Trade With Dodger Penguin: Kemp Auto, Kemp Quad Relic, Seager Mini Blue, and a Rising Joc.

I completed my first trade with Matthew from Dodger Penguin. We began this deal a year ago and traded in-person this May 3rd at the card show I recapped. The wait was worth it as we each picked up great stuff for our collections.

Matt surprised me with this 2008 SP Authentic Manufactured Letter Autograph of The Bison in exchange for a Julio Urias signed photo I was able to get at a Rancho Cucamonga Quakes' minor league game. I have legitimately been after one of these signed manu-letter patches for years but have never been able to secure one. This letter "M" is numbered 61/99 and is a most welcome addition, after all of these years, to my Mattycakes' Collection.

If this just isn't the perfect card. You have a great action shot of Corey Seager, my favorite prospect; he's got his pants rolled up to the knees, and I'm a sucker for old-timey throwbacks; it's a Blue Wave parallel; it's numbered 238/250; and it's a miiiiiiinnnnniiiiiii!

I had completely forgotten about this 2009 UD SPx Quad Relic teaming Kemp up with a troika of former Blue Crew members: Rafael Furcal, Takashi Saito, and Hong-Chih Kuo. When Matt and I re-booted our trade talks it was a nice surprise, and it's of course a welcome addition to my collection of Kemp hits.

Now that's a great shot of top prospect Joc Pederson. Joc is featured on a Rising Through The Ranks mini from 2013 Bowman Chrome and it's a swell addition as I have very little of Pederson in my Dodgers' PC.

I really dig these Cream of The Crop minis from '13 Bowman Chrome and I'm happy to add the base version along with the aforementioned Blue Wave parallel.

Finally, a nice refractor of Corey out of 2013 Bowman Chrome.

Thanks for the great trade Matthew! It was a pleasure meeting you and I look forward to many more deals in the future!

A Badass Blue Crew Booklet. Well, Except For Andruw Jones' Presence.

I recently landed my second full-sized booklet, and like the first it hails from Topps Triple Threads and features my main man, Matt Kemp. It's a six-way piece and includes five former Dodgers in Russ Martin, Jeff Kent, Hong-Chih Kuo, Rafael Furcal, and Andruw Jones.

Click to embiggen this beauty. It's numbered 02/36 and features a nice variety of relics. The Kemp is a wool swatch; the Martin comes from a white home jersey; the Furcal and Kuo contributions come from road uniforms; the Kent is a sweet bat relic; and the Jones is a piece of a shoe if I'm not mistaken. It certainly doesn't look like anything else I've seen in-person. It would be ironic if it were a piece of a shoe, as Jones wasn't exactly nimble on his feet during his L.A. stint.

A Long Overdue Thank You To Ted of Crinkly Wrappers Fame.

Ted of Crinkly Wrappers fame left our card blogging community months ago, but that didn't stop him from sending out some last bubblers full of cardboard goodness. I had requested a few cards for a future trade and though we never got around to finalizing one before his departure Ted nevertheless sent them my way. They've been sitting around waiting to be posted for months and months and I simply kept forgetting to give Ted his proper due. My sincere apologies for that.

The jewel of the package is this 2011 Topps Tier One Black Parallel - numbered 36/50 - of the 2011 Cy Young Award Winner, Clayton Kershaw. It's a most welcome addition to my Kid K Collection and pairs exceptionally well with the same black parallel of Matt Kemp I have and the Purple Parallel /25 of Kersh I also possess.

Cole Hamels is one of those non-Dodgers I have an affinity for. Spiegel might find it odd - and perhaps he's right - but regardless, I always enjoy adding a new Hamels to my modest collection of the southpaw. This beaut, from 2012 Topps Museum Collection, is serial-numbered 34/50.

Finally, some random goodness. The Kuo is /99. Spiegel, let me know if you need the Nomo or Kersh. Arno, if you need the Kersh please let me know too.

Ted, once again I apologize for taking so damn long in posting this and giving you the proper thanks. If you are still collecting Blue Jays or anything card related please let me know, as I'd love to send you something in return for these great additions to my collection. I hope to see Crinkly Wrappers back up and running some day.

Trade With Nomo's Sushi Platter: Some PC and Ginter-y Goodness.

I completed my fifth trade with Spiegel of Nomo's Sushi Platter. You can check out the first here, the second here, the third here, and the fourth here. I sent Spiegel a few cards he had requested, as well as some random Dodgers. In return, I received four set needs towards completing 2011 Allen & Ginter (one base, one Hometown Heroes, and two Animals in Peril).

Spiegel also sent along a slew of cards for a variety of player collections, and hit up my UCLA and Long Beach State PCs as well. My favorites are above, and Spiegel's favorite is below. Hands off!

Thanks Spiegel!

The Strange Tale of Hong-Chih Kuo

115/500

The scan doesn't do this card anywhere near enough justice. It's got phenomenal color and shine.

Trade With My Past Time.......I Love It!!: Kuo/Choo Dual Auto, Wright-Braun-Russ Martin Jerseys

I completed my second trade with Alfredo from My Past Time.......I Love It!!. You can read about our first swap here. This time around, I sent him autos of Tony Oliva and Dick Groat, relics of Gaylord Perry and Alfonso Soriano, and a handful of other assorted goodies. In return, I received some great cards.

2004 Futures Game-Worn

Pinstripe!

A bit of stitching.
Click to embiggen to see the damage.

The Russ Martin jersey arrived pretty dinged up. There are a number of dents and indentations on the card, and there's even a stain (above Martin's right elbow and to the left). Now, it is a strictly PC item, so it's by no means the end of the world and not that huge of a deal, but it is always disappointing when a card has dings. I'm assuming this is the work of a Giants fan.

Wicked and I completed a third trade, and once those cards arrive I'll recap that transaction.

Thanks as always Alfredo, hope you like what I sent your way!

Trade With BA Benny's Baseball Card Buffet: Lindblom Letterman Auto, Hits Galore

I completed a great trade with Mike from BA Benny's Baseball Card Buffet a few weeks or so ago. I sent Mike a wide variety of cards, which he already recapped here. In return, he sent me some really cool hits and other assorted goodness.

The card that started it all:

5/5

Mike also sent along three Dodgers' hits:

And to rap the hits up, a pair of UCLA Autos, with the players depicted being a mystery to me until I had the cards in my hands.

The Donnie Edwards Auto not only fits into my UCLA Hits PC, but also fits into my Chargers PC, as Donnie wore both uniforms. Edwards' signature has changed quite a bit, but in a unique and different way. Usually players shorten their signature after making the pros, but after looking up some of his autos, it appears that his signature now encompasses his full name, while these '96 sigs were a short, short version.

Just something I found interesting.

Mike sent over a number of other great cards, but I just don't have the patience to include them all. Thanks for the great cards Mike, hope you enjoyed yours and I look forward to trading again!

Trade With Tomahawk Chopping: Dodgers Galore and The Worst/Greatest Card Ever

Another trade, courtesy of Derek from Tomahawk Chopping - Cardboard & More!

I left a comment on Derek's blog, and after he contacted me about a possible trade, we quickly worked out a deal in which he sent me a grip of Dodgers cards. And when I say a grip, I mean in the c-note range. Lots of good stuff to choose from, but I'll limit myself to posting just a handful.

Campy Has A Pretty Blue Back

And now a card that is included for no other reason than I find it to be ridiculously amusing. The Topps employee who got this picture approved deserves a medal, a raise, and a pat on the back.

May this image live forever in infamy and FAIL. FAIL for White, and an epic

win for that Topps employee and the photographer who snapped this gem.

A big thanks to you Derek for sending me some awesome stuff. And an apology for getting your cards out a little later than I had hoped for. But hopefully what you find residing within that bubble mailer will more than make up for it.

Trade With "é rayhahn, rayhahn": Hong-Chih Kuo, Chad Billingsley, Mike Piazza, and Clayton Kershaw

Another trade, compliments of "Rhubarb_Runner" from “é rayhahn, rayhahn”. I passed along a bunch of Twins stuff, including a 2010 Allen & Ginter Joe Mauer Cabinet Card, from the only box of A&G which I've purchased. I'll post on that box at some point. The cabinet card can be seen at the bottom of this post.

"Rhubarb_Runner" sent me a bunch of cool Dodgers stuff, plus a few cards from my favorite non-Dodgers.

The big draw:

My first Kuo Game Used or Auto

Chad Billingsley 2006 Fleer Tradition Rookie Card

Clayton Kershaw 2008 Topps Updates and Highlights Rookie Card

A couple of nice Mike Piazza cards. The second one just makes me laugh.

Business in the front. Party in the back.

I don't know what this is. But I like it.

These are from 1993, produced by Upper Deck. I've never come across these 

before, and was pleasantly surprised to find them in David's bubble mailer. I like

them a lot. The Brooklyn Dodgers photo of Carl Erskine and the old school photo

of Johnny Podres in the middle, the mini cards on the sides of the photos.
Very cool.

"Rhubarb_Runner" was also kind enough to include a couple of David Wright cards, a nice Cole Hamels card, a James Loney card, and a 1989 Topps Jesse Orosco card, which helps me in my attempt to put that set of my early, early, early youth together.

The Mauer Cabinet Card:

Thanks again "Rhubarb_Runner", hope you enjoy the cards that are on their way as I type. I look forward to many future trades.

Dodger Roster Moves Weekend Roundup: Manny Ramirez, Xavier Paul, Hong-Chih Kuo & More!

Reviewing recent roster moves made by the club, we find:

Manny Ramirez heads to the 15-day DL due to a right calf strain. Xavier Paul has been recalled to take ManRam's place, though it is likely he will serve in a reserve role and spell the tandem of Garrett Anderson and Reed Johnson, with Anderson likely to get the bulk of the playing time.

I would personally like to see Paul get the majority of the starts over the next 2 week. Highest upside, clearly, and what's the point of calling him up to be a reserve when he could be playing full-time in AAA? Isn't that the reason why he wasn't our 4th OF to begin the season? Paul's AAA numbers: .361/.409/.574/.983 through 15 Games and 66 plate appearances.

FREE XAVIER PAUL

-------------------------------------------------

Ronald Belisario returns, and Jon Link heads back to AAA after making one appearance and throwing 2 scoreless innings. Link looked good, and will probably see time up in the show again this season, certainly when rosters expand, if not sooner.

-------------------------------------------------

Hong-Chih Kuo returned from elbow issues, while a corresponding move saw Jeff Weaver head to the disabled list with a strained lower back.

Dodgers Notes From Thursday's Game 4/22/2010

Cincinnati 8, Dodgers 5

Box Score.

• Vicente Padilla went 6 innings (4 Runs [3 ER], 8 Hits, 8 K, o BB, 1 HR Allowed, 94 pitches - 67 for strikes, 1 throwing error and 1 fielding error {in my book}). I heard our terrible announcing tandem say the fielding error had been taken away, and it was. But it really was a terrible play by Padilla, even if he probably would have been beaten to first base.
  
• Bullpen: 2 IP, 4 ER, 5 Hits, 2 K, 3 BB [1 IBB]. 4 Relievers.
  
• Andre Ethier hit his 5th HR of the season, and Garret Anderson chipped in with a pinch-hit, 2-run shot, his 1st of the season.
  
• Matt Kemp (Single, BB), Russell Martin (2 Singles), and Blake DeWitt (Single, BB) each reached base twice.
  
• Manny left the game after re-aggravating his right calf on a single. Joe Torre says he'll miss most if not all of the weekend series.
• Hong-Chih Kuo made his season debut, and Ronald Belisario pitched on back-to-back days, making his second appearance. I don't particularly care how they pitch now, considering the time they missed. Just the fact that they're back is, for the time being, good enough for me.
• The offense struck out 8 times, drew just 2 walks, and only had 2 extra-base hits.
  

Russ Ortiz Is Gone!

Russ Ortiz has finally been designated for assignment, and Jon Link has been recalled to take his place. Link will almost certainly be sent back to AAA once Hong-Chih Kuo and Ronald Belisario return.

Ortiz's comments:

Ortiz said he asked if the club wanted to keep him and was told yes, but Ortiz said he's not sure he would accept.

"If it's for a specific purpose for the opportunity to come back, yeah," he said. "But I'm not going to go down just to put a uniform on. I don't need to put a uniform on to be happy."

Ortiz said he was undone by three bad innings, but acknowledged that he didn't pitch well enough to remain in the Major Leagues for the entire year, as was his goal.

"It's kind of incomplete for me," he said. "If anything, I let myself and my teammates down."

You were undone because you're an awful pitcher Russ Ortiz.

My ode to you, Russ, is no longer needed.

Thank god for that.

Links On A Saturday Morning

Hong-Chih Kuo, rehabbing his elbow, threw a scoreless inning and K'd 2 for Class A Inland Empire. [Kuo Impressive In One-Inning Rehab Stint]

Jackie Robinson and Don Newcombe. [Newcombe Honors His Idol Jackie In LA]

The Anaheim Ducks are having a fan appreciation sale Saturday, today, with prices slashed slashed slashed. I went last year, got a lot of great deals. Probably won't make it there this year. [Ducks Holding Fan Appreciation Sale]

Kuo Feeling Better

Great news.

"I threw harder this time," said Kuo. "It feels all right, normal, not too bad. It's getting better."

Links On A Saturday Morning

Some guy I've never heard of asks who you would rather keep, Matt Kemp or Andre Ethier. I can't believe this guy was serious when he wrote this article. Of course he never gives an answer, sidestepping it at the end by calling it a tough decision that would make him pull his hair out. In what world is this a tough decision? It's Kemp every day of the week and three times on Sunday. [If You Had To Choose: Kemp or Ethier]

Hong Chih-Kuo has been shut down with elbow pain. [Dodgers Shut Down Kuo]

Ken Gurnick reports that Ronnie Belliard made weight (209 pounds) to guarantee his contract. When it takes that much motivation to lose some weight, it makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside that he'll be taking at-bats away, along with Jamey Carroll, from Blake DeWitt. [Belliard Contract Guaranteed]

Dodgers In Taiwan

Dodgers Sign All Arbitration-Eligible Players

First it was Jason Repko, then Chad Billingsley, then Matt Kemp, and now comes the remaining arbitration-eligible players.

Jonathan Broxton and Andre Ethier sign 2-year deals, ala Kemp, while Russell Martin, James Loney, Hong Chih-Kuo, and George Sherill all ink 1-year deals.

No arbitration hearings this year for the Dodgers.

Dodgers To Tender Contracts To All Arbitration-Eligible Players

The list:

• Matt Kemp
• Chad Billingsley
• Jonathan Broxton
• Andre Ethier
• Hong-Chih Kuo
• James Loney
• George Sherrill
• Russell Martin
• Jason Repko (?!?! - Oy vey)
  

Links On An Early, Early Monday Morning

Hong-Chi Kuo and Chin-lung Hu hosted a baseball clinic Sunday in their native Taiwan. Great work from these two gentlemen. [Dodgers' Kuo, Hu Host Clinic In Taiwan]

Jon Weisman over at Dodger Thoughts has a great write-up of why trading Chad Billingsley is short-sighted and, quite frankly, idiotic beyond reason. Those last words are mine, not Jon's. [Trading Chad Billingsley For Roy Halladay Would Create More Problems Than It Solves]

kensai over at Memories Of Kevin Malone talks about the backlash at Keith Law over his NL Cy Young ballot. To be forthright, I love Keith Law and his baseball acumen and opinions, I agree with his selection of Tim Lincecum, and kensai always has intelligent posts and he and I share the same philosophy on baseball. So yeah, this is pretty much the perfect baseball storm of genius for me. [I Love People]

Mike Scioscia's Tragic Illness relives the pain of the Casey Blake for Carlos Santana trade. Ugh, why Ned and Frank, why!?!? Come back Carlos Santana, come back home. [Baseball Prospectus, Why Must You Taunt Me?]

R.J. Anderson over at FanGraphs discusses Keith Law's NL Cy Young ballot and the ridiculous backlash over it. Jon Heyman and Buck Martinez, idiots you are. Law knows more than the two of you plus Joe Morgan combined. [Defending Law]

Back To The Bat-Flip

Video of Hong-Chih Kuo's 412-foot bat-flip HR from June 12th, 2007 against the Mets at Dodger Stadium.

Wilson Betemit*/Matt Kemp/Hong-Chih Kuo. Which of these two does not belong?

H/T to I Alivandi for finding the video.


*Oh shit, a Wilson Betemit sighting. It's like finding the Yetti. Or Bigfoot. Or something that's really really hard to find.*