Who Says Dodgers and Mets Fans Don't Get Along?

Aloha, everybody, 

I received two PWEs in the mail yesterday, which made me a very happy collector. Sure I was pleased because both hands were filled with cardboard goodies, but even more so, it was because they each filled out needs in my general Dodgers collection and in targeted PC chases. 

First up is the PWE that I received from Mets fan Mark Kaz, of the now-defunct blog, This Way to the Clubhouse. The Dodgers and Mets (and lots of their fans) aren't on each other's Christmas lists because of bad blood that was created during the 2015 NLDS. 

Chase Utley put a hard slide into Ruben Tejada to break up a double play, and Tejada wound up with a broken leg. Mets fans cried "Foul!", Dodgers fans cried "Fair!", and MLB ended up changing the rules for sliding. 

One great thing about our online community is we generally don't let team rivalries get in the way of our hobby. Heck, I'll happily trade with Giants fans. 

Tejada won't forgive Utley, but that's not going to get in the way of some happy holiday trading and good cheer between collecting friends. 

Let's take a look at the Dodgers cards that came to me from the icy east. 

Leading off is this shiny, purply beauty featuring Ryu's K-pop hair and a cool All-Star Rookie cup. Nice! 

Next up is one of my favorite mid-range Dodgers from the past...

The simple black frame works well with Sharpy's black mitt. Bonus: It's always nice to get a card with lurking Wrigley ivy. 

Here's the Dodgers' number three starter with a RC shield...

Speaking of mid-range Dodgers...

Podsednick played only a little for the Dodgers, accomplished a little, was injured a lot, and left for free agency after one season. Scott, we hardly knew ye. 

Lilly was another Dodger who was short on accomplishments but long on the DL. The difference was, he stuck around for a few years doing it. 

Third in this run of little seen, little contributed, is Nick Punto. I will always remember Nick for the modified version of his last name, which some referred to him as. (Hint: it sounds like a derogatory term in Spanish) 

Finally, some cool cardboard of a man who is in no way mid-range, and will forever hold a top spot in every Dodger fan's blue heart forever...

It's a patch card replica of Sandy Koufax's 1955 Topps RC. Wow! 
These RC patches were found in 2013 Topps. I have one from Chipper Jones, and now this Koufax will sit beside it in my binder.

THANKS for the cool cards, Mark! 

Aloha!  

This Way To The End of 2015 *sniffsniff*

Aloha, everybody,

This will probably be the last post of 2015 for ATBATT.  So I'd like to thank all of you out there - fellow bloggers, readers, traders and friends (some of you belong to every catogory) - for reading and joining me in my humble little corner of our hobby over this past year.

Unless a new surprise should pop up in my mailbox before Jan.1, this will stand as my last fistful of cardboard received in 2015. These cards came to me courtesy of Mark Kaz and This Way to the Clubhouse, the place to be for Mets fans and Mets cards. Get on over there and see if you can't help Mark to complete that huge Walmart Blue Series project of his. 

Today is the birthday of Dodgers legend, World Series hero, retired number 32, greatest southpaw pitcher ever - Sandy Koufax. 

So it's appropriate that we lead off with one of his cards. Ah heck - it's the end of the year. Let's run with a few Koufax's...

First up is this thick-cardboard beauty, a 2013 Topps Silver Elite.

We've seen plenty of Koufax and Kershaw cards, but this time it's Sandy with a Korean partner. I like the idea here, but that mid-ground bypasses simple and goes straight to simplistic.

Finally, a tribute. I will never get tired of Koufax cards. Nope, never. 


Here's a very cool solo Ryu...

As much as my Dodger blue-tinted glasses want every Dodger to be a legend - alas, it cannot be so. Presenting...

 Hernandez was a below-average catcher who spent his Dodger career playing backup for Mike Scioscia and Mike Piazza. 

Aside: Hernandez may have reached legend status in his home country, for being the second Venezuelan-born catcher in MLB. The first was Bo Diaz, which may have GM's around baseball wondering if the third time will be the charm. 

Finally, we have an LA kid who left Cali to be a star on Mark's team, the Mets. In fact, he was an All-Star eight straight times. 

Darryl Strawberry tore it up as a Met, and he was the NL leader in home runs in 1988. I still remember the Dodgers battling the Mets in the 1988 NLCS, and dreading every time I saw Strawberry in the box for the Mets.

After the 1990 season the Straw returned to LA to play for the Boys in Blue, and the city opened its arms wide. He was big in his first year as a Dodger, but the high life took its toll. 

Strawberry's good buddy Eric Davis mercenaried over from the Reds, there was a scandal with those two driving around the Dodgers parking lot tossing firecrackers at fans, and it was all downhill after that. 

 But all's forgiven as the Straw eventually got his life together, and as I said, he's an LA homeboy, so I love me some Darryl cardboard. 

Matt chose well with this 1991 Upper Deck, which is new for my collection. Here we see brand-new Dodger Strawberry, fresh from conquering New York and seeing future roads of baseball gold laid out before him. 

THANKS for these great cards, Mark! 

Once again, thanks to all of you out there for riding along with me in 2015. I'm looking forward to what cardboard thrills 2016 will bring. 

Happy New Year and aloha, everyone, wherever you may be.

This Way To A Post About Cool Cards From The Clubhouse

Aloha everybody,

I don't know about all of you out there, but I was going through withdrawal during that All-Star break. It's sure good to have baseball back again. 

You know what else is good? Gettin' some great cards in the mail, that's what. 

I received these courtesy of Mark Kaz from This Way To The Clubhouse. He described them as "shiny Hollywood" cards, and I can't argue...

You can't get much more Hollywood than a Matt Kemp purple refractor. 
 

One great thing about this card: it's among the last that will list Kemp as playing for Hollywood - errr - Los Angeles on the back. 

One more shiny goodie coming up... 

 

It's a beautiful, Hollywood Hanley Ramirez, limited to 99. I absolutely dig limited edition cardboard. 

DonRuss cards have always honored the home run hitters of the game with great inserts. This one follows right in the tradition.
 

 Hanley smashed that ball in Colorado, and Kaz smashed this trade out of the park as well, with some great Hollywood bling to add to my collection. 

THANKS, Kaz! Aloha!