2014 Topps Chrome Update - All the Dodger Cards

I figured I should put this up just for informational purposes.  A couple of weeks back Topps released their 2014 Topps Chrome Update cards, and they can only be found in retail-only boxes.  Per Chris Olds at Beckett:

A new collecting twist that began last season is back for another run as a retail-only edition of 2014 Topps Chrome Update will be found in boxes arriving in stores now. Each box includes five packs of 2014 Topps Update and two packs of Chrome Update for $14.99

The Chrome Update set will consist of 55 cards, while there will be 25 All-Star Stitches Chrome Relics to be found and 10 All -Star Stitches Chrome Relic Autos as well. The only other inserts will be 20 World Series Heroes cards.

Go here for a complete checklist.  There are only a handful of Dodger cards available, and all of them are just chrome versions of cards that had already been released previously in October as a part of the 2014 Topps Update set.  Go here to see the Dodger cards found in 2014 Topps Update.

Base Set

#MB-30 Erisbel Arruebarrena

I have yet to see the actual chrome versions of the two below relic cards of Kershaw and Puig, so I have included pics of the normal update relic cards for your information.  I have no reason to believe that the chrome cards look any different than these cards - except for being super shiny.

All-Star Stitches Chrome Relics

#ASCR-CKL Clayton Kershaw                         #ASCR-YP Yasiel Puig

World Series Heroes

#WSC-18 Sandy Koufax

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Blog Kiosk: 12/1/2014 - Dodger Links - A Scharfman Photo of Some Brooklyn Dodgers and Scully's Greatest Calls

Above is another fantastic vintage press photo that I ran into on eBay.  Go here to check out that auction.  It is an International News Photo taken by noted photographer Herb Scharfman, dated 8/12/1956.

Scharfman is considered one of the greats in sports photojournalism.  He started out with International News Photo then moved on to Sports Illustrated.  His photograph of Rocky Marciano's knock-out punch of Joe Wolcott in 1952 is considered one of the most iconic photos ever taken (see it here), and he is noted for chronicling Roger Maris' pursuit of Babe Ruth's home run record in 1961.  Strangely, he may be more famous today for a photo he did not take, but is instead in the middle of.  He is the photographer seen between Muhammad Ali's leg when he stands over a knocked-out Sonny Liston in a 1964 rematch.  You can see that photo here.

As for the photo above it includes the following caption that was attached to the reverse:

Winning Combo

Brooklyn, NY... Winning Dodger combination that helped rout Robin Roberts and the Phillies, 7-3, today make a happy picture in Ebbets Field dressing room.  From left are Carl Furrillo who hit two homers, winning pitcher Roger Craig, and Pee Wee Reese and Randy Jackson, who hit a homer each as their share in the Philly Defeat.

This win kept the Dodgers 1.5 games behind the Milwaukee Braves.  Below are some links to check out:

• Via Mark Townsend at Big League Stew, he shares his favorite Vin Scully calls on his 87th birthday.  Then, Michael Clair at Cut4 shares his favorites, "Celebrate Vin Scully's 87th birthday with some of his greatest calls."
• So, Kershaw was at the LA Auto Show this past weekend.  Via David's Autograph Signings, he was there and shared a bunch of photos to prove it.
• Via Ron Cervenka at Think Blue LA, "The second biggest disappointing moment of 2014."

“That was a really tough play,” Kershaw said. “I think under normal circumstances that’s pretty close to a hit. [Corey] Dickerson’s really fast and Hanley did all he could, he made a great play and just throws a little wide, so there’s nothing you can do with that. It was a tough play.”

• Via Stacie Wheeler at Lasorda's Lair, "Dodgers Lose Two Minor League Catchers This Offseason."
• Via Oscar Martinez at Lasorda's Lair, "Remembering Hanley Ramirez Through Cardboard."
• You've no doubt heard about and seen the new Star Wars 'The Force Awakens' movie trailer, but have you seen the Lego version?  Watch it below.

Video Link:

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Blog Kiosk: 11/29/2014 - Dodger Links - Pee Wee Reese, Zach Lee and Happy Birthday Vin Scully

I came across this great vintage AP press photograph featuring an injured Pee Wee Reese resting at home that was available on eBay.  Below is what was written on the descriptor attached on the reverse, dated 8/21/1940:

Reese Safe at Home

Harold (PeeWee) Reese, Brooklyn Sensational shortstop whose foot was broken Aug. 15 in a game with the Boston Bees (Braves), is shown as he told Lewis Cotton (left) and Jackie Carman (right), neighborhood admirers, all about big-time Baseball.  Reese entertained the boys in his Louisville, KY, home Aug. 21 where he went when his injury put him out of the game for the season.

Below are some links to check out:

• Via Tom Hoffarth at the LA Daily News, "An appreciation: Vin Scully, at 87, and a Shangri-L.A. moment for the senses."  This red-headed kid from the Bronx turns 87 today.  Happy Birthday, Vin!  

