Blog Kiosk: 9/11/2018 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

These Reds are frustrating. They sit at the bottom of the Central Division; yet, they seem to have the Dodgers number. In five contest so far against them the Dodgers have won none. Per Ken Gurnick at MLB.com:

"I wouldn't expect for our club to be 0-5 against anyone," said Dodgers manager Dave Roberts. "That first time around they really pitched us well. We still can't figure a way to get Gennett out, and that was apparent again."

Last nights 10-6 loss dropped the club to 1.5 games back of Colorado with 18 games to play.

Photo above of Kike Hernandez doing his best to stop last nights slide, via Ryan Meyer/MLB at Dodger Insider. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1959 the Dodgers defeated reliever Elroy Face and the Pirates, 5-4; thereby, ending Face's consecutive win streak at 22. He finished the season going 18-1 (as a reliever, mind you) with a 2.70 ERA, 2.60 FIP and a 3.2 WAR. In 1998 Kevin Malone is named the Dodgers GM, replacing Tommy Lasorda. In 1983 RJ Reynolds squeezed home Pedro Guerrero in the ninth for an improbably walk-off victory against the Atlanta Braves.  The Dodgers scored four runs in the ninth to win. Tommy Lasorda called his decision to call for the squeeze his most "daring" of his career. UPDATE: I just found video highlights/footage of the ninth inning. Watch it here.
• Happy Birthday, Con Daily, Frank Kitson & Eddie Miksis!

2018 Topps Luminaries - All the Dodgers Cards

Following on the heals of their super high-end brand "Diamond Icons", Topps released another high-end product called 2018 Luminaries last week. A box includes a single pack with one encased, signed and numbered card to 15 or less for a bit over $200. Go here for a complete checklist.

Below is a checklist, as well as, several pics of some of the Dodger cards. Unfortunately, it appears both Clayton Kershaw and Sandy Koufax cards all come with a redemption. Furthermore, the directly below Mike Piazza "Home Run King" autograph cards come in two different versions, and I am uncertain which card numbers correspond to which card.

Home Run Kings Autograph (#/15)

• #HRK-MP Mike Piazza
• #HRK-MPI Mike Piazza

Both of the Mike Piazza cards (card numbers unknown)

Blog Kiosk: 9/10/2018 - Dodgers Links - Some Weekend Odds and Ends

The Dodgers gained some ground over the weekend, and we have Justin Turner to thank for that. Yesterday afternoon he went 4-for-5 with a home run, two doubles and two RBI's to lead the club to a 9-6 victory over Colorado. Per Ken Gurnick at MLB.com:

"J.T. led the charge, he's such a pro," Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. "[His value] is hard to quantify. When you're watching how he's grinding at-bats, that's contagious. He's been fantastic."

The Dodgers are now just half a game back of Colorado after taking the weekend series against them. There are only 19 games remaining in the season.

Photo above of Turner via Matt Kelley/MLB.com at Dodger Insider. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: I had no idea about this until now. In 1992 a report came out about a "security check" that revealed serious issues with two members of a buying group interested in purchasing the Giants and moving them to Florida. One of the investors mentioned was Vince Piazza -- father of recently called-up catcher Mike Piazza of the Dodgers. The deal falls apart, and MLB settles with the group for $6MM (which includes a letter of apology to Vince Piazza).
• Happy Birthday, High Pockets Kelly, Terry Wells, Danys Baez, Chad Hermansen & Nick Green!

Blog Kiosk: 9/7/2018 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

"Tested. Unselfish. Focused"

These were the words spoken by skipper Dave Roberts, via Mike Lupica at MLB,com, and it embodies the entire Dodger season. Now, they have to follow through and finish the job as they enter divisional rival territory in Colorado tonight. They begin a three-game set, and clearly the entire season is at stake.

Photo above of Roberts and Matt Kemp via Jon SooHoo/la Dodgers 2018 at Dodger Insider. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1889 the most controversial game in American Association history is held in Brooklyn. The St. Louis Browns hold a 4-2 lead in the ninth over the Bridegrooms, and claim it is too dark to continue. They light candles in front of their bench to emphasize this, but umpire Fred Goldsmith becomes determined to finish the game -- no matter what. When the game ends, several St. Louis players are hit with bottles by fans as they leave the grounds. The Browns will forfeit the game the next day because they fear for their safety. In 1903 the Brooklyn Superbas/Dodgers and the NY Giants play a two-stadium, same-day doubleheader. The first game began at 10:30 AM at Brooklyn's Washington Park (Giants won, 6-4), and the second game got underway later that afternoon at the Polo Grounds (Brooklyn won, 3-0). In 1924 the pennant race between the Dodgers and Giants gets crazy. So much so, a cavalcade of fans with crowbars stormed the Ebbets Field gates to watch the already sold out game. 200 officers were called, but an estimated 7,000 fans got in anyway. In 1962 Maury Wills stole four bases against the Pirates to break the modern National League record for stolen bases at 82. In 2001 Shawn Green hit two homers against the Cardinals at Busch Stadium to eclipse a Dodgers franchise record for home runs in a season. Green would finish the season with 49 home runs.
• Happy Birthday, Dave Wallace, Dave Foutz, Ed Poole, Lew Ritter, Curt Davis, Eddie Wilson, Willie Crawford & Brent Cookson!

Blog Kiosk: 9/6/2018 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

We're dropping the ball. Per Ken Gurnick at MLB.com:

"I didn't think we played good defense behind Hyun-Jin and I thought the way he threw the baseball was better than the linescore," said manager Dave Roberts. "When you're facing a guy like Wheeler, you've got to play good baseball. We just didn't give ourselves a chance today. 

"There were plays we usually make, you could just look around the diamond. Whether it's added pitches or a run that scores that shouldn't or whatever. For us, at this point in time, we've got to play better baseball. This was one of those games where we just didn't execute defensively."

Dammit! This just can't happen anymore!

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

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1943 the Dodgers signed 19-year old amateur free agent Gil Hodges out of  St. Joseph's College in Rensselaer, IN. In 1950 Don Newcombe started both ends of a doubleheader against the Phillies at Shibe Park. In Game 1 he threw a complete game three-hit shutout. In Game 2 he left the game behind by two runs in the seventh inning. The Dodgers would eventually win that game on a three-run single in the ninth inning by Gil Hodges. In 1953 Giants manager and Dodger-traitor Leo Durocher is heard yelling "stick it in his ear" before pitcher Ruben Gomez struck Dodger outfielder Carl Furillo on the wrist with a pitch. As Furillo took first base he suddenly sprinted to the dugout to get at Durocher. In the subsequent melee Furillo fractures a finger -- ending his season. In 1976 catcher Steve Yeager is injured in the on-deck circle when a jagged end of Bill Russell's broken bat struck him in the throat. It pierced his esophagus, necessitating surgery. Soon thereafter, Dodger trainer Bill Buhler invented a device that hung down from a catchers mask to protect a players throat. In 1981 Fernando Valenzuela threw his seventh shutout as a rookie -- tying a National League record. In 1996 the ever-popular Brett Butler defied the odds to return to the field for the first time after being diagnosed with cancer of the tonsils, having surgery and intensive radiation therapy earlier in the year.
• Happy Birthday, Oyster Burns, Pete Gilbert, George Hildebrand & Del Bissonette!

2018 Topps Now - #686 - Justin Turner is Player of the Month

Once again I'm a bit late in announcing this newest Dodgers' Topps Now card. Shown is the Player of the Month card for August featuring Justin Turner -- and some guy from Boston. As much as this honor for good play is appreciated, I suspect being named the Dodgers' nominee for the 2018 Roberto Clemente Award on the same day is more important to him. Per a Dodger press release:

"Being nominated for the Roberto Clemente Award is not something that I take lightly, and I'm extremely proud and honored to be included among this special group of nominees from around the league," said Dodger third baseman Justin Turner. "My wife Kourtney and I realize how blessed we are to have this platform, and are determined to use it to give back to the community and fans that have been so supportive of us."