I'm not sure if I ever pointed this out, but standing in front of the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, the home of the Brooklyn Nets and New York Islanders, is the flagpole that once stood at Ebbets Field -- former home of the Brooklyn Dodgers. Above is a look at the plaque describing it -- photo via Norman Oder on twitter.
Apparently, a few days ago protesters hung up a BLM flag on it -- which seems appropriate. Photo on the right via NYC Protest Updates 2020 on twitter.
Below are more links to check out:
- This Day in Dodgers History: In 1957 Don Drysdale recorded the first shutout of his career against the Cubs at Roosevelt Stadium in New Jersey, 4-0. In 1977 the Dodgers retired former manager Walter Alston's uniform number #24 at Dodger Stadium. He compiled a 2040-1613 (.558) record for the franchise. It was also Old-Timer's Day as the Dodgers defeated the Padres, 4-2.
- Happy Birthday, Bill Maloney, Fred Mitchell, Duke Sims & Russ Ortiz!
- I just realized that the MLB Draft is five days away, June 10th. Wow! Jonathan Mayo at MLB.com has the schedule here. The Dodgers draft at #29, #60 & #66.
- Via Night Owl Cards -- "OK, so it's actually not a card." He shares a Ron Cey Venezuelan Baseball sticker.
- Per Rich Mueller at Sports Collectors Daily -- "2020 Topps Chrome Black Baseball to Make Debut This Fall." Here's a new brand for collectors to chase after. Below is a look at a Gavin Lux autographed card. It'll hit stores in November.
The company calls the Chrome Black card stock a “new tech mixture of black matte & chrome.”While the product will carry the Chrome name, it won’t duplicate the regular Chrome set. It’s a fairly straightforward product with a fairly small checklist and no memorabilia cards.
- WTF! Per Jack Baer at Yahoo Sports -- "Report: Former MLB outfielder Carl Crawford arrested for allegedly choking ex-girlfriend at gunpoint."
According to court documents obtained by TMZ, the alleged victim said she recently broke up with Crawford after a two-year relationship, but met with him on May 8 at her apartment to talk things out.Crawford reportedly arrived visibly upset and revealed a semi-automatic handgun, then began interrogating her. He reportedly warned he would hurt her if she lied to him. Per TMZ, when the woman tried to leave the apartment, Crawford pushed her to the crowd in the hallway, grabbed her head and neck while holding the gun and demanded to know how long she had been dating a male acquaintance.
- Via Jacob Unruh at The Oklahoman -- "'It’s getting harder and harder': OKC Dodgers' Zach Reks finding ways to pass time without baseball."
“It’s getting harder and harder to not search for some jobs we can do,” Reks said in a phone interview from his home in Chicago. “But everything’s still kinda shut down. Those part-time jobs you get during the offseason is very limited these days.“I’m hoping something happens relatively soon.”
- Via Bill Ladson at MLB.com -- "Remembering Jackie's first black MLB teammate."
General manager Branch Rickey had his eyes on a young Bankhead, who was in his mid-20s. The Dodgers thought he had electric stuff, dominating stuff when he pitched for the Birmingham Black Barons and Memphis Red Sox of the Negro Leagues. He was more than just a pitcher; this guy could swing a bat. According to Bob Kendrick, president of the Negro League Baseball Museum, Bankhead was a red-hot hitter with a .385 batting average when he signed with the Dodgers.“That was the kind of athlete Bankhead was. He [even] stole bases,” Kendrick said.
- Via John Moriello at SportsCasting -- "Drew Brees May Be Losing Friends, but Al Campanis Destroyed His Career."
- OT: This is really good, via Jullie Nolke on YouTube. You can watch part of 1 of this series here.
Video Link:
* Please follow on twitter @ernestreyes *
* Like Dodgers Blue Heaven on facebook *
* Dodgers Blue Heaven home page *
