2020 Absolute Baseball - All the Dodger Cards

Here are most of the Dodgers' found in packs of Panini's Absolute Baseball brand. Go here for a complete checklist.

Base 

#28 Mookie Betts

Blog Kiosk: 5/21/2020 - Dodgers Links & News - Some Odds and Ends

Here's a great photo of two old Brooklyn Dodgers -- Duke Snider and announcer Red Barber -- just prior to their appearance on ABC's Good Morning America on August 1, 1980 (eBay auction link). Per the descriptor on the reverse:

New York: Duke of Brooklyn (and Los Angeles), Edwin Donald Snider (right), who will be inducted into Baseball's Hall of Fame August 3, reminisces with his old buddy, former Dodger announcer Red Barber, as they appear August 1 on ABC-TV's Good Morning America. Snider credited much of his success to teammate Pee Wee Reese and owner Branch Rickey. Barber was honored by the Hall of Fame in 1978.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1892 Brooklyn Bridgerooms/Dodgers second baseman George "Hub" Collins died unexpectedly of typoid fever. He had just fallen ill a week before. The 28-year old was considered a star, with many believing he was destined to be the greatest second baseman in Brooklyn history. In 1945 Leo Durocher (as a ballplayer) is officially released, so that he could concentrate all of his efforts on managing the Brooklyn Dodgers. In 1952 the Dodgers scored a Major League record 15 runs in the first inning to handily defeat the Reds at Ebbets Field, 19-1. At one point in the first inning 19 consecutive Dodgers' reached base. Also, Pee Wee Reese got on base in each of his three at-bats during the first inning -- with a single, two walks, two runs scored and an RBI. In 2000 MLB has its very first six grand slam day - Shawn Green & Adrian Beltre (Dodgers); Garret Anderson (Angels), J.T. Snow (Giants), Brian Hunter (Phillies) and Jason Giambi (A's).
• Happy Birthday, Sandy McDougal, Charlie Loudenslager, Mace Brown, Elmer Sexauer, Hank Webb & Tom Martin!

Blog Kiosk: 4/27/2020 - Dodgers Links & News - Some Odds and Ends

Here's a vintage World Wide Photo print featuring Dodgers ace Sandy Koufax with Jay North - aka, Dennis the Menace. They appeared together in an episode of Dennis the Menace in May 1962 -- during 31st episode of season 3. The episode was titled, "Dennis and the Dodger." The photo is available through RMY Auctions. You can watch much of the episode on Daily Motion, here.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1929 Dodger reliever Clise Dudley became the first pitcher (and only second player ever) to hit a home run on the first major league pitch thrown to him. In 1944 Jim Tobin of the Braves no-hits the Brooklyn Dodgers in Boston, 2-0. In 1990 Orel Hershiser undergoes surgery on his pitching shoulder. In 2004 Mets Catcher Mike Piazza ties Carlton Fisk for most career round-trippers by a catcher when he hit home run #351 against Dodgers hurler Hideo Nomo at Dodger Stadium.
• Happy Birthday, Hi Myers, Frank Wurm & Corey Seager!

2018 Topps Archives Signature Series Retired Player Edition - The Dodgers Cards

Last week Topps released their second Archives Signature product and this time they focus on retired ballplayers. As you'll recall, they released their active player edition in July (link here). This particular brand includes a checklist that has 14 ballplayers who once wore Dodger Blue, but I've only been able to find Dodger cards for ten of those former Dodgers. So far, signed Dodger cards of Andruw Jones (thank goodness), Bobby Bonilla, Pedro Martinez and Rickey Henderson have not yet been unearthed. Go here for a complete checklist. Check out the known signed Dodger buyback cards below. BTW, all Sandy Koufax cards come as a redemption.

On another note, the checklist indicates something called "Special Autographs", and that checklist includes six different older Dodger players. They are all "1 of 1's" and feature mostly vintage era cards that have been signed.

Retired Player Edition Encased Buyback Autographs

• #Andruw Jones -- None seen
• #Bobby Bonilla -- None Seen
• #Pedro Martinez -- None Seen
• #Rickey Henderson -- None Seen

#Bill Madlock

1986 Topps                          1987 Topps

Weekend Autograph Opportunity: Darryl Strawberry and Doc Gooden

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.

---------------------------

Former Dodger Darryl Strawberry and Mets legend Dwight "Doc" Gooden will be signing autographs at The OC Dugout in Anaheim on Sunday, August 26th from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM. This is a pay per autograph event. Go here for more information.

The OC Dugout
1515 South Sunkist Street
Anaheim, CA, 92806
(714)761-6414

* Please follow on twitter @ernestreyes *

* Like Dodgers Blue Heaven on facebook *

* Dodgers Blue Heaven home page *

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 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

New to the Collection: 1993 Friendship Series in Taiwan Program

I have absolutely no recollection of this occurring. Thankfully, I was able to acquire a fun little pamphlet that tells me a lot about it. Featured here is a program for the three-game 1993 Dodgers Friendship Series played in late-October against the CPBL (Taiwanese Professional Baseball League) All-Stars.

As you'll recall, 1993 was a dismal year for the Dodgers. They finished the season at .500 (81-81) -- 23 games behind the then formidable Atlanta Braves. So I'd imagine an overseas trip to Asia was a desirable respite for the guys. In fact, nearly all the big names came along -- Brett Butler, Raul Mondesi, Darryl Strawberry, Eric Karros, Mike Piazza, Pedro Martínez, Ramon Martínez, Orel Hershiser and manager Tommy Lasorda. Heck, even our poet laureate, Vin Scully, visited Taiwan to comment on the games.

Check out some pics of the program below. Click on any pic to embiggen.

2017 Bowman Baseball - The Dodgers Cards - Sketch, Autograph and '48 & '92 Bowman's

Here is a last look at some of the Dodgers' insert cards found in packs of Topps 2017 Bowman Baseball cards. Below are the numerous autograph, sketch and vintage fantasy Bowman Dodgers' cards. Go here to check out all of my past post on this set.

BTW, we find the very first licensed autographed cards for Dodger prospects Edwin Rios and Mitchell White.

Chrome Prospect Autographs

#CPA-AS Andrew Sopko

Paper Prospect Autographs (Retail Only)

#PA-ER Edwin Rios            #PA-MW Mitchell White

2017 Diamond Kings - The Dodgers Autograph Cards

Now that you've seen the base cards, here are the autograph Dodger cards available in packs of Panini's 2017 Diamond Kings.  Please note that you should ignore the card#'s below.  Panini does a very poor job providing accurate card#'s in their published checklist.

DK Signatures

#6 Julio Urias                  #34 Corey Seager

Blog Kiosk: 3/29/2017 - Dodgers Links - Some Spring Odds and Ends

A couple of old pros pass down some knowledge to an eager rookie.  Featured above is an April 15, 1956 Associated Press photo featuring a young Drysdale chatting it up with Labine and Furillo while autographing some balls.  (eBay Link) Per the descriptor:

PART OF THE BIG LEAGUE LIFE--Don Drysdale, center, 19-year-old rookie pitcher whose contract has been taken up by the Dodgers, gets introduced to a rainy day chore-autographing baseballs.  He listens to two "old hands"--pitcher Clem Labine, left, and outfielder Carl Furillo as they go about their work during postponement of today's scheduled exhibition game with the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History:  In 2004 the Dodgers purchased outfielder Jason Grabowski from the A's.  They also traded reliever Jason Frasor to the Blue Jays for outfielder Jason Werth.  In 2008 the Dodgers played a pregame exhibition game at the LA Coliseum against the Boston Red Sox in celebration of the 50th annniversary of the club's move from Brooklyn to Los Angeles.  A crowd of 115,300 attended -- the largest to ever see a Baseball game.
• Happy Birthday, Hank Gastright, Rube Dessau, Lee Meyer, Gibby Brack, Tommy Holmes, Mike Ramsey & Brian Jordan!
  

2016 Panini National Treasures Baseball - Some of the Dodgers Inserts, Part 1

Here is a look at more of the Dodger cards that can be found in packs of Panini's 2016 National Treasures Baseball.  Go here to see all of my past post on this set.

I should note that you should ignore the numbering scheme for each individual card shown below.  The checklist provided by Panini does not provide accurate numbering, and I have also discovered several cards that are not even on their checklist.  Why do they do this?  I dunno.  It's clearly dumb and meant to confuse collectors.

Rookie Materials Signatures

• #152 Corey Seager - redemption card
• #167 Frankie Montas - redemption card
• #209 Julio Urias - redemption card

#196 Ross Stripling                      #202 Trayce Thompson

2016 Panini Prime Cuts Baseball - The Dodgers Base Cards

Here is a look at most of the Dodgers' base cards found in packs of 2016 Panini Prime Cut Baseball.  As you may know, this is a premium product that will cost you about $200 for a box of five cards -- all of which are hits (an autograph, relic or both).  Go here for a complete checklist.

As always, this set has no team logos since Panini America does not have a MLB license.  So, all of the photos with the players in uniform are airbrushed -- which at times can look really weird.

Check out the Dodgers' players below.   I will have pics of the inserts cards (most of them) tomorrow.

Prime Cut Rookie Autographs

RC Autographs I

#4 Ross Stripling

Blog Kiosk: 11/8/2016 - Dodgers Links - Jansen, Turner, Seager, Maeda, Roberts and Calhoun

This kid is looking like a big hitter! This past weekend was the Arizona Fall League All-Star game, and Dodger prospect Willie Calhoun was on-hand to show-off his progress.  He went 3-for 3 and walloped a two-run homer to take home MVP honors.  Per William Boor at MLB.com:

"It means so much, being recognized by everyone and being the Most Valuable Player on this field is a blessing for sure," Calhoun said. "Being out here with these guys, and the talent these guys have is unreal. It's a real honor."
...
"He's awesome," Bellinger said of Calhoun. "He's my guy. We've been boys. We're going up the ladder together. I'm not surprised, he can just flat out rake."

Fellow Dodgers prospect Cody Bellinger also hit a two-run home run; going 1-for5 on the evening.  Photo above via the AFL on twitter.  Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History:  In 1990 Darryl Strawberry signs a five-year free agent contract to play for the Dodgers.
• Happy Birthday, Darwin Barney, José Offerman, Nick Punto and Yasmani Grandal!

2015 Topps Archives Signature - Many of the Signed Dodger Cards

Since I've been clearly obsessed with tracking and cataloging all of the modern era Dodger cards in existence I decided to do my best with Topps newest product - 2015 Topps Archives Signature.  Daunting, I know.  Go here for a checklist of players who signed.  For those who don't know, this product includes only signed buyback cards.

As you'll recall, last week I declared an Andruw Jones autograph Dodger card as this years worst (link here), and now you'll discover that there's at least another one to hate.

As for what to love, you should check out the handful of 1980's Topps created retail box sets that have been signed.  Both Steve Garvey and Fernando Valenzuela signed a handful of their 1987 K-Mart cards.  There is also a 1981 Drake's cakes card signed by Garvey - which is absolutely awesome!  Drake's cards disappeared into the dustbin of history many moons ago, so it's nice that they make a little comeback here.  They were one of my favorites as a kid.  Also note that I included the 1973 Frank Robinson Topps card on this list since this issue clearly shows him in a poorly photoshopped Dodger uniform. 

Both Nomar Garciaparra and Greg Maddux are available only as redemptions, so we don't yet know if they signed any Dodger cards for this product.  Also, Fred McGriff has signed some cards, but I have yet to see him in Blue. 

No doubt, this listing is far from complete.  There are likely to be many "1 of 1's" and other scarcer issues out there yet to be discovered.  If you see something not on this list please let me know. 

#Eric Davis

1992 Topps #/15                     1993 Topps #/37

Blog Kiosk: 1/10/2014 - Dodger Links - Ryu, Kendrick and McCarthy

What a fantastic photo pf Tommy Lasorda, his wife Jo and slugger Darryl Strawberry at a (what I believe is) MTV's "Rock 'N Jock" softball event in January of 1990.  Photo provided via Lasorda on his instagram.

Below are some links to check out:

• Nice find!  Via Orel at Sons of Steve Garvey, "3,311"  Found at the corner of Sunset and Elysian Park - at the main entrance for Dodger Stadium.
• Via Mike Petriello at FanGraphs, "Hyun-Jin Ryu: Quietly Awesome."
• via Ron Cervenka at Think Blue LA, "Dodgers Winter Development Camp about to get under way – unofficially."
• Via Jon Weisman at Dodger Insider, "Minor-league catcher Pratt Maynard retires."

