All Photos by Evan

Baseball season might be over but there is still a whole bunch of things going on around Dodger Stadium. Manny is coming back, Jaimie McCourt is denied reinstatement, former New Mexico Lobo Brian Cavasos Galvez and Dee Gordon named Topps minor league players of the year, The Dodgers decline Garland option, Vicente Padilla shoots himself, and Hiroki Kuroda donates to Dream foundation.

Manny Ramirez will return to play for the Dodgers in 2010. at least we don't have to play the guessing game all winter. Ramirez will earn 20 million dollars in 2010. Ramirez's agent Scott Boras told Dylan Hernandez of the L A Times "Obviously, he enjoys L.A.," Boras said. "If he went into the marketplace, the real negative was that he could end up playing in a place he wasn't comfortable playing."

A court commissioner has denied Jaimie McCourt's bid to be reinstated as the chief executive of the Los Angeles Dodgers. She also claims she should get 300,000 a month in spousal support and perks like the private jet. She was the one who was having an affair!! She should get nothing. She should have nothing to do with the Dodger organization!

I was pretty proud when I read this next story. Dodger minor league shortstop Dee Gordon and outfielder Brian Cavazos-Galvez were named Topps/Minor League Players of the Year for their respective leagues. Cavazos-Galvez is a graduate of Manazano high school in Albuquerque and played for the University of New Mexico baseball team.

Gordon won the honors in the Single-A Midwest League, batting .301 with a league-leading 73 steals and 12 triples for the Great Lakes Loons. Gordon also earned the Branch Rickey Award as the Dodgers’ Minor League Player of the Year, Midwest League Prospect of the Year, and league co-Most Valuable Player. I can't wait to see Gordon when he come through Albuquerque.

Cavazos-Galvez claimed the award for the Rookie-advanced Pioneer League, batting .322 with a league-leading 18 homers for the Ogden Raptors. Cavazos-Galvez, 22, won the league’s Most Valuable Player Award and was named to the league All-Star team after being selected in the 12th round of the 2009 First-Year Player Draft out of the University of New Mexico. He also led the circuit with 97 hits, 50 extra base hits, 59 runs, and 29 doubles, and also ranked second in the league with 63 RBI. Brian’s father, Balvino Galvez, played eight seasons in the Dodger organization, pitching in 10 games for the Dodgers in 1986, his lone Major League experience.

The Dodgers declined the $10 million 2010 mutual option for Jon Garland. According to Dodgers.com Garland will receive a 2.5 million dollar buyout, which is being paid for by the D Backs. It was part of the deal agreed to which sent Tony Abreu to Arizona. Garland can now become a free agent. I didn't like the fact that the Dodgers gave up Abreu, He was a fan favorite here in Albuquerque.

When I heard this next story I didn't know what to think. Vicente Padilla shot himself ion the leg. Dodgers.com reported that Padilla was in his native country of Nicaragua. He was treated and released.

HIROKI KURODA DONATES $100,000 TO DODGERS DREAM FOUNDATION AND THINKCURE!

Dodgers announced today that right-hander Hiroki Kuroda will donate $100,000 to the Dodgers Dream Foundation, with a portion also benefitting the team’s official charity, ThinkCure! Kuroda said "I've lost both of my parents to cancer, and I'd like to help in any way I can to eradicate this awful disease,” said Kuroda. “My parents gave me my life. By continuing to be active in helping to end this sickness, I feel like I'm repaying them out of gratitude. I would like to lend my hand to anyone who is fighting cancer.”

ANDRE ETHIER "CLUTCH-PERFORMER OF THE YEAR"

All Photo Credits Evan

Andre Ethier wins Pepsi Clutch performer of the year. Andre has turned out to be a great player and is still growing. Hats off to the Dodgers scouting department for the EXCELENT evaluation of Ethier. When the Dodgers aquired him for Milton Bradly and Antonio Perez I didn't think the Dodgers should have given up Perez, but Iwas wrong. The Ethier, Kemp, Loney, Martin is a great combo. I bet next season we will see an NL All-Star team with and outfield that consist of Ethier and Kemp. Congrats to you Andre!!

LOS ANGELES – Los Angeles Dodgers’ outfielder Andre Ethier has been named the recipient of the “2009 MLB Clutch Performer of the Year Award Presented by Pepsi”, it was announced today. Ethier is the winner of the officially-sanctioned Major League Baseball award, as voted by the fans, which recognizes the player who performed his best when the game was on the line.

The winner was revealed during a one-hour special, produced by Major League Baseball Productions, that aired on ESPN. Hosted by “Mr. October” Reggie Jackson, who is no stranger to clutch hits, The 2009 MLB Clutch Performer of the Year Award Show Presented by Pepsi celebrated the six nominees who consistently delivered clutch performances over the course of the entire 2009 Major League Baseball season. This year’s MLB Pepsi Clutch Performer of the Year nominees were: Andre Ethier, Los Angeles Dodgers; Prince Fielder, Milwaukee Brewers; Tim Lincecum, San Francisco Giants; Joe Mauer, Minnesota Twins; Albert Pujols, St. Louis Cardinals; and Mariano Rivera, New York Yankees.

Ethier set career-highs in 2009 with 160 games played, 162 hits, 31 home runs, 106 RBI, 92 runs scored, 42 doubles, and 72 walks while hitting .272 with a .508 slugging percentage and a .361 on-base percentage. The 27-year old outfielder finished fifth in the N.L. with 76 extra-base hits, tied for fifth in doubles, and was tied for sixth in RBI.

Ethier led the Majors with six walk-off hits, including a Major League record four walk-off home runs (tied with Jimmie Foxx in 1940 and Roy Sievers in 1957): June 6th against the Phillies in the 12th inning; June 29th against Colorado in the 13th inning; August 6th vs. Atlanta in the 9th; and September 15th against the Pirates in the 13th. Ethier has a Major League-leading nine walk-off hits since the beginning of the 2008 season, and his six in 2009 are the most in a single-season by any player since at least 1974.

The left-handed slugger collected six multi-home run games on the year, tied for second with Philadelphia’s Ryan Howard behind Albert Pujols (10) of the Cardinals. The Arizona State product became just the fourth Dodger in franchise history to amass at least 40 doubles and 30 home runs in the same season, joining Babe Herman (1930), Raul Mondesi (1997) and Eric Karros (1999). On June 26th against Seattle, Andre drove in a career-high six runs and compiled his first career three-homer game, becoming the ninth Dodger in franchise history to accomplish the feat.

A second round selection in the 2003 First-Year Player Draft by the Athletics, Ethier recorded two nine-game hitting streaks during the season from June 1st-10th (.400, 14-for-35), and from July 19th-28th (.500, 17-for-24). Since August 2008, Ethier leads the Dodgers with 40 home runs.

During the month of October, Major League Baseball fans voted for the award on pepsiclutch.mlb.com, a site powered by MLB.com, the official website of Major League Baseball, and created specifically for the MLB Clutch Performer Platform.

To further engage fans in the selection process each month, Pepsi introduced an online sweepstakes in conjunction with the award. As part of the program, fans were entered into a season long sweepstakes for a trip for two to the 2009 & 2010 Major League Baseball All-Star Games.

Monthly winners of the 2009 MLB Pepsi Clutch Performer of the Month awards include: Zack Greinke, Kansas City Royals (April); Melky Cabrera, New York Yankees (May); Tim Lincecum, San Francisco Giants (June); Mark Buehrle, Chicago White Sox (July); Hideki Matsui, New York Yankees (August); and Michael Cuddyer, Minnesota Twins (September). Last season, CC Sabathia was named the recipient of the “2008 MLB Clutch Performer of the Year Award Presented by Pepsi.”

McCourts Thowing Jabs

I haven't posted anything about this because I thought that is the McCourts personal life and it doesn't have anything to do with baseball. Well it looks like they are going to fight it out for the team so whether I like it or not The Dodgers are going to get draged into to it.

The L A Times reports that attorney for Jaimie McCourt says "Whatever it takes to buy Frank McCourt out, she's got," attorney Bert Fields said.

The attorny for Frank McCourt said "Congratulations to her for being a prospective buyer," attorney Marshall Grossman said. "There is no seller. Perhaps she could explore some other sport."

