A Peek at Topps 2010 National Chicle Baseball Set

Courtesy of Beckett, Topps just released some pics from their upcoming 2010 National Chicle Baseball set. It is an homage to the vintage 1930's football card set. Above is the only Dodger released so far and it's a dandy. It is a Jackie Robinson follow-through with an art deco backdrop.

Rental Man Job Is Open

Last year I went on a mini rant about how much I disliked the Southern California goof ball known as "Rental Man." Well, I've got more to say.

The twisted gyrations and bad white boy raps he spills out will cause that little kink in the back of your neck to cry out in pure pain as your mind tries to focus on the idiocy you see before you. You try to rub out that uncomfortable feeling, but soon realize there is nothing you can do.

The reason- That fool will dance and distract to his hearts content because he is apparently paid a hefty sum to do so.

Yesterday, I ran into a little story at the Huffington Post pointing out a recent job listing for the Rental Man position.

Yes, you heard that right!

The old buffoon will soon be replaced by a new buffoon. Not only that, it pays a annual salary of $100,000.00. Yes, it's a six figure job! Plus expenses!!!!

So the fool you love to laugh at, point at and run scared from is probably better paid than you.

Check out the Craigslist job posting right here.

Oh... by the way, if you happen to see a 5 foot 6 inch Filipino man dancing like a fool and dressed in a cape while holding a shield at a local sporting event please treat him kindly. You just might be looking at your favorite Southern California Dodger blogger doing his best to make some easy bones by acting like a total idiot.

USA! USA!

Yesterday was the finals of the World Juniors Hockey Championship between Canada and the USA. This is a tournament for players 20 years old or younger and features prospects galore. Many of the kids on the ice have already been drafted and will be playing in a NHL hockey rink near you within a short few years.

Anyway, if you don't know already, Team USA won in overtime 5 to 4 to take home the gold. This is a nice little prelude to the upcoming Olympic games in Vancouver later on this year. Check out the post game Team USA victory chant and game highlights below.

Team cheer.

YouTube Link:

Game highlights.

YouTube Link:

Hunt's Auction Filled With Dodger Goodness

I don't even know where to begin with Hunt's current monthly internet auction. It is filled with so many vintage Dodger cards and collectibles it absolutely boggles the mind. There are vintage singles, rare regional cards and scarce memorabilia items. By the looks of it they should have just called it the January 2010 Dodger Auction. Anyway, below are some the items I thought worth mentioning since I could not possibly show them all.

1940's - 1950's Brooklyn Dodger pennant

Auction Link:

Circa 1950's Libbey Brooklyn Dodger "Bum" drinking glasses

Auction Link:

Assorted Brooklyn Dodger pins

Auction Link:

Assorted vintage Gil Hodges pins and charm; including a 1956 Topps pin, 1956 yellow basepaths pin and charm.

Auction Link:

1955 World Series program of the Dodgers first World Series Championship

Auction Link:

A game-used ticket stub from game 6 of the 1955 World Series

Auction Link:

Sportsman's Park postcard signed by 24 Brooklyn Dodgers including:

Pee Wee Reese, Duke Snider, Gil Hodges, Billy Herman, Dick Williams, Tommy Holmes, Carl Furillo, Carl Erskine, Ralph Branca, Preacher Roe, Clem Labine, Cookie Lavagetto, Andy Pafko, Billy Cox, Rube Walker, Rocky Nelson, Clyde King, Ben Wade, and others.

Auction Link:

1957 Swift Meats of Johnny Podres and Junior Gilliam

Auction Link:

1959 Bazooka Duke Snider and Don Drysdale

Auction Link:

1952 Star-Cal Decal Type 2's of Gil Hodges & Pee Wee Reese, Roy Campanella & Jackie Robinson and Duke Snider & Preacher Roe

Auction Link:

1952 Star-Cal Decal Duke Snider, Pee Wee Reese and Preacher Roe

Auction Link:

1952 Star-Cal Decal Jackie Robinson

Auction Link:

2002 Upper Deck Ultimate Collection Sandy Koufax Autographed card

Auction Link:

Circa 1950's "Champions of Baseball" Jackie Robinson Hoppy glass

Auction Link:

1952 Tip Top Bread label of Duke Snider.

Auction Link:

1958 Bell Brand Duke Snider. This card was originally inserted into packs of Bell Brand potato chips. It is also one of the first sets featuring the Dodgers in LA uniforms.

Auction Link:

1953 Stahl-Meyer Franks Duke Snider

Auction Link:

1954 Wilson Franks Carl Erskine

Auction Link:

Incredible - The Merkle Ball Will Be For Sale

No way. This is just unbelievable. REA just announced on their blog that they will be auctioning off the original ball used to call Fred Merkle out. Yes, the infamous Merkle play. This event is considered the most controversial play in Baseball and spawned the term "bonehead" as a result. Not only that, if not for "Merkle's Boner" the Chicago Cubs would never have won their last World Series ever in 1908.

Who knew the game ball still existed. Incredible. (I know... I know... Charlie Sheen use to own the ball)

This ball is priceless and will probably be worth hundred of thousands of dollars. I wouldn't be surprised if Keith Olbermann ends up as the winner. He is known as a expert on the infamous event.

Check the videos below for a quick history lesson on this infamous play.

Part 1

YouTube Link:

Part 2

YouTube Link:

Hey, Piazza in Blue

Several months ago Topps announced the reintroduction of their high-end card product called Topps Tribute. I wrote about it previously here and showed a couple of Dodger cards that would be available in packs. Now, Beckett shows off some cards they pulled recently from a promotional box on their site and it includes a Mike Piazza card in a Dodger uniform. Check it out above. Piazza is seen in his unforgettable and immediately recognizable follow-through as he takes a mighty swing. Just awesome.

The boxes go live in less than a week. Considering the expected price for a box at over $200.00, they are not for the timid.