eBay: Laughlin Gil Hodges

Here is a card I had heard of, but had never actually seen an example of. This is a 1973 Laughlin Super Stand-Ups of Gil Hodges. They were produced by sports artist R. G. Laughlin and typically measure 7" x 11". The auction description states that this piece is slightly larger at 8.5" x 12". It is the scarcest of all the different Laughlin set produced in the 70's. There are only 12 different players in the set, and only one other Dodger is represented- Sandy Koufax. My 2002 card guide list this Hodges card at $45.00, but considering its scarcity I bet it would sell for much more at a show or auction. The price of this item on eBay is a little rich in my opinion. Of interesting note, these cards were originally sold individually at $3.50 a piece.

(Auction Link)

Happy 75th Birthday Sandy!

The great Dodger pitcher, known as the Left Arm of God, is turning 75 today. Happy Birthday Sandy Koufax! As you know, he just signed an autograph deal with Topps for their 2011 Baseball sets. So, there will be plenty of cards and memorabilia coming soon. Check out my original story here. For those less inclined to click the link here is a rundown of what sets Topps has already announced he will be signing for. I'm sure more will be announced soon.

2011 Topps Baseball Series 1: Koufax will be added to the 60th Anniversary Autographs
2011 Topps Heritage: Real One Autograph (This is the card above)
2011 Topps Tribute: Koufax Auto Relics

eBay: A Branch Rickey Auto

Here is a great little eBay item I ran into a few weeks ago that I'm only now getting to. This is a fairly scarce Branch Rickey autograph on a 2007 Upper Deck SP Legendary Cuts card. It has a very high price tag on it, so I don't expect it to sell, but at least you can do a little bit of window shopping.

(Auction Link)

My Best Wishes to Chico Fernandez

Humberto "Chico" Fernandez needs your kind words. Via BAT (Baseball Assistance Team) Facebook page.

Dear Friends - We've been asked by the family of Humberto "Chico" Fernandez to pass along the following message. Due to complications with a replacement kneecap, Chico was forced to spend this past Christmas in the hospital. The family has advised that he's feeling down and in a lot of pain and would appreciate cards, notes, flowers and anything of encouragement to keep his spirits up. He is at the Mercy Hospital (3663 South Miami Avenue; Miami, FL 33133 in Room 4137). Thank you in advance for your support!

So, say hello and send a kind note.

As you may already know, Baseball Assistance Team is a non-profit organization devoted to helping members of the Baseball family most in need. Go here for their official facebook page. Here is their website.

Chico Fernandez spent one season with the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1956, his rookie season. He was an excellent defensive shortstop who went on to have a 8 year Major League career with 4 different teams. In his best season, 1962, he belted 20 home runs for Detroit.

Auto Collection: Beltre Passes the Torch

Andrian Beltre was a great third baseman for the Dodgers. He could field the position better than anyone I had every seen. His barehanded grabs while storming down the third base line was a thing of beauty. I dare say that we may never see someone as good with the glove then him. Of course, if the Dodgers sign him to join the team of his start then we could enjoy his antics one more time. Unfortunately, I think we all know that ain't going to happen.

Anyway, here is a autographed 2005 Donruss Elite Passing the Torch card of Adrian Beltre. It is numbered 61 out of 75. Man-O-Live... do I miss this guy.

OT: Kings: No Doubt... the Goal of the Year

As you probably already know, I am a huge LA Kings fan. I have followed them for almost as long as I've been a Dodger fan. My earliest hockey memories include the team in the old purple and gold playing at the now decrepit Great Western Forum.

This season the Kings are looking good as they look poised to return to the playoffs in a very tight conference race where only 11 points separate 1st place and 12 place. In the hockey world it doesn't get much tighter than that. Anyway, by now you are probably wondering why I mention all of this... well, I wanted to share this one video of a goal from the other night against the San Jose Sharks. It is in one word... remarkable. Call it the "Hail Mary" pass and goal. Enjoy.

Ethier Claus for the Easton Bat of Dreams

Andre Ethier and Easton teamed up to spread some holiday cheer. Link Here.

In the spirit of the holiday season, we followed Los Angeles outfielder Andre Ethier around Los Angeles giving Easton Baseball bats to three youth baseball players.

Andre Ethier from Dream Crazy on Vimeo.

Happy Festivus!

A Festivus for the rest of us!

In honor of this great holiday I felt it would only be proper to air some grievances.

• To Russell Martin: You were offered a good contract beyond what you eventually got. Also, what's this horse-puckey about not being wanted? You've got to be kidding me!
  
• To Matt Kemp: Start hitting Baseballs and stop hitting on starlets!
  
• To the McCourt's: I still cringe at the thought of you both. All I can say is thank goodness for divorce court. I can't wait for the day when we can all say... "and the new owner is...?"
  
• To Steve Garvey: Owner Steve Garvey? Really? From clean cut boy scout to philandering liar to Major League owner- I dunno- It sounds too much like a sitcom. Ken Levine should put this down on paper.
• To Ned Colletti: I don't trust you. Besides, I understand that you rooted for the Giants. Shame on you!

If you have any other disappointments please share them. I'm moving on to the "Feats of Strength." Anyone know where I can find the McCourt's this holiday season?

YouTube Link:

Did You Miss the Lunar Eclipse?

Considering the rainy weather I wouldn't be surprised if you did mis it. So, why not check out this great video created by William Castleman set to Debussy. (Hat Tip: LGF)

Winter Solstice Lunar Eclipse from William Castleman on Vimeo.

‘Roy Campanella Night’ Featured on MLB Network

Be sure to check out the MLB Network this weekend, Saturday at 9:00 PM EST (6:00 PM PST). Turn on those DVR's. From the MLB Network Press Release:

‘Roy Campanella Night’ will be featured in a new episode of MLB Network Countdown: Fan Moments on Saturday, December 18 at 9:00 p.m. ET. ‘Roy Campanella Night,’ when 93,000 fans came to pay tribute to the paralyzed Campanella at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in 1959, will be ranked alongside other famous fan moments, including:

- Jeffrey Maier interfering with Baltimore Orioles outfielder Tony Tarasco's attempt to catch a home run off the New York Yankees’ Derek Jeter during Game One of the 1996 ALCS;

- Steve Bartman obstructing with Chicago Cubs outfielder Moises Alou’s attempt to catch a foul ball during Game Six of the 2003 NLCS;

- Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Rick Monday grabbing the American flag away from would-be flag-burners;

- and ‘Disco Demolition Night,’ when fans brought their disco records to be blown up at Chicago’s Comiskey Park during a doubleheader in 1979.

Dodgers to Play in Las Vegas

Now this is a Spring Training event I can get behind. The Dodger will be playing a Spring Training exhibition game at Cashman Field in Las Vegas for the 2nd consecutive year. From the Dodgers press release:

The Dodgers announced today that the club will play a Spring Training game against the Chicago Cubs at Cashman Field in Las Vegas on Sunday, March 13, 2011. The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA) and the Las Vegas 51s of the Pacific Coast League (PCL), Triple-A affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays will host both clubs at Cashman Field for this exhibition game.

The Dodgers will return to Cashman Field for the second straight season and sixth overall appearance (2001-03, 2006, 2010). The Las Vegas 51s were the farm club of the Dodgers for eight seasons (2001-2008). Game time will be announced at a later date.

Ticket information is not available yet, but I suspect it will be coming soon. More information available here at the Las Vegas 51's website. The Cubs will also be playing the Reds the day before, March 12, at Cashman Field.

Walter Alston Original Topps Art

Over the past several years Topps has been going into their archives and selling some original art from their vintage card sets. They have primarily sold them through eBay under ToppsVault. The below item likely came from one of those sales, but is now being sold by an independent dealer. It is the original drawing used for the reverse of Walter Alston's 1969 Topps card. I must say this piece is pretty awesome- though the price is a little too rich for my blood.

(Auction Link)

RIP: Bob Feller

One of the greats has passed away this evening. Bob "Rapid Robert" Feller, at the age of 92, has died after recently being placed in hospice care from acute leukemia. My deepest condolences to his family, friends and all of Baseball.

YouTube Link:

YouTube Link:

A Done Deal: Koufax Signs for Topps

Well, now it is official. Topps has just formally announced that Sandy Koufax will be signing several cards for Topps for the upcoming 2011 season, via the Topps blog. They have also indicated that his auto will be included in the following products:

2011 Topps Baseball Series 1: Koufax will be added to the 60th Anniversary Autographs
2011 Topps Heritage: Real One Autograph (This is the card above)
2011 Topps Tribute: Koufax Auto Relics

More is expected to be revealed later.

I Thought You'd Be In Blue Forever

Today comes the news that Russell Martin has signed with the Yankees. All I can say is that I'm sorry to see you go. I really though you would stay in LA and retire in Blue. Unfortunately, things just didn't work out.

On an aside, Martin's slide sure make trading Carlos Santana seem stupid.

Mailbag: A Ethan Martin Signature

Here is a recent eBay purchase that came in the mail several weeks back. This is not the most attractive card out there, but it is a nice autograph of our 1st round draft pick from 2008. Besides, it was cheap- $1.30 cheap. Here is the 2008 Razor Letterman autograph card of Ethan Martin.

OT: A Yogi Bear Parody

I hate to put on a video here that is a bit of a downer, but it is so well done I though it only proper to share. One warning, though, is that it can be a little much for children (it's definitely something that should require some adult supervision, if not explanation).

Here is a parody video made by a animator- not related to the studio or creators of the movie.

(Edmund) Earle decided to re-fashion a new ending to “Yogi Bear” by casting the titular hero and his sidekick Boo-Boo as the leads in his take on “The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford,” a drama written and directed by Andrew Dominik and starring Brad Pitt and Casey Affleck. He chose “Jesse James” because he happened to be watching it at time, and thought the drama would be an excellent counterpart to a picnic basket-stealing bear. “It was an organic creation,” he says.

Now watch it below. I found it strangely poignant. I wouldn't be surprised if it gets taken down soon. (Hat Tip: Cardboard Junkie)

YouTube Link:

Auto Collection: Gary Sheffield

No matter how disgruntled and surly this man became he could still hit the crap out of a Baseball. Sheffield had bat speed faster than superman. Here is my 2005 Playoff Absolutely Ink auto/relic card of Gary Sheffield. It claims to have a piece of a game-used fielding glove in the middle, but if sure doesn't look like leather.

2010 Topps Sterling Dodger Inserts

Here are some Dodger insert autos and relics from the recently release 2010 Topps Sterling offering. The below cards are far from a complete listing of all the Dodgers available, just a sample of some of the nicer one's I've seen. Most of the cards have parallel versions with various different print runs. Click on any of the pics to enlarge.

Piazza! I still miss this guy. He should have never been traded and retired as a lifelong Dodger.

The Duke!

Will this be the last Manny Ramirez card in a Dodger uniform? Don't bet your life on it.

Here are a couple of Jackie Robinson's.

Here are a couple of different Roy Campanella's.

Here is a dual auto/ relic book card featuring HOF pitcher Steve Carlton and our young ace (and newlywed) Clayton Kershaw. This is an awfully nice pairing.

An Early Look at 2011 Topps Tribute

Topps, via its Facebook page, has release some early mock-ups for their 2011 Topps Tribute set. Go here to see the handful they released. Below is the Jackie Robinson.

Baseball's a Rough Game

I thought this item from HYee Auctions deserved it's own post. I'll let the auction description explain it all to you.

A Dramatic Vintage 1934 ORIGINAL News Service Photo issued by the Associated Press depicting the ugly scene outside Navin Field after Game 7 of the 1934 World Series when the hometown Detroit Tigers were destroyed by the St. Louis Cardinals. By the 6th inning, the score was already 9-0 and the Series was just about lost. Cardinals star Joe Medwick slid hard into Marv Owen, the Tigers' third baseman, after hitting a triple. They tangled briefly, and when Medwick went to his position in left field, the restless Tiger fans, knowing the game was lost, vented their frustrations on Medwick, throwing fruit, vegetables, bottles, cushions, etc., at him. Commissioner Landis ordered Medwick (and Owen) benched to end the ruckus. This rare 7” x 9” photograph shows the police escorts ushering the bus with the Cardinals players on one side and the blood-thirst crowd on the other, most of them shouting “Where the BEEP is Medwick?”.

HYee Auctions: Dodgers and More on eBay

HYee Auctions once again has hundreds of fantastic vintage lots up on eBay- everything from Baseball to politics to entertainment. There is so much good stuff it would be impossible for me to post everything I want to show you. Go here to check them all out yourself. Unfortunately, the auctions ends in a few days- so get cracking. Below are a few items I thought was worth a look.

Jackie Robinson and Pee Wee Reese help prepare a healthy meal for the kids. This was a promotion to interest kids in having a nutritious meal.

(Auction Link)

Pee Wee Reese getting a beer shower from the boys in this 1956 Type 1 press photo. Earlier, they had won the National League pennant against the Pittsburgh Pirates.

(Auction Link)

Season's Greetings! This is a 1956 Christmas card from the Brooklyn Dodgers. These were custom made for players and management for their own personal use. This particular greeting cards was made for Dodger scout Manual Boody. It waxes optimistically about a future Dodger World Championship the next season.

(Auction Link)

This is a scarce vintage promotional pin featuring Jackie Robinson from the 1960's. It was used to promote a Robinson biography.

(Auction Link)

Here is a great 8 postcard lot featuring Ebbets Field. They date from approximately 1910 to 1950's.

(Auction Link)

This is one of my all-time favorite 19th century Victorian trade cards. It is from 1896 and is an advertising die-cut piece for A. G. Spalding & Bros. Very scarce, especially in this condition, it measures 5.5" in height and includes a brief description of the game of Base Ball on the reverse.

(Click any pic to enlarge)
(Auction Link)

Naismith Basketball Rules Sold

Here is the biggest auction news of the week. James Naismith's original 13 rules of basketball went on the auction block and closed at an incredible price of $4,338,500 (including buyer premium) at Sotheby's. Go here for some incredible picks from Sotheby's. It was sold in benefit of the Naismith International Basketball Foundation.

“It’s really the genesis, the birth certificate of one of the world’s most popular sports,” he said in October when the sale was announced. “It’s a sport that has had an impact on everything from fashion, such as sneakers, to culture that in a way transcends sports.

...

James Naismith penned the 13 rules on Dec. 21, 1891, for the YMCA training school in Springfield. His boss had given him two weeks to come up with a new indoor activity for his gym class, and he wrote down the rules on the eve of that deadline.

He gave the list to his secretary, who typed them up on two pages that Naismith pinned on a bulletin board outside the gym.

Story Link: KUSports.com:

Auto Collection: Green Gamers

Here is another card from my auto card collection. It is a 2000 Fleer Gamers Lumber autographed card of Shawn Green.

2010 Topps Sterling: Dodger Base Cards

The Topps Sterling card set is out and it has a whole bunch of high-end patch and autograph cards in it. As you may know, this set is not for the timid. One box (that includes just one pack of 5 cards and a mystery pack with only 1 card) will run you about $200.00 a piece. The base set consist of 150 total cards and consist of a mixture of vintage heroes and modern stars. Go here for a checklist. As usual, each base card has various different parallel cards. They are: Blue Parallel - Serial #/250; White Parallel - Serial #/50; Burgundy Parallel - Serial #/10; Gold Parallel - Serial #/5; and Wood Parallel - Serial #1/1.

The Dodger have 9 players in the base set. The normal cast of characters are here. You've got the Brooklynites (like Jackie, Pee Wee and Campy) and Southland Heroes (like Kershaw and Ethier). One special addition is Mike Piazza. He actually has 2 cards in the base set- one as a Met and another as a Dodger. Check out the base cards below.

Clayton Kershaw, #9

Johnny Podres, #12

Manny Ramirez, #29

Roy Campanella, #39

Jackie Robinson, #42

Duke Snider, #46

Mike Piazza, #48

Pee Wee Reese, #95

Andre Ethier, #116

Is Koufax a Done Deal for Topps?

There appears to be some doubt within the hobby that the previously reported signing by Topps of Dodger hurler Sandy Koufax for next year sets is true. (Here is my original story) Apparently, the original news source, Beckett.com, has removed the story and now the Topps tweet announcing the Koufax signing is gone. The tweet can only be found by searching out those who originally had retweeted it- check one out here. A Dodger card blogger, Night Owl Cards, did some sleuthing and received the following response from Topps, via twitter.

Me: @toppscards Care to enlighten why yesterday's mention of your 2011 deal with Koufax has been removed in a few key places?
@toppscards: Unfortunately, I can't.

So... what's the story? Is Koufax in or out? Did Topps jump the gun here?

OT: The Irish Economic Disaster Explained: NSFW

This video is starting to make the rounds and it put a big grin on my face. Heck, I'm laughing as I write this. NSFW

YouTube Link:
Hat Tip: Zero Hedge:

Memory Lane Auctions: Ebbets Field Last Game Ticket

Here is a rare full unused ticket you don't see everyday. It is from the very last Dodger game at Ebbets Field, September 24, 1957 and is available from the current Memory Lane Auction. Considering that attendance was only at 6,702 you would think more of these would be available. After all, practically nobody attended so there should be a bunch of unused tickets somewhere, right? Alas, with a despondent fan-base and a management so eager to go they probably just threw them in a fire.

(Auction Link)