Free Admission for Jackson Impersonators

Are you a Michael Jackson fan? Did you get shut out on tickets to his memorial? Well, have no fear, go to the Long Beach Armada Baseball game on Tuesday instead. If you come dressed as Michael you get in for free.

“We wanted to take this opportunity to give Jackson’s fans an outlet to gather and remember a man who changed the landscape of music over the last 40 years,” said Golden Baseball League CEO Dave Kaval. “When you look at how many people want to attend the memorial at Staples Center, we felt the need to give people who don’t win these lottery tickets a chance to come out and honor Jackson along with other fans.”

Fans who dress up like Michael Jackson in any fashion will receive free admission to Tuesday’s game. It doesn’t matter if you’re “Black or White” just as long as the “Man in the Mirror” looks like Michael Jackson, you get in for free.

Talk about shameless promotion.

The game will feature Jackson’s music all-night long, and several appropriate-themed between-inning contests such as a moon-walking contest, a Michael Jackson dance off, as well as great prizes for the winner of a Michael Jackson look-alike contest. And considering the Armada won its last home game in walk-off fashion in the 11th inning in front of more than 2100 fans, you can bet the baseball game itself will be a “Thriller.”

That is so "Bad."

Card of the Week: Job Transfer

Above is a 1992 Upper Deck card of relief pitcher Al Osuna manning the camera. He must have had a bad outing on the mound as he looks to expand his skill set.

Blog Kiosk: 7/5/2009

I scoff at the idea that the NL West is the worst division in Baseball.

• Check out this new Dodger blog called Juan Pierre's Oversized Hat.
  
• Hee Seop Choi turns up in Korea and appears to have gotten his stroke back.

  "When I was struggling in the slump, it was really hard. I am hoping that this home run will help me turn things around and I will find my old form,'' Choi said.

  (Hat Tip: True BlueLA: Tripon)
• Imagine if Babe Ruth went to the White Sox instead of the Yankees. It was a possibility and White Sox Cards has the story.

  The only two teams that could take on Babe Ruth were the White Sox and the Yankees. The White Sox were a powerhouse and the Yankees were bad, but improving a little each year. The White Sox had a deal in place with the Red Sox for Babe Ruth. In exchange for Ruth, the White Sox would send Shoeless Joe Jackson and $60,000.

• Great photo at Shorpy's photo blog of a 1943 desegregated Marine Baseball team. Click the photo to enlarge.
• Butch Franklin, a mentally disabled Cowboys fan, recently had his home broken into and had many of his prized Cowboys collectibles stolen. Read about what the Cowboys did to help out this deserving fan.
  
• Ha! Spike Lee interviews Manny.

YouTube Link: portolainteractive:

• Troy needs a voice coach. Here is his ode to Casey Blake.

YouTube Link: TroyFromWestVirginia:

In Remembrance of Lou Gehrig

On this 70th Anniversary of the Lou Gehrig's speech at Yankee Stadium it is important to realize how fortunate we all are. To commemorate this day, ESPN shares some incredible letters written by Gehrig to his doctor during his final years. It tells of his battle with ALS. You must check it out here. Below is his famous speech.

YouTube Link: Initial Notice Black:

Happy Independence Day!

Who Do You Want to Play For?

You probably all knew this already, but Torre has the respect of the players. Last weeks issue of Sports Illustrated released the results of their weekly player poll which asked, "which manager would you most like to play for?" Unsurprisingly, Torre was 2nd on the list at 16% of 380 polled ballplayers- only to be outdone by Bobby Cox at 25%.

(click to enlarge)

This week Sports Illustrated flips it around and ask "which manager do you least want to play for?" The winner here is Lou Pinella at 26% with Ozzie Guillen coming in strong at 21%. My only thought here is that there must be something in the water in Chicago. It can't be a coincidence that they both manage there.

(click to enlarge)