Wednesday, August 17, 2016

Panini Promo's from 2016 National Sports Collectors Convention - The Dodgers Cards

It's been almost two weeks since the National Sports Collectors Convention closed its doors.  Since that time I've shared pics of the promotional cards given out by Topps and Beckett (link here).  Now, I take a look at some of the Panini promos that were handed out. 

Unfortunately, a complete checklist of silver wrapper redemption and VIP gold wrapper cards have not been made available, so there are likely to be more cards out there that I am not aware of.  Please let me know if you run across something that is not listed below.

Panini America VIP Promo Set

Panini gave out a limited edition 6-card set to all attendees who were a part of the conventions VIP attendee program, and Kenta Maeda is included.  The set also includes Jared Goff, Carson Wentz, Buddy Hield, Brandon Ingram and Trevor Story.  These cards were placed within promo bags and handed out to collectors when they arrived at the convention.

#Kenta Maeda

Utley's Triumphant Return to Philadelphia - 2016 Topps Now Card - #362


To the surprise of no one Topps has issued a 2016 Topps Now card to commemorate Chase Utley's unbelievable game in Philadelphia.  As you know, Chase walloped two home runs against his former team - a solo homer in the fifth and a grand slam in the seventh inning.  His five RBI's on the evening also marks a game where he returned to the place he called home for thirteen Major League seasons.  As you will recall, he was traded to Los Angeles at about this time last year and had yet to return since leaving.  Per Evan Webeck at MLB.com:
The day Utley was dealt -- nearly a year ago to the day -- the Phillies held him out of the lineup as they finalized his move to Los Angeles. There were moving pieces, and the trade didn't get announced until about an hour after the last out of Utley's last game in Philadelphia. He tipped his cap to the fans afterward, but he was robbed of a proper farewell.
"I didn't really have an opportunity to say goodbye," Utley said. "Everything kind of happened pretty quickly last year. If I were to write up a script it would have gone a bit differently."
I think last night's game was a perfect scene to go along with a script of his illustrious career.

Go here to check the card out and order.

UPDATE:  The print run for this card is 4,221. 

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* Dodgers Blue Heaven home page *

2016 Topps Bunt - The Dodgers Base Cards

Here is a new Topps Baseball card set of a product brand that was originally known to collectors in the digital world.  It is called 2016 Topps Bunt, and it had started out as a virtual Baseball card trading card app just last year.  Now, it is real cardboard.  Furthermore, boxes are priced to appeal to cost conscious collectors.  For roughly $30 you can get a box of 36 packs of cards - seven cards per pack.

Featured below are the Dodger cards found in 2016 Topps Bunt packs.  Go here to check out a complete checklist.

#15 Corey Seager                                  #61 Jackie Robinson

Blog Kiosk: 8/17/2016 - Dodgers Links - Utley's Unforgettable Evening in Philly


Last nights game was unreal.

Not only did it begin with an over minute long standing ovation for leadoff hitter Chase Utley, but it would later be eclipsed by an curtain call after a grand slam by the former Phillies hero in the seventh inning.  Via Doug Padilla at ESPN:
"It's completely overwhelming," Utley said in a postgame news conference. "The standing ovation my first at-bat is something I'll never forget. It was truly special. It really shows how passionate and how great the Philadelphia fan base is. It was probably one of the most nervous at-bats I'll ever have at any level. I was glad to get it over with, to be honest with you."
Per Evan Webeck and Todd Zolecki at MLB.com:
"I think it just goes to show you can change the uniform, but he's always going to be a Phillie at heart," (Ryan) Howard said. "He's always going to be a Phillie to everybody here. I thought it was great. I thought it was awesome. For the fans to give him a curtain call again, it shows what he was able to do here and the impact that he had here on the fans."
BTW, to go along with the shellacking of the Phillies, 15-5, the Dodgers leapfrogged over the Giants to take an half game lead. 
(graphic via @Dodgers on twitter)

Photo at the very top via CSN Philly on twitter.  Below are more links to check out:
  • This Day in Dodger History:  In 1992 Dodger hurler Kevin Gross no-hits the Giants at Dodger Stadium, 2-0.  You can watch the last out of his no-hitter here.

Tuesday, August 16, 2016

Something New for the Collection - 1949 NY Journal American Team Photos


This is something I've wanted for quite some time.

It's been on my list of "must-buys" and I'm happy to be able to finally add to my hoard of oddball Dodgers collectibles.  Best yet, it was a good deal.

Featured above is a 1949 Brooklyn Dodgers team photograph that was a premium giveaway by a local newspaper called NY Journal American.  They are oversized photographs that measure 11 3/4" x 17", and it features many of the great stars that would man the Brooklyn field for the next decade.

Blog Kiosk: 8/16/2016 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends


Check out this fantastic ACME press photo of Opening Day at Ebbets Field that is currently available at RMY Auctions (Link Here).  Unfortunately, we don't know the exact year of the photo, but we do know that the Dodgers are to play the Giants (as seen on the scoreboard) and there are an large number of military personnel on the field.  Considering the pomp and circumstance of the afternoon I think it's fair to date this to the early 1940's - during American involvement in WWII.

Below are more links to check out:
  • This Day in Dodger History:  In 1950 NY Giants thirdbaseman Hank Thompson hit two inside-the-park homer runs against the Dodgers at the Polo Grounds.