Blog Kiosk: 12/6/2016 - Dodgers Links - Roberts on Puig, Kershaw, and Logo Creep

Clayton Kershaw made his way to the 2016 Winter Meetings in Maryland yesterday to help usher in a new era in on-field Baseball uniforms.  As you may know, it was announced that Under Armour will be the game’s official uniform outfitter starting in 2020 - taking over for Majestic.  To help introduce the brand to the Baseball public was Kershaw, along with Francisco Lindor on his right and Brian Dozier on his left.

One item of note that I thought worth mentioning (originally noted by Paul Lukas at UniWatch) is the inclusion of a brand makers-mark (logo) on the front upper-right chest area of the new uniforms - a first for the league.  In the past, the Majestic makers-mark was seen on the sleeve.  Now, it'll be front and center.  Slowly but surely logo adverts on uniforms will become the norm.  Ugh....

You should definitely take a look at Paul's post at UniWatch.  He shares some photoshopped pics that shows what the logo-creep will look like.  It's a little unsettling (as the Baseball purest I often am), but I imagine most folks won't think anything of it.

Photograph at the very top via David Vassegh on twitter.  Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History:  In 1973 the Dodgers traded Claude Osteen to the Astros for Jim Wynn.  In 2006 the Dodgers signed free agent pitcher Jason Schmidt.  In 2007 signed free agent outfielder Andruw Jones.  Wow!  This is a bad day to sign free agents, eh?
• Happy Birthday, Tommy Brown & Dodgers broadcaster Joe Davis!

Blog Kiosk: 12/17/2014 - Dodger Links - McCarthy, Puig Lawsuit and those New Kings Jerseys are Awful

There are plenty of photographs of the field at Ebbets.  Heck, there are more photos of the advertising on the outfield walls than I can count.  But there are hardly any pics of what's inside the stadium; in particular the rotunda located behind home plate.  Via @MLBcathedrals on twitter they share a rare photo that you can see above.

The rotunda was 80-foot round and made of Italian marble.  Also, there were ornate chandeliers hanging from the rafters that had light fixtures shaped as Baseballs.  To most fans it was a sight to behold, and in homage to this Baseball wonder Citi Field, where the Mets play today, recreated it.  They call it the "Jackie Robinson Rotunda."

Below are some links to check out:

• Via Emma at Dodger Blue World, "When Did You Fall in Love?"
• This is a scary scary thought.  Via Steve Dilbeck at the LA Times, "Could Brandon McCarthy turn into next Jason Schmidt for Dodgers?"
• Via Curt Anderson at Yahoo Sports, "Guilty plea set in smuggling of Dodgers' Puig."

Investigators say Suarez was one of the Miami-based financiers of the 2012 smuggling venture in which Puig was taken by boat from Cuba to Mexico. The financiers were to receive a cut of the seven-year, $42 million contract Puig later signed with the Dodgers.

Prosecutors are seeking forfeiture of any money Suarez got from Puig's contract, in addition to a house, a condominium, a Porsche and a Mercedes-Benz.

• Via Cary Osborne at Dodger Insider, "In 2015, the Dodgers will go to WAR with a formidable top four."
• Via Blue Skinny Fan, "Nomar Garciaparra Autograph Signing at Glendale Galleria (12/13/14)."  There are some nice photos to look through.
• Via Jon Weisman at Dodger Insider, "Dodgers send Noel Cuevas to Rockies in Juan Nicasio deal."
• Just another fantastic post by Night Owl Cards, "Thinking outside the box."  I don't think it's a stretch to say that the 1991 Topps set is the best and most under-appreciated set of the modern card era.
• I am not a fan of the new LA Kings Stadium Series Jersey.  Pic below via @SI_NHL on twitter.  What's up with the white pants? It makes it look like he's wearing pajamas.  Others have noted that it is Stormtrooper-like.
  
  

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Don't Hate Me for Buying an Autographed Dodgers Card of Jason Schmidt

I know that for many, if not most, Dodger fans the name Jason Schmidt is one we'd rather forget.  He was a huge bust for us, and an expensive one at that. 

