Results tagged ‘ Sandy Koufax ’
Magic Johnson, Dodgers, Vin Scully, Sandy Koufax, & Jackie Robinson Legacy
The LA Times Sport section has an article this morning titled “Icon to Icon” by Steve Dilbeck. This brought a smile to my face knowing that Magic Johnson reached out to Vin Scully. Quoting article “It was interesting,” Scully said. “When the phone rang and I picked it up, I recognized that voice. And, as I told him “If it’s possible, I can hear your smile.” Johnson tweeted on Thursday “Last night I reached out to Vin Scully & acted like an excited little kid speaking to the LA Icon.”
Future team president Stan Kasten also called Vin Scully. The next day Magic also tweeted this “Just spoke to legend & HOF Sandy Koufax. Thank you so mch fo taking the time to share some of your vast baseball knowledge.” IF I was part of a team buying the Dodgers, those two would have been on my list to call.
Look at this cake that Magic Johnson posted on hisWhoSay page on thursday 3/29/2012 saying “Thank you to AEG, Staples Center & the Lakers for this incredible Dodgers cake they made for me,” 
More good news as reported by Bill Shaikin of the LA Times:
Johnson has reached out to Rachel Robinson, the widow of Jackie Robinson. He has invited her to take an active role with the Dodgers’ new ownership group, a person familiar with the discussions said Friday. The details of how Rachel Robinson — and the Jackie Robinson Foundation — would be involved with the Dodgers remain under discussion, the person said.
This is a quick post as I am getting ready to go to Ventura. I am meeting with friends for a Girls night out. We are staying Saturday night and coming back Sunday. These are some of my non-baseball friends, well with one of them I used to have a Dodger mini package in the field level for two years. In fact, after we stopped having the mini package and I started having season tickets, I would always invite her for Opening Day. Last two years she has not been able to to go. Anyway, they are understanding that once baseball starts I am not available. I tell them “look at a Dodger schedule to see if I am available” Even then, I might be on a road trip. The last time they invited me to a get together for “Poker night” back in January, it happened to be the Saturday for “National SABR Day” Looking forward to this trip and then get ready for the road trip to San Diego for the four game series!
Nomar Garciaparra (5) days till Dodgers Opening Day in San Diego!
Ron Cey(10) days till Opening Day at Dodger Stadium!
Six Women and a Men Went to Camelback Ranch to see the Dodgers in a Dodger Blue Minivan
When Lorena and I found out that there was going to be a Spring Traning Fanfest 3/3/12, we said “Let’s go!” Rosie, who we met on Twitter last year said “I want to go!” The original plan was to go for the day. We already had a Spring Training road trip planned for the St Patrick weekend so we thought a turnaround trip would be OK.
On Saturday 2/25 I get a text from Lorena that Amanda was joining. A few days later Lorena tells us her friend Priscila is also joining us. Our group had grown to FIVE.
After thinking it over, we thought the original plan was kinda crazy to drive from LA to AZ and come back the same night so we changed it stay Saturday night.
The buz at Camelback Ranch the day before we were to leave was that Sandy Koufax was there! Dodger fans were giddy with excitment.
Kershaw, Sandy Koufax and Don Mattingly. Picture taken by Jon SooHoo.
Because of Sandy Koufax was at Camelback Ranch, our group grew to seven a few hours before we were scheduled to take off. Needless to say some of us hardly got any sleep or none at all.
The minivan arrived at my house about 2 AM. A few minutes later Rosie was dropped off at my house. Because of a mixup, Rosie did not bring anything but her purse. She thought we had changed back to making the trip a turnaround trip. She wanted to stay but we said “There is a Target, close by…. “ So off we went six women and a men in a Blue Minivan.
Here is Rene practicing hitchhiking just in case we left them behind. The perfect place would have been here
We arrived safely and it was off to taking pictures. The first one I took was with Gaylord Perry
The second one was with Javy!
