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Tuesday, October 07, 2014

Good Game and Good Luck, Cards


For those who may not recall, during the conclusion of the 2004 NLDS, where the Cardinals defeated the Dodgers, a strange sight occurred - at least it's strange at MLB games.  On the other hand, for most youngsters in organized sports (and NHL hockey fans) it's something that is commonplace.  Heck, it's expected.

The Dodgers came out to congratulate the Cardinals for their series victory with a handshake line.

Unfortunately, this act has not become tradition in Baseball... And for that, I am sorry.  It is something that should happen after every series.  So, in its place I give my virtual handshake to the Cardinals and their fans.

"Good Game and Good Luck"

This was a fun series, and even though it didn't go in my teams favor I still enjoyed every second of it - even as my hair falls out.

I wish you all the luck in the world and look forward facing you again next season.

With that, I think the below shirt best expresses how I am really feeling.

P.S.  As a Kings fan, now I know what it feels like to be a St. Louis Blues fan.  doh!
Pic at the very top via Chris Carlson/AP (photo found at Think Blue LA):
Pic of TShirt via shirtaday.com:

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Original Topps Artwork of Duke Snider's 1959 Thrilling Catch Card at REA


Many Dodger collectors know the above card well.  It is a 1959 Topps #468 card of Duke Snider making a leaping catch in centerfield.  It is titled, "Snider's Play Brings LA Victory," and it features a three-panel drawing of the Duke of Flatbush.

I don't believe the card represents a specific play or game.  But I do know that there is an original painting of it, and it is available for sale in REA's current Fall auction.  Check it out here.

It measures 4.75" x 3" and is the original flexichrome artwork with standard production-related remnants on its blank reverse.

Over the next few day's I'll share more Dodger related items available from REA.

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Puig Benched, Ethier In


This afternoon's most shocking news is that Yasiel Puig has been benched for this afternoon's Game 4 against the Cardinals.  In his place will be Andre Ethier in centerfield.  Below is the announced lineup for the Dodgers.
Gordon 2B
Crawford LF
Gonzalez 1B
Kemp RF
Ramirez SS
Ethier CF
Uribe 3B
Ellis C
Kershaw P
Here is what Mattingly had to say, via a tweet from Ken Gurnick:


Admittedly, Puig has struggled mightily at the plate, but this move seems a bit extreme to me.  I always figure that you go down with the ship you got.  On the other hand, maybe a change of pace might do the Dodgers some good.  Should we expect to see Justin Turner inserted into the game if the Dodgers fall behind early?  We could really use his wondrous bat.

BTW, if you're wondering what Ethier has done against Cardinal's starter Shelby Miller in the past, he has two hits in six at-bats; including a three-run home run.  He hit that home run earlier this season in a late-June game at Dodger Stadium.  Watch it below:

Video Link:

Pic above via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2014.

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Stay Classy, St. Louis!


Just to fan those flames further, here's a more politically slanted story by Salon writer Joanna Rothkopf entitled, "St. Louis Cardinals fans yell racist slurs at Ferguson protesters in shocking new video."
On Monday night, mostly white St. Louis Cardinals fans clashed with a group of mostly black protesters peacefully demanding justice for slain teenager Michael Brown. The Cardinals fans were super racist and horrible.

At one point, an older white man starts yelling at the protesters, shouting, “That’s right! If they’d be working, we wouldn’t have this problem!” Then, the Cardinals fans begin chanting “Let’s go Cardinals!” which morphs into “Let’s go Darren!” referring to Darren Wilson, the police officer who fatally shot Brown.

Later on in the video, a woman shouts, “We’re the ones who gave all y’all the freedoms that you have!” which is a tidy way of identifying with slavers and Abraham Lincoln at the same time, covered in a thick layer of modern racism.
No doubt these folks represent the best fans in Baseball.

The Salon story has a video, so go here to check that out.  Deadspin (no surprise, really) also has the story and provides a point-by-point rundown of some key details from the video.  Check that out here.  Below are a few items they point out:
  • At 9:05 one of the Cardinals fans starts telling one of the protesters that if he ever "saw him in the street" he would "look at the ground." They argue for a bit about who would and would not whip whose ass.
  • At about 10:25 a small blonde lady starts yelling at the protesters: "We're the ones who gave all y'all the freedoms that you have!"
  • At 16:43, a female Cardinals fan begins chanting "Africa! Africa! Africa!" at the protesters.
Yeah, awesome!

Pic at the very top via Robert Cohen of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch on twitter.

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Blog Kiosk: 10/7/2014 - Dodger Links - Time to Sink or Swim


It was a good game - It just didn't give us the results we wanted.

Hyun-Jin Ryu was great in his six innings of play.  He scattered five hits and made only one mistake.  Unfortunately, that mistake resulted in a third inning home run by newly minted Dodger killer Matt Carpenter.  Nevertheless, he kept us in it and gave us an opportunity to win.  Photo above of Ryu via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2014.  Go here to see more pic from him of last nights game.

Like in life, though, it takes two to tango.  The Dodgers offense took a nap against the Cardinals last night.  They strung together seven hits, but could only muster a single run.  Furthermore, they left five runners in scoring position in five separate innings. 

Or, it takes at least three to do a conga line dance.  The Dodger relief staff disappointed again, and if not for some remarkable lucky plays (like the one in the gif below) it would have been much worse.  Scott Elbert, in his second postseason appearance this year, struggled in St. Louis.  He had struck out two in his brief appearance in Game 1, but gave up a two-run home run to Kolten Wong that proved to be the game winner.  Oy Vie!
(gif via Dodgers on tumblr)

The Dodgers lost a tough one at 3-1, but have an opportunity to right the ship this afternoon.  Game 4 starts at 2:07 PM PST and I have a feeling much of Los Angeles will be on pins and needles most of the afternoon.  I know I will be.

BTW, I'm sure you're hearing plenty of complaints about the inconsistent strike zone by the home plate umpire Dale Scott.  And believe me, I hear ya.  I ain't that happy about it either... But, ya know what.  There's no use crying over spilt milk.  It's time to put our big boy pants on.

Now, below are some links to check out.
  • Check out Don Mattingly's postgame interview here.
  • Via Ken Gurnick at MLB.com, "Kemp irked by strike zone in Dodgers' Game 3 loss."
"Terrible strike zone," Kemp said, knowing he likely will hear from the Commissioner's Office. "Never seen anything like it. It's disappointing. You've got guys battling, two good teams going at it and it's supposed to be about the teams, not about the umpire. He took the bats out of our hands."


  • Panini release some more preview pics of their upcoming 2014 Hall of Fame 75th Anniversary Baseball set.  Go here to check those out.  The set officially comes out on tomorrow.  Below is a Don Sutton autographed card and a card of Brooklyn Dodger Burleigh Grimes.



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