Kings Hosted Dodger Pride Night - Those 'Dodger' Kings Jersey's Sold for a Bundle

Last Night the LA Kings hosted their annual 'Dodger Pride Night' at the Staples Center, and like always I was there to take in the festivities.  And by the looks of it, there were plenty of other Dodger fans there too.

(pic via @LAKingsIceCrew on twitter)

Dodger Blue was everywhere.  I saw Dodger jersey's, Dodger caps and even Dodger themed winter beanies - or touk's, as Canadians call them.  Better yet, the Kings Ice Crew donned their best scantily clad Dodger uni's.  Also, Dodger infielder Justin Turner was on hand to drop the opening puck to start the game.  You can watch the puck drop here.  As you can see in the photo below, the Kings gave Turner a jersey of his own.  The Kings player on the left (#23) is Kings captain Dustin Brown and on the right is former King and current Florida Panthers captain Willie Mitchell (#33).  BTW, Mitchell was part of the two recent Kings Stanley Cup Championship teams, so he was given his championship ring from last season last night and received an rousing applause from the fans during the game.  He was a fan favorite.

(pic via @Dodgers on twitter)

What has also become tradition on 'Dodger Pride Night' are Dodger themed warm-up jerseys worn by the Kings.  As you can see in the numerous photos below, the Kings came out for their pregame skate wearing Dodger Blue and I think it's fair to say that Dodger fans in attendance swooned.

Those jersey are magnificent, glorious and beautiful.  And short of committing felonious acts, I would do almost anything to own one.  Unfortunately, as you will soon surely understand, my pocketbook did not agree with that sentiment.

As a part of the evenings events the Kings auctioned off those wonderful jerseys in support of their charity, the Kings Care Foundation, and it garnered values that were out of this world.  Like, record breaking!  Firstly, take a look at my photos from the Kings pregame skate below.  Click on any pic to embiggen.

As I mentioned above, the above jerseys were auctioned off for charity.  Below are a few pics of them neatly stacked in the concourse. 

Like in past years, I decided to make an attempt at purchasing a jersey.  Unfortunately, I was blown out of the water before I could even place a bid.

I was feeling confident as I strolled down to the area where the jersey's would be displayed during the first intermission.  I had figured I would chase a jersey from one of the lesser known players since they would surely be more affordable.  So, I placed my sights on recently signed defenseman Jamie McBain.  I came up to the counter and realized that bidding would be conducted solely online, so I asked one of the Kings employees about that process.

It was then that I was told that the McBain jersey was already up to $875.  Wha....?  The cheapest jersey at that time was for Andy Andreoff - $825.  Oy Vie!

Surely, this couldn't be true, but it was.

Before the second period of that evenings game got underway, most of the jersey's up for auction had already eclipsed last years prices.  So with that, I was priced out and forced to go home without one of these beauts. 

Just to provide context, Jarrett Stoll's jersey (#28) sold for a bit under $700 last season.  During this auction if sold for $1,650.  Heck, the cheapest jersey sold last night was for $1,024, and it was for Brayden McNabb.  Below is a screen grab of the final prices for last nights auction.  Click on the pic to embiggen. 

No doubt, the Kings Care Foundation took in a bunch of needed funds.  Good for them, but not good for me.

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Weekend Autograph Opportunities: Football Spectacular at Frank & Sons

Here are this weekends autograph opportunities and events throughout the Southland. As always, be sure to check the Blue Heaven Calendar for other events (a link can always be found on the tab at the top of this page, just left of center), and always confirm with the establishment. Everything is subject to change.  Please email me with any tips about upcoming events in Southern California.  As the rest of the week progresses I'll update this post with other events (if there are any) as I become aware of them.  Also, I don't always list every event below, so be sure to check my Calendar.  I always try to favor free signing events over paying events.  Click on any pic to embiggen.

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The Football Spectacular signing event is happening this coming Saturday at Frank & Sons in the City of Industry.  Go here for information, or here (at Hall of Fame Sports.com).  Emmitt Smith, Howie Long, LaDainian Tomlinson, Marcus Allen, Greg Townsend, Odis McKinney and Charles White are scheduled to make an appearance. 

