Thank You Luc Robitaille

My life as a hockey fanatic began around the time Luc Robitaille first stepped on the ice wearing a Kings purple and gold jersey. He was immediately magic on the ice. He scored his first goal on the very first shift when he touched the puck for the first time as a NHL professional. He was subsequently given the nickname of "Lucky," but luck had nothing to do with it. He had a scorers touch that developed from hard work and determination. He wanted to succeed and did all he could to achieve his goals. Now, he finds himself in the company of greats.

This afternoon Los Angeles Kings left winger Luc Robitaille was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame. Below is his induction speech.

Card of the Week: Focus

This is one of the most mesmerizing cards I've ever seen. It is from the1984 Donruss set, and features old-time Dodger Ken Landreaux in the midst of checking his swing. This card always makes me a little loopy since the off-focus background reminds me of a psychedelic trip through a Grateful Dead haze.

Anyone got some incense and patchouli? How about some veggie egg rolls and grilled cheese sandwiches?

2 Dodgers Named Topps Minor League Player of the Year

Dee Gordon and Brian Cavazos-Galvez have been named 2009 Topps Minor League Players of the Year for their play in their respective leagues. One interesting note is that former Dodger prospect Carlos Santana, who was a part of the trade for Casey Blake, was also a winner for his outstanding play in the Eastern League. We may come to regret losing him. Anyway, from the Dodgers Press release:

Gordon won the honors in the Single-A Midwest League, batting .301 with a league-leading 73 steals and 12 triples for the Great Lakes Loons. Gordon also earned the Branch Rickey Award as the Dodgers’ Minor League Player of the Year, Midwest League Prospect of the Year, and league co-Most Valuable Player. He was also selected to Baseball America ’s Mid-Season Minor League All-Star team for all levels of play and to the league’s mid-season and postseason All-Star teams. The 21-year-old ranked among the leaders for all full-season minor league players in steals (second), in triples (tied for eighth), in hits (11th), and in runs (15th) in his second year in professional baseball after being selected in the fourth round of the 2008 First-Year Player Draft.

(Pic Link: MiLB)

Cavazos-Galvez claimed the award for the Rookie-advanced Pioneer League, batting .322 with a league-leading 18 homers for the Ogden Raptors. Cavazos-Galvez, 22, won the league’s Most Valuable Player Award and was named to the league All-Star team after being selected in the 12th round of the 2009 First-Year Player Draft out of the University of New Mexico . He also led the circuit with 97 hits, 50 extra base hits, 59 runs, and 29 doubles, and also ranked second in the league with 63 RBI. Brian’s father, Balvino Galvez, played eight seasons in the Dodger organization, pitching in 10 games for the Dodgers in 1986, his lone Major League experience.