Card Of The Week - El Duque

I apologize for not posting this sooner. It's been awhile and work has taken precedence over much these last few weeks. As some of you may know, I am an IT guy for a government institution and we have had some recent internal application changes recently and the massive repercussions involved has created plenty of overtime for me. The money is good and definitely needed but, it's tough.

Anyways....

As a follow up to my Livan Hernandez posting, my next CotW is his half-brother, Orlando Hernandez, aka "El Duque". This is the matching card from the 2014 Topps Five Star base autograph set featuring Mr. Hernandez in his signature high leg kick windup.

"El Duque" was not only known for his windup but for his use of the eephus pitch. His style and form was perfected in Cuba, where he played for Industriales of Havana, in the Cuban National Series where he helped them to win titles in 1992 and 1996. His 10 year career ERA in Cuba was an amazing 3.05 and his winning percentage is .728, the league record.

Orlando Hernandez found U.S. fame, after a long ordeal of defection from Cuba(see the documentary I referenced in my previous post), with the New York Yankees. While wearing the navy blue pinstripes, he helped them win 3 World Series titles and was named ALCS MVP in 1999. In 2003, he was traded to the Expos but did not play due to injury and surgery thereafter. In 2004, he signed a 1 year contract to go back to New York and even though still recovering from his surgery, recorded a 3.30 ERA in 15 starts. In 2005, he would be traded to the White Sox and had memorable appearances leading to Chicago sweeping the Astros for the World Series win.

El Duque would end up playing for 2 more major league teams and 2 minor league teams resulting in his retirement from the game in 2011.

Card Of The Week - My Fascination With Unique Pitchers: Livan Hernandez

My card of the week is a 2014 Topps Five Star base autograph, numbered 032/499 of World Series Champion pitcher, Livan Hernandez.

I specifically remember watching the 1997 World Series and recall the stories told of Livan and his brother, Orlando(El Duque). I recently found the ESPN 30 for 30 documentary called, "Brothers In Exile" and it confirmed many of the stories told by commentators from Livan's rookie year with the Florida Marlins. If you get a chance to watch that one, do so.

In Livan Hernandez's rookie year, he started in Games 1 and 5 of the World Series, getting the win both times, earning him the World Series MVP title in 1997. A pitcher with a mid-90s fastball in late innings, a slider, a changeup and an extremely effective sinker, his power seemed to stun the Cleveland Indians in '97 and beating former Dodger, Orel Hershiser, in both starts.

Clinching The NL West - Sept. 29, 2015

Hello everyone!
I've been a little busy these past two weeks. If you follow me on Instagram or Twitter, you know why. Bouncing from Los Angeles to San Francisco will keep you tired for sure. I did have the privilege to witness my Dodgers clinch the NL West in San Francisco, shutting out and eliminating the Giants at AT&T Park. It was truly an experience I will always remember. Clayton Kershaw was on the mound shutting down Giants batters throwing a complete 9 inning game allowing only 1 hit, 1 bb and striking out 13. He was amazing!

I have to say, AT&T is a nice park to clinch in. After the 7th inning, it seemed as the Dodger Blue in the crowd outnumbered that inmate orange 3:1. It was a beautiful sight. I've never been able to go to a game where a team has won a deciding game, let alone my Boys in Blue.

Thanks, Pops, for thinking of me and treating me in SF!

Here's a few shots from my experience:

 

Pops and I

 

View from our seats

Why hello Mr. Kershaw and Mr. Honeycutt

I actually had to back up to take these..

 Intensity and focus

Me and CK

 Kenley warming up..

But we won't need him tonight..

Sorry SF, this is a Dodger Blue night

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!

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?