2020 Panini Diamond Kings -- The Dodgers Base Cards

Officially arriving in stores today is Panini's 2020 Diamond Kings Baseball cards, and I've got pics of all the base cards to share with you right now. Check them out below. Go here for a complete checklist.

As you can see, there's a nice Mookie Betts card, wearing a Dodger uniform. There are also a bunch of inserts available to chase after.

Base

#4 Walter Alston              #24 Carl Erskine

Blog Kiosk: 5/22/2020 - Dodgers Links & News - Some Odds and Ends

Check out this fantastic press photo of a young Carl Erskine from the Houston Post. The clarity and contrast between dark and light, along with what I believe is the grandstands from Ebbets Field is phenomenal. It is dated April 29, 1959, so it's clearly not a period photograph. Erskine is wearing a Brooklyn Dodgers cap and by 1959 the Dodgers had already moved to Los Angeles. I suspect this is a photograph that the Houston Post kept in their library for future use. To collectors, this photograph would be described as a Type II photo -- a picture printed from the original negative more than 2 years of the photo being shot. (eBay auction link).

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1949 Don Newcombe made his first major league start, firing a five-hit shutout in a 3-0 victory over the Cincinnati Reds. He would go on to have a 17-8 record with 19 complete games, five shut outs and an 3.17 ERA -- winning both the Rookie of the Year and the Cy Young awards. In 1987 the Dodgers traded reliever Tom Niedenfuer to the Orioles for John Shelby and Brad Havens. Shelby would go on to have a very impactful season for the World Series Champion Dodgers the next year.
• Happy Birthday, Bill Lohrman & Tommy John!

Blog Kiosk: 5/8/2020 - Dodgers Links & News - Some Odds and Ends

Here's a fun Herb Scharfman International News press photo from the first day of spring training at Dodgertown in Vero Beach, 1954, and as you can see it features a rather nimble Duke Snider. Don Newcombe, who was on the mound, was aiming for Snider's rear-end, and the Duke had to do a jitterbug to get out of the way. Per the descriptor attached to reverse (eBay auction link):

Pitch went Wild
Vero Beach, Florida -- Brooklyn outfielder Duke Snider isn't going into his dance as might be supposed from his gyrations in this picture. A pitch by Don Newcombe tagged Duke on his trouser seat in Opening Day workouts at Vero Beach yesterday. A sartorial note was added to the scene by Snider who appeared in a polo shirt of violent scarlet, trousers of a golden hue, two-tone shoes and a straw hat modeled like a long-ago box baseball cap. The Dodgers spring training underway under the guidance of their new manager, Walter Alston.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1941 the Giants and Dodgers play an Army-Navy Relief exhibition game that raises over $60,000 for the Navy Relief Fund in front of 24,000 fans. Brooklyn edged out their rivals, 7-6, on a Dolph Camilli home run in the seventh inning. BTW, everyone, including the umpires, coaches and players, paid admission to enter Ebbets Field. In 1973 Willie Stargell hit an Andy Messersmith pitch out of Dodger Stadium. This was the second time he had accomplished the feat at the stadium and only the second time it had ever happened in its history. In other words, Willie Stargell owned Dodger Stadium. In 1981 Fernando Valenzuela pitched his seventh straight victory to open the season -- shutting out the Mets by a score of 1-0 at Shea Stadium.
• Happy Birthday, Dan Brouthers & Adrian Gonzalez!

Blog Kiosk: 2/4/2020 - Dodgers Links & News - Some Odds and Ends

Check out these Brooklynites celebrating with Carl Erskine in the above UP press photo (eBay auction link). Per the descriptor on the reverse:

Erskine Does It Again -- Brooklyn, NY: Dodger pitcher Carl Erskine is congratulated by admiring fans, after the trim Indiana righthander hurled the second no-hit game of his career, a brilliant 3-0 win over the New York Giants here May 12th. Erskine's other no-hitter came against the Chicago Cubs on June 19, 1952. Erskine's feat makes him the 17th pitcher in Major League history to have pitched at least two no-hitters, and by coincidence, the Major League's last no-hitter was pitched exactly one year ago on this date by Chicago's Sam Jones in a game against the Pittsburgh Pirates. 5/12/1956. (boxscore)

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1861 the Brooklyn Atlantics defeat the Charter Oak Club, 36 - 27, playing Baseball while wearing skates on a frozen Litchfield Pond in South Brooklyn. In 1956 Commissioner Ford Frick introduces the Cy Young Memorial Award in memory of the Hall of Fame pitcher who died the year before. As you know, Dodger hurler Don Newcombe would be the first to win the award later in the season. In 1985 the Dodgers traded 6' 5" righty Pat Zachery to the Phillies for aging slugger Al Oliver. 
• Happy Birthday, Lefty Davis, Eddie Ainsmith, Possum Whitted, Pat Perry & Steve Schmoll!

Blog Kiosk: 1/17/2020 - Dodgers Links & News - Some Odds and Ends

Welcome the newest Dodger -- Cooper Ellis Kershaw.

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

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1953 the Brooklyn Dodgers traded Andy Pafko to the Milwaukee Braves for Roy Hartsfield. In 1976 Dodger great Tommy Davis is released by the KC Royals, ending an 18-year MLB career. He played eight seasons as a Dodger; slashing .304/.338/.441/.779 with an 117 OPS+, 16.2 WAR, two batting crowns and two All-Star appearances.
• Happy Birthday, Tyler Houston, Scott Mullen, Harry Pattee & Don Zimmer!

Blog Kiosk: 1/15/2020 - Dodgers Links & News - Some Odds and Ends

I wonder what is on Campanella's mind in the photo above.

Watches Old Teammate -- Vero Beach, FLA: Probably recalling the no-hit games of 1952 and 1956 when they were batter-mates, Roy Campanella watches pitcher Carl Erskine warm up during a training session here. Campanella is now a special coach with the Los Angeles Dodgers. 3/4/59.

Photo above available on auction on eBay. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1957 the Dodgers extend their lease at Ebbets Field for another three years -- as a fallback in case Los Angeles is unable to secure land for a new stadium. They would leave Brooklyn a year later. In 2002 the Dodgers traded outfielder Gary Sheffield to the Braves for Brian Jordan, Odalis Perez and Andrew Brown. In 2009 the Dodgers nightmare is over. They released outfielder Andruw Jones.
• Happy Birthday, Dr. Mike Marshall, William Brennan & Delino DeShields!

Blog Kiosk: 10/18/2019 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Pee Wee Reese knows how to have a satisfying winter. Featured above is an October 6, 1955 press photo of Pee Wee Reese grabbing his clubs for a relaxing round of golf, two days after becoming a World Series champion for the first time (eBay auction link). Per the description on the reverse:

Pee Wee Reese grabbed his golf sticks and headed for the links where he will spend much of his time until next spring.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1977 Yankees outfielder Reggie Jackson broke LA's heart. He walloped three homers on three consecutive first-pitch at-bats against the Dodgers to win Game 6 and the World Series. If you must you can watch highlights here. I hate you Reggie Jackson! 
• Happy Birthday, Burt Shotton, Wally Millies, Roy Cullenbine, Andy Carey, Jerry Royster, Alan Mills & Alex Cora!

Blog Kiosk: 8/20/2019 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

The elation on their faces is palpable.

Featured above is an October 2, 1963 AP press photo of Sandy Koufax with old friend Carl Erskine within the Yankee Stadium clubhouse following Game 1 of the World Series (eBay auction link). As you know, Sandy recorded a six-hit complete game to defeat the Bronx Bombers, 5-2 (boxscore). He struck out an unbelievable 15 batters and walked only three. BTW, the Dodgers ended up sweeping the Yankees to take the crown.

UPDATE: Jon Weisman of Dodger Thoughts passes along some info I had failed to realize. Per a tweet from him:

The significance of Erskine being in that pic with Koufax is that Koufax broke the World Series strikeout record that Erskine set 10 years earlier to the day. And Erskine was there to see it. #brothersinarms https://t.co/iRWOPm8hgi

— Jon Weisman (@jonweisman) August 20, 2019

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1945 seventeen year old Dodger shortstop Tommy Brown became the youngest player in Major League history to hit a home run. He hit it off of Pirates hurler Preacher Roe in the seventh inning, and it would be the only run the Dodgers would score in a losing effort, 11-1. In 1978 Steve Garvey and Don Sutton have a scuffle in the clubhouse before their game against the Mets at Shea Stadium. Sutton had been critical of Garvey in a Washington Post story (here's a followup story) -- saying that he was more interested in his off-field persona than his play, and that Reggie Smith was the teams real MVP.

"All you hear about on our team is Steve Garvey the All-American boy. But Reggie Smith was the real MVP. We all know it . . . (Smith) has carried us the last two years. He is not a facade. He does not have the Madison Avenue image."

