My #WalletCard - Roughed Up and Disheveled

Like a lot of card collectors online, I joined the #WalletCard craze early last year.  I dutifully chose the 1990 Donruss Orel Hershiser "59 and Counting" card, put it in my billfold and took it with me everywhere I went.  Unfortunately, I failed to follow through with my promise to document my adventures with the card in tow.

Days, weeks and then months passed by.  Still no post.

For reasons unexplained, I just never pulled it out and took a pic.

I guess I'm just a lazy bum.  I dunno.

Anyway, it has rested comfortably in my wallet for over 12 months, and now you'll finally get a peek at its current state of condition.  Take a look at my #WalletCard above and below.

That is one beat up piece of cardboard.

Strangely, though, I find it beautiful. 

It has survived a full year hidden between fading ATM receipts, a losing Powerball ticket and small cash bills waiting to be spent.  And still, it maintains the aura for which it was initially intended.  This card is a daily reminder that although we are worn through the passage of time it still lives on. 

It remains one of my favorite things - from a hobby I enjoy - of a game I absolutely love.

Here is my #WalletCard.  And for as long as it'll have me, I think I'll leave it right where it is.

I wonder what it'll look like next year at this time.

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Download Your Dodgers 2016 FanFest Ticket Now!

Jon Weisman at Dodger Insider finally shares some news about the fast-approaching Dodgers 2016 FanFest at Dodger Stadium scheduled to occur at the end of the month (Saturday, January 30th).  Go here for that.

He is asking that everyone planning to attend the event immediately download a "FREE" admission ticket.  Go here for that.  Keep in mind that the event is FREE, but apparently the Dodgers want to gauge how many fans are going, and this appears to be the best way to do it.

BTW, the #FanFest will happen "rain or shine."  Per Jon's post:

Open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., FanFest will feature appearances and autographs from Dodger players, coaches and legends. Parking gates open at 9:30 a.m. (parking is also free), with the admission gates in the outfield plazas opening at 10.

Concerned about El Nino? FanFest will take place rain or shine, although in case of inclement weather, some on-field activities may have to be curtailed.

Autograph session tickets will go on sale soon, and an announcement will be made on the player schedule and the sale of these tickets. All autograph session ticket proceeds will benefit the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation. Donations will support LADF programs and provide assistance to community organizations in the areas of education and literacy, health and wellness and sports and recreation.

VIP Experiences including player meet-and-greets and Q&As, batting and pitching lessons, and clubhouse and press box tours will also be available soon for advance purchase online.

Stay tuned!

Information about autographs should be expected soon!

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2015 Panini National Treasures - The Dodgers Base Cards

Panini must be on a different calendar because they just released a new Baseball card set that refers to itself as being from 2015.  They are living in the past.  Although, considering this brand that is rather apt since this new set largely pays homage to some of the games past greats.

Check out the Dodgers base cards to Panini's 2015 National Treasures set below.  As you can see, there are plenty of former Dodgers' throughout.  Go here for a complete checklist.  I'll have pics of many of the inserts next week.

Base

#6 Burleigh Grimes                               #10 Don Drysdale

Blog Kiosk: 1/15/2015 - Dodger Links - Ryu, Van Slyke and Yasiel Puig

Dave Roberts has always looked good in Blue - both Dodger and Bruins Blue.  Pic above via UCLA Baseball on twitter.

Below are more links to check out:

• Via Jon Heyman on twitter, the Dodgers and Scott Van Slyke have agreed to terms to avoid arbitration:

Scott van slyke, dodgers settle at $1.225M

— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) January 14, 2016

• Jon Weisman at Dodger Insider shares the names of the Dodgers' minor league coaching staff for the 2016 season, here.
• Fantastic.  Via Eric Stephen at True Blue LA, "Hyun-jin Ryu throws off mound for first time since shoulder surgery." 

Ryu, back in the U.S. on Monday to continue his training, more than a month before pitchers and catchers are scheduled to report to camp, threw long toss at Camelback Ranch before then throwing off a mound in the bullpen area just outside the Dodgers clubhouse.

• Via Cary Osborne at Dodger Insider, "Dodger first-base coach George Lombard is a most interesting man."

“Very, very high energy. He’s a players’ coach. He is high energy every single day. He has a love the game and a love to get better every single day,” said new Dodger assistant hitting coach Tim Hyers, who has known Lombard for two decades and coached with him in the Red Sox organization. “He is going to bring some energy, some passion and the desire to get better that day and go win.”

• Via Ken Gurnick at MLB.com, "Expectations key as Roberts meets Puig."

"I'm looking forward to spending time with him," Roberts said. "Any player that has success, especially as a young player, then there's injuries and you don't have the year you expect to have, I would expect him to have a different outlook in '16. This will be a big day for me and for him, our first opportunity to be face to face. I'm just going to be honest with him, let him know what our expectations are of him. And for the most part, players have higher expectations than coaches or even the media. It should be good."

• Via JP Hoornstra at the Inland Valley Daily Bulletin, "Dodgers legend Maury Wills to be honored at annual gala."

Dodgers president Stan Kasten will present veteran coach Maury Wills with a lifetime achievement award at the Professional Baseball Scouts Foundation’s annual “In The Spirit of the Game” gala Saturday in Beverly Hills.

• Via Bill Shaikin at the LA Times, "Maury Wills is looking forward to working with Yasiel Puig in spring training."

"He asked me to work with him. Whenever a player asks you, you know that you are more than halfway there. You got him. It's when you have to go and pull him out of the clubhouse that it's difficult.

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