Dodgers Blog Kiosk: 10/31/2012

Kenley Jansen and Tim Leary passed out Halloween treats at the Treats-n-Suites Halloween Bash on Monday in the photo above.  Pic via twitter @Dodgers.  Happy Halloween everybody!!!

• BTW, be sure to go to Nick Punto's home for Halloween.  He's giving out the good stuff.  See what I mean via twitter @ShredderPunto.
• Dodgers sign Brandon League to a new 3-year deal.  Via a Dodgers press release:

“We’re excited to bring back a key member of our bullpen, which was a team strength last season,” said Colletti. “"We were very pleased with what Brandon provided us after we acquired him. He pitched in a couple of different roles including the closer role most of the last month where he was very effective.”

“He gives the club someone who has saved more than 50 games the last two seasons and fortifies our bullpen in a number of ways. It's imperative that to compete in the NL West teams need a strong bullpen with power arms, experience and depth.”

Details on the contract have yet to emerge, but Jim Bowden at ESPN tweets it's at about $7.1Mil per year.  He had a great last month of the season, so in order for this deal to make sense he needs to continue pitching like that. 

• Bo at Baseball Cards Come to Life shares a great story about a Tony Gwynn Baseball card worth noting, as told by former Padres pitcher Scott Sanders.  Check out the link to see the card. (Hat Tip: Gaslamp Ball)

"One of my favorite cards is: Tony Gwynn forgot his jersey at the hotel for a spring training game, and had to hit in my jersey-- his 1st at bat. It ended up on one of his baseball cards.

• When no news is news.  No Dodgers win a Gold Glove this year.
• Panini's 2012 Cooperstown Baseball card set has officially been released and they shared some additional photos on their blog. Take a look at a Roy Campanella card on the left.
• Clayton Kershaw was on the Petros & Money show yesterday.  Go here to listen to it.
• A Cooperstown ghost story, via Tom Wiles at Cooperstown Chatter.

Samantha was very interested in a career minor leaguer named Edward Matt, who played from 1909-1913 for seven different minor league teams in the upper Midwest, including Traverse City, Mich., where Samantha and her family now live. But Ed Matt is not a distant relative, so why the interest?

“Edward Matt is a ghost in our house,” Samantha wrote.

• You gotta love social media.  San Francisco police allegedly arrest the man who was photographed busting up a bus front windshield during the Giants riots, via Kevin Kaduk at Big League Stew.
• Star Wars Episode 7 Official Trailer by NMA.

Video Link:

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Weekend Autograph Opportunities: DodgersFest 2012!!

Here are this weekends autograph opportunities and events throughout the Southland. As always, be sure to check the Blue Heaven Calendar for other events (a link can always be found on the tab at the top of this page, just left of center), and always confirm with the establishment. Everything is subject to change.  Please email me with any tips about upcoming events in Southern California.  As the rest of the week progresses I'll update this post with other events (if there are any) as I become aware of them.  Also, I don't always list every event below, so be sure to check my Calendar.  I always try to favor free signing events over paying events.  Click on any pic to embiggen.

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DodgersFest 2012!  The big, end of the season, Dodgers themed autograph show is coming this Saturday to Frank & Sons in the City of Industry.  18 members of the Dodgers family will be there.  This promises to be a great event.  As always, admission is free.  All times below are subject to change.

Frank & Sons 
19649 San Jose Avenue 
Industry, CA 91748 

I'll start it off by announcing that Magic Johnson will be signing that afternoon starting at 1:00 PM, and ending whenever the demand stops.  You can also get autographs from the great Dodgers infield of the 70's- Garvey, Russell, Lopes and Cey.  There is a Dodgers Infield Super Ticket available, as well.  Details are below, or go here for more information.

Magic Johnson 

1:00pm until completion
small - flat items up to and including 11x14: $99. medium - large flats, baseballs, minis (bats, helmets & mini basketballs) shoes, floor pieces, figurines & equipment: $119. large - bats, helmets, basketballs, jerseys & artwork: $149. inscriptions: $49.

