2016 Topps Now - Kenta Maeda #35 - Makes History: 1 Earned Run in First 20 IP

What else can be said that already hasn't about Kenta Maeda?

So, instead of words Topps decided to offer another 2016 Topps Now card to highlight his achievements so far. A couple weeks ago they created their first Maeda Topps Now card, and now they have a second.  Check out pics of the front and the reverse of card #35 featuring Kenta making history in this post.  Since 1913 there have been 76 pitchers to start their MLB careers with four straight quality starts, but the Japanese star is the only one to have allowed just a single earned run during that stretch.  Go here to order.  You only have until tomorrow morning to add it to your collection.

Marlins Series Starts on Monday - Autograph Appearances, Pregame Info and Other Stuff!

The next homestand starts on Monday against the Miami Marlins.   Below are some odds and ends for this upcoming homestand. 

The Miami Cuban Dog will be available for this homestand 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 smoked ham, pulled roasted pork, Swiss cheese, yellow mustard and pickle chips.

I will update this post with more information should it arrive.  So, be sure to check back.

The second 2016 issue of the new Dodger Insider magazine, featuring Justin Turner on the cover (see on right), will be available at Dodger Stadium. Beginning this year, 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 and one in October, 13 issues total. It will be distributed at auto gates (one per vehicle) and via Fan Services for those who use alternate transportation. 

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Monday, April 25th at 7:10 PM
 RHP Wei-Yin Chen vs. RHP Ross Stripling
SNLA / AM 570 (Eng.), KTNQ 1020 AM (Span.)

Monday's game starts at 7:10 PM.  Auto gates open at 4:40 PM, and stadium gates open at 5:10 PM.  The first 40,000 fans in attendance will receive a Clayton Kershaw bobblehead.  See it on the left.

Dodger broadcaster Rick Monday will throw the ceremonial first pitch. It is the 40th anniversary of the iconic moment on April 25, 1976 at Dodger Stadium in which Monday, then a member of the Chicago Cubs, rescued an American flag that was about to be burned on the center field grass by protestors. Monday will have the flag from this day with him for pregame ceremonies. Kevin Massey will perform the national anthem. Massey is currently starring in the Tony Award-winning Best Musical, “A Gentleman’s Guide to Love & Murder,” at the Ahmanson Theatre.

Blog Kiosk: 4/23/2016 - Dodgers Links - Puig's Magnificent Throw

Yasiel Puig's throw to nail Trevor Story at third base yesterday was so shocking these fans forgot how to spell his name, (watch it here if you haven't seen it yet) but the Cuban sensation had a different explanation for the flub.  He wrote on twitter:

What happened, guys? Too much cerveza? Hahaha I love my fans

As for the throw, Puig had this to say.  Via Ken Gurnick at MLB.com:

"If I can't do it with my bat and I can't do it with my glove, I'll do it with my arm," said Puig. "I have to do something to help my team. I just try to throw to the base and my teammates do the rest."

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

• This Day in Dodgers History:  In 1958 Gil Hodges hit his 300th career home run and Pee Wee Reese played his 2000th career game. Also, in 1999 Cardinal third baseman Fernando Tatis hit two grand slams in the same game in one inning against the Dodgers - the first and only player to do it.  He hit both grand slams against Chan Ho Park.
• YouTube: Get inspired listening to Steve Sax on Conrad's Corner.  (Link Here)

An Invitation Game to Circumvent Blue Laws - Let's Play Some Sunday Baseball

Once upon a time it was illegal to have any fun on Sundays.  It was the day of prayer and reverence, and folks throughout America were required to abstain from leisurely activity.  This even included a restriction on professional Baseball teams playing a game on that day. 

How crazy is that, right?

It's hard to imagine a Sunday afternoon in the middle of summer without Baseball.  They go hand in hand, and I dare say that if not for the melding of the two it would be that much harder to get up the next day for the start of the work week.  I think that we as a country and culture need Sunday Baseball, and from what I understand Baseball owners needed it too.

A Duke Snider Fantasy Card on Canvas

This is gorgeous.

Painted by noted sports artist Arthur K. Miller, featured above is a Duke Snider "Card that Never Was" showing him on a 1948 Leaf Baseball card design.  It is currently on auction at Heritage (Auction Link Here).

Duke Snider had spent a few months in Brooklyn in 1947, and if the card hobby was anything like what we have today he would have an Baseball card to call his own the following year.  Heck, collectors would have had some cardboard gold to put in their album when he first signed with the franchise.  As it were, fans had to wait another year for Bowman to put him in their 1949 set.

Since Leaf missed their opportunity to include the future Hall of Famer into their set Arthur K. Miller decided to do it for them.  Now if only I had enough scratch to put this on my wall.

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Blog Kiosk: 4/22/2016 - Dodgers Links - Grandal, Kershaw and Joc Pederson

Yasmani Grandal is smokin' hot... Like, he's hittin' with the kind of magnificence we expect of a Roy Hobbs.

Yesterday afternoon Grandal came off the bench and proved to be a difference maker at the plate.  Having spelled Ellis in the 8th inning, he walked in his first at-bat.  It was in extra innings, though, where his presence was felt.  In the 10th inning and the game deadlocked at one run apiece, Yasmani slammed a double to deep left centerfield to drive in Hernandez (watch it here), who had singled just before.  Then, Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen quickly shut to door in the bottom half of the inning to secure a 2-1 victory over Atlanta.

Since coming off the DL, Yasmani Grandal has been slashing an incredible .438/.609/.688/1.296.  In just 23 plate appearances he has tied the team lead in doubles (four) and walks (seven).  Watch him talk about this past game with Alanna Rizzo, here.  Pic above via Dodgers Blue on twitter.

BTW, Kershaw was far from being his best on the mound yesterday.  In eight innings of work he gave up ten hits and had to scramble quite a bit.  Still, he only gave up a single run to keep the Dodgers in the game.  Per Doug Padilla at ESPN:

“Weird day,” Kershaw said. “You give up a bunch of runs and give up 10 hits, you say you got shelled. You don’t give up a bunch of runs and you give up 10 hits, you scattered it, as they say. It was just a weird deal. Five hits in the first two innings, you just turn the page after that. You really look at it as two games almost.”

Go here to watch some highlights of him on the mound.  Also, Clayton commented about that weird pitch from the 4th inning that you can see below.  Here are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History:  Today is the 69th anniversary of the infamous game where Phillies manager Ben Chapman and his team hurled racist epitaphs at Jackie Robinson during the game - causing quite an uproar throughout the nation.  Chapman would eventually be forced to take the infamous photo on the right soon thereafter.
• Happy Birthday, Dee Gordon!