2013 Topps Triple Threads Baseball - Dodgers Unity Relic Cards

I am finally getting around to putting up the Dodgers' insert cards that can be found in packs of 2013 Topps Triple Threads.  Check out the Dodgers' base cards to the set here.  Below are the Unity Relic inserts that are available.  There are also autographed relics cards of Clayton Kershaw (#UAJR-CK) and Hyun-Jin Ryu (#UAJR-HR1), but they are not in the actual packs.  Instead, a redemption card is provided.  BTW, you can see a complete checklist of the set here.

Unity Single Jumbo Relics

Adrian Gonzalez

#TTUJR-AGO1                                  #TTUJR-AGO2

#TTUJR-AGO3

 Chad Billingsley

#TTUJR-CBH1

Don Sutton

#TTUJR-DS1                                           #TTUJR-DS2

#TTUJR-DS3

Matt Kemp

#TTUJR-MK1                                     #TTUJR-MK2

#TTUJR-MK3 

 
Yasiel Puig

#TTUJR-YP3

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Some Dodgers Memorabilia at Hunt Auctions

Following up on my post from yesterday featuring Dodgers' artwork at Hunt's 10th Anniversary Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory Auction, I now bring to you some of my favorite Dodgers' memorabilia items. 

Below is a semi-hardened foam Baseball from a "Welcome Luncheon" held at L.A.'s Statler Hotel on 10/27/1957.  It has been signed by Casey Stengel and Walt Alston.  Over 1,100 new local fans attended this gala event.  This is the first time I've seen this particular Dodger memorabilia item.

(auction link)

Below is a 1954 Gil Hodges New York Press Photographers Sports Award.

(auction link)

Here is a circa 1960's LA Dodgers equipment bag that has been signed by Duke Snider, Clem Labine, Ralph Branca, and Carl Erskine.

(auction link)

This last item would look great in anyone's Dodger room.  Here are 3 vintage stadium seats from Ebbets Field. 

(auction link)

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Blog Kiosk: 10/31/2013 - Dodgers Links - DodgerTalk Podcast, Free Agency and Dee Gordon

Congrats, Red Sox!  Pic above via twitter @MLB.

• Did you miss DodgerTalk - the offseason edition - last night?  No worries.  Go here to listen to a podcast of the show at AM570.
• Via Greg Johns at MLB.com, "Wallach set to interview for Mariners' managerial job".  He was also reported to have interviewed for the Cubs job.
• We are now in the free agency period.  Ron Cervenka at Think Blue LA explains how it all works.
• Ken Gurnick at MLB.com writes about the Dodgers prospects playing this offseason and makes note that Dee Gordon is going through the process of converting to an outfielder.
• GCRL shares his awesome 2012 Triple Threads relic book card featuring 6 Dodgers.  Awesome!
• Via William C. Rhoden at the New York Times, "Jackie Robinson’s Legacy Recedes on Baseball Rosters".

When Boston and St. Louis first faced each other in the World Series, in 1946, there wasn’t a single African-American in either dugout. As the Red Sox and the Cardinals meet again 67 years later, there is one.

• Via Matt Snyder at CBS, "Vegas odds: Dodgers are favorites to win 2014 World Series".  Wow, we are 5 to 1 favorites. 
• BTW, the MLB FanCave is coming for the 2014 season.  You must apply by November 8th.  Go here!
• This is your must read of the day.  Via Adrian Cardenas at The New Yorker, "Why I Quit Major League Baseball".

It was only after I quit that I wished I hadn’t always kept my head down, relentlessly climbing to reach the top of the game, to fulfill an American dream. I wish I had looked up more often, even at the cost some of my success. 

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Weekend Autograph Opportunities: DodgerFest -- Jaime Jarrin, Don Newcombe, Reggie Smith and More!

Here are this weekends autograph opportunities and events throughout the Southland. As always, be sure to check the Blue Heaven Calendar for other events (a link can always be found on the tab at the top of this page, just left of center), and always confirm with the establishment. Everything is subject to change.  Please email me with any tips about upcoming events in Southern California.  As the rest of the week progresses I'll update this post with other events (if there are any) as I become aware of them.  Also, I don't always list every event below, so be sure to check my Calendar.  I always try to favor free signing events over paying events.  Click on any pic to embiggen.

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This is a big autograph event.  Steve "Psycho" Lyons, Dennis Powell, Reggie Smith, Don Newcombe and Jaime Jarrin will be at Frank & Sons in the City of Industry.  Check out the flyers below.

Frank & Son Collectible Show
19649 East San Jose Avenue
City of Industry, California 91748

Parking and admission to the show is free!

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Dodgers Artwork at Hunt Auctions -- Including the Dodgers Sym-Phony Band & Willard Mullin

It is currently the 10th Anniversary of the Hunt's Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory Auction, and it is a doozy.  There's a bunch of great stuff; including a ton of Dodgers memorabilia.  Over the next few days I'll share my favorites.

In this post, I show some great Dodger themed artwork.

Below is an original drawing by famed editorial cartoonist Willard Mullin.  It was originally published in the April 22, 1957 edition of the New York World Telegram and features the lovable Dodger 'Bum' with his belongings packed up and ready for a move.  The street signs make note that nobody is sure exactly where the 'Bums' will headed the next season, but that doesn't stop the beloved mascot from singing a tune.  BTW, this drawing was released just days before Walter O'Malley's official announcement that the Dodgers would be moving Los Angeles.

T'that other jernt in Joisey
Where we opens up t'day...
Yez c'n try t'figure where
This time nex' May...
'Cause O'Malley's still a-yellin',
An' his verse is raised on high.
For he still thinks he is gonna have his way!

We're poor little Bums
Who have gone astray.
Ha!  Ha!  Ha!
But wait'll we opens up in L.A.
Ha!  Ha!  Ha!
Yez don't know nuttin' fum what this means,
Yez gets dizzy wit' shiftin' scenes,
Now Bob Moses has us in Queens!
Ha!  Ha!  Ha!

(auction link)

The next three paintings were done by New York artist Andy Jurinko.  He passed away in 2011.  Jurinko is noted for his female nudes and Baseball portraits of Golden Age ballplayers.  His book called 'Golden Boys' is a must have for Baseball art fans. 

Branch Rickey

(auction link)

The famed signing of Jackie Robinson with Branch Rickey at his side

(auction link)

This last one is my favorite.

The famous Dodgers Sym-Phony Band

(auction link)

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Blog Kiosk: 10/30/2013 - Dodgers Links - Ryu, Puig, Magic and a Fred Claire Interview

Here's a great vintage photo of Vin Scully interviewing Hall of Famer Stan Musial before a game in 1963, pic via Sports Illustrated (Neil Leifer/SI).

• The Dodgers got shutout in the Gold Glove Awards.  Oh, well!  Tony Jackson at Dodger Scribe has a rundown of the winners.  
• Check out a new Dodger/Card Collector blog called Chavez Raving.  The writer, Alex Markle, has started sharing some of his Dodger card collection, and is currently running a contest.
• Via Yonhap News Agency, "Dodgers' Ryu Hyun-Jin makes triumphant return home after strong rookie year ".
• Tim Dierkes at MLB Trade Rumors discusses the arbitration eligible Dodgers.
• Mark Saxon at ESPN writes, "Magic: Not 'lost season' for Dodgers".

"We're excited about what we're building and we're ahead of schedule," Johnson said in an appearance on 710 ESPNLA Tuesday. "I never thought we would get there that fast, to play in the [NLCS]. I was excited."

• Phil Stone at Dodger Scribe writes, "Puig’s Path To Further Major League Success".
• Jeff Pearlman at The Score interviews former Dodger GM Fred Claire.

They need to adjust to the game, Jeff. And there are three words that will help Puig adjust, once he understands what those three words mean. Joey Amalfitano – a life-long baseball man who I have great respect for – used the words a lot. The three words that Yasiel Puig needs to understand: Respect the game. Respect the game. And you don’t respect the game when you hit that ball to right field and stand there like it’s long gone. And even staring down the umpire in a moment of the championship series. This guy is a great, great talent, so yes, you need some patience, but it has to be a continual education, or this player is going to run into continual problems.

• Check out who was hanging out with Flea at the Lakers Opening Night game, pic via Beto Duran on twitter.

. @YasielPuig and #rhcp @flea333 before #Lakers game. Sweet @MagicJohnson shirt pic.twitter.com/bNbOKj9QWe
— Beto Duran (@DuranSports) October 30, 2013

• Panini America Offers a Detailed First Look at 2013 America’s Pastime Baseball.  Check out some Puig cards below.  This high-end set comes out in December.

• Via Eric Nussbaum at The Classical, "Pitchers & Poets: The Ritual Game: The Cardinal Way & Red Sox Nation are not so different".  (Hat Tip: via Orel at Sons of Steve Garvey)

But the history of baseball should not be read as a bible. Believing in something -- whether the cosmic splendor of the Red Sox, or the correctness of the Cardinal Way, or the inherent superiority of the game itself -- doesn’t make it true. Believing does, however, make the world easier to take, easier to understand. Believing gives a sense of order to things like game-ending obstruction calls and pickoff plays that would otherwise drive us insane. Believing makes David Ortiz make sense.

• Ummm.... Wow.  Via Jamie Shoemaker at TTF Baseball, "C.J. Wilson will spend his offseason photographing … Lisalla Montenegro".  She is his fiance, and she's gorgeous.
• Ben Marks at Collectors Weekly shares some not so politically correct vintage candy wrappers.  Wow!
• This is funny stuff.  Check out San Diego State Aztecs Baseball play their annual Halloween ballgame below.

Video Link:

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