Champ Pederson Will Have a 2018 Allen & Ginter Baseball Card!

There is a fantastic surprise in this years Allen & Ginter set. Not only will it be filled with the typical group of players, it will also include the older brother of a current Dodger. The 2018 Allen & Ginter base set includes Champ Pederson, and Topps was kind enough to forward along a mock-up of the card to share here (Thanks, Susan!). BTW, there are also autographed inserts of Champ available, as well. Check out the base card above.

2018 Topps Archives Signature - Active Player Edition - The Dodgers

Topps Archives Signature cards have proven so popular they decided to split it up into two distinctive card brands this year - an Active Player and Retied Player Editions. Last week they released the Active Player Edition, and three Dodgers' are available, with the possibility of a fourth that has not been unearthed yet.

I can confirm the existence of autographed Dodger cards of Adrian Beltre, Alex Wood and Joc Pederson. The checklist (go here to check that out) also includes former Dodgers prospect and current Phillies first baseman Carlos Santana, but I have yet to see any signed Dodger cards of him.

Below is a listing of known (so far to me) Dodger cards. If you know of any more please pass that information along.

Adrian Beltre

1998 Topps New Breed      1999 Bowman Chrome

A Couple of Fantasy Baseball Cards in Honor of Chase Utley

In light of the recent announcement that Chase Utley would retire at the end of this season, I made a couple of fantasy Baseball cards in his honor. I am sure that over the course of the next several months I will make more. So, stay tuned for that.

Per Eric Stephen at True Blue LA:

“I transitioned to a part-time player, something that was new for me, but I took it in stride. I really enjoyed that time,” Utley said. “I’m also a part-time strength coach, a part-time pitching coach, occasionally a part-time catching coach, as well as a part-time general manager. 

“The thing I’m having the most difficult time with is being a part-time dad. That’s really the reason I’m shutting it down, to be a full-time dad. It is a difficult decision, but one I’m comfortable with.”

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Blog Kiosk: 7/16/2018 - Dodgers Links - The All-Star Break

(Pic via Jon SooHoo/Dodgers at Dodger Insider)

After all of the hand-wringing in April, the Dodgers end the first-half of the season in first place. Per Kaelen Jones at MLB.com:

"The one thing that I really like about this team is how we really figured it out," said Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen, who tied for the NL lead with his 27th save. "That kind of shows you the type of players that we have in this locker [room], that we've got to put stuff behind us and never panic."

The Dodgers have had plenty of reason to panic. A post-World Series hangover lingered into the start of the 2018 season as they opened 16-26. Their starting pitching has been ravaged by injuries. That includes Kershaw, who appears to be back to full health just in time. 

"I think we're playing a little bit more now like what we are," Kershaw said. "I don't think we're a 16-26 ballclub, obviously. Good for us to right the ship; good for us to right the ship that quickly."

For his part, Clayton went 6.2 innings, allowed six hits including a three-run homer, struck out eight and walked four to help the Dodgers defeat the Angels, 5-3. The photo above of our all-stars at the very top via Jon SooHoo/Dodgers at Dodger Insider. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1948 Brooklyn agrees to a deal with the Giants that releases his manager, Leo Durocher, so that he may become the skipper for the Giants. Burt Shotten would take over the managerial position for Brooklyn.
• Happy Birthday, Don Ross, Tommy Tatum, Norm Sherry, John Purdin & Eric Surkamp!