2018 Bowman Chrome - The Dodgers Insert Cards

Here's a look at most of the Dodger insert cards found in packs of Topps 2018 Bowman Chrome. As I'm sure you know, it's filled with nothing but prospects; including a bunch of AFL Fall Stars cards of Matt Beaty.

Bowman Chrome Prospects Autographs

#CPA-CRI Carlos Rincon        #BCPA-DM Dustin May

Congrats, Quakes! Check Out Some Fantasy Custom Cards in Celebration

Following on the heals of some fantasy cards I made in celebration of the Tulsa Drillers championship victory this past weekend, I now have some Rancho Cucamonga Quakes custom marvels to look through. Check them out below. As you know, they swept the Visalia Rawhide to become the 2018 California League Champions.

2017 Panini Elite Extra Edition - All the Dodgers Cards

2017 Panini Elite Extra Edition Baseball, released this past Wednesday, is their answer to Topps 2017 Bowman Draft brand released on the same day. It features a whole bunch of prospects; including the Dodgers first three draft picks from this year -- Jeren Kendall, Morgan Cooper and Connor Wong. Go here for a complete checklist.

Notably, this set also has cards of Jose Miguel Fernandez available in packs -- he was released by the club just three weeks ago.

Base

#23 Jeren Kendall

#62 Morgan Cooper           #81 Tim Locastro

Blog Kiosk: 12/4/2017 - Dodgers Links - Some Weekend Odds and Ends

Justin Turner came out over the weekend to support the Chargers.

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

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1940 the Brooklyn Dodgers traded John Pintar (minors), Gus Mancuso and $65,000 to the St. Louis Cardinals for soon-to-be All-Star catcher Mickey Owen. In 1941 the Dodgers traded Tony Giuliani and Van Lingle Mungo to the Minneapolis Minors of the American Association for pitcher Joe Hatten. In 1958 the Dodgers traded Gino Cimoli to the St. Louis Cardinals for former "Rookie of the Year" winner Wally Moon and Phil Paine. In 1979 the Dodgers signed outfield free agent Jay Johnstone to a two-year $300,000 contract.. In 1988 the Dodgers traded Juan Bell, Brian Holton and Ken Howell to the Baltimore Orioles for Eddie Murray. In 2002 the Dodgers traded  Mark Grudzielanek and Eric Karros to the Chicago Cubs for Chad Hermansen and Todd Hundley.
• Happy Birthday, Chuck Corgan!

2017 Contenders Draft Picks Baseball - All the Dodgers Cards

Last week Panini America released another Baseball related set. It is called 2017 Contenders Draft Picks, and as the name suggest it focuses on rising youngsters in both the minors and college -- many of whom have already been drafted. There are also numerous cards featuring grizzled veterans in their college duds. Go here to check out a complete checklist.

At this point there isn't a lot of Dodgers' available, but it does include several autographed cards of our 2017 1st round pick Jeren Kendall as a member of the Vanderbilt Commodores. There is also a single card of the Dodgers 24th ranked prospect (per MiLB.com) Carlos Rincon.

RPS Draft Ticket Autograph

#30 Jeren Kendall - Vanderbilt Commodores

Blog Kiosk: 8/7/2017 - Dodgers Links - Weekend Odds and Ends

The Dodgers continue to punish. Last night they recorded their 15th series sweep of the season, and their first ever sweep of the Met's in franchise history. Heck, this year they haven't even been swept themselves. So, despite the numerous injuries that have hampered some of their core (Kershaw, Gonzalez, etc.) they continue to dominate like no other Dodger team ever has.

Photo above of Dave Roberts and Chris Taylor via @Dodgers on twitter. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1915 rookie Dodger pitcher Ed Appleton committed an error due to a bit of trickery by Cardinals' manager Miller Huggins. While coaching on third base Huggins called for the ball from Appleton as he stepped on the mound. Appleton obliged and tossed the ball, only to see Huggins step aside and see the ball errantly roll on the field. A Cardinal runner then scored a run. In 2003 Eric Gagne tied the single season record for consecutive saves to start the season at 38. It also marked the 46th consecutive regular-season save overall.
• Happy Birthday, Adonis Terry, Tom Drake, Rocky Bridges, José Domínguez & Jose De Leon!

Blog Kiosk: 6/20/2017 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Yesterday was bonkers.

