Welcome to the Blue, Zac Rosscup!

More relief pitching depth is never a bad thing.

Earlier today we got word that the Dodgers had claimed another pitcher - this time from the Colorado Rockies. His name is Zac Rosscup and he's a lefty. You can also follow him on twitter here: @zrosscup. To create room on their 40-man roster the Dodgers DFA's left-handed pitcher Edward Paredes. Per a Dodger press release:

Rosscup, 30, has made 10 relief appearances with Colorado’s Triple-A Albuquerque, giving up just one earned run over 8.1 innings (1.08 ERA) and limiting the opposition to a .133 average. The Oregon native was originally selected by the Tampa Bay Rays in the 2009 First-Year Player Draft, and was acquired by the Cubs in 2011 before being traded to the Rockies in 2017. Over the course of his career, the southpaw has a 3-1 record, 5.30 ERA (32 ER/54.1 IP), 1.55 WHIP in 71 career big league games over five seasons. He has limited left-handed batters to a .136 batting average (12-for-88), the third-lowest batting average vs. left-handers among active pitchers (min. 100 batters faced). Rosscup started the season on the 60-day disabled list with a blister on the left middle finger and has yet to play in the Majors this season.

The Topps Living Set - #53 - Walker Buehler

The third Dodger to be included in Topps Living Baseball card set has just been released. It is of rookie hurler Walker Buehler. Go here to check it out and order.  It will only be available for direct online purchase from Topps over the next seven days.

Weekend Autograph Opportunity: Justin Turner (photos only) and Caleb Ferguson

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.

---------------------------

Dodgers 60th Anniversary Sets - The 90's - #22 to #28

It's about time I finally put this up. Featured here are the seven cards from the Dodgers 2018 60th Anniversary Baseball card set focused on the 90's. Like prior sets, the first six cards highlight Bellinger, Turner, Seager, Jansen, Taylor and Utley. The seventh card honors Mike Piazza.

Of all the sets they could have used for the base design, I can't believe they chose 1994 Topps. It is easily one of my least liked designs of the decade. Furthermore, it's a travesty they overlooked the 1991 set -- one of my favorite designs of all time.

On a side note, I would like to extend a shout-out and a word of thanks to fellow blogger and fanatic Dodger fan Andy from the Stadium Fantasium blog. He was kind enough to pass along this set for my collection.

Take a look at the entire set below.

#LAD-22 Cody Bellinger

2018 Topps Definitive Collection - All the Dodgers Cards

At over $1,000 bucks a box this brand is not for the weary. Last week Topps released their 2018 Topps Definitive Collection Baseball card set, and featured below are most of the Dodger cards available in packs. Go here for a complete checklist.

Base Autograph Relic Collection

#ARC-AV Alex Verdugo             #ARC-CK Clayton Kershaw

Blog Kiosk: 7/11/2018 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

"It's the Dodgers, man, nobody likes the Dodgers," Lauer said with a wry grin. "You want to get them more than any other team." (per Ken Gurnick at MLB.com)

Padres rookie lefty Eric Lauer did quite a number against us last night -- throwing 8.2 innings of four-hit ball to lead San Diego to a 4-1 victory. Heck, he only got lifted from the game when All-Star Final Vote candidate Max Muncy shellacked a ball over the left field wall in the ninth inning.

Oh well, You can't win them all, eh? BTW, there's still time to vote for Muncy, so go here to do that.

On another note, I shared the quote at the very top because I just love hearing that kind of stuff.

Photo above via Campbell Dunn/MLB.com at Dodger Insider. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1958 the Los Angeles city council declared this day to be 'Take Me Out to the Ball Game Day' -- celebrating the fiftieth anniversary of the iconic baseball song. In a pregame ceremony at the LA Memorial Coliseum, the Dodgers honor lyricist Jack Norworth by presenting him with a lifetime pass to any American or National League game. In 1978 Steve Garvey becomes the first two-time All-Star Game MVP in Baseball history. Garv recorded a game-tying, two-run single in the 3rd inning, a triple and run scored in the 8th inning to help the NL to beat the AL, 7-3. In 1980 the Dodgers sold knuckleballer Charlie Hough to the Rangers.
• Happy Birthday, Pop Schriver, Milt Stock, Clarence Blethen, Binky Jones, Vito Tamulis, Hal Gregg, Dick Gray, Andy Ashby, Billy Ashley & Jon Meleon!