2015 Topps High Tek Baseball - All the Dodger Insert Cards

Now that you've seen the base cards, here are all of the Dodger inserts that are available in 2015 Topps High Tek. 

Autographs

#HT-CKW Clayton Kershaw                            #HT-JPN Joc Pederson

Blog Kiosk: 10/15/2015 - Dodger Links - Scully Doing Fine, Pederson's Cheer and Greinke's Preparation

Tonight is the big night, and the man sitting pensively in the photo above will be leading the charge for the Dodgers.  I say pensive because I've only recently discovered that Zack Greinke is far more cerebral than I imagined.  First, let's take look at his conference call from yesterday where he starts off by saying that he tries to keep it simple but then addresses his use of the fastball with some fine tuning:

I feel like, in general, lefties hit fastballs from right-handed pitchers better than right-handers hit fastballs from right-handed pitchers. So if you look at how I pitched them last time, I threw more fastballs to their righties and less fastballs to their lefties. And they had more lefties on those teams. So it ends up being more off-speed to that team because of the amount of lefties they have.

But, you got to probably make somewhat of an adjustment because you can't just keep doing the same thing to a team, or else they'll make the adjustment and get a couple runs and it will be too late. So I have to find a way to mix more fastballs in against them this next time probably.

So, he is obviously working on figuring out how he'll approach Mets batter from inning to inning and from game to game, and that's certainly the right approach. 

What I find even more interesting is how much input and research he ultimately puts into every start, and thankfully we got a great glimpse of this in a recent article in the Wall Street Journal by Brian Costa; "Baseball’s Most Obsessively Prepared Pitcher."

Before a single instruction is conveyed to the Dodgers infield, Greinke meets with Wallach himself. He arrives having already studied charts illustrating the paths of each hitter’s batted balls. Then, after considering how his pitching plan against each hitter might affect their tendencies, he essentially decides where his teammates will stand himself.

Wow!  Greinke uses sabermetrics to situate fielders in the best possible location, and by doing so can tailor his pitches to insure that he creates a desired outcome.

“Just knowing where to go to generate the weak contact is where he’s really special,” Dodgers catcher A.J. Ellis said. “He puts balls in those small windows where guys aren’t going to be able to square the ball up the way they would on a mistake that’s one or two inches somewhere else.”

This guy is like a maestro who's conducting as masterpiece every time he is on the mound.

Photo above via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers.  Below are more links to check out:

• Here's some fantastic news.  Vin Scully is doing fine.  Via a tweet from his daughter:

Just wanted to say a huge thank you for the out pouring of thoughts and prayers to our family. Dad is home and doing so well, we are very

— Dara Zane Scully (@DaraZaneScully) October 14, 2015

• Joc Pederson says to bring it.  So you better do it!  Via his twitter:

LA fans we need y'all to take it to the next level Thursday..bring some edge and TURN UP!!! #RockTheRavine

— Joc Pederson (@yungjoc650) October 14, 2015

• Via Jon Weisman at Dodger Insider, "Despite knee issues, Turner expected to start Thursday."  Grandal, on the other hand, is iffy, via Jon Weisman at Dodger Insider: "Yasmani Grandal ’50-50′ to start NLDS Game 5."
• Via Greg Johns at MLB.com, "Postseason ride a family affair for Seagers."

"I couldn't be prouder or more happy for him," Kyle (Seager) said. "It's an extremely exciting time for not only me, but our entire family."

• Via Ken Gurnick at MLB.com, "Van Slyke says he's available if Dodgers advance."
• I suppose this is proof that not everybody in the Dodgers organization is transfixed on the playoffs.  Via a press release, they have claimed right-handed pitcher Brooks Brown from the Colorado Rockies... And, no he is not eligible for the playoffs.

Brown, 30, has gone 1-4 with a 3.97 ERA in 64 career relief appearances with the Rockies in 2014-15. The University of Georgia product was limited to just 36 games this past year due to right shoulder inflammation after posting a 2.77 ERA with a .208 opponents’ batting average and a 0.96 WHIP in 28 games in his rookie season of 2014. He was originally selected by Arizona in the first round (34^th overall) in the 2006 First-Year Player Draft.

• I couldn't agree more with Murray Chass; "Welcome to the Wimpy World of Baseball."
• Panini has release preview pics of their upcoming 2015 Elite Extra Edition Baseball set; including the Julio Urias card on the right.  Go here to check out more pics.  The set hit stores just before Christmas.
• Here's a brand new online exclusive product direct from Topps.  It's called 2015 Topps Vault Originals and it features a pack with a single autographed 5"x7" card using unique photography found in their vaults.  Check it out here.  A pack will cost you $99.99.  The checklist is small (just 41 different cards), and they are numbered to 99 or less.  It also includes four different Dodger players: Eddie Murray (as a Dodger!), Fernando Valenzuela, Joc Pederson and Mike Piazza.  Check out the Pederson below.  As soon as I track down pics of the other cards I'll share them in a blog post.
  
