Welcome Back to LA, Matt Kemp! (For However Long You Stay)

I always though we'd see Matt Kemp in Dodger Blue again.

I just didn't think it would happen this quickly.

Welcome back, Matt Kemp!

As you all know, the ballplayer once heralded as our franchise outfielder has returned to Los Angeles. How long he'll be here is still up in the air. All we do know is that this trade cleared some bad debt off the books -- by trading a package of albatross contracts for Matt Kemp's giant whale of a bad contract.

In other words, this deal really had nothing to do with Baseball. Instead, it was a trade of financial instruments.

2017 Topps Transcendent Collection - All the Dodgers Cards

Here is a look at all the Dodger cards found in one of the 87 briefcase sized boxes of 2017 Topps Transcendent Collection. As you know, this is a very expensive product that cost collectors about $25 grand a pop. For that you get a complete base set, a complete sketch card reproduction set, a complete 50 card Transcendent autographed set, one original sketch card or baseball, three additional autograph cards (including an Aaron Judge) and an invitation to an Hank Aaron event. Go here for a complete checklist.

Icons Base

#1 Jackie Robinson              #24 Clayton Kershaw

Blog Kiosk: 12/19/2017 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Wow! This is fantastic.

Above is a look at Ebbets Field on the day of the very first ballgame played at the stadium. Dated April 5, 1913, it shows a preseason exhibition between Brooklyn and their hated rivals, the New York Yankees. Pitching on the mound is Yankee hurler Ray Caldwell. Per Michael Claire at Cut4:

With 25,000 in attendance and 7,000 others watching "the game from the bluffs that loom above the field," Charles Ebbets had to turn away an additional 10,000 fans who wanted to catch the game. Though fans may have wished the park was a little larger, at least they didn't have to put up with the smell of rotting fish. 

How is that relevant, you wonder? Because the "grasslets" on the new field were fertilized with fish chum, during the offseason it gave off "one of the most aggressive odors known to science." Fortunately that had dissipated long before the stadium's opening. 

BTW, the Dodgers took an early 2-0 lead when Jake Daubert hit a homer and a youthful Casey Stengel hit one inside-the-park. The Yankees would then tie it up in the ninth. Fortunately, the Dodgers won the game during their half of the inning to win it in walk-off style, 3-2.

Photo above via Old-Time Baseball Photos on twitter. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 2005 the Dodgers signed free agent shortstop Rafael Furcal to a three year/$39 million contract and Nomar Garciaparra to a one year/$6 million contract.  In 2014 the Dodgers received veteran shortstop Jimmy Rollins from the Phillies in exchange for mionor league pitchers Tom Windle and Zach Eflin.  
• Happy Birthday, Lou Koupal, Gordie Windhorn, Tom Wilson, Welcome Gaston, Wally Gilbert, Rex Barney, Geoff Zahn & Mike Fetters!

Welcome to the Blue, Tom Koehler!

Before we got word of the blockbuster trade that sent several high-priced veterans to Atlanta was announced, we found out on Friday that the Dodgers had added another arm to their bullpen. The Dodgers made their very first offseason move following the Winter Meetings by signing free agent pitcher Tom Koehler to a one-year deal (not yet confirmed and awaiting a physical exam). Per Ken Gurnick at MLB.com:

Koehler, 31, was non-tendered by Toronto, which acquired him from Miami in August. Koehler was 0-2 with a 2.65 ERA in 15 games (14 in relief) with the Blue Jays after going 1-5 with a 7.92 ERA in 12 starts with the Marlins. As a converted starter, Koehler would fit the multi-inning reliever role the Dodgers rely on with most of their starting pitchers lasting barely five innings per game. 

"As teams are trying to maximize roster spots, I think it's going to become more common," general manager Farhan Zaidi said of the multi-inning reliever during this week's Winter Meetings.

Thank You, Adrian Gonzalez!

I still remember that day in 2012 when the entire Baseball world heard the shocking news that the Dodgers now had Adrian Gonzalez in their lineup. As you may recall, the franchise was in turmoil then. Team owner Frank McCourt had effectively been ousted just three months prior, and few people knew exactly what the new bosses had in mind.

2017 Topps Transcendent Collection - The Monty Sheldon Painted Dodgers Baseballs

On Friday I briefly introduced Topps 2017 Transcendent Collection brand by showing off the Corey Seager hand-drawn baseball created by sports artist Mayumi Seto (link here). As you know, this super premium set -- of which there are only 87 boxes/cases in existence -- includes one original artist drawn card or baseball. Of the artistic Baseballs four feature a Dodger, and three of those four were created by friend of Blue Heaven blog, Monty Sheldon.

Over the weekend, Monty was kind enough to send along pics of the three Dodgers' painted baseballs for everyone to enjoy. Check them out below -- Clayton Kershaw, Cody Bellinger and Yu Darvish. He was also kind enough to share a group pic of a bunch of the baseballs he painted for this set. You can see that at the very bottom of this post.

Authentic MLB Baseball Sketch (#/1)

#Clayton Kershaw                         #Cody Bellinger