2013 Topps Baseball Cards Series 1 - Dodgers Base Cards

This post will wrap up my complete look at Dodgers cards found in 2013 Topps Series 1 Baseball card packs.  Check out my previous post on this set here.

Featured below are the Dodgers base cards from 2013 Topps Baseball Series 1.  I've included scans of both the front and reverse (with exception to #81 ERA Leader card).  In my mind, the best thing about this set are the backs.  It's filled with stats and little tidbits about the players career.  Sometimes, you find some real gems.

As always, click on any pic to embiggen.  I definitely encourage that you take a closer look at the back of each one.

9 Dee Gordon

Here's one thing I didn't know.  Dee Gordon's card tell us that he was mentored by Barry Larkin, who lives in the same neighborhood as his dad, Tom.

16 Andre Ethier

Andre Ethier did something rare, and Clayton Kershaw loves Taylor Swift. 

22 Clayton Kershaw

56 Joe Blanton

74 Kenley Jansen

81 ERA Leaders: Kershaw, Dickey Cueto

Only Paco's Mom calls him Steven.

99 Paco Rodriguez

158 Chad Billingsley

182 Randy Choate

191 Chris Capuano

219 Josh Beckett

228 Adrian Gonzalez

242 Matt Kemp

263 Ted Lilly

295 Brandon League

306 Jerry Hairston

The AJ Ellis description is just plain awesome.  Here it is in full:

As a 31-year-old with 206 previous Major League at-bats, AJ's success made him one of the most compelling breakout stories in 2012.  His cerebral game-management and his personal philosophy of "I love guys who play defense and put the team first" - won him the job.  Ellis' bat was just a bonus, as he had his initial walk-off homer and first two-blast game.

314 AJ Ellis

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Dodgers Blog Kiosk: 2/14/2013

Happy Valentines day, Dodger fans!  Pic via twitter @Dodgers.

• Ken Rosenthal at Fox writes a great piece on Zack Greinke- the Baseball Junkie.
• Terence Moore at MLB.com tells us that according to Lasorda's gospel, pennants are won in the Spring.

"Spring Training is where you develop every aspect of the game. You develop unity. You develop hard work. You develop self-confidence. You've got to make them believe they'll finish No. 1.

"You win the pennant in Spring Training."

• Michael Barr at RotoGraphs takes a look at the Dodgers outfield depth.
• Mike Piazza blames Vin Scully for turning the fans against him?  Wha....?  Via Bill Shaikin at the LA Times.  I think his ire is misplaced.  He should be angry at News Corp./Fox Sports.  They traded him to gain favor with Florida in order to get a television deal done, then leaked BS rumors to cover their tracks.  Remember, Piazza's trade had nothing to do with his contract demands.  Instead, it had everything to do with non-Baseball field related business.
• Piazza is all over the news lately, eh?  Anyway, he recently spoke with Jay Mohr at AM570 about the steroid issue.  Listen to it here.
• Via Ken Gurnick at MLB.com, writes about the Capuano and Harang starting pitching situation.
• Check out a bunch of photos from Spring Training from Naver.com.  And as always, Jon SooHoo puts up his photos from yesterday, here.
• The FanCave contestants have been whittled down to 30, and 2 of the Dodger fans in the running made it through.  Congratulations to Jeremy Dorn and Thomas Roberts.  Check out my interviews with both of them by clicking their names above.
• Isai Rocha at Dodgers Nation tells us the 5 things that won't be missed in 2013.  I wholeheartedly agree with this list.
• Eric Stephen at True Blue LA speaks with Justin Sellers about his recent arrest.  

"It was a big misunderstanding. There was not a helicopter, nothing like that. There were no pedestrians in the area. They did me wrong. It was horrible. I felt, man, this was not good," Sellers said. "There are bigger crimes out there then messing with me on a dirt bike."

•  Ron Cervenka at Think Blue LA informs us that they will be using a humidor in Albuquerque.

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Weekend Autograph Opportunities: Ferragamo and Rodman

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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Meet former Ram Vince Ferragamo on Saturday afternoon in Rowland Heights.  There is info here.

Saturday, February 16th, 2:30 PM to 3:30 PM

The Optometry Practice of Corbin Liu
19735 East Colima Road, #4
Rowland Heights, CA 91748

(909) 468-4622

Hat Tip: My Autograph Signings

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(twitter link)

Former Laker Dennis Rodman will be at ESPNZone at LA Live this Sunday during the NBA All-Star Game to sign his new children's book called "Dennis the Wild Bull."  That's right, I said children's book.  BTW, he has a website for the book here.

Sunday, February 17, 2013
ESPN Zone L.A. Live
800 West Olympic Blvd., Suite B101
Los Angeles, CA 90015
(213) 765-7070

HatTip: LA Inspiration

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Legends Weekend at Camelback Ranch During Spring Home Openers - Free Autograph Sessions

It has just been announced that Camelback Ranch will be hosting a Legends Weekend during the opening weekend of Spring Training.  Former stars of both the Dodgers and White Sox will be in attendance at each clubs respective home spring openers to be honored on the field and to sign autographs for fans (inside the stadium).  Go here for more information.  BTW, they are planning to make this an annual event.  

On Saturday, February 23rd, the following Dodgers legends are scheduled to appear for an in-stadium autograph session from 11:30 a.m-12:30 p.m. before being introduced in pregame ceremonies.  Pregame activities start at 1:05 p.m.

• Ron Cey
• Tim Leary
• Manny Mota
• Fernando Valenzuela  *
• Maury Wills
• Steve Yeager
*Unavailable for autograph session due to broadcast commitment

On Sunday, February 24th, the following White Sox legends are scheduled to appear for an in-stadium autograph session from 11:30 a.m-12:30 p.m. before being introduced in pregame ceremonies.

• Floyd Bannister
• Jerry Hairston
• Ron Karkovice
• Ron Kittle
• Steve Stone

Former player participation is subject to change. 

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