Celebrating Orel Hershiser's Birthday with his Ten Best Cards

This post is something that I rarely do, but for this man... this great Dodger... I just couldn't help myself.

Today is Orel Hershiser's 56th Birthday, and I figured the best way to celebrate it would be to share my list of his Ten Best Baseball Cards.  Fortunately, there are plenty to choose from, and they run the gamut from the stupendous to the hilarious.  So, check them out below.

If I happen to neglect a card that you believe is worthy please let me know.  BTW, I did not include any cards with him in anything but Dodger Blue, so you shouldn't expect to see him in another team's uniform on this list.  Also, I refuse to accept that he ever played for that team up north.  Now, on to the list:

#10
I figured I would start this list with a World Series highlight set released by Fleer in 1989.  There are two different Hershiser cards in this insert set, and since I couldn't decide which one I like best I've included them both to start this list. 

Blog Kiosk: 9/16/2014 - Dodger Links - Magic Number is Now 9

The Dodger bats continue to be hot.  They knocked out eleven runs on fifteen hits in rout to an 11 to 3 victory over the Colorado Rockies last night.  Their big inning occurred in the sixth when they exploded for eight runs.  Overall, every starting position player got a hit; including a homer by Kemp and doubles by six other different players.

I think the above photo explains why they continue to be on fire.  As you can see above, the Dodgers treated themselves to some Popeye's Fried Chicken., pic via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2014.  Go here to check out more pics from him from yesterday.

Of note, there was a little brouhaha in the Dodger dugout between Matt Kemp and Yasiel Puig in the sixth inning.  It likely had to do with Puig not taking third base on a single to right field, so Kemp took exception and made sure Puig knew he wasn't pleased with his lack of hustle.  Of course, nobody in the clubhouse has any comments about the incident.  In fact, Mattingly called it a "family matter."

The Dodgers win and the Giants loss to the Diamondbacks last night pushes the Dodger lead in the Western Division to 4.0 games.  Also, the Dodgers magic number falls to single digits, 9.  Now, below are some links to check out:

• Via Mark Saxon at ESPNLosAngeles.com, "Dodgers' bats as hot as their tempers."

One way to look at the dust-up between Matt Kemp and Yasiel Puig in the Los Angeles Dodgers’ dugout is as another example of what several people have called a “dysfunctional” clubhouse. That could well be true.

Another way to look at it is as a step forward for the team, with one prominent player demanding another prominent player take accountability for his actions. That also could be true. 

I think there's a bit of irony to this situation.  I recall when Kemp and his other younger cohorts also lacked the hustle and urgency demanded by surly veterans like Kent and Garciaparra.   Now, the shoe is on the other foot.

• Via Eric Stephen at True Blue LA, "Hyun-Jin Ryu has cortisone shot in shoulder, unlikely to start before playoffs."  His MRI on Monday show nothing more serious than the shoulder inflammation discovered in May of this year.  So, he'll rest and join the team in Chicago in a few days.  I would suspect he'll not pitch til the playoffs.  Personally, I'd love for him to have before the playoffs start.
• Just give him the Cy Young already!  Via a Dodgers press release, Clayton Kershaw has been named the National League Player of the Week for the week ending September 14. This is his second weekly award won this season (fifth overall in his career).

Kershaw was tied for the Major League-lead in wins, innings pitched and strikeouts, posting a 2-0 record with 17 strikeouts in 16.0 innings of work. The reigning NL Cy Young Award winner had a 1.69 ERA (3 ER/16.0 IP) for the week and held opponents to a .175 batting average. He allowed just three walks while scattering 10 hits across both of his starts.

• Via Eric Stephen at True Blue LA, "Clayton Kershaw named Marvin Miller Man of the Year Award finalist."
• Via Mark Simon at ESPN.com, "Justin Turner, Dodgers' secret weapon."

He's performed best in close games, hitting .331 in 139 at-bats in which the teams were tied or within one run of each other. His six go-ahead or game-tying hits in the seventh inning or later lead the team. Kershaw can thank him for the two-run eighth-inning homer he hit that gave the Dodgers a 2-1 lead over the Padres, netting Kershaw his 15th win of the season. 

* Please follow on twitter @ernestreyes *

* Like Dodgers Blue Heaven on facebook *

* Dodgers Blue Heaven home page *

2014 Topps Triple Threads Baseball - The Dodger Autographed Cards

Here is a look at all of the Dodger autographed cards available in this years Triple Threads set; including the always popular Autographed Relic cards.  Go here to check out all of my past post on this set.  I hope to have pics of all the Unity Insert cards to share tomorrow. 

All of the Clayton Kershaw autographed cards are available through a redemption card only.  Below is a checklist:

• Transparencies Autographed Jumbo Relics Set - #TTT-CK (#/25 for base) (only one parallel - an Onyx "1 of 1") 
• Autographed Relic Combos Set - #TTARC-SFK Clayton Kershaw, Scherzer & Fernandez (numbered to #/36 with numerous parallels)
• Autographed Relic Double Combos Book Set- #TTARDC-6 Kershaw, Fernandez, Wheeler, Darvish, Miller & Scherzer (#/3 for base) (only one parallel - an Ruby "1 of 1")

UPDATE:

#TTT-CK Clayton Kershaw

There are also several Dodger "cut" autographed cards available.  Unfortunately, they do not appear to have been found yet.  Below is a checklist:

• Cut Above Autographs Set (1 of 1) - #TTCA-DS Don Sutton
• Dual Cut Above Autographs Book Set - #TTDCA-4 Duke Snider & Pee Wee Reese
• Dual Cut Above Autographs Book Set - #TTDCA-5 Duke Snider & Sandy Koufax

Below are the Autographed Relic cards with pertinent (sometimes) phrases spelled out.  I say this because I'm not entirely sure that "4 Prizes" means in the second Fernando Valenzuela card below.

