2020 Topps Pro Debut -- All the Dodger Prospects

Do you love Dodger prospects? Well, if you do then this set is for you.

Featured below are all the Dodgers' found in packs of Topps 2020 Pro Debut Baseball card brand. It includes everyone from Andy Pages (subject of trade rumors to the Angels over the winter) to Diego Cartaya (a catcher believed to have the highest ceiling in our system). Best yet, it includes the very first card of late-blooming slugging outfielder Zach Reks -- a guy who could very well be next in line to follow Justin Turner, Chris Taylor and Max Muncy as a ballplayer who came out of nowhere.

Go here for a complete checklist. Check out all the Dodger cards below.

Base & Chrome

#PD-9 Andy Pages - Ogden Raptors

Normal Base                                     Chrome Card

Blog Kiosk: 5/6/2020 - Dodgers Links & News - Some Odds and Ends

He's all smiles!

Check out this vintage United Press Photo taken shortly after the Dodgers defeated the Yankees in the 1955 World Series (eBay link).

The Victor and the Loser
New York: Yankee manager Casey Stengel (right) congratulates a smiling Dodger manager Walt Alston in the Brooklyn dressing room after the Dodgers won the rubber game of the World Series to win their first championship. The Dodgers whipped the Yankees, 2-0, to take the 7th and final game of the series at Yankee Stadium Oct. 4th.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1937 Baseball fans at both the Polo Grounds and Ebbets Field see the Hindenberg zeppelin fly overhead - just a few hours before it infamously exploded into a fireball in Lakehurst, New Jersey. In 1947 NL President Ford Frick threatens seven Cardinals players at Ebbets Field with banishment from the league should they follow through with their planned boycott to protest Jackie Robinson. In 1978 Dodger super-utilityman Lee Lacy becomes the first Major Leaguer to hit pinch-hit home runs in consecutive at-bats. On May 17th he would make it three-in-a-row.
• Happy Birthday, Les Webber, Mike McCormick & Mike Kincade!

Blog Kiosk: 3/6/2020 -- Dodgers Links & News -- Some Odds and Ends

Above is a peek at the Dodgers 2020 Yearbook. You can get a copy of the yearbook above here (heck, it's free with a subscription to Dodger Insider Magazine).

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1938 the Dodgers received first baseman Dolph Camilli from the Phillies for an outfielder named Eddie Morgan and $45,000. Camilli would spend the next six seasons in Brooklyn -- slashing an overall .270/.392/.497/.889 with 139 home runs, 572 RBI's and an WAR of 29.1. He would also be named the NL MVP in 1941. In 1948 the Dodgers traded second baseman Eddie Stanky to the Boston Braves. Stanky famously yelled at Phillies coach Ben Chapman during a game the season prior due to Chapman's racist insults directed at Jackie Robinson.  
• Happy Birthday, Frank Gatins, John McMakin, George Mohart, Doug Podbielan, Greg Hannahs, Terry Adams & Marcus Thames!

Blog Kiosk: 1/3/2020 - Dodgers Links & News - Some Odds and Ends

Check out the above vintage spring training press photo, dated Mar 15, 1943, above (eBay auction link). Per the description on the reverse:

DODGER PITCHERS WARM UP.  West Point, N.Y.....Pitchers Freddy Fitzsimmons, Kirby Higbe, Curt Davis and Bob Chipman (l-r) are shown loosening up at their first spring training practice held indoors today, at the Army Field House on the West Point Military Reservation.

As you know, America was embroiled in WWII, so precautions were made to insure the safety of ballplayers and fans by having teams train in more inland locales. After all, nazi submarines were known to cruise the American east coast to sink all ships. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 2005 the trade that sends outfielder Shawn Green from the Dodgers to the Diamondbacks and includes $8 million changing hands is approved by the Commissioner of baseball, Bud Selig. The trade would officially be consummated eight days later. In 2006 the Dodgers signed free agent starting pitcher Brett Tomko to a two year/$8.7 million contract.  
• Happy Birthday, Frenchy Bordagaray & Chris Van Cuyk!

2019 Bowman’s Best -- All the Dodgers Cards

Bowman's Best, a prospect-centered Topps brand, was released this week for collectors to hoard. It once again features some of the top youngsters in the game today, and includes on-card autographs that have been so popular with collectors. Overall, there are five Dodgers' available in the 'Veterans and Rookies" part of the base set, but no Dodgers' highlighted in the 'Top Prospects' portion. There are, however, five Dodgers' prospect autographed cards to chase after. Go here for a complete checklist.

Base

#11 Hyun-Jin Ryu              #14 Clayton Kershaw

2019 Panini Contenders Draft Picks Baseball -- All the Dodger Prospects

Panini's 2019 Contenders Draft Picks Baseball brand hit stores last week and I've got pics of all the Dodger prospects highlighted in it. It includes regular suspects like Gavin Lux, Miguel Vargas and Diego Cartaya, and a couple of 2019 Dodger draftees who are looking to make a name for themselves -- Kody Hoese and Michael Busch. Check them all out below. Go here for a complete checklist.

Base

#15 Kody Hoese              #19 Michael Busch

2019 Bowman Chrome - All the Dodger Cards

Bowman Chrome is now available at your favorite hobby shop, and I've got pics of most of the Dodger cards to share. Check them out below. Go here to see a complete checklist.

It is notable that we see the very first officially licensed cards of prospects Robinson Ortiz and Edwin Uceta. MLB Pipeling ranks Ortiz as the Dodgers 25th best prospect, while Edwin Uceta is ranked at 21.

Base Bowman Chrome

#64 Clayton Kershaw             #99 Justin Turner

2019 Bowman Platinum Baseball - All the Dodger Base Cards

The Walmart exclusive brand, Bowman Platinum, hit store shelves last week, and I've got pics of all the Dodger base cards. Check them out below. Go here for a complete checklist.

Base

#34 Clayton Kershaw             #35 Walker Buehler

2019 Bowman Baseball - All the Dodgers Cards

Thirty years ago Topps brought back their Bowman brand from the dustbin of collecting history and quickly re-branded it as its premier prospect set. Every year collectors open up box and box chasing after the 'next-big-thing' and this year is sure to be no different.

Earlier this week 2019 Bowman hit store shelves and it's filled with several Dodger farmhands who could make waves in LA soon. In fact, it includes the very first Dodger card of recently acquired infielder (courtesy of the Puig/Kemp trade) Jeter Downs. Also, you can find the very first officially licensed cards of prized catcher Diego Cartaya (which is autographed), Christian Santana and James Outman. Go here for a complete checklist.

Base

#2 Cody Bellinger           #15 Clayton Kershaw

Base Paper Prospects    Base Chrome Prospects

#BP-80 Dustin May          #BCP-80 Dustin May

2019 Onyx Vintage Collection - Dodgers Prospect Diego Cartaya

Onyz's newest prospect-only card brand just hit store shelves. It is called 'Vintage Collection Baseball' and it includes 17-year old Dodgers catching prospect Diego Cartaya among the 22-card set. Go here for a complete checklist.

There's a base card and an autographed version available for Diego. Unfortunately, his autograph is through a redemption. (BTW, you cannot redeem the card online. You have to fill out and send the card to Onyx)

Base

#Diego Cartaya

2018 Panini Elite Extra Edition - All the Dodgers Cards

Now available at your local hobby shop is Panini's 2018 Elite Extra Edition brand, and as always it features many of the top prospects in the game. Go here for a complete checklist.

Below are all of the Dodger players that are available; including our top catching prospect Keibert Ruiz. Also, one of our top sluggers, DJ Peters has five different cards available in this product. Check out all the Dodgers below.

Base

#24 Diego Cartaya

#125 Keibert Ruiz                   #126 DJ Peters

Blog Kiosk: 10/11/2018 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Here are a couple more custom fantasy cards I put together using pics from the NLDS celebration in Atlanta.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1965 Willie Davis stole three bases against the Twins in Game 2 of the Fall Classic to become only the second player in World Series history to have done so. In 1978 rookie Dodger pitcher Bob Welch came out of the bullpen during the ninth inning of Game 2 of the World Series and proceeded to get out both Thurman Munson and Reggie Jackson of the Yankees to preserve a victory, 4-3. The Jackson out has become a thing of lore. It's one of the more dramatic strike outs you'll ever see. Watch it here. In 1981 Jerry Reuss shutout the Astros, 4-0, to win the best-of-five divisional series and earn the right to face Montreal for the National League Pennant.
• Happy Birthday, Bob Chipman, Bob Stinson & Gregg Olson!

Blog Kiosk: 8/28/2018 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Having been out of town the past few days, I was unable to post up this newest Dodgers' 2018 Topps Now card earned on Saturday. As you know, the Dodgers and Padres were locked in extra innings when Justin Turner knocked a 'Texas Leaguer' towards the right field line that scored the winning run in walk-off style, 5-4.

Even more amazing is that the blooper came on the first pitch after a lengthy game-delay from a stadium wide black out. You can watch the blackout as it happens here. Also, here's a fun post by Eric Stephen at SB Nation about the blackout: "Six moments from the power outage at Dodger Stadium." BTW, the Topps Now card sold 246 copies.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: 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.' 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 each Dodger teammate. In 2003 Eric Gagne recorded his 44th straight save to establish a new Major League record.
• Happy Birthday, Joe Yeager, Goody Rosen & Darren Lewis!

Blog Kiosk: 7/27/2018 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Let's hope that Rich Hill is now back to his ol' self again after making some adjustments. Last night he hurled a three-hitter over seven scoreless innings against the Braves to win, 8-2. Per Ken Gurnick at MLB.com:

"The changes were very minuscule, but huge overall," he said. "Looking back on it, absolutely, it was a good thing. Tonight was a good night. The ball came out really well, and I'm looking forward to continuing that. That's what the bullpen and the work are for in between starts, to keep that feel and make sure you stick with the mechanical changes we made and don't veer off." 

Hill said he dropped down sidearm more than usual on Thursday night with great success, helping to continue his career dominance over the Braves. He's 5-0 with a 1.74 ERA in nine games (seven starts) against them. This was his first start in Georgia since 2007.

Photo above of Rich Hill and Joc Pederson via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2018 at Dodger Insider. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1890 the Brooklyn Gladiators (the ballclub that replaced our beloved Brooklyn Bridgegrooms -- who had jumped to the National League) of the American Association found themselves with an 13-8 lead going into the eighth inning against the Columbus Salons when they ran out of baseballs to use. Brooklyn, since they were the home team, were forced to forfeit the game. This club would disband before the season ends. In 1918 Robins (Dodgers) starter Harry Heitman, in his major league debut, gave up four consecutive hits (all of whom eventually scored) and is then pulled for a reliever. He would never pitch in the majors again -- effectively ending his career with a career ERA of infinity. 
• Happy Birthday, Charlie Robinson, Jack Doscher, Zach Taylor, Jim Faulkner, Leo Durocher, Bill Sayles, Tom Goodwin & Shea Hillenbrand!

Welcome to the Blue, Diego Cartaya!

The Dodgers just made a splash on the first day of MLB's international signing period by inking 16-year old catcher and Venezuelan native Diego Cartaya. He is right-handed, stands 6'1" tall, is about 200 lbs. and is considered by many to be the best player available. Per a report by Jesse Sanchexz at MLB.com, during a prospect showcase event in Columbia in January:

(The) teenager showed off his strong arm and good footwork during the workout. The right-handed hitter focused on driving the ball to center field and the opposite field instead trying to hit home runs during batting practice, which earned him praise from evaluators watching from the bleachers. Scouts like Cartaya's makeup, defense, hit tool and power potential.

Blog Kiosk: 7/2/2018 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Holy Moly!

Photo above via MLB on Instagram. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 2015 the Blue Jays traded Chase De Jong and Tim Locastro to the Dodgers for two international bonus slots.
• Happy Birthday, Gil English & Caleb Ferguson!

Blog Kiosk: 4/30/2018 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

A disappointing first month of the season means someone will get singled-out. Yesterday, it was Cody Bellinger. He was pulled after not running out a double for a triple. Per Eric Stephen at True Blue LA:

“I felt there wasn’t hustle on the ball he hit 421 feet into right center field. He cruised into second base. For me I feel he’s too talented of a player. For a team that’s competing every day and grinding,” manager Dave Roberts said, as seen on SportsNet LA. “You have a right fielder out there who had chills the day prior and throwing up, diving around out there. For Cody not to be on third base — it’s something we talked about before — I wouldn’t be doing him or the team any service by not acting.”

Photo above via Michael Urakami at Dodger Insider/MLB.com. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1935 the Dodgers signed 21-year old amateur free agent Rod Dedeaux. He would later on go on to become the head baseball coach at the University of Southern California (USC) for 45 season -- winning 11 national titles and 28 conference championships. In 1940 Brooklyn tied a Major League record for consecutive wins to start a season at nine victories when Dodgers hurler Tex Carlton no-hit the Cincinnati Reds, 3-0. 
• Happy Birthday, Paul Wachtel, Phil Garner, Jeff Reboulet & José Peraza!