2020 Panini Stars & Stripes USA Baseball -- The Only Dodger

Several months back Panini released their Stars & Stripes USA Baseball card brand. As you know, this is a set that focuses solely on Team USA Baseball and it's players. It includes everything from a bunch of teenager still in high school to professionals, both current and retired, who had the honor to wear our country's colors.

As I searched through the checklist I didn't notice any Dodgers, with exception of one retired player who has been unfairly commandeered by another team. Sure... I get it. He gained legendary status during their World Series Championship run a few years back. But make no mistake. This guy was and always will be a Dodger to me.

The person I'm talking about is catcher David Ross, and as you surely know he was drafted, coached and instilled with Baseball knowledge by the Dodgers. Heck, the Dodgers even drafted him twice -- in 1995 and 1998.

Check out his lone card below. Go here for a complete checklist of this set.

40th Anniversary Signatures

#13 David Ross

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2020 Topps Finest -- All the Dodgers'

Topps Finest is now here and pics of all the Dodgers' to share. Check them all out below. Go here for a complete checklist.

Base

#19 Brusdar Graterol              #29 Max Muncy

2020 Topps Pro Debut -- All the Dodger Prospects

Do you love Dodger prospects? Well, if you do then this set is for you.

Featured below are all the Dodgers' found in packs of Topps 2020 Pro Debut Baseball card brand. It includes everyone from Andy Pages (subject of trade rumors to the Angels over the winter) to Diego Cartaya (a catcher believed to have the highest ceiling in our system). Best yet, it includes the very first card of late-blooming slugging outfielder Zach Reks -- a guy who could very well be next in line to follow Justin Turner, Chris Taylor and Max Muncy as a ballplayer who came out of nowhere.

Go here for a complete checklist. Check out all the Dodger cards below.

Base & Chrome

#PD-9 Andy Pages - Ogden Raptors

Normal Base                                     Chrome Card

Blog Kiosk: 6/26/2020 - Dodgers Links & News - Some Odds and Ends

Wow! What a fantastic photo.

The base-runner is coming in hard with a hook-slide, while sticking his arms out like Spitfire in attack mode. Best yet, Ted Cieslak of the Phillies has his tongue out --  no doubt concentrating on making sure he swipes the plate before being tagged out by Brooklyn Dodger backstop Mickey Owen. Per the descriptor on the reverse (eBay auction link):

Even Insults Don't Help --
New York... Ciedlak, of the Philadelphia Phillies, sticks his tongue out at catcher Owen of the Brooklyn Dodgers as he tries desperately to beat the ball to the sack in second inning of the secon game of today's Didger-Philly Double-Header at Ebbets Field. Peacock's hit to right field started the play. Right fielder Walker got the ball down to Owen in time for the out. The Dodgers won the first game 4 to 1. 

Interestingly, the International Press Photo above considers the tongue lashing by Cieslak to be an insult. Nowadays, it's almost considered an endearment.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1944 the Dodgers, Giants and Yankees play an exhibit charity game in front of 50,000 fans for the war bond movement dubbed the Tri-Cornered Baseball Game. The Dodgers won the contest: Dodgers 5, Yankees 1, Giants 0. Check out what I wrote about it here. Nathalie Alonso at MLB.com wrote a story about it that came out last year. It's excellent. Check it out here. In 1996 Tommy Lasorda undergoes an angioplasty after suffering a mild heart attack. Bill Russell is named Los Angeles' interim manager. In 1997 Tony Gwynn broke my heart. During the seventh-inning against the Dodgers, he hit a inside-the-park grand slam at Dodger Stadium to lead the Padres in victory, 9-7. The homer put Gwynn over the .400 mark.  In 1999 Dodgers catcher Todd Hundley hit a three-run game-winning home run off of Giants closer Robb Nen in the ninth inning to spark a come-from-behind victory at Candlestick Park, 7-6. 
• Happy Birthday, Jean-Pierre Roy, Henry Schmidt, Rodney Myers & Babe Herman!