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Tuesday, October 10, 2017

2017 Topps Now - #741 & #742 - Bellinger and the Dodgers Sweep Arizona


Although far from being his best three-game stretch in his young career, Cody Bellinger did more than enough to ink a series victory for the Dodgers last night. Not only did he belt his first postseason homer of his career, to break Seager's franchise record for being the youngest to have done so, but also made several spectacular defensive plays to keep the diamondbacks at bay. As you might have guessed, a 2017 Topps Now card has been issued to commemorate his fantastic evening. Go here to check it out and order. Per AJ Cassavell at MLB.com:
When he popped up with men in scoring position in his second at-bat, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts pulled Bellinger aside and had some advice: "Don't do too much." 
"I was pressing a little bit, trying to do too much with every pitch," Bellinger said. "They were pitching to my aggressiveness. It's hard to hit like that." 
Sure enough, Bellinger was patient enough to work himself a 3-1 count against Zack Greinke, who left a pitch on the outer half of the plate. Bellinger crushed it to the opposite field, giving the Dodgers a 2-0 lead.
As you can see, the reverse of the card (on the right) features his life-defying catch over the railing of the Dodgers dugout to record the third out of the fifth inning.

BTW, there were six different game-used base and autograph Cody Bellinger relic cards available from Topps Now. Unfortunately, as of this writing they are all now sold out. You can check out pics of these cards at the very bottom.

2017 Contenders Draft Picks Baseball - All the Dodgers Cards

Last week Panini America released another Baseball related set. It is called 2017 Contenders Draft Picks, and as the name suggest it focuses on rising youngsters in both the minors and college -- many of whom have already been drafted. There are also numerous cards featuring grizzled veterans in their college duds. Go here to check out a complete checklist.

At this point there isn't a lot of Dodgers' available, but it does include several autographed cards of our 2017 1st round pick Jeren Kendall as a member of the Vanderbilt Commodores. There is also a single card of the Dodgers 24th ranked prospect (per MiLB.com) Carlos Rincon.

RPS Draft Ticket Autograph

#30 Jeren Kendall - Vanderbilt Commodores

Mickey Hatcher and Al Ferrara Signing Tonight


I apologize for this late notice.

With last nights sweep over the Diamondbacks I figured this event might be the perfect thing to help you continue with the celebration. I've just found out that both 1988 Dodgers World Series hero Mickey Hatcher and former "Dodger of the Year" Al Ferrara will be signing autographs at Ultimate Pastime Collectibles in Ontario tonight. Go here or here for more information.

Al Ferrara autographs are free, and Hatcher's will cost you a ten spot.
Ultimate Pastime Collectibles
1614 S Carlos Ave
Ontario, California 91761
(909) 575-8772

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Blog Kiosk: 10/10/2017 - Dodgers Links - Sweeeep!


(Pic via @Dodgers on twitter)
That was as dominating a series win as I've ever seen. They excelled at nearly ever aspect of the game. The offense returned to its former glory - after taking a month off in September. The relief staff not only proved that they are the best in the game, but they showed they can get better -- thanks in large part to Kenta Maeda's transformation into a righty specialist. Lastly, with the addition of Yu Darvish the Dodgers have all the makings of an starting staff that is too good to falter. Last night he yielded just two hits, one of which was a solo homer, over five innings of work -- striking out seven and walking none. Per Bradford Doolittle at ESPN:
"Yu really stepped up huge for us," Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. "He was in command and control from the first pitch, working to both sides of the plate.
"It was just fun to watch him have his nerves calm and just compete. He was out there having fun."
Now it's time to prepare for the next one, and frankly I don't care who it is. They got this.

Photo above via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers at Dodger Insider. Below are more links to check out:
  • This Day in Dodgers HistoryIn 1961 the Mets drafted Dodgers legend Gil Hodges off the Dodgers as a part of the expansion draft. In 1978 the Dodgers retired the number of Dodger player/coach Jim Gilliam -- 19.  He had died just two days prior from an cerebral hemorrhage.  The ceremony preceded Game 1 of the World Series against the Yankees.
  • Happy Birthday, Ad GumbertFay ThomasRich DuringHarry EisenstatLee PfundRamon Martinez!