2019 Panini Diamond Kings -- Dodgers' Inserts Part 1

Now that you've seen the Dodger base cards, here are some of the inserts you can find in packs. Featured below are many of the Diamond King signature and relic cards. Notably, this set includes a Vin Scully autographed card -- his first signed card available since 2016.

DK Signatures

#4 Caleb Ferguson            #15 Dennis Santana

2016 Panini Prime Cuts Baseball - The Dodgers Base Cards

Here is a look at most of the Dodgers' base cards found in packs of 2016 Panini Prime Cut Baseball.  As you may know, this is a premium product that will cost you about $200 for a box of five cards -- all of which are hits (an autograph, relic or both).  Go here for a complete checklist.

As always, this set has no team logos since Panini America does not have a MLB license.  So, all of the photos with the players in uniform are airbrushed -- which at times can look really weird.

Check out the Dodgers' players below.   I will have pics of the inserts cards (most of them) tomorrow.

Prime Cut Rookie Autographs

RC Autographs I

#4 Ross Stripling

Weekend Autograph Opportunities: All-Star FanFest in San Diego and Several Baseball Veterans at Frank & Son

Here are this weekends autograph opportunities and events throughout the Southland. As always, be sure to check the Blue Heaven Calendar for other events (a link can always be found on the tab at the top of this page, just left of center), and always confirm with the establishment. Everything is subject to change.  Please email me with any tips about upcoming events in Southern California.  As the rest of the week progresses I'll update this post with other events (if there are any) as I become aware of them.  Also, I don't always list every event below, so be sure to check my Calendar.  I always try to favor free signing events over paying events.  Click on any pic to embiggen.

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Blog Kiosk: 6/9/2016 - Dodgers Links - Scully, Maeda and the Draft

Kenta Maeda was outstanding.  Through the first six innings he was pitching shutout ball.  Maeda had only allowed three hits, walked one and struck out nine Rockies batters.  Then a couple of well-placed hits in the seventh inning drove in the evenings only run.  The Dodgers lost last night, 1-0.  Per Jack Baer and Ken Gurnick at MLB.com: 

"The way Maeda pitched, we have to win that game," said Roberts. "I think our hitters are trying too hard."

I think it's more like the Dodgers offense decided to take a nap.  Doug Padilla at ESPN adds more:

“I think that guys are, again, trying to do too much,” Roberts said. “There are some empty at-bats and some tentativeness to the swings when you get into a good hitter’s count. We’re missing fastballs, whether we’re swinging through them, fouling them off or we’re late on them. We’re putting extra pressure on ourselves.”

The photo above via @Dodgers on twitter.  BTW, today is the first two rounds of the MLB Amateur Draft.  It all begins at 4:00 PM, and the Dodgers have four picks (#20, #32, #36 & #65).  Their bonus pool money is at $9,336,500.  Check out Ken Gurnick's story at MLB.com about the draft and the Dodgers strategy this evening (link here).

"I know everyone judges on the first five picks and they're probably not as strong as people would like," (Billy Gasparino) said. "For us in the middle portion of the first round and on, it's really strong. Player 10 to 50, we feel really good about that group. Better, I think a whole grade higher than last year in depth and talent."

Below are more links to check:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1919 Dodgers starter Rube Marquard breaks his leg running the bases during the game against Cincinnati.  In 1990 Eddie Murray hit a home run from both sides of the plate in the game against the Padres in San Diego.  Having done this for the tenth time in his career, he ties a MLB record with Mickey Mantle.

2015 Panini National Treasures - The Notable Nickname, Made In and Die-Cut Dodgers Cards

Here are even more Dodgers cards that can be found in packs of Panini's 2015 National Treasures packs.  This time I share pics of the Notable Nickname, Made In, Game Ball Signatures and various other Die-Cut Dodgers cards.  Go here to see all of my previous post on this set.

Notable Nickname

#29 Adrian Gonzalez (#/25)                 #44 Frank Howard (#/25)

2014 Panini Immaculate Baseball - All the Dodger Relic Cards

Here is a final look at some of the Dodger cards that can be found in Panini's 2014 Immaculate Collection Baseball set.  This time I share photos of the available Dodger relic cards.  Go here to check out all of my previous post on this set. 

