Blog Kiosk: 6/1/2020 - Dodgers Links & News - Some Odds and Ends

Here's a fun photo that is currently available on auction through RMY (link here). It features what looks like the entire Brooklyn team surrounding the piano, while singing a tune. Skipper Burt Shotton is on the piano bench and Jackie Robinson is on the far right -- standing behind Duke Snider. Unfortunately, the pic isn't dated, but it's thought to be from the 1947 season -- primarily because Shotton was known to not wear the typically manager uniform when he managed the club that year.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1955 the Brooklyn Dodgers set a franchise record when they hit six home runs in a game during their victory over the Milwaukee Braves at Ebbets Field. Duke Snider hit three homers in the contest (becoming the first Dodger to do it twice), to go along with home runs by Jackie Robinson, Pee Wee Reese and Roy Campanella. In 1962 Don Drysdale defeated the Philadelphia Phillies for the 13th consecutive time - a streak that began in 1958. I remember this next incident so well. In 1997 Wilton Guerrero shattered his bat during an at-bat and immediately scrambled to pick up the bat pieces instead of running to first base. Obviously, home plate umpire Steve Ripley got suspicious and subsequently searched the remains. Ripley found cork, ejected Guerrero and then the league suspended for eight games.
• Happy Birthday, Otto Miller, Ty Tyson, Ray Moore, Chuck Templeton, Ken McMullen & Derek Lowe!

Blog Kiosk: 3/26/2019 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Pee Wee Reese could soar like an eagle.

Featured above is a 1957 spring training pic taken by Herb Scharfman of Reese at Dodgertown. Per the descriptor on the reverse:

Veteran Captain Pee Wee Reese of the Brooklyn Dodgers may not be as young as some of his teammates at the Dodgers spring camp, but he still has plenty of zip and bounce. He is floating over the pitchers batting screen here like a two-year-old.

The above pic is currently available through RMY Auctions (link here). 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!

Matt Kemp - Yasiel Puig - Alex Wood - Kyle Farmer -- Thank You!

I think we all expected this kind of trade was coming. Now that it has actually happened I'm in a state of shock. This afternoon the Dodgers paired some salary and some talent for a couple of prospects and a player not likely to be around long. Per a Dodger press release:

The Los Angeles Dodgers today acquired minor league infielder Jeter Downs, minor league right-handed pitcher Josiah Gray and right-handed pitcher Homer Bailey from the Cincinnati Reds in exchange for catcher/infielder Kyle Farmer, outfielders Matt Kemp and Yasiel Puig, left-handed pitcher Alex Wood and cash considerations (said to be $7 Million).  

Wow!

For the second time I get to say goodbye, good luck and thank you to Matt Kemp. He's been a great Dodger and I thoroughly enjoyed having him back in Los Angeles this season. As for Puig, I'll miss him. He's been a joy to watch, and I hope he finds continued success in Cincy. Alex Wood is someone I expect will pay off handsomely for the Reds. He'll be a frontline starter for that club. Kyle Farmer is likely to enjoy a long Major League career, and I suspect he'll beat us with a timely pinch hit a time-or-two over the coming years.

 Thank you, Boys! It's been an absolute pleasure!

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2018 Topps Gallery - All the Dodgers Insert Cards

Here is a last look at the Dodgers' found in packs of Topps 2018 Gallery brand. Featured below are most of the various inserts that are available. You can check out the base cards here.

Of note, the original drawings used to create these cards are randomly inserted into packs. So far, I've only seen the Joc Pederson drawing (see it below) and it can be purchased on eBay for $149.99 (link here).

Check out the Dodgers' inserts below.

Base Autographs

#9 Tim Locastro              #10 Alex Verdugo

Blog Kiosk: 11/19/2018 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

With surgery looming, Kenley Jansen spent part of this past weekend at 14th annual Thanksgiving Turkey Giveaway at Dodger Stadium. Per Ken Gurnick at MLB.com:

"This shows you how great this organization is, and it's awesome to be a part of it," Jansen said. "We're putting smiles on people's faces and helping them enjoy their holidays."

Kenley is slated to have heart surgery next week, November 26th. Per Cary Osborne at Dodger Insider:

“It’s health first and make sure everything is good,” Jansen said. “I want to be back healthy and perform here again and try and help the Dodgers win ballgames.”

Photo above via Kenley Jansen on twitter. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1992 Dodgers first baseman Eric Karros is named the National League Rookie of the Year. He slashed .257/.304/.426/.730 with 20 home runs and 88 RBI's. In 1993 the Dodgers made one of the worse trades in their history. They sent starting pitcher and future Hall of Famer Pedro Martinez to the Expos for infielder Delino DeShields. In 2015 the Dodgers signed free agent utilityman Charlie Culberson. He would go on to play a significant part in two pennant winning Dodger clubs. 
• Happy Birthday, Eddie Morgan & Roy Campanella!

