Group Break: 2010 Topps Chrome

From time to time I have participated in a "group break" with other Baseball collectors online. It gives me an opportunity to get a bunch of cards from a particular product, usually of just one specific team, without spending an arm and a leg to buy box after box.

Recently, I threw my hat in the ring on a small break of 6 boxes of 2010 Topps Chrome and staked my claim to the Dodgers. I've never been much of a shiny card collector, but figured I would give this one a try. The "group break" was put together by Georgia Mindset.

Anyway, here is some of the bounty. The recently released 2010Topps Chrome offering consist of shinier versions of the 2010 Topps set, plus a couple of extra versions only found in Chrome. In fact, see the below Jon Link and John Ely card below.
Yes, Link and Ely have cards in Topps prior offerings this year, but these two cards offer brand new poses. I know, that seems a little obsessive, but when your a Dodger collector you can't help but chase them all.
I also got two refractor cards in the break. As you can see the Ely refractor below is an even shinier version of the basic chrome card. If you tilt it just right under a light you can blind someone.
Here is the other refractor- a Russell Martin on a 1961 Topps design. Below that is the reverse of the card.
Since I didn't get any "hits", i.e. a Dodger auto or relic piece, Georgia Mindset offered the below extra unclaimed hit from the break. It is a blue bordered autographed rookie card of DBacks outfielder Cole Gillespie.

Dodgers Sign a Couple of Amatuers From Japan

Just when you thought the Dodgers were lacking in international scouting and development they go ahead and sign a couple of kids from Japan. Welcome Kazuya and Kazuki to the Dodgers.

Kazuya Takano

Kazuki Nishijima

From the Dodgers Press Release:

The Los Angeles Dodgers today announced the signing of 21-year-old pitcher Kazuki Nishijima and 18-year-old Japanese pitcher Kazuya Takano to minor league contracts. Nishijima becomes the second Japanese college player signed by the Dodgers after Robert Boothe, who was signed in 2007, and Takano becomes the first Japanese high school player signed by the Dodgers. Assistant General Manager, Scouting Logan White made the announcement.

"These two amateur signings from Japan mean a lot to us and I am very excited to bring them into the organization,” said White. “Choosing to play in the United States is not an easy decision for young foreign players to make with the language barrier and cultural differences, but I’m confident that both Nishijima and Takano will succeed in America with the help of our player development staff.”

Left-handed pitcher Nishijima stands 6’1” and 190 pounds. He is currently a senior at Meiji University in Tokyo , Japan , where he became a regular starter his junior year. Meiji won the Tokyo Big 6 Baseball League Fall Tournament last season and Nishijima led the tournament with a 1.13 ERA. In his collegiate career, he is 6-5 in 31 appearances with a 1.91 ERA. While at Yokohama High School , which Daisuke Matsuzaka of the Red Sox also attended, his team won the National High School Invitational Tournament in 2006.

Right-handed pitcher Takano is 6’1” and 170 pounds and currently a senior at Buntoku High School in Kumamoto , Japan . He made his high school’s baseball team as a freshman and has been highly evaluated.

“Nishijima is known for his curveball and his consistent arm slot. He locates fastballs on the lower part of the plate and induces a lot of ground balls. Takano has a very smooth delivery and flexibility,” said Dodgers’ Supervisor, Scouting in Japan , Keiichi Kojima. “While they both show enormous talent and can expect bright futures, our first priority for both pitchers is to become physically and mentally acclimated to a new level of baseball.”

“American baseball has been my dream since I was a kid,” said Nishijima. “I will do my best to become a successful pitcher in the Major Leagues.”

“I’ve been working hard to make my dream to become a professional baseball player come true,” said Takano, who turned 18 just a few weeks ago. “I am very thankful to the Dodgers’ organization and I will work even harder to become a big leaguer as soon as possible.”

Legendary Auctions: Babe In Blue

As I've written before, I just can't get enough of Babe Ruth in Dodger uniform. It is so bewildering and perplexing that I still, even after seeing numerous pictures proving it, can't believe he actually was a Dodger once. Of course, he never played for us, but he did stand in the coach's box on the first base side. Anyway, here are 2 more pics of "The Babe" in Blue. Click on any of the pics to enlarge them.

Here is Ruth with the Dodger coach's, Burleigh Grimes and Leo Durocher in 1938.

(Auction Link)

Babe Ruth is pointing at you.

(Auction Link)

Legendary Auctions: Wee Willie Keeler

Well, I've been MIA for a bit, so I apologize for that. Hopefully, I'll be able to make up for that as I peruse through several major auction house catalogs I recently received. There are some really great items to see, so stay tuned.

In fact, here is one great vintage early 20th (1902-1911) Century W600 Sporting Life Cabinet card of Brooklyn star and Hall of Famer Wee Willie Keeler. He is famous for the phrase "hit 'em where they ain't."

(click to enlarge pic)

(Auction Link)

Topps Fan Sketch Cards

One of the great things about the 2010 Topps set is the inclusion of blank sketch cards. Basically, they have asked the collector to sketch their own picture of the their favorite player. You can then send it to Topps with the potential of seeing it inserted and made into its own card for a future Topps product. How cool would that be?

Anyway, on the Topps facebook page they have highlighted several entries that can be found in the 2010 Topps Update offering and they are pretty good. You should especially take a look at the Jeter and Lincecum (the Lincecum is pretty clever). Go here to see them all.

Below are a couple of Dodger related entries.

Hunt Auctions: Drysdale's Batting Helmet

Hunt Auctions is closing up on it's current 7th annual Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory Auction later this week. Check out my post, here, from a week or so ago about a couple of other Dodger related items from this auction.

This batting helmet comes directly from a former Dodger clubhouse employee named Joe Pitts. In fact, the items I described previously also comes from him. This is a game worn helmet that once belonged to Don Drysdale. It is a circa 1960's helmet and features Drysdale's number on the brim of the hat. It shows fine use from a pitcher who also was an excellent batsman. He belted 29 home runs.

(click on the pic to enlarge)

(Auction Link)