Blog Kiosk: 3/2/2020 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

LeBron James was seen sporting a Jackie Robinson Brooklyn Dodgers jersey over the weekend, via a tweet from the Lakers.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1956 the Dodgers sold pitching prospect Tommy Lasorda to the Kansas City A's. In 1976 the Dodgers traded outfielder Willie Crawford to the Cardinals for infielder Ted Sizemore.
• Happy Birthday, William Fischer, Moe Berg, Woody English, Cal Abrams, Chico Fernandez, Jay Gibbons & Bud Norris!

Blog Kiosk: 2/20/2020 - Dodgers Links & News - Some Odds and Ends

BFF's.

Photos above via @Dodgers on twitter. 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: 9/3/2019 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

The Dodgers decided to take out their anger against the Rockies last night after having lost six over the past ten games. Per Ken Gurnick at MLB.com:

“It was a Coors Field game tonight,” said manager Dave Roberts, whose club homered eight times at home on Opening Day. “The ball was jumping.”

They slugged seven homers to defeat Colorado, 16-9. Photo above via Juan Ocampo/Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Insider. Go here to check out more pics from yesterdays game. Below are more links to check out (catching up on weekend holiday news):

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1917 Phillies ace and future Hall of Famer Grover Cleveland Alexander pitched both ends of a doubleheader against the Brooklyn Robins/Dodgers, and won both contest while throwing complete games (Boxscore - Game 1 & Game 2). He gave up just seven hits all day long. In 1957 the Dodgers play their last game at their New Jersey home, Roosevelt Stadium -- losing to the Phillies, 3-2. In 1965 it's notable that the Angels changed their name from Los Angeles to the California Angels. In 1975 Steve Garvey returned to the Dodgers lineup after sitting on the bench due to the flu and proceeded play 1,207 consecutive games -- eventually setting a National League record.
• Happy Birthday, Ed Konetchy, Lindsay Deal, Eddie Stanky, Morrie Martin, Dave Clark, Luis Gonzalez & Brandon Beachy!

2019 Topps Pro Debut - All the Dodgers' Insert Cards

Now that you've seen the base cards, below is a look at all of the other Dodger insert cards that are available in packs of 2019 Topps Pro Debut. On a side note, I decided to include the two Mike Trout/Rancho Cucamonga Quakes cards below. I reasoned that since the Quakes are now a Dodgers farmclub I would be justified. Besides, I'll likely never have an other opportunity to show a Trout card on this blog, so why not.

Future Cornerstones Autograph

#FCA-KR Keibert Ruiz

2019 Topps Pro Debut - All the Dodger Base Cards

Topps Pro Debut brand hit stores this week, and it features several of the Dodgers top youngsters in their minor league system -- including hurler Dustin May, Keibert Ruiz and Gavin Lux. Go here for a complete checklist.

Below is a look at the Dodgers' base set, the lone photo variation of Ruiz and the three Dodger base autographed cards. I hope to have pics of the other Dodger inserts soon, so stay tuned.

Base

#11 Yadier Alvarez         #24 Cristian Santana

2018 Topps Heritage Minor League - The Dodgers Cards

Released this week is Topps 2018 Heritage Minor League brand, as as you might've guessed it's filled with nothing but prospects. Go here to check out a complete checklist. Below are most of the Dodger cards found in packs.

Base

#5 Will Smith               #8 Jeren Kendall

Blog Kiosk: 9/5/2018 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

It was nice to see Austin Barnes hit a home run last night. Per Rowan Kavner at Dodger Insider:

Barnes became the sixth Dodger catcher since 1908 and the first since Russell Martin in 2008 to hit a home run, steal a base and knock in three runs in the same game. His teammates took it from there, as the Dodgers matched their largest deficit overcome in a win this season. 

“It’s been obviously a frustrating little funk I’ve been in — not really little — but it was nice to contribute,” Barnes said. “To finally put a good AB together and get us back in the game, it felt good, for sure.”

They handily routed the Mets, 11-4, to stay .5 games behind Colorado. This coming weekend they'll be facing the Rockies in another must-win series.

Photo above via Juan Ocampo/LA Dodgers 2018 at Dodger Insider. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1908 Brooklyn Superbas/Dodgers hurler Nap Rucker threw a no-hitter against the Boston Doves/Braves. He struck out 14 and walked none en route to a 6-0 victory. In 1955 Don Newcombe hit his seventh home run of the season to establish a National League record for home runs by a pitcher in a season. It was a three-run jack in the fourth inning to give the Dodgers a 4-1 lead. Newk would eventually throw a complete game to win his 20th game of the season, 11-4. 
• Happy Birthday, Jimmy Knowles, Ed Stein, Jul Kustus, Merv Shea, Buddy Hassett, Wayne Belardi, Candy Maldonado, Rod Barajas, Randy Choate & Zack Walters!

Blog Kiosk: 7/26/2018 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Ugh... I don't like losing. Per Ken Gurnick at MLB.com:

"They beat us," said Roberts. "We got beat this series. I don't think we laid down. They got the big hits when they needed to. That's the difference in this series."

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

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1950 Dodgers outfielder Jim Russell becomes the first ballplayer in major league history to hit a home run from both sides of the plate during a game for the second time in his career. His record is eventually surpassed by Mickey Mantle in 1956 when he does it for a third time. In 1990 super-utilityman Mike Sharperson become the first player in Dodger history to start every infield position in the same season. In 1991 Montreal starter Mark Gardner no-hit the Dodgers for nine innings, but eventually lost the game in the tenth inning. He allowed two singles and reliever Jeff Fassero gave up the winning hit to lose, 1-0.  Dodger pitchers Orel Hershiser, Kevin Gross and Jay Howell combine for a two hit shutout. In 1995 the Dodgers signed free agent amateur pitcher Eric Gagne out of Seminole State College. In 2008 the Dodgers received third baseman Casey Blake from the Indians for Jon Meloan and Carlos Santana. 
• Happy Birthday, John Butler, Sam Leslie, Hoyt Wilhelm, Glenn Mickens, Jody Reed & Brandon Morrow!

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 Pro Debut - All the Dodgers Cards

Topps' minor league Baseball card brand Pro Debut officially hit store shelves this week, and I've got pics of every Dodger card available to look at below. Go here for a complete checklist.

This set is stacked with some of the best Dodger prospects currently in our system; including the recently called-up pitcher Dennis Santana. Other notables are Keibert Ruiz, Yadier Alvarez , DJ Peters and Mitchell White. Heck, all nine Dodgers' in the base set are all worth paying attention to.

Something notable is a fun mascot card featuring Tremor of the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes - a Dodgers Single-A team.

Base

#9 Mitchell White                 #38 Ibandel Isabel

2018 Bowman Mega Box Chrome Baseball - All the Dodgers Cards

For the second consecutive year Topps has released their Target-exclusive 2018 Bowman Mega Box Chrome Baseball boxes, and below are all of the unique Dodgers' cards found within packs. BTW, these boxes will cost you $14.99 and you will get seven packs -- five Bowman retail packs (exactly like the packs released in April) and two exclusive Mega Box Chrome Bowman packs.

You will notice that the base cards found in the Mega Box Chrome Bowman packs all feature a unique and exclusive Refractor design dubbed "mojo" by many in the hobby. Go here and here for information.

Base

#BCP19 Johan Mieses           #BCP22 Yadier Alvarez

2018 Bowman Baseball - All the Dodgers Base Cards

The brand that has come to define the rookie card and prospect hunting is now out in stores. Featured here are all of the base and prospect base Dodgers' cards found in packs of 2018 Bowman Baseball. Go here for a complete checklist.

This set is filled with Dodger youngsters - many of whom will likely find themselves in Los Angeles over the next few years. It includes cards for both Buehler and Verdugo. At the same time, there are "1st Bowman" cards for Johan Mieses, Jeren Kendall, Dennis Santana, Ibandel Isabel and Keibert Ruiz.

Base

#47 Cody Bellinger             #59 Walker Buehler

2018 Onyx Platinum Elite - All the Dodgers Cards

Here's one of those tertiary card brands, like Leaf, that most collectors happily ignore. Featured below are the handful of Dodger prospects found in packs of 2018 Onyx Platinum Elite. Go here for a complete checklist.

This is a very small set, and includes only two Dodgers' to chase after. They are Double-A Tulsa first base prospect Matt Beaty and teammate Yadier Alvarez. Furthermore, the Alvarez card is actually a buyback from their 2015 set, so there really is only one new card to gawk after.

Autographs

#Matt Beaty

2017 Panini Elite Extra Edition - All the Dodgers Cards

2017 Panini Elite Extra Edition Baseball, released this past Wednesday, is their answer to Topps 2017 Bowman Draft brand released on the same day. It features a whole bunch of prospects; including the Dodgers first three draft picks from this year -- Jeren Kendall, Morgan Cooper and Connor Wong. Go here for a complete checklist.

Notably, this set also has cards of Jose Miguel Fernandez available in packs -- he was released by the club just three weeks ago.

Base

#23 Jeren Kendall

#62 Morgan Cooper           #81 Tim Locastro

Blog Kiosk: 12/4/2017 - Dodgers Links - Some Weekend Odds and Ends

Justin Turner came out over the weekend to support the Chargers.

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

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1940 the Brooklyn Dodgers traded John Pintar (minors), Gus Mancuso and $65,000 to the St. Louis Cardinals for soon-to-be All-Star catcher Mickey Owen. In 1941 the Dodgers traded Tony Giuliani and Van Lingle Mungo to the Minneapolis Minors of the American Association for pitcher Joe Hatten. In 1958 the Dodgers traded Gino Cimoli to the St. Louis Cardinals for former "Rookie of the Year" winner Wally Moon and Phil Paine. In 1979 the Dodgers signed outfield free agent Jay Johnstone to a two-year $300,000 contract.. In 1988 the Dodgers traded Juan Bell, Brian Holton and Ken Howell to the Baltimore Orioles for Eddie Murray. In 2002 the Dodgers traded  Mark Grudzielanek and Eric Karros to the Chicago Cubs for Chad Hermansen and Todd Hundley.
• Happy Birthday, Chuck Corgan!

2017 Bowman High-Tek - All the Dodgers Cards

Last week Topps released their inaugural version of their High-Tek brand to Bowman -- focusing the brand on the rookie/prospect ballplayers so often found in Bowman card. Go here for a complete checklist. Below are all of the Dodger cards that can be found in packs. Thankfully, there are no redemption cards for any of the Dodgers'.

Base

#BHT-CB Cody Bellinger      #BHT-WC Willie Calhoun

2017 Topps Heritage Minor League - All the Dodgers Cards

Even as the season comes to close, the Baseball card hobby doesn't stop. In fact, this Fall is proving to be one of the busiest. This week alone Topps has released three card sets to keep collectors busy, and next week three more are scheduled to hit the public.

The first set I'll make note of is the 2017 Topps Heritage Minor League brand. It focuses on prospects and soon-to-be Major Leaguers on the vintage 1968 Topps Baseball card design. Go here for a complete checklist.

There are eleven Dodger youngsters in the 220 card base set (including a card for the recently traded Willie Calhoun). Additionally, three Dodgers are also a part of the league leaders subset. Check out all of the Dodger cards found in packs of 2017 Topps Heritage Minor League below.

Base

#5 Andrew Sopko                #36 Yusniel Diaz

#45 Will Smith             #87 Alex Verdugo

Blog Kiosk: 7/20/2017 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

The Dodgers don't need no stinkin' rain delay!

With a 9-1 lead at the top of the eighth inning the game got delayed as a massive downpour suddenly overtook Chicago. It was as if someone turned on the shower as some unsuspecting drunk slept it off in the tub. Nevertheless, it was likely a welcome respite -- especially for ice cream loving rookie Cody Bellinger (as evidenced in the photo on the right). He decided to enjoy a cone and a cup-o'-noodles in the clubhouse before the game got called in the Dodgers favor.

The win extends their winning streak to 11 games. Per Ken Gurnick and Fabian Ardaya at MLB.com:

"The confidence we have in our group that we're going to win a game, is real," said Dodgers manager Dave Roberts. "The talent in the room, the confidence we have, is real. Now it's go out and do it. You can talk about it, but you have to go out and do it and, so, we're doing it."

Photo above via @Dodgers on twitter. Bellinger photo on right also via the @Dodgers on twitter. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1906 Brooklyn Superbas (Dodgers) pitcher Mal Eason no-hit the Cardinals in St. Louis, 2-0. In 1925 future Hall of Famer and Brooklyn Dodger pitcher Dazzy Vance struck out 17 Cubs to defeat Chicago 4-3 in 10 innings. In 1970 Dodger hurler Bill Singer no hit the Phillies at Dodger Stadium, 5-0. Singer struck out ten, walked none and committed two errors on the field.
• Happy Birthday, Heinie Manush, Claude Crocker & Charles Johnson!

2017 Bowman Platinum - The Dodgers Insert Cards

Now that you've seen the base cards, here are the rest of the Dodgers' 2017 Bowman Platinum cards found in packs. There are a couple of Cody Bellinger autographed cards, but they are only available through a redemption card.

Top Prospects

#TP-AS Andrew Sopko          #TP-AV Alex Verdugo

#TP-GL Gavin Lux             #TP-WC Willie Calhoun

Blog Kiosk: 7/6/2017 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

I think it is clear at this point that Alex Wood deserves an All-Star Game invitation. Last night he was masterful, once again, as he improved to 10-0 by throwing seven shut out innings with ten strike outs, two walks and only three hits allowed. Per Steve Gilbert and Ken Gurnick at MLB.com:

"I don't know how often you get two 50-plus-win teams in the first half in the same division playing against each other, so it felt a little bigger tonight," said Wood, who allowed three hits. "Tensions were a little bit higher, especially in a 1-0 ballgame. You have to focus and bear down. They were close to kind of breaking through, but fortunately we were able to make some pitches and hold them where they were."

The Dodgers now have 4.5 game lead over the Diamondbacks.

Photo above via @Dodgers on twitter. Go here to check out a bunch of great pics by Dodger photographers Jon SooHoo and Jill Weisleder from the 4th of July. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1938 Leo Durocher recorded a "little league" home run that started as an sacrifice bunt in the seventh inning during the All-Star Game played in Cincinnati. Durocher was credited with a bunt single and came around to score on errors by Jimmy Foxx and Joe DiMaggio. In 1979 the Dodgers purchased the contract of pitcher Fernando Valenzuela from Puebla of the Mexican League. In 1980 the Dodgers retired Duke Snider's uniform #4 during that days Oldtimers Day ceremonies at Dodger Stadium. In 2000 Vin Scully is voted the No. 1 sportscaster of the 20th century by members of the American Sportscasters Association. 
• Happy Birthday, Frank Kellert, Willie Randolph & Germán Rivera!