Al "The Bull" Ferrara

9:30am – 11:00am
FREE Autographs

Bill Russell

10:00am – 11:30am
small: $25. medium: $30. large: $35. inscription: $10.

Davey Lopes

10:00am – 11:30am
small: $30. medium: $35. large: $40. inscription: $10.

Ron Cey

10:00am – 11:30am
small: $30. medium: $35. large: $40. inscription: $10.

Steve Garvey

10:00am – 11:30am
small: $35. medium: $40. large: $50. inscription: $10.

****Infield Super Ticket (Super Ticket is one ticket for each member of the Infield) 

balls and small flats up to & including 11x14: $99.
large flats, minis, caps & equipment: $119. 
helmets, bats & jerseys: $139.

Maury Wills

11:00am – 12:30pm
small: $25. medium: $35. large: $45. inscription: $15.

Rick Honeycutt

11:00am – 12:30pm
small: $29. medium: $39. large: $49. inscription: $15.

Burt Hooton

11:30am – 1:00pm
small: $39. medium: $49. large: $59. inscription: $20.

Don Newcombe

11:30am – 1:00pm
small: $39. medium: $49. large: $59. inscription: $20.

Wally Moon

11:30am – 1:00pm
small: $39. medium: $49. large: $59. inscriptions: $20.

Wes Parker

11:30am – 1:00pm
small: $29. medium: $39. large: $49. inscription: $15.

Charlie Hough

1:00pm – 2:30pm
small: $15. medium: $20. large: $25. inscription: $10.

Jaime Jarrin

1:00pm – 2:30pm
small: $49. medium: $59. large: $69. inscription: $20.

Steve Yeager

1:00pm – 2:30pm
small: $20. medium: $25. large: $35. inscription: $10.

Dave Hansen

2:00pm – 3:30pm
small: $20. medium: $25. large: $35. inscription: $10.

Reggie Smith

2:00pm – 3:30pm
small: $29. medium: $39. large: $49. inscription: $15.

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Collection: 2006 SPX Hong-Chih Kuo Rookie Signatures

After 7 Dodgers seasons and 5 elbow surgeries he would sign a non-guaranteed contract with the Mariners for the 2012 season, but was released during Spring Training.  Later on, he would sign a minor league contract with the Cubs in June of that year, but would again be released over a month later.  Since then, Kuo appears to have disappeared.

Oh, Hong-Chih Kuo where have you gone?

Kuo was a warrior on the field for us, and I will never forget what he did for the team.  I know he battled an anxiety disorder along with numerous elbow surgeries, so I hope his body and soul are doing well.

Featured here is a 2006 SPX Rookie Signatures card Hong-Chih Kuo in my collection.

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Collection: Vintage T202 Superbas (Dodgers) - Scanlon, Dahlen, Daubert & Hummel

With winter here, I though it was time to scan and share some more Dodger cards from my collection.

As I was looking through my binders I came across a small grouping of vintage T202 Dodgers cards, and was surprised when I looked that I had yet to share them on this blog.So, here they are.

I love these old vintage tobacco cards.  They have a great look and feel to them.  They harken back to the days when Baseball was played in the afternoon and watching a game from afar meant standing on a street corner as a giant scoreboard displayed the days results.

As Ty Cobb would say, Baseball was a war back then, and the ballplayers were the soldiers. Heck, check out the action B&W photos in center of the two cards above.  Those infielders are covering the bag like they're the catcher.  They are ready to put their shoulder into the runner.

The T202 set was produced in 1912 and are commonly known as Hassan Triple Folders.  The two end cards can fold over the B&W center panel like a little booklet. It measures 5 1/4" wide and 2 1/4" tall.

The top card above features Doc Scanlan and Bill Dahlen on the edges.  While Yankees infielder Roy Hartzell is at the center trying to make a play on the runner - "Hartzell Covering Third".  The bottom card shows Jake Daubert and John Hummel on the edges.  Birdie Cree of the Yankees is in the B&W center photo scoring at home - "Cree Rolls Home".

Below is a look at the reverse of the cards.  As you can see, there are player biographies, as well as, an advertisement for Hassan cork tip cigarettes.  Click on any pic to embiggen.

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Dodgers Blog Kiosk: 10/30/2012

Be sure to check out The Cleveland Show this coming Sunday as both Matt Kemp and Andre Ethier make an appearance.  Pic via twitter @Dodgers.

• Tickets are available for Dodgers Night at a Clippers game.  Go here.  At the right is the Dodgers themed t-shirt that will be given away to fans who purchase through this offer.
• Cheech Marin writes in the Huffington Post about his Dodger upbringing.

Years later, I remember one of the most surreal moments I ever had as an adult. At some charity event with a lot of sports figures in attendance, I was at the bar getting a drink. I turned around and there was this huge guy standing in front in me smiling. He stuck out his hand and said "Hi, Cheech. I'm Don Newcombe." I stood there for what seemed like a year with my mouth wide open. I was instantly 10 years old and all I could think of was "Don Newcombe knows my name?" 

• Ken Gurnick at MLB.com speaks with recent Dodgers hiree Gerry Hunsicker.

"In L.A., Stan is obviously excited about what's going on and the direction they're heading, and it was possible they would need a senior level executive to assist him and Ned, be an extra set of eyes and ears," said Hunsicker. "So not only is there my admiration for Stan, but the fact it's the Dodgers. 

• Molly Knight at ESPN writes about the birth of AJ Ellis third child- while on Interstate 43 earlier this month.
• Dodgers looking at bringing back Kuroda? via Ken Gurnick at MLB.com.
• Andre Etheir trade, not happening.  via Jon Heyman at CBS.
• Sports Collectors Daily reports on the 2012 World Series artifacts to make it to the Cooperstown.
• Busted Coverage has pics of a bunch of athletes in their Halloween best.

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Noooooooooo! -- Disney Buys LucasFilms (and Star Wars Franchise)

I'm not sure if this is good news or not.  Nevertheless, I went here to press the magic button. 

Disney has agreed to buy LucasFilms for $4B... that's $4,000,000,000.00.

Via Josh Wilding at ComicBookMoview.com:

Under the terms of the agreement and based on the closing price of Disney stock on October 26, 2012, the transaction value is $4.05 billion, with Disney paying approximately half of the consideration in cash and issuing approximately 40 million shares at closing.

I guess the only good thing about this is that we will definitely see more Star Wars movies/television shows in the future.

Kathleen Kennedy, current Co-Chairman of Lucasfilm, will become President of Lucasfilm, reporting to Walt Disney Studios Chairman Alan Horn. Additionally she will serve as the brand manager for Star Wars, working directly with Disney's global lines of business to build, further integrate, and maximize the value of this global franchise. Ms. Kennedy will serve as executive producer on new Star Wars feature films, with George Lucas serving as creative consultant. Star Wars Episode 7 is targeted for release in 2015, with more feature films expected to continue the Star Wars saga and grow the franchise well into the future.

UPDATE:
Don Iger and George Lucas make an official announcement, via youtube.

Video Link:

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Kershaw Has Bieber Fever- Teammates Make Fun of Him

Clayton Kershaw is a great pitcher, but his musical taste needs some work.

This happened last night. 

(twitter link)

Clayton is a Bieber-Maniac!  So, being the good teammates that AJ Ellis and Blake Hawksworth are, they decided to publicly make fun of him on twitter.  Check out the ribbing below.

It starts out with Ellis and Hawksworth poking fun at each other, but it soon escalates.

(twitter link)

(twitter link)

(twitter link)

(twitter link)

After getting a little weird, they decide it's time to bag on Kersahaw.