After the 2006 season, we signed Schmidt to a 3-year, $47 million free agent contract.  As you surely know, he ended up pitching only a total of 10 games over that 3-year span; going 3-6 with a 6.02 ERA.  Arm problems that cropped up early in the 2007 season was the poison that lead to his downfall.

As a Dodger fan, I have a mission to acquire an autographed card of every player to ever put on a Dodger uniform.  This is a long and arduous task that requires that I even get a card of this guy.  So, please don't be mad at me.

Featured here is a 2007 Topps Trading Places autographed card of Jason Schmidt.  Unfortunately, it also happens to show him in Giants Halloween orange; which would normally be a hanging offense around these parts.  But, what is a collector to do?  I don't run into signed cards of his very often, and it was cheap (like $6.00 delivered cheap).

At least I'll never have to get another one for my collection.

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2007 Bowman Heritage

I have recently fallen in love with 2007 Bowman Heritage and am hoping that other folks out there with extras can help me along in completing my set. Go here for my want list. I only need a handful of cards for my base set and am slowly trudging along in trying to complete a rainbow parallel set. In the meantime, check out some of the cards that had me enamored.

Below is the Jeff Kent card from the set and it is easily my favorite. I love how he seems to jump out in the picture and the blurry background perfectly frames his swing.
Here are the rookie cards of often injured Tony Abreau and thriving Pirate Andy LaRoche.
Juan Pierre, Jason Schmidt and Rafael Furcal are featured below.

(click to enlarge)

The 2007 Bowman Heritage set borrows its design from the vintage 1952 Bowman set. A great feature of the set is how they decided to put some interesting backgrounds in a handful of the cards. Below, Joe Smith of the Mets stands in front of the Coney Island Ferris Wheel.
Big slugger and strike out machine Adam Dunn practices his swing in front of a corn field. I'm not sure about the relationship between Dunn and corn since he is from Texas and I don't think that corn is a major cash crop there. Is Cincinnati considered a part of the "corn belt?"
Jimmy Rollins, with bat in hand, stands in front of one of our country's greatest symbols- the Liberty Bell.

Blog Kiosk: 5/24/2009

• Check out this YouTube video of a 50's episode of TV's Baseball Hall of Fame as they interview a young Mickey Mantle about the 1952 World Series against the Dodgers and even has some World Series highlights.

• If you missed the sale at Dodger Stadium in 2005 of actual Dodger Stadium seats then have no fear. S&S Seating, who had originally taken out the seats during the stadium renovations, is now going into their warehouse to sell their remaining seats. Go here for more information. (Hat Tip: SCD) Below are the seats I purchased when they originally went on sale in 2005.

  “These seats were professionally removed from Dodger Stadium in Chávez Ravine and have been stored in our warehouse since 2005. The memorabilia seats are in excellent condition and are the perfect gift for any Dodgers fan or baseball memorabilia collector.”

• Zach Hample, the Baseball ballhawk, was at Dodger Stadium on Monday and collected his 4,000th Baseball. I have yet to get one and this schmo has gotten 4,000 of them. Man-O-Live!
• Jo Ann shares some pics from Opening Night.
  
• Home Run Derby ranks the greatest autographed baseball of all-time. Including this ball signed by the entire Red Sox relief staff in appreciation for some nude pics of an ex-wife.
• Jason Schmidt was hit by a batted ball last night in Albuquerque and I Love This Game was there with pics.
• I love this shuttle pic from Boston.com as they head out to repair the Hubble Telescope.
• An Abraham Lincoln card with his autograph and his hair sold last week on eBay for $17,500.00. Wow! (Hat Tip: The Beckett Blog)
• Beatbox, Baby!

YouYube Link:Artist: Julia Dales
Hat Tip: Crooks & Liars:

Blog Kiosk 3/8/2009

Better Late Than Never

• Garvey Cey Russell Lopes shares a couple more Goose Joak originals of Matt Kemp.
• Check out this new Dodger blog called "Baseball and the Blues."
  
• If you haven't read this already then you need to check this out. "How Manny's Deal Finally Got Done."
  
• Spring Training '09 features the 45 worst contracts in Baseball that includes 2 Dodgers. No surprises here. Jason Schmidt and Juan Pierre are featured. Another strange thing to note is that it appears that 2006 was a good year for bad contracts.
  
• Rest In Peace, Curtis "Bingo" Lloyd.
  

  Although there was a lot of love between them, Bingo had a mistress. It was baseball. And with his personal stories about Cool Papa, Ol' Satch and the Dayton Marcos for whom he played, he truly was a treasured timepiece when it came to sports.

  Eight years ago, the Dayton Dragons had him throw out the first pitch. When they asked him if he was ready, he grinned: "I'm like cold potato salad. I'm always ready."

  (Hat Tip: SCD)
  
• Here is a fascinating blog called "The Mind of Maurice Clarett." He was a former Ohio State tailback who now resides in jail.
  
• Robots! Check out more pics here at Boston.com.
• No!

YouTube Link: obie666:
Hat Tip: Battle of California:

Fire Ned Colletti

As many of you know there is a Dodger blog called Fire Ned Colletti Now. When I first came across the site I thought the name was a bit too abrasive. After todays story in the LA Times I no longer think that. It may be time to start asking, why is he still the GM?

The Dodgers knew Jason Schmidt had a rotator cuff injury when they signed him to a contract worth a guaranteed $47 million, the club acknowledged in a court filing this week.

Are you kidding me? You knew he was damaged goods, but decided to take flyer on the guy anyway.

-*-

Early in the 2008 season the Dodgers invited several bloggers to a game. We had an opportunity to meet many of the folks who run the show; including Ned Colletti. Go here for my write-up of the event.

As you'll notice, I didn't provide a full description of everything that was said or asked. Basically, there wasn't anything awe inspiring or revelatory to speak off. We got the typically dog and pony show with well rehearsed answers any top flight PR firm would be proud of. Besides, I had a couple of beers in me and, if you know me at all then you know, that's all it takes for me to be buzzing.

Yhea, I'm a light weight!

Anyway, I do, even in my apparent stupor, distinctly recall Colletti commenting about the Jason Schmidt situation. He reasoned that it is illogical to believe that they would sign Schmidt to a long term commitment if they knew he could not pitch. In fact, you have to assume that he truly believed Jason would come back to form. It would be wrong to assume he would purposefully do something that would hurt his employment with the team.

On the other hand, considering what we know now, do we not have to questions his judgement?

Truckin'

Sometimes the light's all shinin' on me;
Other times, I can barely see.
Lately it occurs to me ...
What a long, strange trip it's been.

What an exasperating year this has been. From injuries to triumphs, the ups and downs, the Dodgers seemed doomed from the start, but hopeful that everything would turn out o.k.

Everything did start well enough. Free agency brought us Jason Schmidt, Randy Wolf and Luis Gonzales. Nomar re-signed for another term. JD Drew left for Boston to the claps and cheers of the Dodger faithful. Our rookies where looking better than anyone imagined.

Then, a dark cloud popped out from behind the shadows. Repko and Furcal were injured on the same freak play that resulted in Jason sitting the entire year and Rafael hobbling and limping at shortstop. Worries about Schmidt's velocity during the Spring ballooned into a season ending injury. Loney was sent back to the minors at the start of the season that caused some grumbling. Pierre had a difficult start to the season in centerfield. It took him a long time to traverse the expansive terrain of Chavez Ravine. Sometimes it looked like he could not see the ball off the bat at Dodger Stadium. Nomar was not entirely healthy. Betemit couldn't buy a hit. The year was not starting out on the right foot.

Somehow... Somehow, the Dodgers found a way to be competitive anyway. Billingsley showed that he is ready to be a full-time starter. Penny and Lowe proved to be a solid pitching tandem. Saito was not a one year wonder, and Broxton matured into a more reliable set-up man (the past couple of weeks notwithstanding). Kent continues to prove why he belongs in the Hall of Fame. Our rookies on the field continued to progress beyond our wildest expectations. James Loney, the disgruntled Texan, earned a full-time starting job at firstbase. Along with Russell, Ethier and Kemp they provide a solid foundation for the future.

Unfortunately, the future might have to wait for next year.

We started the day having lost a crushing doubleheader to the Rockies yesterday. Billingsley pitched an outstanding 5+ innings, having given up just two runs on 4 hits. Nevertheless, the Dodgers offense provided little help as the Blue Crew fell 3 to 1. Then the nightcap became a hitting bonanza. The Dodgers got 13 hits and scored 8 runs; including homers by Gonzales, Loney and Martin. They led going into the later innings, but saw their once solid bullpen give up 4 runs. The final nail the coffin was a walk-off two-run homer by Helton of Saito. It was a bad ending to a hopeful day.

Yesterday morning had so many opportunities. The Dodgers were 4 games back of the Diamondbacks in the division race, and only 3 games back of the Padres in the wild card race. Our playoff hopes were looking dim, but there was more than enough time to make it all up. Now, everything seems different. That glimmer of light is slowly burning out. The Dodgers are now 5.5 games behind Arizona and 4.5 games behind San Diego. There are 11 games left to go.

Is there still a chance of a late season revival? Of course there is! Baseball is a funny game where just about anything can happen. Is it likely or plausible that we will find the "Boys in Blue" playing in October? No, at this point we are probably done.

Truckin', I'm a goin' home.
whoa whoa baby, back where I belong,
Back home, sit down and patch my bones, and get back truckin' on.
Hey now get back truckin' home.

Pic Link: Agony & Ivy:
Lyrics above are from the Grateful Dead song Truckin', written by Robert Hunter.

From Good to Bad to Worse

What a miserable past week we've experienced. It starts with a battle against our division rival, the Padres, that ends in a embarrassing shellacking. Chris Young, who must have looked like Cy Young to Dodger hitters, out-duels returning pitcher Jason Schmidt on Tuesday. Trevor Hoffman, the man who has recorded a majority of his saves against us, records his 500th Wednesday night. Then, the usually dependable bullpen falters in the last game of the series on Thursday. We get swept and move from 1st place to 3rd place in a blink of an eye.

Next comes the Toronto Blue Jays who are playing less that .500 ball. They have been the subject of rumors indicating that they may be dismantled after a disappointing start to the season. They should have been a team ripe for the picking. Instead, the Dodgers look like a minor league squad. Our offense has disappeared. Our saving grace was a walk-off homerun from Olmedo the Killer Tomato on Friday. A great individual performance from Derek Lowe was wasted in Saturday's game. Sunday's game was difficult to watch as we give up a collective 11 runs.

Jon writes,

"It is interesting that the lowest point of the Dodger season - five losses in six games - comes in transition to some new blood. I'm sure the Dodgers are feeling down, but I'm eager to see what comes. And it's not even that I expect problems to be solved overnight - the kids need all of our patience. It's just that the guys with potential are here, and I'm not one who believes that potential is a dirty word."

Jon is right, I welcome the opportunity to see all of our young farmhands on the field. These kids deserve a chance to play. Colletti's plan to field a team of aging veterans is on the verge of ruin and the only remedy is the farm system that has already paid some dividends. Let them play!

Image Link: Crescent Blues:

BP Sings Little's Praise

In the relatively short amount of time we have gotten to know Grady Little as manager of the Dodgers I must say that I am glad he is here. He has been a calming force in an organization that has seen nothing but strife since the FOX ownership and subsequent sale to the McCourt's. For the first time in years the Dodgers feel like the team I remember as a kid. Sure, I can barely understand him when he is being interviewed, but I think his deep southern accent and home-spun nature has rubbed off on the players and the fans.

You don't believe me. Well, let's see what Nomar has to say.

“He’s a great manager,” said Garciaparra, who joined his hometown Dodgers prior to the start of last season and made the transition from shortstop to first baseman. “What makes him great is how he handles people. He has a lot of respect for all the players. He understands how difficult this game is to play, and he also understands the strengths and weaknesses of his players. He sets a very good tone in the clubhouse. He keeps things nice and relaxed, and that’s the attitude you need to be successful. Teams that are uptight usually don’t perform well.”

It is about RESPECT.

Jason Schmidt knows Grady pretty well also.

Schmidt had played for Little while coming up through the Atlanta Braves’ farm system. “He tells it like it is, and I think every player, deep down, appreciates that,” Schmidt said. “He’ll tell you when you’ve done good things, but he’ll also lay it on the line when things are bad. Maybe you don’t want to hear the bad, and you’ll go in the corner and cry about it for a day, but you also realize and appreciate that you’re being dealt with honestly. And the record shows he’s a winner.”

It is about HONESTY.

What does Grady Little have to say about all of the accolades.

“The thing is that we have a good team,” Little said. “We’re really solid in every area and have a bunch of guys who fit well together. Ned Colletti has done a good job of building a winning team, and we have a good farm system backing it up.”

It is about MODESTY.

RESPECT, HONESTY, MODESTY

Check out the rest of the article from Baseball Prospectus here.

Rumor: Schmidt Situation Not Good?

A friend at work pointed me to a rumor he found on FanNation.

The Dodgers are worried that Jason Schmidt might not pitch again this season, according to a major league source. Schmidt, who signed a three-year contract for $47 million, has a bad shoulder and could be shutdown for surgery soon.

Oh Please. Say it ain't so!

Fox Sports Believe Schmidt Holds the Key to Our Season

Fox Sports lets us know who are the top 10 "Must Stay Healthy" players this year. On their list is new Dodger Jason Schmidt.

Schmidt's health woes are overstated in some quarters (he's averaged roughly 200 innings per season over the last five years), but he does have a history of arm trouble. The Dodgers won't have much of an offense this season, so they need Schmidt and rotation to live up to the press clippings.

Let's hope that his lack of velocity this Spring is as normal as Colletti and Conte say it is.

Fox Sports Story Link:

More Spring Training Photos: March 20, 2007 Dodgers vs. Cardinals

Here are some photos from Dodgertown

I was able to catch a little bit of Jason Schmidt pitching a simulated game yesterday afternoon.
The scoreboard gave me a big laugh during the game with the Cardinals. It is the bottom of the ninth and the Dodgers are down 13 to 0.

Below is a short video of Jason Schmidt pitching in a simulated game

YouTube Link:

Photoalbum Link:

XXL National Video: Schmidt House

She's a Schmidt... House. XXL National made a great video about our new pitcher. My favorite line is "grown ass men should never have to wear orange."



YouTube Link: XXL National:

Another Video about the Dodgers you should check out was made as a present for their Dad. It includes the timeless Terry Cashman song "Willy, Mickey, and 'the Duke' (Talkin' Baseball)." "Pops" was a Brooklyn Dodger fan through and through. Click this link to see.

In a Fast and Furious Week Schmidt Joins the Dodgers

I was chatting with our Research czar at work this morning about some database issues. Fortunately, it was a minor problem that required a change in my process and not a reworking of the programming. As I headed back to my desk I sat on my chair and heard a scream from right outside my door. One of our interns, Danny, who sits near me, was clenching his cell phone repeating what a friend had just IM'd him. (I'm constantly amazed how these kids IM to each all the time. Personnally, I don't have the patience. Heck, I don't even know how to use IM on my phone.)

"Jason Schmidt is a Dodger!"

I turned to Danny, pumped my fist like Saito after a game ending strike out and said, "that's the best news I've heard all day."

The Dodgers are now in the position to trade for power with pitching depth. Suddenly, everything appears to be coming into place.

Jon Weisman has more.

Rob McMillin added earlier today that Brad Penny and some prospects might be enough for Manny. With this signing this possibility appear more likely then ever before.

It's good to be in 1st

Tonight we get to enjoy a game that can only be made in a Blue Heaven. The Dodgers are in 1st place. The Giants are in last place. Our ace, Brad Penny, is 13-5 for the year with a 3.48 ERA. Their ace, Jason Schmidt is 9-7 with a 3.00 ERA. Schmidt has been slightly better according to some numbers, but that doesn't mean a thing because nothing can stop the Blue now. We are like a steaming freight train full of fuel and ready to run forever. The tracks are aligned, our convoy is prepared and we are unstoppable. I am full of bravado as the match between bitter rivals takes place this weekend. I look forward to single after single, double after double and triple after triple. Heck, we might even see a few homeruns from the men in Blue. Everything is right in the world.