Puig and Ryu make the 2013 Topps All-Star Rookie Team

It's that time of year again, when Baseball collectors start to wonder, who will be honored with a Topps All-Star Rookie trophy in their 2014 Baseball card set?

Since 1959, Topps has commemorated the best young stars at each position with the symbol of a trophy emblazoned on the following years Topps cards.  You can see the two examples of that trophy at the very top.  The trophy on the left was used from 1960 to 1972, and the trophy cup on the right was used thereafter.  This honor has been bestowed on some of the games greatest; from Willie McCovey to Johnny Bench, from Gary Carter to Ozzie Smith, from Cal Ripken Jr. to Ichiro Suzuki.

This year, two Dodgers made the cut, and they are not surprising choices. 

Yasiel Puig and Hyun-Jin Ryu have been named to the 2013 Topps All-Star Rookie roster.  Check out a list of all the winners below.

• 1B Matt Adams, St. Louis Cardinals (.284 batting average, 17 HR, 51 RBI, 2013 stats)
• 2B Jedd Gyorko, San Diego Padres (.249, 23, 63)
• 3B Nolan Arenado, Colorado Rockies (.267, 10, 52)
• SS Jose Iglesias, Detroit Tigers (.303, 3, 29)
• OF Wil Myers, Tampa Bay Rays (.293, 13, 53)
• OF Yasiel Puig, Los Angeles Dodgers (.319, 19, 42)
• OF Christian Yelich, Miami Marlins (.288, 4, 16)
• C Evan Gattis, Atlanta Braves (.243, 21, 65)
• RHP Jose Fernandez, Miami Marlins (12-6, 2.19 ERA, 187 K's)
• LHP Hyun-jin Ryu, Los Angeles Dodgers (14-8, 3.00, 154)
• RP Jim Henderson, Milwaukee Brewers (60 IP, 2.70, 75, 28 Saves)

Hat Tip: bdj610's Topps Baseball Card Blog
Both pics above via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2013

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Blog Kiosk: 11/19/2013 - Dodgers Links - Puig and some Little Leaguers, Alexander Guerrero Injury and Uribe Wants a 3-Year Deal

Yasiel Puig hung out with a bunch of youngsters at Dodger Stadium, yesterday.  Pic above via @Dodgers on twitter.  See more pics of the day from Jon SooHoo, here.  Ken Gurnick at MLB.com tells us all about it - "Puig holds clinic for Little Leaguers at Dodger Stadium".

"I played Little League when I was 9, went through the system, and now I'm grateful that I'm able to do this for these kids," said Puig. "Maybe they'll be able to support me when I get old."

That's Yasiel Puig and today he invited 50 kids from the neighborhood to play at Dodger Stadium. pic.twitter.com/Qkfycfl39b
— Yvonne Carrasco (@yvonnecarrasco) November 19, 2013

• JP Hoornstra at Inside the Dodgers writes a story about former Dodger coach Matt Martin.
• Via Evan Bladh at Opinion of Kingman's Performance provides an update on Alexander Guerrero - "Alexander Guerrero on Dominican Website - Claims his wrist Injury Is Getting Better, but Dodger Management Is Keeping Him from Returning Until He's 100%".  I had thought he had leg issues, but apparently it's his wrist - (or maybe it's his thigh?  Interpretation help please).

Guerrero:  They tell me to continue but they want me at 100%.  Because the Dodgers will start Spring Training in Arizona 3 weeks earlier because they have some games in Australia.  Since they’ll be in Australia, they’ll want me to be with the team.

• Funny stuff.  For the record, this photo tweeted by MLBcathedrals is an obvious photoshopped image, and I find it hilarious how many folks believed it was real.  Heck, even Diamondbacks VP of Communications Josh Rawitch was compelled to respond.

ICYMI; changes in signage were made to the Arizona Diamondbacks Right Centerfield pool for next year. pic.twitter.com/g07srTBFWi
— Ballpark History (@MLBcathedrals) November 18, 2013

The above tweet has since been deleted because general media started to ask the Diamondbacks why they made the sign - not realizing it was a photoshopped image.  Wow!  Some people are so gullible.  Below is the original photo.

• Via Craig Durham at MLB.com, "Baldwin getting valuable experience in Australia: Outfield prospect building on strong second half while with Great Lakes Loons".

"I went to Panama last year, and this is a great opportunity to come to a different country," said Baldwin, who is ranked the Dodgers' No. 17 prospect by MLB.com. "I'm just thankful for everybody that sent me here, and I'm happy to be here, trying to get better any way I can to try and make it to the big leagues as soon as I can."

• Skip Schumaker will not be a Dodger next season.  Per @Ken_Rosenthal on twitter, he has signed a two year deal with the Reds.
• The Dodgers signed infielder Brendan Harris to a minor league contract and invitation to Spring Training, via Tim Dierkes on twitter.  See his stats at Baseball Reference, here.  He'll likely compete for a reserve/backup infielder position.
• Mike Petriello at FanGraphs writes, "Getting Replay Right The First Time".
• Jon Heyman of CBS reports on twitter that the Dodgers have an interest in retaining Juan Uribe, but that Uribe wants a 3-year deal. 
• Via Mark Whicker of the OC Register, "Hollywood nights on horizon for prospect Seager".

“The pitchers in the Cal League had more of an idea how to execute,” Seager said. “They found a way to attack me and they did. They came inside a lot harder, and then they threw a lot of balls south of the zone, and I was chasing. Everybody has those months. I had mine, and I got through it.”

• Via Helene Elliott at the LA Times, "NHL announces all-access TV series that will include Kings and Ducks".

The seven-part series, called “NHL Revealed: A Season Like No Other,” will begin Jan. 22 on NBC Sports Network and will initially feature the Kings and Ducks as they prepare for their Stadium Series game on Jan. 25 at Dodger Stadium. Episodes will air on NBCSN on Jan. 22, Jan. 29, Feb. 5, Feb. 27 (two hours), March 5 and March 12.

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2013 Bowman Draft Picks & Prospects - the Dodgers Insert Cards

Last Week, I shared pics of all of the the Dodgers 2013 Bowman Draft Picks & Prospects base cards.  Now, I post up the Dodgers' insert cards that are available.  Go here to see those cards.  BTW, there is a Chrome Rookie autographed card of Yasiel Puig, but only a redemption card is available in packs.

Chrome Prospect Autographs

#BCA-CA Chris Anderson - 1st Rd (#18) 2013

#BCA-TWI Tom Windle - 2nd Rd 2013

Bowman Black Autographs

 #BBC-CA Chris Anderson

Futures of the Franchise

#FF-YP Yasiel Puig

I've included a Die-Cut X-Fractor Parallel card of the Yasiel Puig Bowman Scouts Breakouts card below.  You can see it on the bottom right.

Bowman Scouts Breakouts

#BSB-YP Yasiel Puig

Blue Sapphire Best of All-Time

#Matt Kemp

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Blog Kiosk: 11/18/2013 - Dodgers Links - Kershaw Won the Branch Rickey Award, a Puig McFarlane Figurine and 4 New Dodger Minor Leaguers

Guess where Adrian Gonzalez went?  Pic above via his twitter @AdrianTitan23.

• Via Thomas Harding at MLB.com, "Humanitarian Kershaw gets Branch Rickey Award".
• True to the Blue tells us that Yasiel Puig will be getting a McFarlane figurine in 2014 - for MLB Series 32.  It is set to be released in April 2014, and 2 collector chase figurines will be made available.  One scarce variation will include a "big head" and white uniform, and another will feature Puig in a grey road uniform.  Go here to see a pic of it.
• Mike Pettriello at Mike Scioscia's Tragic Illness writes, "Deadline Nearing To Protect Prospects From Rule V Draft".
• Ross Gasmer at Dodgers Nation keeps us informed of some Minor League Dodger free agent signings - Juan Gonzalez, Justin Souza, J.C. Boscan, and Jamie Romak.
• Via Jon Rosen at LA Kings Insider, "Dodger Stadium tickets on sale Tuesday".

Tickets to the Stadium Series game between the Los Angeles Kings and Anaheim Ducks at Dodger Stadium on January 25 will go on sale to the public via Ticketmaster.com and Ticketmaster.ca at 10:00 a.m. PT on Tuesday, November 19.

• Via Ron Cervenka at Think Blue LA, "The Little Pony rides off into the sunset".  It's all about fan favorite Nick Punto.
• Zack Hample shares some great old photos from Olympic Stadium in Montreal, home of the Expos.

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Sunday Dodgers Videos: Hyun-Jin Ryu and Clayton Kershaw

Here are this Sunday's Dodger Videos.

Hyun-Jin Ryu made a guest appearance on a Korean TV show called Running Man.  I think it's some kind of game show.  Watch it below.  It's all in Korean, so I have no idea what is said.  Still, it's hilarious.

Video Link:

Ryu must be marketing gold in Korea.  Here's a new commercial featuring Hyun-Jin Ryu pitching Jin Ramen.  (Hat Tip: MyKBO on twitter)

Video Link:

ICYMI:  Clayton Kershaw joins MLB Tonight to discuss winning his second Cy Young Award, his consistency and more.

Video Link:

Here's another Clayton Kershaw video.  He talks about winning the 2013 NL Cy Young Award and how the development of his slider has keyed his success.

Video Link:

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Blog Kiosk: 11/16/2013 - Dodgers Links - Kemp still on Crutches, A Nancy Bea Bobblehead and JP Says no Bullying in Dodger Clubhouse

Matt Kemp and Yasiel Puig took in a Lakers game last night, pic via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2013.  Unfortunately, Kemp is still on crutches.

• Ron Cervenka at Think Blue LA writes, "A Nancy Bea bobblehead? Why not?"
• Via Matt Snyder at CBS Sports, "Clayton Kershaw among best of all-time through age 25".
• Via Craig Dunham at MLB.com, former Dodger Trent "Oeltjen enjoying time back home in Australia".

"I love it," Oeltjen said of the historic event -- the first time Major League Baseball will ever be played in Australia. "I couldn't be happier. There's really a good buzz over here, and I think there's a lot of interest coming out of the ABL games. It's really great for baseball in Australia, they really needed something like this, and tickets have sold quickly.

• So, the bullying JP Howell spoke of wasn't in the Dodger clubhouse, but via external sources.  Via Ken Gurnick at MLB.com, "Howell clarifies comments about bullying, Puig".

"Not in the clubhouse, never by teammates," he said. "I was asked if Puig had been bullied and I said yes, but I meant by fans and media and people on the outside that don't know him. Never in the clubhouse. Are you kidding? People early in the season said our clubhouse wouldn't have chemistry, and it turned out to be an awesome clubhouse -- everybody got along."

• Harold Uhlman at Think Blue LA writes, "Rule 5 Draft Rapidly Approaching".
• What are the Dodgers shopping for?  Ken Rosenthal tells us on twitter:

 

#Dodgers prefer starting pitcher on 1- or 2-year deal, sources say. Kuroda not under consideration. Team does not want to lose draft pick.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) November 15, 2013

• If you haven't heard of this, then you gotta check it out.  The Make a Wish Foundation and SF Giants went all out for a 5-year old kid named Miles, who is battling leukemia.  They turned him into the BatKid, converted San Francisco into Gotham City and had him fight some crime.  Ryan Broderick at Buzzfeed has a really good roundup of the entire event, here.

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