Baseball is Spreading Everywhere- Even Uganda

As some of you already know, the Little League World Series is around the corner.  This coming Sunday is the championship.

With that in mind, I wanted to put a spotlight on a ballclub that made it to Williamsport from an unexpected country.  A team from Lugazi, Uganda were the first group of Africans to ever make it to the Little League mecca. 

Check out this great Al Jazerra English report below.

Video Link:

Here is another story on these kids focused on their very first game against Panama.

Video Link:

Unfortunately, the Ugandan team lost their first two games in Williamsport to Panama and Mexico, so they didn't get far in the round robin tournament.  On the other hand, they did defeat a team of American kids from Oregon in their next game (a consolation game), so they can go home happy knowing they are the first African team to ever win a game there.

For more information on the tournament go to the Little League World Series website, here.

Hat Tip: Travis Waldron at Think Progress.

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Adrian Gonzalez, Anyone?

Via MLB Trade Rumors we find out that the Red Sox have placed 1st baseman Adrian Gonzalez on Trade Waivers.  They note:

At one point this summer, the Dodgers inquired on the slugger, though its not clear how receptive the Red Sox were to the interest.  Ned Colletti & Co. reportedly offered pieces that could help Boston in the future, though the Dodgers' farm system isn't tremendously deep.

So, do you think the Dodgers make a claim for him?  If they do, will a deal even get done?  Remember, we claimed Cliff Lee earlier this month and that was all for naught. 

Nevertheless, if the Dodgers do make a claim the Red Sox can:

• Remove him from the wire and keep him,
• Let the Dodgers take him for no additional compensation to them (thereby allowing the Dodgers to take over the remaining portion of his contract), or
• Make a deal with the Dodgers, via a trade.

Based on MLB Trade Rumors notes above a trade would have to be the route.  I wonder who the Dodgers would have to give up to get this done.

Would they take Uribe?  I joke, of course.  They wouldn't want him.

I would hope Loney could go over, but he wouldn't be a centerpiece- more like a throw in.  Would you let our top pitching prospect Zach Lee go?  How about two of our top pitching prospects- Allen Webster and Lee?  What if they demanded Joc Pederson, as well?  I think Jerry Sands would look good against the Green Monster.  How much would you be willing to give up? 

Here are Adrian's stats, via Baseball Reference:


Here are his contract details: click pic to embiggen

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Dodgers Blog Kiosk: 8/22/2012

George Lopez was in the house last night for Fernando Valenzuela bobblehead Night.  Pic via twitter @Dodgers.

• ThinkCure! weekend will be from September 2nd to 3rd.  Go here for details.
• Matt Kemp knows he's in a slump, but he remains confident (via TJ Simers at the LA Times)

"He hasn't lost that little boy in him, that's for sure," says Manager Don Mattingly. "That's part of the growth of Matt Kemp. He's serious enough to know he wants to do well and he's not going to laugh off 0 for 19. But he's no moper; he's someone who is always going to be into the game.

• Via Jeff Weiss at the LA Weekly, What the Dodgers' Musical Taste Says About them.
• Via TJ Simers at the LA Times, Tommy hopes to see one more championship before he dies.

"Maybe it doesn't always sound sincere to some but I want to see another championship banner flying in center field," he says. "And even though I'll still be cheering for them in heaven, they better do it before the big Dodger in the sky calls me. I don't want to go without knowing we have another world championship.

"I've already told my wife that when I do go I want our home schedule attached to my tombstone. I want people who are in the cemetery visiting their loved ones to say, 'Let's go to Lasorda's grave and see if the Dodgers are playing home or away.'

• National League umpire Jim Joyce is a hero, via Scott Miller at CBS Sports.

Joyce administered CPR to a Diamondbacks' game-day employee named Jayne Powers in a tunnel leading to the umpires' dressing room minutes on his way into the ballpark Monday, saving her life in a moment nobody who was in the vicinity at Chase Field will soon forget.

• Here is your daily Stanley Cup Happenings.  The Keeper of the Cup Philip Pritchard shares todays pic of forward Kyle Clifford doing some bench presses.

• Here is a new trailer for a Baseball documentary called "Knuckleball!"  

This classic sports story recounts the 2011 journey of the last professional knuckleball pitchers: Tim Wakefield, a 17-year Red Sox veteran, and Mets up-and-comer R.A. Dickey. Together with just four other living knuckleballers, they shine a light on their remarkable brotherhood and the shared pursuit of honor and craftsmanship.

Video Link:

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Dodgers... Y U No Win!!!

Frustration level getting high.  Ready to burst at the seams.  Please don't make me get on my knees and pray.

I'll refer you to Jon Weisman at Dodger Thoughts since I think he perfectly encapsulates last nights game.  See his post here.

Left Field Pavilion creates a graphic that is equal in frustration.  I agree with you on Uribe (he's got to go), but I think we are stuck with Banton.

Speaking of Blanton, Mark Saxon at ESPN captures some choice quotes.

"I think the first couple games, maybe I was just trying to do a little too much out of the gate," Blanton said. "I've been a little too fine instead of being aggressive and really pounding the zone like I'm used to."

At this point all I can do is hope to get one back today, but it sure ain't looking good.

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Weekend Autograph Opportunities: A Dodgers Blue Weekend!

Here are this weekends autograph opportunities and events throughout the Southland. As always, be sure to check the Blue Heaven Calendar for other events (a link can always be found on the tab at the top of this page, just left of center), and always confirm with the establishment. Everything is subject to change.  Please email me with any tips about upcoming events in Southern California.  As the rest of the week progresses I'll update this post with other events (if there are any) as I become aware of them.  Also, I don't always list every event below, so be sure to check my Calendar.  I always try to favor free signing events over paying events.  Click on any pic to embiggen.

UPDATE:
I have just received word that former Kings forward and current television color man Jimmy Fox will be in Autograph Alley on Friday, August 24th in celebration of Stanley Cup Champions Los Angeles Kings Night.  He will be there from 5:20 PM to 6:20 PM.

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Autograph Alley at Dodger Stadium

Fri, August 24
5:10pm – 6:30pm
Lee Lacy

UPDATE:

Fri, August 24
5:20pm - 6:20pm
Kings- Jim Fox   See info here.

Sat, August 25
4:10pm – 5:30pm
Derrel Thomas

Sun, August 26
11:10am – 12:30pm
Matt Luke

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Luis Cruz will be signing free autographs at the Staples Store in Huntington Park at noon to 1:00 PM on Friday, August 24, 2012.

Staples Store 
3090 E Slauson Ave 
Huntington Park, CA 90255

323-277-3706

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Tim Leary will be signing free autographs at the Puente Hills Hyundai on Saturday, August 25 from 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Puente Hills Hyundai

8585 W. Sunset Blvd.

Los Angeles, CA 90069

Hat Tip: True to the Blue

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This coming Sunday, August 26th is Dodger Fun in the SUN-Day at the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes home game.  Tommy Davis is scheduled to sign free autographs prior to the game.

The Epicenter
8408 Rochester Avenue
Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91730

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This coming Thursday, August 23rd is the 8th Annual Manny Mota's Field of Dreams Charity Golf Tournament at the California Country Club in Whittier.  Go here for information.  The facebook page for this event is here.  The Manny Mota Foundation website can be found here.

California Country Club
1509 Workman Mill Rd
Whittier, CA 90601

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A 2011 Topps Diamond Kuo

Another 2011 Topps Diamond embedded card of a Dodger recently showed up on eBay, and it's of Hong-Chih Kuo.  I had featured a James Loney diamond card a few weeks ago, so go here to see that.

It had sold for $300.00.  I don't know if that's a fair value or not, but considering its uniqueness I'm not surprised it reached that level.  On top of that, there remains many Kuo collectors out there, so this will no doubt be the cream of that collection.

(eBay Auction)

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