2014 Topps Heritage Minor League Baseball - The Dodger Base Cards

Topps just released a brand new Baseball card set and it's an minor league version of their Heritage card set they put out in March.  It is called 2014 Topps Heritage Minor League and it includes some of the best and brightest prospects in the game.  Go here for a complete checklist.  As you can see, this set borrows the vintage 1965 Topps Baseball card design.

There are seven Dodger prospects in the 200 card base set.  Check them all out below.  Of note, Jesmuel Valentin is no longer a part of the Dodger franchise.  He was traded to the Phillies a few weeks back as a part of the Roberto Hernandez trade.  Also, this will be the last time we see a Dodger prospect wearing an Isotope uniform on a Baseball card.  The Dodgers recently purchased an ownership stake in the Oklahoma City RedHawks AAA club, and will begin playing there next year.

BTW, there are Short Printed Variation cards of Julio Urias and Joc Pederson, but I have yet to see them.  I hope to have photos of those cards to share next week.

#17 Zach Lee                                      #22 Corey Seager

#55 Julio Urias                                 #76 Jesmuel Valentin

#127 Chris Anderson                                 #147 Tom Windle

#160 Joc Pederson

* Please follow on twitter @ernestreyes *

* Like Dodgers Blue Heaven on facebook *

* Dodgers Blue Heaven home page *

Blog Kiosk: 9/19/2014 - Dodger Links - A Dodger Win from Behind

The Dodgers came in to Wrigley Field with all of the motivation in the world.  They had ten games left to play in the long season and with just a few more wins they can take the division.  Unfortunately, it took longer than desired for them to finally put their game faces on - unlike Matt Kemp as evidenced in the photo taken above by Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2014.  He joined a young Dodger fan before the game for a "selfie scowl" that I'm sure the little tyke will share with his friends.  Go here to check out more pics by Jon taken yesterday.

Things were looking bleak for the Dodgers in the early going.  They quickly fell behind to the Cubs, 4 to 1, going into the seventh inning.  Zack Greinke could not hold back the young Chicago bats as they knocked out nine hits against our second ace.  Then, the Dodger bats woke up.  In the seventh inning they knocked out three singles, two doubles, and scored five runs to take a lead they would not relinquish.  

The Dodgers 8 to 4 victory drops their magic number to 8 games and increases their lead over the Giants to 2.5 games.  Clayton Kershaw pitches this afternoons game against old friend Edwin Jackson in hopes of attaining his league leading 20th win.  Check out some more links below:

• Via Ron Cervenka at Think Blue LA, "Puig makes adjustment to the adjustment."

But sometime within the last week or so somebody finally got to Puig. Whether it was Mark McGwire or John Valentin or Don Mattingly is anybody’s guess, but the message finally sunk in and Puig moved in closer to the plate – and the results have been immediate and staggering. 

• Topps has just release a retro 1969 Dodger team poster (numbered to only 99 copies) on their website.  Go here to check it out.  There is also a parallel version numbered to only 10 copies available.  The "1 of 1" version is already sold out.  Check out the more common poster on the right, priced at $29.99.
• Via Ron Shah at FanGraphs, "Dodgers’ Lefty Tom Windle Shows Power Stuff."
• Via Cary Osborne at Dodger Insider, "J.P. Howell nears single-season Dodger reliever ERA record."
• Via KTVU.com a Dodger fan was able to save the life of a young Giants fan with a bone marrow transplant.
• Via Jeff Sullivan at Fan Graphs, "Zack Greinke’s Turned Into an Actual Hitter."

But all the while, as Greinke’s numbers have bounced around, he’s genuinely improved. And he’s improved to the point where, now, Greinke might be a half-decent hitter, and I don’t mean relative to pitchers this time.

• Via All About Cards, Topps announced that the 2014 Finest Rookie Auto Redemption #1 will be Sandy Koufax.  So, if you pulled that card wondering who it might be then you are in luck. I will be sure to share a photo once they are sent out by Topps. 

Rookie Autograph Redemption

#1 Sandy Koufax

(via a redemption card)

 

* Please follow on twitter @ernestreyes *

* Like Dodgers Blue Heaven on facebook *

* Dodgers Blue Heaven home page *

Sunday Dodger Videos: Prospect Interviews with Urias, Walker and Windle

Here are this Sunday's Dodger videos.

Prospect Julio Urias spoke with Brian Tabije of http://www.ieprosports.com/ about his season with the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes and what helped him to accelerate his strikeout count.

Video Link:

This is great.  The Dodgers 2014 5th round draft pick Jared Walker recently went back to his elementary school to visit an old teacher of his, Mrs. Harris.  He was interviewed by one of the students and speaks about his first year as a professional.

Video Link:

Dodgers prospect Tom Windle of the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes talks about life in the minors, favorite movies, batting as a pitcher, and what he's learning at this stage of his career.

Video Link

* Please follow on twitter @ernestreyes *

* Like Dodgers Blue Heaven on facebook *

* Dodgers Blue Heaven home page *

Blog Kiosk: 7/28/2014 - Dodger Links - A Sweep of the Giants and Should the FCC Get Involved?

Woo Hoo!  Dodgers swept the Giants this weekend.  They now find themselves with a 1.5 game lead over the gnats.  The top play of the afternoon was Dee Gordon scoring on the wild-pitch strike out to Adrian Gonzalez in the top of the 5th inning.  Watch it here.  The photo above of Dee scoring via @MLB on twitter.  The Dodgers would then quickly score two more runs to take a 4 to 2 lead.  They would eventually win the game 4 to 3.

BTW, the Dodger got key offensive contributions from the #4 to #7 batters in their lineup.  They recorded 6 hits; including a run-scoring triple by Crawford, a run-scoring single by Uribe and a pair of hits by both Hanley Ramirez and Matt Kemp.  It appears the "Boys in Blue" are taking it to another level for the second half of the season.

Of special note, Matt Kemp is looking very good at the plate.  He looks comfortable and is starting to lay off pitches out of the zone.  As a result, he is starting to hit the ball square and being rewarded for his patience with some timely hits.  Unfortunately, we have yet to see any real power, but that is to be expected.  Considering the kind of shoulder injury he was dealing with you shouldn't expect him to hit like the old Matt just yet.  It's likely we won't see anything like that until this time next season.  In the meantime, he's accepted the reality that he can't drive the ball like he used to and is happy to just "hit 'em where they ain't."

Check out a bunch of photos from yesterdays game via Jon SooHoo here.  Below are some more Dodger links:

• Via Eric Stephen of True Blue LA on twitter we learn that Cuban Alex Guerrero is now back up with the Albuquerque Isotopes.  It may be only a matter of days before he returns to the Dodger roster.  Maybe his bat will act as another spark to the Dodgers offense.
• Check out a couple Dodger prospect eyewitness scouting reports from Baseball Prospectus of Tom Windle and Rob Rogers; here and here.  (Hat Tip: Chris Rodriguez on twitter)
• I love Ethier's attitude.  Via JP Hoornstra at the Daily Breeze, he said:

“We have a chance to possibly achieve something here. That’s above everything else,” he said. “It makes everything worth going through.”

• Via Ken Gurnick at MLB.com, "Colletti says trade for top-tier pitcher is unlikely."

"We may not do anything. We still have a club with upside to it," said Colletti. "There's still more from this club as it's constituted. But historically, we've been active in July and August, too. We'll see what we can do.

"I think we have the players here that can win."

• Pedro Guerrero has a dirty mouth; via his twitter:

Is it a hundred to nothing yet vagiants? jajajajajajajajaja
— PedroGuerrero (@PedroGuerreroLA) July 26, 2014

• Via Larry Brown Sports, "Reno Aces and Albuquerque Isotopes in major brawl (Video)."  This was no shoving match - It was a rumble!  Larry Brown has a couple of videos of the melee. Per Eric Stephen at True Blue LA, 10 players were ejected (4 Isotopes and 6 Aces); including Cuban Erisbel Arruebarrena. He will definately get a huge suspension, so you shouldn't expect him in LA for quite some time.  Another video of the incident can be seen here.  BTW, the day after this fight Arruebarrena was reassigned to Single-A ball, via JP Hoornstra at Inside the Dodgers.
• Via Joe Flint of the LA Times, "FCC should help reach deal to end Dodgers TV standoff, lawmakers say"

Seven members of Congress led by Rep. Tony Cardenas are calling on the FCC to mediate an agreement between Time Warner Cable and distributors.

"Consumers deserve the opportunity to watch their program of choice," Cardenas wrote to FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler. "The ongoing stalemate between Time Warner Cable and other pay-TV providers has reached a point where mediation by the FCC is necessary."

Co-signing the letter with Cardenas were Democratic House members Lucille Roybal-Allard, Judy Chu, Alan Lowenthal, Linda Sanchez, Janice Hahn and Julia Brownley.

I'm not sure if this is a great idea, but I guess anything is worth a try.

• In an obvious move to reduce the chances that PED ballplayers make the Hall of Fame, they decide to cut short the eligibility period from 15-years to 10-years, via an Associated Press report on ESPN.
• Oh, boy!  This is a major Fan Foul!

My buddy saw this guy at the game today. I don't know what to say. pic.twitter.com/3dnCr4addX
— Dave  (@gggiants) July 28, 2014

* Please follow on twitter @ernestreyes *

* Like Dodgers Blue Heaven on facebook *

* Dodgers Blue Heaven home page *

Blog Kiosk: 6/13/2014 - Dodger Links - More Draftee Signings

Ya know, that polar bear is way too close.  That animal is dangerous!  Here's another great photograph of Yasiel Puig enjoying his day at the Cincinnati zoo the other day.  Go to the zoo's facebook page for more pics from his excellent adventure.

• Here's some more draftee signing news.  Eric Stephen at True Blue LA tells us that Colin Hering (10th Round) and Devan Ahart (16th Round) have signed.  JP Hoornstra and Robert Morales at the Daily Bulletin notes that Scott De Jong (32nd Round) and Karch Kowalczyk (37th Round) have also signed.  Also, Jeff Brigham, the Dodgers 4th Round Pick, announced on twitter that he had signed with the Dodgers on twitter:

That moment when you get to go out on the street and play catch with your dad after signing with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
— Jeff Brigham (@Jbrigs34) June 13, 2014

• The LA Daily News updates us on the ongoing Bryan Stow trial, "Dodger security’s failure to meet industry standards lead to Bryan Stow’s beating, expert witness says."

Had security at Dodger Stadium met industry-wide standards on the night in 2011 that Bryan Stow was severely beaten, the attack may not have happened, a sports facilities management expert testified today.

• Check out this video of Allie Mac Kay of KTLA Channel 5 as she shows us the custom work of Nick Romero of The Ave in Venice.  It features this incredible custom Vin Scully themed Converse hightop you see below.  Wow!

• Via Teddy Cahill at MLB.com, "Prospect Windle beats Appel in Class A victory."  It's always nice to hear when one of our own out-duels a former #1 pick. 
• With Puig's recent trip to the Cincinnati Zoo becoming all the rage, I thought this post at Chaos and Kanji to be timely.  He visits the Tobu Zoo Amusement Park in Japan.  Check out his visit here.
• Topps is now selling 10" x 14" Throwback Aluminum Wall Art, and 3 Dodgers are available.  Go here to check them out.  They are limited to only 99 copies.

Please follow on twitter @ernestreyes *

* Like Dodgers Blue Heaven on facebook *

* Dodgers Blue Heaven home page *

2014 Topps Pro Debut - The Dodger Prospect Base Cards

With the 2014 MLB draft starting tonight it's only fitting that Topps would release their Pro Debut minor league Baseball card set this week.  The set features some of the best up-'n-coming prospects the Dodgers have in their system.  In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if half of the players featured end up on the Major League roster in a few years. 

BTW, there's a surprise omission from this set for the Dodgers.  Joc Pederson is nowhere to be found.  What's up with that?

Below are the Dodger prospect base cards.  I hope to have the insert cards available to show soon.

#30 Corey Seager - Quakes                 #63 Jesmuel Valentin - Quakes

 #171 Zach Lee - Lookouts                   #172 Julio Urias - Loons

#173 Chris Anderson - Loons                  #174 Tom Windle - Loons

#176 Scott Schebler - Quakes             #177 James Baldwin - Loons

* Please follow on twitter @ernestreyes *

* Like Dodgers Blue Heaven on facebook *

* Dodgers Blue Heaven home page *

Blog Kiosk: 5/9/2014 - Dodger Links - Al Downing, Puig and a Time Warner Apology?

Wow!  Hanley Ramirez has a suitcase for his bats.  Pic via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2014.  See more pics from yesterday's game here.

• Howard Cole at LA Weekly does yeoman's work.  He shares his interview with Time Warner senior director of public relations for news & sports, Andrew Fegyveresi about the whole TV mess they've found themselves in.

What about that apology? Why not just use the two-word phrase, "we're sorry."

We are sorry that more fans don't have access to SportsNet LA. Our goal is to have full carriage for the network, and we hope that providers will come on board quickly. We are working hard to make that happen as we don't want fans to miss any more Dodgers games and programming.

• Cary Osborne at Dodger Insider writes, "Reminiscing with Al Downing: The DodgerTalk days."

“I get that more and more,” Downing said of Dodger fans who remember him more as the radio guy than the baseball player. “The thing I liked is people called up and honestly wanted to know about the nuances of baseball.”

• Via Bill Plunkett at the OC Register, "Puig 'nervous' during tour of the White House."

“It was a tour. It was a fun tour,” Puig said. “I got to see the White House, the president's offices, the press room – all of those things you see on TV.”

• Via Dustin Nosler at Dodgers Digest, "Dodgers’ prospect scouting report May 2014: Tom Windle."
• John Manuel at Baseball America makes a prediction about who the Dodgers will pick in the 2014 Draft.  (Hat Tip: JP Hoornstra at Inside the Dodgers)
• Ryan Cracknell at Cardboard Connection tells us that Clayton Kershaw has just signed an exclusive autograph agreement with Topps.  Also, Topps will donate $100 for every strike out to Kershaw's Challenge, and will be featured on 2014 Topps Series 2 Baseball boxes. 
• Here's an old friend alert.  Via Steve Adams at MLB Trade Rumors, former Dodger catcher Matt Treanor will retire. 
• Via Mark Saxon at ESPNLosAngeles.com, "Yasiel Puig is impressing in the clutch."

"Yasiel has shown that he's turned into an RBI guy. He's been more patient at the plate, he's gotten himself better pitches to hit, so I think in the long run, Yasiel is a third or fourth-type hitter," Mattingly said. "He is that [Mike] Trout guy. He's showing us that he's moving in that direction." 

• As you likely know, Juan Uribe left last night's game with a hamstring pull.  Mike Petriello at Dodgers Digest then writes, "Reminder That The Dodgers Have No Third Base Depth."

* Please follow on twitter @ernestreyes *

* Like Dodgers Blue Heaven on facebook *

* Dodgers Blue Heaven home page *

Dodgers Notes from Spring Training: Spring Game 10/Home Game 5

Throughout Spring Training the Dodgers PR department sends out helpful daily notes from Camelback Ranch, and I am happy to pass them along.  See what they've written below.

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

 Texas Rangers (2-5-1) at LOS ANGELES DODGERS (3-4-2)
Friday, March 7, 2014 – 1:05 p.m. | Camelback Ranch – Glendale
RHP Zach Lee (0-0, ---) vs. LHP Martin Perez (0-0, 4.50)
Spring Game 10/Home Game 5
Television: SNLA/Radio: KLAC

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

(Hanley's Hands, pic via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2014)

DOING IT BIG: The Dodgers play host to the Texas Rangers this afternoon in the first of two meetings this spring. The other matchup comes tomorrow, when Los Angeles will send a split squad to Surprise at 1:05 p.m. The two clubs last met in the regular season in 2009 and the Dodgers are 11-9 all-time against the Rangers.

• In just 13 days (Wow!), the Dodgers play Team Australia in an exhibition game at the Sydney Cricket Ground followed by two games against the D-backs in MLB’s Opening Series, March 22-23. Opening Day is just 15 days away!

HONORING A LEGEND: Yesterday, the Dodgers were saddened to announce the passing of Special Advisor to the Chairman Dr. Frank Jobe, who was 88 years old. Jobe is survived by his wife, Beverly, four sons—Christopher, Meredith, Cameron and Blair—their spouses and eight grandchildren. Jobe, who began his association with the Dodgers in 1964, made medical history in 1974 when he performed what is now termed “Tommy John surgery.” Jobe took over the full-time care of the Dodgers in 1968 and was named a Special Advisor to the Chairman in 2008. Said John: “Baseball lost a great man and Tommy John lost a great friend. There are a lot of pitchers in baseball who should celebrate his life and what he did for the game of baseball.” Today at Camelback Ranch, the Dodgers will honor Dr. Jobe with a moment of silence.

(Scott Van Slyke's Grand Slam Swing, pic via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2014)

NICE WORK, JOHN PRATT: Yesterday, the Dodgers had their first taste of the new instant replay system and it was a success as far as results are concerned. Angels’ outfielder Mike Trout tripled to center field in the first inning and was thrown out at home plate trying to stretch a triple into a home run on a great relay from Yasiel Puig to Hanley Ramirez to A.J. Ellis. After looking at the play on a television feed, crew chief Gerry Davis upheld his initial “out” call and history was made. The replay system will be utilized this season for the first time and is being tested in Cactus League play during various Dodger games, including March 11 at Kansas City, March 12 vs. Arizona, March 15 vs. Chicago-AL and March 16 vs. Colorado.

• Dodger video coordinator John Pratt will be assisting with the replay process during Spring Training from the visiting clubhouse. Pratt is in his third season as the club’s video coordinator after joining the organization in 2011 as the Triple-A Albuquerque video coordinator.

THE GENERAL: Dodger right-hander Zach Lee will make his first appearance of the spring today against the Rangers. Lee, who has been slowed by a lat strain the last few weeks, went 10-10 with a 3.22 ERA in 28 games (25 starts) for Double-A Chattanooga last season. The Texas native was the Dodgers’ first-round draft selection (No. 28 overall) in 2010.

• Dodger reliever and newly-minted knuckleballer Brian Wilson will make his third spring appearance today after firing scoreless innings on Feb. 27 and March 4. Last year, Wilson joined the Dodger bullpen in late August and went 2-1 with a 0.66 ERA (1 ER/13.2 IP) in 18 appearances. For good measure, he tacked on 6.0 scoreless frames and a victory in the 2013 postseason as well.
• The rest of the Dodger pitchers will feature a “who’s who” of the big league bullpen as closer Kenley Jansen, J.P. Howell, Chris Perez and Brandon League are all scheduled to throw.
• Zack Greinke felt good again today and, according to Dodger skipper Don Mattingly, will face live minor league hitters tomorrow. Greinke suffered a right calf strain in his first Cactus League appearance Thursday, Feb. 27.

(Dan Haren, pic via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2014)

TIE ONE ON: The Dodgers held a 4-1 lead heading into the bottom of the ninth yesterday, but came out of Tempe with a 4-4 tie, their second deadlock of the spring season. Scott Van Slyke provided the Dodger offense with a sixth-inning grand slam, the club’s second in two days. On the mound, starter Dan Haren was terrific, firing 4.0 scoreless innings while allowing just three hits and striking out three.

FOX SPORTS 1 ON 1: Today, Fox Sports 1 visited Dodger camp and conducted interviews with several players for their season preview. The Dodgers will make several nationally-televised Saturday appearances on Fox and Fox Sports 1 early in the season, including April 5 against the Giants (FS1), April 19 vs. the D-backs (FS1), May 10 vs. the Giants (FS1) and May 31 vs. Pittsburgh (FOX).

• The Nine Network from Australia, which will televise the Opening Series against the Diamondbacks in Australia, was onsite this morning, talking to Clayton Kershaw and Brian Wilson.

SOME MINOR ADDITIONS: The Dodgers will have five minor leaguers suiting up for today’s game vs. the Rangers: LHP Fu-Te Ni (#83), LHP Tom Windle (#94), infielder Darnell Sweeney (#87), infielder Jacob Scavuzzo ($90) and outfielder Jon Garcia (#91).

• Windle, the Dodgers’ second-round selection in last year’s draft, will make his first appearance with the big leaguers. The 6-foot-4 left-hander pitched for the University of Minnesota from 2011-13 and last season went 5-1 with a 2.68 ERA in 13 games (12 starts) for the Single-A Great Lakes Loons.

(Peering into the Dodgers Dugout, pic via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2014)

* Please follow on twitter @ernestreyes *

* Like Dodgers Blue Heaven on facebook *

* Dodgers Blue Heaven home page *

2013 Panini Elite Extra Edition Baseball - All the Dodgers Cards

One of the last sets of the 2013 Baseball hobby season is Panini's Elite Extra Edition Baseball.  This is a set that focuses primarily on up-'n-coming prospects, and it includes numerous Dodgers who were just drafted by the team in the past year.  Check them all out below.

Base Set

#5 Chris Anderson                                #91 Jeremy Rathjen

Supposedly, there is a Chris Anderson variation card to his base card above, but I have yet to see any evidence of that. 

The 4 Autographed Prospects cards directly below were drafted by the Dodgers in 2013. 

Autographed Prospects

#135 Tom Windle  /671                           #153 Brandon Dixon /672

#158 Cody Bellinger  /673                     #169 Kyle Farmer  /670

Steve Garvey's son was drafted by the Colorado Rockies in 2013.

Bloodlines Set

#5 Ryan Garvey/Steve Garvey

Front                                                        Back

Franchise Futures Signatures

#5 Chris Anderson  /265                      #91 Jeremy Rathjen /159

Historic Picks

#9 Mike Piazza

There is also an autographed Mike Piazza Historic Picks card, but I have yet to see one.  From my understanding, they are numbered to just 5 copies.

Scouting 101

#13 Chris Anderson

* Please follow on twitter @ernestreyes *

* Like Dodgers Blue Heaven on facebook *

* Dodgers Blue Heaven home page *

2013 Bowman Sterling Baseball - The Dodgers Autographed and Insert Cards

Take a look at the Dodgers autographed and insert cards available in 2013 Bowman Sterling Baseball packs.  Check out the Dodger base cards here.

Unfortunately, all of the Ryu and most of the Puig cards are available only through a redemption card.  Also, Topps produced "Asia Only" boxes that were only sold in the Far East, and they include 5 different Hyun-Jin Ryu refractor die-cut cards.  I've only seen 2 different styles, so far.

Also of note, this set includes the very first card of teenage sensation Julio Urias.

Prospect Autographed Cards

#BSAP-CA Chris Anderson                    #BSAP-JP Joc Pederson

#BSAP-JU Julio Urias                    #BSAP-TWN Tom Windle

Rookie Autographed Cards

#BSAR-YP Yasiel Puig

The Puig Showcase autographed card is only available through a redemption.  The card below is a preview mock-up.  Also, there is a Sterling Silver Autographed card (#SS-YP), but a photo is not available.

Sterling Showcase Autographs

#SAS-YP Yasiel Puig

The Ryu Sapphire Signings autographed card is only available through a redemption.  The card below is a preview mock-up.  Also, there is a Dual Autographed card with Yu Darvish (#SDA-RD), but a photo is not available.

Sterling Blue Sapphire Signings

#BSS-HR Hyun-Jin Ryu

Refractor Die Cut (Asia Only Boxes)

#RDC-5 Hyun-Jin Ryu (There are 5 different available, only 2 shown)

The Dual Insert Cards

#TD-BP Joc Pederson - Clayton Blackburn

Bowman Sapphire Reprints

#Yasiel Puig                                          #Jackie Robinson

* Please follow on twitter @ernestreyes *

* Like Dodgers Blue Heaven on facebook *

* Dodgers Blue Heaven home page *