Blog Kiosk: 3/11/2020 - Dodgers Links & News - Some Odds and Ends

Check out this vintage photograph I ran into while perusing eBay. It is a Barney Stein photo of the 1956 Brooklyn Dodger team at the Atomic Memorial in Hiroshima during their Tour of Japan series that fall (eBay link). I suspect it was originally found in one of those presentation photo albums the team made for the players and staff that headed for the Far East. You can also see this exact image at the Walter O'Malley.com website, where it says:

A bronze plaque from the Dodgers was presented at the Hiroshima stadium with the following legend: “We dedicate this visit in memory of those baseball fans and others who died by atomic action on August 6, 1945. May their souls rest in peace and with God’s help and man’s resolution peace will prevail, forever, amen.” Among those attending the presentation were Dodger President Walter O’Malley, manager Walter Alston, and Dodger players as Pee Wee Reese, Roy Campanella, and Duke Snider.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1953 the very first spring game is played at the newly built Holman Stadium at Dodgertown in Vero Beach, Florida. The Dodgers faced off against the A's and defeated then, 4-2. In 1972 Dodgers Hall of Fame legend Zach Wheat dies at the age of 83. He was a Brooklyn Dodgers for 18 seasons -- slashing .317/.367/.452/.819 with 131 home runs, 2,804 hits and a batting title in 1918.
• Happy Birthday, Bill Pounds, Joe Dunn, Bobby Abreu, Rich Hill & Pedro Baez!

Blog Kiosk: 10/22/2019 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Here's a fantastic UPI press photo featuring the Dodgers' three co-MVP's from the 1981 World Series -- Pedro Guerrero, Steve Yeager and Ron Cey (eBay auction link). Dated October 28, 1981 and taken by Pat Benic/UPI.

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!

2019 Bowman Baseball - All the Dodgers Cards

Thirty years ago Topps brought back their Bowman brand from the dustbin of collecting history and quickly re-branded it as its premier prospect set. Every year collectors open up box and box chasing after the 'next-big-thing' and this year is sure to be no different.

Earlier this week 2019 Bowman hit store shelves and it's filled with several Dodger farmhands who could make waves in LA soon. In fact, it includes the very first Dodger card of recently acquired infielder (courtesy of the Puig/Kemp trade) Jeter Downs. Also, you can find the very first officially licensed cards of prized catcher Diego Cartaya (which is autographed), Christian Santana and James Outman. Go here for a complete checklist.

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#2 Cody Bellinger           #15 Clayton Kershaw

Base Paper Prospects    Base Chrome Prospects

#BP-80 Dustin May          #BCP-80 Dustin May

Blog Kiosk: 2/6/2019 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

I love the pure unadulterated joy on their faces.

Above is a September 24, 1947 AP press photo featuring a Dodger celebration unlike anything I've ever seen (eBay Auction Link). Per the description on the reverse:

Julibant Brooklyn Dodgers gather around the piano in the clubhouse at Ebbets Field in their impromptu celebration over the clinching of the National League pennant. Playing the piano for the musically inclined team is catcher Bobby Bragan. Seated on the end of stool in the foreground with a broad grin is Manager Burt Shotton.

Can you just imagine the Dodgers, or any team for that matter, pulling out instruments during a clinching celebration? UPDATE: Who's the guy (with his face cut-off) on the top-left corner with the fantastic mustache? I need to know!

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1956 Dodgers owner Walter O'Malley, in a last ditch effort to save baseball in Brooklyn, lends his public support for a Wagner-Cashmore plan to build a $30-million Brooklyn sports center -- promising to purchase $4 million worth of the bonds. Unfortunately of them, lack of funding from the city's Board of Estimates killed the plan. In 2014 the Dodgers signed a free agent minor league contract with third baseman Justin Turner. He had just been released by the Mets, and was only given an invitation to spring training by the Dodgers. To the surprise of many, Turner would have a breakout season and become an important leader in the clubhouse.
• Happy Birthday, Andy Sommerville, Rube Ward, Red Downey & Glenn Wright!

2018 Bowman’s Best - All the Dodgers Cards

Just before the Christmas holiday Topps released their 2018 Bowman’s Best brand, and I've got pics of most of the Dodgers' cards below. Go here for a complete checklist.

There are a ton of Dodger rookies available; including Walker Buehler and Keibert Ruiz, and likely the last card of Brian Dozier as a Dodger. Check them all out below.

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#2 Walker Buehler                #8 Cody Bellinger

2018 Bowman Draft Baseball - All the Dodgers Cards

Last week Topps released their prospect heavy 2018 Bowman Draft Baseball brand, and it includes two Dodger youngster on an officially licensed card for the first time. Go here for a complete checklist.

First, you can find the first card for infielder Devin Mann --  the Dodgers 2018 fifth round pick. He began is pro career in the Midwest League playing for the Great Lakes Loons - slashing .241/.348/.335/.683. The second Dodger rookie to appear for the first time on cardboard is right handed pitcher Braydon Fisher. He was drafted in the fourth round of the 2018 draft and spent the year in the Arizona Rookie league. The 17-year old hurler threw 22 innings with an 2.05 ERA, 19 strikeouts and just 9 walks.

Unfortunately, there aren't any inserts, relics or autographed Dodger cards to chase after -- just the base cards. Check out the five Dodgers in the set below.

Bowman Base                  Bowman Chrome

#BD-15 Devin Mann      #BDC-15 Devin Mann

2018 Topps Heritage Minor League - The Dodgers Cards

Released this week is Topps 2018 Heritage Minor League brand, as as you might've guessed it's filled with nothing but prospects. Go here to check out a complete checklist. Below are most of the Dodger cards found in packs.

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#5 Will Smith               #8 Jeren Kendall

2018 Bowman Chrome - The Dodgers Base Cards

Featured below are the Dodgers' base cards found in packs of Topps' 2018 Bowman Chrome brand. It officially hit store shelves today. Go here to see a complete checklist.

As with all Bowman products this set is all about prospects. Our top two are featured in the base set (Buehler and Verdugo) and our #1 pick from 2017 (Kendall) can be found in the prospects base set. Other notable up-'n'comer's found as inserts include Matt Beaty, Keibert Ruiz, Mitchell White, Carlos Rincon, Dustin May and Edwin Rios. I should have pics of all of these soon, so stay tuned.

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#34 Walker Buehler

2018 Bowman High Tek - All the Dodgers Insert Cards

Here's a look at all the Dodgers' insert cards found in packs of 2018 Bowman High Tek. Go here to check out the base cards.

1st Bowman Tek (#/99)

#FBT-JK Jeren Kendall       #FBT-KR Keibert Ruiz

2018 Bowman High Tek - The Dodgers Base Cards

Released this week is the always fun and fascinating Bowman High Tek brand. This set features acetate (plastic) baseball cards rather than cardboard. So, chances are very high every card you pull will be in mint condition. On top of that, there are ten different background patterns/parallels available for each base card. In other words, this set can be both a player-collectors dream or nightmare. Go here for a complete checklist.

Since this is a Bowman product nothing but prospects can be found. Featured is outfielder Alex Verdugo. High rising prospects in the minors include Ibandel Isabel, Jeren Kendall, Keibert Ruiz and Mitchell White. Take a look at all the Dodgers' base cards and base autographs below.

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#RHT-AV Alex Verdugo

2018 Bowman Platinum - All the Dodgers Insert Cards

Here is a look at most of the Dodgers' inserts found in packs of the Walmart exclusive 2018 Bowman Platinum Baseball brand. Go here to check out the Dodgers base cards.

Top Prospects

#TOP-18 Keibert Ruiz            #TOP-22 Gavin Lux

Blog Kiosk: 7/3/2018 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

This team astounds.

Per Alden Gonzalez at ESPN:

"As is always the case, when you're winning games, everything is manageable. Everything is a lot better," Friedman said. "When you're not, everything's a lot worse. So right now, we're managing pretty well, just based on the fact that we're playing well. And we're getting contributions from basically the entirety of our roster as we are adding guys back from the [disabled list], which I feel like bodes well for us if we look ahead. But to get to this point has certainly been an interesting path."

We've experienced both heartache and jubilant celebration this season, and we're not even at the All-Star break yet. Fans that were once despondent -- ready to throw in the towel due to a perceived lost season -- are now reaping the rewards that only patience can provide... And what rewards they are.

Last night fans witnessed All-Star bound Matt Kemp go 5-for-5 to drive the Dodgers past the Pirates in a lopsided victory, 17-1. Per Kaelen Jones at MLB.com:

"[Kemp's] been a big part of our lineup in the middle of it," said Dodgers third baseman Justin Turner. "He knows how to drive in runs and that's what you've been seeing the last couple of nights. He's an RBI machine."

Never in my wildest dream did I ever think that Kemp would return to the Kemp-of-old. Photo above of Matt Kemp via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2018 at Dodger Insider. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1925 Robins (Dodgers) second baseman Milt Stock recorded his fourth consecutive four-hit game -- setting an NL mark. In 1958 the Dodgers, in their 35th home game ever in Los Angeles, reached the one million attendance mark. At Ebbets Field they drew 1,028,258 fans total all season the year prior. In 1974 Dodgers reliever Dr. Mike Marshall appeared in his 13th consecutive game, setting a major league record. The streak also ended on this day when he didn't make an appearance during the second game of a doubleheader against the Cincinnati Reds. In 1991 the Dodgers traded José González for outfielder Mitch Webster. In 1993 Don Drysdale died of a heart attack in Montreal after broadcasting the Dodgers’ game against the Expos. In 2013 Yasiel Puig becomes the first player to be named Player of the Month for the first month he plays in the major leagues in the 55-year history of the award. 
• Happy Birthday, Cliff Curtis, Jack Dalton, Luke Hamlin, Art Fowler, Howie Schultz, Ed Roebuck, Danny Heep, Juan Rivera & Edinson Volquez!

