2011 Bowman Chrome Draft Picks & Prospects Dodgers Base Cards

Topps just released their newest Baseball card set that features only recent draft picks and up-'n'-coming prospects. It is called Bowman Chrome Draft Picks & Prospects and it includes 10 different Dodger hopefuls. Several players receive their very first card. Check out the base cards below.

#30 Rubby De La Rosa - RC

#40 Dee Gordon - RC

#58 Josh Lindblom - RC

#79 Nathon Eovaldi - RC

#80 Javy Guerra - RC

#100 Jerry Sands - RC

This is Justin Sellers first regular issued Baseball card.

#109 Justin Sellers - RC

Bowman Prospects

BDPP5 Pratt Maynard

BDPP48 Rick Anton

BDPP49 Scott Woodward

Collection: Wilton Guerrero 1997 Bowmans Best Auto

Wilton Guerrero is the eldest brother of slugger Vladamir, but considering his tiny frame was not anywhere near the same kind of hitter. Sure, he showed small glimpses of being able to handle the bat competently, but defense was really his forte. Unfortunately, his career was uneventful save one incident that wikipedia provides an account for:

Guerrero was 21 years old when he made his major league debut September 3, 1996, with the Los Angeles Dodgers. On June 1, 1997, the Dodgers rookie led off against the Cardinals in St. Louis by grounding out. His broken bat shattered, and when he scrambled to pick up the pieces instead of running it out, the umpires became suspicious. The bat had been corked. Guerrero was ejected, suspended for eight games, and fined $1,000.

I had forgotten all about this.

Here I show my 1997 Bowmans Best certified autographed card from my collection.

Delusional Expectations

From the pageant show mother to the investor seeking better than expected returns, we are all beset by the expectations placed on us by others. Oftentimes, it is good to set high goals. After all, we all need targets to try to meet. On the other hand, is it reasonable to assume something that has been expected numerous times before only to never be met? Ain't that the definition of madness?

For instance, we have all pulled for James Loney to be a slugging first baseman. He appears to have the tools. Unfortunately, in the last 4+ years as a starter he has yet to consistently hit home runs. Loney has average only 12 homers a season the past 4 years, and it appears obvious that this is what we should expect year in and year out. He just isn't a power hitter.

In light of that reality, I ran across something that borders on the delusional. Ned Colletti was on MLB Network Radio recently and he said the following, via a tweet from Mel Antonen.Are you kidding me? Expecting 20+ home runs next season is like expecting Mark Ellis to hit .325 next year. It ain't gonna happen.

Collection: Koyie Hill 2004 Signs of the Future Auto

Do you remember this guy? I barely do. If I remember right, he was a highly regarded catching prospect who could hit for average and showed some punch in the minors in 2004. He belted 13 home runs in Las Vegas for the Dodgers. Instead of seeing if he might pan out, Hill was traded to the Diamondbacks in 2004 (along with Reggie Abercrombie) for Steve Finley and veteran catcher Brent Mayne. Considering Finley's assistance in the Dodgers playoff run and Koyie's inability to latch on as a starter in the Majors, I think we came out pretty good on this one.

This is a 2004 Fleer National Pastime 'Signs of the Future' autographed card numbered 190 out of 340.

eBay: 1953 Dixie Lids Preacher Roe

Here is an oddball 8x10 memorabilia photo premium called Dixie Lids. It is from 1953 and features Dodgers hurler Preacher Roe. You would receive one with the submission of 12 ice cream lids. They are scarce as the asking price suggest, but it's a little rich for my blood.

(Auction Link)

Grey Flannel Auctions: The Al Campanis Collection

Earlier in the week, I highlighted a Game-Used Sandy Koufax jersey that is up for sale at Grey Flannel Auctions. If you haven't seen it you should definitely check it out.

Well, that jersey is not the only notable Dodgers memorabilia item to be found in Grey Flannel's recent offering. They have also secured the rights to sell memorabilia from the collection of former Dodgers player and General Manager Al Campanis.

Campanis was a fairly successful GM, having led the Blue Crew to 4 World Series and 1 championship. Also, before taking the top spot he was the scout who discovered a young Sandy Koufax. BTW, he is infamous for two other things. First, he traded Jim Campanis away- his own son! Second, he made the following unfortunate statement on Nightline in 1987 (the 40th anniversary of Jackie Robinson breaking the color barrier):

African-Americans "may not have some of the necessities to be, let's say, a field manager, or, perhaps, a general manager"

The latter was a stain that would forever follow Campanis. After resigning two days after this interview he would never again work in organized Baseball.

Anyway, here are a handful of great items Dodger fans can gawk over. Below is his 1981 World Series Championship ring.

(Auction Link)

This isn't necessarily a Dodger bat, but it is very cool. This is a bat from Mexico with tribal art drawn on it. It is undated and scarcity is unknown, but it's a nice piece of folk art that I think would look cool on the wall.

(Auction Link)

This lot from the Campanis Estate is probably the most interesting of the bunch; especially for its historical value. It consist of a collection of Campanis awards, personal effects, and notes. The notes include

Interview notes between Ted Koppel and Campanis regarding “why is it that there are no Black managers, no Black General Managers, no Black Owners?”

This would probably make for some interesting reading.

(Auction Link)