Friday, April 12, 2013

"That's fertilizer! "That's fertilizer!

I had the great honor of watching the Jackie Robinson biopic "42" last night, and had a grand time.  A special guest from the Dodgers front office was in attendance, as well as other guest that made the evening worthwhile.  I will certainly put up a review soon to share with you, but at this moment only one thing blankets my mind.

What the heck happened at last nights game?

When I came home at about 11:00 PM I decided to head straight for bed.  In doing so, I just plain forgot to check the Dodger score.  So, as the morning comes around I found myself wondering how the team did.  Did we win?  Did Greinke give us another solid performance on the mound?

Well, imagine my surprise when the first thing that pops up when I open my browser is a story on Yahoo written by Bernie Wilson entitled, "Greinke ends up with broken collarbone after brawl."

"What tha .....?

Then I saw this:

Video Link:

All I can say right now is, "that's fertilizer!  That's fertilizer!"

I'm a little incensed right now, and I want nothing more than to see the Padres lose every game this season. 

This is what I can't understand, Carlos Quentin, a guy who has been hit 116 times in his career, who has lead the league in being hit by pitchers over the past two seasons decides that Greinke, on a 3 to 2 pitch, in a 2 to 1 game, to hit him on purpose?

Are you crazy?

"That's fertilizer!

Here are some words from Don Mattingly and Zack Greinke after the game below.

Video Link:

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Thursday, April 11, 2013

Game 9 Game Preview: Greinke Takes the Mound for Second Time this Season


Los Angeles Dodgers at San Diego Padres

Zack Greinke vs. Jason Marquis
Game Start: 7:10 p.m., April 11
TV: Prime Ticket
Radio: 570 AM (English), 1020 AM (Spanish)
"Right now, he's about where most of the guys in spring were at the very end," said Mattingly, who noted Greinke won't exceed 105-110 pitches. "We don't feel like he's built all the way up, arm-strength wise, so we'll be a little bit cautious along those lines. But there's been no real signs of the elbow [injury]."

Dodgers Lineup:
(twitter link)

Padres Lineup:
(twitter link)


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On the Eve of the Release of "42"

I am beyond excited about the newest Jackie Robinson movie.  It has been a long time since his life has been featured on film, and by many accounts I've read so far this film does a good job of telling his story. 

Later this evening I plan on being in downtown Los Angeles for a preview showing of the film courtesy of Time Warner Cable.  So, I wanted to extend a hearty thank you to them for inviting me.  I can't wait, and I'll be sure to have up my own review before to long.

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Also of note, Don Newcombe, Harrison Ford and Chadwick Boseman (who plays Jackie) will be on Studio 42 with Bob Costas this weekend on MLB Network.  From a press release:
Taped at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles last week, Newcombe comments on Robinson both on and off the baseball diamond, while Boseman, who portrays Robinson, and Ford, who plays Dodgers general manager Branch Rickey, talk about what drew them to the film and how they prepared to play such larger-than-life characters. Boseman details his Spring Training-like practices and Ford describes studying Rickey’s mannerisms by watching his appearance on an episode of the game show “What’s My Line?” in 1959.
This will air this Saturday, April 13 at 1:00 PM PST and on Sunday, April 14 at 7:00 PM PST.


Below is a short video excerpt from the Costas show.

Video Link:

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Since we are on the topic of a movie about Jackie Robinson I thought I would share some related items within my collection.  Below are four original movie theater lobby cards for The Jackie Robinson Story that came out in 1950.

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Blog Kiosk: 4/11/2013


Here's a photo of Carl Crawford after his lead-off home run yesterday.  Pic via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2013.
"Of course the Emancipation Proclamation by Lincoln made the southern Negro slave free," Branch Rickey said in 1956, "but it never did make the white man morally free. He remained a slave to his inheritances. And some are, even today."
Rickey meticulously planned and shaped the master narrative for integrating the national pastime but it could not have been accomplished without a unique player of great ability, personal courage, and unfathomable self-control. Rickey said of Robinson, "God was with me when I picked Jackie. I don't think any other man could have done what he did those first two or three years." And Robinson would say that in his estimation Rickey did more for African Americans "than any white man since Abraham Lincoln."
After the game, Jackie came to our dugout and asked for me by name. When I stepped out of the dugout, he shook my hand and said, "I hit against you twice today. You won't be in this league very long." By July 25th, I was called up, joining the Dodgers in Pittsburgh. Jackie was the first player to my locker. He said, "I told you you couldn't miss."
On Puig: "My first impression of Yasiel Puig was he’s the “next generation” Yoenis Cespedes. Puig is bigger, faster, stronger and younger than the Athletics slugger. However he profiles with the same glaring weakness Cespedes did when scouting him in Arizona — Breaking ball recognition."
On Lee: "As a former football standout, my expectation was for Lee to be a physical pitcher. Instead, he presented as the polar opposite. Command and feel for a four-pitch arsenal will be Lee’s trademark. This is doable considering his above average athleticism and smooth, repeatable pitching mechanics."

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Collection: A 1941 Yearbook from USC that Includes Jackie Robinson


Yesterday, I started a Jackie Robinson yearbook parade of posts that included photos from his 1939 Pasadena Junior College and 1940 UCLA yearbooks.  (BTW, you can take a look at the 1938 Pasadena yearbook from my collection here.)  Today, I take a step in a slightly different direction and feature a yearbook from a school Jackie didn't even go to.  Shown here is a 1941 yearbook from USC.

As you probably know, UCLA (Jackie's school) and USC have always been rivals.  Fans root against each other and come out in droves to watch their team try to demolish the other.  Still, for all the temerity that exist with each side there is always a steadfast respect for the abilities of the opponent, and this respect extended to the athletic greatness of Jackie Robinson.  This 1941 USC yearbook is a great example of this because featured within its pages are several photos of the Trojans playing against Jackie's Bruins.

In the pages featuring USC's victory over UCLA they make mention of Jackie and the Trojans football system's ability to keep him in check.  First, below are some action shots.  Jackie Robinson wore #28 and can be seen trying to evade a tackle in the photo on the top left.

Also on the page is a description of this game where the main focus was on the teams ability to quiet Jackie Robinson.  They new they could win only if they could find a way to stop him- fortunately for them, they did.

Below is another photo of Jackie.  This time he is in the midst of making a tackle on Bobby Jones.

Jackie Robinson is even shown in the basketball section of the yearbook.  In the photo on the top right, Jackie is seen shooting a jump shot.  He wore #18.

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Weekend Autograph Opportunities: A Couple 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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It's always great when ballplayers decide to take some of their time to donate to a worthy cause.  The below autograph opportunities in central Orange County is an example of a couple of folks from the Angels organization who are doing just that.  Outfielder Peter Bourjos and Angels GM Jerry Dipoto will be at the OC Dugout in Anaheim on Saturday from 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM, and all off the proceeds they will receive will go to charity.  Dipoto will be making a donation to the Special Olympics of Southern California and Bourjos will make his announcement regarding a charity on Saturday.  Go here to preorder and for more details.

Peter Bourjos prices            Jerry Dipoto prices
 - Small items: $20 each         - All items: $10 each
 - Large items: $30 each         - Inscriptions: $10 each
 - Inscriptions: $10 each
The OC Dugout (owners of OCSportsCards.com)
1238 S. Beach Blvd., Ste. J
Anaheim, California 92804
(714) 527-6319

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