You're Fired!!

On the heals of Ron Cey's recent comments on Dodger Blogger Night, the Dodgers did what most people thought would eventually happen. The Dodgers, according to Tim Brown, fired Steve Garvey today. I'm sure the sons are grieving for their papa. I wonder, what took them so long? From Tim Brown at YahooSports:

Though he drew a regular paycheck from McCourt and had been asked by the club to cease efforts that would undermine McCourt’s ownership, Garvey continued to seek community and financial support.

Now that he's not burdened with those inherent conflicts of interest, he can spend some serious time putting together an investment group. I doubt he'll get far, but you never know.

Blog Kiosk: 7/8/2011

Lame! Please don't let this become a trend at games. "I planked for the first time at my first Dodgers game... " (Pic via TwitPic: @ESSpeciallymade)

• Is McCourt a sociopath? Tom Hoffarth wants to know. This is actually an interesting question.
• The Dodgers have a radio affiliate in Portland at KXTG 750AM who happens to also have their own Dodger related blog written by Reis Nielsen. Check it out here.
  
• True to the Blue reports a bit about a recent Vin Scully interview.
  
• Ethier thanks us for voting for him, via Ken Gurnick.

  "The fans responded well and we put on the best effort we could," said the Dodgers outfielder, whose Bobblehead Night was Thursday. "I appreciate everyone for punching away and making it as close as we could. It was fun, but there's no recount in this thing."

• Bob Lemke tells a little bit about former Dodger Jake Pitler.
  
• Ken Levine, our former Dodger Talk host, writes "A Day in the Life of..." featuring his new gig as the Mariners broadcaster.
  
• The Notorious B.O.B speaks with Panini.
  
• Was Barry Halper really the Baseball hobbies version of Bernie Madoff? Peter Nash, formerly of 3rd Bass fame, writes about it at Deadspin. -I don't think I would go that far, as to make that comparison, but there have been an increasing number of complaints regarding the Halper Collection in the hobby.
  
• Sully lays it all out there and wonders why McGwire wonders why some people might wonder if Pujols might be juicing up.

  But our guard is up. We've been seduced by feel good stories and been burnt by too many of them.

• Before and After Jackie.

YouTube Link:

Ethier Is an All-Star

And just like that, Andre Ethier becomes the 3rd Dodger added onto the National League All-Star roster.

Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Andre Ethier has been named to replace Shane Victorino of the Philadelphia Phillies on the National League’s active roster for the 82^nd All-Star Game, Major League Baseball announced today.

Victorino, the winner of the 2011 All-Star Game MLB.com Final Vote Sponsored by Sprint, has been placed on the disabled list by the Phillies and thus will be inactive for the Midsummer Classic. Ethier also was a candidate in the Final Vote. A starter for the National League in the 2010 Midsummer Classic, Ethier is now an All-Star for the second consecutive season. The Arizona native is batting .313 on the season with 23 doubles, seven home runs, 42 RBI and 43 runs scored. Ethier assembled a Major League season-best 30-game hitting streak earlier this season.

(Photos: Los Angeles Dodgers/ Jon SooHoo)

Fan Letters Rejected

Disheartening, but I can see his point. From the Bill Shaikin at LA Times.

"The Court well understands the right and motivation of fans to express their concerns for the baseball team they love and the Court respects their passion," U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Kevin Gross wrote. "Nonetheless, it is not proper for the Court to docket fans' letters."

Oh well. On other hand, I don't believe this should stop you from writing to him. A deluge of responses, although now largely symbolic, can't hurt. If anything, it might be cathartic.

Contest: Donate to the USO - Win a Gift Bag

The USO is a great American charitable group that provides morale and recreational services to members of the US Military. They provide essential services to our fighting men and women by creating a "home away from home" for our loved ones. That's why when I received an email from them asking if I would help promote a contest and donation drive while providing a gift bag for me to give away to one of you I immediately said yes.

The USO contest will run to July 31, with three awesome prizes. The one prize I was told about is the Dodgers VIP Experience: a trip for four to LA, field level tickets for an LA Dodgers game, the chance to watch batting practice on the field before the game, and Tommy Lasorda signed items for the group! It's a pretty awesome prize and I know any of you would be thrilled to win! From my understanding, this Dodger prize will only be available for those who donate from now to July 9th, but that shouldn't stop you from opening your wallet at a later time. Go here to donate.

Also, as a special prize, they offered to provide a USO gift bag for me to give away to one of you. See the photo below to see what's in it. There is USO backpack, hat, mousepad, bandana, CD from a random USO entertainer and more! To win this all you have to do is comment here (be sure to include contact information for yourself) and I will put you into a drawing (winner to be picked through random.org), so please make a donation to this worthwhile cause. Donation not required to win the gift bag, but it would be greatly appreciated.