You Too Can Join in Kershaw's Challenge!

For several years Clayton Kershaw has been donating money to Kershaw's Challenge based upon how many strike outs he has throughout the season, and he continues that tradition today.  Best yet, fans can also join Clayton in doing the same thing.

Continuing a relationship with GiveStep.com, fans can pledge a certain dollar amount for each strike out Kershaw throws this season.  For instance, a $1.00 pledge (based on last year stats) would mean a $239.00 donation to Kershaw's Challenge.  Go here to find out more or to sign up.

UPDATE:  BTW, you can donate as little at a penny ($0.01) a strike out if you like.  Remember, every cent counts.  Sign Up Here.

Via a press release:

“We are so grateful for everyone’s efforts in 2014 and making Kershaw’s Challenge such a success,” said Clayton Kershaw, co-founder of Kershaw’s Challenge. “Along with our partnership with GiveStep.com, we look forward to another successful year in 2015 and making a difference not only here locally but around the world.”

Kershaw's Challenge is a non-profit group put together by the Kershaw family.  This years funds will benefit CURE International’s hospital in the Dominican Republic, Mercy Street in Dallas, Arise Africa orphanage in Zambia and an Foster Care Intervention program with the Dream Center in Los Angeles.  You can check out the Kershaw's Challenge website here.

BTW, you can also help out Kershaw's Challenge by checking out their store page here.  There a bunch of great t-shirts to check out.

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A look at the 1984 Topps Dodgers "Encased" Cards

Just when I thought I knew everything about Baseball cards from the 1980's something comes along to knock me off my perch. 

I recently became aware of a not-so-well-known variant/proof/prototype/test issue of the 1984 Topps Baseball card set.  It is commonly known as the "encased" cards, and if you look closely at the portrait found on the bottom left in the photos below you'll know why.  On the normal card the players head overlaps the black border.  In the "encased" version the portrait stays within the square.

From what I understand these cards are scarce and command a premium.  They were never inserted into packs, so you won't find them in any of the stack of cards you have at home.  Instead, they appear to all come from uncut sheets that were subsequently removed from the presses at Topps. 

It's unclear to me if these sheets were given away, sold through the back-door or possibly sold later on by ToppsVault on eBay.  Although, it appears that all three scenarios are possible.  In either case, an enterprising collector decided to take these sheets, recognizing their uniqueness, and had them cut-up into Baseball cards themselves. 

There appears to be some debate as to whether these are proofs or test issues.  Frankly, I could care less about that.  What I do know is that a Dodger collector should be looking to add these little strange issues to their collection. 

BTW, there are only 66 different cards that are "encased" and this represents a single sheet of cards.  All cards are blank backed.  There are also three Dodger players to chase after:  Greg Brock, Steve Sax and Fernando Valenzuela.  Check them all out below.  I have paired an "encased" variant with the normal card on its right.

Greg Brock

Encased Prototype/Proof                           Normal Base Card 

Steve Sax

Encased Prototype/Proof                           Normal Base Card 

Fernando Valenzuela

Encased Prototype/Proof                           Normal Base Card 

Below is a peek at an uncut sheet of "encased" cards found through Net54.  If you look closely the photos used for the Steve Carlton card features Greg Mathews, and the Greg Mathews card uses a pic of Steve Carlton.  Click on the pic to embiggen.

(pic link: ALR-bishop on Net54)

Hat Tip: The Tim Wallach Collector

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A Couple Interesting Vintage Dodger Press Photos at RMY Auctions

Check out a couple of great vintage Dodgers-related press photos currently available at RMY Auctions.

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Hey, Blue Eye's!

Below is a fun 1966 NEA/UPI press photo featuring the dashing Sandy Koufax with the equally beautiful Nancy Sinatra locked in an embrace.  Below is what's written on the caption attached to the reverse:

Making a Point - Sandy Koufax of the Los Angeles Dodgers points out something to Nancy Sinatra before the Hollywood All Stars-Sports Writers game July 22.  Wearing a Dodger uniform, the daughter of singer Frank Sinatra did not seem to help the team in their cause as they lost the subsequent official game to the visiting New York Mets, 3-0.

I want so badly to know what the heck they are pointing at.  Has a fan interrupted the exhibition by running onto the field, or did some reporter make a fantastic play?  We shall never know.  I would like to believe, though, that an alien spaceship is hovering over the stadium. 

(auction link)

Here is a photo that is sure to elicit a strong emotional response.  After all, the idea having a couple of young African-American kids as team mascots and giving them obvious racial nicknames would bring about screams from all corners of the country today - and rightly so.  Nevertheless, from an historical perspective I felt it was important enough to share here.

It is dated to March 2, 1929 and was release by ACME News Pictures. It states the following on the caption attached to the reverse:

Luck On The End of the Bat - Rookie Ralston, one of the youngsters trying to break into the line-up of the Brooklyn Dodgers, gets his bat from "Snowball" and "Blackball," the two mascots, at the Dodgers' spring training camp at Clearwater, FL.

Thankfully, a lot has changed in the world and in the game. And although the children appear to be enjoying themselves (who wouldn't want to be as close to game as they were at their age), this photo clearly exhibits a different era that we should never pretend never existed.

(auction link)

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Rockies Series Starts Today - Scheduled Autograph Sessions, Pregame Info and Other Stuff!

The next homestand starts this evening against the Colorado Rockies, and several former Dodgers are scheduled for an autograph session with fans.  Below are the scheduled autograph opportunities and other odds and ends for this upcoming homestand.

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Thursday, May 14th at 7:10 PM
RHP Chad Bettis vs. LHP Brett Anderson
SNLA / AM 570 (Eng.), KTNQ 1020 AM (Span.)

Thursday's game starts at 7:10 PM.  Auto gates open at 4:40 PM, and stadium gates open at 5:10 PM.  The third of eight Cy Young Collectors' Pin Series giveaways is this night.  The first 40,000 fans will receive an Sandy Koufax pin.  See it on the left.

The Mirman School Concert Singers will perform the national anthem. Under the direction of Paul Kay, the Mirman School of Concert Singers is an award-winning middle school choir from Los Angeles that has performed in New York’s Carnegie Hall and across the country and abroad.

Dodger alumnus Mickey Hatcher will sign autographs in the left-field pavilion from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM.

• The Military Hero of the Game is U.S. Marine Corps Sergeant Luis Martinez of Salinas. Martinez enlisted in 2006 and in 2009 was assigned to Marine Expeditionary Force Group MHG where he deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. He then transferred to 2nd Battalion 3rd Marines in Hawaii where he completed one Unit Deployment Program to Okinawa Japan for six months.
• The Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation (LADF) conducts silent auctions throughout the season featuring more than 25 signed pieces of memorabilia from Dodger players, coaches and alumni. Auctions will take place behind the Vin Scully press box on the club level. The items up for auction on Friday include an Andre Ethier autographed photo, Howie Kendrick autographed baseball and an Adrian Gonzalez autographed Dodger jersey. The auction will end at 8:45 PM.

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Friday, May 15th at 7:10 PM
RHP Eddie Butler vs. LHP Clayton Kershaw
SNLA / AM 570 (Eng.), KTNQ 1020 AM (Span.)

Friday's game starts at 7:10 PM.  Auto gates open at 4:40 PM, and stadium gates open at 5:10 PM.  It is Friday Night Fireworks, so fans will be able to go down onto the field after the game to watch the spectacle. The theme for the evening is songs from 1965 as they salute the 1965 World Champions.  Go here for information about future firework themes.

It is also Girl Scout Night at Dodger Stadium.  Folks who ordered a special ticket package in the All You Can Eat Right Field Pavilion or Infield Reserve will get an exclusive Girl Scout patch with your ticket.  See that on the left.  If not already sold out go here for information.

