I Hate Rental Man

I don't know if you've ever seen this guy, but he, unfortunately, can be found at just about every sporting event in LA. Rental man, as he is known, is an annoying distraction during a perfectly enjoyable day.

I first gazed upon this schmuck at numerous Kings games at the Staples Center. He would sit in the lower bowl and dance away during every break in play. His arms wave in a psycho-like frenetic style as he dons Mickey Mouse gloves and a Nemo hat. He even will show up in a cape and a shield bearing the marks of his corporate sponsor. Bailey, the LA Kings mascot, would routinely dump popcorn on his head and make him the butt of his jokes.

Pic Link: Flickr kizzbeth:

As of yet I had never seen him at a Dodger game, hoping he could not possibly stain Dodger Stadium with his presence. Well, my hopes and dreams have been shattered. He does show up at Chavez Ravine and Malingering has the proof.

Pic Link: Malingering's World:

Rental Man has the look of a man deranged.

Pic Link: Malingering's World:

He was even at Opening Day this year.

Pic Link: Malingering's World:

Am I alone here? I can't possibly be the only person who finds him as annoying as beach balls at the ballpark. Heck, that's an insult to beach balls. At least I can hit a beach ball until it pops.

UPDATE: There are a ton of videos of this guy on YouTube.

UPDATE II: Here is a great story told by a Staples Center "red Coat" retelling the day Rental Man got knocked out.

As the Laker game against the New Orleans Hornets had came to about..1 minute left, the Lakers were losing by like 9 and the game was pretty much over. So Rental Man decided to get up and rap and dance like crazy as usual. The guy behind him said loudly "Hey! I paid $185 to see the WHOLE game, I dont care if they're losing. SIT DOWN!"

Rental Man didn't listen, so the guy says again: "I'm serious SIT down!" Rental man DIDN'T listen. So the game ends and everyone is walking up the stairs and the guy shoves Rental Man and says "Whats your problem, Idiot?!" Rental Man, crazy as ever, waves his arms around like a lunatic and raps the following "Yo! We both have white skin, we gotta stay till the END!" Without warning, the guy cocks his fist back, and lands a haymaker of a right hook, dead on, in between Rental Man's eyes. Knocks him OUT. Completely...unconcious.

Security rushes and grabs the dude. I'll never forget it as long as I live, LOL. You know that guy that's always with Rental Man?..Thats his ATTORNEY! All this time he had been on hand in case such a thing happened and it never did, till Tuesday, lol. He kept yelling to the police "We want to press charges! We ARE pressing charges, you got that!?"

Hat Tip: Life in Hockeywood:

Troy Still Can't Sing

Troy, you always seem to put a big smile on my face.

YouTube Link: troyfromwestvirginia:
Hat Tip: Diamond Notes:

Ranked #1 and #2

We are getting noticed.

Yahoo has their new Power Rankings up and they have the Dodgers vaulting from #6 to #1.

And then one day it is time to let go.

You stick it out for as long as you can, if only because of the good times. And, damn, for the kids.

But, the eyes go dull, and the laughter goes away and, you know, let’s be honest, you’ve had your eye on that hot little number from L.A. anyway.

This immediately caused me to check ESPN for their Rankings, and would you believe it they have us at #2. Heck, they even acknowledge that regardless of our stellar hitting of late it has been our pitching that has really impressed.

The Dodgers scored 50 runs to go 6-0 at home and have a team BA of .302, but pitching has been their biggest asset (.200 BAA).

Of course, that was before the two loses to the Astros. (The ranking is from April 20th) Nevertheless, it's nice to get the attention.

A Jackie MVP Award

Here is a real Jackie Robinson MVP Award- except it's not the original. Grey Flannel Auctions has up for sale an exact duplicate of Jackie's 1949 MVP Award.

This 1949 Jackie Robinson National League MVP trophy plaque was found hanging in the lobby of Dieges & Clust, the renowned specialist gold and silversmiths who have been producing prestigious trophies, medals, jewelry and awards for the Olympic Games, the Congressional Medal of Honor, the Heisman Trophy, the National Football League, Major League Baseball, etc., since 1898.

With 5 days left it is at $5,500.00. They also have duplicate of Roger Maris's 1961 MVP Award and Roger Clemens 2000 Yankees World Series trophy that he gave to his personal trainer, Brian McNamee.

Too Many eBay Finds

eBay is once again is filled with some treasures.

I had to start off this post with this 5x7 photo of Nate Oliver. Not because of its rarity (It's not, I don't think), but because of those glasses. Wow. If anyone knows were this pic comes from please let me know. I suspect it came from a picture pack sold at the stadium souvenir stands.

eBay Auction Link: Nate Oliver Pic:

Below is probably a fan-made period photo on cardboard memorabilia item of Zach Wheat celebrating his 3rd place finish for the batting title (he batted .359) during the 1925 season. It measures 6"x8" and is currently priced at $10.99.

eBay Auction Link: Zach Wheat Photo:

For much of the 50's (and possibly the 60's, as well) fans were mailed facsimile autograph sheets of the entire team upon request. They were fairly popular and can be found today at very affordable prices. This one is bidless at a very affordable opening price of $1.99.

eBay Auction Link: 1956 Autograph Sheet:

This silver plated bowl came originally from the estate of Sal Maglie. It commemorates his no-hitter on September 25, 1956 against the Phillies. It has an opening price of $899.00.

eBay Auction Link: Sal Maglie 1956 No Hitter Silver Bowl:

This is something you don't see everyday, and considering its bid prices right now I think the market agrees. Below is a 1938 Brooklyn Dodgers game ticket from game #3 celebrating a oddity called "Night Baseball." As of this writing it is already up to $330.00.

eBay Auction Link: 1938 Brooklyn Dodgers Night Game Ticket:

It's amazing what people collect. Here is a 1954 college yearbook from the University of Cincinnati that has a famous alum named Sandy Koufax. (I shouldn't be talking, I have a couple of college yearbooks featuring Jackie Robinson) The seller is asking $100.00.

eBay Auction Link: 1954 U. of Cincinnati Yearbook with Koufax:

This, by far, the rarest item featured in this post. Below are several advertising posters, measuring approximately 36" x 24", of the 1958 Bell Brand Chips Baseball card set. The seller is asking a very healthy $13,000.00 for the group.

eBay Auction Link: 1958 Bell Brand Advertising Posters:

Mike Always Had Class

I came across this on eBay just now and wanted to post it up. No matter the rumors about his alleged chemical past I still love the guy and will always appreciate the what he did for the Dodgers and its fans. Here is a pic of a newspaper ad he placed in the LA Times on May 20, 1998.