2017 Topps Now -- #506 -- Curtis Granderson's Grand Slam

Curtis Granderson is the newest Dodger hero to earn a 2017 Topps Now card. Go here to check it out and order. As you know, he came up with the bases loaded in the seventh inning to put the Dodgers ahead of the Pirates, 5-3. Per Ken Gurnick at MLB.com:

"That's what he does. He puts together big at-bats and gets big hits," Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said of Granderson. "We've seen that from the other side from him. Back-to-back days, a couple of big homers for us, and obviously for us, the grand slam was huge."

2017 Topps New Era Exclusive Caps and Cards - All the Dodgers

Much like last year, Topps has teamed up with New Era to produce a limited edition card set for fans and collectors. Additionally, they have joined them to create co-branded caps that feature design elements from both the 1987 Topps and 2017 Topps Chrome Baseball card sets. Check them out directly above and below.

Although it is not entirely clear to me, from what I understand the limited edition cards are only available at stadiums across the country. Per a Blowout Buzz:

As part of the promotion, there will be a 32-card set that found only at MLB ballparks when purchasing select Topps and New Era products. That begins on Aug. 1. They’ll get one eight-card pack with the purchase of a cap and team set.

2017 Topps Walmart Online Exclusives - The Clayton Kershaw Card

Here's a new Clayton Kershaw card for the player collectors out there. Featured is a retail exclusive insert only available if you order certain products directly from Walmart's website. According to Beckett, with the purchase of either a blaster box of  2017 Topps Stadium Club or 2017 Topps Allen & Ginter Baseball will get you a free five-card Walmart exclusive online set. Go here or here to check out the Walmart website. In addition to Kershaw, the other players in the set are Buster Posey, Carlos Correa, Kris Bryant and Miguel Cabrera

Walmart Online Exclusives

#WM-2 Clayton Kershaw

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Blog Kiosk: 8/22/2017 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

We were witness to a strange and yet fantastic ritual before yesterday's game. Justin Turner, as the eclipse was in full swing, got down on his knees, performed an ancient hand gesture consisting of interlocking middle fingers to form a "w" for winning, and then yelled to get the attention of the bright red sun god in the sky. His bright orange hair immediately burst into flames. Then, like a flash, JT returned to his normal self. I kid you not!

Yasiel Puig, on the other hand, used his newfound powers attained by following in JT's footsteps to help the Dodgers to victory last night. In the 12th inning of a tied game Puig came up and slugged a go-ahead home run for the Dodgers. Per Adam Berry and Ken Gurnick at MLB.com:

"I was just trying to put the ball in play," Puig said. "I was waiting on the fastball, that's his best pitch and the one I struggle with. But I put a good swing on it."

Photo above via Justin Turner on twitter and the pic of Puig via his twitter. BTW, these two jokesters also recreated yesterday's solar eclipse, and it's hilarious. Check that out at the very bottom of this post. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1948 the Dodgers recorded a triple steal in the fifth inning of their game against the Boston Braves at Ebbets Field.  Jackie Robinson stole home, Gene Hermanski took third and Pee Wee Reese swiped second base.  In 1965 Giants hurler Juan Marichal attacked Johnny Roseboro with his bat while at the plate. He had been buzzing Dodger batters all day, so Roseboro decided to throw a baseball back to his pitcher while at the same time making sure it barely missed Marichal's face. Quickly, benches cleared and a brawl commenced. See the pic on the right to see what I mean. In 2000 Eric Karros becomes the first Dodger in franchise history to hit two home runs in one inning.  It was against the Expos.
• Happy Birthday, Ned Hanlon, Al Bashang, Jeff Weaver, Randy Wolf & David Huff!

Uncle Robbie's Letter to Scoops at Christie's Auction

The often venerated Christie's auction house is currently running their "Golden Age of Baseball" auction, and it includes numerous historical artifacts; including this fantastic vintage original letter featured here.

Dated February 9th, 1930, Dodger manager Wilbert "Uncle Robbie" Robinson writes to friend and ex-Dodger Max Carey. (auction link)

As you may know, future Hall of Famer Max Carey had just retired from the game after having spent 17 years with the Pirates and the past four seasons in Brooklyn. So now he was looking towards life after playing, and naturally wanted to stay in the game. After all, he was a captain and a leader throughout his time as a player, and many believed he would eventually make a fine manager.

Welcome to the Blue, Jordan Jankowski!

Even with the Dodgers cruising, there is no rest. The front office continues to make moves, and it won't necessarily have any bearing on this season. They know better than most that in order to continue their competitive advantage -- building the deepest team in the league -- they must look at development as a year-round thing. Even with the playoffs looming there's no better time than now to be thinking about next season. The Dodgers, sensing an opportunity, grabbed recently waived right-handed relief pitcher Jordan Jankowski from the Houston Astros. He is 28-years old and was immediately sent to Triple-A Oklahoma City. You can follow Jordan on twitter here: @JJ_Jankowski33. BTW, Jordan can't sing. Go here to check out what I mean. Per a Dodgers press release:

Jankowski has gone 24-16 with a 3.46 ERA in 233 games (28 starts) in six minor league seasons in the Houston organization, striking out 509 in 421.0 innings and limiting opponents to a .228 batting average. He made his Major League debut on May 24 against the Tigers and allowed six runs in 4.1 innings in three big league games with the Astros this year before being designated for assignment on Monday.