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Blog Kiosk: 11/19/2014 - Dodger Links - Some Odds and Ends

Last night was Dodger Pride Night at the Staples Center for the LA Kings game against the Florida Panthers.  Dodger standout utility infielder Justin Turner was at the game to drop the opening puck and the Kings wore those fantastic 'Dodger themed' jersey's last night that were auctions off for charity.  As you can see above, the Kings gave Turner his own jersey, pic via @Dodgers on twitter.  Go here to check out more photos of the evening from the Dodgers.  Later this afternoon I'll put up my own report from the game; including some photos I took and a peek at the jersey auction that garnered huge dollars.  BTW, I was once again shut out and didn't win a jersey.  Boo! 

Below are some links to check out:

• Via Eric Stephen at True Blue LA, "Where Dodgers pick in 2015 MLB Draft first round."
• Via Jon Weisman at Dodger Insider, "Yasiel Puig ends Japan series on high note."
• The Dodgers added more folks to their front office.  Via a Dodger press release:

The Los Angeles Dodgers today announced the front office additions of David Finley as Vice President, Amateur & International Scouting, Galen Carr as Director of Player Personnel, Jeff Pickler as Special Assistant, Pro Scouting & Player Development and Jack Cressend as Pitching Crosschecker.

The press release provides more detailed background information about each person.  Go here to check that out.

• Via Harold Uhlman at Think Blue LA, "Dodgers likely to protect three from 2014 Rule 5 Draft."
• Via David Cycleback at Sports Collectors Daily, "Looking at the Photos of George Grantham Bain."  He is a noted Baseball photographer during the early 20th century.
• Night Owl Cards does yeoman's work.  He shares photos of every Dodger card that can be found in Kellogg's 3-D Baseball card sets from 1970 to 1983.  Awesome!
• Panini's 2014 Classics Baseball is officially released today.  Go here to check out some recently opened packs at Panini's blog.  Below is a sample pack that includes a Yasiel Puig insert card.

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5 Cool Vintage Jackie Robinson Cards You Can Own Without Going Broke

Several weeks back Rich Mueller at Sports Collectors Daily put together a fun list featuring vintage Willie Mays Baseball cards.  Check out that post here.  It was titled "5 Cool Vintage Willie Mays Cards You Can Own Without Going Broke," and I was so smitten by it I decided to echo it here.

So, please check out my list of "5 Cool Vintage Jackie Robinson Cards You Can Own Without Going Broke" below.

BTW, I decided to go off the beaten path a bit by focusing on the "truly" affordable cards, i.e. cards you can get for about $20 bucks or less.  As a result, I've had to be rather liberal about what vintage means.

As is the case with Jackie Robinson cards, nearly all of the available issues from his playing days will cost you a pretty penny.  In fact, there is only one card produced and distributed from when he actually played that can be deemed affordable (that card is at the very bottom).  The other cards in my list were all issued post-retirement - some several decades later. 

Now, on to my list:

1977 Renata Galasso TCMA - Series 1

By no means is this card rare.  In fact, it's plentiful in the marketplace and downright cheap.  You should be able to pick it up for just a couple of bucks.  What I love about this card is the image they used on the front.  It's a classic.   

1980 Perez-Steele Hall of Fame Postcard

Whether your favorite player is Nolan Ryan or Jackie Robinson you must have a Perez-Steele Hall of Fame postcard of that star in your collection.  They were produced by noted sports artist Dick Perez and Peggy & Frank Steele over a 20-year period in 15 different series, and are limited to 10,000 copies.  Since their inception they became the autograph collectors best friend as fans sought to get every card possible signed.  As you can see, the Jackie Robinson postcard is absolutely gorgeous.  You should be able to find a copy for $10 to $20; oftentimes even less.

1961 Nu-Card Baseball Scoops 

This is the first real "vintage" aged card on my list.  These 1961 Nu-Card Baseball Scoops were of a standard card size and feature a mock newspaper card design in front.  As you can see, the card commemorates Jackie's remarkable game against the Phillies during the last game of the regular season in 1951.  As you know, Jackie helped the Dodgers eek out a victory to force a playoff series against the Giants for the pennant.  Unfortunately, this game proved to be the last highlight of the year for the Dodgers.  They would go on to lose a three-game playoff against the Giants in spectacular fashion.  This card can be purchased for about $10 to $20.

1960 Nu-Card Baseball Hi-Lites

The 1960 Nu-Card set is almost as large as your typical postcard.  They measure 3 1/4" x 5 3/8", and like the set shown above feature a mock newspaper card design in front.  In fact, this card commemorates the exact same moment as the 1961 card.  Unlike the above card, there is no description on the reverse.  Instead, it is on the front and the reverse includes a trivia question.  This card can be purchased for about $10 to $20.

