Did you hear the one about the Dodgers being named baseball’s organization of the year?

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You know how they say some jokes write their own punch lines?

Here’s the straight news: ‘The Los Angeles Dodgers have been named the recipient of the 45th Annual Topps Organization of the Year Award.’

I’ll give you minute here.

This is a true story. Honest to Joe Torre. According to a Dodgers’ release, the award ‘highlights the major league team that has shown outstanding performance, depth and talent throughout their major and minor League teams.’

It’s based on some kind of wacky points system that Topps has been using since 1966, using the number of players in the organization that have received Topps awards during the season.

I don’t know, but Topps just might want to revisit its points system. Curiously, the points for organization of the year are all based on individual accomplishment -- being an all-star or a Topps player of the year or month, or maybe the hour.

It certainly isn’t based on team performance, or perhaps Topps missed that fourth-place, 80-82 finish by the big club.

‘We’re very honored to receive this prestigious award,’ said Dodgers General Manager Ned Colletti in the release. ‘It is evidence that our scouting and player development staffs are making progress.’

When you’re finishing 12 games back, you take your honors where you can get them.

Topps should stick to baseball cards and bubble gum, or figure out a new system for this prestigious award.

OK, you can laugh now.

-- Steve Dilbeck