Our Good Fortune

So far our Rookies have shown they can play. The progress of Repko was one of the first signs of a resurgent Minor League program. Andre Ethier, Jonathon Broxton, Hong-Chih Kuo, James Loney, Willy Aybar and Russell Martin have us excited about the season. Now, Matt Kemp gives us a taste of a future not so far away. He just might be ready soon than expected. Today, Matt went 2 for 3 on this Holiday Monday afternoon. After getting his first major league hit after 3 strike outs yesterday, Kemp followed up looking more relaxed. With each at bat he looked less tentative. With each swing his stroke came into life. I look forward to game number 3 for Kemp.

Other hopeful Rookies soon to grace their presence in Los Angeles include Chad Billingsley and Joel Guzman. Billingsley could be a very solid pitcher for a very long time. Guzman, once he finds a position and learns some patience at the plate, can be an offensive juggernaut for years to come. As a great man once said, "the future is looking bright."

Fortune Sign Generator

If you are wounded, I will carry you;
If you are captured, I will come for you;
And, if you are killed, I will always remember you.

Motto: 3/5 Cavalry, Vietnam
"The Bastard Cav"

Those who expect to reap the blessings of freedom, must, like men, undergo the fatigues of supporting it. -Tom Paine

Americanpride Sign Generator

Want A Drink?

I guess you can't win them all. Right? On what seemed like a lazy Friday afternoon, the Dodgers came to play with a little less jump in there feet. Was it me, or did it appear like that? It just looked like everything was in slow motion. Every once in awhile a potential rally occurs, but then fizzles out. I don't know, maybe its jetlag or some other cosmic occurrence. Or maybe, it's just that you don't win them all. Sometimes you lose, and sometimes you lose bad. Tonight was a bad night. An evening of dropped and misjudged balls. And a game against a very good pitcher who showed that he is one of the most underrated hurlers in the game.

A 10-4 shellacking. We where run over with a bus. O, well. You just can't win them all. But this gets me thinking. While I wallow in grief I can grab a bottle to wash me down. Mmmm.

Back in the Mid 90's, I don't remember exactly when, I read a news article in the Los Angeles Times about a small local company in Laguna Beach that was making hand engraved wine bottles of teams and players. They where called the Trevlin Collection. So, I called them up and picked up a bottle. It still remains on my shelf today, unopened and undamaged. Amazingly. Fortunately, its nonalcoholic so any thought of actually drinking it goes out the window. Also, the fact that I keep a bottle of Jack in my freezerat all times, which more than satisfies any urges I might indulge in, helps out. So, on to my freezer.

Christmas Coming Early: Dodgers On Fire!

Thanks to: www.CustomSignGenerator.com

Could this be? Has Santa actually decided to grant me my wish? Everything is so perfect right now. The team is running like the wind. The sluggers are killing the hide. The starters are a mixture between Supermen and Riddlers. The relievers are coagulating into a hardened Rock of Gibraltar. There is a sense of confidence that you can see in the manner of their play. They know they can win any game, at any time. This is some of the best Baseball I've seen in a long time. This is some of the best Baseball I've seen from the Dodgers in a long time.

Seven games in a row! 9 out of the past 10! 15 out of the last 18! Unbelievable! After all the turmoil over the past winter we are blessed with the chance to witness this kind of play. I definitely like what I'm seeing and will enjoy it while it's here.

Right now I'm crossing my fingers and hoping this will last. Baseball, as we all know, is not filled with certainty. It's much like life. It tends to ebb and flow as time goes by. Sometimes the sun shines and the birds chirp, but then the clouds can start to menace and the wolves come out of the dark. But you never know. Afterall, I haven't gotten a thing from Santa in a long time, so I figure, I'm due.

This is one of 15 scorecards I received in the recently concluded Robert Edwards Auction. I love this 19th Century stuff. These cards are made by John B. Sage and most consist of pre-printed line-ups featuring some famous players; including King Kelly. Check out the rest of the postcards in my photoalbum.

Sponsoring Pages

I have been a frequent user of the Baseball-Reference website for several years now. The information on their site is an invaluable tool for any fan of the game. Over the past few days I decided to give them a tip for their good work by sponsoring some pages. On the right I have links to 5 different pages that I currently sponsor- Walter Alston, Wilbert Robinson, Jack Fimple, 1981 Los Angeles Dodgers and the 1884 Brooklyn Atlantics.

Alston is the longest term Dodger manager in history. The man who brought the Dodgers their first championship.

Robinson is a Hall of Fame coach of the Dodgers from 1914 to 1931. Simply one of the greats.

Jack Fimple was one of my favorite non-star players. He was an unsung hero who never made it big time, but who's hard work and determination was an inspiration for me and many others. Did you know he broke his hand in a game and still continued to play!

The 1981 World Series Champion Los Angeles Dodgers is my first and earliest memory of Dodger glory. Also, I have strong and vivid memories of just about every person on that team. They were stacked with Dodger greatness-the famous infield, the catching crew of Scioscia and Yeager, Guerrero, Dusty, Landreaux, Monday, Reggie Smith, Sax, Fernando, Marshall, Candy, Derrel Thomas, Roenicke, Howe, Welch, Hooton, Reuss, Terry Forster... I know this whole damn team!

The 1884 Brooklyn Atlantic is the first Dodger franchise team. The start of something great.