The Last, Last, Last JBF From JBF

Aloha everybody,

My team went hog wild at the Winter Baseball Meetings. When the dust settled, among other things, they traded away one of my treasured - and one of my least favorite Dodgers. 

Poor ol' Flash Gordon Jr., who did nothing in 2014 except lead everyone in all of baseball with the most stolen bases and triples, hit a whole messa doubles, make some spectacular plays at his new position, make the all-star team, AND play very well in the A.S. game - earned nothing but a one-way ticket to palookaville (Florida). Thanks, new Dodger management. Sheesh! 

At least they moved the locker room prima-dona that is Matt Kemp. Sure, his fans will rightfully point to his brilliant final six weeks of the season - but they have selective vision when it comes to his previous two and a half seasons of injury, lack of hustle (which caused a major ankle injury), fading defensive skills, increasing crybaby skills, and continued focus on the name on the rear of his jersey, not the one in front. 

That said, let's check out the final installment of my favorite cards that were sent to me by Wes, from JBF fame, right before he closed up shop on his blog.  

Since it's Sunday and my Raiders have once again blundered and sputtered to yet another embarrassing loss, let's kick off today's cards with a Dodger who blundered and stumbled his way through his short-lived (thank goodness) stint as a Dodger....

The Dodgers brought in Andruw with the hopes that his being on the verge of joining the 500 Home Run Club would translate to fans at the turnstiles rushing in to catch his HOF credentialed 500th homer. 

What a crock that was. Fatty Jones just stunk up the joint until moving on to whomever team, USA, and hitting his 500th in their stadium. 

 Cesar was a fan-favorite in my home, as both of my sons and I loved his play at shortstop. The kid didn't hit enough to stay a Dodger, and we were all sorry to see him go. 

It's very cool to now have a bat slice from Cesar. 

Wes doesn't just send you relics and swatches when he puts together a package for you. He also includes autos...

This is my first Goodwin Champions autograph card and it's a real beaute. Corey Wade is awash in a beautiful Field of Dreams dusk pallette. Wade signed like he meant it and left a great John Hancock on the card. 

I started this series of posts with a Mike Piazza card, so it's only fitting that Home Run bashing Mike should close out the player cards today. 

This Score card is fantastic. Not only because of the attractive PS shield,
not the action photo of Piazza getting ready to fire off that ball,  
and it's not the fuzzy Dodger Stadium golden yellow seats in the background. It's something more that makes this a brilliant card.

It's the early LA Piazza mullet that even the tools of ignorance can barely contain! It's a sweet, sweet mullet card. 

Finally, the crown jewel of the package. 

No, it's not another relic card, nor another players auto, not even a card of a baseball HOFer. 

My absolute favorite card from the package is a one of a kind card from a HOF blogger and trader.  

Loyal readers and trade partners, I present...

My very own numbered (under 10!!!!) autographed card of good ol' Wes, hisself!! How awesome is that! 

THANKS so much, Wes, for a great package, and the even greater double honors of being included in the final blow-out blast of cards to leave from JBF headquarters, and this awesome one-of-a-kind slice of cardboard. What a treat! 

Aloha!

The Last JBF From JBF (The Blog, That Is) - Part 2

Aloha everyone,

How's winter settling in for you? Is the first winter cold of the season spreading through everyone over there as it is over here? 

As I type this, I sit recovering from a head cold - box of tissues at the ready. 

However, since I'm confined to chair duty, I figure this is a good time to crank out the next intallment celebrating the cards I received from JBF just before he closed up shop on his blog. 

And awaaaaay we go...

Leading off is a newly retired Dodger, one who came  in thto the Dodgers from Boston in the biggest trade made by ex-G.M. Ned Colletti. I just love typing the words "ex-G.M." for Ned.

Beckett had a mostly so-so time with the Dodgers, but he had a pretty good 2014 and ended his career with a no-hitter against the Phillies. It was the first no-hitter of the 2014 season, and the first for the Dodgers since Hideo Nomo in 1996.

Here's a great shot of the O-Dog, exactly the way I remember him as a Dodger - smiling and getting the job done. The barcode design is a little silly, but I guess the card's supposed to look like a ticket.  I do however, dig the "rising sun"  rays emitting behind O-Dog. They work especially well with this photo.

I'll always remember watching Hudson's opening day inside-the-park home run (on TV). Unfortunately, he was considered expendable as a young Dee Gordon came on the scene, and he ended up a Padre. 

I don't know if GCRL covered this card yet in his posts about trubute/memorial patches, but here we see Mondi wearing patches on both sleeves. 

One is a dual tribute to Roy Campanella and Don Drysdale. The other sleeve is a memorial patch for Tim Crews. Crews died in a boating accident during Spring Training. 

Rather bland design with a great photo. Fleer did love those stripey designs. 

Coming up next is a player who would look great even on one of those dull grey Fleer cards...

 Now that's some well-done framing right there. Topps also added a nice artful touch with the hints of green grass behind Koufax's shoulders. Sweet card. 

Speaking of artful, I'll end today's post with a Masterpiece. I just can't get enough of these Masterpiece cards. Everything about them rocks - card design, photography, framing, faux painting finish, texture - it all works. These are beautiful cards. 

Thanks again to Wes for the great cards. There are still enough favorites left from his package to put up one more installment, so I'll see you all next time for Part 3! 

Aloha *ahhhh-choo!*