WOO HOO!!! KINGS WIN!!!!
Can't Think! TOO HAPPY!!!!
Monday, June 11, 2012
Topps 2012 Series 2- Dodger Variations
The news from the card collector front is that Topps just released Series 2 of their flagship 2012 Baseball card set. It includes 10 new Dodgers cards in the base set. Unfortunately, they still refuse to acknowledge the existence of AJ Ellis. Our potential All-Star catcher still does not have a regular issue Baseball card.
What's up with that Topps?
Anyway, before I showcase the base set and some of the inserts from Series 2 I wanted to point out a couple of interesting variations. Both Matt Kemp and Clayton Kershaw have short printed variation cards inserted within packs of Series 2 cards. Check them out below.
The Matt Kemp card is a variation from the Series 1 card. On the left is the Kemp variation found in Series 2, and on the right is the Series 1 base card to the set. At this time it is unknown how scarce the card really is.
Clayton Kershaw did not have a Series 1 card. In Series 2 he has 2 base cards. On the left is the short printed variation, and on the right is the normal Kershaw base card in the set.
What's up with that Topps?
Anyway, before I showcase the base set and some of the inserts from Series 2 I wanted to point out a couple of interesting variations. Both Matt Kemp and Clayton Kershaw have short printed variation cards inserted within packs of Series 2 cards. Check them out below.
The Matt Kemp card is a variation from the Series 1 card. On the left is the Kemp variation found in Series 2, and on the right is the Series 1 base card to the set. At this time it is unknown how scarce the card really is.
Clayton Kershaw did not have a Series 1 card. In Series 2 he has 2 base cards. On the left is the short printed variation, and on the right is the normal Kershaw base card in the set.
Collection: Adrian Beltre Fleer Focus Autograph
I thought I would put up another autographed card from my collection. Here is a 2000 Fleer Focus card featuring Adrian Beltre. I still wonder what kind of impact his bat and glove would have had on the Dodgers after he left the Dodgers for free agency money. Would we have traded Carlos Santana? Does that mean AJ Ellis never gets a chance to shine in Dodger Blue, as a result? Would 2006, 2008 & 2009 had different outcomes in the playoffs?
The speculation just kills me sometimes.
Dodgers Autograph Alley This Week
This is a busy week in Autograph Alley at Dodger Stadium. Every game in this homestand will have a former Dodger signing free autographs for fans. Check out the below schedule for details.
Monday, June 11 vs. Los Angeles of Anaheim
Dodger alumnus Matt Luke
5:10 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.
Tuesday, June 12 vs. Los Angeles of Anaheim
Dodger alumnus Ken McMullen
5:10 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.
Wednesday, June 13 vs. Los Angeles of Anaheim
Dodger alumnus Kenny Landreaux
5:10 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.
Friday, June 15 vs. Chicago White Sox
Dodger alumnus Chuck Essegian
5:10 p.m. to 6:30 p.m
Saturday, June 16 vs. Chicago White Sox
Dodger alumnus Derrel Thomas
5:10 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Sunday, June 17 vs. Chicago White Sox
at Viva Los Dodgers
Boxers Joselito Lopez and Chris Arreola will sign autographs for fans at Viva Los Dodgers at 11:45 a.m. followed by a first pitch.
Dodger Alumnus Tommy Davis
11:10 a.m-12:30 p.m.
Luc & Duchesne Autographs
Man-O-Live!
This Stanley Cup Finals is really killing me. I can feel my heart jump at every turn. It is sunken deep within my chest fearful of what may lie ahead. It pumps sporadically as every minute of the day feels like its last. I have watched every second of this Finals series, and I can honestly say that I have never been so nervous and excited at the same time.
I'm nervous because for the first time these playoffs there is that creeping fear that we might not make it out alive. For a split second I wondered how all of those other fans from the past must have felt. How did Boston feel after taking it in the gut from Philadelphia in the 2009-2010 playoff series? How about those Yankees when they got trampled by the eventual World Series Champion Red Sox in 2004? Are we destined to be the summer punchline for the NHL like those teams were for a little bit?
On the other hand, I'm excited by the opportunity. Will I be able to experience a Stanley Cup celebration on our home ice? Have the hockey gods just been screwing with us- making us suffer in order to fully appreciate what a victory really means? I'm nervous with anticipation, and hopeful that everything will turn out in our favor. We've got a third chance to take home the Cup tonight, and I will be there with my voice ready to cheer on our boys.
With that said, here are a couple of more Kings autographed items from my collection. I had gotten these over 20 years ago while a senior in High School. These are postcard sized photo-cards featuring Hall of Famer Luc Robitaille and star defenseman Steve Duchesne. They were both signing free autographs in the late 80's at a local discount electronics store in central Orange County.
