2019 Topps On-Demand Set #10 & #19 -- All the Dodger Cards

Here's a look at a couple of other 2019 Topps 'On-Demand' Baseball card sets and the Dodger players within them.

First, let's take a look at Topps set #10 (originally released several months ago). It is called 'MLB Rookie Progression" and only Walker Buehler can be found in it. I had failed to realize this earlier, so I apologize for the last posting of this card. BTW, I have a pic of the Buehler base card, but do not have a photo of the autographed insert that is available.

The second set I show here features artwork by award-winning sports artist and former MLB player Richard Sullivan. It is Topps #19th set of the year and it is known as the 'Momentum Rising' set. As you can see below, the design and art looks an awful lot like an Allen & Ginter card. Go here for a complete checklist of both sets.

MLB Rookie Progression -- Set #10
Sophomore Standouts Insert

#6 Walker Buehler

Blog Kiosk: 12/2/2019 - Dodgers Links - New Robinson/Shuba Statue to be Created

Mark this on your calendar. April 2021 will mark the 75th anniversary of the historic 1946 handshake between George Shuba and Jackie Robinson, and to honor it Youngstown, Ohio will unveil a statue to celebrate. Dubbed "the handshake of the century", they are aiming to raise $400,000 to complete the 7 foot statue. Go here to help out. Per a press release:

"A handshake at home plate by players of different races is no big deal in America today, but in 1946 it was a historic moment," said Herb Washington, a local businessman and one of the co-chairs of the committee. "We want to memorialize that moment in a way that inspires people to relate more respectfully to those of other races. We need more Americans to follow the examples of Jackie Robinson and George Shuba."
...
"In our book, George is quoted as saying he didn't think at the time that shaking a black player's hand was a big deal," said Greg Gulas, a retired Youngstown State University sports information director and another committee co-chair. "He had played with black and white guys at Chaney High School and in sandlot games in Youngstown for years. He shook Jackie's hand because he had just hit a three-run homer. George was proud to be Jackie's teammate for the Royals and the Dodgers, not because Jackie was black but because he was an incredible baseball player."

Photo above via RobinsonShuba.org -- "Connecticut sculptor Marc Mellon recently created a rough early study of the Robinson Shuba statue. Plans call for the Jackie Robinson and George Shuba likenesses to stand nearly 7 feet tall in the actual statue planned in Youngstown, Ohio." Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1971 the Dodgers trade Doyle Alexander, Bob O'Brien, Sergio Robles and Royle Stillman to the Orioles for pitcher Pete Richert and soon to be Hall of Famer Frank Robinson. Then, the Dodgers trade future MVP winner Dick Allen to the White Sox for Steve Huntz and pitcher Tommy John. In 1981 Fernando Valenzuela is named the NL Rookie of the Year - the third consecutive year a Dodger has won this award. In 2008 Hall of Fame Dodger skipper Tommy Lasorda is honored in a special ceremony by the Emperor of Japan with the Order of the Rising Sun medal for his contributions to the development of Japanese baseball. In 2011 the Dodgers signed free agent starter Chris Capuano to a two-year $9 million contract. He would go 16-19 with an 3.91 ERA, 3.81 FIP and 7.2 K's per nine innings.
• Happy Birthday, Leon Williams, Chip Hale, Peter Moylan & Brett Eibner!

Blog Kiosk: 11/27/2019 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Here's an AP wirephoto featuring the great Roy Campanella (eBay listing).

February 9, 1972 -- 'Campy' Comments -- Roy Campanella reflects on a photo of himself as a Brooklyn Dodger Thursday, at New York's Gallaghers restaurant where he volunteered to serve as sports chairman for the Highway Safety Foundation. Commenting on the naming of black athletes Josh Gibson, a catcher, and Walter "Buck" Leonard, a first baseman, to the Baseball Hall of Fame, Campanella said, "They were two of the greatest players I ever played with."

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodger History: In 1953 Roy Campanella is the named the National League MVP for the second time in his career. He slashed .312/.395/.611/1.006 with 41 homer runs, a league leading 142 RBI's and recorded 7.1 WAR. In 1956 Don Newcombe was awarded the inaugural Cy Young Award, going 27-7 with a 3.06 ERA. A week prior he was given both the MVP and Rookie of the Year Awards; thereby becoming the first and only player to win all three major awards for a pitcher in one season.
• Happy Birthday, Jimmy Schmitz, Mike Scioscia & Jimmy Rollins!

2019 Topps Gallery - All the Dodger Cards

Last week saw the release Topps newest Walmart exclusive Baseball card brand -- 2019 Topps Gallery. As the name suggest, it featured ballplayers in artistically drawn portraits. Go here for a complete checklist.

There are 200 base cards, of which eight are Dodgers' -- including four short-printed cards. As with any set featuring drawings, the portraits are hit or miss. The Clayton Kershaw card below is clearly very well done. The cards of Walker Buehler and Dennis Santana, less so. There is one card, though that would rank as one of the ugliest things I've seen in awhile -- rivaling the 2014 Upper Deck Goodwin Champions card of Ron Cey (link here). To see what I mean go to the bottom of this post and check out the 'Master & Apprentice' insert card of Sandy Koufax and Clayton Kershaw. It's not pretty.

Base

#3 Clayton Kershaw

#103 Will Smith              #107 Max Muncy

2019 Topps On-Demand Set #16 - Dynamic Duals - All the Dodger Cards

Here's a look at another 'On-Demand' Topps set that includes some Dodgers. It is set #16 and it has been dubbed the Dynamic Duals set. Go here for a complete checklist. A total of 850 base sets were created. Check out all the Dodgers' below.

Base

#22 Clayton Kershaw / Will Smith

Blog Kiosk: 11/26/2019 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Roy is "A-Okay".

Roy Campanella, popular Brooklyn Dodger catcher, winks and gives the "okay" sign to a group of admiring small fry after a physician said Campy's injured left hand isn't permanently damaged and he's fit for duty in the All-Star game in Cleveland.

Dated July 13, 1954, the above vintage press photo (available through eBay) features some very relieved Brooklyn fans with Roy Campanella. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1962 the Dodgers traded right-handed hurler Stan Williams to the Yankees for first baseman Bill Skowron. He would play just one season for Los Angeles -- slashing .203/.252/.287/.539 in 89 games. In 1965 Dodgers second baseman Jim Lefebvre is voted National League Rookie of the Year. In 2010 the Dodgers signed free agent righty Jon Garland to a one-year $5 million contract. Garland would start nine games, going 1-5 with an 4.33 ERA, then go on the disabled list with shoulder discomfort -- leading to shoulder surgery.
• Happy Birthday, Jim Canavan, Dan McFarlan, Bob Lee, Jeff Torborg, Jorge Orta & Jay Howell!