Fantasy Dodgers Cards of Kobe Bryant

With the Baseball season in full bloom I'd like to think that the Dodgers are on everybody's mind, but just ain't true today.  'Cause today is #MambaDay, and it seems like everyone is thinking about Kobe Bryant.  He will be playing his very last game at the Staples Center tonight.

Since I am a slave to the masses and unwilling to buck those whims, I figured I'd take a bit of time to make a few Kobe/Dodgers fantasy Baseball cards in honor of the occasion. 

Billy Sunday's Message of Temperance to a Brooklyn Dodger

If you study the game long enough you start to realize that those early days hardly provided the kind of family entertainment we come to expect today.  Instead, Baseball was a rough and tumble sport.  It was filled with ruffians and gadfly's bent on ranting like a sailor and partying like the end of the world was around the corner.  Some of the games earliest heroes were known to fight with the fans (like Ty Cobb) and imbibe in all hours of the day (like Babe Ruth, Mike Kelly and just about everybody else).  So, it's no surprise that some thought that Baseball was a game for delinquents.

Still, America embraced the sport, and not everyone was uncouth.  In fact, America's most successful evangelist was a former Baseball star himself (also known as a straight-laced church going fella during his playing days) in the late 19th century.  His name was Billy Sunday, and as the letter above shows (currently on auction at REA) he would take an interest in a talented Brooklyn player that appeared to be going astray.

2016 Panini Diamond Kings - All the Dodgers Mini Cards

Now that you've seen the Dodgers base cards found in packs of Panini's 2016 Diamond Kings set, here are the various mini cards that are available. 

DK Minis

#6 Gil Hodges                          #12 Leo Durocher

An Early Peek at Dodgers Holiday Jerseys and Caps this Season

The Baseball season not only brings about a new beginning for every team in the league but it also introduces us to new team uniforms that will help us celebrate the various holidays and events that happen throughout the year.  Usually we have to wait several weeks before the occasion to see what our favorite club will be wearing.  Thankfully, we don't have to wait anymore.  The fine folks at Cut4 have provided a sneak peek at all the special uniforms teams will be wearing this season. (Link Here)

Below are pics of the Dodgers uniforms for Mothers Day, Fathers Day, 4th of July, Memorial Day the All-Star Game and the All-Star Game Home Run Derby.

 Fathers Day

You gotta love the powder blue look.  It's reminiscent of those vintage powder blue jersey's the team wore a few years back.

Blog Kiosk: 4/13/2016 - Dodgers Links - First Glove, Raised "LA" Logo and Vin Scully

It doesn't get much better than this.

Yesterday's Opening Day was all about celebrating Vin Scully and the many years he sat behind the mic to call games.  Players and personnel from his entire career came out to greet and honor him, and it was clear to see how touched the man of the hour was.  It was quite a sight to see, and I'm sure the moment will be remembered by everyone in attendance.

In the middle of all the pomp and circumstance was probably the best selfie ever taken.  Check it out above.  From L to R: Kershaw (walking away), Newcombe, Valenzuela, Downing, Hershiser (holding camera), Russell, Cey, Magic, Wills, Koufax, Vin, Garvey, Lasorda, Monday.  Pic at the very top via Dodgers on twitter.

As for the game, it was a stinker.  The Dodger got off to an early lead, and Kenta Maeda was crafty in his six inning of scoreless pitching.  Unfortunately, the Dodgers bullpen was not up to the task.  They gave up four runs to lose the game.  Via Jon Weisman at Dodger Insider:

“It’s a long season, and there are going to be ups and downs and guys are gonna struggle. … Right now, these guys aren’t throwing the ball as well as they’d like to or we’d like ’em to. But they’d be the first to say that.”
...
“Right now, you want to give these guys confidence and give them opportunities,” he said. “I expect to be ahead in a lot of games late, and we’re gonna need ’em, if we want to have a great season. So for me, it’s way too early to think about changing the roles.

“You’re seeing certain pitches that aren’t being executed, and over a certain time if that continues, then you’ve got to kind of entertain (changes), but right now, we’re just way too early.”

Check out a bunch of great photos from the game by Jon SooHoo here.  Below are more links to check out:

• Wow!  Via Paul Lukas at ESPN, "Uni Watch: L.A. Dodgers display new 3-D look on batting helmet."