eBay: Pulling a Bird from his Hat

You gotta love Casey Stengel.  That lovable old man could please any crowd.  In fact, as can be attested by this vintage UPI press photo found on eBay he does just that.  Acting as a manager during a 1971 Brooklyn Dodgers- Los Angeles Dodgers Old-Timers Game he pulls out an old trick. 

In 1919 Stengel of the Pittsburgh Pirates was being taunted mercilessly by fans of the Brooklyn Dodgers, his old team. Somehow Casey got hold of a sparrow and used it to turn the crowd in his favor. With the bird tucked gently beneath his cap, Casey strutted to the plate amidst a chorus of boos and catcalls. He turned to the crowd, tipped his hat and out flew the sparrow. The jeers turned to cheers, and Casey became an instant favorite.

On this June 6th afternoon he reenacts the trick by pulling out a pigeon from under his cap.

eBay Auction Link:

What a Game! Kings Take Series Lead

Tonight was the most excited I've ever been for a hockey game.  It was crazy tonight.  The crowd was large, loud and raucous.  A buzz was in the air.  We knew we were going to win this game, and it was obvious before the drop of the first puck that nothing would stop this train.

That's how confident we all felt.  We just knew. 

Thankfully, the Kings obliged us. They were perfect on the power play, scoring 3 goals on 3 power play attempts.  They were battling along the boards like wild animals fighting for a meal.  They cleared pucks away from the slot when Vancouver went on the offensive.  Drew Doughty and Jack Jackson were masterful on the blue line.  Everything was coming to together, and in the end they won 5 to 3.

WooHoo!  Kings win!

Before you entered Staples Center fans were greeted by some remodeled statues.  Awesome, just awesome.

You Gotta Believe

(pic link: facebook)

This evening is Game 3 of the quarter finals match between the Kings and the Vancouver Canucks. This time they play in LA and I plan on being loud and rowdy at the game. After all, it's been a long 8 years since our last home playoff game. Series is tied at 1 game a piece.

Below are video highlights from Saturday's game.

YouTube Link:

The Upper Deck Death Watch?

What's left for Upper Deck?

As has been reported in the NY Time recently, the MLB players union has notified it's members that Upper Deck is facing financial difficulties and has not paid a large number of ballplayers money it is owed them. Furthermore, they advise ballplayers to not enter any new agreements with them and to not submit already signed, or soon to be signed cards to Upper Deck until the issue is resolved.

Just another nail in a potential Upper Deck coffin. 

It is hard to believe Upper Deck could possibly survive after a series of very public losses in their business.  On the other hand, they continue to release new products like some new Tiger Wood memorabilia items.  No kidding!

I recount, not in any specific order, the follwing major blows to the card company:

• Lost NBA license to produce cards;
• Lost NFL license to produce cards;
• Lost MLB Properties license to produce cards;
• Settled trademark infringement lawsuit with MLB Properties; and
• Settled counterfeiting lawsuit to Konami.

All of these items must have done some major damage to their cash flow and bottom line.  How much longer until the company folds?  Can they possibly survive with none of the big 3 licenses? 

A great many card blogs have already commented on this.  Check out what they have said. 

Mario with Wax Heaven:

Alright, before we throw a sympathy party it should be noted that Upper Deck brought this on themselves. From the crazy stories in the book ‘Card Sharks’ to the Konami and MLB lawsuits, the more you play with fire the better your chances are of getting burned and boy are the flames high in Carlsbad, California right now.

Stage Gum starts a Upper Deck death pool.

So, whaddaya say we have a little fun at a doomed card company's expense, huh? Introducing the "Stale Gum Upper Deck Death Pool." Here's how to play..

TS O'Connell.

Ouch. Obviously, this kind of incident is simply a by-product of larger problems that Upper Deck faces, but it is a reminder about what enormous costs the card companies incur by creating these upscale cards embedded with autographs, jersey swatches and other materials that ostensibly fall under the broad definition of memorabilia.

Gagne's Officially Done

Probably no surprise to anyone, Eric Gagne has decided to officially retire from Baseball, via TSN. 

Once one of the most dominating closers in the game, Eric heads into the sunset with a Cy Young in 2003, 187 career saves (including 85 consecutive saves), a 3.47 ERA and a astounding strike out  to walk ratio of nearly 3.2.  In his heyday he was unhittable and a joy to watch.  I will never forget "Game Over," regardless of the HGH use. 

Thanks for the memories.

Hat Tip: I Love This Game:

Game-Used Pants?

 

(eBay Auction Link)

OK.  I can understand putting down some big bucks on a game-used jersey, but pants?  Really? 

Here is a eBay auction I came across featuring pants worn by our own Andre Ethier during the 2007 season.