2017 Topps MLB Stickers - All the Dodgers Stickers

Along with the Heritage Baseball card brand Topps also released their MLB Stickers to the collecting public.  Check out the sticker album featuring Mike Trout above.  Go here for a complete checklist.

There are nine Dodger players available and a Dodger logo team card shared with the Angels.  As always, there are no short prints, variations, inserts, relics or autographs.  This is just an honest product that doesn't try to bait you with any bells or whistles.  What you see is what you get.

#166 Dodgers Team Card           #212 Clayton Kershaw

2017 Topps Series 1 Baseball - All the Dodgers Base Cards

For fans like myself today is the official start of the 2017 Baseball season.  I say this because fans and Baseball card collectors alike can now go to their favorite store to get packs of Topps flagship set.  Officially released today is the 2017 Topps Series 1 Baseball set.  Go here for a complete checklist.

For this first series thirteen Dodger players are represented; including superstars Corey Seager and Clayton Kershaw.  The set also includes several players in Dodger uniforms who have since moved on to other teams -- Howie Kendrick, Carlos Ruiz, Josh Reddick and Jose De Leon.  Also, Chase Utley is available in Dodger Blue (he has yet to decide where he'll be playing this season).  Check them all out below.  I've included pics of both the front and reverse (with exception of the Chris Hatcher card).

As I'm sure you've noticed, for the first time since 1971 Topps does not include full career statistics for each player on the reverse.  But is does include social media information for each player (apparently, that's more important).

Base Cards

#5 Corey Seager

#50 Clayton Kershaw

Welcome to the Blue, Darin Ruf & Darnell Sweeney!

The Dodgers have made their second trade of the winter.  They sent infielder/outfielder Howie Kendrick to the Philadelphia Phillies for first baseman/outfielder Darin Ruf and minor league infielder/outfielder Darnell Sweeney. 

As you'll recall, word recently spread that Howie Kendrick was unhappy with his role this past season as a roving left fielder/second baseman -- even though only four other Dodgers' (Corey Seager, Adrian Gonzalez, Justin Turner and Chase Utley) had more at-bats than him.  Nevertheless, he wanted a more consistent position, and apparently the Phillies are able to abide.  BTW, Kendrick has a one-year contract remaining at $10 million.

Blog Kiosk: 11/9/2016 - Dodgers Links - Alvarez, Jansen, Turner and Hendrick

I thought I would start the day by sharing this pic of a group of vintage Ebbets Field postcards that are currently on auction at Hunt's Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory auction (Auction Link Here).  Most of these are the standard fare, with an exception being the B&W real-photo-postcard seen on the bottom row.  According to the auction description it dates to 1927 and features a group of students who play high school football running around the infield in the shape of the letter "S".

Below are more links to check out:

• Video: Watch Dodgers prospect Willie Calhoun speak with Sande Charles of FanRag Sports. (Link Here)

2016 Topps Update Baseball - The Dodgers Base Cards & Variations

Following up on my post sharing the Dodgers "first Pitch" insert cards found in packs of 2016 Topps Update, below are photos of all the Dodgers base cards in the set; including variations.  Go here for a complete checklist.  BTW, there may be more Dodger variations beyond the Thompson and Urias cards indicated below.  So, if more do pop up I'll update this post.

Of note, Austin Barnes, Bud Norris and Josh Reddick (not counting Topps Now) receive their very first cards in a Dodger uniform.  The base set also includes what is likely to be the last card of AJ Ellis in Dodger Blue -- at least until he decides to join the club later on in his career when he's coaching/managing. 

Base Set

#US9 Ross Stripling

#US21 Austin Barnes

Blog Kiosk: 10/17/2016 - Dodgers Links - AGone and Kersh Power Dodgers Past Cubs -- Series Tied at 1

It was the efforts of the two Dodgers above that lead to the team tying the Cubs at one game a piece in the NLCS.  Clayton Kershaw went seven strong innings, allowing just two hits, one walk and recording six strike outs with 84 pitches.  Best yet, he is one of only two pitchers to hold the Cubs scoreless by a 1-0 score in the postseason ever -- the other man being Babe Ruth.  Per Jon Weisman at Dodger Insider:

“Awesome. Watching Kersh, that shows he’s the best in the game,” Jansen said. “His stuff that he had, the way that he pitched against this team. He showed you again, he can just put this team on his back.”

Adrian Gonzalez, for his part, got only one hit, but it was a big one.  On the second pitch of the second inning Gonzalez hit a towering drive to centerfield that cleared the wall for the only run to score in the entire game.

Photo above via @Dodgers/Jon SooHoo on twitter.  Go here to check out a bunch of pics by Jon SooHoo from yesterdays game in Chicago.  Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History:  In 1981 the Dodgers defeated the Montreal Expos in Game 4 of the NLCS at Olympic Stadium, 7-1.  Steve Garvey hit a two-run homer in the eighth to break a 1-1 tie, then the Dodgers scored four more runs in the ninth to run away with it.  They are tied at two games a piece in the series with a deciding Game 5 two days later.
• Happy Birthday, Jim Gilliam! 

Dodgers 2016 Postseason 15-Card Topps Now Team Set

In honor of the Dodgers recent western division championship Topps has issued a limited edition 15-card postseason team set.  It is available for order until Thursday, October 6th at $49.99, and is limited in number based upon the number of orders received during that time period.  Go here to check it out and order.  At the very bottom is a checklist.

A special catch to the set is that the size will expand depending on how far they get in the playoffs.  Each set will receive one extra exclusive bonus card for each playoff series they win.  Hopefully, we'll see three more cards added to this set.

• Corey Seager (RC) (Card Number: LAD-1)
• Adrian Gonzalez (Card Number: LAD-2)
• Justin Turner (Card Number: LAD-3)
• Yasmani Grandal (Card Number: LAD-4)
• Joc Pederson (Card Number: LAD-5)
• Chase Utley (Card Number: LAD-6)
• Howie Kendrick (Card Number: LAD-7)
• Yasiel Puig (Card Number: LAD-8)
• Josh Reddick (Card Number: LAD-9)
• Clayton Kershaw (Card Number: LAD-10)
• Kenta Maeda (Card Number: LAD-11)
• Julio Urias (Card Number: LAD-12)
• Scott Kazmir (Card Number: LAD-13)
• Joe Blanton (Card Number: LAD-14)
• Kenley Jansen (Card Number: LAD-15)

UPDATE: The print run for this set of Dodgers cards is 383.

UPDATE II:  Below are pics of all the cards in this set; including the one bonuc card featuring Clayton Kershaw.  The bonus card is numbered BON-4.

Bonus Card #BON-4

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2016 Topps Heritage High Numbers - All the Dodgers Base, Variation and Parallel Cards

Officially out today is Topps 2016 Heritage High Numbers Baseball card set, and below is a listing of all the various Dodger base card available; including the known variations (I'll update this is any more are found).  Go here for a checklist.

Of note, Charlie Culberson, Joe Blanton and Bud Norris get their very first cards as a Dodger. 

#528 Scott Kazmir                                #529 Enrique Hernandez

#553 Joe Blanton

Weekend Autograph Opportunities: Kiké Hernandez, Howie Kendrick and Rob Segedin (UPDATE: and Andrew Toles)

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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Kiké will be greeting and signing autographs for fans at a local Vons this coming Friday afternoon from 11:00 AM to Noon.

