Blog Kiosk: 4/10/2017 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

There are few things more picturesque than this.

Featured above is Kenta Maeda warming up within the woodsy bullpen of Colorado's ballpark before his start against the Rockies yesterday afternoon.

Photo above via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2017.  Below are more links to check out:

(via NYT Archives on twitter)

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1947 the Dodgers officially announced, during the sixth inning of an exhibition against the Royals, that they had purchased the contract of Montreal Royals infielder Jackie Robinson.  He would be the first African-American to be on the roster of a modern Major League club. In 1962 the Dodgers played their very first home game at the newly built Dodger Stadium in Chavez Ravine.  There were 52,564 fans on-hand to watch Johnny Podres throw the first pitch to infielder Eddie Kasko -- who promptly doubled in the at-bat. Duke Snider would record the first Dodger hit with a single in the second inning.  Unfortunately, the Dodgers would lose the game to the Reds, 6-3. Reds outfielder Wally Post hit the first homer in the stadium during the seventh inning to lead Cincinnati.
• Happy Birthday, Bob McGraw, Chuck Connors, Lee Lacy, Mike Devereaux, Alberto Reyes, Andre Ethier & Charlie Culberson!
  

2017 Diamond Kings - The Dodgers Insert Cards

Here is a last look at some of the Dodgers' cards found within packs of Panini America's 2017 Diamond Kings Baseball set.  Featured below are all the non-autographed insert cards that are available.  Go here to check out all of my past post on this set.

Aurora Set

#3 Clayton Kershaw

Blog Kiosk: 4/7/2017 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Beloved comedian and great friend of the Dodgers, Don Rickles, passed away yesterday at the age of 90.  In his honor I made the above two fantasy Baseball cards of him.  Per Rowan Kavner at Dodger Insider:

“I’ve lost and the world has lost a very dear friend,” Lasorda said in a statement. “I remember the many times he came into our locker room and had our players in stitches before a big game.”

You can watch Don Rickles insult the Dodgers in a great bit from a 1986 television show called "Rickles... On the Loose" here. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History:  In 1969 Dodger reliever Bill Singer is the first major leaguer to officially be credited with a new fangled stat called the save.  It was on Opening Day in Cincinnati, and Singer pitched three scoreless innings to maintain a 3-2 victory over the Reds.  In 1977, on Opening Day, Don Sutton was directed to throw a gopher ball on the first pitch of the game to the Giants lead-off hitter Gary Thomasson.  That ball would then be given to the home plate umpire to be sent to Cooperstown.  As you might expect, the Giant batter instead hit the pitch for a home run.  He claims he had no idea about the plan (yhea, right!).  

"They told him that the first ball he threw would be sent to the Hall of Fame in Cooperstown," Lasorda said. "Well, the first ball he threw was hit by Gary Thomasson halfway up the bleachers. I said to him, ‘They wanted to send the ball to Cooperstown; they didn'’t want someone to hit it there.’" 

This is the same game Frank Sinatra kept his promise to Tommy Lasorda by performing the national anthem at Dodger Stadium.  In 1979 the Dodgers traded pitcher Rick Rhoden to the Pirates for pitcher Jerry Reuss.

• Happy Birthday, Bobby Mitchell, Brett Tomko, Ronnie Belliard & Adrian Beltre!
  

2017 Topps Tribute Baseball - The Dodgers Insert Cards

Featured below are all of the Dodger insert cards found in packs of 2017 Topps Tribute.  Go here to check out all of my past post on this set. Unfortunately, there are a ton of redemption cards in this checklist.

Tribute Autographs

• #TA-JU Julio Urias -- redemption card

#TA-CSE Corey Seager               #TA-FV Fernando Valenzuela

Blog Kiosk: 4/6/2017 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Yasiel Puig contributed in a big way last night when he walloped his first home run of the season.  It came about in the fourth inning against Trevor Cahill, and added a bit of cushion to a Dodgers lead. You can watch him chat about his homer with Alanna Rizzo here. Per Doug Padilla at ESPN:

“My teammates are doing a great job,” Puig said. “They are all in the right [lineup] position and they have all been doing their job. They are in the position that is right for them. Now it’s my turn.”

The Dodgers defeated San Diego, 3-1. Photo at the very top via Jon SooHoo/Dodgers 2017 @Dodgers on twitter.  Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1982 the Dodgers raise their 1981 World Series banner at Dodger Stadium. In 2004 Dodger third baseman Adrian Beltre becomes the 36th player in hostory to hit 100 home runs before the age of 25.
• Happy Birthday, Red Smith, Tom Fitzsimmons, Ernie Lombardi, Dee Moore, Jim Romano, Don Elston & Phil Regan!
  

2017 Topps Gypsy Queen - The Dodgers Insert Cards

Here is a last look at Dodgers' cards found in packs of 2017 Gypsy Queen.  Below are all of the Dodger insert cards. Notably, the "Laces Around the League" inserts include MLB certified game-used baseball relic pieces. Go here to check out all of my past post on this set.

Gypsy Queen Autographs 

•  #GQA-JU Julio Urias -- redemption card

#GQA-CSE Corey Seager        #GQA-JDL Jose De Leon