Tuesday, July 31, 2012

2012 Dodger Blogger Softball Tournament #2

It's that time again, time for the second Dodger Blogger Softball Tournament of 2012.  The next tournament will take place on Saturday September 29, 2012.  For more information on how to sign up and pay your fees, click right HERE

True to the Blue!

Friday, July 20, 2012

Mike Piazza's Wife Thinks Clemens was on Steroids



TMZ cameras recently caught up to Mike Piazza and his wife Alicia Rickter outside of Giorgio Baldi restaurant in Santa Monica Wednesday night.  When asked if he ever caught for Roger Clemens, Piazza stated he had caught Clemens in an All Star game and further stated "It didn't go too well."  However, before Piazza commented on Clemens, his wife went out of her way to express her opinions on Clemens and even shared Piazza's thoughts.  She told the TMZ cameras, "Does he think that Roger Clemens was on 'roids when he broke that bat? Yes! He does think that."
As soon as his wife makes the statement, Piazza just gives her a look.  You can tell he wasn't too happy about her commenting on the subject.  Check out the TMZ clip below to see for yourself.



True to the Blue!

Thursday, July 19, 2012

Dodgers Make an Offer for Ryan Dempster

Photo Credit: Brian Kersey/Getty Images

ESPNChicago is reporting the Dodgers have made an official offer for Cubs pitcher Ryan Dempster.  According to ESPNChicago:

"The Cubs have been clear their top priority on the trade market is adding young pitching. It is unclear whether Zach Lee, the top-rated arm in Los Angeles' farm system, is included in the offer."

"Dempster represents a valuable trade chip for the Cubs. The 35-year-old has not allowed a run in his past 33 innings, spanning five starts. His 1.86 ERA is the lowest in the majors."

Doug Padilla of ESPNChicago is reporting Dempster's preference is to be traded to the Dodgers. 


"Indications are that the Cubs have asked the Dodgers about the availability of their top pitching prospect Zach Lee, but handing over Dempster alone is not believed to be enough to pry Lee off the Dodgers’ hands."

"Reports have also suggested the Cubs could trade both Dempster and Matt Garza to the Dodgers, which could to be enough to land Lee and more. The Cubs could also sweeten the deal by trading Dempster along with a prospect of their own, or perhaps by including Bryan LaHair in talks."

Dempster is scheduled to make his next start for the Cubs on Friday in St. Louis.  We'll see if he'll make the start or if he'll be on a plane to New York to join the Dodgers.

True to the Blue!

Wednesday, July 18, 2012

Matt Kemp's Walkoff Homerun Beats the Phillies



For the Matt Kemp Marching & Chowder Society.

True to the Blue!

Wednesday, July 11, 2012

Upcoming Dodger Appearance - Kenley Jansen




Saturday, July 14, 2012
KENLEY JANSEN

Sports Authority
4950 Faculty Avenue
Lakewood, CA 90712
Time 12pm - 1pm

True to the Blue!


Matt Kemp Defends Decision to Participate in Homerun Derby

Photo courtesy FOX News Channel

As we all know, Matt Kemp didn't do to well in the 2012 Homerun Derby Monday night.  Matt only hit one homerun and was not a factor in the contest.  It reminded me of other Dodgers who struggled in the homerun derby.  Mike Piazza hit 0 homeruns in back to back contests in 1993 and 1994.  Raul Mondesi was only able to muster up 2 homeruns in 1995.  If I were a Dodger, I would stay away from the All Star Game Homerun Derby!

Matt Kemp also got a lot of bad press for participating in the Homerun Derby with a healing hamstring injury.  I didn't have a problem with it.  He's played in live minor league games and is ready to come of the disabled list tomorrow.  If the injury was more recent it would probably be a different story.

Yesterday, Matt was interviewed on FOX News Channel's Studio B with Shepard Smith.  They touched on a variety of subjects.  Check out the excerpts below courtesy of FOX News Channel's Studio B with Shepard Smith.
On New York Yankees player Robinson Cano being booed at the 2012 Home Run Derby:

“Ya I don’t quite understand that, you know that’s a great guy somebody I’ve known for a long, long time. Before I even got to the big leagues we played winter ball together so you know I think he just went out there and picked the team he thought would help him win the derby and you know the American League actually won it so I don’t think many fans can complain about the results of it.”

On why he thinks some sports reporters criticized his participation in the Home Run Derby:

“I guess some of them were thinking that I shouldn’t participate in the Home Run Derby but I don’t think people realize I’ve been taking batting practice for the last month. My leg feels good, my first game is going to be here in the next two days and I’m excited to get back on the field. I mean they’re going to write what they want to write, it’s all good.”

On the awards he received from the Negro League:

“It was an unbelievable feeling to receive the awards I accepted. You know, just going there for the first time and seeing some of the history of the Negro Leagues and where they came from and what they represent and them paving the way for us as African American athletes it was just unbelievable. And not really realizing how much the Negro Leagues did so many things that brought more to the game of Major League Baseball. So it was a special day for me and my family and we enjoyed the museum.”

On playing with the team’s new owner, Magic Johnson:

“Magic and the group, they’re great. They’ve been nothing but positive and doing some great things around there so far. You know Magic is a great guy he’s one of the most humble guys I’ve ever met in my life and just a great guy to talk to. He definitely knows the importance of the Dodgers to LA and he’s going to do whatever it takes to get our team to wherever we need to go.”

True to the Blue!

Friday, July 6, 2012

Collector's Corner - 2012 All Star Stuff


With the 2012 All Star Game just around the corner, I figured it was time to take a look at some of the items available to commemorate the 2012 edition of the mid-summer classic.  As you can see above, MLB.com has the Matt Kemp batting practice jersey available for sale.  The jersey sells for $119.99.  Also available is the Clayton Kershaw version of the jersey (see the picture below).


Up next are some the 2012 All Star baseballs.  The 2012 All Star ROMLB comes with a ball cube and is available for $22.99. The 2012 Homerun Derby ROMLB comes with a ball cube and is available for $27.99 The 2012 Homerun Derby Gold ROMLB comes with a ball cube and is available for $39.99.  Take a look at the pictures below.



Next is an item which I think is pretty cool.  It is a 2012 All Star Game Crown. You can display one of your All Star baseballs on this crown.  Being that the Kansas City Royals are hosting this year's game, I thought this item was pretty creative.  It is available for $24.99.  Check it out below.


The last item I will note today is the official 2012 All Star Game Program.  As in recent years, there are different versions of the program displaying players from the different teams represented.  For $15 you can get the Matt Kemp version of the program.  Take a look.



True to the Blue!


Tuesday, July 3, 2012

Upcoming Dodger Appearance - A.J. Ellis


Saturday July 14, 2012

A.J. Ellis

$24.95 - small item
$34.95 - large item
$10 - inscriptions
$10 - PSA/DNA
Time: 11:00am - 1:00pm

This signing will take place at South Bay Cards located at 1751 Pacific Coast Highway, Lomita, CA 90717.  For tickets and items to purchase go to the South Bay Cards website here.  This is a great shop.  I attended the Jerry Sands signing they had last season, for my recap of that signing click here

True to the Blue!

Sunday, July 1, 2012

Matt Kemp & Clayton Kershaw Named to 2012 NL All Star Team

I just finished watching the 2012 All-Star Game Selection show on TBS where it was announced Dodger centerfielder Matt Kemp and Dodger pitcher Clayton Kershaw were selected to the 2012 MLB National League All-Star team.  This is the second All-Star selection for both Kershaw and Kemp.

Heading into his start later tonight against the Mets, Kershaw has a 5-4 record with a 2.74 ERA.  While these stats may not seem All-Star worthy, we must remember All-Star selections are sometimes based on your previous season and/or entire career.  Kershaw reputation probably had a lot to do with his selection.  He is coming off his 2011 season when he finished with a 21-5 record and won the NL Cy Young Award.

Before landing on the disabled list with a bad hamstring, Kemp had a monstrous April.  Kemp is sitting on 12 homeruns and 28 RBI.  Kemp will also captain the NL Homerun Derby squad and is hoping to return from the DL on July 13th.  It's unlikely Kemp will be well enough to play in the 2012 All-Star Game. 

Here's hoping Andre Ethier is named as a replacement as he was left off this year's All-Star roster and was not included in the Final Vote. I'm also still holding out hope that Chris Capuano is named as a replacement if there is an injure pitcher who can't appear in the All-Star Game.  Capuano is 9-3 with a 2.69 ERA.

True to the Blue!

Upcoming Dodger Appearance - Jaime Jarrin


Saturday November 3, 2012
Jaime Jarrin
"The Spanish Voice of the Dodgers"
1998 Hall of Fame inductee
$49 - balls and flats up to & including 11x14
$59 - large flats, figurines, minis & equipment
$69 - helmets, bats & jerseys
$20 - inscriptions
stage time: 1:00pm - 2:30pm

This signing is part of DodgerFest 2012 brought to you by Hall of Fame Sports.  This signing will take place at Frank and Son and will include several Dodgers.

For info on Charlie Hough click here
For info on "The Infield" click here

True to the Blue!