2018 Topps Archives Signature - Active Player Edition - The Dodgers

Topps Archives Signature cards have proven so popular they decided to split it up into two distinctive card brands this year - an Active Player and Retied Player Editions. Last week they released the Active Player Edition, and three Dodgers' are available, with the possibility of a fourth that has not been unearthed yet.

I can confirm the existence of autographed Dodger cards of Adrian Beltre, Alex Wood and Joc Pederson. The checklist (go here to check that out) also includes former Dodgers prospect and current Phillies first baseman Carlos Santana, but I have yet to see any signed Dodger cards of him.

Below is a listing of known (so far to me) Dodger cards. If you know of any more please pass that information along.

Adrian Beltre

1998 Topps New Breed      1999 Bowman Chrome

A Couple of Fantasy Baseball Cards in Honor of Chase Utley

In light of the recent announcement that Chase Utley would retire at the end of this season, I made a couple of fantasy Baseball cards in his honor. I am sure that over the course of the next several months I will make more. So, stay tuned for that.

Per Eric Stephen at True Blue LA:

“I transitioned to a part-time player, something that was new for me, but I took it in stride. I really enjoyed that time,” Utley said. “I’m also a part-time strength coach, a part-time pitching coach, occasionally a part-time catching coach, as well as a part-time general manager. 

“The thing I’m having the most difficult time with is being a part-time dad. That’s really the reason I’m shutting it down, to be a full-time dad. It is a difficult decision, but one I’m comfortable with.”

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Blog Kiosk: 7/16/2018 - Dodgers Links - The All-Star Break

(Pic via Jon SooHoo/Dodgers at Dodger Insider)

After all of the hand-wringing in April, the Dodgers end the first-half of the season in first place. Per Kaelen Jones at MLB.com:

"The one thing that I really like about this team is how we really figured it out," said Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen, who tied for the NL lead with his 27th save. "That kind of shows you the type of players that we have in this locker [room], that we've got to put stuff behind us and never panic."

The Dodgers have had plenty of reason to panic. A post-World Series hangover lingered into the start of the 2018 season as they opened 16-26. Their starting pitching has been ravaged by injuries. That includes Kershaw, who appears to be back to full health just in time. 

"I think we're playing a little bit more now like what we are," Kershaw said. "I don't think we're a 16-26 ballclub, obviously. Good for us to right the ship; good for us to right the ship that quickly."

For his part, Clayton went 6.2 innings, allowed six hits including a three-run homer, struck out eight and walked four to help the Dodgers defeat the Angels, 5-3. The photo above of our all-stars at the very top via Jon SooHoo/Dodgers at Dodger Insider. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1948 Brooklyn agrees to a deal with the Giants that releases his manager, Leo Durocher, so that he may become the skipper for the Giants. Burt Shotten would take over the managerial position for Brooklyn.
• Happy Birthday, Don Ross, Tommy Tatum, Norm Sherry, John Purdin & Eric Surkamp!

Dodgers Memorabilia at Hunt Auctions Available at All-Star FanFest

Once again Hunt Auctions is hosting a live memorabilia auction at the All-Star Game FanFest, and there are some great Dodger goodies to gawk over. Most notable is the below game-used Brooklyn cap with two composite shell plates sewn in as protection that was purportedly worn by Jackie Robinson. (Auction Link)

Last year a similar Jackie Robinson Brooklyn Dodgers cap came up for auction at Lelands (link here) that had excellent provenance. That cap came from Jackie's wife, Rachel, and sold for an unbelievable $590,994 -- breaking a record established in 2012 when David Wells paid $537,278 for a Babe Ruth cap.

Shot Heard 'Round The World Relic Available at Goldin Auction

Dodgers fans both young and old know this story well.

In 1951 the Brooklyn team held a 13.5 game lead over the New York Giants with 44 games left to play. Remarkably, this lead wasn't enough. The Giants would pull off a monumental run that saw them win 37 of their final 44 games to pull into a tie with Brooklyn at the end of the regular season.

Quickly, a three-game playoff series was scheduled to determine the pennant winner. The Dodgers would lose the first game at Ebbets Field, 1-3, then win game two at the Polo Grounds, 10-0. The third and deciding game, played in upper Manhattan, came down to the wire. With the Dodgers leading 4-1 in the ninth the Giants rallied to score four runs to win, 5-4 -- with the dagger to the heart coming on a walk-off three-run home run by Bobby Thompson off of Dodger hurler Ralph Branca.

With that the "Shot Heard 'Round The World" was born.

Blog Kiosk: 7/13/2018 - Dodgers Links - First Place!

(Pic via Campbell Dunn/MLB.com)

The Dodgers now sit alone in first place in the NL West after they defeated the Padres last night, 3-2. Per Ken Gurnick at MLB.com:

"Beats being in second place," said manager Dave Roberts, who promised when his club was at its lowest that it would rebound as it has.

"Beats being in fourth place. This is what we expected. Made it a little tough on ourselves early, but we righted the ship. We've got a long way to go." 

The Dodgers are 8-3 in July and 35-17 since May 24. Their .676 winning percentage since June 1 is the best in the National League.

BTW, I made the above Cody Bellinger fantasy Baseball card after seeing his Moms Instagram post celebrating her son's 23rd birthday today. She posted a Cody toddler photo and I knew I had to do something with it. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1954 Brooklyn's rookie manager Walter Alston makes the first of a record nine appearances as National League manager in the annual All-Star Game. Unfortunately, the National League would lose this game to the American League, 11-9.
• Happy Birthday, John O'Brien, Daryl Spencer & Cody Bellinger!