Holy Moly! Hello Kitty at a Dodger Game?

I think I'm gonna throw up. Really... this news makes me cringe. In fact, I am certain that this is a sign of a coming apocalypse.

Hello Kitty is teaming up with the Dodgers to offer a ticket package during the last weekend homestand of the season. Go here for details.

The Dodgers announced today that they will partner with global brand Sanrio^® Inc., parent company of Hello Kitty, to offer fans a limited edition online ticket package including a one-of-a-kind Hello Kitty Dodgers collectible plush during the team’s last home weekend of the regular season. Fans who purchase tickets exclusively through www.dodgers.com/hellokitty will receive a limited edition Hello Kitty plush dressed in Dodger gear on September 16, 17 and 18.

See the doll below.
The only thing that could be worse would be giant Hello Kitty furies hanging around the stadium.... Oh, man! That's happening too!

In addition, Hello Kitty and her friends My Melody^®, Keroppi^® and Chococat^® will make special appearances at Dodger Stadium that weekend and fans in attendance at Fan Appreciation Day on Sunday, September 18 will receive a Hello Kitty Dodger-themed crown.

On Fan Appreciation Day... Oh, crap! Way to appreciate us, guys.

What's next... Stupid paper hats, ala Burger King, only drawn with an effeminate Dodger Blue bow. Oh Sh.......! Those are being handed out on Fan Appreciation Day also.
UPDATE 9/12/2011:

From my understanding the Hello Kitty plush doll promotion is now sold out. Despite my consternation this has been a very successful promotion for the Dodgers.

Campy Slugs then Folds, Slugs then Folds

Here is a copy of a great vintage sports cartoon originally drawn by Murray Olderman, circa 1956. It features Roy Campanella and points out how much his career has gone up and down. He had 3 MVP seasons stacked between some clearly bad years at the plate. Better yet, Olderman's version of the Brooklyn Bum is seen in the corner saying, "Dis shocks me more'n' it does youse."

The artist, Murray Olderman, is more well known for his work in football. He is a member of the Football Hall of Fame and a past President of the Football Writer's Association. Check out his website, here.

BTW, the auction link from which this drawing comes from is below, but be forewarned. The auction is not for the actual drawing, but for a photocopy of it. So, unless you want a very expensive Xerox I suggest you just enjoy the artwork.

(Auction Link)

Blog Kiosk: 8/15/2011

Here is a great pic from astronaut Ron Garan of a shooting star as seen from space. (Twitter: @Astro_Ron)

• Ralph Branca recently discovered his Jewish roots, via Vin Scully is my Homeboy.
  
• Listen to the Sports Rabbi speak with Vin Scully, here.
  
• Check out For Baseball Junkies post about his family's connection to the Brooklyn Dodgers, as team physician and dentist. Then check out this great poem his Great Uncle wrote, the Dentist Laureate, about the Dodgers and published in the Brooklyn Eagle, here.
• Matt Kemp signing at Spring PCS August 26th. See the flyer sent to me below. Only the 1st 200 fan guaranteed to get an auto. Check out more Baseball/ Dodger related events in my Calendar tab.
• LFP has made some new fantasy cards of our newest rookies using the 2011 Topps design- Justin Sellers, Nate Eovaldi and Javy Guerra.
  
• Heartbreaking Cards of Staggering Genius unveils a great vintage Snider card, complete with markings from a young fan.
  
• Bob Lemke retells the story of how much of the valuable internal Yankee documents would wound up in the hands of collectors.
  
• Lawsuits everywhere. Topps is now suing Leaf, via SCD.
  

Legendary Auctions: A Couple of Dodger Goodies

Legendary Auctions is currently running their August auction and it includes a couple of Dodger related items of note.

Below is a great vintage, circa 1950's, photograph of Duke Snider.

(Auction Link)

Here is a great advertising piece for Coca Cola featuring Dodger catcher and spokesman Roy Campanella. This piece dates to 1952 and would typically be seen on the counter top of your local soda shop. This style, with Campy, was distributed only in the New York area and is fairly scarce. Be forewarned, I've seen fakes before (especially on eBay) so be careful if you ever consider buying one.

(Auction Link)

Blog Kiosk: 8/12/2011

Clayton Kershaw talking about bowling for the Dodgers Dream Foundation, via Twitter Lockerz Pic.

• Tommy Lasorda's blog is always a must read. Here he reminisces about Mike Scioscia.
  

  Mike Scioscia had a habit of gaining weight. He liked to eat. One winter he was playing the in Dominican and Al Campanis told Ralph Avila to get a stationary bicycle with an odometer, and to check it every Monday and see how many miles he was riding.

  Mickey Hatcher told me he was walking by Scioscia’s apartment and he heard the wheels of the bike pumping.

  “Man, Mike is really pedaling hard,” said Mickey.

  He opened the door, and when he walked in he saw Scioscia lying on the couch with a pizza on his chest, and a Dominican kid was pedaling the bike!

• Congrats, Greg, on snagging that vintage 1956 Topps Campanella card.
  
• Tom Hoffarth tells us about the link between Duke Snider and Elvis Presley.
  
• Former Dodger slugger, Mike Marshall, gets into a tussle as the manager for the Chico Outlaws- he slugs it out with former Major Leaguer Tony Phillips, via Steve Dilbeck.
  
• I'll take any little victory that comes. Dodgers sign their #1 draft pick, Chris Reed, via the LA Times.
  
• At least our pitchers can hit, via FoxSportsWest.

  But in the National League, several pitchers are known for being dangerous hitters, and Kershaw and Billingsley are among them.
  
  "You take it very seriously, because there are a couple games throughout the course of the season where you can win a game as far as getting a bunt down or the big hit," Billingsley said. "It's happened quite a few times."

• Check out the new Ron Santo statue unveiled by the Cubs, via 30 Year Old Cardboard.
  
• Upper Deck suing Upper Deck? Via The Cardboard Connection.
  
• SCG Media talks to Dodger prospect Tony Delmonico.

Video Link:

Javy Guerra Appearance at Viva Los Dodgers

It has just been announced that rookie relief pitcher Javy Guerra will be signing for fans this coming Sunday at Viva Los Dodgers, along with former Dodger Lee Lacy. Of special note, he specifically asked to be part of the event. Here are the particulars:

Dodger relief pitcher Javy Guerra will meet and sign autographs for fans starting at 11:30 a.m. The 25-year-old rookie has been a key contributor to the Dodger bullpen this season, going 2-0 with a 1.63 ERA and successfully converting all 10 of his save opportunities. As of late, he has fired 10.1 consecutive scoreless innings over his last 11 appearances since July 8. Guerra is the son of Mexican immigrants and a Texas native. He requested to appear at “Viva Los Dodgers Day” to meet fans and experience firsthand the Dodgers’ event that celebrates Latino culture in Los Angeles.

WHERE: Dodger Stadium, Lot 6
WHEN: Sunday, August 14, 2011
11:10 a.m. Auto gates open
11:30 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. Guerra in autograph tent
11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Lee Lacy in autograph tent
11:45 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. Upground performs