2014 Topps Tier One Baseball - The Dodger Bat Knob and Relic Cards

Last week Topps released their newest set called Tier One.  As the name suggest, it is a high-value set filled with autographs and relic cards.  There is no base set. 

There is an All-Star Relic card featuring Clayton Kershaw (#ASR-CKE) in the set, and it is a "1 of 1" card.  Unfortunately, it has yet to be unearthed.

There are a whole bunch of Dodger Tier One Bat Knobs cards in this set - both autographed and non-autographed knob cards.  As you know, these are always "1 of 1" cards, and are very scarce.  They regularly sell for hundreds of dollars a piece.  Numerous Dodger players have more than one bat knob cards available in the set.  Below is a complete checklist of Dodger bat knob cards that have been made.  Below that are photos of Dodger Bat Knob cards that have surfaced, so far.

Autographed Bat Knobs Set (All 1 of 1's)

#ABK-AG Adrian Gonzalez
#ABK-HRA Hanley Ramirez
#ABK-HRM Hanley Ramirez

Dodgers Bat Knobs Set (All 1 of 1's)

#BK-AE Andre Ethier
#BK-AGL Adrian Gonzalez
#BK-AGN Adrian Gonzalez
#BK-AGO Adrian Gonzalez
#BK-AGZ Adrian Gonzalez
#BK-CK Clayton Kershaw
#BK-DSI Duke Snider
#BK-DSN Duke Snider
#BK-HRA Hanley Ramirez
#BK-HRI Hanley Ramirez
#BK-HRM Hanley Ramirez
#BK-MKE Matt Kemp
#BK-MKM Matt Kemp
#BK-MKP Matt Kemp
#BK-MKT Matt Kemp
#BK-PRE Pee Wee Reese
#BK-PRS Pee Wee Reese
#BK-RHN Rickey Henderson
#BK-SVI Shane Victorino
#BK-SVT Shane Victorino
#BK-YP Yasiel Puig 

#BK-AE Andre Ethier  

#BK-CK Clayton Kershaw

#BK-HRA Hanley Ramirez

#BK-MKT Matt Kemp 

#BK-SVT Shane Victorino

#BK-YP Yasiel Puig 

UPDATE:  Below is a recently discovered Duke Snider Bat Knob card

Below are Tier One Relic cards.  Four Dodgers are available: Adrian Gonzalez, Clayton Kershaw, Hanley Ramirez and Hyun-Jin Ryu.  As you'll notice, there are three different relics available for each player - single, double and triple relic pieces.  Unfortunately, I have not been able to track down a  triple relic card for Adrian Gonzalez and Clayton Kershaw. 

Relics Set Checklist

#TOR-AG Adrian Gonzalez

UPDATE:  Here's the triple relic Adrian Gonzalez card.

#TOR-CKE Clayton Kershaw

UPDATE:  Here's the triple relic Clayton Kershaw card.

#TOR-HRA Hanley Ramirez

#TOR-HRY Hyun-Jin Ryu

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Blog Kiosk: 6/10/2014 - Dodger Links - Van Slyke, Kemp's Bubble Bobblehead and the Imminent Return of the Injured

Scott Van Slyke provided some needed power last - to the tune of 2 home runs.  GRaphic above via @Dodgers on twitter.  Ron Cervenka at Think Blue LA wonders, "Is Scott Van Slyke the next Jayson Werth?"

• Via Mark Saxon at ESPNLosAngeles.com, "Juan Uribe and A.J. Ellis nearing returns."

Ellis could be activated from the disabled list as soon as Thursday, according to Dodgers manager Don Mattingly. Uribe said he thinks he could be playing in minor league games “in a couple days.” 

• Jon Weisman at Dodger Insider writes, "Who played first when Garvey didn’t?"
• The, Jon provides a rundown on the All-Star ballot leaders.  Yasiel Puig and Adrian Gonzalez have solid leads.
• I had missed this.  Last weekend the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes gave away a Matt Kemp bobblehead.  Fortunately, DonMexico on Reddit has a photo to share with us.

