The Case of Former Dodgers Pitcher Mysterious Walker

So who was this guy and how did he earn the nickname that has me more curious than a sloth of bears circling a trash bin? 

------------

As I was preparing this mornings Blog Kiosk I came across a Dodger birthday of a former Brooklyn ballplayer that I had never heard of... But I should of, 'cause with the kind of nickname he bears this lad should be a part of Dodger lore.

His name is Fred Mitchell Walker, and he is more interestingly known as either "Mysterious Mitchell" or "Mysterious Walker."

As the story goes, Fred showed up one day pitching for the San Francisco Seals of the Pacific Coast League towards the tail end of the 1910 season.  At the time he gave his name as only Fred Mitchell -- striking out his real last name of Walker.  But that's not the most mysterious thing about him.  From what I understand, he refused all interview request, did not pose for photographs, and according to one report (link here) pitched with a mask on.

A Vintage Dodgers Lunch Tray

The weirder the better, I always say.

Featured here is something you don't see very often.  Above is a circa 1960's Dodgers cafeteria lunch tray that is currently available for sale through Hunt Auctions (link here).  The exact origins are unknown to the auction house, but I'd be willing to bet these were used by personnel at the stadium. 

Furthermore, it looks very similar to a tray I came across five years ago (and wrote about here).  That tray included head shot of several Dodger players (Johnny Podres, Don Drysdale, Maury Wills, John Roseboro, Willie Davis, Frank Howard, Sandy Koufax, Wally Moon and Duke Snider), as well as, the Dodger logo in the middle. 

I have no idea what that value is for something like this, but I think it would be best served if an autograph collectors to grab this one.  It would look glorious with signatures all around it.

* Please follow on twitter @ernestreyes *

* Like Dodgers Blue Heaven on facebook *

* Dodgers Blue Heaven home page *

Blog Kiosk: 3/21/2017 - Dodgers Links - Some Spring Odds and Ends

I've been a bit derelict in my duties on this blog due to a cold that just won't go away.  It sucks and I'm hoping that spending some time in the office doing some work and putting up this blog will ease my ills.  Considering this I decided to track down a vintage pic related to a cold and the Dodgers and came up with the above photograph of Babe Ruth.  Although his scenario is far more pressing then my illness I decided it was worth putting up.

Featured above is a circa 1938 press photo (as found on eBay) featuring Dodgers coach Babe Ruth taking a brief leave from the team to attend to his ailing daughter, Julia.  Per John McMurray at SABR:

George Herman (Babe) Ruth, rushed by motor cycle escort from Ebbets Field, where he had been coaching the Brooklyn Dodgers, gave his 22-year-old adopted daughter, Julia, 500 cubic centimeters of his blood in a transfusion at 6 o’clock last night at the Manhattan Eye, Ear and Throat Hospital, 210 East Sixty-fourth [sic] Street. After the transfusion, Ruth rested for an hour and then drove his wife, Mrs. Claire Ruth, home. Fifty youngsters from the neighborhood of the hospital met him at its doors as he left, asking for his autograph. He told them he was forced to refuse because his right arm felt weakened.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodger History:  In 1966 the Dodgers and Astros are the first Major League teams to play on artificial grass when they play a spring training game at the Astrodome.
• Happy Birthday, Mysterious Walker, Bill Lamar, Jim Hughes, Tommy Davis & Carlos Monasterios!