2018 Topps Gallery - All the Dodgers Base Cards

This week saw the official release of Topps Gallery Baseball -- an online and Walmart exclusive card brand. It features a 200 card base set of what is described as hand-painted portraits. Check out all of the Dodger base cards below. Go here to check out a complete checklist. As I said, they can be found only on the store-shelves of your local Walmart. You can also order boxes direct from Topps here. At this time only the 7-pack value boxes are available - the 20 pack hobby boxes are sold out. BTW, poster sized versions of these cards are also available directly from Topps. Go here to check those out.

Base

#9 Tim Locastro            #10 Alex Verdugo

#18 Yasiel Puig                 #34 Chris Taylor

2018 Panini National Treasures - The Dodgers Base Cards

Panini's National Treasures Baseball brand hit stores last week and it's filled with nothing but hits. Heck, even the base set consist of either an autograph, relic, or both. Below are all of the Dodgers' found in that base set. Go here to see a complete checklist.

Rookie Materials Signatures

#18 Walker Buehler                      #19 Alex Verdugo

Blog Kiosk: 9/21/2018 - Dodgers Links - Welcome to the Blue, Billie Jean King and Ilana Kloss!

This bit of news just came out of left field yesterday. It was announced that a brand new addition has been made to the Dodgers ownership group. Tennis champions and longtime partners Billie Jean King and Ilana Kloss are joining the franchise. Per a Dodger press release:

“As someone born, raised and educated in Southern California, it is an honor to be part of the Dodger ownership group,” King said. “Mark Walter and the entire Dodger organization are a first-class operation that have proven to be leaders in sports on and off the field of play. We share a commitment to equality and inclusion, including the LGBTQ community, and we hope to further expand the team’s efforts in those areas as we move forward together.” 

“I have been fortunate to work closely with Mark and Kimbra Walter on some projects, and I’m looking forward to being part of the Dodgers’ ownership group and helping the team expand its reach with new audiences,” Kloss added. “I hope to work with the team at a variety of levels and I share the organization’s proven commitment to excellence on the field and in the community.”

This just seems right. What other franchise in all of sports has done more to break down barriers?

Welcome to the Blue, ladies!

BTW, they will both be introduced to the fans prior to tonight's game against the Padres. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1934 Cardinals starter Paul "Daffy" Dean ho-hit the Brooklyn Dodgers at Ebbets Field, 3-0. In 1952 the Boston Braves play their last home game in Boston in a game against Brooklyn. Of the 8,822 fans on-hand most are rooting for the Dodgers. The Braves would move to Milwaukee the next season. In 1997 Mike Piazza becomes the first Dodger, and the first player in 25 years, to hit a home run out of Dodger Stadium. He whacked it off Rockies pitcher Frank Castillo over the Left Field Pavilion, and it is said to have traveled 478 feet. Willie Stargell was the last player to do it before Piazza. You can watch the monstrous homer here.
• Happy Birthday, Frank McManus, Max Butcher & Manuel Barrios!

Weekend Autograph Opportunity: Kiké, D-Mountain, Colletti, Verdugo, Farmer and Jay Howell

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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2018 Panini Chronicles - All the Dodgers Cards

Officially hitting stores last week, here is a look at nearly all of the Dodger cards found in packs of Panini's 2018 Chronicles set. Go here to check out a complete checklist.

As always, Panini does not hold a MLB license, so no team logos are found anywhere. Heck, the iconic red uniform numbers on the Dodger uniforms are nowhere to be found, as well. I suspect it is considered a unique aspect of the Dodger brand. Additionally, many of the inserts below do not include accurate card numbers since Panini does not provide a completely accurate checklist, and I'm a bit too lazy to do their job.

On another note, this set is filled with cards of Cody Bellinger, Walker Buehler, Alex Verdugo and Kyle Farmer.

Base Chronicles

#12 Walker Buehler

#21 Clayton Kershaw

2018 Topps Archives - All the Dodgers Insert Cards

I am finally getting around to posting up pics of most of the Dodgers' insert cards found in packs of 2018 Topps Archives. Check them out below.

1980s Topps Coins

#C-23 Cody Bellinger

2018 Panini Immaculate Collection - All the Dodgers Cards

Here is look at all of the Dodger cards found in packs of Panini's 2018 Immaculate Baseball card brand. Go here to check out a complete checklist. Please keep in mind that the numbering indicated below is accurate for the base cards, but is entirely wrong for all of the inserts. For whatever reason Panini does not provide completely accurate checklist, and I don't really have the patience to search around finding the right/appropriate prefixes on the cards.

As always, these Panini cards do not enjoy the benefit of a MLB license, so team logos are nowhere to be seen. Heck, they aren't even allowed to use the Dodgers' red numbers on their uniforms -- they have all been photoshopped to blue. How weird is that, eh?

Base Rookie Patch Autographs

#17 Walker Buehler            #18 Alex Verdugo

2018 Topps Chrome - All the Dodgers Cards

Officially in stores this week is Topps 2018 Chrome Baseball card brand, and as always I've got pics of most of the Dodgers' cards found within packs. Go here for a complete checklist.

