Sunday, November 23, 2008

Blog Kiosk 11/23/2008

Without Baseball life just moves so slow.

Hat Tip: Stale Gum:

Dodger Clubhouse Tour

What a wonderful day it was. The sun was out and shinning bright. The sky was clear and there was a comfortable chill in the air. I knew this would all be wonderful omen for the day.

This afternoon was the Los Angeles Kings "Meet the Players" party and it was held at Dodgers Stadium. Season ticket holders for the Kings are treated to an annual player signing event during the season. It's a great way to meet your favorite players, get an autograph and a picture. In past years it was held at The Home Depot Center and the Staples center, but this year they decided to do something different.

I got there early and was one of the first in line for an autograph of Kings captain Dustin Brown. It was more than an hour wait until the players would arrived. In the meantime, a great surprise was announced over the loudspeaker. The Dodger Clubhouse was open for an unguided tour.

I really didn't take many photos of the Kings players or signing event as a whole since my mind was transfixed by the thought of seeing the stadiums innards. Below are some photos I took of the Clubhouse. Check out the rest of my pics in my photoalbum.
This the first thing you see as you walk down the stairs down to the Clubhouse. Jackie Robinson has his glove held up high as he enters the Dodgers Clubhouse for the first time.
As you walk towards the locker room you are taken through a corridor of retired jerseys of Dodger greats.
The Dodger locker room with it's rows of office chairs was a little smaller than I imagined. I guess I expected it to be spacious with couches and all the accoutrement's one would expect in a room full of millionaires. Nope, it's fairly plain with a couple of TV's hanging in the center.Notice, though, locker number 16 on the right. That's Andre Ethier's locker and it has something hanging in it that made me laugh. Below is a closer look. On the top right of his locker is a photo of Joe Beimel's famous fan Troy from West Virginia. He's the guy on the bottom with the red shirt.Another strange locker is Hong Chih Kuo's. What's up with the bowling pins? Here is a desk in the locker room with all sorts of Dodger goodies all around.Here is a close up shot of the bobbleheads.As you leave the locker room and head towards the field you are given a important message. "The Road to the World Series Begins Here."The dark before the light, here is the player entrance on to the field. I'm in the dugout! I'm in the dugout!I still can't believe I'm standing on such hollowed ground. Here are the bat and helmet racks.What a tiring day. I decided to take a little nap before heading home.

Lelands: A Couple More Choice Items

Well, the Lelands November Auction just completed. Vintage and rare sports memorabilia appear to still be on fire. Can this stuff actually be a hedge against our current economic downturn? Who knows, but so far so good. I suspect the rarity of some of these treasures is the reason for some recent strong closing prices. Memorabilia that is perceived as more readily available has been and will probably continue to be a little soft.

Of course, this is not what this post is about. I had recently written about this auction, but I failed to include some fairly choice collectibles. So, I'm gonna make that up now.

Below is a game used bat once used by Babe Ruth during the 1932 season. Based on records from Hillerich and Bradsby we know that Ruth ordered 12 of these bats for the season. This rare piece of lumber sold for a healthy $59,590.81.

Friday, November 21, 2008

Videos: Dodgers, Manny and some Bike Hero!

Are you missing Dodger Baseball. Well, here is a nice Dodger montage to help keep you at bay.

YouTube Link: 1stclassDodgerfan:

Dodger Hill. I recommend watching this one through. It is very well done.

YouTube Link: caseywillard:

FATMIME is predicting that Manny is leaving the Blue Crew and serenades us with a sad song.

YouTube Link: FATMIME:

I love me some Guitar Hero from time to time. The interactive feel of the game allows you to literally imagine yourself playing with your favorite band. I can get through the medium levels, but I still have a tough time playing at a higher level. Now, I'm not one of those obsessed gamers who sits himself in front of the TV for an 8 hour session of games, but I do enjoy sitting around from time to time playing some games. So, finding the video below made by some creative kids has put a big smile on my face and has me yearning for the end of the day so that I can do something really important- like getting to the next level.

YouTube Link: Bike Hero:
Hat Tip: Extra Mustard:

Thursday, November 20, 2008

CC Would Look Good in Blue

He can hit. He can pitch. Better yet, he wants to pitch the big games. He proved last year that he has the fire and drive to lead a team to the promised land. CC Sabathia is the type of player teams coalesce around. I think we would be very happy to have him in Blue.

Apparently, the Dodgers appear to agree.
A report by Dan Graziano on NJ.com said the Dodgers are considering a six-year deal worth $110 million to 120 million, if they haven't put it in front of Sabathia and his agents Greg Genske and Brian Peters already.
What makes this even more interesting is the recent inclusion of the Giants into the race. Tony Jackson reports,
it APPEARS that the CC Sabathia sweepstakes could come down to two final teams: the Dodgers and the Giants...Anyway, we know CC wants to pitch for an N.L. club because he likes to hit. We know he just purchased a home in SoCal. And we know he wants to stay close to home. That pretty much leaves the Dodgers and Giants...So it LOOKS like that is where this whole thing is headed, provided the Dodgers don't re-sign Manny Ramirez anytime soon.
Who would you choose? Manny or CC Sabathia?

I think the potential 1-2 punch of Lincecum and Sabathia is too terrible to bear. Of course, having Manny in the lineup for a full 162 game season could easily ameliorate any discomfort I might have. After all, don't we have Billingsley and Kershaw as our potential two man tag team. With the consistent Kuroda in the mix, who should only get better with more experience in North America, I don't know if a long term deal for a pitcher is the wisest thing to do.

Thank goodness the decision isn't mine.

Should I Stay Or Should I Go

Second baseman Jeff Kent has not decided whether he will retire or return for his 18th season in the majors, according to his agent, Jeffrey Klein.
Kent's future has got me thinking about a song I use to love as a kid- the Clash's "Should I Stay or Should I Go." I think it perfectly encapsulates the predicament Jeff find himself in. OK, maybe not- it's a fun song anyway.

It also happens to be a song a close friend asked myself and another buddy to sing and dance to for his sisters Bat Mitzvah. Why he asked us to do it I still do not know. In our preparation it seemed like it would be fun. As it was happening I wondered, "why am I doing this?" Now, in retrospect, I scratch my head and think, "what the hell was I doing?" I was young and stupid, I guess.

Anyway, below are some choice lyrics to the song and a video.

Darling you got to let me know
Should I stay or should I go?
If you say that you are mine
I’ll be here ’til the end of time
So you got to let me know
Should I stay or should I go?

Always tease tease tease
You’re happy when I’m on my knees
One day is fine, next day is black
So if you want me off your back
Well come on and let me know
Should I stay or should I go?

Should I stay or should I go now?
Should I stay or should I go now?
If I go there will be trouble
An’ if I stay it will be double
So come on and let me know!

This indecision’s bugging me
If you don’t want me, set me free
Exactly who’m I’m supposed to be
Don’t you know which clothes even fit me?
Come on and let me know
Should I cool it or should I blow?

YouTube Link: Clash:

Jeff, I think your productive playing days are in it's twilight. Go and wander around the Texas plains and tend to your bike business.