NLDS Series Against Braves Starts on Thursday -- A Homestand Preview

The National League Division Series match-up between the Dodgers and the Atlanta Braves begins on Thiursday.  Below are some odds and ends for this series. Here are some important links:

• 2018 Broadcast Schedule
• Parking Information 
• Dodger Stadium Express / LA Metro  
• Dodgers Postseason Information
• Braves Postseason Information

Unfortunately, I haven't received a great amount of information about this playoff series, but I've done my best to include anything I can find. If there is something missing that you know about please pass that information along. Furthermore, I will update this post if new information becomes available.

BTW, tickets for this entire series (as well as the NLCS, should the Dodgers advance) at Dodger Stadium is already sold out.

Below are special food items being made available at Dodger Stadium for the NLDS.

The Hot Link dog will be available for this series against Braves and will be available only at the King’s Hawaiian Grill in the Left Field Plaza. It features a Hot Link with BBQ sauce and vinegar slaw. See it on the right.

Topps Living Set - #88 - Manny Machado in Dodger Blue

The Dodgers sixth card in Topps Living Set features recently acquired slugger Manny Machado. In fact, this is the second card available of him in this set. Earlier this season they made a card for him (#37) as a Baltimore Oriole (see that on the right) that sold 6,516 copies. Now that he moved to the best coast it's only reasonable that a Dodger card be created to commemorate his stay in Los Angeles. After all, I think it's fair to assume that the Dodgers are not likely to make a serious run for his services following this season; especially when you consider that we have Corey Seager waiting in the wings. Go here to check out the Machado card and order.

BTW, it's only appropriate that Manny's be card #88 in this set. He wears #8 as a Dodger.

Blog Kiosk: 10/3/2018 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

The last thing I want to do is distract from the postseason, but there is a bit of news that could potentially be explosive, and it appears to involve the Dodger organization. It's a developing story about a whistle-blower, the FBI and the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, Cuban ballplayers and potentially organized crime. Per Jon Wertheim at Sports Illustrated:

The dossier given to the FBI suggests the extent to which some MLB personnel are aware of—and brazenly discuss—this unscrupulous culture and the potential for corruption. While both the league office and other teams are mentioned in the files obtained by SI, the Los Angeles Dodgers, a franchise with extensive scouting and development operations in the Caribbean, figure most prominently in the dossier: 

— One particularly remarkable document shows that Dodgers executives in 2015 went so far as to develop a database that measured the perceived “level of egregious behavior” displayed by 15 of their own employees in Latin America. That is, using a scale of 1 to 5—“innocent bystander” to “criminal”—front-office executives assessed their own staff’s level of corruption. Five employees garnered a “criminal” rating. 

Whoa! Remember, former Braves GM John Coppolella was banned from the game last year due to nefarious dealings related to international signings. Now, it appears, folks could go to jail.

Featured above is a 1916 International Film Service press photo of former Dodger outfielder Hi Myers (eBay Link). It has nothing to do with the above story. Rather, I just happen to love those checkerboard styled Dodger uni's. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1947 Yankees hurler Bill Bevins was one out from no-hitting the Brooklyn Dodgers in Game 4 of the World Series before yielding a walk-off two-run double to pinch-hitter Cookie Lavagetto, 3-2. In 1951 Bobby Thompson of the NY Giants hit the most infamous home run in Dodgers/Baseball history. He walloped a Ralph Branca pitch in the ninth inning at the Polo Grounds for a walk-off victory, 5-4, during the deciding game of a three-game series to decide who would go to the World Series. The homer has since been dubbed the "shot heard ’round the world." You can watch it here, if you must. In 2005 manager Jim Tracy is fired by the Dodgers.
• Happy Birthday, Henry Thielman, Phil Reardon, Chris Haughey, Darrin Fletcher& Brock Stewart!

2018 Topps Now - #828, #829, #830 - National League West Division Champs!

Here's a late look at the three 2018 Topps Now cards issued to celebrate the Dodgers claim to the National League West Division flag. First, they make note of Walker Buehler's brilliant performance against the Rockies. He recorded 6 2/3rd innings of one-hit ball during Game #163, while also knocking in his first career run. Go here to check it out and order.

BTW, they also issued six different autographed versions of the card, but they sold out quickly. At the very bottom I've taken screen shots of all six cards.

Blog Kiosk: 10/2/2018 - Dodgers Links - National League West Division Champions!

(pic via Jon SooHoo at Dodger Insider)

Unquestionably, this is the best photo taken of last nights victory party, via a tweet by MLB. Even better, Matt Kemp and his fellow "Boys in Blue" doused Tommy with a beer shower during a postgame interview. You watch a bit of that here. Per Ken Gurnick at MLB.com:

"What I see now is the same as I saw back then," Roberts said, clutching tightly a bottle of champagne. "With all the adversity we put ourselves in, we knew we could overcome. I never wavered from believing that and they never wavered either. It's a long season. That's why you play 163."

On another note, I'll leave you with this tweet from Jon Morosi of the MLB Network:

Walker Buehler started, and Max Muncy homered. It happened on Opening Day this year for the @okc_dodgers. And it happened in Game 163 at Dodger Stadium. @Dodgers @MLBNetwork @MLB

— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) October 1, 2018

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1963 Sandy Koufax become the first pitcher to fan fifteen in a World Series game as he defeated the Yankees, 5-2, during Game 1. Watch highlights of this game as called by Vin Scully here. In 1977 Dusty Baker hit his 30th homer of the year to become the fourth player on the team (along with Ron Cey, Steve Garvey and Reggie Smith) to have hit as many home runs during a season. This is the first time this has happened in the history of the game. In 2004 Steve Finley hit a ninth inning walk-off grand slam against the Giants at Dodger Stadium that clinched the NL West title for the Dodgers. Watch Vin Scully's call here.
• Happy Birthday, Ray Lucas & Maury Wills!

2018 Topps Now - #820 - Game #163

Now that the Dodgers have officially taken the National League Western Division title this newest card offered up by Topps seems moot. After all, there will no doubt be another card made available tomorrow celebrating their 5-2 victory over the Rockies this afternoon. Nevertheless, for you completist out there here is the card announcing the game that was just played. Go here to check it out and order... And stay tuned. There will be another Topps Now card issued tomorrow. Heck, maybe two.