Draft Signing Deadline

Well, Dodger Blue Heaven dreams of Luke Hochevar wearing the royal garb, the colors of flatbush, the Southlands real team uniform is all for naught. Today is the draft deadline and as the LA Times states,

"it appears it will pass without a deal."

No Luke in Blue.

Boras- you greedy bastard! You have infected the young Padawan with a nasty virus. A virus that has led him astray. It's a virus that infects the young too naive to understand the hurdles that still remain. You have killed the hopes and dreams of current and future Dodger/ Star Wars fans. You see, only the Force can save him now.

I was having wonderful dreams about Luke strutting up to the mound with a big grin on his face and a steady arm at his side. Then, Tommy would run out from the dugout being chased by pumpkin colored stormtroopers. Quickly, he would lance them all with his baseball bat shaped sword to protect the prized star pitcher. Slowly, Tommy would turn to Luke with an out-stretched hand and say, "Luke, I am your father." And then everything would be right with the world.

OK. I know this is crazy talk, but ya know what? Imagine all the great stories that we could have made up if Luke was coming to LA. The adventures of the young players, turn Padawans, facing the universe together as a united force. They would go through the galaxy without fear and trepidation knowing very well that their skipper and "old hands", The Jedi, will send them down the correct path. We could talk about the Death Star up north, run by the evil Barroid, trying to gobble up our peaceful lands. Daily taunts by the twisted cousins to the South would be a constant nuisance like Jar Jar Binks. It would have been awesome.

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.