Some Brooklyn Dodgers Welcome the Brooklyn Nets

Last night was the home opener for the newly christened Brooklyn Nets at the Barclays Center arena, and some old-time Brooklyn Dodgers where on-hand to welcome them to town.  The basketball teams relocation to the borough marks the first professional major-league sports team to play in the city in 55 years. 

Representing the Brooklyn Dodgers, who left town in 1957, was Ralph Branca, Joe Pignatano, and Gil Hodges Jr.  Via an AP story on SI,

"Brooklyn is Brooklyn and Manhattan is New York, and Brooklyn has always been considered second class to Manhattan. But that's only Manhattan's thinking. Brooklyn's the best," Branca said. "I mean, the fans were the greatest, and I anticipate with the advent of the Nets coming here, a major league franchise coming here, they're going to have fans that are major league fans. If anything like the Dodgers fans, the Brooklyn Nets fans will be the same, loyal to the end."

In the photo below (via twitter @JeffZillgitt), Brooklyn Nets owner Mikhail Prokhorov chats with former Brooklyn Dodgers pitcher Ralph Branca at the Barclays Center.

(pic link: lockerz @JeffZillgitt)

Before the game (from left to right) Gerald Wallace, Joe Pignatano, Ralph Branca, Brook Lopez, Gil Hodges Jr, and Deron Williams shake hands, exchange jersey's and share an embrace for the cameras.

(pic link:twitter @YouBigDummy)

Here they are again being encircled by photographers.

(pic link:twitter @BrooklynNets)

The Brooklyn Nets finished the evening by defeating the Toronto Raptors 107 to 100.  Of special note, the Brooklyn Dodgers won their last 2 home games at Ebbets Field.  So, the town is on a 3-game winning streak.

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Collection: Brad Penny 2005 Leaf Autograph

Here is something I had forgotten.  Via Wikipedia:

On September 23, 2006, against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Penny joined the small club of pitchers who have struck out four batters in one inning. Due to the uncaught third strike rule, Penny was credited with striking out Chad Tracy, but because catcher Russell Martin failed to catch the ball cleanly, Tracy was allowed to attempt to run to first base, and made it there before he could be thrown out. Despite giving up three runs in the inning, Penny recorded three more strikeouts to complete the four-strikeout inning.

Featured above and below is a 2005 Leaf Century Collection autographed card of Brad Penny, numbered 015 out of 250 in my collection.

Here are his career stats.

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Sunday Dodgers Videos:

I'm not sure what to make of this.  Wikipedia now makes videos called WikiPlay where they have a robotic voice read their online description.  Check out their report on the Dodger Dog.

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Here's a video celebrating former Dodger Tim Wallach as a 2012 honoree of the Irvine Public Schools Foundation.  He received the Spirit of Excellence Award in Athletics.

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Now for some Dodgers history.  On April 5, 1913, Ebbets Field officially opened with an exhibition game between the Brooklyn Dodgers (also known as the Superbas at the time) and the New York Yankees. In the great Dodger tradition, things didn't go as smoothly as desired...

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Magic recently made some bold predictions.  Watch as he signs, poses and declares the Dodgers and Lakers will win championships soon.

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LFPBendog does a walking tour of Dodger Stadium during the recent Select-A-Seat event from a week ago.

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Here is another Select-A-Seat video featuring a couple of fans sneaking into the Dodger bullpen and find some cool writing on the walls before being kicked out.

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