Thank You, Brandon McCarthy & Scott Kazmir!

I made a few more fantasy Baseball cards of two recently traded Dodgers -- Brandon McCarthy and Scott Kazmir. Check them out above and below.

As you know, both starting pitchers signed significant contracts with the team, but they also both battled injuries while here. McCarthy was unable to stay healthy for a full season after signing his four year contract -- having thrown just 29 starts over three seasons in Los Angeles. Kazmir, on the other hand, signed a three year deal that saw him stay in the starting rotation during his first season in Blue -- recording 26 starts. Unfortunately, he would not pitch again for the team. The following season he suffered a hip injury that lead to a loss of velocity, and that lead to him not only losing a rotation spot but also forced him onto the disabled list. Kazmir would not pitch in 2017.

Regardless, once a Dodgers, always a Dodger.

Blog Kiosk: 12/29/2017 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Here's a great look at the Brooklyn Dodgers dugout at Ebbets Field just prior to a game. The undated photo, likely from the 1940's, recently sold at RMY Auctions at a very reasonable $45 (auction link).

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 2016 the Dodgers signed free agent minor league reliever Fabio Castillo. He made his Major League debut with the team last season -- pitching in two games, allowing two earned runs, three hits and a walk while striking out two in 1.1 innings. Castillo had been designated for assignment and is currently a free agent.
• Happy Birthday, Bruce Brubaker, Rod Nichols, Hank DeBerry & Devon White!

Blog Kiosk: 12/28/2017 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

We really should be calling this team the 'Bridegrooms'.

Featured above is a pre-wedding pic shared by the gushing couple before their planned wedding next week. As you may know, Ryu Hyun-jin is marrying sports broadcaster Bae Ji-hyun on January 5th.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1982 the Dodgers traded for 6' 5" tall reliever Pat Zachry in exchange for utilityman Jorge Orta. In 1993 the Dodgers traded pitcher Isidro Márquez for utilityman Ron Coomer of the White Sox.
• Happy Birthday, Einar Díaz, Don Thompson & Austin Barnes! I'd also like to extend a special birthday shout-out to Bill "Spaceman" Lee.

Blog Kiosk: 12/26/2017 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Here are three Hall of Famers - all of which are joining the Dodgers for the first time - hanging out in Clearwater, FL during Spring Training, circa 1932. This pic recently sold at RMY Auction at $169. (auction link) Per the descriptor on the reverse:

Waite Hoyt, former star of the New York Yankees and who rounded out last season as a member of the Philadelphia Athletics, with Hack Wilson, heavy slugger of the National League who served last season with the Chicago Cubs, demonstrating to Max Carey, new pilot (manager) of the "Robins," how they expect to contribute to a large extent with their batting and pitching in bringing the National League Pennant to Brooklyn this season. The boys are rather modest and had nothing to say as to how they expect to fare in the World Series. But the pennant and the World's Series are both far off for the boys are just about shaking off the winter kinks at the Robins Spring Training camp at Clearwater, FLA.

Unfortunately, the addition of these three greats did little to change the Dodgers fortunes. They finished the season in third place -- nine games behind the Cubs. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1934 the Dodgers traded Johnny Frederick, Art Herring and cash to the Sacramento Senators of the PCL for outfielder Frenchy Bordagaray. Frenchy would play two seasons on Brooklyn, slashing .297/.332/.389/.721, before being traded to the Cardinals. He would then come back to the Dodgers in 1942 and play an additional four season. Also on this day Commissioner Judge Landis denied the Dodgers' claim to eventual back-to-back no-hit hurler Johnny Vander Meer. The club had signed Johnny in 1933 as an 18-year old, but quickly gave up on him. By the next year, though, he had turned things around. So, the Dodgers filed a grievance claiming he was their property, but Judge Landis disagreed; stating that they only showed renewed interest once he starting throwing better.
• Happy Birthday, Frank Hansford, Andy Rush & Bonnie Hollingsworth!

Welcome to the Blue, Henry Owens!

The Dodgers have made another move. They have claimed prospect left-handed pitcher Henry Owens from the Arizona Diamondbacks -- who had failed to protect him on their 40-man roster. Owens, originally from Edison High School in Huntington Beach, had been drafted by and played six years within the Boston Red Sox organization. Then, he was placed on outright waivers in early December and immediately claimed by Arizona. Now, he is a Dodger.

2017 Bowman Chrome Mini - All the Dodgers Cards

Last week Topps released a complete factory set of 2017 Bowman Chrome Mini cards, and it includes cardboard of many of the top rookies and prospects in the Dodgers system. Go here for a complete checklist.

None of the Dodger cards found here are new us. We've seen both the designs and photo selections available in either their Bowman or Bowman Chrome sets released earlier this season. The only thing unique about this product is that they are miniaturized versions of those cards. Check out all of the Dodger cards below.

Base -- 2017 Bowman Rookies

#55 Rob Segedin