2018 Leaf Metal Draft - All the Dodgers Cards

Here is the first Leaf product I've highlighted all year. Featured are the Dodger prospects found in packs of 2018 Leaf Metal Draft. Go here for a complete checklist.

Only three Dodger players are available -- DJ Peters, Keibert Ruiz and Michael Grove.

Base Autographs

#BA-DJP D.J. Peters

Blog Kiosk: 12/28/2018 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Here's a fantastic 1957 International News Spring Training press photo, taken by the legendary Herb Scharfman, featuring a couple of Dodgers with some visiting Tokyo Giants' (eBay Link). Per the descriptor on the reverse:

Dodgers host to Tokyo Giants Players
Vero Beach, Florida... Brooklyn Dodger coach Joe Becker (third from left) and pitcher Don Newcombe (left), discuss pointers of the game with two visitors to the Dodger camp from Japan. They are Sho Horincho, pitcher with the Tokyo Giants (second from left) and Tokyo Giants' manager Shigeru Mizuhara (right). Dated 3-1-1957.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1982 the Dodgers traded for 6' 5" tall reliever Pat Zachry in exchange for utilityman Jorge Orta. In 1993 the Dodgers traded pitcher Isidro Márquez for utilityman Ron Coomer of the White Sox.
• Happy Birthday, Einar Díaz, Don Thompson & Austin Barnes!

2018 Bowman’s Best - All the Dodgers Cards

Just before the Christmas holiday Topps released their 2018 Bowman’s Best brand, and I've got pics of most of the Dodgers' cards below. Go here for a complete checklist.

There are a ton of Dodger rookies available; including Walker Buehler and Keibert Ruiz, and likely the last card of Brian Dozier as a Dodger. Check them all out below.

Base

#2 Walker Buehler                #8 Cody Bellinger

Welcome to the Blue, Jeter Downs and Josiah Gray!

The trade we all knew was coming finally got done -- and just in time for Christmas. As you surely know by now, the Dodgers traded Matt Kemp, Yasiel Puig, Alex Wood, Kyle Farmer and $7 million to the Cincinnati Reds for minor league prospects Jeter Downs, Josiah Gray and soon to be released Homer Bailey. Here are Dodger notes on our two new youngsters:

Jeter Downs

Downs, 20, was the Reds’ first-round pick (No. 32 overall) in the 2017 First-Year Player draft and last year spent his entire season at Single-A Dayton, where he hit .257 with 13 homers, 23 doubles, 47 RBI and 37 stolen bases in 120 games. Last season, Downs appeared in 73 games at second base (71 starts) and 43 at shortstop (41 starts). The native of Colombia played his high school baseball in Miami Gardens, FL.    

Josiah Gray

Gray, who turned 21 today, was Cincinnati’s second round selection (No. 72 overall) in last year’s draft. The right-hander spent his first year of professional baseball at Rookie-level Greenville in the Appalachian League and went 2-2 with a 2.58 ERA (15 ER/52.1 IP) in 12 starts. Gray struck out 59 batters and walked just 17 while posting a WHIP of 0.88. The New Rochelle, NY native attended LeMoyne college in Syracuse, NY.

2018 Topps Transcendent Collection - The Dodgers Cards

Topps highest of high-end card brands was released last week. It is called 2018 Topps Transcendent Collection, and I've got pics of most of the Dodgers' available. Check them out below. Go here for a complete check list.

Base Transcendent Icons (#/83)

#1 Sandy Koufax                #23 Clayton Kershaw

Matt Kemp - Yasiel Puig - Alex Wood - Kyle Farmer -- Thank You!

I think we all expected this kind of trade was coming. Now that it has actually happened I'm in a state of shock. This afternoon the Dodgers paired some salary and some talent for a couple of prospects and a player not likely to be around long. Per a Dodger press release:

The Los Angeles Dodgers today acquired minor league infielder Jeter Downs, minor league right-handed pitcher Josiah Gray and right-handed pitcher Homer Bailey from the Cincinnati Reds in exchange for catcher/infielder Kyle Farmer, outfielders Matt Kemp and Yasiel Puig, left-handed pitcher Alex Wood and cash considerations (said to be $7 Million).  

Wow!

For the second time I get to say goodbye, good luck and thank you to Matt Kemp. He's been a great Dodger and I thoroughly enjoyed having him back in Los Angeles this season. As for Puig, I'll miss him. He's been a joy to watch, and I hope he finds continued success in Cincy. Alex Wood is someone I expect will pay off handsomely for the Reds. He'll be a frontline starter for that club. Kyle Farmer is likely to enjoy a long Major League career, and I suspect he'll beat us with a timely pinch hit a time-or-two over the coming years.

 Thank you, Boys! It's been an absolute pleasure!

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