Blog Kiosk: 6/3/2011

• Matt Kemp has a new Facebook page. Go here to check it out and like.
  
• Only more evidence that a jinx hangs over the Dodgers, via Farther Off the Wall.
  
• A draft update from True Blue LA detailing draft eligible players with some connection to the Dodgers past or present.
  
• News about events for the upcoming National Sports Card Collecting Convention in Illinois is starting to trickle in. Just announced is a VIP exclusive auction being put together by Topps that includes 10 different rare items from their vault. Of the 8 items put up so far, there will be 10 total items, only 1 has a Dodger in it. See it below. It is a 1980 Topps/ Pepsi unissued uncut sheet of 22 cards, and Davey Lopes is represented. This set was never actual released and is, thus far, uncatalogued.
• In other National related news, Southern California is not on the calendar for hosting the event- at least, not any time soon. Per an email sent today:

  The current schedule for the National is: 2011-Chicago; 2012-Baltimore; 2013-Chicago; 2014-Cleveland; 2015-Chicago; 2016-TBD; 2017-TBD; 2018-Cleveland.

  Organizers have been asked about a return of the National to the West Coast. For the last several years we have repeatedly spoken to authorities in Anaheim, site of the most successful National ever in 1991 and also the site of the National in 1996, 2000 and 2006. Similar to the situation in Baltimore, the Convention Center has a rigid policy which will not allow them to guarantee dates to us. Despite our past history, numerous meetings, phone calls and letters, Anaheim officials have been unable to provide the National with dates far enough in advance to allow adequate preparation and planning for the event. We will continue to look for a suitable West Coast site.

• Were you ever a fan of EA's NHL '93? Did you always marvel at how great Cliff Ronning was when compared to superstar players? Well, Puck Daddy has the reason why straight from the horses mouth.
  
• Via Deadspin, read about a great sports event roadtrip. Complete with alcohol, partying with the team owner, an ambulance and a trek across the border to evade police.
• This is for the hockey fans out there. Below is the, always great, Hockey Night in Canada pregame intro from Game 1. Thursday game was incredible and tomorrow's game 2 will be just as good. Man, I love playoff hockey. Oh... Bruins, go and kick some Vancouver ass!
  

YouTube Link:

Here's My Complete 1910 T220 Set

As I wrote previously, I recently completed a years long adventure. The T220 Champion Athlete and Prize Fighter Series set of 50 cards was produced in 1910. It includes some of the most well known 19th Century and early 20th Century sluggers of the time. It was distributed by two different cigarette brands, Mecca and Tolstoi.

As you can see, my set is far from being in pristine condition. In fact, grading the set in VG condition would be kind. Of course, I don't really care. It's just been a joy to put it together. I think my favorite card is the John L Sullivan, not only because he was a great boxer, but because my card happens to be in great shape. I remember lucking out on a eBay auction lot several years back that included that great looking card. On another note, one great boxer is noticeably absent. For whatever reason, Jack Johnson is not included in the set. As always, click on any pic to enlarge.

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I Bowl at Gil Hodges Lanes

What is it about bowling and the Dodgers?

We've got the Dodgers bowling extravaganza event hosted by James Loney, old-time Dodger Pee Wee Reese owned a bowling alley and, now, we find out that Gil Hodges was also an owner of his very own bowling alley.

Above is a pin found at Hakes Americana & Collectibles auction that was likely given out to patrons at Gil Hodges Lane. It is rare and uncommonly found.

Collection: 1981 Vero Beach Dodgers

Here is my next installment of Dodger minor league sets from my collection. Check out my other sets here. This set was produced by TCMA for the 1981 Vero Beach Dodgers- a single A team in the Florida State League. The team did not perform well overall, just compiling a 63-73 record.
Furthermore, these Dodgers were not filled with a great number of future Major League ballplayers, but there are a couple of notables to recall. In the middle, on the bottom row, is R. J. Reynolds. He played just 3 season for the Dodgers before moving on to Pittsburgh, then to Japan and the Mexican League. On September 11, 1983 he became a Dodger hero during a pennant run against the Braves. In the bottom half of the 9th inning against the Atlanta rival he laid down a suicide squeeze bunt to score Pedro Guerrero to win the game, 7 to 6. The win extended their lead over the Braves to 3 games in the division.
The only other notable Dodger in this set isn't even a player. It is pitching coach Dave Wallace. He is on the left side, bottom row, below. Wallace rose through the ranks of the team, becoming the Dodgers pitching coach then interim General Manager in 2001. Then, he went to Boston and became their pitching coach. While there, he steered the Red Sox to their first World Series victory in 2004.