Tuesday, April 16, 2019

2019 Topps Now - #92 - Joc Pederson's Walk-Off and a Look at Puig's Card


What an electrifying evening Jackie Robinson Day turned out to be. Along with all of the 'pomp and circumstance' that goes with this Baseball holiday, we got to witness a thrilling ballgame.

First of all, our staff ace, Clayton Kershaw, got on the mound for the first time this season. Unfortunately, his presence was no match for the recently traded Yasiel Puig. He promptly hit a first inning homer to give his new club an early lead. Then, with the game tied up in the eighth inning, Matt Kemp -- the other piece traded this winter -- knocked in the go-ahead run for the Reds on a single off of Kenley Jansen. Lastly, Joc Pederson came up to bat in the ninth inning to slam a game-winning two-run walk-off home run to win the game in grand fashion. Wowzers!

2019 Panini Diamond Kings -- Dodgers' Inserts Part 1

Now that you've seen the Dodger base cards, here are some of the inserts you can find in packs. Featured below are many of the Diamond King signature and relic cards. Notably, this set includes a Vin Scully autographed card -- his first signed card available since 2016.

DK Signatures

#4 Caleb Ferguson            #15 Dennis Santana

Welcome to the Blue, Josh Sborz!


Over the weekend the Dodgers made a change to their bullpen -- no doubt worried that their six-game losing streak had taxed their relief corps. They called-up right-handed pitcher Josh Sborz from Triple-A Oklahoma City and optioned right-handed pitcher Dennis Santana to Oklahoma City on Sunday. Per a Dodger Press release:
Sborz, 25, was the 74th overall pick by the Dodgers in the 2015 First Year Player Draft out of the University of Virginia. The former Cavalier has been with the Dodger organization five seasons and this will his first Major League promotion after he was added to the 40-man roster on November 20, 2018. On the season, he has made two appearances for Oklahoma City, going 4.0 scoreless frames with nine strikeouts against one walk.

Blog Kiosk: 4/16/2019 - Dodgers Links - Jackie Robinson Day Walk-Off Magic


Above is the only photo that matters. Vin Scully was on-hand at Dodger Stadium to help celebrate Jackie Robinson Day with Rachel Robinson. Photo above via @Dodgers on twitter.

The photo on the right comes a close second. As you surely know, Joc Pederson belted a two-run walk-off homer to help defeat the Reds, 3-2. Pic on the right via @Dodgers on twitter. Per Ken Gurnick at MLB.com:
“He just comes up big in big moments,” Roberts said. “This closer, Iglesias, is one of the best in the game. Joc got a hanging breaking ball, stayed in there and walked him off. We kind of stole it from them.”
Below are more links to check out:
  • This Day in Dodgers HistoryIn 1945 the Boston Red Sox give tryouts to three Negro League ballplayers at Fenway Park -- Sam Jethroe, Jackie Robinson, and Marvin Williams. None are signed by the club. Their loss is our gain. In 1975 newly signed free agent and soon-to-be Hall of fame pitcher Juan Marichal made his last appearance in a game when he started for the Dodgers against the Reds. He would throw 2.1 innings and give up four runs. He would retire soon afterwards. In 1983 former Dodger Steve Garvey appeared in his 1,118th consecutive game to break the National League record. He broke the record as a Padre, but played 1,107 of those games in Dodger Blue.
  • Happy BirthdayNed ColletiPaul WanerBabe PhelpsSergio Robles & Paco Rodríguez!