Spotting a Unique Ryu Patch Relic

With Opening Day about to begin in the States and Hyun-Jin Ryu the odds-on favorite to be our starting pitcher for the game, I thought it would be fun to take a look at Ryu card that striked my fancy.

I was recently perusing eBay and came across a 2013 autographed Triple Threads relic card of our Korean starter.  Check it out below.

(eBay Auction Link)

As you can see, the game-used uniform piece does not include your typical Dodger Blue patch in it.  Instead, it sports camouflage brown, and I had to find out more about it. 

(Pic via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2014)

As you may recall, on Memorial Day last year (May 27th, 2013) the Dodgers wore commemorative camouflage uniforms in honor of the armed forces, and Topps was able to acquire Ryu's uniform to put into some of his cards.  Like the various cards of Puig and Kershaw that have popped up with St. Patrick's Day green uniform pieces, this Ryu card captures a unique time in Dodger history on cardboard.

Due to the wonderful work of Dodger photographer Jon SooHoo we can see photos from that day.  Go here to check them out.  I wonder if the Dodgers will wear similar uniforms later this year.

(Hyun-Jin Ryu, pic via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2014)

BTW, it appears that Topps has decided to use these unique Memorial Day Ryu patches on cards with very limited print runs, so they appear to be scarce.  Below is another card (this time a '1 of  1') with the camouflage brown patch.

(eBay Auction Link)

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