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Thursday, November 10, 2011

Collection: Brad Penny 2005 Donruss Studio Auto

Here is another card from my collection of Dodgers autographed cards. This is a 2005 Donruss Studio Private Signings card featuring Brad Penny. It is numbered 15 out of 50.

Brad was pretty good for a couple of seasons. From 2006 to 2007 he recorded 32 wins and only 13 loses. These two fantastic season were sandwiched between a couple of poorer seasons in his 4+ years in Blue. During those two great years in Los Angeles he made his only trips to the All Star Game, and placed third in Cy Young voting in 2007.

O'Malley to be Back in Charge of Dodgertown- Nomo and Park Join In on the Fun

It is just plain awesome that Dodgertown, now dubbed Vero Beach Sports Village, will continue to be in operation. From a press release from Minor League Baseball:

Minor League Baseball™ announced today the formation of a new entity to operate Vero Beach Sports Village (VBSV), formerly known as Dodgertown. In addition to MiLB, the participants include former Dodger President Peter O’Malley, his sister, Terry Seidler, and former Dodger star pitchers Chan Ho Park and Hideo Nomo.
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Each of the five participants would have an equal ownership share in the new entity. O’Malley would be the Chairman and CEO, MiLB President Pat O’Conner President and COO and Craig Callan will continue in his current role in the operation of VBSV. Callan has worked for 33 years at the historic facility.
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“This combined effort of Minor League Baseball, the O’Malley and Seidler families and members of our extended baseball family will undoubtedly have a positive impact on Vero Beach Sports Village ,” O’Conner said. “Peter O’Malley and his family have a long and storied history in Vero Beach and baseball in general, both domestically and internationally.

“Chan Ho Park and Hideo Nomo provide insight from a player’s perspective, as well as enormous credibility in Asia and the Pacific Rim . We believe this new partnership will enhance our ability to utilize the facility for local, domestic and international sports programs as we continue to attract an array of visitors.”

“I embrace this wonderful opportunity to use this iconic facility that my family has cherished for decades to promote baseball,” said O’Malley. “ Vero Beach Sports Village should always be an asset and a jewel to the citizens of Vero Beach and Indian River County and I look forward to adding further luster to its rich history.

“We know the Dodgers have a long-term spring training commitment with the community of Glendale, Arizona , and our endeavor in Vero Beach in no way impacts that relationship.

“I am very happy longtime friends Chan Ho Park and Hideo Nomo have joined me in this opportunity – it’s exciting. Dodgertown will always be a treasure for the good people in Vero Beach and throughout baseball and anything I can do to help Dodgertown flourish is high on my list of things to do.”

Nomo had this to say:
“Being a part of the group that will operate a facility that provides youths with resources they can use both on and off the field is extremely rewarding,” Nomo said. “Those who come to the facility can improve not only as athletes through tournaments and training, but can also develop skills to help them mature into young men and women.”
Chan Ho Park's comments:
“I have many fond memories of Dodgertown from my nine seasons playing for the Dodgers,” Park remarked. “I love it there and look forward to seeing many teams and individuals enjoy all of the unique features of the complex and take full advantage of the amenities it has to offer, as I did when I trained and played there.”
I wonder if this has any meaning regarding the upcoming Dodger sale. Does this negate a potential O'Malley return, or does this make it more likely since the old crew appears to be replanting their roots?

2011 Topps Tier 1- Dodgers Base Cards

Just because the 2011 Baseball season is over doesn't mean that you have to wait all winter for a new card set to arrive. The hobby is now year round.

Officially release yesterday is a brand new Topps brand called Tier 1. As the name suggest, it is a high end card set filled with only the best current and past players, and some rookies to boot. Also, it will cost an arm and a leg to buy a box, so I probably will have to enjoy it from afar. One box consist of only one pack of 7 cards, and will cost you nearly a $100.00 to rip open. At least you are guaranteed 2 auto's and a relic for your hard earned cash.

With a base set of only 100 cards it nice to see that the Dodgers are prominently represented. Check them out below. I'll put up some of the auto's and relics in the next day or so.

18 Clayton Kershaw

25 Matt Kemp

32 Sandy Koufax

39 Roy Campanella

42 Jackie Robinson

47 Duke Snider

91 Pee Wee Reese

eBay: Old Timers Day at Vero Beach

Here is a great AP wire photo from an Old-Timers game at the Dodger Spring Training facility at Vero Beach. It is dated March 26, 1976 and features coach Walter Alston and catcher Steve Yeager chatting on the bench. Soon to be head coach, Tommy Lasorda, can be seen in the background. In this afternoon game against the Phillies the Dodgers decided to wear these uniforms on the field. It's a photo like this one that makes me yearn for Spring to begin. The season couldn't start any sooner.

(eBay Auction Link)