A Trade With The Snorting Bull Means New Kemps For Me!

I've made numerous trades over the last few years , but no one  has been as good of trade partner as Eric from The Snorting Bull. We've made four other trades in the past and just completed our fifth. Each one has involved at least one Matt Kemp card and this trade is no exception. He sent over two new Bisons for the collection this time.

The first one is this beautiful 2009 Upper Deck Signature Stars Trios card numbered to 30 which features one former Dodger, James McDonald and two current Dodgers, Chad Billingsley and of course Kemp. When we first started talking trade, the conversation began over a few 2012 Triple Threads cards. This triple signature piece was something that he remembered late in the negotiations, but I'm glad it was added as it's one of my favorites already.

Speaking of Triple Threads, we were able to involve one of the many Matt Kemp Triple Threads jersey cards Eric had in his possession. I had a few to pick from and I went with this statline card numbered to 27. It's a blue jersey piece that reads .324 39 126 IN 2011. Kemp's 2011 season was one for the ages and one I won't forget. In my opinion, Matty should have won MVP over Ryan Braun that year, but that's a discussion for another day. 

It was nice making another trade with Eric. I'm sure we've got another coming real soon. Don't forget to check out Eric's blog The Snorting Bull.

Making Trades On Facebook

I've made a few trades on Facebook over the last month. Two of those trades were with FB friend Ryan. He offered up a boatload of Dodger cards that interested me, so we got a couple of deals done. Here's everything I picked up in the two trades:

2012 Topps Golden Moments Andre Ethier auto

2008 UD SPx Andre Ethier jersey /99

2012 Topps Golden Moments Chad Billingsley auto

2001 Upper Deck SP Gary Sheffield jersey

2010 Bowman Platinum Josh Lindblom auto

2011 GQ Matt Kemp jersey

2010 UD Matt Kemp jersey

2002 Donruss Mike Piazza jersey /50

2011 Bowman Sterling Nathan Eovaldi auto

2011 Bowman Sterling Zach Lee auto

2005 Upper Deck  Pedro Guerrero auto

Facebook has become a great place to meet great traders from all across the country. Not only have I picked up cards, but autographs and bobbleheads as well. Thanks again for the trade Ryan! I hope we can do this again.

Jaime Jarrin Doesn't Get A Bobblehead, But He Does Get A T-Shirt. Oh, And Dodgerbobble Got Some Autographs!

Normally I don't write about any other Dodger Stadium promotional nights besides bobblehead nights, but last Monday I attended Jaime Jarrin T-shirt night, and I wanted to talk about it a bit. The first 30,000 fans in attendance received shirts with Jarrin's famous catch phrase "Se Va, Se Va, Se Va" on the front which means going, going, going and "despidala con un beso!" on the back, which means kiss it goodbye. I'm talking about this promotion because I think the Dodgers screwed up by not giving Jarrin a bobblehead this year. I know this has been talked about and written about numerous times, but I thought I'd mention it again. With ten bobbleheads being given away at Dodger Stadium to commemorate the 50th anniversary, the Spanish voice of the Dodgers didn't get one, which I consider a slap in the face after 54 years of service. Maybe they wanted to make him one and he didn't want it, who knows, but if Vin Scully finally got one, why not Jaime?

Jarrin was honored before the game with a special video from the Dodgers and he also threw out the ceremonial first pitch. But before the ceremony on the field, Jaime met with the fans and signed autographs. I've been lucky enough to meet him a few times, but never got the autographs I really wanted, on the sweet spot of a baseball. That night I finally got it, plus a couple others. 

Jaime Jarrin 

This is a Fernando Valenzuela card I got signed along with Jarrin.
You can see Jaime's face peeking through there, so I figured I'd have both men sign it.

Dodger Stadium organist Nancy Bea Hefley with her trademark musical note.
She's another Dodger Stadium icon who shoulda got a bobblehead.

Dodger legend Maury Wills

Dodger rookie Shawn Tolleson

Don Mattingly

I hope next year the Dodgers get their act together and give Jaime Jarrin that bobblehead he deserves. I think the T-shirt is really cool, but a Hall of Famer deserves better.

Chad Billingsley Signs A Three-Year Extension

It's being reported that the Dodgers and Chad Billingsley have agreed to a three-year extension. According to the LATimes' Dylan Hernandez, the deal is worth $35-36 million, including an option for a fourth year, which is being negotiated.

From MLBTradeRumors.com:

Billingsley will earn $6.275MM in 2011, his second of three seasons as an arbitration eligible player. The deal would buy out the 26-year-old's final year of arbitration eligibility and his first two free agent seasons.

Billingsley, a Dave Stewart client, has been a steady presence in the Dodgers' rotation since 2006. He posted a 3.57 ERA with 8.0 K/9 and 3.2 BB/9 in 191 2/3 innings last year. His career numbers - 59-41 record, 3.55 ERA, 825 2/3 innings, 8.2 K/9 and 3.9 BB/9 - have led to larger-than-usual rewards through arbitration

Nice to see Dave Stewart and the Dodgers playing nice, despite the drama between the two last year. In August, Stewart criticized some members of the coaching staff of treating his other client, Matt Kemp, unfairly.

It's also nice to see Ned Colletti locking Bills up for the next three to four years. This kid has been an absolute beast over the last four seasons. Now, if he can get Clayton Kershaw locked up as well, I might start thinking better of Old Ned.

My Prediction:
Chad Billingsley will get the sixth and final undecided bobblehead on August 9. He deserves it. He's got the extension, now give him a bobble!

Bobblehead of the Day: Dave Stewart Clinton Dodgers

Here's another bobblehead from the Clinton LumberKings, former Dodger Dave Stewart. Stewart pitched for the LumberKings in 1977. He appeared in 24 games and went 17-4 with a 2.15 ERA. He would go on to pitch for the Dodgers from 1981 to 1983. You can read Stewart's bio here.

This bobblehead was originally given away by the LumberKings on 6/24/2005. I picked this up a few weeks ago on the LumberKings website.

Let's take a look a Dave Stewart:

This is a good looking bobble. The eyes, the mustache even the ears and brow are very detailed. The bobblehead was made by a company called Promotional Adventures, which just happens to be located in Los Angeles.

Dave Stewart currently works as an agent. He started a sports agency called Sports Management Partners, and represents current Dodgers Matt Kemp and Chad Billingsley.

Dodgers News And Notes

The Dodgers and Chad Billingsley have agreed to a deal. The Dodgers and pitcher Chad Billingsley avoid arbitration, and agree to a one-year pact. The deal is worth $6.275 million. Bills went 12-11 with a 3.57 era in 2010.


The Dodgers are reportedly close with their two other remaining arbitration-eligible players, first baseman James Loney and pitcher Hong-Chih Kuo. Kuo, who made $975,000 last season, is seeking $3.075 million, while the club filed at $2.55 million. Loney, who made $3.1 million last year, is asking for $5.25 million while the club filed at $4.7 million.

Dodgers Sign Gabe Kapler. The Dodgers have signed the 35 year-old journeyman to a minor-league contract, that includes an invitation to their major-league spring training camp.Kapler hit .210 with 2 homeruns and 14 rbi in 14 plate appearances in 2010.

Dodger Stadium Gets Supercross Makeover. AMA Monster Energy Supercross series takes over Dodger Stadium this Saturday at 7pm. Vin Scully Is My Homeboy has the pictures.

2008 SP "BY THE LETTER" Matt Kemp Autograph

I've had a few yellow bubble envelopes come my way over the last few weeks. One of my most recent ebay pickups is this 2008 SP "BY THE LETTER" Matt Kemp autograph card. This is a  signed letter "M" numbered 61/99.

I wanted a Matt Kemp autograph card for a while, and I thought these cards looked so cool. Now, I don't know if I'm gonna pick up any more of the letters, but if I decide not to, I think the "M" is the one to have.

I now have a Matt Kemp autographed bobblehead and card. I need to get my Dodger team ball signed by him next.

Anyways, I also picked up a 2007 Upper Deck Premier Shawne Merriman Premier Remnants Game Used card.

While searching for the Kemp card, I stumbled across this complete Chad Billingsley set. $600 for the entire master set, which is way out of my price range.

It's beautiful

2011 Dodger Bobblehead Predictions

With the Dodger season finally over, it's time to look forward to 2011. I'm not gonna talk about the team right now. I'll save that for another day. Today I wanna take a crack at predicting next year's bobblehead giveaways.

This year the Dodgers gave away four bobbleheads, Andre Ethier, James Loney, Jonathan Broxton and Matt Kemp. It was Kemp's second bobblehead in two years. I think it's safe to assume Kemp will not get a bobblehead three years in a row. The other three didn't have spectacular seasons, so they probably won't get bobbleheads again in 2011 either.

So who will get nodders next year?

The Dodgers have given away four bobbleheads each year for the last three years. Let's assume they keep up this trend. I think they start with the newest Dodger, manager Don Mattingly. They gave Joe Torre a bobblehead in 2008. What better way to make Donnie Baseball feel like a Dodger than to give him a bobblehead?

Who's next? Well, most of the offensive players have recieved bobbleheads over the last three seasons, so I think the Dodger go with three pitchers in 2011. The first one will be Chad Billingsley. He finished 2010 nicely and has been solid for the team over the last few years. Chad's a beast. He deserves a bobblehead.

The third bobblehead will be Hong Chih Kuo. Kuo had an amazing 2010 season, finishing the season with a 3-2 record, leading all Major League relievers with a 1.20 ERA. That 1.20 ERA set a new record for a Dodger pitchers in a season, previously held by Eric Gagne. In 56 appearances out of the bullpen, he pitched 60.0 innings, struck out 73 walking just 18 while converting 12 saves in 13 chances. He also became the first Taiwanese-born player to play in the All-Star game. I think the Dodger will honor his All-Star appearance with a bobblehead, although most Dodger fans would like to see him honored with a bat flip bobblehead.  Mike at thelfp.com showed us what it could look like:

The last bobblehead the Dodgers will give away in 2011 will be Clayton Kershaw. The "Ace" of the staff must be honored. Kersh really stepped it up in 2010, finishing his third major league season with a record of 13-10, an ERA of 2.91, 32 starts, 204 1/3 innings and 212 strikeouts. His wins, starts, innings and strikeouts are all career highs. He deserves a bobblehead, right?

So those are my 2011 Dodger bobblehead predictions. Any thoughts? Is there someone more deserving?  Let me know.

2010 Topps Peak Performance Chad Billingsley Auto

First off, I need to mention Chad Billingsley's performance from last night. He had an amazing outing, going seven inning, striking out seven Giants and only walking two. He also took the loss. He can thank the lack of Dodger offense behind him. It's the same story from this team. I know the season is over, but this is the type of play managers and coaches get fired over, unless your name's Joe Torre or Don Mattingly.

Watching Bills and Kershaw pitch back-to-back gems gave me hope for the future. I really can't wait for 2011.

Now for the card. I picked up this 2010 Topps Series 2 Peak Performance Chad Billingsley Autograph card on ebay last week for $1.00. Can't beat that. Chad's my favorite pitcher, so this was a nice pick-up for me.