Blog Kiosk: 5/2/2018 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Wake up! Per Ken Gurnick at MLB.com:

"It doesn't matter what month it is," said Kershaw. "If you're 10 games out, you better start playing well."

Photo above via Joe Cortez at Dodger Insider/MLB.com. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodger History: In 1928 Giants manager John McGraw does the unusual. In that afternoons game against the Dodgers he calls for an intentional walk with the bases loaded and two outs to drive in a run in the ninth inning to make the score 2-1. Giants starter Larry Benton then struck out the next batter, Harry Riconda, to get the victory. In 1975 the Dodgers traded Geoff Zahn and Eddie Solomon to the Cubs for starting pitcher Burt Hooton. In 1995 Hideo Nomo made his first major league start. He would pitch five innings of one-hit ball against the Giants in a no-decision. The Dodgers would eventually lose the game in the 15th inning, 4-3. 
• Happy Birthday, Larry Cheney!

1955 Dodgers World Series Painted Sosnak Baseball

This might be my favorite painted Baseball of all time.

Over the years I've come across and shared on this blog numerous folk art Baseballs painted by former minor league umpire George Sosnak. There was Branch Rickey and the incomplete Jackie Robinson ball from a few years back (see that here), and I especially loved the Chuck Connors ball with both a Baseball and cowboy theme (see that here). This ball featured here, though, is a clear favorite. After all, this ball celebrates the Dodgers very first World Series Championship.

Blog Kiosk: 5/1/2018 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

This feels like one of those moments in time when nothing is going right. Per Rowan Kavner at Dodger Insider:

“We’re going to be 100 percent fine,” Bellinger said. “We’ve got an unreal group of guys in here … We’ve just got to play with a chip on our shoulder right now and play as hard as we can until we get our guys back.”

As with all downturns, this too will pass.

Photo at the very top via Joe Cortez/MLB.om/LA Dodgers at Dodger Insider. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1906 the Brooklyn Superbas (Dodgers) are no-hit by Philadelphia southpaw John Lush, 6-0. In 1920 the Dodgers and Boston Braves play a 26-inning game - the longest in major league history. Starting pitchers Leon Cadore of Brooklyn and Joe Oeschger of Boston both finish the game, as it ends in a 1-1 tie after nearly four hours of play. In 1965 Tommy Davis dislocates and breaks his ankle while sliding into second base trying to break up a double play. In 2012 a new Dodgers ownership group takes over the franchise -- headed by Stan Kasten, Mark Walter at Guggenheim Financial and Magic Johnson.
• Happy Birthday, Charlie Reynolds, Von Joshua, Ray Searage, Phil Hiatt & Iván De Jesus!

Blog Kiosk: 4/30/2018 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

A disappointing first month of the season means someone will get singled-out. Yesterday, it was Cody Bellinger. He was pulled after not running out a double for a triple. Per Eric Stephen at True Blue LA:

“I felt there wasn’t hustle on the ball he hit 421 feet into right center field. He cruised into second base. For me I feel he’s too talented of a player. For a team that’s competing every day and grinding,” manager Dave Roberts said, as seen on SportsNet LA. “You have a right fielder out there who had chills the day prior and throwing up, diving around out there. For Cody not to be on third base — it’s something we talked about before — I wouldn’t be doing him or the team any service by not acting.”

Photo above via Michael Urakami at Dodger Insider/MLB.com. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1935 the Dodgers signed 21-year old amateur free agent Rod Dedeaux. He would later on go on to become the head baseball coach at the University of Southern California (USC) for 45 season -- winning 11 national titles and 28 conference championships. In 1940 Brooklyn tied a Major League record for consecutive wins to start a season at nine victories when Dodgers hurler Tex Carlton no-hit the Cincinnati Reds, 3-0. 
• Happy Birthday, Paul Wachtel, Phil Garner, Jeff Reboulet & José Peraza!

2018 Bowman - The Dodgers Insert Cards

Here's a final look at the Dodgers' cards found in packs of 2018 Bowman Baseball. This time we take a peek at the Bowman Scouts Top 100 insert set, #BowmanTrending, Sterling Continuity, ROY Favorites and the Talent Pipeline cards.

Bowman Scouts Top 100

#BTP-6 Walker Buehler          #BTP-28 Alex Verdugo

Blog Kiosk: 4/27/2018 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

What a fantastic and strange way to get a new glove. Per the descriptor on the reverse of this vintage July 13, 1954 Associated Press photo (eBay Link):

"SOMETHING TO CROW ABOUT AFTER ALL.  Danny Gawronski, 13, is as close to heaven as a Brooklyn boy can be, as Carl Furillo of his beloved Dodgers shows him how to use outfielder's glove, a present from the team, during workout at Ebbets Field today.  It all started last April when Danny was given some Easter chicks which grew up into noisy roosters and complaints from neighbors which took Danny before a magistrate.  Danny offered $3 in pennies, nickels and dimes he had saved toward a new baseball glove in way of a fine.  Magistrate Charles Murphy dismissed complaint and the Dodgers did the rest."

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1929 Dodger reliever Clise Dudley became the first pitcher (and only second player ever) to have hit a home run on the first major league pitch thrown to him. In 1944 Jim Tobin of the Braves no-hits the Brooklyn Dodgers in Boston, 2-0. In 1990 Orel Hershiser undergoes surgery on his pitching shoulder. In 2004 Mets Catcher Mike Piazza ties Carlton Fisk for most career round-trippers by a catcher when he hit home run #351 against Dodgers hurler Hideo Nomo at Dodger Stadium.
• Happy Birthday, Hi Myers, Frank Wurm & Corey Seager!