1958 Packard Bell Dodgers Regional Set - The Dodger Cards

I was recently checking out the current Lelands Winter Classic auction and came across the above 1958 Packard-Bell poster advertising "pictures" of three Dodger players. (Auction Link) Featured are skipper Walter Alston, beloved player and future coach Jim Gilliam and should-be Hall-of-Famer Gil Hodges.

As you know, 1958 was an important year for the club. It marked the franchise's first season in Los Angeles, and as you can imagine it fueled plenty of interest throughout the Southland. West coast baseball fans without a Major League hometeam to root for came out of the woodwork, so businesses were eager to latch their name/product to the team. The poster featured above is an example of one those early efforts.

Blog Kiosk: 1/8/2019 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Is that bugler in the background an old Brooklyn "Sym-Phony" band member?

Featured above is a September 30, 1963 AP wire photo (eBay link here) of Sandy Koufax arriving at LaGuardia airport in preparation for the upcoming World Series against the Yankees.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1956 Jackie Robinson is awarded the prestigious Spingarn Medal by the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People for his strong support of civil rights initiatives. Martin Luther King Jr. was given the honor the prior year.
• Happy Birthday, Chauncey Fisher, Brian Johnson & Derek Thompson!

Blog Kiosk: 1/3/2019 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Just another vintage spring training pic to make you long for the upcoming season, dated 2/23/1947 (eBay Auction Link).

Bat Selection. Bruce Edwards (left), Brooklyn Dodger catcher, looks over some bats with rookie Tom Tatum at the Dodger training area at Havana, Cuba, Feb. 21. Tatum came to the Dodgers from Montreal in the International League where he hit .319 in the 1946 season. Edwards' home is in Sacramento, Calif, and Tatum lives in Nashville, Tenn.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 2005 the trade that sends outfielder Shawn Green from the Dodgers to the Diamondbacks and includes $8 million changing hands is approved by the Commissioner of baseball, Bud Selig. The trade would officially be consummated eight days later. In 2006 the Dodgers signed free agent starting pitcher Brett Tomko to a two year/$8.7 million contract.  
• Happy Birthday, Frenchy Bordagaray & Chris Van Cuyk!

Blog Kiosk: 1/2/2019 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Above is a pic of Dodgers team mascot, Ambrose the dog, with team owner Charles Ebbets and his family. It is currently available at RMY Auctions (link here). Per the description on the reverse:

Owner Watches Dodgers Shaping Up -- Stiff workouts continue daily at the Brooklyn Dodgers' Florida Training Camp. The owner Charles Ebbets is there to see thing are going right and he is shown with Mrs. Ebbets helping Ambrose, the mascot to a light. Dated 3-11-1924.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1911 Dodgers president Charles Ebbets announces that he has completed the purchase of 4.5 acres of land in the Pigtown section of Brooklyn to build a new concrete and steel stadium for the team. In 1935 the Dodgers selected Cubs catcher Babe Phelps off of waivers. He would go on to play seven seasons in Brooklyn -- slashing .315/.368/.477/.845 and attended three All-Star games. In 2004 the Dodgers signed free agent infielder and pinch-hitting savant Olmedo Sáenz. All hail the "Killer Tomato".
• Happy Birthday, George Boehler, Bobby Reis, Cliff Dapper, Bill Madlock, Greg Heydeman, Mike Metcalfe & Scott Proctor!

2018 Leaf Metal Draft - All the Dodgers Cards

Here is the first Leaf product I've highlighted all year. Featured are the Dodger prospects found in packs of 2018 Leaf Metal Draft. Go here for a complete checklist.

Only three Dodger players are available -- DJ Peters, Keibert Ruiz and Michael Grove.

Base Autographs

#BA-DJP D.J. Peters

Blog Kiosk: 12/28/2018 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Here's a fantastic 1957 International News Spring Training press photo, taken by the legendary Herb Scharfman, featuring a couple of Dodgers with some visiting Tokyo Giants' (eBay Link). Per the descriptor on the reverse:

Dodgers host to Tokyo Giants Players
Vero Beach, Florida... Brooklyn Dodger coach Joe Becker (third from left) and pitcher Don Newcombe (left), discuss pointers of the game with two visitors to the Dodger camp from Japan. They are Sho Horincho, pitcher with the Tokyo Giants (second from left) and Tokyo Giants' manager Shigeru Mizuhara (right). Dated 3-1-1957.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1982 the Dodgers traded for 6' 5" tall reliever Pat Zachry in exchange for utilityman Jorge Orta. In 1993 the Dodgers traded pitcher Isidro Márquez for utilityman Ron Coomer of the White Sox.
• Happy Birthday, Einar Díaz, Don Thompson & Austin Barnes!