Blog Kiosk: 8/11/2020 - Dodgers Links & News - Some Odds and Ends

Here is a fantastic 1956 Spring Training pic of 1955 World Series hero Sandy Amoros re-creating his series winning catch at Dodgertown in Vero Beach. As you can see, he is in front of the outfield berm at Holman Stadium - at centerfield. This photo recently sold at RMY Auctions at what I thought was a steal at $26.98.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1950 the Dodgers were no-ht by Vern Bickford of the Boston Braves, 7-0. He needed only 97 pitches to accomplish the feat. In 1951 the first color televised broadcast of a ballgame is aired on WCBS-TV. It featured a game at Ebbets Field between the Dodgers and the Boston Braves. Unfortunately, the Boys of Summer lose the contest, 8-1. In 1962 the Dodgers protest the Giants tactic of wetting down the basepaths in order to slow down speedster Maury Wills at Candlestick Park. The Dodgers would lose 5-4. Giants manager Alvin Dark would forever earn the nickname "The Swamp Fox." In 1969 Don Drysdale announced his retirement from the game. In 2015 every home team won their game -- making that a first in the live-ball era with a full slate of games.  
• Happy Birthday, Bobo Newsom, Luis Olmo, Dennis Lewallyn, Rex Hudson, Mike Huff & Bubba Crosby!

2019 Topps On-Demand Sets - The Dodger Cards

It recently discovered that there are a bunch of Topps online exclusive cards that have been released through their 'On-Demand' program that I have failed to list here. So, I thought I'd take a moment this Friday afternoon to share pics of all the Dodger cards made available so far.

There have been 13 'On-Demand' sets released this year, and five of them feature Baseball players. The others focused on either Garbage Pail Kids', Star Wars, Soccer or WWE. Go here for a complete checklist. The 13th set, which is a lenticular 3D set like the old Sportsflics of the 80's, is currently available for sale through Topps (go here to order) and is not expected to be released until mid-October.

Check out all the Dodger 'On-Demand' cards below. There is a Walker Buehler autographed card available as part of set #10, but I have yet to find a pic of it.

2019 Topps On-Demand Set #1 - Black and White Baseball 

• 2,000 packs sold

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#31 Cody Bellinger

2019 Topps Stadium Club - All the Dodger Insert Cards

Here's a final look at the Dodger inserts found in packs of 2019 Topps Stadium Club packs.

Base Autographs

#SCA-DSA Dennis Santana              #SCA-MMU Max Muncy

2019 Topps Series 2 Flagship Set -- The Rest of the Dodger Insert Cards

Here's a final look at the second series of cards for Topps 2019 flagship baseball set. Go here to check out all of my previous posts. Below are the rest of the Dodger inserts that are available in packs.

Major League Material

#MLM-CB Cody Bellinger

2019 Topps Definitive Collection - All the Dodger Cards

Last week Topps released their very high-end card brand, 2019 Topps Definitive Collection, and I've got pics of many of the Dodgers cards that are available. Check them out below. Go here to check out a complete checklist.

As you may know, a box of cards will cost you about $1,000 and you are guaranteed to receive six autographed and two relic cards per box. So this product is not for the weary.

Base Autograph Relic Collection

#ARC-CK Clayton Kershaw

Framed Autograph Patch Collection

#FAC-CK Clayton Kershaw

2019 Topps Gypsy Queen - All the Dodger Cards

Topps Gypsy Queen brand was released earlier this week and it's filled with plenty of Dodgers'. There are 13 base cards -- including three short printed Hall of Famers -- and numerous photo variations. Heck, even all the chrome inserts use entirely different pics than what they use in the base set. Go here to check out a complete checklist.

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#18 Cody Bellinger               #74 Max Muncy

2019 Topps Opening Day - Dodger Insert Cards

Below is a look at most of the Dodger inserts found in packs of 2019 Opening Day. Go here to check out the base cards.

As you'll notice, several of the insert sets are basically photo variation cards that use the same base card design but puts in a unique photo. The one twist is that these cards are not short-printed. My favorite of which is they Clayton Kershaw 'Rally Time' card. As you'll see further down, that card not only featured Kershaw, but also includes Manny Machado, Matt Kemp and Chase Utley.

BTW, there are two Max Muncy autographed inserts available, but I have yet to see either.

Opening Day Relics

#ODR-CK Clayton Kershaw

2019 Donruss - All the Dodger Insert Cards

Now that you've seen the base cards, here are the Dodger inserts found in packs of 2019 Donruss.

Retro 1985 Signatures

#11 Cody Bellinger

Retro 1985 Materials

#16 Adrian Beltre           #17 Adrian Gonzalez

2019 Donruss - All the Dodgers Base Cards

Panini's flagship baseball brand is now in stores and I've got pics of all the Dodger base cards below. Go here to check out a complete checklist.

As you can see below, Max Muncy is the Dodgers rep in the Diamond Kings subset. Pitching prospect Dennis Santana is our Rated Rookie. Furthermore, there are two variation cards to chase after -- Muncy and Buehler.

Diamond Kings

#26 Max Muncy

Blog Kiosk: 2/25/2019 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

It has begun.

Spring is officially upon us as the first games of the preseason started in earnest this weekend. Before you know it, it'll be Opening Day.

Pic above via Jill Weisleder/Los Angeles Dodgers 2019. Check out pics by Jon SooHoo and others on Dodger Insider from Friday (here), Saturday (here) and Sunday (here). Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 2002 84-year old broadcaster Ernie Harwell announced that this season would be his last as the Tiger's play-by-play man. As you may know, Harwell is the only announcer to have been traded for a ballplayer. Branch Rickey, in 1948, needed a substitute for an ailing Red Barber, so he traded catcher Cliff Dapper to the Atlanta Crackers of the Southern Association for his services. Ernie would broadcast in Brooklyn for two years.
• Happy Birthday, Al Hollingsworth, Andy Pafko, Cesar Cedeno & Xavier Paul!

Blog Kiosk: 2/20/2019 - Dodgers Links and News- Some Odds and Ends

I had never realized this.

Clearly, Don Newcombe was the inspiration for the Washington Senators logo from the 60's, via a tweet from DC Sports Artist.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1936 the Dodgers and Yankees complete their very first trade with each other. Brooklyn sent Buzz Boyle, Johnny McCarthy and $40,000 to the New York for Buddy Hassett. In 1984 Pedro Guerrero signed a five-year $7MM contract to stay a Dodger. In 2017 the Dodgers signed free agent outfielder Franklin Gutierrez to a one-year $2.6MM contract. He would only get into 35 games (primarily as a pinch hitter) before shutting down in June due to an recurrence of ankylosing spondylitis.
• Happy Birthday, Charlie Babb & Jack Bolling!

Blog Kiosk: 2/19/2019 - Dodgers Links and News - Some Odds and Ends

Clayton is faced live batter for the first time this spring yesterday. Pic above via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2019.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1954 the Dodgers signed 19-year old Roberto Clemente to a one-year contract worth $5,000 with a $10,000 signing bonus. He was highly scouted by both the Yankees and Giants, but they all got outbid by the Dodgers. Unfortunately, they would lose Clemente's rights during the upcoming 1954 Rule V Draft to Pittsburgh. In 1983 22-year old Dodger hurler Fernando Valenzuela becomes the first ballplayer awarded an $1,000,000 salary during arbitration. The Dodgers had countered back with a salary of $750,000.
• Happy Birthday, Oscar Roettger, Dick Siebert, Gail Hopkins, Dave Stewart, Josh Reddick & Fabio Castillo! 

2019 Topps Series 1 Baseball - Inserts Galore, Part 2

Here is a final look at Dodger cards found in 2019 Topps Series 1. Featured below is a bevy of inserts found in packs. Go here to check out the Dodger base cards.

Legacy of Baseball Autographs

#LBA-MM Max Muncy              #LBA-RS Ross Stripling

Blog Kiosk: 2/5/2019 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Here's a fantastic view of Dodger Stadium in the mist of being built, via RMY Auction (link here).

