Dodger Fans are Great! We Are #1 and a University Study Proves It!

I don't have to tell any of you that Dodger fans are the best in league.  After all, we True Blue fans have known this for a long time.

Well, now we have empirical evidence that proves it, and I'm gonna gloat to my hearts content.

Emory University, a private research school whose motto is "the wise heart seeks knowledge", put together a study to asses the brand equity of every ball team; i.e. fan intensity and loyalty.  Brand Equity is an idea is that a well known and well regarded brand provides value, and that value creates loyalty to the brand such that fans would be willing to pay a price premium.

According to the Emory University's Sports Marketing Analytics study the Dodgers have the "Best" home fans, and therefore one of the best brands in the business.  See their story here.

Our analysis finds some expected, and some surprising results.  We discover that the Red Sox and the Dodgers tie for having the “best” fan bases.  These teams are followed by the Cardinals, Giants and Cubs.  It is the next team on the list that first raises some eyebrows, as our model rates the struggling Houston Astros as having the 6^th best fan base.  At the bottom of the list we have the Kansas City Royals, Miami Marlins, Chicago White Sox, Detroit Tigers and the Anaheim Angels.  The bottom five are also likely to cause debate and angst among Angels and Tigers supporters.

As you can see above, the Angels have the worst fans around.  Ha!

Below is a graphic showing the complete list, and check out their brief story here.

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Blog Kiosk: 7/16/2013 - Dodgers Links - Listening to Mel, Garvey & Kershaw Work a Food Truck and Puig Doesn't Sign with Jay-Z

Check out this great photo montage featuring the Dodgers from Opening Day to the All-Star break.  Pic via @Dodgers on twitter.

• Via FoxSports AM570, listen to the man behind Kirk Gibson's 1988 World Series home run. 

Kirk Gibson always mentions scout, Mel Didier when talking about his Home Run in Game 1 of the 1988 World Series. Didier was the Dodgers advance scout that told Gibson and the other Dodgers to anticipate a "back door slider" if Eckersley got a full count on left handed hitters. Gibson recalled that scouting report before he stepped back in to the batters box before hitting that 3-2 improbable home run. Mel joined us on "Dodgers on Deck" Sunday.

• Hanley Ramirez wants to stay a Dodger, via Dylan Hernandez at the LA Times.
• Both Steve Garvey and Clayton Kershaw were in New York to promote Time Warner Cable’s celebration of their expanded WiFi coverage by working in some food trucks during All-Star week.  Check out a couple of pics below.  Pic on left via twitter @SteveGarvey6, and pic on right via twitter @metroBASEBALL.

• TMZ goes paparazzi on Yasiel Puig.  "I Got a Rolls & a Hot Chick!!  Who Needs the All-Star Game?"  Stay Classy TMZ!
• BTW, Puig recently signed a marketing deal, but it's not with Jay-Z.  Via Darren Rovell at ESPN, "Yasiel Puig signs marketing deal".

Los Angeles Dodgers rookie slugger Yasiel Puig has signed with Radegen Sports Management to represent his off-the-field interests.

"We're definitely going to capitalize on his rise," said Radegen Sports president Alex Radetsky, whose New York-based company also represents David Ortiz and Jose Bautista. "But we're not going to rush, and he's not going to sell out."

Also, 

Radetsky said his autograph deal will be run by California-based JD Legends Promotions, a firm that has managed the signings of many Dodgers players.

• Miguel Alfredo Gonzalez Cleared To Sign With MLB, via Mark Polishuk at MLB Trade Rumors.  The Dodgers are considered the favorites to sign him.  He is a 26-year old Cuban starting right-handed pitcher.
• "On a team of unsung heroes, Tim Crews stood out: Reliever Tim Crews helped the Dodgers reach the 1988 World Series, where they beat the A's. He died in a 1993 boating accident, but his spirit lives in his family," via Bill Plaschke at the LA Times.
• Apparently, a fan was injured due to an errant throw from Withrow while warming up in the bullpen, via Reddit.  I guess blood was everywhere.  Hopefully, that fan is doing well.
• So, when did shirts get so expensive?  In celebration of America’s pastime, Tommy Bahama has created a limited edition 2013 MLB All-Star Game shirt commemorating the Midsummer Classic at the home of the New York Mets. The royal blue silk camp shirt features the 2013 MLB All-Star Game with an orange and white embroidered logo on the back and sleeve. The shirt retails for $158.  Steve Garvey was there to promote and meet with fans.

• Here is a video from FoxSports, watch Clayton Kershaw speak about the Dodgers' turnaround, Yasiel Puig, and good friend Matthew Stafford.

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Why Not the California Collegiate League All-Star Game at the Urban Youth Academy on Wednesday?

So, are you aching for some Baseball during this mid-season break?  And I don't mean wasting away in front of the TV watching the MLB All-Star game that's being played across the county.  How about watching an All-Star game closer to home?  Or better yet, how about spending the day scouting some potential future Major League ballplayers?

Well, this coming Wednesday, July 17, at 7:00 p.m. is the California Collegiate League All-Star Game, and it will be played at the Major League Baseball Urban Youth Academy in Compton, California.  Admission is $10 for adults and $3 for children 12 and under. MLB UYA members will be admitted free and receive one free hot dog and soda.  Fox Sports West will broadcast the game live to a national audience.  Here is the California Collegiate League website.

