New Sports Museum in LA

One of the southland's best secrets is about to become public. The Cypres Sports Museum consist of a

"treasure trove of baseball, football, golf, tennis and other sports memorabilia that (was) amassed during a two-decade collecting binge."

Gary Cypres has been a very active buyer. Check out the story and pics on the LA Times website.

Those that have had the opportunity to view the collection sing its praise.

Peter O'Malley ranks the Dodgers' section of the Cypres collection as "the best that I know of," and is ecstatic that the museum will be open to the public. "It's too good to only be seen by appointment. Schoolchildren, adults, collectors and baseball fans, not just from the U.S., but from Japan and all over the world should be able to see it."

I can't wait to see that section.

"His museum has such great breadth and depth," said Dodgers owner Frank McCourt. "It goes far beyond the Dodgers and baseball to almost every sport. It's an amazing little place."

Other items in the collection include a T206 Honus Wagner, a game used uniform of Babe Ruth from the 1934 Tour of Japan series, Heisman Trophies, game used Laker jerseys and sports themed board games from the 1800's.

So, when does this place open and how do I get there?

Story Link: LA Times:
Hat Tip: VBCF:

YouTube: New Dodger Videos

Today I thought I'd post some new Dodger themed videos from YouTube. The video below has some very good special effects.



YouTube Video Link:mastabingus:

If you listen to Kevin & Bean of KROQ then check out their day at the ballpark. Lightning is challenged to eat a Dodger dog an inning.



Lightning is kinda lame, eh. On top of that, you would think KROQ would put together some better videos than this. In fact, I can't figure out why I'm posting them. I must be bored.

YouTube Video Link: 1067KROQ:

Ms. Double December from various years are present at Dodger Day. There are a bunch of other folks as well, but who cares about them.



YouTube Video Link: 1067KROQ:

And, of course, how can I forget our very own Russell Martin and his tribute video pointed out by Inside the Dodgers.



YouTube Video Link: imhuerta:

You Know You Were A Baseball Fan in the 80's If?

John Renneke of Balls & Cranks puts together a fun list asking an age old question. You know you were a Baseball fan in the 80's if? This reminds me how great 80's Baseball use to be. Below are some of my favorites.

1. You watched "This Week in Baseball" every Saturday afternoon and still get fired up every time you hear the theme song. (I miss Mel Allen)

2. You wanted to be a member of "the Baseball Bunch" so you could show Johnny Bench and Tommy Lasorda how great you were at catching pop-ups. (Didn't Tommy play a Mr. Wizard in that show too?)

4. You can remember Wrigley Field before it had lights. (The Glory Years!)

7. You can remember when hitting 30 home runs qualified as a monster season. (Now we're not happy unless we have a couple of guys on the team who can do it.)

10. You can remember when the Kansas City Royals were actually competitive in the American League. (Man, that was a long time ago.)

17. You remember when having a player's Topps card was the only one that really mattered. (And that gum... remember that gum?)

18. You remember when Mark McGwire and Barry Bonds were built like normal human beings.

19. You remember having to wait until the next day's newspaper arrived to check out the day's box scores.

Story Link: Bugs & Cranks:
Photo Link: CoffeeSwirls:

Wow! Talk About Unexpected!

This was the last thing I thought I'd read today.

The Dodgers announced today that they have dismissed Hitting Coach Eddie Murray and have named Bill Mueller as Interim Hitting Coach, according to Dodger Manager Grady Little.

“Change is never easy but sometimes it is necessary and we feel that this is the best thing right now to help the team win,” said Little. “Our offense hasn’t lived up to our expectations and no one person is responsible for the results we’ve had this season. I have the utmost respect for Eddie Murray as a person and as a professional and I wish him nothing but the best.”

Maybe the recent improvements made by Betemit, Pierre and the whole team this past series against the Mets was in spite of Murray instead of because of him.

Story Link: Inside the Dodgers:

Update: Trolley Dodger may have found the reason for Murray's departure in a story written by Tim Brown.

The problem, he said, was Murray could be difficult to approach, particularly for a young player. And Murray, he said, didn’t do enough of approaching of his own.

“He’s trying, I think,” the veteran said. “He’s better this year than he was last year.”

Yup, that's probably it.

Mastro Auctions: Hands Up!

Mastro has put up a great collection of hands that once ruled the Baseball world in their most recent auction. If you've been a long time reader of this blog you'll remember the remarkable photo of Mordecai "Three Finger" Brown's hand Mastro sold last year. Well, Mastro has decided to step it up. They now have 19 auctions featuring Baseball grips and palms.

Above, Chief Bender shows of his pitch.

Christy Mathewson's right hand helped win a World Series for the Giants in 1905. (above)

Above is the hand of Eddie Plank gripping a Basball.

Slugger Frank "Home Run" Baker put fear into minds of Major League pitchers with his hands. (above)

The great Satchel Paige shows off his screwball above.

Mastro Auction Link:

eBay: Rare 1908-1909 Brooklyn Superbas Rose Company Postcard

This is one of my favorite vintage Baseball postcards. It is a 1908-1909 Rose Company Postcard of Baseball players. There are 196 total cards in the set, and I would be surprised if a complete set existed in any collection. Brooklyn Superbas/ Dodger pitcher Harry McIntire is featured in this auction. Unfortunately, I don't have one in my collection, and by the looks of it, I might not be adding one for a long time. It sold for $306.99 in poor condition. I can't imagine what a card in mint condition would sell for.

eBay Auction Link: