2010 Topps Finest Dodgers

Topps recently released their 2010 Topps Finest set- the third Baseball card set of the season for them. As always, they are shiny and represent one of their higher end offerings. A box will run about $100 bucks, and they only consist of 12 packs with 5 cards in each one. Below are the Dodger base cards. Only 5 players are represented. That's not that bad considering there are only 150 cards in the set.

Special inserts include parallel refractor cards of each base card that are even shinier, but with different color hues. Additionally, you can find "1 of 1" printing plates, autographed letterman cards of some rising rookies, rookie patch cards and some inserted autographs. The only Dodger insert I know of is the Clayton Kershaw Finest Moments Autographed card. See that card at the very bottom of this post.

Matt Kemp

Manny Ramirez

James Loney

Clayton Kershaw

Russell Martin

Clayton Kershaw Autographed Insert

Jackie Robinson Day Pics

Here are some pics found on twitter celebrating Jackie Robinson Day yesterday.

Here is Kareem's jersey.

(pic Link: DodgertownUSA Hitpix)

Tommy can be so funny.

"Kareem knows it's going to rain 10 minutes before everybody else."

(pic Link: TommyLasorda Twitpic)

Can you name these famous faces?

(Pic Link: DodgertownUSA Hitpix)

Here is a great pic from were it all started in Brooklyn. The stadium is no longer there, but, at least, they do their best to remember the old shrine.

(pic link: YFrog:dkcholo)

NOOOOOOOO! An Overtime Loss for the Kings

It was a great Game 1 in the quarterfinal playoff game between the Kings and the Canucks. Unfortunately, it ended up in a loss for the Kings as Vancouver scored in overtime to win.

Yes, I am a little down, but I'm far from discouraged. The Kings came out roaring as tight and hard checking ruled day from the early going. They cycled well, scored 2 power play goals, and goaltender Jonathon Quick was sharp in his playoff debut. I know, given another time in space this game could easily have been a win for the LA team.

Fortunately, this is a 7 game series and one loss does not mean a thing. There will be another day and this fan is looking forward to that next match. One item of concern was defenseman Jack Johnson as he committed a delay of game- puck over the glass penalty that lead to a Canuck power play goal. That's a foul that should not be happening in the playoffs. Nevertheless, he played well enough the rest of the way to warrant my forgiveness.

This coming Saturday is Game 2 and I expect I'll be glued to the television waiting for the Kings to avenge this loss.

Check Out This Active Roster

The Dodgers go all out on this day. Everyone wears #42 today and the rosters online reflect it at Dodgers.com.

Hat Tip: LADodgersTwitter:

Red Barber on Jackie Robinson

Thanks to Alyssa Milano's Twitter I bring to you this video interview of former Dodger broadcaster Red Barber on Jackie Robinson.

YouYube Link:

Happy Jackie Robinson Day

Today is the day all of Baseball celebrates the official integration of Major League Baseball. It is Jackie Robinson Day. This is a kind of holiday to commemorate a great man and a great Dodger for his great accomplishments that many thought would never come. Jackie Robinson did the heroic. He battled in the field while battling fans and opposing players. For those first few years he turned the other cheek, and was rewarded with the respect he deserved by birth. Then, he spoke up and helped America understand why. Jackie was a trailblazer and a true leader.

On this day, many players will wear #42 throughout the day as stories and commentaries will be read from coast to coast. At this evenings Dodger game Tommy Davis, "Sweet" Lou Johnson, Tommy Lasorda, Frank Robinson, and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar will be introduced on the field. All players will be wearing #42 jerseys, and Don Newcombe, Jackie's former roommate, will throw out the first pitch to our center fielder Matt Kemp.

It will be a day of pomp and circumstance, but let's not forget the struggle that brought us here.

(Pics of card front and back from The Beckett Blog)