2020 Topps Sterling -- The Dodger Cards

Here's a look at a bunch of the Dodgers' found in packs of 2020 Topps Sterling. Go here for a complete checklist.

Sterling Seasons Autograph Relics

#SSAR-CK Clayton Kershaw

Blog Kiosk: 6/30/2020 - Dodgers Links & News - Some Odds and Ends

Casey was always a ham. Per the UPI Telephoto descriptor (eBay auction link):

7/24/65 - New York: Casey Stengel, whose third love (behind wife, Edna, and Baseball) must be posing for photographers, gets off wink number umpteen during Old Timers Day festivities at Shea Stadium 7/24. He's wearing an old Brooklyn Dodgers cap for the occasion. Casey celebrates his 75th birthday 7/30.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1962 Sandy Koufax had one of the best days of his career. He started off that evenings game at Dodger Stadium by throwing an Immaculate Inning during the first inning - striking out three batters on nine pitches. Then finished his day by completing his first career no-hitter against the hapless Mets, 5-0. In 1985 Pedro Guerrero slammed his 15th home run during the month of June - setting a major league record.  
• Happy Birthday, Blake Treinen, Pat Venditte, Johnny Miljus, Johnny Hudson, Mark Grudzielanek, Garret Anderson, Chan Ho Park, Mike Judd & Delwyn Young!

2020 Topps Tier One - The Dodger Cards

Last week saw the release of Topps 2020 Tier One Baseball card brand. This premium product will cost you about $150 for a box of three cards, and you are guaranteed that two of them will be autographed. Go here for a complete checklist.

There are plenty of Dodger youngsters available to chase after -- Dustin May, Gavin Lux and Will Smith. Veterans available include Max Muncy and Clayton Kershaw. BTW, there are a whole bunch of "1 of 1" cards in this brand, but unfortuantely I have not yet seen one Dodger rarity yet.

Break Out Autographs

#BOA-DM Dustin May        #BOA-DMA Dustin May

2020 Topps Definitive Collection - All the Dodger Cards

A couple of weeks back Topps released their super-premium brand, 2020 Topps Definitive Collection. For the price of about $1500 (holy smokes) you can get a single pack of eight cards -- six of which are autographed. Go here for a complete checklist.

As always, this set features clean and crisp background designs -- always in white with numerous colored parallels available. Also, all autographs are on-card (with exception of the cut signatures).

Below is a look at most of the Dodger cards available. I make special note of a Joc Pederson relic card with a game-used jersey piece attached.

Definitive Rookie Autographs

#DRA-DM Dustin May         #DRA-DMA Dustin May

Blog Kiosk: 3/26/2020 - Dodgers Links & News - Some Odds and Ends

This just might be the best photo from the 1955 World Series - the Dodgers first World Championship. Featured are a group of Dodger wives (see Rachel Robinson on the far left) celebrating right after the victory, available via RMY Auction. This photo was taken by Barney Stein and it is a re-strike -- printed in 1980.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1953 the St. Louis Browns returned pitcher Tommy Lasorda to the Dodgers after having just purchased him a month prior. In 1984 Jackie Robinson was posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Ronald Reagan in a White House ceremony. Rachel Robinson accepted the award on her late husband's behalf. At the time, Jackie was just the third ballplayer to be given the distinction (Moe Berg and Joe DiMaggio were the others). You can watch the presentation here. In 1991 the Dodgers sign free agent catcher and future Hall of Famer Gary Carter to a one-year $500,000 contract. 
• Happy Birthday, Jack McCarthy, Joe Klugmann, José Vizcaíno & Frank Lankford!

Blog Kiosk: 3/19/2020 - Dodgers Links & News - Some Odds and Ends

Check out this fantastic vintage Acme press photo featuring Jackie Robinson's debut with the Brooklyn Dodgers on April 14, 1947. He is shown both at-bat and covering first base, with a man on. You can check out this pic at Hunt Auctions, here.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Baseball History: In 1998 MLB owners approved the sale of the Dodgers to Rupert Murdoch's Fox Group. Boo!!! In 2018 Justin Turner suffered a major setback during spring training when he suffered a small non-displaced fracture of his left wrist after being hit by a pitch during Cactus League play by Oakland hurler Kendall Graveman. He would not require surgery, but would not return to the field til May 15th.
• Happy Birthday, Ed McKeever, Roy Evans, Paul Powell, Jeff Hamilton, David Ross & Clayton Kershaw!

Blog Kiosk: 12/13/2019 - Dodgers Links & News - Some Odds and Ends

Just three Brooklyn Dodgers' having some fun as they prepare for the 1952 season in Vero Beach (eBay auction link).

Vero Beach, Fla., March 5 -- On the Ball -- Three Brooklyn Dodger batters who accounted for a total of 103 home runs last season set their sights for the 1952 season during Brooklyn training camp session here yesterday. Left to right: Andy Pafko, former Chicago Cubs outfielder who had 30 homers in 1951; first baseman Gil Hodges, who led the Dodgers with 40; and catcher Roy Campanella, who clouted 33 homers.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1956 the Dodgers tried to do the unthinkable. They announced a trade that would send legendary second baseman Jackie Robinson to the hated NY Giants for pitcher Dick Littlefield and $35,000. It would be voided the next day. Jackie then announce his retirement from the game a few weeks later -- opting instead to start his second career as an executive with Chock Full O'Nuts. In 2001 the Dodgers received Cesar Izturis and Paul Quantril in a trade with Toronto for Chad Ricketts and Luke Prokopec. In 2003 the Dodgers traded Kevin Brown to the Yankees for Brandon Weeden,Yhency Brazoban and Jeff Weaver. In 2005 the Dodgers signed free agent veteran catcher Sandy Alomar. Also, they traded troubled outfielder Milton Bradley and Antonio Perez to the A's for future fan-favorite and Dodger legend Andre Ethier.
• Happy Birthday, Joe Landrum, Steve Wilson, Nate Oliver, Ricky Nolasco, George Shuba, Carl Erskine & Billy Loes! 

2019 Topps Dynasty - The Dodgers Cards

Several weeks back Topps released their 2019 Topps Dynasty brand, and I finally have pics of many of the Dodgers available in it. Go here for a complete checklist. This is a high-end product -- costing about $300 for one single encapsulated autographed card per box. So, every pack should have a big hit in it.

For Dodger fans, this set is notable since it includes two former Dodgers in Blue -- Adrian Beltre and Rickey Henderson.

Autographed Patches

#Adrian Beltre
#DAB-ABE4

2019 Topps Triple Threads - All the Dodger Insert Cards

Now that you've seen the 2019 Topps Triple Threads Dodgers' base cards, here's a look at most of the inserts that are available.

As always, the fun thing about this brand are the unusual, and often obtuse, phrases Topps creates with their triple relic cards. For instance, I'm not quite sure what they mean by the phrase "189 ABS, 20 HRS" for the Cody Bellinger card seen directly below. If you have some insight please pass it along. There is also a Joc Pederson autographed relic card that says, "Multi HR, Lid Lifter". As you may, know a Lid Lifter is a sports euphemism for the first game played. So, the Pederson card makes note of his two homer day during their 2019 Opening Day game against the Diamondbacks. BTW, there's another Pederson card that says, "Happy Birthday" -- obviously referencing another of his multi-homer days -- this time against the the Brewers on his birthday, April 21, 2019.

Triple Threads Relics

#TTR-CB Cody Bellinger

#TTR-WB Walker Buehler

2019 Topps Update Series - All the Dodger Insert Cards

Now that you've seen the Dodgers' base cards found in Topps flagship Update brand, check out many of the various Dodger insert cards that are available below. First, I thought I would begin with the two Dodger players that can be found in the 'Silver Pack 1984 Chrome Promo' packs -- Walker Buehler and catcher Will Smith. As you know, you can receive a free promo pack from participating retailers (hobby shops) for every box of cards purchased. Go here for a checklist.

As for the rest of the cards, there is plenty to chase after. Five Dodgers are available in the various All-Star themed sets, and there's a fantastic autographed Adrian Beltre I would be willing to fight you for.

Silver Pack 1984 Chrome Promo Cards

#T84U-20 Walker Buehler      #T84U-39 Will Smith

2019 Panini National Treasures - The Dodger Cards

A couple of weeks back Panini America released their 2019 National Treasures brand. As you know, this is a high-end product that will cost you about $500 to $600 for one box of eight cards -- all of which has either an autograph or game-used relic piece embedded within it. Go here for a complete checklist. Unfortunately, I have yet to see every Dodger card available, so there are numerous omissions below. Also, as always this product has no team logos, so there's a bunch of airbrushing on the cards.

Rookie Material Signatures

#6 Dennis Santana                         #42 Caleb Ferguson

2019 Topps Luminaries - All the Dodger Cards

A couple weeks back Topps released their premium all-autograph brand, Luminaries, to the collecting public. For the price of about $150 you are guaranteed one autographed card. Additionally, every card comes encapsulated in a hard case -- with exceptions being the booklet cards. Go here for a complete checklist.

Below is a look at most of the Dodger cards that are available.

Home Run Kings Autographs

#HRK-MPI Mike Piazza

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.

Base

1958 Topps

#20 Duke Snider                #33 Max Muncy

2019 Panini Immaculate Collection Baseball - All the Dodger Cards

Last week saw the release of Panini Immaculate brand, and I've got pics of most of the Dodger cards to share below. Go here for complete checklist. As always, all Panini cards lack team logo's, so the cards tend to be aesthetically challenging -- even with the clean designs. Nevertheless, these are always nice looking cards, so collector don't seem to mind too much. If this company were ever able to get a MLB license I suspect they'd give Topps a run for their money.

Rookie Patch Autographs

#25 Caleb Ferguson            #27 Dennis Santana

2019 Topps Allen & Ginter - All the Dodger Insert Cards

Here's a look at nearly all of the Dodger insert cards found in packs of Allen & Ginter. One of the newest inserts available include "Have Ball, Will Travel Token Relic" cards that has an original/vintage mass transit token from the Los Angeles Metropolitan Transit System embedded within it. Go here to check out the Dodger base cards.

Baseball Framed Mini Autographs

#MA-MMU Max Muncy

2019 Topps Diamond Icons - All the Dodger Cards

Last week saw the release of a super-high-end card brand called 2019 Topps Diamond Icons. For the price of $1000 you receive one box containing ten cards -- nine of which will be autographed including two with a relic piece) and one relic card. Go here for a complete checklist. Below is a look at the Dodger cards that are available.

Autographs

• #AC-CKE Clayton Kershaw -- Redemption Card

#AC-SK Sandy Koufax

2019 Topps Series 2 Flaship Set -- Some Inserts and Silver Pack Promos

Yesterday, we took a look at all of the Dodger base cards found in the second series of Topps flagship baseball cards set. Now, we can check out some of the inserts that are available.

First, though let's take a peek at the Silver Pack promotion. Like last year, collectors can go to your local participating card shop and receive a free 'Silver Pack' when purchasing a Series Two hobby box. These limited edition packs feature exclusive 1984 Chrome cards with a chromium "Mojo" finish. Go here for more information. Directly below are the two Dodgers' available -- Clayton Kershaw and Cody Bellinger.

Below those cards are the '150 Years of Baseball', 'Home Run Challenge Code', '1984 Baseball Rookies', '1984 Autographs' and 'Legacy of Baseball Autographed' cards.

2019 Topps Baseball Silver Pack 

1984 Chrome Promo Cards Series 2

Base Set

#T84-1 Clayton Kershaw         #T84-23 Cody Bellinger

Apparently, the Dodgers Tried to Trade for Warren Spahn

I usually refrain from writing about trade rumors. After all, we all know that a vast majority of the 'Hot Stove' is bunk. That said, this one vintage, circa 1950's, rumor has my imagination flowing, so I thought I'd share it here. According to a newspaper cutout attached to a letter written by Walter O'Malley -- that's currently available at REA (Auction Link) -- the Dodgers were charging hard to trade for future Hall of Famer Warren Spahn from the Braves prior to the start of the 1953 season.

1958 Packard Bell Dodgers Regional Set - The Dodger Cards

I was recently checking out the current Lelands Winter Classic auction and came across the above 1958 Packard-Bell poster advertising "pictures" of three Dodger players. (Auction Link) Featured are skipper Walter Alston, beloved player and future coach Jim Gilliam and should-be Hall-of-Famer Gil Hodges.

As you know, 1958 was an important year for the club. It marked the franchise's first season in Los Angeles, and as you can imagine it fueled plenty of interest throughout the Southland. West coast baseball fans without a Major League hometeam to root for came out of the woodwork, so businesses were eager to latch their name/product to the team. The poster featured above is an example of one those early efforts.

2018 Topps Transcendent Collection - The Dodgers Cards

Topps highest of high-end card brands was released last week. It is called 2018 Topps Transcendent Collection, and I've got pics of most of the Dodgers' available. Check them out below. Go here for a complete check list.

Base Transcendent Icons (#/83)

#1 Sandy Koufax                #23 Clayton Kershaw