Topps Living Set -- #274 -- Kenley Jansen

The 13th Dodger found in Topps Living Set is now available and it is of closer Kenley Jansen. As you know, this is an online exclusive set that has no end and is not tied to any specific season or era. Instead, it's a cross-generational brand that will issue cards on a weekly basis and will include both current and retired ballplayer.  Go here to check it out and order. You can see a complete checklist of the set here. Below is what's written on the reverse of the Jansen card:

Kenley Jansen has been among the best closers in Baseball since taking the reigns as the go-to end-game option for the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2012. The right-hander has 301 saves and a sterling 2.35 career ERA due, in large part, to an extraordinary 903 strikeouts in 605 career appearances.

Blog Kiosk: 1/3/2020 - Dodgers Links & News - Some Odds and Ends

Check out the above vintage spring training press photo, dated Mar 15, 1943, above (eBay auction link). Per the description on the reverse:

DODGER PITCHERS WARM UP.  West Point, N.Y.....Pitchers Freddy Fitzsimmons, Kirby Higbe, Curt Davis and Bob Chipman (l-r) are shown loosening up at their first spring training practice held indoors today, at the Army Field House on the West Point Military Reservation.

As you know, America was embroiled in WWII, so precautions were made to insure the safety of ballplayers and fans by having teams train in more inland locales. After all, nazi submarines were known to cruise the American east coast to sink all ships. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 2005 the trade that sends outfielder Shawn Green from the Dodgers to the Diamondbacks and includes $8 million changing hands is approved by the Commissioner of baseball, Bud Selig. The trade would officially be consummated eight days later. In 2006 the Dodgers signed free agent starting pitcher Brett Tomko to a two year/$8.7 million contract.  
• Happy Birthday, Frenchy Bordagaray & Chris Van Cuyk!

Blog Kiosk: 12/30/2019 - Dodgers Links & News - Some Odds and Ends

Happy Birthday, Sandy! He turns 84 today.

Featured above is a October 6, 1963 UPI telephoto of Sandy Koufax celebrating the Dodgers World Series sweep of the New York Yankees (eBay auction link). Per the description:

Los Angeles Dodgers star southpaw pitcher Sandy Koufax hoists a champagne toast in dressing room here 10/6, after the Dodgers won the 4th Series game in a row to give them the title. The Dodgers handed New York its first 4-game shutout in 28 trips to the classic.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1958 the Dodgers officially released soon-to-be Hall of Famer Pee Wee Reese. He would then become a Dodgers coach for the 1959 season, then enter broadcasting as a color-man for CBS from 1960 to 1965. In 2015 the Dodgers signed free agent starter Scott Kazmir to a three-year, $48 million contract. He would have a decent first season -- going 10-6 with a 4.56 ERA in 26 starts -- but would end the season on the DL due to hip issues and would not pitch again.
• Happy Birthday, Jose Morales & Sandy Koufax!

2019 Topps On-Demand Set #23 -- Rookie Review -- The Will Smith Card

The newest Topps On-Demand set has been delivered to collectors and it features the 50 top rookies/youngsters in the game today. It is called the "Rookie Review" set and the only Dodger available is phenom catcher Will Smith. Go here for a complete checklist. The total print run is 861 sets. There is both a Smith base card and autographed card available. See them both below.

Base

#22 Will Smith

Blog Kiosk: 12/27/2019 - Dodgers Links & News - Some Odds and Ends

Campy and Yogi exchange notes in the March 30, 1956 Associates Press wirephoto shown above (eBay auction link). It says:

St. Petersburg, Fla., March 30th, Most Valuable Talk - The American League's Most Valuable Player Yankees' Yogi Berra, left, and the National League's most Most Valuable Player Brooklyn Dodgers' Roy Campanella meet before yesterday's game. Campanella has the injured finger showing out of his mitt. The injury has kept him out of some exhibition games.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1981 Fernando Valenzela is named the Southern California Athlete of the Year by the sports editors of the Southlands major newspapers. This caps off a fantastic season where he was an All-Star, wins the Cy Young, Rookie of the Year, Silver Slugger and a World Series ring for the Dodgers. He also won a Sporting News triple crown -- named the winner of the Major League Player of the Year, Pitcher of the Year and Rookie Pitcher of the Year Awards.
• Happy Birthday, Ernie Krueger, Norm Larker, Gary Weiss, Jim Leyritz, Jason Repko & Dylan Floro!

Blog Kiosk: 12/23/2019 - Dodgers Links & News - Some Odds and Ends

In honor of today's Festivus Day I bring to you a letter written by Tommy Lasorda to George Castanza, of Seinfeld fame, that attempts to recruit him for the Dodgers (Hat Tip: u/WoodyPecker on Reddit). It says:

Congratulations on a great career with the Yankees! You lasted than any of Steinbrenner's managers! 

Everyone know that the Yankees hadn't won for years until you joined them. Their batters couldn't hit water if they fell out of a boat! But you get there and they win a World Series championship. Now, I want you to do the same for the Dodgers. 

We're looking for your bhig ideas. Like the cotton uniforms, for example... BRILLIANT! They'll be great in LA. I got my order from the very top, George. Now that you're a FREE AGENT, we'll do whatever it takes to get you in Dodger Blue. All the Slim Fast you'll ever need, if that's what it takes.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1953 Dodgers second baseman Jim "Junior" Gilliam is named the National League Rookie of the Year. He slashed .278/.383/.415/.798 with a league leading 17 triples. In 1958 traded infielder and future Hall of Fame manager Sparky Anderson to the Phillies for Rip Repulski, Jim Golden and Gene Snyder. In 2004 the Dodgers signed free agent outfielder JD Drew to a five-year, $55 million deal contract that includes and option clause after the second season. He would slash .284/.399/.505/.905 his first two years, and immediately exercised that option to become a free agent. He would then five-year, $70 million contract with the Red Sox. In 2016 the Dodgers signed team-leader Justin Turner to a four-year, $64 million contract.
• Happy Birthday, Doc Gessler, Bunny Fabrique, Danny Taylor, Ox Eckhardt, Max Rosenfeld, Pat Ankenman, Tim Harkness, Ray Lamb, Tim Leary, Cody Ross & Hanley Ramírez!