Blacked Out?!

Imagine my dismay as I turned on my TV and turned it to Prime Ticket. Time Warner had recently taken over the local cable station recently, but I hadn't noticed any differences. Until now. I put it on channel 61 and up came the Seattle vs. Kansas City game. Who wants to watch this match-up.

The game has been blacked out. My roommate called the cable company and was told the game was not sold-out.

No sell-out no game.

Needless to say, I was in shock. This is one of the most pivotal games of the year. They are playing a rival divisional team for a spot in the playoffs. How could they not show this game? And how could this game not be a sell-out? Something is fishy here.

So I sit around steaming in front of the computer as I keep track of the game. I see that Lowe has struggled a bit, but is able to hold down the fort. There is no score after 3 innings. Then, out of chance, I decide to check Prime Ticket one last time.

Presto! The game is on.

Whew! That was close. I was about to go crazy. I got some chores to do while the game is on. There is nothing like folding the laundry as Vinny calls a third strike.

Go Blue!

Funny Baseball Card Related Video: Strong Bad Email

This is a hilariously video from Strong Bad Email about Trading Cards. (Link)

It's always great to poke fun at your favorite hobby. Sometimes I forget how it spurns from a childhood activity. It was something I did as a kid. I still remember getting my first wax pack after some persistent begging from me in the checkout line. My Mom was no match for the powers of childhood persuasion. I whined and the pack was mine. I wasn't that bad overall as a kid, but the sight of that wax paper wrapped package that afternoon was overwhelmingly powerful. I had to have the stick of petrified pink gum and the cards of my boyhood heroes. It was like having the game of Baseball in your hands. In a way, I guess you can say I still haven't grown up. I'm just a big kid.

Anyway, check out the link. It's great and funny.

Hat Tip: Jay from VBC Forum:

Vintage Dodger Video

UniversalNewsReels presents the game recap of game 3 of the 1959 World Series between the Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Chicago White Sox at the Los Angeles Coliseum. Watch Don Drysdale shut down the ChiSox for seven innings as they defeat the Southsiders three to one. 92,394 people where on hand for this Fall Classic.




YouTube Link:

Baseball Reference 1959 World Series Page:

Retrosheet.org: Box Score 

eBay: House of David

This item closed earlier this week at a great price. Since the seller of this item did a great job describing the broadside and the team I will quote directly from the auction.

This is a multi color broadside poster, and as you know this is much more rare then the single color type. Also they feature several pictures of the individual players. There are large images of Tally, Fleming, Tucker and Atwell at the top, and then below are action shots of Doc Tally, John Fleming, and a close up of George Anderson.
For those of you who are not familiar with the House of David baseball team let me give you a bit of historical information. The team toured the country performing exhibition games not unlike the Harlem Globetrotters. They challenged the local teams, were the first to integrate with the black league teams, first to sign a professional contract with a female athlete, Jackie Mitchel in 1933, and they were the pioneers of Night Light Baseball! This is illustrated in the upper picture on the poster! The "Israelites club" or "Jesus' Boys" as Satchel Paige used to refer to them set out from Benton Harbor, Michigan and were famous for their long hair and winning records! ... Mary and Benjamin Purnell founded the Seventh Church at the Latter-Day, Israelite House of David, and the Baseball team came into being somewhere around 1913 or 1914. Some of the more colorful players were: Walter "Dutch" Faust, Jesse Lee "Doc" Tally, Dwight "Zeke" Baushke, David Harrison, Paul Mooney, John Tucker, Percy Walker, George "Andy" Anderson, Frank Wyland, and Austin "Tex" Williams. Their 19 year old female pitcher, Babe Diedrikson, helped them defeat the National League Champion St. Louis Cardinals 8 to 6 at Sportsman's Park.
This was used to advertise the House of David Baseball team visit to Kelso Washington in the early to mid 1930's I believe. The last date cited on the poster that I could see was 1933.

For more information about the House of David and Baseball check out this site:

The House of David Baseball Team Research Project:

Mary's City of David Baseball Page:

YouTube Video: Solitary Vin

In honor of the Vin Scully vsfc brings to us Solitary Vin.



YouTube Link:

Tomko Bombs Again

In his 3rd straight appearance, converted started, Brett Tomko blows a Dodger lead.

On Saturday against the New York Mets he entered the game in the 6th inning with 2 men on and the Dodgers clinging onto a 1 run lead. David Wright slapped a single to centerfield and 2 runs scored. That was all Mets would need. The Dodgers lose 3 to 2.

On Tuesday against the lowly Cubs the Dodgers where perilously clinging onto a 7 to 5 lead. Tomko started the 7th inning and proceeded to load the bases. With one out he was replaced before he could do more damage, but the table was set. Two runs eventually score and the Cubs complete a 7 run comeback. The Dodgers where demoralized and lost the game in 11 innings, 9 to 8.

This afternoon in Wrigley the Dodgers uncharacteristically powered themselves to a 5 to 2 lead with a couple of homeruns by Marlon Anderson and JD Drew. Then, Brett Tomko enters the 7th inning and gives up 4 runs. The Cubs now lead 6 to 5 and proceeded to shut the Dodgers down.

I think this experiment has been a failure. Tomko as a reliever has not been any more successful than Brett Tomko as a starter.

Photo from Flickr: Malingering