  

* Please follow on twitter @ernestreyes *

* Like Dodgers Blue Heaven on facebook *

* Dodgers Blue Heaven home page *

Game 5 of NLDS on Thursday - Batting Practice, Pregame Info and Other Stuff!

Game 5 of the NLDS is Thursday evening against the New York Mets.  Below are various odds and ends for this game.  Go here for information about purchasing parking passes and alternative transportation choices to the game.  GET THERE EARLY!

Extreme Loaded Dog

• Inferno Bacon Wrapped All-Beef Dog, an all-beef hot dog topped with jalapeño relish, tomatoes, sport peppers with ghost chili aioli. It will be available at three Extreme Loaded Dog locations on the field, loge and reserve levels. 
• Half Jidori Chicken with jalapeño cornbread, smoked baked beans, charred corn kernels served on a special pressed palm platter will be available at the Think Blue BBQ at the left-field pavilion plaza. 
• A Steakhouse Stuffed Smoked Gouda Burger on a potato bun with dijonnaise and fries will be available at the Elysian Park Grill on the field level section 22.

--------------

Game 5

Thursday, October 15th at 5:07 PM
RHP Jacob DeGrom vs. RHP Zack Greinke
TBS / AM 570 (Eng.), KTNQ 1020 AM (Span.), AM 1540 (Korean)

Friday's game starts at 5:07 PM.  Auto gates open at 2:00 PM, and stadium gates open at 2:30 PM.  Dodger Stadium Express service from Union Station begins at 2:30 PM.  Dodger batting practice is from 2:05 PM to 3:05 PM.  Mets batting practice is from 3:15 PM to 4:15 PM.  Pregame ceremonies begin at 4:45 PM.  The first 50,000 fans in attendance tomorrow will receive a rally towel.  The left-field plaza will be open to fans to enter and watch batting practice from 2:30 PM to 3:05 PM.

Face painters will be on hand in the left-field plaza and DJ Adam will provide musical entertainment in the right-field plaza from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Actor, director, singer and star of “Heroes Reborn,” Zachary Levi will perform the national anthem.  SportsNet LA broadcaster Orel Hershiser will throw the ceremonial first pitch tomorrow.

• The Military Hero of the Game is U.S. Marine Corps Staff Sergeant Antonio Maldonado of Pacoima. Maldonado has served two tours since his enlistment, one in Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and one in Okinawa, Japan. Maldonado currently serves at the Recruiting Station Los Angeles and Recruiting Sub-Station Eagle Rock as a station commander.
• 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 take place behind the Vin Scully press box on the club level. The items for auction tomorrow include a Zack Greinke autographed baseball, Orel Hershiser autographed 1988 World Series baseball and Clayton Kershaw autographed Dodger jersey. The auction will end at 6:45 p.m.

* Please follow on twitter @ernestreyes *

* Like Dodgers Blue Heaven on facebook *

* Dodgers Blue Heaven home page *

2015 Topps High Tek Baseball - The Dodger Base Cards

For the second straight year the funkiest Baseball cards in the hobby are available.  Topps just released their 2015 High Tek Baseball set, and as you know they are acetate (plastic) and foil concoctions featuring some of the best - both past and present - stars to play the game.  Like last years set, there are numerous different background patterns - at least 14 different ones - with varying print runs.  Go here for a checklist and detailed description of these patterns.  Below are the Dodger base cards and variation available.  As of this posting there is only one known Dodger variation, so I'll add to that if more pop up.

Base

#HT-CKW Clayton Kershaw                      #HT-JPN Joc Pederson

Weekend Autograph Opportunities: Prospect Trevor Oaks at the Quakes Championship Trophy Viewing Party on Thursday

Here are this weekends autograph opportunities and events throughout the Southland. As always, be sure to check the Blue Heaven Calendar for other events (a link can always be found on the tab at the top of this page, just left of center), and always confirm with the establishment. Everything is subject to change.  Please email me with any tips about upcoming events in Southern California.  As the rest of the week progresses I'll update this post with other events (if there are any) as I become aware of them.  Also, I don't always list every event below, so be sure to check my Calendar.  I always try to favor free signing events over paying events.  Click on any pic to embiggen.

---------------------------

This is just some terrible timing.  This coming Thursday, tomorrow during Game 5, the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes will be hosting a California League Championship Trophy Viewing Party from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at LoanMart Field and Quakes Pitcher Trevor Oaks will be there.  You'll be able to take photos with the Championship Trophy, purchase Quakes Championship merchandise, and learn more about how you can be a part of the Quakes 2016 season. Admission and parking are free!  Go here for information.

Maybe they'll make this into a playoff viewing party as well.

* Please follow on twitter @ernestreyes *

* Like Dodgers Blue Heaven on facebook *

* Dodgers Blue Heaven home page *

Blog KIosk: 10/14/2015 - Dodger Links - Puig, Turner and the Awesome Clayton Kershaw

Ha!  Check that out.  Banana's in the stands for Kiké Hernandez and the Dodgers in New York.  Photo above via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2015.

What a fantastic game last night.  Everything I dreamed of and hoped for came true, and I'm crossing my fingers that it'll continue tomorrow.  As you know, Game 5 will begin at 5:00 PM on Thursday, and I think it's fair to say that all of the Baseball watching world will be tuning in. 

As for last night's game, what is there to say?  Clayton Kershaw was great.  Via Pedro Moura at the OC Register:

After he won the game for the Dodgers, he would not discuss his previous seventh-inning struggles, but he was happy to answer a question about his perceived reliance on fastballs.

“Yeah, it really wasn’t by design,” Kershaw said, “but I think I probably did end up throwing more fastballs tonight – less sliders. Probably give (catcher A.J. Ellis) credit on that. He felt confident throwing the heater tonight with a lot of guys and we were able to get some outs behind in the count on it, which was great, some jam shots and some pop-ups, which was big.

“But throwing fastballs will either get you in trouble or keep your pitch count down. So fortunately for me tonight it kind of kept it down a little bit.”

And "Red Beard" has been fantastic.  Via Christ Haft at MLB.com on Justin Turner.  He is batting .467 (7 for 15) to lead the series:

"It seems like everything they throw at him, he hits it hard," Los Angeles utility man Kiké Hernandez said. "I'm glad he's locked in. He's carrying us right now."

Below are more links to check out:

• Unfortunately, some injuries are popping up for the Dodgers.  Via Ken Gurnick at MLB.com, "Grandal's shoulder pain surfaces in Game 3."  Worse yet, Justin Turner isn't exactly 100% right now.  Via Eric Stephen at True Blue LA, "Justin Turner dealing with left knee soreness, delivers key hit in Dodgers' Game 4 win."

"JT was a little sore yesterday during the game. He had some swelling but was able to play," manager Don Mattingly said. "But as the game went on he was going to have trouble moving."

• Check out transcripts for several postgame interviews in the links below:

• Don Mattingly

• Clayton Kershaw

• Justin Turner and AJ Ellis

• Via Bill Plunkett at the OC Register, "Injuries wreak havoc with Yasiel Puig's season."

“It’s just been up and down,” Mattingly said of Puig’s season. “He’s never really got any kind of true rhythm, I don’t think, through the course of the year. He got started, actually swung the bat good early, got hurt, came back, took him awhile. He kind of reinjured that leg before he even got back (in May). Played awhile, had another one (hamstring injury).

“It’s just been a bumpy kind of stop-and-start type of year.”

• I suppose the league, the union and everyone else isn't prepared for an appeal process since suspensions are very infrequent.  Via ESPN, "Chase Utley's appeal hearing scheduled for Monday."
• Regarding any rule changes, Commissioner Manfred spoke a bit about it with Jayson Stark at ESPN; "Commissioner Rob Manfred talks about difficulty of improving slide rule." 

"I hate to admit this," the commissioner said before Tuesday's St. Louis Cardinals-Chicago Cubs game, "but I think the way we had to work through the home-plate situation gives you a feel for how difficult it is to write that kind of rule that involves in-game action and an important part of the game."

• Via Eric Stephen at True Blue LA, "Brandon Beachy now a free agent."
• Via Arash Markazi at ESPN, "Why so much of Dodgers' Brooklyn history resides in Los Angeles."  This is about super collector Gary Cypres and his massive Dodger collection in his LA museum.  

"There are various levels of collectors," Cypres said. "I'm obviously on the far nutty side of it all. I'm completely nuts. People ask me why I do it, and I don't know why. All I know is that I get a great sense of joy in collecting. It's like a holiday all year round for me. I get presents all year round. Every day, Federal Express comes with another goodie I've bought."

...

 "I'm going to put the Dodger collection in a trust," he said. "The Dodger collection cannot be replaced. There are no duplicates of what I have. Gloves, balls and bats can be replaced, but the history of a franchise which took me 25 years to assemble, that's impossible to replace. That's a treasure, and I don't want my kids to blow the treasure. It's my love, and even after death, I'm going to be looking down saying, 'No, no, no,' if they want to get rid of it. You can't do that. It's history, and that means something to me."

 BTW, he will be reopening his museum to the public next year, so stay tuned for those details.

* Please follow on twitter @ernestreyes *

* Like Dodgers Blue Heaven on facebook *

* Dodgers Blue Heaven home page *