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Tuesday, November 01, 2011

Celebration!

A joint statement from the Dodgers and MLB:
"The Los Angeles Dodgers and Major League Baseball announced that they have agreed today to a court supervised process to sell the team and its attendant media rights in a manner designed to realize maximum value for the Dodgers and their owner, Frank McCourt. The Blackstone Group LP will manage the sale process."
I will sleep well tonight!

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Throwback Superstars Turned Gold Glove Winners

How prescient was this photo by Dodger photographer Jon SooHoo?

Vote for the Platinum Gold Glove

Now that the winners of the Gold Glove have been announced, you can vote for the winner of the Platinum Gold Glove. This goes to one player who was the best defender in each league. Go to Facebook/Rawlings for details.

From the Dodgers press release:
This year, for the first time ever, Rawlings will hold a Platinum Glove Award fan vote, where fans across the country will decide who the best defender is from each League. Voting will take place on Rawlings’ Facebook page (www.facebook.com/rawlings) at the conclusion of the announcement show and will end at 11pm ET/10pm CT on Monday, November 7, 2011. The Rawlings Platinum Glove Award winner from each League will be presented with their trophies during the 2011 Rawlings Gold Glove Award Presentation Ceremony presented by Gold Sport Collectibles on Friday, November 11, 2011, at The Pierre in New York City.

3 Dodger Gold Gloves

For the first time in Dodger history, three Dodgers have been awarded the Gold Glove Award during the same season. Just announced, Clayton Kershaw, Matt Kemp and Andre Ethier have been named the 2011 Gold Glove winners for their respective positions, via AP.

Considering the bevy of awards Dodger player have, and will soon likely receive, for this past season, I still scratch my head wondering how we ended up with such a poor record. It only proves the point that even with some over-achievers a team sport requires that everyone has to get on the same page.
National League Gold Glove Winners:
P - Clayton Kershaw (LAD)
C - Yadier Molina (STL)
1B - Joey Votto (CIN)
2B - Brandon Phillips (CIN)
SS - Troy Tulowitzki (COL
3B - Placido Polanco (PHI)
RF - Andre Ethier (LAD)
CF - Matt Kemp (LAD)
LF - Gerardo Parra (ARI)

American League Gold Glove Winners:
P - Mark Buerhle (STL)
C - Matt Wieters (BAL)
1B - Adrian Gonzalez (BOS)
2B - Dustin Pedrioa (BOS)
SS - Erick Aybar (LAA)
3B - Adrian Beltre (TEX)
RF - Nick Markakis (BAL)
CF - Jacoby Ellsbury (BOS)
LF - Alex Gordon (KC)

Juan Rivera to Stay a Dodger

Ken Gurnick tells us that Juan Rivera will be a Dodger.
The Dodgers have reached a tentative agreement with free-agent outfielder Juan Rivera on a one-year contract with a 2013 option for approximately $4 million guaranteed, according to a baseball source.
Rivera was very effective in the Dodger lineup.
Rivera drove in 46 runs in 62 games, although he hit .274 with only five home runs in 219 at-bats and a .739 OPS (on-base plus slugging percentage).

Collection: Cesar Izturis Flair Autographics

I really enjoyed watching this guy play. He was arguably the best fielding shortstop I had ever seen wear Blue. He could move left and right with the grace and agility of a Ozzie Smith, and throw out batters in a manner I thought unbelievable. Unfortunately, his bat was not up to par.
Soon, Cesar Izturis would be traded to Chicago for Greg Maddux in 1996, and he would go on to sparkle with the glove for many more years in Baltimore, St. Louis and Pittsburgh.

Here is a 2006 Fleer Flair Showcase Autographics card of 'little' Cesar Izturis in my collection. I seem to recall Vin Scully always calling him that.

I Think the End is Near

Goodness gracious! Could our prayers be answered? Has McCourt finally found the light? Are we near an agreement to sell? Bill Shaikin provides some insight.
After a two-year battle to keep the Dodgers through a bruising divorce and a bankruptcy filing, owner Frank McCourt appears close to agreement with Major League Baseball on a bankruptcy settlement in which he would agree to sell the team.

McCourt would get some control over the sale, people familiar with the negotiations said Monday. The purchase probably would include Dodger Stadium and the surrounding parking lots in a package that could command a record price of $1 billion or more.

The negotiations are fluid, and settlement talks could fall apart at any time, said the people, speaking on condition of anonymity because of the confidential discussions. McCourt has not reached any final decision to sell, another person cautioned.
I'm crossing my fingers!

A Day of Champions

Do you have any plans this coming Sunday, November 5th? Why not spend the day at The Sports Museum of Los Angeles at an event dubbed 'A Day of Champions' that benefits The Bogart Pediatric Cancer Research Program.

As a Dodger and Baseball fan I promise that you will not be disappointed. Unfortunately, it is a closed event in benefit of the charity. So, to attend check out the information below.

A Day of Champions
Sunday, November 6th, 2011 - 12pm to 4pm
Sports Museum of Los Angeles, Downtown LA
PURCHASE TICKETS & SPONSORSHIPS:
Please contact Levy, Pazanti & Associates: (310) 201-5033


From SCD:
The unique, family-oriented sports themed day-long event includes open access to the Cypres collection, located at 1900 Main Street in L.A. Guests will meet and compete with some of the biggest names in professional, Olympic and extreme sports including Matt Kemp (MLB, LA Dodgers), Eric Dickerson (NFL, former LA Rams, Hall of Famer), Matt Barnes (NBA, Lakers), Baron Davis (NBA, Cleveland Cavaliers), Casey Bond (MLB, former SF Giant), Carmelita Jeter (IAAF World Champion, fastest Woman in the World), Rick Thorne (BMX Superstar) Jeremy “Twitch” Stenberg (freestyle motorcross, Gold at Summer X 2011), Josh Hansen (Supercross Pro) and more. A barbecue, special demonstrations and activities will allow guests to challenge athletes to basketball, football, soccer and boxing. Batting cages, speed pitch, miniature golf, sumo wrestling, a Velcro wall and rock climbing round out the event.
Also Roberto of Vin Scully Is My Homeboy provides more info:
Tickets priced at $500 for a family four-pack; individual tickets are available – adults $150, children $100; sponsorship packages begin at $5,000.
If you cannot attend, or have never had the opportunity to visit the museum check out the video below. It only briefly touches upon how incredible this place is. I have never seen, besides at the Hall of Fame, so much Baseball memorabilia in my life.

Video Link: