2020 Topps Sterling -- The Dodger Cards

Here's a look at a bunch of the Dodgers' found in packs of 2020 Topps Sterling. Go here for a complete checklist.

Sterling Seasons Autograph Relics

#SSAR-CK Clayton Kershaw

2020 Topps Tier One - The Dodger Cards

Last week saw the release of Topps 2020 Tier One Baseball card brand. This premium product will cost you about $150 for a box of three cards, and you are guaranteed that two of them will be autographed. Go here for a complete checklist.

There are plenty of Dodger youngsters available to chase after -- Dustin May, Gavin Lux and Will Smith. Veterans available include Max Muncy and Clayton Kershaw. BTW, there are a whole bunch of "1 of 1" cards in this brand, but unfortuantely I have not yet seen one Dodger rarity yet.

Break Out Autographs

#BOA-DM Dustin May        #BOA-DMA Dustin May

Blog Kiosk: 6/3/2020 - Dodgers Links & News - Normal is Not Good Enough

When I woke up this morning I saw this headline:

L.A. police use UCLA's Jackie Robinson Stadium as 'field jail'

I don't even know what to think anymore. From the above story, via Dennis Romero at NBC:

"We’re troubled by accounts of Jackie Robinson stadium being used as a 'field jail,'" the university said on Twitter. "This was done without UCLA’s knowledge or permission. As lessee of the stadium, we informed local agencies that UCLA will NOT grant permission should there be a request like this in the future." 

The Los Angeles Police Department acknowledged using the field in West L.A. for suspects arrested during the city's George Floyd protests. "We are no longer using it," Officer Mike Lopez said.

I want to believe this was an oversight, but fear it was a purposeful metaphor. Photo above via Stadium Journey. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1888 the first publication of Ernest L. Thayer's poem Casey at the Bat appears in the San Francisco Examiner. In 1958 Los Angeles residents approved a referendum, by a slim margin of 24,293 votes, that would honor a contract negotiated between the City of Los Angeles and the Dodger to allow the city to sell 300 acres of Chavez Ravine to the Dodgers. In 1989 the Dodgers and Astros play a 22-inning game at the Astrodome that is the longest game in National League history -- it last seven hours and 14 minutes. The game featured Fernando Valenzuela playing first base and center fielder John Shelby going 0-for-10 at the plate. Unfortunately, the Dodgers lost 5-4 (boxscore).
• Happy Birthday, John Dobbs, Jim Gentile, Barry Lyons & Nelson Liriano!

Blog Kiosk: 5/19/2020 - Dodgers Links & News - Some Odds and Ends

Here's a fantastic International News Photo taken by Ed Grady featuring Pee Wee Reese tagging out fellow Hall of Famer Robin Roberts (eBay auction link). Per the descriptor on the reverse:

Fallen Robin --

Philadelphia, PA ...The Phillies Robin Roberts makes a good try but he's out at second attempting to stretch his hit off the right field wall in the third inning of last night's game against the Dodgers. Furillo's perfect peg to Pee Wee Reese (1) robbed Robin of the extra base and retired him. Dodgers won the game, 2-1. (boxscore).

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1988 Tim Leary threw his second shutout of the season, defeating the Montreal Expos 2-0 (boxscore). He had been winless in his past five outings. Leary would go on to be an important cog in the World Series championship team. Tim would be the #2 man in the rotation - going 17-11 with an 2.91 ERA, nine complete games and six shutouts. In 2015 the Dodgers officially signed Cuban defector Héctor Olivera to a six year/$62.5 million contract (including a $28 million signing bonus). He would then be traded a couple of months later to the Braves in a three team trade that netted the Dodgers Alex Wood and a bunch of other players not worth mentioning.
• Happy Birthday, Dutch Schliebner, Jim Hickman, Earl Naylor & Bill Antonello!

