2019 Topps Advent Calendar & All-MLB First Team Sets with Cody Bellinger

With Christmas quickly approaching, Topps has been releasing holiday Advent Calendar cards as a online exclusive product. Starting a couple of weeks ago, Topps has been selling one Advent card a day, and the Cody Bellinger's card has finally reared its beautiful Christmas bow-wrapped head. Check it out above. You have until tomorrow to place an order for it. Go here to do that. To the bottom right is a look at the reverse of the card. It says:

2019 Topps Now - All-Star Rookie Team - Will Smith

I am late again with this newest 2019 Topps Now Dodger card. Available for most of yesterday is an All-Star Rookie Team Cup card of Dodgers catching phenom Will Smith. Go here to check it out and order. Below is what's written on the reverse:

Will smith provided the Los Angeles Dodgers with pop from the catching position once he made his debut, routinely coming up with clutch hits. The rookie's impressive power and sold defense at the most demanding position in the League gave the Dodgers an edge.

2019 Topps Now - #AW-7 - MVP Cody Bellinger

The Topps Now MVP card celebrating Cody Bellinger's most recent trophy is now available. Go here to check it out and order.

Unless there's some blockbuster trade coming down the pike, this is likely to be the last Topps Now Dodger card of the season.

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Blog Kiosk: 11/12/2019 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Both Gavin Lux, Fernando Valenzuela and others were on-hand to greet veterans for some batting practice at Dodger Stadium on Veterans Day, yesterday. Per Daniel Starkand at Dodger Blue:

Phillip Chaidez, a U.S. Air Force veteran that served in Iraq and currently lives in East Los Angeles, was among those in attendance with his family. “It’s really cool,” Chaidez told DodgerBlue.com. 

“I usually don’t like to get stuff for veterans, but this was different because it was something my kids could enjoy so that was the main reason we’re here and really excited to enjoy this day. Think about it, the World Series was down here, this is awesome. My son was able to get some batting advice from a Hall of Famer, doesn’t get any better than that. We’re very appreciative.”

Photo above via @Dodgers on twitter. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1986 the Dodgers officially released longtime shortstop Bill Russell -- in order to facilitate his recent retirement from the game. He had an 18-year career with Los Angeles and ranked second in franchise history for games played (behind Brooklyn outfielder Zack Wheat). In 2014 Clayton Kershaw is the unanimous winner of the National League Cy Young Award. It is his third Cy Young. He went 21-3 with an 1.77 ERA, 1.81 FIP, six complete games and two shutouts. He will be named the MVP the next day.
• Happy Birthday, Jack Ryan, Red Evans & Greg Gagne!

2019 Topps Now -- Award Finalist Cards of Bellinger and Ryu

It is now awards season.

Over the weekend, two Dodgers were named as finalist for prestigious regular season honors, and Topps unsurprisingly created cards to celebrate it. Check them both out below.

On the heals of winning his first Gold Glove, Cody Bellinger has been named a finalist for the MVP Award. Go here to check it out and order. You have until the end of the week to get them. Below is what's written on the reverse:

Following a brilliant 2019 campaign, Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Cody Bellinger was nominated as a finalist for the National League MVP Award. Bellinger batted an impressive .305 with 47 home runs and 115 RBI.

Blog Kiosk: 10/17/2019 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

I am already thinking of Spring Training, so I thought sharing this photo would be apt. Featured is a March 12, 1937 International News press photo (eBay auction link). Per the descriptor on the reverse:

"TIME OUT FOR BREATHER.  Clearwater, Fla...All work and no play does things to a ballplayer as well as other folk, so this trio of Brooklyn Dodgers takes time out from training to sit and chat for a bit.  They are, left to right, Woody English, who came from the Cubs; Harry Lavagetto, a former Pirate 2nd baseman, and Roy Henshaw, former Cub pitcher.".

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1978 the Yankees defeated the Dodgers in Game 6 of the World Series to win their second consecutive title. In 1981 the Dodgers defeated the Montreal Expos in Game 4 of the NLCS at Olympic Stadium, 7-1. Steve Garvey hit a two-run homer in the eighth to break a 1-1 tie, then the Dodgers scored four more runs in the ninth to run away with it. They are tied at two games a piece in the series with a deciding Game 5 two days later.
• Happy Birthday, Pop Dillon, Mike Sandlock, Johnny Klippstein & Jim Gilliam!

2019 Topps Now - #970, #971 & #972 - Game 3 Victory

Game 4 of the 2019 NLDS is just in a few hours. In the meantime, here is a look at the three Dodgers' 2019 Topps Now cards that were made available today. First, check out the above Russell Martin card that celebrates his clutch go-ahead two run double in the sixth inning off Game 1 starter Patrick Corbin to give the Dodgers the lead for good. Per Adam McCalvy at MLB.com:

“I just remember in the back of my mind, we had a meeting and we went over Corbin,” Martin said. “And with two strikes and guys in scoring position he doesn't really throw many strikes. He's going to try and make you chase a little bit. And the more pitches I saw, the more I felt comfortable. I had some pretty easy takes, got back in the count, and then he just left a breaking ball a little bit up.”

2019 Topps Now -- #948, #949 & #950 -- NLDS Game 1 Victory

What a great way to start a playoff series. Our starting pitcher went six strong innings of scoreless ball, a rookie hit a home run in his first playoff at-bat, and 'Funky Muncy' came through when he needed to. On top of that, there are now three new Dodgers' 2019 Topps Now and six different autographed relics cards available for fans to order.

The first card available celebrates Walker Buehler's outstanding performance on the mound. Go here to check it out and order. Below is what's written on the reverse.

Walker Buehler paid his manager handsomely for entrusting him with the Game 1 start in the NLDS. The 25-year-old flamethrower hurled six shutouts innings, allowing just one hit and striking out eight batters/ Buehler kept the Washington Nationals starting lineup on its heels all night, protecting a 1-0 lead for most of his start.

2019 Topps Now - #932 & #933 - Ryu & Bellinger are MLB Leaders

Now that the season is officially over, here is a look at a couple of 2019 Topps Now MLB Leader cards that feature a Dodger. First, Hyun-Jin Ryu took home the ERA crown with an 2.32 ERA. Go here to check it out and order. Below is what's written on the reverse:

Hyun-Jin Ryu started the most games since his rookie season in 2013 and did not disappoint. The left-hander led all of MLB in ERA with a minuscule 2.32, giving the Los Angeles Dodgers another devastating option in their loaded starting rotation. Ryu struck out 163 batters and started 29 games in his stellar 2019 campaign.

2019 Topps Now -- #917 & #922 -- Franchise Record 106 Wins

This is likely the last Dodgers' 2019 Topps Now card of the regular season, and it highlights yesterday afternoons win over the Giants. As you surely know by now, that victory was the clubs 106th of the year - a new franchise record. Per Rowan Kavner at Dodger Insider:

“I’m going to take a moment to appreciate what we did as an organization,” said manager Dave Roberts. “When you’re talking about the regular season and all those great teams in Dodger history, it takes a lot to accomplish what we accomplished as a group.”

2019 Topps Now - #881 - Babe Ryu and the Dodgers 100th Win!

The Dodgers Cy Young candidate, Hyun-Jin Ryu, came out on Sunday and recorded not only his 13th win of the season (one short of a career high), but also hit his very first career home run. It was off of Rockies pitcher Antonio Senzatela in the fifth inning, and it tied the game up at one run apiece. Per Cary Osborne at Dodger Insider:

Ryu said he tried to keep a poker face on his trip around the bases and into the dugout. His teammates did the opposite. 

“We were definitely more excited than him,” Bellinger said. “That was his first career home run, so we’re obviously really excited for him, which is crazy (that he hasn’t hit one before) because he has stupid power at batting practice.”

Soon after Ryu moonshot the Dodger rallied to score four more runs during the inning and eventually won the contest to win their 100th of the year. In honor of both Ryu's home run and the Dodger win Topps has issued a new 2019 Topps Now card for fans to collection. Go here to check it out and order.

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2019 Topps Now - #828 & the AFL Glendale Desert Dogs

Here's another 2019 Topps Now card with a Dodger involved. It includes Cody Bellinger and the card makes note of a new Major League record. The entire league has collectively hit 6,106 home runs - a new all time high. Go here to check it out and order.

As you can see, he shares the card with Pete Alonso and Mike Trout. Also Orioles infielder Jonathan Villar is on the reverse.

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Topps has just unveiled a brand new 2019 Topps Now Product. They are calling it 2019 Bowman Next and it features 10-card team sets for all six Arizona Fall League clubs. As you may know, the AFL often features several of the top prospects in the game -- many of whom are expected to make Major League rosters soon.

2019 Topps Now - #822, #827 and the Dodgers Postseason Team Set

There are a bunch of Dodgers' Topps Now cards available today; including some autographed cards featuring rookie Gavin Lux.

As you know, Lux hit hit first home run of his career last night. At the very bottom of this post I share pics of all the auto'd cards. Go here to check out the above card to order. Below is what's written on the reverse:

In a game in which the Los Angeles Dodgers clinched the NL West Division title, it was Gavin Lux who impressed with the first home run of his MLB career. The roundtripper was one of the rookie's three hits, as the Dodger scored seven runs and beat the Baltimore Orioles 7-3.

Blog Kiosk: 9/10/2019 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends - It's Clinch Day!

I missed another Dodgers' 2019 Topps Now card. It was issued over the weekend to celebrate AJ Pollock's three-homer game on Friday night against the Giants. It has a print run of 181 cards. Below is what's written on the reverse:

AJ Pollock impressively hit three solo homeruns against the Giants, one of which traveled at least 420 feet. This was the second three homerun game by a Dodger's player this season but unfortunately this feat was not enough to pull through a win, the Giants won 5-4.

BTW, the Dodgers Magic Number now sits at one! Today could be the day they win the National League West Division. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1992 a report came out about a "security check" that revealed serious issues with two members of a buying group interested in purchasing the Giants and moving them to Florida. One of the investors mentioned was Vince Piazza -- father of recently called-up catcher Mike Piazza of the Dodgers. The deal falls apart, and MLB settles with the group for $6MM (which includes a letter of apology to Vince Piazza). In 1996 outfielder Brett Butler breaks his hand on a bunt attempt when he is hit by a pitch. The 39-year-old Butler, who battled back from cancer surgery, is out for the year after playing five games. In 2016 Rich Hill threw seven perfect innings against the Marlins, but is pulled by Dave Roberts because of concern over a previous blister problem (boxscore). He had thrown 89 pitches at this point. The Dodgers won, 5-0, but the relief staff ended up yielding two hits to negate the perfect game and possible no-hitter.
• Happy Birthday, High Pockets Kelly, Terry Wells, Danys Baez, Chad Hermansen & Nick Green!

2019 Topps Now -- #787 -- Gavin Lux's Debut

“He earned his way here,” (Dave) Roberts said. “He knocked the door down.”

He sure did. Gavin Lux hit a combined .347 (159-for-458) with 26 homers and 76 RBI in 113 games between Double-A Tulsa and Triple-A Oklahoma City this year and was named the Pacific Coast League Player of the Month of July. Now, he is in Dodger Blue hoping to impress the fans and the team. If his Major League debut on Monday is any clue, I think he is well on his way to putting himself in the conversation for the playoff this season.

2019 Topps Now - #759 - Reliever Russell Martin

Never in my wildest dreams did I expect that Russell Martin would get his very own Topps Now card highlighting his remarkable prowess on the mound... but here we are. Featured here is the lone Dodger to make the cut today -- Russell Martin -- and as you know he pitched his fourth scoreless inning of the year last night. Best yet, his efforts marked an important milestone. According to the preview card he became the first position player since 1961 to have pitched in a combined shutout victory. Although, I'm not entirely sure Topps has the right date here. According to Stats By STATS on twitter,

Excluding two-way players, the @Dodgers' Russell Martin is the first position player to pitch in a shutout win for his team since 10/03/1917, when Hall of Famer George Kelly pitched 5.0 shutout innings in the Giants' last game of the season (his only career pitching appearance).

