Monday, June 02, 2014

WooHoo! Kings Advance to the Finals! Go Kings Go!


Holy mackerel!  I was on the verge of a heart attack last night.  For the last 30 minutes of play I could feel my heart beating through my chest.  My mind was numb and my body stiff from all of the stress last night's Game 7 provided.

In the end, it took a seemingly harmless shot from the blueline in overtime to end the series.  It had been slightly tipped by a Kings rookie, then deflected through the armpits of a 'Hawks defenseman.  The puck floated endlessly like a waffle thrown across a table to a hungry patron.  Instead of landing on a plate for the goalie to block, it glided over his head to end the game.  Wow!

In all of my 30 years as a Kings fan - a hockey fan - I have never seen a more exciting playoff series.  It was back-and-forth all series long as two evenly matched clubs fought it out like two rams locking horns for supremacy on the mountain.  Both teams rarely gave an inch, and it was plain to see that they gave it their all on the ice.  Chicago gave us fits throughout, and I have no doubt we did the same to them. 

Even several hours after last night's win, I can't rightfully express how much I love this Kings team.  They are fighters... and battlers... they don't give up... and they play with the kind of grit rarely seen in any sport.

When I first became a season ticket holder 10 years ago, during those bad years, I could never really imagine this club being where it is today.  It just didn't seem possible.  Now, we are on the verge of a 2nd Stanley Cup Final berth in three years, a potential 2nd Cup in that timeframe and a possible hockey dynasty that could last for several years more (considering that much of the foundation is signed up on a long term basis).

Thank you, Kings!  I do believe!

Below are some twitter pics celebrating last nights win; including some photos featuring Kings fans welcoming home our boys at LAX in the early morning.


Don't touch that trophy, Brownie!


Bailey welcome's home an old friend.


The crowd is lining up to welcome the Kings home.




BTW, they just painted the ice at the Staples Center.  Don't that look grand?


* Please follow on twitter @ernestreyes *
* Dodgers Blue Heaven home page *
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Monday Night Game Info - White Sox in Town

The next homestand starts this evening with the Chicago White Sox.  Below are some odds and ends for tonight's game.  Unfortunately, a former Dodger player is not scheduled to sign at the stadium.

---------------
Monday, June 2nd at 7:10 PM
LHP Jose Quintana vs. LHP Clayton Kershaw

Tonight's game starts at 7:10 PM.  Auto gates open at 4:30 PM, and stadium gates open at 5:00 PM.

For this homestand the Dodgers have created a special Chicago Dog.  It's an all-beef hot dog served with a tomato wedge, pickle spear, sport pepper, relish, diced yellow onions, spicy mustard and celery salt.  It is available through Wednesday at extreme loaded dog concession stands on the Field, Loge and Reserve levels. 
(A Dodger Chicago Dog, pic via BrianKushida of Let's Eat on twitter)

The national anthem will be performed by Colette Lush, a 17-year-old senior at Tesoro High School in Rancho Santa Margarita.  Olympic Gold Medalist and AVP star Phil Dalhausser will throw the ceremonial first pitch. Dalhausser teamed with Todd Rogers to win the 2008 Olympic Gold Medal in Beach Volleyball.
  • The Veteran of the Game is U.S. Army Captain Jose Macedo of Moreno Valley. Macedo enlisted in 2000 and serves with Delta Troop Forward Support Company based at Fort Bliss, Texas. He is responsible for leading, planning, directing and coordinating logistics services that support units in garrison and combat operations. Macedo has completed two combat tours to Iraq and will be leaving soon to serve at Camp Carroll, Korea. Macedo’s accolades include four Army Commendation Medals, a Combat Action Badge and the Samuel Sharpe Award. 

* Please follow on twitter @ernestreyes *
* Dodgers Blue Heaven home page *
By at Monday, June 02, 2014 1 comments
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2014 Topps Archives Baseball - All the Dodger Insert Cards

Following up on last weeks post featuring the Dodger base cards that can be found in packs of 2014 Topps Archives Baseball packs, I now share all of the Dodger insert cards that are available.  Go here to check out all of my past post on this set.

1969 Topps Deckle Minis Set Checklist

#CK Clayton Kershaw                         #HJR Hyun-Jin Ryu

#YP Yasiel Puig

1971-72 Topps Hockey Set Checklist

#71H-YP Yasiel Puig

1987 Future Stars Set Checklist

#87F-HJR Hyun-Jin Ryu                            #87F-YP Yasiel Puig

1987 Topps All-Stars Set Checklist

#87-CK Clayton Kershaw                        #87-SK Sandy Koufax

The below Firebrand cards are made of real wood.

1997 Stadium Club Firebrand Set Checklist

#FB-PG Pedro Guerrero

#FB-YP Yasiel Puig

1967 Topps The Winners Celebrate Box Toppers

#67WC-SK Sandy Koufax

#67WC-YP Yasiel Puig

Unfortunately, the Juan Uribe autographed mini card is only available through a redemption card.

1981 Topps Minis Autographs Set

#81MA-JU Juan Uribe

Fan Favorites Autographs Set Checklist

#FFA-BR Bill Russell                           #FFA-DBA Dusty Baker

Triple Autographs Set

#ATA-GPS Palmer, Sutton & Gibson

* Please follow on twitter @ernestreyes *
* Dodgers Blue Heaven home page *
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Blog Kiosk: 6/2/2014 - Dodger Links - Zach Greinke is Impressive


Check out some of the cast members of 'A League of Their Own' that were in attendance at Saturday's game in the pic above, photo via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2014. 
"Zack's just so smart," Haren said. "He knows what he can do with what he's got. His stuff is really good. He's using his slider a lot, and it's one of the best in baseball. Zack knows how to pitch. He studies hitters and has the ability to execute his game plan with four really good pitches.

"He doesn't give in [to hitters], but he challenges guys. His walks are low, and his strikeouts are high. He keeps hitters off-balance with the ability to throw any pitch in any count."
At issue: Are all the cable and satellite operators saying no to SportsNet LA acting independently or collectively?
"That's just stuff on paper," Mattingly said. "I think we've got to get away from that. I mean, we've got to make [winning consistently] happen, and we're capable of having games like this and we're capable of running off games and winning games. I don't want to get away from that, and I don't mind the expectations at all.
"I'm just anxious to get back out there. I've been through this whole process, but you have to just be patient and keep working," Billingsley said. "It can be very frustrating at times, but it's all just part of the process."
  • This is both hilarious and very sad.  Via Harrison Mooney at Puck Daddy, "Jimmy Fallon gets his wish, as sad Youppi tours Montreal in a Rangers jersey."  You may remember Youppi as the old Montreal Expos mascot.  Well, he has since been adopted by the Montreal Canadians hockey team and paid up on a bet he lost to Jimmy Fallon when the NY Rangers defeated his team in the playoffs

* Please follow on twitter @ernestreyes *
* Dodgers Blue Heaven home page *
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