2014 Topps High Tek Baseball - The Dodger Base Cards

Are you ready for some plastic Baseball cards?

Earlier this week Topps officially released their 2014 Topps High Tek set and it's an 100% all-plastic/acetate Baseball card set.  There's no cardboard to be found.  Go here for a complete checklist.  As you may know, this is a rebirth of an old product line that existed in the 90's.

There are 100 cards in the base set, and there are potentially 12 different design variations available.  These variations are in addition to the typical parallel cards that can be found.  A complete listing of the design variations can be found here. UPDATE:  From what I understand, there are 6 design variations for AL players and 6 for NL players.  Therefore, each player has 6 different variations available.

Below are the Dodger base cards.  As you can see, I've only included a photo of just one variation for each player; with exception of Yasiel Puig. 

Base Set

#HT-AG Alex Guerrero                     #HT-AGO Adrian Gonzalez

#HT-CK Clayton Kershaw                  #HT-FV Fernando Valenzuela

#HT-HR Hanley Ramirez                          #HT-SK Sandy Koufax

#HT-YP Yasiel Puig

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Oklahoma City Dodgers Channel Tom Selleck's "Mr. Baseball" Apparel

As you surely know by now, the Dodgers new AAA Minor League affiliate in Oklahoma City just changed their team name to the Dodgers.  The public announcement was an lively affair that included a presentation of their new uniforms.

As I gazed upon the wardrobe, I was immediately struck with deja vu.  I was sure I'd seen one of the designs before, but for the life of me I couldn't place it.

Take a look at the new hats in the photo above.  Do you see that large cursive "D" cap, third on the left?

I've seen that before.  I know I have.

All yesterday afternoon I tried in vain to figure it out, but to no avail.  Then, I saw a thread on the r/Dodgers reddit, and my mind was put at ease.  Thanks to a redditor named r/truebleluvsme I had my answer.

In the Tom Selleck movie "Mr. Baseball" the Chunichi Dragons wore a similarly designed hat in the movie (see the photo below).  In fact, the real Chunichi Dragons, who play in the Nippon Professional Baseball league, wore that cap from 1987 to 1996.  Furthermore, more research indicated that the Dodgers had sold a similar hat in their stores back in 2012, via Roberto Baly at Vin Scully is My Homeboy.

Whew!  Finding this out puts my mind at ease.  I was sure it was going to bug me for days.

(photo via AstroNerdBoy's Anime and Manga Blog)

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Blog Kiosk: 12/4/2014 - Dodger Links - AGon, Hamels and Haren is One Funny Dude

I can never get enough of Hall of Famer Frank Robinson in a Dodger uniform.  It's such a wondrous and amazing sight.  The photo above was found through an eBay auction that you can check out here.  It is stamp dated to April 3, 1972, so it was likely taken during Spring Training that year.

Below are some links to check out:

• So, do you want to play some softball?  Do you love reading blogs?  Well... Then you have to check out Left Field Pavilions 3rd Annual Dodger Blogger Charity Softball Tournament.  Go here for information.
• Via Marty Noble at MLB.com, "Perception, fate have conspired against Hodges."
• Via Jon Weisman at Dodger Insider, "Adrian Gonzalez leads trip to Mexico."  A contingent of Dodgers will be joining Adrian Gonzalez in Mexico City today to honor him as he receives a national sports award presented by Mexico’s La Comisión Nacional de Cultura Física y Deporte (CONADE).

“It is truly my honor to travel to Mexico City in support of Adrian Gonzalez alongside our own Fernando Valenzuela who was very integral in the establishment of our significant Dodger fan base throughout Mexico,” Kasten said. “The Dodgers are fortunate to have such a rich history with Mexico and so many fans of Mexican descent.

“We applaud Adrian for being a role model on and off the field in Los Angeles, as well as an exemplary role model and athlete in his family’s own native country of Mexico. We remain committed to scouting throughout Mexico, and we look forward to our club’s future, which will undoubtedly continue to include Mexican talent.”

• Via Ken Rosenthal at FoxSports, "The likelihood that Hamels is heading to the Dodgers."  He's just clearing the air and connecting appropriate dots.  Giving up our best prospects for Hamels makes no sense.

The Phillies would want one of the Dodgers’ top position prospects, shortstop Corey Seager or outfielder Joc Pederson, in any Hamels deal, according to major-league sources.

And the Dodgers, rather than part with premium young talent and assume the remainder of Hamels’ contract, can purchase a free-agent pitcher for a comparable price and give up no more than a draft pick.

• Dan Haren is quickly becoming my favorite twitterer.

@VernonWells10 you need to get in shape for an adult softball league or something?
— dan haren (@ithrow88) December 3, 2014

• MLB historian John Thorn writes about, "The Elysian Fields."  This place was one of the spawning grounds for Base Ball.

The Elysian Fields became not only a place of rest but also recreation as the prospect of employment lured young bachelors from the farm to the city, only to leave them pining for rural bliss. Cricket was played at the Hoboken grounds before baseball, but by 1845 the New York Knickerbockers had taken heed of the northward push of industry in Manhattan and had taken their new game of “base ball” to Hoboken.

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