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!

Video Link:

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.