Four New 2016 Topps Now Cards to Commemorate Last Nights Victory -- #599, #600, #601 & #602

To no one's surprise Topps has issued a foursome of new Topps Now cards to celebrate the Dodgers 6-0 shellacking of the Chicago Cubs yesterday.  Featured on them are Corey Seager, Yasmani Grandal, Justin Turner and Rich Hill.  As always, you can purchase all four (in addition to two Toronto cards) for $39.99. Go here to check that out.  In the meantime, let's take a brief look at each one individually.

2016 Topps Update Baseball - The Dodgers Base Cards & Variations

Following up on my post sharing the Dodgers "first Pitch" insert cards found in packs of 2016 Topps Update, below are photos of all the Dodgers base cards in the set; including variations.  Go here for a complete checklist.  BTW, there may be more Dodger variations beyond the Thompson and Urias cards indicated below.  So, if more do pop up I'll update this post.

Of note, Austin Barnes, Bud Norris and Josh Reddick (not counting Topps Now) receive their very first cards in a Dodger uniform.  The base set also includes what is likely to be the last card of AJ Ellis in Dodger Blue -- at least until he decides to join the club later on in his career when he's coaching/managing. 

Base Set

#US9 Ross Stripling

#US21 Austin Barnes

Weekend Autograph Opportunities: Wayne Gretzky Book Signing on the 25th

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.

I am not aware of any Dodgers or sports related signings this weekend, but I do know that Wayne Gretzky will have a book signing this coming Tuesday.

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Next week on Tuesday, October 25, 2016 starting at 7:00 PM LA Kings great Wayne Gretzky will have a book signing at the Barnes & Noble book store at The Grove.  Go here or here for information.  This is wristband event.  Wristbands will be issued beginning Tuesday, October 25th at 9:00 AM to customers who purchase “99 Stories from the Game” from Barnes & Noble at The Grove. Wristbands will be issued on a first-come, first-served basis.

• Limit 1 wristband per person
• There is a limit of 2 books per person
• Personalization will not be available
• Wayne Gretzky will only be signing his book "99 Stories from the Game"
• Pictures from the line and candid photo's are allowed.
• No posed photos or selfies
• No memorabilia please

Barnes & Noble @ The Grove
189 The Grove Drive Suite K 30
Los Angeles, CA 90036
323.525.0270

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Blog Kiosk: 10/19/2016 - Dodgers Links - Kershaw Saves, a Dodger Mural, Urias and Rich Hill

Rich Hill and his curve ball dominated the Cubs yesterday evening.  Via Jon Weisman at Dodger Insider:

“I think it’s one of those things that if you have a pitch that’s better than your other pitches, you throw it more, and percentage-wise it should work out in your favor,” Hill said. “I’m not going to sit here and say it’s not a major part of my game.”

The 36-year-old added that tonight’s victory was the “biggest game of my career,” but that you can’t think like that while it’s happening.

“It’s all about staying in the moment and executing when you’re in that moment, and that’s all you can think about,” Hill said. “All you can control is that pitch. In the second inning, walk a few guys — it’s over with, can’t control it — and you move on. You execute the next pitch, and you execute the pitch after that. And you continue to execute until the ball gets taken out of your hand.”

Holy Moly!  I knew Hill's numbers with the A's were strong, but I really had no idea that this journeyman who'd been out of the game (playing independent Baseball just a year or two ago) was the late-blooming ace that he showed last night.  What a godsend, eh?

And, let's give it up for the resurgent Dodgers offense.  Both Yasmani Grandal and Justin Turner hit homers, while Yasiel Puig and Corey Seager finally broke out of their slumps to record five singles, collectively (two for Puig and three for Seager).

Photo at the very top of Rich Hill be awarded the "Dodgers Player of the Game" belt, via @Dodgers on twitter.  Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History:  In 1981 Rick Monday made history by hitting a dramatic solo home run in the eighth inning of Game 5 of the NLCS to propel the Dodgers to a 2-1 victory over the Montreal Expos.  Go here to watch a highlight of it.  He hit a 3-1 fastball against Steve Rogers.  BTW, Fernando Valenzuela allowed just three hits and one run in 8 2/3 inning.  The win sent the team to the World Series against the Yankees.
• Happy Birthday, James McDonald and Tim Belcher!