Blog Kiosk: 11/6/2017 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

The Dodgers bought a full page ad in the Houston Chronicle's commemorative section of their paper on Sunday to congratulate the Houston Atros on winning the World Series. See the ad on the right.

Advertising graphic via Chronicle reporter Joseph Duarte on twitter. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: I'm really stretching for news here. In 2006 Dodger fan Charles Littleton, a 22-year old Saginaw Valley State University student is TASERed with 50,000 volts by Saginaw (MI) police when he refuses to remove his Dodger cap during a City Council meeting. He is there to receive extra credit for a sociology class. See a news report here. In 2014 the Dodgers officially hire Zaidi Farhan to be their new General Manager. He takes over a  position previously held by Ned Colletti.
• Happy Birthday, Bob Darnell, John Candelaria & Chad Curtis!

2017 Topps Now - World Series Edition - Game 6

I really don't want to bother with this post, but I gotta. After all, I started posting pics of all the Dodgers' postseason Topps Now cards and it would be remiss of me to stop now. That said, I'm glad I didn't personally purchase these individual cards.

First of all, all the cards shown here are now sold out. They were made available on Wednesday and sales closed up on Thursday afternoon. The first card highlighting Game 6 features Chris Taylor and his game-tying double in the sixth inning. See the reverse of the card on the right.

The second card of the day tells us all about Corey Seager sacrafice fly that gave the Dodgers the lead following Taylor's double.

Blog Kiosk: 11/3/2017 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

"Baseball is something like a war."

No truer words have ever been said about the game, and few photos exist that best exemplifies it. So, it's with great delight that I share the above vintage 1948 Associated Press photo that does just that.  (RMY Auction link)

As you can see, both infielder Benny Zientara and Jackie Robinson are sprawled  along the first base line. Per the description attached to the reverse:

Benny Zientara  (left), Cincinnati Reds second baseman, and Jackie Robinson (right), Brooklyn Dodgers first baseman, are prone on the ground and out back of first base in Cincinnati, May 13, after collision. Robinson plowed head-on into Zientara at first while trying to beat out a bunt. Zientara was unconscious for about five minutes and had to leave the game. The Brooklyn player continued in the game. Dodgers won, 9-3.

Players gave life and limb to win the game. This photo recently sold for $484. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1965 Sandy Koufax is named the Cy Young Award winner by unanimous vote.  It is his second Cy Young in his career. Overall, he went 26-8 with an 1.73 ERA, a major league record 382 strikeouts, 27 complete games, 8 shut outs in 335 total innings pitched.
• Happy Birthday, Ed Lennox, Bob Fisher, Spider Jorgensen, Earl Robinson, Bob Welch, Mike Christopher & Paul Quantrill!

2017 Topps Five Star - All the Dodgers Cards

Topps high-end autograph-only card brand Five Star is now officially in stores. Go here for a complete checklist. These cards come in a box that'll cost you about $125, and it'll include only two cards. So, we're talking about a product that will cost roughly $60 bucks a piece right out of the gate. Fortunately, those two cards are guaranteed to be autographed.

Below are all of the Dodger cards. All Bellinger, Kershaw and Seager cards come with a redemption.

Base Autographs

• #FSA-CB Cody Bellinger -- Redemption Card
• #FSA-CKE Clayton Kershaw -- Redemption Card
• #FSA-CSE Corey Seager -- Redemption Card

#FSA-AT Andrew Toles        #FSA-JU Julio Urias

Blog Kiosk: 11/2/2017 - Dodgers Links - Wait Til Next Year!

I told my buddy last night that I was stealing this line: "And the Dodger Blues countdown clock continues."

After watching six thrilling contest that captivated much of the Baseball world, last night's debacle just didn't seem right. We deserved better - not just a better outcome for Dodger fans, but also a tighter game that would force all fans to sit on the edge of their seats. Instead, we get a game that was essentially over by the second inning.

I don't really want to go into any sort of deep analysis about the game. Nor do I care to retrospectively micromanage Dave Roberts decisions in the World Series. Rather, I think it's important to reflect on how great this season had been.

This postseason - This Year - This Team deserves to be remember for more than their inability to climb the top of heap. They deserve to be remembered for recapturing the imagination of a city and for renewing the faith of the fanbase. After years of struggling on the field and in the owners box, we can all now say that the team is headed in the right direction. This team, from the players on the field to the folks who work behind the scenes, excelled beyond my own expectations, and I suspect yours too.

So, have faith Dodger fans. Although we stumbled in search of a title this season, we will always have next year.

BTW, you should hold no ill will towards Yu Darvish. I have no doubt he gave it his all. Unfortunately, he was just too damn familiar to the team from Houston. See the message he twitted on the right to all of us.

Lastly, congrats Houston! It was a pleasure to be able to watch two of the truly great teams this season duke it out. It was exciting and memorable.

Pic above via Michael Duarte on twitter. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1977 Tommy John comes in a distant second place in Cy Young voting -- having been beaten by Steve Carlton of the Phillies. John went 20-7 for the Dodgers with an 2.78 ERA, FIP of 3.05, eleven complete games and three shutouts.
• Happy Birthday, George Sharrott, George Bell, Jerry Standaert, Tom Paciorek, Wilson Betemit & Al Campanis!

2017 Topps Now - Postseason Dodgers Set - Bonus Card #1 - NLDS Series Win

As you'll remember, I purchased my very first Topps Now cards when the Dodgers clinched a playoff spot. It was the Dodgers Postseason set and it included a collection of 15 cards. Go here to check them all out.

As an added bonus, Topps would add bonus cards to the set for every round they advance in the playoffs -- the first of which arrived over this weekend. Featured here is the first Dodgers' Postseason Bonus card celebrating their three game sweep of the Diamondback in the NLDS. Another bonus card should be coming shortly, so stay tuned for that.

* Please follow on twitter @ernestreyes *

* Like Dodgers Blue Heaven on facebook *

* Dodgers Blue Heaven home page *