2013 Heritage High Numbers Set - the Dodgers Base Cards

For the second year in a row, Topps released a Heritage High Numbers box set directly to collectors.  All you have to do is go to their online store to order directly from them.  Last year, the print run for the update set was set at 1,000.  I am uncertain if this years set is that limited.  All I do know is that, as of this posting, sets are still available for sale through Topps.  Go here to check it out.

The High Numbers set caps off the entire 2013 Heritage brand.  It includes rookies and ballplayers that the original Heritage set left out.  Go here to see an entire checklist.

Only 4 Dodgers are in the base set.  Check them out below.  BTW, the Puig card is already selling between $25 to $35 a piece on eBay.  Also, there are 3 autographed Dodgers cards, but I have to see any.  As soon as I do, I will post them up.  The 3 autographed cards are for Hyun-Jin Ryu (likely a redemption, #ROA-HR), Paco Rodriguez (#ROA-PR) and Yasiel Puig (#ROA-YP).

#H503 Hyun-Jin Ryu                             #H526 Matt Magill

#H527 Juan Uribe                               #H584 Yasiel Puig

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Blog Kiosk: 11/27/2013 - Dodgers Links - An Interview with Jansen, Jeff Kent and Cruz to Japan

Here's a vintage photo of the construction work being done to build Dodger Stadium at Chavez Ravine.  It was posted up by a twitter account called @Dodgers_History.  You should check them out. They've recently put up a bunch of vintage stadium pics from Brooklyn and LA.

• Via Amanda Rykoff at The Outside Corner, "Curaçao Baseball Week 2013: Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen stays humble".  Here's an interview with our closer.

Amanda Rykoff: You switched from catcher to power pitcher. What was the adjustment like for you?

Kenley Jansen: It was a tough decision back then. To me I feel like it was a life learning experience. I almost wanted to quit and I wanted to ask for my release. I was almost suspended. Talking to my family and all these people and I decided to give it a try. And now today -- it took me a year to be in the major leagues -- and today I’m a closer just doing it.

• Via Bryan Hoch at MLB.com, "Mattingly realistic when it comes to Hall chances".

"My first year of eligibility, I pretty much knew I wasn't going to make it or anything," Mattingly told ESPN earlier this year. "I don't pay that much attention to it, to be honest with you. It's to the point now where it comes up and you're like, 'Oh, it's over,' and you go on."

• In other HOF ballot news, Jeff Kent is on the ballot for the first time.  Via Chris Haft at MLB.com, "Team success mattered most to Hall candidate Kent".

"When the bell rang for me, I was fighting to win," said Kent, who hit 377 home runs and captured the National League Most Valuable Player Award in 2000 with the Giants. "All I wanted to do was win. I knew that if I focused on winning, I would be OK. And it worked out that way."

• Panini America is reviving the Donruss Baseball card brand.  Via Chris Olds at Beckett, he shares some preview pics for 2014 Donruss Baseball cards; including the Yasiel Puig card on the right.
• Via Greg Zakwin at Yahoo, "The Biggest Turkey in Los Angeles Dodgers History: Frank McCourt".
• Night Owl Cards proves once again why it's one of the best Baseball card hobby blogs around.  Check out his latest post, "If you can't join 'em count 'em", that ranks Baseball cards sets by highest percentage of mustached ballplayers. 
• Skip Schumaker has signed a 2-year contract to play for the Reds, via USA Today.
• Via AM570, listen to Ned Colletti tell Petros and Money what made this season so tough.
• An old friend alert!  Via Steve Adams at MLB Trade Rumors, Luis Cruz goes to Japan - "Luis Cruz Signs With Chiba Lotte Marines".

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UPDATED!: Thanksgiving Weekend Autograph Opportunities: Dodgers 2013 Holiday Mall Tour with Landreaux, Wills, Sax, Garvey and Yeager

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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The Dodgers 2013 Holiday Mall Tour continues this weekend with Steve Garvey & Steve Sax appearing at the Westfield Promenade in the San Fernando Valley on Friday, and Steve Garvey & Steve Yeager in West Covina.  There is also a post-Thanksgiving Blue Friday sale at Dodger Stadium - at the Top of the Park Store with special guest signing appearances.  On Friday Saturday, Kenny Landreaux will be there, and on Saturday Sunday Maury Wills will be signing autographs. 

Go here for more information, or go here for my most recent updates on this mall tour.  BTW, these are free autograph appearances.

Friday, November 29th to Sunday, November 1st -- Blue Friday sale at Dodger Stadium

Dodger Stadium - Top of the Park
1000 Elysian Park Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Friday 11/29 - BLUE FRIDAY! thru Sunday 12/1
10am-5pm
Players: UPDATED!

• Al “The Bull” Ferrara on Friday the 29th: Time 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM;

• Ken Landreaux on Friday the 29th Saturday the 30th: Time 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM; 

• Maury Wills on Saturday the 30th Sunday the 1st: Time 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM

Friday, November 29th-Black Friday at Westfield Promenade!

Westfield Topanga Promenade - Level 2 by AMC
6100 Topanga Canyon Blvd
San Fernando Valley, CA 91367
11am-6pm
Players: UPDATED!

• Steve Garvey: Time: 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM 

• Steve Sax: Time: 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM 3:30 PM to 5:00 PM

Saturday, November 30th at Westfield West Covina Mall

Plaza West Covina - Sears Court Level 2
112 Plaza Drive
West Covina, CA 91790
11am-6pm
Players:

• Steve Garvey: Time 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM 

• Steve Yeager: Time: 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM
  

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Dodgers Vintage Memorabilia at SCP Auctions - Jackie, Duke and Pedro Guerrero

SCP Auctions is back at it again with their 2013 Fall Premier Auction.  It includes some great vintage memorabilia; including a Jesse Owen's 1936 Gold Medal, the Goose Gossage Collection, and the Warren Moon Collection.  It also has a nice grouping of vintage Dodger goodies to gawk over.  Check out my favorites, below.

This is a Salesman Sample of a 1955 Brooklyn Dodgers Duke Snider World Series Championship ring.  Since the real thing would be far too expensive, this ring is a nice alternative.

(Auction Link)

Below is Pedro Guerrero's 1981 World Series trophy.

BTW, Pedro Guerrero is looking for a coaching job, so if you think a batter once described as the best hitter God ever made can help you, then you should seek him out.

(Auction Link)

This next item is just plain awesome.  Featured below is a 1949 game-used Jackie Robinson bat.  It is 1 of only 2 known from this year (he won the MVP), and it is expected to sell for a fortune. 

(Auction Link)

This next item has been attributed to from Jackie Robinson.  It is a 1950's era Dodgers jacket.  Per the auction description:

The jacket carries with it several Letters of Authenticity, including the principal one from a man who played in the minor leagues at the time of Robinson's retirement. Ultimately part of the Dodgers' minor-league organization, his letter attests that as part of the well-documented practice of major league teams shuttling big-league uniforms into their minor-league affiliates, he was issued this warmup jacket along with Robinson's No. 42 uniform while playing for Brooklyn's Single-A club at Macon.

(Auction Link)

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Blog Kiosk: 11/26/2013 - Dodgers Links - A Mattingly Monument, Guerrero Back on Friday and Haren Happy to Be Home

Check out the Dugout Wizard with Ol' Blue Eyes in the photo above.

• Via Ballpark Digest, "Isotopes Park wins 2013 Field of the Year".
• Via the Kansas City Star, "Don Mattingly's Ind. hometown toasts his career".  Pic at right: WFIE 14News.

Mattingly visited Garvin Park's youth baseball field in Evansville on Saturday to help dedicate the monument, which includes the inscription, "It all started here."

• Alexander Guerrero has been absent from his Winter League team - Gigantes Del Cibao - in order to nurse a leg injury.  Via Gigantes Del Cibao's twitter, he'll be coming back on Friday.

Alexander Guerrero regresa a Roster este viernes frente a @aguilascibaenas. #apujarpormisgigantes. Se oye!!!
— Gigantes Del Cibao (@GigantesSFM) November 25, 2013

• Via Dan Wohl at Cut4, "Watch Hyun-Jin Ryu play insane CGI-aided baseball on a Korean game show".  I saw this over the weekend, and I couldn't stop watching.  Although I couldn't understand a word, I found it hilarious.  It's like a real life Baseball video game.
• There is no doubt Haren is excited to be a Dodger, via a @Dodgers tweet.

"I came to a lot of (Dodger) games as a kid. It means so much to my family and I to come back to Southern California." -Dan Haren
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) November 26, 2013

• Via Eric Stephen at True Blue LA, "Dan Haren happy to be close to home".

