Argh! A Trade With Pirates Treasure Room

I've always had a soft spot in my heart for the Pittstburgh Pirates. When I was younger, I was a big fan of Andy Van Slyke, Bobby Bonilla and Barry Bonds. Then Barry went to that team up north and turned into a freak and everything changed. Anyway, when I discovered Pirates Treasure Room, I thought it was one of the cooler card blogs around. Brian does have one of the finer collections of Pirates cards.


A few weeks back, I took a peak into the Treasure Room's trade bait page and found a Clayton Kershaw jersey card I was interested in. Brian and I were able to work out a trade.  When I finally got my yellow envelope in the mail, I was surprised to find not one, but two Kershaw jersey cards inside! Brian also threw in a Matt Kemp jersey card as well, plus an assortment of Dodger cards.

Thanks for the generous package Brian. I am sending out another one to you this week. 

Trade With Justin's World

I've been very lazy lately and I haven't been posting very much. But tonight I'm gonna try to get back into the swing of things. And I'm gonna start off with a couple of trade posts. 


A few weeks ago, Justin, from the great blog Justin's World, offered up a Deron Williams autograph he won in a contest. I commented that I was interested and we worked something out. It's not often I send Dodger cards out to get something other than a Dodger card in return, but that's what happened in this trade. I sent Justin a Clayton Kershaw In Person autograph and an assortment of cards for his various PCs to get the Deron.


Thanks for the Williams auto Justin! I hope we can make another trade in the future. 

Dodger Bloggers Softball Tournament

I just wanted to wish team Dodgerbobble good luck at today's Dodger Blogger Softball Tournament. Proceeds will benefit the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank. I'm not going to be there, but I still want my team to win. Thanks to Mike at the LFP.com for putting this together and big thanks to Angry Albert for running team DB!

More 2012 Bobbleheads Around The Majors

A few more MLB teams have added bobbleheads to their 2012 promotional schedules.

The Milwaukee Brewers have always been a great bobblehead team. This year they have six on the schedule: Jonathan Lucroy on April 22, Yovani Gallardo on May 13, Nyjer Morgan on June 10, Italian Racing Sausage on July 1, Bob Uecker on July 29 and Aramis Ramirez on September 16.


The Washington Nationals are giving away three nodders this season. Stephen Strasburg gets the first of three bobbleheads on April 14. Slugger Michael Morse get his on August 5 and the third goes to 3B Ryan Zimmerman on September 8.


The Cleveland Indians are going old school with their bobbleheads in 2012. Four of the five they are giving away are former players. Joe Carter on May 20, Carlos Baerga on June 3, Asdrubal Cabrera on June 18, Sandy Alomar Jr on the 4th of July and Gaylord Perry on August 12.


The Toronto Blue Jays have 3 bobblehead nights this year. Brandon Morrow on May 20, Yunel Escobar on June 3 and Ricky Romero on August 19.


The San Francisco Giants released their promotional schedule weeks ago, but today they announced their Special Events dates. They've got everything there from Chinese Heritage Night to Cinco De Mayo Night to Brewfest. On September 4, the team will honor native San Franciscan Bruce Lee with a bobblehead. 

2012 serves as the "Year of the Dragon", so what better way to celebrate than to honor the life and times of The Dragon himself, Bruce Lee? Lee, a San Francisco native, went on to become arguably the most renowned martial artist of all time, and the Giants would like to recognize that! By sharing his knowledge and skills throughout the world, Lee became not only a master, but an icon. Your ticket to this event will include a collector's edition Bruce Lee bobblehead, as well as a ticket to the game in one of the Bruce Lee Tribute Night sections! Whether you are a martial artist, instructor, or fan, we look forward to hosting you and your group at AT&T Park. Partial proceeds from this event go to the Bruce Lee Foundation.

It may be a Giant, but I love Bruce Lee. I have to get this one.

The Chicago White Sox only have two bobbleheads scheduled. Robin Ventura gets his on May 26. Not sure if they're going player or manager on this one. The second bobble is the Beer Vendor bobblehead on August 4.

2004 Fleer Greats Jeff Torborg Autograph

A couple months ago I made a trade with my buddy Spiegel from Nomo's Sushi Platter. One of the cards I got from him was this 2004 Fleer Greats Jeff Torborg autograph. I honestly don't remember what I gave him in return, but I needed a 'Borg auto, so I was more than happy to give him the cards he wanted.


Jeff Torborg is probably best known as a manager and coach, but he did have a nice career as a Dodger backup catcher from 1964 to 1970. He caught three of the more memorable games in Dodger history: Sandy Koufax's perfect game on September 9, 1965, Bill Singer's no-hitter on July 20, 1970, and the fifth of Don Drysdale's six consecutive 1968 shutouts. Torborg also caught the first of Nolan Ryan's seven no-hitters as a member of the California Angels in 1973.

Kershaw And Dodgers Agree On Two-Year Deal

The Dodgers and Cy Young Award Winner Clayton Kershaw agreed to a two-year $19 million deal today to avoid arbitration. Kersh will earn $7.5 million in 2012 and $11 million in 2013. The deal also includes a $500,00 signing bonus.

From Dodgers.com:  

Kershaw, 24 next month, accepted $19 million for two years to avoid arbitration, after earning $500,000 last year. He had sought a $10 million salary, with the club offering $6.5 million and a hearing scheduled for Feb. 14. 

Colletti confirmed the sides discussed deals for one, two and four years, plus an option. New negotiator Alex Tamin was prepared to go to a hearing and argue that Kershaw's $10 million asking price was an overreach, but the sides were able to work things out. 

Kershaw said he had no specific toys he wanted to buy with the money -- which included a $500,000 signing bonus and salaries of $7.5 million and $11 million -- but said he "needs to get Cy Young presents for the people who have helped me out along the way." 

A 2011 All-Star, Kershaw won the NL's Triple Crown for pitching: leading the league with 21 wins (tied), a 2.28 ERA and 248 strikeouts. Sandy Koufax (1963, '65 and '66) and Dazzy Vance (1924) are the only other Dodgers pitchers to win the Triple Crown. Kershaw was also among league leaders in opponents' batting average, innings pitched, complete games, shutouts and WHIP. 

Kershaw (21-5 overall) was named winner of an NL Gold Glove Award (leading the league with nine pickoffs), the first Dodger to win a Cy Young and Gold Glove in the same year since Orel Hershiser. He also won the Warren Spahn Award as the best left-handed pitcher in MLB; won Players Choice outstanding pitcher in the NL; was named to The Sporting News NL All-Star team; was a finalist for the Roberto Clemente Award; and was named Dodgers pitcher of the year by MLB.com. 

Kershaw's wins and ERA were the best for a Dodgers starting pitcher since Hershiser in 1988, and his strikeout total was the best for a Dodger since Koufax's 317 in 1966. He became the Dodgers' first 20-game winner since Ramon Martinez in 1990. Kershaw went 13-1 over the second half, 12-1 at Dodger Stadium, and finished the season with eight consecutive wins. 

Kershaw began his third full season in the Major Leagues as the Opening Day starter, and ended it by becoming the youngest 20-game winner in the Major Leagues since 20-year-old Dwight Gooden in 1985 -- and the youngest Dodgers 20-game winner since 21-year-old Ralph Branca won 21 games in 1947. He went 12-2 against the NL West -- 5-0 against the Giants and 4-0 against their ace, two-time Cy Young winner Tim Lincecum.

I wish they would have been able to give him more years, but I think Dodger fans will still be happy. I also think the Dodgers got a great deal here. I can't wait for the season to start!

First Look: Don Drysdale & Maury Wills Dual Bobblehead

picture via Twitter.com/Dodgers

  We're getting a glimpse of the first Dodger bobblehead of 2012, the Don Drysdale & Maury Wills dual bobble. The guys are standing on a patch of grass atop a gold base. In front of both players is a plaque. 1962 Cy Young Award winner in front of Drysdale and 1962 NL MVP in front of Wills. The characteristics on both of them are pretty accurate. I've got to admit they did an excellent job on this one.

This bobblehead will be given away on Saturday, April 28 when the Dodgers play the Washington Nationals.