Corey Seager NL Silver Slugger SS Winner - 2016 Topps Now Card #OS-10

To no one's surprise Corey Seager was named the National League recipient of the Silver Slugger Award for the shortstop position yesterday.  In commemoration of that Topps has issued the featured 2016Topps Now card seen in this post.  Go here to check it out and order.

Welcome to the Blue, Darin Ruf & Darnell Sweeney!

The Dodgers have made their second trade of the winter.  They sent infielder/outfielder Howie Kendrick to the Philadelphia Phillies for first baseman/outfielder Darin Ruf and minor league infielder/outfielder Darnell Sweeney. 

As you'll recall, word recently spread that Howie Kendrick was unhappy with his role this past season as a roving left fielder/second baseman -- even though only four other Dodgers' (Corey Seager, Adrian Gonzalez, Justin Turner and Chase Utley) had more at-bats than him.  Nevertheless, he wanted a more consistent position, and apparently the Phillies are able to abide.  BTW, Kendrick has a one-year contract remaining at $10 million.

Blog Kiosk: 11/11/2016 - Dodgers Links - Calhoun, Seager and Veterans Day

On this Veterans Day I am elated to have run into the above vintage press photo featuring Don Sutton undergoing training with the US Army.  It is dated to the winter of 1967 and was taken at Ft. Gordon, Georgia.  This followed his second season as a Dodger starting pitcher.  I've, so far, been unable to find much information about his time there.

UPDATE: I just found a brief mention about Sutton's time in Georgia.  It is in The Bulletin from Bend, Oregon.  It adds in the caption, "Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Don Sutton is worried about his control.  Pvt. Sutton, a basic trainee at US Army post in Fort Gordon, Ga., says he scored only a "lousy" 23 out of a possible 40 points on his dummy hand grenade throwing test.  Sutton said he had trouble getting his curve across the target.  Sutton is scheduled to be released from active duty shortly after the 1968 baseball season opens in April."

Another source, via Florida Today, 1968, states that he had a four-month stint with the Army Reserves.

Having said that, I thought I would pass along a couple of websites that focus on Baseball military veterans.  These are some great sources worth your time to check out.  If you happen to know of any more please pass them along.

• Baseball in Wartime (link here)
• Baseball's Greatest Sacrifice (link here)

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History:  In 1981 Fernando Valenzuela was named the very first rookie to win the NL Cy Young Award -- barely edging out Tom Seaver of the Reds, 70-67.  In 1986 Valenzuela is beat by Houston hurler Mike Scott in Cy Young voting.  Scott received fifteen first place votes and Valenzuela received nine.