Dodgers Blog Kiosk: 8/1/2012

The photo above was tweeted last night by Shane Victorino.  He is on his way to Dodger Stadium.  (pic via twitter @ShaneVictorino)

• Matt Kemp now has his own website.  Check it out here. (Hat Tip: Vin Scully is My Homeboy)
• Dodgers photograph Jon SooHoo posted up a bunch of pics from a 2004 photo shoot that includes some young and green aspiring Major Leaguers; including a young Kemp, Victorino, Ellis, etc.
• Ken Rosenthal writes "Why the Dodgers Didn't Get Dempster."

They had four young pitchers whom they refused to trade for a potential free agent such as right-hander Ryan Dempster. And they ultimately lost Dempster to the Texas Rangers when none of their other offers satisfied the Chicago Cubs.

The four untouchables in the Dempster talks, according to major-league sources, were right-handers Zach Lee, Allen Webster and Rubby De La Rosa, and left-hander Chris Reed.

• Bobby Abreau has been designated for assignment to allow Shane Victorino onto the roster, via a Dodgers press release.
• In other recent Dodger signings, apparently Ned Colletti made a move to sign another former Dodger, via twitter @VladimirShpunt.

• Mr. Grumpy, Kirk Gibson, is not a fan of his bobblehead, via Andrew L. John at the LA Times.

“I think it’s totally ridiculous,” said Gibson, who is in town as the manager of the Arizona Diamondbacks. The Dodgers face the Diamondbacks Tuesday and Wednesday.

“It’s not my style, to be honest with you," Gibson said. “Yeah, I do have a history here. It was a very cool thing that happened while I was here. I got to experience a world championship with some great teammates.”

• Chad Moriyama gifcap's the heck out of Hairston's error last night, and I am thankful for it.
• The Jolly Tomato writes a review of Dodger Stadium culinary delights.  (Hat Tip: Dodger Thoughts)
• Check out this incredible Letter of Note.  The only nephew of Hitler sents a letter to President Roosevelt seeking his help in allowing him to fight under the stars and stripes.  He had previously been denied because of his last name.  

Your favorable decision on my appeal alone would ensure that continued benevolent spirit on the part of the American people, which today I feel so much a part of. I most respectfully assure you, Mr. President, that as in the past I would do my utmost in the future to be worthy of the great honour I am seeking through your kind aid, in the sure knowledge that my endeavors on behalf of the great principles of Democracy will at least bear favourable comparison to the activities of many individuals who for so long have been unworthy of the fine privilege of calling themselves Americans.

• Have you ever wondered how they make those memorabilia/relic infused cards?  Well, Panini shares a video showing the entire process.

Video Link:

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The Dodgers Love Katie as Much as Katie Loves the Dodgers - Kemp Adds Extra Cheer

I've been lurking on reddit for quite a while now and recently came upon a couple of posts (here and here) that I knew I had to share.  Recently, friends and family of Katie Ortega shared her story.

Katie is a 17 and is going through a battle with AML (leukemia).  Currently, she is in chemotherapy and is fighting like heck.  In times like these it's great to know there are strong foundations in place to help her through the tough days, but it's even better when leaders in the community (like the Dodgers) come through to extend their love and well wishes.

A couple of weeks ago, Katie found her way to the Dodgers field with a little help from her friends and was greeted warmly by the Dodgers.  As written on a CaringBridge journal entry about the trip.

Katie and Allie were on cloud #9 for for about 6 hours, ok we all were. Katie met and got autographs from many prayers. Matt Kemp gave Karie one of his bats, and in return Katie gave him one of her Standing by Katie bracelets. Andre Either told them how beautiful their eyes were, in return Allie gave him her Standing by Katie bracelet. Clayton Kershaw hugged her and told her she would be in her prayers everyday. What a blessing the day was. Mark Ellis shared his bald head with Katie and Hall of Famer Don Newcome shared his cancer story.

As anyone will tell you, having this kind of support from folks you look up to can make all the difference in the world.  Better yet, knowing that Matt Kemp has taken the extra step to wear the aforementioned "Standing by Katie" bracelet every game since then makes him a hero.  Thank you Matt!  I am sure Katie truly appreciates it.  Be sure to check out Katie's CaringBridge Journal to read up on her progress, and if you are so inclined check out how you can get a bracelet yourself.

Check out the photo below showing Kemp wearing Katie's orange bracelet.  I also noticed in yesterdays game that he is still wearing it!

Here is a close up of the bracelet.

A Local Reds Channel Gets Fooled by Fake Broxton Twitter Account

This is, bar none, the funniest story of the past 24 hours, and we have "arbysguy" on Reddit to thanks for capturing the moment before they had a chance to correct it.

A Cincinnati news channel, WCPO Channel 9, wrote a story online covering the then recent acquisition of Jonathan Broxton, and got fooled by a fake Broxton account on twitter. 

Check out the below screen grab of the early story.  Click on the pic to embiggen, or go here to see it online.

(pic link)

Notice at the bottom where they share a couple of quotes from an account on twitter that supposedly belongs to Broxton.  Can't see it so well?  Let me fix that for you.  Below are the two tweets they used in their story.

(twitter link @Brox4AllStarz)

(twitter link @Bronx4AllStarz)

Then to top it off, they end the story by saying this:

It's unclear where Broxton would fit into the Reds' bullpen. (emphasis mine)

I kid you not!  They follow up a quote talking about Broxton eating all of KC's BBQ by saying he might not fit into their bullpen.  Ha!!!

Go here to see the original reddit thread.  BTW, they did update the story by removing the offending fake tweets.  See it here.

Weekend Autograph Opportunities: It's a Dodgers Weekend!

Here are this weekends autograph opportunities 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.  Click on any pic to embiggen.

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This event has already sold out.  All tickets available for autographs of Clayton Kershaw are now gone.  So, why am I highlighting this?  Well, tonights signing with Kershaw at Frank & Sonshas had a time change that anyone attending needs to know about.  The time of this event has been moved to 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM.  So, it has been moved up an hour.

Again, the time of the above signing at Frank & Sons has been moved to 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM.

Also, Clayton's Texas BBQ and Hoedown is scheduled for tomorrow afternoon at Dodger Stadium.  Go here for details.  Tickets are still available for this worthwhile cause.

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Here is this weeks upcoming schedule in Autograph Alley and at Viva Los Dodgers.

Fri, August 3, 5:10pm – 6:30pm 
Dodger alumnus Al “The Bull” Ferrara will be in autograph alley signing for fans
5:10 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Sat, August 4, 4:10pm – 5:30pm  
Dodger alumnus Joe Moeller will be in autograph alley signing for fans 
4:10 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Sun, August 5, 11:10am – 12:30pm 
Dodger alumnus Jimmy Campanis will sign autographs for fans at Viva Los Dodgers
11:10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Tue, August 7, 5:10pm – 6:30pm  
Dodger alumnus and community affairs liaison “Sweet” Lou Johnson will be in autograph alley 
5:10 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

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Sunday, Aug 5, 2012

Anyone is welcome to the MVP Sports Foundation 4th Benefit, All-Star Auction and Dodger Reunion. This event features some of the best MLB memorabilia available for the year. Meet Dodger greats: Rick Monday, "Sweet" Lou Johnson and Reggie Smith. Live music provided, again, by The Lapdogs. Go here for more information.

Doors open at 4:30pm. Showtime 5:30pm. 
$20.00 + applicable fees Under 18 Must Be Accompanied by a Paying Adult

The Canyon
28912 Roadside Drive
Agoura Hills, CA 91301 (map)

Hat Tip: Vin Scully is My Homeboy

eBay: Campy's Bullpen

Check out this great vintage press photo I ran into on eBay.  It dates to March 22, 1959 and features Roy Campanella with a couple of young chaps in front of "Campy's Bullpen" at Dodgertown in Vero Beach, Florida.  This moment harkens back to the days when Campy's use to huddle around with younger Dodger players during his playing days to regale them with stories of Baseball. 

(eBay Auction Link)

When I visited Dodgertown back in 2007 I had an opportunity to get my own picture taken in front of "Campy's Bullpen."  See it below.