Gonzo's Walk-Off Double Against Gints - 2016 Topps Now - #480

I feel like last nights glorious come-from-behind walk-off victory has been overshadowed by that angry bench-clearing incident started by an unstable Giants pitcher.  And that's a shame.

Fortunately, Topps hasn't forgotten what's really important.  Available, starting today, is a Topps Now card featuring Adrian Gonzalez and his thrilling double off the glove of Giants outfielder Hunter Pence.  Per the description on the reverse.

In another epic installment of Madison Bumgarner against Clayton Kershaw, the San Francisco Giants looked poised for victory.  Bumgarner left the game after seven brilliant innings, in which he allowed just one hit and struck out ten batters.  The game entered the ninth with the Giants leading, 1-0, but the Los Angeles Dodgers would rally.  Andrew Toles and Corey Seager singled, and then Justin Turner drove in Toles with his own single to tie the game.  Adrian Gonzalez then capped off the comeback with a double to score Seager for the walk-off win.

Go here to check it out and order.

UPDATE:  The print run for this card is 233.

* Please follow on twitter @ernestreyes *

* Like Dodgers Blue Heaven on facebook *

* Dodgers Blue Heaven home page *

Don't Look At Me!

Here is my feeble attempt at meme creating. 

* Please follow on twitter @ernestreyes *

* Like Dodgers Blue Heaven on facebook *

* Dodgers Blue Heaven home page *

Blog Kiosk: 9/20/2016 - Dodgers Links - Kershaw, Scully and a Giant Petulant Child

What I think we witnessed last night... not the come-from-behind thrilling walk-off victory... was the last remnants of an failing ballclub that saw its leader, its "Ace", an emotionally riddled miscreant, fall apart in an incomprehensible meltdown. 

"Don't look at me!"

That's the scream of a petulant child.  Per Doug Padilla at ESPN:

"It definitely motivates us and it seems to be a distraction to have this problem in their head," Puig said through an interpreter. "They weren't able to pitch the way they were pitching and he had to leave the game."

Folks just need to understand something.  Puig may be an flamboyant man-child, but Bumgarner is unhinged and in serious need of anger management counseling.  Per Jack Baer and Chris Haft at MLB.com:

"That wasn't Puig's fault," Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw said. "Kind of looked like [Bumgarner] was saying don't look at him. We all know Bum's pretty intense out there, but he definitely stirred the fire on that one. He was asking for it. I don't know what he expected to happen."

What did happen was a 2-1 walk-off victory for the good guys.  BTW, Clayton Kershaw was fantastic, save an wild pitch in the third inning, in his six innings.  He recorded seven strike outs, one walk and three hits with 88 pitches thrown.  Photo above via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2016.  Go here to check out more pics from Jon from yesterdays game.  Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodger History:  In 1907 the Dodgers are no-hit by Pirates rookie Nick Maddox, 2-1. In 1959 the Dodgers and Giants play the last ballgame ever at San Francisco's Seals Stadium.. The Dodgers defeated the Giants 8-2.  In 1993 Dave Hanson broke the Dodgers franchise record for pinch hits in a season at 18.  In 2011 Clayton Kershaw becomes the first Dodger twenty game winner since Ramon Martinez in 1990.  He defeats the Giants 2-1.  BTW, DodgerFilms was there and shared a video that you can watch here.
• Happy Birthday, Chuck Dressen!  He was born 122 years ago today.

Bid on a Scully Baseball - In Benefit of LADF

Many moons ago I got lucky.  I was visiting Dodgertown one spring over ten years ago, and decided to linger around Holman Stadium after a game.  To my surprise, a line had formed near the press box area after much of the crowd had left for the exits, and standing there was Vin Scully greeting and signing for everyone in line.

How fortuitous, I thought.  I had learned from other autograph hounds that you have to leave games early in order to get anything signed from escaping ballplayers.  So, that was my mode that week.  But, for whatever reason I didn't do that during one afternoon game.  Instead, I walked around and sought to enjoy the ambiance (as if on an quixotic search for Baseball meaning).  For daydreaming, I was able to get a Vin Scully autograph on an Baseball.  Today, it remains a prized treasure in my collection.

Unfortunately, instances like that are few and far between for Dodger fans these day.  Vin Scully is the toughest and most "in-demand" autograph in the hobby, so good luck trying to get his autograph. Worst yet, I find that many of his signatures found online are not real (in my opinion).

So what's a fan to do, eh?

Fortunately, the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation has a solution.  Available for auction is a real Vin Scully autographed Baseball and all proceeds from its sale will go to a good cause.  Go here to check it out. 

* Please follow on twitter @ernestreyes *

* Like Dodgers Blue Heaven on facebook *

* Dodgers Blue Heaven home page *

Blog Kiosk: 9/19/2016 - Dodgers Links - Kazmir, Jansen, Turner and the Champion Loons

Congratulations to the Dodgers Single-A affiliate Great Lakes Loons on their Midwest League Championship series win over the Clinton LumberKings last night.  This achievement marks their first championship in their ten-year history.  The game itself was highlighted by an five-run come-from-behind sixth inning that gave the Loons a lead they never would relinquished.  Per Hugh Bernreuter at MLive:

"I think the tough times in the first half made it possible for us to persevere in games like this," Loons manager Gil Velazquez said. "Winning a championship in the minor leagues means something.

"They learned how to play when the pressure is off the charts. They learned how to come through and play big in tough situations. They played in a playoff situation and succeeded. It shows what they're made of. They carry that for the rest of their lives."

Hopefully, many of them will carry the experience learned there to the Dodgers.  Photo above via Great Lakes Loons on twitter.  Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodger History:  In 2000 a Dodger fan, in addition to other court-ordered restrictions, has been banned from attending home games in Los Angeles for 18 months. The irate patron threw coffee in the face of a Mets fan who was cheering a grand slam hit by New York's catcher Todd Pratt.
• Happy Birthday, Charlie Haeger, Joe Ferguson and Duke Snider!

Seager Sets Dodger Rookie Hit Record - 2016 Topps Now - #471

Corey Seager has far exceeded expectations.  Sure, many knew he'd be good, but I doubt anyone expected the results we've been enjoying so far. As a 22-year old Seager has not only entered into this seasons MVP discussions but has also surpassed numerous Dodger records in the process.  So far he has broken franchise marks for home runs by a shortstop, doubles by a rookie, and now has just passed Steve Sax for hits by a rookie with 181.  Corey said this about the new achievement passed, per Ken Gurnick and Jake Rill atMLB.com:

"It's another cool one, but kind of has to get put on the back burner until the offseason while we still have to keep winning games," said Seager.

In honor of this Topps has issued his fifth Topps Now card of the year.  Go here to check it out and order.  Below is what is written on the reverse:

Corey Seager recorded two hits against the Arizona Diamondbacks during their September 17th matchup.  The two hits were significant in that they set a Los Angeles Dodgers single-season, franchise record for most hits by a rookie (181).  One of those hits was a single, while the other was a triple, and Seager finished with a 2-for-4 line with two runs scored en route to a 6-2 win for the Dodgers.

UPDATE:  The print run for this card is 696 copies.

* Please follow on twitter @ernestreyes *

* Like Dodgers Blue Heaven on facebook *

* Dodgers Blue Heaven home page *