Blog Kiosk: 4/10/2020 - Dodgers Links & News - Some Odds and Ends

I think Pee Wee missed his calling. He should've hit the gridiron instead. Per the auction description at Love of the Game Auctions. (Auction Link)

Photo of Reese in the Dodger dugout, wearing a football helmet and posing to throw a football ostensibly owned by 1943 Heisman winner Angelo Bertelli.  Bertelli and Reese were stationed together in the Pacific Theater during World War II.  The photo, in FAIR condition due to several pronounced creases and some water staining, was likely taken in 1948, when news accounts indicate the Dodgers resurrected the white satin home uniforms worn by Reese in the photo.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1947 the Dodgers officially announced, during the sixth inning of an exhibition against the Royals, that they had purchased the contract of Montreal Royals infielder Jackie Robinson. He would be the first African-American to be on the roster of a modern Major League club. In 1962 the Dodgers played their very first home game at newly built Dodger Stadium in Chavez Ravine. There were 52,564 fans on-hand to watch Johnny Podres throw the first pitch to infielder Eddie Kasko -- who promptly doubled in the at-bat. Duke Snider would record the first Dodger hit with a single in the second inning.  Unfortunately, the Dodgers would lose the game to the Reds, 6-3. Reds outfielder Wally Post hit the first homer at the stadium during the seventh inning to lead Cincinnati.
• Happy Birthday, Bob McGraw, Chuck Connors, Lee Lacy, Mike Devereaux, Alberto Reyes, Andre Ethier & Charlie Culberson!
• Video via Matthew Demeke at AM570 -- "Andre Ethier Joins Dodger Talk With David Vassegh."
• YouTube Video: The latest look at the renovations happening at Dodger Stadium right now (video link).
• SportsNet LA Video: Kershaw: ‘I Miss Baseball’ (video link)
• SportsNet LA Video: Lux Stays Creative during Quarantine (video link)
• Marshall Garvey at Dodgers Nation interviewed one of the twenty artist involved in Topps Project 2020 baseball card set -- Blake Jamieson. As you know, 20 street culture artist and influencers were tasked with re-creating 20 legendary Topps Baseball cards -- all of which will be available online for a limited time.

It’s funny, because when they reached out to me, which was like I said about six months ago, we had been planning it for quite some time. I had just like the week before been talking to a good friend of mine that I went to Davis with asking if he knew anyone at Topps, because I had seen another artist that I really liked do some work with them, and I just thought it was a really cool potential collaboration. 

He actually didn’t have any connections at the time, but he was like, “I’ll keep my eyes out for one.” And it was like a couple days later that Tim Pechmann from Topps emailed me out of the blue, he filled out the contact form on my website, saying “Hey, we’re doing this project, we’d like to talk to you about having you involved.” I mean, I couldn’t have manifested it any better if I wanted to!

• This weeks 2020 Topps Throwback Thursday online exclusive set features the 1971 Topps Basketball card design and includes Dodgers rookie Dustin May. See his card on the right. Go here to check it out and order.
• Via Michael Luciano at 12UP -- "Revisiting the Time When Juan Marichal Hit Dodgers Catcher Johnny Roseboro With a Bat."
• Via Jacob Unruh at The Oklahoman -- "Coronavirus in Oklahoma: OKC Dodgers to distribute 5,000 hot dogs to front-line workers, essential personnel."
• Via Mike Ozanian and Kurt Badenhausen at Forbes -- "Despite Lockdown, MLB Teams Gain Value In 2020."

The New York Yankees take the No. 1 spot—which they have held since our first ranking in 1998—with a valuation of $5 billion, a 9% rise from a year ago. The Los Angeles Dodgers come in at No. 2 with a valuation of $3.4 billion, followed by the Boston Red Sox ($3.3 billion), the Cubs and the San Francisco Giants ($3.1 billion).

• Per Greg Hansen at Tucson.com -- "Arizona coaching legend Jim Young, an unlikely Brooklyn Dodgers fan, was a witness to baseball history."

“It will always be my greatest thrill because I was there to see it,” Young told me.

I was almost at a loss for words. Yes, Game 4 of the 1947 World Series occupies an unforgettable place in baseball history; pitcher Bill Bevens of the mighty New York Yankees had a no-hitter against the Brooklyn Dodgers with two outs in the bottom of the ninth. 

It all changed when Dodger pinch-hitter Cookie Lavagetto hit a double off the right-field wall, scoring the winning runs.

• I guess this is better than nothing. Via Juan Toribio at MLB.com -- "30 stars to compete in 'MLB The Show' league." Gavin Lux will represent the Dodgers. Go here to see the schedule and standings.

Beginning (today), 30 players will put their virtual talents to the test in the first “MLB The Show” online league. Participants include 11 onetime All-Stars, five World Series champions and eight players age 25 or younger. The league will consist of 29 games for each player, one against each of the other participants, and will run for approximately three weeks. The top eight players will then advance to the “postseason.”

The full roster.

Who’s your pick to win it all? 🤔 https://t.co/vIG1RHrqBk pic.twitter.com/gAJUoGh2y8

— MLB (@MLB) April 10, 2020

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