Welcome to the Dodgers, Rob Segedin!

With all apologies to Adrian Gonzalez (who recorded his 300th career home run on Sunday), today belongs to Rob Segedin.  After more than six years of working, dreaming and toiling, Segedin finally had the opportunity to step onto a Major League field to prove that he belongs.  Based on yesterdays outcome, he just might find himself wearing "Blue" for longer than a "Cup of Coffee".  And to think, he almost retired from the game last year.  Per JP Hoornstra at the OC Register:

The 27-year-old utility player was contemplating retirement a year ago, when the New York Yankees demoted him from Triple-A to Double-A.

“It was my wife’s and my second anniversary,” he recalled. “I’d just got sent down. … I felt like I was going backward. Maybe the opportunity won’t come here. I was hoping to get my release and the Yankees were adamant about not giving it to me. Do I wait it out another year and a half and hope I get to free agency, or just hope that something happens?”

Rob Segedin's MLB Debut - 2016 Topps Now Card - #332

Rob Segedin has made quite an impression this season as a member of the Dodgers.  He originally came to Los Angeles earlier this year (January 2016) as a part of trade with the Yankees.  New York received two players the Dodgers had recently designated for assignment (Ronald Torreyes and Tyler Olson) and we got the 27-year-old hard-charging never-say-die veteran minor leaguer as compensation.

He started the season with the Oklahoma City Dodgers and proceeded to exceed all expectations.  In Triple-A he is slashing an impressive .319/.392/.598/.989 with 21 home runs, 69 RBI's and 23 doubles.  Naturally, with the Dodger in the midst of one of the worse injury plagued season in recent memory they decided to call him up to the "Bigs" for the first time in his career.

Again, he has exceeded expectations.  Segedin not only record his very first Major League hit in the fourth inning of yesterdays game, it also happened to score two runs to give the Dodgers a lead.  An inning later he came up again, with the bases loaded, to drive in another two runs.

Overall, he recorded two hits and drove in four runners to set a Dodgers franchise record for RBI's as a Dodger during a MLB Debut.  In honor of his fantastic first day Topps has issued a 2016 Topps Now card.  Go here to check it out and order.

UPDATE:  The print run for this card is 524 cards.

* Please follow on twitter @ernestreyes *

* Like Dodgers Blue Heaven on facebook *

* Dodgers Blue Heaven home page *

Blog Kiosk: 8/8/2016 - Dodgers Links - Honeycutt, Segedin and AGon!

Much like the Olympics in Rio, one record after another was set or surpassed this weekend at Dodger Stadium.  First, on Saturday rookie infielder Corey Seager hit his 31st double of the season; thereby setting a new Los Angeles Dodgers record for doubles by rookie.  He jumped over former Dodger first baseman Eric Karros, who established the record in 1992 during his Rookie of the Year season.  Per Ron Cervenka at Think Blue LA:

“It’s cool. The long history of the Dodgers it’s just cool to get in the books no matter how it is. It’s exciting for sure,” Seager said.

Then on Sunday Adrian Gonzalez become the 140th ballplayer in Major League history to hit 300 hoe runs.  Per Jack Baer at MLB.com:

"I've seen a lot of those homers with me and against me -- 300, that's a big number," manager Dave Roberts said. "He's a guy that is very underrated right now in his career and the stability that he brings to a club. To get that big hit for us, for us to get the extra insurance, but also for him personally, I think that he doesn't really thrive and care much about individual accomplishments, but that's a big number and a lot to be said for his career."

Far more surprising was the performance of longtime minor leaguer Rob Segedin.  After toiling for six years within the Yankees minor league system he finally got into his very first Major League game on Sunday, and he did not disappoint.  Segedin went two for three with a double and set a club record for with four RBI's during a Major League debut.  Per Jack Baer and Quinn Roberts at MLB.com:

"It was great to see him drive in a few runs, a couple big, huge hits," Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. "When you imagine a debut, 50,000 people, big hits and contributing to a huge win, players going crazy for him, it's something that he'll obviously remember. A non-roster invitee this spring and had a great year in Triple-A, he earned that opportunity and took advantage of it today."

Photos above via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2016.  Go here to check out more pics from the game by Jon.  Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodger History:  In 1957 Dodgers owner Walter O'Malley officially announced that the team would be moving to Los Angeles.  In 2000 Dodgers starting pitcher Darren Dreifort hit two home runs in a single game.  Infamously, on this same day a female couple was asked to to leave Dodger Stadium after being seen kissing.  They were told to never "set foot back on the premises" for "lewd behavior".  My, have times changed.

Phillies Series Starts Monday - Stadium Giveaways, Pregame Info and Other Stuff!

The next homestand starts Monday evening against the Philadelphia Phillies. Below are some odds and ends for this upcoming homestand.

The Philly Cheesesteak Dog will be available for this homestand only against the Phillies at the Extreme Loaded Dog concession areas located on the field, loge and reserve levels. It features an all-beef hot dog topped with griddled steak, caramelized onions with provolone cheese on an Italian roll.

The ninth 2016 issue of the new Dodger Insider magazine, featuring Howie Kendrick on the cover, will be available at Dodger Stadium.  (see it on the left).  The Dodgers merged their previously separate Playbill and Dodger Insider magazines into one publication (at least 80 pages per issue) with a new edition available each homestand.  They are distributed at auto gates (one per vehicle) and via Fan Services for those who use alternate transportation.  

---------------

Monday, August 8th at 7:10 PM
RHP Zach Eflin vs. LHP Julio Urías
SNLA / AM 570 (Eng.), KTNQ 1020 AM (Span.)

Memorabilia from Walter Alston's Estate at SCP Auction - Some Random Awesomeness

Here is a final look at some collectibles within the Walter Alton Collection sale at SCP Auctions, and I thought I'd begin with the above game-used equipment once belonging to Hall of Fame catcher Roy Campanela.  As a part of the auction descriptions for both lots shown above (Auction Link here and Auction Link Here):

Of all the players Walter Alston’s granddaughter Kim Ogle got to know growing up in the Dodgers family, her strongest bond was formed with Roy Campanella. Stoutly built in her youth, Kim favored the catcher position as a player herself. Her physical traits, style of play, and affection for her Dodgers hero earned her the nickname “Little Campy”.  Big Campy, knowing Kim from his many visits to the Alston home in Oxford, Ohio as well as her presence in the dugout and on the field as Grandpa would allow, returned her affection. As a token of that affection Campanella presented his young admirer with his glove, offered here, and his full set of catchers gear, offered in the following lot.
...
It was during a visit to spring training in 1959 that Kim was presented these items from Campanella directly. 

2016 Topps Chrome - The Rest of the Dodgers Cards

Here is a last look at the Dodgers cards found in packs of 2016 Topps Chrome Baseball packs.  Below are all of the insert and autograph cards that are available.  Go here to check out all of my past post on this set.

Rookie Autographs

#RA-CS Corey Seager                     #RA-FM Frankie Montas