Blog Kiosk: 9/13/2009

• Follow Orlando Hudson on Twitter- right here.
  
• I love the name of this new Dodger blog, Plaschke, Thy Sweater Is Argyle, with the catch phrase of "All Dodgers. All The Time. Minus the Plaschke."
  
• Chicago Lawyer Magazine examines the 1919 Black Sox scandal and lays out the groundwork for a "reasonable doubt" argument while questioning the veracity of some of the facts in the book "Eight Men Out." (Hat Tip: TS O'Connell)
• Night Owl Cards makes a couple of custom Alyssa Milano cards, but expresses consternation at her new husbands team allegiance. The card below uses the 1986 Topps Baseball design
• Bob Lemke has been making custom cards for years that are based on the 1955 Topps Football All-American set. Check out his creations here in his album. My favorite is the Steve Garvey below. There is also a great Jackie Robinson card- so check it out here.
• Go here to see, probably, the last of the new editions to the 2009 Goose Joak custom cards of the Dodgers from GCRL. Garland, Thome and Belliard are featured.
  
• I like these cheerleader insert cards.
• Just awesome. The Custom Card Blog unveils 3 custom Flint Tropics cards, from the movie "Semi-Pro", that borrows its design from the 1976 Topps ABA card set.
• That is something to brag about. The Upper Deck blog shows off the T-Rex tooth card.
• In a stroke of brilliant marketing Sidney Crosby of the Penguins visits a season ticket holder with the Cup.
• Here is a preview clip from ESPN Films 30 for 30 Project documentary called "King's Ransom." It's all about the Gretzky trade to LA.
  Publish Post

YouTube Link: miikeeed:

Goodwin Chamions!

The highly anticipated Upper Deck Goodwin Champions set appears to have been released as the first eBay auctions have gone live. So far, only a Clayton Kershaw black bordered mini card has popped up for us Dodger fans. I'll be sure post more pics of other players as they appear. This aims to be one of the better Baseball sets put out this year.

(Hat Tip: Wax Heaven)

Register For Postseason Seats Now

From the Dodgers press release.

In an effort to make 2009 postseason tickets available to as many fans as possible, the Dodgers will enact a ticket ordering process via dodgers.com/postseason. Similar to years past, the online opportunity invites fans to fill out and submit a registration form available now at dodgers.com/postseason for a chance to purchase 2009 postseason tickets. Tickets will not be available at the Dodger Stadium ticket office, ticket outlets or by phone.

Registration for NLDS tickets ends at 5 p.m. PST on September 16, followed by a random drawing that day to determine which registrants will have the opportunity to buy tickets for the first round of the postseason. Winners will be notified via e-mail by September 18 and the onsale will be held at 10 a.m. PST on September 19.

Registration for NLCS tickets ends at 6 p.m. PST on October 7, followed by a drawing that day. Winners will be notified via e-mail by October 8 and the onsale will be held at 10 a.m. PST on October 9.

Dodger Correspondence: Cleo James

Here is another edition of Dodger Correspondence from Cleo James. James was once a good prospect with great speed. During his last year in AAA for the Spokane Indians, a Dodger farm club at the time, he stole 46 stolen bases, batted .327 and had an impressive .400 OBP. Unfortunately, he only had a chance to play one season with the Dodgers, but did go on to play for the Cubs for 3 more season. In his letter he expresses thanks and gratitude for having the opportunity to play on the big stage.

As far as my career with the LA Dodgers and the Chicago Cubs, all that I can comment about my Major League experiences is that I thank God I fulfilled a dream that I began dreaming at age seven. My Major League playing time was cut short I believe because of a serious injury in 1968. I broke my ankle while in winter Baseball in Mesa, Arizona. I enjoyed playing in the Dodger organization and also with the Cubs.

Cleo also adds the following.

P.S. The best Major League Baseball player that I played against was the late Roberto Clemente.

He even writes Roberto's name in a unusual ornate style reminiscent of Clemente's actual autograph.

(click to enlarge)

eBay Auction Link: Cleo James Letter:

Legendary Photo Auction: Dodgers Galore

Legandary Auctions just started a new auction and it features some incredible photography. You should really just check it out and window shop. Most of the pics are press photos. There is so much here I think I will just break it up into a couple of post.

Below is Maury Wills in front of 104 bases.

Auction Link: Wills:

What a great pic of Sandy Koufax facing off against Roberto Clemente. It looks like Roberto popped it up, or took a mighty swing and missed.

Auction Link: Koufax vs. Clemente:

Jackie Robinson in his UCLA basketball uniform.

Auction Link: Jackie Robinson UCLA Basketball:

Here is an aerial view of a 70,000 capacity filled Yankee Stadium for game 1 of the 1950 World Series.

Auction Link: 1941 World Series:

Roy Campanella meets Eddie Mathews in this 1953 United Press photo.

Auction Link: Campy & Mathews:

Drysdale in a upward gaze.

Auction Link: Drysdale:

Dodger Correspondence: Al Epperly

Al Epperly had quite an amazing professional career. He played pro-ball for 17 seasons and had two stints in the Majors with the Dodgers and Cubs. The crazy thing is that his Major League appearances were 12 years apart. He played for Chicago in 1938, and then the Dodgers in 1950. His letter below explains it a bit.

I think the greatest thrill in Baseball was winning my first start in the Major Leagues on my nineteenth birthday in 1938. I was with the Chicago Cubs and beat the Phillies 21 to 2.

My second was in 1951 with the St. Paul ball club in the American Association when I won 21 games and lost 5. This took in the whole season and the playoffs. All these games were as a relief pitcher.

After hurting my arm in 1938 and re-injuring it badly in 1941 I was told I would never pitch again. I started pitching underhanded and had several good years as a relief pitcher until I quit after the 1954 season.

He taught himself how to pitch again and found himself back in the show.

(click to enlarge)

eBay Auction Link: Al Epperly Letter: