Writing to a Distraught Fan - O'Malley's Correspondence About Trade Rumors

After what was no doubt the most frustrating year in Dodger history, fans unsurprisingly lashed out following the 1951 Brooklyn Dodger season. They complained at the dinner table, they whined to their neighbors and ultimately they wrote about their deepest concerns to the Dodgers themselves. After all, you must be heard when your team gives up a 13 game cushion to lose the pennant. And to make matters worse, they lost it on the last day of the season.

Featured above is a response to one of those irate letters to the club. It is written and signed by from Walter O'Malley to Dodger fan Robert Gray, and it is current available on auction at Hunt Auctions. In it O'Malley writes:

Dr. Mr. Gray, 

Please do not be disturbed about rumors of a trade in the papers. We have no intention of breaking up our fine team, which we regard as the best in the league, and we will make no deal unless it is a one-sided deal in our favor. 

I do hope that we can give faithful fans like yourself something to cheer about next year.

It's good to know that reporters have always wantonly thrown around baseless trade rumors.

As you know, this was the year Bobby Thompson hit his "shot heard 'round the world" that elevated the Giants over the Dodgers for the pennant. So, I imagine a rabble-rousing press corps in New York took the opportunity that winter to suggest that the Dodgers were ready to cut-bait after such a disappointing season.

Of course, nothing could be further from the truth. the team would instead stay the course and eventually win their only championship in the Brooklyn borough four years later.

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Welcome to the Blue, Erik & Tyler Goeddel!

It's taken me far too long to put this post up. Over the weekend I had read about a recent Dodger acquisition, reliever Erik Goeddel, but wanted to wait for pics of him in Dodger Blue to show up. That, for whatever reason, has yet to happen. So, I don't have a fantasy Baseball card of him in "Blue" to share with you. Instead, you'll get a Dodger fantasy card with Goeddel wearing Mariner dark blue and green. Per a Dodger press release:

Goeddel, 29, was claimed off of waivers yesterday from the Mariners and in five games out of the bullpen with Seattle, he went 2-0 with a 1.23 ERA (1 ER/7.1 IP) while striking out nine. Prior to his promotion, Goeddel was 1-0 with four saves with 10 strikeouts in nine relief appearances for Triple-A Tacoma this season. Goeddel signed a minor league contract with the Mariners on March 20 after beginning the 2018 campaign with the Rangers, who he signed with on Dec. 19, 2017.

Blog Kiosk: 5/22/2018 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

The kid was good. Not only that, he showed his mettle. Via Ken Gurnick at MLB.com:

Even more than for firing a two-hitter for seven innings, Buehler earned peer respect for taking a 108 mph liner off the ribs and staying in the game to nearly overshadow a 2-1 loss to the Rockies that snapped the Dodgers' win streak at four.

"After taking that line drive off the ribs, I think he showed, not only myself but all the guys, what he's made of," said Chase Utley.

When "Dad" approves you know you're doing right.

On another note, last night was the kind of game the Dodgers need to start winning.

Photo above via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers at Dodger Insider. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1949 Don Newcombe makes his first major league start, firing a five-hit shutout in a 3-0 victory over the Cincinnati Reds. He would go 17-8 with 19 complete games, five shut outs and an 3.17 ERA, and win both the Rookie of the Year award and the Cy Young. In 1987 the Dodgers traded the enigmatic reliever Tom Niedenfuer to the Orioles for John Shelby and Brad Havens. Shelby would go on to have a very impactful season for the World Series Champion Dodgers the next season.
• Happy Birthday, Bill Lohrman & Tommy John!