Happy Birthday!!

Happy Birthday Tommy! The "Man in Blue" turns 79 years old today. Congratulations!

In honor of this day I am headed to Las Vegas to celebrate. I'll have a few drinks, make a couple of bets and cross my fingers as the Dodgers face off against the Arizona Diamondbacks this weekend.

Check out 6-4-2 for a short summary of Tommy's career.

Dodger Video: "My Days at Dodger Stadium"

With this being the last homestand of the year I thought it would be fun to play this homemade video celebrating the Dodgers Security Team. It's called "My Days at Dodger Stadium." Video by JulesReyesMarko



YouTube Link:

Art: Reflections Series: Sandy Koufax

As some of you may recall, a little over a month ago, the National Sports Card Collectors Convention came around to Anaheim for the first time in several years. At this event were exhibitors from across the country, many different auction houses, manufacturers and a huge number of autograph guest. It was a 5 day event that any sports collector/ fanatic would drool over.

I bring up this event to highlight an item that I purchased that weekend and recently arrived for my display at my office.

For some time now I have admired the work of a Vancouver artist, Jennifer Ettinger. Check out her "Town Ball Team" painting. Anyway, I noticed on her webpage that she had started a new series called "Reflections." It's a mixed media work consisting of a

"3-dimensional piece consists of two frames secured together with brass hinges. One frame contains a piece of board, covered with canvas and then layered with a plaster coating. On this is placed a reverse image of baseball or hockey. Collaged around the image is text taken from old and discarded baseball books and magazines. The image is layered with acrylic washes of burnt sienna and ultramarine blue paint to create and enhance an aged appearance. The adjoining frame holds a mirror that is over-laid with a quote or relevant symbol. When viewed in the mirror, the image will not be in reverse but can be seen as it should be seen."

There were individual art pieces of Jackie Robinson, Yogi Berra, Satchel Paige, Josh Gibson, Ty Cobb, etc. I was very interested in the Sandy Koufax Reflections piece.

With the National Convention coming to town and knowing that she would be exhibiting some of her work there I made a mental note to track her table down to speak with her. On the first day of the show I found her and I'm glad I did. I had beat out another collector who expressed an interest in the Koufax Reflections later that day. Anyway, I placed my order immediately. Unfortunately, Jennifer did not bring the specific piece with her to Anaheim since it was, at the time, being exhibited at an art show in Vancouver, Canada. So, I would have to wait until the exhibits conclusion.

Late last week a package arrived and I quickly opened up the box. Encased in newspaper and bubble wrap was the Sandy Koufax Reflections. Also, there was a new addition to the piece. It now had the date October 7, 1965 under the Star of David. I wrote Jennifer for an artist explanation of the new addition.

"October 7, 1965 was added as the day Sandy pitched (in the World Series), as he choose not to pitch the previous day October 6, 1965 which was Yom Kippur http://www.jewishsports.com/reflections/koufax_yom.htm. I thought about putting down the day he didn't play, but choose to go with the one he did pitch."

So there you go. Seeing Sandy as he should be seen. It's a beautiful art piece about an athlete who maintained his faith while continuing to prove to any detractors that he was a Champion. The Dodgers went on to win the World Series in 1965 on the brilliant pitching of Sandy Koufax who had won two games; including a 9 inning complete game shut-out during game 7.

Homerun Derby

For your viewing pleasure.



YouTube Link:

Like many other fans, I can't stop thinking about the game.

Hat Tip to greenchris in the Dodger Thoughts comment thread for the YouTube link.

Update: I just received another link from a friend that you can download. (Found on Let's Go Kings.com) Check out this cut here: Link: (Download by right-clicking)

Update II: Below is a Video of the sights and sounds from the Right Field Upper Reserve Section after Nomar hit the walk-off two-run homer in the 10th inning. Where the hardcore fans reside! Video From SoCalibur



YouTube Link:

Update III: And now I have the sights and sounds from the Left Field Upper Reserve Section. Enjoy! Video from Randallfarms2



Youtube Link:

No Way!

What the hell just happened! I had closed my eyes resigned to the thought of being 1 1/2 games games back. Then they go crazy and tie the score and then win the game on homeruns.

Unbelievable.

I gotta get a drink. Time to party. I'm not gonna be able to sleep for hours.

Dodgers in first place.

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!