2015 Topps Archives Signature - Many of the Signed Dodger Cards

Since I've been clearly obsessed with tracking and cataloging all of the modern era Dodger cards in existence I decided to do my best with Topps newest product - 2015 Topps Archives Signature.  Daunting, I know.  Go here for a checklist of players who signed.  For those who don't know, this product includes only signed buyback cards.

As you'll recall, last week I declared an Andruw Jones autograph Dodger card as this years worst (link here), and now you'll discover that there's at least another one to hate.

As for what to love, you should check out the handful of 1980's Topps created retail box sets that have been signed.  Both Steve Garvey and Fernando Valenzuela signed a handful of their 1987 K-Mart cards.  There is also a 1981 Drake's cakes card signed by Garvey - which is absolutely awesome!  Drake's cards disappeared into the dustbin of history many moons ago, so it's nice that they make a little comeback here.  They were one of my favorites as a kid.  Also note that I included the 1973 Frank Robinson Topps card on this list since this issue clearly shows him in a poorly photoshopped Dodger uniform. 

Both Nomar Garciaparra and Greg Maddux are available only as redemptions, so we don't yet know if they signed any Dodger cards for this product.  Also, Fred McGriff has signed some cards, but I have yet to see him in Blue. 

No doubt, this listing is far from complete.  There are likely to be many "1 of 1's" and other scarcer issues out there yet to be discovered.  If you see something not on this list please let me know. 

#Eric Davis

1992 Topps #/15                     1993 Topps #/37

Blog Kiosk: 12/15/2015 - Dodger Links - Pitchers & Catchers Report on Feb 19th

Above is another fantastic vintage Charles Conlon original photograph of a World Series bound Brooklyn Robin/Dodger in 1920 from RMY Auctions.  It sold for $65.  It features speedy centerfielder Henry Harrison "Hi" Myers as he takes a practice swing.  Myers had a fantastic 1920 season to lead Brooklyn towards a pennant.  He slashed an impressive .304/.345/.462/.807 while leading the league with 22 triples. 

To learn more about Hy Myers you should check out an excellent SABR biography by Norman Macht here.  He relays one fantastic story that is almost too good to be real.

After the 1916 Baseball season Myer's decided to bluff Dodger owner Charles Ebbets by claiming that he could not possibly continue playing at his current meager pay-rate since he was doing far too well at his farm in Ohio.  So, Ebbets decided to come out to Ohio to negotiate personally.  Since Myers farm was far from prosperous he borrowed livestock from his wealthier neighbors to fool his boss.  The ruse worked.  Ebbets, seeing a hearty collection of cattle and horses, gave Hi Myers everything he wanted.

Below are more links to check out:

• It's now official.  Dodgers "Pitchers and Catchers" are set to report on February 19th.  Alanna Rizzo reports the entire schedule on twitter below:

#Dodgers 2/19 – Ps/Cs report 2/20 – Ps/Cs first workout 2/24 – Position players report 2/25 – First full-squad workout 3/3 – First ST Game

— Alanna Rizzo (@alannarizzo) December 14, 2015

• Via Cary Osborne at Dodger Insider, "Kershaw, Puig to join MLB goodwill tour of Cuba."

For Kershaw, this will be another part of the map where he has done humanitarian work. Most noteworthy have been his trips to Africa with his nonprofit Kershaw’s Challenge where he helped build a children’s home that provides health, educational and social resources in Zambia. Kershaw went to the Dominican Republic last offseason and Kershaw’s Challenge has worked to fund 100 surgeries, medical equipment and staffing at CURE Dominican Republic, a children’s hospital in Santa Domingo.

• As for Puig, he'll be going to Cuba as the domestic probe continues.  Although, it appears there is no evidence that he ever struck his sister.  Via Bill Shaikin at the LA Times, "Yasiel Puig to join MLB Cuba tour as domestic violence probe continues."

At this point, MLB investigators have found no evidence to support the claim that Puig hit his sister during an incident at a Miami bar last month, according to a person familiar with the probe but not authorized to discuss it publicly. However, the person said, because the investigation has not concluded, the league is not in a position to clear Puig publicly before the Cuba tour begins Tuesday.

• The Dodgers new bullpen coach is expected to be Josh Bard, via Jon Morosi on twitter.  BTW, Eric Stephen at True Blue LA put up a nice write up on him, here:

Source: Josh Bard expected to be named to #Dodgers coaching staff, likely as bullpen coach; former MLB catcher, 10-year veteran. @FOXSports

— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) December 15, 2015

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Blog Kiosk: 12/14/2015 - Dodger Links - Some Odds and Ends

As you may know, yesterday was the 59th anniversary of the day the Dodgers traded Jackie Robinson to the hated Giants.  This was during the tail end of Jackie's career.  He was 37-years old and nearing an end to his playing days. 

After several weeks of leaving everyone in the dark, Jackie finally announced that he would hang them up.  He wrote to the Giants essentially saying, "it's not you, it's me," and penned an exclusive piece for "Look" magazine for the world to see.

Contrary to legend, Jackie did not retire because he hated the Giants.  Instead, he decided to leave the game on his own terms (and with a great job waiting with "Chock Full o' Nuts").  BTW, his deteriorating relationship with the Dodgers may have played a part, as well.  Per a letter penned by Jackie to Dodger GM Bavasi in 1961:

The atmosphere that has existed since 1956 has been regarded by me as something a person of my temperament must expect from people who do not believe in the things I believe in, but felt an organization like yours must be pretty small if records were destroyed because of personality differences. I merely wanted to make it a complete break if this was the desire of the Dodgers organization.

