Who Do You Want to Play For?

You probably all knew this already, but Torre has the respect of the players. Last weeks issue of Sports Illustrated released the results of their weekly player poll which asked, "which manager would you most like to play for?" Unsurprisingly, Torre was 2nd on the list at 16% of 380 polled ballplayers- only to be outdone by Bobby Cox at 25%.

(click to enlarge)

This week Sports Illustrated flips it around and ask "which manager do you least want to play for?" The winner here is Lou Pinella at 26% with Ozzie Guillen coming in strong at 21%. My only thought here is that there must be something in the water in Chicago. It can't be a coincidence that they both manage there.

(click to enlarge)

The National Promos From Topps

As some of you may know the 30th Annual National Sports Collectors Convention will be taking place in late July in Cleveland, Ohio. It is the highlight event of the year and most major collectors will travel far and wide to attend. Unfortunately, I will not be going this year, but I am hopeful collectors on the 'tubes will pass along their insights and photos from the event. (Hint, Hint: Please pass along any photos and your thoughts about the show if you are attending)

As always, there will be numerous corporate sponsors setting up booths. All of the big players will be there; from Topps to Upper Deck, PSA to Beckett, NFL Players Association to Sports Card Forum. In addition, many of these sponsors will be handing out specials limited edition promotional cards that are usually made available to VIP attendees.

Topps recently unveiled their VIP promo set and it includes a couple of Dodgers. Unfortunately, one of the cards has me a little on edge.

The Topps promos are fashioned after the vintage 1959 Topps Baseball card set and it includes only fantasy cards, or "Cards That Never Were." Roy Campanella, as you can see below, gets his very own card as Honorary Coach. The year before he suffered through a debilitating accident and would never play a game again. In recognition of his leadership to the Dodgers he became a special coach to the team at their Spring Training facility in Vero Beach, FL.
Now the card below is just wrong. Even though it's of the great Jackie Robinson I can't stand looking at it for longer than a second or two. There is a reason the card like this would never exist- because it is just wrong.

The Jackie Robinson "Card that Never Was" features him in a Giants uniform. I know, I know! Sacrilegious!

As you may know, after the 1956 season Jackie retired from Baseball after his trade to the hated Giants. The popular story is that he refused to join the team he despised. Now, Topps wonders aloud what he would have looked like in their uniform. If I was attending and picked up this card it would hard not to do something drastic.

I might literally find myself pulling out a lighter and burning it right there. The thought that a card like this actually exist makes me want to puke.
Of course, if you are attending and happen to be in possession of the card. Well... I would be happy to take it off your hands.

Hunt Auctions: The Bob Schenz Collection

Hunt Auctions has just started their recent offering that coincides with the 2009 All-Star Game Fanfest in St. Louis and it has numerous items that would make any Dodger fan green with envy. In fact, there is so much great stuff I am going to split it up into several different post.

One of the collections of interest to the Blue Nation is the personal collection of former Dodger executive Robert John Schenz. He worked for the Dodgers from 1959 to 1988 in various executive capacities; including Transportation, Stadium Club and Personnel. Check out some of his booty below.

To start, below is a large lot of 16 press pins and charms from the numerous World Series and All-Star games. Unlike many of the auctions you'll see on eBay these are the real thing.

World Series press pins: 1963, 1966, 1974, 1980, 1981 and 1988. Dodgers World Series press charms include: 1974, 1977, 1978, 1980, 1981 and 1988. Other pins incl.: 1974 Oakland, 1988 Oakland, and 1967 Anaheim All-Star as well a 1978 New York World Series charm.

(click to enlarge)
Auction Link: WS & All Star Pin and Charm Lot:

Now here is the really good stuff. Here are a group of real championship rings. Not only that, they all come with the original presentation boxes. Below is his 1974 National League Championship ring. Click any of the photos for a larger pic.

(click to enlarge)
Auction Link: 1974 NLC Ring:

Below is his 1978 National League Championship ring.

(click to enlarge)
Auction Link: 1978 NLC Ring:

Below is his 1977 National League Championship ring.

(click to enlarge)
Auction Link: 1977 NLC Ring:

Below is his 1963 World Series ring.

(click to enlarge)
Auction Link: 1963 WS Ring:

Below is the 1981 World Series ring.

(click to enlarge)
Auction Link: 1981 WS Ring:

Here is the best ring of all. Below is the 1988 World Series ring.

(click to enlarge)
Auction Link: 1988 WS Ring:

If you thought the rings were great then get a load of these trophies. Below is the 1981 World Series trophy.

(click to enlarge)
Auction Link: 1981 WS Trophy:

Who wouldn't want this trophy sitting on their mantel. Below is the 1988 World Series trophy.

(click to enlarge)
Auction Link: 1988 WS Trophy:

Video: Bat Trick Real

I really had no doubt. Josh Womack is a brilliant master at flipping the bat.

YouTube Link: LongBeachArmada:
Hat Tip: Alyssa_Milano: via GetBenderNow:

The Baseball Card Rap

This is a bit risque, but entertaining for the Baseball collector in you.

YouTube Link: mray11:

Card of the Week: The Impending Crash

In my opinion the 1991 Topps Baseball set is one of the nicest and most flawless card designs Topps has put out over the last 30 years. They really outdid themselves this year. Above is one of my favorite cards from the set. After all, you can't beat Carlton "Pudge" Fisk in the process of receiving the ball so that he can block the plate as a relatively small Cecil Fielder comes storming home. I'm not sure who the Tiger is in the background holding the bat, but I do know he is motioning for Fielder to slide. A collective gasp can be imagined from the crowd behind the play. Two big men are on a collision course sure to be felt from New York to Los Angeles. Of course, these star ballplayers will feel it the most. I can't help but wonder who got the better of each other.