Behind-The-Scenes: Matt Kemp for Forbes

Remember that Forbes magazine cover from April featuring Matt Kemp? 

Well, photographer Robert Gallagher just shared a "Behind the Scenes" video of the Kemp photo shoot.  Check it out below.

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eBay: Vintage Frank Howard Dodgers Pin

I thought I would start this All-Star Game week with this vintage 1960's era pinback of former Dodger Frank Howard.  He won the Rookie of the Year as a Dodger in 1960, but never earned an All-Star nod as a Dodger.  Instead, he became a 4-time All-Star selection as a member of the Washington Senators from 1968 to 1971.  For the first three years he was on the starting lineup.

This style of concession sold memorabilia is rare and tough to come by.  It sold for an impressive $162.59 on eBay- even with a ribbon that is frayed.

(eBay Auction Link)

Sunday Dodgers Videos:

Here are Sundays Dodgers Videos.

Pep Fernandez of the Press Enterprise reports on Matt Kemp's first day of rehab with the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes earlier this week.

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Josh Hamilton of the Texas Rangers and Clayton Kershaw of the Los Angeles Dodgers designed Custom Gloves that will be used by teams in the 2012 Celebrity and Legends Softball Game in Kansas City.

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Mick Gillispie of the Smokies Radio Network interviews Baseball Hall of Famer and Los Angeles Dodgers ambassador Tommy Lasorda in Chattanoga, Tenn., on July 3, 2012.

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Hello Kitty and the Los Angeles Dodgers celebrated Japan Night on Sunday, July 1 at Dodger Stadium.

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In case you missed it, check out the 2012 Dodgers Fourth of July Firework show.

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Dodgers Blog Kiosk: 7/7/2012

Here's a pic from Charlie Sheen as he takes in a Dodgers game earlier this week, via twitter @charliesheen.

"The hottest part of the night. Dodgers put it on my Reds tonight. well done blu crew. Jobu needed to wake up bats"

• Welcome home, Roberto!
• Vote for Greg!  Greg Zakwin of the "Plaschke, Thy Sweater is Argyle" blog is one of 3 finalist to win an autographed Sandy Koufax Topps Tier One Baseball card.  Beckett blog pulled one in a video break and was running a contest to see which one of its readers gets to take it home.  They are down to 3 contestants. 
• At Dodger Thoughts John Klima writes about , "The Untold Saga of the Milwaukee- Brooklyn Rivalry".

I wanted to introduce Jon’s readers to the greatest rivalry they don’t know about – that of the Dodgers and the Milwaukee Braves. And the book lets it be known that the Braves’ move from Boston to Milwaukee in 1953 paved the way for the Dodgers and those guys up North I am smart enough not to mention by name on a Dodger blog, to change cities.

• Kemp sounds like he is on track.  Bill Skaikin shares a quote from Matt in a recent story.

"It's not sore when I wake up in the morning," Kemp said. "It feels just like a regular old leg, thank God."

• This is the best post ever!  Erik Malinowski of Deadspin has an animated gallery of every MLB umpire's strike three call.  Check it out here.
• Sons of Steve Garvey points to a great collection of story links on delicious focused on Dodgers draft picks from 2012.  Go here to see them all. 
• Tom Hoffarth at the Daily News speaks with old friend Nomar Garciaparra about his experience with Home Run Derby's and an ailing hamstring.

" I've been in a situation where I was on the DL going into the All Star Game back in '99, and I was scheduled to come off right after the game. So it was one where it was almost like my little rehab game being in that All Star Game. I also knew it was only going to be a few innings, and I was careful about it."

• Congratulations to Peter O'Malley and his group for winning the Padres. Via Ken Rosenthal at Fox Sports.

The deal — valued at $800 million, including $200 million for a portion of the team’s equity stake in Fox Sports San Diego — is pending approval by baseball and completion of contractual terms within the next two weeks, the source said.

New Video-- Between Two Palm Trees: All-Star Edition

The battery of Ellis and Kershaw come back with a brand new episode of "Between Two Palm Trees: the All-Star Edition".  This is the longest one yet.  It is almost 8 minutes long.

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Collection: 2005 UD SPx Houlton & Izturis

I thought I would take a moment to share a couple more 2005 Upper Deck SPx autograph cards of some former Dodgers.  Check out the DJ Houlton and Cesar Izturis cards above and below.

There was a time when I was sure Izturis would be our long term solution at shortstop.  In 2004 he had a big season where he continued to shine on the field, but also added a little spark with the bat.  He hit .288 and had a respectable OPS of .770 as a lead-off hitter.  Izturis had nearly 200 hits while stealing 25 bases and scoring 90 times.  For his efforts the Dodgers signed him to a mutli-year/ multimillion dollar contract.  However, it was obvious by the next season that 2004 was a career year.  He came back to earth offensively, and was subsequently traded in 2006 for Greg Maddux.

DJ Houlton could never quite stick.  Not that the Dodgers didn't give him a bunch of opportunities.  He started 19 games in 2005, but looked no better then an end of the rotation pitcher.  Ultimately, he was a stopgap until someone better came along.  Today, Houlton has found his grove in Japan.  He has played there since 2008.  In five season in Japan he has a 47-33 record with a 3.32 ERA.