Dodgers Promo's from the 2017 NSCC -- Beckett, Topps and Panini

The 38th annual National Sports Collectors Convention, dubbed "The National", closed its doors a week ago in Chicago, and it included its fair-share of promotional cards for folks to chase after. First of all, there was a VIP program attendees could join that provided each member exclusive promo cards just for going through the door. Notably, Leaf Trading cards VIP promo featured Vin Scully (you can see that here). Other promo's were available at individual booths -- either as wrapper redemption's, a sale incentive or just for free (if you ask). Below are most of the Dodger promos given out by Beckett, Topps and Panini America that I've been able to track down

First of all, Beckett ran a sort-of scavenger hunt at The National. They produced ten different promos fashioned after their magazine covers, and partnered up with nine different retailers at the show to give them away. Only one of the cards had a Dodger on it, and it happened to also include Aaron Judge as well. See it below. It was handed out by Blowout Cards at the convention. Go here for a complete Beckett promo checklist.

Beckett

Beckett Cover Promos

#4 Aaron Judge / Cody Bellinger (on reverse)

Check Out This New Vin Scully Card - From the 2017 National Sports Collectors Convention

This past weekend was the 38th annual National Sports Collectors Convention in Chicago, and as collectors know it's an event that features numerous promos and giveaways. Fans flock to the booths run by Topps, Panini and Upper Deck in order to open up limited edition packs filled with exclusive cards, relics and autographs. Collectors also signed up for a special VIP passes that not only provided free autographs, but also a handful of promo cards to take home. One of those promo's is shown here.

Blog Kiosk: 7/24/2017 - Dodgers Links - Some Weekend Odds and Ends

Sunday was not the best day. First Clayton Kershaw left the game early due to back tightness issues. Then, Kenley Jansen blew his first save of the season when he yielded a three run home run that tied the game. Fortunately, this Dodger team doesn't give up. They fight... And they claw... And they never surrender. So, they eventually rallied in the 10th inning and won the game on a walk-off single by Logan Forsythe. Per Rowan Kavner at Dodger Insider:

“It’s been a good series for us, to battle back from two losses to start,” Forsythe said. “To see the depth of our bench, to see the bullpen come in and do a good job and for us to grind out at-bats and have quality at-bats and get a split in that series I think was good to see.”

On a side note: Unlike many, I am not worried that the season will be lost due to the recent injury to Kershaw. Instead, I see this as just another hill that these Dodgers are eager to climb. There is no barrier too high, no roadblock too perilous, and no injury too great that will sway their belief that this season is theirs.

The above photo of Yasiel Puig dousing Logan Forsythe via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2017. Go here to check out more pics bu Jon from yesterdays game. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1931 Brooklyn Robins (Dodgers) outfielder Babe Herman hit for the cycle against the the Pittsburgh Pirates. In 1939 the Brooklyn Dodgers selected Dixie Walker off waivers from the Detroit Tigers. He would go on to play nine season in Brooklyn; slashing .311/.386/.441/.827 for the Dodgers. In 1967 former Dodgers President Branch Rickey is posthumously inducted in the Baseball Hall of Fame. In 1986 the Dodgers signed 17-year old amateur free agent infielder José Offerman out of San Pedro de Macoris, Dominican Republic. In 1993 Mets outfielder Vince Coleman tossed a M-80 firecracker from his car as he was leaving the Dodger Stadium parking area. It is reported that three people are injured; including an 11-year old boy and a two-year old girl. Coleman eventually pleads guilty to one misdemeanor count of unlawful possession of an explosive device and is sentenced to 200 hours of community service. The incident, along with many others, leads the Mets to announced a month later that he would never play for the team again.
• Happy Birthday, Tommy McCarthy, Joe Wall, Joe Schultz, Preston Ward, Norihiro Nakamura & Scott Van Slyke!