2018 Topps Pro Debut - All the Dodgers Cards

Topps' minor league Baseball card brand Pro Debut officially hit store shelves this week, and I've got pics of every Dodger card available to look at below. Go here for a complete checklist.

This set is stacked with some of the best Dodger prospects currently in our system; including the recently called-up pitcher Dennis Santana. Other notables are Keibert Ruiz, Yadier Alvarez , DJ Peters and Mitchell White. Heck, all nine Dodgers' in the base set are all worth paying attention to.

Something notable is a fun mascot card featuring Tremor of the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes - a Dodgers Single-A team.

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#9 Mitchell White                 #38 Ibandel Isabel

2018 Bowman Mega Box Chrome Baseball - All the Dodgers Cards

For the second consecutive year Topps has released their Target-exclusive 2018 Bowman Mega Box Chrome Baseball boxes, and below are all of the unique Dodgers' cards found within packs. BTW, these boxes will cost you $14.99 and you will get seven packs -- five Bowman retail packs (exactly like the packs released in April) and two exclusive Mega Box Chrome Bowman packs.

You will notice that the base cards found in the Mega Box Chrome Bowman packs all feature a unique and exclusive Refractor design dubbed "mojo" by many in the hobby. Go here and here for information.

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#BCP19 Johan Mieses           #BCP22 Yadier Alvarez

2018 Bowman - The Dodgers Insert Cards

Here's a final look at the Dodgers' cards found in packs of 2018 Bowman Baseball. This time we take a peek at the Bowman Scouts Top 100 insert set, #BowmanTrending, Sterling Continuity, ROY Favorites and the Talent Pipeline cards.

Bowman Scouts Top 100

#BTP-6 Walker Buehler          #BTP-28 Alex Verdugo

2018 Bowman - The Dodgers Base Autograph Cards

Now that you've seen the base cards here are all of the autographed base inserts found in packs of Topps 2018 Bowman Baseball. There are notable top prospects here; including catcher Keibert Ruiz, Dennis Santana, Walker Buehler, Alex Verdugo and DJ Peters.

Chrome Prospect Autographs

#CPA-DP DJ Peters            #CPA-DS Dennis Santana

2018 Bowman Baseball - All the Dodgers Base Cards

The brand that has come to define the rookie card and prospect hunting is now out in stores. Featured here are all of the base and prospect base Dodgers' cards found in packs of 2018 Bowman Baseball. Go here for a complete checklist.

This set is filled with Dodger youngsters - many of whom will likely find themselves in Los Angeles over the next few years. It includes cards for both Buehler and Verdugo. At the same time, there are "1st Bowman" cards for Johan Mieses, Jeren Kendall, Dennis Santana, Ibandel Isabel and Keibert Ruiz.

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#47 Cody Bellinger             #59 Walker Buehler

2017 Leaf Trinity Baseball - All the Dodgers Cards

We are four months into 2018, so why Leaf sees it fit to release a 2017 set now is beyond me. Featured here is Leaf's newest Baseball card set, and it is their 2017 Leaf Trinity brand. Go here for a complete checklist.

As you know, this product focuses on up-'n-coming prospects; including our 2017 1st round pick Jeren Kendall. There are also several different autographed cards of Cody Bellinger available.

Clear Autographs Gray

#CA-CB1 Cody Bellinger            #CA-ER1 Edwin Rios

2018 Panini Stars & Stripes USA - Dodgers Prospect Jeren Kendall

This is one of those sets that very likely will expand its Dodgers' checklist over the coming few years. After all, there are cards here for teenagers (under 15-years of age) and college athletes that are members of Team USA, and many of these kids may eventually find themselves within a minor league system somewhere.

Featured here is Panini's Stars & Stripes USA Baseball brand, and below is the only current Dodger within it -- Jeren Kendall. As you know, Kendall was the Dodgers 2017 first draft pick (23rd overall). Go here for a complete checklist.

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#82 Jeren Kendall

Blog Kiosk: 3/13/2018 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

It's all about family, ain't it?

Kenley spent plenty of time with his young son, Kaden, at Camelback Ranch yesterday. He wrote:

One day you'll be too big for my arms, but papa will always remember these times

Photo above via Kenley's twitter. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1917 Dodger skipper Wilbert Robinson performed some spring antics on the field. After hearing that Gabby Street caught a Baseball thrown from the Washington Monument, Robinson bragged that he could catch a ball dropped from an airplane. So, the stunt was set up, but as legend has it young outfielder Casey Stengel had something else in mind. He substituted a grapefruit for the Baseball. Said fruit was then gloved by Robinson as it fell, but it exploded on his chest. Having seen the fruits red innards splashed all over himself Wilbert exclaimed, "Help me, Lads, I'm covered with my own blood!" Then, he tasted it. On a side note, it has since been revealed that Stengel was not the genius behind this prank. Ruth Law, the pilot, substituted part of her lunch when she realized she forgot to bring a baseball.
• Happy Birthday, Chappie McFarland, Tom Flood, Mal Eason, Lew Malone, Don Bessent, Don Miles & Mariano Duncan!