Five Affordable Rookie Cards Every Die Hard Dodger Fan Should Have

Who doesn't love rookie cards?

They are a main driver in the card collecting hobby, and oftentimes the most desirable card available for any player.

So, with the winter doldrums in full swing I thought it would be fun to explore some rookie cards that I think every Dodger fan should have. I also thought it would be best to focus on cards that are most affordable -- for $10.00 or less. After all, not everyone can afford a Jackie Robinson or Sandy Koufax rookie card.

So without further ado, here is the first card on my list, and it is of Dodger legend Fernando Valenzuela. Best yet, his 1981 Topps card (#302) also includes the rookie card for popular catcher and former Angels manager Mike Scioscia. Check out the reverse of the card on the right.

Not surprisingly, Valenzuela cards can be purchased in great condition for next to nothing -- like a couple of bucks. As most collectors know, the 80's and for much of the 90's cards were overproduced -- flooding the market with more cardboard then collectors knew what to do with. Pair that with a collecting base that has admittedly shrunk since the hobby's heyday, and you've got a recipe for bargain prices for some of the games greatest players.

2018 Panini Flawless - All the Dodgers Cards

Panini released their high-end Baseball card brand last week, and I've got pics of most of the Dodger cards below. Go here for a complete checklist.

This product will cost you about $1,200 for a box of ten cards, and you are guaranteed seven autographs, 2 memorabilia relics and a single diamond embedded card. Furthermore, no team logos can be found here. Panini does not have a MLB license. Nevertheless, collectors are drawn to the on-card autographs and the overall design.

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#12 Don Drysdale

Blog Kiosk: 11/5/2018 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

The Japan Series begins in earnest later this week, but in the meantime it's MLB players spent the weekend in Hawaii getting prepared and working out. Per Kyle Galdeira at MLB.com:

"We want guys to walk out of here healthy, have a great experience and, when we get to Japan, play at full speed and represent Major League Baseball well," Mattingly said. "It's a great chance to relax a little bit and get ready for the trip."

In addition to Chris Taylor, seen above, other Dodgers travelling to Japan include Kenta Maeda and Kiké Hernandez.

Photo above of Chris Taylor with University of Hawaii ballplayer Alex Baeza, via Baeza on twitter. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1936 the Dodgers named former spitballer Burleigh Grimes as their manager. In 1940 former Dodgers lawyer Wendell Willkie loses to third term American President Franklin D. Roosevelt in todays Presidential election. He would later on become VP and legal counsel for Brooklyn in the early 40's and would then be replaced by Walter O'Malley. In 2008 Dodgers pitcher Greg Maddux wins his 18th career Gold Glove. 
• Happy Birthday, Tommy Sheehan, Pryor McElveen & Ralph Birkofer!

Kershaw Stays -- Two Dodgers' Get Qualifying Offers

To the shock of no one, the Dodgers and Clayton Kershaw have officially agreed to a new three-year deal to stay in Los Angeles. The new contract will run til the 2021 season, and is set at $93MM -- averaging $31MM per season. On top of that, there are incentives drilled-in based on both number of starts and Cy Young voting, per Ken Rosenthal on twitter:

Kershaw breakdown: $31M in 2019, ‘20 and ‘21, plus $1M each for 24 starts, 26 starts, 28 starts, 30 starts. Also gets $1.5M for Cy Young, $500K for second- or third-place finish.

— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) November 2, 2018

Not too shabby, eh?

BTW, this new contract also does NOT include another opt-out clause, so we won't have to worry about in the future. Per Rowan Kavner at Dodger Insider:

“Obviously he’s made as much of an impact as you can on an organization in terms of the success we’ve had — not just on the field, but from a culture standpoint in terms of bringing up young pitchers and kind of emulating the work ethic, the drive,” said president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman.

In celebration of this news I made a couple of fantasy custom Baseball cards of Clayton using two of my all-time favorite card designs -1952 & 1991 Topps. Check them out above. Both cards use pics originally taken by Jon SooHoo during the recent Game 5 at Dodger Stadium.

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In other news, two Dodger free agent receive qualifying offers today, per Jeff Todd at MLB Trade Rumors. They are Yasmani Grandal and Hyun-Jin Ryu, and they'll have ten days to accept a one-year deal at $17.9MM or continue to free agency.

I suspect Grandal will reject the QO and find a new suitor to play for. Ryu, on the other hand, might be a different story. He could very well find several teams willing to fork over big bucks to sign him to a mid-term deal today, but he just as easily could accept it in hopes that a full season will garner him a better contract after 2019. So, I think the Ryu situation is a crap-shoot.

Personally, I wouldn't mid having Ryu back in Los Angeles next year, but I suspect he won't get the playing time he would want if he stays. The Dodgers remain deep at the position, and I wouldn't be surprised if he isn't afforded the opportunity to make 30 starts.

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Blog Kiosk: 11/2/2018 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Guess who's in LA?

As you know, today is round 2 of the 'will he, or won't he' Clayton Kershaw sweepstakes, and I think it's getting clearer what the decision will be.

Clayton Kershaw was spotted at the LAFC home game yesterday with teammate Joc Pederson and funnyman Will Ferrell, and I'd be willing to bet that he'll be present for a special announcement today. So, stay tuned!

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

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1976 the Dodgers traded minor league catcher Steven Patchin to the Royals for future Baseball legend Ron Washington. He would wear Dodger Blue for only one season, 1977, getting into just ten games as a 25-year old rookie. -- he slashed .368/.400/.368/.768 with seven singles in 19 at-bats. He is more famed for being a highly regarded manager. In 1977 Tommy John comes in a distant second place in Cy Young voting -- having been beaten by Steve Carlton of the Phillies. John went 20-7 for the Dodgers with an 2.78 ERA, FIP of 3.05, eleven complete games and three shutouts.
• Happy Birthday, George Sharrott, George Bell, Jerry Standaert, Tom Paciorek, Wilson Betemit & Al Campanis! 

Welcome to the Blue, Justin Yurchak!

I got to be honest with you. I was a bit disappointed that the Dodgers never called up Manny Bañuelos from Triple-A Oklahoma City this season. Sure, his arm wasn't needed to get us into the playoffs, but I just thought he pitched well enough over there to warrant a flyer. After all, the guy was once a highly-touted prospect and he is still young enough to regain some of that former glory. Nevertheless, his excellent season has gotten us a young prospect out of the White Sox organization who could lead to some dividends down the road. Announced this afternoon, the Dodgers have traded Bañuelos to the Sox for 22-year old lefty infielder Justin Yurchak.