• I don't quite know what I think about this. Via Ryan Cowley at Make Way for The Kings, "Could LA Clippers Owner Steve Ballmer Really Buy the Los Angeles Kings?"
• Yasiel loves the Kings.  Go Kings Go!

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Final Results of the 2014 First-Year Player Draft

The 2014 First-Year Player Draft concluded on Saturday.  40 new ballplayers have the opportunity to join the Dodger family.  Below are some notes provided by the Dodgers on this draft, as well as, a complete list of draftees.  Click on the graphic below to embiggen.

Overall, the Dodgers selected 21 pitchers (19 right-handers, two left-handers), nine infielders, eight outfielders and two catchers. The club used 32 picks on college players and eight picks on high school prospects.

The Dodgers drafted a player with Major League bloodlines with their 34th-round selection, Notre Dame HS (AZ) outfielder Hunter Bross, who is the son of former big league right-handed pitcher Terry Bross. Bross played two seasons in the Majors for New York-NL (1991) and San Francisco (1993), and was drafted by the Mets in the in the 13th round of the 1987 First-Year Player Draft.

The club also drafted right-handed pitcher Brock Stewart out of Illinois State University (IL), who is the son of Padres' scout Jeff Stewart, in the sixth round. The 22-year-old went with 3-2 with a 2.36 ERA in 11 games (one start) this season for the Redbirds.

Among the college players selected, six Dodger draftees are still playing in the NCAA Men's Baseball tournament, as Stanford right-handed pitcher A.J. Vanegas (11th round) and catcher Mikel Whiting (30th round), Texas Tech catcher Hunter Redman (eighth round), Ole Miss left-handed pitcher Christian Trent (29th round), UL Lafayette right-hander Carson Baranik (33rd round) and UC Irvine right-handed pitcher Sam Moore (40th round) are all still alive in the tournament.

Below are some links to individual stories on some of our draftees:

• 5th Round Draft pick Jared Walker and 2nd Round Draft Alex Verdugo have signed with the Dodgers.

Sources: #Dodgers in agreement with 2nd-rounder Alex Verdugo on bonus. 62nd pick gets slot: $914.6K http://t.co/Fvi2RvtzJR
— Chris Cotillo (@ChrisCotillo) June 9, 2014

• Via Chad Moriyama at Dodgers Digest, "Dodgers picks Vanegas, Freeman, Allen highlight rounds 11-25 of the 2014 MLB Draft."
• Via Michael Lananna at MLB.com, "LA's 13th-round pick already carries himself like pro."

"Not much bothers him," Arkansas Tech pitching coach Derrick Wynn said (about Ryan Taylor). "He doesn't get too caught up in baseball. He's not even a sports guy. He likes to pitch. He likes understanding how to pitch, but as far as actually watching sports, he's not a sports junkie.

• Via Chad Moriyama at Dodgers Digest, "Dodgers picks Sylvester, Bain, Moore highlight rounds 26-40 of the 2014 MLB Draft."
• Via Eric Stephen at True Blue LA:

1. "2014 MLB Draft: Dodgers select SS Ivan Vela in 21st round" - Link
2. "MLB Draft 2014: Dodgers select RHP Bubby Rossman in 22nd round" - Link
3. "2014 MLB Draft: Dodgers pick Jimmy Allen in 24th round" - Link
4. "Matt Jones drafted by Dodgers in 25th round of MLB Draft" - Link
5. "2014 MLB Draft: Dodgers draft Deion Ulmer in 26th round" - Link
6. "MLB Draft 2014: Dodgers pick RHP Harlan Richter in 27th round" - Link

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Blog Kiosk: 6/9/2014 - Dodger Links - Billingsley's Rehab, Kemp and Our 5th Round Picks Signs

Clayton Kershaw pitched great in a rain-shortened game yesterday afternoon.  He went 5 innings, struck out 9 and gave up just 3 hits.  Pic above via @Dodgers on twitter.

• Via Ron Cervenka at Think Blue LA, "Billingsley pleased with rehab start."

“It definitely felt good to get back out there, a little rough, a little hot,” said Billingsley in the Quakes clubhouse after exiting the game. “It felt good to get back out there competing and working on things and working my way back.”

• Via Ron Cervenka at Think Blue LA, "Dodger fans divided over Mat Kemp."

Although there are extremes on both sides of the spectrum as to whether or not Kemp is an asset or a detriment to the team, one thing is certain – Kemp still generates tremendous passion among Dodger fans regardless of their position on the 29-year-old Midwest City, OK native.

• Via Ken Gurnick at MLB.com, "Valentin avoids eye damage after being hit by ball."

Dodgers assistant hitting coach John Valentin was struck on the left eye by a batted ball in the indoor batting cage at Coors Field on Saturday, but never lost consciousness and the club said he suffered no eye damage.

• Via Eric Stephen at True Blue LA, "Dodgers sign 5th round pick Jared Walker."  He is the first draft pick to sign, so far.
• David's Autograph Signings tells us about an LA Kiss (Indoor Football) bobblehead promotion that starts this coming Saturday.  Check out the 4 bobbles they'll be giving away below.

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Sunday Dodger Videos: McGwire, Scully and Impersonating Dodger Pitchers

Here are this Sunday's Dodger videos.

Bobby Crosby at Dodger Films captures something awesome.  Check out Kenley Jansen and Clayton Kershaw impersonating each other on the mound.

Video Link:

Mark McGwire recalls his days playing for the 1982 Anchorage Glacier Pilots team under Coach Jim Dietz and how playing on the team was a dramatic game changing moment for him as a baseball player for the rest of his life.  The video is via  www.glacierpilotslegacy.com.

Video Link:

RIP, Don Zimmer.  Vin takes some time to remember Don Zimmer and his importance to baseball.

Video Link:

Vin Scully narrates a commemorative video celebrating the Dodgers 10,000 wins as a franchise.

Video Link:

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Check out the Results of the First Two Days of the Dodgers 2014 Draft - Picks #1 to #10

The Dodgers passed along a press release announcing their first 10 picks from the 2014 amateur Baseball Draft.  They provided a brief description of each player.  Check it out below.  I also included some brand new fantasy cards and twitter comments.  Click on any pic to embiggen.

(Photo used via @Dodgers on twitter)

The Dodgers today announced their selections from the first two days of the 2014 First-Year Player Draft. Los Angeles made eight picks today after drafting Conway High School (SC) right-hander Grant Holmes (Twitter - @GHolmes_14) with the 22^nd overall selection and Sahuaro High School (AZ) outfielder Alex Verdugo with the 62^nd overall selection in the second round yesterday.

(Photo used via StudentSports.com)

Through the first two days of the draft, the Dodgers selected six right-handed pitchers, two outfielders, one infielder and one catcher. The club used seven picks on college players and three picks on high school prospects.

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3rd Round

(Photo used via LV Review-Journal AP/Mark Ylen)

With their first pick on the draft's second day, Los Angeles selected right-handed pitcher John Richy (Twitter - @jrichy45) out of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. The 6-foot-4, 210-pounder went 11-4 with a 3.20 ERA (43 ER/121.0 IP) and 113 strikeouts in 16 starts for the Rebels this season. As a junior this season, Richy led the Mountain West Conference in innings, strikeouts, wins, starts, and also registered five complete games. In his career at UNLV, the 21-year-old has posted a 3.38 strikeout-to-walk ratio (189 K/56 BB).

So blessed to be drafted by the dodgers! Thank you to everyone who has been there for me
— John Richy (@jrichy45) June 6, 2014

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4th Round

(Photo used via Perfect Game)

The Dodgers selected their third pitcher of the draft in University of Washington (WA) pitcher Jeff Brigham (Twitter -  @jbrigs34) with their fourth-round pick. Brigham finished the 2014 season going 7-4 with a 2.90 ERA (29 ER/90.0 IP) in 16 starts, giving up one run or less in six of his starts with a total of eight quality starts on the season. The 22-year-old junior from Federal Way, WA is listed at 6-foot, 198-pounds and earned Honorable Mention All-Pac-12 and First Team All-Academic honors.