There are some really great players available; including Burleigh Grimes, Mike Piazza as a Dodger and a dual relic of Jackie Robinson and Satchel Paige.  It is also notable that there are cards for Hall of Famer but not-often-thought-about Dodgers Rickey Henderson and Eddie Murray.

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There is one parallel available in the Accolades Materials set.  It is called Accolades Materials Prime, and it typically includes a patch or special relic piece embedded within it.  Below are the print runs:

• #6 Pee Wee Reese (#/1)
• #14 Jackie Robinson (#/1)

Accolades Materials Set

#6 Pee Wee Reese (#/99)                      #7 Burleigh Grimes (#/20)

#14 Jackie Robinson (#/99)

Check out the rest of the relic cards below the fold:

2014 Panini Prizm Baseball - The Dodger Base Cards

Yesterday was the official release of Panini's newest Baseball card set - 2014 Prizim.  It is arguably the shiniest card set in the hobby today.  As you may know, Panini does not have a MLB card license, so there are no team logo's.  Of special note, there is an Eddie Murray Dodger card in the set, as well as, a Mike Piazza insert card (I'll show that later on).

Below, I share all of the Dodger base cards that can be found.  As always, there are numerous parallels available of each card; including some phenomenal looking die-cut cards.  Card #206 of Clayton Kershaw is short-printed and includes an "Outstanding Pitching Award" notation.  I assume this is in reference to him winning the Cy Young.  Does that mean not having a MLB license also means you can't use the official names of the MLB awards that are given out?  Weird, eh?

Dodger Base Card Checklist

#19 Matt Kemp                                     #24 Zack Greinke

#27 Hyun-Jin Ryu                                      #28 Yasiel Puig

#54 Adrian Gonzalez                             #82 Carl Crawford

#99 Clayton Kershaw                              #123 Hanley Ramirez

#158 Eddie Murray

Base SP Highlights Set Checklist

#206 Clayton Kershaw

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Blog Kiosk: 12/4/2013 - Dodgers Links - Nolasco Thanks the Fans, Winter Meetings and Hideo Nomo

Topps unveiled a preview pic of their newest Baseball card set called 2013 Topps Five Star.  Check out the above Jackie Robinson/Roberto Clemente dual relic card.  BTW, this set officially went live today.  Pic above via @ToppsCards on twitter.

• This day in Dodger history:  On this day in 1988 the Dodgers traded for future Hall of Famer Eddie Murray from the Orioles.
• Via Jay Jaffe at Sports Illustrated, "JAWS and the 2014 Hall of Fame ballot: Hideo Nomo".  He takes a long look at his career and the significance of him playing in the MLB.  (Hat Tip: Jon Weisman at Dodger Thoughts)
• Via Ken Gurnick at MLB.com, "Dodgers head to (Winter) Meetings holding the cards: With top-flight roster already in hand, Colletti can wait for the right deal
• As you know, Ricky Nolasco signed a contract with the Twins.  Well, last night he sent out a tweet thanking Dodger fans for last year.  Class act, that guy.  

I would also like to thank @Dodgers for great times and memories I will never forget. HUGE TY to Dodger fans for their support as well!
— ricky nolasco (@RNolasco47) December 4, 2013

• The Dodgers won the tweet of the day yesterday with this classic.

It's time for Kings hockey! We will take over the @LAKings account in the 2nd inning. #ITFKH
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) December 4, 2013

• John Thorn at Our Game tells us all about, "Slivers, the Baseball Clown".

Circus clown Frank Oakley, born Frank Anderson but known as “Slivers,” was born in Sweden in 1871. His most famous act, the pantomime “Ball Game,” played on the baseball fan’s fantasy trope, “Kill the Umpire.” 

• Via Bill Shaikin at the LA Times, "MLB players appoint Tony Clark leader, discuss tougher PED penalties".

"Michael (Weiner) was a friend, an advisor and a mentor of mine," Clark said. "The vision he laid out for me and for the organization when I came onboard a handful of years ago is the same vision we are going to continue."

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2013 Leaf Memories Baseball - All the Dodgers Cards - Including Alexander Guerrero's 1st Baseball Card!

