2020 Bowman 1st Edition Baseball -- All the Dodger Prospects

As you likely know, COVID-19 has affected the Baseball card hobby in many ways -- one of which is the delay of various card brand releases. One of those products is the very popular Bowman Baseball set. As you know, this brand ushers in many of the future young stars found in the game. So, Topps decided to create an online-only version of the set to satisfy collector demand, and it caused quite a stir in the hobby. In fact, collectors on social media complained mightily.

The online-only set is called 2020 Bowman 1st Edition and it sold out instantaneously. Go here for a complete checklist.

Topps made limited packs available over three consecutive days, limiting each buyer to only 24 packs (costing a collector $359.76 overall). Unfortunately, it's limited nature and potential high resale value meant that the packs would sell out fast -- I just don't think Topps realized how fast it would be.

Their website quickly crashed and fans got locked out.

Blog Kiosk: 5/4/2020 - Dodgers Link & News - May the Fourth be with You

I thought it would be fun to make a couple of Dodgers/Star Wars fantasy Baseball cards today -- on Star Wars Day. Photo above originally taken by Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1919 Brooklynites attend the very first major league game played on a Sunday due to a new law passed by the NY Legislature called the "Sunday Baseball Bill." The Brooklyn Dodgers defeated the Boston Braves at Ebbets Field, 6-2. In 1966 Willie Mays hits his 512nd career home run off of Dodgers hurler Claude Osteen at Candlestick Park. The homer breaks the NL All-Time home run mark held by Mel Ott. In 1976 it is declared Rick Monday Day in Illinois. The then Cubs outfielder is presented with the flag he saved from an on-field burning attempt at Dodger Stadium. In 2009 the Dodgers win their 11th straight game to start the season -- breaking a NL record. In 2012 the Dodgers signed free agent outfield Bobby Abreu to a one-year $9 million contract.
• Happy Birthday, Sid Gautreaux!

2019-20 Topps 582 Montgomery Club - 1969 Test Issue Poster Set - Lux and May

The third set from Topps exclusive 582 Montgomery Club is now in collectors hands and it pays homage to a 1969 set that originally featured eleven ballplayers on a large 11 1/4" x 19 3/4" poster. Thought to be a test issue (and actually advertised as such by Topps) it was really a widely distributed product that just didn't do very well in the stores. Originally, they sold these posters in their own packs for $0.10 a piece, so pricing was likely the reason they didn't sell.

Today, these posters are in high demand due to their scarcity and because they are so damn good looking.... No, really... They're beautiful. To see what I mean, take a look at my Dodger poster on the right (I apologize for the poor photo quality).

Blog Kiosk: 5/1/2020 - Dodgers Links & News - Some Odds and Ends

Don't you just love celebration photos? Featured above are the two heroes from the clinching game of the NLCS (eBay auction link). Fernando pitched a near complete game (8.2 innings) and Monday hit a game-winning go-ahead home run in the ninth inning to win the game in dramatic fashion.

10/19/81 -- Montreal: Dodgers pitching ace Fernando Valenzuela (L) and game hero Rick Monday swig the champagne in the dressing room after Los Angeles downed the Montreal Expos in the fifth game to win the National League Championship.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1906 the Brooklyn Superbas (Dodgers) are no-hit by Philadelphia southpaw John Lush, 6-0. In 1920 the Dodgers and Boston Braves play a 26-inning game - the longest in major league history. Starting pitchers Leon Cadore of Brooklyn and Joe Oeschger of Boston both finish the game, as it ends in a 1-1 tie after nearly four hours of play. In 1965 Tommy Davis dislocates and breaks his ankle while sliding into second base trying to break up a double play. In 2012 a new Dodgers ownership group takes over the franchise -- headed by Stan Kasten, Mark Walter at Guggenheim Financial and Magic Johnson.
• Happy Birthday, Charlie Reynolds, Von Joshua, Ray Searage, Phil Hiatt & Iván De Jesus!

Blog Kiosk: 4/30/2020 - Dodgers Links & News - Some Odds and Ends

Roy Campanella and Johnny Podres are all smiles.

The 1955 World Series didn't start out so great. The Dodgers lost the first two games on the road, but fought back to win Game 3 at Ebbets Field -- on the back of a complete game by Podres and the stellar bat of Campanella. Featured above is a brief look at the post game celebration from Game 3. Per a descriptor on the reverse (eBay auction link):

Roy Campanella, left, and Johnny Podres celebrate 8-3 victory over Yankees -- Catcher backed up pitcher's fine hurling with three big hits, including home run.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1935 the Dodgers signed 21-year old amateur free agent Rod Dedeaux. He would later go on to become the head baseball coach at the University of Southern California (USC) for 45 season -- winning 11 national titles and 28 conference championships. In 1940 Brooklyn tied a Major League record for consecutive wins to start a season at nine victories when Dodgers hurler Tex Carlton no-hit the Cincinnati Reds, 3-0. In 2014 the Dodgers won their 10,000th game in franchise history when they defeated the Twins, 6-4, behind the pitching of Zack Greinke.
• Happy Birthday, Paul Wachtel, Phil Garner, Jeff Reboulet & José Peraza!

2019 Leaf Flash Baseball -- All the Dodger Prospects

I too wish it was still 2019.

As you may know, Leaf Trading Cards has this penchant for turning back the clock on their products. For instance, check out this new card set that just arrived on collector doorsteps. It is their Leaf Flash brand and it focuses on top-end MLB prospects on super-sparkly designed cards. Also, Leaf has designated this set as a 2019 product -- even though we are well into the fourth month of 2020. Why! I do not know.

The Dodgers cast of prospects available in this set are Gavin Lux, Jimmy Lewis, Kody Hoese and Michael Busch. Lux is currently with the Dodgers and is slated to be their Opening day second baseman. Lewis, Hoese and Busch were all drafted by the club in 2019 and are several years away from stepping on a Major League field. A complete checklist of the set can be found here.

Check out the cards below.

Base Autographs

#BA-GL1 Gavin Lux         #BA-JL1 Jimmy Lewis