Sixty (60) of this season's top performers and top prospects will participate in the nationally-televised 2013 CCL All-Star Game and Prospect Showcase.  Also, before the game, the 60 players will also participate in pregame workout for scouts and college coaches.  Start time for the scouting combine is 2:00 p.m.

Of the 60 players, 9 were previously drafted by a Major League club; including 2 ballplayers drafted this year.  Go here for a complete list of players.

MLB Urban Youth Academy
901 E Artesia Blvd,
Compton, CA, 90221 

From the press release:

The California Collegiate League is a non-profit organization incorporated by eight non-profit amateur baseball organizations in greater Southern California dedicated to the development of student-athletes from across the country and providing inexpensive family-friendly entertainment to our home communities. The CCL organizes a 39-game championship season from June 1-Aug 15 annually and requires its players to use wood bats and professional-level baseballs to further their development as prospects. In 2012 there were 261 collegiate athletes participating in the league, 156 of which were Division I players, representing 22 Division I conferences and 72 Division I schools.

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Blog Kiosk: 7/15/2013 - Dodgers Links - The Shirt Off Puig's Back, Disco Loney and Pederson

A Dodger family photo featuring Scott Van Slyke, Yasiel Puig, Juan Uribe and Adrian Gonzalez.  Pic via Dodgers tumblr.

• Via Mark Saxon at ESPN, "Zack Greinke capable of getting on a roll".

Greinke isn't just a good pitcher, he's a streaky pitcher and -- like a lot of things in this rapidly improving Dodgers season -- his fortunes appear to be on a rapid ascent. Saturday's 1-0 shutout of the Colorado Rockies, in which he gave up only two hits and struck out nine batters in 110 crisp pitches, was only the latest evidence. 

• Ron Cervenka at Think Blue LA shares a great story about how Yasiel Puig gave the shirt off his back to a wheelchair bound Dodger fan during Photo Day.
• Speaking of Photo Day, Roberto at Vin Scully Is My Homeboy shares some of his pics from the day.
• Via Scott Miller at CBS Sports, "Weekend Buzz: Dodgers' decision on Don Mattingly among first-half bests". 
• Dustin Nosler at Feelin' Kinda Blue shares his Top-25 mid-season Dodgers prospects.
• Wow!  Dodgers photographer Jon SooHoo shares a bunch of pics that he took from inside a blimp abouve Dodger Stadium.  See them here.
• BTW, Freddie Freeman (who won against Puig in the Final Vote) injured his thumb and will not go to the All-Star Game.  His replacement will be Brian McCann.  Via twitter @Braves.

Brian McCann will replace Freddie Freeman in this year's All-Star Game.
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) July 14, 2013

• Tim Brown at Yahoo writes, "Dodgers prospect Joc Pederson inspired by older brother's perseverance".
• They had Disco Night at the Tampa Bay Rays, and I thought you would get a kick at seeing Disco Loney.  See more pics here.  Hat Tip: Reddit.

• Susan Lulgjuraj at Beckett writes about the MLB All-Star FanFest in NY and shares a whole bunch of great pictures.  
• Sports Collectors Daily also shares a whole bunch of photos from the MLB All-Star FanFest.
• Patrick Reusse at the Star Tribune wrties, "Nine traditions lost from baseball".

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Some Dodgers Photo Day Pics from Twitter and Instagram

Since I missed out on the Dodgers photo day festivities yesterday, I decided to check out twitter and instagram for some pics to see what I missed.  I was not disapointed.  Check out some of favorites below.

Dodger Stadium is ready for photo day. http://t.co/EFixzkmtnw
— Dylan Hernandez (@dylanohernandez) July 13, 2013

Dylan Hernandez of the LA Times starts it off, above, with a view of the Dodgers field in preparation for Photo Day.  Below, Scott Van Slyke, organist Nancy Bea Hefley and AJ Ellis pose for a fan.  BTW, Roberto at Vin Scully Is My Homeboy shares some of his own great pics here.

Yasiel Puig, Matt Kemp, Juan Uribe and Tim Federowicz can be seen below.

Matt Kemp - the future politician.  He was out and about kissing Dodger babies.

.@TheRealMattKemp shaking hands and kissing babies: pic.twitter.com/WhLsgA3mKc
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) July 13, 2013

The newest Dodger, Ricky Nolasco, can be seen below.

Cuban sensation, Yasiel Puig, was extremely popular.  Also, Ron Cervenka at Think Blue LA shares a great story about how Puig gave the shirt off his back to a wheelchair bound Dodger fan during Photo Day. 

.@YasielPuig et al: pic.twitter.com/gEkaeupiD5
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) July 13, 2013

 

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Dodgers Sunday Videos: Kemp on Rome, Kershaw and a Fan-Made Puig Highlight Video

Here are this Sunday's Dodgers videos:

Here is Matt Kemp with Jim Rome on Showtime.  He shares his thoughts about the final season of SHOWTIME's hit original series "Dexter", plus dishes on a potential hoops match-up versus Lakers legend and current L.A. Dodgers owner Magic Johnson.

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This is something vintage.  ABC 'Monday Night Baseball' commercial featuring the Philadelphia Phillies vs. the Los Angeles Dodgers. Spot aired in July, 1976.

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DodgerFilms was in Arizona to catch some Dodger games and caught a funny exchange between Clayton Kershaw and a Diamondbacks fan.  Kershaw thanks a fan for telling him he sucks.

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Check out this great Yasiel Puig highlight video.  Awesome!

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