Blog Kiosk 6/15/2008

GO ANGELS!

OK. Let me explain the above line. You see, I lost a bet and sometimes you gotta suck it up and pay off. Unfortunately, this bet didn't have money involved, but consist of some active participation. I've done this many times in my life. In high school I played the Wolverine fight song on a trombone after UofM beat USC in the Rose Bowl. Last year I wore the cheesiest Anaheim Ducks tie to work for a week after their Stanley Cup win. (That was a terribly harrowing experience than would be akin to wearing a Giants tie to Dodger fans) I never seem to learn my lesson. Now on to this weeks links.

• Be sure to check out part 2 of KPCC 89.3 broadcast documentary on the LA Dodgers here. This chapter is called "LA's Baseball Team Almost Become the Senators."
• Roberto captures some Dodgers clubbing. Check out the rest of his pictures here.
• Dodgers to trade kids?

  The Dodgers have resisted moving Kemp or any of their other top young players, but their stance might be changing. "If we get to the point where we can definitively improve ourselves, we'll do it,"

  (Hat Tip Dodgerfan)
• Another short-printed politically themed insert card in Baseball packs has popped up. This time Obama scores by stealing home as Jackie Robinson while McCain looks on. It's already selling for over $100 on eBay. (Hat Tip: Cardboard Mania)
• Jon's recap of Friday nights event featuring Vin Scully and John Wooden is excellent. Also see ToyCannon's story here. I've reprinted Swen Nater's poem as recited by John Wooden below.
  

  Yonder
  

  Once I was afraid of dying,
  Terrified of ever-lying,
  Petrified of leaving family, home and friends.
  Thoughts of absence from my dear ones,
  Drew a melancholy tear once,
  And a lonely, dreadful fear of when life ends.

  But those days are long behind me; Fear of leaving does not bind me,
  And departure does not host a single care.
  Peace does comfort as I ponder,
  A reunion in the Yonder,
  With my dearest who are waiting over there.

• The Giants desperately try to end the game early. (Hat Tip: Steve Finley Was Here)
• Yankees are not happy with David Ortiz's inclusion in an All-Star spectacle.

  The State Farm Insurance “Call Your Shot” promotion would have Ortiz, the Sox’ jovial, mildly rotund left-handed slugger, trying to hit a home run to a specified spot in the bleachers, thus mimicking (or paying homage to) Babe Ruth’s alleged called shot off Charlie Root of the Cubs in the 1932 World Series... Yankees officials are grousing about the idea of Ortiz, who routinely clobbers Bronx pitching, being the centerpiece of a promotion held in conjunction with the final All-Star Game (there have been four) at the legendary stadium.

  How funny is that? A Red Sox playing Babe Ruth!
• 1898 obscenity laced Baseball document I wrote about here and here had been called a hoax, but Olbermann finds proof showing otherwise.
• Here we go again. Griffey #600 ball ownership placed in doubt.
• Yankees fans boo the sun. (Hat Tip: Lion in oil)