Blog Kiosk: 4/27/2020 - Dodgers Links & News - Some Odds and Ends

Here's a vintage World Wide Photo print featuring Dodgers ace Sandy Koufax with Jay North - aka, Dennis the Menace. They appeared together in an episode of Dennis the Menace in May 1962 -- during 31st episode of season 3. The episode was titled, "Dennis and the Dodger." The photo is available through RMY Auctions. You can watch much of the episode on Daily Motion, here.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1929 Dodger reliever Clise Dudley became the first pitcher (and only second player ever) to hit a home run on the first major league pitch thrown to him. In 1944 Jim Tobin of the Braves no-hits the Brooklyn Dodgers in Boston, 2-0. In 1990 Orel Hershiser undergoes surgery on his pitching shoulder. In 2004 Mets Catcher Mike Piazza ties Carlton Fisk for most career round-trippers by a catcher when he hit home run #351 against Dodgers hurler Hideo Nomo at Dodger Stadium.
• Happy Birthday, Hi Myers, Frank Wurm & Corey Seager!

2018 Topps Archives Signature Series Retired Player Edition - The Dodgers Cards

Last week Topps released their second Archives Signature product and this time they focus on retired ballplayers. As you'll recall, they released their active player edition in July (link here). This particular brand includes a checklist that has 14 ballplayers who once wore Dodger Blue, but I've only been able to find Dodger cards for ten of those former Dodgers. So far, signed Dodger cards of Andruw Jones (thank goodness), Bobby Bonilla, Pedro Martinez and Rickey Henderson have not yet been unearthed. Go here for a complete checklist. Check out the known signed Dodger buyback cards below. BTW, all Sandy Koufax cards come as a redemption.

On another note, the checklist indicates something called "Special Autographs", and that checklist includes six different older Dodger players. They are all "1 of 1's" and feature mostly vintage era cards that have been signed.

Retired Player Edition Encased Buyback Autographs

• #Andruw Jones -- None seen
• #Bobby Bonilla -- None Seen
• #Pedro Martinez -- None Seen
• #Rickey Henderson -- None Seen

#Bill Madlock

1986 Topps                          1987 Topps

2017 Topps Archives Signature Series Postseason Edition - The Dodgers Cards

Following on the heals of Topps Archives Signature Series buyback cards release earlier this month is the "Postseason" edition of Archives Signature Series. It includes ballplayers who have played a significant part in postseason play. Go here for more information.

According to the supplied checklist there are eight players who once wore Dodger Blue that are available. So far, I've been able to track down signed Archives cards of seven of those eight Dodgers - the only missing piece being Rickey Henderson.

Below is just a sampling of known Dodger cards that are available in packs. There are no doubt more out there, so below is far from a complete checklist.

On a side note, I really hate that they made Andruw Jones Dodgers' cards. He was terrible for us and I'd rather forget about his short stay in Los Angeles. Furthermore, I gotta get that Jesse Orozco 1988 Topps card. He played such a huge role for the team - not only as a reliever, but as the man who basically help lit the fire under Kirk Gibson during Spring Training that season.

#Andruw Jones

Blog Kiosk: 5/1/2017 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Not only did the Dodgers complete their first series sweep of the season, but we also witnessed Hyun-Jin Ryu's first win since 2014. Per Ken Gurnick at MLB.com:

"Today's definitely a milestone for me," said Ryu. "It's been almost 1,000 days since I've had a 'W,' so it's definitely a milestone and I'd like to build on it from this moment and always put the team in position to win."

Photo above via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2017. Go here to check out more pics bu Jon from yesterdays game. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1906 the Brooklyn Superbas (Dodgers) are no-hit by Philadelphia pitcher 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. In 1965 Tommy Davis dislocates and breaks his ankle while sliding into second base trying to break up a double play.
• Happy Birthday, Charlie Reynolds, Von Joshua, Ray Searage, Phil Hiatt & Iván De Jesus!

2016 Topps Archives Signature - All the Dodgers Cards

If you love to chase after buy-back autographed cards and have an affinity towards the players of yesteryear then this product is for you.  Last week Topps released, for the second year in a row, their 2016 Topps Archives Signatures brand.  As you may know, it solely focuses on older Topps cards that have been signed by the respective player.  In other words, there is no base set.  Instead, each pack/box includes a single encased certified autographed Baseball card.

There are over a 100 different players available and several of them have Dodger ties.  They include Andy Pafko, Don Drysdale, Don Zimmer, Duke Snider, Eric Davis, Frank Robinson, Gary Carter, Greg Maddux, Hoyt Wilhelm, Leo Durocher, Mike Piazza, Nomar Garciaparra, Sandy Koufax, Shawn Green and Steve Garvey.  Go here for a listing of players that can be found. There is no guarantee, of course, that the players above have a signed Dodger card in the product.  After all, both Hoyt Wilhelm and Frank Robinson were short-term Dodger players, and there are really only a handful of Topps cards of them as a Dodger available.  Nevertheless, I've done my best to catalogue what is available.  If you run across something I don't list here please let me know.

Below is a listing of known (so far to me) Dodger cards.  Of note, if your a fan of Steve Garvey or Shawn Green then chances are high you'll find one in a box.  There are a ton of them available.  Furthermore, the list below is not likely to be complete.  There are no doubt numerous "1 of 1" cards and other scarcities still lurking in unopened boxes or in private collections.

UPDATE:  You can check out a listing of the 2015 Archives Signature Dodgers cards here.

Eric Davis

• 1992 Bowman (#/30) 
• 1992 Topps Stadium Club (#/5)
• 1993 Bowman (#/39)
• 1993 Topps (#/35)
• 1993 Topps Stadium Club (#/10)

 1993 Bowman (#/39)                1993 Topps (#/35)

Weekend Autograph Opportunities: All-Star FanFest in San Diego and Several Baseball Veterans at Frank & Son

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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2015 Topps Archives Signature - Many of the Signed Dodger Cards

Since I've been clearly obsessed with tracking and cataloging all of the modern era Dodger cards in existence I decided to do my best with Topps newest product - 2015 Topps Archives Signature.  Daunting, I know.  Go here for a checklist of players who signed.  For those who don't know, this product includes only signed buyback cards.

As you'll recall, last week I declared an Andruw Jones autograph Dodger card as this years worst (link here), and now you'll discover that there's at least another one to hate.

As for what to love, you should check out the handful of 1980's Topps created retail box sets that have been signed.  Both Steve Garvey and Fernando Valenzuela signed a handful of their 1987 K-Mart cards.  There is also a 1981 Drake's cakes card signed by Garvey - which is absolutely awesome!  Drake's cards disappeared into the dustbin of history many moons ago, so it's nice that they make a little comeback here.  They were one of my favorites as a kid.  Also note that I included the 1973 Frank Robinson Topps card on this list since this issue clearly shows him in a poorly photoshopped Dodger uniform. 

Both Nomar Garciaparra and Greg Maddux are available only as redemptions, so we don't yet know if they signed any Dodger cards for this product.  Also, Fred McGriff has signed some cards, but I have yet to see him in Blue. 

No doubt, this listing is far from complete.  There are likely to be many "1 of 1's" and other scarcer issues out there yet to be discovered.  If you see something not on this list please let me know. 

#Eric Davis

1992 Topps #/15                     1993 Topps #/37

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. 

• Dodger collector Night Owl Cards writes a wonderful piece entitled, "That Year Was Next Year."  

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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May the 4th Be With the Dodgers

After watching the the Dodgers fall once again yesterday, I needed a little bit of fantasy to get me by.  So, on this magical of days, on the 4th of May, I take you back to when Star Wars took over the Dodgers.

Hopefully, the Blue Crew can defeat the evil umpire from up north this evening.

BTW, the above "This Is My Town" graphics were made by the Dodgers for their 2010 Star Wars Night celebration.  Check my past post from this day here and here; they include plenty of pics.  Photos from the Dodgers 2009 Star Wars Night celebration can be seen here and here.  My post highlighting the 2011 Star Wars Night can be seen here.  The Dodgers continued on with their Star Wars tradition by holding their 4th annual Star Wars Night celebration on July 2nd of last year.  See some pics here.

In celebration of Dee Gordon's impending arrival, I thought the above graphic made for last years Star Wars Night was appropriate.  The Dodgers made 9 other Star Wars themed graphics, as well.  See them all here on their facebook photoalbum.

(pic credit: Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2012)

Above, Eric Davis greets some stormtroopers.

(pic credit: Juan Ocamp/LA Dodgers 2012)

(pic credit: Juan Ocampo/LA Dodgers 2012)

This got me thinking...

(pic credit: reddit CyanogenHacker)

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