Juan Rivera to Stay a Dodger

Ken Gurnick tells us that Juan Rivera will be a Dodger.

The Dodgers have reached a tentative agreement with free-agent outfielder Juan Rivera on a one-year contract with a 2013 option for approximately $4 million guaranteed, according to a baseball source.

Rivera was very effective in the Dodger lineup.

Rivera drove in 46 runs in 62 games, although he hit .274 with only five home runs in 219 at-bats and a .739 OPS (on-base plus slugging percentage).

Collection: Cesar Izturis Flair Autographics

I really enjoyed watching this guy play. He was arguably the best fielding shortstop I had ever seen wear Blue. He could move left and right with the grace and agility of a Ozzie Smith, and throw out batters in a manner I thought unbelievable. Unfortunately, his bat was not up to par.
Soon, Cesar Izturis would be traded to Chicago for Greg Maddux in 1996, and he would go on to sparkle with the glove for many more years in Baltimore, St. Louis and Pittsburgh.

Here is a 2006 Fleer Flair Showcase Autographics card of 'little' Cesar Izturis in my collection. I seem to recall Vin Scully always calling him that.

I Think the End is Near

Goodness gracious! Could our prayers be answered? Has McCourt finally found the light? Are we near an agreement to sell? Bill Shaikin provides some insight.

After a two-year battle to keep the Dodgers through a bruising divorce and a bankruptcy filing, owner Frank McCourt appears close to agreement with Major League Baseball on a bankruptcy settlement in which he would agree to sell the team.

McCourt would get some control over the sale, people familiar with the negotiations said Monday. The purchase probably would include Dodger Stadium and the surrounding parking lots in a package that could command a record price of $1 billion or more.

The negotiations are fluid, and settlement talks could fall apart at any time, said the people, speaking on condition of anonymity because of the confidential discussions. McCourt has not reached any final decision to sell, another person cautioned.

I'm crossing my fingers!

A Day of Champions

Do you have any plans this coming Sunday, November 5th? Why not spend the day at The Sports Museum of Los Angeles at an event dubbed 'A Day of Champions' that benefits The Bogart Pediatric Cancer Research Program.

As a Dodger and Baseball fan I promise that you will not be disappointed. Unfortunately, it is a closed event in benefit of the charity. So, to attend check out the information below.

A Day of Champions
Sunday, November 6th, 2011 - 12pm to 4pm
Sports Museum of Los Angeles, Downtown LA
PURCHASE TICKETS & SPONSORSHIPS:
Please contact Levy, Pazanti & Associates: (310) 201-5033

From SCD:

The unique, family-oriented sports themed day-long event includes open access to the Cypres collection, located at 1900 Main Street in L.A. Guests will meet and compete with some of the biggest names in professional, Olympic and extreme sports including Matt Kemp (MLB, LA Dodgers), Eric Dickerson (NFL, former LA Rams, Hall of Famer), Matt Barnes (NBA, Lakers), Baron Davis (NBA, Cleveland Cavaliers), Casey Bond (MLB, former SF Giant), Carmelita Jeter (IAAF World Champion, fastest Woman in the World), Rick Thorne (BMX Superstar) Jeremy “Twitch” Stenberg (freestyle motorcross, Gold at Summer X 2011), Josh Hansen (Supercross Pro) and more. A barbecue, special demonstrations and activities will allow guests to challenge athletes to basketball, football, soccer and boxing. Batting cages, speed pitch, miniature golf, sumo wrestling, a Velcro wall and rock climbing round out the event.

Also Roberto of Vin Scully Is My Homeboy provides more info:

Tickets priced at $500 for a family four-pack; individual tickets are available – adults $150, children $100; sponsorship packages begin at $5,000.

If you cannot attend, or have never had the opportunity to visit the museum check out the video below. It only briefly touches upon how incredible this place is. I have never seen, besides at the Hall of Fame, so much Baseball memorabilia in my life.

Video Link:

Blog Kiosk: 10/31/2011 - HAPPY HALLOWEEN

The above pic is from twitter @DavePomeratz TwitPic.

Come-on Guys. Who's gonna enter the Tommy Lasorda Pumpkin Carving Contest. Complete rules here.

• Check out Jim Mills great story about a Don Newcombe letter that has become a family heirloom, via MLB. It touches on race issues that existed during those early years of desegregation.
  
• Sports Illustrated look back at 'The Day That Damned the Dodgers.'
  
• Dodgers to name Sue Falsone as 1st female head athletic trainer in MLB history, via LA Times. It's nice, with all of the turmoil surrounding the team, that the Dodgers continue to be ground-breakers in the league.
  
• For your viewing pleasure. Check out some NFL cheerleaders in their Halloween gear, via Guyism.
  
• Randy Youngman of OC Register suggest some Halloween costumes.

  Frank and Jamie McCourt: Donkey costume. Yes, they have to get into the same costume: Frank wears the head and torso; Jamie wears the back end. And they can't take it off until Frank agrees to sell the Dodgers to somebody in L.A. who actually cares about the franchise.

• Opinion of Kingman's Performance tells us why Duke Snider learned to hate Halloween.
  
• Dodgerfan.net interviews with NPR about his thoughts regarding the Dodgers situation.
  
• Check out this autograph baseball collection.

Video Link:

Collection: Kuo Finest Auto

With Kuo's surgery on the horizon I thought it appropriate to share this 2006 Topps Finest Refractor autograph card of Hong-Chih Kuo. I'm hopeful his 5th elbow surgery is successful and he remains with the Dodgers. I think his commitment to the game and the team is worthy of an opportunity to stay here.