Mike Kiley, Chief Executive Officer of Security Benefit Corporation, a company that has been helping Americans to and through retirement for more than 120 years and a Dodger partner, will throw the ceremonial first pitch.

Pregame entertainment will also include a stilt walker in the left-field plaza and a DJ ADM in the right-field plaza from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM. Dodger alumnus Dennis Powell will sign autographs in the left-field pavilion from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM.

• The Military Hero of the Game is U.S. Navy Petty Officer First Class Cynthia Velasco of Los Angeles. Velasco served in the 2004 RIMPAC deployment, several West Pacific deployments and in the Operation Tomodachi humanitarian relief in 2001. She is the recipient of three Navy and Marine Corps achievement medals.

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Saturday, May 16th at 6:10 PM
LHP Jorge De La Rosa vs. RHP Zack Greinke
SNLA / AM 570 (Eng.), KTNQ 1020 AM (Span.) 

Saturday's game starts at 6:10 PM.  Auto gates open at 3:30 PM, and stadium gates open at 3:30 PM.  It is Old-Timers Night!  The first 40,000 fans will receive an 1965 World Series Replica Ring.  See it on the left.

The Old-Timers game will start with introductions at 4:00 PM. Admission to the Old-Timers Game is free with a purchase of a ticket to the game.  Go here for a list of former players who will be in the ballpark.Fernando Valenzuela, Orel Hershiser, Ron Cey, Bill Russell, Davey Lopes, Rick Monday, Reggie Smith, Eric Karros and Nomar Garciaparra will lead a host of Dodgers.  BTW,  nans can tune into the Old-Timers’ game which will air live on SportsNet LA. 

Former Brooklyn Dodger pitcher Ralph Mauriello will perform the national anthem. Members of the 1965 World Series team - Koufax, Davis, Wills, Moon, Perranoski, Parker, Torborg, Fairly, Ferrara and Johnson – will participate in the ceremonial first pitch.

Pregame entertainment will also include a balloon artist in the left-field plaza, DJ Adam in the right-field plaza, Angela Mukul in the left-field reserve plaza and The Smokin’ Cobras in the right-field reserve plaza from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM.

• The Military Hero of the Game is U.S. Navy Petty Officer First Class Adrian Camacho of Los Angeles. Camacho has been stationed in Guantanamo Bay, Bahrain, Hawaii and throughout California. Camacho is currently stationed at the Naval Medical Center in San Diego.

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Sunday, May 17rd at 1:10 PM
RHP Kyle Kendrick vs. RHP Mike Bolsinger
SNLA/AM 570 (Eng.), KTNQ 1020 AM (Span.)

Sunday's game starts at 1:10 PM.  Auto gates open at 10:40 AM, and stadium gates open at 11:10 AM. 

It is also Yoga Day at Dodger Stadium.  Folks who ordered a special ticket package in the All You Can Eat Right Field Pavilion or Infield Reserve will get an exclusive yoga mat and post-game yoga session with your ticket.  See the mat on the left.  If not already sold out go here for information.

Viva Los Dodgers at the historic 76 station begins at 11:00 AM. Dodger alumnus and broadcaster Manny Mota will sign autographs from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM. Musical entertainment will be provided by Louie Cruz Beltran and La Sirena y Orquesta Mar de Ashé. Beltran will also perform the national anthem. 

Dodger alumnus Matt Luke will sign autographs in the left-field pavilion from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM.

• The Military Hero of the Game is U.S. Marine Corps Private First Class Joseph Godges of Rozlopy, Poland. Godges enlisted during World War II. On July 29, 1944, after eight days of fighting on Guam, he witnessed the official raising of the U.S. flag over the ruins of the former U.S. Marine barracks on Guam, an unforgettable moment for Godges.
• The Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation (LADF) conducts silent auctions throughout the season featuring more than 25 signed pieces of memorabilia from Dodger players, coaches and alumni. Auctions will take place behind the Vin Scully press box on the club level. The items up for auction on Sunday include an Alex Guererro autographed photo, a Jimmy Rollins autographed baseball and a Yasiel Puig autographed Dodger jersey. The auction will end at 2:45 PM.

