New Items in Dodgers.com Shop - Uniframes: Ethier, Kemp & Kershaw

While surfing through the Dodgers.com online shop, I came across this new Uniframe product.  They are photos made to look like the back of your favorite players jersey.  They include his name, number and a smaller action photo.  They measure 20x20 and sell for $59.99.  It's a pretty steep price but it looks like they come framed.  There are four Dodger Uniframes available, Matt Kemp, Andre Ethier, Clayton Kershaw and Jackie Robinson.

Take a look at the Ethier & Kershaw versions below.

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Don Mattingly Disusses Javy Guerra & the Rest of the Bullpen

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Familiar Faces in New Places - Barajas, Broxton, Carroll, Blake & Kuroda

Rod Barajas signed with the Pittsburgh Pirates in the off season.  Barajas is due to make $4 million dollars in 2012 and $3.5 million in 2013 if the Pirates pick up the option.

Jonathan Broxton signed a 1-year $4 million dollar contract with the Kansas City Royals for 2012.  Broxton finished his seven season Dodger career with a 25-20 record with a 3.19 ERA and 84 saves. He made the NL All Star roster in 2009 and 2010.  However, in 2011 he made only 14 appearances and Javy Guerra became the Dodger closer.

Hiroki Kuroda signed a 1-year $10 million dollar contract to join the New York Yankees.  Kuroda finished his 4-year stint with the Dodgers with a record of 41-46 and a 3.45 ERA in 114 starts.

Jamey Carroll took his talents to the Twin Cities and signed a 2-year $6.5 million dollar deal with the Twins.  Carroll was a scrappy player for the Dodgers and hit .290 in his two seasons with the club.  He'll be missed in the clubhouse and became a fan favorite last year for his hustle and hard play.

Casey Blake shown above with Troy Tulowitzki signed a 1-year $2 million dollar deal with the Rockies.  He can earn another $1 million in incentives.  Blake was a fan favorite in his 3 1/2 years with the Dodgers and helped lead the team to the playoffs in 2008 after they acquired him from the Indians on July 26, 2008.  The 38-year old Blake was on the disabled list three times in 2011 and it remains to be seen whether he can bounce back from neck surgery.  Unfortunately, if he does bounce back it will be with the Colorado Rockies.

I think the Dodgers will miss Kuroda the most of these 5 players.  Coming off surgery, combined with his on the field struggles, I think it was a no brainer for the club to with Broxton luck in his future endeavors.  It's debatable whether the Dodgers should have tried harder to resign Barajas.  While his offensive numbers weren't great, he was a good clubhouse guy and handled the staff well. However, the Dodgers didn't do much to upgrade the position in the off season.  They head into Spring Training with A.J. Ellis as the starter and veteran Matt Treanor as the back-up. 

Carroll and Blake were good influences in the clubhouse but with the Dodgers ownership in turmoil, the team is going with cheaper options.  Kuroda was a work horse for the Dodgers and even refused to waive his no-trade clause late last season because he wanted to fulfill his contract with the Dodgers.  When the Dodgers did not pursue him aggressively over the winter, he took $10 million to join the Yankees rotation.  At 37-years old, Kuroda may not have more than 1 or 2 seasons left in his arm, so it was a pretty smart move to sign with a team that is in the World Series hunt year after year.

Which former Dodger will you miss the most?

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Pitchers & Catchers Report - Kershaw Opening Day Starter; Jansen & Guerra Anchor Bullpen

Dodger pitchers and catchers reported today to Camelback Ranch and Don Mattingly probably made the easiest decision he'll make all year!  Clayton Kershaw was named the Opening Day starter in San Diego on April 5th and will likely start the Dodgers home opener on April 10th. 

For more info from ESPNLA's Tony Jackson click here

Donnie Baseball also set the back end of the bullpen for the start of the season.  Matt Guerrier will be the 7th inning pitcher, the 8th inning belongs to Kenley Jansen and the closer will once again be Javy Guerra. 

Again, more info from Tony Jackson here

The Dodgers have also hired former catcher Steve Yeager to work with the teams catchers.  He will work with the catchers during Spring Training, will work with the catchers on the major league roster when the team is at home and when they are on the road, he will work as the special-assignment catching instructor in the minor leagues.  Check out the full story here at Dodgers.com

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Upcoming Dodger Appearance - 1965 World Series Champions

On May 12, 2012, Hall of Fame Sports will be hosting another one of their Dodger Days at Frank & Son Collectible Show.  So far, four members of the Dodgers 1965 World Series Championship team are scheduled to appear.  For all the info available so far, scroll down.

May 12, 2012

Maury Wills

3x Dodgers World Series Champion 1959, 1963 & 1965

$25 - balls, flats, minis, figurines & equipment

$35 - helmets, bats, jerseys & art

$10 - inscriptions

stage time - TBA

Ron Fairly

3x Dodgers World Series Champion 1959, 1963 & 1965

$35 - balls, flats, minis, figurines & equipment

$45 - helmets, bats, jerseys & art

$15 - inscriptions

stage time - TBA

Ron Perranoski

2x Dodgers World Series Champion 1963 & 1965

$25 - balls, flats, minis, figurines & equipment

$35 - helmets, bats, jerseys & art

$10 - inscriptions

stage time - TBA

Sweet Lou Johnson

Dodgers World Series Champion 1965

$15 - balls, flats, minis, figurines & equipment

$25 - helmets, bats, jerseys & art

$10 - inscriptions

stage time - TBA

Don't forget the Dodgers will be giving away a Don Drysdale/Maury Wills bobblehead on April 28, 2012.  This will  be a good opportunity to get your Maury Wills bobblehead signed.

Stay tuned for more details & info.

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2012 Dodgertown Classic

The field for the 2012 Dodgertown Classic has been set.  Pepperdine, University of California, Irvine (UCI), University of Southern California (USC) and University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), will play at Dodger Stadium on March 13, 2012.  UCI will play Pepperdine at 2pm and USC will face off against their crosstown rival at 6:30pm. 

Tickets are $7 in advance, $12 on the day of the game and one ticket gets you admission to both games.  Parking will be free for this event and there will be discounted concessions.

For more information click here

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L.A. Kings to Host Dodgers Pride Night

On Thursday February 16, 2012, the Los Angeles Kings will host Dodgers Pride Night @ Staples Center.  The Kings will take on the visiting Phoenix Coyotes and the puck will drop at 7:30pm.  Special packages start at just $29 and include your ticket and a limited edition Dodgers Puck.  There will be special giveaways and Dodgers greats will be on hand!

For more information on Dodgers Pride Night @ Staples center click here

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Garvey, Lopes, Cey & Russell Signing - Pictures & Recap

On Saturday February 4, 2012, Hall of Fame Sports hosted a signing at Frank & Son with former Dodgers, Davey Lopes, Steve Garvey, Ron Cey, Bill Russell, Don Newcombe and Lenny Harris.  I wasn't interested in an auto from Harris and I already have Newcombe on an 8x10, bobblehead and baseball.  I have the Record Setting Infield on a few items as well.  However, I started a 1981 World Series Champions project a few months ago and needed to add the infield.

Russell and Cey were scheduled to sign from 10:00am to 11:30am and Garvey & Lopes were scheduled for 11:00am to 12:30pm.  I arrived a little late at around 11:15am and Russell and Cey had already left the stage area.  Luckily, they were still in the back and returned to sign for a few of us late comers.  As I had met them both before, I really didn't say much besides hello and thank you. 

Davey Lopes took a look at my 16x20 photo and commented the MLB Championship Trophy is widely considered the worst Championship Trophy of the four major sports.  He then proceeded to tell me the trophy for the team and the smaller versions for the players are made by Tiffany & Co.  It was something I didn't know and I thought it was pretty cool.  He mentioned the individual trophies cost between $30,000 and $40,000 and most of the players bought them but very few of the coaches did.  I thanked him for his time and the good story and moved onto the Steve Garvey line.  Garvey was all smiles as always and was great with the young kids.

Being that Hall of Fame Sports has had the Record Setting Infield sign often at Frank & Sons, the crowd wasn't too big.  All four players were posing for pictures and taking their time chatting with fans.  Overall it was a great signing.  Take a look at my pictures below.

Davey Lopes

 Ron Cey getting ready to leave

 Steve Garvey working the phone

Bill Russell

Even though I didn't get an auto, I snapped this pic

of Lenny Harris wearing his Beats by Dre

Added Garvey, Cey, Lopes & Russell to my project.

I already had B. Welch, D. Stewart, P. Guerrero & Fernando

True to the Blue!