A Pee Wee Reese Pee-Rookie Premium to Add to the Collection

It's been awhile since I've shared any new additions to my collection, so I figured I'd jump-start a small flurry of post with something that arrived at my doorstep just a few days ago. The featured item above is not of the Dodgers. Instead, it is a team-issued premium that includes a future legendary Dodger. Check out my 1939 Louisville Colonels team-issued photograph and sitting in the front row (just a bit right of center) is 20-year old Pee Wee Reese.

Welcome to the Blue, Breyvic Valera!

As you certainly know by now, Logan Forsythe was put on the 10-day DL, so the Dodgers called up infielder Breyvic Valera (#33) from Triple-A Oklahoma City over the weekend. Since then he has appeared in two games with the club as a pinch hitter -- walking once and lining out to right field. Per a Dodgers press release:

Valera, 26, has appeared in seven games with the OKC Dodgers this season and has gone 6-for-19 (.316) with six runs, two doubles and six RBI along with a .417 on-base percentage. Valera, who is set to make his Dodger debut, was acquired by Los Angeles on April 1 in a trade with the St. Louis Cardinals.

Blog Kiosk: 4/17/2018 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

I love that Matt Kemp is proving that he still has plenty in the tank. Per Jay Paris at MLB.com:

"I'm just happy to be in a uniform playing for the team that I started with,'' Kemp said. "My main focus is just to help this team any way I can to win games and get back to the World Series.

It's doubly good that Ryu is doing the same. Ryu went six strong innings, striking out 9, and allowing just two runs on three hits. Per Eric Stephen at True Blue LA:

“I was really happy with my outing tonight,” Ryu said. “Those couple of years were tough.”

BTW, you should check out Jon Weisman's blog post from this morning pointing out how Ryu's comeback this season is something to behold (link here). Photo above via @Dodgers on twitter. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1934 Casey Stengel makes his managerial debut as the Dodger skipper. Brooklyn defeated the Boston Braves, 8-7. In 1947 Jackie Robinson recorded his first major league hit -- a bunt single down the third base line off of Boston Braves hurler Glenn Elliott. In 1955 Roberto Clemente, who started out as a Dodger prospect, singles off of Dodger pitcher Johnny Podres for his first major league hit. In 1956 future Hall of Famer Don Drysdale pitched in his very first game. He threw one inning of hitless relief in the ninth inning of a losing game. In 1994 the Dodgers belted 19 runs against the hapless Pirates to tie a club record for most runs in a game. In 2013 Clayton Kershaw strikes out his 1,000th batter of his career -- the victim was Padres first baseman Yonder Alonso.
• Happy Birthday, Ad Yale, Jake Daubert, Stan Andrews, Marquis Grissom & Gary Bennett!