2019 Topps Now Future Award Winners - All the Dodger Cards

In May I put up pics from a new Topps online exclusive set called '2019 Topps Now Future World Series'. These cards are basically a gaming piece that provides a prize should the predicted event occur. In the case of the 'Future World Series' cards, should the team featured win the 2019 World Series the holder would win either a chrome-based team set or a mystery autographed card.

Following that set Topps released a second 'Award' brand and it is called '2019 Topps Now Future Award Winners'. These cards provide a prize should the featured ballplayer win the MVP, Cy Young or Rookie of the Year. Featured Dodgers include Clayton Kershaw and Walker Buehler as Cy Young candidates, Corey Bellinger and Corey Seager as MVP candidates and Alex Verdugo as a potential Rookie of the Year. Go here for a complete checklist.

BTW, there are also 'Wild Cards' available that cover the ballplayers that Topps did not have the wherewithal to include as a part of this brand. This is important because Hyun-Jin Ryu is clearly leading the National League CY Young race and he isn't featured in this set. On a side note, with Bellinger currently outpacing the rest of the league for MVP, I think it may be prudent to chase after his cards.

Base Cy Young Award

NL Cy Young Award

#11 Clayton Kershaw           #14 Walker Buehler

Blog Kiosk: 6/14/2019 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Check out this fantastic fan-taken snapshot of Jackie Robinson coaching his son, Jackie Robinson Jr. that I ran into on ebay recently. Junior must be behind on the count -- notice how he's choking up on the bat?

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1991 the Dodgers signed 17-year old amateur free agent pitcher Ismael Valdéz out of Victoria, Mexico. He would eventually play seven seasons in LA during an 12-year Major League career -- accumulating an 61-57 record, an 3.48 ERA, a 3.88 FIP and a WHIP of 1.235 as a Dodger. In 1993 the Dodgers played their very first game in Colorado against the expansion Rockies. Behind the pitching of Pedro Astacio, Los Angeles pounded out 12 hits (including a Jody Reed homer) to win the game, 9-4. In 1995 Dodger hurler Hideo Nomo struck out 16 Pirates to set an Dodgers all-time rookie record for strikeouts.  
• Happy Birthday, Don Newcombe & Greg Brock!

2019 Topps Series 2 Flaship Set -- Some Inserts and Silver Pack Promos

Yesterday, we took a look at all of the Dodger base cards found in the second series of Topps flagship baseball cards set. Now, we can check out some of the inserts that are available.

First, though let's take a peek at the Silver Pack promotion. Like last year, collectors can go to your local participating card shop and receive a free 'Silver Pack' when purchasing a Series Two hobby box. These limited edition packs feature exclusive 1984 Chrome cards with a chromium "Mojo" finish. Go here for more information. Directly below are the two Dodgers' available -- Clayton Kershaw and Cody Bellinger.

Below those cards are the '150 Years of Baseball', 'Home Run Challenge Code', '1984 Baseball Rookies', '1984 Autographs' and 'Legacy of Baseball Autographed' cards.

2019 Topps Baseball Silver Pack 

1984 Chrome Promo Cards Series 2

Base Set

#T84-1 Clayton Kershaw         #T84-23 Cody Bellinger

Blog Kiosk: 6/13/2019 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

I think it's safe to say that everybody had a fun time at last nights Blue Diamond Gala in support of the Dodgers Foundation. Per Rowan Kavner at Dodger Insider:

“We have a lot of stuff that goes on during the season on off days that guys don’t always look forward to, but I think this is one event that happens every year — as well as Clayton (Kershaw)’s ping-pong event — where guys put it in the calendar and look forward to it,” said Justin Turner, “especially when you have a guy like Bruno Mars performing.”

They raised over $3 million in support of the organization. Photo above of Dave Roberts, via the Dodgers Foundation on twitter. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1973 the famed Dodger infield of Steve Garvey, Davey Lopes, Bill Russell and Ron Cey play on the infield together for the first time. Ten days later they would be inserted into the starting lineup for the first time. In 1998 the very first triple play is executed at Dodger Stadium. It sequence is 1-6-4-5 in the fifth inning -- with men at 1st and 2nd, Darren Dreifort fields a sacrifice bunt attempt, throws to shortstop Jose Vizcaino at 2nd, who then throws to covering second baseman Eric Young at 1st, who then throws to Bobby Bonilla at 3rd to get the final out. See the GIF on right to see the play.
• Happy Birthday, Gene McCann, Bill Bergen & Charlie Malay!

Cubs Series Starts Thursday - Stadium Giveaways, Pregame Info and Other Stuff!

The next homestand starts on Thursday against the Chicago Cubs. Below are some odds and ends for this upcoming homestand. Here are some important links:

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

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Thursday, June 13th at 7:10 PM

TV: SportsNet LA, SNLA Spanish

Radio: AM 570 LA Sports, KTNQ 1020

2019 Topps Series 2 Flagship Set - All the Dodger Base Cards and Variations

Series 2 is now out in stores, and it includes 11 new Dodger base cards to add to this season flagship set. There are some big names here, like Cody Bellinger, Walker Buehler and Cy Young favorite Hyun-Jin Ryu. On top of that, I believe the Pedro Baez card is his very first flagship base card - please correct me if I'm wrong. Go here for a complete checklist.

BTW, I've included pics of the five six currently known short-printed photo variations that are available --  the most notable being the Bellinger sliding like Superman card.

Base

#364 Kenta Maeda