Matt Kemp's Walkoff Homerun Beats the Phillies

For the Matt Kemp Marching & Chowder Society.

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Upcoming Dodger Appearance - Kenley Jansen

Saturday, July 14, 2012

KENLEY JANSEN

Sports Authority

4950 Faculty Avenue

Lakewood, CA 90712

Time 12pm - 1pm

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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.”

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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.

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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

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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!