Blog Kiosk: 7/13/2017 - Dodgers Links - Vin Scully Given ICON Award

Last night Vin Scully was honored at the annual ESPYs with the Nationwide ICON Award -- given to those whose careers have left a lasting impression on the sports world. Actor Bryan Cranston present the prize. If you haven't already seen Vin's acceptance speech you should go do that now. It's fantastic and a little reminder of how lucky we were to have him in our lives. Watch it here.

Pic above via ABC7 on twitter. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1954 Brooklyn rookie manager Walter Alston makes the first of a record nine appearances as National League manager in the annual All-Star Game. On this day the National League would lose to the American League, 11-9.
• Happy Birthday, John O'Brien, Daryl Spencer & Cody Bellinger!

Blog Kiosk: 6/29/2017 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

You gotta admit, last nights game was incredible. Sure, the Dodgers ended up on the short end of the stick, but that's okay. Next time we'll be the folks that are laughing. Per Maria Guardado and Joshua Thornton at MLB.com:

"Speed kills. That's the game of a baseball, and that's what happened tonight." -- Revere

"We haven't lost games like that. Unfortunately, things like that are going to happen. The kid, Meyer, competed. Really couldn't put anything together. That's a tough way to lose." -- Roberts

I would say that that was a fun way to lose. Last night was just a case of "Baseball being Baseball". BTW, Pantone 294 once again made their presence known in another stadium. This time they took over Angels Stadium, as evidenced by the photo on the right by Jon SooHoo.

Photos above via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2017. Go here to check out more pics by Jon from yesterdays game. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1990 Fernando Valenzuela no-hit the Cardinals, 6-0, at Dodger Stadium.  With 119 pitches he struck out seven and walked three.  Also, on this same night, former Dodgers starter Dave Stewart threw a no-hitter against the Blue Jays; thereby marking the first time in modern Baseball history that two no-hitters were thrown on the same day.  Via Tommy Lasorda, at the time: 

"And it couldn't have happened to a tougher, more competitive guy," Lasorda said. "You look at Fernando and he has done everything in his career except a no-hitter. And now . . . this."

In 1995 Hideo Nomo struck out thirteen Rockies to give him a then team record of 50 strike outs in four consecutive starts. In 1996 Mike Piazza hit three home runs against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field.  He becomes the fifth Dodger to hit three homers in a game. In 2012 the Dodgers signed amateur free agent Yasiel Puig.

• Happy Birthday, Wilbert "Uncle Robbie" Robinson, Farmer Steelman, Bobby Morgan, Rick Honeycutt & Pedro Guerrero!

Blog Kiosk: 6/28/2017 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

After recently being sent to the bullpen, Kenta Maeda was masterful in his spot start last night. He went seven strong innings, yielded just four hits, recorded six strike outs and gave up zero walks for his sixth victory of the season. Per Ken Gurnick and Kaelen Jones at MLB.com:

"The last few outings, he's been aggressive and filling the strike zone," Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said of Maeda. "With his mix, putting hitters on the defensive, there just weren't many good swings they got off him." 

Maeda is responding positively to the pressure that comes with being on the Dodgers pitching staff. Per Rowan Kavner at Dodger Insider:

“There’s a sense of urgency overall,” Maeda said through an interpreter. “I didn’t start the year on a good note. Regardless if I’m in the bullpen or starting, there’s a sense of urgency I feel to produce results.”

Photo above via SportsNet LA on twitter. Go here to check out pics by Dodger photographers Jon SooHoo and Juan Ocampo from yesterdays game. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1907 then Yankees catcher Branch Rickey (who would be known for signing Jackie Robinson decades later) saw twelve Senator runners steal a base on him. In 1969 the Dodgers and Don Drysdale shut down the Padres at Jack Murphy Stadium by the lopsided score of 19-0. They break a LA Dodgers all-time record for runs scored in a game. In 2008 the Dodgers were no-hit by the Angels (Jered Weaver and Jose Arredondo), but still won the game, 1-0. The lone run was scored in the fifth inning when a couple of errors and a sacrifice fly by Blake DeWitt scores the eventual winning run.
• Happy Birthday, Fred Miller, Al Downing & Jose Flores!