2018 Topps Advent Calendar - #5 - Walker Buehler

The second Dodger found in Topps online exclusive 2018 Advent calendar Baseball card set is rookie sensation Walker Buehler. As you know, since the start of this month Topps has been selling/unveiling each individual card from this 20-card set daily. Card #19 was of Clayton Kershaw. Now we know that card #5 is of our future ace. Go here to check it out and order. It will only be available for sale over a 24 hour period.

2018 Topps Brooklyn Collection - The Lone Dodger Card

As you may know, several weeks back Topps introduced their 582 Montgomery Club to the collecting masses. It had been billed as an exclusive membership program that offers products inspired by their early days in Brooklyn. You get a handful of exclusive sets and an opportunity to buy exclusive new brands direct from Topps. Initial membership cost $199.99 and sold out rather quickly. I do not know how many members are in this initial group. BTW, I did not join these ranks.

Blog Kiosk: 12/18/2018 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Check out this grizzled veteran. Featured above is 34-year old infielder Marty McManus in Brooklyn Dodger Blue, per a March 19, 1934 ACME press photo on eBay (auction link).

The longtime American Leaguer had signed a contract to play for the Dodgers in January and did very well during that Spring to show his worth -- batting .340 in exhibition games. Nevertheless, McManus would be sold to the Boston Braves in April; thereby ending a Dodger career that never really got started. Depending on which sources you read, McManus was either disgruntled and let go by rookie manager Casey Stengel (possibly fearing competition for his job), or sent to Boston to help a sinking ballclub. Either way, this old horse would play just one more season of pro ball, and then would quickly transition to be a minor league manager -- until his retirement in 1948.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 2009 the Dodgers traded outfielder Juan Pierre to the White Sox for pitchers John Ely and Jon Link. In 2014 the Dodgers traded Tim Federowicz and Matt Kemp to San Diego for Zach Eflin, Yasmani Grandal and Joe Wieland. 
• Happy Birthday, Dave Oldfield, Hub Knolls, Jimmy Pattison, Bill Skowron, Gino Cimoli, Zoilo Versalles, Lance Carter & Micah Johnson! 

2018 Bowman Draft Baseball - All the Dodgers Cards

Last week Topps released their prospect heavy 2018 Bowman Draft Baseball brand, and it includes two Dodger youngster on an officially licensed card for the first time. Go here for a complete checklist.

First, you can find the first card for infielder Devin Mann --  the Dodgers 2018 fifth round pick. He began is pro career in the Midwest League playing for the Great Lakes Loons - slashing .241/.348/.335/.683. The second Dodger rookie to appear for the first time on cardboard is right handed pitcher Braydon Fisher. He was drafted in the fourth round of the 2018 draft and spent the year in the Arizona Rookie league. The 17-year old hurler threw 22 innings with an 2.05 ERA, 19 strikeouts and just 9 walks.

Unfortunately, there aren't any inserts, relics or autographed Dodger cards to chase after -- just the base cards. Check out the five Dodgers in the set below.

Bowman Base                  Bowman Chrome

#BD-15 Devin Mann      #BDC-15 Devin Mann

Blog Kiosk: 12/17/2018 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Check out this great, circa 1950's, vintage photo showing the exterior facade of Ebbets Field and a Brooklyn bus/trolley -- complete with kids getting a free ride on the back of the bus. Pic above via Dugout Legends on twitter.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1999, in what would be his final Major League season, the Dodgers signed free agent hurler and legendary pitcher Orel Hershiser to a one-year $2 million contract. He would not last the year, and be released on June 27th after going 1-5 with an 13.14 ERA. Overall, Hershiser would compile a 135-107 record in 13 years as a Dodger, with an 3.12 ERA, 24 shutouts, 65 complete games, 1456 strikeouts, an 116 ERA+, a 3.28 FIP and an 39.8 WAR. In 2004 Adrián Beltré leaves the Dodgers, after spending the first seven years of his career with the club, to sign a five-year $64 million free agent contract with the Mariners.
• Happy Birthday, Bob Ojeda & Chase Utley!

Blog Kiosk: 12/14/2018 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Here's a fun 1943 International Press photo featuring Dodger first baseman Dolf Camilli on the set of the movie Whistling in Brooklyn (eBay auction link). Per the descriptor o the reverse:

MAKING DOLF PURTY FOR THE MOVIES.  New York...Dolf Camilli, Brooklyn first baseman, has some makeup applied as he works out with the Dodgers.  He was photographed by a movie camera for a part in a new Red Skelton movie."

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1954 the Dodgers signed amateur free agent Sandy Koufax to a contract - a $6,000 salary and $14,000 bonus. This made Sandy a "bonus baby" (having a bonus over $4,000) and required the Dodgers to keep him on the Major League roster for two years. As a result, the Dodgers would option Tommy Lasorda to the Montreal Royals. In 1990 the Dodgers signed free agent outfielder Brett Butler to a four-year $13 million contract.
• Happy Birthday, Deacon Van Buren, John Anderson, Charlie Hargreaves, Chris Heisey & Bill Buckner!