Collection: Delwyn Young Spectrum Auto

Delwyn Young had so much promise as a young farmhand with the Dodgers. He had shown an ability to hit at all levels, and was a local kid from the far reaches of the Antelope Valley. Unfortunately, he just couldn't take that next step in the Majors. In 2008 he had his chance to impress as a reserve outfielder for the Dodgers, but hit a paltry .246 with 1 homer in 126 at-bats. Certainly, not enough to keep him in LA. So, he was traded to Pittsburgh for nobody in particular. While there he did start, but continued to bat poorly. Soon, he would find himself demoted to the bench then back to the minors when he signed with the Phillies as a free agent for the 2011 season. Currently, he is a free agent and does not appear to be signed with any team. Hopefully he can continue his dream of playing ball. This post features a 2007 Upper Deck Spectrum autographed rookie signatures card of Delwyn Young from my collection.

Blog Kiosk: 12/11/2011

From the recent free signing at Sports Chalet, Trevor Lewis and Kyle Clifford pose with Kings mascot Bailey. (Pic Link: twitter @LAKingsIceCrew)

• Harrison Ford to portray Branch Rickey in upcoming Jackie Robinson biopic, via USA Today.
  
• I hate Boras. From Dylan Hernandez of LA Times:

  "Normally, they're in the steaks section, and I found them in the fruits-and-nuts category a lot."

  And don't let him butter you up, either!

  "And the beat writers are absolutely phenomenal," Boras said.

• James Loney explains to Tony Jackson of ESPN why the accident and it's aftermath was just a misunderstanding.

  Loney said he remembers colliding with the first car and hitting his head in the process -- he wasn't sure exactly what he hit his head on -- but he doesn't have a clear memory of what happened from that moment until he woke up several hours later in the hospital.

• Matsui, really? He's on our radar? Via Jon Weisman at Dodger Thoughts.
• Drunk Jays Fan has the Ryan Braun PED Twitter Reaction Bingo card up.
  
• Joe Flint at LA Times writes about the impending battle between Time Warner and Fox of the Dodgers TV Rights.
  
• Must Go Here Now! Devastating Explosions.com Be sure to click on the screen, and keep clicking. There is more than one.
• This shirt design I saw on Twitter made me laugh. Apparently, they plan on making some and selling them. (Twitter Link: @BenRios82)
  
• Halos Heaven has pics from Pujols public press conference.
• Ernie Hudson was also at Nuke the Fridge Con. Here is one of the original Ghostbusters signing.

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Twitter Pics from Nuke the Fridge Con

Considering the imbroglio surrounding the recent revelations regarding Ryan Braun's positive test I thought it would be nice to take a little break and divert your attention away. Heck, I'm already tired of the brewing scandal. Kemp will not be awarded the MVP, and a reputation is scared regardless of some reports saying the substance found is not a PED or steroid. Frankly, at this point, I just don't care.

So, in light of that, here are some pics found on twitter from the recent 'Nuke the Fridge Con' event yesterday featuring some beautiful ladies, a biter and a comic book God.

The geek in me already regrets missing this event. G4 goddess Sara Jean Underwood was on hand to sign for adoring fans. Here she is posing with Jessica Hall.

(Pic Link: Twitter @SaraUnderwood)

One of the big draws was former heavyweight boxer Mike Tyson. Here he chats with Jessica Hall and wrestling personality Jimmy Hart.

(Pic Link: Twitter @IamJessicaHall)

Even better, here's a video of Mike Tyson making a child cry. Don't worry kid, he won't bite your ear off!

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Yes, I bow down to you. I am not worthy. Stan Lee is one of the greatest artist of our times.

(Pic Link: Instagram @Choisez)

Take a look at Stan Lee walks around the Frank & Sons show.

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Now, what's the new news with Braun? Has he been charged with murder yet?

Ryan Braun May Not Be So Brawny

I'm sure you've all heard the news. Ryan Braun has tested positive for Performance Enhancement Drugs. Via MLB Trade Rumors.

Braun, 28, was tested during the playoffs and notified of the positive result in late-October. Elevated levels of testosterone in Braun's system triggered the positive test, which prompted MLB to ask the testing agency to perform a second test. The second test determined that the testosterone was exogenous, meaning it was produced outside of Braun's body.

Unsurprisingly, Braun is disputing the test though arbitration.

"There are highly unusual circumstances surrounding this case which will support Ryan's complete innocence and demonstrate there was absolutely no intentional violation of the program," said a spokesman for Braun in a statement. "While Ryan has impeccable character and no previous history, unfortunately, because of the process we have to maintain confidentiality and are not able to discuss it any further, but we are confident he will ultimately be exonerated."

Can we now give the MVP award to the man who should have gotten it in the first place?

Oh, BTW, Braun called the test "B.S." I'll go to Jeff Passan to add more context.

Braun’s urine allegedly included synthetic testosterone, which, in concert with elevated levels, is a damning indictment. That he tested positive during the playoffs is even worse. Whether Braun was looking for a boost or simply figured the reward was well worth the risk is muddled and unlikely to be clear anytime soon as long as he sticks to the I-didn’t-do-it nonsense we’ve heard a million times and not once believed.

Collection: A James Loney Auto Rookie

With attention suddenly diverted from the bankruptcy to our 1st baseman, I though it would be appropriate to restart my post featuring certified autograph cards from my collection with James Loney. Here is my 2006 Bowman Chrome autographed rookie card of our evading Maserati driving future Gold Glover. I actually have several of these. At one time I though he might be a slugger worth putting some money on. Now, I'm just glad I didn't go overboard.

Remembering the Sutcliffe Trade & The Conlon Collection

Chris Jaffe at The Hardball Times takes a look back at the 30th Anniversary of the trade that sent former Rookie of the Year winner Rick Sutcliffe to the Indians for a bunch of players who ended up not doing much for us. I think, though, he discounts, too heavily, the impact of Jack Fimple (who came to us as a part of that deal). Jack will always live in Dodger lore. Anyway, here's a snippet of his story.

In return for Sutcliffe, LA got a whole bunch of nothing. Fimple and White both made the majors, but neither ever amounted to anything. Orta had been and would later be a good hitter, but he suffered through the worst year of his career in 1982. He batted .217 in 86 games for the Dodgers that year, his only with the team.

In fact, LA’s return was so meager that the other guy they gave up, Perconte, clearly outclassed the trio of players that came to the Dodgers. Perconte didn’t do too much for the Indians, but in 1984 earned the full-time starting job at second base for the Mariners, and proceeded to hit .294 (albeit with zero homers). He immediately declined after that, but one good season is still more than Fimple, White, and Orta had with the Dodgers.

Ahhh... just another great Dodger trade.

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Everyone must go to this site right now. Rogers Photo Archive has been compiling, researching and digitizing a giant collection (some 8400 images) of vintage photographs from the fabled Baseball photographer Charles M. Conlon. High quality prints are available for purchase, but even if you don't plan on buying anything you should just go there to look around. It's great stuff and a museum in and of itself. Conlon is the preeminent Baseball photographer and pretty much invented the artform. See it here at: The Conlon Collection. Below is a pic of Fred Merkle in Dodger Blue.

(Hat Tip: Sports Collectors Daily)