Friday, December 13, 2013

Watch a Puig Interview Tonight, a Dodger at the Echo Park Community Parade and Adrian Gonzalez to Hand Out Gifts Tomorrow


With the MLB Winter Meetings being rather boring and lackluster for Dodger fans, any news about the Boys in Blue is welcome. 

Fortunately, there is something on television tonight that Spanish speaking Dodger fans will be able to enjoy.  As for non-Spanish speakers, like myself, you might just want to watch it anyway because there isn't any other real news available.

Enrique Aníbal Gutiérrez of Time Warner Cable Deportes sat down with Yasiel Puig for a one-on-one interview, and it will air tonight at 8:30 PM.  Go here to watch a promo video.

As a teaser, they shared the following:
In one of many interesting revelations during their conversation, when Puig was asked about how he felt about other sports, he confessed that, “to play, I like baseball. But, if I want to enjoy myself, I’d much rather play soccer or basketball”.
Apparently, Puig dreams of being Kobe and Ronaldo.
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The Echo Park Community Parade is tomorrow and the Dodgers will be represented.  Go here for information on the parade.  From a Dodgers press release:
The Echo Park Community Parade, themed “Neighbors Make Echo Park Beautiful,” begins at 11:00 a.m. tomorrow on Sunset Boulevard from Elysian Park Avenue to Park Avenue in Echo Park. The Dodgers are a sponsor of the Echo Park Community Parade and will be represented by alumnus Lee Lacy who will ride in the parade.
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Ned Colletti is getting into the giving spirit.  He'll be joining Mayor Garcett and the LA Rotary Club for a toy giveaway Algin Sutton Recreation Cente as a part of their 5th Annual Angel City Celebration.
Dodger General Manager Ned Colletti will be on hand beginning at 9:00 a.m. for Mayor Garcetti and LA Rotary’s Angel City Toy Giveaway at Algin Sutton Recreation Center located at 8800 Hoover Street. This is also the sight of one of the Dodgers’ Dreamfields. Colletti has donated his time for several years to help hand out toys and gifts to children at this holiday event. The Dodgers have donated blankets and other items in the past and this year provided backpacks, T-shirts and hats.
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Adrian Gonzalez will be is East LA on Saturday to celebrate the winter season.  He'll be handing out gifts to the kids.  From a Dodgers press release:
From 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. tomorrow at the East L.A. Civic Center the Gonzalez family will distribute toys purchased by Gonzalez to children as part of the East L.A. On Ice Winter Wonderland. Gonzalez will join Supervisor Gloria Molina on stage to greet attendees and partake in the ice rink ribbon cutting. Other attractions will include a visit from Santa Claus, piles of real snow for winter play, face-painting, magicians, holiday train rides, carolers, food vendors with holiday antojitos (tasty treats), arts-and-crafts and music provided by a DJ.
Go here for more information about this.

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Dodger Goodies from Hunt Auctions: Art from Steve Sax

Once again, Hunts is running their monthly sports auction, and it includes some great Dodgers collectibles.  Check out my favorites below.

This is another acetate photographic negative from the collection of noted photographer Dennis Brearley.  Dodger stars Roy Campanella, Jackie Robinson and Don Newcombe have been cornered by some eager fans seeking an autograph, circa 1951.  Click on any pic to embiggen.
(auction link)

I love this drawing even though I don't quite understand it. It features the Brooklyn Bum created by noted sports/editorial cartoonist Bill Crawford.  He worked for the Washington Post, Washington Daily News and Newark News, and had his work distributed to over 700 newspapers around the country.  In the below drawing the "Bum" is feeding a group of Cardinals a bag of nuts.  He remarks, "If we win dis one we're 10 games ahead - if not we're 4 ahead.  What've we got to lose?"
(auction link)

This is not the Steve Sax you were thinking of.

The next two items were created by an artist named Steve Sax.  And no, I don't mean the former Dodger 2nd baseman.  This Steve Sax is a Brooklyn born artist who is known in the sports world for his modern folk-art inspired artwork.  Go to his website here.  Check out a couple of great Dodgers-related pieces available for sale below.

Here is a large two-dimensional piece featuring Jackie Robinson attempting to steal home.  Yankees catcher Yogi Berra does his best to cover home plate, but to no avail.  As you know, you can't stop Jackie.
(auction link)

This next item has been signed by both Bobby Thompson and Ralph Branca.  It celebrates the 1951 game at the Polo Grounds where Dodger dreams of another World Series appearance disappeared.  The background is reminiscent of centerfield at the Polo Grounds.
(auction link)

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Blog Kiosk: 12/13/2013 - Dodgers Links - MLB to Ban Home Plate Collissions, the Hairston Legacy and Dodgers Phase II


The above photo was taken during the first ballgame at Ebbets Field, April 5, 1913.  Dodger Manager Bill Dahlen is seen looking out towards the field.  Pic via @Dodgers_History on twitter.
"This is, I think, in response to a few issues that have arisen — one is just the general occurrence of injuries from these incidents at home plate that affect players, both runners and catchers," Alderson said. "And also the general concern about concussions that exists not only in baseball but throughout professional sports and amateur sports today. It's an emerging issue, and one that we in baseball have to address as well as other sports. So that's part of the impetus for this rule change as well."
Jerry’s actually from one of the great baseball families — his grandfather Sam, father Jerry Sr., uncle Johny, and brother Scott all reached the major leagues — and Jerry Jr. had more plate appearances than the rest of them combined. As a matter of fact, as Red Reporter points out, “The Hairston family is the biggest baseball family ever.” His family is one of only four three-generation families in major league history, along with the Boones and Bells, and, most recently, the Colemans (Joe Sr., Joe Jr., and Casey).
  • Ken Rosenthal at FoxSports writes a great piece on the Dodgers plans - "Rosenthal: Will Dodgers stick to Phase 2 plan or keep adding payroll?"  I don't quite know what to think of this:
The Dodgers still could trade Kemp before then — he seems to have ticked off someone in upper management, though few seem to know who or why. 

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