Congratulations folks. Your efforts at stuffing the ballot box for Matt Kemp worked. He has just been named as a starter to the 2011 All-Star Game in Arizona. This will be his first appearance on the squad, and I'm sure he will do us proud.
Fortunately, Kemp won't be lonely in that clubhouse. Dodger ace Clayton Kershaw has also been selected as one of the 8 starters for the National League. This will also be his very first appearance in the All-Star Game.
And to prove that 3 isn't a crowd. Andre Ethier is now a participant in the Final Vote competition to fill the final spot on the National League roster. He is up against 4 other worthy candidates, so go here to make sure he comes out the winner. Voting starts now!
This is pretty wonky. Bloomberg Law's Lee Pacchia talks with Bloomberg News bankruptcy columnist and editor-at-large Bill Rochelle about today's bankruptcy news and legal developments Anna Nicole Smith and the Los Angeles Dodgers. They get around to the Dodgers at the 4:30 point in the video. The choice quote: "bankruptcy is a pretty good way to sell the team and get a good price."
These next two videos are a little on the down side, but I found it fascinating, nonetheless. Here is vintage ABC video from Gil Hodges Funeral showing many Dodger in attendance, Part 1.
Noted sports sculptor Fred Kail has gone on eBay to sell his newest creations. If you aren't familiar with him then here is a little bit of background from Sports Collectors Digest.
The sculptor who is thought to have created the very first NFL figure with his pot-bellied Joe Jolter that came into being more than 50 years ago, is very much alive and well and living in Lutherville, Md.
His colorful Joe Jolter statues were launched in 1956, then he came up with his 3-point lineman (“Bruce Bruiser”) football figure, and then a first-ever baseball figure in 1957. Part of the lore that surrounds the affable Kail is the notion that the figure was inspired by the equally legendary NFL Hall of Famer Art Donovan; the baseball figure is occasionally attributed to 1950s National League slugger Ted Kluszewski.
Now he is embarking on new series of figurines. They are the "Joe Jolter" World Series Limited Edition statues and some noted teams are being featured in this initial offering; including the 1923 Yankees, 1960 Orioles and 2008 Phillies. Here is the 1955 Brooklyn Dodger (the 55 uniform number refers to the team year) as the “JunkBall” Jolter.
This is a “First”... new release ever made available. It’s a 6” solid, personally sculpted, hand-painted, and signed by Fred Kail in a numbered limited edition series of World Series Champions Edition.
... The figure depicts Kail’s whimsical “ Joe Jolter” characterization as his football figures. The artist claims that “Ol’ JunkBall” will no doubt lead the league in walks, that is, if he ever gets his curve ball straightened out and over the plate. Forget his knuckleball as it unfortunately has a “mind of its own.”
Only the first statue of 25 that will be produced is available right now on eBay. It's already at over $300.
The Dodgers have just come into town, and they want to make a good impression during their first season in Los Angeles. So, they hold their first annual Dodger dinner with the folks from the Baseball Writers Association of America, Los Angeles chapter. After all, it's always a good idea to get on the good side of the press. It is held during the first week of the season in Los Angeles, presumably after their road game that Thursday afternoon in San Francisco at Seals Stadium against the Giants, and as a memento to the occasion you pick up a couple of things to put away for safe keeping.
Well, the items above come from that dinner, and was held for safe keeping within the personal collection of former Dodger pilot and O'Malley confidant Robert Chew. Included here was a 18" pennant announcing the affair, a souvenir ticket from the dinner and a program. It sold for a very healthy $214.50.
Remember, Vote for Andre in the Final Vote contest to fill up the final roster spot on the National League All-Star Game. Go here to vote.
