He Likes Us! He Likes Us!... I Think!

Pic Link: eBay: Galindo.2008:

Word is trickling down indicating that Furcal favors the Dodgers. Diamond Leung reports:

Rafael Furcal's agent, Paul Kinzer, told reporters in New York today that Furcal was leaning toward picking the Dodgers over the Braves.

Buster Olney of ESPN has the best analogy regarding the Furcal sweepstakes.

"First, Furcal was dating the A's," the official said. "Then, on Monday night, he got engaged to the Braves. And now, the ex-husband -- the Dodgers -- has come back into the picture."

UPDATE:
Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports is now reporting that Fucal has chosen his suitor and it's the Dodgers. Considering he was the guy who initially reported Furcal's imminent signing with Atlanta I would take what he says with a grain of salt.

Furcal, the top free-agent shortstop on the open market this year, has decided to sign with the Dodgers, major-league sources say. Furcal had been debating for the last two days between the Dodgers and the Braves.

The Dodgers and Furcal were still hammering out an agreement Wednesday afternoon, sources said, but the Braves had been informed that Furcal would not accept their deal.

Blog Bat Around: My Centerpiece

I have finally decided to get off my large rear end and do as the Romans do. Sports cards and collectibles blogs from all over have recently started a Blog Bat Around. What is that you say- a Blog Bat Around? Well, it's an opportunity for us to share a little bit about ourselves and our hobby by answering one question.

It initially started several weeks back with the inaugural edition asking about our collecting focus. Go here for a recap. The second edition has just begun as Gellman at Sports Cards Uncensored gets the ball rolling by asking about a treasured experience and centerpiece to match.

What immediately came to mind is an autographed photo of a Dodger great.

I don't remember the exact year, probably the Summer of 1992 or 1993, but I do remember the event. It was a card show near LAX and it featured some of the greatest athletes in sports. I'm talking about stars like Koufax, Ali and Namath, just to name a few. Furthermore, with each paid admission you got one random autograph. On that afternoon I paid for 4 admissions at $40.00 a pop (and I would have paid for more) just so I can get the autograph of Dodgers legend Roy Campanella. My other autos that day were Koufax, Namath and Luc Robitaille.As I waited for the autograph session to begin I walked around the show looking for something to have him sign when I stumbled upon a table featuring some incredible black & white large prints. The proprietor explained that they were originally taken by his father who was a professional photographer. He claimed it was limited to a print size to 50 copies and promised to print no more. He may have been pulling my leg, but I have yet to see another.

As you can see, it captures a youthful Campanella showing an even younger child how to catch. The innocence of the moment was perfectly captured. I couldn't take my eyes off the picture. It was perfect and I had to have it.

With the photo in my arms I waited in line to meet the Hall of Fame catcher. At this time in his life Campy had great difficulty in signing. He had experienced a debilitating accident some 30 years before and was in failing health.

As I came up to the table Campy looked down at the photo and gave me a great big smile. I could tell he liked the photograph as much as I did. I was imagining that he recalled the event and even remembered the kids name. There was a glimmer in his eye and all I could say was "thank you." I was speechless. A man who I had read so much about and had come to respect was sitting across from me.

So now the photo rest nicely framed within my office. It is something I could never part with and is the centerpiece of my collection.

Furcal Not Dead Yet?

What's going on here. He's going to sign with the Braves. Then, he isn't?

Tony Jackson reports:

Ned Colletti just informed me that "we have had many conversations today on the subject of Rafael Furcal'' and that "I can't tell you if it's dead or not. I can only tell you that his people continue to engage me in conversation as if it's not, and I have been assured by them that it's not.''

Also, Andrew Kamenetzky reports that it ain't final yet. He links to a LA Times and ESPN story.

The ESPN story is right.

(It has) turned into something of a circus, with many twists and turns -- and the way it's playing out, somebody is going to be irked.

Yup, I expect to be miffed and disappointed.

HYee Auctions: Photos Galore

HYee had another great treasure trove of vintage photographs on eBay. There were so many great items to pick through I just could not showcase a couple.

Below is a October 10, 1916 George Bain photo of the Brooklyn Robins (Dodger) dugout during the Dodgers first World Series against the Boston Red Sox. Skipper Wilbert Robinson, Hi Myers and the team mascot watch the game. It closed at $291.86.

Auction Link: Myers, Robinson & Mascot:

Here is a team photograph of the 1916 National League Pennant winning Brooklyn Robins. It sold for $214.50.

Hall of Famers include Robinson, Zack Wheat, Rube Marquard and a young Casey Stengel. The Dodgers (called the Robins after their manager) would drop their World Series debut to Babe Ruth and the Boston Red Sox in 1916. They would return to the Series six more times and come up as losers every time, earning them their ‘bum’ moniker. In 1955, they would exercise their demons and capture their lone World Championship.

Auction Link: 1916 Brooklyn Dodgers:

You can't go wrong with Jackie Robinson playing tennis. He is teamed with Indoor Tennis Champion Don McNeil during a benefit match for the American National Theater and Academy in February 1951.

Auction Link: Jackie Playing Tennis:

In the clubhouse the boys will play. Below is Jackie with Sal Maglie and Al Walker as he faces playful congratulations for belting 2 homers against the Pirates on June 26, 1956. It sold for $72.00.

Auction Link: Jackie Robinson:

Happy Birthday Pee Wee. He is celebrating his 30th birthday in the photo below with cakes given to him by the Brooklyn faithful. It is hard to imagine today's fans doing the same. Of course, maybe it does happen and I'm just totally oblivious. Manager Burt Shotton stands at his right.

Auction Link: Pee Wee Reese BDay:

Here is a close up photo from October 7, 1920 of Hall of Famer Dodger Zach Wheat. It sold for $429.00.

Auction Link: Zach Wheat:

Babe Ruth was probably one of the most photogenic characters during the 1920's to 1930's. Below he is dressed as a clown for a

"CS & SCA event (the “Circus Saints and Sinners Club of America”, a charitable organization that got it's start back in the late 1920's. which provided financial assistance to old and down trodden circus performers)."

Auction Link: Ruth:

I had no idea Los Angeles had their own Negro League team. Below is a photo of the Los Angeles Hawks. It comes from the collection of Sy Pollack- former owner of the Indianapolis Clowns.

Auction Link: LA Hawks Negro League Team:

Below is Billie Thomas as Buckwheat from "Our Gang."

Auction Link: Buckwheat:

Do you want to know why I love Hockey? This is why I love hockey. "We supply everything but guts!" Below is Paul Newman in the timeless movie "Slap Shot."

Auction Link: Slap Shot:

Rafael Furcal is Heading Home to Atlanta

Rumor has it that Rafael Furcal is heading to Atlanta. Apparently, his desire to stay within familiar surroundings was too strong. He will soundly reject Oakland's offer.

In a stunning turnaround, Furcal spurned the A's for a three-year deal with the Braves worth approximately $30 million, according to major-league sources.

The deal, which will require Furcal to pass a physical, includes a vesting option for a fourth year that likely will push the potential value to $40 million.

Thank you Raffy for 3 years of hard work. Unfortunately, we had a couple of injuries that hampered your production, but I never doubted your skills and desire to win. You will be missed by the Blue Crew.

Blog Kiosk: 12/14/2008

Come On Manny... just put your signature on the dotted line.

• When I surf now I see a vast sea of Blue. At the start there was only a few blogs, but now the voices are many. Here are a couple more to help you through the Winter malaise. Check out the Fiendish Observational Comedian and Reflections of Blue.
• Big League Stew show the other side of the Baseball Winter Meetings- the trade show. These puppets are both scary and cool at the same time.
• Billy Ripken finally speaks about his infamous Fleer obscenity card from 1989.

  "After the season was over, in early January, I got a call from our PR guy Rick Vaughn. He said, 'Billy, we have a problem.' And he told me what was written on the bat and I couldn't believe it. I went to a store and saw the card and it all came back to me. We were in Fenway Park and I had just taken my first round of BP. I threw my bat to the third base side and strolled around the bases. When I was coming back, right before I got up to hit again, I remember a guy tapping me on the shoulder asking if he could take my picture. Never once did I think about it. I posed for the shot and he took it.

  Hat Tip: Wax Heaven:
• This McFarlane statue/figurine is bad ass! Nolan Ryan has blood all over his shirt!
• Cards in the Attic shares his Cey autographs he got at a minor league ballgame last year. He shows 6 different cards, unfortunately, only one has him in a Dodgers uniform What's up with that?
• A hearty congratulations to Kings radio broadcaster Nick Nickson for being voted into the Southern California Sports Broadcasters Hall of Fame. Hat Tip: Inside the Kings:

  Nickson is in his 28th season with the Kings and in his 19th as the radio voice of the team.

  Pic Link: Let's Go Kings: RinkRat: