2018 Topps Diamond Icons - All the Dodgers Cards

The super high-end Topps Diamond Icons brand is now in stores. Available at roughly $1,500 a box for one pack of ten cards, this product is not for the squeamish. Each ten card pack includes seven on-card autographs and a couple of relics. Go here for a complete checklist.

Below is a listing of all the Dodgers' that are available. For the most part, Clayton Kershaw is found throughout the checklist.

Base Autographs (#/25)

• #AC-SK Sandy Koufax -- Redemption Card

#AC-CKE Clayton Kershaw

Blog Kiosk: 9/5/2018 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

It was nice to see Austin Barnes hit a home run last night. Per Rowan Kavner at Dodger Insider:

Barnes became the sixth Dodger catcher since 1908 and the first since Russell Martin in 2008 to hit a home run, steal a base and knock in three runs in the same game. His teammates took it from there, as the Dodgers matched their largest deficit overcome in a win this season. 

“It’s been obviously a frustrating little funk I’ve been in — not really little — but it was nice to contribute,” Barnes said. “To finally put a good AB together and get us back in the game, it felt good, for sure.”

They handily routed the Mets, 11-4, to stay .5 games behind Colorado. This coming weekend they'll be facing the Rockies in another must-win series.

Photo above via Juan Ocampo/LA Dodgers 2018 at Dodger Insider. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1908 Brooklyn Superbas/Dodgers hurler Nap Rucker threw a no-hitter against the Boston Doves/Braves. He struck out 14 and walked none en route to a 6-0 victory. In 1955 Don Newcombe hit his seventh home run of the season to establish a National League record for home runs by a pitcher in a season. It was a three-run jack in the fourth inning to give the Dodgers a 4-1 lead. Newk would eventually throw a complete game to win his 20th game of the season, 11-4. 
• Happy Birthday, Jimmy Knowles, Ed Stein, Jul Kustus, Merv Shea, Buddy Hassett, Wayne Belardi, Candy Maldonado, Rod Barajas, Randy Choate & Zack Walters!

Blog Kiosk: 9/4/2018 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Sometimes, you can't win them all.

Last night the Dodgers fell short against the Mets, 4-2, but they sure did come close to coming-from-behind to win again. With a man on and two runs behind in the ninth inning, weekend hero Matt Kemp came up to bat as a pinch hitter representing the tying run. Unfortunately, magic didn't strike thrice. He would ground into a double play. Per Ken Gunick at MLB.com:

"I thought Kemp was going to do it again," Bellinger said.

Photo above of Cody Bellinger via Jill Weisleder/Los Angeles Dodgers 2018 at Dodger Insider. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1924 the Brooklyn Robins/Dodgers won both ends of a doubleheader against the Boston Braves -- sweeping their fourth doubleheader in four consecutive days. From September 1st to 4th they beat the Phillies twice and the Braves six times. In 1966 the Dodgers become the first team to draw two million fans at home and on the road when they defeated the Reds at Crosley Fields in front of 18,670 patrons, 8-6. In 1969 Willis Davis' Dodger hitting streak comes to an end at 31 consecutive games -- setting a franchise record. It came at the hands of the Padres in San Diego. 
• Happy Birthday, Elmer Horton, George Pfister, Doyle Alexander, Mike Piazza& Brian Myrow!

2018 Topps Now - #672 & #677 - Matt Kemp's Walk-Off Weekend

Matt Kemp had a busy Labor Day Weekend, but unfortunately, I failed to make note of a couple of 2018 Topps Now cards issued in his honor.

As you know, Kemp was the big hero over the weekend when he pummeled Diamondbacks pitcher Archie Bradley with an eighth inning three-run homer on Saturday and then a walk-off two-run double off the centerfield wall on Sunday.

Welcome to the Blue, Rocky Gale!

In addition to September call-ups like Verdugo and Toles, we got word last night that veteran minor league catcher Rocky Gale has joined the Dodgers for the first time in his career. Congrats and welcome to LA. He will wear #58. Per a Dodgers press release:

(pic via Jon SooHoo at Dodger Insider)

Gale, 30, appeared in 85 games with OKC this season, where he hit .281 (83-for-285) with four home runs and 34 RBI. Gale has played in 14 Major League games in the 2015 and 2017 seasons with the San Diego Padres prior to being signed by Los Angeles as a minor league free agent on February 25. The Portland, Oregon native has slashed .262/.306/.331 in 709 games over nine minor league seasons, and was named a Pacific Coast League Mid-Season All-Star with Oklahoma City this year.

Welcome to the Blue, David Freese!

As you certainly know by now, the Dodgers made another trade prior to the weekend, following the Ryan Madson deal, to bring in added depth to the infield and a sold veteran right-handed bat off the bench. The Dodgers added David Freese, and he is both a recent NLCS and World Series MVP (2011). In exchange, the Dodgers sent minor league infielder Jesus Manuel Valdez to the Pirates. Per a Dodger press release:

Freese, 35, has played in 93 games for Pittsburgh this season, hitting .282 with 29 runs, 10 doubles, one triple, nine home runs and 42 RBI along with a .780 OPS. The veteran infielder has put up very similar splits against both right-handed and left-handed pitchers, hitting .284 (31-for-109) against southpaws compared to a .281 (36-for-128) mark against righties. Defensively, he has appeared in 54 games at third base and 15 games at first base this year, posting a combined .977 fielding percentage.