A 2016 Topps Now Card for Chris Taylor's Grand Slam Effort - #252

Rookie infielder Chris Taylor had a legendary night at the plate.  In fact, it was so great he ended up putting himself in the Dodgers record books.  In a three for five night, Taylor recorded a double, triple and a grand slam.  Furthermore, his homer was the first time in Los Angeles Dodgers history, and fourth time in franchise history, that a Dodger recorded his first Major League home run as a grand slam.  Per Ken Gurnick at MLB.com:

"Mentally, it's big to have a game like this, especially early in my season as far as the big leagues," he said. "The biggest thing is for my confidence and to help me relax and play free like I did at Triple-A."

In honor of his fantastic evening Topps is making a 2016 Topps Now card that you can now order.  Go here to check it out.

UPDATE:  The print run for this card is 260.

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Blog Kiosk: 7/16/2016 - Dodgers Links - Ethier, Thompson and Chris Taylor's Big Night

Chris Taylor had a heck of a game last night.  The young infielder went 3 for 5 with a double, triple, grand slam, for his first career home run and six RBI's.  Per Ken Gurnick at MLB.com:

Taylor became the first Los Angeles Dodger, and only the fourth in franchise history, whose first Major League home run was a grand slam. The others are Chico Fernandez (1956), Irv Palica (1950) and Preston Ward (1948).

"That's pretty cool, that's awesome," Taylor said.

In eight inning of the game Chris came up to the plate with an opportunity to record an elusive cycle.  He was just a single short.  The last time a Dodger had done it was Orlando Hudson in 2009 against the Giants in the home opener.  Having proven his muscle with the bat Taylor attempted to sneak a bunt single past the deep infield on the left side.  Unfortunately, he just missed getting it past a sprawling pitcher, who eventually threw him out.

"I thought it was a good time," said Taylor. "They had the third baseman back and it's always been part of my game, regardless of the hits. In that situation again, I'd try it again. Unfortunately I didn't have good angle and the pitcher made a nice play."

The photos above via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2016.  Go here to check out a bunch of more pics by Jon from yesterdays game.  Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodger History: In 1948 Brooklyn released their manager, Leo Durocher, so that he may become the skipper for the Giants.  Burt Shotten would take over the managerial sport for Brooklyn.

2016 Topps Tribute - The 2016 Rookies, Relic, Prime Patches Cards

Now that you've seen the base cards below are the two Dodger players found within the 2016 Rookies insert set and some of the relics.  Go here to check out my previous post on this set.

2016 ROOKIES

#16R-2 Corey Seager                         #16R-10 Kenta Maeda

An Ebbets Field Blueprint at Goldin Auctions

I am oftentimes drawn to the unique.  So when I first saw the above blueprint I was smitten.  Featured above, via Goldin Auctions current summer offering (auction link here), is a circa 1952 seating diagram of Ebbets Field in Brooklyn.  In fact, it includes two different drawings, one on each side, showing both the lower and upper tiers of seats. 

According to the auction description it was originally found within the collection of a local NY tavern owner who counted many Brooklyn players as patrons, and was acquired by the consignor from a legendary dealer named Alan "Mr. Mint" Rosen.  Many of us old-timers will remember that fellow for his grandiose declarations of wealth - kind of like a hobby version of a Donald Trump without the baggage of racist underpinnings and numerous corporate bankruptcies.

This blueprint would look fantastic in a nice frame, and would be even cooler if it were double-sided.  That way you could flip it around whenever you wanted a different look on the wall. 

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Blog Kiosk: 7/15/2016 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

As a final goodbye to All-Star weekend I thought I'd put up this fantastic vintage photograph of Jackie Robinson congratulating Stan "the Man" Musial on the plate after hitting an homer in the first inning of the 1949 All-Star Game in Brooklyn.  The photo was originally tweeted by @OTBaseballPhotos.

The American League eventually bested the National League, 11-7.  Jackie was 1-4 with a walk, a double and three runs scored.  Pee Wee Reese went an unheralded 0-5 with a walk.  Gil Hodges batted 1-3 with a run scored.  Roy Campanella would go 0-2 with a walk.  Preacher Roe pitched a scoreless inning in relief.  Lastly, Don Newcombe took the loss, as he threw 2.2 innings, gave up two runs on three hits and recorded one walk.  He did not strike out a batter, though, Don did get an RBI on a sacrifice fly in the second inning.  Check out the boxscore here.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodger History:  In 1955 Dodgers hurler Don Newcombe hit his sixth home run of the season as a pitcher, tying a National League record.  He would eventually finish the year with seven home runs.  In 1995 rookie pitcher Hideo Nomo won his seventh straight decision in a game against the Florida Marlins.  In 2004 Eric Gagne set the Dodgers career mark for saves with 130 against the Arizona Diamondbacks.

2016 All-Star Game FanFest Promos - The Dodgers Collectibles

Now that all of the festivities surrounding the All-Star Game are done I thought I'd take a quick look at the handful of Dodgers-related freebees given out during the FanFest in San Diego.  As you likely know, Topps was there to greet fans and they had plenty of cardboard to hand out.  Go here or here for a brief checklist and details about their giveaways.  If I happen to miss anything please let me know.

Once again they had a wrapper redemption program, and one of the cards available in the seven-card set features Clayton Kershaw.  Check it out below.  Other players in the set include Bryce Harper, Buster Posey, David Ortiz, Kris Bryant, Matt Kemp and Mike Trout. 

#ASG-2 Clayton Kershaw