one and done

with the release of 2009 topps and upper deck, and the fact that manny ramirez still hasn't signed anywhere, i am guaranteed several more cards of manny in a dodger uniform this year.

that wasn't the case with frank robinson, who was traded to the dodgers in december of 1971, after the orioles lost the world series to the pirates. while topps featured him on an orioles card in the first series, they also issued this - his only dodger card (as long as you don't count his horribly airbrushed 1973 card) - in the last series of the 1972 topps set as part of the traded subset.

robinson played for the dodgers only that one season, appearing in only 103 games and putting up one of his worst years statistically. almost a year to the day after joining the dodgers, frank was traded to the angels, where he rebounded a bit, finishing the 1973 season with 30 home runs.

i have to admit, when 2008 topps update & highlights came out, i was worried that this would be the only manny dodger/topps flagship base card i would get.

now, whether he re-signs with the dodgers or not, there is at least one or two more topps cards of manny in dodger blue.