Not only did staff ace Clayton Kershaw give up an uncharacteristic four home runs, but the evening also saw a home run parade by both clubs that resulted in a total of eight homers in the game. Two of which were slugged by fast-rising rookie Cody Bellinger. In fact, his two home runs give him 21 on the year - giving him his fifth multihomer game so far and the National League lead in the category after only 51 games as a major leaguer. Per Joshua Thornton at MLB.com:

"It's crazy," said Bellinger, who made his big league debut on April 25. "A month and a half ago, if you told me what I was gonna do, I'd probably call you crazy."

Despite the poor showing on the mound, Kershaw recorded his 10th victory of the season and the Dodgers have now won ten out of the past eleven games. Photo above via Joc Pederson on twitter. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1958 the Dodgers signed amateur free agent Willie Davis out of Roosevelt High School in Los Angeles. In 2000 the Dodgers traded infielder Jose Vizcaino to the Yankees for catcher Jim Leyritz. In 2008 the Dodgers are awarded the Award of Excellence star, which is placed in the Walk of Fame, for their significant contributions to the community by the Hollywood Historic Trust and the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce. In 2009 Dodgers pitcher Jeff Weaver best his younger brother Jered Weaver at Angels Stadium, 6-4. They become the eighth set of siblings to have started against one another.
• Happy Birthday, Luis Alcaraz, Larry See, Paul Bako & Juan Castro!

Blog Kiosk 6/15/2017 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

With Kiké's help, along with a little bit of luck, the Dodgers win their sixth straight.

The game was all tied up at two in the eight inning when Hernandez came up to the plate and put the Dodgers on top. Batting against reliever Andrew Miller, who hadn't given up a homer all season along til the Dodgers came to town, he hit a lazy flyball to right field that sailed all the way into the stands. Per Rowan Kavner at Dodger Insider:

“It was kind of an emergency swing,” Kiké Hernández said afterward to SportsNet LA’s Alanna Rizzo. “Thank God we’re in Cleveland and not LA. That might’ve been an out at home.”

Thereafter, the Dodgers trounced. They quickly loaded the bases, scored three more runs and left the game in the capable hands of Kenley Jansen for the victory. He recorded his 202nd save of his career.

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

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1938 Reds lefty Johnny Vander Meer throws his second consecutive no-hitter -- beating the Dodgers at Ebbets Field, 6-0. In 1996 the Dodgers turn their first triple play in 47 years. With runners going from 1st and 2nd base in the 1st inning Braves infielder Chipper Jones hit a popup to short-left that was snagged by Juan Castro. He dutifully threw to second baseman Delino Deshields for the second out, who then relayed the ball to first baseman Eric Karros to get the third out (6-4-3 Triple Play).
• Happy Birthday, Ed Wheeler, Eddie Pipgras, Hank Winston, Babe Dahlgren, Dusty Baker, Brett Butler & Josh Lindblom!

Blog Kiosk: 4/18/2017 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

In honor of his debut in a Dodger uniform I made the above two fantasy baseball cards for Michael Gonzalez. As you may know, 17-year old Gonzalez signed a one-day contract with the Dodgers yesterday as part of the Make-A-Wish Foundation. You can find out more about Michael here.

The photos used above via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2017. Go here to check out more pics by Jon from yesterday game. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1925 Charles Ebbets, the Dodgers owner and president, dies of an heart attack on the morning of his teams home opener at Ebbets Field. In 1939 Red Barber announces the first ever regular season Dodger game to be broadcast in Brooklyn. In 1946 Jackie Robinson makes his debut as a second baseman for the Montreal Royals. He belts a home runs and three singles. In 1947 Burt Shotten is named the Dodgers manager - replacing Leo Durocher who was suspended by the league ten days prior. In 1950 Vin Scully calls his very first game as a Dodgers broadcaster. In 1952 Willie Mays is knocked unconscious when he runs in to the Ebbets Field outfield wall while making a game saving catch. In 1958 Los Angeles holds a downtown parade for the the Dodgers before their first home game at the Coliseum. A National League record 78,672 fans crowd the stadium to watch their new team defeat the soon-to-be-hated Giants, 6-5. In 1964 Sandy Koufax throws his second career Immaculate Inning - three strike outs on nine pitches during one inning. In 1966 Maury Wills becomes the first batter to get a hit on artificial grass - a single off of Robin Roberts at the Astrodome. In 2008 the Dodgers announce that Joe Beimel had been selected by fans to get a bobblehead.
• Happy Birthday, Hughie Hearne, Tommy McMillan, Nick Polly, Bobby Castillo, Jim Eisenreich & Brady Clark!
  

Blog Kiosk: 4/12/2017 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

A part of the famed George Michael Collection of Baseball sliding press photographs (eBay auction link), featured above is a 1952 United Press Photo of a soaring Jackie Robinson. Per the descriptor on the reverse:

Both feet in the air, Brooklyn second baseman Jackie Robinson whips the ball to Gil Hodges at first after forcing Chicago Cubs' Hank Sauer out at second in the second inning of the Ebbets Field Contest, Sept. 11. Jackie was too late for the double play. Sauer tried to advance to second on Toby Atwell's grounder.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1962 left-handed rookie Pete Richert made his major league debut by striking out the first six batters he faced -- tying records for strike outs in an inning (4 K's in the 3rd inning), successive strike outs by a pitcher in his major league debut, and consecutive strikeouts by a relief pitcher. 

"I had good stuff and somebody up there likes me," Richert said of his first big league game. "What I mean is that I always say a little prayer when I’m nervous and excited. And I was tonight as I started walking to the mound." 

• Happy Birthday, John Harkins, Mickey O'Neil, Walt Moryn, Vicente Romo, Paul LoDuca, Antonio Osuna & Justin Ruggiano!
  

Dodgers Sign Yadier Alvarez on First Day of International Signing Period

As you may know, the MLB international signing period just opened up today, and as expected the Dodgers are busy rounding up some of the best prospects available.  As reported earlier today, via Jesse Sanchez at MLB.com, they have already signed up four players; including a highly touted right-hander named Yadier Alvarez.

According to industry sources, the Dodgers agreed to terms with Alvarez, 19, ranked No. 2 on MLB.com's Top 30 International Prospects list (for $16Mil); outfielder Starling Heredia, ranked No. 5, for $2.6 million; infielder Ronny Brito, ranked No. 21, for $2 million; and shortstop Oneal Cruz for $950,000. The club hasn't confirmed any of the deals.

Sources indicate the Dodgers are also among the teams with serious interest in Cuban outfielder Eddy Julio Martinez, 20, ranked No. 1 on the list. Martinez is expected to command a signing bonus of more than $10 million. Los Angeles was also linked to shortstop Lucius Fox, ranked No. 3, from the Bahamas for several months.

BTW, the Alvarez signing is now official.  Via a pic tweeted by FanGraphs writer Kiley McDaniel and Ben Badler of Baseball America, he signed his Dodger deal today.  Check out the pic below.

In celebration of this recent Dodger signing I made the above fantasy card of Alvarez using a pic from Sports World News (Getty) and the 1971 Topps Baseball card design.   BTW, Alvarez already has a Baseball card on the market, so I'll be sharing a pic of that soon.

UPDATE:  Via a Dodger press release:  They signing nine international ballplayers today.

The Los Angeles Dodgers today announced the signings of nine international prospects, including four ranked in Fangraphs.com’s scoutboard 2015 International Prospects list: Yadier Alvarez (No. 1), Starling Heredia (No. 12), Ronny Brito (No. 15) and Oneil Cruz (No. 33).

“We’re excited to add nine highly-skilled prospects as we continue to re-stock, inject talent and build depth at all levels of our organization,” said Dodger Vice President, International Scouting Bob Engle. “These signings are a testament to the hard work of our scouts and the international appeal of the Dodger brand.”

The Dodgers signed six players from the Dominican Republic and one player each from Cuba, Venezuela and Nicaragua:

• Yadier Alvarez, 3/7/1996, Cuba, RHP, 6’2”, 172, Bats R/Throws R
• Starling Heredia, 2/6/1999, Santo Domingo Norte, DR, OF, 6’1”, 220, Bats R/Throws R
• Ronny Brito, 3/22/1999, San Francisco de Macoris, DR, SS, 6’0”, 168, Bats R/Throws R
• Oneal Cruz, 10/4/1998, Bani, DR, SS, 6’4”, 174, Bats L/Throws R
• Christopher Arias, 5/1/1999, Santo Domingo Norte, DR, OF, 6’2”, 182, Bats L/Throws L
• Ramon Rosso, 6/9/1996, Santo Domingo, DR, RHP, 6’4”, 215, Bats R/Throws R
• Carlos Rincon, 10/14/1997, Guerra, DR, OF, 6’0”, 175, Bats R/Throws R
• Luis Rodriguez, 3/2/1999, Cumana Sucre, Venezuela, SS, 6’0”, 150, Bats S/Throws R
• Aldo Espinoza, 9/11/1998, Managua, Nicaragua, 2B, 6’0”, 168, Bats R/Throws R

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