Tuesday, October 21, 2014

2014 Topps Update Baseball - The Dodger Variation Base Cards

Following up on yesterday's post featuring the Dodger base cards found in packs of Topps Update, I now share pics of all the short printed base variation cards that are available.  Go here to check out a complete checklist of the set, or here for a listing of all variations that are available.  Go here to find all post related to this set.

There are four different Dodger variation cards available.  See them all below.  BTW, I show both the normal card and its short printed variation.  Also, with both 'Sparkle' cards I include additional photos showing the exact location of the 'Sparkle.'

2014 Topps Update Series Variations

#US-169 Chone Figgins - Sabermetric Variation

Short Print - Sabermetric Stats

2014 Panini Hall of Fame 75th Anniversary Baseball - The Dodger Sapphire and Autographed Cards

Turning back to Panini's Hall of Fame 75th Anniversary card set, I now share photos of the Sapphire and autographed Dodger insert cards.  Go here to check out a complete checklist of this set. 

The Sapphire card set is Panini's attempt to make valuable embedded precious metal/gem card.  Located near the bottom of the card (in the area that represents home plate) is a small (very small) gemstone.  There are three different variations available; including an Sapphire (#/15), Emerald (#/10) and a Diamond (#/1).

Certainly, this set is suppose to be the premier find in packs.  Unfortunately, they haven't sold too well on eBay.  Over the past week I've seen the Roy Campanella and Jackie Robinson gem cards (sapphire or emerald) sell from between $20.00 to $50.00 a piece.  At these kind of prices I just might have to chase them just for the heck of it.  Check out the Dodger cards below.

HOF 75th Anniversary Sapphire Card Set

#18 Jackie Robinson

Blog Kiosk: 10/21/2014 - Dodger Links - Kershaw Named Player of the Year by Baseball America


Andrew McCutchen, Joey Porter and Matt Kemp were at Heinz Field last night to enojoy some pregame banter at last night's Monday Night Football game in Pittsburgh, pic above via @steelers on twitter.  The Steelers defeated the Texans, 30 - 23, largely due to a huge offensive explosion in the second quarter of the game; they scored 24 of their 30 points then.

Below are some links to check out:
  • Continuity, baby!  Via Mark Saxon at ESPN, "Source: Scouts returning for 2015."
  • Via Jon Weisman at Dodger Insider, "Davises, Strawberry to enter L.A. City Section Hall of Fame."
  • Via TMZ, "Dodgers Star Hanley Ramirez My Lambo Spits FIRE!"  Check out the TMZ article to see it breath fire.
(pic via Hanley in instagram)
TMZ Sports has learned ... Hanley dropped around $550k for a white 2014 Lamborghini Aventador -- but wanted to make it stand out ... so he went to The Auto Firm in Miami and upgraded the exhaust to one that spits flames. 
My attachment to the Kansas City Royals doesn't come from living in the Midwest or because their colors are similar to the Dodgers or because I want the Giants to lose when the World Series starts. It's not even because I remember the Royals' victory in the '85 Series. No, my attachment began in 1976 when the Royals took on the Yankees and were demoralized by Chris Chambliss' home run off of Mark Littell.
  • Via Scott Andes at Lasorda Lair, "Schebler, Sweeney Heating Up, Seager Off to Slow Start in Arizona Fall League."
  • The Awards for Clayton Kershaw are only beginning to start.  Via Bill Shaikin at Baseball America he was named the PLayer of the Year: "Major League Player Of The Year: Baseball’s Best Pitcher Keeps Looking Ahead."
(cover via @BenBadler on twitter)
  • BTW, for the fourth season in a row Atlanta Braves closer Craig Kimbrel and newcomer Yankees reliever Dellin Betances were named the 2014 Goose Gosage Award winners yesterday by the Baseball Bloggers Alliance.  The Goose Gosage Award recognizes the best reliever in each league. I had picked Kimbrel on my National League ballot.  Furthermore, late last week, White Sox Jose Abreau and NY Met Jacob deGrom were named the Willie Mays Award winners for their respective league.  This award recognizes this past season rookie of the year.  Go here to see who were my picks for the BBA (Baseball Bloggers Alliance) Post Season Awards.

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