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Blog Kiosk: 5/14/2015 - Dodger Links - Mattingly Thrown Out, Replay Issues and a Tat on the Scalp

Don Mattingly made quite a stink with the umpires last night, and got thrown out for his troubles.  It all began when Giancarlo Stanton made a sliding catch that appeared to hit the grass first before being caught.  Predictably, the play was reviewed, but the outcome was not what Mattingly expected.  Via Mark Saxon at ESPNLosAngeles.com:

"I saw the ball bounce off the grass and bounce up into his glove," Mattingly said. "When they showed it on the big screen, we saw it bounce and you just know it's going to get overturned and when it doesn't, it's just frustrating."

I see his point, but I also see the point laid out by the officials.  Speaking as a fan that has been disappointed more than once while watching an NHL game, it is impossible to get absolute perfection.  Furthermore, there is logic to the idea that an overturned call should be based on irrefutable evidence that the play on the field should be overturned.  In other words, sometimes a situation is so close and the data/video available so indeterminable that it's only reasonable to say that whatever call was made on the field should stand.

Mattingly's idea of having a so called "blind" jury looking at replays is an interesting one, but I think it's likely unreasonable.  In order to speed up the entire process I suspect that there is someone (or more) watching every game in real time.  This would allow them to quickly transition from observer to replay official in a moments notice.  Not having this in place could mean extending the amount of time it takes to make a decision, and we all know how much everyone hates long wait times.  Also, as I said above sometimes video replay just doesn't provide enough information.

Overall, I understand why the play was deemed an out.  Clearly the ball bounced, but did it bounce on the grass or bounce on the leather brim of the glove?  That is something none of the videos provided could show. 

The photo above of Don Mattingly was taken by Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2015.  Go here to check out more pics by Jon from last night's game.  Below are some links to check out:

• Via Jeff Sullivan at FanGraphs, "There’s Nothing At All Like the Dodgers’ Offense."
• Via Mark Saxon at ESPNLosAngeles.com, "Mattingly: Yasiel Puig out at least two weeks."

“He’s going to be a little bit, at least a couple weeks,” Mattingly said. “So, we’ll kind of let it rest for a couple days until he gets it going.”

• Via Ken Gurnick at MLB.com, "Jansen still LA closer, will be eased back in."

"He's going to be the closer -- no question about that," Mattingly said. "We just want to get him comfortable first."

• Via Ben Reiter at Sports Illustrated, "For ex-Dodgers star Matt Kemp, Padres offer chance at fresh start."

After he finally rebounded during the waning months of last season, Kemp knew that his Dodgers future might be brief. “In previous years before that, there had been talk that I might be traded, but it was pretty hard to trade me because I was coming off surgery and all that. But I had a really, really good second half, and this past off-season, I didn’t know what was going to happen. I kept hearing my name. When I used to hear my name in previous years, I’d get phone calls telling me, that’s not going to happen. But not the last two years. So I knew something might happen.”

• Eric Stephen at True Blue LA shares the latest Hyun-Jin Ryu noodle commercial, here.
• Two Dodger farmhands make Carson Cistulli of FanGraphs, "The Fringe Five: Baseball’s Most Compelling Fringe Prospects."  They are Jose DeLeon and Yadir Drake.
• As you know, Pedro Baez was removed from the game due to an injury.  Ken Gurnick on twitter provides some information:

Baez felt something in pectoral area. MRI tomorrow.

— Ken Gurnick (@kengurnick) May 14, 2015

• You got a Dodger tattoo?  Is it on your head?  Watch this video of a Dodger fan who had a Dodger themed tattoo put on his scalp.  Wow!  (Hat Tip: u/auth0r_unkn0wn on Reddit)

Video Link:

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