Maybe I'm overreacting here, but have you noticed how poorly the Dodgers have been playing since the Dodgers resident voodoo man was outed by the LA Times. I'm telling ya, Vladimir Shpunt, has it in for us. He is using his powerful pseudo metaphysical thought ray to squash and annihilate everything that is Blue. The public embarrassment and ridicule was too much to bear.
I can imagine the elderly balding Russian emigre sitting in front of his television, eyes closed, with his hand planted along his forehead. He spreads his fingers out and presses it firmly as skin begins to overlap his fingernails. His body quivers and hair, what little there is left, stands on end like when static electricity is collected on a balloon and rubbed against the back of your head.
I am truly afraid folks. Yes, the fear is starting to take over.
How else do you explain the lashing we received from the fake LA team from down south?
Now we learn that Chad Billingsley is about to land on the DL. Boy, oh boy! Could it get worse from here?
The Dodgers will be in Boston this weekend, no more than a few miles from the psychic wonder. His power will be amplified as proximity becomes less of a barrier. He can quickly tap the cosmic forces to law down a slap that could finish us off for good.
Of course, maybe I'm going crazy and my own sense of insecurity in the divine is really at root here. On the other hand, maybe I'm bored and figured this might be fun to write about.
Anyway, if there is any truth to the mystical magic of Shpunt, then I'll be a monkey's uncle.
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
A Father's Day Message From the Dodgers
First, the Dodgers are sponsoring their 7th Annual Father's Day catch at Dodger Stadium this Sunday. Here are the details.
Andre Ethier
Youtube Link:
Matt Kemp
YouTube Link:
James Loney
YouTube Link:
Russell Martin
YouTube Link:
The Los Angeles Dodgers invite families on to the field at Dodger Stadium for the seventh annual Father’s Day Catch on June 20. The event, which will be held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., is free and provides families with the opportunity to play catch at Dodger Stadium in celebration of Father’s Day. Dodger partner Farmer John is donating Dodger dogs for the occasion, Sparkletts will provide water bottles and Coca Cola will supply PowerAde.
Fans can park for free at Dodger Stadium on Father’s Day. The Sunset Gate opens at 10 a.m. and families enter through the center field gates. Music, merchandise, the Dodger Ticket truck and Dodger fan clubs will be on site for the event. The first 3,000 fans in attendance will get a complimentary Dodger dog.
Now, with Father's Day around the corner Andre Ether, Matt Kemp, James Loney and Russell Martin would like to wish all the Father's out there a happy Father's Day.
Andre Ethier
Youtube Link:
Matt Kemp
YouTube Link:
James Loney
YouTube Link:
Russell Martin
YouTube Link:
Monday, June 14, 2010
Fakes, Fakes, Everywhere There's Fakes
Earlier today, It's Time for Dodger Baseblog wrote a post about an autographed Baseball on eBay that is an obvious fake. See it here. I'm sure many of you, especially the autograph seekers, can tell that the Ron Cey isn't close to being real. Not only that, the other autos are so poorly done I can only assume they were done by a child trying to emulate his favorite players autos. Nevertheless, I'll give the seller the benefit of a doubt and assume he doesn't know any better.
Now, why do I bring this up you ask? Well, fake autographs on eBay has become an epidemic, and it absolutely sickens me. There is nothing worse than a fan/collector spending your hard-earned cash on something that isn't real. It's bad for the hobby and it's bad for the sport.
Too many hucksters and jivers are out there trying to prey on the good intentions of folks like you and me. I only wish there was an easy answer to help those who want it.
All I can do is offer a word of advice. Always be vigilant when shopping for an auto of your favorite player. If it is a current ballplayer you want spend the time and energy to track them down at a game or at an autograph signing often highlighted on the always excellent Vin Scully is My Homeboy website or Welcome to My Autograph Signings site.
For older players or retired stars it can get tricky. One thing I would suggest is to always make sure it comes from a seller with a long history of good dealings and authenticators well respected in the hobby. Several companies specialize in autographs that they get directly from the athletes like Upper Deck Authenticated (UDA) or Steiner Sports. Authenticators that I would always have more faith in include PSA/DNA and James Spence Authentications (JSA). Also, the good auction houses are always a great avenue for the rare and more expensive autographs; such as Hunt's, Robert Edwards Auctions, etc.
Above all, though, I recommend that you check out Autograph Alert. It's a great resource.
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What I want to do now is relay story about an autograph I spotted several years ago on eBay that screamed fake to me. It was a autographed Jackie Robinson item on a piece of paper that just did not look right to me.
Now, keep in mind, I do not currently own a Jackie auto, but I hope to one of these days. So, as a consequence, I always keep my eyes out just to window shop and educate myself so that when the time comes for me to lay down some serious cash (if that day ever comes) I can do it with confidence.
Anyway, I see this Jackie and for whatever reason decide to write the seller with my opinion. As expected (who likes a nosy Nellie, right?) the seller sends back a scathing email saying I don't know what I'm talking about. Then, he follows up with the phrase, "I know it's real because I bought it from Coach's Corner Auctions and they authenticated it."
Well, now I know it's fake. Coach's Corner is notorious in the hobby for selling fraudulent material. They use to be a major advertiser at Sports Collectors Digest until collectors started screaming loudly and publicly about them.
Remember, just because a website has the appearance of looking legitimate and it is accompanied with a piece of paper saying it is authentic does not mean it is.
As for the Jackie Autograph I saw, I decided to not pursue it further with the seller. It did not sell so no harm was done to an unsuspecting bidder. Furthermore, it was clear that the guy had no idea Coach's Corner had a such a bad reputation. He was just another good collector taken in by a scam operation.
Now, why do I bring this up you ask? Well, fake autographs on eBay has become an epidemic, and it absolutely sickens me. There is nothing worse than a fan/collector spending your hard-earned cash on something that isn't real. It's bad for the hobby and it's bad for the sport.
Too many hucksters and jivers are out there trying to prey on the good intentions of folks like you and me. I only wish there was an easy answer to help those who want it.
All I can do is offer a word of advice. Always be vigilant when shopping for an auto of your favorite player. If it is a current ballplayer you want spend the time and energy to track them down at a game or at an autograph signing often highlighted on the always excellent Vin Scully is My Homeboy website or Welcome to My Autograph Signings site.
For older players or retired stars it can get tricky. One thing I would suggest is to always make sure it comes from a seller with a long history of good dealings and authenticators well respected in the hobby. Several companies specialize in autographs that they get directly from the athletes like Upper Deck Authenticated (UDA) or Steiner Sports. Authenticators that I would always have more faith in include PSA/DNA and James Spence Authentications (JSA). Also, the good auction houses are always a great avenue for the rare and more expensive autographs; such as Hunt's, Robert Edwards Auctions, etc.
Above all, though, I recommend that you check out Autograph Alert. It's a great resource.
--------------------------------
What I want to do now is relay story about an autograph I spotted several years ago on eBay that screamed fake to me. It was a autographed Jackie Robinson item on a piece of paper that just did not look right to me.
Now, keep in mind, I do not currently own a Jackie auto, but I hope to one of these days. So, as a consequence, I always keep my eyes out just to window shop and educate myself so that when the time comes for me to lay down some serious cash (if that day ever comes) I can do it with confidence.
Anyway, I see this Jackie and for whatever reason decide to write the seller with my opinion. As expected (who likes a nosy Nellie, right?) the seller sends back a scathing email saying I don't know what I'm talking about. Then, he follows up with the phrase, "I know it's real because I bought it from Coach's Corner Auctions and they authenticated it."
Well, now I know it's fake. Coach's Corner is notorious in the hobby for selling fraudulent material. They use to be a major advertiser at Sports Collectors Digest until collectors started screaming loudly and publicly about them.
Remember, just because a website has the appearance of looking legitimate and it is accompanied with a piece of paper saying it is authentic does not mean it is.
As for the Jackie Autograph I saw, I decided to not pursue it further with the seller. It did not sell so no harm was done to an unsuspecting bidder. Furthermore, it was clear that the guy had no idea Coach's Corner had a such a bad reputation. He was just another good collector taken in by a scam operation.
eBay: Fan'n Duke
Check out this great fan. In 1980 Duke Snider was voted into the Baseball Hall of Fame. In celebration the Dodgers officially retiring his #4 in a special ceremony at Dodger Stadium on July 6th on Old-Timer's Day. This fan commemorates this day.
Sunday, June 13, 2010
Blog Kiosk: 6/13/2010
- Awesome. Check out these Empire Strikes Back 800 number telephone promos from 1979, via 6-4-2.
- DodgesBlueBlog post a bunch of pics from 70's Night at Dodger Stadium.
- Sunshine noticed AJ Ellis warming up and has the pics to prove it.
- To pile on more misery on a broken man, now we find out that Pete Rose used corked bats.
- Now Pete Rose's bat use for hit #4,256 will be on auction.
- Check out the greatest boxing collection ever.
- GCRL does some sleuthing on the 1978 Topps Dodgers team card.
- He's one of my heroes too. Bob Lemke makes a custom Pat Tillman football card.
- The geek in me loves this.
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