I just can't wait for Baseball to get started. We are a mere few weeks away from the beginning of spring training, and soon thereafter Opening Day will be here. While we wait join me in taking a look at the above fantastic in-game-action AP Wirephoto, dated July 22, 1954, featuring a sliding Bob Borkowski of the Reds being tagged out by Roy Campanella. (eBay Auction Link)
On the play Reds second baseman Johnny Temple hit a grounder to shortstop Pee wee Reese, who unfortunately booted the ball. Borkowski, standing at second base at the time, tried to take advantage of the miscue and rounded third for home. Jim Gilliam, who was the kind of guy who never missed a play, dutifully picked up the errant ball and threw a strike to home to record the third out of the inning. The Dodgers would maintain a one run lead in the game, and eventually win it, 8-5. BTW, Hall of Fame umpire Jocko Conlon is in the background calling the out. Also, this photograph was originally a part of the George Michael Collection of Baseball sliding press photos.
Below are more links to check out:
- This Day in Dodger History: In 2006 the Dodgers signed free agent starting pitcher Brett Tomko to a two year/$8.7 million contract.
- Happy Birthday, Frenchy Bordagaray & Chris Van Cuyk!
- Three former Dodgers recently passed away: Johnny Rutherford, Chris Cannizzaro and Daryl Spencer.
- Via Jon Weisman at Dodger Insider; "Former Dodger pitcher John Rutherford passes away at 91."
- Via John Weisman at Dodger Insider; "Chris Cannizzaro, mentor to Ferguson, Russell and Yeager, dies at 78."
- Via Nick Diunte at Baseball Happenings; "Daryl Spencer, hit first major league home run on the West Coast, dies at 88."
- Dodgers Radio: Listen to Dodgers rookie pitcher Brock Stewart with David Vassegh of Dodger Talk. (Link Here)
- To the surprise of no one, Buster Olney at ESPN named Clayton Kershaw the top pitcher in the game:
Some opposing hitters say they like to face the Dodgers ace because of the purity of the challenge. Kershaw is going to throw you strikes and, during your at-bat, you will get chances to swing the bat. He will challenge you. But success against Kershaw is intermittent on his worst day, close to impossible on his best day.
- Via Tom Hoffarth at the LA Daily News; "An easy call: Vin Scully as Sports Person of the Year for SCNG." Tom takes a look at many of the accolades bestowed on Vin this year, and passes along a great story about Vin and Willie Mays most recent meeting before the end of the season.
Willie Mays, whom Scully said was the best player he ever saw as a broadcaster, was part of the ceremony. Knowing that Mays was all but blind these days at age 85, Scully gently took Mays’ hands, led him over to the plaque on the wall, and ran Mays’ fingers across the raised letters as he read them aloud.
- David Hood at True Blue LA takes a look at, "Dodgers 2017 top prospects: No. 16, Mitchell Hansen."
Optimistically, Hansen has the ceiling of an everyday corner outfielder capable of providing above average offensive and defensive production, but I don’t quite see a star player yet. Hansen is at least three years away still, and must clear a big hurdle in the Midwest League. I don’t think the Dodgers are quite ready to abandon their cautious approach with Hansen yet either, especially with the depth of outfielders in the system.
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