Blog Kiosk: 6/8/2012- Catching up on some Dodgers News

Topps recently released a bunch of preview pics of some rare "1 of 1" bat knob cards that will be inserted into this years Tier One cases.  Two Dodgers are available amid the 100 different knob cards being created.  Check out the Snider and Matt Kemp above and below.  This set is coming out later this month.  See the Beckett story for more information and pics of all 100 cards.

• The Dodger Dream Foundation Auction is current going on and includes autographed jerseys worn on Jackie Robinson Day.  Go here to check them all out.  This Matt Kemp signed game-worn jersey is already up to $2,825.00.

(Dodger Dream Foundation Auction)

• Soccer is making a big push in LA.  After the Galaxy's recent league championship they now team up with the Dodgers to offer a Dodgers Night at a Galaxy game on June 23rd (with limited edition Dodgers/ Galaxy scarf being given away) and a Galaxy Night at Dodger Stadium on July 30th (get a free signed Landon Donovan photo).  Go here for information on how to get in.

• If you haven't seen it yet, here is a glimpse at the Mike Scioscia bobble head being given out on Tuesday, June 12th.

• Check out the May Dodgers Pride Awards given to some of our more outstanding prospects in the minors, here.
• I don't quite know what this means for the Dodgers, but I figure it must be a good thing.  From the Dodgers press release:

Long-time baseball executive Bob Wolfe was named executive vice president of the Los Angeles Dodgers, the team announced. Wolfe rejoins Dodgers President and CEO Stan Kasten with whom he teamed with the Atlanta Braves and Washington Nationals.

That's a pretty good pedigree, right?

• A complete listing of all 41 players drafted by the Dodgers can be seen here.  Click pic below to embiggen.

Los Angeles continued to select players with big league bloodlines on the draft’s final day, selecting Jordan Hershiser, son of former Dodger Cy Young Award winner Orel Hershiser, out of USC with its 34^th-round selection and then taking Jose Vizcaino Jr., son of former Dodger infielder and current Special Advisor, Baseball Operations & Player Development Jose Vizcaino, in the 36^th round.

Lelands Auctions: More from the Sal LaRocca Collection

As I briefly mentioned yesterday, Lelands has another 47 items on auction that come directly from super Dodger collector Sal LaRocca.  Over the past year (or so) Sal has been selling major portions of his Dodger-centric collection through Lelands.  Check out my previous post about some of those past items here, here, and here.  Furthermore, if you want to have a closer look at what he has and gain perspective on the totality of his collection then check out this Dodgers video below. LaRocca's collection starts at about the 1:40 mark.

Video Link:

Awesome, right? 

Now, check out some of the stuff currently for sale that I really liked below.  In fact, there is so much available I am going to write a second post next week with even more LaRocca Collection items.  If you can't wait feel free to go directly to Lelands website, here.

I would consider it a great honor to get an invitation like this in the mail.  Heck, I'd like to see the Dodgers do this for next season.  Put together a marketing campaign consisting of wedding invitation-like mailers requesting that we visit Dodger Stadium as the new ownership works hard to bring back class, community and family to the team. 

Here is a 1897 Opening Day Invitation from the Brooklyn Bridegrooms. 

"The Brooklyn Ball Club presents its compliments and requests the presence of Yourself and Ladies at Eastern Park on Monday afternoon, May third, to witness the opening in Brooklyn of The National League Base Ball (sic) Championship Season of 1897. Baltimore vs. Brooklyn. Play called - 4 P.M. Please present at entrance."

 

(Lelands Auction Link)

Satin! Satin! Satin!  I love me some satin!

Check out this incredible 1945 game-used satin Dodger uniform once worn by Leo Durocher.  It has everything; including jersey, pants, cap, belt, socks, and stirrups.  Awesome!  Just awesome!

(Lelands Auction Link)

(Lelands Auction Link)

(Lelands Auction Link)

(Lelands Auction Link)

If I buy this does that mean I own a piece of the team?

Here are some real Dodgers related documents dating to 1910.  There is a Brooklyn Ball Club stock certificate and related receipts signed by Charles Ebbets and Henry Medicus.  From the auction description:

Three items are contained in this framed collection from the Brooklyn Superbas era, starting with a certificate from 1910, made out to Charles Medicus and signed by Charles Ebbets and Henry Medicus. Next is an 1899 receipt is made out to Charles Ebbets and signed by Charles Ebbets. Finally, a 1905 receipt made out to Henry Medicus and signed by Henry Medicus. These items trace the period culminating with Medicus and Ebbetts becoming part-owners of the franchise in 1905.

(Lelands Auction Link)

(Lelands Auction Link)

 1990 Kirk Gibson game-used Dodgers jersey with batting helmet.

(Lelands Auction Link)

Some Pics from Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs

Last night didn't end the way I had hoped.  Fortunately, all is not lost.  The Kings played well, just not well enough to win.  Am I disheartened by the Game 4 lost?  Heck, yeah!  I wanted to see a Cup celebration on our home ice.  On top of that, I've been largely unproductive at work due to this series, so I was hoping that a victory last night would allow me the comfort of no longer focusing on the next game.  Instead, I have to deal with my hockey obsession for a few more days. 

As I had written yesterday, I made sure to take a bunch of photos to share here.  Check them out below. 

I was all smiles before the game.

Then we went to the beer garden at LA Live to wash a couple of drinks down.

It was absolutely packed. From the open courtyard at LA Live to the entrance of the Staples Center folks were everywhere just milling about. 

 
Heck, even the Dodgers were there.  I gave the prize wheel a spin and won a rubber Dodgers Blue bracelet that I dutifully unwrapped and attached to my ticket lanyard.

Here is a view of the pregame entertainment.

 

  

 

This is the opening puck drop.  At this point I put my camera back in my pocket and watched the game. 

Lelands Auctions: Some Dodger Goodies

With the hoopla surrounding the LA Kings run for the Stanley Cup in full bloom I found myself procrastinating a bit when it came to Dodgers related auctions.  I plan on rectifying that soon.

Right now, Lelands is running their 2012 Spring auction that features a bunch of Dodgers memorabilia.  I've highlighted some notable items below, but have held back Dodgers collectibles from the Sal LaRocca Collection.  I'll feature those items in a future post.

I never thought a dinner program could be so cool.  This is a 1889 Brooklyn Bridegrooms dinner program that celebrates the teams championship pennant win in the American Association.  This was the soon-to-called Dodgers last year in that league (they would join the National League in 1890), and marks the beginning of a rivalry that would continue to this day.  After their pennant win they faced off against the New York Giants in a 9 game exhibition series - since dubbed the World Series.  Unfortunately, they would lose 6 of those games.

(Lelands Auction Link)

This is a 1954 program for a barnstorming exhibition game between Roy Campanella's All-Stars and the Negro American League Stars. 

(Lelands Auction Link)

This is a children's game that had Sandy Koufax as their pitchman. 

"Strike-out with Sandy Koufax" contains two Styrofoam balls and a plastic board with pegs. The object was to throw the balls and get them to stick in the highest scoring areas.

It has also been signed by Koufax, and was once a part of the Barry Halper Collection.

(Lelands Auction Link)

Jim Gilliam still holds a special place in the hearts of Dodgers fans.  This long time Dodger was a coach for the team during the 1978 Pennant winning drive.  Then, a nightmare happened.  Gilliam suffered from brain hemorrhage that took his life on September 15th- just a day after the Dodgers clinched the pennant.  Two days later, the Dodgers retired his number to honor him.  To this day, he remains the only Dodger who is not a Hall of Famer to have their number retired by the team.

Below is a Dodgers ring that was given by the team to former Dodger players as a 25th LA Dodgers Anniversary gift. 

Posthumously awarded to one-time Negro League star James Gilliam, this small-sized ring was presented to his wife in his honor.

(Lelands Auction Link)

(Lelands Auction Link)

Weekend Autograph Opportunites: Garvey at the Citadel

Here are this weekends autograph opportunities throughout the Southland. As always, be sure to check the Blue Heaven Calendar for other events (a link can always be found on the tab at the top of this page, just left of center), and always confirm with the establishment. Everything is subject to change.  Click on any pic to embiggen.

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There doesn't appear to be much going on this weekend when it comes to autograph opportunities.  The only event I am aware of is at the Citadel Outlets.  Steve Garvey will be on hand to meet with fans and sign autographs. Check out information at this link, here.

DODGERS DAY MEET STEVE GARVEY
Saturday, June 9th 11:30am-12:30pm
Citadel Outlets
100 Citadel Drive
Los Angeles, CA 90040
(323) 888-1724

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Since I didn't want to leave this post with just one listing I thought I would add that the Inland Empire 66'ers (a Class A team for the Angels) is having Peter Bourjos Bobblehead night.  The first 1,500 Fans in attendance will get the above bobblehead.  Check out the Inland Empire 66'ers Promotion Schedule here for information.  Game starts at 7:05 PM.

GO KINGS GO!!!!

Tonight is GAME 4, and I can hardly contain my joy.  We are up 3 game to 0.  Three games to zero!!!!  WooHoo!!! I can barely contain myself.

Okay... I know I shouldn't put the cart before the horse.  So, take a deep breadth, stay calm and don't celebrate before it's time.  You don't win anything for 3 wins.  It takes 4 to finish the series, and as I've heard numerous times, "the 4th one is the hardest."

Wooooo!  I've been telling myself that nearly every hour since Monday evening.  Really.  I feel like that character on SNL who stares in the mirror saying, " I'm Good Enough, I'm Smart Enough, and Doggone It, People Like Me."  I need that constant reassurance that this is no time to party, and the Kings still have a long way to go.

Anyway, I was at Game 3 on Monday and only took a couple of photos.  I was planning on taking more, but that went out the window as soon as I got to my seats.  After all, it was game time and it is my responsibility to get geared up ready to root for my boys.  There is no time to point and shoot.  There is only time to watch and cheer.

I'll try to take more photos tonight, if I can.  I expect it to be louder than Monday, and if things go our way I suspect I'll be hanging around downtown LA for hours.  BTW, if you happen to be at the game feel free to come on over to Section 315.  I'm the short, goatee bearded, Filipino dude just a few rows above the concourse opening.  You can't miss me.

Here is a view of the LA Live concourse in front of the Staples Center.  There were a ton of people there.  Below is the pristine ice with the Stanley Cup Final painted on it.

One little bit of news, Upper Deck will be giving out 20,000 sets of 6 LA Kings Stanley Cup Finals hockey cards.  Everyone gets one.  Below is an example of one of the cards in the set.