Vons
4520 Sunset Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90027

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Both Rob Segedin and Howie Kendrick will be at Ultimate Pastime Sports to sign autographs for fans.  Go here for more information.
Ultimate Pastime Sports
1614 South Carlos Avenue, Suite K
Ontario, CA 91761

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Andrew Toles will be signing at Bobblemania in Monterey Park on Saturday, September 3rd from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM. (Hat Tip: Roberto at Vin Scully is My Homeboy)

BobbleMania
2334 South Atlantic Boulevard, Suite A
Monterey Park, CA 91754

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Blog Kiosk: 8/12/2016 - Dodgers Links - Ping Pong 4 Purpose

Last night Dodger Stadium hosted the 4th Annual "Ping Pong 4 Purpose" charity event in benefit of Kershaw's Challenge.  Dodger players, other celebrities and even fans came out for a good cause and for a friendly tournament of ping pong. 

As you can see, host Clayton Kershaw was seen sporting a fantastically ridiculous outfit for the event.  Unfortunately, you can't see the best part of his ensemble in the photo above.  As you can see in the photo on the right, Kershaw wore the most awesome set of socks... er, leg warmers?

Photo above via @Dodgers on twitter.  You can also go to Kershaw's Challenge on twitter (@KershsChallenge) to check out more pics from last night.  Go here to make a donation to Kershaw's Challenge.  Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodger History:  In 1982 Steve Sax tied the Dodgers rookie record for stolen bases in a season at 40.  He would finish the season with 49 stolen bases.  In 1984 both Don Drysdale and Pee Wee Reese are inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame.  In 1996 Ramon Martinez regestered his 100th career victory.  He defeated the Cincinnati Reds, 6-5.
• Happy Birthday, Julio Urias!  He is now 20 years old.
  

Blog Kiosk: 8/10/2016 - Dodgers Links - Kershaw's Gift to Rams and First Place!

On his bobblehead night left fielder Howie Kendrick helped propel the Dodgers over the Phillies, 9-3, and pushed the team into a first place tie with the Giants.  He recorded two hits; including a two-run homer in the second inning and a run scoring double in the fifth inning.  This victory marked the third game in a row in which they have scored eight runs or more.  Per Doug Padilla at ESPN:

"I think it's just coincidence," Kendrick said about the group hot streak. "A lot of guys have been putting in the same work all year and you are starting to see some of the fruits of the labor. Hopefully we can continue to do the same thing and keep the ball rolling. Our pitching has been giving us the opportunity to win. Even when we have gotten down early, guys have battled back and we've put runs on the board and been able to do it that way."

In the meantime, there's no need for celebration yet.  The Dodgers have a long way to go.

"The job's not done yet, so you keep going," said rookie Corey Seager, who had two more hits. "You can celebrate it at the end."

Photo above via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2016.  Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History:  In 1979 Hall of Famer Don Sutton set a Dodgers franchise record with his 50th shutout.  He surpassed Don Drysdale on the Dodgers' all-time list.  In 1995 fans at Dodger Stadium force the Dodgers to forfeit that evenings game against the Cardinals when for a third time they throw promotional giveaway baseballs onto the field during play.  The game was forfeited in the ninth inning after the ejections of Tommy Lasorda and Pedro Guerrero with the Dodgers trailing, 2-1.  Here is the boxscore, via Baseball Reference.

Phillies Series Starts Monday - Stadium Giveaways, Pregame Info and Other Stuff!

The next homestand starts Monday evening against the Philadelphia Phillies. Below are some odds and ends for this upcoming homestand.

The Philly Cheesesteak Dog will be available for this homestand only against the Phillies at the Extreme Loaded Dog concession areas located on the field, loge and reserve levels. It features an all-beef hot dog topped with griddled steak, caramelized onions with provolone cheese on an Italian roll.

The ninth 2016 issue of the new Dodger Insider magazine, featuring Howie Kendrick on the cover, will be available at Dodger Stadium.  (see it on the left).  The Dodgers merged their previously separate Playbill and Dodger Insider magazines into one publication (at least 80 pages per issue) with a new edition available each homestand.  They are distributed at auto gates (one per vehicle) and via Fan Services for those who use alternate transportation.  

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Monday, August 8th at 7:10 PM
RHP Zach Eflin vs. LHP Julio Urías
SNLA / AM 570 (Eng.), KTNQ 1020 AM (Span.)

