Friday, May 24, 2019

2019 Topps Pro Debut - All the Dodgers' Insert Cards

Now that you've seen the base cards, below is a look at all of the other Dodger insert cards that are available in packs of 2019 Topps Pro Debut. On a side note, I decided to include the two Mike Trout/Rancho Cucamonga Quakes cards below. I reasoned that since the Quakes are now a Dodgers farmclub I would be justified. Besides, I'll likely never have an other opportunity to show a Trout card on this blog, so why not.

Future Cornerstones Autograph

#FCA-KR Keibert Ruiz

Blog Kiosk: 5/24/2019 - Dodgers LInks - Some Odds and Ends


In honor of this weekends Memorial holiday I thought it apt to share the above 1945 AP photograph of a couple Brooklyn Dodgers in military baseball gear. This was grabbed from VintageBall.com. Per the descriptor on the reverse:
Former Dodgers in the Pacific -- A pair of former Brooklyn Dodger Pitchers, Hugh Casey (left) and Cletus "Boots" Poffenberger (right), talk over the situation before opposing each other in a baseball game, somewhere in the Pacific. Casey's team won the game, 2 to 0. Casey is a Navy Chief Specialist and Boots is a Marine Private First Class.
Below are more links to check out:
  • This Day in Dodgers History: In 1947 Carl Furillo hit a three-run pinch-hit first inning home run against the Phillies at Ebbets Field. The early pinch-hit at-bat only occurred because Philly manager Ben Chapman (yeah, that guy) chose to use his right-handed starting pitcher for Brooklyn's first two batters only -- Pee Wee Reese and Jackie Robinson. Then substituted in a lefty for the next three batters. In 1973 the Dodgers and Mets play a 19-inning marathon at Dodger Stadium that takes a then-club record five hours and 42 minutes to complete. The Dodgers lost, 7-3. Outfielder Willie Davis would collect six hits -- tying a NL record. In 2000 sixteen Dodger players and coaches are suspended (a total of 60 games for players and 24 games for coaches) for a fighting incident at Wrigley Field that resulted in numerous players jumping in the stands on May 16th. 
  • Happy BirthdayWilmer FontBilly OttersonFred JacklitschJoe OeschgerGus FelixClancy SmyresEllie RodriguezCarlos HernandezJason GrabowskiJae Weong Seo,  Brad Penny & Andrew Toles!

Thursday, May 23, 2019

Weekend Autograph Opportunity: Angels Rookie Griffin Canning!

Here are this weekends autograph opportunities and events throughout the Southland. As always, be sure to check the Blue Heaven Calendar for other events (a link can always be found on the tab at the top of this page, just left of center), and always confirm with the establishment. Everything is subject to change.  Please email me with any tips about upcoming events in Southern California.  As the rest of the week progresses I'll update this post with other events (if there are any), as I become aware of them.  Also, I don't always list every event below, so be sure to check my Calendar.  I always try to favor free signing events over paying events.  Click on any pic to embiggen.

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The Angels second ranked prospect (according to MLB Pipeline) and current rookie starting pitcher Griffin Canning will be signing free autographs at a local San Diego County Credit Union on Saturday, May 25th from 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM. Go here for more information. Be sure to arrive early, as the first 150 fans are guaranteed an autograph. Also, Angels Radio AM830 will also be present at the event with fun giveaways.
San Diego County Credit Union
(877)732-2848
32341 Golden Lantern, Ste A
Laguna Niguel, CA, 92677
NOTE: No personal photographs with the player. One autograph per person. Player subject to change without notice. Other restrictions apply.

* Please follow on twitter @ernestreyes *
* Dodgers Blue Heaven home page *

Blog Kiosk: 5/23/2019 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends


Today is Brooklyn Hall of Famer Zack Wheat's 131st birthday, so in celebration I thought I would put up the above Charles Conlon photograph of Wheat from 1925. The photograph can be found in the book "Baseball's Golden Age: The Photographs of Charles M. Conlon, 1993" and the above copy was sold at MEARS in 2011 for $65. It is a Type II photograph -- meaning it's a modern photograph from the original glass plate negative.

Below are more links to check out:
  • This Day in Dodgers HistoryIn 1944 the Dodgers and Giants play the first night time game in metro New York since 1941 at the Polo Grounds due to the easing of wartime restrictions. Brooklyn defeated Bill Voiselle and the Giants, 3-2In 1981 Ron Cey hit his 200th career home run. It was against the Reds in Cincinnati. In 2002 Shawn Green hit four home runs in one game against the Brewers in Milwaukee, and set a major league record for total bases at 19. Overall, Green went 6-for-6 with a single, double, six runs scored and seven RBI's. Watch highlights of his day here.
  • Happy BirthdayZack WheatAugie GalanClyde King & Ramon Ortiz!

2019 Topps Pro Debut - All the Dodger Base Cards

Topps Pro Debut brand hit stores this week, and it features several of the Dodgers top youngsters in their minor league system -- including hurler Dustin May, Keibert Ruiz and Gavin Lux. Go here for a complete checklist.

Below is a look at the Dodgers' base set, the lone photo variation of Ruiz and the three Dodger base autographed cards. I hope to have pics of the other Dodger inserts soon, so stay tuned.

Base

#11 Yadier Alvarez         #24 Cristian Santana

Wednesday, May 22, 2019

Blog Kiosk: 5/22/2019 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends


Clayton Kershaw may not exactly be the pitcher he was, but he sure looks good as the pitcher he is becoming. Last night he was throwing darts and crusing along against the Rays until the seventh inning arrived -- where he yielded a couple of hits and ended up giving up two runs. Nevertheless, last nights efforts continues his streak of 19 consecutive unbeaten starts -- going back to July 27, 2018. Per Dawn Klemish at MLB.com:
“I thought Clayton was really good,” Los Angeles manager Dave Roberts said. “I thought all night long, just mixing his pitches, changing locations, pitches, sequencing, everything was great.”
...
“I felt good,” Kershaw said. “I think other than that last inning, I felt everything went pretty well. Not a whole lot of hard contact; it was all right.” 
“All right” for Kershaw is certainly a pretty high bar.
Photo above via Ricky Bowden/MLB.com at Dodger Insider. Go here to check out more pics from yesterdays game. Below are more links to check out:
  • This Day in Dodgers HistoryIn 1949 Don Newcombe made his first major league start, firing a five-hit shutout in a 3-0 victory over the Cincinnati Reds. He would go on to have a 17-8 record with 19 complete games, five shut outs and an 3.17 ERA -- winning both the Rookie of the Year and the Cy Young awards. In 1987 the Dodgers traded reliever Tom Niedenfuer to the Orioles for John Shelby and Brad Havens. Shelby would go on to have a very impactful season for the World Series Champion Dodgers the next year.
  • Happy BirthdayBill Lohrman & Tommy John!