Blog Kiosk: 12/19/2017 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Wow! This is fantastic.

Above is a look at Ebbets Field on the day of the very first ballgame played at the stadium. Dated April 5, 1913, it shows a preseason exhibition between Brooklyn and their hated rivals, the New York Yankees. Pitching on the mound is Yankee hurler Ray Caldwell. Per Michael Claire at Cut4:

With 25,000 in attendance and 7,000 others watching "the game from the bluffs that loom above the field," Charles Ebbets had to turn away an additional 10,000 fans who wanted to catch the game. Though fans may have wished the park was a little larger, at least they didn't have to put up with the smell of rotting fish. 

How is that relevant, you wonder? Because the "grasslets" on the new field were fertilized with fish chum, during the offseason it gave off "one of the most aggressive odors known to science." Fortunately that had dissipated long before the stadium's opening. 

BTW, the Dodgers took an early 2-0 lead when Jake Daubert hit a homer and a youthful Casey Stengel hit one inside-the-park. The Yankees would then tie it up in the ninth. Fortunately, the Dodgers won the game during their half of the inning to win it in walk-off style, 3-2.

Photo above via Old-Time Baseball Photos on twitter. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 2005 the Dodgers signed free agent shortstop Rafael Furcal to a three year/$39 million contract and Nomar Garciaparra to a one year/$6 million contract.  In 2014 the Dodgers received veteran shortstop Jimmy Rollins from the Phillies in exchange for mionor league pitchers Tom Windle and Zach Eflin.  
• Happy Birthday, Lou Koupal, Gordie Windhorn, Tom Wilson, Welcome Gaston, Wally Gilbert, Rex Barney, Geoff Zahn & Mike Fetters!

2017 Topps Now -- Postseason Dodgers Bonus Card #2 -- Kiké's Big Day

At long last, the 2017 Topps Now Dodgers Postseason set is complete.

2017 Topps Now - Cody Bellinger 2017 NL ROY Award Poster

I know I'm a bit late with this post, so apologize for that. Fortunately, I'm not so late that you couldn't place an order if you wanted to. Featured here is an 11" x 17" poster sized Baseball card of Cody Bellinger, and it celebrates the recent announcement of his winning the "Rookie of the Year" award a couple weeks ago. Go here to check it out and order. At just $19.99 it's affordable, but I wouldn't count it as being potentially rare or limited. I suspect that at least a couple of thousand will be produced -- which would kill scarcity. Nevertheless, I think it would look really great if you can get him to autograph it.

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2017 Topps Now - Cody Bellinger Wins the NL Rookie of the Year Award

Above is the 2017 Topps Now commemorative card celebrating Cody Bellinger's unanimous selection as the 2017 National League Rookie of the Year. Go here to check it out and order. You still have a few hours before they close its sale. As you can see, the reverse of the card includes only his 2017 statistics.

2017 Topps Now - Puig and the Entire Dodgers Team Earn Wilson Defense Awards

Here is another group of Topps Nows cards released over this past weekend that I failed to post about. Featured are cards celebrating awards won by Yasiel Puig and the entire Dodgers team.

The card directly above honors Yasiel's much deserved 2017 Wilson Defensive Player of the Year award in Right Field. Per Rowan Kavner at Dodger Insider:

While committing just one error all year, Puig’s combination of range and arm strength made him a regular in the Dodger lineup regardless of how he was hitting during the season (though he also set career highs in home runs and RBI in 2017). 

He led all National League right fielders in ultimate zone rating (UZR — 12.1) and tied Jason Heyward for the most defensive runs saved (DRS) at the position in the NL (18). He also led all NL right fielders in FanGraphs’ defensive runs above average stat, which measures a player’s defensive value relative to league average.

2017 Topps Now - Bellinger is a NL Rookie of the Year Finalist

This newest Topps Now card of Cody Bellinger is superfluous. After all, we all know he's going to win the award - to be announced this evening. So, what's the point of a "finalist" card if it's reasonably assured he'll come away the victor?

Sales, baby!

It's all about the dollars and cents.

Available right now (for at least a few more hours) is the above card. Go here to check it out. As you may know, the official winner will be announced on the MLB Network this afternoon at 3:00 PM PST. Soon thereafter you should expect a Cody Bellinger "ROY" card to be available from Topps Now.

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2017 Topps Now - Seager's Silver Slugger and Bellinger's Players Choice Award

I've got two new 2017 Topps Now Dodgers' cards here. Unfortunately, one of them is no longer available for order (it came out yesterday). The first one shown here can be ordered right now. Featured above is the shortstop Silver Slugger Award commemorative card showing Corey Seager and Francisco Lindor. Go here to check it out and order. Per the description on the reverse:

The Silver Slugger Awards honor the top hitter at each position for each league in Major League Baseball, as voted on by MLB managers and coaches, who could not vote for someone on their team. Francisco Lindor of the Cleveland Indians won the award for shortstop in the American League while Corey Seager of the Los Angeles Dodgers took home the award for shortstop in the National League.

Blog Kiosk: 11/8/2017 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

This photo has nothing to do with the Dodgers, but it is magnificent nonetheless. Featured is January 1942 photo by noted photojournalist Arthur Rothstein titled; "Saturday morning baseball game. Farm Security Administration camp in Robstown, Texas." It was shared by the Shorpy photo blog.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1990 Darryl Strawberry signed a five-year $22.25 million free agent contract to play for the Dodgers.
• Happy Birthday, John Farrow, Tony Cuccinello, Eric Anthony, Henry Rodríguez, Víctor Álvarez, Darwin Barney, José Offerman, Nick Punto and Yasmani Grandal!

2017 Topps Now - Awards Finalist - Clayton Kershaw and Cody Bellinger

Topps Now is a good example that there is no rest for the weary.

Even after an intense race for the pennant and an even more exhaustive World Series, Topps Now does not stop. It goes on long after the season has seen its last pitch.

Featured here are two Dodgers' 2017 Topps Now cards that celebrate their inclusion as one of three finalist for the Cy Young and Rookie of the Year Awards. At top is the Clayton Kershaw Cy Young finalist card. Go here to check it out and order.

2017 Topps Now - World Series Edition - Game 6

I really don't want to bother with this post, but I gotta. After all, I started posting pics of all the Dodgers' postseason Topps Now cards and it would be remiss of me to stop now. That said, I'm glad I didn't personally purchase these individual cards.

First of all, all the cards shown here are now sold out. They were made available on Wednesday and sales closed up on Thursday afternoon. The first card highlighting Game 6 features Chris Taylor and his game-tying double in the sixth inning. See the reverse of the card on the right.

The second card of the day tells us all about Corey Seager sacrafice fly that gave the Dodgers the lead following Taylor's double.

2017 Topps Now - Postseason Dodgers Set - Bonus Card #1 - NLDS Series Win

As you'll remember, I purchased my very first Topps Now cards when the Dodgers clinched a playoff spot. It was the Dodgers Postseason set and it included a collection of 15 cards. Go here to check them all out.

As an added bonus, Topps would add bonus cards to the set for every round they advance in the playoffs -- the first of which arrived over this weekend. Featured here is the first Dodgers' Postseason Bonus card celebrating their three game sweep of the Diamondback in the NLDS. Another bonus card should be coming shortly, so stay tuned for that.

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2017 Topps Now - World Series Edition - #841, #843, #849 & #850 - Game 5

I am again running late. Featured here are the newest Dodgers' Topps Now cards made available yesterday afternoon. They all relate to Sunday's thrilling, yet disappointing loss to the Astros in extra innings.

First up is a Cody Bellinger card highlighting his fifth inning three-run home run to give the Dodgers a short-lived 7-4 lead. Go here to check it out and order.

2017 Topps Now - World Series Edition - #833, #837, #838, #839 &840 - Game 4

I'm extremely late with this, so I apologize for that. Here is a post featuring the 2017 Topps Now cards released in relation to Saturday's Game 4 victory - tying the series up at two games apiece. First up is an Alex Wood card that celebrates his outstanding start. He went 5.2 innings to stymie the Astros and help the Dodgers hold on for a victory. Go here to check it out and order. At the time of this post there is still a couple of hours to order. Also, there are two different autograph/relic limited edition cards also available of Wood (as well as Cody Bellinger), but they are all sold out now. Per the description on the reverse of the Wood card:

Heading into Game 4 of the World Series down 2-1, the Dodgers needed a strong outing from starter Alex Wood, and Wood more than delivered. Wood threw 5.2 inning to start the game, becoming the first Dodgers pitcher in history to reach that mark in a World Series game.

2017 Topps Now - World Series Edition - #820, #821, #825, #826 & #829 - Game 2 Cards

After last nights game the Dodgers are saying all the right things. Per Ken Gurnick at MLB.com:

"If you thought it was going to go 4-0, you're crazy," Puig said. "These are the two best teams in American baseball. That's what you get." 

Jansen agreed. 

"No, we're not frustrated," he said. "Nobody tells us it's going to be easy. The Houston Astros, the best team in the American League, we got to flat-out earn it. We'll go to their place and battle."

Wise words from two very important Dodger cogs. Following that, here are today's crop of Dodgers' 2017 Topps Now cards highlighting the Dodgers Game 2 loss. Although we are all clearly disappointed, we must all reflect on the fact that last nights multiple comeback efforts is proof that this team does not know how to quit. We just need to persevere, and I have faith that this team can do just that.

2017 Topps Now - #813, #814, #815, #816 & #818 - Dodgers Game 1 Victory

I don't know what I'm going to do. The avid collector in me wants everything playoff and World Series related in my collection, but I've been extremely hesitant about ordering Topps Now cards.

I did get my first Topps Now cards recently (called the Postseason Playoff set) and decided against my best judgement to get the World Series Matchup set, so should I buy them all now? I sure do love the timeliness of them - the fact that each one points to a specific play or event during the Series. Does that mean I should also get the cards highlighting the Astros players too? I'm confused and I need to make a decision soon 'cause the first batch of 2017 World Series Topps Now cards are available, and they look great.

BTW, both Clayton Kershaw and Chris Taylow have autograph and/or game-used base relic Topps Now cards available. Unfortunately, they are already sold out. Pic of these are at the very bottom.

Here is the first of the bunch and it highlights last night's opening ceremony. Go here to check it out and order.

2017 Topps Now - World Series Matchup Cards - Dodgers vs. Astros

Today, it has been announced that a ten-card 2017 Topps Now World Series Matchup card set is now available for order. As the name suggest, each card compares the starters for the main top ten positions, and it offers bonus cards should the person highlighted earn the World Series MVP, has a 3 homer game or throws a complete game. So, you can pick and choose which one you want (and maybe get some bonus cards), or you can purchase a full-ten card bundle for $59.99 (go here to order). BTW, each card can be purchased individually for $9.99, and is discounted heavily should you buy a larger lot of the cards.

From what I can tell, the player or position favored in the matchup appears on the front of the card. Only three positions do not have the Dodgers favored, with the shortstop position left blank for the Dodgers (due to Seager's uncertainty at the time of this announcement). Below is a look at all ten cards.

Starting Pitching:

This card pits Kershaw, Darvish, Wood and Hill versus Keuchel, Verlander, McCullers and Morton. Go here to check it out and order.

2017 Topps Now - #792, #793, #794, #795 & #796 - Bring On the World Series

You knew this was coming.

Following last night's overwhelming NLCS victory comes a plethora of Topps Now cards to celebrate the occasion. There are five different 2017 Topps Now cards and seven different autograph/game-used base relic cards of Kiké Hernandez available. Unfortunately, all of the Kiké auto/relic cards are all now sold out. A complete listing is at the very bottom. Below is a look at the five cards that honor last night's win.

First up is a card that makes note of Cody Bellinger's first inning double to drive in the Dodgers first run of the game in the first inning. Go here to check it out and order. See the reverse of the card on the right.

2017 Topps Now - #789 & #790 - Turner and Bellinger Hit Bombs

Although the Dodgers lost Game 4, there certainly were some great performances at the plate to warrant several 2017 Topps Now cards. Featured here are two online exclusive cards made available today that focus on the homers by Justin Turner and Cody Bellinger. The first card shown shows Cody Bellinger. Go here to check it out and order. It says the following on the reverse:

Cody Bellinger accounted for the Los Angeles Dodgers only run off Cubs pitcher Jake Arrieta when he hit a line-drive home run to right field with one out in the third inning. With his third inning home run, Bellinger became the youngest hitter to homer in a League Championship Series since Miguel Cabrera in 2003.

2017 Topps Now - #779, #780 & #781 - Dodgers Win Game 3

I still find it amazing that of all of the young rising stars that joined LA in the late-aughts, it is Andre Ethier who still remains in Dodger Blue. He has been a survivor, like those fools stranded on an island for our enjoyment, and the results we experienced last night is a testament to his guile and perseverance. Andre Ethier is a veteran leader on this club, and I think it's fair to say that everyone on the team appreciates not only his experience, but also his ability to still affect a ballgame. Per Cary Osborne at Dodger Insider:

“Very, very happy for him, and the game honors you,” Roberts said. “And a guy like Andre who has done it the right way for such a long time and repeatedly said he just wanted to be a part of this and to prepare every single day like he’s going to play, and when that opportunity presented itself, he was ready. For him to come through and perform and pick us up the way he did is no surprise. It’s just a credit to his professionalism.”

2017 Topps Now -- #766, #767 & #768 -- Game 2 Victory

What a huge game. Not only did the Dodgers offense come through when they needed to, but their relief staff has been unhittable. To help celebrate this fact Topps has issued a Game 2 NLCS Topps Now card to remind us that these role players out of the 'pen deserve some credit to. Check it out above. Go here to check it out and order. It prominently featured Brandon Morrow, Tony Watson, Josh Fields and Kenley Jansen. They collectively recorded twelve straight Cub outs last night. Per Ken Gurnick at MLB.com:

"They're just executing pitches and they're ready when called upon and they're competing," said Roberts. "It's a close-knit group down there. Josh Bard, our bullpen coach, has done a fantastic job with those guys, along with [pitching coach] Rick Honeycutt. And just the preparation. Those guys know exactly what they want to do, and they're going out there and executing."