Autographed Relics Set

#TTAR-FV1 Fernando Valenzuela

Dodgers to be on Free TV - Yeah!

Free TV is kind of a misnomer.  Ain't it?  After all, there's no such thing as a free lunch, or at least that's what I understand.

In great news for fans everywhere, the Dodgers will broadcast the last six games of the season (all home games) will be aired on KDOC.  WooHoo!

Per a press release:

Time Warner Cable today announced it has secured an agreement to broadcast the final week of Dodger games on KDOC. KDOC is an independent broadcast station that is carried by every cable, satellite and telco provider in Southern California and can also be received over the air with an antenna.

...

Beginning September 22, Time Warner Cable will simulcast the remaining games of the season, featuring the iconic Vin Scully, on SportsNet LA and KDOC, subject to national broadcast commitments. The Dodgers face the Giants on September 22, 23 and 24 at 7:10 p.m. and then take on the Rockies on September 26 at 7:10 p.m., September 27 at 6:10 p.m. and September 28 at 1:10 p.m.

This might be the case of "too little, too late," but on the other hand at least you'll will able to watch the last six games at home.  So, I guess this is a win for everybody.

* Please follow on twitter @ernestreyes *

* Like Dodgers Blue Heaven on facebook *

* Dodgers Blue Heaven home page *

Blog Kiosk: 9/15/2014 - Dodger Links - Winning Big Over Giants

After a rocky start to the weekend series against the Giants, the Dodgers ended up being red-hot.  So hot, in fact, they surely fueled the heat that rained down on California this weekend.  They brought the fire that burnt our rivals up north to a crisp. 

On Saturday, the Dodgers responded to the lopsided loss on Friday with one of their own the next day.  They scored 17 runs (a record in that stadium up north) on 24 hits; including a two-run home run by Zack Greinke.  Then, Clayton Kershaw came in on Sunday to do what he always does - pitch great.  The Dodgers won handily and took the weekend series two games to one.  The photo above proves that Kershaw isn't all about skill.  It's also about preparation.  Pic above via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2014.  Go here to check out more photos from Sunday's game.

The Dodgers start the day with an 3.0 lead over the Giants and a "Magic Number" of 11.  They play in Colorado tonight, and the Giants play in Arizona.  Below are some more links to check out:

• The best quote I read regarding the Dodgers 17-0 victory over the Giants on Saturday is below.  It made me feel really old:

Andy Van Slyke's kid just homered off Bruce Bochy's kid to score Tom Gordon's kid, if you want to feel even older than you are.
— Jon Tayler (@JATayler) September 14, 2014

• Via Mark Saxon at ESPNLosAngeles.com, "The Clayton Kershaw train is still on time."

“I almost kind of feel bad for him,” Los Angeles Dodgers veteran pitcher Dan Haren said. “Everyone just expects him to win, everyone just expects him to go out there and throw eight or nine innings and give up zero or one run. That must be quite the burden to put on him, but obviously it doesn’t seem to bother him.”

• Via JP Hoornstra at the Inland Valley Daily Bulletin, "Dodgers’ J.P. Howell is familiar with baseball’s rules for prescription drug use."

“If you have a TUE, you have to take it,” he said. “And if you do not take it, and there’s a low amount, that means you’re using it only when you want it — not when you need it. They monitor how you take it, how much is in your system. The milligram amount, if it’s above or below what’s expected on your prescription, that’s considered a fail. That’s how I understand the rule.”

Even though Howell didn’t remember which drug he took, he remembered how much he disliked its side effects. After a month of using the drug in 2008, when he pitched for the Tampa Bay Rays, Howell informed the team that he was going to stop.

• Via Ken Gurnick at MLB.com, "Frias looking likely to replace Ryu in rotation."

Manager Don Mattingly hasn't confirmed that Ryu won't start in Colorado, but essentially did Sunday when he said that Frias is "working toward" the Wednesday night start and won't be used out of the bullpen "unless we get news that Hyun-Jin can pitch, and that's not likely."

BTW, Hyun-Jin Ryu will be having an MRI today, so stay tuned for that.  Hopefully, whatever ails Ryu is minor and a little rest is all that is needed.  It would be great if he was ready to go when the playoffs start.

* Please follow on twitter @ernestreyes *

* Like Dodgers Blue Heaven on facebook *

* Dodgers Blue Heaven home page *

Sunday Dodger Videos: Ryu, Lasorda and Saturday Game Highlights

Here are this Sunday's Dodger videos.

Listen to both Hyun-Jin Ryu and AJ Ellis speak after Friday's disastrous game.

Video Link:

From September 6, 2014, Scott Akasaki, the Dodgers’ Director of Team Travel, engaged Hall-of-Famer Tommy Lasorda in an intimate discussion of Lasorda’s role as a baseball ambassador to Japan and other countries. The program, part of the Tateuchi Public Program Series, was held in the Tateuchi Democracy Forum at the Japanese American National Museum.

Video Link:

If you missed yesterday's game then you missed a doozy.  The Dodgers hammered the Giants for 1 run.  Watch game highlights below.

Video Link:

* Please follow on twitter @ernestreyes *

* Like Dodgers Blue Heaven on facebook *

* Dodgers Blue Heaven home page *