2019 Panini Leather & Lumber - All the Dodger Cards

A couple weeks ago Panini reintroduced a brand, originally created by Donruss in the 90's, called Leather & Lumber. It features numerous die-cut parallels and plenty of relics to fill your fancy. It also has a checklist that isn't entirely complete. There are triple relic cards available that are were not in their original checklist -- along with a single relic insert set that doesn't appear to exist. Nevertheless, there are a lot of fun looking cards, and if not for the missing team logos this set would rank high as one of my favorites this year. Go here for the published checklist.

You can see most of the Dodger cards below.

Base Set

Gloves

#37 Clayton Kershaw             #44 Walker Buehler

Blog Kiosk: 5/30/2019 - Dodgers Links - Walk-Off!

Come on, Belli! There's no need to strangle him.

Last night was thrilling. The Dodgers fought back in the ninth inning against the Mets to score four runs -- punctuated by a walk-off sacrifice fly by Alex Verdugo with the bases loaded -- to win in glorious fashion, 9-8 (boxscore). Per Ken Gurnick at MLB.com:

“It just says, really, we’re nasty,” said rookie Alex Verdugo, whose sacrifice fly capped a rally in the bottom of the ninth that began with back-to-back homers from Joc Pederson and Max Muncy, followed by back-to-back doubles from Justin Turner and Cody Bellinger. “The boys can hit.”

You can watch highlights from last nights ninth inning here. The above photo via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2019. Go here to check out more pics from yesterdays game. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1946 Boston Braves outfielder Bama Rowell became the first player to hit the Bulova clock located above the right field scoreboard with a long drive at Ebbets Field. His wallop shattered the clock face, causing glass to fall on the field and onto Dodger outfielder Dixie Walker. The event is said to have been the inspiration for a similar incident found in the book The Natural that was written by Brooklyn author Bernard Malamud. BTW, Rowell's hit, recorded as a double, should have earned him a free watch from Bulova, but did not receive it until 41 years later, on Bama Rowell day in his hometown of  Citronelle, Alabama. In 1962 Maury Wills becomes the 7th player in history to hit home runs from each side of the plate during a single game. The feat was accomplished against the Mets during the first game of a doubleheader that afternoon.
• Happy Birthday, Jesse Whiting, Tony Watson, Al Mamaux, Ed Rakow & Manny Ramirez! 

Blog Kiosk: 4/24/2019 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Kenta Maeda got roughed up early yesterday afternoon, as he yielded six runs during his first two innings on the mound. Per Rowan Kavner at Dodger Insider:

“I wasn’t able to locate my pitches very well. I kept struggling throughout the entire inning and the walks piled up,” Maeda told Rizzo. “I was able to get to an 0–2 count (on Contreras), but my pitch obviously caught too much of the plate.”

Contreras had hit a double with the bases loaded to drive in three during the first inning. The Dodgers would then lose to the Cubs, 7-2. Photo above via Darren Georgia/MLB.com at Dodger Insider. Go here to check out more pics from yesterdays game. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1962 Sandy Koufax fanned 18 Cubs at Wrigley Field during a 10-2 win, tying a Major League record set by Bob Feller for strike outs in a game. In 1998 Mike Piazza tied a Major League record when he walloped his third grand slam of the month during a 12-4 victory over the Cubs.
• Happy Birthday, Harry Harper, Dixie Howell, Bill Singer, Pat Zachry, Bill Krueger & Mike Blowers!

Congrats, Hanley!

I just plain forgot to put this in this mornings Blog Kiosk, and since I'm the impatient type I figured I'd just put up a little blurb here.

As you know, Hanley Ramirez was born and raised in the Dominican Republic. Well... As of yesterday, he can also now say that he is also an American citizen.

This morning Hanley shared a photo of him receiving his naturalization certificate, via his twitter.

Congratulations!

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Blog Kiosk: 6/27/2018 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

I'm not going to focus on yesterday's loss. It's water under the bridge.

The most important item of the day is how South Korea helped out Mexico in World Cup play this morning. Wow! What an upset.

Photo of Julio Urias and Hyun-Jin Ryu via Urias on Twitter this morning. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Baseball History: In 1939 the Dodgers and Boston Braves/Bees play a 23 inning game that ends in a 2-2 tie. In 1980 Jerry Reuss throws a no-hitter against the Giants at Cadelstick Park, 8-0. He faces just 28 batters, and missed a perfect game due to an error by Bill Russell in the first inning. In 2011 the Dodgers file for bankruptcy following the leagues refusal to approve a multibillion-dollar TV deal with FoxSports.
• Happy Birthday, Jackie Hayes, Bull Durham, Hank Behrman, Wayne Terwilliger, Daryl Ward & Jim Johnson!

Blog Kiosk: 6/25/2018 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Seven homers! All solos!

The last one was hit by Justin Tuner in the 10th inning to win the game, 8-7. Per Ken Gurnick at MLB.com:

"I was just trying to hit the ball on the barrel," said Turner, who was 2-for-16 on the weeklong swing through Chicago and New York. "It's been a whole road trip of getting beat, getting jammed. What a day, a bunch of home runs and sweep a series against the Mets on the road. It will make for a happy flight going home."

Photo above via Jon SooHoo/Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Insider. Below are more links to checkout:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1984 infielder Bill Russell played his 1,953rd game to become the LA Dodgers' all-time leader in games played. He would finish his career in Blue with a total of 2,181 games played -- second best all time in Dodger history. Hall of famer Zack Wheat best him with 2,322 games played as a Dodger.
• Happy Birthday, Barney White, Don Demeter, Alejandro Peña, Aaron Sele & Paul Maholm!

Blog Kiosk: 5/31/2018 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Ross Stripling has risen to the occasion. Via Cary Osborne at Dodger Insider:

“When a guy like Kershaw goes down, and Rich Hill, and Kenta gets hurt and Hyun- Jin (Ryu), it’s the next one up (mentality). It’s been great that they’ve trusted me to keep filling that role every five days. I just focus on what I’m doing, my scouting report, Rick Honeycutt prepares me, and just going out when they hand me the ball and get outs till they take the ball from me.”

The right-hander ended the month with a 1.20 ERA — fifth best in the Majors in May by a pitcher who tossed t least 25 innings. In 30 innings, he struck out 41 batters and walked four.

Not only has Matt Kemp surprised us all by leading the Dodger offense, but Ross Stripling has been ace-like. He went seven inning of four hit ball last night to record his third win of the season -- recording nine strike outs and allowing just one run.

Photo above via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2018 at Dodger Insider. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1937 the Brooklyn Dodgers ended Carl Hubbell's consecutive-game winning streak at 24 (over two season) at the Polo Grounds by defeating the Giants, 10-3. In 1948 Tommy Lasorda, as a member of the Schenectady Blue Jays in the Phillies system, struck out 25 batters in a 15 inning game to defeat the Amsterdam Rugmakers.  Lasorda has said that he likely threw more than 300 pitches that day. In 1965 the Dodgers, for the first time in history, field an all switch-hitting infield in the second game of a doubleheader against the Reds.  The players were Wes Parker, Jim Lefebvre, Maury Wills and Jim Gilliam.  In 1968 Don Drysdale pitched his fifth consecutive shutout -- while on his way to breaking the scoreless innings streak. This is the game where a Giants batter was called out on a bases loaded hit-by-pitch since he was ruled to have not made an attempt to get out of the way of the pitch.
• Happy Birthday, George Smith, Kenny Lofton & Dave Roberts!

2018 Topps Tier One - The Scarce Dodgers Cards

Here is a last look at some of the Dodgers' cards found in packs of Topps' 2018 Tier One Baseball card brand. Featured below is largely a checklist of various scarce inserts. Many of the cards listed below are "1 of 1's", so when possible I've included an example of the card.

One insert set of note is the below Signature Tools Autograph Relics, and as you can see it features a piece of a pen used by the player to sign autographs -- I kid you not!

I am still waiting for previously chewed gum relic cards. 

Signature Tools Autograph Relics (#/1)

• #STAR-AV Alex Verdugo
• #STAR-CK Clayton Kershaw
• #STAR-MP Mike Piazz
• #STAR-SK Sandy Koufax

#STAR-CK Clayton Kershaw     #STAR-MP Mike Piazza

2016 Panini National Treasures Baseball - Some of the Dodgers Inserts, Part 2

Here is a look at even more of the Dodger cards that can be found in packs of Panini's 2016 National Treasures Baseball.  These are the remaining inserts I have yet to show.  I hope to share the base cards tomorrow.  As you can see, there are still a bunch of cards I have yet to see.  Go here to see all of my past post on this set.  Go here for a complete checklist.

Leagues Best

#9 Duke Snider                #25 Don Drysdale

Blog Kiosk: 12/30/2016 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Happy Birthday, Sandy!

Above is a 1967 vintage press photo of Koufax sitting in the broadcast booth for NBC.  As you know, he was a broadcaster for a short time after retiring from the game.  (eBay Auction Link)  I am unsure where exactly the photo was taken, but clearly it's not Dodger Stadium -- those terrace seats are all wrong.  The reverse of the photo makes some indication that this pic is from the 1967 All-Star Game in Anaheim:

National League trainer Bill Buhler had a special visit Tuesday -- Sandy Koufax, who made Buhler's method of ice packing pitching arms famous.

Koufax tossed only words on television in the 15-inning All-Star classic.  But Buhler, the Los Angeles Dodger and form St. Paul Saint trainer, was still working with pitching arms.

Of note, the reverse of the photo has a small news snippet attached stating:

Below are more links to check out:

• Happy Birthday, Jose Morales & Sandy Koufax!

2016 Panini Immaculate Baseball - Dodgers Relic Cards, Part I

Take a moment to check out a handful of the Dodger relic cards found in packs of 2016 Panini Immaculate Baseball.  Featured below are the Immaculate Swatches, Jersey Numbers, Immaculate Hats, Immaculate Standard at Bat Knob cards.  Go here to check out all of my previous post on this set.

Immaculate Swatches

#5 Leo Durocher                                #8 Pee Wee Reese

Seager Sets Dodgers Home Run Record - 2016 Topps Now Card - #334

Corey Seager is turning out to be everything Dodger fans hoped he would be... And then some.  Per Ken Gurnick and Todd Zolecki at MLB.com:

"When you don't think he can do any more, he continually exceeds that," manager Dave Roberts said of Seager. "Every time he comes up to bat, something special can happen. His defense has been consistent all year long. He's done so many things for us, obviously he's a special player."

A couple of days after setting the Los Angeles Dodgers record for doubles by a rookie, Seager walloped two homers (to give him 21 overall) against the Phillies to set the single-season record for home runs by a shortstop.  The record had previously been held by Hanley Ramirez at 20 during the 2013 season.  In commemoration of his feat Topps has issued a 2016 Topps Now card for fans and collector to add to their collections.  Go here to check it out and order.

UPDATE:  The print run for this card is 886 copies.

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Blog Kiosk: 1/25/2016 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Bring back the collar!

As pointed out by Super 70's Sports on twitter, former Dodger catcher Johnny Oates looks fantastic with that giant disco-styled collared Dodger jersey in the photo above.  I wonder if it was issued like that, or if he was so bold as to accessorize on his own.  Either way, I think it'd be a gas if a Dodger came out with an alternate jersey sported something like this.  BTW, from left to right starting with the top row is Johnny Oates, Steve Yeager, Mike Scioscia and Joe Ferguson.

Below are more links to check out:

• Via Anthony Irwin at Dodgers Nation, "Kershaw Attends Youth Field Dedication."
• A part of me really misses Juan Uribe and Hanley Ramirez; especially after reading this story.  Tim Rohan at the NY Times, "Where the Stars Get Their Rides," writes about the extravagant car taste of some of Baseball's biggest stars.

“They did it literally to mess with each other,” Vega said.

Uribe tried ending it by buying a Mercedes limousine van, the one that cost $175,000. He posted an Instagram video of himself sitting in one of the reclining chairs, a cigar in his hand, broadcasting a message for Ramirez in Spanish. The gist of it was simply: top this.

And, Vega added, “Hanley came right away and bought a van.”

• Via Justin Russo at Dodgers Nation, "Players Take To Twitter To Discuss NFL Playoffs."
• Another Dodgers prospect make a list of top-10's.  According to Jim Callis at MLB.com, "2016 Prospect Watch: Top 10 first basemen," Cody Bellinger is 6th best.

The son of former big leaguer Clay Bellinger switched from a line-drive approach and emphasized power last year, resulting in 30 homers and California League-leading totals of 97 runs and 103 RBIs. Bellinger's lanky frame still has room to add a lot of strength, and he's the best athlete and defender on this list.

• This is terrible.  Via Bob D'Angelo at Sports Collectors Daily, "Police Hunt Thieves Who Looted SoCal Man’s Collections."

The last of his seven children was getting married in Las Vegas last weekend. But when Del Mazzio and his wife returned to their Anaheim Hills residence on Monday night, a terrible surprise awaited. Thieves had broken into their 10-room house and looted it, taking cash, credit cards, jewelry, a heavy safe, and a significant amount of graded sports cards and collectibles.

• I really enjoyed this.  Via Tom Shieber at the Baseball Researcher, "Identifying Baseball Cards in a Pair of Non-Baseball Photographs."  It started with an photograph that's over 100-years old.

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Celebrating #NationalHugDay with some Fantasy Baseball Cards

I am constantly amazed by the variety of "National Days" that exist.  It's mind-blowing, and a constant reminder that it's a good thing to take a moment each day to celebrate something... Anything.

So, when I discovered that today is #NationalHugDay I felt compelled to celebrate it the best way I know how - by making a bunch of fantasy Baseball cards.  Featured here are some of the creations I put together this morning

Starting at the very top is the legendary Sandy Koufax in the midst of a hug with Clayton Kershaw after defeating the Braves during the 2013 NLDS.  I'm fairly sure this was a photo taken by Dodger photographer Jon SooHoo.  I was reminded of the pic, though, by DodgersBeat on twitter.

The below card features former skipper Joe Torre embracing Manny Ramirez in a 2007 Topps Baseball card.  I grabbed the pic from an ESPN story focused on "Great Hugs in Baseball History."

BFF's!

Hyun-Jin Ryu and Yasiel Puig hug it out on the bench in the 1959 Topps fantasy Baseball card on the below left.  The photo was found thought a SportsNetLA tweet this morning.  AJ Ellis and Clayton Kershaw did their hugging on the field in the 1979 Topps fantasy card on the bottom right.  This photo was taken from a tweet by @MattDodgerBlue. 

Puig just loves to hug. So much so, I had to capture him hugging in a couple more cards.  On the bottom left is banana aficionado, Kiké Hernandez, getting man-handled by Puig on the 1982 Topps fantasy card.  This photo was from an Kiké tweet.  The card on the bottom right is a little flashback.  It featured Puig giving a bear-hug to former Dodgers shortstop Hanley Ramirez.  This photo was from a post by Matt Monagan at MLB.com that ranks, "10 of the most huggable figures in baseball today."

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2015 Panini National Treasures - The All-Century, All-Stars and Timeline Dodgers Cards

Below are more Dodgers cards available in packs of Panini's 2015 National Treasures set.  This time I show pics of the All-Century, All-Stars and Timeline cards.  Go here to see all of my previous post on this set.

All-Century Set

#8 Jackie Robinson (#/25)                     #20 Roy Campanella (#/25)

Blog Kiosk: 10/7/2015 - Dodger Links - No Uribe, Ryu on the Mend and Andre Ethier

Andre Ethier knows it's all about the right frame of mind... and a playoff beard.

BTW, it's now official.  Clayton Kershaw will pitch Game 1 and Zach Greinke will pitch Game 2.  Also, the Game 3 pitcher for the Dodgers will be Brett Anderson.  The remaining games, if needed, have yet to be determined.

The above pic via the Dodgers on twitter.  Below are more links to check out:

• Ummm.... What?  Via Jon Weisman at Dodger Insider, "By Jiminy, cricket coming to Dodger Stadium in November."  My first thought was... "those games can take days!"  Then I found out that they'll be playing an abbreviated form of the game called T20.  I have absolutely no idea how this game is played, but I just might take a moment to learn.
• This is actually good news for the Dodgers.  I was really afraid that Uribe would perform his usual heroics and win a game off the bench.  Now, we don't have to worry about that.  Via Vincent Samperio at Dodgers Nation, "NLDS News: Juan Uribe Won’t Face Dodgers In First Round."
• This is good news.  Via Dylan Hernandez on twitter, Ryu has started throwing again:

Ryu has started throwing program.

— Dylan Hernandez (@dylanohernandez) October 6, 2015

• Steiner Sports recently released their 2015 Playoff Collection that includes the below 10" x 20" collage with game-used dirt from Dodger Stadium.  Go here to check that out. They also have individual player plaques with game dirt for seven different players.
  
  

• I'm not a particularly big fan of the Topps Bunt program, but I figure this was worth mentioning.  Topps Bunt is an app where fans collect virtual Baseball cards, and Topps recently released 20 different 2015 postseason digital cards; including the Clayton Kershaw on the right.  Ryan Cracknell at Beckett has more information here.  I'm hoping that they eventually put this on real cardboard.
• Jane Wells of CNBC spoke with Dodger President Stan Kasten to talk playoffs, fantasy sports betting and their new Accelerator program.  Watch the video here.  On a side note, the Accelerator program is just further proof of how brilliant this Dodger ownership is.  They are leveraging their brand as a leader in the game and in sports in general to invest in start-ups that could very well lead to giant returns.  What an incredible idea - the Dodgers doing some angel investing.
• For info on how to legally watch the MLB Playoffs online without cable go here. 
• defgav at Baseball Card Breakdown, tears apart an Hanley Ramirez card - just for the giggles.  Check it out here.
• I guess I'll take whoever wants to root for the Dodgers - for whatever reason.  Via Big Red Fury, "Why Husker Fans Need the Dodgers to Win the World Series."

Feel free to pshaw and call this idea cockamamie all you want, but if you do the research, you’ll see I’m not yanking your chain. Every time the Huskers have played in a title game or made a National Championship run, the Dodgers preceded those appearances with a World Series victory.

• I have no doubt that the Rangers want their fans to die.  Via Kyle Newport at the Bleacher Report, "Texas Rangers Introduce Wild New Concession-Stand Items for 2015 Playoffs."  They will offering concoctions like a cotton candy dog and a large bag of Cheetos filled with meat, cheese and other taco-like fillings.
• A must see!  In honor of Back to the Future here is Jaws 19.

Video Link:

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2015 Panini Immaculate Baseball - The Dodger Relic Cards

I am finally getting around to showing off some of the various Dodger insert cards available in Panini's Immaculate Baseball set.  On Monday I shared pics of the Dodger base cards. Featured below are the relic-only insert cards.  I hope to have the autograph cards up tomorrow.

Of note is the Immaculate Cleats Jumbo Card of Corey Seager.  Unfortunately, this card has yet to make an appearance online, but it represents something very new to Baseball card collectors.  It featured a jumbo sized relic piece of his shoe.  Based on what I've seen so far, these cards are the coolest things I've ever seen - and I'm not a huge fan of relic cards.  From what I understand, card manufacturers have been making cards like this for several years, but this is the first time its been done for Baseball.  I've included an example of one of these cards below.

Accolades Materials

#6 Don Drysdale

2015 Topps Tier One - The Scarce Dodger Cards

Here is a final look the Dodger cards found in packs of Topps 2015 Tier One Baseball card set.  Go here to check out all of my previous post on this set. Below, I share a checklist and example pics of the scarcer cards available - mostly all "1 of 1's."  Go here for a complete checklist of the set.

• Clear One Autographs (#/25) - #COA-CK Clayton Kershaw (redemption card)
• Cut Signatures (#/1) - #CS-DDE Don Drysdale
• Cut Signature Relics (#/1) - #CSR-DS Duke Snider 
• Cut Signature Relics (#/1) - #CSR-JR Jackie Robinson

All-Star Relics Set (#/1)

• #ASR-CKW Clayton Kershaw
• #ASR-DG Dee Gordon
• #ASR-YP Yasiel Puig

#ASR-DG Dee Gordon

2015 Topps Tier One - The Dodger Auto/Relic Cards

Here are all of the Dodger autograph/relic combination cards available in Topps 2015 Tier One Baseball card set.  Go here to check out all of my previous post on this set.

As you'll notice below, each player in the Autographed Relics set comes with either 1, 2 or 3 relic pieces embedded within them.  I've provided examples of what each one looks like for Adrian Gonzalez below.  For the other two players I show only a pic of an example of their card.

Autographed Relics

#TOAR-AGO Adrian Gonzalez

#TOAR-HR Hanley Ramirez               #TOAR-YP Yasiel Puig

2015 Topps Tier One - The Dodger Autograph Cards

After taking a look at the Dodger relic cards from Topps newest release on Tuesday, 2015 Tier One, I now share photos of all the Dodger autograph-only cards that can be found in the set.  Check them all out below.  Go here to check out all of my previous post on this set.

Acclaimed Autographs

#AA-AG Adrian Gonzalez            #AA-FV Fernando Valenzuela

#AA-HR Hanley Ramirez