Vids from Opening Day

Here are a group of videos from Opening Day at Dodger Stadium.

Walking to the game with the band.

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The National Anthem with LeAnn Rimes- complete with flag unveiling, firecrakers and airplanes.
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Don't Stop Believing.

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Here is a video of just the FA-18C Hornets flying to Dodger Stadium.

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Card of the Week: Tools of the Trade

What can you say about Roger McDowell? He liked to joke around.

Above is his 1992 Donruss Triple Play card that features him exchanging lineup cards wearing a tool belt Preacher Roe and Gaylord Perry would be proud of. Unfortunately, the umpires don't look amused. On the other hand, maybe they don't notice the sandpaper in his back pocket.

Opening Day Twitter Photos- Part 2

Here is part 2 featuring some more Opening Day Twitter photos, but before you check these out be sure to see Roberto's photos (Vin Scully is My Homeboy fame) from Opening Day here.

Our Silver Sluggers!

pic from DodgerTown USA HitPix:

Here are a series of 3 pics featuring Manny's 4th inning homerun.

 pic from Kasedoug TwitPic:

What a great prize. @dawdguh won a golden Manny Ramirez bobblehead from @DodgerTownUSA.

pics from DodgerTown USA HitPix:

Nice.

pic from pornobobbie UberTwitter:

Opening Day Twitter Photos

If there is one thing I would wish for today it would include me not being at work and, instead, being at Dodger Stadium for Opening Day. Since that didn't work out I have to live vicariously through the eyes of the twitter photo universe. Below are some of my favorites.

Don't it look glorious.

Pic from JustOneMiss TwitPic:

Cooking in the parking lot. Now that's what I call "eating well."

Pic from tramirezjr Twitpic:

Here is Ned Colletti basking in the glow of Matt Kemp's Gold Glove.

Pic from DodgerTownUSA HitPix:

The Welcoming Band at Dodger Stadium.

pic from DodgertownUSA HitPix:

Here is a close up on Will.I.Am's button of himself wearing a Dodger uniform as a kid.

pic from DuranLA TweetPhoto:

Opening Day!

Pic from DodgerTownUSA HitPix:
(Photo Credit: Jon SooHoo)

pic from DodgerTownUSA HitPix:
(Photo Credit: Jon SooHoo)

Ben, from "It's Time for Dodger Baseblog" shows off his recently signed Tommy Davis Baseball. Nice!

REA: Make the Trade, Says Branch

This is some incredible correspondence between Branch Rickey and Walter O'Malley. In it is the makings of a trade that would forever change Dodger history. It is dated March 6, 1946 1948 (the description in auction shows 1946, but I think a commentator in comments section is right-- was miss-read as 1946) and it details a move that would solidify our infield for the next 8 years.

In his letter, Rickey writes to Walter O'Malley and urges him to deal starting second baseman Eddie Stanky, who is standing in the way of "better men" in the minors. In full:


The Stanky deal is a right deal to make even if we were getting nothing for him at all, and I mean just that. I like the boy. I think he has managerial future, and he is a good ball player. I believe we have better men who would have no chance at all to make our team if Stanky were retained. Boston gives us Sanders and in addition guarantees his physical fitness. If on or before April 20th Sanders is not satisfactory to us, player can be returned to Boston and Boston will pay us $40,000. In addition, the Boston Club has mailed its check for $60,000 to our office as cash payment in the deal. Also, Boston agrees to sell infielder-outfielder Rowel to Montreal for $10,000. I don't know how the press will take it but I am sure that Manager Durocher, Shottton, Sukeforth, Blades and Pitler agree with me fully that the Boston-Brooklyn exchange is good for our club,-even without any money involved. Therefore, if we get an unfavorable reaction from the press or public- well, I will just have to stand for it. Yours, Branch Rickey [signed].

The day after this letter O'Malley traded Stanky which made room for Campanella at catcher, moved Hodges from catcher to 1st, moved Jackie Robinson from 1st to 2nd, keeps PeeWee Reese at shortstop and Billy Cox joined the crew a year later at 3rd base. The rest, as they say, is history.

Check out this letter at REA's current auction.

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