2018 Topps Series 1 Baseball - Check Out All the Dodgers Base Cards

First, we had the FanFest. Now, we collectors can rejoice at the release of Topps' 2018 flagship Baseball card set.

As you certainly know, today marks the official release of Topps Series 1 Baseball, and I've got pics of all the Dodger base cards to share. I also have pics of the known short prints/variations. Check them out below. Go here for a complete checklist.

Of note, there are an extraordinary number of horizontal Dodger cards (9 of 17 cards). Also, both Walker Buehler and Alex Verdugo are included in this base set.

Base

#2 Clayton Kershaw LL

#35 Logan Forsythe           #42 Cody Bellinger

Blog Kiosk: 1/31/2018 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Here's a fantastic vintage photo recently shared by Old Time Baseball Photos on twitter of the "Roy Campanella Night" exhibition game at the LA Coliseum between the Dodgers and Yankees in early May, 1959.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1941 the Dodgers signed future Hall of Famer Paul Waner to a free agent contract. In 1972 former Brooklyn Dodger players Rube Marquard (known mostly as a Giant) and Dave Bancroft (also mostly a Giant) were selected by an Hall of Fame Special Veterans Committee for enshrinement. In 2001 a certain article was published in the WSJ related to the most infamous pennant race in National League history. Written by Joshua Prager, he details how the Giants team stole catchers' signs during the 1951 pennant race -- overcoming a Dodgers 13.5 game lead. You can read the original article here. In 2003 the Dodgers signed free agent pitcher Wilson Alvarez. In 2005 the Dodgers signed pitcher Scott Erickson as a free agent. 
• Happy Birthday, Hank Aguirre, Ted Power, Stuffy Stewart & Jackie Robinson!

Blog Kiosk: 1/30/2018 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Justin Turner hosted the third annual Justin Turner Golf Classic yesterday afternoon. Per Ryan Walton at True Blue LA:

“To see how much this event has grown in just three years has been amazing to us,” said Kourtney Turner. “Sponsors have been reaching out to us wanting to get involved after they heard what we’re doing in the community. They want to be a part of it and it’s incredible to us.” 

Monday was the first time in the three years that Turner himself has actually played in the event. The Dodger third baseman was anxiously awaiting his chance to play while he and his wife personally put together gift bags in their garage Sunday night.

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

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 2008 pitcher DJ Houton is sold to the Fukuoka Daiei Hawks (Japan Pacific). In 2017 the Dodgers traded Carlos Frias to the Indians for cash. 
• Happy Birthday, Davey Johnson, Red Smyth, Mal Mallette, Sandy Amoros, Charlie Neal & John Lindsey!

2018 Topps Series 1 Baseball - The Dodgers Silver Chrome Promo Pack Cards

This is an important week for Baseball card collectors. This coming Wednesday is the official release date for Topps' 2018 Series 1 flagship Baseball card brand, so you should expect a flurry of post about the set over the coming days. Go here to check out the entire checklist. As an incentive to visit a hobby store, a limited number of 2018 Topps Series 1 promotional Silver Chrome packs are available when you purchase a box at your local shop (only) -- so, this isn't available at Walmart or Target.

How it works is for every box (hobby & jumbo) that you purchase at your local card shop will get you a certain number of these packs. Each pack consist of four cards and features a 50-card base set on the vintage 1983 Topps Baseball card design. Each card also comes with a 35th anniversary stamping and an exclusive chain pattern background known as "mojo." There are also autographs available. Go here for this promo checklist.

Blog Kiosk: 1/29/2018 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

The crush of fans at the Dodgers FanFest on Saturday was overwhelming. So much so, it was almost impossible to traverse the outfield -- let alone the stadium concourse. Nevertheless, it seems that most folks had a great time. It has been announced that over 35,000 were in attendance. Wow! Stay tuned as I'll have my pics from the day up soon.

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

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1961 one-time Dodger Max Carey, along with deadball era outfielder Billy Hamilton, are elected in the Baseball Hall of Fame. Carey played four seasons in Brooklyn, slashing .260/.346/.339/.685 with three homers and 81 RBI's, and managed the club from 1932-1933. He recorded a 146-161 record as the Dodgers skipper. In 1967 former Dodgers GM Branch Rickey, along with Pirates outfielder Lloyd Waner, are elected by the Veterans Committee into the Baseball Hall of Fame. BTW, Waner was a Dodger for a short time in 1944 -- having had 17 plate appearances in 15 games and slashing .286/.412/.286/.697. In 1988 the Dodgers signed free agent outfielder Kirk Gibson to a three-year $4.5MM contract.
• Happy Birthday, Henry Medicus, Bill Krieg, Ray Hayworth, Hank Edwards, Steve Sax, Jason Schmidt & Mike Bolsinger!

Blog Kiosk: 1/26/2018 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

This was probably one of the cooler events held by the Dodgers during this week-long Community Tour. Yesterday afternoon Yasiel Puig joined in solidarity with several pediatric cancer patients to have his head shaved. It happened at Dodger Stadium and included a pizza party for all those who attended. Per Ken Gurnick at MLB.com:

"I get excited to do this for the kids," said Puig. "These kids are fighting for their lives. I want to come here for the kids. I like children. Sometimes they have situations like these with cancer, spend a lot of time in the hospital, have a lot of surgeries. Maybe this makes them excited, and that's why I want to do something for the kids. And I like it." 

And the hospital likes Puig. 

"We're phenomenally grateful to the Dodgers' organization for this; it's a great team effort, and we feel very privileged to serve the families and communities that need our services," said Dr. Charles Simmons, professor and chairman of pediatrics at Cedars-Sinai. 

"The kids and their families are so resilient, and we are reminded all the time that it's not just about yourself and how you adapt, but the people around you. And the Dodgers give them a sense of self and part of a team effort. It's very impactful."

Photo at the very top via Puig on twitter. Group photo on the right via Dodgers on twitter. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 2017 the Dodgers signed super-stud free agent reliever Brandon Morrow.
• Happy Birthday, Jeff Branson, Kaiser Wilhelm, Johnny Frederick & Antonio Perez!