -- contributing tickets to various LGBT groups and providing sensitivity training to its employees.
• Happy Birthday, Alanna Rizzo, Clise Dudley, Tot Pressnell & Frank Howard!

Bellinger Superfractor Shows Up on eBay

Come on now... get your filthy fingers off that card!

There's nothing more annoying than seeing pics like this. As you might imagine holding this card that way is an easy way to damage it, and any bit of damage can be costly. After all, a superfractor of a stud rookie like Bellinger is likely to sell for thousands -- even if it's not the best of the superfractors available of him.

Dodgers Promo's from the 2017 NSCC -- Beckett, Topps and Panini

The 38th annual National Sports Collectors Convention, dubbed "The National", closed its doors a week ago in Chicago, and it included its fair-share of promotional cards for folks to chase after. First of all, there was a VIP program attendees could join that provided each member exclusive promo cards just for going through the door. Notably, Leaf Trading cards VIP promo featured Vin Scully (you can see that here). Other promo's were available at individual booths -- either as wrapper redemption's, a sale incentive or just for free (if you ask). Below are most of the Dodger promos given out by Beckett, Topps and Panini America that I've been able to track down

First of all, Beckett ran a sort-of scavenger hunt at The National. They produced ten different promos fashioned after their magazine covers, and partnered up with nine different retailers at the show to give them away. Only one of the cards had a Dodger on it, and it happened to also include Aaron Judge as well. See it below. It was handed out by Blowout Cards at the convention. Go here for a complete Beckett promo checklist.

Beckett

Beckett Cover Promos

#4 Aaron Judge / Cody Bellinger (on reverse)

Blog Kiosk: 8/7/2017 - Dodgers Links - Weekend Odds and Ends

The Dodgers continue to punish. Last night they recorded their 15th series sweep of the season, and their first ever sweep of the Met's in franchise history. Heck, this year they haven't even been swept themselves. So, despite the numerous injuries that have hampered some of their core (Kershaw, Gonzalez, etc.) they continue to dominate like no other Dodger team ever has.

Photo above of Dave Roberts and Chris Taylor via @Dodgers on twitter. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1915 rookie Dodger pitcher Ed Appleton committed an error due to a bit of trickery by Cardinals' manager Miller Huggins. While coaching on third base Huggins called for the ball from Appleton as he stepped on the mound. Appleton obliged and tossed the ball, only to see Huggins step aside and see the ball errantly roll on the field. A Cardinal runner then scored a run. In 2003 Eric Gagne tied the single season record for consecutive saves to start the season at 38. It also marked the 46th consecutive regular-season save overall.
• Happy Birthday, Adonis Terry, Tom Drake, Rocky Bridges, José Domínguez & Jose De Leon!