Red Sox Series Starts on Friday - Stadium Giveaways, Pregame Info and Other Stuff!

The next homestand starts on Friday against the Boston Red Sox.   Below are some odds and ends for this upcoming homestand

The Boston Baked Bean Dog will be available for this homestand only against the Red Sox at the Extreme Loaded Dog concession areas located on the field, loge and reserve levels. It features an all-beef hot dog topped with baked beans, crispy bacon pieces and yellow mustard.

The ninth 2016 issue of the new Dodger Insider magazine, featuring Howie Kendrick on the cover, will be available at Dodger Stadium.  (see it on the left).  The Dodgers merged their previously separate Playbill and Dodger Insider magazines into one publication (at least 80 pages per issue) with a new edition available each homestand.  They are distributed at auto gates (one per vehicle) and via Fan Services for those who use alternate transportation.  

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Friday, August 5th at 7:10 PM
RHP Steven Wright vs. LHP Scott Kazmir
SNLA / AM 570 (Eng.), KTNQ 1020 AM (Span.)

2016 Topps Allen & Ginter - All the Dodgers Base Cards

One of the hobbies favorite Baseball card sets is now officially out.  It is the Allen & Ginter brand, and below are pics of all the Dodgers' base and examples of the various parallel cards that are available.  Go here for a complete checklist.

First, though, I thought I would start with the Julio Urias card that has been the talk of the hobby.  As you know, Urias joined the Dodgers rotation for a brief spurt during the first half of the season and showed that he has the tools needed to succeed on the Major League level.  Considering this and the high-ceiling many prognosticators see in him, it is not surprising that Topps would want to include him in the Allen & Ginter brand.  Unfortunately, it doesn't appear that his promotion to LA provided enough lead-time to include him in the base set.  So, Topps decided to just throw him in the set anyway by giving him a card number belonging to another Dodger rookie (#120 Kenta Maeda) and release the card as some sort of short-print.  You can see this card directly below.  Please note that the Allen & Ginter logo on the front is actually printed in white, and cannot be seen very well in scans.  Also, there is no number on the reverse.

 #120 Julio Urias

Furthermore, a Urias card can be purchased directly from Topps that does look like a finished product (as you can see directly below).  It is available only as a 10" x 14" poster print and limited to only 99 copies.  Go here to check that out.

Blog Kiosk: 7/12/2016 - Dodgers Links - Urias, Kershaw and Corey Seager

That wasn't half bad.

Last Night was the MLB All-Star Game Home Run Derby and rookie shortstop Corey Seager was slated to face off against the Mark Trumbo, who leads the league in homers this season.  It was the first round of the derby and pitching to Seager was his father, Jeff (as seen in the photo above).  Per Cary Osborne at Dodger Insider:

Seager said choosing dad was a sentimental pick, but he also provided a lot of familiarity. And as we’ve learned with Seager, familiarity breeds success.

“He’s probably as nervous as I am,” Seager said. “He said he’s going to try and not look at me and not stare up. He said he’s just going to try and stare at the catcher and block everything out. I said, ‘Good luck.’”

Overall, I thjink Corey's Dad did just fine.  He threw strikes and Corey hit 15 of them out.  Unfortunately, the inhuman Trumbo bested him with 16 of his won.  Via Alden Gonzalez at MLB.com:

"It was fun," Seager said of the event, ultimately won by Marlins right fielder Giancarlo Stanton. "It was very fun. It was one of those things that not a lot of people get to experience, and to be able to do it, with my dad, was real fun. It was really enjoyable."

Jeff Seager has been throwing batting practice to his three sons -- Kyle and Justin of the Mariners, Corey of the Dodgers -- since they each could even swing. Corey took hacks from him four times a week in North Carolina throughout this past offseason, but this was wholly different.

"I thought I was really lucky that he thought of me and asked me," Jeff Seager said. "Then I started thinking about what it means."

Photo above via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2016.  Go here to check out a bunch of great pics by Jon from the day.  Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodger History: In 1949 Larry Doby of the Cleveland Indians and Jackie Robinson, Roy Campanella and Don Newcombe of the host Dodgers became the first black players to appear in an All-Star game.  In 1966 Maury Wills drove in the winning run on a walk-off single in the 10th inning of the All-Star Game played at Busch Stadium in St. Louis.
• Happy Birthday, Ron Fairly and Howie Kendrick!

Blog Kiosk: 7/5/2016 - Dodgers Links - De Jong, a Dodger Emirates Plane and Flying Like an Eagle

What a fun evening at Dodger Stadium.  We got all of the pomp and circumstance you'd expect at a ballgame on Independence Day.  Folks from the armed services were on hand and unveiled a large flag on the field while another sang the national anthem.  Best yet, an American bald eagle, not the one shown with Dodger President Stan Kasten, soared above the stadium to the delight of the crowd.  Then, once realizing freedom was at hand, the eagle took off for the great open spaces and flew away - to the consternation of his handler.  Per an ESPN report:

The male eagle was supposed to fly from the top of the stadium down to its handler Monday as part of the pregame festivities for Independence Day.

Instead, the liberty-loving bird flew right on past its handler on the outfield grass and continued over the center-field fence.

It disappeared from view, prompting rumbles of laughter and concern from baseball fans.

Fortunately, the freedom loving eagle did not go far.  In fact, it appears he just decided to go on a little joyride.  Per a tweet from the LA Zoo:

@Dodgers Happily, our bald eagles are fine + safely back at the Zoo. Although he missed his mark, Chinook waited by the van for his trainer

— Los Angeles Zoo (@LAZoo) July 5, 2016

You can watch the eagle soar here.  Photo above via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2016.  Go here to check out more pics from Jon and Jill Weisleder from yesterdays festivities.  Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodger History:  In 1935 Tony Cuccinello of the Dodgers and Al Cuccinello of the Giants hit home runs, the first time in the majors brothers on opposing teams homered in the same game.  In 1952 the Dodgers game against the Boston Braves is delayed when a small dog comes on the field.  Outfielders Carl Furillo and Duke Snider have to escort it to the stands.  In 2004 Eric Gagne's streak of 84 consecutive saves is ended by Chad Tracy of the Diamondbacks.  

Blog Kiosk: 5/9/2016 - Dodgers Links - Baez, Puig and Urias

There was nothing but pink all day.  Featured above are Clayton Kershaw and Yasiel Puig in their Dodgers pink Mother's Day uniforms prior to the start of yesterdays game.  Pic above via Puig on twitter.  Unfortunately, one player didn't have his pink bat.  Via Ken Gurnick at MLB.com:

Howie Kendrick had the go-ahead RBI with his usual bat, but he didn't mean to slight the Mother's Day theme.

"My pink bat got left behind, or I would have used it," he said. "It was in the rack back home, but it missed the plane."

BTW, the Dodgers won the game over the Blue Jays, 4-2.  They rallied, with the game tied at two, in the eight inning off an RBI single by Kendrick.  Then, Kenley Jansen shut the door with his eleventh save of the year.  So far, he is perfect is save opportunities this season.  Via Ken Gurnick at MLB.com:

"When you're really good, people can take you for granted," Kershaw said. "You expect him to go 1-2-3 and strike out the side. But he's not an unknown. It's just a matter of him being so good. What you want from a closer is someone who wants the ball, and Kenley embraces it. He wants to be out there, and that's huge."

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1947, the infamous photo of Jackie Robinson with Phillies manager Ben Chapman is taken prior to a game in Philadelphia.  As you know, Chapman lead an cavalcade of racial slurs against Jackie when they played in Brooklyn several days before, and the ensuing backlash against his actions caused him to seek amends by taking this photo.
• Happy Birthday, Aaron Harang!

Herschiser Error Highlights Topps Newest Jumbo Wall Art Cards

The 1987 Topps Baseball card design has always elicited mixed emotions with me.  When I first saw the set as a teen I hated the design.  It reminded me of the family wood-sided station-wagon we used to take on long arduous road trips.  With the passage of time, however, I've gained an appreciation for it.

Today, it is quirky and nostalgic.  Almost thirty years later I think fondly of not only ripping open pack after pack of this product, but also of those family jaunts to far off places.  They are memories that I cherish today, and to see the set come back as an tribute with current Dodgers makes me smile.

Featured here are pics of the complete ten card 1987 Tribute set release by Topps, and it is available online as either an 5" x 7" complete set or individually as much larger sized wall art.  Go here to take a look.

Of special note is the Orel Hershiser card - the only former Dodger in the set.  As you can see in the screengrab above, Topps messed up.  They have misspelled Orel's last name - adding a "c" where is doesn't belong.

I wonder if the printed cards contain this error.  I figure the pic in the Topps listing online is a digital representation of the set, so there's no guarantee that this is actually what you'll get.  What I do know, though, is that these cards are ready to ship within three to five days, so it's likely that they've already been printed.  Like many cards made in the 80's I suspect this will be an uncorrected error.

UPDATE:  I sent along this post to Topps and they have just informed me that the cards have yet to be printed, so they'll be making the appropriate changes.  Oh well, I was looking forward to seeing the error.

@ernestreyes Thanks, we will get it fixed. It's not printed yet.

— Topps Company (@toppscards) April 20, 2016

Now check out pics of the entire set below.

Blog Kiosk: 4/14/2016 - Dodgers Links - Kobe, Kendrick and Justin Turner

Fans celebrate their favorite players in all sorts of different ways.  Some folks go all out by wearing a full length uniform to show their fanaticism.  Others simply follow, collect or are more subtle when it comes to expressing their fandom.  Yesterday, a couple of Dodgers' showed their appreciation to retiring forward Kobe Bryant in totally different ways, and it happens to coincide with what I said above.

On the top left is Dodgers third baseman Justin Turner in full Kobe Bryant regalia in honor of the Lakers great last NBA game.  He shared this pic of himself on twitter yesterday afternoon.  To the right are commemorative cleats and batting gloves provided by Nike to Yasiel Puig (as well as others throughout Baseball) that he wore during last night's game.  This photo was also shared on twitter.  Other players to get the Bryant Baseball gear include Adrian Gonzalez and Mike Trout.

Below are more links to check out:

• Those new "LA" logo helmet 3-D things are not faring so well.  Sax at Sons of Steve Garvey shares a pic from yesterdays game showing Puig's helmet in need of some repair.
• Via Jack Baer at MLB.com, "Kendrick to see more time in left field."

Blog Kiosk: 4/12/2016 - Dodgers Links - Maeda, Urias and Vin Scully

As street dedications go, this event was probably the most captivating.  Yesterday afternoon the City of Los Angeles and the Dodgers officially welcomed a street change that has been a long time coming.  They renamed Elysian Park Avenue to Vin Scully Avenue.  Jon Weisman at Dodger Insider has the complete story; including the entirety of Vin's speech:

“I don’t know you, and I miss you, believe me, each and every day. You have been so kind and so gentle, that again, as I said in my opening remarks, I’m overwhelmed. Just to hear your enthusiasm, the voice that comes roaring up out of the stands, there’s nothing like it.

Photo above via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2016 on the Dodgers twitter.  Take a look at even more pics taken by Jon from the event here.  Below are more links to check out:

• Yeah, I noticed this too.  Clayton Kershaw was getting ridiculously squeezed by the home plate umpire on Saturday.  Via Jeff Sullican at FanGraphs, "We Might Already Have the Season’s Worst Called Ball."
• Via Jon Weisman at Dodger Insider, "Micah Johnson optioned to Oklahoma City."  Howie Kendrick has been activated off the DL.  Another move is likely once Yasmani Grandal is activated.