• Happy Birthday, Frank Bonner, Ed McLane, Bill Crouch, Al Lopez, Fred Norman, Lance Rautzhan, Kal Daniels, Jamie Hoffman & Blake DeWitt!

Some Dodger Goodies at Love of the Game Auctions

Here's my newest post featuring vintage Dodgers memorabilia currently available on auction. This time I take a look through the 'Love of the Game Auction' summer premier catalog, and it fortunately doesn't disappoint.

First of all, there's the above 11" x 13" stadium giveaway card that commemorates the 1966 "Salute to the Stars" celebrity All-Star Game. (Auction Link) As you can see, Milton Berle, Pat Boone, Bobby Darin, Phyllis Diller, Annette Funicello, Dean Martin, Mickey Rooney, Dale Robertson, Sweet Lou Johnson, Sandy Koufax and Don Drysdale can be seen on the card. Additionally, the auction listing shares a promotion video from the 1966 celebrity game that includes highlights and some snarky commentary by Bobby Darin. You can watch it below.

Blog Kiosk: 7/22/2019 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Thank you, Fernando! Per Cary Osborne at Dodger Insider:

“It’s very special. It’s a great honor, because the Dodgers have the history of tremendous ballplayers for many years. To be part of this, it’s a great honor,” Valenzuela said. “When the Dodgers mentioned I was going to be in with these two great ballplayers … that means a lot. Steve Garvey, he was my first baseman when I came up as a rookie. He supported me. He helped me a lot for my first couple years. To now be part of the same group, to be selected for this honor, is tremendous.”

Photo abvoe via Jon SooHoo at Dodger Insider 2019. Go here to check out more pics from Saturday's ceremony. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1966 DodgerVision at Dodger Stadium relays a message to Mets outfielder Ron Swoboda during the game. It says, "Congratulations, Ron Swoboda. Your new son is born tomorrow morning". Cecilia Swoboda gave birth to Chipper, the couple's first child, at 1:05 a.m. EST, making it the next day on the West Coast. In 2005 Yhency Brazoban breaks Steve Howe's Dodger rookie record for saves when he works a perfect inning against the Mets to record his 18th save. He would finish with 21 saves during the season.
• Happy Birthday, Sheldon Lejeune, Elmer Knetzer, Lindsay Brown & Kevin Pasley!

2019 Panini Diamond Kings - All the Dodgers Base Cards

Panini's Diamond King brand is now in stores, and I've got pics of all the Dodger base cards below. Go here for a complete checklist.

I want to note that the biographies on the reverse of the cards are fantastic. Many of them include fascinating tidbits I've never heard before. For instance, here is what Kershaw's write-up says:

Actress Mila Kunis threw out the ceremonial first pitch at a Los Angeles game in June 2018, firing a big breaking ball to Kershaw behind the dish. The twirler had run into Kunis at a local "Mommy & Me" class he attended with his wife (Ellen), and had no problem sharing tips with the awestruck Hollywood star.

And Cark Erskine:

Though he later starred in the big leagues, Erskine was actually rejected from the local Navy team during World War II. In a game in Brooklyn, however, the officer who had turned him down found him and said, "Shake hands with the dumbest so and so in the world. With guys like me, I'm surprised that we won the war."

Base

#7 Walter Alston

Blog Kiosk: 8/22/2018 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Stop dawdling! We are running out of time.

The Dodgers lost again last night, 5-2, and the culprit was the lack of timely hitting. They went 1-for-8 with runners in scoring position. Per Ken Gunick at MLB.com:

"It's more than just putting really good players together and now you're going to score seven or eight runs a night," said manager Dave Roberts. "The players we've acquired have done a great job, it's getting everybody else synched up. We get guys on base, now it's moving the line, and we're having a hard time doing that, let alone the two-out hit."
...
"As you're mired in this, it doesn't feel good," Roberts said. "It's a little contagious. You look around the room, these guys have a track record and that's something we expect them to come out of it. We have very good players. They're going to hit. They understand what's at stake."

I still have faith, but there's also a growing sense of fear. BTW, I mean to distract with the pic of Hello Kitty above, via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2018 at Dodger Insider. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1948 the Dodgers recorded a triple steal in the fifth inning of their game against the Boston Braves at Ebbets Field. Jackie Robinson stole home, Gene Hermanski took third and Pee Wee Reese swiped second base. In 1965 Giants hurler Juan Marichal attacked Johnny Roseboro with his bat while at the plate. He had been buzzing Dodger batters all day, so Roseboro - with Marichal at the plate - decided to throw the baseball back to his pitcher while at the same time making sure it barely missed Marichal's face. Quickly, benches cleared and a brawl commenced. See the pic on the right to see what I mean. In 2000 Eric Karros becomes the first Dodger in franchise history to hit two home runs in one inning. It was against the Expos.
• Happy Birthday, Ned Hanlon, Al Bashang, Jeff Weaver, Randy Wolf & David Huff!

Blog Kiosk: 8/20/2018 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Something you might have missed from last night's 12-1 rout of the Mariners was the ninth inning performance by Dodger reliever Zac Rosscup. He came in to finish the game and proceeded to throw the 93rd Immaculate Inning in Major League history -- striking out three batters using only nine strikes. It was also the first Dodger' Immaculate inning since Kenley Jansen's performance on 5/18/17 against the Marlins, the eighth ever in Dodgers history and the sixth Dodger to ever do it (Koufax did it three times). You can watch Rosscup's inning here.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1945 seventeen year old Dodger shortstop Tommy Brown became the youngest player in Major League history to hit a home run. He hit it off of Pirates hurler Preacher Roe in the seventh inning, and it would be the only run the Dodgers would score in a losing effort, 11-1. In 1978 Steve Garvey and Don Sutton have a scuffle in the clubhouse before their game against the Mets. Sutton was critical of Garvey in a Washington Post story (here's a followup story); saying that he was more interested in his off-field persona than his play, and that Reggie Smith was the teams MVP.

"All you hear about on our team is Steve Garvey the All-American boy. But Reggie Smith was the real MVP. We all know it . . . (Smith) has carried us the last two years.He is not a facade. He does not have the Madison Avenue image."

• Happy Birthday, Frank Bonner, Ed McLane, Bill Crouch, Al Lopez, Fred Norman, Lance Rautzhan, Kal Daniels, Jamie Hoffman & Blake DeWitt!

2018 Panini Diamond Kings - The Dodgers Base Cards and Variations

Here's a look at all of the Dodgers' base and variation cards available in packs of Panini's 2018 Diamond Kings. Go here for a complete checklist.

As you know, none of these cards have team logo's, so they look really weird. I do love the painted look of the cards, but that's not enough to convince me to spend some of my dough on packs. Also, I am tired of seeing the same pics being used over and over again on different brands, but also realize that cost is an significant reason why this is likely to never change.

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#16 Carl Furillo            #23 Pee Wee Reese

Blog Kiosk: 9/14/2017 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Last Nights win puts the Dodgers magic number at seven. Yu Darvish was fantastic on the mound as he recorded seven shutout innings to lead the team. Just in time, eh? Darvish was not looking like the pitcher we thought we got. Per Ken Gurnick at MLB.com:

"It's more like if I keep pitching like that with that kind of results, I'm not going to be able to pitch in the playoffs," Darvish said. "The Dodgers got me for that situation, the playoffs. That was my concern."

Overall, Dodger pitchers struck out seven Giants and their offense recorded seven hits. Best yet, Cody Belling hit his first homer into McCovey Cove. Per Rowan Kavner at Dodger Insider:

“You always see it when you’re growing up watching Barry Bonds do it,” Bellinger said of the splash homer. “To actually do it, it’s pretty cool.”

The home run was Belli's 37th of the year -- just one shy of the National League record for a rookie. He also had seven total bases. Pic above via SportsNet LA on twitter. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1945, during an overnight trip between St. Louis and Chicago, the Brooklyn Dodgers train rammed into an gasoline truck, sending flames everywhere.  The train engineer and a firefighter were killed.  The Dodgers survived without serious injury because the momentum of their section carried it through the burning remains.  I had previously written about this incident here. In 1993 Mike Piazza hit home runs no. 29 and 30 to break the Major League record for homers by a rookie catcher. In 2002 Dodger infielder Chin-Feng Chen becomes the first Taiwan-born player to appear in the major leagues. He would get a pinch-hit walk and score on a double by Mike Kinkade.
• Happy Birthday, John Douglas, Stan Williams & Tim Wallach & Jerry Doggett! Jon Weisman at Dodger Insider wrote a great piece celebrating Doggett's 100th birthday last year (link here).

The 1956 Brooklyn Dodgers Photo Pack

Here is another new addition to my collection. Featured here is the complete twelve picture set of the 1955/56 Brooklyn Dodgers Photo Pack. Measuring 5" x 7", blank backed and printed on white glossy paper stock, these photos were sold at Ebbets Field concession stands (possibly by mail order, as well). They appear to have been manufactured by an outfit called Jay Publishing (some collectors disagree with this) and were originally sold in a paper envelope with the words "Twelve WORLD CHAMPION Dodgers PHOTOS" printed in blue.

2017 Diamond Kings - All the Dodgers Base and Variation Cards

Here is a look at all of the Dodger base and variation cards found in packs of Panini America's 2017 Diamond King Baseball card set.  Go here for a complete checklist. 

Base Set

#6 Carl Erskine                   #7 Carl Furillo

Blog Kiosk: 1/18/2017 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

With Spring around the corner I can't help but be excited when I see a vintage spring training photograph like the one above.  (eBay Auction Link) Featured are five Dodger pitchers showing off for the camera while training at Dodgertown, dated February 25, 1953.  It was taken by noted International News and soon-to-be Sports Illustrated photographer Herb Scharfman.  Per the descriptor on the reverse:

Posing prettily here at the Brooklyn Dodgers Vero Beach camp are the five top flingers of the Dodgers/  In Front: Russ Meyer, latest acquisition; and Carl Erskine (right).  Rear: (from left) Joe Black, Billy Loes and Preacher Roe.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History:  In 2011 the Dodgers signed veteran free agent outfielder Gabe Kapler as a non-roster invitee.  Unfortunately, he didn't make the team and would subsequently be released at the end of March.  As you know, he would soon retire and make his mark in the Baseball front office.
• Happy Birthday, Eddie Moore, Len Koenecke, Billy Grabarkewitz, Brian Falkenborg & Mike Lieberthal!
  

Blog Kiosk: 8/23/2016 - Dodgers Links - Trevor Oaks, Scott Kazmir and Adrian Gonzalez

I suspect yesterdays exploits at the plate will result in at least one Topps Now card being issued for the Dodgers... Maybe, two.  After all, when you steamroll over an opposition then there will no doubt be plenty of highlights worthy of special recognition. 

Case in point, Adrian Gonzalez (seen high-tening AJ Ellis above) had a career kind of day.  Not only did he start off the Dodger offense by walloping an three-run home run in the first inning, but he also continued to mash the ball all afternoon.  He finished up going 3 for 6 with three home runs and eight RBI's. 

Then in the fifth inning a couple of rookies hit back-to-back first-career home runs.  This unique feat accomplished by Andrew Toles and Rob Segedin had only occurred three other times over the past thirty years.  Per Cody Pace at MLB.com:

"I mean, when I saw he hit his, I looked up on the board and I saw that it was his first, so I was excited for him because I knew, especially because it landed in the net that he was going to get the ball back," Segedin said. "It was a big hit at the time, too. What I was able to do, the next pitch, it was pretty cool."

Later on in the same inning Corey Seager hit his 22nd home run of the year - matching a Dodgers franchise record for homers by a shortstop.  Per Mark Sheldon and Cody Pace at MLB.com:

"There was a lot of good things," Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. "Obviously, Adrian had a career day and Chase [Utley], Corey [Seager], guys were on base all game and to see that these guys didn't let up and continue to put together at-bats, run the bases, hit some balls out of the ballpark, very excited for our offense."

BTW, the Dodgers defeated the Reds, 18-9, and extend their lead to a full game over the Giants.  Photo at the very top via @Dodgers on twitter.  Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodger History:  In 1958 Gil Hodges hit his 14th career grand slam.  It had set a new NL record for grand slams in a career.  In 1989 Tommy Lasorda had Expos mascot Youppi! ejected from a game in Montreal.  The mascot was causing too much noise by jumping on top of the dugout roof during the 22-inning game.  You can watch Youppi! get tossed here. BTW, the Dodgers defeated the Expose, 1-0, on an home run by Rick Dempsey in the 22nd inning.
• Happy Birthday, Casey Blake!

More Dodgers Goodies at Lelands Auctions - Erskine's No Hit Game Ball

Earlier this week I wrote a bit about a Brooklyn Dodger themed prayer/mass card that Lelands Auctions has available for sale (link here).  Now I take a look at some other notable Dodgers collectibles that are available.

Directly below is a 1977 Dodgers National League Championship pendant that was given to Jodie Doggett, the wife of longtime announcer Jerry Doggett. (Auction Link Here)

Even more thrilling is the below, dated October 4, 1949, vintage photograph featuring the Brooklyn Dodger players and front office personnel at the steps of Brooklyn's Borough Hall in celebration of their National League pennant. (Auction Link Here)  The next day they would face the Yankees for the first game of the World Series at Yankees Stadium.  As you know, the Dodgers would lose to the Bronx bombers four games to one.