2016 Topps Holiday Baseball Box - All the Dodgers Cards

I guess this special edition set is a clear sign that the holidays are finally upon us.

Featured here are all the Dodgers cards found in the Walmart exclusive 2016 Topps Baseball Holiday Box.  This unique box includes ten Holiday packs that feature a 200-card holiday themed set.  As you can see in the photos below, every base card includes snowflakes on the corners.  Go here for a complete checklist.

Unfortunately, I have yet to see any of the Dodger autographed cards, so a checklist is provided instead.  I'll update this post with pics once see them.

Base

#HMW26 Julio Urias                          #HMW74 Clayton Kershaw

Blog Kiosk: 11/21/2016 - Dodgers Links - Gretzky, Scully, Agon and Kershaw's New Baby!

This past Saturday was Adrian Gonzalez's 2nd Annual Bat4Hope Celebrity Softball Game in benefit of PADRES Contra El Cancer at Dodger Stadium.  As you can see, Joc Pederson joined him, along with Austin Barnes.  Go here to learn more about PADRES Contra El Cancer .

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

• This Day in Dodgers History:  In 1952 Dodgers hurler Joe Black is named the Rookie of the Year.  In 1956 Don Newcombe won both the NL MVP and the Cy Young Award (the first ever awarded).  
• Happy Birthday, Andy High and Tripp Cromer!

2016 Panini Prime Cuts Baseball - All the Dodgers Insert Cards

Here is a listing of all the Dodgers insert cards found in packs of 2016 Panini Prime Cuts Baseball.  Unfortunately, I do not have photos for all of them, and will add them as they come up.  Furthermore, ignore the numbering indicated below.  For whatever stupid reason Panini does not provide accurate details about how they number these cards in the checklist they provide to the hobby.  Why?  I dunno.  It's just one of many things that is starting to annoy me about them.

Biography Relics

#16 Don Drysdale                                #19 Adrian Beltre

Blog Kiosk: 11/18/2016 - Dodgers Links - Reddick, Seager, Vin Scully and Sandy Koufax

As noted below, 50 years ago today, in 1966, Sandy Koufax officially announced his retirement from Baseball.  Above is a photograph from the press conference, via @Dodgers_History on twitter.  During the press conference he was asked, why?

The Question is why?

I don't know if cortisone is good for you or not.

But... to take a shot before every other ballgame is more than I wanted to do ... and to walk around with a constant upset stomach because of the pills... and to be high half of the time during the ballgames because your taking pain killers... I don't want to have to do that.

Go here to watch a portion of the press conference on YouTube.  Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History:  In 1949 Jackie Robinson is named the NL MVP.  He slashed .342/.432/.528/.960 while recording 203 hits, hitting 16 home runs, driving in 124 runners, swiping a league high 37 bases and striking out only 27 times.  In 1966 Sandy Koufax announced his retirement from the game after a twelve year Major League career due to increasing pain in his arthritic left elbow. 
• Happy Birthday, Wilkin Ruan, Gary Sheffield, Ron Coomer, Gene Mauch, Jack Coombs and Deacon McGuire!

2016 Panini Prime Cuts Baseball - The Dodgers Base Cards

Here is a look at most of the Dodgers' base cards found in packs of 2016 Panini Prime Cut Baseball.  As you may know, this is a premium product that will cost you about $200 for a box of five cards -- all of which are hits (an autograph, relic or both).  Go here for a complete checklist.

As always, this set has no team logos since Panini America does not have a MLB license.  So, all of the photos with the players in uniform are airbrushed -- which at times can look really weird.

Check out the Dodgers' players below.   I will have pics of the inserts cards (most of them) tomorrow.

Prime Cut Rookie Autographs

RC Autographs I

#4 Ross Stripling

Blog Kiosk: 11/17/2016 - Dodgers Links - Tsao, Seager and Clayton Kershaw

Are you as eager for the start of Spring Training as I am?

The merciless doldrums of winter has finally set in, and all I can do to assuage my boredom is troll the web for reminders of spring.  Hence, the playful vintage press photo from the United Press, dated March 5, 1956 from Vero Beach, Florida, that you see above.  It features three Williams' in Brooklyn Dodger Blue.  Best of all, the middle Williams appears to be totally unaware of a little prank being played on him.  Photo originally found on eBay (Auction Link).  Per the write-up on the reverse:

"ANYBODY CALL FOR "WILLIAMS?" Vero Beach, Fla: Three gents who have the same last name --Williams-- at the Dodger training camp form a unique trio...and they are not related.  They are: (left to right) outfielder Dick Williams; catcher Don Williams; and pitcher Stan Williams.  Dick and Stan form "W" with their fingers over Don's head.".

Below are more links to check out:

• Happy Birthday, Sam Post, Lew McCarty, George Stallings & Brad Havens!