Let There Be Baseball

I park my car on the curb right in front of where I live. This is a rare occurrence on this street. The block is filled with small apartments and homes that sometimes overflows with people and cars. On this Monday afternoon after work the street was surprisingly empty.

Did I miss something? Is there something going on that I should know about?

nay!... It's just stupid luck. Within the hour the street was packed with cars and parking spots where scarce.

Anyway, I walk up to my place and find that my roommate put today's' mail on the dining room table. I shuffle through the advertisements and coupons, toss the Pennysaver aside for later reading and come across a postcard from my friend, Michael. Cool! He always finds a way to make me laugh about the world. Usually Mike sends politically themed postcards that he would make from scratch, but, from time to time, I get something that is unrelated to the "real world". On this day I get to celebrate Baseball.

Above is a scan of the postcard I just received. On the back he writes:

"And on the 8th day God spoke and he doth said, "Let there be Baseball," and there was. And he saw it was good. So he cracked open a beer and feasted on many a hot dog. And God was happy. For humans had realized their ultimate purpose- entertainment for the Lord."

Mike- You So Funny.

ESPN Funnies: Bartman

This is a great behind-the-scenes story about the day ESPN got an exclusive interview with Steven Bartman. If his name doesn't ring a bell then don't worry. I didn't recognize his name at first too. Besides, I'm not a die-hard Cubs fan, otherwise his name might be permanently seared into my brain. He was the fan sitting along the left field line at Wrigley Field on October 14, 2003 during game 6 of the National League Championship Series. As I'm sure we all will recall, he contributed to the games greatest living curse. He interfered on a foul ball pop-up that probably would have been caught by Chicago Cubs Left Fielder Moises Alou. As it happens, the Marlins went to score 8 unanswered runs and become the eventual World Series Winner. Again, the Cubbies fail to advance.

Now, for the reason of this post. Over at Bad Idea Blue Jeans resides a couple of former ESPN employees. They have decided, in all their wisdom and good nature, to share stories about their time there. This story is about a so-called exclusive interview with said Steven Bartman. er... They think it's Steven Bartman.

Story Link:

Hat Tip: The Mercury News: via The Huffington Post

Cool Vintage eBay Item

Here is an item you don't see everyday. It's an item of exonumia. A rare vintage token featuring one of the earliest recorded Baseball images.

eBay Link:

It dates from 1861 and celebrates the 3rd anniversary of the Pioneer BaseBall Club of Springfield, Massachusetts. On the front is a batter preparing for a pitch. Written along the frame is"Pioneer Base Ball Club." On the back says "Organized April 30, 1858 Play Ground On Hampden Park Springfield Mass". It measures 1 1/4 inches across. Only 125 pieces where ever made. The token was struck by famous American die sinker J. A. Bolen.

As of this writing there is 1 hour and 20 minutes left in the auction. The current price is $344.99 and could end up higher. I'd love to add this to my collection, but, alas, it shall not be.

But here is an item that I will be adding to my collection. This is a E76 1910 American Caramel Company card of James Jeffries graded by SGC. I won this recently on eBay. Lately, I have been searching out old vintage boxing cards. I'm especially interested in vintage caramel and strip cards. As you can see here and in my photoalbum. Compared to Baseball, boxing is very difficult to come by and is quite a challenge. For more information about vintage boxing cards check out Adam Warshaw's site. He wrote a recent guide about boxing cards and provides a good round up of the different sets out there.

Dodger Video Classics I

I'm gonna try to do this on a more consistent basis. Welcome to Dodger Video Classics! For those die hard Dodger fans thirsting for anything Dodgers. Come on in! I hope I can temporarily assuage your hunger by showcasing old time Dodger videos from the internet. If you find anything cool let me know.

Below is an old advertising spot for Gillette Razor featuring Pee Wee Reese in a spotlight speaking role and Roy Campanella and Don Zimmer in shaving roles.



GoogleVideo Link:

Update: Dodger Modern Video Classic

Below is Brad Penny's first inning performance during the 2006 All Star Game. He struck out the first 3 batters to start the game for the National League.



YouTube Link:

An Ugly Start to the Second Half

Everything was looking bright. Penny was named the starting pitcher for the All Star game in Pittsburgh. Nomar had been elected by the fans as this years "Last Man" for the midseason classic. The Dodgers had won 5 of their last 7 games just prior to the 3 day break. We had much more to look forward to as the season headed towards the second half.

Then comes a steaming train we call the Cardinals. The big giant behemoths wearing bright red and sporting a billy club in one hand and a Budweiser in the other. They are one of the most intimidating teams in Baseball. Rolen, Edmonds and Pujols. Rolen and Edmonds are some of the best defensemen in their respective positions, and they can hit to boot. Pujols, well what can I say? "Pujols, Pujols, Pujols!" That guy can win games on his own. No, he does win games o his own. In our first game back, we lose a 14 inning killer on a homerun by Pujols. Then, Carpenter blanks us with a 2 hit complete game. Yesterday, Rolen knocks in the winning run in a 10 inning nailbiter. Lastly, we get knocked around for 15 hits and 11 runs- a laugher. My head hurts!?!

Getting swept during the first series of the second half does not give me much confidence. The only saving grace is knowing we got beat by a good, no great, team. But frankly, that doesn't provide much solace.

Now, I see the problems that lay before us. Our hitting is not our biggest problem. I think we will continue to hit pretty well the remainder of the season. Although, we may see a slight negative regression to a more reasonable mean, but I believe our group of experienced players will continue to shine. Our real deficiency lays with our arms. It's all about pitching, pitching, pitching.

To start with an extra starter would be nice. Penny and Lowe have solidified a starting core. Sele has been excellent and appears to have turned the corner. Unfortunately, our last 2 spots are more problematic. Tomko is ailing. Hendrickson may provide some good games, but his stuff is hardly earthshattering. Billingsley is young and still in a learning stage. Odalis is just terrible.

Our relief pitching has been as volatile as the stock market. One day it's up big, but the next day it takes a 100 point dump. This kind of movement keeps me on edge and reminds me of an old investment adage. "There are only two emotions on Wall Street: Fear and Greed." The constant bouncing ball nature of todays market fosters fear; therefore, threats of a oncoming Bear market loom. Fortunately, the Dodgers do not give me the type of fear I sense in todays stock market. Not yet, at least. Our relief corps have been up and down this year as Baez, Broxton, Carter, Osoria, Hamulack and Kuo can attest. Saito has been a godsend. Where can we find more like him? Carrara has been a great surprise so far. This is a man who has had a rollercoaster type of career in Baseball and has always been one of my favorite underdogs. Still, another solid verteran reliever could do wonders.

In this game there are no quick solutions. We have very little available in the minors to turn to. The pitchers available on the trading block are sparse; therefore, very expensive. Do you really want to trade a frontline prospect or two (like Loney, Guzman or Aybar) for a half season rental? Furthermore, what is the long term impact of a trade for a high priced (or overpriced) veteran?

At this point it looks like we will be eating Perez's contract. It will cost the team $10,000,000.00 in 2007 including a deferred signing bonus and a $1,500,000.00 buyout in 2008. This impacts the team significantly next year. Can we trade him in a budget saving move? Maybe the anticipated spot start spoken about in todays broadcast is a showcase outing for potential trade suitors. Afterall, I'm sure the Dodgers will be paying much of his salary, and there are plenty of teams out there who will risk another teams albatross in hopes of finding a diamond in the rough, i.e. Sele.

Who knows what's going to happen? I'm inclined to see nothing happen at all- besides throwing Perez to the curb. Furthermore, free agency next Winter could be interesting as we will have alot of cap room to work with. On the other hand, I do know who I would like to see wearing Blue this year. I like Maddux in Blue. Zito would fit in very nicely. Can you imagine Kerry Wood in our rotation, or even in the bullpen? I just don't know if I like the idea of trading our minor league gems. Nevertheless, we might be a trade or two short of being a "real" World Series contender this year.

A 14 Inning Hanging Change Up

It's the 14th inning of a 2-2 contest. Our bullpen had been exhausted of their main relief corps. Carrara, Broxton, Beimel, Saito had already gone to the mound. A potential all morning affair was in the works. It was time to bring in the long man.

Odalis came in and had to face a formidable line-up; Taguchi, Pujols, Rolen and then Edmonds. That looks pretty scary. But, its not scarier than watching Odalis Perez pitch. He has been absolutley terrible this year, and the lack of work the past few months has only contributed to his continued poor play. Pitching is not only about having great stuff, but it's about having the confidence to throw what you have. You have to trust your talents. Odalis said after the game.

"My confidence isn't the same anymore. It's killing me as a professional and it's killing my career.

Odalis came in and threw a hanging change up on the outside corner on a 3-1 count that had Pujols swinging with a big smile. It was a deep drive to left. The outfielders did not turn to watch it. The infielders refused to watch as they ran into the dugout. Odalis Perez looked like a deer staring straight into the headlight of an oncoming car. Bang! Your dead. Home Run!

Dodgers lose. Odalis crumbles in the clubhouse. What to do next?