2019 Topps 150 Years of Baseball - #42 - Mike Piazza

The third Dodger to make it into Topps online exclusive card brand, 2019 Topps 150 Years of Baseball, features Mike Piazza and it highlights his fantastic rookie campaign in 1993. The eventual Rookie of the Year winner slashed an impressive .318/.370/.561/.932 with 35 home runs, 112 RBI and 81 runs scored. Go here to check it out and order. You have until tomorrow to get your order in. Below is what's written on the revere:

In his rookie season, Mike Piazza proved to be the best offensive catcher in the Game, slugging 35 home runs and driving in 112. The rookie carried a robust .318 batting average and caught 146 games. The superb campaign earned Piazza the NL Rookie of the Year Award.

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Blog Kiosk: 6/10/2019 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

What a fun game. Not only did we witness a pitching duel for the ages, but we also saw some fantastic game-saving defense and hard-nosed squawking on the field. Sure, Bumgarner's act can be tiring, but I will never doubt his passion. Per Rowan Kavner at Dodger Insider:

“It was fun. Kind of an old-school baseball game — two №1s going head-to-head, and we saw the best of Madison Bumgarner and matched Walker pitch for pitch,” said manager Dave Roberts. “To see those guys go out there and compete and win pitches, win at-bats, it was fun. But fortunately for us, we scored one more run than they did.”

Photo at the very top via Michael Urakami/MLB.com
 at Dodger Insider. The Buehler pic via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers at Dodger Insider. Go here to check out more pics from yesterday's game. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1988 Dodger outfielder John Shelby has his 24-game hitting streak stopped by Andy Hawkins and the Padres. The Dodgers also lost the game on a walk-off double to Carmelo Martinez, 4-3. In 2005 first baseman Hee-Seop Choi hits a walk-off home run off Twins reliever Terry Mulholland to propel the Dodgers over the Twins, 6-5. In 2015 the Dodgers drafted Matt Beaty out of Belmont University in Nashville and Kyle Garlick out of Cal Poly, Pomona.
• Happy Birthday, Ken Lehman, Ed Palmquist, Elias Sosa & Brad Gulden!

Blog Kiosk: 6/7/2019 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Check out this fantastic Barney Stein photo of a young and dapper Vin Scully at Ebbets Field in Brooklyn. It is unfortunately undated (eBay Auction Link).

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers Baseball: In 1898 Brooklyn owner Charles Ebbets stepped in to be the teams manager for the remainder of the season. The team would not fare well. The Dodgers would have a record of 38-68 under Ebbets and finish in 10th place overall with a 54-91 record. In 1982 Steve Garvey played in his 1,000th consecutive game. He would receive a standing ovation from fans at Dodger Stadium. In 1995 Tommy Lasorda won his 1,500th game as a major league manager when his Dodgers defeated the Expos, 7-1. 
• Happy Birthday, Ike Benners, Bones Ely, Lafayette Henion & Roy Jarvis!

Which One of You Stole This!

I don't know how I missed this when I first looked through the catalog. Featured here is purported to be an actual Press Box sign that hung outside of the area Vin Scully broadcasted from inside Dodger Stadium. It is currently at auction through Lelands (auction link). How cool would it be to have this hanging up in your man-cave?

The Vin Scully Avenue street sign is a presentation piece that was never used on the city street.

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2019 Topps Finest - All the Dodger Cards

Wow! I can't believe how weak this set is for Dodger collectors. Last year there were seven base cards and eight different inserts available. In 2017 there were four base and 13 insert cards available. Prior years were just as packed. This season, however there are only five Dodger cards available to chase after in all --  three base cards, an insert and an autographed card. So, if you're a box breaker I would suggest passing on getting the Dodgers. Go here for a complete checklist. Below is a look at all the Dodger cards.

Base

#7 Walker Buehler              #23 Clayton Kershaw

Blog Kiosk: 6/6/2019 - Dodger Links - Some Odds and Ends

Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose. You just have to hope that at the end of the day you experience more celebration than disappointment. Yesterday's game was obviously disappointing, but I think there's still some things to find encouraging. Our starting pitching continues its dominance and Will Smith has been a nice surprise at the plate. Our relief, on the other hand, is still a work in progress. Per Rowan Kavner at Dodger Insider:

“Baseball’s just a game of adjustments,” Alexander said. “Last year, first month of the season for me, it was really bad. I got sent down, came back up and was pretty solid for the remainder of the year. For me, just keep working. I hate to come in and lose games, give up runs, but it’s a tough job.”

Photo above via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2019 at Dodger Insider. Go here to check out more pics from yesterdays game. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1944 the Brooklyn Dodgers received infielder Eddie Stanky from the Cubs for Bob Chipman. In 1957 the first fog-out in major league history occurs during a game at Ebbets Field against the Cubs. After an 86-minute delay the game is halted during the second inning. In 1988 the Dodgers signed amateur free agent slugger Raul Mondesi out of the Dominican Republic. In 1990 the Dodgers recorded their 8,000th franchise victory as they defeat the Braves, 7-5. In 1994 Mike Piazza hit the longest home run ever recorded at Joe Robbie Stadium in Florida. It was off Mark Gardner and is estimated to have traveled 477 feet. In 2006 the number six plays a huge part in the day. The Dodgers, on the sixth day of the sixth month of the sixth year of the century score six runs in the sixth inning during the sixth game of the current homestand.
• Happy Birthday, Fresco Thompson, Jeff Williams & Mark Ellis!