I have also read that Jaimie McCourt had an affair with her driver Jeff Fuller. If that is the case she should get nothing.

Another thing I thought was FUNNY was the Jamie McCourt has described herself as the "face of the Dodgers." I may be all the way in New Mexico but I don't think she is the face of the Dodgers.

The L A Times has a poll to vote on who is the true Face of the Dodgers. Here is the link.

BBTN Minute: World Series Game 2 Preview - ESPN Video

They were both Dodgers can't we all get along. Pedro remarks on what happened six ears ago with Don Zimmer.

"Zim charged me, and I think he's going to say something, but his reaction was totally the opposite, was trying to punch my mouth and told me a couple of bad words about my mom," Martinez said.

Here is a link to the whole story from the NY Post

Martinez Sounds off - ESPN Video

Anyone from Albuquerque remember this guy. Pedro Martinez will pitch game two for the philies. Pedro played for the Albuquerque Dukes in 1991 and, 1992. We all know what happened in 1993.

Good luck Pedro!!

INTERVIEW WITH ISOTOPES GENERAL MANAGER

I was able to ask Isotopes general manager John Traub a couple of questions he was nice enough to answer them.

Q. I read somewhere you interned for the Dodgers? When and what did you do for the Dodgers?

A. After my first year as an intern with the California Angels, I worked for the Dodgers during the 1988 post-season. That was the year they defeated the Mets in the NLCS in seven games and then went on to upset the Oakland A’s 4-1. Being there for Kirk Gibson’s home run was one of the most memorable moments of my career. I was an intern in the PR Department, servicing the press box and helping out with a wide array of media needs during that time.


Q. I grew up in Albuquerque and was very happy to see the Dodgers bring their Triple A Affiliate back. The Isotopes had an attendance of over 600,000 this season. What kind of response did you receive from fans this season?

A. The fans were thrilled to welcome the Dodgers back to Albuquerque. Even though in our first seven seasons, Albuquerque has become an Isotopes town, it never stopped being a Dodger town.


Q. One of my favorite things this seasons was seeing all the instructors and Dodger front office at the park ( Tommy Lasorda, Maury Wills, Ramon Martinez, Gene Clines, Ned Colletti, Kim Ng) How was it for the front office of the Isotopes having all those big names around the park?

A. The Dodgers have a very solid front office and they put a lot of emphasis on keeping some of their legendary players around, being active in the community and throughout their player development system. The Dodgers have been very good to work with and they respect how we go about our business. It’s been nice for our fans to be able to mix with some of the Dodger legends as well.


Q. What was your most memorable moment of this season?

A. ”Manny-Mania” was something that took on a life of its own. Having Albuquerque and Isotopes Park on national television and radio, plus having our photos in national newspapers, was great publicity for the Topes and for Minor League Baseball. The number of media who were here certainly rivaled any post-season Major League coverage I can recall being a part of. Also, winning our division during our first year with the Dodger was very special. We can only hope to have as successful a season next year.

Photos by Evan

ONE DAY CLOSER TO PITCHERS AND CATCHERS

Photo Credit Evan

I have finally came out of morning and back to life. I spent the last couple of days with out reading, listening, or watching baseball. I did do a lot of thinking about the Dodgers and what next season would be like. I spent some time with my wife and even watch some lifetime movies with her. The weather in Albuquerque has gotten cold and I guess we can start looking toward winter.

I thought that the Dodgers should look to get some pitching this off season, but when I read the article by Ken Gurnick on dodgers.com it doesn't look like that is going to happen.

Dodger fans have a whole lot to look forward to. Matt Kemp, and Andre Ethier have added another year of experience to their resume. They are the core of this team and I can't believe how much they have improved from last season.

Clayton Kershaw is only going to get better. Kershaw is a smart man and he is going to grow from what he has learned this season.

The Dodgers are going to lose 15 players to free agency: Brad Ausmus, Ronnie Belliard, Juan Castro, Jon Garland, Orlando Hudson, Mark Loretta, Doug Mientkiewicz, Eric Milton, Guillermo Mota, Will Ohman, Vicente Padilla, Jason Schmidt, Jim Thome, Jeff Weaver and Randy Wolf.

