Card of the Week: Roger McDowell

With the new season in full swing I figured it was time to unearth a segment I started last year, but stopped. I bring to you the "Card of the Week." Now, for this first installment of the 2009 season I am highlighting a Dodger, but don't expect me to only favor the Blue Crew. In fact, I'm gonna try to mix it up a bit.

Now, this is one of my all-time favorite oddball cards. Below is Roger McDowell's 1993 Upper Deck card #250. In it, he proudly displays his Lasorda University t-shirt.

A Day Late, But Not Forgotten

This anniversary totally slipped my mind. Yesterday, 23 years ago, on April 25, 1976 Rick Monday saved the flag. This was clearly the most memorable and greatest moment in Baseball history. Thanks to Punk Rock Paint for reminding me.

YouTube Link: trwvd7:

Collection: 1969 Topps Dodgers Team Poster

It's been awhile since I pulled out something from my collection so I thought I would share the 1969 Topps Dodgers Team Poster. They measure 12"x20" and were sold in individual packs- not as an insert in that years card set. (Below are samples of the wax pack wrapper and box) The Dodger poster features Don Drysdale, Willie Crawford, Willie Davis, Ron Fairly, Tom Haller, Andy Kosco, Jim Lefebvre, Claude Osteen, Paul Popovich, Bill Singer and Bill Sudakis.

Pic Link: Unopened Pack Guy:

Blog Kiosk: 4/26/2009

Helluva start we've had so far.

• Check out this new Dodger blog from a fan on the East Coast called Dodger Blue 162.
• You have got to check out LAist's interview with Dodger bullpen coach Rob Flippo.
• Check out these great photos from Photo Day at Dodger Stadium: From Linda 1 & 2. Vin Scully Is My Homeboy. SOSG.
• Listen to Jon Miller praise Vin Scully as he imitates him in Japanese. (Hat Tip: Pedro's Sports Short)
• The "Beat LA" chant started in Boston.. Who knew?

  The Lakers were the first target of “Beat L.A!” and they weren’t even within earshot when it began. It started in the old Boston Garden, the memorable, but now-demolished home of the Celtics, their arch rivals. But it was directed at the Philadelphia 76ers, who were about to eliminate Boston in the 1982 Eastern Conference finals.

  Hat Tip: Diamond Notes:
• Saturn through spacecraft Cassini's eyes. Go to Boston.com for more pics.
• Malingering, of Flickr fame, has a blog called Malingering's World. She always has some great Dodger pics, as well as other random photos.
• Would it be a surprise if a vast majority of vintage Hall of Fame (and current stars) Baseball autographs are fake? The biggest shame in the industry is it's past willingness to ignore this festering sore. (I'm looking at you- Sports Collectors Digest!) Most of you may be surprised to know that a seemingly legit card manufacturer like Upper Deck has been caught up in the growing scandal. (When they are unwilling to release the sources for some of their autos which are obvious fakes [or autopens or secretarials], then you've got to be very weary.) Fortunately, hobbyist and many experts are coming together to root out this dishonest behavior. Tom Tresh has made it his mission to expose autograph fraud at Coach's Corner Auctions (I advise you to never buy from them) and eBay on YouTube. Autograph Alert is also a very good source, but soon there will be another. Autograph specialist, Ron Keurajian, is putting out a large book that will be a major study of every member of the Hall of Fame and their signatures.
• Most valuable Baseball teams by Forbes.
• Sports Locker does a book review on "Baseball's Ferocious Gentleman"- a biography on Branch Rickey.
• A dog takes a dump on the field during a game and gets ejected.

  Owner Donald Moore says Yogi was not feeling well today battling a stomach virus. "When you gotta go, you gotta go," said Moore, the Grasshoppers' Team President and General Manager.

• BYOBW (Bring Your Own Big Wheel) extravaganza during this past Easter Sunday in San Francisco. (Hat Tip: My buddy Mike who makes an appearance at the 0:27 mark.)

YouTube Link: UselessDesiresMusic:

• I always get the impression that most folks don't really understand the theory of evolution (including myself), so when I came across this video I felt it was a my duty to pass it along. (Hat Tip: Little Green Footballs)

YouTube Link: QualiaSoup:

Way to Go Troncoso

What an effort. How many times have you seen a guy come into relief to pitch 4 innings of dominating one-hit ball to get the save. James McDonald should buy him an expensive dinner for helping him get his first career win.

Box Score

Legendary Auctions: Pins

Legendary Auctions, the birth child of the recently closed down Mastro Auctions, is nearing the end of their first auction. Below are a couple of items I thought I would share.

Professional Baseball in LA has long history. The pin below is a testament to that. This Pacific Coast League LA team pin dates to pre-1910 (possibly 1902) and is in great shape. It measures 1 3/4" and was produced by Los Angeles Badge & Novelty Company. The individual players are unknown.

Auction Link: Pre-1910 Los Angeles Baseball Club Pacific Coast League Pin:

Here is a great lot of vintage Jackie Robinson pins. All of them are rarities I love to have in my collection. If not for my recently self imposed buying vacation I would be all over this one. The scarcest of the group is the "Team For Rockerfeller" pin. My favorite, though, is the "I'm Rooting For Jackie Robinson" pin.

Auction Link: Jackie Robinson Pin Lot: