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Friday, April 30, 2010

MLBPA and the New AZ Immigration Law

This just release by the MLB Players Association.

“The recent passage by Arizona of a new immigration law could have a negative impact on hundreds of Major League players who are citizens of countries other than the United States. These international players are very much a part of our national pastime and are important members of our Association. Their contributions to our sport have been invaluable, and their exploits have been witnessed, enjoyed and applauded by millions of Americans. All of them, as well as the Clubs for whom they play, have gone to great lengths to ensure full compliance with federal immigration law.

“The impact of the bill signed into law in Arizona last Friday is not limited to the players on one team. The international players on the Diamondbacks work and, with their families, reside in Arizona from April through September or October. In addition, during the season, hundreds of international players on opposing Major League teams travel to Arizona to play the Diamondbacks. And, the spring training homes of half of the 30 Major League teams are now in Arizona. All of these players, as well as their families, could be adversely affected, even though their presence in the United States is legal. Each of them must be ready to prove, at any time, his identity and the legality of his being in Arizona to any state or local official with suspicion of his immigration status. This law also may affect players who are U.S. citizens but are suspected by law enforcement of being of foreign descent.

The Major League Baseball Players Association opposes this law as written. We hope that the law is repealed or modified promptly. If the current law goes into effect, the MLBPA will consider additional steps necessary to protect the rights and interests of our members.

“My statement reflects the institutional position of the Union. It was arrived at after consultation with our members and after consideration of their various views on this controversial subject.”

More Dodgers Chicle's

Here are the base cards to the 2010 Topps Chicle set of all the Dodger cards. I really like the Russell Martin and the Jackie Robinson cards. They look great.

Chad Billingsley, #62

Jonathon Broxton, #173
There are actually 2 Campanella cards in the base set, the one below and a second card (#232) that is exactly like the cabinet card I showed yesterday.

Roy Campanella, #282


Andre Ethier, #164
Matt Kemp, #97


Clayton Kershaw, #65

James Loney, #16
Russell Martin, #38
Notice the Manny card below. He is in a vintage Brooklyn Dodger uniform.

Manny Ramirez, #307

Manny Ramirez, #10
Like the Campanella, there is a second Reese card that is an exact replica (#228) of the cabinet card I showed yesterday.

Pee Wee Reese, #278
Again, an exact replica of the cabinet card is in the base set (#235).

Jackie Robinson, #285

Duke Snider, #166

Duke Snider, #252

Thursday, April 29, 2010

Loney to Bowling is like Trump to Reality TV

Get it? You wouldn't immediately relate James Loney with bowling, but, there he goes, he's ready to embark on his hosting, for the third straight year, of the 6th annual State Farm Dodger Dream Foundation Bowling Extravaganza this coming Monday, May 3, 2010.

Come out a spend an evening bowling with the Dodgers. You can even bid on special auction items, as well, to support a great cause.
Attendees can bid on more than 40 unique items in the silent auction including: a LA Kings team signed jersey, Blake Griffin signed LA Clippers Jersey, and autographed game-used baseball bats from Andre Ethier, Matt Kemp and Russell Martin. A special “Green Monster” live auction featuring two tickets on the Green Monster at Fenway Park to the Sunday, June 20 Dodgers vs. Red Sox game, airfare for two on JetBlue Airways and a two-night stay at the Ritz-Carlton, Boston will also be held.

Lanes are still available for purchase by calling (323) 224-1413.

WHO:Dodgers James Loney, Russell Martin, Matt Kemp, Manny Ramirez, Clayton Kershaw, Blake DeWitt, Reed Johnson, Ramon Troncoso, A.J. Ellis, Charlie Haeger, George Sherrill, Ken Howell, Mariano Duncan and Rick Honeycutt

Celebrity bowlers include: James Denton, Alyssa Milano, Tom Arnold, David Arquette, Paul Wall, Jonathan Silverman, Jennifer Finnigan, Greg Grunberg, James Kyson Lee, Scott Porter, Peter Jacobson, Omar Miller, Rex Lin, Hoobastank, Doug Savant, Justin Hartley and Lindsay Hartley

WHERE: Lucky Strike Lanes L.A. LIVE at 800 W. Olympic Blvd., Los Angeles

WHEN: Monday, May 3, 2010

6:00 p.m. Registration

7:00 p.m. Bowling & Dinner

10:00 p.m. Awards

10:30 p.m. Event Concludes

Topps National Chicle's Are In

The set that was panned by collectors when examples were made public several months ago is finally out. The 2010 Topps Chicle Baseball set is now live and numerous examples can now be found all over the internet. For more detailed information regarding this set go to sportscardradio.com.

The set is throwback to a vintage mid-1930's football card set called "National Chicle" that featured painted drawing of that era's players. They were originally done in an art deco design with bold coloring and unusual color schemes.

