Jaime Jarrin is Coming Back for his 55th Season

On the heals of the announcement that Vin Scully would stay on for another season and his bobblehead night last night, we find out that Hall of Famer Jaime Jarrin has just signed a new 3 year contract that will keep him in Dodger Blue til 2015. 

From a Dodgers press release:

“I am honored to extend my career during such a thrilling time in Dodger history and under new ownership that has demonstrated a strong commitment to the Latinos in Los Angeles and in revitalizing the Dodgers throughout Latin America,” Jarrín said. “I am confident this leadership can bring a championship back to Los Angeles and I am happy to be a part of it.”

It's amazing that the Dodgers two current broadcasters (in English and Spanish) happen to both be the two longest tenured in MLB broadcasting history.

From Magic and Stan Kasten:

“Jaime is a Dodger institution and is a big reason why the Dodgers have such a strong Latino fan base,” said Dodger Owner Earvin Johnson. “The Dodgers are the only club with two Hall of Fame broadcasters on staff and I’m excited that Jaime will continue to instill a love of Dodger baseball in Spanish-speaking Angelenos.”   

“We’re committed to the Latino community in Los Angeles and knew that one of the most important things we could do right away was to ensure that Jaime would continue to lead the Spanish-language broadcast,” said Dodger President and CEO Stan Kasten. “We’re happy to have him here with us and are grateful for his insight and the foundation he laid in this community that we can now build upon.”

Many fans have wondered why the Dodgers have yet to make a bobblehead for Jaime, but something tells me that's something that will be rectified soon.  In fact, as pointed out by Dodger Bobble earlier this year there is a Jaime Jarrin bobblehead (possibly a one-of-the-kind) bouncing around somewhere.  Check out his post.  I bet that's a model for what one might look like.  For Jaime Jarrin fans, go ahead and cross your fingers in the hopes the Dodgers honor him next season, and for those more inclined to take action I would suggest emailing them directly at fanbox@ladodgers.com.

Photo credit above: Getty Images

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Some Vin Scully Videos from Last Night

Check out a couple of great videos from last night featuring Vin Scully below.

This video was shown to fans before the start of yesterdays game.

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If you missed it, here is Vin Scully throwing out the first pitch.

Video Link:

Here is a fans perspective of last nights event.

Video Link:

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Dodgers Blog Kiosk: 8/31/2012

What a gorgeous photo of Vin Scully with a rainbow from his bobblehead night, via twitter @WHoltzman. (Hat Tip: Deadspin)

• Matt Guerrier is back from the DL; Josh Wall sent back to Albuquerque, via a Dodger Press Release.
• Tom Hoffarth at the Daily News reviews a new book about Gil Hodges and laments that the Dodgers may inadvertently be the cause for his lack of enshrinement.  Howard Cole calls that reasoning bunk.  I agree with Howard Cole on this, and I don't believe the policy of waiting for a player to be elected into the Hall of Fame before retiring their number to be a bad one.
• Ramona Shelbourne at ESPN speaks with James Loney about the trade.

"They were giving me opportunities. They just wanted production and stuff like that. It was more of 'Hey, we've got other guys we want to try and mix and match.' That's what they were trying to do, they were just mixing and matching. I understand what it is. But obviously I want to play." 

On a side note, at last nights game a video was played between innings featuring several Dodger players talking about which athlete they most would like to trade places with.  James Loney was in it and the Dodger Stadium crowd gave him a big "Boo", and I instantly became disappointed in the fans. Look, Loney may not have been the star we had hoped he'd be, but I never doubted with desire to give it his all.  He gave the effort, and at the end of the day that's all we can ask.  Unfortunately, it just didn't work out. 

• JP Hoornstra at the Daily News finds out why Vin finally OK'd his bobblehead.
• Night Owl Cards notices that a Fleer card of Jay Johnstone is not actually him.  Anyone know who it is?
• Orel at the Sons of Steve Garvey has some great photos from Vin Scully's bobblehead night.
• Stan Kasten shared a great Vin Scully moment that was captured by the LA Times.  Watch him talking about it here.
• Both Shaq and Jamaal Wilkes will have their numbers retired by the Lakers, via Kevin Ding of the OC Register on twitter.  BTW, Kareem's statue will be unveiled on November 16th.

• The Stanley Cup will be visiting six local ice rinks on Thursday, Sept. 6 to help raise money for local youth hockey programs.  Go here for information.  50 photo spots will be raffled off by each rink to the public.
• Beyond the Boxscore wonders "Just How Fast Was Cool Papa Bell?"

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Collection: House of David Vintage Baseball Postcards

The House of David will forever hold a legendary spot in Baseball history.  I remember first learning about them during Ken Burns Baseball documentary, and have been fascinated ever since.  For that reason, I have always enjoyed gathering and collecting memorabilia related to them.  Featured here are some of the Baseball related stuff I have.  Click on any pic to embiggen.  Above is a mini pennant, and below are numerous Baseball related postcards.  I am not exactly sure as to the age of these postcards.

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The House of David religious community was started in 1903 in Benton Harbor, Michigan, and by 1913 they started playing Baseball.  Within a few years they formed a team and started barnstorming throughout the country to earn money for their religious order.  Easily recognizable by their long bears and hair (they also espoused vegetarianism and celibacy), they often received the largest crowds in the country and performed feats on the diamond that wowed the crowd. It it said they invented the "pepper game", and they are noted for often traveling to play against some of the best Negro League teams in existence.

From the book, House of David Baseball Team" found at Baseball Library:

The feature for which the House of David is perhaps best remembered, however, is the talented teams of bearded barnstorming baseball players that traveled to nearly every state in the Union, Mexico, and most of the Canadian Provinces. Early in the team's history, when their travels took them primarily to the east, their competition would often consist of the formidable Negro League teams: the Pittsburgh Crawfords, the Bacharach Giants, the Newark Eagles, and the Homestead Grays. Later in the 1930s, both the House of David and the City of David would barnstorm across the country with the Kansas City Monarchs. In 1939, the City of David hooked up with Satchel Paige's All Stars for over two months, playing 60 games between them.

Not all teammates were members of their religious order.  They also hired ballplayers to play for them.  Some of the more famous hired hands included Grover Cleveland Alexander, Chief Bender, Babe Didrickson, and Satchel Paige. 

The House of David also did much to help integrate the country.  When they barnstormed they would often play doubleheaders with a Negro League team (who traveled with them) as the opening bill.  Then, that evening they would dine at a local restaurant and sleep in a local hotel with the Negro League players right beside them.  It was their belief that the color of someone's skin was meaningless, and they would not allow those who traveled with them to be treated any differently then themselves.

BTW, the House of David also had a basketball team that traveled with the Harlem Globetrotters in the 1930's.  Legend states that the Globetrotters started using their theme song "Sweet Georgia Brown" as a way to compete with the House of David theme song "House of David Blues".  On the musical front, the House of David were known to be great musicians, and they had a famous jazz band that started up in 1919.  In fact, their music was more famous than their athletic endeavors.  Unfortunately, no recordings are known to exist.

Check out this great video I found on youtube about the House of David; including an interview with the last living House of David ballplayer.  Unfortunately, Lloyd Dalager died this month at the age of 99.  Check out this great biography about his playing days at the South Bend Tribune.

YouTube Link:

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