2020 Topps Now 'Turn Back the Clock' -- Eric Gagne's 130th Career Save

Today's 'Turn Back the Clock' card makes note of Eric Gagne setting a Dodger record for saves -- at 130. It occurred against the Dimaondbacks in Arizona and featured him striking out all four batters he faced -- Danny Bautista, Roberto Alomar, Steve Finley and Luis Gonzalez (boxscore). BTW, he passed Jeff Shaw on the Dodgers' All-Time list.

2019 Topps Archives Signature Series Retired Player Edition - The Dodger Cards

Topps released their 'Archives Signature Series Retired Player Edition' cards a couple of weeks ago, but I am only now able to share some pics of the Dodger cards found in boxes. The checklist of available players is quite extensive, as it includes a bunch of Dodgers'. In fact, I count at least 18 former players within the 93 player set (go here for a complete checklist). So far, I've found cards for only 11 of those ballplayers, but suspect more are available. See those cards below. I will updated this post from time to time, as more cards become unveiled.

BTW, this brand consist of all-autographed Topps cards from past Topps products. So, you can find cards going as far back as 1951 to this season -- all having been hard-signed. A single box of one card will cost you about $40.

#Andruw Jones

2008 Topps Trading Card History

2019 Topps Archives Snapshots -- All the Dodgers Cards

The Topps online exclusive Archives Snapshots cards have been making their way onto eBay recently, so I thought I'd share pics of all the Dodger cards that are available. Unfortunately, only three Dodgers can be found -- Eric Gagne, Max Muncy and Stave Sax. Go here for a complete checklist.

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#AS-EG Eric Gagne

2019 Topps Archives Baseball -- All the Dodger Cards

Earlier this week Topps officially released their 2019 Archives Baseball brand, and I've got pics of most of the Dodger cards to share below. Go here to check out a complete checklist.

This year the set pays homage to the 1958, 1975 and 1993 Baseball flagship card designs. Additionally, there are autographed Fan-Favorite cards of Koufax, Eric Gagne and Steve Sax available.

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1958 Topps

#20 Duke Snider                #33 Max Muncy

2019 Topps 150 Years of Baseball - #55 - Eric Gagne

No matter your viewpoint you can never truly forget just how remarkable and mystical his efforts were. Eric Gagne was unbelievable... And sure, it was all smoke and mirrors due to steroids... But still, I don't care. Gagne recorded 84 consecutive saves from 2003 to 2004, and I will never forget it.

Heck, to this day I still think back and reflect how fun it was to watch "Mr. Game Over" stroll onto the field and destroy ever batter he faced. It was glorious.

Blog Kiosk: 1/14/2019 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

As you know, this weekend Jaime Jarrin received the Pioneer Award at the 16th annual Professional Baseball Scouts Foundation awards dinner, and our very own Justin Turner was on-hand to present it to him. BTW, former Dodger VP of Amateur Scouting, Logan White, was also honored at the scouts dinner - being one of eight scouts honored.

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

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 2006 the Dodgers, with closer Eric Gagne on the DL due to Tommy John surgery, traded starting pitcher Edwin Jackson and minor league pitcher Chuck Tiffany to Tampa Bay for relievers Danys Baez and Lance Carter.
• Happy Birthday, Art Decatur, Derrel Thomas, Terry Forster, Troy Brohawn & Logan Forsythe!

Blog Kiosk: 10/22/2018 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Here are a handful of Dodgers' Game 7 NLCS custom fantasy cards. I will be sure to make more of them soon, so stay tuned.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1965 the Dodgers released Wally Moon, whose famed "Moon Shots" over the short left field wire fence at the Coliseum helped propel Los Angeles towards a championship in 1959. In 1984 the Dodgers signed free agent reliever Brian Holton. He would eventually be an important cog to the Dodgers 1988 World Championship team -- going 7-3 on the season with an 1.70 ERA, a 2.72 FIP, 2.1 WAR, 49 strikeouts, 26 walks, one save in 45 appearances. In 2013 the Dodgers signed Cuban ballplayer Alex Guerrero.
• Happy Birthday, Kid Carsey, Oscar Jones, Mike McCormack, Johnny Morrison, Sam Bohne & Jumbo Elliott!