It is dated to 1958 and was taken by Delmar Watson -- a onetime child actor and news photographer.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 2009 the Dodgers announced that on May 16th Dodger Stadium will host a regular season game between Mexico City Diablos Rojos and the Monterrey Sultanes of Liga Mexicana de Beisbol (LMB) summer league. Unfortunately, the game was postponed due to a week-long closure of the Mexican League in April due to a swine flu outbreak. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't believe they ever rescheduled the game.
• Happy Birthday, Joe Hutcheson, John Gaddy, Cy Buker & Don Hoak!

2019 Topps Series 1 Baseball - Inserts Galore, Part One

Now that you've seen the Dodger base cards, here are several of the inserts you can find in packs. First, I thought I would share the handful of Dodgers found in Topps' 2019 Silver Pack 1984 Chrome promotion. Available at local hobby stores or online hobby retailers, you will receive a silver pack of four cards for each hobby box purchased. A jumbo hobby box should get you two silver packs. Go here for a complete checklist of promo cards.

2019 Topps Baseball Silver Pack Promotion

1984 Chrome Promo Cards

#T84-6 Jackie Robinson      #T84-15 Manny Machado

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 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

2018 Panini Black Friday & Cyber Monday - The Dodgers Cards

The recently passed Thanksgiving holiday saw two of the biggest shopping days of the year, and as you know Panini America jumped on the wagon to entice collectors to spend heavily. For Black Friday, they teamed up with various hobby shops throughout the country to pass out Black Friday packs to fans who bought their cards, and on Cyber Monday Panini gave special packs to case breakers for customers who bought slots for select Panini products.

Unfortunately, a complete and detailed checklist for both sets are not yet available, but I think I've got a fairly good handle on the Dodgers' who are available. As you'll see, both sets include a Manny Machado Dodger card. On a side note, I will do my best to updated this should any more Dodger players pop up. BTW, both sets include a multi-sport lineup -- baseball, basketball, football, soccer, and NASCAR. More details on the Black Friday set is here and the Cyber Monday set is here.

Black Friday Base

#30 Manny Machado

Blog Kiosk: 11/20/2018 - Dodgers Links - Congrats, Adrián!

Congrats on a fantastic career!

As I'm sure you've heard by now, former Dodger phenom and future Hall of Famer Adrián Beltré has announced his retirement from the game. I have always loved this guy and will always consider him a Dodger. That said, when he enters the hallowed hall of Cooperstown in five years time he'll likely be wearing the cap from Texas, and I couldn't be prouder. He belongs there (no matter what hat he wears), and as much as I hate that he didn't spend more time in Dodger Blue I can't help but feel happy for his accomplishments. He was one of my all-time favorites, and this Dodger fan can do nothing but tip my cap to him.

BTW, you can watch Beltré's first hit and RBI, as called by Vin Scully, here. It was against Angels hurler Chuck Finley on June 24, 1998. Also, Jon Weisman at Dodger Thoughts put up a great piece this morning on Adrián that I thought worth check out. You can also read Beltré's retirement letter here, via a tweet from the Rangers.

Photo above via @MLB on twitter. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 2011 the Dodgers signed free agent infielder Luis Cruz. He would have a career year in Dodger Blue; slashing .297/.322/.431/.753 with six homers and 40 RBI's in 2012. In 2014 the Dodgers acquired relievers Adam Liberatore and Joel Peralta from the Tampa Bay Rays for Greg Harris and Jose Dominguez. 
• Happy Birthday, Leon Cadore, Rube Ehrhardt, Jay Johnstone, Rick Monday, JD Drew & Alex Guerrero!

2018 Topps Holiday - All the Dodgers Cards

With the holidays practically here, it is now time to talk about some of the various sets being put out to celebrate the festivities. First, here's a look at the 2018 Topps Holiday Baseball card set -- a Walmart exclusive.

A limited edition 10 pack box is avialable that includes a 200 card base set with a snowflake graphic in the background. You are also guaranteed one hit (Autograph, Relic or Auto Relic card). Check out what the box looks like on the right. Go here to check out a complete checklist.

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#HMW9 Chris Taylor

#HMW30 Corey Seager