Aloha, everybody,
Have you ever had one of those posts that you start, and restart, and then restart yet again? You're reading one of those now.
It doesn't have anything to do with writer's block, or not being inspired. It's nothing like that. In fact, I'm plenty inspired by the cards that I'll be showing off here. It's things outside of our hobby that are zooming around my brain and distracting me from the clarity that cardboard brings.
That's why I'm writing tonight. I'm seeking that which our hobby (almost) always delivers - serenity, order, enjoyment, and escape. So let's get to it.
In the previous post, I showed off the cards that GCRL Jim sent to me, that chipped away at my vintage Dodgers wish lists. Tonight, we'll check out the modern cardboard that rounded out the goodies.
I'm a sucker for the "baseball" texture that they add to these Ovation sets, but this Raul Mondesi card leaves me wanting more. By more, I'm thinking, a photo that doesn't make Raul look like he's stepping into a mystery hole, and he's frustrated because he can't bring his bat along with him.
This red-haired chia pet is one of the hottest Dodgers right now. He was in a horrendous slump through the first two months of the season, but he's been gangbusters for the past couple of weeks. So it was a real treat to get this one.
A few posts back, I wrote a post about the legendary Duke of Flatbush. I showed off some of my favorite cards from the Duke, and then along came this baby. This one just joined that stack of faves. Who can resist those baby Dodger blue eyes?
If there's one thing I'm pretty sure Jim has, and I don't - it's a whole lotta Steve Garvey cards. This one mentions Garvey and the 1981 WS. So long ago the Dodgers used to semi-regularly be in the Fall Classic, and it sure doesn't look like they'll make it this year either.
Here we go. A beautiful tribute card to Number 42, with a bonus lurking skipper, Walter Alston.
Believe it or not, these are my first American Pie cards. A very nice surprise.
This group of four comes from the Greats of the Game set. I've got a few more of these in the Dodgers shoebox. It's time to put them all together and see where I stand on completion of the Dodgers.
Here's another Raaaaaauuuuuuuuuul card with Mondesi blasting another monster home run. He's a member of the Power Players, but I'm not so sure how powerful that chalk art background is. Powerful backdrops or not, Raul Mondesi cardboard is always awesome.
I've been picking up these Cooperstown Collection cards here and there, and Jim dropped a great new addition on me here.
Finally - the man. Mr. Koufax, on a tribute card that's right up my alley...
This card commemorates the 1965 World Series win over the Minnesota Twins. The series went seven games. Koufax pitched two shutouts and struck out ten to win Game 7.
These are all great additions to my collection. Thanks again, Jim. It's time for me to start putting together a pile for you, my friend.
Aloha!
Aloha, everybody,
Tonight the Dodgers celebrate and recall the career of the legendary Dodger - the Duke of Flatbush - Duke Snider.
The Duke patrolled center field for Brooklyn's Boys of Summer. He shared New York CF stardom with Willie Mays and Mickey Mantle, inspiring countless arguments over who among them was the best.
This is a replica of the Duke's 1949 Bowman RC. It's not the real McCoy, but nevertheless, it's beautiful, reflective and shiny.
Speaking of shiny tribute cards, here's a shiny gold reprint of his 1952 Topps issue, with an added 1952 World Series stamp...
Brooklyn didn't win in 1952, but the Duke hit four home runs and had seven RBI's against the Yankees.
Here's one of my few original Duke Snider cards, 1957 Bowman. A real beauty.
This card celebrates the Dodgers' move to LA, and on the back lists some of the Dukes multiple records...
Here are some of his World Series records...
Most home runs by a NL player (11), most RBIs (26) by a NL player, tied for most total bases in one series (24), tied for most extra base hits (6).
This original is one of my favorites from the "Baseball Thrills" subset (which I am still chasing)...
Here's the rear...
One more original, his penultimate Dodgers card,1961 Topps...
During the glory days of the 1950's, Snider hit 326 home runs and 1,031 RBIs, more than anyone else in the game. He remains the only player to hit four or more home runs in two different World Series (1952, 1955)
 |
| Numbered 78/99 |
The Duke was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1980.
And the Duke got the first hit in Dodger Stadium.
Aloha!
Aloha, everybody,
Folks on Twitter are having fun counting down to Opening Day by showing photos of player's uniform numbers that match the number of days to go.
I figured I would take a crack at something like that and run an ATBATT countdown, showing cardboard that features the appropriate numbers.
My criteria was the same as Twitter's; the number itself had to be visible. Little did I know how hard it would be to find a lot of cardboard in my collection that clearly showed the numbers I needed. I had to get creative on occasion.
Lucky for me, I've got a few cards from the Duke of Flatbush...
See you all for Number 3. Aloha!
