Blog Kiosk: 3/7/2018 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

For several years during WWII the Dodgers spent their spring training in up-state New York -- Bear Mountain. Located just 20 minutes from West Point, it was not unusual for the team to train at the West Point Academy Field House; especially when the weather turned ugly. Above you can see the Dodgers play ball at the Field House as cadets check out the action. The photo is dated March 18, 1945, and was taken by famed sports photographer Barney Stein for the NY Post (eBay auction link). BTW, the photo originally comes from the personal collection of former Dodger Cookie Lavagetto.

Below are more links to check out:

• Happy Birthday, Doc Scanlan, Dan Griner, Merwin Jacobson, Dick Loftus, Joe Gallagher & Jeff Kent!
• Today's Game: The Dodgers take on the Angels in their home field, and Japanese two-way sensation Shohei Ohtani is slated to bat 7th as a DH. Kershaw is scheduled to start, so it's likely they'll face each against each other for the first time. 

Team Card Sets and Kenley Jansen Stars Wars Bobblehead Just Announced

The Dodgers are going all out for their 60th anniversary in Los Angeles. Not only has an 11th bobble been added to their schedule (the Kirk Gibson bobble), but they are also adding a 12th this season.

Announced today, the team will be issuing a Star Wars themed bobble of Kenley Jansen as Lando Calrissian -- their first Star Wars bobble ever. Check out a mock-up of the bobblehead on the right. The first 40,000 fans in attendance for a game against the Giants on Friday, June 15th will get one. This day also corresponds with this years Star Wars Night themed event.

Additionally, for card collectors this next bit of news should warm your heart. The club has also announced that the “Collector’s items” indicated on their promotional schedule will be 60th Anniversary Collector’s Card Sets presented by our old friends at 76. These folks were responsible for those player portraits given away at their gas stations in the 60's and 80's.

There will be six different card sets to be given out on six different days, and each one will touch upon various generations of Dodger players. Furthermore, they will use the designs from Topps sets from their respective era's. This last bit makes me wonder if Topps will be producing these for the team. Below is a schedule:

• 1950/60’s (April 10 vs. OAK), 
• 1970’s (April 23 vs. MIA), 
• 1980’s (May 8 vs. ARI), 
• 1990’s (June 12 vs. TEX), 
• 2000’s (Aug. 2 vs. MIL), and
• 2010’s (Sept. 4 vs. NYM)

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2018 Topps Heritage Baseball - The Dodgers Relic, Autograph & Box Topper Cards

Here are all the autograph, relic and box-topper Dodger cards found in packs of Topps' 2018 Heritage Baseball card brand. Clearly, the best item here is the large team poster fashion after it's 1969 counterpart. That thing is cool, colorful and a must have. I want to get one framed for my office wall.

Real One Autographs

#ROA-AV Alex Verdugo         #ROA-WB Walker Buehler

Blog Kiosk: 3/6/2018 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Just another fantastic spring photo of a Dodger signing for fans.

Photo above via Camelback Ranch on twitter. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1938 the Dodgers received first baseman Dolph Camilli from the Phillies for an outfielder named Eddie Morgan and $45,000. Camilli would spend the next six seasons in Brooklyn -- slashing an overall .270/.392/.497/.889 with 139 home runs, 572 RBI's and an WAR of 29.1. He would also be named the NL MVP in 1941. In 1948 the Dodgers traded second baseman Eddie Stanky to the Boston Braves. Stanky famously yelled at Phillies coach Ben Chapman during a game the season prior due to his racist insults directed at Jackie Robinson. 
• Happy Birthday, Frank Gatins, John McMakin, George Mohart, Doug Podbielan, Greg Hannahs, Terry Adams & Marcus Thames!

2018 Heritage - More Dodger Variation Cards

I previously erred when I initially put up a listing of Dodgers variations found in packs of Topps 2018 Heritage Baseball card brand. Originally, I indicated that there were just three variations to chase after -- Seager, Bellinger & Kershaw. That was wrong. Instead, there are nine to collect; including a variation for Yu Darvish. Check them all out below.

#45 Corey Seager 

Normal Base Card           Action Image Variation

Blog Kiosk: 3/5/2018 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Maeda looked strong after his Sunday outing against the Giants; especially considering he has been battling the bug that has stricken the Dodgers clubhouse. Per Ken Gurnick at MLB.com:

"I felt like I recovered pretty well, and I pitched well today," said Maeda, who missed a bullpen session but not a start. "I was a little worried going into the game, but as I pitched, the worries were gone and I felt good."

Photo above via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2018 at Dodger Insider. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers/Baseball History: In 1958 Duke Snider, Johnny Podres, and Don Zimmer are involved in an car accident in Vero Beach while trying to beat a 12:30 am curfew. With Snider driving, they veered off the road into a ditch. They fortunately suffer only minor injuries. In 1958 the Dodgers signed 21-year old free agent outfielder Frank "Hondo" Howard. He would play seven years in LA Dodger Blue -- slashing .269/.326/.495/.822 with 123 homers and 382 runs driven in. In 1966 the players elect Marvin Miller, assistant to the president of the United Steelworkers, as Executive Director of the Major League Players Association.
• Happy Birthday, Bernie Hungling, Lu Blue, Elmer Valo, Chad Fonville, Paul Konerko & Mike MacDougal!