Blog Kiosk: 11/29/2018 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Here's a brand new online exclusive card being made available through Topps. It is a holiday advent card set and up for sale is a Clayton Kershaw card (see it above on the right). It's a 20 card set with each card being made available on separate days. The Kershaw sale closes today. Go here for more information.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1966 the Dodgers trade two-time batting champ Tommy Davis and outfielder Derrell Griffith to the Mets for infielder Ron Hunt and outfielder 'Gentleman' Jim Hickman, who leaves New York as the franchise's all-time home run leader with 60. In 2010 the Dodgers signed free agent infielder Juan Uribe to a three-year $21 million contract, He would soon become a fan favorite.
• Happy Birthday, Joe Orengo, Irv Noren, Brian Holton & Vin Scully!

2018 Topps Now - #RC10 - Walker Buehler All-Star Team Topps Trophy Card

As you may know, Walker Buehler was named to the Topps All-Star Rookie Team, and as such will have the heralded "Rookie Cup" emblem emblazoned on his Topps flagship card next season. You can see that "Rookie Cup" in the pic above. In celebration of this Topps has issued a 2018 Topps Now card of him. Go here to check it out and order. Below is what's written on the reverse:

Walker Buehler dazzled in 2018 with the Los Angeles Dodgers, posting an 8-5 record while having a 2.62 ERA. Buehler pitched an impressive 137.1 innings in his first full year and struck out 151 batters. Buehler was a key part of the success the Dodgers had in reaching the 2018 Postseason and winning their sixth consecutive NL West Division title.

2018 Topps Now - #OS19 - Walker Buehler is ROY Finalist

Two years ago Corey Seager won the NL ROY Award. Last year Cody Bellinger took home that trophy. Now, it's potentially Walker Buehler's turn to make it three Dodgers in a row. Unfortunately, he's got some major competition. Announced yesterday, Buehler, Nationals outfielder Juan Soto and Braves outfielder Ronald Acuña Jr. are vying for the 2018 Rookie of the Year crown. In celebration of these three finalist Topps has made a 2018 Topps Now card for each of them. Featured here is Buehler's card. Go here to check it out and order. Below is what's written on the reverse:

Following a brilliant 2018 campaign, Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Walker Buehler was nominated as a finalist for the National League Rookie Of The Year Award on November 5, 2018.

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Blog Kiosk: 10/30/2018 - Dodgers Links - Happy Halloween!

I can't wait for Spring.

Check out the above March 5, 1955 AP wire photo of Duke Snider practicing bunting during Spring Training at Vero Beach (eBay Link). Carl Furilio can be seen behind him, and I believe that's Jim Gilliam to Furillo's right.

Below are more links to check out:

• Happy Birthday, Stephen McKeever, Hardie Henderson, Leo Dickerman, Fred McGriff, Oreste Marrero & Javy Guerra!

2018 Topps Now - World Series Game 3 Cards, Relics and Autographs

This might be the case of maximum overkill on the part of Topps, but who cares. Last night's game was epic and that requires an epic number of cards. Featured here are the six different 2018 Topps Now base cards highlighting just about every important moment from last night's game and more relic/autographed cards than you can imagine... Really, there are 16 of them. Wow!

First, let's start of with card #936 which features our rookie starting pitcher Walker Buehler. It notes his brilliant seven inning shutout performance -- a franchise best since Johnny Podres in 1955. Go here to check it out and order.

The next card (#937) takes a look at the Joc Pederson's solo home run in the third inning to open the scoring. He walloped Rick Pocello's first pitch into the right field stands. Go here to check it out and order.

2018 Topps Now - #927 - Kershaw's Back-to-Back Game 1 Starts

Here is the lone Topps Now card issued for a Dodger following last nights Game 1 loss. It makes note of Clayton Kershaw and his back-toback Game 1 World Series starts. He's the first person to do it since Jack Morris in 1991-1992. Go here to check it out and order. Below is what's written on the reverse:

Clayton Kershaw became the first pitcher since Jack Morris to start in back-to-back World Series Game 1's. Morris achieved the feat for the Twins in 1991 and the Blue Jays in 1992. Kershaw is now appearing in his second consecutive World Series for the National League Champion Dodgers.

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2018 Topps Now - World Series Matchup Preview Cards

In preparation for the World Series Topps has put out eleven Topps Now cards showcasing individual battles at each position. They are currently available til tomorrow morning. Go here to check them all out.

Above is card #WSM-1 and it features the series catchers. Although, as you know, Austin Barnes has effectively taken over the position for the Dodgers. The card above includes Yasmani Grandal and Christian Vazquez.

2018 Topps Now - Dodgers NLCS Champions - World Series Bound

As Vin used to say, "nothing has ever come easy for the Dodgers," and this series against the Brewers was certainly proof of that. The Dodgers had to battle and fight to became back-to-back National League pennant winners, and their final victory started with a gutsy performance by Walker Buehler in Game 7. Check out his Topps Now card celebrating his performance above and on the right. Go here to check it out and order. Below is what's written on the reverse:

2018 Topps Now - #900, #901, #902 & #903 - Game 5 Victory

Last night's thrilling victory had many heroes, and Topps was sure to memorialize as many of them as possible in their Topps Now set. Featured here are four new base cards and the five autographed Kershaw cards that sold simultaneously. BTW, all of those Clayton autographed cards are sold out.

Above and below is the Kershaw card and it makes note (on the front) that this game was his eighth career postseason start where he has allowed one run and three hits or fewer. Go here to check it out and order. Below is what's written on the reverse:

Clayton Kershaw impressed yet again as he pitched seven innings on three hits in a 5-2 Game 5 victory at Dodger Stadium. The win gives the Dodgers a 3-2 series lead in the best-of-seven National League Championship Series. Kershaw has allowed a total of two earned runs in 26 innings pitched during his last four Postseason home games.

2018 Topps Now - #898 & #899 - Cody Bellinger's Heroic Game 4

Now that Game 5 has started I thought I would put up the numerous Cody Bellinger 2018 Topps Now cards created this afternoon to celebrate his extra inning efforts last night. As you know, he's faced plenty of criticism, of late, regarding his poor start in the series, so seeing him break-out a bit was very welcome.

The first card issued celebrates his belly-flop-catch of a sinking drive to short right field. Go here to check it out and order. Below is what's written on the reverse:

Cody Bellinger made an incredible diving catch in the top of the 10th inning to rob Lorenzo Cain od a leadoff hit. With the game tied at one, Bellinger would later win the game on his first career walk off hit in the 13th inning to lead the Dodgers to a 2-1 win over the Brewers, tying the NLCS at two games apiece.

2018 Topps Now - #875 & #880 - NLCS Homers by Machado and Turner

This past weekend we witnessed a couple of exciting games in Milwaukee, and if not for some uncharacteristic errors we may have returned home with a 2-0 series lead. Instead, we head into Game 3 very confident by the fact that we now have home field advantage in what is now a five game series.

As you know, Manny Machado started the scoring for the Dodgers on Friday by hitting a line drive home run run to left-centerfield. For his blast Topps issued a Topps Now card (#875) on Saturday that sold 343 copies.

2018 Topps Now -- #MU1 & #MU2 -- NLCS Matchup Preview Cards

The NLCS series between our beloved Dodgers and the Brew Crew of Milwaukee is set to begin tomorrow, so Topps naturally decided to release a couple of Topps Now cards to celebrate.

At top is a Matchup Preview card featuring Dodger ace Clayton Kershaw and rising superstar and "glad-to-be-out-of-Miami" slugger Christian Yelich.  Go here to check it out and order. The reverse of the card is on the right.

2018 Topps Now - #865 & #866 - Dodgers Advance on Manny's Homer

For awhile there I was getting worried. The Dodgers were down by a run going into the sixth inning and ended up taking a one run lead following a clutch two-run single by David Freese. But it wasn't until Manny Machado walloped a three-run dinger the following inning did I start to feel comfortable. Per Rowan Kavner at Dodger Insider:

“Can’t say enough about him,” said manager Dave Roberts. “Obviously with Manny and a player of his caliber, there are so many expectations put on him. And we said it from the beginning that it’s going to take all of us to win a championship, and he understands that. For him to put together some at-bats tonight, really quality at-bats, and obviously a game-changing home run…you look back at this series, his two homers essentially led us to two wins.”

2018 Topps Now - #850 - Kershaw's Magnificent Game 2

Here is a look at the Topps Now card issued yesterday to celebrate Clayton Kershaw phenomenal Game 2 star against the Braves. It sold 447 copies. Per Ken Gurnick at MLB.com:

"He pitched," manager Dave Roberts said of Kershaw, who has allowed one earned run in 21 career postseason innings against Atlanta. "For me, one of the best outings I've seen that I can recall. He changed speeds, used both sides of the plate and changed eye levels. There was soft contact and he was in complete control. You've got Sandy Koufax in the front row and he was outstanding."

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2018 Topps Now -- #840, #841 & #842 -- Three Cards to Commemorate Game 1 Victory

Last night's three heroes now have their own Topps Now cards to call their own. First up is Hyun-Jin Ryu and it makes note of his stellar seven inning pitching performance. He yielded no runs, only four singles and struck out eight Brave batters. Go here to check it out and order. Per Ken Gurnick at MLB.com:

His changeup had the Braves off balance throughout the lineup. 

