2011 Topps Diamond Embedded "1/1" James Loney

I've been searching high and low for a 2011 Topps diamond embedded card of a Dodger player for quite some time.  Finally, one has arrived on eBay.  It is of James Loney, and I must say that it looks glorious. 

(eBay Auction Link)

Check out that rock. 

Here is the reverse of the card.

(eBay Auction Link)

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Hanley's Walk-Off Hit

What an amazingly frustrating game.  Joe Blanton pitched well enough in his Dodger debut, going 6 innings with 5 strike outs and only two runs given up.  He struggled a bit by allowing a bunch of baserunners, but was able to get out of several jams.  Overall, it wasn't a bad showing for our new starting pitcher.  Blanton was set up to possibly take home a victory for the blue crew, but then the relief corps failed, big time. 

I won't go into much detail from here- mainly because it's all a blur.  Fortunately, our newest Dominican sensation came through in a big way.

With Dodgers standing on the corners in the ninth inning of a tied game, Hanley Ramirez came up to the plate.  Check out the video below to see what happened.

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So far, he's been a bit Manny-like, no?

Furthermore, I really wish the Dodgers would stop tackling their game heroes.  It kinda scares me.

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Clayton Kershaw - I Am Second

Clayton Kershaw speaks in the video below about his life, his faith and what he plans to do to leave a lasting legacy.  Although he talks a little bit about Baseball, it's clear it's not as important as his faith.

This was done for the "I Am Second" campaign that seeks to

inspire people of all kinds to live for God and for others. Actors. Athletes. Musicians. Business leaders. Drug addicts. Your next-door neighbor. People like you. The authentic stories on iamsecond.com provide insight into dealing with typical struggles of everyday living. These are stories that give hope to the lonely and the hurting, help from destructive lifestyles, and inspiration to the unfulfilled. You’ll discover people who’ve tried to go it alone and have failed. Find the hope, peace, and fulfillment they found. Be Second.

Video Link:

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From the National Sports Collectors Convention- Various Links and Videos

I just can't look at enough photos and videos from the National.  Here are some links to other websites I enjoyed checking out.

• Here are some photos downloaded onto facebook from reporter Michele Steele.
• Susan Lulgjuraj at Beckett writes about the ladies from the All American Girls Professional Baseball League.
• Panini America posted up a bunch of pics from Day 2.  Then some additional photos from the next day.
• Chris Olds from Beckett also put up a bunch of photos from the National.
• All About Cards put up some Day 2 photos.

Now, on to some notable videos.

Here is a WBAL TV11 News report covering the National Sports Collectors Convention in Baltimore.

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From the Upper Deck booth, UDA talks a bit about what they have at the show.

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Here are images from Day One from the 2012 National Sports Collectors Convention in Baltimore. See a 1938 Babe Ruth coach's jersey, Lou Gehrig's 1934 Tour of Japan uniform, and many other historic game worn uniforms on display. Also the collection of E98 cards from the Black Swamp Find, vintage full unopened boxes and display boxes, and cards being opened at the Panini booth.

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A Babe Ruth Baseball that was on auction through Heritage Auctions.

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Here is a box break of a brand new Baseball card product called Panini Triple Play.  It's an inexpensive card set geared towards children and cheap enough for a youngsters budget.

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Dodgers Blog Kiosk: 8/4/2012

Here is an autographed Clayton Kershaw guitar that was auctioned off at his recent BBQ and Hoedown charity event.  According to Dodgers on Demand reporter Jessica Rosales on twitter, it sold for $700.00.  BTW, the hoedown was a great success.

• Sigh.  Ruben Amaro, the Phillies GM, said this about the Dodgers claiming Cliff Lee off of waivers, ""It's irrelevant. He's not going anywhere,"via Paul Hagen ay MLB.com.
• The Dodgers just announced their July Dodger Pride Award winners for their minor league system, via a press release.  On Double-A pitcher Matt Magill:

Went 3-1 with a 2.48 ERA, the 11^th-lowest mark in the Southern League, in five July starts. The 22-year-old limited opponents to a .215 batting average during the month while walking only three and striking out 30 in 29.0 innings. The Simi Valley native was honored with his third selection as Southern League Pitcher of the Week for the period of July 9-15, tossing 6.0 scoreless innings and striking out seven in his only start during the week against Pensacola. Overall, Magill leads the league with 119 strikeouts in 107.1 innings and is tied for third on the circuit with eight wins (8-5) and a 4.11 ERA in 20 starts. Magill is in his fifth professional season after being selected in the 31^st round of the 2008 First-Year Player Draft.

• In Magill's first start in August he continued his great pitching by striking out 12, via Sam Dykstra at MiLB.com.

"That's the ultimate goal when I go out there," the Dodgers prospect said. "I love seeing the guy walk back to the dugout, frustrated, with his head down. It's a great feeling. It's why I'm a pitcher." 

• The Foul Bunt card blog shares some heirlooms from former Major Leaguer Eric McNair that includes an album from when he was a member of a 1934 barnstorming team that toured Japan before WWII. 
• It was Star Trek Night last night, and William Shatner was there to throw out the first pitch.

(twitter link @Dodgers)

• Sax at the Sons of Steve Garvey points to a Keith Law report on recent Dodgers signee Yasiel Puig, and it is positive.
• Then, Orel at Sons of Steve Garvey retells the entire Vin Scully call from last night to tweet AJ Ellis in order to get him trending.  It worked!

And I said get something trending? A.J. Ellis?

They are trending, twittering, tweeting — you name it — about A.J. Ellis all over the United States.

He's a nice boy.

Heck, I even joined the fun last night.  See one of tweets from last night below.

(twitter link)

• If you missed out on Vin Scully's twitter call from last night then watch the video below.

Video Link:

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Pics and Video from Clayton's BBQ

A big thanks to Cathy for providing a some photos from Clayton Kershaw's Texas BBQ and Hoedown in benefit of Kershaw's Challenge.  This was a charitable event that raised needed funds for various projects the Kershaw's have planned.  I wish I could have been there- if only to see our lefty ace get down on the dance floor.  BTW, Roberto at Vin Scully is My Homeboy also has a bunch of pics from the Hoedown, so be sure to check those out.  And if you're so inclined, go to Kershaw's Challenge and drop a little bit of coin.

Also on display were a couple of Kershaw's awards.  Here is his 2011 Cy Young Award.

Here is his Gold Glove.

Here are a couple of pics featuring AJ Ellis and Clayton Kershaw with Cathy's son, Christian.

To finish things off, Cathy also passed along a video from the event.  3 year old Christian pitches to A.J. Ellis as Clayton Kershaw looks on at the BBQ.  In fact, he's chomping down as some great looking ribs. 


Video Link:

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