More All-Star Game Fantasy Dodgers Baseball Cards

I just had to make more of these.  Yesterday I posted up several fantasy Baseball cards using photos taken during the Home Run Derby on Monday (see those here).  Today, I decided to make even more of them.  I used photos taken during the day of the All-Star Game (Tuesday) by Dodgers photographer Jon SooHoo. 

2016 Topps Tribute - All the Dodgers Base Cards

Today's newest Baseball release from Topps is their Tribute Baseball card brand. It is a high-end set that includes three on-card autographs and three relic cards per box, which cost about $250.  Go here for a complete checklist.

There are only 90 cards in the base set, and three Dodger players can be found in it.  Check them out below.  BTW, these cards are super shiny.  So shiny, in fact, that scans often look bland and dark due to the foil stamping and their overall iridescent glow.  As a result, I've cobbled two pics of each card to share.  The cards on the left are a typical scan, and the photos on the right is a screengrab from the Topps website (they are currently selling jumbo sized versions of these cards). 

#35 Adrian Gonzalez

Weekend Autograph Opportunities: Steve Sax and the Shrine of the Eternals Induction Day

Here are this weekends autograph opportunities and events throughout the Southland. As always, be sure to check the Blue Heaven Calendar for other events (a link can always be found on the tab at the top of this page, just left of center), and always confirm with the establishment. Everything is subject to change.  Please email me with any tips about upcoming events in Southern California.  As the rest of the week progresses I'll update this post with other events (if there are any) as I become aware of them.  Also, I don't always list every event below, so be sure to check my Calendar.  I always try to favor free signing events over paying events.  Click on any pic to embiggen.

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This event is free for everyone.  The Baseball Reliquary is hosting the 18th annual Shrine of the Eternals Class of 2016 Induction Ceremony at the Donald R. Wright Auditorium in the Pasadena Central Library on Sunday, July 17, 2016 at 2:00 PM.  This years inductees include Don Newcombe, Bo Jackson and writer Arnold Hano.  Go here for information. From my understanding, Dodger Historian Mark Langill will accept the honor on Newcombe's behalf.

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Blog Kiosk: 7/13/2016 - Dodgers Links - Micah Johnson, Kenley Jansen and Corey Seager

Although our Dodgers didn't make much of an impact in the actual All-Star Game, I think it's fair to say that they all had fun.  Per Adam Berry at MLB.com:

"I mean, you'd like to be a little better. But it was fun," Seager said after the National League's 4-2 loss to the American League at Petco Park. "It was a good experience for me."
...
"It slowed down once the game started. The nerves went away," he said. "The Home Run Derby, that was my, 'Wow, I'm here.' That was a blast. The whole weekend was a blast. I keep saying that, but I can't stress it enough how much fun I had."

Seager struck out in his only at-bat and committed an error on the field.  Furthermore, he was pulled for a pinch hitter in the eighth inning with the bases loaded.  It was just a two run game at the time, and was a key moment in the game.  Unfortunately, the move didn't work.  The pinch hitter, Aledmys Diaz, struck out on six pitches.

(Pic via Jon SooHoo, via @Dodgers on twitter)

Kenley Jansen eventually got into the game with two out in the eighth inning, and struck out Matt Wieters on three straight cut-fastballs.  Per Cary Osborne at Dodger Insider:

“There wasn’t a better place to be than today,” Jansen said.

Jansen just faced Wieters on July 6 at Dodger Stadium and struck him out swinging. He said he had a good idea on how to pitch him in the All-Star Game. It was extra satisfying to earn the K on the big stage.

“On three pitches, that’s unbelievable,” Jansen said. “I had a blast all game. It’s a great memory for me.”

Photo at the very top taken by Dodgers photographer Jon SooHoo via @Dodgers on twitter.  Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodger History:  In 1954 rookie skipper Walter Alston makes the first of a record nine appearances as NL manager in the annual All-Star Game. The NL defeated the AL, 11-9.

2016 All-Star Game Fantasy Dodgers Baseball Cards

You had to have known I would be making these.

Featured here are a bunch of fantasy Baseball cards I created showing our three Dodger All-Stars enjoying themselves in San Diego on Monday.  All of the photos I used were taken and shared by Dodgers photographer Jon SooHoo/2016 LA Dodgers on his blog.  Go here to check out even more pics from the day.

2016 Topps Factory Set Variation Inserts - All the Dodgers Cards

Are you not interested in buying pack after pack to complete this years flagship Baseball card set?  You just don't have the time or inclination to chase after that one last card.  No worries, Topps has you covered.  Complete (Series 1 & 2) factory sets are now available at local stores, and exclusive factory-only variation or parallel cards of some of the game's best players and rising stars are inserted in them.  Go here for a checklist.

Like in years past, there is both a hobby and retail versions of the factory sets.  The hobby (sold only at card shops) factory sets include a five-card pack of foilboard patterned parallel cards that are serial numbered.  The retail (sold at stores like Target and Walmart) factory sets include an exclusive five-card photo-variation set of the games top rookies; including Dodgers shortstop Corey Seager.  Other players include Kyle Schwarber, Miguel Sano, Michael Conforto and Luis Severino.  Check out both the normal base Seager card and the photo variation card on its right, below.

Also, a complete All-Star Edition factory set is available, and it includes an exclusive five-card photo-variation set featuring several of the games top players; including Clayton Kershaw.  The other players in the set are Mike Trout, Buster Posey, Bryce Harper and Kris Bryant.  Check out the Kershaw normal base and it's All-Star variation below.  BTW, every card in this All-Star Edition includes a foil All-Star Game logo, and I include photo of the entire Dodgers team set at the very bottom.

Base Retail Rookie Variations

#85 Corey Seager

Base                                                          Variation