Blog Kiosk/ Dodgers Links: 5/31/2012

The Dodgers just release a couple of preview photos of the Eric Karros bobblehead to be given out on June 28th against the Mets.  The likeness is amazing.

• As expected, Kemp is put back on the DL today.  Alex Castellanos has been called up from Albuquerque.  See the Dodgers press release, here. 

Castellanos, making his first appearance on a big league roster, will wear No. 49 and was hitting .379 with 10 doubles, four triples, five homers and 14 RBI in 22 games with Triple-A Albuquerque, while posting a .476 on-base percentage and a .759 slugging percentage. 

Chad Moriyama takes a closer look at Castellanos, here.

• Ken Gurnick at MLB.com takes a look at the upcoming draft for the Dodgers.

Assistant general manager and scouting director Logan White is excited about his first Draft for the new owners.

"It's a wonderful thing talking to Stan [Kasten, Dodgers president], and I'm unbelievably excited that he's a development-oriented person who wants us to be aggressive," said White. "I think where money will make an impact for us is internationally."

• Beyond the Boxscore calculates that a Dodger has been the most valuable hitter in Baseball, and it's not Kemp.  Instead, it's a certain unsung hero who much of the Dodger-blogoshere has been championing as an All-Star.  That's right, it's AJ Ellis.  Check out the story here.  On top of that, former Dodger prospect James McDonald is ranked as the most valuable pitcher so far this season.
• Tommy Lasorda shares the day he pitched 15 innings and probably threw 300 pitches.  He also includes an awesome vintage photo of him as a member of the Schenectady Blue Jays in the Canadian-American League. 
• Nick Diunte of the Examiner.com examines Ted Reed's book about Carl Furillo titled, "Carl Furillo: Brooklyn Dodger All Star."  I hadn't realized that Furillo was basically blacklisted from the game.
• MLB Trade Rumors passes along the gossip that the Dodgers are calling other teams for available position players.
• I kinda miss Chan Ho Park.  Fortunately, Big League Stew has a update; including a video of a commercial he did that sells insurance.  BTW, Park raps in the commercial.  It's awesome!  Check it out.
• Check out the Ice Girls of the 2012 Stanley Cup Finals, via Gunaxin. 
• The Upper Deck Blog shares a couple of redemption cards recently claimed that feature Kings overtime scorer Anze Kopitar and defenseman Drew Doughty.  Those are some great looking cards.  Unfortunately, I'm not a huge hockey card collector.  Who knows, though.  I might have to start.  Heck, with the Kings doing so well I think I'll have to share what I do have over the next coming weeks.
• Check out Baseball explained on a whiteboard by a Brit, below. I found it funny and somewhat confusing, but I'm not sure I could do any better.  (Hat Tip: Baseball Musings)

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Press Photo Collection: A Ebbets Field Breakfast

In our day and age when policemen are sometimes thought of as the enemy it's nice to see a cordial exchange take place that affirms that they are just our neighbors.  Here is a vintage press photo from my collection featuring a policeman at Ebbets Field receiving a breakfast sandwich courtesy of an early arriving fan for a best-of-three playoff series for the National League Pennant.  It is dated October 3, 1946

Collection: Edwin Jackson SPx Autograph

Here is another Dodgers autograph card from the 2005 Upper Deck SPx Collection set.  Don't you just love this design.  It ranks as one of my favorite autograph insert subsets.  On the other hand, I think they should have at least used a different photo on the reverse of the card.

Vintage PostCard Collection: We Win!!!

Coming on the heals of last nights Game 1 Stanley Cup victory by the Kings I bring to you another vintage comic postcard from my collection. 

WE WIN! "HURRAY"!!

Blog Kiosk: 5/30/2012

Go Kings Go!!!!!

• I love the irony of this news.  Via Steve Dilbeck at the LA Times we find out that the law firm that represented McCourt in his BK has just filed for BK themselves. Then Bill Shaikin notes that the, "McCourt Management of Dodgers Under Grand Jury Investigation."  Wha????  News related to McCourt and the Dodgers just doesn't want to go away.
• Orel at the Sons of Steve Garvey notes how much Dodger fans love to spell.  Then DelinO at SOSG follows that up by telling us where Dodger fandom could progress towards.  The latter is not a pretty sight.
• Bob Lemke has a couple of great post up reminding us of the various color barriers that were still left to cross by 1952.  Part 1.  Part 2.  Jackie Robinson is prominent in both blog entries.
• True to the Blue has a recap and photos from the recent signing at Frank & Sons with Guerra, Jansen and De La Rosa.
• Jerry Crasnick at ESPN notes on twitter that the Dodgers expect Lilly to miss only 2 to 3 starts.

• On the heals of the Dodgers sale and the ongoing sale of the Padres comes news that the LA Kings might be available for the right price, via FoxSports.  (Hat Tip: Bill Perkins)

Philip Anschutz-controlled AEG Corporation, which owns the Kings and the Kings' home arena Staples Center, and its CEO Tim Leiweke, have started marketing the team by directly calling suitors, a source told the New York Post.

A few years ago, the Kings first put themselves up for sale seeking more than $200 million, but now likely will accept less, the source said.

Go Kings Go!!!!

Game 1 is tonight at 5:00 PM PST.  It's a horrible start time, but what are ya going to do?

Below is this years 2012 Stanley Cup Finals commercial.  It was initially featured by Greg WhyShynski at Puck Daddy.   I am forever hopeful that this is the Kings year to join the boys below.

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