Blog Kiosk: 2/27/2020 - Dodgers Links & News - Some Odds and Ends

And the crowd goes wild!

Featured above is a April 30, 1945 International News press photo of slugger Dixie Walker avoiding the rush of fans after a Dodger victory. It's from a game played at Ebbets Field on April 29th (boxscore link). Below is what's written on the reverse:

"Young Brooklyn Dodger fans are chasing Dixie Walker as the "Peepul's Cherce: legs it for the dugout after the end of yesterday's game against the Giants. Walker added to his popularity with the flatbushers by striking the blow that humbled the New Yorkers 4-3. He belted out a homer that netted three runs in the 8th inning."

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1901 the NL Rules Committee declares that all foul balls would now count as strikes, except after two strikes. They do this in order to lower their cost of lost foul balls. In 1908 the sacrifice fly rule is adopted for the first time. In 2011 Dodger Hall of Fame outfielder Duke Snider dies of an undisclosed illness in Escondido. He was the last living Brooklyn Dodger who was on the field for the final out of the 1955 World Series.
• Happy Birthday, Roy Hutson, Rube Melton, Carl Warwick, Henry Cruz, Willie Banks & Carlos Triunfel!

2020 Topps Heritage - Some of the Dodger Inserts

As I'm sure you know, Topps officially released their Heritage Baseball brand today and this time it pays homage to the 1971 Topps flagship Baseball card set. This set is infamous for their black borders (that often chipped easily) and off-center cards. I suspect we won't have to worry about that issues in this throwback brand.

On the right is a look at the the wax box, which includes Cody Bellinger on the far left. Go here for a complete checklist.

I do not have pics of all the base cards to share yet, but I have several of the inserts ready to go. Below are all the Dodger cards found in the Clubhouse Collection Relics, Then and Now, 1971 Topps Greatest Moments and 1971 Topps Super insert sets.

Clubhouse Collection Relics

#CCR-CB Cody Bellinger       #CCR-CK Clayton Kershaw

Blog Kiosk: 2/26/2020 - Dodgers Links & News - Some Odds and Ends

Check out this vintage, likely 1950's era, photograph featuring former Dodger and Negro League star Dan Bankhead, available via eBay (link here). As you may know, he was acquired by the Dodgers in 1947 from the Memphis Red Sox of the Negro American League in hopes he could perform some magic for the playoff bound Brooklyn Dodgers. Unfortunately, he was wild and ineffective.

Often compared to Bob Feller, Bankhead sported a blistering fastball with a good curve, but faced control issues when in the Majors. Overall, he played parts of three season for Brooklyn -- going 9-5 with a 6.52 ERA.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1952 Dodgers all-star pitcher Don Newcombe is sworn into the Army to serve in the Korean War. The 26-year old would miss the next two seasons, and struggle on the field his first year back in 1954. Then, he would go on to regain his old form over the next two seasons by winning a collective 47 games and leading the Dodgers to its first World Series championship in 1955. In 2001 the Dodgers traded outfielder Devon White to the Brewers for Marquis Grissom. In two seasons Grissom would slash .245/.281/.450/.731 with 38 homeruns, 120 RBI's and an OPS+ of 94.
• Happy Birthday, Preacher Roe, Ron Negray & Matt Luke!

2020 Bowman NEXT – Baseball America's Top 100 Prospects - Wave 1

One of Topps newest online exclusive sets is called Bowman NEXT and it features the games top-ranked prospects in limited edition 15-card sets released on a weekly basis. Cards from the "1st Wave" have just arrived on collectors doorsteps, as Topps is currently selling sets from their "4th Wave" (which doesn't include any Dodger younglings) online. Sets cost $40 and you receive a the 15-card set and one autographed card.

There are two Dodgers available here -- Jeter Downs and Josiah Gray. As you know, both players were recently acquired from the Reds, as part of the Yasiel Puig trade. Additionally, Jeter Downs was traded a few weeks back to Boston, as part of the Mookie Betts / David Price trade. Go here for a complete checklist. BTW, a total of 770 set were created.