(twitter link)

(twitter link)

(twitter link)

(twitter link)

For some reason, I wouldn't doubt it.  Photo of Ellis' link is below. 

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2012 Leaf Metal Draft Baseball & Valiant- Dodgers Prospects Including Yasiel Puig

I just came across these Leaf Minor League Baseball card sets, and to be frank, I know very little about them.  Apparently, they released two different sets recently: Leaf Metal Draft and Leaf Valiant.  They both also appear to have similar checklist.  The main differences appear to be that they look very different form one another, and the Valiant set is scarcer overall.

Usually, I'm not a big prospect collector, but these two sets have me intrigued.

Why, you ask?

Well, these sets include the first Baseball of cards of Dodgers Cuban sensation Yasiel Puig!

Below is the Puig 2012 Leaf Metal Draft Baseball card with autograph.  BTW, all of the cards in both sets are autographed.

BA-YP1 Yasiel Puig SP

Here is the reverse of the card.

And here is the redemption card for the above Yasiel Puig cards that came in packs.  As you can see, a collector would get this in a pack and can redeem them for a yet unknown number of Puig autographed cards.

Here is a redemption for a Puig Valiant card.  Unfortunately, samples of the card have yet to hit the market. 

Yasiel Puig's remarkable stats from his first season in American Baseball are below.


The only other Dodgers in the two sets appear to be the Dodgers first and second draft picks in 2012.  If I missed anybody, please let me know.

BA-CS1 Corey Seager

Above is the Corey Seager's Metal Draft card, and below is his Valiant card.

Corey Seager's stats are below.

BA-JV1 Jesmuel Valentin

Above is the Jesmuel Valentin's Metal Draft card, and below is his Valiant card.

Check out Jesmuel's stats from his first season of professional Baseball below.

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Collection: 1998 Dodgers Police LAPD Baseball Card Set

Following up on my series of post focused on Dodgers LAPD police sets throughout the years, here are scans of the 1998 LAPD Police set.  To see those other police sets I have featured go here. As you may have noticed, I have skipped the 1997 set because it has somehow evaded me.  One of these days I will add it.  Unfortunately, that may take longer than expected.  Although these sets are far from scarce, they do not come up for sale very often since they don't sell for more than a few bucks a piece.

Below is a look at what the reverse of the cards look like.

As you can see, these cards were once a part of an uncut sheet.  I have (as carefully as I could) cut them apart in order to put them into sheets.  Click on any pic to embiggen.

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Some Winter Dodgers News- Billingsley, 3 Declined Options & Either on the Trading Block

We are not even a week after the end of the World Series and the Dodgers already are starting to make some news.  Here is a brief rundown on some recent events.

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Via Dylan Hernandez at the LA Times, we hear that Chad Billingsley is doing alright.  Yesterday, Chad pitched to some batters as was pain free.

Billingsley touched 94 mph with his fastball and threw an assortment of pitches, including his four-seamer, two-seamer, curveball and changeup. Billingsley threw 35 to 40 pitches.
This was Billingsley's second time throwing off a mound since he was injured. The first time was Friday.

"Very, very promising," Stewart said.

"Chad is a pretty subdued guy, but he was as excited as he could get."

Hopefully, elbow surgery will not be in his near future.

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The Dodgers declined 2013 options on Juan Rivera, Matt Treanor and Todd Coffey, via Eric Stephen at True Blue LA.

All I got to say is I'm gonna miss Misty May-Treanor.  Her association and constant rooting for the Dodgers was a bright spot in a otherwise miserable season.  I understand the Dodgers desire to bring up Tim Federowicz (T-Fed) as the backup catcher.  Still, can't we find a way to keep her and Matt in the fold?

(Pic Link: Orlando Sentinel)

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This was probably the most surprising news of the week.  Well, maybe not too surprising. 

Via MLB Trade Rumors, Buster Olney of ESPN tweeted that the Dodgers would consider trading Andre Ethier.

(twitter link)

Andre has always had the potential to be a huge superstar.  Unfortunately, he has shown that he is rather streaky at the plate, and just can't seem to hit against left-handers.  Via MLB Trade Rumors:

The 30-year-old Ethier hit .284/.351/.460 with 20 home runs in 2012. Despite that production, there would be many deterrents for teams that show interest. Ethier struggled mightily against left-handed pitching, triple-slashing just .222/.276/.330 against southpaws.

Maybe the recent rise of Yasiel Puig has the Dodger thinking that he has a future in the Dodgers outfield sooner rather than later.  Do the Dodgers look to resign Victorino for the short term as a placeholder for Puig, while trading Andre for a starting pitcher of a higher caliber?  After all, Puig looks like he'll compete for a spot in a year or two, and trading Andre now might garner a larger return than trading him later.  As for the other outfield spots, I think we all know that Matt Kemp isn't  going anywhere and Carl Crawford is just not tradable at this point in time.

Here is my Ethier White Whale card as he shows off his glum face

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Dodgers Blog Kiosk: 10/29/2012

Clayton and Ellen Kershaw accept the 2012 Roberto Clemente Award yesterday evening.  "(The Clemente Award) means more to me than any individual award I could ever achieve."  Pic via twitter @Dodgers.

• I guess there was some rioting in San Francisco after their championship win.  Check out the twitter hashtag #SFRiots for the lowdown.  While on Haight an impromptu band formed and played for happy fans.
• Jackie Robinson's daughter will be joining the Board of Directors of the Dodgers, via Bill Shaikin at the LA Times.

Sharon Robinson said she hoped the involvement of Dodgers ownership would help the Jackie Robinson Foundation secure funding for additional college scholarships as well as for a planned Jackie Robinson Museum in New York.

"We don't see it as a sports museum," she said. "We see it as a civil rights museum."

• Both Clayton Kershaw and Andre Ethier are finalist for a Gold Glove, via a Dodgers press release.

Ethier, 30, ranked second among National League right fielders with a .988 fielding percentage, committing just three errors in 146 games (142 starts) in right field this season. Ethier’s streak of 282 games (276 starts) from July 10, 2010-July 25, 2012 without an error was the second-longest active run among non-pitchers in baseball behind only Franklin Gutierrez and the second-longest errorless run by a Dodger outfielder behind only Brett Butler’s 306-game run from 1992-94.

Kershaw, 24, completed his second consecutive errorless season and has not committed an error since Aug. 1, 2010, a span of 76 games. The Texas native led the Majors with 11 pickoffs and has either led or tied for the National League lead in pickoffs in each of the last three seasons since 2010.

• Steve Dilbeck at the LA Times takes a look at "The Early Promise of Paco Rodriquez."

The take: You have to wear shades. Taken in the second round of the draft, Rodriguez — who we learned very quickly likes to go by Paco and not Steven — it’s been remarkably smooth sailing thus far.

He never appeared intimidated, around the club or on the field. Young, hard-throwing, left-handed relievers with nice command are rarer than a speechless Tommy Lasorda.

If he stays anywhere near on track, it’s difficult to imagine he won’t be back with the team next season at some point. Someone to look at down the road as a potential closer.

• Former Dodger Talk host, Ken Levine will be singing copies of his new book at the Grove in West Hollywood from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM tonight!  Go to his blog for more info.
• I just noticed this.  Sports Propaganda Art has a new print featuring Adrian Gonzalez in a Dodgers uniform.  Go here.  See it at right.
• Former Kings defenseman Jack Johnson lays it all down in his recent blog post concerning the NHL lockout.  You go, Jack MF'n Johnson!  

The concept that the owners are trying to dismantle existing contracts that they in good faith offered, signed, and committed to is appalling, unprofessional, and disgraceful. I negotiated my own contract, without an agent, with the confidence and belief that the owner offering me that contract operated by the same convictions and principals as I do. During the summer, the players offered to play through negotiations and the owners locked us out. We want to play hockey! Where is the honor? I’m ready to play and uphold my end of the deal!

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Collection: Todd Hollandsworth 1999 Skybox Autographics

I was doing some brief research on Todd Hollandsworth recently and discovered on Wikipedia that Todd had received an unusual nickname.

Hollandsworth was a member of the 2003 World Series Champion Florida Marlins. It is in South Florida where he is believed to have acquired the nickname "God Hollandsworth".

What?  That's a strange nickname, and I am sitting here wondering how or why he was called that.  Does anyone know.  Does it have to do with his exploits during the Marlins championship in 2003?

Featured here is a 1999 Skybox Autographics card of Todd Hollandsworth in my collection. 

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Card of the Week: "**** Happens"

I haven't been very active in posting up a "Card of the Week," and I cannot promise that there will be any future post in this vein.  On the other hand, maybe this winter gives me an opportunity to restart this feature.  I dunno, we'll see what the future holds.  Nevertheless, with the Giants winning the World Series last night I thought this 1996 Upper Deck Collector's Choice Baseball card of Dante Bichette (#135) would be a fun way to start.  After all, after witnessing yesterdays final game of the season, all I can say is "Bichette Happens!"

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Love of the Game Auctions: War Bonds Jubilee and Joe DiMaggio

With the 2012 Baseball season officially at a close, I think I will spend this moment to focus on a couple of great vintage memorabilia items I ran into at a Love of the Game Auction online.  They are not Dodgers related, but do include some great items featuring a few old-time Hall of Famers.  Take a look below.

(Auction Link)

With Major League Baseball recently honoring ballplayers who have served in the military, I thought these items would be great to take a look at.  First, above is a vintage 1943 RPPC (Real Photo Postcard) of Joltin Joe DiMaggio playing ball in front of a large crowd of military personnel in Camp Cooke in California.  Camp Cooke is now called Vandenberg Air Force Base.  His swing is unmistakable in the photo as he looks up to sky in search of the ball that he just hit to deep left field.  This postcard did not sell, but I think the opening bid of $1,500.00 had a lot to do with that. 

(Auction Link)

Here is another military related memorabilia item that was on auction.  Here is a vintage photo from 1943 featuring 7 of 12 living and 3 future Hall of Famers at the War Bonds Jubilee on August 26th at the Polo Grounds. From the top row, left to right: Duffy Lewis, Eddie Collins (HOF), Roger Bresnahan (HOF), Connie Mack (HOF), Bill Klem (HOM), Red Murray, George Sisler (HOF), Honus Wagner (HOF), Frankie Frisch (HOF), Babe Ruth (HOF), Walter Johnson (HOF), and Tris Speaker (HOF).  From the auction description about the event: 

In 1943, New York Journal-American reporters Max Case and Bill Corum had the idea of assembling a team of All-Stars from the New York Yankees, Brooklyn Dodgers and New York Giants to play against a team of All-Stars from the US Army.  Hosted at the Polo Grounds in upper Manhattan, the "War Bonds Jubilee" became a massive event, featuring actors, singers, comedians and dance bands, and was capped by an exhibition of baseball's all-time greats.

After the New York All-Stars beat the Army's New Cumberland Reception Center team (a team that featured future Hall of Famers Hank Greenberg and Enos Slaughter) 5-2, the all-time All-Stars took the field.  Sid Feder of the Associated Press chronicled the event as follows:

"There were still 35,000 lumps in 35,000 throats around the village Friday, all because a dozen old men walked out on a ball field.  As they spread out on their regular spots on the field, the lump you got in your throat and the moisture in the eyes of some of the most blasé baseball writers in the press coop were more than enough to prove that the baseball fan is at least part elephant.  He never forgets.

"It didn't matter that in fielding some of Babe's "practice shots" Murray fell down, Speaker was practically decapitated and Collins was all but carried into right field by a line drive.  The folks had a look at 'em, and the Babe finally parked one.  That was the icing on the cake."That home run, which the mighty Ruth served up against the great Walter Johnson, would be the last home run Babe Ruth ever hit in a major league ballpark.

