And the Winner is.... KEM.... Oh... Ryan Braun Takes Home the MVP

Well, this time around, Matt Kemp does not take home the MVP award. You wait, though, he'll have plenty of opportunities. As Matt Kemp said (via ESPN),

"If I was on the outside looking in, I would definitely be voting for Braun because he had a hell of a season," Kemp told John Ireland and Mark Willard on 710 ESPN. "Whoever wins it is going to be deserving of it. Hopefully, I'm the one who gets the phone call tomorrow and gets the good news."

Congratulations to Ryan Braun. He certainly is a worthy player, and no Dodger fan should scream about being ripped off. Braun had a great season and was instrumental in his teams great season in 2011. Below are complete results from BBWAA.
(Above Pic Link: Los Angeles Dodgers/Jon SooHoo)
(Middle Pic Link: All Sports Players)
(Below Pic Link: Line Up Forms)

A Sandy Koufax Game Used Jersey

Yes, they actually do exist. This is a Sandy Koufax game-used Dodgers jersey from his 1966 Cy Young Award winning season being sold through Grey Flannel Auctions. It's in pretty good shape and is expected to sell for a bundle. I don't know the exact numbers, but not many actual gamers of Koufax exist on the market. From my understanding, it's just a handful. From the auction description:

On the left front tail of this grey flannel road jersey is the “Rawlings” manufacturer’s tag with size “44”. Embroidered directly underneath in navy blue chain stitch is “Koufax” and “66” indicating player name and jersey year, respectively. Below is a wash instructions label with attached flag tag “SET 1 1966”. Across the front is “Los Angeles” done in blue felt. Player number “32” appears on front in red felt and on back in blue felt. Koufax has signed the right breast in black marker adding the inscription “To Bob Best Wishes” rating an 8.

Who the heck is Bob? Anyway, it started with an opening bid of $10,000.00, but has already well eclipsed that value. Today, with 8 days remaining in bidding, it sits at $50,556.00. Holy Cow!

(Auction Link)

Blog Kiosk: 11/22/2011

Will Matt Kemp be at the podium again today? (Pic Link: Lockerz Matt Kemp)

• Jonathan Broxton appears to be a sought after commodity, via Lasorda's Lair.

  His dominance as a closer over a few years was remarkable. Unfortunately Joe Torre misused him, and after a disastrous Interleague outing in 2010 where he pitched a eye-popping number of pitches and was brought in to pitch in subsequent games, his arm was never the same. We witnessed him nosedive and the plethora of blown games to follow soon after.

• GCRL makes a good observation. 2011 was a good year for Dodger Stadium in cards.
  
• Fangraphs makes a case for Matt Kemp as MVP.

  In terms of our version of WAR, the trademark stat here at FanGraphs, Kemp was the most valuable player in the National League this season and by a not small margin either. His performance was worth 8.7 wins, a half-win ahead of Roy Halladay (8.2) and nearly a full win ahead of Ryan Braun (7.8).

• Night Owl Cards shows off a great 2011 Matt Kemp night card.
  
• Via SCD, 'Guilty Pleas in Jersey Fraud Cases.'

  Three men pleaded guilty Monday in Federal Court to separate but related fraud schemes involving the sports memorabilia business and the purchase and sale of equipment and uniforms used by professional and collegiate athletes.

  They acknowledge that some uniforms were sold to card manufacturers which puts a giant question mark on all relic card inserts.
  
• Here are some Matt Kemp highlights from 2011 from the Dodgers.

Video Link: