Blog Kiosk: 4/30/2020 - Dodgers Links & News - Some Odds and Ends

Roy Campanella and Johnny Podres are all smiles.

The 1955 World Series didn't start out so great. The Dodgers lost the first two games on the road, but fought back to win Game 3 at Ebbets Field -- on the back of a complete game by Podres and the stellar bat of Campanella. Featured above is a brief look at the post game celebration from Game 3. Per a descriptor on the reverse (eBay auction link):

Roy Campanella, left, and Johnny Podres celebrate 8-3 victory over Yankees -- Catcher backed up pitcher's fine hurling with three big hits, including home run.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1935 the Dodgers signed 21-year old amateur free agent Rod Dedeaux. He would later go on to become the head baseball coach at the University of Southern California (USC) for 45 season -- winning 11 national titles and 28 conference championships. In 1940 Brooklyn tied a Major League record for consecutive wins to start a season at nine victories when Dodgers hurler Tex Carlton no-hit the Cincinnati Reds, 3-0. In 2014 the Dodgers won their 10,000th game in franchise history when they defeated the Twins, 6-4, behind the pitching of Zack Greinke.
• Happy Birthday, Paul Wachtel, Phil Garner, Jeff Reboulet & José Peraza!

Blog Kiosk: 1/20/2020 - Dodgers Links & News - Some Odds and Ends

Sandy got a ticket. This is hilarious. Per a descriptor on the reverse (eBay auction link):

Sand Koufax lifts a parking ticket from the windshield of the car which was given him for being outstanding player in recent World Series. Sandy appeared at a downtown restaurant in New York Tuesday to get his prize and the car was driven up on the sidewalk for the benefit of photographers. When Sandy came out he found a decoration -- which cost $15 -- on his windshield. (10/9/1963)

Below are more links to check out:

• Happy Birthday, Bill Schardt, Bill Zimmerman, Denny Sothern, Camilo Pasqual & Cecil Espy!

Current and Former Dodgers' are Starting to Speak -- On Twitter

On Monday the Dodgers released what is likely to be their only statement related to the current scandal rocking the game. They said:

“All clubs have been asked by Major League Baseball not to comment on today’s punishment of the Houston Astros as it’s inappropriate to comment on discipline imposed on another club. The Dodgers have also been asked not to comment on any wrongdoing during the 2017 World Series and will have no further comment at this time.”

Clearly, we shouldn't expect to hear anything more from the ownership (and I assume the coaching staff) about the sign-stealing mess. That said, this edict does not extend to the players. Several current and former Dodgers' are raising their voice on twitter and it's worth making note of it.

Blog Kiosk: 1/16/2020 - Dodgers Links & News - FanFest Tickets On Sale Now!

FanFest tickets are now for sale to the general public. Go here to check it out. From a Dodgers press release:

Due to construction, this year’s event will be held in Dodger Stadium Parking Lots P and N (outside of Top Deck and Right Field Reserve). FanFest is free and open to the public, but digital tickets are required and can only be claimed at Dodgers.com/FanFest. Fans must also download the MLB.com Ballpark App on their smart phones, which is the exclusive way of presenting their digital tickets for admission. Parking is free, and parking gates will open for the event at 9:30 a.m. 

FanFest features appearances and autograph opportunities from Dodger players, coaches and alumni in addition to a live stage program, the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation’s Mystery Bag Fundraiser and ‘Yard Sale’ – featuring past promotional items, t-shirts and more - and family-friendly activities such as batting cages, game inflatables, a rock wall, carnival games, video games, live music, photo opportunities, food and beverages. In addition, season tickets, premium tickets, individual and group tickets will be on sale during the event.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1936 the Brooklyn Dodgers signed future Hall of Famer Freddie Lindstrom. This would be his final season of Major League ball. As a Dodger he got into only 26 games, slashing .264/.297/.302/.599. In 1996 interleague play is approved by Major League Baseball's executive council.
• Happy Birthday, Ferdie Schupp, Bob Ramazzotti & Rod Miller!

Blog Kiosk: 1/14/2020 - Dodgers Links & News - Some Odds and Ends

Check out this fantastic 1947 pic taken by Cuban photographer Sanchez Y. Cabredo of Jackie Robinson wearing a Montreal Royals uniform during a spring match in Havana against the Dodgers. He is seen scoring after hitting a home run off of a Brooklyn Dodger pitcher (soon-to-be teammate). This photo is currently available at RMY Auctions.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1994 the Dodgers signed Korean starting pitcher Chan Ho Park out of Hanyang University in Seoul. He would pitch nine season in Los Angeles -- going 84-58 with an 3.77 ERA, 4.23 FIP and an ERA+ of 108. In 2006 the Dodgers, with closer Eric Gagne on the DL due to Tommy John surgery, traded starting pitcher Edwin Jackson and minor league pitcher Chuck Tiffany to Tampa Bay for relievers Danys Baez and Lance Carter. Edwin Jackson, who won his first Major League game by out-dueling Randy Johnson of the DBacks, would go on to play for 14 different ballclubs -- and he is expected to play for another team in 2020. In 2006 the Dodgers also signed free agent starting pitcher Aaron Sele to a one-year contract. He would go 8-6 with a 4.53 ERA, 4.36 FIP and an ERA+ of 100.
• Happy Birthday, Adam Kolarek, Art Decatur, Derrel Thomas, Terry Forster, Troy Brohawn & Logan Forsythe!

2018 Panini Flawless - All the Dodgers Cards

Panini released their high-end Baseball card brand last week, and I've got pics of most of the Dodger cards below. Go here for a complete checklist.

This product will cost you about $1,200 for a box of ten cards, and you are guaranteed seven autographs, 2 memorabilia relics and a single diamond embedded card. Furthermore, no team logos can be found here. Panini does not have a MLB license. Nevertheless, collectors are drawn to the on-card autographs and the overall design.

Base

#12 Don Drysdale

Blog Kiosk: 9/13/2018 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

We Won! I can't believe we beat the Reds. Per Rowan Kavner at Dodger Insider:

“These guys had our number all year,” said manager Dave Roberts. “Credit to those guys. … Just to get out of here with a win, with where we were at, is a good thing.”

The offense finally woke up against the red menace when they hammered out eight runs against Cincinnati yesterday afternoon -- including a three-RBI night for both Justin Turner and Yasmani Grandal (boxscore). The Dodgers now sit at 1.5 games back of the Rockies with 16 games to go.

This thing is going down to the wire, and a part of me is loving it. Sure, it would've been great to have clinched already. Nevertheless, I find this race to the finish enthralling. It's like I'm on the edge of my seat watching an exciting movie. Everyday this month I've found myself screaming at the television while my heart races with the beat of the season. This is why Baseball is the greatest game in the world.

Photo above of Justin Turner via John Minchillo/AP Photo at Dodger Insider. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1925 future Brooklyn Hall of Famer Dazzy Vance no-hit the Phillies at Ebbets Field, 10-1. In 1977 outfielder Dusty Baker set a franchise record by recording five RBI's in a single inning -- during the second inning against the Padres. His hits include a two-run double and a three-run homer. In 2005 Dodgers futility was at it's best. During the second inning against the Padres all three Dodger outfielders (Ricky Ledee, Jose Cruz Jr. and Jason Werth) committed errors that contributed to the scoring of six runs and a loss, 6-4.
• Happy Birthday, Harry Redmond, Dutch Ruether, John Kelleher, Sam Crane, Otho Nitcholas, Morrie Aderholt, Rick Dempsey, Andy LaRoche & Zach Lee!

Blog Kiosk: 8/24/2018 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Clayton Kershaw is one very serious ping pong player. Check out his getup, complete with an accessorized fanny pack, from last night's "Ping Pong 4 Purpose" charity event at Dodger Stadium. Per Rowan Kavner at Dodger Insider:

Athletes, actors and other celebrities spent the night playing Ping-Pong, eating, drinking and enjoying themselves all while helping kids in need. The Dream Center, just keep livin foundation and the International Justice Mission’s programs in the Dominican Republic were the three main beneficiaries of the event put on by Kershaw’s Challenge. 

“Every year, the beneficiaries keep getting better and better and the money raised gets more and more,” Clayton said. “The bottom line, we get to help a lot of kids and that’s pretty cool.”

Photo above of the Kershaw's and Bryan Cranston,via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2018 at Dodger Insider. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1960 Vin Scully famously had fans at Dodger Stadium wish third base umpire Frank Secory a happy birthday during the game.  In 1975 Davey Lopes stole three bases against the Expos to extend his Major League record of consecutive steals to 38. Then in the 12th inning of this same game he is thrown out at second base by Gary Carter. Coincidentally, Carter had been the last catcher to throw Lopes out before starting his record streak -- on June 4th. In 2007 the Dodgers signed free agent pitcher David Wells. In 2014 Joc Pederson became only the fourth player in the history of the PCL to have a 30-30 season, and the first to do it in 80 years, when he stole a base for the Albuquerque Isotopes (a Dodgers Triple-A affiliate). He would come up to Los Angeles later that September.
• Happy Birthday, John Brown, Kip Gross, Jeff Kubenka, Kevin Correia & Enrique "Kiké" Hernandez!

Blog Kiosk: 6/28/2018 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Things seems to be going right, right now. Per Ken Gurnick at MLB.com:

"It's scary facing us, I think," said Bellinger, who has four homers in the last six games. "We're clicking right now. It's fun to be a part of."
...
"Everyone just passes the baton, works the at-bats, gets the pitchers working and we are able to capitalize on mistakes," said Pederson.

Max Muncy, Joc Pederson and Cody Bellinger slugged homers last night to lead the Dodgers to victory over the Cubs, 7-5 (boxscore). BTW, the Dodgers have hit 51 homers in June, and sit just two shy of a franchise record and seven short of the Major League mark.

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

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1907 then Yankees catcher Branch Rickey (who would be known for signing Jackie Robinson decades later) saw twelve Senator runners steal a base on him. In 1969 the Dodgers and Don Drysdale shut down the Padres at Jack Murphy Stadium by the lopsided score of 19-0. They break a LA Dodgers all-time record for runs scored in a game. In 2008 the Dodgers were no-hit by the Angels (Jered Weaver and Jose Arredondo), but still won the game, 1-0. The lone run was scored in the fifth inning when a couple of errors and a sacrifice fly by Blake DeWitt scored the eventual winning run.
• Happy Birthday, Fred Miller, Al Downing & Jose Flores!

2018 Topps Opening Day - All the Dodgers Base Cards

I was going to go on a mini-rant about this set, but as I looked closer I realized that Topps has made some changes - at least with regards to the Dodgers'. For the most part, the Topps' Opening Day brand is as boring as can be. They typically use not only the exact same design as their flagship, but also use the same pics. And the only difference would be a jazzy "Opening Day" logo on the front. This time around they mixed it up a bit.

Of the eleven Dodgers' in the base set only two use the exact photograph as its flagship counterpart -- Yasiel Puig and Cody Bellinger. The cards of Kershaw, Verdugo, Buehler and Wood use brand new pics. On top of that, we get a first look at 2018 Topps cards for Seager, Turner, Taylor, Jansen and Darvish (none of whom are in Series 1). This is quite a departure from years past.

Check out the Dodger base cards below. As of this posting, there are no known variations to chase after, but that could change as folks continue to open the product. Go here for a complete checklist.

Base

#1 Clayton Kershaw               #57 Yasiel Puig

2018 Panini's Donruss - The Dodgers Base & Variation Cards

Panini America's flagship Baseball card brand, 2018 Donruss, is now in stores, and as you can see in the pic above Cody Bellinger is its spokes-model. He is prominently displayed on both boxes and packs. Go here for an complete checklist.

Below are all of the Dodgers' base & variation cards. I remain disappointed that the Diamond Kings subset no longer uses drawings/paintings like their vintage brethren from the 80's.

I do love the retro cards that use the 1984 Baseball set design - one of my all-time favorites. As a kid I remember riding around town in my poor excuse for a BMX bike searching for packs of these cards. Rarely did I see any, but that didn't stop me from spending hours searching for some. I so badly wanted that Don Mattingly rookie!

Complete Base Set

Diamond Kings

#14 Clayton Kershaw

2018 Topps Heritage Baseball - The Dodgers Relic, Autograph & Box Topper Cards

Here are all the autograph, relic and box-topper Dodger cards found in packs of Topps' 2018 Heritage Baseball card brand. Clearly, the best item here is the large team poster fashion after it's 1969 counterpart. That thing is cool, colorful and a must have. I want to get one framed for my office wall.

Real One Autographs

#ROA-AV Alex Verdugo         #ROA-WB Walker Buehler

Blog Kiosk: 3/6/2018 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Just another fantastic spring photo of a Dodger signing for fans.

Photo above via Camelback Ranch on twitter. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1938 the Dodgers received first baseman Dolph Camilli from the Phillies for an outfielder named Eddie Morgan and $45,000. Camilli would spend the next six seasons in Brooklyn -- slashing an overall .270/.392/.497/.889 with 139 home runs, 572 RBI's and an WAR of 29.1. He would also be named the NL MVP in 1941. In 1948 the Dodgers traded second baseman Eddie Stanky to the Boston Braves. Stanky famously yelled at Phillies coach Ben Chapman during a game the season prior due to his racist insults directed at Jackie Robinson. 
• Happy Birthday, Frank Gatins, John McMakin, George Mohart, Doug Podbielan, Greg Hannahs, Terry Adams & Marcus Thames!

2018 Heritage - More Dodger Variation Cards

I previously erred when I initially put up a listing of Dodgers variations found in packs of Topps 2018 Heritage Baseball card brand. Originally, I indicated that there were just three variations to chase after -- Seager, Bellinger & Kershaw. That was wrong. Instead, there are nine to collect; including a variation for Yu Darvish. Check them all out below.

#45 Corey Seager 

Normal Base Card           Action Image Variation

2018 Topps Heritage Baseball - All the Dodgers Base Cards

The ever-popular Heritage brand Baseball card set from Topps is now officially available in stores. This years set borrows its design from the 1969 Topps flagship set. Below is a look at all of the Dodgers' base and variation cards that are available. (UPDATE: Only 3 variations indicated below. There are actually 9 of them. Go here to see them all.) I've also included a checklist for the Base Chrome & Mini Parallel insert cards. Go here for a complete checklist.

There are several notable subsets available here. First, there are World Series Highlights cards that feature the three Dodger wins in the recent Fall Classic. Overall, there are eight cards in this set; including one for each game played and one celebration card for the Astros.

Another notable subset is the puzzle back set featuring Cody Bellinger. What you do is take the ten National League Topps News All-Star cards to form one large Bellinger portrait. I'll share this checklist and a look at the entire puzzle in a post tomorrow. In the meantime, check out all the Dodger base cards below.

Base Cards

#2 Blackmon, Justin Turner & Murphy -- LL

Blog Kiosk: 2/15/2018 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

This is the cutest thing I've ever seen. Apparently, Clayton Kershaw has a new Valentine.