Ouch.  Photo above via Cut4 on twitter.  Below are more links to check out:

• Holy Moly!  Call me a monkey's uncle.  I guess the Greinke deal did happen out of nowhere.  Via Ken Rosenthal at FoxSports, "How Diamondbacks landed Zack Greinke in 330 minutes."

The D-backs already had made free-agent right-hander Johnny Cueto a $120 million offer, an offer that the pitcher had rejected. They were focusing on less-expensive pitchers, on trades. But, as Hall recalls, he and Kendrick kept saying to each other, “Maybe we’re doing the wrong thing here. Should we go after Greinke?”

Sometime that morning, Kendrick finally decided that the answer was yes. He had figured out a structure of deferred payments that could make a $200 million contract work. He made the call to Hall, setting in motion a frantic, whirlwind afternoon that led to Greinke becoming the highest-paid player, by average annual value, in major-league history.

All in a matter of 5½ hours.

• Via an AP story on ESPN, "Zack Greinke hints deal for return to Dodgers was nearly agreed on."

Zack Greinke was minutes from agreeing to sign with another team when he received word the Arizona Diamondbacks were interested.

Greinke wouldn't identify the other club, but the question was about his former team, the Los Angeles Dodgers, and he answered with a smile, so it seems it was not hard to decipher.

• Zach Links at MLB Trade Rumors spoke with Johnny Cueto's agent and mentioned the Dodgers:

Dixon could see Cueto forming a strong rotation alongside Adam Wainwright, Michael Wacha, and Carlos Martinez, but he could also envision his client looking good in Dodger blue next to Clayton Kershaw in L.A.’s rotation.  Those are just two of the fits that Dixon can see for Cueto at this stage and he’s still willing to wait for what he feels is an appropriate pact.  

• Via Jim Rome at CBS Sports, "Dave Roberts on Chapman deal: ‘I don’t think that we closed the book’

“I don’t think that we closed the book on that. I know that we are excited about potentially making that trade,” Roberts told The Jim Rome Show. “And obviously, if you see Chapman on the mound and he’s dominate out there and we were going to be better for it. So obviously, with what happened, we are just kind of letting the process kind of play out and we will try to circle back if that’s the case, but obviously, we’re looking at definitely other options. I’m not going to tie ourselves to that right now, but we will kind of let things play out for sure.”

• Cary Osborne at Dodger Insider takes a look at the very first tweets by several Dodger players.

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2015 Bowman Draft Baseball - The Dodgers Insert Cards

Following up on Wednesday's post featuring the Dodger base cards (link here) found in packs of 2015 Bowman Draft Baseball I now share pics of most of the Dodger insert cards that are available.  Take a look below.  As you can see, the 2015 1st Round Draft Pick Walker Buehler is everywhere.  Also, there are Asia boxes that have exclusive inserts in them.  It is unknown at this time if there are any Dodgers in them, but I will endeavor to update this list should any pop up.

Chrome Draft Pick Prospect Autographs

#BCA-WB Walker Buehler

A Visual Checklist of Sandy Koufax Baseball Cards - 1963 to 1964

Putting together this checklist of Sandy Koufax cards and oddball collectibles during his playing days just never ends.  You can check out Part I (1955-59) here.  Part II (1960 to 1962) here.  Below is Part III - which covers 1963 to 1964. Part IV (1965-1967) can be seen here.  Click on any pic to embiggen.  BTW, if I am missing any card issues please let me know.

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1963

#5 - 1963 Topps - NL ERA Leaders

#9 - 1963 Topps - NL Strikeout Leaders

Blog Kiosk: 12/11/2015 - Dodger Links - Jarrin's Birthday, King's Rant and Puig's Troubles

Happy belated 80th birthday to Dodger legend Jaime Jarrin.  The Dodgers celebrated this occasion yesterday.  Photo above via @DodgerInsider on twitter.

"It's only one year, but phonetically, 79 is very different from 80." - @JaimeJarrin pic.twitter.com/B2H1EWxSXL

— Dodger Insider (@DodgerInsider) December 10, 2015

Below are more links to check out:

• Via Scott Miller at the Bleacher Report, "Is There Anybody Left in Los Angeles Whom Yasiel Puig Hasn't Alienated?"

"He is the worst person I've ever seen in this game," one ex-Dodger who believes Puig is beyond redemption said flatly. "Ever."

It is the question that persists, and is asked with more and more frequency as the hurricane that is Puig wreaks ever more damage: Can the frayed relationships between Puig and his teammates be salvaged in Los Angeles?

"I think they definitely can," Dodgers catcher A.J. Ellis told Bleacher Report this week in another telephone conversation. "I think there has to be give-and-take on both sides.

• Awesome!  Via a tweet from Josh Ravin:

Just signed my 1st Topps Rookie Card. Pretty unbelievable feeling holding that card in my hand....... #Blassed #Smile

— Josh Ravin™ (@FreshSqueezed22) December 10, 2015

• Via Barry Lewis at Tulsa World, "Pro baseball: Four Dodgers selections in Rule 5 draft likely headed to Drillers."
• Larry King rants to Bob Nightengale about the Dodgers at USA Today; "MLB's hot stove season ramps up rivalries, freaks out fans."

“I can’t stand what we’re doing,” King told USA TODAY Sports. “Those people in the Dodger front office, they think they’re still in Tampa. This is Los Angeles. We’re in the second-largest market in the country. We lead baseball in home and road attendance. And we haven’t won a World Series since 1988.

“We are not Tampa, but they’re acting like it. They have all of this money — and nothing. We’ve got to do something.”

• A great read about a former ballplayer.  Via Pedro Moura at the OC Register, "Former pitcher Floyd Youmans comes to grips with life outside baseball."

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