2018 Topps Advent Calendar - #5 - Walker Buehler

The second Dodger found in Topps online exclusive 2018 Advent calendar Baseball card set is rookie sensation Walker Buehler. As you know, since the start of this month Topps has been selling/unveiling each individual card from this 20-card set daily. Card #19 was of Clayton Kershaw. Now we know that card #5 is of our future ace. Go here to check it out and order. It will only be available for sale over a 24 hour period.

2018 Topps Brooklyn Collection - The Lone Dodger Card

As you may know, several weeks back Topps introduced their 582 Montgomery Club to the collecting masses. It had been billed as an exclusive membership program that offers products inspired by their early days in Brooklyn. You get a handful of exclusive sets and an opportunity to buy exclusive new brands direct from Topps. Initial membership cost $199.99 and sold out rather quickly. I do not know how many members are in this initial group. BTW, I did not join these ranks.

Blog Kiosk: 12/18/2018 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Check out this grizzled veteran. Featured above is 34-year old infielder Marty McManus in Brooklyn Dodger Blue, per a March 19, 1934 ACME press photo on eBay (auction link).

The longtime American Leaguer had signed a contract to play for the Dodgers in January and did very well during that Spring to show his worth -- batting .340 in exhibition games. Nevertheless, McManus would be sold to the Boston Braves in April; thereby ending a Dodger career that never really got started. Depending on which sources you read, McManus was either disgruntled and let go by rookie manager Casey Stengel (possibly fearing competition for his job), or sent to Boston to help a sinking ballclub. Either way, this old horse would play just one more season of pro ball, and then would quickly transition to be a minor league manager -- until his retirement in 1948.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 2009 the Dodgers traded outfielder Juan Pierre to the White Sox for pitchers John Ely and Jon Link. In 2014 the Dodgers traded Tim Federowicz and Matt Kemp to San Diego for Zach Eflin, Yasmani Grandal and Joe Wieland. 
• Happy Birthday, Dave Oldfield, Hub Knolls, Jimmy Pattison, Bill Skowron, Gino Cimoli, Zoilo Versalles, Lance Carter & Micah Johnson!