Neil Diamond: Brooklyn?

(pic link: Bleacher Report)

I've noticed that many Dodger fans have taken note of Neil Diamond's jacket from Sunday's MLB game opener featuring the Red Sox and Yankees.  If you haven't seen it, check out the photo from above.

Neil Diamond made a surprise appearance at Fenway to sing "Sweet Caroline" to the Boston faithful.  Emblazoned on the back of his suit jacket were the immortal words, "Keep the Dodgers in Brooklyn."  As many Dodger history buffs know, this was the slogan heard all over the old borough in the late 50's. As you probably know, most of the faithful could not bear the thought of "Dem Bums" leaving town; including a young Neil Diamond.

As the story goes, Neil Diamond was born and raised as an old-time Brooklyn Dodger fan.  In fact, he was so much of a fan that when the Dodgers left town he went into quite a funk- call it a Blue depression.  His folks decided, in their ultimate wisdom, that they needed to find some way to cheer him up.  So, they got him enrolled into guitar lessons.  Soon, Neil became focused and obsessed with song writing and singing.  As you know, the rest is history.  

In many way, he owes his career to the Dodgers leaving town.  In fact, he readily acknowledges that. Read a little bit more about here right here.

UPDATE:  Here is a video.

Video Link:

Baseball and Politics

One of the more enduring aspects of Baseball in America is its' ties to politics.  As always, the Commander and Chief will be throwing out the first pitch in Washington this afternoon.  This is a long held tradition that dates back exactly 100 years.  In 1910 President William Taft became the first President to throw out a ceremonial first pitch. 

In honor of this fine tradition, check out TPM's photo archive of some Presidents and Baseball; including the below pic of a youthful Dwight D. Eisenhower.  He is second on the right on the top row.