Blog Kiosk: 11/23/2011

Google is amazing today. You must check it out before it goes away. Click on the image in the opening page and play along. It's an interactive cartoon that celebrates Polish science-fiction novelist, philosopher and satirist Stanislaw Lem.

• The Dodgers are apparently interested in Jerry Hairston Jr., via MLB Trade Rumors.
  
• Torre may be considering a bid to buy the Dodgers, via Bill Shaikin at LA Times.

  "There've been a number of people who've reached out and inquired, but I've made no alliance, no commitment, as of this minute," Torre told the New York Times.

• Maybe we should be glad Kemp did not win the MVP. Matt is using the snub to motivate him. Via Tony Jackson at ESPN.

  "I'm going to go 50-50 next year," he said. "I'm telling you, y'all created a monster. I'm about to get back in the weight room super tough so I can be as strong as I was last year. … Forty-forty is tough, so 50-50 will be even tougher, but anything can happen. I have to set my limits high so I can try to get to them as much as I can. I'm going to try for 50-50, which has never been done.

• High Heat Stats shows how incredible a season Kenley Jansen had last season.

  Kenley Jansen's 16.10 is just a ridiculous number. In fact, it's an all-time record (again, minimum 40 IP)

• Check out the Josh Lindblom Foundation. This is a new charity he has put together to promote awareness and raise funds for families and children in need and to provide financial support for other charitable organizations.
• MLB Trade Rumors has a nice rundown of MLB's new Collective Bargaining Agreement.
  
• From Epic Meal Time- Turbaconepicentipede. This is a disgusting mess, but strangely I wouldn't mind taking a bite. Happy Thanksgiving!
  

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Holiday Weekend Autograph Opportunities

With the Thanksgiving holiday around the corner, there is nothing better to satisfy your collecting bug then by getting some signatures. Unfortunately, I'm not aware of any Dodgers players making an appearance, but I do know of a couple of other events worth visiting. BTW, be sure to check out the Blue Heaven Calendar for a listing of autograph events throughout the Southland.
The LA Auto Show is in full swing right now at the Los Angeles Convention Center, and various guest will be on hand to sign autographs for fans. Go here for a complete listing. Be sure to check this often. I noticed that new guest were added in the last minute this past weekend which included Dan Haren and Blake Griffin. So, who knows who else might show up this weekend. What we do know is that LPGA star Michelle Wie will be on hand at the Kia Exhibit in the West Hall.

Look out for LPGA star Michelle Wie, who will be at Kia's display @LA Auto Show to meet her fans and sign autographs on the 26th of November from 11am-1pm. And while you're there, check out the custom golf-themed Soul featuring Michelle's own artwork.

Also, former Laker Gary Payton will be signing autographs at the OC Sports Cards in Anaheim this coming Sunday. He will be there from 11am to 1pm. This is a paying event. As always, be sure to call ahead of time to confirm. Some details below.

OC Sports Cards
1238 S. Beach Blvd, Suite J,
Anaheim, CA 92804
(714) 761 - 6414

8x10's and other small items: $49.99
Basketballs / 16x20's: $59.99 PSA Authentication Included
Jerseys / Equipment / Oversize flats: $69.99 PSA Authentication Included
https://www.facebook.com/events/282434795108554/

eBay: The Celluloid Catcher

Following up on a post from last week, here is another vintage Brooklyn Dodgers pin. This time it features a ribbon attached to the reverse and a celluloid catcher hanging below. These little accoutrements really add to the beauty and scarcity of the pin. In fact, it is much tougher to find pins of this age with these additions. This item recently sold at $85.00. The pin, if sold alone, would only have been 1/3 of this price, at best.

BTW, these pins are commonly known as a PM10. It is a designation from the American Card Catalog (ACC) and usually refers to pins from the 1940's to 1950's that measure from 1.5" to 2" inches in diameter.

(eBay Auction Link)

And the Winner is.... KEM.... Oh... Ryan Braun Takes Home the MVP

Well, this time around, Matt Kemp does not take home the MVP award. You wait, though, he'll have plenty of opportunities. As Matt Kemp said (via ESPN),

"If I was on the outside looking in, I would definitely be voting for Braun because he had a hell of a season," Kemp told John Ireland and Mark Willard on 710 ESPN. "Whoever wins it is going to be deserving of it. Hopefully, I'm the one who gets the phone call tomorrow and gets the good news."

Congratulations to Ryan Braun. He certainly is a worthy player, and no Dodger fan should scream about being ripped off. Braun had a great season and was instrumental in his teams great season in 2011. Below are complete results from BBWAA.
(Above Pic Link: Los Angeles Dodgers/Jon SooHoo)
(Middle Pic Link: All Sports Players)
(Below Pic Link: Line Up Forms)

A Sandy Koufax Game Used Jersey

Yes, they actually do exist. This is a Sandy Koufax game-used Dodgers jersey from his 1966 Cy Young Award winning season being sold through Grey Flannel Auctions. It's in pretty good shape and is expected to sell for a bundle. I don't know the exact numbers, but not many actual gamers of Koufax exist on the market. From my understanding, it's just a handful. From the auction description:

On the left front tail of this grey flannel road jersey is the “Rawlings” manufacturer’s tag with size “44”. Embroidered directly underneath in navy blue chain stitch is “Koufax” and “66” indicating player name and jersey year, respectively. Below is a wash instructions label with attached flag tag “SET 1 1966”. Across the front is “Los Angeles” done in blue felt. Player number “32” appears on front in red felt and on back in blue felt. Koufax has signed the right breast in black marker adding the inscription “To Bob Best Wishes” rating an 8.

Who the heck is Bob? Anyway, it started with an opening bid of $10,000.00, but has already well eclipsed that value. Today, with 8 days remaining in bidding, it sits at $50,556.00. Holy Cow!

(Auction Link)

Blog Kiosk: 11/22/2011

Will Matt Kemp be at the podium again today? (Pic Link: Lockerz Matt Kemp)

• Jonathan Broxton appears to be a sought after commodity, via Lasorda's Lair.

  His dominance as a closer over a few years was remarkable. Unfortunately Joe Torre misused him, and after a disastrous Interleague outing in 2010 where he pitched a eye-popping number of pitches and was brought in to pitch in subsequent games, his arm was never the same. We witnessed him nosedive and the plethora of blown games to follow soon after.

• GCRL makes a good observation. 2011 was a good year for Dodger Stadium in cards.
  
• Fangraphs makes a case for Matt Kemp as MVP.

  In terms of our version of WAR, the trademark stat here at FanGraphs, Kemp was the most valuable player in the National League this season and by a not small margin either. His performance was worth 8.7 wins, a half-win ahead of Roy Halladay (8.2) and nearly a full win ahead of Ryan Braun (7.8).

• Night Owl Cards shows off a great 2011 Matt Kemp night card.
  
• Via SCD, 'Guilty Pleas in Jersey Fraud Cases.'

  Three men pleaded guilty Monday in Federal Court to separate but related fraud schemes involving the sports memorabilia business and the purchase and sale of equipment and uniforms used by professional and collegiate athletes.

  They acknowledge that some uniforms were sold to card manufacturers which puts a giant question mark on all relic card inserts.
  
• Here are some Matt Kemp highlights from 2011 from the Dodgers.

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