Nevertheless, this is a cool card. Go here to check it out and order.

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Blog Kiosk: 8/28/2019 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Now we know why the Dodgers didn't bother trading for a high-end reliever. We already have a guy who could do the job.

Last night Russell Martin entered the game as a reliever for the fourth time this season, and once again he pitched flawlessly. His four innings of work has yielded only two hits, while the righty catcher has struck out two. Per Cary Osborne at Dodger Insider:

“It’s pretty good. He’s got some spin rate. You guys should check his numbers,” Buehler said of the Dodger catcher.

Photo above via Raymond Gorospe/MLB.com at Dodger Insider. Go here to check out more pics from yesterdays game. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1942 the oft-injured outfielder Pete Reiser enters the hospital with a torn thigh ligament. In 1945 Branch Rickey and Jackie Robinson meet to discuss plans for integrating Baseball. During the three hour meeting Rickey berates Robinson with a flurry of racial epithets to test his mettle and willingness to 'turn the other cheek.' Also on this day, 17-year old Brooklyn shortstop Tommy Brown becomes the youngest person to steal home in Major League history.  In 1952 the Brooklyn Dodgers set a National League record when they hit into a double play in their 23rd consecutive game. In 2002 Eric Gagne recorded his 45th save of the season, setting a franchise record and earning a bottle of Dom Perignon autographed by his Dodger teammates. 
• Happy Birthday, Ryan Madson, Joe Yeager, Goody Rosen & Darren Lewis!

2019 Topps Now -- #737 -- Seager and Hernandez Ninth Inning Heroics

For the second evening in a row the Dodgers defeated the Blue Jays in walk-off fashion. This time, instead of a homer to win the game the club decided that this victory would be a team effort. It all began with a walk to Max Muncy to start the ninth. Following that was a double by MVP favorite Cody Bellinger to put runners and second and third. Then Corey Seager tied the game at two with his own double. The honor of winning the game was left to that days bobblehead honoree -- Kiké Hernandez. He lofted a single to center to drive in Seager for the win. In honor of the Dodgers 12th walk-off Topps has issued a new 2019 Topps Now card for fans to collect. Go here to check it out and order. Below is what's written on the reverse:

Corey Seager's game-tying two-run double with one out came in the bottom of the ninth. The was immediately followed up with an RBI single from Enrique Hernandez that gave the Dodgers a 3-2 win over Toronto, a sweep of their interleague series and their 12th walk-off of the year.

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2019 Topps Now - #730 & #731 - Smith and Muncy's Home Runs

Will Smith's ascendance has been an utter surprise. I knew that he was regarded as a good-glove prospect, but his barrage on opposing pitchers so far has been something quite to behold. It's like the gods came down and graced the baby-faced 24-year old to be the next Babe Ruth.

Last night he continued his dominance when he rocketed a fourth inning home run to give the Dodgers an early 1-0 lead over Toronto, and it proved to be a historic blast. So historic, in fact, Topps issued a Topps Now card to celebrate the occasion. Go here to check it out and order. Below is what's written on the reverse:

Will Smith has put together one of the best starts in League history, matching Rhys Hoskins with a MLB-record 12th home run in just his 28th game in the Majors. Smith is batting .318 and has become a linchpin behind the plate for a Dodgers team that holds the best record in Baseball.

2019 Topps Now - #723 - Kershaw Passes Koufax on Career Win List

Last night Clayton Kershaw finally took the reigns as the Dodgers' all-time wins leader for a left-hander -- eclipsing Sandy Koufax's mark of 165. Per Alden Gonzalez at ESPN:

"It's an honor for me just to be mentioned in the same sentence as Sandy," Kershaw said after the team's 16-3 win over the Toronto Blue Jays. "What he was able to accomplish in his career -- he would've gone a lot longer if he was playing today, probably, because he could've gotten healthy. Just a special thing, man."