Here's a great story about what else happens at the Winter Meetings.
A fond farewell to the best and most popular card collecting blog around, Wax Heaven. Hopefully you'll still post from time to time.
A great new tradition has been created in hockey and it is the Winter Hockey Classic. This time around it will be at Fenway Park. Below is a artist rendition made by the NHL showing what it may look like. BTW, check out the video below for a live webcam of Fenway Park as they prepare the field for the hockey game.
The Kings are in first place. Yes, you heard that right. The team than has been in rebuilding mode for what seems like an eternity is finally seeing the fruits of their labor come to fruition. And there was no better night than Saturday night for the team to take their place at the top.
It was Dodger Night at the Staple Center as the Kings faced off against the Dallas Stars. Eric Karros dropped the opening puck to start the game and former Dodgers Bobby Castillo and Ken Landreaux were on hand to sign for the fans.
I haven't been much of an autograph hound in the past, but since I would already be there I decided to go to the game with a baseball to get some signatures. The line was short and I was able to get a group photo with the former Dodger stars. As pre-game events go this was easily the best of the year. The game couldn't start any better.Unfortunately, the Kings didn't play their best game. They were sluggish and not in tune, but managed to keep it close. Like many games last season for the Dodgers, the Kings came out and struggled, but found a way to win due to some game ending heroics. They scrambled and held on to tie the Stars, 2 to 2, to end regulation and overtime play. Then, they went to a shoot out and won as winger Michael Handzus potted the winning goal in the 4th round.
This put them in a virtual tie at 45 points, but makes them the division leader due to tie-breaking rules. So, on a night when my beloved Dodgers are represented the Kings end the evening winning in dramatic fashion, and claim 1st place. This Dodger fan/Kings fan couldn't imagine a better evening.
Below is a video I shot of the Kings pregame Happy Holidays video and light show.
UPDATE: Orel at the Sons of Steve Garvey was kind enough to link to this post (Roberto at Vin Scully is My Homeboy also linked here), but also adds some great photos of the event from the Dodgers here. The Dodger photo album of the event is here. Below is the ceremonial face-off.(photos by Juan Ocampo/Dodgers)
Mark Timmons with the blog LA DodgerTalk just put up a 2 part interview he conducted over the Winter Meetings with De Jon Watson and Logan White. Those of you who fret about the state of the Dodgers farm system will want to check it out. Go here for the interviews.
I've been falling way behind on my posting here. With the holidays in full swing it is just getting more difficult to find the time. Nevertheless, I'll endeavor to add my cents sooner or later.
While you wait, check out some cool Dodger items I saw on eBay last week.
I really like the look of the front cover of this vintage 1965 Dodger Scorecard. It almost looks good enough to frame as a work of art.
Do you remember those doll-sized action figures of Star Wars characters? I had a Darth Vader, and I'm not the least bit embarrassed to admit it. Below is a similar sized action figure of HideoNomo from 1998.
Don Drysdale was the quite the restaurateur. Many older Angelenos may remember his Van Nuys restaurant called the Dugout, but did you know he also had a place to dine in Hawaii? Below is a 1983 menu from Don Drysdale's Club 53 restaurant located in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii.
Lelands recently closed their December auction and below are some nice Dodger related collectibles.
1955 was a incredible year- Winston Churchill resigned as prime minister, Einstein dies, the first advisers were sent to Vietnam, the polio vaccine received FDA approval, Disneyland opened and Peter Pan made its television debut. What also happened was the Dodgers first World Series championship.
Below is a banner that hung in the borough celebrating the Dodgers National League pennant that year. Considering the past, most probably thought this would hang all winter long. Little did they know the Dodger would come home with the crown in 1955. This banner sold for $1,815.19.
I know I have highlighted this photo in the past, but I figured it is worth another look. It is of Jackie Robinson signing autographs before his first game ever at Ebbets Field. It sold for $431.69.
This last item is for all of the Kings fans that happen to come to this blog. I know there are a bunch of you folks out there so don't be embarrassed. The Kings are good again and, I suspect, will continue to be so for quite some time. They have a pipeline of great young prospects and stars who should remain in LA for a long time. Anyway, below is a phenomenal game-used jersey worn by former Kings first line left-wing forward Charlie Simmer during the 1981-1982 hockey season. As you know he was a member of the incredible Triple Crown Line that featured Hall of Famers Dave Taylor and Marcel Dionne. It sold for a very healthy $2,411.80.
This coming Saturday is Dodger Night at the Staples Center with the LA Kings. Apparently, Eric Karros will be there to sign autographs- along with others not yet named. Check here for more information.
(UPDATE: Autograph listings: 6:00 – 7:30 p.m. – Bobby Castillo and Kenny Landreaux autograph signing)
BTW, check out the video below for a live webcam of Fenway Park as they prepare the field for the hockey game. 
