Tuesday, March 20, 2018

Lelands has the Coolest Dodgers Pillow You Will Ever See


I want this so bad.

Unfortunately, my wallet is holding me back. At this point -- it's currently priced at $365 at the time of this posting with three days to go -- I am confident it'll close at a value well beyond what I am willing to pay.

Oh well... I guess I'll have to enjoy it from afar.

Featured is a real vintage Brooklyn Dodgers flannel jersey that has been sewed up into a pillow. According to the auction (link here) it was created by the wife of one-time Dodger and future Hall of Famer Paul "Big Poison" Waner. As you may know, Waner wore Dodger Blue intermittently over a four year period from 1941 to 1944 -- during the tail end of his illustrious career.

As for the pillow, it is not likely to be game-used by Waner. As a Dodger he only wore the numbers #1 and #24, so this isn't one of his. He also never coached for the Dodgers during his retirement. Although, he could have worn this as a guest during one of the numerous Old-Timers Games throughout the years, so that's a possibility.

BTW, the #43 was first worn in franchise history by pitcher Johnny Van Cuyk starting 1947 -- three years after Waner's last season in Brooklyn. So, how he and his wife came across the jersey is anybody's guess.

All I can really say about this pillow is that it is one of the greatest oddball memorabilia items I've ever seen.

* Please follow on twitter @ernestreyes *
* Dodgers Blue Heaven home page *

2018 Topps Opening Day - The Base Variation, Short Prints and Auto'd Dodgers Cards

Here is one last look at Dodgers' cards found in packs of Topps Opening Day brand. Featured below is the one Kershaw base variation, several other base-looking short prints and autographed cards. Clearly, the best cards shown are the Stadium Signature cards featuring Kershaw, Maeda and Bellinger signing autographs for fans.

Base Variations

#1 Clayton Kershaw - Dugout
Base                               Variation

Blog Kiosk: 3/20/2018 - Dodgers Links - Noooooo!


!#%&!@#%&!!!!

Insert expletives above. Per Rowan Kavner at Dodger Insider:
Turner was hoping the X-rays would show something different, but he got the news after the game about the fracture and will talk to the doctors Tuesday to try to find out more. 
“It definitely wasn’t what I wanted to hear,” Turner said. “It started to feel better and better as I was in there doing X-rays, so I was pretty hopeful they would come back negative. You get the news, and it’s tough.”
Photo above via Nicholas Quay/Camelback Ranch at Dodger Insider. Below are more links to check out:

Monday, March 19, 2018

A Peek at Dodgers' Holiday & Special Event Uniforms


With the seasons start just around the corner we now get a look at several of the holiday and special event uniforms, caps and socks for the upcoming season. Go here for more information. Starting with Jackie Robinson Day, Sunday, April 15th, we see a jazzy new logo (seen above) and some cool socks (seen below).

2018 Panini Stars & Stripes USA - Dodgers Prospect Jeren Kendall

This is one of those sets that very likely will expand its Dodgers' checklist over the coming few years. After all, there are cards here for teenagers (under 15-years of age) and college athletes that are members of Team USA, and many of these kids may eventually find themselves within a minor league system somewhere.

Featured here is Panini's Stars & Stripes USA Baseball brand, and below is the only current Dodger within it -- Jeren Kendall. As you know, Kendall was the Dodgers 2017 first draft pick (23rd overall). Go here for a complete checklist.

Base

#82 Jeren Kendall

Blog Kiosk: 3/19/2018 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends


Thew Dodgers came out with green St. Patrick's Day caps for Saturday's festivities. Unfortunately, Ryu wasn't exactly stellar, but improving. Per Ken Gurnick at MLB.com:
"I thought Ryu was considerably better than the line," Roberts said after Ryu was charged with five runs on seven hits in three innings of the Dodgers' 5-2 loss to the White Sox. 
"There was a double play that wasn't turned. Pitch count got up because of that. I thought there were some pitches he was squeezed. I thought he threw the ball well. Velocity was good. The change, cutter/slider, continues to improve. Happy he finished the third with a double play.
Photo above of Hyun-Jin Ryu via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2018 on Dodger Insider. Below are more links to check out: