Blog Kiosk 9/28/2008

So what are you doing on Wednesday?

• Robert of Trolley Dodgers finds a great video at Flickr featuring the demolition of Ebbets Field in Brooklyn. Go here to see the video.
• Trolley Dodgers also comes across some incredible photos posted by the Library of Congress on Flickr featuring the Brooklyn Dodgers from the early part of the 20th Century. Check them out here. Below is Red Smith.
• On the day the Dodgers clinch the division title Erin watches an unsuspecting Dodger fan who accidentally falls onto the field get tackled by security. Read about it here. Heavy handed tactics by those in authority seems to be more the rule than the exception these days.
• Of course, you must check out the hazing pics of Dodger rookies at Sons of Steve Garvey. Clayton Kershaw is dressed as Little Bo Peep.
• Cardboard Junkie opens up packs of 2008 Upper Deck X and pulls a Furcal.
• Night Owl Cards shows off a great early 70's set featuring the 1952 Brooklyn Dodgers from prolific card producer TCMA. They are well known for being the chief manufacturer of minor league Baseball cards in the 80's. Check out his website for more pics from the set. Clearly, the best card is below. You just can't beat a card featuring an infield with Jackie, Gil, Campy, Pee Wee and Billy Cox. One of these days I'm gonna add this set to my collection. Fortunately, they are not particularly rare or expensive. BTW, this collector blog is run by a Dodger fan so expect to find plenty of Dodger cards featured throughout.
• Here is a brand new collector blog that will focus on vintage Topps cards and other oddball stuff called The Topps Archives. They start off great by highlighting an interesting press photo celebrating the an early Topps Company publicity stunt in the late 40's.
• 117 original paintings used to make the 1953 Topps set have just been consigned to REA's April 2009 auction. A complete list has yet to released, but I'm hoping Pee Wee Reese shows up. The Jackie Robinson and Campanella was sold in the 1989 Guersney's Auction for $71,000 and $33,000, respectivley. Probably the most desired painting yet to find it's way to the market from this set is probably Satchel Paige. I wouldn't be surprised to see it reach well into the 6 figures if it goes on sale. Read The Infield Dirt for more.
• This video is unbelievable. Never pass out drunk at a ball game, especially in New York. Hat Tip: Lion in Oil:

• I promise this will be my only politically partisan post regarding our upcoming Presidential election. It's just that I dig this video so much and I love this song from Le Miserables.

YouTube Video Link: NatHeadquartersObama:

Dodger Videos

Here are more videos to help you through till the rest of the season.

1955 Dodger Victory Dance

YouTube Link: bkaye:
Hat Tip: True Blue LA:

Here are highlights from the 1955 World Series.

YouTube Link: gmelita:

Joe Pignatano and Danny McDevitt are on hand at a Brooklyn Cyclones game to reenact the last pitch thrown by the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1957.

YouTube Link: CarmieP:

Sunday Night Rally!

Unfortunately, I'll be in Las Vegas enjoying some hockey pre-season, but, if I were in town, I would definitely be at the rally. If you don't know already the Dodgers are holding a post-season rally at Dodger Stadium this coming Sunday at 6:00 PM. Parking is free and $2 Dodger dogs, drinks, peanuts and nachos will be available. Gates open at 5:00 PM

From the press release.

The Los Angeles Dodgers today clinched the 2008 National League West Title, sending the club to postseason play for the third time in five seasons. The Dodgers and the St. Louis Cardinals, who eliminated the Arizona Diamondbacks with their victory this afternoon, are the only two National League clubs to have earned that distinction.

Punctuating their 50^th anniversary celebration, the club will play “October Baseball” for the 16^th time since moving to Los Angeles and the 25^th time in the history of the Dodgers franchise.

Fans are invited to a free “Postseason Rally presented by Bank of America” this Sunday evening, September 28, at Dodger Stadium from 6-8 p.m. The event includes Dodgers alumni, musical entertainment, special pricing for Dodger Dogs and other popular items, and the welcome back of the National League West champions after their afternoon game in San Francisco (provided the game and travel circumstances allow).

"This is an important first step towards our ultimate goal," said Dodger Owner and Chairman Frank McCourt. "The entire organization, from Ned Colletti and his staff, to Joe Torre and his coaches and all of the players and staff members throughout our front office and minor leagues deserve tremendous credit for their hard work and dedication over the last eight months. We expect that this culture of winning will continue and that today is just the first of many exciting days in the month to come."

“We cannot possibly thank the fans enough for their constant support,” said Dodger President Jamie McCourt. “They have come out to Dodger Stadium all season long, through thick and thin, and they continue to embrace the team in ways that surely contributed to the team’s terrific home record.”

Sunday’s rally includes free parking, free admission, and special pricing of $2 for Dodger Dogs, soft drinks, peanuts, and nachos.

Bank of America, the official bank of the Los Angeles Dodgers, will determine the “Fan of the Rally,” who will win four tickets to one game of the 2008 National League Division Series.

The Sunset gate and turnstiles at Dodger Stadium will open at 5 p.m., and merchandise commemorating the title and the anniversary will be on sale.

FSN Prime Ticket and Dodgers flagship KABC 790 Radio will present the event live.

This season marks the third time in L.A. ’s history that the Dodgers have reached postseason three times in a five-year span and the first time since 1985.

In the 1960s, the club made it to the postseason in 1963, 1965, and 1966. In the 1970s, they reached the level in 1974, 1977, and 1978. In the 1980s, they made it to October in 1981, 1983, and 1985. After winning the 1988 World Series, they reached postseason play only twice, 1995 and 1996, over the next 15 years, including an L.A. franchise-high drought of seven straight years starting 1997 through 2003.

The Brooklyn Dodgers won pennants four times in five years (1952, 1953, 1955, and 1956), the best five-year stretch in franchise history. They also won three (1949, 1952, 1953) in a five-year period. Note that the 1951 playoff versus the Giants concluding with Bobby Thomson’s “Shot Heard ‘Round the World” is not included as postseason play.

The Dodgers’ Sunday celebration will be part of Major League Baseball’s events in each qualifying city marking the arrival of October Baseball.

Dodger Art

Please check out this great painting recently completed by local artist Roderick Smith. He was kind enough to allow me to share it with all of you.

The painting began in late July. Many sketches and photographs were taken from the surrounding hills in its preparation. The feeling I tried to convey was the sense of timelessness. A place familiar yet oddly strange. Like a dream land. A stage were actors play their parts with improvised scripts. A circus tent from the sixties still barking cotton candy and side show delights. One of the last great arenas of the game still standing. In the late afternoon it flickers in an impressionist light. There is roar as the sun sets in the west. The players are in motion.

It's like an Elysian Field.

Go check out his website.

October Baseball!!!!!

Ohhh Yheaaaa!!!


YouTube Link: pugger0:

Pop the Champagne!!

All of the sudden I love the Cardinals.

As I write this it is the bottom of the 8th inning in this afternoons game between the Diamondback and Cardinals. St. Louis has a comfortable 10 to 3 lead. Check out the box score here.

Pic Link: Sock Pockets from Hell: