Blog Kiosk: 9/4/2011

OK, that's adorable. A Dodgers pillow pet. Where can I get one for my nephew? (pic Link: jaydeemariee_)

• China Jumps the Shark- Offers $1.2 Billion for Los Angeles Dodgers, via Forbes.
  
• LFP does it again with some great fantasy cards of Sandy Koufax in 1968 and 1972 Topps designs.
  
• Sax at SOSG provides an inside look inside the Dodgers clubhouse.
  
• Architecture Daily takes a look at the Dodgers Spring Training facility at Camelback Ranch.
  
• Rivera's Production Has the Dodgers Thinking Big, via Ken Gurnick at MLB.

  "With Juan, and James [Loney] swinging the bat, it's been a total transformation of the team. That tells you what one bat can do. A solid bat is something we've got to have or we'll be right back where we were. You get that and it's like dominoes. Depending on what you get, the dominoes fall."

• To Dodgers, Bankruptcy Incurs Cost by the Hours, via Richard Sandomir at NY Times.

  Paying for bankruptcy lawyers is not cheap, as the Dodgers owner Frank McCourt is learning. Last year, when the Texas Rangers filed for bankruptcy, Weil Gotshal & Manges sought nearly $5.2 million in fees and expenses for 81 days of work. The court authorized payment of $4.5 million.

• Watch Matt Kemp talk about 30/30.

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Can Johnny Come Out?

One of the best things about being a Baseball collector is the large variety of cards and memorabilia items you can add to your collection. You can focus on something common like Baseball cards, autographs or pins. But, for the more adventurous you can focus on items more obscure. Here is a great example.

This is a vintage, circa 1907, comic themed postcard that is Baseball themed yet makes light of a challenge I'm sure we all faced as kids. How can we convince Mom to let us out and play? Check it out above.

A collectible like this can be purchased at a very affordable price. In this case, for under $5.00.

(eBay Auction Link)

The Sounds of the Dodgers: Soliloquoy of a Dodger Fan

Here is a great ditty called "Soliloquoy of a Dodger Fan" sung by Stubby Kaye. It is from the 1963 LP The Sounds of the Dodgers.


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That Makes it 6 In a Row

In a duel that had two young pitchers pitted against each other, the Dodgers outlasted the Braves to win it in extra innings. That's 6 wins in a row for the Dodgers as second place in the Western Division look very reachable.

It's hard to believe this is happening now. How, after months of turmoil and disappointment can the Dodgers all of the sudden look like the team to beat. I only wish that the Diamondbacks would lose a few. That way, I can start dreaming of a come from behind division championship. Still, the Dodger recent rise to prominence is a welcome sight.

BTW, is Eovaldi for real?

Daily Conlon: 244 through 252

Here are todays Daily Conlon cards numbered 244 through 252, and it features Hall of Famer and former Brooklyn Robin Rube Marquard on the bottom row, far right. Click on any pic to embiggen.

The Marquard is a All-Time Leader card highlighting his incredible 1912 season where he won an unbelievable 19 consecutive games to start the season for the New York Giants. He finished off that season leading the Giants to the pennant with 26 wins and a 2.57 ERA. No doubt, it was a season any pitcher would die for. Of special note,

"during Rube's 19 game streak, he relieved in the 8th inning of a game the Giants ultimately won. Present-day rules would have credited him with the victory, and he would have posted a consecutive streak with 20 games."

For a game by game rundown of his streak go here. Other accomplishments by Marquard include a no-hitter thrown against the Brooklyn team on April 15, 1915. On top of that, later that season this Giants pitcher orchestrated his own trade to the Brooklyn Robins to be with his old coach Wilbert Robinson.

The Sounds of the Dodgers: Somebody's Keeping Score by Maury Wills

Here is the 3rd recording from the 1963 LP The Sounds of the Dodgers. Check out the last two I've shared so far over here. This time we hear Maury Wills go solo with his tune "Somebody's Keeping Score."


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