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!

The Franken-Friar is born

Tony Jackson introduces us to the Padres new mascot. Then, laments that he has not arrived. But have no fear he makes his entrance in this afternoons game.

Below is a video of the birth of Franken-Friar.



YouTube Link: gaslampball:
Video Hat Tip: Deadspin:

Here is another video of the undead Friar attacking the batboy.



YouTube Link: gaslampball:
Hat Tip: Gaslamp Ball:

Furcal Playing Hurt

We all knew that something was wrong.

Furcal admitted that the ankle, which he sprained during spring training and landed him on the disabled list, still hurts. It doesn't bother him all of the time and when it does, the pain isn't overbearing. But it does serve as a constant reminder that it's something he's going to have to get used to playing with.

"It's not 100 percent," Furcal said. "As soon as I get into a game, I try to forget it. I think it's not going to be 100 percent until the season is over and I can rest it. If you rest it right now, it's going to be more bad. I can play like that. It's not a problem."

His lack of offense attributed to the lack of playing.

"I don't feel so comfortable yet at home plate," he said. "Sometimes I feel like I'm jumping a little bit. I think that's coming as soon as I get more at-bats and play in more games. I'm getting in there and I'm working hard with (coach) Manny (Mota). We're seeing all of the video stuff and I'm trying to do the best I can."

Furcal's stretch of inactivity during the spring was compounded by his decision to not play baseball during the winter. He worked out to stay in shape and was hoping to get his timing back when he arrived at Vero Beach.

"Since the end of last year I didn't do anything," he said. "I just rested in the Dominican Republic and practiced a little. It's not the same practicing over there that it is over here. Then you come to spring training and you're doing more stuff. April always is a little tough for me. I try to do the best I can and it happens sometimes. It's a long season and I came to the season with less at-bats."

Furcal is downplaying his ankle injury as a reason for his slow offensive start. This good news. Afterall, we could expect more of what we saw last year. On the flip-side, if he is wrong and his ankle is to blame, then this season could very well be a long year.

Story Link: OC Register:

Israel Baseball League: Koufax Gets Drafted

Israel's first Baseball League just concluded their first draft.

Forty-one years after he retired from baseball, Hall of Fame pitcher Sandy Koufax was the final player chosen in the draft to stock the six teams for the inaugural season of the Israel Baseball League... “His selection is a tribute to the esteem with which he is held by everyone associated with this league,” said former big leaguer Aret Shamsky, who will manage the Miracle. “It’s been 41 years between starts for him. If he’s rested and ready to take the mound again, we want him on our team.”

If he can still pitch then lets' sign him up. You can never have too many Hall of Fame arms.

Photo Link: HOF:
Story Link: MSNBC:
Hat Tip: Net 54 VBCF:

Let's Go Dodgers!

Arrrgg! Barry beating the Dodgers just really hurts. No amount of grief counseling could possibly ameliorate the pain in my side and the ache in my head. Why, oh why, do the Barry's and their orange minions continue to hurt me so?

The rivalry between the Dodgers and Giants has a long history, but I won't recount it here. All I know is that this is the best series Baseball has to offer on the West Coast. Unfortunately, the Dodgers have gotten off to slow starts against the Giants. Hopefully, they can close out tonight's game with a win before they head to San Diego.

By the way, alphadk, on flickr, has some great Dodger pics, so feel free to check them out by clicking the link below.Photo Link: Flickr: alphadk:

No More Radio Delay

For those of you who enjoy going to the game with a mitt in one hand and a hand-held radio in the other can rest easy. No longer do you have to watch the game live only to hear it with a 7 second delay. No longer will you wait in line for the restrooms and hear dialog about a play long past. It will all be in sync soon. Starting this coming Wednesday broadcast of AM 980 will no longer be delayed.

Story Link: LA Times:

Photo Link: Farther Off the Wall:

Funny thing, as I searched the internet for a picture of a Dodger radio I stumbled upon a old story from late last year that had the perfect picture of what I was looking for and was related to AM 980. Click the Photo link above for a story about the radio station and the likelihood it may not be broadcasting Dodger games next year- the 2008 season. Has there been any follow-up on this? Are negotiations still ongoing, or will the Dodgers be looking for a new home next season? Will the McCourts seek to expand their revenue flow by purchasing their own station? Could this be a step towards an expanded Dodger media empire?

First we see Dodgers On Demand, then a Dodger-centric radio station, then a Dodger-centric cable channel. The possibilities are endless.