Tuesday, April 12, 2016

Don Drysdale Collection at SCP - Part V - Some Oddball Stuff

Here's a final look at some of the Don Drysdale items available at SCP Auctions.  Over the past couple of weeks I've written numerous post featuring this collection, and thought I'd wrap things up with a peek at some of the oddball Drysdale collectibles.  Check out my previous write-ups here, here, here, here and here.
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Following the 1956 season the Dodgers spent some time in Japan.  Having been invited by Matsutaro Shoriki, the "Father of Japanese Baseball", they played several exhibition games on the island.  Featured below is a Dodger themed kimono.  Each Dodger player in attendance received one, and they are personalized with each players name spelled out on the lapel in Japanese.  (Auction Link Here)  BTW, these games mark the last games played by Jackie Robinson in a Dodger uniform.

2016 Topps Gypsy Queen - All the Dodgers Insert Cards

Here is a final look at the Dodgers cards found in packs of 2016 Gypsy Queen.  Featured below are all of the available insert cards.  Go here to see all of my previous post on this set.

Autographs

#GQA-CKE Clayton Kershaw                 #GQA-CS Corey Seager

Blog Kiosk: 4/12/2016 - Dodgers Links - Maeda, Urias and Vin Scully


As street dedications go, this event was probably the most captivating.  Yesterday afternoon the City of Los Angeles and the Dodgers officially welcomed a street change that has been a long time coming.  They renamed Elysian Park Avenue to Vin Scully Avenue.  Jon Weisman at Dodger Insider has the complete story; including the entirety of Vin's speech:
“I don’t know you, and I miss you, believe me, each and every day. You have been so kind and so gentle, that again, as I said in my opening remarks, I’m overwhelmed. Just to hear your enthusiasm, the voice that comes roaring up out of the stands, there’s nothing like it.
Photo above via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2016 on the Dodgers twitterTake a look at even more pics taken by Jon from the event here.  Below are more links to check out:
  • Yeah, I noticed this too.  Clayton Kershaw was getting ridiculously squeezed by the home plate umpire on Saturday.  Via Jeff Sullican at FanGraphs, "We Might Already Have the Season’s Worst Called Ball."
  • Via Jon Weisman at Dodger Insider, "Micah Johnson optioned to Oklahoma City."  Howie Kendrick has been activated off the DL.  Another move is likely once Yasmani Grandal is activated.

Monday, April 11, 2016

Opening Day Diamondback's Series Starts Tuesday - Pregame Info and Other Stuff!

The first homestand of the season starts tomorrow afternoon (Tuesday, April 12th) against the Arizona Diamondbacks.  Below are some odds and ends for this upcoming homestand.  At this time I only have detailed Opening Day information.  I will update this post with more info for the games on Wednesday and Thursday as they arrive.
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Tuesday, April 11th at 1:10 PM
LHP Patrick Corbin (0-1, 5.14) vs. RHP Kenta Maeda (1-0, 0.00)
SNLA / AM 570 (Eng.), KTNQ 1020 AM (Span.)

It is Opening Day at Dodger Stadium.  The game starts at 1:10 PM.  Auto gates open at 10:00 AM, and the stadium gates open at 10:00 AM.  Dodger batting practice will be from 9:50 AM – 10:55 AM.  Diamondbacks batting practice will be from 11:00 AM – 11:55 AM.  Opening Day pregame entertainment throughout the stadium begins at 10:00 AM, and on-field pregame ceremonies begin at 12:15 PM.  As always, tailgating is not allowed within the stadium parking areas.  Go here for information on parking/tailgating restrictions in areas around Dodger Stadium.

Jackie Robinson Baseball Card/Memorabilia Checklist - Part II - 1950's and Beyond

On the heals of tonight's premier of the Ken Burns' Jackie Robinson Documentary here is Part II of my checklist of Baseball cards and memorabilia featuring the legendary Hall of Famer.  You can check out Part I (1940's) here.  This listing includes the cards from his playing days in the 1950's and an handful of other cards (post-retirement) that I thought were noteworthy.  Later this week I will post up Part III (Link Here), and it will show various oddball Jackie items.  As you can imagine, this checklist is certain to not be entirely complete, so if you run across something I missed please let me know.
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1950

#22 - 1950 Bowman

2016 Panini Diamond Kings - The Dodgers Base Cards and Variation

Returning for a second year is Panini's 2016 Diamond Kings Baseball card set.  Go here for a complete checklist.  This brand offers both current and former greats on cardboard.  As you can see in the pics below, this product focuses on artwork and drawings of the players.  Below are pics of all the Dodgers base cards in the set; including the Corey Seager variation card.

#6 Gil Hodges                                       #12 Leo Durocher