Card of the Week: An Apple a Day...

Here is another goofy card from Upper Deck's 1992 Baseball card set. This time it features former ace pitcher Bret Saberhagen as he flips an apple into the sky. Speaking of apples- did you know that apples are good for your brain? They have phytonutrients that prevents neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinsonism.

Blog Kiosk: 8/2/2009

Great find at Vin Scully is My Homeboy of a Vin Scully Bobblehead.

• The FBI visits the National again, per the NY Daily News.

  An industry executive told the Daily News that the agents are gathering information about auction houses, dealers and authenticators who knowingly sell counterfeit jerseys, bogus game-used bats and other tainted memorabilia.

  (Hat Tip: SCD)
• A Pittsburgh fan crashed the Penguins Stanley Cup celebration and parties with the team in the clubhouse. Read his story here in the Dayton Daily News. See the party crashers pics here.
  

  "A couple players pick me up and swing me around. I’m spraying a bottle of champagne. Amazing."

  (Hat Tip: KuklasKorner)
  
• Via Halos Heaven, check out the University of California website for vintage pics of Baseball played in California. Below is Ruth and Walter Johnson at a charity game sponsored by the Anaheim Elks Club in 1924. Some of you may know that HOF'er Walter Johnson was raised in Orange County, in the Brea-Olinda area, and went to Fullerton Union High School. Go here for the pics. There are even pics of Baseball teams and players from the 1880's in vintage bib-style uniforms.
• Check out more pics from the National here at VOTC's Flickr page.
• Sports Cards Info shares some of his promo pulls at the National. Also, he some of his other photos here.
  
• Check out some more candid shots of President Obama at the All-Star game from David Bergman.
  
• If I had a NFL Team to root for I would definitely get this tailgating/ping pong/beer pong table. (Hat Tip: Deadspin)
• Check out these BenchWarmer Promo's from the National from The Card Informant.
• Close your eyes and listen to the storm.

YouTube Link: foozooljalal:

Sleepover at Dodger Stadium

(Credit: Jill Weisleder/LA Dodgers)

This coming August 14th is the 4th Annual Blue Heaven Sleepover at Dodger Stadium. What a great name to call it- "Blue Heaven."

Anyway, here are the details:

The Dodger game against the Diamondbacks will air on DodgerVision at 6:40 p.m. after which fans will have the opportunity to play catch on the field and watch “Field of Dreams” before sleeping under the stars. Fans are asked to bring their own sleeping bags, as tents will not be permitted inside Dodger Stadium.

Also:

The price of the event is $200 per adult and $100 per child and includes a Dodger goodie bag, dinner, and a buffet breakfast. The Dodgers are also offering a special family price of $500 for two adults and two children. The first 200 people who purchase spots will receive a free sleeved blanket.

Sleeved blankets? Really? Is that like a Dodger Snuggie?

It's a little pricey for me right now, but if you have the means I think this should be worth a look. Go here for more info.

Here is a Look at Manny's New Bobblehead

Here is a sneak peek at Manny's new bobblehead that will be given out on September 16th. It is being called the "Curtain Call" bobblehead.

Hat Tip: Twitter:DodgerTownUSA:

Dodger Correspondence: Joe Landrum

(pic Link: ClemsonTigers)

Joe Landrum had a fairly short stay in the Majors in 1950 and 1952 for the Brooklyn Dodgers. He was a right handed starter who showed some promise in the minors. He had won 19 games for the AA Fort Worth team in 1949 and had a career Minor League ERA of 2.71 while recording 81 wins. Then, like many ballplayers of the period, he entered the service in 1953 and never again reached the Majors afterwards. Nevertheless, his son, Bill Landrum, did get to have a decent 8 year career in the late 80's and early 90's.

Below is another letter written to Roy and dated from 1976. He ask the old Dodger about his time in the pro's, the players he knew and his fondest memory. Being an old Dodger farmhand means he hung out with some very well known Dodger players. He list Tommy Lasorda, Danny Ozark, Sparky Anderson, Dick Williams, Chuck Connors as former teammates.

Below is his fondest memory in his own words.

"However, one of my fondest memories concerning the sport is that I was elected to the Clemson University Athletic Hall of Fame two years ago, only the second baseball player to be selected. The first was Billy O’Dell, who pitched for Baltimore, Washington, Atlanta, etc. This was especially pleasing to me since it came at a much later stage in my life, after the Baseball days were over.”

In his first start as a freshman at Clemson, March 29, 1946, he pitched against Carl Erskine and threw a complete game no-hitter, striking out 15 with no walks. Go here to his Clemson Tigers page for more about him.

(click to enlarge)

eBay Auction Link: Joe Landrum:

UD Artwork For Sale

For several years now card manufacturers have been hiring artist to produce paintings that would eventually end up on a card. From time to time, the original paintings would end up for sale. Currently, Upper Deck is selling several paintings that are worth taking a look at. See all of the available paintings here.

Below is a Don Drysdale painting that was used for their 2005 UD Heroes Baseball release.
Since I am a rabid King fan I am especially smitten with this Rogie Vachon painting that was used for the 2008-09 UD Masterpieces hockey release.
With the recent citywide celebration of the Lakers championship I would be remiss not to include a painting that features the team. There are 3 Laker paintings available, but only one really caught my eye. Michael Cooper was my favorite Laker. Check out his painting below.
Hat Tip: Card Informant: