2017 Topps Now - #813, #814, #815, #816 & #818 - Dodgers Game 1 Victory

I don't know what I'm going to do. The avid collector in me wants everything playoff and World Series related in my collection, but I've been extremely hesitant about ordering Topps Now cards.

I did get my first Topps Now cards recently (called the Postseason Playoff set) and decided against my best judgement to get the World Series Matchup set, so should I buy them all now? I sure do love the timeliness of them - the fact that each one points to a specific play or event during the Series. Does that mean I should also get the cards highlighting the Astros players too? I'm confused and I need to make a decision soon 'cause the first batch of 2017 World Series Topps Now cards are available, and they look great.

BTW, both Clayton Kershaw and Chris Taylow have autograph and/or game-used base relic Topps Now cards available. Unfortunately, they are already sold out. Pic of these are at the very bottom.

Here is the first of the bunch and it highlights last night's opening ceremony. Go here to check it out and order.

2017 Topps Diamond Icons - All the Dodgers Cards

Last week saw the released of a brand new Topps product called Diamond Icons. As the name suggest, it is a super-premium high-end card set that will cost you $1,500 for a single box of ten cards. Nine of those ten cards are guaranteed to be autographed on-card. Needless to say, I doubt I'll ever open any of these. Go here to see a complete checklist.

Since this brand promises only on-card autographs there are several Dodgers' who are only available through a redemption card. This includes all Cody Bellinger, and some of the Kershaw and Seager cards. Below are most of the Dodgers you can find in packs.

Autographs

• #AU-CBE Cody Bellinger -- redemption card

#AU-CK Clayton Kershaw       #AU-CSE Corey Seager

Blog Kiosk: 10/25/2017 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

What a game. What a win.

Kershaw was brilliant as he went seven strong innings, striking out eleven and walking none with just 83 pitches. In fact, he is just the second pitcher in World Series history to have recorded 11 K's with no walks -- the other pitcher to have done so was Don Newcombe. The bullpen extended their playoff scoreless streak to 25 consecutive innings. Chris Taylor opened the Dodger offense with a leadoff homer that seemed to shock the Astros pitcher (he shocks us too, Dallas). Most importantly, the man with fantastic orange locks, Justin Turner, continued his clutch hitting. He lead the way as he walloped a two-run dinger in the sixth inning to give the Dodgers a lead that they would not relinquish. Per Eric Stephen at True Blue LA:

“He really took a great swing,” manager Dave Roberts said. “Gosh, JT has had so many big hits for us this year.”

Photo above via @Dodgers on twitter. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1981 in Game 5 of the World Series the Dodgers won their third straight game against the Yankees to take 3-2 series lead.  Pedro Guerrero and Steve Yeager hit back-to-back homers, and Jerry Reuss pitched a 2-1 complete game for the victory.
• Happy Birthday, Mickey Hughes, Jack Doyle, Weldon Henley, Russ Meyer, Pete Mikkelsen, Tito Landrum, Mike Harkey & Pedro Martinez!

Dodger Roster for the 2017 World Series

(graphic via SportsNet LA on twitter)

At long last we have the Dodgers roster for the World Series, and it includes a small surprise. Both Kyle Farmer and Curtis Granderson are off the 2017 World Series roster. So, who will replace them?

As you know, Corey Seager is expected to be back on the field, so he will be one of the new faces in the Dodger dugout. The other player will likely come as a surprise. Dodgers pitcher Brandon McCarthy, who has pitched only six inning since late-July, will join the Dodgers as a reliever. Per JP Hoornstra at the OC Register:

The 6-foot-7 right-hander has been restricted to simulated games and bullpen sessions since the regular season ended, but could become a useful multi-inning option in a best-of-seven series. 

McCarthy, 34, went 6-4 with a 3.98 earned-run average during the regular season. He began the year in the Dodgers’ rotation and posted a 3.84 ERA in 16 starts. But the veteran was never fully healthy, whether it was a right knee injury that caused him to miss a start in July, or a recurring finger blister that caused him to miss all of August and most of September.

2017 Topps Update Series - Dodgers Inserts: MVP, Postseason, World Series and Salute Cards

Take a look at even more Dodgers' inserts found in packs of 2017 Topps Update. Featured here are the MVP Award Winners, Commemorative Medallion, an Own the Name Relics checklist, Postseason Celebration, Stored World Series and Salute Dodgers' cards.

MVP Award Winners

#MVP-4 Clayton Kershaw          #MVP-6 Sandy Koufax

Blog Kiosk: 10/24/2017 - Dodgers Links - It's World Series Day!

Congrats!

On the eve of the 2017 World Series Sporting News announced that Cody Bellinger is the recipient of the Sporting News' 2017 Rookie of the Year award. As you may know, SN has been giving out this award since 1946. Per Jason Foster at the Sporting News:

Bellinger, 22, who didn't reach the majors until late April, wasn't even guaranteed a full-time job upon his call-up. At the time, the Dodgers were awaiting the return of injured players such as Joc Pederson, Franklin Gutierrez and Logan Forsythe, and manager Dave Roberts said Bellinger probably wouldn't be with the team for the long haul even if he performed well. 

 But sometimes you've just got to be so good that they can't ignore you.

Bellinger did indeed stick around for the long haul, quickly surged to the top of the National League's rookie class, made the All-Star team and ultimately left everyone else in a homer-filed wake. When the dust settled on Oct. 1, Bellinger led the Dodgers in home runs (39; a team rookie record), RBIs (97) and slugging percentage (.581; also a team rookie record). 

Graphic above via the Sporting News. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1963 Sandy Koufax is named the unanimous winner of the Cy Young. In 1972 Dodgers great and Hall of Famer Jackie Robinson died of an heart attack at the age of 53 at his home in North Stamford, CT. In 1981 the Dodgers defeated the Yankees in Game 4 of the World Series, 8-7, to tie the series up at two games apiece.   In 1986 Dodgers shortstop Bill Russell announced his retirement from the game after an 18-year Major League career. 
• Happy Birthday, Charlie Jones, Eddie Stack, Harry Smythe, Ralph Onis, FP Santangelo, Wilton Guerrero & Rafael Furcal!