Sunday, September 13, 2015

Card of the Week - Dodger/Baseball Legend Framed in Silver

I acquired this card in a trade with BayAreaFan702 some months ago. I gave up some autos and a sepia, to get it along with many others. I'm fairly sure I got the better end of the deal. Just don't tell him..haha. This is my first framed card and hope it's not the last. They are beautifully done and very unique. Topps couldn't have picked a better subject for this limited edition set. Topps from the 50s, in my opinion, are some of the most iconic sets of cards in the hobby. This one is reprinted from the 1953 Topps set and prominently shows Jackie's headshot in Brooklyn blue.

Thanks, Rodney!






Thursday, September 10, 2015

My Latest Purchase - 2015 Bowman Chrome & 2015 Topps Chrome Hobby Boxes

Hello everyone!

I decided a couple months ago to get these two boxes since I had so much success with last years sets of Topps Chrome and Bowman Chrome. I made a terrible mistake though. I ended up purchasing them from Blowout Cards like I have in the past but I failed to read far enough this time. They won't fulfill an order until both items are available. SO, Topps Chrome was available about a month and a half ago but, I wasn't able to receive them until the Bowman Chrome was available last week. Oh well. I little delay is ok, except for the fact that some of the cards I received in the Bowman box, I could have had signed at the Ports games. Hopefully, some of them will be around next season.

Here is a list of some of my hits from both boxes. Sorry for the potato-quality pictures. It was late and I was only concerned with taking them quickly. If you are interested in any of them, please comment or contact me at @cpuJesse







First, let's start with the important stuff. #Dodgers
 Corey Seager, Hyun-Jin Ryu & Joc Pederson

The A's
Bobby Wahl, Matt Olsen, Trace Loehr, Josh Reddick, Sonny Gray & Stephen Vogt

Bowman Top 100 Inserts
Erick Fedde, Jesse Winker & Reese McGuire

Topps Chrome Future Stars and GoG Inserts
Michael Taylor, Brandon Finnegan & Evan Longoria

Bowman Chrome Series Next die-cut Inserts
Mike Trout & Blake Swihart

Bowman Chrome Prospect Profiles Inserts
Byron Buxton, Jose Berrios & Jameson Taillon

Topps Chrome Prism Refractor
Ryan Rua & Justin Verlander

Bowman Chrome Refractors /499
J.D. Martinez & Tyler Glasnow

Bowman Chrome Purple Refractor /250
Trevor Bauer

Topps Chrome Green Refractor /99
Brandon Crawford

Bowman Chrome Auto's
Corelle Prime & Antonio Senzatela(Purple /250)

Topps Chrome Auto's
Erik Cordier & Yorman Rodriguez(Orange /25)


Honestly, overall I am disappointed with this break. I can't be upset with Topps as I realize there are weaker boxes than others, but two? I am willing to part with anything in here in trade or FS, except the Dodgers. Anyone want to trade for Dodgers?

Monday, September 07, 2015

Card Of The Week - Top Prospect & New Dodger, Corey Seager

Last year I had the fortunate opportunity to see the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes when they came to play the Stockton Ports during their annual series in town. It just so happens that quite a few of the Dodgers' top prospects were together on the Quakes roster.  Julio Urias, Chris Anderson, Tom Windle and Corey Seager.  I knew it was a possibility beforehand to be able to see Seager since he was on the roster but he had injured a hamstring earlier and had been on the disabled list for a while. I prepared for it regardless and since I am one of the few Dodger fans that come to the local games I had a good opportunity to get him to sign. I was able to get a good variation of cards autographed and also an MLB ball. Here is one of my favorites from the group.

2013 Panini USA Baseball Champions Game Gear relic 


It's a great looking card, even though, because of the design, it's dark where he signed it, I still love this card.

Based on this young man's recent performances, he has a bright, long future ahead of him and I wish him te best.

#GoDodgers

Friday, September 04, 2015

As A Dodger Fan, I Tolerate The Giants But Their Fans..

Hello everyone!

I've been prompted to write about this subject by an incident that I experienced yesterday. I work in a government building and since I reside in Northern California, there are many Giants fans along with A's fans. I understand that since I live here, the expectation is to be outnumbered 10:1. No problem. As soon as someone hears that I am a fan of Dodger Blue, I hear about it. Again, no problem. I have never been upset by any jibes or taunts about my favorite team. I respond with fact because no team is perfect and can work on things to be better. The Dodgers don't pay me. I do not work for the Dodgers or any of their affiliations. I have no money invested with the team. I do not own any part of the team. So, why should I get upset if an opposing fan wants to take a shot at them?

The incident I'm referring to happened recently(the day after the Dodgers swept the Giants). I was walking through a certain department and overheard a group discussion about favorite baseball teams. Since I was on my way out, I nonchalantly said a, 'Go Dodgers' and walked on. I was yelled at from across the room to come back. I knew who the person was and who they claim to be a fan of and so, I walked back and greeted this person as "2nd place". Maybe that was a little bit much but since I was being called back to be berated, I figured, 'oh well'. This so-called Giants fan proceeds to attempt to lecture me about the money the Dodgers spend, can't beat the Cardinals, 3 in 5...blah blah blah.. The same arguments the Giants fans always have. Meanwhile, I retort in my usual way of closing those arguments with, "we have it to spend, maybe the Giants need to spend some, the Cardinals won't always be a problem and we are in a new year." This person's demeanor and attitude were completely uncalled for, as anyone within earshot could hear her cliche' responses and angry tone. 

As I have been writing this, another incident came up at a Stockton Ports game and involved the same person. I was sitting there enjoying the game with my wife and friends and said person referenced my Dodger cap that I was wearing and, lo and behold, other Giants fans proceeded to chime in with, "that's a losers hat" and "we beat you last time." Obviously drunk talk, as one of the older gentleman evidently had a few. He went on to make a fool of himself in front of his quiet significant other for the rest of the evening so I paid him no mind.

Now I've heard it all and more so lately since that series. They seem to be hurt physically and emotionally by the sweep so I guess I can understand their frustration. Personally, I've not even brought it up to any of my friends that are Giants fans. I haven't had to. They seem to be the ones to remind me about it. 

Now I love the Dodgers. I love Dodger Stadium, Dodger Dogs, Cool-A-Coo's, left field pavilion, banana rally's, Vin Scully and Sandy Koufax. Nothing will ever, ever change that. But somehow, these fans seem to make it their goal to try. I will admit, I married a Giants fan. She's a beautiful, intelligent, capable person. At first, even I wanted her to be a Dodger fan. Then I realized that I would never want someone to switch their teams just because I wanted them to or felt they 'should' be one. 

Giants fans aren't all bad. My father-in-law is also one and I love the guy. We have our moments back and forth about the teams but it's all in fun. It's the ones that get downright angry or hostile that are disappointing. It goes both ways, I suppose. I'll call out a Dodger fan if they are being unreasonable about our team. But, since I'm up here, it's easy to see so many bad Giants fans. They are bad losers and even worse winners under the guise of being "passionate". I just can't imagine Giants players or ownership condoning such behavior. It also says a lot about the person. I love baseball as much as the next guy but it's not my life. I have my God, my family and much in this world to do. Baseball and the Dodgers are, in the grand existential scheme of things, a small part. Love the game, folks. Love it and your team, whoever it may be but respect it and yourself.