Card Of The Week: Brian Jordan

Above is a 1998 Topps Baseball card featuring former Dodger Brian Jordan. He was one of a handful of athletes to have played in both the NFL and MLB.

Blog Kiosk 7/13/2008

Getting over .500 is the toughest task of all.

• I just came across this. The Long Beach Armada of the Golden Baseball League has an audio archive of nearly all of their games this year available for download. If you were interested in the games against the Chinese National Baseball Team in May you can listen to them here.
• A New York Times writer shares his 1930's autograph scrapbook and a couple of stories; including being told, “I don’t ever want to see you again,” by Hall of Famer Lefty Grove.
• Check out Mark Langill's interview of Tommy Lasorda recalling his days at Yankee Stadium at LA Dodger Talk. It's a great listen.
• Roberto meets Joe Beimel and gets an early peek at his bobblehead. He also finds this great interview of James Loney.

• Check out Falling Leaves of Sunshine's Photoblog with plenty of Dodger pics here.
  
• Fire Ned Colletti profiles Dodger prospect Jonathon Meloan.
  
• "Mr. Mint" Alan Rosen is a little pissed off at the obvious portrayal of him in the upcoming film "Diminished Capacity" featuring Alan Alda and Matthew Broderick. Read about it at The Baseball Card Blog and Infield Dirt.
• Jose Canseco is knocked out in the 1st round in Atlantic City. (Hat Tip: Wax Heaven:)
• An Indians fan is mourning the loss of their best player, CC Sabathia, by auctioning off, on eBay, his fanatic allegiance and enthusiasm to another team for the rest of the season. He receives some well deserved criticism from the truly faithful in the "Question & Answers" section.

  Was your rooting interest in the Tribe limitted to watching as little as one game a week and wearing some MLB merchandise as well? If that's the extend to your fandom, haven't current bids already exeeded the value of what you have offered? As an Indians fan who understood the imputus for the trade of CC, good luck with you auction, but once your services are complete, don't bother comimg back to the tee-pee.

  (Hat Tip: Lion In Oil)
• Check out Home Run Derby's jersey of the week. This is a bad omen.
• Soccer is filled with a bunch of drunken fools in the stands. Now, even the refs can't keep of the sauce. (Hat Tip: Sports Crackle Pop)

The Hall Takes But Can't Share It All

Vintage Baseball Card Forum poster Joseph recently went on a special tour at the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown and discovered a hidden treasure trove of Baseball history sitting on shelves in the basement.
The rumors are that they have over 35,000 three dimensional artifacts in storage, as well as, a couple of million items within their library. Unfortunately, due to the lack of space and funding for a new building they can never show everything.

Above is a pic of the basement. You can readily see a Joe Cronin autographed ball and various trophies.

It would be a wonderful thing if the Hall of Fame could find a way to display most of what they have. Why not partner up with some Major League teams to sponsor Baseball museums at their ballparks. In fact, since Dodger Stadium is planning their own museum in their upcoming makeover maybe they can strike a deal with the Hall to bring over some items. It could potentially be a mutually beneficial relationship. Consider the cross promotional benefits. The Dodgers would be able to show their fans some great rare items and the Hall could promote their facility and sell souvenirs. It's a win-win.

Hat Tip: VBCF:

KPCC Continues Their Dodger Series

If you've forgotten about 89.3 KPCC's radio series about the history of the Dodgers, like I had, then go ahead and check them out. They are up to Part 5.

Part 1: Dodgers Move to LA Wasn't Popular:
Part 2: LA's Baseball Team Almost Became the 'Senators':
Part 3: Walter O'Malley Was Influential in Bringing Dodgers to LA:
Part 4: A Helicopter Ride Led Dodgers to Chavez Ravine:
Part 5: Chavez Ravine Residents Fought to Save Homes:

Above is the helicopter Walter O'Malley used to flu over Chavez Ravine.

On May 2, 1957, Dodger owner Walter O'Malley takes a 50-minute helicopter ride to view prospective sites for Dodger Stadium. From left is Los Angeles County Supervisor Kenneth Hahn; Undersheriff Peter Pitchess; Del Webb, co-owner of the New York Yankees; O'Malley; and pilot Capt. Sewell Griggers at Biscailuz Center. Only O'Malley and Capt. Griggers took the helicopter ride over the Los Angeles area in the two-seat Sheriff's helicopter. It was only O'Malley's third visit to Los Angeles.

1st Place Baby!!

Hockey At Wrigley Field

Looks like I'm gonna have to try to make it to Chicago this coming New Years Day.

According to an NHL source, the Chicago Blackhawks and Detroit Red Wings will participate in the league's second outdoor Winter Classic on New Year's Day.

Last year they held the inaugural event at Ralph Wilson Stadium, home of the Buffalo Bills, in a match between the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Buffalo Sabres. It was one of the best hockey games I saw last year on TV. It was freezing cold, but 71,217 enthusiastic fans showed up. This year they will be playing at Wrigley Field- home of the Cubs.

Story Link: Star Tribune:
Pic Link: 1060west.net: