Matt Kemp Speaks About the All Star Break with Shepard Smith

Matt Kemp recently spoke with Shepard Smith of Fox News "Studio B" during the All-Star Game.  Unfortunately, I was unable to find a video of the interview to share, but Fox was helpful in providing some choice quotes from Kemp regarding the All-Star Game, the criticism he received for participating in the Home Run Derby, what he thought of Robinson Cano getting booed, and the awards he received from the Negro League.

But, before I share those quotes I have to ask what the heck is up with the photo Fox sent me above?  The silver air duct on the left made me laugh.  For whatever reason, the first thing to "pop" into my head was the movie Tremors.


Anyway, below are the Matt Kemp Quotes: 

On New York Yankees player Robinson Cano being booed at the 2012 Home Run Derby:

“Ya I don’t quite understand that, you know that’s a great guy somebody I’ve known for a long, long time. Before I even got to the big leagues we played winter ball together so you know I think he just went out there and picked the team he thought would help him win the derby and you know the American League actually won it so I don’t think many fans can complain about the results of it.”

On why he thinks some sports reporters criticized his participation in the Home Run Derby:

“I guess some of them were thinking that I shouldn’t participate in the Home Run Derby but I don’t think people realize I’ve been taking batting practice for the last month. My leg feels good, my first game is going to be here in the next two days and I’m excited to get back on the field. I mean they’re going to write what they want to write, it’s all good.”

On the awards he received from the Negro League:

“It was an unbelievable feeling to receive the awards I accepted. You know, just going there for the first time and seeing some of the history of the Negro Leagues and where they came from and what they represent and them paving the way for us as African American athletes it was just unbelievable. And not really realizing how much the Negro Leagues did so many things that brought more to the game of Major League Baseball. So it was a special day for me and my family and we enjoyed the museum.”

On playing with the team’s new manager, Magic Johnson:

“Magic and the group, they’re great. They’ve been nothing but positive and doing some great things around there so far. You know Magic is a great guy he’s one of the most humble guys I’ve ever met in my life and just a great guy to talk to. He definitely knows the importance of the Dodgers to LA and he’s going to do whatever it takes to get our team to wherever we need to go.”

eBay: Vintage Press Photo- "Greeting Their Heroes"

With the All-Star Game yesterday I thought this vintage press photo I saw on eBay would be appropriate.  It was originally titled "Greeting Their Heroes" by the press agency which jibes perfectly with what an All-Star Game is all about.  It's a chance for us to celebrate our Baseball heroes.

Well, the photo above shows the Brooklyn fans greeting their Dodger heroes at Ebbets Field.  It is from the early 40's and shows the Dodgers faithful hanging out near the dugout before a crucial game.  

Pitcher Kirby Higbe gets a hand-shake, and outfielder Joe Medwick gets a back-slapping.  On top of that, some Dodger fans are wearing "Dodger V (for victory)" sweater in the background.  I've never seen these before, and it makes me wonder if this was a hometown fan/booster club.

Dodgers Blog Kiosk: 7/10/2012

Panini released more preview pics of their upcoming 2012 Cooperstown Baseball set.  Check out the above Don Sutton signature card above.  Go here to see more preview pics.

• Yasiel Puig, the Dodgers recent signee has officially reported to the Arizona League, via a Dodgers Press Release.

 “We’re thrilled that Yasiel has arrived in Arizona,” said Dodger Assistant General Manager, Scouting Logan White. “He's athletic, intelligent and someone that's ready to work hard and earn a chance to fulfill his dream of playing Major League baseball.”

Of special note, some other Cuban signings were also mentioned:

In the 2012 First-Year Draft held in June, the Dodgers took two Cuban players, pitchers Onelki Garcia and Alfredo Unzue, while signing another as a free agent, catcher Selme Angulo. Overall, the Dodgers are expanding their scouting efforts and player signings in Latin America.

• Christopher Jackson of the Albuquerque Baseball Examiner writes a guest post for MSTI focused on some young Dodger arms.
• Roberto is back in the swing of things.  Via Vin Scully is my Homeboy, Andre Ethier is scheduled to play in Rancho Cucamonga this coming Wednesday and Thursday on a rehab assignment.
• June's Dodger Pride Award Winners.
• AJW has an article out focused on Calbee's Japanese Baseball cards.  (Hat Tip: This Card is Cool)

Tokyo-based snacks maker Calbee Inc. this year celebrates the 40th anniversary of its "Professional Baseball Chips" potato chip line that offers trading cards featuring Nippon Professional Baseball players.

• ESPN writes about an attic vintage Baseball card find of 1910 E98's.  These are small cards the size of tobacco cards from the same time period, but were distributed by a candy/caramel company.  Furthermore, these cards are some of the most pristine (condition-wise) cards the hobby had ever seen.  Check out the PSA graded card of Honus Wagner at a pristine "10" grade above.  You can see it for auction here.  A remarkable 16 (that's right sixteen) Ty Cobbs were found all grading at a "9".  A partial set from this find is on auction and can be found here.  You just don't see this kind of find anymore!
• With 2012 Allen & Ginter Baseball cards now at a local retail shops near you (the official release date is actually tomorrow) I find myself wanting the Kate Upton autographed card below.  I'll have pics of Dodger cards from the set soon.

Collection: 2002 Keebler Dodgers Set

Last week, when I posted up a late 80's Dodgers Police Set a commentator wondered about the Mother's Cookies sets from the same period.  It was then that I realized that I don't actually have a complete Dodgers Mother's Cookie set from that era.  I do, on the other hand, have a complete 2002 Keebler Dodgers set in my collection. 

They were distributed at a game in 2002 with each child under 14 receiving a packet of 21 different cards plus 7 duplicates to trade in an effort to complete the set.  I always hated this idea.  Who has the time to find other kids to trade with when a game is going on?  Undoubtedly, most kids went home without a complete set in hand.

Anyway, check out scans of both the front and reverse of all 28 cards in the set.

On a side note, there is something else I dislike about this set.  When Jack Clark was named the Dodgers batting coach a little bit of me died.  I still hate him for his home run off us as a Cardinal, and couldn't get over that memory during his stay in LA.  The above coach's card makes me feel really sad.

Collection: Vintage Comic Baseball Postcards

I though I'd spend this All-Star Game day to share some vintage 1900's to 1910's Baseball comic themed postcards.  Click on any pic to embiggen.

I don't know too much about these postcards other than being old (as evidenced by postmarks on the reverse) and funny.  I do know they are somewhat plentiful and inexpensive ($5.00- $10.00 a piece or so- and maybe less if bought in a large lot). 

Dodgers Blog Kiosk: 7/9/2012

Here's a peek at the Tommy Lasorda/ Walter Alston bobblehead being given out on July 14th, via twitter @Dodgers.

• Dodgers 1st round pick Corey Seager is off to a fast start in his pro career.  In his second game ever he gets 3 hits while scoring twice, via Robert Emrich at MLB.com.  Seager went 1 for 3 in his first game this past Saturday.

 "That was really exciting," Seager said. "I've been waiting for it since last Saturday and I finally got in and I finally got to play. First two innings, I was nervous. The game was going a little fast, but after the second, everything kind of slowed down and it was all right."

• "Yankees' Kuroda Was Molded by Pain in Japan", via David Waldstein of the New York Times.

“Many players would faint in practice,” Kuroda said with the assistance of his interpreter, Kenji Nimura. “I did go to the river and drink. It was not the cleanest river, either. I would like to believe it was clean, but it was not a beautiful river."

• Evan on twitter @newmixicofan put up some pics of Matt Kemp in Albuquerque during his second stint this season.  Below is my favorite pic of all.

• Dodgers prospect Chris Reed pitched in the 2012 All-Star Futures Game in Kansas City, via Alden Gonzalez at MLB.com.

"It's exciting," Reed said by his locker at Kauffman Stadium, where he suited up for the World team. "It's obviously a new experience coming into a new season, great city, and obviously a nice ballpark to play in.  A lot of talent here."

• Just a little bit of controversy brewing in the autographed Koufax contest at Beckett.  Greg has more.

• "Baseball Treasure Walks into All-Star FanFest", via Sports Collectors Daily.  There is a video in the link.

This year's event was in Kansas City and hundreds of people have shown up to find out what their sports cards and sports memorabilia are worth. Much of it is of the modern vintage but once in awhile a gem walks in the door, often in the hands of older folks who have hung onto it for years.

• Nick Diunte at the Examiner.com interviews Chuck Stevens, who was the first MLB'er to face Satchel Paige in a real MLB game.

“When Satch relieved against us [in Cleveland], he was just spotting the ball around. [It seemed like] he had lost 60 mph off of his fastball. He threw his breaking stuff and he had great control so you knew he was going to be around the plate all the time. He wasn’t going to overpower you like I had seen him in his earlier days,” he said.

• Cole Hamels loves the Dodgers, via Leslie Gudel at CSNPhilly.com.

LG: I’m going to ask you about one team specifically, because it’s been talked about much of the season. Is there an appeal to the Dodgers for you?

CH: It’s going home, I mean, that’s pretty much it. I know the West Coast really well.  I pitch really well on the west coast. I think it’s appealing to every player when they’re growing up that, one day, hoping they can play in the major leagues, it’s always to play for your home team. Even though the Padres were obviously the home team I grew up with, the Dodgers were kind of there neck and neck, so I think that’s the closest home team I would ever get to.