Waiting Impatiently for Hockey

Have I told you much I love Hockey? Well, during these dog days of summer I find myself, not only yearning for a World Series Championship, but also impatiently waiting for the hockey season to start.

The Kings are headed towards a great season. I know it. I can feel it. They are young and filled with the deepest prospects and young guns in all of hockey. If you think the Dodgers scored big with their crop of young stars wait until you get a look at what the Kings have to offer.

This afternoon I saw a video that makes me fidget like a flea in a glass bottle. Check it out below.

YouTube Link: KingsVision:
Hat Tip: KingCast:

Knuckler Tonight!

Image Link: The Baseball Cube:

Charlie Haeger will be making his Dodger debut this evening. Why is this notable?

Well, he is a 25 year old knuckleball pitcher- one of only a handful that exist in the majors.

I was going to go into some depth about the pitch, but soon found myself just as mystified as a batter trying to hit the pitch. So, instead, I ran into a bunch of quotes in wikipedia that made me laugh. So here they are.

• "Knuckleballs suck." ― Geno Petralli after giving up four passed balls in one inning
• "You're not expected to hit it. [I am] expected to catch it." ― John Flaherty summing up his day catching Tim Wakefield in a spring training game against the Twins by relaying a comment made by fellow catcher Mike Redmond. Flaherty retired the next day.
• "Like some cult religion that barely survives, there has always been at least one but rarely more than five or six devotees throwing the knuckleball in the big leagues... Not only can't pitchers control it, hitters can't hit it, catchers can't catch it, coaches can't coach it, and most pitchers can't learn it. The perfect pitch." ― Ron Luciano, former AL umpire
• "There are two theories on hitting a knuckleball. Unfortunately, neither of them works." ― famed hitting coach Charlie Lau
• "I always thought the knuckleball was the easiest pitch to catch. Wait'll it stops rolling, then go to the backstop and pick it up." ― broadcaster and former catcher Bob Uecker
• "I never worry about it. I just take my three swings and go sit on the bench. I'm afraid if I ever think about hitting it, I'll mess up my swing for life." ― All-star first baseman Dick Allen

And, of course, we have a great quote from our skipper.

• "You don't catch a knuckleball, you defend against it." ― Dodgers manager and former catcher Joe Torre

BTW, if you are interested in reading more about the pitch go to the Knuckleball Headquarters.

The Adventures of Lil' Matt

The Dodger PR department is pretty great. They send updates on the minors, notices of special events and photos I can put up on the site. By some accounts, they have been the most proactive team in Major League Baseball when dealing with the fan-based blog community. This morning, Yvonne was kind enough to direct me to a little video they made entitled "The Adventures of Lil' Matt." Enjoy.

As some of you know, this coming Wednesday the 19th is Matt Kemp's bobblehead night. Got your tickets yet?

YouTube Link: DodgersPR:

Card of the Week: 59 and Counting

I don't think this weeks "Card of the Week" needs much explaining. At least, Dodger fans don't need to be reminded about Hershiser's amazing feat. In 1988 we saw one of Baseballs most amazing records broken by the "Bulldog."

Blog Kiosk: 8/16/2009

Say a prayer for Hiroki.

• Baseball is hoping to be resubmitted into the 2016 Olympic Games. Alas, it was not to be. They have been rejected. Golf and Rugby have been recommended for consideration into the 2016 games instead.
  
• Something to ponder. Since 1995, every team to win a World Series crown has had at least one player linked to steroids.
  
• The Bleech. The Topps Archives introduces the 1967 Topps Blockheads mask set.
• Former Angel star and current free agent Scott Spiezio has joined the Fullerton Flyers of the Golden Baseball League.
  
• Meet the man who puts together "The Baseball Collector's Autograph Handbook."
  
• See the universe in 3D with the help of the Hubble Telescope. Read more about the video here.
  

YouTube Link:
Hat Tip: Americablog:

eBay Dodger Finds

Although I've slowed in my eBay purchases recently, I still find myself searching. Thankfully, it has not been a waste of time. There were some great items available.

eBay proves, once again, to be a repository of great vintage Dodger memorabilia. Below is a 1959 Dodgers World Champions children's tote bag (I think it might actually be a ladies purse). It measures 8" x 3".

eBay Auction Link: Dodgers Bag:

You want a schedule. Well, I got you some stinkin' schedules right here. Below is a lot of 125 Dodger mini-schedules from 1974 to 2005. They sold for $10.50.

eBay Auction Link: Dodger Schedules:

Vintage glassware of sports teams are highly sought after. The below 1950's Brooklyn Dodgers "Bum" glass is no exception. It sold for a impressive $76.00. It is 5 1/4" tall.

eBay Auction Link: Dodgers Glass:

I love this old hat, and I'm kicking myself in the rear for not placing a bid on it. Here is a 1950's-1960's LA Dodgers straw hat in a pork pie style. It is amazing it still remains in great shape. It sold for $31.76.

eBay Auction Link: Late 50's Dodger Hat: