2016 Bowman Draft Picks & Prospects - All the Dodgers Cards

Last week saw the release of Topps 2016 Bowman Draft Picks & Prospects set, and as always it's filled with a bunch of Dodger farmhands; including first licensed cards for Gavin Lux, DJ Peters, Will Smith and Jordan Sheffield (although, Sheffield does have several Team USA cards).  Go here to check out a complete checklist.  Below are all of the Dodger cards that can be found in packs.

Base

#BD-67 Gavin Lux

Thanks for Staying Blue, Kenley Jansen!

Dodger fans can finally rejoice.  Per various reports, particularly a tweet by Jim Bowden, the Dodgers have apparently agreed to terms with free agent closer and the teams all-time saves leader Kenley Jansen to a long-term deal.

Jansen and Dodgers agree on 5yr $80m deal according to Dodgers source confirmed.

— Jim Bowden (@JimBowden_ESPN) December 12, 2016

It is thought, after getting married over this past weekend in Curaçao, that he'll be able to come to Los Angels this week to finalize the details.  Per Andy McCullough at the LA Times:

When the Dodgers left the Winter Meetings last week, a sense of pessimism pervaded their negotiations with closer Kenley Jansen. He was reportedly weighing a five-year, $80-million offer from Miami, and it was unclear if the Dodgers would match it.

The weekend provided an answer. The Dodgers have reached an agreement with Jansen on those same terms, according to people familiar with the situation. The people requested anonymity because the contract was not finalized.

Obviously, this has yet to be confirmed; nevertheless, I'm gonna celebrate anyway.  In honor of his soon-to-be signing I made the above two fantasy Baseball cards of him.  At the very top is a 1956 Topps Baseball card design with a photograph originally taken by Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2015.  On the above right is a 1952 Topps card design with another pic by Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2016.

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Blog Kiosk: 12/12/2016 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Duke Snider gives in to the paparazzi and finally shows them some leg.  Featured above is a vintage 1955 International News press photo of "The Duke" sharing his knee warp after Game 6 of the World Series.  (eBay Auction Link) Per the descriptor on the reverse:

Dodgers' Duke of Swat, Duke Snider, shows his bandaged knee top press photographers in the Dodger dressing room after the sixth World Series game today which the Yankees took 5-1 to even the series 3-3.  Snider told reporters: "It's my left knee that's hurt, the one I pivot on, but I'll play tomorrow of it doesn't stiffen up."  Snider twisted the knee chasing a Skowron fly and left the game after the third inning.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History:  In 1941 the Dodgers traded for soon to be Hall of Famer Arky Vaughan with the Pirates in exchange for Pete Coscarart, Luke Hamlin, Babe Phelps and Jimmy Wasdell.  In 1998 the Dodgers signed free agent starting pitcher Kevin Brown to a seven year $105 million contract.  In 2012 the Dodgers received Skip Schumaker in a trade with the Cardinals -- sending Jake Lemmerman to St. Louis in return.
• Happy Birthday, Phenomenal Smith, Derrell Griffith & Orlando Hudson!

Welcome Back to the Blue, Alanna Rizzo!

We received word earlier this morning that the Dodgers have re-signed a trusted and important friend to Dodger fans everywhere (at least to fans who can watch the team on television).  Announced today, via a tweet from Alanna Rizzo, was the formal re-signing of Mrs. Rizzo to the Dodgers/SportsNet LA broadcasting team.

2016 Topps Transcendent - All the Dodgers Cards

The most expensive set/box of cards ever produced has now officially been released.  It is called 2016 Topps Transcendent and it features pure Baseball card gluttony.  With a suggested retail price of $25,000 per suitcase (as seen above), but available directly from Topps at $22,000 each (link here), it includes 55 limited edition autographed cards (three of which through a redemption -- including Corey Seager), a couple of unique complete sets, a "1 of 1" sketch card, and an exclusive invitation to a Topps 65th Anniversary Celebration in Las Vegas with NL MVP Kris Bryant.  Go here for more information.  Only 65 suitcases are available.  Also, check out this Blowout Buzz post featuring a suitcase/box break of this product (link here).

The jewel of this set is clearly the Vin Scully card.  This is Scully's 3rd autographed Topps Baseball card released this year.  Below are pics of the Dodger autographed cards that have been shared so far.  As stated above, Corey Seager is available only through a redemption card.  Also, it appears that there are two different Kenta Maeda autographed cards. 

Transcendent Collection Autographs

• #TCA-CS Corey Seager  -- via redemption card

#TCA-CK Clayton Kershaw

Blog Kiosk: 12/9/2016 - Dodgers Links - Valentine, Urias, Turner and Sandy Koufax

Once upon a time, Sandy Koufax moonlighted as an actor.  He wasn't a particularly good one, mind you, but he did get quite a few Hollywood roles; especially after leading the Los Angeles Dodgers to a World Series Championship in 1959. Heck, he and many of his teammates suddenly became the toast of the town, and producers quickly came knocking on their doors.

(Koufax with Dorothy Provine)

Featured above is a vintage 1959 ABC promotional photograph that shows Sandy playing a cavalry officer named Johnny in the TV western Colt .45. (eBay Auction Link)  Koufax had a short scene in the episode, titled "Impasse", that resulted in his untimely death.  Jeff Katz, the Mayor of Cooperstown and lover of Baseball, writes on his blog:

Not a very lengthy role, Koufax dies in the opening scene, before the TV critics could get a handle on his acting chops. The quick-witted Koufax gave his own review, “I’ve gone out quicker in some games.” True before 1960, not so true after. The Brooklyn-born lefty was willing to give acting a go. Cognizant that it was his ball playing skills providing him with small screen opportunity, Sandy thought these small chances could lead to more. “I don’t know if I have any acting talent, but if anybody wants to take a chance it’s O.K. with me. If there’s a career for me in acting, fine. I want to go as far as my capabilities will carry me. At 23, I’ve got to think about what I’m going to do after leaving baseball.” He couldn’t imagine that day would come so quickly. For his role as Johnny, credited to “Sanford Koufax,” he was pleased that he didn’t “have to ride a horse, just die.”

On the right is another publicity photo that shows him with actress Dorothy Provine.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History:  In 1981 the traded Jack Perconte and Rick Sutcliffe to the Indians for Jack Fimple, Jorge Orta and Larry White.  In 1992 the Dodgers signed free agent closer Todd Worrell.  In 2012 the Dodgers signed Hyun-Jin Ryu to a six-year, $36 million contract.
• Happy Birthday, Joe Kelley, Enos Kirkpatrick, Juan Samuel, Mat Latos & Eric Stults!