2015 Topps Triple Threads - The Dodgers' Triple Relic Cards

These are the cards within the Triple Threads set that causes so much yapping.  As you can see, Topps does its best to be as creative as possible when choosing phrases to use for their relic cutouts.  Sometimes they are boring, like the "A Gon 23" card seen below.  Other times they are simple and descriptive, like the "First Sackers" card (also below).  What really gets folks talking, though, are the phrases that make you laugh or scratch your head in wonder.

Last week I pointed out two of these cards in a post.  Check that out here.  I shared some background of the Ryu "Smile Again" card and the Puig "Puig Destroyer" card.  Today, I wanted to focus on another Ryu card that I found totally foreign.  It has the phrase "Zero Sum."  What the heck is that suppose to mean?  I get what "Zero Sum" means on its own, but what does that have to do with Ryu?  If you have any insight please let me know.

BTW, Gellman at Sportscard Uncensored wrote a post recently pointing to other Triple Thread cards worth checking out.  Check it out here: "2015 Triple Threads Relic Die Cuts – Best of the Worst." 

Go here to check out all of my previous post on this set.

Relics Set

#TTR-AGZ1 Adrian Gonzalez            #TTR-AGZ2 Adrian Gonzalez

Blog Kiosk: 9/21/2015 - Dodger Links - Koufax, Turner and Kiké Hernandez

Check out this fantastic photo of just a small part of the Mitch Poole bobblehead collection found in the Dodger clubhouse, via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2015. 

Below are more links to check out:

• Via Hillel Kuttler at Haaretz, "Why Sandy Koufax's Refusal to Pitch on Yom Kippur Still Matters."

“The reason the Sandy Koufax example works so well is that baseball is very much a part of American culture and he is Jewish,” Benjamin said. “At some point he had to make a choice.

“So some guy stayed home from work and it was Yom Kippur – he’s not the only one, but he’s a public figure,” she added. “Still today, that example is relevant, it works and it has impact.”  

• Via Anthony Witrado at ESPN, "Justin Turner's status unknown due to sore left knee."

"We'll watch [Turner] over the next few days to see how he does," said Mattingly, who said on Saturday that Turner has been dealing with knee issues for a couple of years. "I don't think it's anything totally new. It just flared up. We'll be cautious with him."

(Buehler w/ Hershiser, via @Dodgers)

• Via Robert Morales at Inside the Dodgers, "No. 1 draft choice Walker Buehler talks Tommy John surgery."

“I’m a little bit more than six weeks out from surgery, so I’ve been in Arizona five of those six weeks,” said Buehler, a right-hander who played his college ball at Vanderbilt. “Things went well, according to plan. Feel good.”

• Via Dodgers Nation, "Don Mattingly Says Chris Hatcher Has Earned 8th Inning Role."

“He seems really confident and he’s having success,” said Mattingly. “I think his confidence is growing. One thing we have seen since he’s been back from the injury is he’s piecing his pitches together differently. His mix is different, he’s learned a little bit about using his pitches.” 

• Via Steve Bourbon at MLB.com, "Hernandez making strides in hamstring rehab."

"Kiké is doing better than anybody on that trail," Mattingly said. "He's been running at almost 100 percent, not feeling anything. He's been doing really well."

Mattingly also added an update on Yasiel Puig:

"Yasiel is like 65 percent, so it's a little bit of a different story," Mattingly said. "His right hamstring is good, the left hamstring is tight."

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Diamondback's Series Starts Tomorrow - Scheduled Autograph Sessions, Pregame Info and Other Stuff!

The next homestand starts tomorrow evening with the Arizona Diamondbacks, and several old-time Dodgers will be in the house to sign free autographs for fans.  Below are the scheduled autograph opportunities and other odds and ends for this upcoming homestand.

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Monday, September 21st at 7:10 PM
RHP Jhoulys Chacin vs. LHP Brett Anderson
SNLA / AM 570 (Eng.), KTNQ 1020 AM (Span.)

Monday's game starts at 7:10 PM.  Auto gates open at 4:30 PM, and stadium gates open at 5:00 PM. The first 40,000 fans in attendance will receive a Dodgers sleeved blanket.  See it on the left.

Marcia Gay Harden will throw the ceremonial first pitch and Raza Jaffrey will sing the national anthem. Harden and Jaffrey both star in CBS’ “Code Black.” 

Dodger alum Derrel Thomas will sign autographs in the left-field plaza from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

• The Military Heroes of the Game are U.S. Navy Senior Chief Hospital Corpsman Dave Bennett and U.S. Navy Petty Officer Homero Carrillo.

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Tuesday, September 22nd at 7:10 PM
LHP Robbie Ray vs. LHP Alex Wood
SNLA / AM 570 (Eng.), KTNQ 1020 AM (Span.)

Tuesday's game starts at 7:10 PM.  Auto gates open at 4:40 PM, and stadium gates open at 5:10 PM.

It is Running Night at Dodger Stadium.  Folks who ordered a special ticket package in the All You Can Eat Right Field Pavilion or Infield Reserve will get an exclusive commemorative "Dodger Stadium Running Club" T-shirt.  See that on the left.  If not already sold out go here for information.

The national anthem will be performed by actor Alan Thicke. Ed Randall’s Fans for the Cure founder Ed Randall will throw the ceremonial first pitch. Ed Randall’s Fans for the Cure, a charity dedicated to saving lives by increasing awareness of prostate cancer and the life-saving value of early detection, is supported by Steve Garvey.

The Dodgers will pay tribute to 76 employees with 25 or more years of service in pregame ceremonies. Headlining the list of those to be recognized are Hall of Famers Tommy Lasorda (66 seasons) and Vin Scully (66 seasons), and Special Advisor to the Chairman Don Newcombe (58 seasons), Spanish-language Hall of Fame broadcaster Jaime Jarrín (57 seasons), Dodger broadcaster Manny Mota (46 years), 1965 World Series hero “Sweet” Lou Johnson (34 years), Dodger alum Ron Cey (31 seasons), Dodger broadcaster Rick Monday (30 seasons) and organist Nancy Bea Hefley (28 seasons).

Others with 40 or more years of service include Security Assistant Manager Edward Gonzales (52), Stand Captain Robert Natelborg (49), Ticket Taker Miguel Yanez (46), Batting Practice Pitcher Peter Bonfils (45), Usher James Harvey (45), Ticket Taker captain Eduardo Becerril (45), Vice President of Ticket Operations Billy Hunter (44) and usher Howard Levine (43).

Dodger alum Dennis Powell will sign autographs in the left-field plaza from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

• The Military Hero of the Game is U.S. Marine Corps Staff Sergeant Guillermo Martines.

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Wednesday, September 23rd at 7:10 PM
RHP Chase Anderson vs. RHP Zack Greinke
SNLA & ESPN / AM 570 (Eng.), KTNQ 1020 AM (Span.)

Wednesday's game starts at 7:10 PM.  Auto gates open at 4:40 PM, and stadium gates open at 5:10 PM.  The first 40,000 fans in attendance will receive a Vin Scully bobblehead.  See it on the left.

Todd and Kevin Scully will throw the ceremonial first pitch.

Dodger alum Billy Ashley will sign autographs in the left-field plaza from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

• The Military Hero of the Game is U.S. Marine Corps Sergeant Alex Thomson.
• The Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation (LADF) conducts silent auctions throughout the season featuring more than 25 signed pieces of memorabilia from Dodger players, coaches and alumni. Auctions will take place behind the Vin Scully press box on the club level. The items up for auction on Wednesday include a Adrian Gonzalez autographed photo, Clayton Kershaw autographed baseball and Zack Greinke autographed Dodger jersey. The auction will end at 8:45 p.m.

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Thursday, September 24th at 12:10 PM
LHP Patrick Corbin vs. LHP Clayton Kershaw
SNLA / AM 570 (Eng.), KTNQ 1020 AM (Span.)

Thursday's game starts at 12:10 PM.  Auto gates open at 9:40 AM, and stadium gates open at 10:10 AM.
 
Jazz trumpeter Jens Lindemann will perform the national anthem.

Dodger alum Matt Luke will sign autographs in the left-field plaza from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

• The Military Hero of the Game is U.S. Marine Corps Sergeant Alex Thomson.

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Sunday Dodger Videos: Garvey the Actor and Scully the Spokesman

Here are this Sunday's Dodger videos.

Check out a snippet of the classic television show Fantasy Island that features Steve Garvey at bat with some other Baseball friends.

Video Link:

Here is another television show featuring Steve Garvey.  This time he thwarts a bad guy in this episode of Masquerade.

Video Link:

Below is a 1962 Gillette Razor commercial that features broadcaster Vin Scully interviewing several stars about their shaving habits.  Wally Moon and Duke Snider are included.

Video Link:

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Rancho Cucamonga Quakes Win Cal League Championship

Woo Hoo!  The kids are good!

The Dodgers Single-A farmclub Rancho Cucamonga Quakes swept the San Jose Giants in convincing fashion.  They recorded five runs on seven hits to win their first championship since 1994.

Leading the way was 2013 4th round draft pick Cody Bellinger.  He batted 3-5 with two doubles and a two-run home run, and was named the series MVP.  Also, 2014 2nd round draft pick Alex Verdugo went 3-4 with a double and two RBI's.  Verdugo was promoted to the Quakes just last month.

Cody Bellinger is the MVP of the 2015 California League Championship. 6 for 14 (.429), HR, 3 R, 3 RBI

— RC Quakes Baseball (@RCQuakes) September 20, 2015

On the mound was 2014 7th round pick Trevor Oaks.  He pitched 7.1 shut out innings for the win; scattering eight hits and recording four strike outs.  Check out the box score here.

Watch the last pitch of the game and the ensuing celebration in the video below.

Video Link:

Cal league champs @RCQuakes #StartingPitchers #ShakeAndQuake pic.twitter.com/rbvEZnWAiK

— Chase De Jong (@ChaseDeJong) September 20, 2015

It's official. RC Quakes are your Cal League Champions. Not many better feelings than this. Got that hardware 💍 #fam pic.twitter.com/0Et1GQ5Yw7

— Joey Curletta (@jcurllll) September 20, 2015

Pic at the very top via the RC Quake's on facebook.

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Blog Kiosk: 9/19/2015 - Dodger Links - Greinke, Seager and Joc Pederson

Above is Joc Pederson with his big brother Champ.  As you a may know, Champ Pederson has Down Syndrome.  As a part of an initiative that will give 31% of all proceeds to Best Buddies, the Dodgers will exclusively sell unique and limited caps made by New Era that you can see above.  It says "Live Like a Champ."  Below is a closer view.  They are available only at Dodger Stadium.  BTW, Joc wears #31 and he apparently designed the cap.

Via CBSLA.com:

“It’s exciting that the Dodgers and New Era are supporting my family and Best Buddies as well. It’s something I’m passionate about and it brings us together as a family,” Joc said.

Champ also had plenty to say about his younger brother, Joc.

“Well to see my brother in my hat well I think it’s good if he likes it. I just want him to like it, because it’s something my mom and I created together. But I think it’s great”, Champ said.

Photo above via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2015.  BTW, the Dodgers "Magic Number is now at 8.  Go here to see more pics from the press conference.  Below are more links to check out:

• Here's a fun and adorable original cartoon featuring Zack Greinke drawn by Kawaii Baseball Cards: "Underneath the Cap."  (hat tip: r/istarnie on reddit)
• Via Lyle Spencer at MLB.com, "Greinke's comfort level on display in LA."
  

  "I pitch good at home," Greinke said. "I'm just more comfortable. Sometimes on the road things aren't as comfortable.

• Via Brandon Lennox at True Blue LA, "Scott Barlow strikes out 11, puts Quakes on brink of Cal League title."
• Yeah, what's up this this?  Via Dylan Hernandez at the LA Times, "On the Dodgers, hamstring injuries appear to be contagious."
• Via Jon Weisman at Dodger Insider, "How does Corey Seager do it?"
  

  On adjusting to the Majors so rapidly:
  “Luck,” Seager said. “I don’t know. There’s always an adjustment. There’s so much more information up here, you can kind of shorten that adjustment period, because you kind of have an idea what’s coming.”

• Via Eric Stephen at True Blue LA, "Dodgers' Jharel Cotton, Ralston Cash, Rob Rogers, Matt West to pitch in Arizona Fall League."
• This isn't good news.  Via David Seideman at Forbes, "Signs Of A Baseball Card And Memorabilia Market Crash."  Frankly, I'm fearful of the same thing.

This sale and many others I saw in Chicago left me wondering if the industry had reached a shoe-shine boy tipping point.  Is this easy money a sign of irrational exuberance for a market about to crash or a textbook case of Adam Smith’s free-market based on supply and demand? My conclusion is that it is a bit of both and that before you liquidate your 401K to buy Babe Ruth cards, you had better weigh the long-term risks and rewards.

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