A Kershaw's Challenge Exclusive Baseball Card

Why am I only now finding out about this card?

It has just come to my attention that Clayton's nonprofit foundation, Kershaw's Challenge, has their own exclusive Topps Baseball card.

From what I understand, this card was never inserted into packs for collectors to find.  Instead, they were only available directly from the pitcher himself.  All a fan had to do was to personally write to him.  Check out pics of it above and below.

As you can see, it uses the exact same image and card design from Topps' 2016 flagship Baseball card set, but includes something different on the reverse.  It includes a write-up on his foundation and brief information about signed memorabilia available for sale that benefits his charity.

This card is neither rare or scarce, and they have been selling online over the past several months for just a few bucks apiece.

I am uncertain if these cards are still being sent out to fans.  If you want to try to get one though, I might suggest writing to Kershaw (addressed to Dodger Stadium) and making a request.  And it probably wouldn't hurt to drop a small donation in the envelope, as well. 

* Please follow on twitter @ernestreyes *

* Like Dodgers Blue Heaven on facebook *

* Dodgers Blue Heaven home page *

Welcome to the Blue, Ryan Moseley!

Better late than never, I suppose.  As you know, the Dodgers traded relief pitcher Vidal Nuño to the Orioles last week in order to make room for recent free agent signee Franklin Gutierrez on the 40-man roster.  In return for Nuño the Dodgers received a 22-year old right-handed pitching prospect named Ryan Moseley.  He had originally been drafted by Baltimore in 2016 out of Texas Tech University in the 8th round.  You can follow Ryan on twitter here: @Ryan2Moseley.  Per John Sickels at Minor League Ball:

The native of Lubbock, Texas, had an erratic spring for the Red Raiders (Texas Tech), posting a 4.98 ERA in 56 innings, undone with command problems that resulted in a poor 32/37 K/BB ratio. He was more effective in pro ball, posting a 3.20 ERA in 20 innings for the Aberdeen Ironbirds in the New York-Penn League with a 18/9 K/BB, while saving four games in five attempts.

Moseley is a 6-3, 190 pounder, age 22. He works with a low-90s sinker (resulting in a 1.92 GO/AO in his debut) along with a slider and change-up. His secondary pitches looked better in the NY-P than they did in college, helping to result in a higher strikeout rate, but even with Aberdeen his walk rate was higher than ideal. He is best-suited for relief at higher levels, with development of his command determining his ultimate fate.

Blog Kiosk: 2/28/2017 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Immediately following yesterdays spring game Dave Roberts, broadcaster Joe Davis and photographer Jon Soohoo flew back to Los Angeles to attend the LA Sports Awards at the Beverly Hilton. Roberts won the 2016 coach of the year award and Davis conducted a live interview with him on stage.

BTW, Julio Urias is scheduled to make his first spring start against the Rockies today.  They'll be playing in Scottsdale and Urias will pitch two innings as he prepares for the upcoming season.  In other news, Hyun-Jin Ryu is considering a position change, as evidenced by this Ruthian swing captured by Jon SooHoo (pic on the right).

Photo above via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2017.  Go here to check out more pics by Jon from yesterday; including pics from Mondays game.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodger History:  In 1966 the great Koufax/Drysdale contract holdout commences.  In 2002 the Dodgers signed free agent Japanese starting pitcher Kaz Ishii after posting a $11.26 million bid to the Tokyo Yakult Swallows for the right to negotiate with him. He would eventually sign a four-year $12.3 million contract with the Dodgers.
• Happy Birthday, Al Humphrey, Orlando Alvarez & Trent Oeltjen!
  

2017 Topps Now - Road to Opening Day Team Set - Kenta Maeda

Last week I briefly mentioned the first Topps Now cards of the 2017 season.  It is part of a set called "Road to Opening Day" and each team in the league has their own 15-card set available.  Furthermore, there are two different sets -- a normal 15-card offering and the same 15-card set plus a mystery autograph card (either Maeda, Toles or Seager).  Go here or here to check them out and order.  They will be available for sale throughout spring training.

So far only one card in the set has been revealed.  It is of Kenta Maeda, and you can see it at the very top.

BTW, the set could expand beyond the initial 15-card set.  Bonus cards will added depending upon the success of the team in 2017.  Below is a list of milestones that will expand this set:

• Dodgers place first in division at MLB All-Star Break
• Dodgers pitcher tosses no-hitter or perfect game at any point in regular or postseason
• Dodgers hitter hits for cycle at any point in regular or postseason

* Please follow on twitter @ernestreyes *

* Like Dodgers Blue Heaven on facebook *

* Dodgers Blue Heaven home page *

A Collection of Claude Osteen Items at Lelands Auctions

As previously promised, here is a quick peek at some of the items from the Claude Osteen collection currently available at Lelands Auctions.

Claude Osteen was a workhorse of an starting pitcher for the Dodgers from 1965 to 1973.  In that span he recorded 147 wins against 126 losses, a 3.09 ERA, 100 complete games, 34 shutouts, a 3.15 FIP and a WHIP of 1.217.  In other words, he provided some needed innings and ace workmanship after the Dodgers struggled to compete following the retirement of Sandy Koufax in 1966.

Blog Kiosk: 2/27/2017 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Friday was photo day for the Dodgers at Camelback Ranch - when media groups around the country come into town to capture the "Boys in Blue" on film (or bytes, if you will).  Above is Adrian Gonzalez with his emoji, taken by Dodger photographer Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2017.  Go here to check out more pics he took on photo day; including practice on the field.

You can also check out pics by Jon SooHoo from Saturday (link here) and Sunday (link here), as well.  Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodger History:  In 1932 the Brooklyn Dodgers signed future Hall of Fame pitcher Waite Hoyt to a free agent contract.
• Happy Birthday, Roy Hutson, Rube Melton, Carl Warwick, Henry Cruz, Willie Banks & Carlos Triunfel!