"We've been looking for a starting pitcher, and we've been looking for someone we could lean on to provide starts and innings," Colletti said. "He's from the area and understands the Dodgers tradition.

• The Masahiro Tanaka auction appears to be coming soon.  Via Ben Badler at Baseball America, "Negotiations Continue For Posting System With Japan".

At some point soon, the sides are expected to reach an agreement, which would clear a path for Tanaka to jump to MLB, if the Rakuten Ealges agree to post him. Tanaka, 25, would be the top pitcher available on the market, as several teams project Tanaka as a No. 2 starter in the majors and see him stepping into that role immediately. 

• Via Dayn Perry at CBS Sports, "Just because: The greatest bullpen car of all-time".

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Done Deal - Dan Haren is a Dodger!

Dan Haren has passed his physical, so the deal announced through the grapevine last night is now official.  The Dodgers have signed free agent starting pitcher Dan Haren to a $10 Million, 1-year contract; with an option for 2015 that vest if he pitches more than 180 innings this coming season.

Jon Heyman at CBS Sports provides more details about the new contract.

haren has bonuses for innings pitched & games started starting at 150 IPs and 24 GS that could total $3M in '14 (& in '15)
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeymanCBS) November 25, 2013

Overall, there isn't much to dislike about the contract.  It's short in length, and although it's a bit pricey for a #5 pitcher, it's not out of line with what he brings to the table.  He gives us needed insurance in case both Beckett and Billingsley are unable to perform as desired.

Per a Dodger press release:

The Los Angeles Dodgers today announced the signing of right-handed pitcher Dan Haren to a one-year contract. The announcement was made by Dodger General Manager Ned Colletti.

“Dan brings experience as a winner to our club and rotation,” said Colletti. “He has made 30 or more starts for nine straight seasons and has won 10 or more games for nine straight as well. Last year, his second half was among the best in the National League.”

As a member of the Nationals’ staff, Haren was one of the game’s top pitchers from July 27 through the conclusion of the season, sporting a 6-3 record with a 3.14 ERA (25 ER/71.2 IP) and holding opponents to a .224 batting average, which ranked as the sixth-best mark in the NL during that span (min. 70. IP). In that stretch, the right-hander made seven starts of 6.0 or more innings while allowing zero or one run.  On the season, Haren went 10-14 with a 4.67 ERA in 31 games (30 GS) for Washington.

Haren, 33, enters his 12th Major League season in 2014 after pitching for the Cardinals (2003-04), Athletics (2005-07), Diamondbacks (2008-10), Angels (2010-12) and Nationals (2013) in his career. Haren was selected to three consecutive All-Star teams with Oakland in 2007 and Arizona in 2008 and 2009, earning the start for the American League in the 2007 Midsummer Classic.

In the course of his career, Haren is 129-111 with a 3.74 ERA in 327 career games (316 starts) and has posted double-digit win totals in his last nine seasons, ranking among the Major League leaders in quality starts (194, 1st), innings (1927.2, 2nd), wins (123, 4th) and strikeouts (1661, 4th) since 2005. Haren is among the game’s best when it comes to limiting walks, as the 6-5, 215-pounder ranks first among active pitchers with 1.87 walks-per-nine innings and his 4.08 strikeout-to-walk ratio ranks third all-time in the live-ball era (min. 1500 IP). The 11-year veteran also ranks among active pitchers in opponents’ on-base percentage (.295, 4th) and baserunners per nine innings (10.92, 7th).

From 2005-11, Haren surpassed 30 or more starts and 210.0 innings in each season, posting career bests in ERA (3.07, 2007), a Major League-best 35 starts in 2010, complete games (4, 2011), shutouts (3, 2011), innings pitched (238.1, 2011), strikeouts (223, 2009) and an NL-best 1.00 WHIP and 5.87 strikeouts-to-walk ratio in 2009.

Haren has also appeared in the postseason twice, in 2004 as a member of the Cardinals and 2006 with the Athletics, posting a 2-0 record with a 3.26 ERA (7 ER/19.1 IP) in seven career postseason contests (2 GS).

Haren, who was born in Monterey Park, graduated from Bishop Amat High School in La Puente and played collegiately at Pepperdine University, where he won West Coast Conference Player of the Year honors as a junior in 2001. Haren was originally selected by St. Louis in the second round of the 2001 First-Year Player Draft.  

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