“I’ve had health issues my whole career,” Maynard said today. “Last year, I had back problems twice. And I felt like it was time to move on. I knew I had the talent to make it, but I knew it was a matter of if I could stay healthy … You have to stay on the field and perform to make it in the big leagues. I just couldn’t stay healthy.”

• Dodger pitcher Brandon McCarthy pens an article for The Players' Tribune, "Hall of Denial."

The question of whether performance enhancing drug (PED) users should be allowed to gain admittance to the Hall of Fame is one that I’ve thought a lot about. Admittedly, it’s a mess. The ramifications extend far and wide, but I believe the answer is to admit those players whose on-field accomplishments merit it and leave history to be the final judge and jury. Ultimately, I believe the greatest injustice would be to leave worthy players—some of whom are objectively among the greatest ever—out of the Hall of Fame, when there very well may be guys already enshrined who have used performance enhancing drugs. 

• Via Jeff Sullivan at Just a Bit Outside, "The Most Quietly-Excellent Aspect of the Quietly Excellent Howie Kendrick."

So Kendrick didn't pop-up once over a full season. Now, he wasn't the only one. Last year, Shin-Soo Choo didn't register a pop-up. Neither did Joe Mauer. Christian Yelich only popped up on the very last day of the season. But, Kendrick batted a lot more often than Choo or Mauer did. And, this isn't just a 2014 phenomenon. It's not just that Kendrick didn't pop up -- it's that Kendrick has always only very seldom popped up. And that's an indicator of the very thing that makes him successful at the plate.

• Via Jon Weisman at Dodger Insider, "Garrett Gould, Ross Stripling on road back from Tommy John surgery."

“I just passed nine months, so I’m in the stage where I’m about to really start ramping everything up,” Stripling said Friday. “I took the holidays off — I was in Arizona right before Christmas, and that’s when I started flipping a couple of curveballs and changeups for the first time. Everything went great with that.

• Via Scott Andes at Lasorda's Lair, "Longtime Dodger Scott Elbert Signs With The Padres."

* Please follow on twitter @ernestreyes *

* Like Dodgers Blue Heaven on facebook *

* Dodgers Blue Heaven home page *

2014 Leaf Valiant Baseball - All the Dodger Cards

Here's another prospect based Baseball card set to wet your whistle.  Last week Leaf released their 2014 Valiant Baseball card set and a couple of Dodger prospects are available in it.  Go here for a complete checklist.

This set features colorful and shiny autographed-only cards of some of the best and most promising prospects in the Minors.  Available Dodgers include 2014 1st round draft pick Grant Holmes and promising infielder Darnell Sweeney.  There are also vintage 'buyback' Leaf cards that have been autographed and numbered to the players uniform number.  So far, I am only aware of the 1992 & 1991 Leaf Darryl Strawberry cards being available, but there may be more (a checklist has not been provided by Leaf).

Base Autographs

#BA-DS2 Darnell Sweeney                    #BA-GH1 Grant Holmes

Out of this World Autographs

#OW-GH1 Grant Holmes SSP

BTW, although Strawberry wore #44 as a Dodger he signed only 18 of these cards for this set.  The #18 was the uniform number he wore during his eight years as a New York Met.

Leaf Memories Buybacks

1991 Leaf Darryl Strawberry (#/18)        1992 Leaf Darryl Strawberry (#/18)

* Please follow on twitter @ernestreyes *

* Like Dodgers Blue Heaven on facebook *

* Dodgers Blue Heaven home page *

Blog Kiosk: 10/21/2014 - Dodger Links - Kershaw Named Player of the Year by Baseball America

Andrew McCutchen, Joey Porter and Matt Kemp were at Heinz Field last night to enojoy some pregame banter at last night's Monday Night Football game in Pittsburgh, pic above via @steelers on twitter.  The Steelers defeated the Texans, 30 - 23, largely due to a huge offensive explosion in the second quarter of the game; they scored 24 of their 30 points then.

Below are some links to check out:

• Continuity, baby!  Via Mark Saxon at ESPN, "Source: Scouts returning for 2015."
• Via Jon Weisman at Dodger Insider, "Davises, Strawberry to enter L.A. City Section Hall of Fame."
• Via TMZ, "Dodgers Star Hanley Ramirez My Lambo Spits FIRE!"  Check out the TMZ article to see it breath fire.

(pic via Hanley in instagram)

TMZ Sports has learned ... Hanley dropped around $550k for a white 2014 Lamborghini Aventador -- but wanted to make it stand out ... so he went to The Auto Firm in Miami and upgraded the exhaust to one that spits flames. 

• Dodger collector Night Owl Cards writes a wonderful piece entitled, "That Year Was Next Year."  

My attachment to the Kansas City Royals doesn't come from living in the Midwest or because their colors are similar to the Dodgers or because I want the Giants to lose when the World Series starts. It's not even because I remember the Royals' victory in the '85 Series. No, my attachment began in 1976 when the Royals took on the Yankees and were demoralized by Chris Chambliss' home run off of Mark Littell.

• Via Scott Andes at Lasorda Lair, "Schebler, Sweeney Heating Up, Seager Off to Slow Start in Arizona Fall League."
• The Awards for Clayton Kershaw are only beginning to start.  Via Bill Shaikin at Baseball America he was named the PLayer of the Year: "Major League Player Of The Year: Baseball’s Best Pitcher Keeps Looking Ahead."

(cover via @BenBadler on twitter)

• BTW, for the fourth season in a row Atlanta Braves closer Craig Kimbrel and newcomer Yankees reliever Dellin Betances were named the 2014 Goose Gosage Award winners yesterday by the Baseball Bloggers Alliance.  The Goose Gosage Award recognizes the best reliever in each league. I had picked Kimbrel on my National League ballot.  Furthermore, late last week, White Sox Jose Abreau and NY Met Jacob deGrom were named the Willie Mays Award winners for their respective league.  This award recognizes this past season rookie of the year.  Go here to see who were my picks for the BBA (Baseball Bloggers Alliance) Post Season Awards.

* Please follow on twitter @ernestreyes *

* Like Dodgers Blue Heaven on facebook *

* Dodgers Blue Heaven home page *

2014 Panini Immaculate Baseball - The Dodger Autographed Cards

Following up on Friday's post featuring the Dodger base cards found in packs of Panini's Immaculate Collection, here are the various autographed cards that are available.  Go here to check out all of my previous post on this set.

Below are the normal autographed cards, and as always there are several different parallels available.  They are: Blue #/10, Holo Gold #/5, Platinum 1/1.

Autographs Set

#44 Chad Billingsley (#/49)                       #55 Adrian Gonzalez (#/25)

#97 Clayton Kershaw (#/25)

There is one parallel available in the Autographed Materials set.  It is called Autographed Materials Prime, and it typically includes a patch or special relic piece embedded within it.  Below are the print runs:

• #7 Darryl Strawberry (#/20)
• #16 Gary Sheffield (#/1)
• #30 Clayton Kershaw (#/15)

Autograph Materials Set

#7 Darryl Strawberry (#/99)                   #16 Gary Sheffield (#/49)

#30 Clayton Kershaw (#/49)

Below are the Ink Gold autographed cards, and there are several different parallels available.  They are: Blue #/10, Holo Ink #/5, Platinum 1/1.

Ink Gold Set

#17 Adrian Gonzalez (#/15)               #41 Darryl Strawberry (#/25)

#43 Clayton Kershaw (#/25)                     #49 Steve Garvey (#/49)

* Please follow on twitter @ernestreyes *

* Like Dodgers Blue Heaven on facebook *

* Dodgers Blue Heaven home page *

Weekend Autograph Opportunities: Darryl Strawberry and Rudy Ruettiger

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.

---------------------------

Former Dodger Darryl Strawberry will be at the OC Dugout in Anaheim on Friday evening.  Go here for information. Signing takes place 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at: 

The OC Dugout 
1238 S. Beach Blvd. Ste. K 
Anaheim, CA 92804

---------------------------

The REAL Rudy Ruettiger will be in Anaheim at the OC Dugout on Saturday, May 10th from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM.  Go here for more information.

The OC Dugout
1238 S. Beach Blvd. Ste. K
Anaheim, CA 92804

---------------------------

UPDATE:  I forgot one!  Check out the flyer below:

* Please follow on twitter @ernestreyes *

* Like Dodgers Blue Heaven on facebook *

* Dodgers Blue Heaven home page *