Blog Kiosk: 5/15/2020 - Dodgers Links & News - Some Odds and Ends

Check out these two future Hall of Famers, Pee Wee Reese and Ducky Medwick, hanging out on the dugout steps in this UPI press photo from the '40's (eBay auction link).

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1956 the Dodgers purchase starting pitcher Sal "the Barber" Maglie from the Indians. Maglie would go on to have a terrific season with the Dodgers. He went 13-5 with an 2.87 ERA, a 139 ERA+, and come in second behind Don Newcombe in both Cy Young and MVP voting. In 1965 the Dodgers are one-hit by Cubs pitcher Dick Ellsworth, but nevertheless win the game, 3-1 -- on a three-run homer by Al Ferrara in the eighth inning. In 1998 the unthinkable happened. The Dodgers traded their franchise catcher Mike Piazza and infielder Todd Zeile to the Marlins for Gary Sheffield, Bobby Bonilla, Charles Johnson, Jim Eisenreich and Manuel Barrios. This is when I knew the News Corp/Fox ownership of the Dodgers was a big mistake.
• Happy Birthday, Alex Verdugo, Jack Corcoran, Jimmy Wasdell, Al McBean, Brian Dozier, Bill North & Josh Beckett!

2020 Topps Definitive Collection - All the Dodger Cards

A couple of weeks back Topps released their super-premium brand, 2020 Topps Definitive Collection. For the price of about $1500 (holy smokes) you can get a single pack of eight cards -- six of which are autographed. Go here for a complete checklist.

As always, this set features clean and crisp background designs -- always in white with numerous colored parallels available. Also, all autographs are on-card (with exception of the cut signatures).

Below is a look at most of the Dodger cards available. I make special note of a Joc Pederson relic card with a game-used jersey piece attached.

Definitive Rookie Autographs

#DRA-DM Dustin May         #DRA-DMA Dustin May

2020 Topps Transcendent Collection - Hall of Fame Edition - All the Dodgers

A $20,000 box of cards was just released by Topps. It's their Transcendent Collection brand and it is the Hall of Fame edition and is limited to only 50 boxes.

Each box consist of a 50 card Hall of Fame base set, a 50 card Hall of Famers Original Art Sketch, 41 autographed cards and a invitation to a unique VIP Experience with a not-yet-to-be-determined Hall of Fame player. Go here for a complete checklist. Below are most of the Dodger cards I could find.

Base Hall of Fame Icons (#/50)

#25 Sandy Koufax           #29 Jackie Robinson

Blog Kiosk: 4/10/2020 - Dodgers Links & News - Some Odds and Ends

I think Pee Wee missed his calling. He should've hit the gridiron instead. Per the auction description at Love of the Game Auctions. (Auction Link)

Photo of Reese in the Dodger dugout, wearing a football helmet and posing to throw a football ostensibly owned by 1943 Heisman winner Angelo Bertelli.  Bertelli and Reese were stationed together in the Pacific Theater during World War II.  The photo, in FAIR condition due to several pronounced creases and some water staining, was likely taken in 1948, when news accounts indicate the Dodgers resurrected the white satin home uniforms worn by Reese in the photo.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1947 the Dodgers officially announced, during the sixth inning of an exhibition against the Royals, that they had purchased the contract of Montreal Royals infielder Jackie Robinson. He would be the first African-American to be on the roster of a modern Major League club. In 1962 the Dodgers played their very first home game at newly built Dodger Stadium in Chavez Ravine. There were 52,564 fans on-hand to watch Johnny Podres throw the first pitch to infielder Eddie Kasko -- who promptly doubled in the at-bat. Duke Snider would record the first Dodger hit with a single in the second inning.  Unfortunately, the Dodgers would lose the game to the Reds, 6-3. Reds outfielder Wally Post hit the first homer at the stadium during the seventh inning to lead Cincinnati.
• Happy Birthday, Bob McGraw, Chuck Connors, Lee Lacy, Mike Devereaux, Alberto Reyes, Andre Ethier & Charlie Culberson!

Blog Kiosk: 4/7/2020 - Dodgers Links & News - Some Odds and Ends

Here's an awfully awkward looking photograph that appears to feature newest Dodger Ray Sanders meeting Jackie Robinson, with Pee Wee Reese in tow. It is dated to March 12, 1948 and is available through REA (auction link).

As you may know, less than a week back the Dodgers traded Eddie Stanky to the Braves for Sanders, but eventually sent him back to Boston since he had not fully recovered from injuries suffered the previous year.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1969 Dodger reliever Bill Singer is the first Major Leaguer to officially be credited with a new fangled stat called the 'save.' It was on Opening Day in Cincinnati, and Singer pitched three scoreless innings to maintain a 3-2 victory over the Reds. Eric Stephen at True Blue LA wrote a story about it here. In 1977, on Opening Day, Don Sutton was directed to throw a gopher ball on the first pitch of the game to the Giants lead-off hitter Gary Thomasson. That ball would then be given to the home plate umpire to be sent to Cooperstown. As you might expect, the Giant batter instead hit the pitch for a home run. He claims he had no idea about the plan (yhea, right!).

"They told him that the first ball he threw would be sent to the Hall of Fame in Cooperstown," Lasorda said. "Well, the first ball he threw was hit by Gary Thomasson halfway up the bleachers. I said to him, ‘They wanted to send the ball to Cooperstown; they didn’t want someone to hit it there.’" 

This is the same game Frank Sinatra kept his promise to Tommy Lasorda by performing the national anthem at Dodger Stadium.  In 1979 the Dodgers traded pitcher Rick Rhoden to the Pirates for pitcher Jerry Reuss.

• Happy Birthday, Bobby Mitchell, Brett Tomko, Ronnie Belliard & Adrian Beltre!

Blog Kiosk: 2/7/2020 - Dodgers Links & News - Some Odds and Ends

Here's a great vintage action photograph taken by AP one June day. It features Pee Wee Reese attempting to snag a poorly thrown ball (eBay auction link)

Dodger Steamroll Temporarily Halted -- Tommy Glaviano (12), Cardinals' erstwhile right fielder, legs it pellmell into second for successful steal on bad throw to Dodgers' shortstop Pee Wee Reese in 5th inning of St. Louis-Brooklyn game at Ebbets Field in Brooklyn June 7. Ball (lower center) got away from the Dodger captain and rolled out into short center field. Glaviano took third and later scored on Cards' shortstop Stan Rojek's single. Scorer credited Glaviano with steal and charges Dodgers' catcher Roy Campanella with an error on his throw. All this went for nought as Dodgers won 2-1 to make a sweep of 3-game series over cards. 6/7/1951.

The photo was also part of the George Michael Collection of vintage press photos of ballplayers sliding. For those who don't know, George Michael was the host of a nationally syndicated weekend sports show before the days of cable TV and the internet. It was how I, and many other sports fans, received our weekly sports news. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1958 the Dodgers officially became the Los Angeles Dodgers, Inc. In 2006 the Dodgers signed Japanese pitcher Takashi Saito to a free agent minor league contract. Saito made the Opening Day roster and would quickly become a fan favorite. That first season he would record 24 saves with an 2.07 ERA, 1.87 FIP and come in 8th place in Cy Young voting.
• Happy Birthday, Tom Daly, Mel Almada, Cy Moore, Art Jones, Johnny Werhas & Burt "Happy" Hooton!

Blog Kiosk: 12/20/2019 - Dodgers Links & News - Some Odds and Ends

Check out this fantastic September 22,1946 action shot of Pee Wee Reese (eBay auction link).

Safe at Third -- Pee Wee Reese of the Brooklyn Dodgers is sale at third base when Dodgers catcher Bruce Edwards bunted to Braves pitcher Johnny Sain in the third inning of the first game between the Dodgers and the Braves at Braves Field. Sain's throw to Nanny Fernandez Braves third sacker was too late.

The Dodgers would unfortunately lose this first game of a doubleheader, 4-2, but take the nightcap, 8-1. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1976 the Dodgers traded Ted Sizemore to the Phillies for catcher Johnny Oats and a minor leaguer. In 1989 the Dodgers traded Mike Marshall and Alejandro Peña to the Mets for infielder Juan Samuel. In 2005 the Dodgers signed free agent outfielder Kenny Lofton.
• Happy Birthday, Branch Rickey, Erik Goeddel, Harry Stovey, Bob Hall, Butch Henline, Fred Merkle & Snooks Dowd!

2019 Topps Gallery - All the Dodger Cards

Last week saw the release Topps newest Walmart exclusive Baseball card brand -- 2019 Topps Gallery. As the name suggest, it featured ballplayers in artistically drawn portraits. Go here for a complete checklist.

There are 200 base cards, of which eight are Dodgers' -- including four short-printed cards. As with any set featuring drawings, the portraits are hit or miss. The Clayton Kershaw card below is clearly very well done. The cards of Walker Buehler and Dennis Santana, less so. There is one card, though that would rank as one of the ugliest things I've seen in awhile -- rivaling the 2014 Upper Deck Goodwin Champions card of Ron Cey (link here). To see what I mean go to the bottom of this post and check out the 'Master & Apprentice' insert card of Sandy Koufax and Clayton Kershaw. It's not pretty.

Base

#3 Clayton Kershaw

#103 Will Smith              #107 Max Muncy

2019 Topps Dynasty - The Dodgers Cards

Several weeks back Topps released their 2019 Topps Dynasty brand, and I finally have pics of many of the Dodgers available in it. Go here for a complete checklist. This is a high-end product -- costing about $300 for one single encapsulated autographed card per box. So, every pack should have a big hit in it.

For Dodger fans, this set is notable since it includes two former Dodgers in Blue -- Adrian Beltre and Rickey Henderson.

Autographed Patches

#Adrian Beltre
#DAB-ABE4

Blog Kiosk: 11/14/2019 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Here's another fantastic spring training Dodgers' AP press photo that I an across on ebay (link here). It features Long Beach product Rocky Bridges (left) along with Dodgers cap Pee Wee Reese. It is dated February 28, 1952.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Baseball History: In 1979 the Dodgers signed free agent starting pitcher David Goltz to a six-year $3MM contract. The former eight-year Twins veteran went 9-19 with a 4.25 ERA in three season with the team before being release in 1982. In 2016 Corey Seager is named the unanimous winner of the National League Rookie of the Year award.
• Happy Birthday, Harry Howell, Red Sheridan, Jim Brewer & Tim Hamulak!

2019 Topps Gold Label - All the Dodger Cards

Last week saw the released of Topps 2019 Gold Label brand, and I've not got pics of most of the Dodger cards to share. Check them out below. Go here for a complete checklist.

This set consist of a base set with 100 ballplayers, and each one has three different versions available -- called "Class 1", "Class 2" & "Class 3". The "Class 3" versions are scarcer than the "Class 1" versions.

There are six Dodgers available in the base set -- Kershaw, Bellinger, Buehler, Koufax, Jackie Robinson and Seager. There also are a handful of inserts available, but unfortunately I've only seen the Max Muncy autographed card.

Base

#34 Clayton Kershaw

2019 Topps Update Series - All the Dodger Insert Cards

Now that you've seen the Dodgers' base cards found in Topps flagship Update brand, check out many of the various Dodger insert cards that are available below. First, I thought I would begin with the two Dodger players that can be found in the 'Silver Pack 1984 Chrome Promo' packs -- Walker Buehler and catcher Will Smith. As you know, you can receive a free promo pack from participating retailers (hobby shops) for every box of cards purchased. Go here for a checklist.

As for the rest of the cards, there is plenty to chase after. Five Dodgers are available in the various All-Star themed sets, and there's a fantastic autographed Adrian Beltre I would be willing to fight you for.

Silver Pack 1984 Chrome Promo Cards

#T84U-20 Walker Buehler      #T84U-39 Will Smith

Blog Kiosk: 10/21/2019 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Featured above is a 1941 press photo showing Dodgers skipper Leo Durocher and first baseman Dolph Camilli arguing with the home plate umpire. To the far left is a dejected Pee wee Reese. Apparently, Pee Wee was called out on a third strike, that nobody in the Dodgers dugout liked. Unfortunately, we don't know the exact date of this photo or even who the opponent is, but we do know this is Ebbets Field (eBay auction link).

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1968 the Dodgers sold infielder Bob Bailey to the newest expansion ballclub Montreal Expos. Bailey was attained via a trade with the Pirates for speedster Maury Wills in 1966, and proceeded to stink it up in LA for two season. He slashed .227/.309/.325/.633. Nevertheless, he recorded the Expos very first hit in its franchise's history -- also driving in the clubs first two runs. Bailey also became a mainstay in Montreal, playing seven season in Canada and slashing an impressive .264/.368/.437/.805.
• Happy Birthday, Bill Russell, Franklin Stubbs, Bryan Corey, Toby Hall, Casey Fein & Zach Greinke!

Blog Kiosk: 10/18/2019 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Pee Wee Reese knows how to have a satisfying winter. Featured above is an October 6, 1955 press photo of Pee Wee Reese grabbing his clubs for a relaxing round of golf, two days after becoming a World Series champion for the first time (eBay auction link). Per the description on the reverse:

Pee Wee Reese grabbed his golf sticks and headed for the links where he will spend much of his time until next spring.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1977 Yankees outfielder Reggie Jackson broke LA's heart. He walloped three homers on three consecutive first-pitch at-bats against the Dodgers to win Game 6 and the World Series. If you must you can watch highlights here. I hate you Reggie Jackson! 
• Happy Birthday, Burt Shotton, Wally Millies, Roy Cullenbine, Andy Carey, Jerry Royster, Alan Mills & Alex Cora!

Blog Kiosk: 9/24/2019 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Here's a fun, dated circa 1957 on the reverse, photograph of Pee Wee Reese lounging comfortably on a leather armchair. It was taken by Dodger photographer Barney Stein and includes five well-dressed gentleman surrounding Pee Wee. I have no idea who those guys are or what is going on, but I suspect this was some sort of pregame activity/ceremony. I know for certain that there was a Pee Wee Reese Night at Ebbets Field in 1955, but am unsure if they did it again two years later. Maybe this was a pregame promotion where they gifted Pee Wee the easy-chair to promote the product. I dunno. (eBay Auction Link)

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1901 Brooklyn outfielder Jimmy Sheckard became the first 20th-century player to hit grand slams in two consecutive games, as Brooklyn pounds Cincinnati, 16 - 2.  In 1957 the last Major League game is played at Ebbets Field in Brooklyn. Pirates first baseman Dee Fondy makes the last out when he grounds to Dodger shortstop Don Zimmer with starting pitcher Danny McDevitt on the mound. The Dodger win, 2-0. In 1971 Dodger lefty Al Downing wins his 20th game of the season -- defeating the Atlanta Braves, 2-0. He would finish third in Cy Young voting this season. In 2003 Eric Gagne ties the NL record for saves when he records his 55th save of the season against the Padres in extra innings, 5-3.
• Happy Birthday, Tom Seats, Dixie Walker, Otis Davis, Dick Nen, Hubie Brooks, Larry White & Jim Neidlinger!

2019 Topps Luminaries - All the Dodger Cards

A couple weeks back Topps released their premium all-autograph brand, Luminaries, to the collecting public. For the price of about $150 you are guaranteed one autographed card. Additionally, every card comes encapsulated in a hard case -- with exceptions being the booklet cards. Go here for a complete checklist.

Below is a look at most of the Dodger cards that are available.

Home Run Kings Autographs

#HRK-MPI Mike Piazza