2017 Topps Walmart Online Exclusives - The Clayton Kershaw Card

Here's a new Clayton Kershaw card for the player collectors out there. Featured is a retail exclusive insert only available if you order certain products directly from Walmart's website. According to Beckett, with the purchase of either a blaster box of  2017 Topps Stadium Club or 2017 Topps Allen & Ginter Baseball will get you a free five-card Walmart exclusive online set. Go here or here to check out the Walmart website. In addition to Kershaw, the other players in the set are Buster Posey, Carlos Correa, Kris Bryant and Miguel Cabrera

Walmart Online Exclusives

#WM-2 Clayton Kershaw

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Blog Kiosk: 8/22/2017 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

We were witness to a strange and yet fantastic ritual before yesterday's game. Justin Turner, as the eclipse was in full swing, got down on his knees, performed an ancient hand gesture consisting of interlocking middle fingers to form a "w" for winning, and then yelled to get the attention of the bright red sun god in the sky. His bright orange hair immediately burst into flames. Then, like a flash, JT returned to his normal self. I kid you not!

Yasiel Puig, on the other hand, used his newfound powers attained by following in JT's footsteps to help the Dodgers to victory last night. In the 12th inning of a tied game Puig came up and slugged a go-ahead home run for the Dodgers. Per Adam Berry and Ken Gurnick at MLB.com:

"I was just trying to put the ball in play," Puig said. "I was waiting on the fastball, that's his best pitch and the one I struggle with. But I put a good swing on it."

Photo above via Justin Turner on twitter and the pic of Puig via his twitter. BTW, these two jokesters also recreated yesterday's solar eclipse, and it's hilarious. Check that out at the very bottom of this post. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1948 the Dodgers recorded a triple steal in the fifth inning of their game against the Boston Braves at Ebbets Field.  Jackie Robinson stole home, Gene Hermanski took third and Pee Wee Reese swiped second base.  In 1965 Giants hurler Juan Marichal attacked Johnny Roseboro with his bat while at the plate. He had been buzzing Dodger batters all day, so Roseboro decided to throw a baseball back to his pitcher while at the same time making sure it barely missed Marichal's face. Quickly, benches cleared and a brawl commenced. See the pic on the right to see what I mean. In 2000 Eric Karros becomes the first Dodger in franchise history to hit two home runs in one inning.  It was against the Expos.
• Happy Birthday, Ned Hanlon, Al Bashang, Jeff Weaver, Randy Wolf & David Huff!

Uncle Robbie's Letter to Scoops at Christie's Auction

The often venerated Christie's auction house is currently running their "Golden Age of Baseball" auction, and it includes numerous historical artifacts; including this fantastic vintage original letter featured here.

Dated February 9th, 1930, Dodger manager Wilbert "Uncle Robbie" Robinson writes to friend and ex-Dodger Max Carey. (auction link)

As you may know, future Hall of Famer Max Carey had just retired from the game after having spent 17 years with the Pirates and the past four seasons in Brooklyn. So now he was looking towards life after playing, and naturally wanted to stay in the game. After all, he was a captain and a leader throughout his time as a player, and many believed he would eventually make a fine manager.

Welcome to the Blue, Jordan Jankowski!

Even with the Dodgers cruising, there is no rest. The front office continues to make moves, and it won't necessarily have any bearing on this season. They know better than most that in order to continue their competitive advantage -- building the deepest team in the league -- they must look at development as a year-round thing. Even with the playoffs looming there's no better time than now to be thinking about next season. The Dodgers, sensing an opportunity, grabbed recently waived right-handed relief pitcher Jordan Jankowski from the Houston Astros. He is 28-years old and was immediately sent to Triple-A Oklahoma City. You can follow Jordan on twitter here: @JJ_Jankowski33. BTW, Jordan can't sing. Go here to check out what I mean. Per a Dodgers press release:

Jankowski has gone 24-16 with a 3.46 ERA in 233 games (28 starts) in six minor league seasons in the Houston organization, striking out 509 in 421.0 innings and limiting opponents to a .228 batting average. He made his Major League debut on May 24 against the Tigers and allowed six runs in 4.1 innings in three big league games with the Astros this year before being designated for assignment on Monday.

Welcome to the Blue, Curtis Granderson!

This recent move came out of nowhere. I had thought, like many others, that the Dodgers were done with their shopping. Instead, they prove once again that you should never take a nap on this team. Not only can they score runs in bunches, but the front office is always looking for ways to improve the ballclub and will make a move at any time. Case in point, following Friday evenings game against the Tigers the Dodgers traded for one-time Detroit star and current Mets outfielder Curtis Granderson in exchange for pitching prospect Jacob Rhame. You can follow Granderson here on twitter: @cgrand3. Per a Dodgers press release:

Granderson, 36, has a .254 career batting average with 312 home runs and 853 RBI in 1,760 games in 14 Major League seasons with the Tigers (2004-09), Yankees (2010-13) and Mets (2014-17). The three-time All-Star (2009, ’11, ’12) and 2011 Silver Slugger also won the 2016 Roberto Clemente Award for his community work. Defensively, Granderson has appeared 1,246 games in center field, 445 games in right field and 59 games in left field during the course of his career. He’s also played in 51 postseason games, tied for the 14th most among active players.

Blog Kiosk: 8/21/2017 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Kenta Maeda and Tigers ace Justin Verlander were locked in a pitching duel Sunday afternoon - both of whom had no-hitters going into the 6th inning. Then the Dodgers stuck first when newly acquired outfielder Curtis Granderson hit his first homer as a Dodger to break up Verlander's no-no. Soon thereafter, Maeda lost his when he coughed up four runs during his half of the 6th inning. Per Jason Beck and Catherine Slonksnis at MLB.com:

(Pic via @Dodgers on twitter)

"Well, it's good to go ahead and try to put us in a situation, at that point, to break up the no-hitter, to give us the lead," Granderson said. "But to not get enough to help this team win tonight, I'm a little dissatisfied because you want to put yourself in a situation where we could earn the sweep here."

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

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1970 the Dodgers signed amateur free agent infielder Jerry Royster out of Sacramento High School. He would be traded five years later to Atlanta as part of a package for Dusty Baker, and go on to have a ten-year career with the Braves. In 1975 the Cubs pitching brothers of Rick and Paul Reuschel combine to shutout the Dodgers, 7-0.
• Happy Birthday, Woody Williams, Shawn Hillegas, John Wetteland, Craig Counsell, Ismael Valdéz & Jesse Chavez!