Dodgers Blue Heaven: Jun 26, 2012

Tuesday, June 26, 2012

He Has Defiled the Cup

Noooooooo!

Not Carrot Top. Via Norm! Vegas Confidential.

Welcome Back to the Blue, Mickey!

Mickey Hatcher is coming home.

Since his exploits during the 1988 World Series there has always been a spot in my Dodger Blue heart for Mickey Hatcher. He was the unsung hero of that series. Without his passion and enthusiasm ( as well as 2 home runs and 5 RBI's) we would not have won that title.

Well, via a tweet from reporter Alden Gonzalez we find out that Mickey has rejoined the team that he started with. I guess you can say that he has come full circle. (Hat Tip: Save the Dodgers)

Don't worry folks, he isn't a new hitting coach. Instead, it looks like he will be joining the front office as Special Assistant to the GM. What does this job entail?

Who the heck knows? And frankly, I don't care. I'm just happy to see that old Dodger back where he belongs.

BTW, does anybody still remember the way Hatcher use to run to first base on a walk? It still makes me laugh when I think about it.

UPDATE: From a Dodgers Press Release:

In his new position, Hatcher, 57, will devote time helping with player development as well as assisting the Major League staff.

“It’s a great feeling being a Dodger again, it feels like I’ve come back home,” said Hatcher. “This is where my roots were and where I was taught everything about the game and where I learned about professionalism. I’m excited about the opportunity to meet everyone in the organization and about the energy created by the new ownership. I couldn’t be happier right now.”

Dodgers Blog Kiosk: 6/26/2012

Here is an early look at the Tommy Lasorda/ Walter Alston bobblehead that will be given out on July 14th, via @Dodger twitter.

Fox Sports AM570 speaks with Torii Hunter and his relationship with Matt Kemp. Hunter also reveals how close he came to signing with the Dodgers in 2007.
As long as Matt Kemp comes back healthy, I really don't care if he can't represent the Dodgers in the All-Star Game. Via AP, "Matt Kemp Likely to Miss ASK in KC."

Mattingly left open the slim possibility of Kemp appearing in the All-Star game July 10 at Kauffman Stadium if he has already returned to the Dodgers' lineup first.

"We talked about him playing for us before we get there, so if he's been able to do all that and play for us before the All-Star game ... we're talking about all this guessing when he's going to be ready," Mattingly said. "It seems silly to me, honestly. He's not ready to play yet, he's still going through the process of running bases and running curves. We're talking about an All-Star game, we're talking about practice."

Craig Minami at True Blue LA takes a look at fast rising prospect Zach Lee.

Zach Lee is the youngest Dodger minor-leaguer to make it to AA since Withrow but I see this move as an agressive more similar to Billingsley and Kershaw. However, there are 5 starters already there in AA so it will be interesting to see what happens, perhaps someone will move on or go to the bullpen.

I think Lee is not destined for a Big League call-up until September 2013 but once you get to AA, anything can happen.

Left Field Pavilion shares some vintage pics of Sandy, Duke and Willie.
Chris Capuano has a secret admirer, via Busted Coverage. Well, maybe not so secret.
Steve Lyons is trying to settle everyone down, via twitter.

TJ Simers at the LA Times speaks with Dee Gordon about losing his mother at a young age.

How tough must it have been to have a mother for just six years?

Correction: "Six great years," he says while reaching for his cellphone.

"You see my screen saver here? This picture was taken in her final days. It's the one I look at just before every game."

The Dodgers 4th Annual Star Wars Night will be on July 2nd. Get this limited Dodgers/ Star Wars t-shirt with a special ticket order package. Go here for details.

Check out "The 24 Hottest Women of Wimbledon 2012, via Coed Magazine.

CCA: Tommy John Collection

This is the third installment of Tommy John memorabilia for sale through Collectible Classics Auctions. Last year there were two separate auctions featuring everything from All-Star rings to a custom Baseball themed bar set. This time around I focus on featuring a complete game-used uniform and an autographed vintage helmet.

Below is a 1978 LA Dodgers uniform and equipment used by Tommy John while in Dodger Blue. Considering how complete it is, I would bet it would look really nice in a small dedicated display.

(Auction Link)

I thought this was one of the more unique items up for sale. This is one of those plastic concession-sold helmets from the 1977 World Series that has been signed by over 25 Dodgers; including noted physician Frank Jobe. Could this be one-of-a-kind? I can't imagine another one of these existing.