Blog Kiosk: 12/11/2019 - Dodgers Links & News - Some Odds and Ends

Here is Duke Snider running out a grounder during a spring game in 1956 (eBay auction link). As you may know, Snider would have one of the finest season of his career in 1956 -- leading the league in homers (43), walks (99), OBP (.399), Slugging (.598) and OPS (.997).

3/11/56 - Miami, Fla: Duke Snider, Dodgers, out at 1st during 2nd inning action, Dodgers-Red Sox exhibition game. Norm Zauchin, Red Sox first baseman stretches for ball (just out of glove). United Press Telephoto.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1987 the Dodgers and its rookie GM, Fred Claire, pulled off a trade that would play a significant part in their upcoming 1988 World Series run. They traded starter Bob Welch and Matt Young to the A's and Jack Savage to the Mats for relievers Jesse Orosco, Jay Howell and infielder Alfredo Griffin. Eric Stephen at True Blue LA put together an excellent synopsis of the events that lead to this trade (link here). In 2014 the Dodgers traded Dee Gordon, Dan Haren and Miguel Rojas to the Marlins for Austin Barnes, Chris Hatcher, Andrew Heaney and Enrique Hernandez.
• Happy Birthday, Frank Bell, Gene Wright, Joe Riggert, Ray Phelps, Greg Shanahan, Thomas Howard & Joe Blanton!
• Congrats! Per Rowan Kavner at Dodger Insider -- "Bellinger named first-team All-MLB; Ryu makes second team."
• Cole is now off the board. Now the Dodgers turn their attention elsewhere. Via Jeff Todd at MLB Trade Rumors -- "Dodgers Expected To Pursue Madison Bumgarner." I wholeheartedly endorse this. 

The news is also interesting because of what it says about the Dodgers’ intentions this winter. The club isn’t exactly desperate for rotation pieces but obviously feels it’s an area to add. President of baseball operations Andrew Friedman is said to be looking at about a dozen key targets, as Pedro Moura of The Athletic reported today. It seems that bolstering the starting staff is a significant priority.

• Dave Roberts on Anthony Rendon, via a tweet from MLB Network Radio on SiriusXM:

Should Hollywood roll out the red carpet for Anthony Rendon? 🎥 @Dodgers | #Dodgers pic.twitter.com/X8upHdnovT

— MLB Network Radio on SiriusXM (@MLBNetworkRadio) December 11, 2019

• Via Bradford Doolittle at ESPN -- "Astros' AJ Hinch, Dodgers' Dave Roberts address sign-stealing scandal."

AJ Hinch: "What I can say is I've committed my time and energy to cooperate with MLB. I've talked to them a couple of times, and we continue to work with them as they navigate the investigation. Now we're waiting [for an outcome], with everything in their hands. I know there will still be questions. I hope there is a day when I'm [able] to answer more questions. Today is not that day."

• Yeah, Me too, Dave. Me too. Via a tweet from Bob Nightengale:

Dave Roberts said he is surprised to the extent of the allegations against the Houston #Astros and can’t help but think of the 2017 World Series outcome

— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) December 11, 2019

• The Card Board Connection shares a bunch of preview pics from Leaf's 2019 Valiant Baseball card set, slated to be released in the Spring of 2020. Check out a Gavin Lux card on the right. Go here to check out more photos.
• Per Rich Mueller at Sports Collectors Daily -- "Decades-Old Dodgers Financial Documents at Auction." Go here to check out the documents on auction.

A trove of financial documents for the Dodgers from 1924-1965 which belonged to minority owner James A. Mulvey are on the auction block.

Consigned to Nate D. Sanders Auctions directly by the Mulvey family, the never before seen data includes reports prepared by the Dodgers’ accounting firm, with detailed income statements and balance sheets, usually on a quarterly or annual basis, as well as other information such as a 1932 report outlining the ”depreciation” of each baseball player, including Lefty O’Doul and Hack Wilson.

• Interestingly, there are several other James A. Mulvey (the former Dodgers owner from 1912-1975) items available on auction; including a 1963 World Series ring (link here) and 1955 World Series ring (link here). 
• Now he wants to buy one of the top teams in the Premier League. Via Sam Street at The Sun -- "Who is Todd Boehly? Chelsea takeover bid made by American LA Dodgers part-owner worth £4.72bn."
• Gavin Lux has just released his second video on YouTube, and it's titled, The Grind. Watch it below.

Video Link:

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