2019 Bowman Next Top 2020 Prospects - Online Exclusive - Gavin Lux

I've been wondering if Topps would add Gavin Lux to this set.

Over the past several weeks Topps has been releasing individual cards, on a daily basis, of a new online exclusive set that they are calling 2019 Bowman Next - a set featuring the Top-20 prospects of 2020. It began with Tigers outfield prospect Riley Green, and has included other notable youngsters like Bobby Witt Jr. of the Royals, Jo Adell of the Angels and Brendon Rodgers of the Rockies. Now, it includes the Dodger top-dog, Gavin Lux. Go here to check it out and order. You can also see a complete checklist here. Below is what's written on the back of the card:

Gavin Lux quickly rose through the Minor League ranks, raking at each level of the Minors before reaching the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2019. The slugging infielder posted an incredible .347  batting average with 26 home runs and 76 RBI before joining the MLB club.

The description above doesn't quite explain what a fantastic year Lux had in 2019. He began the season with the Double-A Tulsa Drillers and slashed a sold .313/.375/.521/.896 in 64 games. He would then advance to the Oklahoma City Dodgers -- their Triple A club -- and absolutely demolished PCL pitching. In 49 games he slashed .392/.478/.719/1.197 with 13 home runs, 39 RBI and committed just four errors on the field. For that he was named to the mid-season Texas League All-Star Game, the All-Star Futures Game and was Baseball America's Minor League Player of the Year. The Dodgers also named him their minor league player of the year for the second consecutive season. Per Alden Gonzalez at ESPN:

Blog Kiosk: 12/19/2019 - Dodgers Links & News - Some Odds and Ends

What the heck?

Check out the above undated (likely 1950's) vintage photograph featuring the Dodgers pitching staff being directed by backstop Roy Campanella (eBay link). What Campy is doing exactly, I do not know. He's got his hands cupped over his ears, like he's expecting a loud sound.

As for the pitchers in the photo, I can clearly see Don Newcombe (third on the left), and according the a notation on the back Ralph Branca is there too. Unfortunately, I can't quite place Branca. I think he might be just to the right of Newcombe. I also think Johnny Podres is the second person to the left of Newcombe.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 2005 the Dodgers signed free agent shortstop Rafael Furcal to a three year/$39 million contract and Nomar Garciaparra to a one year/$6 million contract. In 2014 the Dodgers received veteran shortstop Jimmy Rollins from the Phillies in exchange for minor league pitchers Tom Windle and Zach Eflin. 
• Happy Birthday, Lou Koupal, Gordie Windhorn, Tom Wilson, Welcome Gaston, Wally Gilbert, Rex Barney, Geoff Zahn & Mike Fetters!

2019-20 Topps 582 Montgomery Club Set #1 -- All the Dodger Cards

The first exclusive set, as part of the 2019-20 Topps 582 Montgomery Club, is now in collectors hands, I've got pics of the two Dodgers available -- Max Muncy and Will Smith. See them below. Go here for a complete checklist.

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#8 Will Smith                  #14 Max Muncy

Blog Kiosk: 12/18/2019 - Dodgers Links & News - Some Odds and Ends

Check out this fantastic 1934 International News press photo featuring the famed "Babe" Didrikson with A's slugger Jimmie Foxx following a Spring Training event (Memory Lane auction). As you'll see in the descriptor below, she had faced off against the Dodgers.

Fort Myers, Fla... This little Florida community witnessed what might be an epic of baseball on the afternoon of March 19, 1934, when the miracle woman athlete of the Lone Star State, "Babe" Didrikson, marched to the pitcher's mound for the Philadelphia Athletics, and treated the opposing batsmen of the Brooklyn Dodgers to an exhibition of hurling, a la feminine. It looked as if it was going to be a very unpleasant exhibition for the lady, when the first two men who faced her got on the paths, but her debut became an auspicious event when one of the playboys from New York's borough of homes slammed the ball into a triple play, to retire his side. Then Miss Didrikson retired from the game too, and the Dodgers went on to win from the Quaker City aggregation by a 4-2 score. Here we see "Babe" Didrikson and the Athletics' star first sacker, Jimmy Foxx, holding a post mortem on the "Babe's" baseball debut. 

At the time, Didrikson has signed-on to play for the House of David travelling barnstorming ballclub and was in the midst of a big promotion tour. As for which Dodgers' she faced, I ran into a great post at the The J.G. Preston Experience that provides some detail. First up was outfielder Danny Taylor, who walked, then Johnny Frederick, who got hit with a pitch. The triple play was hit by infielder Joe Stripp.

Miss Didrikson, who pitches with a graceful, easy delivery that would do credit to any hurler, undoubtedly profited a bit from the chivalry of Danny Taylor and Johnny Frederick, but the triple play was an honest one. 

Danny and Johnny both swung lustily at a pair of strikes each, missing the ball by wide margins, but Babe walked Danny and nicked Frederick with a pitched ball. Then, with first and second occupied, Joe Stripp lined a hard one to Dib Williams and the triple killing was completed, Williams to Warstler to Foxx.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 2009 the Dodgers traded outfielder Juan Pierre (on the 15th) to the White Sox for pitchers John Ely (PTBNL confirmed on 18th) and Jon Link (PTBNL confirmed on 18th). In 2014 the Dodgers traded Tim Federowicz and Matt Kemp to San Diego for Zach Eflin, Yasmani Grandal and Joe Wieland. 
• Happy Birthday, Dave Oldfield, Hub Knolls, Jimmy Pattison, Bill Skowron, Gino Cimoli, Zoilo Versalles, Lance Carter & Micah Johnson! 

2019 Topps X Vlad Jr. “The Legend” Curated Set - The Joc Pederson Card

The most recent curated set was put together with the help of Toronto super-prospect Vladimir Guerrero Jr., and it includes only one Dodger in the mix. It is of Joc Pederson and it makes note of his efforts during the 2019 All-Star Game Home Run Derby. Go here for a complete checklist.

As you'll recall. Vladimir faced off against Pete Alonso in the finals for the Derby crown, but fell just short of defeating the eventually league leader in homers. BTW, he faced off against Joc Pederson in the semifinals -- defeating him 40 to 39.

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Home Run Derby Moments

#9 Joc Pederson

Blog Kiosk: 12/17/2019 - Dodgers Links & News - Some Odds and Ends

Here's a play we are likely to never see again.

Charley Neal of the Dodgers retires Cubs' Dale Long at second base in the sixth inning. Long's barrel roll slows relay of ball (arrow) enough to avoid double play on Bobby Thomson's grounder to Pee Ree Reese.

BTW, Long's slide allowed a run to score on the play -- to make it 4-2 Dodgers (dated August 6, 1958) (eBay auction link). Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1999, in what would be his final Major League season, the Dodgers signed free agent hurler and legendary pitcher Orel Hershiser to a one-year $2 million contract. He would not last the year, and be released on June 27th after going 1-5 with an 13.14 ERA. Overall, Hershiser would compile a 135-107 record in 13 years as a Dodger, with an 3.12 ERA, 24 shutouts, 65 complete games, 1456 strikeouts, an 116 ERA+, a 3.28 FIP and an 39.8 WAR. In 2004 Adrián Beltré leaves the Dodgers, after spending the first seven years of his career with the club, to sign a five-year $64 million free agent contract with the Mariners.
• Happy Birthday, Josh Sborz, Bob Ojeda & Chase Utley!