1947-1966 Exhibits

Produced by the Exhibit Supply Company of Chicago over a 20-year period, these cards were available to fans in "penny arcade" vending machines in local stores.  They are printed on heavy cardboard and are nearly postcard sized (3 1/4" x 5 3/8").  It is likely the Robinson cards were manufactured during his entire Baseball career, but were discontinued upon his retirement.  They can be purchased from between $15 to $25.

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2014 Panini Prizm Perennial Draft Picks - All the Dodger Cards

Panini America released their newest Baseball card set last week.  It is called Panini Prizm Perennial Draft Picks, and it's a prospect heavy offering.  In fact, the Base Set includes three of the Dodgers first five picks from the 2014 Draft; Alex Verdugo (2nd), John Richy (4th) and Jared Walker (5th).  Their first round pick, Grant Holmes, is also available in the set, but as an insert.  Of note, prospect Victor Arano is also a part of the Base Set as a Dodger, but as you'll recall he was traded to the Phillies as the "player to be named later" in the Roberto Hernandez trade.  Go here to see a complete checklist.

It appears that due to the limited appeal a draft pick set tends to have, I do not have photos of all the Dodgers in the set yet.  I will update this Dodger checklist as they show up. 

BTW, this set includes the very first trade cards as professional ballplayers for Victor Arano, Alex Verdugo, John Richy and Jared Walker.  There is also an autograph card of Verdugo in the set - a first for him, as well.

Directly below is the Base Set, and four Dodger players are included.  Check them out below. 

Base Set

#41 Alex Verdugo                                    #59 Jared Walker

#81 Victor Arano                                      #94 John Richy

2014 Draft Class

#20 Grant Holmes

Minors Gold Prizms

#27 Joc Pederson

Panini High School All-America Team Prizms

#5 Grant Holmes

#10 Alex Verdugo

(Not Available At This Time)

Unfortunately, I have yet to see an autographed Verdugo card.  I will updated this post once one appears. 

Prospect Signatures Prizms

#22 Grant Holmes

#62 Alex Verdugo

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Blog Kiosk: 11/18/2014 - Dodger Links - Zaidi, Sweeney and Kershaw's Commemorative MVP T-shirts

As evidenced in the photo above, Yasiel Puig and Carlos Santana are becoming best bud.  They appear to be purchasing friendship bracelts for each other.  Photo abouve was tweeted by Carlos Santana.

Below are some links to check out:

• Via Yvonne Carrasco at Dodger Insider, "Fernandomania is alive and well in Guadalajara."

“This statue looks like me, looks like how I pitched,” Valenzuela said. “I feel very happy that this statue, that my first one is here. I feel a lot of emotion, a lot of love from the people here. This moment has given me goosebumps.

• Via Mark Saxon at ESPN, "Is 'Phase Two' all about payroll reduction?"

“It sounds overly simplistic, but we’re just going to try to make good baseball decisions,” Zaidi said. “Sometimes, those good baseball decisions are going to increase our payroll, sometimes they’re going to decrease our payroll and I think over time it will come down because that’s what the accumulation of smart baseball moves will just do to the roster.

• Via David Waldstein at the NY Times, "For Dodgers G.M. Farhan Zaidi, New Team Affords New Possibilities."

“It’s a recalibration,” he said, “but it’s also an exercise in not throwing the baby out with the bath water. It’s about applying the principals we practiced in the smaller markets while leveraging greater resources.”

• Via Mark Whicker at the LA Daily News, "Los Angeles Dodgers prospect Darnell Sweeney just looking to fit in."
• Here's an opportunity to learn a little bit about our new AAA affiliate Oklahoma City RedHawks.  Via Paul Caputo at SportsLogos.net, "Birds of Play: The Story Behind the Oklahoma City RedHawks."
• Roberto at Vin Scully is My Homeboy shares his very rare Vin Scully Bobblehead that was given out to just friends and family.
• The Dodgers added some depth to the outfield position in AAA.  Via Alden Gonzalez at MLB.com, "Dodgers acquire Minor League slugger Jensen from Marlins."
• Check out Kershaw's new t-shirt, in benefit of Kershaw's Challenge.

Pre-order a MVP tshirt today! Super soft, one-of-a-kind shirt commemorative of 2014 season!  http://t.co/TO5urbUYs1 pic.twitter.com/Jt4LpNpNFd
— Kershaw's Challenge (@KershsChallenge) November 17, 2014

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