Blog Kiosk: 2/4/2020 - Dodgers Links & News - Some Odds and Ends

Check out these Brooklynites celebrating with Carl Erskine in the above UP press photo (eBay auction link). Per the descriptor on the reverse:

Erskine Does It Again -- Brooklyn, NY: Dodger pitcher Carl Erskine is congratulated by admiring fans, after the trim Indiana righthander hurled the second no-hit game of his career, a brilliant 3-0 win over the New York Giants here May 12th. Erskine's other no-hitter came against the Chicago Cubs on June 19, 1952. Erskine's feat makes him the 17th pitcher in Major League history to have pitched at least two no-hitters, and by coincidence, the Major League's last no-hitter was pitched exactly one year ago on this date by Chicago's Sam Jones in a game against the Pittsburgh Pirates. 5/12/1956. (boxscore)

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1861 the Brooklyn Atlantics defeat the Charter Oak Club, 36 - 27, playing Baseball while wearing skates on a frozen Litchfield Pond in South Brooklyn. In 1956 Commissioner Ford Frick introduces the Cy Young Memorial Award in memory of the Hall of Fame pitcher who died the year before. As you know, Dodger hurler Don Newcombe would be the first to win the award later in the season. In 1985 the Dodgers traded 6' 5" righty Pat Zachery to the Phillies for aging slugger Al Oliver. 
• Happy Birthday, Lefty Davis, Eddie Ainsmith, Possum Whitted, Pat Perry & Steve Schmoll!
• I keep reading this, but I just don't believe it. I don't trust the hot stove. Per MLB.com -- "Rosenthal: Betts trade 'is going to happen'"

"This is going to happen," Rosenthal said. "Mookie Betts is getting traded. The only question is when and where."

• Holy Mackerel! This is either the ugliest thing to ever been created, or it's so bad it's awesome. You decide. Apparently, Macy's is selling "Big Boy" New Era caps featuring some of the games best players; including Clayton Kershaw. Check out his cap on the right. Go here to see all of them (Hat Tip: Redditor u/Stock412).
• Per Matt Borelli at Dodger Blue -- "Andrew Friedman: Dodgers Challenged To Kenta Maeda Improve Against Left-Handed Batters, Hopes He Reaches Goals As Starting Pitcher."

While Maeda will have an early opportunity to prove he can stick in the starting rotation, Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman challenged him to improve in certain areas. “Kenta is a guy that’s lethal against right-handed hitters and struggled some against lefties,” he said at FanFest.

“We challenged him with that, we sat down and walked through it with him. His goal is to make 30, 32 starts, and be one of four for us in the playoffs. And that’s awesome; we hope he does.”

• FYI, the LA Kings are giving out Anze Kopitar Dodgers-themed bobbleheads next week on Wednesday (2/12) for Dodgers Night. See it on the right.
• Via Cary Osborne at Dodger Insider -- "Been through it all, Mark Prior leads a new team of pitching coaches."

“Nobody road the wave like him,” said Dodger pitcher Ross Stripling. “To be as good as he was and then almost forgotten about, then grinding in the minor leagues his last couple of years and to get back and to instantly get into a big coaching role, he’s kind of done it all. He’s someone you can really go to with any issue because he’s gone through it or seen it, and he’s really good about talking about it but not pushing it on you saying, ‘This is the only way to do something.’ I think all the obstacles he went through has made him as good of a coach as he is.”

• Via Jermaine Ong at 10 News San Diego -- "Former San Diego Padre Matt Kemp sells Poway mansion after years on market."
• Via Chris Halicke at Sports Illustrated -- "Adrian Beltre to Be Inducted to the Texas Sports Hall of Fame."
• Per an AP report at Yahoo Sports -- "Baker will be asked to manage AL All-Stars at Dodger Stadium."
• Awesome! Via Paul Lukas at UniWatch -- "Uni Watch Field Trip: A Visit to the Topps Offices."
• Casey Sadler is the hero we didn't know. Via a tweet from him yesterday:

During my time with the @dodgers I may or may not have been known for my love of #InNout 😅! To honor that & thank my fans, I’ll be buying lunch for the next 10 people who come eat lunch at the Burbank location on 1st St with us. 🍔 I’ll be here for the next 30 min!

— Casey Sadler (@sadler_squared) February 3, 2020

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