Bring in the Clown - A LA Dodger "Bums" Sculpture by Ron Lee

It's been awhile since I've shared any unique Dodgers' finds I've come across on eBay, so I figured I'd get back into the grove by sharing something a little fun.  Featured here is an eight inch painted solid bronze sculpture by an Southern California artist named Ron Lee found on eBay. (check out his website here)  He is noted for creating numerous clown based statues, and one of them features what looks like an LA Dodgers "Bum" on the pitching mound.

The left-handed pitcher is not wearing an actual Dodger uniform (I'm sure copyright issues prevented that), but it's clear to me that this little fellow is supposed to be a Dodger.  On his cap is "LA Bums," a clear reference to Emmett Kelly's Brooklyn Dodger "Bum" depiction, and on his back is the number 53 (likely for Dodger Hall of Famer Don Drysdale).  Strangely, the name on his back is "Lefty," and as we all know Drysdale was a right-hander.  BTW, the statue weight 10 lbs!

According to the seller this statue is a part of Ron Lee's Emmett Kelly Jr. collection.  In 2002 Ron Lee received a license from Emmett Kelly Jr. to depict him on limited edition statues.  As you may know, Emmett Kelly Jr. is the son of the great Emmett Kelly that used to grace Ebbets Field in the 1940's and 1950's.  He followed his father's footsteps and became just as famous.  Unfortunately, I don't think this is a part of those works by Lee.  The seller states that this statue was produced in 1987 - many years before Lee's license with Kelly Jr.

I have no idea what something like this is worth, but I do know I would never pay the over $3K asking the price the seller is seeking.  That just seems steep.  Way too steep.

What I do know is that I would love to add something like this to my collection. 

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2015 Panini Cooperstown - All the Dodger Insert Cards

Now that you've seen the base cards take a look at the Dodger inserts that are available in packs of 2015 Panini Copperstown below. 

The below "Etched in Copperstown" inserts have very unique parallels available.  As you can see, the normal silver card has a silver metallic look to them.  The parallels come in different shades, and also can include actual gems embedded within them (diamonds, emeralds or sapphires)

As an example, take a look at the Leo Durocher card below.  It is a Gold Emerald parallel card.  Look closely to the right of the bill of Durocher's cap.  That little green circular thing is a tiny emerald.

Etched in Cooperstown Silver

#16 Don Drysdale                                  #17 Duke Snider

Blog Kiosk: 7/31/2015 - Dodger Links - Friedman, Pablo Fernandez and Kershaw's Ping Pong 4 Purpose

Clayton Kershaw's Ping Pong 4 Purpose charity event last night appears to have been a smashing success.  The ballplayers came out to play, stars were there to lend their support and a bunch of money was raised for a good cause.  Featured in the pic above were probably the two biggest goofballs in attendance.  Via a pic tweeted by Kike Hernandez is Kike with his ping pong partner Ken Jeong.  You can check out more photos from AM570 here.  Via Steve Bourbon at MLB.com:

"It's humbling for us to see the turnout, not to mention we get to raise money for two incredible causes. It's just so cool," Kershaw said. "It keeps getting bigger and bigger every year."

While Kershaw was paramount in organizing the event, he wasn't able to participate in the pingpong competition. Kershaw has a sore hip that caused him to miss his scheduled start on Wednesday.

"I probably could [play], but it's the smart thing to do, as much as I'd like to," Kershaw said. "I'll get to trash talk and watch."

BTW, the duo of Orel Hershiser and actor Josh Henderson won the tournament.  Check out the Kershaw's Challenge website here to learn more.  Below are some links to check out:

• Dusty Baker is now on twitter.  You can follow him here: @dbaker_12  
• Via Ken Gurnick at MLB.com, "Friedman discusses Dodgers' Deadline moves." 

"Money factors in, just like players do," Friedman said. "Everything is negotiated. There are times we've given up players, times we've taken on contracts. We have that ability to do that and/or supplement that with players, and that increases the likelihood of getting a deal done. Having that added flexibility increases your chances of [making a deal]."

• BTW, the Dodgers might not be done, so stay tuned.  Today is the trade deadline and things might get interesting.  Via a tweet from OC Register reporter Bill Plunkett:

Friedman: "We feel good about what we’ve done to date. But by no means are we kicking our feet up, sitting back and exhaling." #Dodgers

— Bill Plunkett (@billplunkettocr) July 31, 2015

• Via Jeff Passan at Yahoo Sports, "With money and cutting-edge brilliance, Dodgers playing a game others can’t."

The Yankees sashayed into free-agent meetings like fat cats, paying big dollars for big names and big splashes. They were old money acting like new money. The Dodgers positioned themselves in diametric opposition, fundamentally against larding their roster with aging players, using their cash as judiciously as the filthy rich can, exploring every creative nook and cranny possible.

• Via David Lieberman at Deadline Hollywood, "Time Warner Cable Strikes Out In Securing More Distribution For Dodgers."

It “doesn’t look like we’ll get additional distribution for the Dodgers network this season,” Time Warner Cable CEO Rob Marcus told analysts this morning in a call to discuss Q2 earnings.

• Via Hugh Bernreuter at MLive.com, "Dodgers prospect Pablo Fernandez hopes trip from Cuba ends in L.A."

"He's got five, maybe six quality pitches and that translates better to starting than relieving," Loons pitching coach Glenn Dishman said. "He was a reliever in Cuba, but in the Majors here they like having a reliever or closer with one or two dominant pitches throwing 100."

• GCRL, a Dodger collector blog, is calling it quits.  You were one of my favorite daily destinations.
• With the National Sports Collectors Convention in Chicago in full swing I though I would share the below pic from twitter with you.  It's a display from SCP Auctions of some Don Drysdale items that will be for sale in their upcoming offering.  BTW, I have personally consigned items from my own collection with SCP, so I'll be sure to write about that soon.

Don Drysdale collection consigned to @SCPAuctions just unveiled  here at #NSCC15. pic.twitter.com/IghCO0OrwS

— Sports Collector (@SportsCollector) July 29, 2015

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