Blog Bat Around: My All Autograph Team

I used to lament the disappearance of these kind of group-blog posts that were once a mainstay within the card collecting/blogging community. Now that there's been a recent resurgence in the "Blog Bat Around's," I find myself being too lazy to participate.

Well, no more to that.

I'm going to get off my fat bum and put something together.

So, with out further delay here is my "All Autograph Team." This Blog Bat Around is brought to us by "Torren' Up Cards, " and as you can guess we are to put together the best possible team using only autographs from our own collection. Furthermore, I will take it a step further and include only Dodger players on my team.

Blog Kiosk: 2/9/2018 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

The Dodgers have now completed their annual Spring move to Camelback Ranch. On Wednesday the club packed up their stuff (see the photo on the top right), and then landed in Arizona and unpacked yesterday (see the photo on the top right). Pics above via @Dodgers and @CamelbackRanch on twitter.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 2009 the Dodgers signed free agent pitcher Jeff Weaver. This is his second go-around with the club; having played for us from 2004 to 2005. 
• Happy Birthday, Eddie Solomon, O'Koyea Dickson, Wally Hood, Buzz Boyle, Harvey Green, Erv Palica, Jim Campanis & Dioner Navarro!

Blog Kiosk: 8/30/2017 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Over his last two outings, Rich Hill showed fans the two most extreme ways to lose a game. This past Wesdnesday, he was on the verge of either a perfect game or no-hitter, but came away with a loss instead when he yielded a walk-off homer to end the game. Then last night Rich Hill went to the other side of the losing spectrum when he got shelled in the very first inning -- giving up five runs on six hits. Per Steve Gilbert and Ken Gurnick at MLB.com:

"I was terrible," said Hill, who allowed six runs on eight hits over 3 2/3 innings and fell to 9-6. "Everybody did what we were supposed to do, and I was terrible."

Suddenly, we find ourselves with a little three game losing streak -- only the fourth time we've lost as many in-a-row all season long. As much as I want to start feeling dread I know that this team doesn't give in to those kind of trifle insecurities. They are doing fine. Per Ken Gurnick at MLB.com:

"It's baseball. It's going to happen," said Taylor, who celebrated his 27th birthday on Tuesday. "We're going to continue going about our business the way we have, come to the park looking to get a win tomorrow. I think we ran into good teams that have played us tough and we lost a couple of close games."

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

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1918 the Dodgers and Giants play a 56-minute game at the Polo Grounds that saw New York beat Brooklyn, 1-0. In 1952 former Dodger infielder and future Hall of Famer Arky Vaughan dies in a fishing accident.  He and a friend drowned in a lake near Eagleville, CA when their boat capsized. In 1953 Roy Campanella tied a NL record for RBI's by a catcher during a season at 122. He did it by going 4-for-5 with five RBI's and three runs scored against the Cardinals. Campy would finish the year with a Major League best 142 RBI's for a catcher. In 2015 Cubs hurler Jake Arrieta no-hit the Dodgers at Dodger Stadium, 2-0. It is the 12th no-hitter ever thrown at Chavez Ravine.
• Happy Birthday, Bert Tooley, Kiki Cuyler, Tommy Dean & Roberto Hernández!

Blog Kiosk: 5/22/2017 - Dodgers Links- Some Odds and Ends

Brandon McCarthy rebounded nicely yesterday afternoon after having given up six earned runs during his last start in San Francisco. Against the Marlins he went six innings, allowed just three hits, one earned run, a walk and struck out five. Heck, he hadn't allowed a base runner until two outs into the fifth inning. Per Austin Laymance and Will Laws at MLB.com:

"I liked his aggressiveness. He filled up the strike zone and was getting ahead of hitters with the fastball, the breaking ball," Roberts said. "He was relentless today."

Photo above via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2017. Go here to check out more pics from Sunday's game from Jon and Juan Ocampo. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1949 Don Newcombe makes his first major league start, firing a five-hit shutout in a 3-0 victory over the Cincinnati Reds. He would go 17-8 with 19 complete games, five shut outs and an 3.17 ERA, and win both the Rookie of the Year award and the Cy Young.
• Happy Birthday, Tommy John!

Blog Kiosk: 5/9/2017 - Dodgers Links - Bellinger, Wood and a Vin Scully Signing

What a fantastic photo of Alex Wood pitching under a blood red sky.

Last night Alex was fantastic in his five innings of scoreless work. He allowed only two hits while striking out eleven batters on 88 total pitches. Per Ken Gurnick at MLB.com:

"I felt good tonight, had all three [pitches] going and was on the same page with Yas [catcher Yasmani Grandal]," he said. "Obviously helped we had a lot of runs. When you get leads like that, you have to smell blood in the water. Just happy the result was there and hope to continue to be consistent and get ready for the next one."

Photo above via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2017. Go here to check out more pics bu Jon from yesterdays game. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1983 Ron Cey returned to Dodger Stadium for the first time since being traded to the Chicago during the offseason. Cey went 3-for-4 with three singles and a run scored but his Cubs lost, 4-3.
• Happy Birthday, Alex Farmer & Aaron Harang!
  

Blog Kiosk: 5/8/2017 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Kenley Jansen had an eventful Saturday evening. Not only did he enter the game with a four-run lead in the eighth inning, striking out a Padre with the bases loaded, but he also had a chance at an at-bat the next half inning. As you can see in the pic above, the tall right-hander got some wood on the pitch. Unfortunately, the result was just a ground out to the shortstop.

BTW, Jansen has only one career hit to his name, and he recorded that in 2010 -- his rookie season. It was off of Phillies pitcher Kyle Kendrick in the fifth inning at Dodger Stadium, and he was inserted in as a pinch hitter for reliever Ramon Troncoso. His single lead to a run scoring a few batters later.

The photo above via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2017. Go here to check out more pics by Jon from Saturday's game. 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. Brooklyn edged out their rivals, 7-6, on a Dolph Camilli homer run. As the story goes, in 1947 St. Louis Cardinals owner Sam Breason (who denied this) stopped a team protest during their first meeting with Jackie Robinson and the Dodgers. In 1973 Willie Stargell hit an Andy Messersmith pitch out of Dodger Stadium. It was the second time he has accomplished the feat at the stadium and only the second time it had ever happened. In 1981 Fernando Valenzuela throws 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: 4/26/2017 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Bellinger and family was all smiles after the Dodgers 2-1 victory over the Giants last night. Not only did Clayton Kershaw and the Dodgers eke out a win, but highly touted prospect Cody Bellinger recorded his first hit of his major league career. Ironically, it was flubbed slow-roller off the end of his bat that was hit towards the left side of the infield -- Cody is considered one of the top rated power hitters in the minors. Per Ken Gurnick and Chris Haft at MLB.com:

"Not what I expected it to be, but I'll take it," said Bellinger, son of former Major Leaguer Clay Bellinger. "I think I'm going to give it to my mom. I think she'd enjoy it the most."

You can watch a replay of the hit here. Pay close attention to the end when the camera zooms in on the Bellinger family. The above photo via the Dodgers on twitter. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1949 the Dodgers turn the 19th triple play of its history. Gene Hermanski, Jackie Robinson and Gil Hodges perform the act in the third inning against the Boston Braves. In 2001 Dodgers GM Kevin Malone resigns after 2 1/2 years on the job. In 2008 Brad Penny throws a 98-MPH fastball that is missed by catcher Russell Martin and knocks out umpire Kerwin Danley. He is stretchered off the field. Also on this day Vin Scully received an honorary Doctor of Law degree from Pepperdine University. You can watch his commencement speech at Pepperdine here.
• Happy Birthday, Hack Wilson, Packy Rogers, Sal Maglie & Ricky Trlicek!

Blog Kiosk: 4/10/2017 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

There are few things more picturesque than this.

Featured above is Kenta Maeda warming up within the woodsy bullpen of Colorado's ballpark before his start against the Rockies yesterday afternoon.

Photo above via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2017.  Below are more links to check out:

(via NYT Archives on twitter)

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1947 the Dodgers officially announced, during the sixth inning of an exhibition against the Royals, that they had purchased the contract of Montreal Royals infielder Jackie Robinson.  He would be the first African-American to be on the roster of a modern Major League club. In 1962 the Dodgers played their very first home game at the newly built Dodger Stadium in Chavez Ravine.  There were 52,564 fans on-hand to watch Johnny Podres throw the first pitch to infielder Eddie Kasko -- who promptly doubled in the at-bat. Duke Snider would record the first Dodger hit with a single in the second inning.  Unfortunately, the Dodgers would lose the game to the Reds, 6-3. Reds outfielder Wally Post hit the first homer in the stadium during the seventh inning to lead Cincinnati.
• Happy Birthday, Bob McGraw, Chuck Connors, Lee Lacy, Mike Devereaux, Alberto Reyes, Andre Ethier & Charlie Culberson!
  

Blog Kiosk: 4/3/2017 - Dodgers Links - Happy Opening Day!

Today's the day.  Happy Opening Day!

The game starts at 1:10 PM, and if you are attending you should already be on the road (as of this posting). Clayton Kershaw will make his seventh Opening Day start -- tying a Dodger franchise record held by Hall of Famer Don Sutton. You can watch him stroll into the stadium this morning here, via a tweet from the Dodgers. Go here for more detailed information on today's festivities.  Below is todays lineup against the Padres, via a graphic from the Dodgers:

Photo above via Doug Padilla on twitter.  Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History:  In 1974 the Dodgers get Pedro Guerrero from the Indians in exchange for pitcher Bruce Ellingsen. In 2008 the Dodgers announce, twenty minutes before their game, that reliever Hong-Chih Kuo would be used as the starter in place of Chad Billingsley, who in turn will be used out the bullpen. The unusual move was made due to an threat of rain at the start of the game. In 2009 the Dodgers purchased Justin Sellers from the Cubs.
• Happy Birthday, Wally Moon & Tim Crews!

Blog Kiosk: 2/21/2017 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Clayton faced batters for the first time this Spring as he got on the mound on Monday to throw live batting practice to Dodger hitters.  Per Ken Gurnick at MLB.com:

"This day is always not the most fun. It's about as low-adrenaline as you can, and you have to try to be competitive," he said. "Overall, it went OK, and I got it out of the way and can pitch in a real game now. You've got to get your work in. It's necessary. You can't go bullpens into a game, you need to face hitters before a game. It's the same progression since I've been here."

BTW, On Saturday Kershaw was named this seasons Opening Day starter for the seventh straight year.  This honor ties a Dodger franchise record held by both Don Drysdale and Don Sutton. 

Photo above via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2017.  Go here to check out more fantastic pics taken by Jon from Monday.  You can also check out pics from Sunday (here), Saturday (here), and Friday (here).  Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodger History:  In 1957 Dodgers owner Walter O'Malley trades minor league franchises with Phil Wrigley of the Cubs.  Brooklyn trades the Ft. Worth club (Texas League) in return for the Los Angeles Angels (Pacific Coast League).
• Happy Birthday, Ted Savage, Sam Fletcher & Norman Plitt!
  

Blog Kiosk: 1/16/2017 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

The 14th Annual Professional Baseball Scouts Foundation banquet was held this past Saturday at the Beverly Hilton, and among the many award recipients was Rachel Robinson, wife of Jackie, and Dave Roberts.

Rachel Robinson received the "Pioneer Award" ahead of the upcoming 70th anniversary of the breaking of Baseball's color barrier.  It was also announced that the Jackie Robinson Museum will open later this year in New York.  Read more about this and more via Jon Weisman at Dodger Insider; "Pioneer Award for Rachel Robinson comes at appropriate — and pivotal — moment."  Dave Roberts was honored with the "Tom Lasorda Managerial Achievement Award", and presenting the award was Tommy himself.  Per Ken Gurnick at MLB.com:

Lasorda first had to whisper something to the recipient when he reached the podium.

"I just got a talking to that I better win a championship," Roberts revealed.

Photo at the very top via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2017.  Go here to check out a bunch of great pics taken by Jon from the banquet.  Below are more links to check out:

• Happy Birthday, Bob Ramazzotti & Rod Miller!
  

Blog Kiosk: 9/2/2016 - Dodgers Links - Lux, Buehler, Seager, Puig and Vin Scully to be Broadcast on Channel 5

Finally!

We have some good news regarding televised Dodgers games.  Per Tom Hoffarth at the OC Register, local channel KTLA 5 will simulcast six Dodgers games towards the end of the season.  This will allow fans of Vin Scully to listen, watch and experience the last six games broadcasted by him:

The package of simulcasts will start with the final weekend of home games against Colorado, which run Sept. 23-25 and includes Friday’s Vin Scully appreciation night. KTLA will also have the pregame ceremony starting at 7 p.m. to honor Scully. The Sept. 30-Oct. 2 games in San Francisco end the regular season.

Should the Dodgers make the playoffs, the team expects to make arrangements for Scully to call the games on KLAC-AM (570) radio while they will be televised by a national carrier (ESPN, Fox or TBS).

This far from assuages the anger and frustration that many fans, who have been unable to watch Vin and the Dodgers over the past three season, feel.   That being said, this is an fantastic gesture, and it's greatly appreciated.  But make no mistake, there remains a dark stain.

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

• This Day in Dodger History:  In 1971 Astros outfielder Cesar Cedeno hit an inside-the-park home run against the Dodgers when infielder Jim Lefebvre and right fielder Bill Buckner collided while trying to catch a short fly.  In 1979 Manny Mota became Baseballs all time pinch-hit leader at 145.  In 2003 Eric Gagne set a Major League record for consecutive saves over a two season period at 55.  It was also his 47th consecutive save to start a season.
  

Blog Kiosk: 7/15/2016 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

As a final goodbye to All-Star weekend I thought I'd put up this fantastic vintage photograph of Jackie Robinson congratulating Stan "the Man" Musial on the plate after hitting an homer in the first inning of the 1949 All-Star Game in Brooklyn.  The photo was originally tweeted by @OTBaseballPhotos.

The American League eventually bested the National League, 11-7.  Jackie was 1-4 with a walk, a double and three runs scored.  Pee Wee Reese went an unheralded 0-5 with a walk.  Gil Hodges batted 1-3 with a run scored.  Roy Campanella would go 0-2 with a walk.  Preacher Roe pitched a scoreless inning in relief.  Lastly, Don Newcombe took the loss, as he threw 2.2 innings, gave up two runs on three hits and recorded one walk.  He did not strike out a batter, though, Don did get an RBI on a sacrifice fly in the second inning.  Check out the boxscore here.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodger History:  In 1955 Dodgers hurler Don Newcombe hit his sixth home run of the season as a pitcher, tying a National League record.  He would eventually finish the year with seven home runs.  In 1995 rookie pitcher Hideo Nomo won his seventh straight decision in a game against the Florida Marlins.  In 2004 Eric Gagne set the Dodgers career mark for saves with 130 against the Arizona Diamondbacks.