2020 Topps MLB Sticker Collection - All the Dodgers'

Released just last week, I now have pics of every Dodger available in packs of Topps 2020 MLB Sticker Collection. Go here for a complete checklist. To the right is a look at a box -- featuring Cody Bellinger, along with several other notable stars.

There are actually two "base" sets to collect here. First you've got the sticker set of 237 -- eight of which are Dodgers'. All of these can be peeled from their cardboard backing and put into a sticker album. The second "base" set focus on the backs -- which hold onto the stickers. There are a total of 200 different backs available and 11 Dodgers can be found here.

Check out all of the Dodgers below.

BTW, Mookie Betts in a Dodger uniform is available as part of the "back" set. Also, for whatever reason, Kenley Jansen has two "back" cards. Unfortunately, David Price does not have a Dodger card available.

Sticker Base

#13 Cody Bellinger FF         #132 Hyun Jin Ryu LL

Blog Kiosk: 4/10/2020 - Dodgers Links & News - Some Odds and Ends

I think Pee Wee missed his calling. He should've hit the gridiron instead. Per the auction description at Love of the Game Auctions. (Auction Link)

Photo of Reese in the Dodger dugout, wearing a football helmet and posing to throw a football ostensibly owned by 1943 Heisman winner Angelo Bertelli.  Bertelli and Reese were stationed together in the Pacific Theater during World War II.  The photo, in FAIR condition due to several pronounced creases and some water staining, was likely taken in 1948, when news accounts indicate the Dodgers resurrected the white satin home uniforms worn by Reese in the photo.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1947 the Dodgers officially announced, during the sixth inning of an exhibition against the Royals, that they had purchased the contract of Montreal Royals infielder Jackie Robinson. He would be the first African-American to be on the roster of a modern Major League club. In 1962 the Dodgers played their very first home game at newly built Dodger Stadium in Chavez Ravine. There were 52,564 fans on-hand to watch Johnny Podres throw the first pitch to infielder Eddie Kasko -- who promptly doubled in the at-bat. Duke Snider would record the first Dodger hit with a single in the second inning.  Unfortunately, the Dodgers would lose the game to the Reds, 6-3. Reds outfielder Wally Post hit the first homer at the stadium during the seventh inning to lead Cincinnati.
• Happy Birthday, Bob McGraw, Chuck Connors, Lee Lacy, Mike Devereaux, Alberto Reyes, Andre Ethier & Charlie Culberson!

REA's Spring Auction has some Fantastic Dodgers Memorabilia

Robert Edwards Auctions, one of the premier sports memorabilia auction houses, is currently running their 2020 Spring offering and it includes a bunch of great Dodger goodies. In fact, if not for a self-imposed moratorium I would likely be aggressively chasing after the item above. What you see at the very top is a 1945 Brooklyn Brown Dodgers stock certificate. (Auction Link)

As you may know, in 1945 the United States Baseball League was born to compete with the more established Negro National and American Leagues, and one of the folks lending public support to this endeavor was Branch Rickey of the Brooklyn Dodgers. Soon, the Brooklyn Brown Dodgers were created and it quickly allowed Rickey to scout African-American ballplayers without anyone noticing. From what I understand, the Brooklyn Dodgers didn't actually own the Brooklyn Brown Dodgers, but that didn't stop them from sending scouts under their name.

Blog Kiosk: 4/9/2020 - Dodgers Links & News - Some Odds and Ends

The Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation has launched a special auction to support local COVID-19 relief efforts (Dodgers.com/Relief). It featured autographed jerseys and includes Mookie Betts, Cody Bellinger, Clayton Kershaw, Walker Buehler and more. Go here to check them out. Above is a look at the Betts and Bellinger jerseys.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1913 Ebbets Field host its first Major League game in front of about 10,000 spectators on a frigid Wednesday afternoon. It is an Opening Day contest against the Phillies. Unfortunately, the Superbas got shutout, 1-0. Check out the boxscore here. In 1947 Dodgers skipper Leo Durocher is given a one-year suspension by Commissioner Happy Chandler for "conduct deemed detrimental to baseball." It is related to his association with known gamblers. In 1981 Fernando Valenzuela replaced scheduled starter Jerry Reuss to pitch on Opening Day at Dodger Stadium. He would go on to throw a complete game shutout -- blanking the Astros 2-0. Check out the boxscore here. As you know, Fernando would win eight consecutive games to start the season and lead the team towards a World Series Championship.
• Happy Birthday, Steve Toole, Tiny Osborne, Fred Frankhouse, Guy Cantrell, Roy Gleason, Oscar Robles & AJ Ellis!

Topps Living Set -- #301 -- Mookie Betts

A brand new Dodgers' Topps Living Set card is now available and it features a ballplayer who may never actually wear Dodger Blue in a game. It is of former Red Sox and AL MVP Mookie Betts. As you can see, it's a portrait painting that prominently displays a 2020 All-Star Game patch on his cap - something else that may never happen. Go here to check it out and order. It is available to order over the next week. You can see a complete checklist of the set here. Below is what's written on the reverse of the Betts card:

Mookie Betts is among the elite tier of players who impact the Game in nearly every facet. The 27-year-old, 2018 AL MVP Award winner was dealt to the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 2019 offseason, where his power, speed and innate hitting ability will give the loaded team another weapon in its starting lineup.

Blog Kiosk: 4/7/2020 - Dodgers Links & News - Some Odds and Ends

Here's an awfully awkward looking photograph that appears to feature newest Dodger Ray Sanders meeting Jackie Robinson, with Pee Wee Reese in tow. It is dated to March 12, 1948 and is available through REA (auction link).

As you may know, less than a week back the Dodgers traded Eddie Stanky to the Braves for Sanders, but eventually sent him back to Boston since he had not fully recovered from injuries suffered the previous year.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1969 Dodger reliever Bill Singer is the first Major Leaguer to officially be credited with a new fangled stat called the 'save.' It was on Opening Day in Cincinnati, and Singer pitched three scoreless innings to maintain a 3-2 victory over the Reds. Eric Stephen at True Blue LA wrote a story about it here. In 1977, on Opening Day, Don Sutton was directed to throw a gopher ball on the first pitch of the game to the Giants lead-off hitter Gary Thomasson. That ball would then be given to the home plate umpire to be sent to Cooperstown. As you might expect, the Giant batter instead hit the pitch for a home run. He claims he had no idea about the plan (yhea, right!).

"They told him that the first ball he threw would be sent to the Hall of Fame in Cooperstown," Lasorda said. "Well, the first ball he threw was hit by Gary Thomasson halfway up the bleachers. I said to him, ‘They wanted to send the ball to Cooperstown; they didn’t want someone to hit it there.’" 

This is the same game Frank Sinatra kept his promise to Tommy Lasorda by performing the national anthem at Dodger Stadium.  In 1979 the Dodgers traded pitcher Rick Rhoden to the Pirates for pitcher Jerry Reuss.

• Happy Birthday, Bobby Mitchell, Brett Tomko, Ronnie Belliard & Adrian Beltre!