Allen & Ginter is Out and Here are Some of the Oddballs - Snoop, Bloggers and Vince Gilligan

It amazes me that nearly a decade after it's debut the Topps' Allen & Ginter Baseball card brand still packs a big punch.  Everyone seems to love its simple design elements, and the inclusion of so many non-sports subjects allows it to appeal to just about anybody.  Set builders, high-end card collectors, player collectors and folks of all walks of life just can't seem to get enough.

Of course, it's Baseball heavy, but you can also get planes, history, fantasy and cats.  If you want a piece of hair from Edward VIII King of England then this is your set.  If an autograph from NBC Chief White House Correspondent Chuck Todd is more to your liking than check out Allen & Ginter.  This set is probably the most ambitious card set on the market today. 

Next week I hope to have pics of most, if not all, the Dodger cards available in the set to share with you.  In the meantime, I thought it would be fun to point out some of its oddball offerings.

For instance, check out the "Oddity's" card of Boston Red Sox outfielder Daniel Nava below.  Encapsulated right in the middle are shavings from his playoff beard from last season.  No doubt, 100 years from now someone will be able to clone him for another championship run.

Continuing on the Baseball theme, below are vintage stadium cut pieces.  Sliced up pieces of wood that once graced old Baseball stadiums like Sportsman's Park or Cleveland Municipal Stadium are available.  There is an Ebbets Field card in a 10-card "Fields of Yore" insert set, but they did not create a companion relic card.  Boo!

For the Disney fan out there, former Disney CEO (and a current owner of Topps) Michael Eisner has a bunch of cards in the set; including some interesting personally worn clothing pieces.  As you can see below, some of his relic fabric pieces have hidden Mickey's in them.

I've got some friends who would go absolutely crazy for this kind of stuff.

When it comes to popular culture Allen & Ginter seems to always get it right.  Here are my two favorite available autograph subjects: Snoop Lion and Kevin Smith.

These next two cards have me baffled and intrigued.  Topps made cards for a couple of sports bloggers who write for Barstool Sports - Dave Portnoy and Kevin Clancy.  I would love to one day have a card like this for myself, but I'd be super-pissed off if I pulled one of these in a pack.

These can't possibly count as a hit?

The writer and creator of the greatest show to ever be aired on television is also in Allen & Ginter. You can get a Vince Gilligan card and autograph in the set.

Better yet, seeded into packs are scarce relic cards featuring Gilligan's production used storyboards from his show "Breaking Bad".  I kid you not!  It is unknown how many of these are available.  So far, only the two below have been unearthed.

And to finish this post off, didn't I mention cats above?  Well, then here ya go.  Check out some cards from the "Little Lions" insert set below.

UPDATE:  I made a small change to the end of this post because I realized that I could not do this set justice without adding some cats... Meow!

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Padres Series Starts Tonight - Scheduled Autograph Signings, Game Give Aways and Other Stuff!

The next homestand starts this evening against the San Diego Padres, and several old-tyme Dodgers will be in the house to sign free autographs for fans.  Below are the scheduled autograph opportunities and other odds and ends for this upcoming homestand.

For this homestand the Dodgers have created a special Taco Dog.  It's an all-beef hot dog topped with seasoned beef, cheddar cheese, lettuce, pico de gallo, sour cream and jalapeños.  It is available through Wednesday at extreme loaded dog concession stands on the Field, Loge and Reserve levels.  

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Thurday, July 10th at 7:10 PM
RHP Odrisamer Despaigne 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.  Hello Kitty strikes again!  The first 40,000 fans will receive a Hello Kitty Travel Mug.  See it on the right.

Hello Kitty will meet with fans from 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM in the left-field pavilion plaza. Also, Dodgers Radio AM 570 FOX Sports LA “Petros and Money” will be broadcasting live from the left-field pavilion plaza from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM.

Actress Kate Walsh, best known as Dr. Addison Montgomery on “Grey’s Anatomy” and “Private Practice,” will throw the ceremonial first pitch.  Singer, songwriter, producer and pianist Sheléa Frazier will perform the national anthem. Frazier recently performed at the White House and the Library of the Congress. 

Former Dodgers Tim Leary (in right-field pavilion plaza) and “Sweet” Lou Johnson (in left-field pavilion plaza) will be signing autographs for fans from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM. 

• The Veteran of the Game presented by Bank of America is U.S. Marine Corps Sergeant Kevin Price. Watching the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center in 2001 prompted Price to join the Marine Corps after high school. He is assigned to the 7th Engineer Support Battalion based at Camp Pendleton which provides engineering support to the Marine Expeditionary Force including Explosive Ordnance disposal, mobility and survivability enhancements. Price serves as an Engineer Equipment and small craft maintenance such as cranes, Zodiac reconnaissance crafts and bridge boats.  His deployments include Okinawa, Japan and Fallujah, Iraq. His accolades include the National Defense Medal, Iraqi Campaign Medal and the Global War on Terrorism Medal. 

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Friday, July 11th at 7:10 PM
RHP Jesse Hahn vs. RHP Dan Haren

Friday's game starts at 7:10 PM.  Auto gates open at 4:30 PM, and stadium gates open at 5:00 PM.  It is Friday Night Fireworks, so fans will be able to go down onto the field after the game.  The theme for the evening are super heroes.

Two members of the US Soccer team that recently returned from the 2014 World Cup in Brazil will throw the ceremonial first pitch.  “American Idol” season six runner-up Blake Lewis will perform the national anthem.  Malcolm Smith, Superbowl MVP with the Seattle Seahawks, will throw an honorary first pitch.

Former Dodgers Dennis Powell (in right-field pavilion plaza) and Al “The Bull” Ferrara (in left-field pavilion plaza) will be signing autographs for fans from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM. Also, both of them will be signing in the Stadium Club from approximately 7:30 PM to 8:00 PM.

• The Veteran of the Game presented by Bank of America is U.S. Army Private First Class (PFC) Fred Gomez of Bakersfield. Gomez was drafted in 1943 and was initially trained at a machine gunner and went on to become a medic who provided life-saving medical care to wounded soldiers. Gomez served with the 164th Regiment deploying to New Caledonia, Fiji and the Philippines. Following his Army service, Gomez fulfilled a life-long dream by working as a security guard at Dodger Stadium from 1963-1965. His accolades include two Purple Heart Medals, the Philippine Liberation Medal and a Bronze Star.
• The Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation (LADF) will hold a silent auction on the Club level by the Vin Scully Press Box. The auction ends at 8:45 p.m. with more than 25 items up for bid, including a Yasiel Puig autographed baseball, Dee Gordon autographed photo and Brandon League autographed game-used #42 LA Dodgers Jersey from Jackie Robinson Day. The LADF will feature two autographed game-used #42 LA Dodger player or coach jerseys from Jackie Robinson Day at each silent auction for the remainder of the season. All proceeds will benefit LADF and its programs in sports and recreation, education and literacy and health and wellness which help children and families throughout the greater Los Angeles region.

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Saturday, July 12th at 7:10 pm
RHP Ian Kennedy vs. TBD

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

It is another Dodger bobblehead day. The first 50,000 fans will receive a Pee Wee Reese and Roy Campanella bobblehead.  As you may know, this bobblehead commemorates Roy Campanella Night on May 7, 1959 at the LA Coliseum.  A record crowd of 93,103 fans packed the house that evening; setting a MLB record for attendance.  See the bobblehead on the right.

John Lloyd Young will perform the national anthem.  Boxer Gennady Golovkin will throw an honorary first pitch.

Former Dodgers Lee Lacy (in right-field pavilion plaza) and Derrel Thomas (in left-field pavilion plaza) will be signing autographs for fans from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM.  Also, both of them will be signing in the Stadium Club from approximately 7:30 PM to 8:00 PM.

• The Veteran of the Game presented by Bank of America is U.S. Marine Corps Staff Sergeant Maria Gomez. She will also be the recipient of an authenticated flag and display presented by Bank of America. Gomez will be honored with a piece of Dodger history, a flag that has flown over Dodger Stadium.

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Sunday, July 13th at 1:10 PM
RHP Tyson Ross vs. LHP Hyun-Jin Ryu

Sunday's game starts at 1:10 PM.  Auto gates open at 10:30 AM, and stadium gates open at 11:00 AM.  The first 40,000 fans will receive a Dodgers portable speaker.  See it on the right.

Actor, director and producer Rob Reiner will throw the ceremonial first pitch.  Comedian Gabriel “Fluffy” Iglesias will throw an honorary first pitch and the national anthem will be performed by actor U.S. Marine Corps Sergeant JW Cortes.

Former Dodgers Al Downing (in right-field pavilion plaza) and Bill Ashley (in left-field pavilion plaza) will be signing autographs for fans from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM. Also, both of them will be signing in the Stadium Club from approximately 1:30 PM to 2:00 PM.

Viva Los Dodgers begins in the Dodger parking lot at 11:00 AM.  Dennis Powell and comedian Gabriel “Fluffy” Iglesias will be there to sign autographs for fans.

• The Veteran of the Game presented by Bank of America is U.S. Marine Corps Gunnery Sergeant JW Cortes. Cortes Cortes served with the Marine Corps Embassy Security Group which provides security at designated U.S. Diplomatic and Consular facilities and was assigned to American Embassies in Nairobi and Australia. In 2003, Cortes was part of the initial troop movement into Iraq. He served 13 years active duty and reserve before moving on to serve with the NYPD. His accolades include the Combat Action Ribbon, Marine of the Year and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals.
• Sunday’s “Héroe de la Comunidad” honoree at Viva Los Dodgers is Dunia Perich, Family Services Director, The Bresee Foundation, who emigrated to the US from Honduras in 1993 and holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology from California State University Northridge. She has been working at Bresee Foundation since 2007, assisting families with supportive services, coordinating health and nutrition classes, mental health, and community workshops.  As a certified Parenting Instructor, Dunia has been teaching Parenting Classes at Virgil Middle School and Bresee for the past four years. Dunia has also been a mentor to Bresee youth, assisting with homework, following up with grades, and arranging and attending parent-teacher conference meetings.
• The Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation (LADF) will have a Mystery Bag fundraiser at Viva Los Dodgers at the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation Tent. For a $40 donation, fans can get an official Major League baseball signed by one of eight Dodger Alumni featured, including Orel Hersisher, Tommy Lasorda, Fernando Valenzuela and current players including Adrian Gonzalez, Carl Crawford and Dee Gordon. Only 68 Mystery Bags available. All proceeds will benefit LADF and its programs in sports and recreation, education and literacy and health and wellness which help children and families throughout the greater Los Angeles region.
• The Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation (LADF) will hold a silent auction on the Club level by the Vin Scully Press Box. The auction ends at 2:45 p.m. with more than 25 items up for bid, including a Clayton Kershaw autographed baseball, Adrian Gonzalez autographed photo and Brian Wilson autographed game-used #42 LA Dodgers Jersey from Jackie Robinson Day. The LADF will feature two autographed game-used #42 LA Dodger player or coach jerseys from Jackie Robinson Day at each silent auction for the remainder of the season. All proceeds will benefit LADF and its programs in sports and recreation, education and literacy and health and wellness which help children and families throughout the greater Los Angeles region.

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Blog Kiosk: 7/10/2014 - Dodger Links - Beckett, Crawford and Puig's Finger Wag

Miguel Rojas hit his first career home run yesterday afternoon in a losing effort against the Detroit Tigers.  The Dodgers lost the game 4 to 1.  We are now tied with the Giants in the NL West.  Pic above via @Dodgers on twitter.

• Via Ken Gurnick at MLB.com, "Mattingly believes Beckett won't be out long."  BTW, Gurnick also notes that the Dodgers have plans in place if Kershaw starts the for the NL in the All-Star Game, but didn't provide details.

"I can't say for sure, but I'm pretty confident it won't be months and months," Mattingly said of Beckett's likely return. "He's been dealing with it and pitching well. We hope a little time off will help. We're confident he'll be back and able to pitch."

• This is really not surprise.  Via Bill Shaikin at the LA Times, "Dodgers: Carl Crawford on the bench when he returns ."
• CJ Fogler shared a gif from Tuesday's awful game that had me rolling - even though it was from a game I'd rather forget and the runner was ultimately called safe on replay.  It was titled: "Yasiel Puig has learned the Mutombo finger wag."  Puig was giving Tori Hunter a warning... "you shouldn't run on me."

• Via Teddy Cahill at MLB.com, "No. 2 prospect Pederson returns from Triple-A DL."
• Via Ron Cervenka at Think Blue LA, "Caughel strengthens case for promotion to Chattanooga."

“It’s fun when everything’s working,” said Caughel after Wednesday’s matinee game at LoanMart Field. “Just pounding the zone like I always do and just getting better. I just want to keep taking the lessons to be learned and use those to get better.”

• In celebration of their selection to the 2014 All-Star Game Topps has created prints for each team member.  The 10' x 14' prints are as thick as a vintage Baseball card, are limited to just 99 copies and they borrow a design from the 1958 Topps All-Star subset.  Go here for information.  BTW, Clayton Kersahaw has a second All-Star Game print available called a "Diamonds" print that is limited only 10 copies.  See it below.

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