Deja Vu! Kershaw gets Fourth Topps Now Card - It Looks Just Like his First One

When Clayton Kershaw does something magnificent on the mound you want to release a Topps Now card featuring him pitching.

I get it.  That makes perfect sense.

But come on now!  Can't we find a more unique photo?

This newest card is basically a carbon copy of his very first 2016 Topps Now card that was issued in early May.  Take a look at that card on the right (original post link).

The new card, featured above and below, uses the exact same pose.  In fact, the only difference is that the latter card is from a day game, and this new card is a night game - which I assume Night Owl Cards would appreciate.

Blog Kiosk: 5/24/2016 - Dodgers Links - Urias, Calhoun and Clayton Kershaw

This is a tradition that I'm sure many are going to miss.  Featured above, via a pic by Jon SooHoo, are the umpires from last nights game tipping their caps to the Vin Scully.

For years umpires from throughout the league have honored the man behind the mic with this symbolic gesture before the start of a game, and it'll be strange to not see this ritual once he's gone.

As for the game... Well, Clayton Kershaw is the best.  Via Ken Gurnick at MLB.com:

"It speaks to Clayton. He knows where we're at, where our bullpen is at, how taxed they've been," said A.J. Ellis, who caught all 17 innings Sunday and was back in there Monday with Yasmani Grandal nursing a bruised foot. "For Clayton to meet that challenge and expectations every night, it seems like every time he's pitching it's coming off a tired bullpen. What he's done so far, giving those guys a blow, you should have seen the reception he got coming in from those guys. Expectations are off the charts, they seem unmeetable and he keeps meeting them. His consistency is mindblowing. Our expectations are unfair, what we expect him to do. Yet, he meets them.

"We all know how fortunate we are. I hope all of baseball realizes what they're watching right now. I know Los Angeles, with the ovation he gets going out there for the ninth inning, appreciates his work and completing his job. We don't take it for granted. We see what he puts into it. We are in awe with the consistency, and it's fair to say we all raise our game on the day he pitches."

Dodgers defeated the Reds 1-0.  The only run in the game scored on a double-play ball in the sixth inning.  Go here to check out some pics from the game via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2016.  Below are more links to check:

• This Day in Dodgers History:  In 1973 Willie Davis recorded six hits in an 19 inning loss to the Mets.  BTW, both teams established a NL record for hitting into an combined nine double plays.
• Happy Birthday, Brad Penny!

Welcome Back to the Blue, Mike Bolsinger and Luis Avilan!

The Dodgers shuffle both the starting rotation and relief staff this afternoon.  They have recalled right-handed starting pitcher Mike Bolsinger and left-handed reliever Luis Avilan.  They replace right-handed starter Ross Stripling, who has been optioned to AAA-Oklahoma City, and right-handed reliever Chin-Hui Tsao, who has been placed on the 15-Day DL with a right triceps strain. 

Blog Kiosk: 5/23/2016 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

In honor of his 128th birthday, check out the above vintage image of Brooklyn Hall of Famer Zach Wheat in a spiffy 1916 home white "checkerboard-style" Dodgers uniform.  He was born on this day in 1888.  Photo above via the Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division, LC-DIG-ggbain-22484.

Below are more links to check:

• This Day in Dodgers History:  In 1895 the Louisville Colonels forfeited a game against the Brooklyn Bridegrooms/Dodgers due to not having enough Baseballs on hand for the game.   In 1981 Ron Cey hit his 200th career home run against the Reds.  In 2002 Shawn Green becomes the 14th player in history to hit four home runs in one game.  It would happen against the Brewers in Milwaukee, and he would record 19 total bases (a new record at the time).  Watch every at-bat here.
• Happy Birthday, Zach Wheat and Augie Galan!

Reds Series Starts on Monday - Pregame Info and Other Stuff!

(pic via @DodgersDining on twitter)

The next homestand starts on Monday evening against the Cincinnati Reds.  Below are the scheduled autograph opportunities and other odds and ends for this upcoming homestand.

The Cincinnati Dog will be available for this homestand only against the Reds at the Extreme Loaded Dog concession areas located on the field, loge and reserve levels. It features a quarter-pound, all-beef hot dog topped with Cincinnati chili, diced onion, cheddar cheese and oyster crackers.

The fourth 2016 issue of the new Dodger Insider magazine, featuring Chase Utley on the cover, will be available at Dodger Stadium.  (see it on the left.  The Dodgers merged their previously separate Playbill and Dodger Insider magazines into one publication (at least 80 pages per issue) with a new edition available each homestand.  They are distributed at auto gates (one per vehicle) and via Fan Services for those who use alternate transportation.

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Monday, May 23rd at 7:10 PM
SNLA / AM 570 (Eng.), KTNQ 1020 AM (Span.)

Blog Kiosk: 5/21/2016 - Dodgers Links - Puig, Scully and Frankie Montas

Although the Dodgers got beat in the late innings last night it was nice to see a couple Dodgers briefly break out of their hitting slumps.  Justin Turner and Yasiel Puig, both of whom who've struggled at the plate, slugged two-run homers at separate times to give the team a lead.  Via AJ Cassavell and Ken Gurnick at MLB.com:

"You saw the results from all the work I've been doing," said Puig. "There is a difference in my at-bats. I'm hitting strikes and not swinging at bad pitches. Today I was swinging at pitches in the zone and that's why I was able to hit a home run."

You can watch Puig's homer here, and Turner's homer here.  Unfortunately, their good fortune at the plate was all for naught.  The typically reliable Kenley Jansen gave up his first walk-off home run of his career and his first blown save of the season.  He was working on a 25-game consecutive save streak.  Via Ken Gurnick at MLB.com:

"Tonight was one of those for sure head-scratchers," said Roberts. "Kenley has been lights out. You can't expect him to be perfect. I expect to have a lead tomorrow and use him again and I expect him to rebound. It's not an easy game. Got to be a man about it and turn the page."

Photo above via @Dodgers on twitter.  Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1952 the Dodgers would score 15 runs in the first inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Ebbets Field.  Pee Wee Reese would get on base three times in that inning alone.  In 2000 Adrian Beltre and Shawn Green of the Dodgers would hit grand slams to join a cavalcade of grannies hit this day throughout the league.  For the first time in history there are six grand slams hit throughout the league.