These cards are basically very shiny versions of Topps flagship set. Although, there appears to be unique photos used for the base cards of Justin Turner, Kenley Jansen, Chris Taylor and Kenta Maeda. Also, I am aware of only two Dodger variation cards, so if more pop up I'll be sure to update this post.

Base

#36 Justin Turner                  #39 Alex Wood

#71 Walker Buehler

2018 Donruss Optic - All the Dodgers Cards

Panini America released their newest Baseball card set this week and I have pics of most of the Dodgers' cards found within packs. Go here for a complete checklist.

Overall, this is an extremely disappointing set. The images for the base cards are exact carbon copies of their 2018 Donruss set; with the exception being the two Rated Rookie players -Walker Buehler and Alex Verdugo. All they did was slap a different card design on the same pics. You can compare here. There are also a few insert cards that are exact copies from the Donruss set -- Longball Leaders, Mound Marvels and Out of This World. All they did was change the Donruss logo to an Optic logo.

Check out all the cards below.

Diamond Kings

#14 Clayton Kershaw

2018 Topps Stadium Club - All the Dodgers Insert Cards

Here's a look at all the Dodgers' inserts found in packs of Topps Stadium Club. I should have pics of all the Base Variations soon.

Base Autographs

#SCA-ABA Austin Barnes       #SCA-AW Alex Wood

2018 Panini Father’s Day - All the Dodgers Cards

This past weekend Panini America celebrated the paternal bond with a child by making a promotional Father's Day set available to collectors at local hobby shops. With the purchase of various unopened product you would receive a certain number of Father's Day packs to open. There is a 74 card base set, and it includes stars and rookies from five major sports -- baseball, basketball, football, soccer and NASCAR. There are also a bunch of inserts to chase after. Go here for a complete checklist. Below is a look at all the Dodger cards available.

Base

#11 Clayton Kershaw

2018 Topps Series 2 - Dodgers Inserts - Salute, Legends in the Making and MVP Medallion Relics

Now that you've seen the base cards, here is a look at some of the Dodgers' inserts you can find. Below are the Salute, Legends in the Making and MVP Medallion Relic cards.

Legends in the Making

#LITM-13 Clayton Kershaw

2018 Topps Series 2 - All the Dodgers Base Cards

The Series 2 part of Topps 2018 flagship Baseball card set is now in stores. Check out all of the Dodgers' base and variation cards below. Go here for a complete checklist.

There are at least seven different Dodger photo variation cards available; including two Seager cards and a Legends Variations for both Jackie Robinson and Sandy Koufax. It is also notable that Andre Ethier is included in the base set -- possibly his last Dodger card.

Base

#364 Dodgers - Combo Cards

#369 Chris Taylor               #466 Tim Locastro

Blog Kiosk: 6/11/2018 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Depth means that anybody can be your staff ace at any time. For instance, the season began with Kershaw at the top of the heap. As soon as he went down with an injury rookie hurler Walker Buehler stepped up to lead the rotation. Now, spot-starter Ross Stripling has taken the reigns as our #1. He went 6.2 innings of four-hit ball to defeat the Braves, 7-2. Per Kaelen Jones at MLB.com:

"I was able to get off to a good start," Stripling said. "I went through the lineup once I think [in] less than 30 pitches, so I was in a good spot, then had a 33-pitch fourth. Obviously, the two homers, then was able to limit it to that. After that, you know you're trying to get through that inning and settle down and [I] was able to do that. Went 6 2/3 and just give us a chance to win, which is what I was trying to do when I went out there." 

The Dodgers have won in each of Stripling's last five starts. His performance Sunday was buoyed by Los Angeles' offense, which bounced back from a quiet night Saturday to post seven runs while collecting 10 hits.

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

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1957 Roy Campanella hit his 237th career home run as a catcher to set a new NL record. In 1969 the Dodgers traded Ron Fairly and Paul Popovich to the Montreal Expos for Maury Wills and Manny Mota. In 1972 both Willie Davis and Manny Mota would both hit inside-the-park home runs in a losing effort against the Pirates, 7-5, at Dodger Stadium.
• Happy Birthday, Wheezer Dell, Horace Allen, Tom Baker, Yhency Brazobán, Mike Davis and Odalis Perez!

2018 Panini Diamond Kings - All the Dodgers Relic and Autographed Cards

There are a ton of different Dodger relic and autographed cards available in Diamond Kings to chase after. Below are pics of most of them.

You can get autographed cards of current mainstays like Chris Taylor and Justin Turner, cards of fast rising youngsters like Seager and Bellinger, prospects like Buehler or Verdugo, or Dodgers from the past like Darryl Strawberry or Orel Hershiser. Best yet, because this brand is not as popular as it's licensed competitor Topps you can get these jewels at a relative discount. In fact, in my opinion these are the cards that make this set worth checking out.

DK Signatures

• #34 Justin Turner -- Not Yet Seen

#30 Chris Taylor                #42 Corey Seager