Collector's Corner - 2012 All Star Stuff

With the 2012 All Star Game just around the corner, I figured it was time to take a look at some of the items available to commemorate the 2012 edition of the mid-summer classic.  As you can see above, MLB.com has the Matt Kemp batting practice jersey available for sale.  The jersey sells for $119.99.  Also available is the Clayton Kershaw version of the jersey (see the picture below).

Up next are some the 2012 All Star baseballs.  The 2012 All Star ROMLB comes with a ball cube and is available for $22.99. The 2012 Homerun Derby ROMLB comes with a ball cube and is available for $27.99 The 2012 Homerun Derby Gold ROMLB comes with a ball cube and is available for $39.99.  Take a look at the pictures below.

Next is an item which I think is pretty cool.  It is a 2012 All Star Game Crown. You can display one of your All Star baseballs on this crown.  Being that the Kansas City Royals are hosting this year's game, I thought this item was pretty creative.  It is available for $24.99.  Check it out below.

The last item I will note today is the official 2012 All Star Game Program.  As in recent years, there are different versions of the program displaying players from the different teams represented.  For $15 you can get the Matt Kemp version of the program.  Take a look.

True to the Blue!

Matt Kemp & Clayton Kershaw Named to 2012 NL All Star Team

I just finished watching the 2012 All-Star Game Selection show on TBS where it was announced Dodger centerfielder Matt Kemp and Dodger pitcher Clayton Kershaw were selected to the 2012 MLB National League All-Star team.  This is the second All-Star selection for both Kershaw and Kemp.

Heading into his start later tonight against the Mets, Kershaw has a 5-4 record with a 2.74 ERA.  While these stats may not seem All-Star worthy, we must remember All-Star selections are sometimes based on your previous season and/or entire career.  Kershaw reputation probably had a lot to do with his selection.  He is coming off his 2011 season when he finished with a 21-5 record and won the NL Cy Young Award.

Before landing on the disabled list with a bad hamstring, Kemp had a monstrous April.  Kemp is sitting on 12 homeruns and 28 RBI.  Kemp will also captain the NL Homerun Derby squad and is hoping to return from the DL on July 13th.  It's unlikely Kemp will be well enough to play in the 2012 All-Star Game. 

Here's hoping Andre Ethier is named as a replacement as he was left off this year's All-Star roster and was not included in the Final Vote. I'm also still holding out hope that Chris Capuano is named as a replacement if there is an injure pitcher who can't appear in the All-Star Game.  Capuano is 9-3 with a 2.69 ERA.

True to the Blue!

Matt Kemp All Star Game Commercial - "I Play for the National League"

Check out the commercial for the 2012 All Star Game

Andre Ethier Wants Your All-Star Vote!

The campaigning has begun.  Andre Ethier wants to represent the Dodgers in the first All Star game hosted by his hometown of Phoenix, Arizona.

I don't want to see Shane "the cryin Hawaiian" Victorino win the Final Vote, so don't forget to vote for Ethier.  Here are some quotes from Andre:

"We're in last place and it's not always great to show up and watch the game as a fan, but hopefully Dodger fans can put some stuff aside, and even if they're sitting at home watching instead of coming to the game, at least they can have the Internet in front of them and sit there and pound away all day and rally behind the players and me and show how great fans are in L.A."

When told Matt Kemp had already tweeted his followers to vote for him, Ethier said:

"I hope he has a lot of fans, it's like a campaign. You hear politicians go to grassroots. Our grassroots are L.A. fans. We know how big and powerful they can be. I never doubt the fans, how great the fans can be. It's two-way, though. We have to put a great product on the field, too."

"I grew up in Arizona without baseball and this is the first All-Star Game there, it couldn't be written any better than that for both of us. It's my hometown, I grew up two miles from where the ballpark is."

For Ken Gurnick's complete article click here

True to the Blue!