WooHoo! Kings Advance to the Finals! Go Kings Go!

Holy mackerel!  I was on the verge of a heart attack last night.  For the last 30 minutes of play I could feel my heart beating through my chest.  My mind was numb and my body stiff from all of the stress last night's Game 7 provided.

In the end, it took a seemingly harmless shot from the blueline in overtime to end the series.  It had been slightly tipped by a Kings rookie, then deflected through the armpits of a 'Hawks defenseman.  The puck floated endlessly like a waffle thrown across a table to a hungry patron.  Instead of landing on a plate for the goalie to block, it glided over his head to end the game.  Wow!

In all of my 30 years as a Kings fan - a hockey fan - I have never seen a more exciting playoff series.  It was back-and-forth all series long as two evenly matched clubs fought it out like two rams locking horns for supremacy on the mountain.  Both teams rarely gave an inch, and it was plain to see that they gave it their all on the ice.  Chicago gave us fits throughout, and I have no doubt we did the same to them. 

Even several hours after last night's win, I can't rightfully express how much I love this Kings team.  They are fighters... and battlers... they don't give up... and they play with the kind of grit rarely seen in any sport.

When I first became a season ticket holder 10 years ago, during those bad years, I could never really imagine this club being where it is today.  It just didn't seem possible.  Now, we are on the verge of a 2nd Stanley Cup Final berth in three years, a potential 2nd Cup in that timeframe and a possible hockey dynasty that could last for several years more (considering that much of the foundation is signed up on a long term basis).

Thank you, Kings!  I do believe!

Below are some twitter pics celebrating last nights win; including some photos featuring Kings fans welcoming home our boys at LAX in the early morning.

Kings are 7-0 in elimination games during their remarkable playoff run. pic.twitter.com/SudI3yw2d9
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) June 2, 2014

Don't touch that trophy, Brownie!

The Clarence S. Campbell Bowl presented to the Dustin Brown, captain of the #LAKings pic.twitter.com/ECYt0UYGwu
— Shnarped Hockey (@shnarped) June 2, 2014

Bailey welcome's home an old friend.

Welcome home old pal! pic.twitter.com/V0Bp39o6rC
— Bailey LA Kings  (@BaileyLAKings) June 2, 2014

The crowd is lining up to welcome the Kings home.

We out here! 😎 pic.twitter.com/4bwh1jfhMk
— Carrlyn Bathe (@CarrlynBathe) June 2, 2014

Ppl lined up as far as the eye can see + @ABC7 here! Atlantic Aviation estimates 1500 ppl here already! Landing @ 2am pic.twitter.com/RgrBF1r0cv
— LA Kings Ice Crew (@LAKingsIceCrew) June 2, 2014

BTW, they just painted the ice at the Staples Center.  Don't that look grand?

Check out how awesome the @LAKings looks in June! #StanleyCupFinal #GoKingsGo pic.twitter.com/t13eiEpEvH
— STAPLES Center (@STAPLESCenter) June 2, 2014

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Monday Night Game Info - White Sox in Town

The next homestand starts this evening with the Chicago White Sox.  Below are some odds and ends for tonight's game.  Unfortunately, a former Dodger player is not scheduled to sign at the stadium.

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Monday, June 2nd at 7:10 PM

LHP Jose Quintana vs. LHP Clayton Kershaw

Tonight's game starts at 7:10 PM.  Auto gates open at 4:30 PM, and stadium gates open at 5:00 PM.

For this homestand the Dodgers have created a special Chicago Dog.  It's an all-beef hot dog served with a tomato wedge, pickle spear, sport pepper, relish, diced yellow onions, spicy mustard and celery salt.  It is available through Wednesday at extreme loaded dog concession stands on the Field, Loge and Reserve levels. 

(A Dodger Chicago Dog, pic via BrianKushida of Let's Eat on twitter)

The national anthem will be performed by Colette Lush, a 17-year-old senior at Tesoro High School in Rancho Santa Margarita.  Olympic Gold Medalist and AVP star Phil Dalhausser will throw the ceremonial first pitch. Dalhausser teamed with Todd Rogers to win the 2008 Olympic Gold Medal in Beach Volleyball.

• The Veteran of the Game is U.S. Army Captain Jose Macedo of Moreno Valley. Macedo enlisted in 2000 and serves with Delta Troop Forward Support Company based at Fort Bliss, Texas. He is responsible for leading, planning, directing and coordinating logistics services that support units in garrison and combat operations. Macedo has completed two combat tours to Iraq and will be leaving soon to serve at Camp Carroll, Korea. Macedo’s accolades include four Army Commendation Medals, a Combat Action Badge and the Samuel Sharpe Award. 

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2014 Topps Archives Baseball - All the Dodger Insert Cards

Following up on last weeks post featuring the Dodger base cards that can be found in packs of 2014 Topps Archives Baseball packs, I now share all of the Dodger insert cards that are available.  Go here to check out all of my past post on this set.

1969 Topps Deckle Minis Set Checklist

#CK Clayton Kershaw                         #HJR Hyun-Jin Ryu

#YP Yasiel Puig

1971-72 Topps Hockey Set Checklist

#71H-YP Yasiel Puig

1987 Future Stars Set Checklist

#87F-HJR Hyun-Jin Ryu                            #87F-YP Yasiel Puig

1987 Topps All-Stars Set Checklist

#87-CK Clayton Kershaw                        #87-SK Sandy Koufax

The below Firebrand cards are made of real wood.

1997 Stadium Club Firebrand Set Checklist

#FB-PG Pedro Guerrero

#FB-YP Yasiel Puig

1967 Topps The Winners Celebrate Box Toppers

#67WC-SK Sandy Koufax

#67WC-YP Yasiel Puig

Unfortunately, the Juan Uribe autographed mini card is only available through a redemption card.

1981 Topps Minis Autographs Set

#81MA-JU Juan Uribe

Fan Favorites Autographs Set Checklist

#FFA-BR Bill Russell                           #FFA-DBA Dusty Baker

Triple Autographs Set

#ATA-GPS Palmer, Sutton & Gibson

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Blog Kiosk: 6/2/2014 - Dodger Links - Zach Greinke is Impressive

Check out some of the cast members of 'A League of Their Own' that were in attendance at Saturday's game in the pic above, photo via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2014. 

• Via Lyle Spencer and Michael Lananna at MLB.com, "Greinke's approach impresses staffmate Haren."

"Zack's just so smart," Haren said. "He knows what he can do with what he's got. His stuff is really good. He's using his slider a lot, and it's one of the best in baseball. Zack knows how to pitch. He studies hitters and has the ability to execute his game plan with four really good pitches.

"He doesn't give in [to hitters], but he challenges guys. His walks are low, and his strikeouts are high. He keeps hitters off-balance with the ability to throw any pitch in any count."

• Via Bill Shaikin at the LA Times, "Dodgers, TWC could take legal action over SportsNet LA."

At issue: Are all the cable and satellite operators saying no to SportsNet LA acting independently or collectively?

• Via Matthew Moreno at Dodger Insider, "Dodgers News: Matt Kemp Named Face Of Ad Campaign For Gap Outlet Stores."
• Via Brian Kamenetzky at ESPNLosAngeles.com, "Dodgers need to focus on 'good' baseball."

"That's just stuff on paper," Mattingly said. "I think we've got to get away from that. I mean, we've got to make [winning consistently] happen, and we're capable of having games like this and we're capable of running off games and winning games. I don't want to get away from that, and I don't mind the expectations at all.

• Via Eric Stephen at True BLue LA, "Chad Billingsley to pitch simulated game Tuesday, rehab starts likely begin next weekend."

"I'm just anxious to get back out there. I've been through this whole process, but you have to just be patient and keep working," Billingsley said. "It can be very frustrating at times, but it's all just part of the process."

• This is both hilarious and very sad.  Via Harrison Mooney at Puck Daddy, "Jimmy Fallon gets his wish, as sad Youppi tours Montreal in a Rangers jersey."  You may remember Youppi as the old Montreal Expos mascot.  Well, he has since been adopted by the Montreal Canadians hockey team and paid up on a bet he lost to Jimmy Fallon when the NY Rangers defeated his team in the playoffs

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Sunday Evening Game Info - Some Dodger Autograph Guest, Yasiel Puig and Other Stuff!

Tonight is the last game of the Dodgers homestand against the Pittsburgh Pirates, and several old-time Dodgers will be in the house to sign free autographs for fans.  Below is the scheduled autograph opportunities and other odds and ends for this game.

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Sunday, June 1st at 5:07 PM

RHP Zack Greinke (8-1, 2.18) vs. RHP Edinson Volquez (2-4, 4.30)

This afternoon's game starts at 5:07 PM.  Auto gates open at 2:30 PM, and stadium gates open at 3:00 PM.   It is Dodger Batting Helmet Night at Dodger Stadium.  The first 15,000 ticketed kids 14 years of age or younger will receive a batting helmet.  Check it out on the right. BTW, the game will be broadcast on ESPN.

Also, it is Viva Los Dodgers Day and Yasiel Puig will make a special appearance at the historic 76 station at Dodger Stadium from approximately 3:30 p.m. to 4:10 p.m. prior to the 5:07 p.m. game. Puig will take photos with fans for monetary donations that will go toward purchasing baseball and softball equipment for up to 180 youngsters at Department of Recreation and Parks, Lou Costello Recreation Center in Boyle Heights that serves the East LA community. One photo with Puig per fan will be taken by Blue Prints who will also provide a complimentary printout. The Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation and the Wasserman Foundation will match the donation total this Sunday in support of Puig.

The June issue of the Dodger Insider magazine is avaialble for sale at Dodger Stadium today.  See the cover featuring Adrian Gonzalez on the left.

Former Dodger Al Downing (in left-field pavilion plaza) will be signing autographs for fans from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM.  Also, former Dodger Tim Leary will be signing autographs for fans at Viva Los Dodgers.

• The Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation (LADF) will have a Mystery Bag fundraiser at Viva Los Dodgers at the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation tent. For a $40 donation, fans can get an  official Major League baseball signed by one of ten Dodger Alumni featured, including Fernando Valenzuela, Nomar Garciaparra, and Tommy Davis and current players including Adrian Gonzalez and Matt Kemp. Only 84 Mystery Bags available. All proceeds will benefit LADF and its programs in sports and recreation, education and literacy and health and wellness which help children and families throughout the greater Los Angeles region.
• The Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation (LADF) will hold a silent auction on the Club level by the Vin Scully Press Box. The auction ends at 6:45 p.m. with more than 25 items up for bid, including a Matt Kemp autographed baseball, Yasiel Puig autographed LA Dodgers jersey and an Andre Ethier autographed photo. All proceeds will benefit LADF and its programs in sports and recreation, education and literacy and health and wellness which help children and families throughout the greater Los Angeles region.
• The Veteran of the Game presented by Bank of America is U.S. Army Sergeant Cris Ramirez of South Gate. Ramirez enlisted in 2002 to follow his family’s military heritage and to become a US Paratroope. Ramirez serves with the 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne) and has served in Germany, has been deployed to Iraq and most recently returned home from his fourth combat tour to Afghanistan. His accolades include the Valorous Unit Award, Army Achievement Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters and the National Defense Service Medal.

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Sunday Dodger Videos: MAttingly, Romak and a 1953 Spring Training

Here are this Sunday's Dodger videos.

Check out some vintage video of the Dodgers working out in Spring Training in 1953.

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Watch & listen as former New York Yankees first baseman and current Los Angeles Dodgers coach Don Mattingly talks about his team, baseball in New York and his young superstar Yasiel Puig on The Michael Kay Show of the YES Network.

Video Link:

Check out a young Dodger fan dancing to the music at Dodger Stadium.

Video Link:

Jamie Romak talks about making his Major League debut for the Dodgers after spending 11 seasons in the minors.

Video Link:

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