2015 Topps Tribute Baseball - The Dodger Autograph Cards

Here are the cards that has collectors in a tizzy.  Below are all of the Dodger autographed cards that can be found in boxes of 2015 Topps Tribute Baseball.  As you know, this issue has been rife with problems.  Many of the autographs are found smudged or fading (the Valenzuela and Gonzalez cards are good examples of this), so Topps issued a full recall to rectify the problem.  Nevertheless, many of the cards have made it to eBay anyway. Check them out below.

Autographs

#TA-FV Fernando Valenzuela

#TA-HR Hanley Ramirez

2015 Topps Tribute Baseball - The Dodger Relic Cards

There has been quite a bit of drama surrounding Topps' 2015 Tribute Baseball set.  As you know, Topps issued a full recall of the product last week due to the shoddy autograph cards found within them.  (See my original story about that here)  As a result, unopened boxes are being returned to them as we speak.  Nevertheless, tons of product was already opened.  Below are the Dodger relic cards that can be found.  Tomorrow, I will share pics of the Dodger autographed cards (some you'll notice have the defects that caused the recall).  Go here to check out all of my past post on this set.

Diamond Cuts Relics

#DC-AG Adrian Gonzalez            #DC-CK Clayton Kershaw

RECALL! Topps Issues a Complete Recall of 2015 Tribute Baseball!

Wow!

I don't think there has ever been a Baseball card product that has faced a complete recall.  This has got to be unprecedented.  I'm in complete shock.

As you may know, there have been complaints all over the web about the poor quality of the autographed cards found in the set.  They appear to be smudged - nearly every single one.  Check out a couple of pics below to see what I mean.

(Adrian Gonzalez signature)

(Fernando Valenzuela signature)

Horrible, right?

Now, Topps issues a recall and I'm left to wonder, "what does this mean for the set?"  Will it be reissued or abandoned entirely this year?  Could this move possibly make the cards out on the market right now super rare?

I dunno.  It's a move you'd expect from just about any other product in the consumer marketplace, but when it comes to a high-end collectible like Tribue... Well, it's a different animal.

Anyway, here is Topps official announcement from their Facebook page:

Dear Valued Topps Collectors and Customers,

Topps has been investigating complaints regarding the quality of the autographed cards in the just-released 2015 Topps Tribute Baseball and has confirmed that many autographed cards are damaged due to a UV contamination on the card.

As a result of our investigation and to rectify the situation, Topps is initiating a complete recall of the product.

Those in possession of unopened boxes should return them no later than Friday, March 27, 2015 to the authorized distributor or store from which the box was purchased for a full refund.

In addition, between now and June 30, 2015, anyone in possession of a damaged autographed card (not in pack) can exchange the card by contacting Topps Customer Service. Exchanges will be made for another card of equal or greater value, plus a bonus autographed or relic card (valued at the company’s discretion).

Topps appreciates your understanding in this matter. We stand firmly behind all our products and apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused.

BTW, I'll share pics of the Dodger relic and autographed cards in the set next week regardless of this recall.  I figure they'll make their way to collectors hands anyway.

* Please follow on twitter @ernestreyes *

* Like Dodgers Blue Heaven on facebook *

* Dodgers Blue Heaven home page *

2015 Topps Tribute Baseball - The Dodger Base Cards

The first premium Baseball card set of the season is now available in stores.  It is Topps' Tribute brand, and it's as shiny as a chrome bumper seen on Pimp My Ride - and just as loud.  Boxes will run you about $250 a piece, and you are guaranteed three autographed and three relic/memorabilia cards.  Go here for a complete checklist.

There are five Dodger players in the 100-card base set.  Check them all out below.  I hope to have photos of the insert cards next week.

#22 Jackie Robinson                              #50 Clayton Kershaw

#51 Joc Pederson                                    #70 Sandy Koufax

#89 Yasiel Puig

* Please follow on twitter @ernestreyes *

* Like Dodgers Blue Heaven on facebook *

* Dodgers Blue Heaven home page *

Blog Kiosk: 8/21/2014 - Dodger Links - Beaten by Stults

Man-O-Live, Eric Stults was impressive in his start last night, er... Wait... He's not a Dodger anymore.... What?... Oh.... That sucks...

The Dodgers got beat by a former Dodger named Eric Stults, and I find myself saying, "that figures."  He held the Dodgers in check for five innings, giving up just four hits, walking one and striking out five.  The Dodgers pitcher, Roberto Hernandez, was less impressive in his third start in Blue - against weaker competition even.  He gave up eight hits and allowed four runs in his five innings of work.

That wouldn't have been too bad if the Dodgers offense was able to do anything against the Padres, but that was not to be.  Their relief crew held us in check as they continue to be impressive.  I'm telling ya, the Padres will be good sooner than later.  Their pitching is not the reason they are in the dumps this season.  It's their offense.  It sucks.  But they have a good foundation to work with, and with their recent signing of Don Welke to be their VP of Scouting Operations, I suspect they will only get better.

BTW, the kid in the photo above flew 3,000 mile to meet the Dodgers.  Who he is?  I haven't a clue.  Photo above via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2014.  Go here to see a bunch of his pics from yesterday.

• Hey!  I was quoted on Bloomberg.  Via Todd Shields and David McLaughlin, "Dodgers TV Row Fuels Unease Over Comcast-Time Warner Deal."

“Sports fans are getting clobbered,” said Hal Singer, a Washington-based economist with consulting firm Economists Inc. “Either you’re denied access to the content because your distributor won’t carry it at the ridiculous price, or you’re forced to incur the switching costs” to change providers. 

That's not me, of course.  I am quoted further down in the story.

• ICYMI:  Zack Greinke's scheduled start for today has been pushed back a couple of days.  He will pitch on Saturday, instead.  Today's starting pitcher will be Clayton Kershaw.  Ken Gurnick on twitter notes:

Greinke elbow tenderness not serious, Mattingly said. Had MRI two weeks ago.  Similar to irritation Greinke had Spring of 2013.
— Ken Gurnick (@kengurnick) August 20, 2014

• Via Evan Bladh at Think Blue LA, "Brooklyn Dodger alum Dick Teed passes at age 88."  RIP, Dick Teed.
• Chris Olds at Beckett shares some preview pics for 2015 Topps Tribute Baseball cards; including a Yasiel Puig autographed card on the right.  It is set come out on February 19, 2015.
• Via David Young at True Blue LA, "Position-by-position home run records of the Los Angeles Dodgers."  David puts together a list of Top-10's by position.

• Chris Olds at Beckett also provides an early look at Topps 2015 MLB Chipz.  See the Clayton Kershaw Chipz on the left.
• Via Mike Petriello at Dodgers Digest, "Attention, Japan: Yasiel Puig Is Coming For You."  He'll be playing in a tournament in Japan in November.
• Puig Destroyer has a new album coming out, and they have released a song titled "Mike Trout" that you can listen to here.  As grindcore goes, this one is more palatable to the masses.
• Bill Simmons and Rembert Browne of Grantland just posted their story about visiting the National: "A Visit to the 2014 National Sports Collectors Convention."  Check it out.

* Please follow on twitter @ernestreyes *

* Like Dodgers Blue Heaven on facebook *

* Dodgers Blue Heaven home page *