Loney to Bowling is like Trump to Reality TV

Get it? You wouldn't immediately relate James Loney with bowling, but, there he goes, he's ready to embark on his hosting, for the third straight year, of the 6th annual State Farm Dodger Dream Foundation Bowling Extravaganza this coming Monday, May 3, 2010.

Come out a spend an evening bowling with the Dodgers. You can even bid on special auction items, as well, to support a great cause.

Attendees can bid on more than 40 unique items in the silent auction including: a LA Kings team signed jersey, Blake Griffin signed LA Clippers Jersey, and autographed game-used baseball bats from Andre Ethier, Matt Kemp and Russell Martin. A special “Green Monster” live auction featuring two tickets on the Green Monster at Fenway Park to the Sunday, June 20 Dodgers vs. Red Sox game, airfare for two on JetBlue Airways and a two-night stay at the Ritz-Carlton, Boston will also be held.

Lanes are still available for purchase by calling (323) 224-1413.

WHO:Dodgers James Loney, Russell Martin, Matt Kemp, Manny Ramirez, Clayton Kershaw, Blake DeWitt, Reed Johnson, Ramon Troncoso, A.J. Ellis, Charlie Haeger, George Sherrill, Ken Howell, Mariano Duncan and Rick Honeycutt

Celebrity bowlers include: James Denton, Alyssa Milano, Tom Arnold, David Arquette, Paul Wall, Jonathan Silverman, Jennifer Finnigan, Greg Grunberg, James Kyson Lee, Scott Porter, Peter Jacobson, Omar Miller, Rex Lin, Hoobastank, Doug Savant, Justin Hartley and Lindsay Hartley

WHERE: Lucky Strike Lanes L.A. LIVE at 800 W. Olympic Blvd., Los Angeles

WHEN: Monday, May 3, 2010

6:00 p.m. Registration

7:00 p.m. Bowling & Dinner

10:00 p.m. Awards

10:30 p.m. Event Concludes

Topps National Chicle's Are In

The set that was panned by collectors when examples were made public several months ago is finally out. The 2010 Topps Chicle Baseball set is now live and numerous examples can now be found all over the internet. For more detailed information regarding this set go to sportscardradio.com.

The set is throwback to a vintage mid-1930's football card set called "National Chicle" that featured painted drawing of that era's players. They were originally done in an art deco design with bold coloring and unusual color schemes.

The 2010 Baseball version does it's best to emulate that old style and I think they did a good job of it. Previous complaints from the hobby were very premature. At least 12 different sports artist were commission to do the drawings; including Monty Sheldon, who I wrote about briefly yesterday.

There are a whole bunch of Dodgers, both current and old, so I've decided to break this up into a couple of different post. I'll start with some of the inserts first and then follow up with a post in the next few days of the base cards in the set. Before we see some of the drawings, though, check out this very limited Jackie Robinson patch insert card numbered to only 50. Apparently, only one patch card is found in every 1600 packs, so it is very scarce.
Below are 3 relic cards of Dodger players that include either a game-used bat or uniform piece embedded within it. A checklist I had seen previously indicated that Matt Kemp also has a relic card, but I have yet to see one.

Pee Wee Reese

Manny Ramirez

Andre Ethier

The next 3 cards are a part of the cabinet series insert set. One card is found in a large over-sized pack in each box. I don't have the exact dimensions, but they are much larger than the average Baseball card and only slightly bigger than a postcard. The Jackie Robinson card is my favorite, so far.

Pee Wee Reese

Jackie Robinson

Roy Campanella

Monty Sheldon Hand-Drawn Cards

Monty Sheldon is one of the better known modern Baseball artist in the hobby. He is best known for his painted baseballs, but also has drawn cards for Topps. Previously, he completed 27 drawings for Topps National Chicle Football set, and has 35 drawings included in Topps new National Chicle Baseball card set.

Now, he has created a very limited "1 of 1" hand drawn pencil drawing set called "Sheldon's Sports Card Classics" that will consist of 250 different cards. He is selling them exclusively on eBay. Below are the Dodger players.

eBay Auction Link:

eBay Auction Link:

eBay Auction Link:

eBay Auction Link:

Card of the Week: Thumbs Up

From Donruss's inaugural effort, here is legendary manager Billy Martin on his 1981 Donruss card.

A World Series Unassisted Triple Play

Here is a super rare press ticket stub on eBay from the 1920 World Series between the Dodgers and the Cleveland Indians. What makes this notable, other than the Dodgers losing, is what occurred during Game 5 of the series. Bill Wambsganss performed the incredible. He recorded a unassisted triple play in the 5th inning. In fact, it remains the only triple play to ever happen during the October classic.

While playing 2nd base he snagged Willie Mitchell's line drive, stepped on the bag to record the second out (Pete Kilduff), then tagged out Otto Miller coming from first base. Below is a photo of the play.(pic Link: Baseball-Almanac)

Koufax's Last Game

Here is a nice collectible sure to make any Sandy Koufax collector happy. On eBay is a ticket stub from Sandy Koufax's very last regular season game and last win in the Major Leagues. It is from the last game of the 1966 season between the Dodgers and the Philadelphia Phillies on October 2nd. Sandy pitched the 2nd game of a doubleheader and recorded win number 27 of the year (165 for his career). He went all 9 innings while giving up only 2 runs and striking out 10. With the World Series match with the Baltimore Orioles just around the corner it looked like he was poised to dominate once again. Unfortunately, he would pitch only once more in a losing effort against Jim Palmer as the Dodgers would get sweeped in 4 straight.