The 2010 Baseball version does it's best to emulate that old style and I think they did a good job of it. Previous complaints from the hobby were very premature. At least 12 different sports artist were commission to do the drawings; including Monty Sheldon, who I wrote about briefly yesterday.

There are a whole bunch of Dodgers, both current and old, so I've decided to break this up into a couple of different post. I'll start with some of the inserts first and then follow up with a post in the next few days of the base cards in the set. Before we see some of the drawings, though, check out this very limited Jackie Robinson patch insert card numbered to only 50. Apparently, only one patch card is found in every 1600 packs, so it is very scarce.
Below are 3 relic cards of Dodger players that include either a game-used bat or uniform piece embedded within it. A checklist I had seen previously indicated that Matt Kemp also has a relic card, but I have yet to see one.

Pee Wee Reese

Manny Ramirez

Andre Ethier
The next 3 cards are a part of the cabinet series insert set. One card is found in a large over-sized pack in each box. I don't have the exact dimensions, but they are much larger than the average Baseball card and only slightly bigger than a postcard. The Jackie Robinson card is my favorite, so far.

Pee Wee Reese

Jackie Robinson

Roy Campanella

Wednesday, April 28, 2010

Monty Sheldon Hand-Drawn Cards

Monty Sheldon is one of the better known modern Baseball artist in the hobby. He is best known for his painted baseballs, but also has drawn cards for Topps. Previously, he completed 27 drawings for Topps National Chicle Football set, and has 35 drawings included in Topps new National Chicle Baseball card set.

Now, he has created a very limited "1 of 1" hand drawn pencil drawing set called "Sheldon's Sports Card Classics" that will consist of 250 different cards. He is selling them exclusively on eBay. Below are the Dodger players.






Card of the Week: Thumbs Up

From Donruss's inaugural effort, here is legendary manager Billy Martin on his 1981 Donruss card.

Tuesday, April 27, 2010

A World Series Unassisted Triple Play

Here is a super rare press ticket stub on eBay from the 1920 World Series between the Dodgers and the Cleveland Indians. What makes this notable, other than the Dodgers losing, is what occurred during Game 5 of the series. Bill Wambsganss performed the incredible. He recorded a unassisted triple play in the 5th inning. In fact, it remains the only triple play to ever happen during the October classic.

While playing 2nd base he snagged Willie Mitchell's line drive, stepped on the bag to record the second out (Pete Kilduff), then tagged out Otto Miller coming from first base. Below is a photo of the play.(pic Link: Baseball-Almanac)

Monday, April 26, 2010

Koufax's Last Game

Here is a nice collectible sure to make any Sandy Koufax collector happy. On eBay is a ticket stub from Sandy Koufax's very last regular season game and last win in the Major Leagues. It is from the last game of the 1966 season between the Dodgers and the Philadelphia Phillies on October 2nd. Sandy pitched the 2nd game of a doubleheader and recorded win number 27 of the year (165 for his career). He went all 9 innings while giving up only 2 runs and striking out 10. With the World Series match with the Baltimore Orioles just around the corner it looked like he was poised to dominate once again. Unfortunately, he would pitch only once more in a losing effort against Jim Palmer as the Dodgers would get sweeped in 4 straight.

T206 Brooklyn Dodgers: Joe Dunn

Here is my second installment of Brooklyn T206 players.  This time I around I feature catcher Joseph Edward Dunn.  He only had a two year Major League career from 1908 to 1909, all with the Brooklyn Superbas.  He was a backup catcher who only had an opportunity to get into 30 games.  He didn't have much pop in his bat and even had less of an arm behind the plate.  Dunn hit a career .169 and gave up 34 steals in 27 games as a catcher.  Overall, he spent 17 years in the minors, bouncing around primarily in the Midwest as a player til 1926.  He also managed a bit on various minor league clubs from 1915 to 1931.  Unfortunately, I don't know anything more about him.

Sunday, April 25, 2010

A Great Season Comes to an Unfortunate End

Even though the Kings lost a nail-biter tonight, 4 to 2, I am far some unhappy or discouraged. Sure, a win would have been nice, but when it comes to a young team like the Kings it's important to look at this series loss as a stepping stone to a brighter tomorrow.

This season was everything I had hoped. A team not expected to make the playoffs played their hearts out. They exceeded the expectations of the fans and I am grateful for their effort.

Thank you Kings for a great season. As Dodger fans are want to say, "wait 'til next year."

Tommy Believes in the Kings

Here is a great video with a monologue from Tommy included. It is titled "Believe." Game is at 6PM. Tune in.

YouTube Link:
Hat Tip: LA Kings News:

Game 6 Tonight

It's do or die tonight as the Kings face off against the Canucks for Game 6.  We are down 3 games to 2, so tonight is a must win. As I wrote the other day, playoffs are about short memories.  So, after a demoralizing loss this past Friday, 7 to 2, it's important to look towards leaving everything on the ice tonight.

Here are some choice quotes from the Kings
  • “Everybody knows the situation. It’s just business as usual. We’ve got to go out and win a game. That’s it. We’ve got to win to keep it going, and that’s all that’s on our mind.” - Defenseman Matt Greene
  • You’ve got to get yourself emotionally ready to play, and rested, and get your nutrition and come to the rink at the right time to get yourself ready to start the game. Whenever you get to the Stanley Cup playoffs, and you’re coming into a game like this one here, where you’re facing elimination, I don’t think there’s any need for any `Rocky’ video. It’s time for the players to step up. - Coach Terry Murray
  • “If you can’t get up for this, then you’re crazy. It’s do or die. This could potentially be the last game of our season, so we’ll come out scrapping and we’re going to leave it all out there on the ice, that’s for sure.” - Winger Wayne Simmonds  
  • n a game like this, we have to get off to a good start. We have to put them back on their heels if we can. We’re expecting them to be ready. They have a chance to clinch, and that’s an exciting prospect for them, so we have to be ready from start to finish and we have to have a full 60.” - Captain Dustin Brown

Troy Still Can't Sing

This video has been making the rounds, so I figured we should all enjoy it here. Troy does his 2010 version of "We Are the LA Dodgers," and as always it's good. He still can't sing, but, in all honesty, he sings better than me. Enjoy.

YouTube Link:
Hat Tip: Walk Off Walk:

Monday's Flag Day

Today is the 34th anniversary of the day Rick Monday saved America. No really! OK, I'm being a bit over dramatic. Nevertheless, it was a great moment in Baseball history and one of the most memorable moments at Dodger Stadium.

In honor of that day, check out this ticket stub from the actual game found on eBay.
eBay Auction Link:

Here is a video of this event.

YouTube Link:

Warholizing Kemp

Only the greatest of characters are worthy of being Warholized. I have no doubt that Matt Kemp is deserving.

Make your own Warhol pic here.

Blog Kiosk: 4/25/2010

Please pray for a Kings victory tonight.


    Saturday, April 24, 2010

    Tweet Pics from Nationals Park

    Here are some photos originally delivered by twitter.

    This was a photo of the day at Nationals Park; titled "signed, sealed, delivered."

    This seems like a strange sight. At Nationals Park is this painting of Sandy Koufax.
    (pic link: traelewis tweetphoto)

    In addition to the photo above and below (of Broxton warming up), this tweeter has a bunch of great pics from todays game versus the Nationals. Check them all out here.
    (pic link: traelewis Tweetphoto)

    A Different Kind of Weekend at Dodger Stadium

    Are you ready for a weekend out at Chavez Ravine?

    No, not for Baseball.Beginning on July 18, Dodger Stadium will host it's first ever flea market featuring everything from antiques to household items. Live bands will also perform and some former Dodger players are expected to be on hand to sign autographs, details pending. Go here for more info.

    Hat Tip: TrolleyDodger Twitter: Eastsider LA:

    Friday, April 23, 2010

    Playoffs are About Short Memories

    This was as bad a game as you can get, and I'm not going to dwell on it.  I just don't see the point.  They need to brush this off and move on to Game 6 at the Staples Center on Sunday. 

    They got shelled 7 to 2.  That's all that needs to be said.

    The Kings need to come back and play their game.  Cycle the puck.  Clear out the rebounds.  Finish your checks.  Create traffic in front of the goalie.  Most important of all is to take it up a notch. 

    Go Kings!  This fan still BELIEVES.

    Welcome to the Blue, Xavier!

    Xavier Paul has been called up to the big club as a result of Manny going on the 15 day DL.  He has been playing very well so far this year at Albuquerque, batting .361 with 22 hits and 3 home runs in 15 games.  Even as a rookie he already has a bunch of cards; including one from 2003.  Below is just a sampling.

     2009 Topps Update

    2009 Topps Heritage

    2009 Bowman Chrome


    2003 Topps Heritage

    Game 5 Tonight!

    With the series tied at two games a piece, tonight's game holds more weight than Lou Ferrigno as the Hulk.  A seven game series has been whittled town to a best of three game match.  Every detail has added weight.  Every mistake amplified.  The ability to handle he pressure will determine who goes on and who will be hitting the links.

    Go Kings Go!

    eBay: Bottle Opener

    This is one of the most utilitarian of any kind of memorabilia items I've ever seen on eBay. Imagine sitting down on your couch while watching the game with your favorite brew in one hand and this 1970's era Dodger cap bottle opener in the other. You carefully position the cap on the bottle and flick off the top. Then, drink. Mission accomplished!