What's Going On In Baseball

Let's see what's going in the world of baseball



In response to a Freedom of Information request, federal officials have released the mug shot of Former Giant Barry Bonds. Bonds, is facing trial on perjury and obstruction of justice charges related to a government probe of his alleged use of performance-enhancing drugs.

Commissioner Bud Selig said yesterday that he won't reverse umpire Jim Joyce's botched call from the near perfect game on Wednesday pitched by the Detroit Tiger's Armando Galarraga.

The Baltimore Orioles fired manager Dave Trembley. The Orioles have the worst record in baseball and are heading towards their 13th consecutive losing season. Former Dodger, Juan Samuel was appointed interim manager.

Bobblehead of the Day: Matt Kemp (2009)

On Wednesday, August 19, 2009, the Dodgers gave away Matt Kemp bobbleheads to the first 50,000 fans in attendance. Presented by Bank of America, this bobblehead was made by P Squared Promos. This was third of three scheduled bobbleheads that year. Casey Blake(May 20) and Manny Ramirez(July 22) were the other two. A fourth bobblehead was later added to the schedule, the Manny BobbleSlam bobblehead(September 16).

The Dodgers played the St. Louis Cardinals that night and lost 3-2. Clayton Kershaw started for the Dodgers, Adam Wainwright for St. Louis. Wainwright threw a no-hitter through five innings. It was a painful game to watch. Matt Kemp went 0 for 4 on his bobblehead night.

Let's take a look at Matt Kemp's first Dodger bobblehead:

Click here to purchase

A look at the box:





This is one of my favorite bobbleheads. Matt Kemp is my favorite player on the team, so that makes this nodder that much more special. The features are on the money. The skin tone and facial hair are right on. I also like that they designed this with his signature "fingers to the sky", what he does after every homerun.

The Dodgers are giving away another Kemp bobblehead this year on August 17, and there's a chance he could be wearing a gold glove. But we'll have to wait and see.

Here's the video for The Adventures of Lil' Matt:

Get Well John Wooden

It's being reported that former UCLA men's basketball coach John Wooden has been hospitalized and is in grave condition. I had the pleasure of meeting John Wooden a few years back. He's a nice guy and a legend in Los Angeles. Get better Mr. Wooden.

Bobblehead of the Day: Casey Blake

Click here to purchase

What a crazy week. The Dodgers have won their last three games against the Arizona Diamondbacks in their final at bat. It started Monday night with Casey Blake's balk-off in the bottom of the ninth inning. On Tuesday, Matt Kemp hit a walk-off homerun in the bottom of the 10th inning. And today, Garret Anderson got a walk-off hit in the bottom of the 14th inning.

Since these three guys have come up big for the Dodgers, it seems like a good time to take a look at their bobbleheads. I'll start tonight with Casey Blake and move on to Matt Kemp tomorrow, followed by GA on Friday.

On Wednesday, May 20, 2009 the Dodgers gave away Casey Blake bobbleheads to the first 50,000 fans in attendance. Presented by Carl's Jr, this bobblehead was made by P Squared Promos. This was the first of three scheduled bobbleheads for the year, Manny Ramirez(July 22) and Matt Kemp(August 19) were the other two. Of course, a fourth bobblehead was later added to the schedule, the Manny BobbleSlam bobblehead(September 16).

The Dodgers played the New York Mets that day and won 2-1. Jeff Weaver started the game for the Dodgers, Livan Hernandez for the Mets. Brent Leach was the winning pitcher. Jonathan Broxton got the save.

Let's take a look at The Beard's bobblehead















A look at the box







I was a little surprised the Dodgers made Casey Blake the first bobblehead of 2009. He hadn't been in blue too long, but I guess the hard working bearded third baseman was popular enough with fans that the Dodgers decided to give him one.

The features seem to be dead on. Of course the first thing to check is the beard, and they got it right. The skin tone is good. They even got the large chin right. Overall, I'd say this is a good looking bobblehead.

Up Next:

Think Cure! Auction Items

From dodgers.com:

The ThinkCure! online auction will launch a week from today, Tuesday, June 8, at www.thinkcure.org/auction and www.dodgers.com/thinkcureweekend. The auction will run until Monday, June 14, following the third annual ThinkCure! Weekend at Dodger Stadium on Friday, June 11 and Saturday, June 12. Last year's ThinkCure! online auction raised more than $50,000 to fund collaborative and innovative cancer research.
For the first time ever, several once-in-a-lifetime Dodger experiences have been added to the auction, including an opportunity to shag fly balls during Dodger batting practice, a batting lesson with Dodger hitting coach Don Mattingly, the chance to sit in the broadcast booth for an inning alongside Hall of Famer Jaime Jarrin and Dodger legend Fernando Valenzuela and the chance to stand on the field alongside the Dodgers during the National Anthem at a 2010 home game.

Other unique first-time auction items include an Italian dinner with Tommy Lasorda, a meet and greet with Dodger Manager Joe Torre, the opportunity to drag the field as part of the Dodgers' ground crew, a one-inning visit to the radio booth with Rick Monday and Charley Steiner, the chance to be a Dodger photographer for a game and two baseballs signed by Sandy Koufax.

Among the most popular items last year that will be back again in 2010 include a visit with Hall of Fame broadcaster Vin Scully in his broadcast booth, a 2011 Dodgers Spring Training trip and the chance to throw out the first pitch at a Dodger game, as well as autographed Dodger memorabilia and gift certificates to local restaurants.

In addition, fans can bid on a Fender guitar signed by Slash, a ride on a Los Angeles Fire Department fire boat, in-studio experiences at KABC, KCAL and KLOS, a set visit with PRIME TICKET, tickets to a movie premiere and numerous CDs and DVDs. The KCAL experience includes a meet and greet with the Los Angeles Dodgers' all-time leading home run hitter, Eric Karros.

Auction items were donated by the Los Angeles Dodgers, Dodger broadcast partners PRIME TICKET, KABC, KLOS, KHJ and KCBS/KCAL and generous ThinkCure! supporters.

Fans can also donate to the ThinkCure! Weekend online at www.dodgers.com/thinkcureweekend and www.thinkcure.org, by calling (866) 554-CURE or by texting CURE to 50555 to make a $10 donation through their mobile phone bill.

ThinkCure! is an innovative, community-based non-profit that accelerates collaborative research to cure cancers. It was launched in July 2007 by the Los Angeles Dodgers, the McCourt family, City of Hope and Childrens Hospital Los Angeles.

Ely Starts, Bison Finishes

Can the Dodger offense please score some runs for poor John Ely? He's allowed only one stinkin' run over the last 14 1/3 innings. His ERA is 0.63 over that stretch. How many runs have the dodgers scored for him? ZERO. He lowered his overall ERA to 2.53 after tonight's game. Mr. Ely earned the win tonight, Jeff Weaver will have the "W" next to his name though.



Manny made a couple of nice catches tonight in front of the fans in Mannywood.



Russell Martin slid into Stephen Drew a bit too hard at second base in the seventh inning. The two had some words and the benches and bullpens cleared.



Matt Kemp hit a walk-off homerun in the bottom of 10th inning.





Another dramatic victory.

Thank You Dodgers And Women In Blue

I just wanted to thank the Dodgers and Women in Blue for the tickets to tomorrow's game and the opportunity to meet the two finalists on The Next Food Network Star. I won a twitter contest yesterday held by Women In Blue.




Unfortunately, I can't make it because of work. But I've passed the winnings on to my buddy Albert, who is also a huge Dodgers fan.

Thanks again to Joshua Lukin, Director of Digital Marketing for the Dodgers and Women In Blue.