Friday, June 15, 2012

A Childs Obsession with the Dodgers and Baseball Leads to Hollywood

This is a story of a 3 year old child obsessed with the Dodgers and Baseball.  Of course, that alone isn't unusual.  After all, this is America and Baseball (regardless of what football fans say) is our nations pastime.  What does make this unique is that this little tyke has some skills.  Heck, we might be looking at the next Bryce Harper here.  I jest, of course.  He's got a few more years before scouts start knocking down the door.

Christian Haupt is a Thousands Oaks kid with a ferocious love of the game and the Dodgers (obviously this kid is smart, too).  And let me note that I'm not being facetious when I say he has skills.  After watching a little video on him I think prodigy might be a good word to describe him.  In fact, he is so good he was able to parlay his early childhood brilliance into a Hollywood acting role in Adam Sandler's "That's My Boy."  You can see a trailer for the film, here, and see little Christian towards the end. 

You'll note that some Hollywood magic is used, but don't let that form your basis of judgement.  This 3 year old can play.  I mean, have any of y'all watched 3 year olds play ball.  It's hilarious.  They are so uncoordinated at that age.  On top of that, most children have no clue what is going on.  Christian Haupt, though has a Baseball IQ that is clearly off the charts.  His Mom sent along a link to a video featuring Christian during filming and I have to admit that I am very impressed.  I think scouts need to put this kids name down on their tickler file to check back on in a decade or so from now.  Anyway, watch the video below.

Video Link:

Do you see what I mean?  That kid can throw, catch and swing a bat- and he's only 3!  3!  Actually, he was just a few weeks short of three when this was filmed.  Holy Moly!

Here's another video of him at Fenway Park.

Video Link:

BTW, The Ventura County Star has a great writeup on him from yesterday that is worth checking out.  See it here
Christian's attire at Dodger Stadium — a full baseball uniform with cleats — doesn't merit a second glance, but it does warrant a few stares when he goes to school or the family attends church.
"Even if it's in the heat of summer, he wears full baseball clothes with the high socks and long pants," his mother said. "He won't wear shorts even if it's 100 degrees. He never takes it off. I have a laundry pile every week with 10 pairs of white pants with grass stains all over and holes in the knees."
A big thanks to Christian's Mom for sharing.

Dodgers Blog Kiosk: 6/15/2012

Here is Kings centerman Anze Kopitar and Andre Ethier.  Photo via @Dodger twitter Jon SooHoo/ LA Dodgers 2012.
"I feel stronger," Lasorda said Thursday night in his first public appearance since suffering what the Dodgers called a "mild" heart attack last week in New York. Lasorda said doctors discovered one of his arteries was 90% blocked.
Tommy, I think you need to look at joining SlimFast again.
From the outside, he looks like the same old Kemp: a guy whose talent is as raw as his composure is unformed, beguiling fans with the preternatural ability he doesn't care to hone. But perceptions are deceiving with Kemp, especially of late. The harder the game treats him, the more he respects it, cares about it -- and the better he plays. 
  • Bob Lemke tells a little more about the history of Berk Ross Baseball cards from the early 50's.
  • You can follow The Stanley Cup online this summer.  Find out how from Rich Hammond at LA Kings Insider.  BTW, I hear it is currently in Las Vegas.
  • This is something I had totally forgotten about.  Before the season started, the Kings (Luc Robitaille and Bailey) placed 3 "lucky pennies" at center ice in the Staples Center.  Bailey, the Kings mascot, put up a pic on twitter of those pennies being removed.  One from 1893- the year the Stanley Cup was donated; a second from 1993- the year the Kings were last in the Finals, but lost; and the last penny was from 2002- the year Luc won The Cup as a member of the Red Wings.  UPDATE:  Strike that.  Rich Hammond on the LA Kings Insider blog notes that one of the pennies was from 2006- the year Bailey's beloved Colt won the Super Bowl.

Lelands Auctions: Sal LaRocca Collection Part 2

Following up on last weeks post featuring a handful of items from the extensive collection of Sal LaRocca, I bring to you Part 2 of his collection currently for sale through Lelands Auctions. 

Early Baseball ephemera is difficult to find.  They are especially rare when your target is the 1910's.  Below are 3 Brooklyn game schedules for the Superbas for the 1913, 1917 and 1918 Baseball season. Of special note is the 1917 schedule that refers to the Brooklyn team as the Superbas- a not so common occurrence.
(Lelands Auction Link)

This next lot includes a collection of 73 different photographs of Roy Campanella.  Most appear to be press photos with half being vintage period pieces and the other half being modern prints from vintage negatives.  The auction house does not show every available photo, but does share a handful to gaze at.  See some of them below.
(Lelands Auction Link)

(Lelands Auction Link)

(Lelands Auction Link)
 Campy and Eddie Mathews.
(Lelands Auction Link)

(Lelands Auction Link)