Saturday, April 17, 2010

WooHoo Kings Win!


This series is turning into barnburner. It has been an edge of your seat, perspiration inducing match. My hair is turning grey, my voice is becoming course from screaming and I'm exhausted. For the second time, the Kings and Canucks go to overtime to decide the winner. Unlike a couple of days ago, the Kings came out the victor. Series tied 1 to 1.

The best quote of the game comes from Kings defenseman Drew Doughty, who let out his inner Yogi Berra. On being in the playoffs: "It's all mental. You just can't think about it."

The Kings were not rattled and they did not buckle under. After going down 2 goals to 0 after the 1st period, they fought back to score 2 of their own in the 2nd period. From there, there was a lot of neutral ice play and bone rattling offensive rushes for both teams. Eventually, the game ends in regulation tied at 2. Then, in overtime, Kings centerman, Anze Kopitar, slaps in a shot from the circle on the power to play to win it. Kings Win!

It was exhilarating and rewarding, and I can't wait for Monday's game at the Staples Center to come around.
(pic Link: LAKings Facebook)

UPDATE: Here is the winning goal by Kopitar.

YouTube Link:

Jackie Robinson Day Speeches

Hopefully this video doesn't get taken down. Below are the pregame speeches from Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Don Newcombe on Jackie Robinson Day at Dodger Stadium.

YouTube Link:

eBay: Loeser's Department Store Dodger Pin


Here is a great vintage, circa 1940's, Dodger pin from a Brooklyn mainstay, Loeser's Department Store. Located on the corner of Fulton Street and Bond, they opened in 1887 (a few years after the establishment of the Dodgers) and sold everything a Brooklynite could ever want. It was a shopping wonder. With 5 stories filled with goods it is no doubt that every old Brooklyn Dodger entered its doors at one time.
The Brooklyn Eagle (newspaper), in a long, front page article on March 22, 1887, describes the store in great detail, “the interior of the establishment is of great beauty. The woodwork is of selected ash and mahogany, adorned with gold and bronze.” It also noted that the store would have elevators, electric lighting, and telephone and messenger service. Period photographs show impressive bronze or cast iron elevator banks, highly decorated with reliefs and ornament. In 1887, all of these innovations were modern marvels.
Unfortunately, the store closed it's doors in 1952 in the midst of a retail slump. Maybe it was a foreshadowing of things to come. The Dodger would leave town less than a decade later. Below is a recent photo of the original store location.
pic Link:Flickr:

Mr. Clutch

This couldn't more deserved.

Andre Ethier was presented with the Pepsi Clutch Performer Award last night for last years exploits. By the looks of it he's well on his way towards another one.