Blog Kiosk: 5/21/2020 - Dodgers Links & News - Some Odds and Ends

Here's a great photo of two old Brooklyn Dodgers -- Duke Snider and announcer Red Barber -- just prior to their appearance on ABC's Good Morning America on August 1, 1980 (eBay auction link). Per the descriptor on the reverse:

New York: Duke of Brooklyn (and Los Angeles), Edwin Donald Snider (right), who will be inducted into Baseball's Hall of Fame August 3, reminisces with his old buddy, former Dodger announcer Red Barber, as they appear August 1 on ABC-TV's Good Morning America. Snider credited much of his success to teammate Pee Wee Reese and owner Branch Rickey. Barber was honored by the Hall of Fame in 1978.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1892 Brooklyn Bridgerooms/Dodgers second baseman George "Hub" Collins died unexpectedly of typoid fever. He had just fallen ill a week before. The 28-year old was considered a star, with many believing he was destined to be the greatest second baseman in Brooklyn history. In 1945 Leo Durocher (as a ballplayer) is officially released, so that he could concentrate all of his efforts on managing the Brooklyn Dodgers. In 1952 the Dodgers scored a Major League record 15 runs in the first inning to handily defeat the Reds at Ebbets Field, 19-1. At one point in the first inning 19 consecutive Dodgers' reached base. Also, Pee Wee Reese got on base in each of his three at-bats during the first inning -- with a single, two walks, two runs scored and an RBI. In 2000 MLB has its very first six grand slam day - Shawn Green & Adrian Beltre (Dodgers); Garret Anderson (Angels), J.T. Snow (Giants), Brian Hunter (Phillies) and Jason Giambi (A's).
• Happy Birthday, Sandy McDougal, Charlie Loudenslager, Mace Brown, Elmer Sexauer, Hank Webb & Tom Martin!

Blog Kiosk: 5/20/2020 - Dodgers Links & News - Some Odds and Ends

In 1971 the Dodgers went big. They traded for one of the top veterans in the game in hopes of winning the pennant. (eBay auction link). Per the descriptor on the reverse:

1/20/1972 - Los Angeles -- "There she goes" yells a smiling Frank Robinson as he connects with the first practice pitch thrown at Dodger Stadium. Frank was out in his new Dodger uniform just for pictures. The former Baltimore slugger was traded to the Dodgers at the end of the '71 season. The catcher is unidentified.

Robinson added the following about the trade, per Milton Richman/UPI at Desert Sun (12/8/1971):

I didn’t want to leave Baltimore but if I had to, I told the Orioles I’d like to go to a West Coast club on a New York team and that’s the way it turned out. I think I can play the type of baseball I want to play for the next two or three years and I should enjoy being with the Dodgers.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1979 Don Sutton becomes the Dodgers franchise leader in wins at 210 when he goes eight innings, struck out six, walked none and allowed three runs to defeat Tom Seaver and the Reds, 6-4 (boxscore). 
• Happy Birthday, Joe Harris, Bert Delmas, Harry Taylor, Ken Boyer, Bob Giallombardo, Jim Lyttle, Ralph Bryant, David Wells, Ramón Hernández, Wilson Valdez & Jayson Werth!

2020 Topps Project 2020 -- Jackie Robinson by Mister Cartoon

While New York had Zephyr, Blade and Lady Pink defining the local street art/graffiti aesthetic, Los Angeles had Mister Cartoon working the trenches to encapsulate LA's look. It all began innocently enough -- from airbrushed T's as a youth to painting lowriders -- but quickly morphed into a hustle creating art for musicians. Soon, he found a calling in the form of "fineline-style" tattoos that came to be known as quintessentially Los Angeles. Per Lily Moayeri at LA Magazine:

“We wanted to take Chicano art as far as we could take it,” says Toons. “Show our art to people that weren’t part of our culture and didn’t have access to it, let them see how we draw and what our style is. We didn’t expect to take it to the red carpet in Hollywood or major brand collaborations. One minute we’d be in the housing projects in Watts and East L.A., then we’d be having lunch at Fred Segal. It’s a hard to cross from one to the other. But the beautiful part that comes out of street culture, which could be connected to violence, poverty, incarceration, is the art form.”

Blog Kiosk: 5/19/2020 - Dodgers Links & News - Some Odds and Ends

Here's a fantastic International News Photo taken by Ed Grady featuring Pee Wee Reese tagging out fellow Hall of Famer Robin Roberts (eBay auction link). Per the descriptor on the reverse:

Fallen Robin --

Philadelphia, PA ...The Phillies Robin Roberts makes a good try but he's out at second attempting to stretch his hit off the right field wall in the third inning of last night's game against the Dodgers. Furillo's perfect peg to Pee Wee Reese (1) robbed Robin of the extra base and retired him. Dodgers won the game, 2-1. (boxscore).

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1988 Tim Leary threw his second shutout of the season, defeating the Montreal Expos 2-0 (boxscore). He had been winless in his past five outings. Leary would go on to be an important cog in the World Series championship team. Tim would be the #2 man in the rotation - going 17-11 with an 2.91 ERA, nine complete games and six shutouts. In 2015 the Dodgers officially signed Cuban defector Héctor Olivera to a six year/$62.5 million contract (including a $28 million signing bonus). He would then be traded a couple of months later to the Braves in a three team trade that netted the Dodgers Alex Wood and a bunch of other players not worth mentioning.
• Happy Birthday, Dutch Schliebner, Jim Hickman, Earl Naylor & Bill Antonello!

2020 Topps Total - Wave 2 - All the Dodgers'

The second wave of Topps Total cards have now arrived and I've got pics of all of them to share here. Check them all out below. Go here for a complete checklist.

Notably, a surprise Sandy Koufax card has arrived with this wave of cards. During the Wave 1 release Topps placed a special limited edition insert in packs that featured Ken Griffey Jr. This time around their special limited edition insert is of Sandy Koufax. From my understanding, only 100 of these cards are available.

Wave 2

#101 Gavin Lux

Blog Kiosk: 5/18/2020 - Dodgers Links & News - Some Odds and Ends

Here's an April 18, 1967 AP press photo featuring Sandy's return to Dodger Stadium -- after retiring from the game after last season (eBay auction link).

And on the Mound, Sandy Koufax -- Sandy Koufax, now a sports broadcaster for NBC, throws the opening "pitch" as the Dodgers and Cincinnati Reds opened the Los Angeles home season at Dodger Stadium tonight.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1929 the Brooklyn Dodgers out-slugged the Phillies, 20-16. Hilariously, Dodger hurler Ray Moss allowed ten earned runs and still recorded his first win of the season. In 1931 Dodger outfielder Babe Herman hits for the cycle against the Reds at Ebbets Field. Herman would hit his second cycle of the season on July 24th. In 1942 all night games in New York are banned for the duration of WWII. The city would not host a night game until 1946. In 1981 Fernando Valenzuela finally loses, 4-0 (boxscore). It was against the Phillies. Valenzuela now has an 8-1 record to start the season.
• Happy Birthday, Bob Clark, Cy Barger, Don Lund & Eric Young!