Kareem Signing

(pic link: TommyLasordaTwitPic)

I don't normally post stuff like this, but I figured there might be some folks who would appreciate it.

I know he wasn't a Dodger, but he did wear the uniform once. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar will be at a Best Buy this coming Saturday at 1:30 PM in Los Angeles. He will be posing for pictures and signing autographs. Although, it appears he will be signing a photo sleeve (whatever that is), so I do not know if he will be signing anything you decide to bring along. As Roberto at Vin Scully is My Homeboy says, be sure to call to confirm.

Best Buy Glendale
2909 Los Feliz Blvd
Los Angeles, CA

PS. Be sure to send him your well wishes as he battles with leukemia.

Tommy Knows

From Tommy's TweetPic:

There's a saying in this country; if you don't pull for the Dodgers you may not get into heaven.

You gotta believe in the great Dodger in the sky!

Thinking About O'Malley

I have tried to stay away from the ownership mess that seems to be circling around the Dodgers, but a rumor came to light today (via Vin Scully is My Homeboy) that has my mind going in circles.

Peter O'Malley is interested in buying back the Dodgers.

Yes, you heard it right. The O'Malley family may be the newest suitor for the team, and I couldn't be more elated.

Why, you ask?

• Well, one thing would be for sure, if they came back, we would never have to worry about our Minor League development organization. The O'Malley's were one of the first groups to really champion player development back in the day, and I suspect they would want to grow and expand the teams currents efforts.

• They have always been a fiscally prudent group, so don't expect Yankee-like spending from the O'Malley's. Some fans may look at this as a negative, but I do not. Baseball the "Dodger Way" has never been about signing overpriced veterans at exorbitant prices. The "Dodger Way" is about family. That means developing from within and keeping them in Blue. That is how you build brand loyalty. That is how you build championships. That is what I remember about the Dodgers of my youth.

• A fiscally prudent Dodgers would mean a team not laden with debt that would embarrass a Wall Street banker. Although I marvel at the financing structure undertaken by the McCourt's (trading some parking lots for the Dodgers was brilliant), I dislike that our team is owned by someone who really can't afford it.

Unfortunately, this may all come to pass. It appears that the McCourt's will ride this out as long as they can, but I hope that once the writing on the wall become more apparent they will choose to do the right thing.

Sell the team before you destroy the team.

Some Upper Deck Paintings

Upper Deck is selling some of the original artwork used to create some of their Baseball cards.

Below is a Don Drysdale painting used in the 1995 Heroes set.

(Painting Link)

This painting may have already sold. It is a great painting featuring 6 Negro League players. Roy Campanella is on the top row, on the left.

(Painting Link)

I don't think this painting was ever used for a card, but it should have been.

(Painting Link)

A Local to be Inducted Into US Hockey Hall of Fame

Have you heard of the Zamboni? Did you know it was invented in Southern California?

Inventor and local entrepreneur, Frank Zamboni, will be inducted into the US Hockey Hall of Fame today. He was owner and operator of Iceland skating rink in Paramount, and created the most important tool in hockey still used today. His Zamboni has become synonymous with hockey.

Video Link:

Dodger Correspondence: George Cisar

George Cisar got into 20 games for the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1937. He was only 24 and was in his 4th year of professional ball. George did well in the minors as he batted a combined .344 and hit 30 home runs in 1936. As his letter below says, his career in Baseball came second to his duty in the military.

I don't know just how old you are but I imagine you would be much too young to remember 1940. That is the year I played my last games in professional ball and it was right in your home town of Anniston.

Anniston was in the South Eastern League at the time and Bill Rodda was our manager. Another Anniston boy Tom O'Brien played with us and later went to the Major Leagues (Boston Red Sox).

My career was cut short because of World War II. So, there isn't much I can tell you about Baseball, but getting a letter from Anniston brings back fond memories of friends and times I had during my summer stay there. Wishing you the best of luck and health.

He is currently the 4th oldest living Major League Baseball player.

(click to enlarge)

eBay Auction Link: George Cisar: