Delusional Expectations

From the pageant show mother to the investor seeking better than expected returns, we are all beset by the expectations placed on us by others. Oftentimes, it is good to set high goals. After all, we all need targets to try to meet. On the other hand, is it reasonable to assume something that has been expected numerous times before only to never be met? Ain't that the definition of madness?

For instance, we have all pulled for James Loney to be a slugging first baseman. He appears to have the tools. Unfortunately, in the last 4+ years as a starter he has yet to consistently hit home runs. Loney has average only 12 homers a season the past 4 years, and it appears obvious that this is what we should expect year in and year out. He just isn't a power hitter.

In light of that reality, I ran across something that borders on the delusional. Ned Colletti was on MLB Network Radio recently and he said the following, via a tweet from Mel Antonen.Are you kidding me? Expecting 20+ home runs next season is like expecting Mark Ellis to hit .325 next year. It ain't gonna happen.

Collection: Koyie Hill 2004 Signs of the Future Auto

Do you remember this guy? I barely do. If I remember right, he was a highly regarded catching prospect who could hit for average and showed some punch in the minors in 2004. He belted 13 home runs in Las Vegas for the Dodgers. Instead of seeing if he might pan out, Hill was traded to the Diamondbacks in 2004 (along with Reggie Abercrombie) for Steve Finley and veteran catcher Brent Mayne. Considering Finley's assistance in the Dodgers playoff run and Koyie's inability to latch on as a starter in the Majors, I think we came out pretty good on this one.

This is a 2004 Fleer National Pastime 'Signs of the Future' autographed card numbered 190 out of 340.

eBay: 1953 Dixie Lids Preacher Roe

Here is an oddball 8x10 memorabilia photo premium called Dixie Lids. It is from 1953 and features Dodgers hurler Preacher Roe. You would receive one with the submission of 12 ice cream lids. They are scarce as the asking price suggest, but it's a little rich for my blood.

(Auction Link)

Grey Flannel Auctions: The Al Campanis Collection

Earlier in the week, I highlighted a Game-Used Sandy Koufax jersey that is up for sale at Grey Flannel Auctions. If you haven't seen it you should definitely check it out.

Well, that jersey is not the only notable Dodgers memorabilia item to be found in Grey Flannel's recent offering. They have also secured the rights to sell memorabilia from the collection of former Dodgers player and General Manager Al Campanis.

Campanis was a fairly successful GM, having led the Blue Crew to 4 World Series and 1 championship. Also, before taking the top spot he was the scout who discovered a young Sandy Koufax. BTW, he is infamous for two other things. First, he traded Jim Campanis away- his own son! Second, he made the following unfortunate statement on Nightline in 1987 (the 40th anniversary of Jackie Robinson breaking the color barrier):

African-Americans "may not have some of the necessities to be, let's say, a field manager, or, perhaps, a general manager"

The latter was a stain that would forever follow Campanis. After resigning two days after this interview he would never again work in organized Baseball.

Anyway, here are a handful of great items Dodger fans can gawk over. Below is his 1981 World Series Championship ring.

(Auction Link)

This isn't necessarily a Dodger bat, but it is very cool. This is a bat from Mexico with tribal art drawn on it. It is undated and scarcity is unknown, but it's a nice piece of folk art that I think would look cool on the wall.

(Auction Link)

This lot from the Campanis Estate is probably the most interesting of the bunch; especially for its historical value. It consist of a collection of Campanis awards, personal effects, and notes. The notes include

Interview notes between Ted Koppel and Campanis regarding “why is it that there are no Black managers, no Black General Managers, no Black Owners?”

This would probably make for some interesting reading.

(Auction Link)

11/25/2011

I hope you had a filling and enjoyable Thanksgiving evening. Above is the only Thanksgiving Baseball card I know of. It's a 2009 Upper Deck 'A Piece of History' card.

• Peter O'Malley gives an interview to TCPalm about his connection and return to Dodgertown.
  
• Nomo's Sushi Platter got a Tony Gwynn auto in El Cajon.
  
• check out Night Owl Cards giant Baseball card trade post. Some awesome stuff there.
  
• Check out this giant hoard of Albert Pujols Rookie cards for sale at Heritage Auctions. There are 315 of them out of only 1000 made. Holy Cow!
• Garvey and Hershiser do have the money to buy the Dodgers, via The Morning Call.

  Steve Garvey and Orel Hershiser have attracted more than enough financial backing to bid competitively on the Dodgers, the banker representing the former Dodgers stars said Wednesday.

• Wall Street hedge fund manager Steve Cohen is looking to buy the Dodgers, via Business Insider.

  But three people close to the deal said that Cohen has been talking about it with Steve Greenberg, an investment banker who dealt with him earlier this year while Cohen was looking to buy the Mets. Greenberg was handling the sale of a $200 million stake in the New York team.

• Maury Brown at The Biz of Baseball has a complete transcript of the press conference regarding the new CBA deal.
  
• Are you interested in a career in sports? Then, check out this career fair being hosted by the LA Kings this coming Monday. Participating companies are:

  AEG, Chivas USA, LA Clippers, LA Galaxy, LA Kings, Lancaster Jethawks Professional Baseball Club, Lionsgate Entertainment, Motion Picture Association of America, Inc., CBS, Bunim/Murray Productions, The Gersh Agency, Ontario Reign, Warner/Chappell Music, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, and Los Angeles Dodgers.