There's a Topps Baseball Card Promotion at Dodger Stadium Tonight

I was helpfully reminded by a reader last night that there is a Topps Baseball card promotion at Dodger Stadium scheduled for tonight's game. It is related to National Baseball Card Day -- an annual event being held at participating card shops throughout the country on Saturday, August 12th. Go here to check out a Topps press release about the promotion. Go here for a complete checklist of available cards.

The promotion consist of two different parts.

Blog Kiosk: 8/11/2017 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Darvish was not perfect and he was far from efficient. Still, an ace pitcher, given a less than ideal start, will more often than not find a way to win. Yu Darvish, no doubt, did that last night. Per Cary Osborne at Dodger Insider:

For the second time in as many games as a Dodger, Darvish struck out 10 batters. And despite the deep counts — nine 3-ball counts total — he walked two batters. 

“I fele like I was able to do the least job, going five innings, and I got the strikeouts to get (their) guys out,” Darvish told SportsNet LA’s Alanna Rizzo. “I struggled to throw first pitch strikes. … It was a battle throughout the game.”

In fact, according to ESPN Darvish is only the second Dodger since 1900 to record 10+ strike outs in each of his first two starts in Blue. Karl Spooner in in 1954 is the other.

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

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1950 the Dodgers were no-ht by Vern Bickford of the Boston Braves, 7-0. He needed only 97 pitches to accomplish the feat. In 1951 the first color televised broadcast of a ballgame is aired on WCBS-TV. It featured a game at Ebbets Field between the Dodgers and the Boston Braves. Unfortunately, the Boys of Summer lose the contest, 8-1. In 1962 the Dodgers protest the Giants tactic of wetting down the basepaths in order to slow down speedster Maury Wills at Candlestick Park. The Dodgers would lose 5-4. Giants manager Alvin Dark would forever earn the nickname "The Swamp Fox." In 1969 Don Drysdale announced his retirement from the game.  In 2015 every home team won their game -- making that a first in the live ball era with a full slate of games. 
• Happy Birthday, Bobo Newsom, Luis Olmo, Dennis Lewallyn, Rex Hudson, Mike Huff & Bubba Crosby!

Padres Series Starts Friday - Stadium Giveaways, Pregame Info and Other Stuff!

The next homestand starts on Friday against the San Diego Padres. Below are some odds and ends for this upcoming homestand. Here are some important links:

• 2017 Broadcast Schedule
• Special Events Schedule
• Promotions & Giveaways Schedule
• Silent Auction Schedule 
• Friday Night Fireworks Schedule 

For this homestand against the Padres only the Dodgers have made the Taqui Changas that includes flour tortillas stuffed with smoked pork carnitas, California pepper sauce, shredded cheddar, shaved lettuce, Pico de Gallo and Sour Cream. See it on the right. It can be found at Reserve Section 32. 

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Friday, August 11th at 7:10 PM

TV: SportsNet LA, SNLA Spanish

Radio: 570 LA Sports, KTNQ 1020

2017 Topps Now -- #463 -- 80 Wins in 113 Games, Fastest in Franchise History

Featured here is a new 2017 Topps Now card that celebrates the accomplishments of the best team in Baseball. Go here to check it out and order. As you know, the Dodgers won their 80th game of the season last night, and that marks the fastest pace the franchise has ever experienced. In fact, that win put the team on a pace to win 115 games this year -- the highest win total in Dodger history. Not only that, they'll come shockingly close to tying the Major League mark for wins at 116 (held by both the 1906 Cubs and 2001 Mariners).

Players Weekend Brings Nicknames and Funny Socks

As I'm sure you know by know, the last weekend in August will be "Players Weekend" -- which happens to coincide with Little League World Series weekend in Williamsport. I mention that last part because the festivities that weekend is not only about celebrating each ballplayers personality and passion, but it's also an opportunity for them to be kids again.

Each player and coach on the field will get their own special uniform emblazoned with their own chosen nickname on the back, and the right sleeve of each jersey will have a patch with a blank space for them to write the name of a person or organization that was important to their development.

Obviously, the main draw for fans will be the goofy nicknames each player chooses, but I think there is something else worth noting first. Apparently, everyone will be wearing colorful and outrageous socks, as well. See what I mean on the right.

Blog Kiosk: 8/10/2017 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

The Dodgers just go about their winning ways. Per Rowan Kavner at Dodger Insider:

“I think it’s more a testament to the guys on our team,” Wood said. “It’s literally been a different guy every night.” 

On Wednesday, it was Wood, the bullpen and the No. 7 and No. 8 hitters in the Dodger lineup leading them to their 33rd comeback win of the year and moving them to 68–0 when leading after eight innings. 

“It just shows we can come back and get teams late, and our bullpen’s good enough to shut them down late,” said Joc Pederson, whose RBI double tied the game at 2 before scoring the go-ahead run.

Last nights win was the 80th of the season. Photo above via @Dodgers on twitter. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1966 former Dodger manager Chuck Dressen died at the age of 67. In 1979 Don Sutton recorded his 50th shutout as a Dodger -- setting a new franchise record -- when he defeated the Giants at Candlestick Park, 9-0. In 1995 the first forfeit in 16 years happened during a game between the Dodgers and Cardinals at Dodger Stadium. Following the ejection of Raul Mondesi and Tommy Lasorda in the ninth inning, fans starting throwing souvenir Baseballs onto the field. The balls were given to them as a game giveaway as they entered the stadium. Watch an ESPN news story about it here.
• Happy Birthday, Rocky Colavito & Al Osuna!