Photo above via Camelback Ranch on twitter. Go here to check out  a bunch of pics taken by Dodger photographer Jon SooHoo here. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 2017 the Dodgers signed free agent reliever Sergio Romo to a one-year $3MM contract. He would eventually be traded to the Rays in late-July.
• Happy Birthday, Hal Lee, Charlie Irwin, George Earnshaw, Joe Moeller, Ron Cey, Rick Auerbach, Russell Martin & Russ Mitchell!

Blog Kiosk: 2/14/2018 - Dodgers Links - Happy Valentine's Day!

The boys are back! Per Ken Gurnick at MLB.com:

"The challenge is keeping guys sharp but rested," said Roberts, embarking on his third season as manager of a club that has won its division each of the last five years. "We'll cut guys short, give them more days off, back-field work, at-bats in Minor League games. But to sit in a Major League game for 2 1/2 hours to get two or three at-bats the first couple weeks doesn't make much sense." 

General manager Farhan Zaidi sounded the same cautionary tone. 

"Our responsibility is to monitor and make sure in April this group is not experiencing any physical effects from the long season," Zaidi said.

Photos above via @Dodgers on twitter - likely taken by Jon SooHoo. BTW, Jon SooHoo shared even more pictures from the first day of Spring Training, here. Below are more links to check out:

• Happy Birthday, Mike Hechinger, Candy LaChance, Tim Jordan, Abe Kruger, Len Gabrielson & Takashi Saito!

Blog Kiosk: 2/12/2018 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

This is just a spring training photo to help you get prepared for the week. As you know, Dodger pitchers and catchers are scheduled to officially report to Camelback Ranch tomorrow. Above is a 1960 spring training photo featuring veteran Gil Hodges showing 23-year old youngster Frank Howard how to man the base, via an eBay listing. Per the descriptor:

Frank Howard, right, Los Angeles rookie outfielder, who the Dodgers will tryout at first base at their spring training camp, watches veteran first baseman Gil Hodges whom he will try to oust at the workout today. The 6 foot 7 inch Howard was named minor league player of 1959, a year in which he clammed 44 home runs, 27 with Victoria, 16 with Spokane and one as a pinch hitter with the Dodgers.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 2009 a $4.8MM civil lawsuit was filed against former Dodger infielder José Offerman by catcher John Nathans. As a member of the independent Long Island Ducks in 2007 he charged the pitcher with his bat in tow after being hit by a pitch. The pitcher suffered a broken finger and the catcher had a concussion (effectively ending his playing career) from the melee. Offerman is eventually found guilty and ordered to pay $940,000.
• Happy Birthday, Sweetbread Bailey, Enzo Hernández, Don Stanhouse & Dennis Springer!

2018 Topps Series 1 Baseball - The Rest of the Dodgers Insert Cards

Here is a last final look at the various Dodgers' insert cards that can be found in packs of 2018 Topps Series 1. Featured below are the "Legends in the Making", Cut Signatures, "In The Name" Relics, All-Star Medallions, MLB Awards, Opening Day, Spring Training Patches, Players Weekend, Home Run Challenge and original "1 of 1" Sketch cards.

BTW, all Bellinger autographed cards come as a redemption. Also, I've included the three known Dodgers' original "Sketch" cards, and will try to periodically updated this post should any more turn up. On another note, the Cody Belling original "Sketch" looks more like Kiké Hernández than Cody -- just my opinion.

Legends in the Making

#LTM-CB Cody Bellinger         #LTM-CE Corey Seager

2018 Topps Series 1 Baseball - More Dodger Insert Cards

Here is a second group of Dodgers' inserts available in packs of 2018 Topps Series 1 packs. Featured below are the Postseason Performance Relics, Superstar Sensation, Topps Now Top 10 and Topps Salute cards.

Notably, we get a first look at a 2018 card featuring Yu Darvish as a Dodger. Also, all of the Cody Bellinger autographed cards below only come with a redemption card.

Postseason Performance Relics

#PSP-CK Clayton Kershaw                #PSP-CS Corey Seager