The Jubilee would help sell a staggering $800 million in war bonds to help fund the American war effort.

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Clayton Kershaw Wins 2012 Roberto Clemente Award

In a press conference this afternoon, it has been announced that Clayton Kershaw is the winner of the 2012 Roberto Clemente Award.  Per a MLB press release.

The Roberto Clemente Award presented by Chevrolet recognizes a Major League Baseball player who best represents the game through positive contributions on and off the field, including sportsmanship and community involvement. The annual award pays tribute to Clemente’s achievements and character by recognizing current players who truly understand the value of helping others.

As most of you know, Clayton has been very active in helping others.  Bud Selig had this to say,

“His accomplishments on the mound at such a young age are well known to baseball fans, but I am delighted that our game can shine a light on Clayton’s extraordinary efforts with his wife Ellen to make a difference in the lives of children in Zambia. Clayton Kershaw is a leader through his inspiring example, and he is a wonderful representation of the enduring, philanthropic spirit of Roberto Clemente.”

Congrats, Clayton!  Your good works have not gone unnoticed. 

“It is an incredible honor to receive this award,” said Kershaw. “Just being associated with someone like Roberto Clemente is truly humbling and I am extremely grateful.”

Check out his charity, Kershaw's Challenge, at this website. 

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Dodgers Blog Kiosk: 10/27/2012

I guess it's official now.  The Dodgers officially introduced Carl Crawford as a Dodger yesterday.  Pic via @Dodgers on twitter.  Jon SooHoo has posted up a bunch of photos, here.  Watch the conference, here.

• MLB Trade Rumors brings up another Japanese pitcher on the Dodgers radar screens, Kyuji Fujikawa.  Pete Holby at SB Los Angeles has more.  Watch him pitch below.

Video Link:

• The Dodgers are getting a new clubhouse for the players and Aaron Harang likes it, via Ken Gurnick at MLB.com.

"It's awesome," said starting pitcher Aaron Harang.
...
"It's tough the way it is now, and a little awkward when you have opponents literally walking through your clubhouse to get to the weight room or cages while you're preparing for the game," Harang said. "And you could see at the end of the season with the callups how crowded the clubhouse got. It was like herding sheep in there."

• GCRL started a new blog called Timeless Teams that focused solely on the 2004 Upper Deck Timeless Teams Baseball cards set, and he recently shared the cards featuring the 1977 Dodgers.
• Under "it's about time," MLB close to requiring headgear for pitchers, via Big League Stew.

A cap liner with Kevlar, the high-impact material used by military, law enforcement and NFL players for body armor, is among the ideas under consideration.

• Josh Tinley at Midwest Sports Fans takes a look at 8 sports-loving US Presidents.

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Collection: Paul Konerko 1996 Best Autographed Card

Paul Konerko has gone on to have a great career.  He started out as a Dodgers 1st round draft pick (13th overall) in 1994, and rose through the system as a power hitter.  In 1997 he had his first crack at the Dodger lineup and got his first Major League hit in 8 plate appearances.  Then, the following year he was on the Opening Day roster and played first base, but was soon supplanted by Eric Karros when he returned to the lineup.  Unfortunately, his short stint in 1998 was unremarkable, so the Dodgers traded him away to the Reds for closer Jeff Shaw.  From there he moved to Chicago, and finally made a home for himself.  Over a 14 year career with the White Sox he has racked up 415 home runs while batting .285.  Go here for his career stats.

Featured in this post is a 1996 Best Minor League autographed card of Paul Konerko in a San Bernardino Spirit uniform.  As you can see, he did a little bit of catching.  This card is very inexpensive and can be purchased for a song & a dance.  If I remember correctly, I picked this up at the last National Sports Collectors Convention in Anaheim for just a buck.  A buck!  What a deal.

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