Vintage Dodgers Newsletter - Dodgers Line Drives - July 1958

Here is another edition of a vintage Dodgers fan newsletter.  This one dates to July 1958, and it features several notes on not only the status of several high-end prospects, but also snippets on who they recently signed.  A big thanks to Dodgers collector Doug for passing this newsletter along.  BTW, this newsletter has been signed by Duke Snider on the top of the first page (see above-left).  Below is a listing of interesting mentions in this newsletter:

• Frank Howard had signed a free agent contract with the Dodgers just four months prior, after having been a standout on the diamond at Ohio State University, and was already pushing to be included into the Dodgers plans in Los Angeles.

(Pete) Reiser recently told a Sporting News" reporter that Howard may be only a year or two away from the National League:

"I'll tell you why, "Reiser explained.  "He's the type of player who practices under pressure.  By that I mean he practices with a purpose.  Nothing about baseball is aimless to him.  He's a real pleasure to coach."

• The Dodgers made sure to honor Laguna Beach resident Jack Norworth.  "Who's he?"  Jack Norworth is the gentleman who wrote the song "Take Me Out to the Ball Game", and this year marked its Golden Anniversary.  During the July 11th game the Dodgers and Major League Baseball presented him with a gold lifetime pass to any game in the country.
• Notably, the Dodgers mention the signing of Ron Fairly, a standout with the National Champs at USC.
• The final page of the newsletter features several fantastic action photographs.

Click any pic to embiggen.

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Blog Kiosk: 9/8/2016 - Dodgers Links - Kazmir, Reddick, Seager, Garlick and Yasiel Puig

After falling back as far as eight games in late June, I am in awe of what the Dodgers have accomplished.  They were seemingly in disarray.  The Dodgers had everything imaginable thrown their way; including a record number of injuries and clubhouse turmoil surrounding an enigmatic star.  Fortunately, cooler heads prevailed and a plan, no doubt hatched before the start of the season, was allowed to flourish.  Depth has been a key to this season, and along with an improving offense (the teams batting was never as bad as early indicators showed) they now find themselves with a five game lead with just 23 games to go. 

It certainly is good to be a Dodger fan right now, eh?

As for last nights game, it was doubly nice to see Yasiel Puig contribute.  He provided much of the offense needed to pull off the teams teams fifth consecutive win.  Puig hit a sacrifice fly in the first inning to help the Dodgers take the lead, and added an insurance run in the sixth inning by homering off Diamondbacks starting pitcher Robin Ray.  Per Jack Baer and Steve Gilbert at MLB.com:

"Yasiel … he can do so many great things, but I think the situational at-bat early in the game helped his confidence," Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. "When you can start him and have [Josh] Reddick and [Andrew] Toles, we've got some depth."

Photo at the very top via Juan Ocampo/LA Dodgers 2016.  Go here to check out more pics by Juan and Jon SooHoo from yesterdays game.  Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodger History:  In 1955 the Brooklyn Dodgers clinched the pennant; assuring a trip to the World Series.  As you know, they went on to defeat the Yankees that Fall to become champions for the first time in franchise history.  In 1957 the Dodgers and Giants face each other for the last time at the Polo Grounds in New York.  In 1967 the Mets honored Brooklyn Dodger pitcher Sandy Koufax at their stadium.