"He did what we knew he was going to do," said Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman. "He pitches backwards. Every time you think you're going to get something, it's always the opposite. He commands up, down, in and out. The back-door cutters were big against righties and he kept throwing changeups to lefties, which kept us off balance."

2018 Topps Now - #828, #829, #830 - National League West Division Champs!

Here's a late look at the three 2018 Topps Now cards issued to celebrate the Dodgers claim to the National League West Division flag. First, they make note of Walker Buehler's brilliant performance against the Rockies. He recorded 6 2/3rd innings of one-hit ball during Game #163, while also knocking in his first career run. Go here to check it out and order.

BTW, they also issued six different autographed versions of the card, but they sold out quickly. At the very bottom I've taken screen shots of all six cards.

2018 Topps Now - #820 - Game #163

Now that the Dodgers have officially taken the National League Western Division title this newest card offered up by Topps seems moot. After all, there will no doubt be another card made available tomorrow celebrating their 5-2 victory over the Rockies this afternoon. Nevertheless, for you completist out there here is the card announcing the game that was just played. Go here to check it out and order... And stay tuned. There will be another Topps Now card issued tomorrow. Heck, maybe two.

Blog Kiosk: 10/1/2018 - Dodgers Links - Game #163

This afternoon is Game #163 at Dodger Stadium at 1:09 PM. Walker Buehler will face off against German Marquez. The game will be broadcast for all to see on ESPN. Jon “Boog” Sciambi and analysts David Ross and Rick Sutcliffe will call the Rockies at Dodgers telecast. The game is also available on the ESPN App. You may also listen to the game on AM 570 (English) and KTNQ 1020 AM (Spanish). BTW, tickets are apparently still available. Go here.

Photo above via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2018 at Dodger Insider. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1946 the very first playoff series to determine a league champion is played between the Dodgers and Cardinals. Today is Game 1 of a three game set and is played in St. Louis. Unfortunately, Brooklyn would lose Game 1, 4-2, and lose the series a couple of days later at home, 8-4. In 1974 Dodger reliever Dr. Mike Marshall set a Major League mark when he made his 106th appearance of the season. In 1993 Mike Piazza set a Dodgers new record for RBI's in a season for a rookie when he plated his 107th run during an 8-5 victory over the Astros.
• Happy Birthday, Duster Mails, Jim Russell, Fred Kipp & Roberto Kelly!

2018 Topps Now - #806 & #807 - Playoff Clinch and Pederson's Blast

What could be better than beating the Giants?

How about walloping them, to the tune of a 10-6 victory, while also claiming a berth in the playoffs. Per Rowan Kavnar at Dodger Insider:

“This is just the beginning of it,” Machado said. “I think we’re finally getting accustomed to everyone on this ballclub. Everyone’s accepting their roles as a team. Whenever you can do that as a ballclub, the sky’s the limit, like I always say.”

Blog Kiosk: 9/27/2018 - Dodgers Links - Ugh!

We're not out, but it sure don't feel good.

Last night the Dodgers failed to win their series against the Diamondbacks, losing 7-2 to win just one-of-three games in Phoenix. So, now they enter their last series of the year - a three game set - against the Giants with the season on the balance. Fortunately, we still hold a one game lead for the last wild card spot, but I would much prefer to win the division.

On a side note, this last series against the Gnats is sure to be exciting. I hope my heart can take it.

In hopes of providing inspiration, please check out the above fantastic October 2, 1955 International News press photo taken by the legendary Herb Scharfman. It features a celebrating Dodger dugout and our slugging centerfielder, Duke Snider, after his second homer of the day during Game 5 of the World Series.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1936 future Dodgers Hall of Fame skipper Walter Alston played in his only Major League game. It was as an 24-year old first baseman for the Cardinals, and he got into the game as a late-inning substitution for Johnny Mize. He would commit an error on the field in two chances, and only get a single at-bat -- he struck out. In 1951 future basketball Hall of Famer Bill Sharman was on the bench for the Dodgers as a 25-year old prospect. On this day he would be thrown out of the game, along with 14 other teammates, for "bench-jockeying" after a close play at home. He would never get a chance to play a Major League game, and thus became the only player to be ejected from a game without ever appearing in one. In 1961 Sandy Koufax recorded seven strikeouts against the Phillies to set a new National League record for strikeouts in a season at 269. The mark was previously held by Giants hurler Christy Mathewson who set it in 1903 with 267 strikeouts. In 2000 the Team USA Baseball club, skippered by Tommy Lasorda, beat the Cuban ballclub to win the gold medal in the Olympics.
• Happy Birthday, Joe Visner, Doug Baird, Whit Wyatt, Len Matuszek, Jason Phillips, Vicente Padilla & Jon Garland!