Leaf Trading Cards discovered a winning product last year with 2012 Leaf Memories (See the Dodger cards from that set, here.).  So, they hoped their follow-up set would garner the same amount of interest.  Unfortunately, it comes off as a little stale since they chose to use the exact same design as last years set. 

Not that it's horrible, mind you.  The 1990 vintage Leaf design they used was one of the best from that decade.  It's just that you'd think they'd come up with something different.  I guess they kind of hit a wall, since the 1991 Leaf Baseball design is, in my opinion, one of the worst from that decade.  Check out the entire checklist here.

For Dodger fans, the 2013 set lacks numbers, but does include the very first card of our newest Cuban signee - Alexander Guerrero.  In fact, he is the only Dodger player in the entire base set.  See it below.  As of this posting, Guerrero cards are selling for just a few bucks a piece.

BTW, the set also includes cards of two other recent Cuban defectees - Miguel Alfredo Gonzalez and Jose Abreu.

#AG1 Alexander Guerrero

Chris Anderson was the Dodgers 2013 1st round draft pick.

Base Auto

#CA2 Chris Anderson

The Leaf Buyback autographed cards are the best part of this set.  These are original 1990 & 1991 Leaf cards that have been repurchased by Leaf, signed by the player, numbered up to their uniform number, and embossed will a limited foil stamp.  Unfortunately, only two Dodgers are included.

1990 Auto Leaf Buyback

#/55 Orel Hershiser

1991 Auto Leaf Buyback

#/33 Eddie Murray

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Weekend Autograph Opportunities: Eddie Murray is in the House!

Here are this weekends autograph opportunities and events throughout the Southland. As always, be sure to check the Blue Heaven Calendar for other events (a link can always be found on the tab at the top of this page, just left of center), and always confirm with the establishment. Everything is subject to change.  Please email me with any tips about upcoming events in Southern California.  As the rest of the week progresses I'll update this post with other events (if there are any) as I become aware of them.  Also, I don't always list every event below, so be sure to check my Calendar.  I always try to favor free signing events over paying events.  Click on any pic to embiggen.

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Hall of Famer and one-time Dodger Eddie Murray will be signing autographs at the OC Dugout in Anaheim Frank & Sons this coming Saturday, July, 6th from 10:00 Am to 12:00 PM.  Go here for more information.  Ticket prices range from $89.00 to $119.00.

Frank & Son Collectible Show
19649 E. San Jose Ave.
City of Industry, CA 91748

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Dodger Hat Logo Cards

2010 Topps boxes also include hat logo cards and there are plenty of Dodgers to chase. It includes some current Dodgers; like Manny, Kemp and Kershaw. See them below.
It also includes some past Dodgers who you wouldn't expect like Eddie Murray and Ricky Henderson.
Of course, no Dodger set would be complete with some old-time stars. Below are hat logo cards for Jackie Robinson, Roy Campanella, Johnny Podres and Duke Snider.
Topps even went the extra mile by releasing a LA and Brooklyn patch cards for some players. Notice that the Duke Snider card above is a LA Dodger patch while the card below has a Brooklyn logo.
Podres also has two different patches. Here is his LA logo patch.
Here are the Carl Erskine Brooklyn and LA Dodgers hat logo card side-by-side.

Wow! Talk About Unexpected!

This was the last thing I thought I'd read today.

The Dodgers announced today that they have dismissed Hitting Coach Eddie Murray and have named Bill Mueller as Interim Hitting Coach, according to Dodger Manager Grady Little.

“Change is never easy but sometimes it is necessary and we feel that this is the best thing right now to help the team win,” said Little. “Our offense hasn’t lived up to our expectations and no one person is responsible for the results we’ve had this season. I have the utmost respect for Eddie Murray as a person and as a professional and I wish him nothing but the best.”

Maybe the recent improvements made by Betemit, Pierre and the whole team this past series against the Mets was in spite of Murray instead of because of him.

Story Link: Inside the Dodgers:

Update: Trolley Dodger may have found the reason for Murray's departure in a story written by Tim Brown.

The problem, he said, was Murray could be difficult to approach, particularly for a young player. And Murray, he said, didn’t do enough of approaching of his own.

“He’s trying, I think,” the veteran said. “He’s better this year than he was last year.”

Yup, that's probably it.