Wave 1 Base

#Jeter Downs                     #Josiah Gray

Blog Kiosk: 2/25/2020 - Dodgers Links & News - Some Odds and Ends

Here are three custom fantasy Baseball cards I made featuring the Dodgers version of the "Killer B's" -- Mookie Betts, Walker Buhler and Cody Bellinger. All photos were taken by Jon SooHoo during Photo Day this spring. Go here to check out a bunch of pics from the day. Below are some notes from spring training, as provided by a Dodgers press release:

• The Dodgers and the White Sox played to a tie Monday afternoon as Chicago rallied from a one run deficit to end the game in a 2-2 draw. The Dodgers had another impressive showing from All-Star Mookie Betts as the newly acquired outfielder went 2-for-3 with two put outs. Right-hander Ross Stripling made his Spring debut, firing one inning and striking out two. Dylan Floro, Adam Kolarek, Edubray Ramos, Kyle Lobstein, Edwin Uceta and Michael Boyle helped the cause tossing scoreless frames, while the offense was paced by solo homers from Cody Thomas and Omar Estévez.
• Dodger left-hander Victor González will make his Spring Training debut and his first ever appearance in a Cactus League game this afternoon. González, 24, has been with the Dodgers’ organization since 2013 after signing with the organization at 17 years old from Tuxpan, Nayarit, Mexico. In six seasons with the organization, he has combined to go 17-27 with a 4.34 ERA (182 ER/377.0 IP) and 364 strikeouts against 138 walks. He put together his best campaign in 2019, going a combined 5-2 with a 2.31 ERA (23 ER/89.2 IP) and 93 strikeouts across three different levels. The lefty was added to the 40-man roster on October 31, 2019.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1994 former Dodger Leo Durocher is is elected by the Veterans Committee to the Hall of Fame. In 2002 84-year old broadcaster Ernie Harwell announced that this season would be his last as the Tiger's play-by-play man. As you may know, Harwell is the only announcer to have been traded for a ballplayer. Branch Rickey, in 1948, needed a substitute for an ailing Red Barber, so he traded catcher Cliff Dapper to the Atlanta Crackers of the Southern Association for his services. Ernie would broadcast in Brooklyn for two years.
• Happy Birthday, Al Hollingsworth, Andy Pafko, Cesar Cedeno & Xavier Paul!

Blog Kiosk: 2/21/2020 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

It was Photo Day at Camelback Ranch yesterday and fortunately Dodger Insider was kind enough to share a bunch of pics taken by Jon SooHoo. Featured here are David Price, Kiké Hernandez, Mookie Betts and Cody Bellinger. Go here to check out more. Below are some notes about Spring Training, as provided by the Dodgers.

• The Dodgers had 62 players report to camp including 25 infielders/outfielders (10 non-roster invitees), five catchers (two non-roster invitees) and 32 pitchers (10 non-roster invitees).
• The former Vanderbilt Commodore Walker Buehler pitched in live action for the second time this Spring, tossing two simulated innings against teammates Corey Seager, Mookie Betts, Gavin Lux, Tyler White, Austin Barnes and Terrance Gore. Joining Buehler in throwing live bullpens today were Kenley Jansen, Joe Kelly, Caleb Ferguson, Jordan Sheffield and Victor González.
• The Los Angeles Sports Council will honor 2019 National League MVP Cody Bellinger as the Los Angeles co-Sportsman of the Year alongside American League MVP Mike Trout.
• On Thursday, May 7, 2020 at Dodger Stadium, Clayton and Ellen Kershaw will host their 8th Annual Ping Pong 4 Purpose benefiting their charity, Kershaw’s Challenge. Kershaw's Challenge was founded by Clayton and Ellen Kershaw in 2011 and has raised over 12 million dollars to support at-risk children and families around the globe.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1953 Tommy Lasorda is sold to the St. Louis Browns. He would then be returned to the Dodgers in late-March. In 1957 Dodgers owner Walter O'Malley traded minor league franchises with Phil Wrigley of the Cubs. Brooklyn traded the Ft. Worth club (Texas League) in return for the Los Angeles Angels (Pacific Coast League). In 1984 outfielder Dusty Baker is granted free agency. He played eight season in Los Angeles, slashing .281/.343/.437/.780 with 144 home runs and 586 RBI's. 
• Happy Birthday, Jack Billingham, Franklin Gutierrez, Ted Savage, Sam Fletcher & Norman Plitt!