Here is Rene and I talking with Jon SooHoo
This picture taken by Dodger main photographer Jon SooHoo, appeared in the Dodgers Photo Gallery. Thanks Jon! . Check out his MLB blog at http://dodgersphotog.mlblogs.com
With Manny Mota on his bicycle
Plenty of pictures were taking especially at Sattle Ranch where 3 of the group rode the mechanical bull but I’ll leave the pictures for another post or maybe I should check with the group if is OK to post.
I had a wonderful time on this trip. Can’t wait to be back at Camelback Ranch for St Patrick weekend. The only thing is I won’t be able to watch the game on Sunday as I am scheduled to work in NH the following week so I am taking a flight at noon.
Dodger Stadium Turns 50
Dodger Stadium turns 50 this year! It was April 10, 1962: Opening Day when Dodger Stadium opened its door for the first game. They hosted the Red. Dodgers lost the opener to the Reds 6-3. The first home run in Dodger Stadium was hit on Opening Day by Wally Post of the Cincinnati Reds. Box Score here: http://www.baseball-almanac.com/box-scores/boxscore.php?boxid=196204100LAN
Opening Day 2012 will on Tuesday April 10th. April 10, 1962 was also a Tuesday.
Back when Dodger Stadium used to have a gas station inside. Note the gas price is 1.99 cheaper. Now days is approaching $5.
A portion of the Left Field Pavilion
Ahhh I miss watching the sunset from Dodger Stadium
World famous Dodger Dogs!
Opening Day 1962
Old Union 76 sign. Look at the hills
Look at the final between Philadelphia & Chicago
I love this picture with Sandy Koufax. Look at a young Maury Wills
Look at DonDrysdale in the bullpen
Found this picture and what a surprise to find me there Top Deck against the wall, top right corner is my brother Vic then me.
The view of Downtown LA as we exit
Love the Opening Day 1962 ticket.
from 2008
Don’t you just love the colors in this picture. The guy reading the program, the old style glass. Yes, is 1962! Opening Day
View from the Top Deck
Can’t wait to be back at our Blue Heaven on Earth, Dodger Stadium
The exterior honoring past players. This changes from year to year
Umpires room 
Victory song
Getting ready for Fireworks after the game
Vin Scully Press box
Sunset view from Dodger Stadium
The view from our seats
Beauty all around.
Happy Birthday our beloved Dodger Stadium!
Ref; Baseball fever.
Honoring the Brooklyn Dodger players alive as of January 12, 2012
For the last three years I’ve been maintaining this list keeping track of our old Brooklyn Dodgers. When I did last year’s post http://crzblue.mlblogs.com/2011/01/09/honoring-the-brooklyn-dodger-players-alive-as-of-january-10th-2011/ on January 10, it started with a video of Duke Snider in the game show “What is my Line” Sad that in 2011, we lost nine of these players including the Duke.
We have 44 surviving Brooklyn Dodger Players. Let’s see how the list look using WordPress. Before I had trouble copying an Excell worsheet into my blog.
