Card Of The Week: Matt Morris

I love goofy looking Baseball cards and this weeks "Card of the Week" certainly qualifies. Above is a 2003 Fleer Ultra card of pitcher Matt Morris working out with a big plastic ball.

This is a strange looking card. The photo appears to have been taken with a fish eye lens as Matt Morris cradles the ball between his legs like a mother with her newborn child. This makes me laugh and wonder "why?" at the same time.

The best part of the card, though, is the big blue sky.

Blog Kiosk: 7/12/2009

Sorry about the short kiosk, but with the All-Star game around the corner, I guess you can say I've been taking a bit of a break.

• I can't even begin to tell you how idiotic an idea this trade is. Halladay is not worth that package.
  
• Today is the 30th Anniversary of Disco Demolition Night. Go to Baseball Mussings for a great video with a interview with the disc jockey, Steve Dahl, responsible for blowing up the records and a young Greg Gumbel.
• NASA just released the first photos from the recently launched Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter of the moon. (Hat Tip: LGF)
• How the mighty have fallen. Once an industry leader but now a defunct auction house, Mastro Auctions continuing problems are written about in the NY Daily News.
• Bert & Ernie play some hardcore.

YouTube Video Link:
Hat Tip: Little Green Footballs:

Dodger Correspondence: Ernie Koy

(Pic Link: DayLife.com)

This time around, Monterey, CA resident Dicky Ow writes to former Dodger Ernie Koy, who spent 5 seasons as a Major Leaguer, and asks for some tips on how he can be a Major League ballplayer.

Ernie Koy broke into the "show" in superb fashion. In his first at-bat he hit a home run. During his first season in 1938 he played in 142 games and started in left field for 135 of them. He batted a healthy .299, slugged 11 home runs and drove in 76 runs. He even had a little speed as he swiped 15 bases- 2nd in the National League that season. Unfortunately, he would never again equal these numbers. He played 4 more season while being traded to the Cardinals and the Reds, then he was sold to the Phillies before the breakout of WWII. Koy would then serve his country in the Navy, but would never again play pro Baseball.

In 1960 he was elected into the University of Texas Longhorns Hall of Fame. He was a fullback and team captain of his college Baseball team. His nickname was "Chief" which reflected his American Indian heritage. His son, Ernie Koy, Jr., played pro football for the Giants in the late 60's. He is also a member of my All-Ernie Baseball team as a backup outfielder.

Anyway, click the photo below for his advice to Dicky Ow.

(click to enlarge)

Ernie's advice are really great words to live by.

1. Practice all you can
2. Self Confidence- Believe in your own ability no matter what other people think.
3. Pick out some good Baseball players and use him as an example. Watch his moves on the field.
4. Take care of your body by exercise and clean living- attend church of your belief.
5. Practice on your weakness- hitting, fielding, speed of foot and strong arm throwing.
6. Speed of foot is the best answer. If you can run and hit, any team will find a place for you.

Ernie Koy

Below is the original letter Dicky Sent to Ernie Koy

(click to enlarge)

eBay Auction Link: Koy Letter:

Matt Kemp In?

Even with Matt Kemp not winning the the All-Star vote it appears he may be in anyway. Carlos Beltran will not be going to the game due to injury so his spot has opened up, and Kemp is the likely replacement.

Manuel, who will manage the NL All-Stars, will pick Victorino if it’s his call, but he thought Dodgers outfielder Matt Kemp may get in because he finished higher in the players’ vote.

“One of the things that the league office was kind of concerned about is Kemp had more player votes and that plays some kind of part in it,” Manuel said. “I have to wait and see.”

Hat Tip: Twitter:TrolleyDodger:

Dodger Correspondence: Earl Mossor

Here is another letter written to Jim from former Dodger Earl Mosser. He would only play 3 games in the majors, but played 14 years of professional ball. Earl writes a great story about his first inning of pro ball.

Dear Jim,

I guess the one thing that I will always remember in my 14 years as a pro baseball pitcher is the time that I made the big jump from class "B" baseball to the big leagues in 1951 with the Dodgers. I walked into Ebbets Field on cloud "9", and about a month later I got into my first game as a big leaguer against the Card's with two men on base and one out. I was shaking like a leaf. I get the first man out on a pop up to the infield, and guess what?

(click to enlarge)

I had never even seen the guy before, let alone pitch against him, and there he was kicking a little dirt around in the batters box, Stan "The Man". Now I was shaking even more. I said to myself, I can't run in the dugout and hide. I have to pitch to him. I said there is a guy getting a $100,000 a year and me $10,000 and I am supposed to get him out? Ha. Anyway, I worked the count to 3-2 on him and threw him a big change curve and ducked. Ha. He missed it (by) about 2 feet so I struck him out, and I was about the happiest boy in the world. I struck out "The Man", and the first time I ever saw him.

Best of Luck Jim,

Earl Mossor

(click to enlarge)

eBay Auction Link: Mossor Letter:

Vote For Kemp!

It is time to go online and vote for the most deserving of candidates. Vote for Matt Kemp!