Dodgers Blog Kiosk: 9/20/2012

Here is a photo of several Dodgers during the rain delay from Tuesday.  Taken by Jon SooHoo/ LA Dodgers 2012.

• Kemp on that strange scoring play from last night, via Dylan Hernandez of the LA Times.

“I probably should’ve just been running forward and not looking back,” Kemp said. “That was close. I don’t know if I made it or not.”

Told he didn’t make it, Kemp smiled.

“Yeah, I don’t think I did,” he said. “We got lucky right there.”

• Sports Collectors Daily features a scrapbook that was put together by a wife of a former White Sox scout that suggest that the Sox was offered Babe Ruth.  

Mills did as he was instructed and the next telegram from Comiskey, dated June 17, 1914, reads “Secure best price on men mentioned in your wire and when Dunn will deliver advise me at once.”  The names of the six players are written in vintage pencil notations along the base of the telegram: “Cree, Daniels, Twombley [sic], Midkiff, Derrick, Ruth.”

An unknown number of years later, Mills’ wife, Ethel, perhaps realizing the historical importance of this particular telegram, felt obligated to provide further details of the negotiations taking place at that time. Writing along the bottom and right-hand borders of the album page, framing the telegram, she added:  “Note: Earl told me he could have all six men for $18,000 but Comiskey turned thumbs down. Too much money. Ethel.”

• I didn't watch Survivor last night, but I understand that Jeff Kent suffered a severe knee injury, per FoxSports.

Kent reportedly suffered torn knee ligaments during a scene with a raft on Wednesday — no more than 10 minutes into the episode. It remains to be seen how the injury will affect him going forward, but we hope that it doesn't force his fellow castaways' collective hand in voting him off the island.

They haven't even had the chance to know Kent and dislike him, yet.

• With the news circulating that AEG is for sale (they own the Kings, Galaxy, several other sports teams, Staples Center and a bunch of other stadiums) speculation now circles around who are the likely buyers.  I suspect Guggenheim (the main Dodgers owner) will be involved, and now we hear from Bill Shaikin of the LA Times that LA's wealthiest man is also interested-- Patrick Soon-Shiong.
• Sports Illustrated puts together their list of 100 Top Twitterer's to follow.
• Chad Moriyama has a gif of the most awkward tag/non-tag ever.
• This is easily the best Baseball story of the year.  Via John Erardi at Cincinnati.com, "Ted Joins Reds for a Day, but Changed Team Forever".
• Jon Weisman at Variety writes about the newest Baseball flick to hit the big screens- Trouble with the Curve.

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2012 Topps Triple Threads- The Dodgers Base Cards

It's hard to believe that Topps Triple Threads is in its 7th year.  I didn't figure that it would be so popular, but here it is- a new set for collectors to fawn over.  As the name suggest, it features many of the games biggest stars paired with a triple dose of game-used jersey relics.  It remains to be seen if the set can survive the recent turmoil surrounding the game-used jersey's scandal, but for now we might as well enjoy what it offers.

Below are the Dodgers base cards to the set.  They do not have any jersey pieces embedded with in them (I'll feature those later).  Five Dodgers are represented; including 3 Hall of Famers.  Over the past several days I've been collecting images of the autographed/jersey relic cards of every Dodger I can find, so expect a bunch of postings over the next week or so featuring them.  There's a whole bunch out there, and I'm going to do my best to put them all up.

Anyway, check out the Kemp, Koufax, Snider, Kershaw and Jackie cards below.  As always, there are parallel versions of these cards in packs.  The below cards are the most common version.

12 Matt Kemp

34 Sandy Koufax

61 Duke Snider

95 Clayton Kershaw

98 Jackie Robinson

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Fare Thee Well, Dodger Thoughts

Jon Weisman and his blog, Dodgers Thoughts, was the inspiration that lead me to starting this blog.  So, it is with a heavy heart that I say farewell. 

As he said, he won't be entirely absent from blogging about the Dodgers.  He just won't be doing it regularly.  If that's the one silver lining, then I am grateful.  After all, his prose will be like an unexpected gift.

Thanks again for everything, Jon.

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Ahoy, Matey! We'e Got Oursel'es a Doubleheader

Arr, me hearty!

In the spirit of "Talk Like a Pirate Day" here's thar startin' gentlemen o' fortune.  We battle them scallywags of DC.  Thars like the menacing go'ernment privateers o' the east.  We shall plunder and defeat 'em wit the strength of a thousand men!  Then make 'em walk the plank. 

Thars a double-bill, so hold on to ya hats.  Our mateys are in fore a long night.

1. Mark "Peg Leg" Ellis shall man second base
2. Andre "Lefty O' Jack" Ethier is in right
3. Matty "Bison Dubloons" Kemp in that center
4. Adrian "the Spanish Buccaneer" Gonzalez shall take first
5. Hanley "Deadlights Ketch" is thar shortstop
6. Shane "Corsair Islander" Victorino in left
7. Luis "the Little Buccaneer" man the hot corner
8. AJ "Cap't" Ellis is catchin'
9. Aaron "Hangman" Harang shall be throwin' darts

Who'll will them DC Scurvy's send to swab against us?

Who cares!  Victory is ours!

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Weekend Autograph Opportunities: A Bunch of Angels

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.

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CJ Wilson, Garrett Richards and Kevin Jepsen will be signing autographs at The OC Dugout this coming Saturday, September 22nd from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.  Go here to order your tickets.  You can also get tickets the day of the event.  BTW, this store is also having a private signing with Nomar Garciaparra on September 25th.  Go here for ordering information.

The OC Dugout

1238 South Beach Boulevard, Suite J

Anaheim, CA 92804

714-527-6319

CJ Wilson autograph prices:

• Small items: $40
• Large items: $60
• Inscriptions: $20
• PSA/DNA authentication: $10

Garrett Richards autograph prices:

• Small items: $20
• Large items: $30
• Inscriptions: $10
• PSA/DNA authentication: $10

Kevin Jepsen autograph prices:

• First 100 people in line: 1 FREE autograph (limit 2 per group)
• Additional autographs after 2 per group: $10 per autograph 
• After the first 100 people: $10 per autograph
• PSA/DNA authentication: $10
• Note: If you pay for a Jepsen autograph, you are entitled to   1 FREE inscription if you'd like. 
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Metta World Peace hosts charity fundraiser for his non-profit, Xcel University on Thursday, September 20th from 7:30 PM to 9:30 PM at The LAugh Factory on Sunset. *Tickets will be available at Will Call starting at 6:30pm.  Metta will MC the event and the Comedian Line Up is: Alex Scott, Malik S, Chris D'elia, and TOM ARNOLD!  It is $30.00 and get your tickets here.

@ the Laugh Factory
8001 W. Sunset Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90045

Hat Tip: LA Inspiration

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MVP candidate Mike Trout will be at the Oakley Store in the Irvine Spectrum on Saturday, September 22 from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM.  No outside items allowed.  Customers will be able to choose between a free baseball or a free poster to be signed by Mike Trout, no purchase necessary.

Irvine Spectrum Center Oakley Store
71 Fortune Drive, Suite 944
Irvine, CA 92618

Hat Tip: LA Inspiration

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Dodgers Blog Kiosk: 9/19/2012

2012 Topps Triple Threads is officially out.  Topps shared the above photo of the Jackie Robinson bat knob card on twitter in celebration.  Below is a really great looking Steve Garvey book card they shared.  Both of these cards are "1 of 1".  BTW, I'll be featuring cards from the set, including base cards and some of the relics, soon

• So, wait a minute here... Kershaw might pitch again this season.  Why are we playing with danger.  Via Mike Fiammetta at MLB.com we find out that Clayton got a second opinion.

Clayton Kershaw was examined Tuesday by a hip specialist, who said the reigning National League Cy Young Award winner can continue to pitch without risking further damage to his right hip, but the Dodgers will not allow Kershaw to take the mound if the pain persists.

• As some of you may know, Ned Colletti is a huge hockey fan.  Ryan Kantor of the Kings took a moment to sit down and talk to him about it.

Q: What are the similarities between hockey and baseball?
A: “I think the grind. You don’t play every day in hockey but the physical grind of playing an NHL season is not easy, much like playing baseball where you play it every single day. They’re different type of sports, baseball’s not a contact sport as hockey is, but the daily grind, traveling all the time and getting ready to play every day is very similar. From an athletic standpoint you need great hand-eye coordination in both sports.”

• Michael Winerip at the New York Times shares some letters from his father who had written to both Lou Gehrig and Jackie Robinson with a questionnaire.  Check out their responses back to him.  Jackie named HOF Al Barlick as his favorite umpire, Branch Rickey as the greatest influence on his career, Dick Tracy was his favorite comic, and his favorite song was Mona Lisa.
• Eric Stonestreet of "Modern Family" fame was kicked out of a Dodger game for a little altercation, via TMZ.
• Three year old Christian Haupt is everywhere.  Here, Joe McDonnell at FoxSports writes about the pitching prodigy.

Christian Haupt is just three-years-old. That's not a typo. He's really just three. And with the perfect motion — at least for a prodigy — he threw the ball harder, straighter and longer than most of the men, women or children chosen to throw out the ceremonial first pitch over the course of a season in Chavez Ravine.

And this kid is passionately Baseball crazy.

 "He started watching a black and white baseball documentary one time, and it was the only show he would watch on television for a year-and-a-half. He would watch it for 10 or 20 minutes a day—nothing else. Not a live game; not cartoons. So, that's when we knew he had the passion."

• Lindsay William-Ross at the LAist notes that the Dodger Stadium renovation design team has been selected.

Fans of L.A.'s Big Blue, your team's Chavez Ravine digs are destined for a new look. The Los Angeles Dodgers have selected Ashton Design to do a renovation of the historic baseball stadium.

The Baltimore-based firm made the announcement themselves on their site blog, revealing two members of "team Ashton," Jonathan Han and Ronnie Younts, have already been doing some preliminary walk-throughs of the venue.

• AEG is for sale.  They are the owner of the Stanley Cup Champion Los Angeles Kings and the Galaxy.  Via The Fourth Period.

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