2017 Topps Now -- #388 -- Logan Forsythe's Walk-Off Single on Sunday

Last nights extra innings heroics earns Logan Forsythe his second 2017 Topps Now card of the season -- his first featured him paired with Clayton Kershaw. In fact, that first Topps Now card from late-May is very similar to this new Topps Now card. In late-May, he delivered a 13 inning walk-off double to help defeat the Cardinals. This new Topps card celebrates a 10th inning walk-off single by Forsythe to help defeat the Braves. Go here to check it out and order. Per the description on the reverse:

Norman Rockwell's Original Study for "Tough Call" on Auction - His Greatest Work that Features the Dodgers

When I first saw this auction listing I was excited. Then I realized I'm no millionaire, so the best thing I can do is briefly write about it here. Featured is an original Norman Rockwell study that eventually lead to the creation of his greatest (in my opinion) work of art. It dates to 1948 and it is the precursor to Rockwell's painting named Tough Call. The original artwork permanently resides at the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown. (Auction Link)

I'll let the auction description tell you all about it.

The offered creation is the study for a painting that appeared upon the April 23, 1949 cover of The Saturday Evening Post, a work that now resides in the permanent collection of the Baseball Hall of Fame. Arguably the most famous of all baseball-related Rockwells, the painting is officially entitled, "Tough Call," but is known alternately as both "Game Called Because of Rain, Bottom of the Sixth" and "The Three Umpires."

2017 Allen & Ginter - The Dodgers RIP Cards and Mini Exclusives

Here's a look at not only the Dodgers' RIP cards found in packs of 2017 Allen & Ginter, but also a peek at all of the Dodgers' Mini Exclusive cards found only within the RIP cards. Go here to check out all of my past post on this set.

As you know, RIP cards hold a hidden surprise. You can find an Artist Originals (1/1), Mini Metal (#/3) or Mini Wood (1/1) cards. Also inserted are Mini Exclusives that add more cards to the 350 card set base -- for a total of 400 cards (the last 50 of which are the below short-printed mini's). Of those extra 50 cards five of them are Dodger players. You can see all of them below. I've also included a checklist for the four Dodgers' Artist's Originals drawings that are available, and share a pic of the Clayton Kershaw card drawn by noted artist Brian Kong.

Mini Exclusives (found only in RIP cards)

#375 Julio Urias                   #381 Clayton Kershaw

Blog Kiosk: 7/24/2017 - Dodgers Links - Some Weekend Odds and Ends

Sunday was not the best day. First Clayton Kershaw left the game early due to back tightness issues. Then, Kenley Jansen blew his first save of the season when he yielded a three run home run that tied the game. Fortunately, this Dodger team doesn't give up. They fight... And they claw... And they never surrender. So, they eventually rallied in the 10th inning and won the game on a walk-off single by Logan Forsythe. Per Rowan Kavner at Dodger Insider:

“It’s been a good series for us, to battle back from two losses to start,” Forsythe said. “To see the depth of our bench, to see the bullpen come in and do a good job and for us to grind out at-bats and have quality at-bats and get a split in that series I think was good to see.”

On a side note: Unlike many, I am not worried that the season will be lost due to the recent injury to Kershaw. Instead, I see this as just another hill that these Dodgers are eager to climb. There is no barrier too high, no roadblock too perilous, and no injury too great that will sway their belief that this season is theirs.

The above photo of Yasiel Puig dousing Logan Forsythe via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2017. Go here to check out more pics bu Jon from yesterdays game. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1931 Brooklyn Robins (Dodgers) outfielder Babe Herman hit for the cycle against the the Pittsburgh Pirates. In 1939 the Brooklyn Dodgers selected Dixie Walker off waivers from the Detroit Tigers. He would go on to play nine season in Brooklyn; slashing .311/.386/.441/.827 for the Dodgers. In 1967 former Dodgers President Branch Rickey is posthumously inducted in the Baseball Hall of Fame. In 1986 the Dodgers signed 17-year old amateur free agent infielder José Offerman out of San Pedro de Macoris, Dominican Republic. In 1993 Mets outfielder Vince Coleman tossed a M-80 firecracker from his car as he was leaving the Dodger Stadium parking area. It is reported that three people are injured; including an 11-year old boy and a two-year old girl. Coleman eventually pleads guilty to one misdemeanor count of unlawful possession of an explosive device and is sentenced to 200 hours of community service. The incident, along with many others, leads the Mets to announced a month later that he would never play for the team again.
• Happy Birthday, Tommy McCarthy, Joe Wall, Joe Schultz, Preston Ward, Norihiro Nakamura & Scott Van Slyke!