Card of the Week: Photoshop Magic

This weeks card of the week has been lurking around the collector blogs for quite some time. It is the 2008 Topps Stadium Club card of Manny Ramirez in a Dodger uniform. Why is that important? Well, this card set came out shortly after the Manny trade to LA, so the chances of a Manny in Blue card was low. Fortunately, Topps did not disappoint.

At first glance, I was just happy to have Manny in a Dodger uniform, but there is so much more happening here. If not for the 'net I would never have noticed the chicanery. It is a almost perfect photoshop creation.

• Did you notice that there is no umpire? I didn't, at first.
  
• The background is neither Dodger Stadium or AT&T Park. It is of Fenway park- just colored in blue. Also, the 99 advertisement is of a chain of restaurants in the Boston area.
  
• Numerous fans in the stands have washed out hats that probably sported a giant "B" for Boston.
  
• The pitcher is Matt Morris who wore #22 in 2007 in tribute to a former roommate, Mike Matheny. Matheny had retired from Baseball due to post concussion syndrome- too many foul balls off the mask. In 2007 the Giants faced the Red Sox at Fenway and is probably where the photo originates.

Blog Kiosk 12/20/2009

• Albuquerque Isotopes owner, Ken Young, is named the Minor League Executive of the Year, from I Love This Game.

• Bye Bye Mitch Jones. He signs with the Braves.
  
• The Dodgers take care of their season ticket holders with something unique for the Holidays. Via It's Time for Dodger Baseblog and Vin Scully is My Homeboy here, here and here. Apparently there are numerous different version based on where you sit in the stadium. On eBay is this white seat version.
• The 50 best catch phrases of the decade.
  
• A great Christmas gift idea- Rick Dempsey's Home Run Holiday. (Hat Tip: Big League Stew)

• “I never imagined I’d be standing out here no, never. This is kind of surreal. You look around and you’re in a baseball park, Fenway Park! Then you look down and you’re on ice. Really unique, that’s for sure.”

  -Bobby Orr after skating on the ice at Fenway Park today. (From KuklasKorner) Watch a live webcam overlooking Fenway Park with a hockey rink on it below.
  

• The year in photos from Boston.com. Chicago White Sox pitcher Scott Linebrink delivers a pitch against the Chicago Cubs during the fifth inning of a spring training baseball game in Las Vegas, in this March 5, 2009 photo. (AP Photo/Isaac Brekken)

2009 Topps Unique Dodgers

Even with Baseball on a winter hiatus new card sets continue to be released. Earlier this month Topps released a new Baseball card brand called "Topps Unique" that features a nice design and some unusual insert cards. All of the photos below were taken from various eBay Auctions. Feel free to click on any of the pics to enlarge.

Before I show the base cards of Dodger players in the set I thought I would show the below "1 of 1" insert card of Andre Ethier first. In my opinion it is the nicest card in the set and, unfortunately, you may never have an opportunity to own it yourself since only one exist. It recently sold on eBay for a bit over $200.00. The card has a signature of the Dodger right fielder and a game used patch (most likely from a uniform or cap) of the MLB logo.
Now we get to the 7 Dodgers in the base set.

Jim Thome.

Russell Martin.

Manny Ramirez.
Clayton Kershaw.

Matt Kemp.

Andre Ethier.

Chad Billingsley.

Below are two insert cards called Unparalleled Performances of Orlando Hudson and James Loney.

James Loney.

Here is a triple patch that can be pulled of Russell Martin, Manny Ramirez and Matt Kemp.

Below is a great large game-worn patch card of Chad Billingsley.

Solo Shot autographed inserts of Andre Eithier and Chad Billingsley are below.

And one of the strangest and unique cards in this set are below. Even though Adrian Beltre hasn't worn Blue in over 5 season he is featured on this game-worn patch card wearing a Dodger uniform.
Even odder is the below game-worn button (yes, you read that right- a button) from Brad Penny in Blue. This is one card I could do without.

eBay: Dodger Odds & Ends

Check out some recent Dodger related collectibles found on eBay recently.

The image on this vintage 1973 7-11 Slurpee cup looks nothing like Roy Campanella. I see no resemblance. Nevertheless, cups like this one with the picture still in nice condition are hard to come by. Usually general use and washing tends to cause fading.

eBay Auction Link: Campy Slurpee Cup:

UPI captured Jay Johnstone donning a scary Halloween mask shortly after the Dodgers won the second game of the 1981 World Series.

eBay Auction Link: Jay Johnstone:

Here is a UPI press photo dated March 4, 1965 of Maury Wills making a feet-first slide. It's amazing how much air he gets.

eBay Auction Link: Maury Wills Photo:

Here is something I've never seen before. Below is a 1987 Coca-Cola advertising store display featuring Fernando Valenzuela. It is large, measuring 15" by 6". Obviously, the campaign was geared towards the Spanish community. On an aside, when I first saw the picture below I initially thought Ferdie was standing next to Keith Hernandez.

eBay Auction Link: Ad Piece:

Wow! This 1939 Dodger media guide is very rare. It is highly sought after primarily because it prominently features the 1939 Baseball Centennial logo on the front. In fact, just about anything with that logo will garner big prices.

eBay Auction Link: 1939 Dodger Media Guide:

Card of the Week: Breakfast of Champions

I've been such a boob. I haven't posted a Card of the Week for awhile. Above is a 1996 Upper Deck card featuring roommates Eric Karros and Mike Piazza enjoying a healthy breakfast of corn flakes and donuts. Cardboard skipper Tommy Lasorda watches on in glee, no doubt peddling a can of SlimFast. After all, when was the last time Tommy was that skinny.

I don't quite know if the card is a special insert or a subset from the 1996 Upper Deck set, but I do know that it was photographed by V. J. Lovero, of Sports Illustrated. He was also a team photographer for the Angels and the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim. Lovero died in 2004 at the age of 44 from cancer.

Pierre Traded

The savior of last year. The man who was "Beast Mode." Our 4th outfielder who became our saving grace has been traded to the White Sox.

(pic link: Farther Off the Wall)

From the Dodger press release:

LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles Dodgers today announced that they have traded outfielder Juan Pierre to the White Sox for two players to be named. Dodger General Manager Ned Colletti made the announcement.

“Juan always put the Dodgers first, even when it wasn’t in his personal best interest,” said Colletti. “In this day, that is a rare attribute. When he and I spoke at the end of the season, we agreed that if an opportunity presented itself in which his chance to play would be enhanced, we would pursue it and that’s what we’ve done. He deserved the chance to play more.”

During his three seasons with Los Angeles , Pierre batted .294 with a .339 on-base percentage and 134 stolen bases in 173 attempts. Last season, his 10^th in the Majors, Pierre hit .308 (117-for-380) with a .365 on-base percentage in 145 games.

The Dodgers will receive the two players to be named on or before Jan. 7, 2010.

Thanks for the hard work, Juan!

Below are some Juan Pierre Videos celebrating how good he was for us when we needed him. DodgerFilms captures the award presentation given to Juan for being the Player of the Month of May 2009.

YouTube Link: DodgerFilms:

His month of May included this clutch "walk-off walk" in the 10th inning to win the game against the Angels on May 23, 2009.

YouTube Link: DodgerFilms:

Blog Kiosk: 12/13/2009

Too much drama. I just can't stand it.

• Here's a great story about what else happens at the Winter Meetings.
• A fond farewell to the best and most popular card collecting blog around, Wax Heaven. Hopefully you'll still post from time to time.
  
• A great new tradition has been created in hockey and it is the Winter Hockey Classic. This time around it will be at Fenway Park. Below is a artist rendition made by the NHL showing what it may look like. BTW, check out the video below for a live webcam of Fenway Park as they prepare the field for the hockey game.
  
• The moon in color.

  This color mosaic was assembled from 18 images taken by Galileo's imaging system through a green filter.

  
• What Earth would look like with rings like Saturn.

YouTube Video Link:
Hat Tip: The Big Picture:

A Monumental Dodgers Night at the Kings Game

The Kings are in first place. Yes, you heard that right. The team than has been in rebuilding mode for what seems like an eternity is finally seeing the fruits of their labor come to fruition. And there was no better night than Saturday night for the team to take their place at the top.

It was Dodger Night at the Staple Center as the Kings faced off against the Dallas Stars. Eric Karros dropped the opening puck to start the game and former Dodgers Bobby Castillo and Ken Landreaux were on hand to sign for the fans.

I haven't been much of an autograph hound in the past, but since I would already be there I decided to go to the game with a baseball to get some signatures.
The line was short and I was able to get a group photo with the former Dodger stars. As pre-game events go this was easily the best of the year. The game couldn't start any better.Unfortunately, the Kings didn't play their best game. They were sluggish and not in tune, but managed to keep it close. Like many games last season for the Dodgers, the Kings came out and struggled, but found a way to win due to some game ending heroics. They scrambled and held on to tie the Stars, 2 to 2, to end regulation and overtime play. Then, they went to a shoot out and won as winger Michael Handzus potted the winning goal in the 4th round.

This put them in a virtual tie at 45 points, but makes them the division leader due to tie-breaking rules. So, on a night when my beloved Dodgers are represented the Kings end the evening winning in dramatic fashion, and claim 1st place. This Dodger fan/Kings fan couldn't imagine a better evening.

Below is a video I shot of the Kings pregame Happy Holidays video and light show.

YouTube Link:

UPDATE: Orel at the Sons of Steve Garvey was kind enough to link to this post (Roberto at Vin Scully is My Homeboy also linked here), but also adds some great photos of the event from the Dodgers here. The Dodger photo album of the event is here. Below is the ceremonial face-off.(photos by Juan Ocampo/Dodgers)

A Must Watch for the Dodger Fan

Mark Timmons with the blog LA DodgerTalk just put up a 2 part interview he conducted over the Winter Meetings with De Jon Watson and Logan White. Those of you who fret about the state of the Dodgers farm system will want to check it out. Go here for the interviews.

eBay: Searching our for Some Dodgers

I've been falling way behind on my posting here. With the holidays in full swing it is just getting more difficult to find the time. Nevertheless, I'll endeavor to add my cents sooner or later.

While you wait, check out some cool Dodger items I saw on eBay last week.

I really like the look of the front cover of this vintage 1965 Dodger Scorecard. It almost looks good enough to frame as a work of art.

Auction Link: 1965 Dodger Scorecard:

Do you remember those doll-sized action figures of Star Wars characters? I had a Darth Vader, and I'm not the least bit embarrassed to admit it. Below is a similar sized action figure of Hideo Nomo from 1998.

Auction Link: Nomo Doll:

Don Drysdale was the quite the restaurateur. Many older Angelenos may remember his Van Nuys restaurant called the Dugout, but did you know he also had a place to dine in Hawaii? Below is a 1983 menu from Don Drysdale's Club 53 restaurant located in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii.

eBay Auction Link: Club 53:

Lelands Auction: Dodger Items

Lelands recently closed their December auction and below are some nice Dodger related collectibles.

1955 was a incredible year- Winston Churchill resigned as prime minister, Einstein dies, the first advisers were sent to Vietnam, the polio vaccine received FDA approval, Disneyland opened and Peter Pan made its television debut. What also happened was the Dodgers first World Series championship.

Below is a banner that hung in the borough celebrating the Dodgers National League pennant that year. Considering the past, most probably thought this would hang all winter long. Little did they know the Dodger would come home with the crown in 1955. This banner sold for $1,815.19.

Auction Link: Banner:

Here is a great press photo at the steps of city hall. "Keep the Dodgers in Brooklyn."

Auction Link: Keep the Dodgers in Brooklyn:

More celebrations from the 1955 World Series. Coach Bert Shotton has Jackie and Campy in his arms.

Auction Link: 1955 WS Celebration:

I know I have highlighted this photo in the past, but I figured it is worth another look. It is of Jackie Robinson signing autographs before his first game ever at Ebbets Field. It sold for $431.69.

Auction Link: Jackie Photo- First Game:

Get Hodges into the Hall! Below is an award plaque given to Gil Hodges for his selection into the 1950 All-Star game.

Auction Link: Hodges NL All-Star Award:

This last item is for all of the Kings fans that happen to come to this blog. I know there are a bunch of you folks out there so don't be embarrassed. The Kings are good again and, I suspect, will continue to be so for quite some time. They have a pipeline of great young prospects and stars who should remain in LA for a long time. Anyway, below is a phenomenal game-used jersey worn by former Kings first line left-wing forward Charlie Simmer during the 1981-1982 hockey season. As you know he was a member of the incredible Triple Crown Line that featured Hall of Famers Dave Taylor and Marcel Dionne. It sold for a very healthy $2,411.80.

Auction Link: Charlie Simmer- Triple Crown Line GU Jersey:

Dodgers Night with the LA Kings

This coming Saturday is Dodger Night at the Staples Center with the LA Kings. Apparently, Eric Karros will be there to sign autographs- along with others not yet named. Check here for more information.

(UPDATE: Autograph listings: 6:00 – 7:30 p.m. – Bobby Castillo and Kenny Landreaux autograph signing)

Also, check out this great photo gallery featuring both the Dodgers and Kings.