2017 Topps Series 1 Baseball - All the Dodgers Base Cards

For fans like myself today is the official start of the 2017 Baseball season.  I say this because fans and Baseball card collectors alike can now go to their favorite store to get packs of Topps flagship set.  Officially released today is the 2017 Topps Series 1 Baseball set.  Go here for a complete checklist.

For this first series thirteen Dodger players are represented; including superstars Corey Seager and Clayton Kershaw.  The set also includes several players in Dodger uniforms who have since moved on to other teams -- Howie Kendrick, Carlos Ruiz, Josh Reddick and Jose De Leon.  Also, Chase Utley is available in Dodger Blue (he has yet to decide where he'll be playing this season).  Check them all out below.  I've included pics of both the front and reverse (with exception of the Chris Hatcher card).

As I'm sure you've noticed, for the first time since 1971 Topps does not include full career statistics for each player on the reverse.  But is does include social media information for each player (apparently, that's more important).

Base Cards

#5 Corey Seager

#50 Clayton Kershaw

Blog Kiosk: 2/1/2017 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Don Newcombe was a beast in 1955.  He finished the Dodgers only championship season in Brooklyn by going 20-5 with 17 complete games, 143 strike outs and a league leading 1.113 WHIP.  This, of course, would just be a precursor to what would happen the following year.  In 1956 Newcombe would take home both the Cy Young and MVP awards -- a first in Baseball.  Featured above is a 1955 AP wirephoto, dated Jully 11th, that shows Don's complete windup (auction link).  Per the descriptor:

Batter's Eye View of Big Don Newcombe -- Don Newcombe, big Brooklyn righthander and a member of the National League All-Star team, throws a fast one past a sequence camera in Polo Grounds yesterday before Dodgers-Giants game.  Newcombe has 14 and 1 record on the mound this year.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History:  In 1919 the Dodgers traded Jake Daubert to the Reds for outfielder Tommy Griffith.  In 1959 ever-popular Brooklyn Dodgers outfilder Zach Wheat is unanimously elected to the Hall of Fame by the Veterans Committee.  In 1976 East Lansing police arrest Dodgers reliever Mike Marshall for disobeying the orders set by the Michigan State University police prohibiting him from taking batting practice. MSU feared he would hit balls too far and injure students on an adjacent tennis court. Marshall protests that it is against his rights as an MSU instructor and files a lawsuit against the school.
• Happy Birthday, Chuck Churn, Elian Herrera, Justin Sellers & Brett Anderson!
  

Pop-Up Museum Tour with Maury Wills at FanFest

I had only one event at the 2017 Dodgers FanFest scheduled for myself.  I had missed out on getting any autographs online, so I decided to do the next best thing.  I scheduled a guided tour with Dodgers legend Maury Wills at the Dodgers "Pop-Up Museum", and it proved to be the highlight of my afternoon.

Before I get started I thought I would make note of a couple trophies (seen above) currently being displayed in the club level of the stadium - near the elevators.  I had seen these as our tour group was heading up to the museum.  At the above right are two Baseball Organization of the Year Awards (1981 & 1997) that were presented to the Dodgers by Topps - the trading card company. These are obviously pertinent to this blog.

Also, go to this link if you are interested in visiting the museum yourself.  It will run only until early March, so you need to get out there soon. 

Blog Kiosk: 1/31/2017 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Yesterday afternoon the Southern California Sports Broadcasters Association honored Vin Scully during their 26th Annual Awards luncheon. He is their first recipient of the newly renamed Vin Scully Lifetime Achievement Award. 

Photo above via Dodgers photographer Jill Weisleder on twitter.  Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History:  In 1941 the Dodgers signed future Hall of Famer Paul Waner to a free agent contract.  In 1972 former Brooklyn Dodger players Rube Marquard (known mostly as a Giant) and Dave Bancroft (also mostly a Giant) were selected by an Hall of Fame Special Veterans Committee for enshrinement.  In 2003 the Dodgers signed free agent pitcher Wilson Alvarez.  In 2005 the Dodgers signed pitcher Scott Erickson as a free agent. 
• Happy Birthday, Ted Power, Stuffy Stewart & Jackie Robinson!

My 2017 Dodgers FanFest Recap - Photos and Links

I had thought the day would be cold and windy.  Instead, a record crowd of nearly 30,000 fans experienced the FanFest in the best possible way.  It was bright and shiny, and hardly a gust of shivering cold was felt.  It proved to be a perfect Southern California day, and an fantastic segue to the upcoming Baseball season.

I was unable, unfortunately, to secure any autographs from the sessions sold online.  I tried, but all of the sessions I wanted sold out quickly.  Thankfully, the Interactive History at the Pop-Up Museum hosted by Maury Wills was open.  So I attended that VIP Experience, and plan on writing a separate post of the event. Stay tuned for that.  (UPDATE: Here is a link to my post on the museum tour.)

Before I show you all of my pics from FanFest, I thought I would provide links to some other sites that include some great photos, videos and recaps from the afternoon.  Check them out below:

• Photos:  A bunch of pics taken by Dodger photographers Jon SooHoo and Jill Weisleder at the FanFest (link here).
• AM 570 Sports Radio provides a full recap of all the interviews they put together during the FanFest.  Go here to check them all out. 
• YouTube Video:  Pantone294 shares a vlog at the 2017 Dodgers FanFest.  They set up a table at the event for the first time (link here).
• Cat Loves the Dodgers shares her afternoon at the Dodgers FanFest; including the autograph she received and the food she ate (link here).

Blog Kiosk: 1/30/2017 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

This past Saturday was the Dodgers FanFest, and one of the special announcements made that afternoon was the naming of Corey Seager, the NL's "Rookie of the Year", as the cover-spokesman for RBI Baseball 2017.  Check out a screengrab from the presentation made on stage above.  You can watch it here.

BTW, I have a bunch pics I took at the FanFest and will be sharing them soon.  Below are more links to check out:

• Happy Birthday, Davey Johnson, Red Smyth, Mal Mallette, Sandy Amoros, Charlie Neal & John Lindsey!
• Please send your get well thoughts and prayers to longtime LA Kings announcer Bob Miller.  He suffered a mild stroke over the weekend and is reportedly doing well.  Via Tom Hoffarth at the LA Daily News:

A team statement said Miller “is under the care of a team of specialized physicans and he is doing well and is in good spirits.”