Blog Kiosk: 4/6/2012

Panini unveils more preview picks of 2011 Prime Cuts Baseball that should be going out live in the next few days, via the Knights Lance. For the life of me, I still do not understand why they label it a 2011 product. We are already past the 1/4 mark of the new year.

• Kershaw's Challenge is back. He'll be donating $100.00 for each strike out this season to Arise Africa. Go here to make your own donation to this worthy cause.

  During the 2012 season, which began yesterday with Kershaw on the mound for the Dodgers in San Diego, the funds will go to four diverse non-profit causes, including one in Southern California, one in the Kershaws’ home state of Texas, a national movement called “I Am Second,” and the work with orphans in Africa that started it all.

• Man-O-Live! There are some rumbles being heard about the Magic/Kasten/Guggenheim group bid to buy the Dodgers, via SI.

  The group was expected to file a Purchase and Sale Agreement with MLB earlier this week, but postponed the filing for two days before submitting a short form agreement that lacked what MLB regards as most of the necessary details. Of particular interest to MLB is a breakdown of where the money is coming from to cover the $2.15 billion sale price and what role McCourt has in the ownership, control and profit-sharing of the Dodger Stadium parking lots.

• Be sure to check out the video chat between Jon Weisman of Dodger Thoughts and Mike Petriello of Mike Scioscia's Tragic Illness, here.
  
• Cruel Curveball Science; Nasty Koufax Stories, via Wired.

  The book on Mantle, Leavy explains, was never ever ever EVER throw him the curve. For he was so strong in his upper body and arms that even if you fooled him badly and got him to commit his hips too early, he could still crush the ball as long as his hands were still back. So don’t throw him the hook. Just don’t. And if you can throw 100 mph, like Koufax could, why throw the curve?

  Because you’re Koufax.

• Check out Dodgers prospect Zach Lee and his season opening start in the Cal League, via Bullpen Banter.
  
• Busted Coverage takes a look at the homes of 13 Major Leaguers that are on the market. Andrian Beltre's LA area home is sweet.
  
• Baseball Reference is cataloging every former and current players twitter account.