Friday, September 30, 2016

2016 Topps Triple Threads - The Dodgers Autographed Rookie and Combos Cards

Now that you've seen the base cards here are some of the autograph and relic cards below.  Featured are the Base Rookies & Future Phenom Autographed Relics, Autographed Rookies, Relic Combos and Autographed Relic Combos cards. 

On a side note, the Corey Seager autographed relic card directly below is available as a redemption card, as well.  It appears they ran out of "sticker autographs" to make them all.

Base Rookies & Future Phenoms Autographed Relics

#RFP-CS Corey Seager               #RFP-JP Joc Pederson

Blog Kiosk: 9/30/2016 - Dodgers Links - Kershaw, Reddick, Toles, Puig and Vin Scully


Before the start of yesterdays game a nice little moment happened between a young fan and Yasiel Puig.  As you can see in the pic above, the Dodger fan held up a sign offering to do push-ups in exchange for a bat.  Obviously, Puig couldn't help but take the bait.  So, he negotiated an exchange.  For 50 push-ups he would get one of his bats.  You can go here to watch the kid complete the task -- all the while, Puig provided all the encouragement he could muster.

BTW, the Dodgers defeated the Padres, 9-4, to remain just a couple games behind the Nationals for home field advantage during the upcoming NLDS.

Photo above via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2016Go here to check out a more pics of yesterdays game taken by Jon SooHoo.  Below are more links to check out:
  • This Day in Dodgers History:  In 1923 Ebbets Field in Brooklyn held Zach Wheat Day in honor of the retiring Hall of Fame outfielder.  In 1956 Don Newcombe won his 27th game of the season.  He defeated the Pirates, 8-6, at Forbes Field.  In 1999 the Dodgers Giants play the very last Baseball game at Candlestick Park in San Francisco.  The Dodgers defeated the Gnats, 9-4.
  • Happy Birthday. Johnny Podres, José Lima, Kenley Jansen and Nap Rucker!

Thursday, September 29, 2016

2016 Topps Triple Threads - The Dodgers Base Cards

Finally, after a short delay related to shrink wrap packing issues, Topps has released their highly anticipated 2016 Triple Threads Baseball card brand.  Go here for a complete checklist.  Below are all of the Dodgers base cards in the set.  I hope to have pics of all, if not most, of the various relic and autograph cards that exist soon.  So, stay tuned.

#20 Yasiel Puig

#32 Kenta Maeda

Blog Kiosk: 9/29/2016 - Dodgers Links - Urias, Kershaw and an Congressional Resolution for Vin Scully


Check out an fantastic candid press photo found in the current RMY auction above.  It features an obviously dejected Dodger manager Burt Shotton (left) being consoled by team president Branch Rickey (right) after being defeated by the New York Yankees in the 1947 World Series.  It was taken by local New York photographer Bill Meurer.  Go here to check it out.

Below are more links to check out:
  • This Day in Dodgers History:  In 1966 Sandy Koufax struck out 13 Cardinals' batters to become the first pitcher to record three 300-strike out seasons since Amos Rusie in 1892.  In 1976 Tommy Lasorda is named the new manager of the Los Angeles Dodgers.  In 1979 Manny Mota set a Major League record with his 146th career pinch hit at Dodger Stadium against the Chicago Cubs.  In 2000 Gary Sheffield tied the Dodgers franchise mark for home runs in a season at 43.  He hit is against the Padres in San Diego. 

Wednesday, September 28, 2016

2016 Topps Heritage Minor Leagues - All the Dodgers Cards

The newest Topps product to come down the pike is the 2016 Heritage Minor League Baseball card set.  It features most of the up-'n-coming ballplayers within the Dodgers farm system, and also happens to include a couple of prospects who have since been traded.  As you will recall, both Grant Holmes and Jharel Cotton were sent to the Oakland A's as a part of the Rich Hill and Josh Reddick trade on August 1st.  Go here for a complete checklist on this set.

Please note that I will update the photo for the Grant Holmes sticker card when I come across a better pic.  Also, there is a Mike Trout autographed card available with him in a Rancho Cucamonga Quakes uniform.  It is in the Looming Legacy insert set.  For obvious reason, I have not included this card in the below listings (#LLA-MT Mike Trout) even though that team is now a Dodgers affiliate.

Base Cards

#41 Andrew Sopko                             #47 Cody Bellinger

Blog Kiosk: 9/28/2016 - Dodgers Links - Culberson, Puig, Urias, the Nationals and Vin Scully


Hey... We scored a run.

Last night the Dodgers played their first game after clinching their fourth consecutive division championship and lost... Not that I'm fretting, or anything. 

The Dodgers are in the midst of preparing for the division series against the Nationals, so the outcome of the last five games of the regular season are less important than setting up the club for success in October.  Per Doug Padilla at ESPN:
Manager Dave Roberts did start nearly all of his regulars in the first game after clinching the National League West on Sunday, but starter Kenta Maeda only went four innings, as did left fielder Andrew Toles and first baseman Adrian Gonzalez.
...
"As you saw tonight, I normally wouldn't have taken Toles out as early as I did, but I want to get Andre [Ethier] some at-bats, and it was nice to see him get that last at-bat and get a walk and have a competitive three at-bats," Roberts said. "Toles will start tomorrow, and we'll see how the game plays out. And Adrian had a sinus infection, so that's why he came out of the game."

It's not as if the Dodgers do not care about playing host to the Nationals for the opening two games of the NLDS, plus a potential deciding Game 5. But post-clinch baseball is usually different from the version that preceded it.
Below are more links to check out:
  • This Day in Dodgers Baseball:  In 1988 Orel Hershiser broke Don Drysdale Major League record for consecutive scoreless innings pitched at 59.  He threw ten scoreless innings against the Padres in San Diego.  In 1997 Mike Piazza set the Los Angeles Dodgers record for home runs at 40. 
  • Happy Birthday, Todd Worrell and Jerry Sands!