| Name | Birthplace. Other info | Born |
| Mike Sandlock | Old Greenwich, CT. Golfer | 10/17/1915 |
| Ray Hathaway | Grinville, OH. Minor league manager | 10/13/1916 |
| Lee Pfund | ILL. His son was manager of Miami Heats | 10/10/1919 |
| Luis Olmo | Puerto Rico. Played for Mexico and Cuba | 10/11/1919 |
| Boyd Bartley | Chicago. Played in nine games in 1949 | 2/11/1920 |
| Jean-Pierre Roy | Canada. Commentator for the Expos | 6/26/1920 |
| Pat McGlothin | Coalfield, TN. Ezra Mac was a pitcher | 10/20/1920 |
| Andy Pafko | Boiceville, IL. Lives in Mount Prospect, IL | 2/25/1921 |
| Marv Rackley | Seneca, SC. Left fielder. Debut: April 15, 1947. | 7/25/1921 |
| Chuck Kress | Philadelphia. Lefty first baseman. | 12/9/1921 |
| Eddie Basinski | Buffalo, NY. Nickname: The Fiddler, Bazzoka | 11/4/1922 |
| Don Lund | Detroit, Mi. Part time Outfielder in 1945, 1947 | 5/18/1923 |
| Tim Thompson | Coalport, PA. Full name: Charles Lemoine Thompson. | 3/1/1924 |
| George Shuba | Youngstown, OH. Nickname: shotgun. | 12/13/1924 |
| Ed Stevens | Gavelston, TX. Coach for the Padres in 1981 | 1/12/1925 |
| Johnny Rutherford | Ontario, CN. Pitcher. Nickname: Doc | 5/5/1925 |
| Wayne Terwilliger | Clare, Mi. Coach under Ted Williams | 6/27/1925 |
| Chris Haughey | Astoria, NY. Pitcher. Appeared in one game at 18 | 10/3/1925 |
| Ralph Branca | Mount Vernon, NY. http://ww.ralphbranca.com | 1/6/1926 |
| Bob Borkowski | Dayton, OH. Traded for Joe Black | 1/27/1926 |
| Randy Jackson | Little Rock, AR. Nickname: “Handsome Ransom” | 2/10/1926 |
| Dick Teed | Springfield, MA. One at bat in 1953 | 3/8/1926 |
| Don Newcombe | Madison, NJ. Still working for the Dodgers | 6/14/1926 |
| Bobby Morgan | Oklahoma city. Infielder for the Dodgers | 6/29/1926 |
| Charlie Osgood | Sommerville, MA appeared in one game at 17 | 11/23/1926 |
| Carl Erskine | Anderson, IN http://www.carlerskine.com/ | 12/13/1926 |
| Preston Ward | Columbia, MO. APF Cubs, Indians, Pirates & A. | 7/24/1927 |
| Rocky Bridges | Refugio, TX. Infielder, coach & minor league mgr | 8/7/1927 |
| Tommy Lasorda | Norristown, PA. HOF. 61 years with the Dodgers | 9/22/1927 |
| Tommy Brown | Brooklyn, NY. Also played for Phillies & Cubs | 12/6/1927 |
| Joe Landrum | Columbia, SC. Pitcher. Given name: Joseph Butler | 12/13/1928 |
| Joe Pignatano | Brooklyn, NY. Catcher and coach | 8/4/1929 |
| Roger Craig | Durham, NC. Pitcher, coach and manager | 2/17/1930 |
| Ron Negray | Akron, OH. Also played for the Phillies | 2/26/1930 |
| Glenn Mickens | Wilman, CA Afterwards became coach for UCLA | 7/26/1930 |
| Don Zimmer | Cincinnati, OH. Currently working for the Rays | 1/17/1931 |
| Ed Roebuck | East Millboro, PA. relief pitcher and scout | 7/3/1931 |
| Fred Kipp | Iqua, KS. Also pitched for the Yankees | 10/1/1931 |
| Chico Fernandez | Cuba. SS. APF Phillies, Tigers and Mets | 3/2/1932 |
| Jim Gentile | San Francisco, CA. Hitting coach for Flyers | 6/3/1934 |
| Don Demeter | Oklahoma City. CF. Now a Baptist minister | 6/25/1935 |
| Sandy Koufax | Brooklyn, NY. HOF Greatest Lefthander Pitcher | 12/30/1935 |
| Bob Aspromonte | Brooklyn, NY. Resides in Houston, TX | 6/19/1938 |
| Rod Miller | Portland, OR. He played in one game in 1957 | 1/16/1940 |
Here is to you guys! May you have a healthy happy 2012 from the oldest Mike Sandlock at 96 to the youngest Rod Miller turning 72 on January 16th. This Dodger fan salute you all!
Vin Scully has finally agreed to get a Dodger Bobblehead!!
I came back from my Pilates class here at work to the wonderful news that Vin Scully has finally agreed to get a bobblehead! With Sandy Koufax also getting a bobblehead, this is year is the best year for Dodger bobbleheads! Mike Scioscia is also getting a BBH. I think is right since he only played for the Dodgers. He was a favorite of mine back when he played. I loved watching him block homeplate. This will be Fernando’s 4th BBH I believe. I think Fernando already had enough bobbleheads but if the Dodgers want to give another one, I’ll take it!
Here is the list of Bobbleheads for 2012
- April 28, 2012 – 2012 Bobblehead #1 – Don Drysdale and Maury Wills
- May 15, 2012 – 2012 Bobblehead #2 – Orel Hershiser
- May 29, 2012 – 2012 Bobblehead #3 – The Infield, Garvey, Cey, Russell and Lopes
- June 12, 2012 – 2012 Bobblehead #4 – Mike Scioscia
- June 28, 2012 – 2012 Bobblehead #5 – Eric Karros (On my birthday!)
- July 14, 2012 – 2012 Bobblehead #6 – Tommy Lasorda and Walter Alston
- July 31, 2012 – 2012 Bobblehead #7 – Kirk Gibson
- August 7, 2012 – 2012 Bobblehead #8 – Sandy Koufax
- August 21, 2012 – 2012 Bobblehead #9 – Fernando Valenzuela
- August 30, 2012 – 2012 Bobblehead #10 – Vin Scully
My blog came in at #21 in 2011! Thank you all that have visited my blog! 
When I think of #21, I think of Roberto Clemente. 
He signed with the Dodgers for $10,000, but never got to play a single game in Brooklyn or Los Angeles. A rule back then in effect required that any player signed for more than $4000 had to stay on the parent club for a full season. The Dodgers attempted to keep Clemente’s profile low, but the keen eye of the Pittsburgh Pirates general manager knew Clemente and he was selected by the Pirates for $4,000 on Nov. 22, 1954.
ref: Los Angeles Dodgers, MLB Blogsphere, Dodgerbobble.com Latinosportslegends.com, http://mlblogs.mlblogs.com/category/latest-leaders/
Wes Parker 2nd video from SABR41
Ok, so it took me a while to upload and release the second video I taped of Wes Paker at SABR41 but here it is. Wes talks about McCourt, Dodgers, World Series, Sandy Koufax, Drysdale and Clemente among other things.
Honoring the Brooklyn Dodger Players Alive as of January 10th, 2011
Here is a fun video of Duke Snider in “What is my Line”
I started this list of Brooklyn Dodger players Alive. We had ten Brooklyn Dodger players that passed away in 2010, so here is the updated list.
no Player Birthdate Born in and other notes
- Tony Malinosky 10/5/1909 Illinois. Lives in Oxnard, CA
- Mike Sandlock 10/17/1915 Old Greenwich, CT. Golfer
- Ray Hathaway 10/13/1916 Grinville, OH. Minor league manager
- Cy Buker 2/5/1919 Greenwood, WI. Cyril was a pitcher
- Lee Pfund 10/10/1919 ILL. His son was MGR of Miami Heats
- Luis Olmo 10/11/1919 PR. Played for Mexico and Cuba.
- Cliff Dapper 1/2/1920 Los Angeles Traded for Ernie Harwell.
- Boyd Bartley 2/11/1920 Chicago. Played in nine games in 1949
- Jean-Pierre Roy 6/26/1920 Canada. Commentator for the Expos
- Pat McGlothin 10/20/1920 Coalfield, TN. Ezra Mac was a pitcher
- Johnny Schmitz 11/27/1920 Wasau, WI. Lefty pitcher.
- Andy Pafko 2/25/1921 Boiceville, IL. Lives in Mount Prospect, IL
- Marv Rackley 7/25/1921 Seneca, SC. Left fielder
- Chuck Kress 12/9/1921 Philadelphia. Lefty first baseman.
- Eddie Masinksi 11/4/1922 Buffalo, NY. Nickname: The Fiddler, Bazzoka
- Don Lund 1 5/8/1923 Detroit. Also drafted by the Chicago Bears
- Tim Thompson 3/1/1924 Coalport, PA. Lives in Lewinston, PA
- George Shuba 12/13/1924 Youngston, OH http://www.georgeshuba.com/
- Ed Stevens 1/12/1925 Gavelston, TX. Coach for the Padres in 1981
- Johnny Rutherford 5/5/1925 Ontario, CN. Pitcher. Nickname: Doc
- Wayne Terwilliger 6/27/1925 Clare, Mi. Coach under Ted Williams
- Chris Haughey 10/3/1925 Astoria, NY. Pitcher. Appeared in one game at 18
- Ralph Branca 1/6/1926 Mount Vernon, NY.
- Bob Borkowski 1/27/1926 Dayton, OH. Traded for Joe Black
- Randy Jackson 2/10/1926 Little Rock, AR. Nickname: “Handsome Ransom”
- Dick Teed 3/8/1926 Springfield, MA. One at in 1953
- Elmer Sexauer 5/21/1926 St Louis County, MO. Pitcher
- Don Newcombe 6/14/1926 Madison, NJ. Still working for the Dodgers
- Bobby Morgan 6/29/1926 Oaklahoma City, OK. Infielder
- Duke Snider 9/19/1926 Los Angeles, CA HOF. The Duke of Flatbush!
- Charlie Osgood 11/23/1926 Sommerville, MA appeared in one game at 17
- Carl Erskine 12/13/ 1926 Anderson, IN. http://www.carlerskine.com/
- Preston Ward 7/24/1927 Columbia, MO. APF Cubs, Indians, Pirates & A.
- Rocky Bridges 8/7/1927 Refugio, TX. Infielder, coach & minor league mgr
- Tommy Lasorda 9/22/1927 Norristown, PA. HOF. 61 years working for the Dodgers
- Tommy Brown 12/6/1927 Brooklyn, NY. Also played for Phillies & Cubs
- Dick Williams 5/7/1928 St Louis, Mo. Lf, 3B, coach & Manager
- Joe Landrum 12/13/1928 Columbia, SC. Pitcher
- Joe Pignatano 8/4/1929 Brooklyn, NY. Catcher and coach
- Gino Cimoli 12/18/1929 San Francisco, CA. Worked 21 years for UPS
- Roger Craig 2/17/1930 Durham, NC. Pitcher, coach and manager
- Ron Negray 2/26/1930 Akron, OH. Also played for the Phillies
- Glenn Mickens 7/26/1930 Wilman, CA Afterwards became coach for UCLA
- Don Zimmer 1/17/1931 Cincinnati, OH. Currently working for the Rays
- Ed Roebuck 7/3/1931 East Millboro, PA. relief pitcher and scout
- Fred Kipp 10/1/1931 Piqua, KS. Also pitched for the Yankees
- Bill Harris 12/3/1931 Canada. Pitched one game for Brooklyn & LA
- Chico Fernandez 3/2/1932 Cuba. SS. APF Phillies, Tigers and Mets
- Jim Gentile 6/3/1934 San Francisco, CA. Hitting coach for Flyers
- Don Demeter 6/25/1935 Oaklahoma City. CF. Now a Baptist minister
- Sandy Koufax 12/30/1935 Brooklyn, NY. Greatest Lefhander Pitcher!
- Bob Aspromonte 6/19/1938 Brooklyn, NY. Resides in Houston, TX
- Rod Miller 1/16/1940 Portland, OR. He played in one game in 1957.
ref: Baseball references, wikipedia, updated from my 2010 post in January.
My thoughts and prayers go to the people killed in Tucson, Arizona and to their family. Among the six killed was third-grader Christina-Taylor Green, daughter of Dodgers scout John Greene, and granddaughter of former Phillies pitcher and manager Dallas Greene.
Ozzie Guillen Answered my Question! Happy 75th Birthday Sandy Koufax!
A while back when the Dodgers got Uribe, I posted a question on Ozzie Guillen’s blog. He responded! Thanks Ozzie!
Q: Since the Dodgers have Juan Uribe and he played for the White Sox, what can you tell us about him?
A: Uribe is awesome. He may look like a little Buddha, but he is an amazing baseball player. I think he is so good because he is not afraid of the moment. He really is fearless, maybe because he has no idea how big the moments actually are! (haha) I only kid with him because that’s my boy, and he will be great for the Dodgers.
As I always say, keep the questions coming!
Until next time …
– Ozzie
Haha. Ozzie is funny. If you want to sent Ozzie any question, go to his blog at http://ozzie.mlblogs.com/
Happy Birthday Sandy Koufax! Our Sandy turns 75 today December 30th?
I have a friend who is a big Cardinal fan in town so I’ve been busy.
Tuesday: We went to Portos in Burbank, Dodger Stadium, The San Antonio Winery, Philippes, Olvera Street, Union Station.
Wednesday: The Equestrian Fest in Burbank, lunch at a Honduran restaurant (Lempiras) and the Griffith Observatory.
Thursday: We are going to Santa Barbara with another Cardinal fan who has a blog here then coming back to Woodland Hills to go to Jeff Suppan’s restaurant “Soup’s Grill”
Friday: ???? Sandi: What are we doing Friday? Maybe help decorate a float and then ???
Saturday: The Rose Parade.
Sparky Anderson, Bob Feller and Mickey Mantle
I started this post on November 3rd and left it on draft but was so busy when I was in NH and when I got back to LA I was so tired with lots to do so here I am Sunday November 7th. Hey! at least we got an hour back (I still need to change all my clocks at home).
My post started with ”get better Sparky” then I was so sadden when I heard the news on twitter while I was still in NH.
I remember this picture that Jon SooHoo of the Dodgers took back in May when Sparky made an appearance at Dodger Stadium when the Tigers were in town.
Rest in peace Sparky.
For more pictures of Sparky taken by Jon SooHoo, visit his blog at http://dodgersphotog.mlblogs.com/
My original post had a happy Birthday to Bob Feller. Happy belated Mr. Feller.
Bob Feller turned 92 years young today last Wednesday. I still regret that I did not get his autograph when he was at the FanFest this year. Wasn’t he a cutie?
The Last Boy: Mickey Mantle and the End of America’s Childhood,” by Jane Leavy
Several years back (Has it been that long?) I enjoyed reading Sandy Koufax: “A Lefty Legacy” by Jane Leavy. When I saw the book about Mickey Mantle is by Jane Leavy, I immediately thought that it should be a good read. I also thought of Jane Heller .
I have never read any book about Mickey Mantle but after reading this review in the LA times by Zev Chafets, I could see me reading this book. Here is the book review
http://articles.latimes.com/2010/oct/22/entertainment/la-et-book-20101022
Currently I am reading Eat Pray Love by Elizabeth Gilbert. A friend at work in NH brought a bag a books to donate to the bookcase of books that is kept in the cafeteria so I picked that book. I am only 40 pages into the book, but I don’t think I want to see the movie. It just doesn’t seem to be a book that would translate well into a movie but maybe it will be worth it just to see Javier Bardem.
Ken Burns and more pictures from the day I got Sandy Koufax’s baseball
When I went to the stadium on Tuesday August 3rd, I found out that Kern Burns was throwing out the first pitch! I was telling ushers and fans about it. One usher I always talk to from the dugout section (me on the other side of the short wall) was saying “Tell J.D. (another usher), he was just telling me that he was watching his baseball films.” J.D. and I were both excited to see Ken Burns there.
Here is Ken Burns waiting to throw out the first pitch
Not a good picture of him throwing out the first pitch
Here he is posing with Brad Ausmus
OK, so I could not get a picture with him so I said goodbye to friends in the field level and headed to my seat but to my surprise, as I was waiting for the elevator in the club level I ran into him! I told him how much I love his baseball films and how I felt in love with Buck O’Neill because of him. He was very nice and thanked me.
Here are some more pictures from August 4, 2010 with Joe Torre that Lorena sent me.
Afterwards Torre noticed I did not have my on the field pass correctly displayed. He said “Here let me fix this for you before the picture…” or something like that.
Ok, is my pass OK now? OH, you can’t see it here.
crzblue
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