Upper Deck

A massive scoreboard above Anaheim Stadium's left-field stands collapsed during Monday's earthquake, crushing hundreds of seats and strewing metal debris over others. The Sony "Jumbotron," about 800 square feet in area and weighing 17.5 tons, broke from its moorings atop the stadium's roof and landed in a partially upright position in the upper deck, taking a portion of the roof with it. Late Monday morning, the board was held precariously in place at a 45-degree angle by some of its beams.

Richard McWilliam, hailed for revolutionizing the trading card and sports memorabilia industry as a co-founder and chief executive officer of Carlsbad-based Upper Deck Co., has died. He was 59. McWilliam died Saturday at his home in Rancho Santa Fe. While no cause of death has been announced, the company noted that McWilliam had a history of heart disease and had undergone heart surgery in 2008. McWilliam co-founded Upper Deck in 1989 and immediately set about challenging the leaders of an industry whose origins date to the late 19th century, when cards with pictures of baseball players were sold in packs of chewing tobacco.

Major League Baseball Properties Inc. is taking former business partner Upper Deck Co. to court, claiming that the Carslbad trading card maker continued using official logos after a licensing deal had expired. Major League Baseball Properties, which oversees trademarks for 30 teams, filed a complaint against Upper Deck claiming trademark infringement in New York City federal court Monday. The lawsuit seeks unspecified damages and calls for Upper Deck to recall its 2009 and 2010 baseball cards, which feature team and league logos.

At first glance, Lolly Hellman is nothing special, another die-hard fan wearing Dodgers colors till she's blue in the face. Lolly hangs out in the high-altitude seats, the upper deck at Chavez Ravine. God's country. "We're like family up here," she says. Lolly, 57, can recite the names of all the fans and stadium workers around her. When usher Nadine Peraza recently had her baby, Lolly went to the hospital and gave a gift. When the ushers hold their potluck — yes, upper-deck workers organize such things two or three times a season — they'll share with Lolly and her husband and son. "I'm telling you, down there they don't do any of that," she says, pointing to the expensive seats.

Directors of Topps Co., the maker of baseball cards and Bazooka gum, recommended that shareholders vote against a $425-million tender offer from Upper Deck Co. because of concerns about getting antitrust approval. Topps, based in New York, agreed in March to be acquired by Tornante Co., led by former Walt Disney Co. Chief Executive Michael Eisner, and Madison Dearborn Partners for about $9.75 a share, or $384.5 million. In May, Topps said Upper Deck had made a higher offer, about $10.75 a share.

He digs in at the plate and immediately the calls fly from the dugout: Come on, Hank . Make that Hammerin' Hank. Sure, the handle originated with all-time home run leader Hank Aaron, but at the high school level it fits Ryan Hankins like a batting glove. In Simi Valley's four-game sweep to the championship of the Upper Deck tournament in Fullerton last week, Hankins indeed had a hammer. The senior third baseman was eight for 17 with two home runs and 13 runs batted in.

Upper Deck Co., a closely held maker of baseball cards, launched a tender offer Monday to buy shares of rival Topps Co. for $10.75 each. The offer, which expires July 24, values Topps at about $425 million, Upper Deck said. Topps has agreed to be acquired by a group led by former Walt Disney Co. Chief Executive Michael Eisner for $9.75 a share.

Richard McWilliam, hailed for revolutionizing the trading card and sports memorabilia industry as a co-founder and chief executive officer of Carlsbad-based Upper Deck Co., has died. He was 59. McWilliam died Saturday at his home in Rancho Santa Fe. While no cause of death has been announced, the company noted that McWilliam had a history of heart disease and had undergone heart surgery in 2008. McWilliam co-founded Upper Deck in 1989 and immediately set about challenging the leaders of an industry whose origins date to the late 19th century, when cards with pictures of baseball players were sold in packs of chewing tobacco.

In the first 32 years of the Houston Astrodome, only seven balls were hit into the upper deck. This week, it has been done twice. "I knew I hit it really well," Willie Greene said after his three-run homer led the Reds, 4-2, over the Astros on Friday. Cincinnati, which extended a winning streak to five for the first time in nearly a year, trailed, 2-0, in the fourth inning.

Atlanta's Andruw Jones had not been born the last time a home run went into the upper deck at Philadelphia's Veterans Stadium. Jones became the first player to homer into the upper deck in center field since Mike Schmidt in 1975, and the Braves handed the Phillies their seventh consecutive loss, 9-8, Saturday night. "I wasn't even born yet," said Jones, who turned 20 in April. "I really didn't see it, but I knew that I hit it really hard.

Major League Baseball Properties Inc. is taking former business partner Upper Deck Co. to court, claiming that the Carslbad trading card maker continued using official logos after a licensing deal had expired. Major League Baseball Properties, which oversees trademarks for 30 teams, filed a complaint against Upper Deck claiming trademark infringement in New York City federal court Monday. The lawsuit seeks unspecified damages and calls for Upper Deck to recall its 2009 and 2010 baseball cards, which feature team and league logos.

Tiger's tie-ins Here is a look at Tiger Woods' major sponsors/ endorsement deals: Accenture TV/print ads for management consulting firm. AT&T AT&T National golf tournament that benefits Tiger Woods Foundation. Chevron Title sponsor of Chevron World Challenge golf tournament benefiting Tiger Woods Foundation. EA Sports Tiger Woods PGA Tour video game in a six-year deal signed in 2006. Gatorade Tiger Focus drink.

Authorities closed both directions of the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge after a cable snapped on the upper deck of the span Tuesday. California Highway Patrol Officer Peter Van Eckhardt said the bridge would be closed for at least 24 hours so crews can try to repair the cable, which snapped during the evening commute. Van Eckhardt said the closure comes after a cable and a large piece of metal fell onto a westbound portion of the roadway about 5:30 p.m. Tuesday. Before the closure, traffic was already backed up into Oakland.

Just before the game begins the Dodgers announce they're going to roll someone out in a wheelchair to throw the first pitch. The perfect entrance for Jason Schmidt. Turns out, it's Frank Parker, an 87-year-old Guadalcanal veteran tossing out the ceremonial first pitch. Now I know what you're thinking. What was the velocity on Parker's first pitch in comparison to Schmidt's? Well, I begin writing this with no idea how Schmidt's night is going to be. I'm guessing in 15 minutes or so, we'll know.

Topps Co., maker of baseball cards and Bazooka bubble gum, said investors holding 53.4% of its shares voted in favor of the $385-million acquisition by a Michael Eisner-led buyout group. The company, based in New York, had rescheduled votes three times on the $9.75-a-share offer by former Walt Disney Co. chief Eisner's Tornante Co. and Madison Dearborn Partners. Rival baseball card maker Upper Deck Co. had offered to buy Topps for $416 million before scrapping that proposal.

Shares of baseball card company Topps Co. fell 7% on Wednesday after hostile suitor Upper Deck Co. dropped its $417-million bid, leaving Topps with a $378-million offer from a buyout group and a firm led by former Walt Disney Co. Chief Executive Michael Eisner. Topps said it planned to "hold Upper Deck accountable for all damages suffered by Topps and our stockholders, as a result of Upper Deck's actions." In May, Upper Deck disclosed its unsolicited offer of $10.

Esperanza has often looked to the Upper Deck tournament as a way to boost its baseball fortunes. Not Tuesday. The Aztecs' ride took another downward turn Tuesday, when they dropped a 9-5 quarterfinal decision to Edison (N.J.) at Cal State Fullerton. Edison will play Mater Dei at 3:30 p.m. today in a semifinal game at Titan Field. Aztec reliever Anthony Colacion's wild pitch allowed Ed Sirico to score the go-ahead run in the bottom of the sixth with two out.

A mile-long stretch of an elevated double-decked freeway in Oakland toppled in Tuesday's earthquake, crushing to death at least 58 motorists in their vehicles and injuring 400 others. Alameda County sheriff's officials said the death toll could reach 200. "It just sandwiched in," said Henry Renteria, manager of emergency services for Oakland. "It's like a war zone out there."

Upper Deck Co. withdrew its offer Tuesday to buy rival baseball card maker Topps Co., clearing one obstacle in the way of a proposed private equity takeover of the iconic sports memorabilia company. New York-based Topps, maker of baseball cards and Bazooka bubble gum, has recommended that shareholders approve a deal with investors, including a group led by former Walt Disney Co. Chief Executive Michael Eisner. Shareholders are scheduled to complete a vote on that deal next week.

new york -- Influential proxy advisory firm Institutional Shareholder Services recommended Monday voting against the takeover of baseball card company Topps Co. by a private equity firm and an investment group led by former Walt Disney Co. chief Michael Eisner. ISS said that investors should oppose the $384.5-million bid from Madison Dearborn Partners and Tornante Co. because there was an alternative, higher bid being offered by rival Upper Deck Co. for $425 million.