2016 Topps Series 2 - The Dodgers Base and Variation Cards

Take a look at all the Dodgers base cards found in packs of 2016 Topps Series 2 below.  A complete checklist of the set can be found here.

Of special note are the three variation cards that exist.  Carl Crawford, Brett Anderson and Scott Van Slyke have cards showing them wearing Jackie Robinson Day (#42) jersey's. The photos for all three of them are from the 2015 season.

#377 Scott Kazmir

#423 Carl Crawford                                 #429 Kenta Maeda

Welcome to the Blue, Yordan Alvarez!

Just before facing a two-year ban on signing international amateurs above a $300k bonus, the Dodgers decided to plunk down a couple million dollars to nab 18-year old Cuban outfielder Yordan Alvarez.  Yesterday was the very last day of the 2015-2016 international signing period.  Per Ben Badler at Baseball America:

The Dodgers signed Yordan Alvarez, an 18-year-old who played first base in Cuba but has also showcased in left field. The deal, first reported by MLB.com, is for $2 million, which means the Dodgers will pay $4 million total since they have to pay a 100 percent overage tax for exceeding their bonus pool.

Since Alvarez didn’t play much in Cuba’s Serie Nacional, my looks at him while he was in Cuba were limited to just a handful of at-bats. Alvarez had a long, lean build in Cuba, but those who have seen him more recently said he has gotten stronger and filled out to 6-foot-5, 220 pounds.

Blog Kiosk: 6/16/2016 - Dodgers Links - Maeda Recovering, Billingsley Ailing and Clayton Kershaw

Although far from perfect, Clayton Kershaw was still good enough to earn a Dodgers victory.  (Of course, a less than perfect Kersahw is still better than 95% of pitchers in the league)  He struck out eleven DBacks and walked only one in the 3-2 win.  Via Ken Gurnick and Jake Rill at MLB.com:

"Clayton saw we needed to win the series and came with the usual intensity and intent," manager Dave Roberts said. "Clayton was Clayton. For us to get that win was not only good for him, but for us."

Fortunately, a bit of luck came our way during this game.  With the Dodgers leading 3-1 and Kershaw on the mound, Paul Goldschmidt hit a deep liner to left field that barely missed going over the fence by inches.  Instead of tying the game with a two-run jack, Goldy was only able to bring Arizona within one run of tying the game.  (Watch the play here)

BTW, the Dodgers three runs all come on a homer by Scott Van Slyke against lefty Patrick Corbin.  (Watch it here)

"Looking for something in I could pull, and he gave it to me," Van Slyke said. "Big league pitchers are good, and you come back and, like, wow, you got to adjust yourself. I know I can hit any lefty if I'm focused and have my swing down."

Photo at the top via Jon SooHoo on the Dodgers twitter.  Go here to check out more pics from Jon from yesterdays game.  Below are more links to check:

• This Day in Dodgers History:In 1958 Don Newcombe is traded by the Dodgers to Cincinnati.  In 1963 rookie Nick Willhite became the first pitcher in LA Dodgers history to throw a shutout in his Major League debut.  He defeated the Cubs, 2-0.  It would be 29 years before another rookie would do the same - Pedro Astacio.
• Happy Birthday, Jonathan Broxton!