Blog Kiosk: 12/14/2011

• NBC speculates that McCourt is angling to try to keep the team. More of these kind of stories are popping up and it's killing me. I don't know what I'll do if this is what happens.
  

  ...There is speculation that McCourt will turn around and tell the court, hey, this is how much the media rights are worth. I have money now. I'm no longer bankrupt. I can pay off the creditors, leave bankruptcy and hold on to the team.
  

• Check out some photos from Justin Sellers' signing at Valley Sports Cards last weekend, here.
  
• Wall Street Select puts together a list of Top 10 PR miscues of 2011 and, unsurprisingly, the Dodgers make the grade. Guess which issue made the bill.
  
• There is a nice write up on Yu Darvish in the LA Times blog The Fabulous Forum. As expected, the Dodgers are not believed to be in the race for his services.
  

  But don’t hold your breath. Not only do the Dodgers already appear to have their rotation set, the bidding for Darvish may just be too rich for the team.

  Enough said.

• Roberto at Vin Scully is My Homeboy captured Andre Ethier at Best Buy doing some holiday shopping for 10 lucky youngsters, here and here. One kid is the size of a NFL lineman, and wearing a awesome Epic Mealtime t-shirt.
  
• The Amen Break. It breaks down one of the most important 6 seconds ever recorded into its musical and legal/Copyright importance. Via Life Signs Project.
• National Hockey Card Day sponsored by Upper Deck is finally coming to America on February 11, 2012.
  
• Urban Skiing at its best.

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Collection: A Couple of Elbert's

Our 2004 1st round draft pick has finally secured a spot on the roster. Scott Elbert was called up on May 11th of last season and never left the team. He pitched in 47 games, primarily as a left handed specialist, and impressed with a 2.43 ERA. Overall, Elbert had 34 strike outs in 33 innings while have a 154 ERA+. He figures on being a mainstay in the bullpen for several years.

Featured here are 2 autographed insert card of Elbert's from my collection. Above is a 2005 Bowman Heritage 'Signs of Greatness' card and below that is a 2005 Team Topps autographed card.

eBay: 1947 Radio Broadcast Recordings on Record From Valdosta, Georgia

I find this eBay auction item totally fascinating. I'll let the auction describe it:

You are bidding on three, rare, flexible metal, record transcriptions from March 24 and March 27, 1947, from the radio station W.G.O.V. in Valdosta, Georgia. The records are of the radio's Sports Cast of those two days. The announcer is Vic Zodda, the business manager for the Valdosta Dodgers which was a farm club of the major league baseball Brooklyn Dodgers. Zodda was filling in for the regular sports reporter, Curley Bovers, who was at a golf tournament. The three records are flexible metal and are played at the 78 rpm speed.

Knowing that the dates coincides with Jackie Robinson's entrance into the league I naturally wondered if he was mentioned. Unfortunately, he is not, but there are some other interesting tidbits.

• Vic Zodda describes Mr. Branch Rickey, himself, (owner of the Brooklyn Dodgers) being on the pitching mound and giving advice to the pitchers.
• There is a lengthy monologue about the charges by baseball commissioner Larry MacPhail brought against three members of the Brooklyn Dodgers in connection with gambling at a previous spring training stint in Havana, Cuba. Those involved included Branch Rickey and manager Leo Durocher. The actions were declared as, "detrimental to baseball".

Other sports are also spoken about. Since I don't have a record player this item is not for me, but I sure would love to hear them. If anybody takes these home please record them and put it on youtube.

(Auction Link)

"That's a good dude. That's my homie"

Matt Kemp weighs in and takes the high ground. Via TMZ.

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Collection: A Couple of Schmoll's

Steve Schmoll made the 2005 Dodgers Opening Day roster as a reliever (apparently taking over Eric Gagne's spot on the roster, via Dodger Thoughts) and stuck it out the entire season. He was also the very first Logan White signing to make it to the pro's. Schmoll was signed as a free agent out of college by White before the 2003 draft, and played for the Dodgers before Broxton was called up.

Baseball Reference tells me that he had some success as he recorded 3 saves and 9 holds, but had a lofty ERA of 5.01. Then, over the winter he was traded along with Duaner Sanchez for Tim Hamulak and Jae Seo. Schmoll bounced around from there, and it appears that he left the game after the 2008 season. Anyway, I remember thinking that he had a future as a middle reliever in the league, but it appears that that dream has disappeared. Still, how many guys can say they spent an entire season in the "Big Show?" I'm sure his time in Baseball is something he will never forget.

After some brief research I see that he currently operates a group fitness and personal training company called Get Moving Fitness in Brevard County, Florida. Check out his company website here.

In case you're interested to learn more about his job, Sports Medicine Schools offer learning options to students who wish to pursue a career in the field of sports fitness and health.

Featured here are two Steve Schmoll certified autographed cards within my collection. At top is 2005 Upper Deck Signature Prospects card and below that is a 2005 Upper Deck Trilogy Generations Future Signatures card.

Blog Kiosk: 12/13/2011

From the Dodgers Dream Foundation 7th Annual Holiday Ham give-away last night. (pic via Tommy Lasorda's World)

• I just made a great discovery. MLB Trade Rumors has a Baseball Agency Database that you can check out.
  
• You gotta check out the Eephus League Magazine #1. It looks like a very well made vintage Baseball magazine. A preview is here.
  
• No surprise here, "Dodgers' Matt Kemp would win MVP Award Over Ryan Braun in New Vote," via Dylan Hernandez of LA Times.

  Several writers who voted for Braun said they would cast their ballots for Kemp in a revote, but a majority of reporters contacted by The Times —15 of the 20 — were against voting again, and two were unsure.

• Sully explains why Angels fans suck.

  And that my friends is the Cardinals fans worst fear.
  Not only did they lose Albert Pujols, but they lost him to an indifferent fan base.
  
  Sorry Angel fans. That's your reputation. The Angels have a fan base that does indeed show up to the games but needs a monkey to tell them when to cheer.

• At arbitration deadline, Dodgers tender contracts to Loney, Kershaw and Ethier. Kuo was non-tendered. Via @Dodgers tweet. I suspect that Kuo will still stay with the Dodgers at a reduced contract.
• River Avenue Blues has a nice analysis on recently posted Japanese hurler Yu Darvish.

  This season he was a lot better. The most obvious difference was his fastball velocity, which was more consistently around 94 and touched 97 on his best days. His cutter seemed to take a step forward this year, giving him three pitches above 90 mph with movement (2-seamer, 4-seamer, cutter).

• John Rocker was on steroids... You don't say. Via Hardball Talk.
  
• Kings GM places blame for poor season and the recent firing of the coach on the players shoulders, via Frozen Royalty.

  “It’s simple,” said Lombardi. “It sounds cliche, but it’s true. Ultimately, the message is that they’re accountable. Unfortunately, the coach has to pay the price. But make no mistake. They’re the ones who are accountable for this.”

• The Kings are zeroing in on Darryl Sutter as their new head coach. Via LA Kings Insider,

  "The Kings have sought permission from the Calgary Flames to speak with Darryl Sutter as Terry Murray’s replacement, a source said this morning"

• A blast from the past. Here is a vintage commercial from 1990 featuring Tommy Lasorda, Mickey Mantle, Sparky Anderson, and several other athletes for Kuppenheimer Men's Clothier. Kuppenheimer was eventually bought out by the Men's Wearhouse.
  

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