2019 Topps Now - #92 - Joc Pederson's Walk-Off and a Look at Puig's Card

What an electrifying evening Jackie Robinson Day turned out to be. Along with all of the 'pomp and circumstance' that goes with this Baseball holiday, we got to witness a thrilling ballgame.

First of all, our staff ace, Clayton Kershaw, got on the mound for the first time this season. Unfortunately, his presence was no match for the recently traded Yasiel Puig. He promptly hit a first inning homer to give his new club an early lead. Then, with the game tied up in the eighth inning, Matt Kemp -- the other piece traded this winter -- knocked in the go-ahead run for the Reds on a single off of Kenley Jansen. Lastly, Joc Pederson came up to bat in the ninth inning to slam a game-winning two-run walk-off home run to win the game in grand fashion. Wowzers!

2019 Panini Diamond Kings -- Dodgers' Inserts Part 1

Now that you've seen the Dodger base cards, here are some of the inserts you can find in packs. Featured below are many of the Diamond King signature and relic cards. Notably, this set includes a Vin Scully autographed card -- his first signed card available since 2016.

DK Signatures

#4 Caleb Ferguson            #15 Dennis Santana

Welcome to the Blue, Josh Sborz!

Over the weekend the Dodgers made a change to their bullpen -- no doubt worried that their six-game losing streak had taxed their relief corps. They called-up right-handed pitcher Josh Sborz from Triple-A Oklahoma City and optioned right-handed pitcher Dennis Santana to Oklahoma City on Sunday. Per a Dodger Press release:

Sborz, 25, was the 74th overall pick by the Dodgers in the 2015 First Year Player Draft out of the University of Virginia. The former Cavalier has been with the Dodger organization five seasons and this will his first Major League promotion after he was added to the 40-man roster on November 20, 2018. On the season, he has made two appearances for Oklahoma City, going 4.0 scoreless frames with nine strikeouts against one walk.

Blog Kiosk: 4/16/2019 - Dodgers Links - Jackie Robinson Day Walk-Off Magic

Above is the only photo that matters. Vin Scully was on-hand at Dodger Stadium to help celebrate Jackie Robinson Day with Rachel Robinson. Photo above via @Dodgers on twitter.

The photo on the right comes a close second. As you surely know, Joc Pederson belted a two-run walk-off homer to help defeat the Reds, 3-2. Pic on the right via @Dodgers on twitter. Per Ken Gurnick at MLB.com:

“He just comes up big in big moments,” Roberts said. “This closer, Iglesias, is one of the best in the game. Joc got a hanging breaking ball, stayed in there and walked him off. We kind of stole it from them.”

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1945 the Boston Red Sox give tryouts to three Negro League ballplayers at Fenway Park -- Sam Jethroe, Jackie Robinson, and Marvin Williams. None are signed by the club. Their loss is our gain. In 1975 newly signed free agent and soon-to-be Hall of fame pitcher Juan Marichal made his last appearance in a game when he started for the Dodgers against the Reds. He would throw 2.1 innings and give up four runs. He would retire soon afterwards. In 1983 former Dodger Steve Garvey appeared in his 1,118th consecutive game to break the National League record. He broke the record as a Padre, but played 1,107 of those games in Dodger Blue.
• Happy Birthday, Ned Colleti, Paul Waner, Babe Phelps, Sergio Robles & Paco Rodríguez!

Blog Kiosk: 4/15/2019 - Dodgers Links - Happy Jackie Robinson Day!

Chicken Strip was fantastic yesterday afternoon - halting a Dodgers' six game slide that saw them lose their early season lead in the Western Division. Per Rowan Kavner at Dodger Insider:

In the longest outing of Stripling’s Major League career, he needed only 88 pitches to get through eight innings of work Sunday afternoon in a 7–1 win to stop the skid. 

“Just the way that he and Austin (Barnes) were in sync today was as good as I’ve seen any pitcher-catcher combo,” said manager Dave Roberts.

Photo above Juan Ocampo/Los Angeles Dodgers 2019 at Dodger Insider. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1909, Opening Day, the Brooklyn Superbas were no-hit by Red Ames of the Giants at the Polo Grounds for nine innings, but eventually prevailed to defeat the crosstown rival in the 13th inning, 3-0. On a side note, the Giants outfield recorded no putouts and the Superbas winning pitcher was Kaiser Wilhelm. In 1915 the Brooklyn Robins are no-hit by future Hall of Famer Rube Marquard of the Giants at the Polo Grounds, 2-0.  In 1947 Jackie Robinson makes his Major League debut at Ebbets Field. He would go 0-for-3, but would also score the go ahead run in the seventh inning after reaching base on an error during a sacrifice bunt. The Dodgers won the game 5-3. In 1958 the Dodgers and Giants play their first major league game on the West Coast. Unfortunately, Ruben Gomez of the Giants blanked the Dodgers at Seals Stadium in San Francisco, 8-0.
• Happy Birthday, Hub Collins, Jack Sheehan, Ted Sizemore, Willie Davis, Jeremy Burnitz & Milton Bradley!

Reds Series Starts Monday - Stadium Giveaways, Pregame Info and Other Stuff!

The next homestand starts on Monday against the Cincinnati Reds. Below are some odds and ends for this upcoming homestand. As I'm sure you know, this series marks the return of Yasiel Puig, Matt Kemp and Alex Woods to Dodger Stadium after having been traded over the winter. Here are some important links:

• 2019 Broadcast Schedule
• Parking Information 
• Special Events Schedule
• Promotions & Giveaways Schedule
• Silent Auction Schedule 
• Dodger Stadium Parking / Transportation 
• Dodger Stadium Express / LA Metro  

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Monday, April 15th at 7:10 PM

TV: ESPN, SportsNet LA, SNLA Spanish

Radio: AM 570 LA Sports, KTNQ 1020