Group Break Winnings

This post is coming several weeks late. Last month I participated in a Group Break put together by Nachos Grande. It included a whole bunch of different boxes; including 2006 Bazooka, 2003 Fleer Showcase and 2001 Topps Archives. Check out the booty below. Click any pic to embiggen.
The 2006 Bazooka cards above takes a look at a better time in the Dodger franchise. The Dodgers were to make the playoffs for the second time in three years. Andre Ethier would establish himself as a everyday outfielder and a future star on the team. We would be introduced to Matt Kemp, Russell Martin, James Loney and Chad Billingsley that year. The future was bright. Heck, mix in some stable and productive veterans like Nomar and Jeff Kent and a championship was sure to be around the corner. Man, that was a long time ago.
The below cards are what I was really hoping for. Here a bunch of Dodgers from the 2001 Topps Archives set. I had heard of the set and seen plenty of pictures, but this is the first time any of them have been added to my collection.
My one hit isn't even a Dodger. As a consolation each participant was given a second team in the group break and my team was the Diamondbacks.

Blog Kiosk: 8/17/2011

Will Smith with Wango Tango at Dodger Stadium in 1999, via LADodgers Twitter: yfrog Josh Rawitch.

• Best Plascke take-down ever, via Barstool Sports.

  Oh, I get it. He’s another one of these pedantic, mealy mouthed kooks jumping behind the wheel of the Pussification of America bus and stepping on the gas. Kids competing against each other? Some failing, others succeeding? Only one winner and everyone else loses? Oh, the horror! These kids will be scarred for life! They’ll never be able to get over the pain! It’s child abuse! Child abuuusse!

• Ted Sobel speaks with Justin Sellers.

  Sellers was coming off of last night’s cloud 9 game when he collected his first big league hit and today he topped that by sending Houston starter Jordan Lyles to the showers with his first major league homer.

  (Hat Tip VSIMH)
  
• Dodgerbobble takes a look at bobbleheads from the California League.
  
• GCRL reminds us that today is the 19th anniversary of Kevin Gross's no-hitter.
  
• Are you ready for the Yu Darvish insanity tour, via Yakyubaka? He has hired American agents. (Hat Tip: Baseball Mussings)
  
• Howard Cole of the OC Register speaks with Baseball Reliquary's Terry Cannon.
  
• Best list ever! Top 5 athlete movie/tv appearances, via Deadspin.
  
• OK. This is just plain awesome. Check out a a 360VR interior view of the Space Shuttle, here.
  
• This is an epic marriage proposal. Complete with the San Diego Comic Con as a backdrop and Patrick Stewart saying, "engaged."
  

Video Link:

Holy Moly! Hello Kitty at a Dodger Game?

I think I'm gonna throw up. Really... this news makes me cringe. In fact, I am certain that this is a sign of a coming apocalypse.

Hello Kitty is teaming up with the Dodgers to offer a ticket package during the last weekend homestand of the season. Go here for details.

The Dodgers announced today that they will partner with global brand Sanrio^® Inc., parent company of Hello Kitty, to offer fans a limited edition online ticket package including a one-of-a-kind Hello Kitty Dodgers collectible plush during the team’s last home weekend of the regular season. Fans who purchase tickets exclusively through www.dodgers.com/hellokitty will receive a limited edition Hello Kitty plush dressed in Dodger gear on September 16, 17 and 18.

See the doll below.
The only thing that could be worse would be giant Hello Kitty furies hanging around the stadium.... Oh, man! That's happening too!

In addition, Hello Kitty and her friends My Melody^®, Keroppi^® and Chococat^® will make special appearances at Dodger Stadium that weekend and fans in attendance at Fan Appreciation Day on Sunday, September 18 will receive a Hello Kitty Dodger-themed crown.

On Fan Appreciation Day... Oh, crap! Way to appreciate us, guys.

What's next... Stupid paper hats, ala Burger King, only drawn with an effeminate Dodger Blue bow. Oh Sh.......! Those are being handed out on Fan Appreciation Day also.
UPDATE 9/12/2011:

From my understanding the Hello Kitty plush doll promotion is now sold out. Despite my consternation this has been a very successful promotion for the Dodgers.

Campy Slugs then Folds, Slugs then Folds

Here is a copy of a great vintage sports cartoon originally drawn by Murray Olderman, circa 1956. It features Roy Campanella and points out how much his career has gone up and down. He had 3 MVP seasons stacked between some clearly bad years at the plate. Better yet, Olderman's version of the Brooklyn Bum is seen in the corner saying, "Dis shocks me more'n' it does youse."

The artist, Murray Olderman, is more well known for his work in football. He is a member of the Football Hall of Fame and a past President of the Football Writer's Association. Check out his website, here.

BTW, the auction link from which this drawing comes from is below, but be forewarned. The auction is not for the actual drawing, but for a photocopy of it. So, unless you want a very expensive Xerox I suggest you just enjoy the artwork.

(Auction Link)

Blog Kiosk: 8/15/2011

Here is a great pic from astronaut Ron Garan of a shooting star as seen from space. (Twitter: @Astro_Ron)

• Ralph Branca recently discovered his Jewish roots, via Vin Scully is my Homeboy.
  
• Listen to the Sports Rabbi speak with Vin Scully, here.
  
• Check out For Baseball Junkies post about his family's connection to the Brooklyn Dodgers, as team physician and dentist. Then check out this great poem his Great Uncle wrote, the Dentist Laureate, about the Dodgers and published in the Brooklyn Eagle, here.
• Matt Kemp signing at Spring PCS August 26th. See the flyer sent to me below. Only the 1st 200 fan guaranteed to get an auto. Check out more Baseball/ Dodger related events in my Calendar tab.
• LFP has made some new fantasy cards of our newest rookies using the 2011 Topps design- Justin Sellers, Nate Eovaldi and Javy Guerra.
  
• Heartbreaking Cards of Staggering Genius unveils a great vintage Snider card, complete with markings from a young fan.
  
• Bob Lemke retells the story of how much of the valuable internal Yankee documents would wound up in the hands of collectors.
  
• Lawsuits everywhere. Topps is now suing Leaf, via SCD.
  

Legendary Auctions: A Couple of Dodger Goodies

Legendary Auctions is currently running their August auction and it includes a couple of Dodger related items of note.

Below is a great vintage, circa 1950's, photograph of Duke Snider.

(Auction Link)

Here is a great advertising piece for Coca Cola featuring Dodger catcher and spokesman Roy Campanella. This piece dates to 1952 and would typically be seen on the counter top of your local soda shop. This style, with Campy, was distributed only in the New York area and is fairly scarce. Be forewarned, I've seen fakes before (especially on eBay) so be careful if you ever consider buying one.

(Auction Link)