“Well, it is a little unbelievable because God has been so good and given me good health — and he did it through my mom, who lived to be 97, so certainly the biggest reason how I got this far is because of her genes,” Scully said Friday morning when asked what it sounded like to be on the cusp of another birthday.

• Australia suffered a sporting tragedy on Thursday when 25-year old star batsman Phillip Hughes died as a result of being struck in the head on Tuesday while on the cricket pitch.  RIP, Phillip Hughes. Unsurprisingly, this has rebooted debate within the sport about player safety.  Cindy Boren at the Washington Times discusses this further.  (Hat Tip: David Pinto at Baseball Musings)
• Roberto Baly at Vin Scully is My Homeboy shares his day spending Blue Friday at Dodger Stadium yesterday.  He got Justin Turner's autograph.
• Via Cary Osborne at Dodger Insider, "Zach Lee works with Kershaw sage in hopes to get to next level."

Lee recently worked with University of Texas pitching coach Skip Johnson, who worked with Clayton Kershaw in the past, most notably before the Dodger ace was drafted. Kershaw, a fellow Texan, credited Johnson in the past with cleaning up some flaws.

“It’s not a drastic change, but it’s trying to give me a little more time on the rubber and not necessarily get out so early, which has helped with command and my arm action as well,” Lee said. “With my lift leg, once I get to the top point of my lift, instead of going out toward home plate right away, I’m kind of going downward and then out.”

• Here's a report on old friend Ronald Belisario.  Via Steve Adams at MLB Trade Rumors, "Ronald Belisario Elects Free Agency."  I'd be surprised if the Dodgers considered bringing him back since he's got a bit of bad history with us.  Although, he was always a rather good pitcher.
• Former Dodger Talk host Ken Levine shared a funny photo on his blog yesterday.  Check it out below.  Go here to check out his blog.

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2014 Panini Classics Baseball - The Dodger Base Cards

Panini America's newest Baseball card set was released last week, and it is called 2014 Panini Classics.  The set includes game-used relics, autographs and a 200-card base set filled with current and retired ballplayers.  Go here to check out a complete checklist.

There are 13 Dodgers in the base set; including several old-tyme Dodger greats.  Check them all out below.  I hope to have pics of all the Dodger relic and autographed cards next week.  Here is a list of parallel base cards that are available: Timeless Tributes Silver #/149, Timeless Tributes Gold #/25, Timeless Tributes Platinum 1/1.

Base Set

#4 Adrian Gonzalez                           #18 Burleigh Grimes

#29 Clayton Kershaw                              #35 Duke Snider

#60 Hanley Ramirez                            #65 Jackie Robinson

#86 Leo Durocher                                      #88 Carl Furillo

#106 Pee Wee Reese                             #119 Roy Campanella

#147 Yasiel Puig                                  #152 Alex Guerrero

#164 Erisbel Arruebarrena

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Blog Kiosk: 11/28/2014 - Dodger Links - Maury Wills and Puig's Nike Cameo

1956 was a banner year for Dodger pitchers, as evidenced in the International News press photo above that was found on eBay.  Featured is Don Drysdale with his Rookie of the Year award and Don Newcombe with his Cy Young and MVP awards.  They were given their awards on opening day at Ebbets Field in Brooklyn on April 18, 1957.  Go here to check out this photo on eBay.

Below are some links to check out:

• Listen to Wednesday's Dodger Talk with Kevin Kennedy and David Vassegh, here.
• Via Ken Gurnick at MLB.com, "Dodgers serve community with 'Season of Giving.'

"Commitment to and investment in the Los Angeles community is woven into the fabric of who we are," said LADF executive director Nichol Whiteman. "Our ability to support youth and families is a direct reflection of our ownership, players, coaches, front office and our fans, and we are proud to be able to make the holidays a bit brighter for many in need."

• Via Cary Osborne at Dodger Insider, "Seasons: Maury Wills' 1962 - not to be taken away."

No one can take that away from Wills, who in 1962 had one of the most memorable seasons in Dodger history. He likes to call it happenstance. The year that Dodger Stadium opened, the Dodgers opened their minds to a new brand of baseball. The Dodgers finished their run at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in 1961. Wills reasons that since the screen in left field was only 251 feet away from home plate at the Coliseum, the Dodgers relied more on the longball and didn’t want to run the risk of making outs by attempting to steal. Thus, Wills stole 35 bases in 1961. The new Dodger Stadium freed him up to have a record-shattering 1962.

• After just claiming off him of waivers earlier this month from the Padres, the Dodgers traded infielder Ryan Jackson for cash to the Royals the day before Thanksgiving, via Steve Adams at MLB Trade Rumors.  Pretty savvy, eh?  The Dodgers get him for nothing, then trade him for cash.
• Yasiel Puig shares his little cameo in a new Nike commercial, as seen on his instagram.

A video posted by puigyasiel (@puigyasiel) on Nov 11, 2014 at 7:31am PST

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Happy Thanksgiving

I'd like to extend a happy Thanksgiving greeting to you and yours.

Happy Holiday Folks!

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