I'm Frustrated, but my Kings Fanaticism Continues as I Spend Money I Shouldn't

I have a hockey obsession, and this lock-out is starting to kill my soul.

Why are they doing this to me?  I should be enjoying a Kings victory romp through the NHL as they seek to repeat as Stanley Cup Champions.  Instead, I sit at home twiddling my thumbs hoping cooler heads prevail.  How does it make sense for the league to do this when they bent-over the players the last time around by getting "literally" everything they wanted, saw record revenues since that time, while employing some of the most fan-friendly athletes in American sports?

I guess I just answered my own question there.  The league owners got everything they wanted last time around, and I bet they figure they can do it again.  They appear to not want to honor the contracts they signed just because they think they can get away with it.  Regardless of the fact that it is the efforts of the players themselves that have endeared this game to us.

Anyway, I should be more angry and this should cause me to swear off the game and it's owners until this is over.  Of course, since I'm a fanatic Kings fan and I am still living off the glory of this past seasons Stanley Cup victory I can't help but ingratiate myself with some Kings Stanley Cup memorabilia.

So, check out a couple of things that I've recently picked up.  Below is the large photographic book detailing the Kings romp through the NHL playoffs.  It's filled with wonderful photos and has a limited DVD enclosed with it.  The DVD has Game 6 of the Finals with our very own Bob Miller and Jimmy Fox calling the game.  This would be like the Dodgers making available a DVD of Vin Scully calling the last game of a World Series victory when he was not on TV for viewers to listen to.  BTW, I've watched Game 6 at least 4 times since I've gotten it.

Yeah, I'm that crazy.

These next few items are from a Bailey Buddies Membership Club pack.  Bailey is the official mascot of the LA Kings.  He is named after the late Garnet "Ace" Bailey who had died on Flight 175 on September 11th during the World Trade Center terrorist act.  Two folks associated with the Kings were killed in that plane crash: Garnet "Ace" Bailey and Mark Bavis.  All proceeds related to the sale of membership fees are donated to the Kings Care Foundation.  This years membership cost $20.00 plus another $7.00 since you can't pick it up at a game and have to have it delivered.  For a price of $27.00 total it comes out to a great value.  Check out what you get below.  Go here to join and get these items.

Before I get to the item that really drew me to this, check out a plastic Stanley Cup Champions key chain and Kings ear buds (headphones).  Along with these items you also get a Kings lanyard, coupons for free food, and a Team LA gift card.

Now you can see what I really wanted.  Check out this bobblehead.  Isn't it glorious! 

Bailey sits atop my bare office computer next to the great Vin Scully bobblehead of last season.  Below is the backside.

For a card collector like me, I was happy to find a Stanley Cup Champions 9-card set.  This Bailey's Buddies deal is a "open net goal."  It's a sure thing- sure to make any Kings fan happy.

And it doesn't just stop at the playoff card set.  Last, but not least, is a game-used relic Bailey's Buddies hockey card of Mr. Pancakes- Dustin Penner.  I love how it shows him sporting his playoff beard. 

Here is the reverse of the relic card.

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Dodgers Blog Kiosk: 11/16/2012

The above photo that Steve Garvey tweeted yesterday is just awesome.  It features Gil Hodges with a very young Steve Garvey.

• Dylan Hernandez at the LA Times was at the Hyun-Jin Ryu press conference yesterday and filed a report.

Speaking in front of a group of 40 to 50 reporters, most of them South Korean, Boras compared Ryu to only one pitcher: Mark Buehrle.

“Body-type-wise, size-wise, ability, he reminds me a lot of Buehrle,” Boras said.

• Ken Gurnick with MLB.com was there, as well, and filed his own report.  On his relationship with Chan Ho Park:

"Chan Ho was very influential to me and very helpful, and [giving] me insight into playing in the Major Leagues and giving me the dream to play in the Major Leagues," he said. "As a baseball alumni, he's teaching me the ropes." 

He also expresses some confidence:

"Obviously, there's pressure in all of baseball," said Ryu, who has a brother living in New Jersey. "From my experience in Korea, I have no doubt I can succeed in the U.S. American players are bigger. If I think of the way I pitched at Daejeon Stadium, nothing is different about baseball."

• Chris Olds at Beckett provides an early peek at Topps 2013 MLB Sticker Collection.  Check out a early photo of the Clayton Kershaw card on the right.

• Chris Olds at Beckett also shares some early preview pics of Topps 2013 Opening Day Baseball card set.  See the Matt Kemp on the left.
• Ken Davidoff of the NY Post shares his conversation with Dodgers President Stan Kasten.
• Left Field Pavilion shares a great old photo of construction crews building Dodger Stadium.
• Wow!  I need to pay attention to the World Baseball classic.  Apparently, the team of my cultural background just blew out the Thailand Baseball team.  The Philippines destroyed them 8 to 2.  Woo Hoo!  Go Team!!  Watch highlights below. (Hat Tip: JayBee Anama at Topps Baseball Card Blog)  I need to find me one of those caps! 

Video Link:

• Unfortunately, my joy quickly turned to sadness as I discovered that Chinese Tapai (Taiwan) destroyed the Philippines early this morning 16 to 0, on a one-hitter.  Boooo!!!  I won't be sharing highlights of this game.

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2012 Panini Cooperstown Baseball Card Set- Dodgers Inserts Including Vin Scully

This Panini Cooperstown set is looking really good.  Heck, when you look at the inserts checklist it gets even better.  There are 4 Dodgers autographed cards to chase after and a bunch of other Hall of Famer cards.  Check them all out below.

These are the cards worth salivating over.  Directly below are the autographed inserts card in the Cooperstown set.  It features a great card of Vin Scully, and all cards have been signed "on-card;" with exception of the Duke Snider (for obvious reasons).

Cooperstown Signatures

#25 Tommy Lasorda – Los Angeles Dodgers /149

#47 Don Sutton – Los Angeles Dodgers /788

#55 Duke Snider – Brooklyn Dodgers /25*

Unfortunately, a Duke Snider autograph card has yet to make an appearance online.  With only 25 copies available that really isn't a surprise.

#76 Vin Scully – Announcer /100

This insert card is made of wood.  It is called HOF Classes Induction Year.

#9 Jackie Robinson

Cooperstown Bronze history Inserts

#58 Rube Marquard

#64 Walter O'Malley

#73 Wilbert Robinson

Cooperstown Famous Moments Insert (#4 Roy Campanella & #9 Jackie Robinson)

Credentials Inserts (#4 Don Drysdale & #9 Don Sutton)

With Honors insert

#1 Jackie Robinson - US Army WWII

Field Generals Insert

#6 Roy Campanella

Voices of Summer inserts

#5 Red Barber

#9 Vin Scully

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Collection: Don Zimmer Topps Pristine Autographed Card

Hey there "Popeye!"

Don Zimmer began his professional career with the Brooklyn Dodgers, and almost immediately proved that he was one of the toughest players in the league.  While in the minors with St. Paul in 1953 he was beaned in the temple which left him semi-conscious for 13 days while surgeons drilled holes in his scull to relieve pressure from swelling.  Then, in 1956 as a member of the Dodgers he was hit in the face with a fastball which broke his cheekbone.  Undeterred, he continued to play the game and still coaches today at the age of 81.  BTW, at 72 he infamously tried to pick a fight with Pedro Martinez during the 2003 American League Championship Series.  Popeye, indeed!

Featured here is a 2005 Topps Pristine Uncommon Personal Endorsements autographed card of Dom Zimmer.

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Dodgers Blog Kiosk: 11/15/2012

Check out this funny pic tweeted by Dodgers prospect Joc Pederson with his Mesa Solar Sox teammates.  He writes, "last away game with the squad."

• Beyond the Box Score discusses the Hall of Fame Pre-Integration Era Veteran Committee Ballot that includes former Brooklyn Superbas shortstop Bill Dahlen.  I am a big believer that "Bad" Bill Dahlen should be in the Hall.
• Chad Moriyama shares his interview with Dodgers pitching prospect Chris Reed.
• Via Greg Zakwin at Plaschke, Thy Sweater is Argyle writes "The Dodgers' Recent Moves Seem Entirely Public Relations Based.
• MLB Fan Cave is coming back in 2013.  Go here to apply.
• Roberto at Vin Scully is My Homeboy tracked down some pics of Hyun-Jin Ryu leaving Korea and arriving at LAX.  They weren't kidding about comparisons in body size to David Wells.  Ryu is a big boy.

(pic from sportschosun.com)

• Via doellingd on reddit, Giancarlo Stanton and Bryce Harper had a hilarious exchange on twitter.

• A politically liberal blog call Think Progress writes, "The Miami Marlins are the Epitome of Corporate Sports Cronyism."
• Nate Silver, the Baseball stats geek turned political polling star, does a question and answer session at Deadspin and it's glorious.  Check it out here.  I found the below to be the funniest exchange:

BlackJack87: What is the statistical probability that a 28 y/o male gets laid this weekend? Specifically, me.
Nate Silver: It's inversely correlated with your likelihood of asking this question.

• Wax Heaven is back!
• Via Big League Stew, the New Zealand national Baseball team at the WBC performed the "haka!" You gotta see it, so go over there.  The "All Blacks" do this before every rugby match, and it is beyond entertaining. 

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Weekend Autograph/ Event Opportunities: The Kareem Statue & a Kings Mini-Fan Fest

Here are this weekends autograph opportunities and events 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.  Please email me with any tips about upcoming events in Southern California.  As the rest of the week progresses I'll update this post with other events (if there are any) as I become aware of them.  Also, I don't always list every event below, so be sure to check my Calendar.  I always try to favor free signing events over paying events.  Click on any pic to embiggen.

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(twitter link)

Come one, Come all!  This coming Friday will be the official unveiling of the new Kareem Abdul-Jabbar statue at the Staples center, and you are all invited.  It all starts at 4:30 PM and it will feature Earvin “Magic” Johnson, Jerry West, James Worthy, Pat Riley, Richard Lapchik, Eddie Doucette and others.  Of course, Kareem will be there, as well.  Go here for some additional information.

Above is a pic shared by ESPNLA710Radio on twitter.

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I am dying for some hockey- any kind of hockey.  Heck, I might even watch some junior hockey in Lakewood.  Go here for information.  From my understanding, Bob Miller, Daryl Evans, Nick Nickson, and Ian Turnbull are expected to be there.

Glacial Gardens Lakewood
3975 Pixie Ave
Lakewood, CA

LA Kings Game Night and Fan Fest with the Long Beach Bombers - Sun, Nov 18th
The Kings Game Entertainment Department will be bringing their game-day experience to Glacial Gardens Lakewood as the Long Beach Bombers take on the Dallas Ice Jets (Western States Hockey League – junior hockey game) at 12:30 p.m. The Fan Fest will take place before the game in the parking lot from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Scheduled to appear are the LA Kings Ice Crew, Bailey, Public Address Announcer David Courtney, In-Arena Host Jay Flats, Music Director Dieter Ruehle and members of the LA Kings Alumni Association Presented By Toyota. Don’t miss your Kings game-day favorites like Sumo Hockey, LA Kings Roster Challenge and T-shirt Toss. The Ice Crew will be signing the new 2013 Ice Crew Calendar from 11 a.m. to noon. Tickets are $9 for adults and $4 for students and children 12-and-under. Tickets will be available at the Glacial Gardens box office at 11 a.m. on Nov. 18. Contact the rink for more information (562-429-1805, www.glacialgardens.com).

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