Victory Is Ours

There is not much more that I can say. Last nights win was big.

Loney came through with an unexpected 0-2 round-tripper. Manny was being Manny. Ethier missed an opportunity, but redeemed himself with a walk in front of Loney's slam. Furcal was good, not spectacular, but good. Watch out, though, if he turns it on we will be unstoppable. All season long pitching has been our bedrock. In the playoffs it will be no different.

With every passing minute I like our chances more and more.

Pic Link: SoccerLens:

Collection: 1975 Waterbury Dodgers

Here is another Dodger minor league Baseball set from my collection. Below are a couple of the key cards from the AA affiliate Waterbury Dodgers from Connecticut. They were members of the Eastern League and only represented the Dodgers for 4 years from 1973-1976. In 1975 they finished 3rd in their division, going 77-59.
There are only a couple of notable players in this set.

Above is Rafael Landestoy. He played for the Dodgers for only a handful of season, but he spent some quality time with the Houston Astros in the late 70's to early 80's. Below is our former bench coach and current Mariner Manager Jim Riggleman. He looks funny in those giant frame glasses.
Check out the rest of the cards in the set here in my photo album.

Game Face Time

Andre Ethier updates his blog in preparation for the series.

There are no descriptions of local Chicago delicacies. There are no photos of specially prepared veggies or beef cooked to order. Neither Sushi or Pizza was on his mind.

Preparation was the order of the day.

Heck, from the sounds of it, the Dodger plane ride to Chicago felt different according to Andre.

You could just sense from the way the guys were acting on the plane that this wasn't just another trip.

Then, Dustin Pedroia sent Ethier a message that helped put it all in perspective.

"This is where champions are made -- Let's go."

Champions.

The right frame of mind, for a young player, sometimes is all that is needed to take you to that next level.

Champions! As Dustin said, "Let's Go!"

Roster Set... Series Opener Begins

Could you sleep last night?

I laid in bed wondering about tomorrows event. My mind was in a manic state. I was reeling with fantasies of Dodger homeruns and well pitched innings.

I imagined runners on first and third and two men out. The new king of Hollywood was readying his swing. All I could see was a flash of black dreadlocks passing by my eyes.

Sinkerballs would zing in and out of the strike zone. The hapless Cubbies would look on in amazement.

In just a few hours the Dodgers begin their quest for their first World Championship in 20 years. I can't wait for it to begin.

Below are the players who will represent us in this series.:

Pitchers (11): LHP Joe Beimel, RHP Chad Billingsley, RHP Jonathan Broxton, LHP Clayton Kershaw, RHP Hiroki Kuroda, RHP Derek Lowe, RHP Greg Maddux, RHP James McDonald, RHP Chan Ho Park, RHP Takashi Saito, RHP Cory Wade

Position Players (14):C Danny Ardoin, IF Angel Berroa, IF Casey Blake, IF Blake DeWitt, OF Andre Ethier, IF Rafael Furcal, IF Nomar Garciaparra, OF Matt Kemp, IF Jeff Kent, IF James Loney, C Russell Martin, IF Pablo Ozuna, OF Juan Pierre, OF Manny Ramirez,

Blog Kiosk 9/28/2008

So what are you doing on Wednesday?

• Robert of Trolley Dodgers finds a great video at Flickr featuring the demolition of Ebbets Field in Brooklyn. Go here to see the video.
• Trolley Dodgers also comes across some incredible photos posted by the Library of Congress on Flickr featuring the Brooklyn Dodgers from the early part of the 20th Century. Check them out here. Below is Red Smith.
• On the day the Dodgers clinch the division title Erin watches an unsuspecting Dodger fan who accidentally falls onto the field get tackled by security. Read about it here. Heavy handed tactics by those in authority seems to be more the rule than the exception these days.
• Of course, you must check out the hazing pics of Dodger rookies at Sons of Steve Garvey. Clayton Kershaw is dressed as Little Bo Peep.
• Cardboard Junkie opens up packs of 2008 Upper Deck X and pulls a Furcal.
• Night Owl Cards shows off a great early 70's set featuring the 1952 Brooklyn Dodgers from prolific card producer TCMA. They are well known for being the chief manufacturer of minor league Baseball cards in the 80's. Check out his website for more pics from the set. Clearly, the best card is below. You just can't beat a card featuring an infield with Jackie, Gil, Campy, Pee Wee and Billy Cox. One of these days I'm gonna add this set to my collection. Fortunately, they are not particularly rare or expensive. BTW, this collector blog is run by a Dodger fan so expect to find plenty of Dodger cards featured throughout.
• Here is a brand new collector blog that will focus on vintage Topps cards and other oddball stuff called The Topps Archives. They start off great by highlighting an interesting press photo celebrating the an early Topps Company publicity stunt in the late 40's.
• 117 original paintings used to make the 1953 Topps set have just been consigned to REA's April 2009 auction. A complete list has yet to released, but I'm hoping Pee Wee Reese shows up. The Jackie Robinson and Campanella was sold in the 1989 Guersney's Auction for $71,000 and $33,000, respectivley. Probably the most desired painting yet to find it's way to the market from this set is probably Satchel Paige. I wouldn't be surprised to see it reach well into the 6 figures if it goes on sale. Read The Infield Dirt for more.
• This video is unbelievable. Never pass out drunk at a ball game, especially in New York. Hat Tip: Lion in Oil:

• I promise this will be my only politically partisan post regarding our upcoming Presidential election. It's just that I dig this video so much and I love this song from Le Miserables.

YouTube Video Link: NatHeadquartersObama:

Dodger Videos

Here are more videos to help you through till the rest of the season.

1955 Dodger Victory Dance

YouTube Link: bkaye:
Hat Tip: True Blue LA:

Here are highlights from the 1955 World Series.

YouTube Link: gmelita:

Joe Pignatano and Danny McDevitt are on hand at a Brooklyn Cyclones game to reenact the last pitch thrown by the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1957.

YouTube Link: CarmieP: