Dodgers Blog Kiosk: 2/5/2013

We are a week away from the offical opening of Spring Training for the Dodgers.  On Tuesday, February 12th, Dodgers pitchers and catchers report to Camelback Ranch.  Pic above via @Dodgers on twitter.

• Via Pat LaMarche at the Huffington Post, she writes about Nathaniel Ayers (whose story was featured in the movie 'The Soloist', and who was played by Jamie Foxx) wants to play the Star Spangled Banner on Opening Day at Dodger Stadium.
• David Young at True Blue LA writes the 1988 Dodgers player profile on Mike Davis, and shares a little something about him I'm sure you didn't know.  Davis is connected to the once famous MC Hammer.  In fact, we might have him to blame for his popularity.
• Dustin Nosler (of Fellin' Kinda Blue) writes a piece for Yahoo focused on Hanley Ramirez and his lack of playing time at short stop during winter play.
• Bill Shaikin at the LA Times updates us on the Dodgers season ticket sales on twitter.

(twitter link)

• Mike Petriello at MSTI wonders what it takes to be worse than Juan Uribe.
• I think this is a must see.  On Sunday, February 17th at 8:00 PM PST, the Travel Channel will be airing a one-hour special featuring a behind-the-scenes look at the making of the Sports Illustrated 2013 swimsuit issue.  From an SI press release:

“Hands down, this is the most fantastic armchair adventure you can take this winter," says Laureen Ong, President, Travel Channel. "We jumped at the chance to partner with Sports Illustrated®, knowing our viewers will enjoy this fascinating and exciting travel show packed with extreme backdrops and locations. This is not an hour of just models posing on sandy beaches — this special takes viewers to all seven continents, spotlighting the most magnificent places in the world.

• Penny Marshall, Director of 'A League of Their Own' and known in the Baseball hobby as a big-time collector, will have a Baseball card of her own in Leaf's newest product called 2012 Leaf Legends of Sports (coming out tomorrow), via Chris Olds at Beckett.  See her card below.

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Best Group Break Haul Ever

Of the handful of group breaks I've participated in, this one has been my favorite. It's not because it's of some new product with a chance at something scarce. No, it's much better than that. This group break, put together by Dave at Indians Baseball Cards, focused on those junk cards from the 80's that I passed by without a second thought. They were ugly, worthless and undesirable back then, but have transformed into cards I've got to add to my collection. Sure, they aren't worth a lick, but they definitely are cool. And at $4.00 bucks for the Dodgers I figured I couldn't lose.

Check out this incredible haul of "Junk" cards below.

Here are some Dodgers from the 1983 Topps Foldouts set. They are about the size of a postcard and were attached like an accordion- to be pulled out with numerous photos of Baseball stars from the era. Pedro Guerrero, Rick Monday and Jerry Reuss are below.
Better yet, on the reverse side were other Major League stars; including Hall of Famer Carl Yastrzemski and super cheater Pete Rose.
This is a Steve Sax Topps Baseball Button.
Here are a bunch of more Dodger oddball cards. On the top left are 1985 Topps Rubdowns (tattoos) featuring Fernando Valenzuela and Steve Sax. Below that are 5 Dodger cards from the 1986 Fleer Star Sticker set, and to the right of those are Fleer team sticker cards. The best part about the Dodger team sticker cards is what's on the back.
On the reverse of the team sticker cards are these Baseball's Famous Feats cartoons.
Here is something I'm sure many fans passed by when collecting in the 80's. This is a box bottom card of the Dodger insignia.
These next two cards are ho-hum. They are just a couple of cards from the 1989 Bowman set- Mike Davis and a Jackie Robinson reprint filler card.

Blog Kiosk: 4/18/2010

It's a great time for LA sports. The Kings and Lakers are in the playoffs, and Dodger Baseball has begun.

• Check out this great fantasy card made by The Left Field Pavilion.
• If you've got nothing to do tonight, check out TLC's show Accidental Fortune that features a game-used Babe Ruth bat that he used to hit home run number 1 at Yankee Stadium. It runs at 8:00 PM Eastern Time, 4/18/2010.
• Dodger Blue Blog went to the Opening Day as the Brooklyn "Bum" and Hilda Chester. Read all about it here.
  
• Magaladon at Battle of California writes about the history of Lord Stanley's Cup- as best as they know. Truth and non-fiction be damned.
  

  Lord Stanley reveled in the bloodshed, and quickly moved to enshrine these contests as an annual tradition. Seeking guidance, Stanley went deep into the northern wilderness and meditated for seven days. When he emerged he proclaimed that he had been visited by a spirit which had granted him the official rules of hockey.

• This is simply amazing. Throughout Western African inhabitants can be seen wearing NHL hockey jerseys. Really! Via Puck Daddy.
  
• Former Dodger Mike Davis shares a great Baseball poem written by his brother Mark Davis, a former California Angel. Part 1. Part 2.
• Free the Dodger Stadium Tailgaters!
  
• The super rare Reggie Jackson in a Orioles uniform sold for over $17,000, via TS O'Connell. How strange looking is this?
• Here is a look at the 2009 Yankees World Series ring, from Beckett.
• Please, would someone sign Brian Akin. He's not done yet. Besides, I love reading his blog.
• If Charlie Park was a Gunslinger... has some young and old photos of Wesley Branch Rickey.
  
• "Pea Ridge" Day. He was one of the more unique characters in Baseball. He once played for the Brooklyn Dodgers way back in the 1920's. Check out The Infinite Baseball Card Set's homemade card and biography of this player.
  

Don't Fret, Davis is Here

Pic Link: Photobucket:

I was planning on writing a little bit about how early we are in the season and there is nothing to worry about, but I got a little sidetracked.  Then, as I was checking my reader this morning I realized that former Dodger Mike Davis has just started blogging again, and he had some encouraging words.

I first want everybody to remember that this is only game number two, and we have a great team. Clayton Kershaw was a little off but he should be great. Hey! I'm glad to see Russ Ortiz on our staff. He will be a sleeper out of the bullpen this year. Tomorrows another day.

He's a bit more bullish on Russ than I am, but, overall, I know he is right.

Have no fear.  Two games does not make a season.

Be sure to check out Mike's blog.  I look forward to some of his insight on the game.