Vintage Newsletter - "Line Drives from the Dodgers" - December 1943

Here is another edition of the Brooklyn Dodgers official fan newsletter.  This time we look at the December 1943 issue.  As you will notice, the club changed its name from "Dodger Doings" to "Line Drives from the Dodgers."  Go here to check out past issues of this newsletter I have shared.  Click on any pic to embiggen.  Furthermore, I'd like to extend thanks to fellow Dodger collector Doug for passing this newsletter along.

This edition was sent out to fans during the winter before the start of the 1944 Baseball season.  It briefly introduces a new face to the club, Gil English, and strangely mentions veteran infielder Arky Vaughan as a "new" veteran.  I say strange because he was not a new Dodger.  In fact, he had put up solid numbers in 1942 and 1943 for Brooklyn.  So, what did they mean?

As I understand it, Vaughan and Dodgers skipper Leo Durocher had butted heads during the prior year, and it appears that Leo was hoping the upcoming 1944 campaign would mend any wounds.  As Dodger fans came to find out, though, that was far from the case.  Arky Vaughan, a future Hall of Famer, decided that he would rather retire than play for Durocher.  At the age of 32 Arky would sit out the next three seasons.  Per Ralph Moses at the SABR Bio Project:

2016 Topps Allen & Ginter - The Dodgers Insert Cards

Now that you've seen the Dodgers base cards found in packs of 2016 Allen & Ginter check out some of the various inserts that are available.  Featured below are the Baseball Legends, The Numbers Game and the jumbo sized boxloader card of Clayton Kershaw.  Go here to check out all of my past post on this set.

Baseball Legends

#BL-4 Jackie Robinson                        #BL-6 Duke Snider

Blog Kiosk: 7/26/2016 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

As a departure from the mundane, Bobby Morgan is seen in the vintage press photo (via an eBay listing) above aiming at his target during spring training, 1950.  Per the descriptor on the reverse:

Bobby Morgan, Brooklyn Dodgers rookie infielder from Oklahoma City, Okla., sets his sights on a bat during training at the Dodgers Vero Beach, Fla., spring training camp. March 5.  Morgan was voted the Most Valuable Player in the International League last year while playing with Montreal.  He compiled a batting average last year of .337. 

Bobby did make the club as the teams starting third baseman in 1950, but didn't enjoy the same success he had with the Royals.  He batted just .226 on the year.  Thereafter, he became primarily an utility guy on the diamond for the Brooklyn Dodgers.  Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodger History:  In 1951 Dodgers outfielder Jim Russell becomes the first player in Major League history to hit home runs from both sides of the plate in a single game for the second time in a career.  In 1990 Mike Sharperson became the first player in LA Dodgers history to start at every infield position during a season.
• Happy Birthday, Hoyt Wilhelm!