A Preview of 2013 Topps Mini's Including Puig and Koufax Auto's

Topps just released some preview pics from their upcoming 2013 Topps Mini set, and they included a few Dodgers to gawk at.  Check out the Yasiel Puig and Sandy Koufax autographed cards above, and the Jackie Robinson Chasing History insert card below.

As the name of the set suggest, it is a mini version of Topps Baseball flagship set.  There are 661 cards in the base set, a Chasing History insert set, autographed cards and a relic set.  At first glance, it appears the base set has the exact same checklist as the normal flagship set.  It will officially be available on July 31st - which coincides with the start of the National Sports Collectors Convention in Chicago. 

Boxes can only be purchased directly from Topps online and it will run you $52.99 a box.  Go here to place an order.  You can't buy now, but you can order a box at the end of the month (July 31st).  I believe Topps will have boxes available at The National. 

BTW, the Yasiel Puig autographed card will be inserted within packs.  So, it will be the very first certified autographed cards of his put into packs.  On a side note, last year Topps included a surprise card in their Mini Set (#662) that featured Bryce Harper.  I'd make a $100 bet that Topps does the same thing this year, and that surprise card is of Yasiel Puig.

Go to a post by Chris Olds at Beckett to see more pics and a complete checklist.

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Blog Kiosk: 7/17/2013 - Dodgers Links - Kershaw, Magic's Bobblehead and the Newest Teenage Dodger Alberto Estrella

Check out a happy Clayton Kershaw just before the start of the All-Star game.  Pic via twitter @Dodgers.

• Roberto at Vin Scully Is My Homeboy tells us about the upcoming 2013 Shrine of the Eternals Induction Day ceremony on Sunday, July 21st.  BTW, blogger Emma Amaya, who writes the Dodger Blue World blog, will be getting the 2013 Hilda Award that recognizes distinguished service to the game by a baseball fan.  Congrats Emma!
• Tom Hoffarth at Further Off the Wall shares a great essay from John Paciorek (brother of former Dodgers Tom Paciorek) that was in response to a interview shared over the weekend featuring Tommy Lasorda.  Check out that Tommy interview here.
• Via Kevin Baxter at the LA Times, "Sibling rivalry helped push Ricky Nolasco to major league glory".
• "Dodger Stadium wireless improvements a bigger job than anticipated," via Ron Cervenka at Think Blue LA.
• Gellman at Sports Card Uncensored takes a look at the impact Yasiel Puig will have on the 2013 Topps Allen & Ginter Baseball card set.
• The Dodgers make another international signing.  Per Ben Badler of Baseball America, they have signed Dominican Infielder Alberto Estrella for $600,000.00.

Estrella, a 16-year-old who has played in the International Prospect League, stands out for his size (6-foot-4, 195 pounds) and righthanded power potential. Estrella, who has spent time at shortstop, might be able to play third base but with his build he could end up at first base or an outfield corner spot. 

• Dodgers Beat captured a pic of the Magic Johnson bobblehead the Dodgers will be giving out on September 12th.

ICYMI @MagicJohnson #Dodgers Bobblehead given out September 12 vs #SFGiants pic.twitter.com/sy3XeYzWe4
— DodgersBeat (@DodgersBeat) July 17, 2013

• The September 2013 issue of Beckett features Yasiel Puig.  See it below.

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Yasiel Puig Signs Deal with Panini America and will Appear at The National

This has just come down the wire.

Panini America has just signed Yasiel Puig to a limited autographed memorabilia deal.  What does that mean?  Well, details are a little light, but I suspect Panini will be selling autographed Baseballs, photos, ornate displays, etc. through their Panini Authentic Online Store.  I think this is similar to Upper Deck Authentic, who have been selling these kinds of items for well over a decade for athletes like Michael Jordan and Tiger Woods. 

Furthermore, they announced that the Cuban sensation will be making an appearance for Panini at the upcoming National Sports Card Convention in Chicago (July 31st - August 4).  Exact details have yet to be released, but we do know that the Dodgers will be in town for a series against the Cubs from August 1st to August 4th.

According to Panini he will only be signing a customized Panini photo that will be part of a Panini VIP event.  So, it appears that the general public will not be getting in on the action.  I do not know what qualifies a collector as a Panini VIP.  It's likely a combination of a large dealer, active buyers and possibly a few lucky winners who attend the show.

“Yasiel’s rocket-like ascent this season has been one of the most captivating stories baseball has produced in quite some time, and we look forward to working with him,” said Panini America CEO Mark Warsop. “We’ve already incorporated some of Yasiel’s first Rookie Cards into products that will be releasing soon, but we wanted the relationship to be more than that by delivering his authentic autographed memorabilia and by having him help us entertain our most important fans, collectors and partners at our VIP event at the National Sports Collectors Convention.”

Man-O-Live, do I wish I was heading to Chicago in a couple of weeks.

Pic above courtesy of Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2013.

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Here's an Early Peek at the Rick Monday "Flag Saving" Bobblehead

On Tuesday, August 27 the Dodgers are giving away a bobblehead that celebrates the day Rick Monday saved the American flag from a father & son protest team at Dodger Stadium.  Well, we now have a pic of the bobblehead.  See it above.  Also, the @Dodgers on twitter put together a quick vine video of it that you can view here.

A quick note, this is the very first Dodgers bobblehead that features a player not in a Dodger uniform.  If it was of anyone else I'd be scratching my head, but in this instance it is appropriate.


Watch a video about that moment below.

Video Link:

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Dodger Fans are Great! We Are #1 and a University Study Proves It!

I don't have to tell any of you that Dodger fans are the best in league.  After all, we True Blue fans have known this for a long time.

Well, now we have empirical evidence that proves it, and I'm gonna gloat to my hearts content.

Emory University, a private research school whose motto is "the wise heart seeks knowledge", put together a study to asses the brand equity of every ball team; i.e. fan intensity and loyalty.  Brand Equity is an idea is that a well known and well regarded brand provides value, and that value creates loyalty to the brand such that fans would be willing to pay a price premium.

According to the Emory University's Sports Marketing Analytics study the Dodgers have the "Best" home fans, and therefore one of the best brands in the business.  See their story here.

Our analysis finds some expected, and some surprising results.  We discover that the Red Sox and the Dodgers tie for having the “best” fan bases.  These teams are followed by the Cardinals, Giants and Cubs.  It is the next team on the list that first raises some eyebrows, as our model rates the struggling Houston Astros as having the 6^th best fan base.  At the bottom of the list we have the Kansas City Royals, Miami Marlins, Chicago White Sox, Detroit Tigers and the Anaheim Angels.  The bottom five are also likely to cause debate and angst among Angels and Tigers supporters.

As you can see above, the Angels have the worst fans around.  Ha!

Below is a graphic showing the complete list, and check out their brief story here.

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Blog Kiosk: 7/16/2013 - Dodgers Links - Listening to Mel, Garvey & Kershaw Work a Food Truck and Puig Doesn't Sign with Jay-Z

Check out this great photo montage featuring the Dodgers from Opening Day to the All-Star break.  Pic via @Dodgers on twitter.

• Via FoxSports AM570, listen to the man behind Kirk Gibson's 1988 World Series home run. 

Kirk Gibson always mentions scout, Mel Didier when talking about his Home Run in Game 1 of the 1988 World Series. Didier was the Dodgers advance scout that told Gibson and the other Dodgers to anticipate a "back door slider" if Eckersley got a full count on left handed hitters. Gibson recalled that scouting report before he stepped back in to the batters box before hitting that 3-2 improbable home run. Mel joined us on "Dodgers on Deck" Sunday.

• Hanley Ramirez wants to stay a Dodger, via Dylan Hernandez at the LA Times.
• Both Steve Garvey and Clayton Kershaw were in New York to promote Time Warner Cable’s celebration of their expanded WiFi coverage by working in some food trucks during All-Star week.  Check out a couple of pics below.  Pic on left via twitter @SteveGarvey6, and pic on right via twitter @metroBASEBALL.

• TMZ goes paparazzi on Yasiel Puig.  "I Got a Rolls & a Hot Chick!!  Who Needs the All-Star Game?"  Stay Classy TMZ!
• BTW, Puig recently signed a marketing deal, but it's not with Jay-Z.  Via Darren Rovell at ESPN, "Yasiel Puig signs marketing deal".

Los Angeles Dodgers rookie slugger Yasiel Puig has signed with Radegen Sports Management to represent his off-the-field interests.

"We're definitely going to capitalize on his rise," said Radegen Sports president Alex Radetsky, whose New York-based company also represents David Ortiz and Jose Bautista. "But we're not going to rush, and he's not going to sell out."

Also, 

Radetsky said his autograph deal will be run by California-based JD Legends Promotions, a firm that has managed the signings of many Dodgers players.

• Miguel Alfredo Gonzalez Cleared To Sign With MLB, via Mark Polishuk at MLB Trade Rumors.  The Dodgers are considered the favorites to sign him.  He is a 26-year old Cuban starting right-handed pitcher.
• "On a team of unsung heroes, Tim Crews stood out: Reliever Tim Crews helped the Dodgers reach the 1988 World Series, where they beat the A's. He died in a 1993 boating accident, but his spirit lives in his family," via Bill Plaschke at the LA Times.
• Apparently, a fan was injured due to an errant throw from Withrow while warming up in the bullpen, via Reddit.  I guess blood was everywhere.  Hopefully, that fan is doing well.
• So, when did shirts get so expensive?  In celebration of America’s pastime, Tommy Bahama has created a limited edition 2013 MLB All-Star Game shirt commemorating the Midsummer Classic at the home of the New York Mets. The royal blue silk camp shirt features the 2013 MLB All-Star Game with an orange and white embroidered logo on the back and sleeve. The shirt retails for $158.  Steve Garvey was there to promote and meet with fans.

• Here is a video from FoxSports, watch Clayton Kershaw speak about the Dodgers' turnaround, Yasiel Puig, and good friend Matthew Stafford.

Video Link:

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