Blog Kiosk: 5/28/2020 - Dodgers Links & News - Some Odds and Ends

Check out this vintage NEA press panoramic photograph featuring several Major League ballplayers wearing mask while playing a barnstorming game in California, dated February 10, 1919 (RMY Auctions). Per the descriptor on the reverse:

Masked Ball Game, Pasadena, Cal. -- The first baseball game in which the players, umpire and spectators wore "flu" mask was played when the Pasadena and Standard Murphy clubs clashed at Pasadena. The game went 11 innings and not once during the time did any of the players remove the masks. The rooting of the fans and their "kill the umpire" cry was somewhat muffled by the gauze masks, but otherwise they appeared to enjoy the contest. Our photo shows the masked marvels, left to right: Truck Hannah, NY Am., C; Doc Crandall, Boston Nat., P; Chick Gandil, Chi Sox, 1st; Art Griggs, Det. Am, 2nd; Fred McMullen, Chi Sox, 3rd; Olie Olsen, Brooklyn Nat., LF; Carl Sawyer, NY Amer., SS; George Cutshaw, Pitt Nat., 2nd; Bill Piercy, NY Am., P; Buster Crandel, Mascot.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1957 the NL officially approves the move of the Dodgers and Giants to the West Coast, provided both clubs make their request before October 1 and move at the same time. This effectively allowed both clubs to start negotiating with potential host cities. In 1962 Don Newcombe signs a contract to play for the Chunichi Dragons of the Japanese Central League. In 2001 Dodger catcher Paul Lo Duca has a big day. He goes 6-for-6 to lead the Dodgers during an 11-10 (boxscore) win over the Rockies. He records five singles, a three-run home run and four RBI. In 2011 a small fire in a nearby storage area in the Reserve seats at Dodger Stadium forces the evacuation of fans of that section during a game between the Dodgers and Marlins. The fire is controlled quickly and they do not need to evacuate the entire stadium.
• Happy Birthday, Rafael Landestoy, Kirk Gibson & Cory Wade!

Blog Kiosk: 8/1/2019 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Ryu was masterful again. Although he didn't come away with a victory, he did pitch six scoreless innings to reduce his league-leading ERA down to 1.66. His efforts also lead to Dodger victory #71.

Photo above via Matt Faraci/MLB.com at Dodger Insider. Go here to check out more pics from yesterdays game. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1906 Brooklyn hurler Harry McIntire lost his no-hit bid in the 10th inning when he yielded a single to Pirates second baseman Claude Ritchey. He and the Dodgers would then lose the game in 13 innings due to an unearned run, 1-0. In 1924 Dazzy Vance struck out seven consecutive Cub batters to set a major league record. The Brooklyn Robins would win the game, 4-0. In 1957 Gil Hodges hit not only his 13th grand slam of his career to set a new National League record, but it also proved to be the last grand slam in the history of the Brooklyn Dodgers. In 2015 Clayton Kershaw battled Mike Trout, marking the first time that reigning MVPs had faced each other. Trout would go 0-for-3 against Kersh; including a first inning strike out, as the Dodgers defeat the Angels, 3-1.
• Happy Birthday, Joe Shaute, Howard Freigau, Myron White, Dave Anderson& Brian Bohanon! 

2019 Topps Series 1 Baseball - Inserts Galore, Part One

Now that you've seen the Dodger base cards, here are several of the inserts you can find in packs. First, I thought I would share the handful of Dodgers found in Topps' 2019 Silver Pack 1984 Chrome promotion. Available at local hobby stores or online hobby retailers, you will receive a silver pack of four cards for each hobby box purchased. A jumbo hobby box should get you two silver packs. Go here for a complete checklist of promo cards.

2019 Topps Baseball Silver Pack Promotion

1984 Chrome Promo Cards

#T84-6 Jackie Robinson      #T84-15 Manny Machado

Blog Kiosk: 3/31/2017 - Dodgers Links - Some Spring Odds and Ends

Early in spring Clayton Kershaw and family hosted ballplayers from several other teams in Arizona to Spring Training PingPong4Purpose charity event, and was kind enough to share some pics at the Kershaw's Challenge website (link here).

A little over 150 people attended the event, making donations at the door to KC. 50% of the proceeds were to be donated to Kershaw’s Challenge (handicap building project) and the other 50% would be donated to the winner’s choice charity. We were blown away with what the event raised. Just over $14,000 was donated the night-of! Incredible. Clayton and his partner Scott ended up pulling out the big win in the end…as well as Dodger bragging rights until next year’s event.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History:  In 1948 the Dodgers played their very first exhibition game at Dodgertown in Vero Beach, Florida. They played against their top farm team, the Montreal Royals, and defeated them 5-4.  Jackie Robinson hit a first inning home run.  Per HistoricDodgertown.com:

Florida Governor Millard Caldwell threw the ceremonial first pitch at so-called “Ebbets Field No. 2.” A sign reading “You Are Now Entering Dodgertown” welcomed a strong showing of some 6,000 fans, paying $1.25 in the grandstands and bolstered the idea of more games being played on base in the future. Baseball Commissioner Happy Chandler, who had suspended Manager Durocher one year earlier, shook hands with “The Lip” and wished him good luck. Vero Mayor Merrill P. Barber looked on and a contingent of the Brooklyn National Guard, who had traveled to Florida to watch the Dodgers, was introduced and went home with a “load of oranges presented to them by the Vero Beach Jaycees.”

• Happy Birthday, Bill Hallman, Gene Snyder & Balvino Galvez!
  

Blog Kiosk: 10/21/2016 - Dodgers Links - Scully, Blanton, Turner and Kershaw

Once again, we leave the fate and destiny of the Dodger to the man above.  He'll be pitching for the Dodgers in Game 6 this coming Saturday evening.

As you know, the Dodgers lost another big game last night, 8-4.  A culmination of Maeda's inability to go deep, a relief staff that is both overworked and shaky, a defense that has shown some holes and an offense that can't get a timely hit sunk the Dodgers in Game 5.  But have faith, the season isn't over with yet.  We've got our two best starters going in Game 6 and 7 (Kershaw and Hill).  Per Ken Gurnick and Carrie Muskat at MLB.com:

"Obviously, our backs are against the wall, but we feel like we've been there all year, from Day One until the end," said Blanton. "We got down in Washington [in the NL Division Series], and everybody wrote us off then. I'm sure everybody is doing the same now, which is fine. That's maybe where we need to be.

"We lost Game 1 in Chicago and everybody probably wrote us off then, saying we were going to be swept, but we came back and won the next two. We fight. We showed that in the ninth, we put up some runs when we were down a whole bunch. That's the character of this team."

Photo above via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2016.  Go here to check out a bunch of pics by Jon, Jill Weisleder and Juan Ocampo from yesterdays game.  Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History:  In 1968 former Dodgers player and team executive Fresco Thompson dies at the age of 65.  He played in Brooklyn from 1931-32, slashing .264/.350/.324/.674 in 209 plate appearances.  As an executive he was the Dodgers assistant farm director, executive vice president and general manager.  He presided over the 1968 draft, considered one of the best ever, that included Steve Garvey, Davey Lopes, Ron Cey, Bill Buckner, Bobby Valentine, Joe Ferguson and Doyle Alexander.
• Happy Birthday: Bill Russell, Franklin Stubbs and Zack Greinke!

2016 Topps Triple Threads - The Dodgers Scarcities

Featured below is a running checklist (and some pics) of the scarce Dodgers cards found in packs of 2016 Triple Threads; including the All-Star and Deca cards.  I hope to have pics of most of the various Triple Threads relic and relic autographs soon.

All-Star Patches (#/9)

• #TTASP-AG Adrian Gonzalez
• #TTASP-CK Clayton Kershaw
• #TTASP-JOP Joc Pederson
• #TTASP-YG Yasmani Grandal
• #TTASP-ZG Zack Greinke

#TTASP-JOP Joc Pederson     #TTASP-AG Adrian Gonzalez

Blog Kiosk: 9/6/2016 - Dodgers Links - Seager, Puig, Hill, McCarthy and Kenta Maeda

What more can you say about Kenta Maeda?

He has been fantastic and easily counts as the Dodgers best acquisition of this past year.  Given early fears that he would be susceptible to an arm injury you wouldn't be blamed for being skeptical.  Thankfully, Maeda was extremely confident in his abilities and was willing to sign with us on an performance based contract, and now we understand why.  Kenta Maeda is the Dodgers ace in the absence of Clayton Kershaw.

Last night he barrelled over an unmatched Diamondbacks club by going 6.1 innings, giving up just three hits and a lone earned run.  Furthermore, eight Arizona batter struck out and only one batter was given a walk.  Per Jack Baer and Steve Gilbert at MLB.com:

"Kenta threw the ball great," Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. "I think you could see with those hitters and their approach, sitting soft. He was effective with his fastball tonight and locating it inside, outside. Kept those guys guessing and made his slider that much more effective. We tried to get through that seventh inning, but he gave us a great, great effort. Something we really needed."

At one point he retired 18 batters in a row.  Not lost on the evening was the Dodgers power surge at the plate against former teammate Zack Greinke.  They pounded out five home runs against the highest paid pitcher in the game; including four in the fifth inning alone.  Last nights 10-2 victory gives the Dodgers a four game lead over the Giants

Pic above via Jill Weisleder/LA Dodgers 2016.  Go here to check out more pics by Jill and Jon SooHoo from yesterdays game.  Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodger History:  In 1924 the Brooklyn Robins (Dodgers) recorded their 15th consecutive win, establishing the longest winning streak in franchise history.  In 1981 Fernando Valenzuela recorded his seventh shutout of the season, tying a National League rookie record for shutout.  In 1996 Brett Butler returns to the Dodger lineup four months after having surgery for throat cancer.  You can watch a news report on his first game back here.

2016 Topps Tribute - The 2016 Rookies, Relic, Prime Patches Cards

Now that you've seen the base cards below are the two Dodger players found within the 2016 Rookies insert set and some of the relics.  Go here to check out my previous post on this set.

2016 ROOKIES

#16R-2 Corey Seager                         #16R-10 Kenta Maeda

2016 Topps Tier One - The Dodgers Scarcities

Here is my final post on the 2016 Topps Tier One set.  Featured below is a checklist (and some pics) of the Dodgers scarcities that can be found.  Most of the cards indicated below are either numbered to one or ten, so they are all hard to come by.

Prodigious Patches (#/10)

• #PP-CK Clayton Kershaw

Autographed Prodigious Patches (#/10)

• #APP-AG Adrian Gonzalez
• #APP-CSE Corey Seager
• #APP-NG Nomar Garciaparra

#APP-AG Adrian Gonzalez

#APP-NG Nomar Garciaparra

Blog Kiosk: 6/14/2016 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

The kid continues to mash!

Corey Seager has been fantastic.  In last nights game he had a hand in both runs the Dodgers scored.  He came home on a double by the recently resurgent Justin Turner in the first inning, and then tied the game in the fifth when he homered off Grienke.  Unfortunately, it wasn't enough to defeat Zack and the Diamondbacks.  The Dodgers lost 3-2.  BTW, last night was the first game the Dodgers played against Greinke since he skipped town.  Via Doug Padilla at ESPN:

“It was probably a little more [fun] than normal,” Greinke said. “But I’ve played on several teams, so I’m used to facing former teams. That really wasn’t much. But the fans were pretty loud today, so that made it more so of an intense game.”
...

“The first couple innings, the first time through the order they were swinging a lot early,” Greinke said. “And they were taking the pitches I wanted them to swing at. The first couple innings was a combination of me not pitching real good and them taking quality at-bats. The last three innings I thought I pitched better -- besides the home-run pitch to Seager.”

Photo above via Jon SooHoo on the Dodgers twitter.  Go here to check out more pics by Jon from yesterdays game.  Below are more links to check:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1993 the Dodgers play their first ever game in Colorado.  They defeat the Rockies 9-4.  In 1995 Hideo Nomo set an Dodgers all-time rookie record for strike outs in a game at 16 against the Pittsburgh Pirates.
• Happy Birthday, Don Newcombe and Greg Brock!  Newk turns 90 today!

Blog Kiosk: 5/27/2016 - Dodgers Links - Sandoval, Utley and Julio Urias

I've got that #JulioFever.  So much so, I decided to make a few more Urias fantasy cards last night.  Check them out above.  The photo used on the left is from SportsCenter on twitter, and on the right is a Getty pic grabbed from Last Word on Sports.

It is becoming more clear that the Dodgers youth brigade is coming, and today's surprise starting pitcher is just one of many we should expect in the near future.  How sweet it is that we get to enjoy the fruits of our patience.

Last night Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman answered several questions from the press corps, and Urias was the main topic.  Fortunately, Jon Weisman at Dodger Insider shares it in total.  Check it out here.  Below is a snippet:

Is this a spot start? Or is Urias in the big-leagues to stay?
We’re going to assess where things are after this start and go from there. We haven’t made any long-term determinations at this point. Obviously, we have to be mindful of his workload for the season. On the one hand, you want to make sure he gets the range he wants. On the other hand, you want to balance the “right now” part of the season with potentially September as well, having as many capable arms as we can have then. So we’re just going to get through tomorrow night and continue to assess it.

I suspect that he will eventually bounce around from AAA and Los Angeles throughout the season; much like how Stripling and Bolsinger are doing that right now.  Heck, he might even spend some time in the bullpen to lessen the number of innings he throws.  BTW, Ken Rosenthal shared some words of wisdom from Zach Greinke on Julio Urias on twitter:

Former #Dodgers RHP Zack Greinke described Julio Urias to me this spring as “the most perfect pitching prospect I’ve ever seen.” 1/2

— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) May 26, 2016

I asked Greinke why. He said: 1. Urias is left-handed. 2. Stuff is plus-plus. 3. “He’s nasty, but not so nasty you think he’ll blow out.”

— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) May 26, 2016

Below are more links to check:

• This Day in Dodger History:  In 1888 fan favorite Adonis Terry pitched his second no-hitter for Brooklyn at Washington Park. 

2016 Topps Museum Collection - The Rare Dodgers Cards

I should have pics of most of the Dodgers autographed cards found in packs of 2016 Topps Museum tomorrow.  In the meantime, check out some of the rare "1 of 1" Dodgers cards that are available below. Go here to check out all of my previous post on this set.

Jumbo Lumber Bat Nameplate Relic (#/1)

• #JLNP-AGN Adrian Gonzalez
• #JLNP-AGO Adrian Gonzalez
• #JLNP-CK Clayton Kershaw
• #JLNP-CU Chase Utley
• #JLNP-DS Duke Snider
• #JLNP-HJR Hyun-Jin Ryu
• #JLNP-YP Yasiel Puig
• #JLNP-ZG Zack Greinke

#JLNP-ZG Zack Greinke           #JLNP-CU Chase Utley

2016 Topps Museum Collection - The Dodgers Relics Cards

After seeing the Dodgers base cards found in packs of 2016 Topps Museum, below are the various relic cards that are available.

Four-Player Primary Pieces Quad Relic (#/99)

#PPFQ-KGGP Greinke, Gonzalez, Kershaw & Puig

Blog Kiosk: 4/18/2016 - Dodgers Links - Kenta Maeda Continues His Excellence

I think it's fair to say that Kenta Maeda has exceeded expectations.  In his third outing as a Dodger he finally gave up his first run in the Majors on a third inning homer by Joe Panik.  A string of fourteen scoreless innings to start his career is now over - having been the first to do it for the Dodgers since Pedro Astacio in 1992.  As for the aftermath, Maeda continued to shut down the opposition.  He went seven innings, allowed only four hits, struck out seven and gave up a lone run.  Via Eric Stephen at True Blue LA:

"He was terrible tonight. He gave up a run," pitching coach Rick Honeycutt joked. "He's not human."

Maeda has been so good, as noted by Jon Weisman on twitter, that he is the first Dodger to begin his career with three straight games of six innings and one run or fewer allowed.  In fact, many folks are openly saying, "Greinke, who?"  Per Mark Simon at ESPN:

Much like former Dodgers pitcher Zack Greinke, Maeda is excelling by keeping his pitches away from opposing hitters.

Maeda has kept nearly 75 percent of his pitches on the outer half of the plate or off the outside corner. That’s the highest such rate by any starting pitcher this season and a near match for Greinke’s rate last season, which was second among ERA-title qualifiers.

Photo at the very top of Maeda via Jon SooHoo on twitter.  Below are more links to check out:

• Video:  Listen to Vin Scully reading a grocery list, via Jon Weisman at Dodger Insider. (Link Here) 

Blog Kiosk: 4/14/2016 - Dodgers Links - Kobe, Kendrick and Justin Turner

Fans celebrate their favorite players in all sorts of different ways.  Some folks go all out by wearing a full length uniform to show their fanaticism.  Others simply follow, collect or are more subtle when it comes to expressing their fandom.  Yesterday, a couple of Dodgers' showed their appreciation to retiring forward Kobe Bryant in totally different ways, and it happens to coincide with what I said above.

On the top left is Dodgers third baseman Justin Turner in full Kobe Bryant regalia in honor of the Lakers great last NBA game.  He shared this pic of himself on twitter yesterday afternoon.  To the right are commemorative cleats and batting gloves provided by Nike to Yasiel Puig (as well as others throughout Baseball) that he wore during last night's game.  This photo was also shared on twitter.  Other players to get the Bryant Baseball gear include Adrian Gonzalez and Mike Trout.

Below are more links to check out:

• Those new "LA" logo helmet 3-D things are not faring so well.  Sax at Sons of Steve Garvey shares a pic from yesterdays game showing Puig's helmet in need of some repair.
• Via Jack Baer at MLB.com, "Kendrick to see more time in left field."

2016 Panini Diamond Kings - All the Dodgers Mini Cards

Now that you've seen the Dodgers base cards found in packs of Panini's 2016 Diamond Kings set, here are the various mini cards that are available. 

DK Minis

#6 Gil Hodges                          #12 Leo Durocher

2016 Topps Gypsy Queen - All the Dodgers Insert Cards

Here is a final look at the Dodgers cards found in packs of 2016 Gypsy Queen.  Featured below are all of the available insert cards.  Go here to see all of my previous post on this set.

Autographs

#GQA-CKE Clayton Kershaw                 #GQA-CS Corey Seager

2016 Panini Diamond Kings - The Dodgers Base Cards and Variation

Returning for a second year is Panini's 2016 Diamond Kings Baseball card set.  Go here for a complete checklist.  This brand offers both current and former greats on cardboard.  As you can see in the pics below, this product focuses on artwork and drawings of the players.  Below are pics of all the Dodgers base cards in the set; including the Corey Seager variation card.

#6 Gil Hodges                                       #12 Leo Durocher

Blog Kiosk: 3/25/2016 - Dodgers Links - Grandal, Seager and Adrian Gonzalez

Adrian Gonzales tweeted a fantastic team photo featuring himself as an youth.  He was a member of the Liga Municipal de Tijuana ballclub.  No date is provided.  BTW, he is the kid standing in the top row, fourth from the right.

Below are more links to check out:

• Yes, Dylan Hernandez's story at the LA Times is dumb and immensely short-sighted.  Check it out here for yourself.  In it he laments how the club is wasting the prime years of Clayton Kershaw; which is funny considering the club has won the division the past three years in a row for the first time in its history.  But I digress... After all, I have little patience for this kind of skullduggery.  Fortunately, Dave Cameron at FanGraphs takes on the task of challenging Hernandez's piece (Link Here).  It's worth your time to check out:

Of course, things haven’t gone as well in the postseason, with the team getting knocked out in the Division Series twice and getting eliminated in the League Championship Series once. But judging a team’s commitment to winning based on how they perform in the postseason is a bit silly, given how small the margin is between advancing and being eliminated in a short series. Last year, they got eliminated in a winner-take-all Game 5 by a 3-2 margin, so their season literally ended because they got outscored by a single run. 

2016 Topps MLB Sticker Collection - All the Dodgers

Stickers seems to be the theme for collectors the past couple of weeks.  Along with the MLB Wacky Packs brand (which is filled with stickers), Topps also released their 2016 MLB Sticker Collection.  Go here for a complete checklist.  At top is the front cover of the Topps sticker album, and as you can see Clayton Kershaw is on the cover.  Also, with each album you instantly receive a Kershaw sticker to add to your collection.  Check out the six -sticker sheet below.