All-Decade Relics
#5 Mike Piazza
Wednesday, November 15, 2017
2017 Panini National Treasures - All the Dodgers Insert Cards
At long last here are the Dodgers non-base cards found in packs of 2017 Panini National Treasures. Go here for a complete checklist.
2017 Topps Now - Cody Bellinger Wins the NL Rookie of the Year Award
Above is the 2017 Topps Now commemorative card celebrating Cody Bellinger's unanimous selection as the 2017 National League Rookie of the Year. Go here to check it out and order. You still have a few hours before they close its sale. As you can see, the reverse of the card includes only his 2017 statistics.
Blog Kiosk: 11/15/2017 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends
Check out the 1991 Dodgers in the photo above. It was shared by Dodgers photograph Jon SooHoo on his blog yesterday, and it features a travelling contingent of Dodger players in Mexico for an exhibition series during Spring Training. In light of recent news that the Dodgers and Padres would be playing a series of games in Monterrey, Mexico next season, this photo is very timely.
As you may recall, the Dodgers headed south in 1991 to play a couple of exhibition games against the local club, Industriales de Monterrey, and the Milwaukee Brewers.
Notably, the game against the Brewers marks one of the last starts Fernando Valenzuela threw in Dodgers Blue, and he was magnificent that day. He went five innings, allowed only two hits, gave up one run, and even drove in a run on a single. Best yet, 27,000 of his countrymen came out to cheer, scream and whistle their appreciation for the Mexican born pitcher. Per Bill Plascke at the LA Times:
It was only an exhibition. But to those who understand Valenzuela's search for shreds of Fernandomania, it was much more.
"We knew Fernando's importance to his country before we came down here, but to see it, to feel, to hear it . . . it was an extraordinary moment," said Peter O'Malley, the Dodger owner who had a front row seat at Estadia Monterrey. "This is one of the most exciting experiences I've had since I've been with the ballclub."A couple of weeks later, with the regular season looming, Fernando Valenzuela would be released by the Dodgers. Below are more links to check out:
- This Day in Dodgers History: In 1962 Dodger Hall of Famer Don Drysdale is named the NL Cy Young Award winner. He went 25-9 with an 2.83 ERA, 19 complete games and 232 strike outs. In 1988 Dodgers outfielder and legend Kirk Gibson was named the NL MVP.
- Happy Birthday, Pat Ragan, Jay Partridge, Mickey Livingston, Jack Smith & Pedro Borbón!