Blog Kiosk: 12/14/2008

Come On Manny... just put your signature on the dotted line.

• When I surf now I see a vast sea of Blue. At the start there was only a few blogs, but now the voices are many. Here are a couple more to help you through the Winter malaise. Check out the Fiendish Observational Comedian and Reflections of Blue.
• Big League Stew show the other side of the Baseball Winter Meetings- the trade show. These puppets are both scary and cool at the same time.
• Billy Ripken finally speaks about his infamous Fleer obscenity card from 1989.

  "After the season was over, in early January, I got a call from our PR guy Rick Vaughn. He said, 'Billy, we have a problem.' And he told me what was written on the bat and I couldn't believe it. I went to a store and saw the card and it all came back to me. We were in Fenway Park and I had just taken my first round of BP. I threw my bat to the third base side and strolled around the bases. When I was coming back, right before I got up to hit again, I remember a guy tapping me on the shoulder asking if he could take my picture. Never once did I think about it. I posed for the shot and he took it.

  Hat Tip: Wax Heaven:
• This McFarlane statue/figurine is bad ass! Nolan Ryan has blood all over his shirt!
• Cards in the Attic shares his Cey autographs he got at a minor league ballgame last year. He shows 6 different cards, unfortunately, only one has him in a Dodgers uniform What's up with that?
• A hearty congratulations to Kings radio broadcaster Nick Nickson for being voted into the Southern California Sports Broadcasters Hall of Fame. Hat Tip: Inside the Kings:

  Nickson is in his 28th season with the Kings and in his 19th as the radio voice of the team.

  Pic Link: Let's Go Kings: RinkRat:

eBay: Some Great Unusual Dodger Stuff

Now don't you wish you kept those old pocket schedules you kept hidden in your wallet. This schedule is from the 1962 season- the first year the Dodgers played at Dodger Stadium. It sold for $55.01.

eBay Auction Link: 1962 Pocket Schedule:

I've seen this design on everything from stickers to mugs. Here is a circa 1950's wine glass/goblet celebrating the Brooklyn Dodgers. It closed at almost $34.

eBay Auction Link: Brooklyn Dodgers Wine Glass:

I don't even want to think about how this might taste. This is probably as hard as a rock. It's a perfectly petrified piece of gum.

eBay Auction Link: Fernando Gum:

Here is a nice vintage Brooklyn Dodgers beach hat. I can imagine sitting on the beach with this hat on at Coney Island sipping some lemonade and munching on a Nathan's hot dog.

Auction Link: 1950's Dodgers Hat:

Videos: Videos, Videos and more Videos.

Here is an argument for the trolley.

YouTube Link: labaseballtv:

Dodger veterans sign some autos and share some memories.

YouTube Link: markjdoddy:

Man-O-Live. When did they give this away? That is very cool.

YouTube Link: lasroc:

The Legend of Roger Owens. Check out his website here and his blog here.

YouTube Link: GreenTea200:

Watch Charlie Sheen hit a dinger at Dodger Stadium.

YouTube Link: rmg007:

Fire Ned Colletti

As many of you know there is a Dodger blog called Fire Ned Colletti Now. When I first came across the site I thought the name was a bit too abrasive. After todays story in the LA Times I no longer think that. It may be time to start asking, why is he still the GM?

The Dodgers knew Jason Schmidt had a rotator cuff injury when they signed him to a contract worth a guaranteed $47 million, the club acknowledged in a court filing this week.

Are you kidding me? You knew he was damaged goods, but decided to take flyer on the guy anyway.

-*-

Early in the 2008 season the Dodgers invited several bloggers to a game. We had an opportunity to meet many of the folks who run the show; including Ned Colletti. Go here for my write-up of the event.

As you'll notice, I didn't provide a full description of everything that was said or asked. Basically, there wasn't anything awe inspiring or revelatory to speak off. We got the typically dog and pony show with well rehearsed answers any top flight PR firm would be proud of. Besides, I had a couple of beers in me and, if you know me at all then you know, that's all it takes for me to be buzzing.

Yhea, I'm a light weight!

Anyway, I do, even in my apparent stupor, distinctly recall Colletti commenting about the Jason Schmidt situation. He reasoned that it is illogical to believe that they would sign Schmidt to a long term commitment if they knew he could not pitch. In fact, you have to assume that he truly believed Jason would come back to form. It would be wrong to assume he would purposefully do something that would hurt his employment with the team.

On the other hand, considering what we know now, do we not have to questions his judgement?

Foto Finds

It amazes me how many great photos are available for public consumption. Below are some recent gems I've run into recently.

If you decide to spend any amount of time surfing the net for interesting Dodger photos then you must go to Malingerings photo album on flickr. This photographer is a master and we are fortunate his/hers obsessions is the Dodgers.

Pic Link: Malingering:

Below is Candlestick Park in 1965.

Hall of famer Willie McCovey making the play at first base in a Sunday day game vs the Dodgers at the 'Stick. I shot this photo when I was fifteen and still have the negative.

Pic Link: Dizzy Atmosphere:

Here is Willie Davis during Camera Day at Dodger Stadium in 1972. That ushers hat is awesome.

Pic Link: go dvls:

Here is a vintage pic of Ebbets Field in Brooklyn. Notice the original Trolley Dodgers hanging on to the back for dear life on the right.

Pic Link: Olde New York:

Here is another pic from Olde New York featuring Carl Furillo crashing into the wall at Ebbets Field.

Pic Link: Olde New York:

Below was taken after Garciaparra's walk-off home run following the Dodgers monumental back-to-back-to-back-to-back home run feat.

Pic Link: fourflatfive:

Casey Re-Signs and Jones Tries to Get Back on the Saddle

Pic Link: shaindlin:

Hat Tip: Fiendish Observational Comedian:

It's now official. Casey Blake has re-signed.

The club officially announced the re-signing of free-agent third baseman Casey Blake Tuesday to a three-year contract plus a fourth-year option for $17.5 million guaranteed and a possible $23.75 million, including performance incentives.

At least we don't have to worry about third base.

In other news, Andruw Jones will be playing in the Dominican Republic.

Pic Link: MrJerz:

Dodgers General Manager Ned Colletti said he believed that Andruw Jones flew to the Dominican Republic today to play winter ball.

Colletti said that “a few” teams have inquired about the availability of Jones, who is expecting to play five or six weeks in the Dominican.

“Of course, they’d ask for us to pick up a vast majority of his salary,” Colletti said, referring to the $22.1 million remaining on Jones’ two-year, $36.2-million contract.

That figures. Jones will make even more money to suck in a foreign country, and the Dodgers get to foot the bill.