Sunday, July 03, 2011

No, Thank You Matt!

Matt Kemp just gave a shout out to the fans. Check out the video below from his twitter.


You're definitely a class act, Matt.

Daily Conlon: 136 through 144

Here are the Daily Conlon cards numbered 136 through 144, and it only includes members of the 1916 World Champion Boston Red Sox. As you may already know, the Sox defeated our Brooklyn Robins (aka Dodgers) in 5 games. We were badly over-matched.

Ernie Shore (located on the center row, far right) won 2 games by giving up just 3 runs in 17.2 innings of work. Of special note, Ernie once, kind of, threw a perfect game. In a game in 1917 he came in to replace Babe Ruth on the mound. Ya see, Ruth argued a walk to the very first batter of the game and was quickly tossed by the umpire. Ernie Shore came in as his replacement and diligently threw a perfect game- Ruth's one batter notwithstanding.

Vote for Andre!

Remember, Vote for Andre in the Final Vote contest to fill up the final roster spot on the National League All-Star Game. Go here to vote.

If you need convincing, below are his stats for the season compared to the other candidates. As you can see, Helton is really the only competition.

Andre Ethier
Year G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB BA OBP SLG OPS OPS+ TB
2011 83 304 41 98 22 0 7 41 34 .322 .391 .464 .854 143 141

Todd Helton
Year G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB BA OBP SLG OPS OPS+ TB
2011 72 248 36 80 16 0 9 38 31 .323 .393 .496 .889 129 123
Michael Morse
Year G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB BA OBP SLG OPS OPS+ TB
2011 75 251 35 75 15 0 15 46 14 .299 .349 .538 .887 143 135


Shane Victorino
Year G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SO BA OBP SLG OPS OPS+ TB
2011 67 264 52 79 12 9 9 34 31 .299 .371 .515 .886 141 136

Ian Kennedy
Year W L W-L% ERA G CG SHO IP H ER HR BB SO ERA+ WHIP SO/BB
2011 8 2 .800 3.01 17 1 1 116.2 97 39 10 30 97 132 1.089 3.23

Meet Your Dodger All-Stars!

Congratulations folks. Your efforts at stuffing the ballot box for Matt Kemp worked. He has just been named as a starter to the 2011 All-Star Game in Arizona. This will be his first appearance on the squad, and I'm sure he will do us proud.

Fortunately, Kemp won't be lonely in that clubhouse. Dodger ace Clayton Kershaw has also been selected as one of the 8 starters for the National League. This will also be his very first appearance in the All-Star Game.

And to prove that 3 isn't a crowd. Andre Ethier is now a participant in the Final Vote competition to fill the final spot on the National League roster. He is up against 4 other worthy candidates, so go here to make sure he comes out the winner. Voting starts now!

Sunday Dodger Videos

Below are this Sundays Dodger Videos

102.3 Radio Free KJLH 's Adiai Lamar speaks with Matt Kemp of the Los Angeles Dodgers.

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This is pretty wonky. Bloomberg Law's Lee Pacchia talks with Bloomberg News bankruptcy columnist and editor-at-large Bill Rochelle about today's bankruptcy news and legal developments Anna Nicole Smith and the Los Angeles Dodgers. They get around to the Dodgers at the 4:30 point in the video. The choice quote: "bankruptcy is a pretty good way to sell the team and get a good price."

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Here is a great video from Dodgers photo day. Thank you, Josiah True, for putting this up.

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Here is a video of Dodger fan Howie Siegel and his collection. Remember, don't trust a man who wears pressed jeans.

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These next two videos are a little on the down side, but I found it fascinating, nonetheless. Here is vintage ABC video from Gil Hodges Funeral showing many Dodger in attendance, Part 1.

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Part 2.

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A Fred Kail “JunkBall” Jolter Dodger Sculpture

Noted sports sculptor Fred Kail has gone on eBay to sell his newest creations. If you aren't familiar with him then here is a little bit of background from Sports Collectors Digest.
The sculptor who is thought to have created the very first NFL figure with his pot-bellied Joe Jolter that came into being more than 50 years ago, is very much alive and well and living in Lutherville, Md.

His colorful Joe Jolter statues were launched in 1956, then he came up with his 3-point lineman (“Bruce Bruiser”) football figure, and then a first-ever baseball figure in 1957. Part of the lore that surrounds the affable Kail is the notion that the figure was inspired by the equally legendary NFL Hall of Famer Art Donovan; the baseball figure is occasionally attributed to 1950s National League slugger Ted Kluszewski.
Now he is embarking on new series of figurines. They are the "Joe Jolter" World Series Limited Edition statues and some noted teams are being featured in this initial offering; including the 1923 Yankees, 1960 Orioles and 2008 Phillies. Here is the 1955 Brooklyn Dodger (the 55 uniform number refers to the team year) as the “JunkBall” Jolter.

This is a “First”... new release ever made available. It’s a 6” solid, personally sculpted, hand-painted, and signed by Fred Kail in a numbered limited edition series of World Series Champions Edition.

... The figure depicts Kail’s whimsical “ Joe Jolter” characterization as his football figures. The artist claims that “Ol’ JunkBall” will no doubt lead the league in walks, that is, if he ever gets his curve ball straightened out and over the plate. Forget his knuckleball as it unfortunately has a “mind of its own.”
Only the first statue of 25 that will be produced is available right now on eBay. It's already at over $300.