Blog Kiosk: 11/27/2019 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Here's an AP wirephoto featuring the great Roy Campanella (eBay listing).

February 9, 1972 -- 'Campy' Comments -- Roy Campanella reflects on a photo of himself as a Brooklyn Dodger Thursday, at New York's Gallaghers restaurant where he volunteered to serve as sports chairman for the Highway Safety Foundation. Commenting on the naming of black athletes Josh Gibson, a catcher, and Walter "Buck" Leonard, a first baseman, to the Baseball Hall of Fame, Campanella said, "They were two of the greatest players I ever played with."

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodger History: In 1953 Roy Campanella is the named the National League MVP for the second time in his career. He slashed .312/.395/.611/1.006 with 41 homer runs, a league leading 142 RBI's and recorded 7.1 WAR. In 1956 Don Newcombe was awarded the inaugural Cy Young Award, going 27-7 with a 3.06 ERA. A week prior he was given both the MVP and Rookie of the Year Awards; thereby becoming the first and only player to win all three major awards for a pitcher in one season.
• Happy Birthday, Jimmy Schmitz, Mike Scioscia & Jimmy Rollins!

2019 Topps Gallery - All the Dodger Cards

Last week saw the release Topps newest Walmart exclusive Baseball card brand -- 2019 Topps Gallery. As the name suggest, it featured ballplayers in artistically drawn portraits. Go here for a complete checklist.

There are 200 base cards, of which eight are Dodgers' -- including four short-printed cards. As with any set featuring drawings, the portraits are hit or miss. The Clayton Kershaw card below is clearly very well done. The cards of Walker Buehler and Dennis Santana, less so. There is one card, though that would rank as one of the ugliest things I've seen in awhile -- rivaling the 2014 Upper Deck Goodwin Champions card of Ron Cey (link here). To see what I mean go to the bottom of this post and check out the 'Master & Apprentice' insert card of Sandy Koufax and Clayton Kershaw. It's not pretty.

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#3 Clayton Kershaw

#103 Will Smith              #107 Max Muncy

2019 Topps On-Demand Set #16 - Dynamic Duals - All the Dodger Cards

Here's a look at another 'On-Demand' Topps set that includes some Dodgers. It is set #16 and it has been dubbed the Dynamic Duals set. Go here for a complete checklist. A total of 850 base sets were created. Check out all the Dodgers' below.

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#22 Clayton Kershaw / Will Smith

Blog Kiosk: 11/26/2019 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Roy is "A-Okay".

Roy Campanella, popular Brooklyn Dodger catcher, winks and gives the "okay" sign to a group of admiring small fry after a physician said Campy's injured left hand isn't permanently damaged and he's fit for duty in the All-Star game in Cleveland.

Dated July 13, 1954, the above vintage press photo (available through eBay) features some very relieved Brooklyn fans with Roy Campanella. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1962 the Dodgers traded right-handed hurler Stan Williams to the Yankees for first baseman Bill Skowron. He would play just one season for Los Angeles -- slashing .203/.252/.287/.539 in 89 games. In 1965 Dodgers second baseman Jim Lefebvre is voted National League Rookie of the Year. In 2010 the Dodgers signed free agent righty Jon Garland to a one-year $5 million contract. Garland would start nine games, going 1-5 with an 4.33 ERA, then go on the disabled list with shoulder discomfort -- leading to shoulder surgery.
• Happy Birthday, Jim Canavan, Dan McFarlan, Bob Lee, Jeff Torborg, Jorge Orta & Jay Howell!

2019 Bowman Topps Holiday -- All the Dodger Cards

A couple of weeks back Topps released their 2019 Bowman Topps Holiday Baseball cards -- exclusively available at local participating hobby stores. There are five Dodgers' in the base set; including prospects Cristian Santana, Josiah Gray and Keibert Ruiz. Check them all out below. Go here for a complete checklist.

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Veterans and Rookies

#TH-CB Cody Bellinger       #TH-MMU Max Muncy

2019 Topps Dynasty - The Dodgers Cards

Several weeks back Topps released their 2019 Topps Dynasty brand, and I finally have pics of many of the Dodgers available in it. Go here for a complete checklist. This is a high-end product -- costing about $300 for one single encapsulated autographed card per box. So, every pack should have a big hit in it.

For Dodger fans, this set is notable since it includes two former Dodgers in Blue -- Adrian Beltre and Rickey Henderson.

Autographed Patches

#Adrian Beltre
#DAB-ABE4

Blog Kiosk: 11/25/2019 - Dodgers Links - Vin Scully Collection Coming to Auction in 2020

Holy Moly!

I had suspected, with the MLB All-Star Game scheduled for Dodger Stadium next season, that Hunt Auctions would have something special for collectors to chase. As you may know, Hunt has had an annual MLB All-Star Week auction and it usually includes some historically important memorabilia. For 2020, though they have truly gone above and beyond. According to an announcement this morning, they have secured select items from the personal collection of Dodger Hall of Fame broadcaster Vin Scully -- easily the most iconic Dodger personality in its history.

There's no word yet on how many items will be available, but based on the pic in their email it appears he'll be parting with some items from a Dodgers Tour of Japan, his 1955 Brooklyn Dodgers World Series ring, the 1981 World Series trophy and some personal photographs.

Stay tuned I'll be sure to highlight everything once more information is available. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1972 Dodger first baseman Wes Parker won his sixth consecutive Gold Glove award. He would soon retire from the game, shortly after his 33rd birthday, and become a broadcaster for the Cincinnati Reds in 1973.
• Happy Birthday, Bert Cunningham, Gene Bailey, John Wells, Ben Wade, Tony Brewer, Octavio Dotel & Grant Dayton!

2019 Topps On-Demand Set #13 - Lenticular 3-D Cards - All the Dodgers'

Here's a new product that has me wishing I'd bought some packs. As you know, Topps has been releasing weekly online exclusive sets, dubbed "On-Demand" cards, for collectors to chase. Usually, they'll place modern ballplayers on vintage card designs - much like the fantasy cards I and a lot of collectors enjoy making. This particular set, though uses a card technology that Topps isn't exactly known for -- unless you want to count their 1968 test issue.

Featured here are all the Dodger cards found in Topps On-Demand Set #13 -- their Lenticular 3-D set. Go here for a complete checklist.

These cards are exactly like those old Sportflics cards from the late-80's -- using a printing process called "lenticular printing" that they referred to as a "Triple Action Magic Motion®" cards. A total of 100 ballplayers are in the base set, of which six are Dodgers.  Check them all out below. BTW, a total of 9,000 packs were sold and this translates into a print of 540 copies for each base card.

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#25 Clayton Kershaw

2019 Topps Now - All-Star Rookie Team - Will Smith

I am late again with this newest 2019 Topps Now Dodger card. Available for most of yesterday is an All-Star Rookie Team Cup card of Dodgers catching phenom Will Smith. Go here to check it out and order. Below is what's written on the reverse:

Will smith provided the Los Angeles Dodgers with pop from the catching position once he made his debut, routinely coming up with clutch hits. The rookie's impressive power and sold defense at the most demanding position in the League gave the Dodgers an edge.

2019 Topps Now - #AW-7 - MVP Cody Bellinger

The Topps Now MVP card celebrating Cody Bellinger's most recent trophy is now available. Go here to check it out and order.

Unless there's some blockbuster trade coming down the pike, this is likely to be the last Topps Now Dodger card of the season.

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* Dodgers Blue Heaven home page *

2019 Panini Prizm Draft Picks - The Dodger cards

Panini's Prizm Draft Picks brand hit the collectors market last week, and I've got pics of most of the Dodger prospects to share. Go here for a complete checklist.

There are three recent Dodger draftees in this set, and each one has at least one base card and an autographed card to chase after. In 2019 the Dodgers had two first round draft picks and both of them are represented here. Kody Hoese, the 25th overall pick, has two base cards and an autograph card in the set.  Michael Busch, our other 1st round pick (31st overall), has a base an auto'd card available. The third Dodger is right-handed high school hurler Jimmy Lewis -- who had apparently signed with the club as their second round pick from the 2019 Draft, but has not yet pitched in a minor league game. He has both a base and autographed card available.

On a side note, Jimmy Lewis is currently in the early stages of a throwing program. An MRI by the Dodgers showed there to be a slight labrum tear. Fortunately, surgery was deemed not necessary at this time. Lewis should hopefully be on the mound next season.

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#22 Kody Hoese              #32 Michael Busch

Congrats, Belli! You're an MVP!

WooHoo!

As you surely know by now, Cody Bellinger has just been named the 2019 National League Most Valuable Player. He received 19 of 30 first place votes to garner an overall score of 362 point -- finishing just ahead of runner-up Christian Yelich at 317 points. Cody is the twelfth Dodger player to win the award, the last position player being Kirk Gibson in 1988 (Clayton Kershaw had won the award in 2014 ). It is also the fourteenth time a Dodger has been named MVP -- Roy Campanella was awarded the prize three times. BTW, four Dodger pitchers have been named MVP in the past. Per a Dodger press release:

The Chandler High School (Az.) graduate becomes the first Arizona born player in Major League Baseball history to win the Most Valuable Player award and is the third Dodger player to win the Rookie of the Year and MVP, joining Jackie Robinson and Don Newcombe. He is now the only player in franchise history to win the MVP, Rawlings Gold Glove and Louisville Silver Slugger in the same season.

2019 Topps High Tek -- All the Dodger Cards

The 2019 Topps High Tek Baseball card brand is now out and I've got pics of all the Dodgers' to share. Check them out below. Go here for a complete checklist.

As always, this product focuses on distinctive backgrounds -- consisting of three main designs to go along with various patterns and parallels.  So, if you're a 'player collector' then this is a set for you. You are looking at well over a dozen different parallel/pattern cards available for each player in the base set.

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#81 Clayton Kershaw           #82 Sandy Koufax

Blog Kiosk: 11/14/2019 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Here's another fantastic spring training Dodgers' AP press photo that I an across on ebay (link here). It features Long Beach product Rocky Bridges (left) along with Dodgers cap Pee Wee Reese. It is dated February 28, 1952.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Baseball History: In 1979 the Dodgers signed free agent starting pitcher David Goltz to a six-year $3MM contract. The former eight-year Twins veteran went 9-19 with a 4.25 ERA in three season with the team before being release in 1982. In 2016 Corey Seager is named the unanimous winner of the National League Rookie of the Year award.
• Happy Birthday, Harry Howell, Red Sheridan, Jim Brewer & Tim Hamulak!

2019 Topps Total - Wave 9 - All the Dodger Cards

The last and final wave from Topps online exclusive set, 2019 Topps Total, is now out, and it includes three more Dodgers to collect -- Adam Kolarek, Matt Beaty and Walker Buehler. Go here for a complete checklist. Also, there is an autographed Walker Buehler card available in packs.

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#813 Adam Kolarek              #826 Matt Beaty

Blog Kiosk: 11/13/2019 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

I still believe that we'll get to witness something like this. Per the descriptor on the reverse:

Los Angeles Dodgers star southpaw pitcher Sandy Koufax hoist a champagne toast in dressing room here 10/6, after the Dodgers won the 4th World Series game in a row to give them the title. The Dodgers handed New York its first 4-game shutout in 28 trips to the classic.

UPI photo photo came from an eBay listing, dated 10/6/1963. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1974 Steve Garvey was named the National League MVP -- receiving 13 of 22 first-place votes. Lou Brock was the runner-up. In 2003 Eric Gagne becomes the ninth reliever to be named a Cy Young winner. He recorded 55 consecutive saves this season. In 2014 Clayton Kershaw becomes the first pitcher to win the National League MVP award since Bob Gibson of the Cardinals in 1968. He received 18 of 30 first place votes.
• Happy Birthday, Andrew Friedman, Moose Clabaugh, Alex Kampouris, Steve Lembo, Steve Bilko, Wes Parker, Tony Abreu & Carlos Frias!

2019 Topps Clear Travel Promo Set - All the Dodger Cards

Here is a brand new 2019 Topps promotional set I am just finding out about. It is called '2019 Topps Clear Travel' and it was given away at select ballparks and airports. For those who don't know, Clear offers biometric identification services that can be used for travel and sports events. Per Cardboard Connection:

Based on what we heard from readers, the packs were earned by using the CLEAR Lane mobile ticket option at stadiums. Topps indicated that they are also found at airports. Participating teams include the Atlanta Braves, Baltimore Orioles, Cleveland Indians, Colorado Rockies, Detroit Tigers, New York Mets, New York Yankees, San Francisco Giants and Texas Rangers.

There are three Dodgers available in the 100 card base set -- Clayton kershaw, Corey Seager and Justin Turner. Check them all out below.

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#CP-14 Clayton Kershaw

2019 Topps 150 Years of Baseball -- #110 -- Historic Moments: Sandy Koufax 15K World Series Game

The eleventh Dodgers' "150 Years of Baseball" online exclusive card also happens to be Sandy Koufax's third in the series. Check it out above and below. His first card featured his 1965 perfect game and his second focused on this 1965 World Series exploits. This time around they celebrate his 15 strikeout performance during Game 1 of the 1963 World Series. Go here to check it out and order. Per the description on the reverse:

Sandy Koufax set the tone in the 1963 World Series with a record-setting 15 strikeouts against the New York Yankees in Game 1. The gaudy punchout total marked the most by a starting pitcher in World Series history and led the Los Angeles Dodgers to a 5-2 win.

Blog Kiosk: 11/12/2019 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Both Gavin Lux, Fernando Valenzuela and others were on-hand to greet veterans for some batting practice at Dodger Stadium on Veterans Day, yesterday. Per Daniel Starkand at Dodger Blue:

Phillip Chaidez, a U.S. Air Force veteran that served in Iraq and currently lives in East Los Angeles, was among those in attendance with his family. “It’s really cool,” Chaidez told DodgerBlue.com. 

“I usually don’t like to get stuff for veterans, but this was different because it was something my kids could enjoy so that was the main reason we’re here and really excited to enjoy this day. Think about it, the World Series was down here, this is awesome. My son was able to get some batting advice from a Hall of Famer, doesn’t get any better than that. We’re very appreciative.”

Photo above via @Dodgers on twitter. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1986 the Dodgers officially released longtime shortstop Bill Russell -- in order to facilitate his recent retirement from the game. He had an 18-year career with Los Angeles and ranked second in franchise history for games played (behind Brooklyn outfielder Zack Wheat). In 2014 Clayton Kershaw is the unanimous winner of the National League Cy Young Award. It is his third Cy Young. He went 21-3 with an 1.77 ERA, 1.81 FIP, six complete games and two shutouts. He will be named the MVP the next day.
• Happy Birthday, Jack Ryan, Red Evans & Greg Gagne!

2019 Topps Holiday Baseball Mega Box -- All the Dodger Cards

Available now at many local Walmart's is Topps annual Holiday Mega Boxes featuring limited edition holiday-themed parallel cards. As you can see below, these cards use the basic flagship card design, but adds a whole lot of winter flare to spice it up.

There are a total of 200 base cards and ten Dodgers can be found there. See them all below. Go here for a complete checklist. My favorite inserts are the Holiday relic pieces that include Santa hat relic pieces.

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#HW9 Alex Verdugo      #HW25 Joc Pederson

Blog Kiosk: 11/7/2019 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

As I am wont to say, "Baseball will break your heart". Check out the above 1939 press photo showing the hard-luck case of Vito Tamulis (eBay auction link).

May 18, 1939 -- Vito Gets the Hard Luck Crown -- Vitautras C. Tamulis (right) today wore the Major League's hard luck baseball crown, the Brooklyn left-hander, shown with manager Leo Durocher (left) and Lynn Lary, pitched 11 innings (boxscore) of that 19 inning struggle at Chicago yesterday, allowing only four hits, but couldn't come up with a win. His whole career has been like that.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 2016 the Dodgers traded catcher Carlos Ruiz to Seattle for Vidal Nuno III. Ruiz came to Los Angeles as a late-season addition for their playoff run -- a trade that sent popular backstop AJ Ellis to Philadelphia. Carlos Ruiz got into 14 games and slashed .278/.350/.333/.683.
• Happy Birthday, Joe Hatten, Dick Stuart, Rich Rodas & Orlando Mercado!

2019 Topps Chrome Update -- All the Dodger Cards

One of the newest products to hit store shelves is an Updated Topps Chrome set made available exclusively at local Target stores. It originally came out in late October, so if you find them now consider yourself lucky. I understand that they have been flying off the shelves.

To the right is a look at the box -- featuring several of the games top players (including Clayton Kershaw). Overall, there are 100 cards in the base set and five Dodgers can be found there. Go here for a complete checklist. All of the Dodgers' available are below.

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#34 Matthew Beaty                    #47 Will Smith

2018-19 Topps 582 Montgomery Club Members Vote Set – Bellinger and Koufax Cards

The last (fifth) installment of Topps "582 Montgomery Club" membership sets is now in collector hands and it includes two Dodgers in the mix -- Cody Bellinger and Sandy Koufax. Go here to see a complete checklist.

This is the Members Vote set, so I assume this means current club members voted for this design - which looks very boring to my eyes. I'd love to see what other choices members had to chose from. BTW, there are also autographed cards available, but so far a Dodger is not on that checklist -- a complete checklist has not been made available from Topps yet. In the meantime, check out the Cody and Sandy base cards below.

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#13 Cody Bellinger

#18 Sandy Koufax

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2019 Topps Now -- Award Finalist Cards of Bellinger and Ryu

It is now awards season.

Over the weekend, two Dodgers were named as finalist for prestigious regular season honors, and Topps unsurprisingly created cards to celebrate it. Check them both out below.

On the heals of winning his first Gold Glove, Cody Bellinger has been named a finalist for the MVP Award. Go here to check it out and order. You have until the end of the week to get them. Below is what's written on the reverse:

Following a brilliant 2019 campaign, Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Cody Bellinger was nominated as a finalist for the National League MVP Award. Bellinger batted an impressive .305 with 47 home runs and 115 RBI.

Blog Kiosk: 11/5/2019 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Just another vintage Spring Training AP press photo to get you excited about the upcoming season. (eBay auction link) Per the descriptor on the reverse:

Vero Beach, Fla., Feb 27, 1963 -- Alston Likes What He Sees -- Los Angeles Dodgers Manager Walter Alston (left) is all smiles as pitcher Sandy Koufax gives assurances at spring training camp his left hand is in good shape. The Dodgers sagged in last year's pennant race when Koufax came up with an ailing finger. 

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1936 the Dodgers named former Brooklyn spitballer Burleigh Grimes as their manager. In 1940 former Dodger lawyer Wendell Willkie loses to third term American President Franklin D. Roosevelt in today's Presidential election. He would later on become VP and legal counsel for Brooklyn in the early 40's and would then be replaced by Walter O'Malley. In 2008 Dodgers pitcher Greg Maddux wins his 18th career Gold Glove. 
• Happy Birthday, Tommy Sheehan, Pryor McElveen & Ralph Birkofer!

2019 Topps Triple Threads - All the Dodger Insert Cards

Now that you've seen the 2019 Topps Triple Threads Dodgers' base cards, here's a look at most of the inserts that are available.

As always, the fun thing about this brand are the unusual, and often obtuse, phrases Topps creates with their triple relic cards. For instance, I'm not quite sure what they mean by the phrase "189 ABS, 20 HRS" for the Cody Bellinger card seen directly below. If you have some insight please pass it along. There is also a Joc Pederson autographed relic card that says, "Multi HR, Lid Lifter". As you may, know a Lid Lifter is a sports euphemism for the first game played. So, the Pederson card makes note of his two homer day during their 2019 Opening Day game against the Diamondbacks. BTW, there's another Pederson card that says, "Happy Birthday" -- obviously referencing another of his multi-homer days -- this time against the the Brewers on his birthday, April 21, 2019.

Triple Threads Relics

#TTR-CB Cody Bellinger

#TTR-WB Walker Buehler

Blog Kiosk: 11/4/2019 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Above is a fantastic Sport Magazine press photo, dated to 1965, of Don Drysdale and Ron Fairly (eBay auction link).

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1966 Maury Wills leaves the Dodgers while he is touring with the club in Japan, complaining that his injured right knee needs immediate treatment. He is then traded less than a month later to Pittsburgh for Bob Bailey and Gene Michael.
• Happy Birthday, Bill McCarren, Earl Mattingly, Eddie Basinski & Eric Karros!