Welcome to the Blue, Curtis Granderson!

This recent move came out of nowhere. I had thought, like many others, that the Dodgers were done with their shopping. Instead, they prove once again that you should never take a nap on this team. Not only can they score runs in bunches, but the front office is always looking for ways to improve the ballclub and will make a move at any time. Case in point, following Friday evenings game against the Tigers the Dodgers traded for one-time Detroit star and current Mets outfielder Curtis Granderson in exchange for pitching prospect Jacob Rhame. You can follow Granderson here on twitter: @cgrand3. Per a Dodgers press release:

Granderson, 36, has a .254 career batting average with 312 home runs and 853 RBI in 1,760 games in 14 Major League seasons with the Tigers (2004-09), Yankees (2010-13) and Mets (2014-17). The three-time All-Star (2009, ’11, ’12) and 2011 Silver Slugger also won the 2016 Roberto Clemente Award for his community work. Defensively, Granderson has appeared 1,246 games in center field, 445 games in right field and 59 games in left field during the course of his career. He’s also played in 51 postseason games, tied for the 14th most among active players.

Blog Kiosk: 8/21/2017 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Kenta Maeda and Tigers ace Justin Verlander were locked in a pitching duel Sunday afternoon - both of whom had no-hitters going into the 6th inning. Then the Dodgers stuck first when newly acquired outfielder Curtis Granderson hit his first homer as a Dodger to break up Verlander's no-no. Soon thereafter, Maeda lost his when he coughed up four runs during his half of the 6th inning. Per Jason Beck and Catherine Slonksnis at MLB.com:

(Pic via @Dodgers on twitter)

"Well, it's good to go ahead and try to put us in a situation, at that point, to break up the no-hitter, to give us the lead," Granderson said. "But to not get enough to help this team win tonight, I'm a little dissatisfied because you want to put yourself in a situation where we could earn the sweep here."

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

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1970 the Dodgers signed amateur free agent infielder Jerry Royster out of Sacramento High School. He would be traded five years later to Atlanta as part of a package for Dusty Baker, and go on to have a ten-year career with the Braves. In 1975 the Cubs pitching brothers of Rick and Paul Reuschel combine to shutout the Dodgers, 7-0.
• Happy Birthday, Woody Williams, Shawn Hillegas, John Wetteland, Craig Counsell, Ismael Valdéz & Jesse Chavez!

2017 Dodgers Sports Crate - July Edition - Corey Seager!

This is my favorite Sports Crate Dodgers box so far -- not because if features phenom shortstop Corey Seager. Rather, it's filled with stuff I can actually use... even, need. Of course, this all mitigated by the fact that this July edition of Sports Crate is almost a month too late. As you may know, they've been having fulfillment issues, so this box that should have been delivered during the last week of July didn't hit my doorstep until yesterday. Fortunately for them, I've starting to really dig the crates, and I now find myself waiting impatiently every month.

Anyway, let's take a look at this crate. Featured at the very top is the 2017 Topps Sports Crate card of Corey Seager. This is the third Dodger card so far in the set -- Clayton Kershaw and Yasmani Grandal are the others.

At right and below is a Dodger themed car sunshade -- complete with sports crate bag to hold it in. As you can see, I've already put it to good use.

Better Late Than Never -- 2017 Topps Now -- #484 -- Dodgers to 50 Wins over .500

For whatever reason I totally missed this Dodgers 2017 Topps Now card from earlier this week. So, I figured I should highlight it now -- even though it's too late to order. The card above makes note of the Dodgers reaching 50 wins over .500 since the 2004 Cardinals. Go here to check it out.

Blog Kiosk: 8/18/2017 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

One of the premier auction houses in the world is getting into the Baseball business. Christies is currently running their "Golden Age of Baseball" auction at it includes a whole bunch of fantastic Dodger photographs; including the above 1961 spring photo of Dodger aces Don Drysdale and Sandy Koufax. (auction link)

There is also the below pic of the 1925 Brooklyn Dodgers during spring training. (auction link) At center are Hall of Famers Wilbert Robinson, Zach Wheat and Sazzy Vance.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1959 former Dodger GM Branch Rickey is named President of the newly formed Continental League.  The new third Major League never plays a game, though.  Instead, it became a catalyst for the addition of eight more teams to the American and National Leagues over the next decade.  In 1995 the Dodgers traded for Brett Butler.  This would be his second stint with the team.
• Happy Birthday, Burleigh Grimes, William Marriott, Jim Peterson, Bob Kennedy, Paul Popovich, Don Crow & Yimi Garcia!

2017 Topps Now -- #490 -- Yasiel Puig's Walk-Off

Here's another in a long line of Dodgers' 2017 Topps Now Walk-Off Baseball cards. This time it features Yasiel Puig -- who whacked a game-winning two-run double to left-center to win last nights game, 5-4. Go here to check it out and order.