Welcome to the Blue, Justin Yurchak!

I got to be honest with you. I was a bit disappointed that the Dodgers never called up Manny Bañuelos from Triple-A Oklahoma City this season. Sure, his arm wasn't needed to get us into the playoffs, but I just thought he pitched well enough over there to warrant a flyer. After all, the guy was once a highly-touted prospect and he is still young enough to regain some of that former glory. Nevertheless, his excellent season has gotten us a young prospect out of the White Sox organization who could lead to some dividends down the road. Announced this afternoon, the Dodgers have traded Bañuelos to the Sox for 22-year old lefty infielder Justin Yurchak.

2018 Topps High Tek - All the Dodgers Base Cards

Officially released on Halloween, featured here are all of the Dodger base cards found in packs of Topps 2018 High Tek Baseball brand. These are all acetate (plastic) cards that include four possible background pattern variations to go along with all the different parallels that are available. In other words, this set is all about the player-collectors since there are a whole bunch of different versions of each player available. Go here for a complete checklist.

Base

#HT-AV Alex Verdugo          #HT-CBE Cody Bellinger

Weekend Autograph Opportunity: Yasiel Puig's Thanksgiving Food Drive

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.

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Blog Kiosk: 11/1/2018 - Dodgers Links - Kreshaw Decision is Delayed

As you surely know by now, the Dodgers and Clayton Kershaw mutually decided to extend the deadline for the option decision to tomorrow, Friday at 4:00 PM ET. Clearly, this is because they are talking about something, and it's got to be related to some sort of extension. I feel fairly confident in saying that Kershaw will be staying Blue.

On top of that, the Dodgers and David Freese decided to extend their option decision, as well. This tells me that Freese is likely to be our new Chase Utley in the clubhouse. He provides excellent veteran depth on the infield and a solid bat off the bench. I look forward to him continuing his career in Los Angeles.

BTW, the photo above of Brooklyn Dodger outfielder Gene Hermanski posing for a pic is undated (auction link), but is likely from spring training in the late-40's. As you know, he is famous for commenting that the team should all wear Jackie Robinson's number so as to confuse a potential sniper in the stands during a series in St. Louis in 1948. His comment got huge laughs in the clubhouse and broke a lot of tension that had been built up.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1951 Roy Campanella is named the National League MVP -- his first of three MVP's he would win. In 1966 Sandy Koufax becomes the first three-time winner of the Cy Young Award. He is a unanimous winner for the second-straight year. This is the last year that only one award is given for pitchers in both leagues. In 2000 Jim Tracy is named manager of the Dodgers. In 2005 the Brooklyn Cyclones, a Mets Single-A farmclub, unveiled their Jackie Robinson/Pee Wee Reese bronze sculpture at their stadium -- then known as KeySpan Park. See it on the right. In 2007 Joe Torre is named the new Dodgers manager.
• Happy Birthday, Red Owens, Larry French, Art Parks, Fernando Valenzuela& Eddie Williams!