2017 Topps Heritage Baseball - Then and Now, New Age Performers, Poster and Game Inserts

After a look at the Dodger base cards, here are pics of some of the inserts that are available in packs of 2017 Topps Heritage.  Below are the Dodger cards found in the Then and Now, New Age Performers, 1968 Box Loader Posters and 1968 Topps Game insert sets.  Click on any pic to embiggen.

1968 Topps Game

#3 Clayton Kershaw

Blog Kiosk: 3/2/2017 - Dodgers Links - Kazmir, Calhoun, Oaks, Ryu and Kershaw

Scott Kazmir made his first spring start last night and didn't last two innings.  No matter, though.  As Scott said later on, via Cary Osborne at Dodger Insider:

“It’s a matter of getting reps to go out there and get some consistency”

Obviously, he's still working on consistency.  He began the evening by blowing through the Giants lineup in the first inning, but then got into trouble during the second.  Per Ken Gurnick at MLB.com:

"I had a long [pregame] bullpen and it was on point, but as the night was going on, I kind of got lazy with the stuff I was working on," Kazmir said. "The first inning I was able to sync some stuff up."

BTW, the Dodgers defeated the Giants in their first match-up of Spring, 7-6.  Joc Pederson slammed a three-run homer in the fifth inning.

Photo at the very top via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2017.  Go here to check out more pics bu Jon from yesterday.  Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodger History:  In 1956 the Dodgers sold pitching prospect Tommy Lasorda to the Kansas City A's.  In 1976 the Dodgers traded outfielder Willie Crawford to the Cardinals for infielder Ted Sizemore.
• Happy Birthday, William Fischer, Moe Berg, Woody English, Cal Abrams, Chico Fernandez, Jay Gibbons & Bud Norris!
  

Kershaw the Dog and his Special Gift from Clayton Kershaw

This pooch you see above might be the luckiest Dodger dog in the world.  Not only did his family (err, dad -- as you'll soon find out) have the good judgement to name him Kershaw, but he also received a unique gift that has me filled with envy.  Check it out below.

Featured is another photograph of Kershaw the dog but this time it has been signed by Clayton Kershaw himself.  Wow!

Weekend Autograph Opportunities: A King and Two Lakers

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.

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2017 Topps Heritage Baseball - The Dodgers Base Cards

The second Topps Baseball card set of the new year is now available in stores.  It is the always popular Heritage brand, and this year it celebrates the 1968 Topps Baseball set.  There are 18 Dodgers available; including the very first Topps card of Pedro Baez as a reliever.  He has numerous cards available from when he was an infield prospect a decade ago.  We also see Grant Dayton's very first card as a Dodger.  Go here for a complete checklist.

Below are pics of all 18 Dodger cards; including the three short-printed high number cards.  There are numerous variations also available, but I will wait a few days before sharing pics of them all.  Only a handful of Dodgers' variations are known so far and that list is likely to expand.

#45 Scott Kazmir

#78 Pedro Baez

Blog Kiosk: 3/1/2017 - Dodgers Links - Some Spring Odds and Ends

Wonderkid Julio Urias made his first spring start yesterday; throwing 14-pitches in one inning of work, giving up two singles, allowing one run and recording two strike outs.  He then went in the bullpen to throw another inning.  Per Ken Gurnick at MLB.com:

"My goal this year is to better what I have," said Urias. "Last year at midseason, I worked with [pitching coach Rick] Honeycutt on the curveball and slider. I threw one curve today, threw one slider for the strikeout, and overall felt well."

He is slowly working to prepare himself for a full season slog.  As you know, the Dodgers are likely to control his workload and limit the number of innings he throws -- as they should.  He has never thrown more than 122 innings during any one season, so there is a legitimate worry about hurting his arm.  I suspect they'll try to stretch him out this year to no more than 180 innings (and that might be too high).

Photo at the very top via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2017.  Go here to check out even more pics by Jon from yesterday.  Below are more links to check out:

• Of Note: This is not Dodger news, but I thought it was important enough to share.  In 1947 the Cleveland Indians, in anticipation of signing a black ballplayer, set up their spring camp in Phoenix.  The Giants do the same.  They chose Arizona because of its relatively tolerant racial climate. They would sign Larry Doby later in the year.
• Happy Birthday, Tim Thompson, Bert Hamric, Omar Daal & Blake Hawksworth!