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5th Round

(Photo used via video screengrab at BBWebTV)

In the fifth round, Los Angeles selected McEachern High School (GA) third baseman Jared Walker (Twitter - @JRod_Walker), the first infielder the Dodgers selected in the draft. Walker, 18, batted .466 with a 1.253 OPS in 31 games for the Indians, amassing three homers, 30 RBI, and 22 stolen bases in his senior campaign.

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6th Round

(Photo used via Pantagraph.com/Bob Poynter/AP)

The Dodgers picked right-handed pitcher Brock Stewart (Twitter - @B_Rock_one5) out of Illinois State University (IL) with their sixth-round selection after the 22-year-old went with 3-2 with a 2.36 ERA in 11 games (one start) this season. Stewart, who is listed at 6-foot-3, 210 pounds, also appeared in 120 games as an infielder during his four-year playing career with the Redbirds, batting .266 with a .343 on-base percentage. The redshirt junior, who is the son of San Diego scout Jeff Stewart, was previously drafted by the Mets in the 40^th round of the 2010 First-Year Player draft out of Normal West High School (IL), but did not sign.

Indescribable feeling!!  So happy to be a Los Angeles Dodger!!  Now It's time to get to work!
— Brock Stewart (@B_Rock_one5) June 6, 2014

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7th Round

(Photo used via The Chimes)

In the seventh round, Los Angeles selected its fifth right-handed pitcher in California Baptist University hurler Trevor Oaks (Twitter - @trevoaks), who posted a perfect 11-0 record with a 1.68 ERA (20 ER/107.0 IP) in 15 starts for the Lancers. The 6-foot-3, 220-pounder earned All-American honors in the NCBWA in addition to winning the PacWest Pitcher of the Year after leading the league in wins, strikeouts (107), ERA and shutouts (2).

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8th Round

(Photo used via Odessa America/Edyta Blaszczyk)

The Dodgers selected catcher Hunter Redman (Twitter - @HunterRedman1) out of Texas Tech (TX) in the eighth round. On the year, the 5-foot-11, 195-pounder is batting .252 with 17 RBI in 42 games for the Red Raiders, who are set to face College of Charleston in the three-game set at the NCAA Super Regionals this weekend. Before transferring to Texas Tech, the 21-year-old played in four games for the University of Texas (TX) in 2012 and 52 games for Midland College (TX) in 2013. Redman's brother, Reid, is a pitcher in the Marlins' organizations and was a 37^th-round selection of the Dodgers in the 2010 First-Year Player Draft, but did not sign.

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9th Round

(Photo used via orangeandwhite.com/Mark Crammer)

In the ninth round, the Dodgers picked Clemson (SC) right-handed pitcher Matt Campbell (Twitter - @MattyIce36). In his senior season for the Tigers, the 22-year old allowed only three earned runs in 32.0 innings (0.84 ERA), while registering eight saves with 45 strikeouts against 15 walks. In his career at Clemson, the three-time All-ACC Academic selection amassed 19 saves with a 2.75 ERA (33 ER/108.0 IP), while posting an 11.17 strikeouts-per-nine-innings ratio in 78 career relief appearances.

Couldn't be more humbled and honored for the opportunity the @Dodgers have given me! Thank you everyone who has helped me get to where I am!
— Matt Campbell (@MattyIce36) June 6, 2014

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10th Round

(Photo used via orangeandwhite.com)

Los Angeles' last selection on the second day of the 2014 First-Year Player Draft was Coastal Carolina (SC) outfielder Colin Hering (Twitter - @shooting_gaps24). In two years at Coastal Carolina, the left-handed hitting Hering posted a .350 on-base percentage with 17 stolen bases in 113 games. In his two years prior to transferring to Coastal Carolina, the 23-year-old played two seasons at Bellevue College (WA), leading the NWAACC with 39 RBI his sophomore year and was the NWAACC runner-up for North Region MVP.

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