Repko's Back

Am I the only guy who forgot that Jason Repko was still with us?

He, along with Scott Elbert and A. J. Ellis, has been called up for the September lineup expansion.

Hat Tip: Dodger Thoughts:

2009 Topps Tribute Preview

Topps recently unveiled some preview pics from their upcoming high-end Baseball set called Topps Tribute. These cards are not cheap so expect to pay a lot for one pack. Each pack will include either a autograph or relic card (numbered to 99), 3 base cards and a parallel card. Above and below are samples from the set featuring Jackie Robinson and Duke Snider.
(Hat Tip: Beckett & Wax Heaven)

O-Dog the Community Leader

Orlando Hudson has been nominated as the Dodger representative for the 2009 Roberto Clement Award. As you may know, this award recognizes those players who best represent the game of Baseball through sportsmanship, community involvement and positive contributions to their teams.

Orlando ’s main focus in the community is the C.A.T.C.H. (Curing Autism Through Hope and Change) Foundation, a non-profit he founded to provide resources and a support system for youth coping with autism. As part of his efforts with C.A.T.C.H., Orlando has hosted special needs children at Dodger Stadium throughout the season. He also made visits with children to former Dodger Jim Gott’s Danny’s Farm, a petting zoo and arts and crafts facility designed for children with special needs, and to the Loma Alta Elementary School , where he read, answered questions, took photos, and signed autographs. Later this month, Orlando will host Skate for Autism, a red carpet charity event in Northridge , CA , to roll, bounce, and skate out autism. The C.A.T.C.H. Foundation has also served children with its annual Autism Walk: Strike Out! Bowling Fundraiser, Homerun Holiday Christmas gifting ceremony, and financial contributions to local organizations and schools with youth coping with autism.

Through his Around the Mound Tour, which he created earlier this year, Orlando visited Major League Baseball’s Urban Youth Academy and Van Ness Recreation Center in Los Angeles , as well as stops in several other Major League cities. He enlisted the help of several of his fellow Major Leaguers throughout the season, as they took part in a program he created to reach out to African-American youth and keep them interested in playing baseball.

Orlando’s work in the community earned him the inaugural Albert Einstein Leadership Award, given by the Pasadena Unified School District Community Advisory Committee. The award recognizes an individual who, through personal success or extraordinary effort, has positively impacted the special education cause or the public’s perception of special education students.

I can't think of a better man who is more worthy. Go here for more info. Also, fans can vote for this award, so get clicking.

(pic link: daylife)

We Hardly Knew You, Tony

via Rotoworld and confirmed through MLB.com, Tony Abreu is the "Player to Be Named Later" portion of the Jon Garland trade. That's too bad. I always thought he had a good bat and would have fit in nicely had Orlando Hudson decided to go elsewhere this coming Winter.

Oh well. A minor sacrifice for a big playoff push. We still have our finest prospects staying within the organization.

Photo- 1966 Dodger Stadium

A big thanks to Bob Wong. Above is a random photo from 1966 featuring the Dodgers at batting practice.