Life goes on and every day the sun rises over the Sandia Mountains it is one day closer to pitchers and catchers. So lets bundle up and start counting down to spring training.

CARD SHOW AT COTTONWOOD MALL THIS WEEKEND

2009 MALL SHOW SCHEDULE
WORLD OF SPORTS
***********************************************
October 22 -25th, 2009
COTTONWOOD MALL
** Last Show at Cottonwood until 2010 **
For additional show and dealer information ....

CALL Ivan @ 714-469-4175
***********************************************
2009 MALL SHOW SCHEDULE
(11 Remaining Show Dates for this Year) *********************************************** Oct. 22 - 25 Cottonwood Mall (Albuquerque, NM)
23 - 25 Galleria at Sunset Mall (Henderson, NV)* 30 - 1 Great Mall (Milpitas, CA) 29 - 1 Ontario Mills (Ontario, CA)
Nov. 6 - 8 Hilltop Mall (Richmond, CA)
27 - 30 Hilltop Mall (Richmond, CA) Dec. 3 - 6 Ontario Mills (Ontario, CA)
3 - 6 Great Mall (Milpitas, CA)
10 - 13 Hilltop Mall (Richmond, CA)
17 - 20 Ontario Mills (Ontario, CA)
18 - 21 Great Mall (Milpitas, CA)

For Show Information call: Ivan @ 714-469-4175

* Galleria at Sunset Mall Shows hosted by:
Power Play Sportscards @ 702-459-7529
************************************************************************
Mall Addresses
Map Quest:
www.mapquest.com

Animas Valley Mall - 75 Stores - 4601 East Main Street, Farmington, NM 87402
Coronado Center - 150 Stores - 6600 Menaul NE, Albuquerque, NM 87110
Cottonwood Mall - 140 Stores - 10000 Coors Byp NW, Albuquerque, NM 87114
Del Amo Fashion Center - 300 Stores - 3525 Carson Street, Torrance, CA 90503
Great Mall - 240 Stores - 447 Great Mall Drive, Milpitas, CA 95035
Hilltop Mall - 120 Stores - 2200 Hilltop Mall Road, Richmond, CA 94806
Ontario Mills - 210 Stores - One Mills Circle, Ontario, CA 91764
Village at Orange - 100 Stores - 1500 East Village Way, Orange, CA 92865
Visalia Mall - 100 Stores - 2031 South Mooney Blvd., Visalia, CA 93277

MY THOUGHTS ON GAME FOUR OF THE 2009 NLCS

Not much to say just looks like Matt Stairs intimidates Broxton. I bet Charlie Manual knew that Matt Stairs would get in Broxtons head.

The Dodgers have to win three in a row now!

Jimmy Kimmel Live - Guillermo's Exclusivo Interview with the Dodgers & Phillies

Vin Scully is my homeboy had this video on his blog I thought it was pretty funny. I guess none of the Dodgers watch Jimmy Kimmel.

BBTN: NLCS Game 3 Preview - ESPN Video

ANOTHER GREAT START FROM VICENTE PADILLA

Photo Credit Evan

Vicente Padilla had another great start for the Dodgers yesterday. He was not only good on the mound pitching 7.1 innings striking out six and only walking one, but he also laid down two bunts to move the runner over. I reported that he could lay down a bunt back when I saw him play in Albuquerque. Here is a link to the post I did on Padilla back in August.

Padilla didn't get the win, but neither did Pedro Martinez and the both pitched a great game.

MINOR LEAGUE STUFF

Photo Credit Evan

The Arizona Fall league

The Dodgers have nine players in the Arizona Fall League. Four pitchers Two Catchers Two infielders and two outfielders with the Peoria Javelinas. The Javelinas are 1-2 to start the season. The team consist of players from the Dodgers, Brewers, Mariners, White Sox, and Tigers.

First round draft pick Aaron Miller has pitched 2.1 innings and has walked one and struck out one.

Andrew Lambo is 3 for 8 in two games with two runs four RBI one home run and a double.

Outfielder Trayvon Robinson is 1 for 3 with a triple in two games.

Dodgers with the Javelinas

PITCHERS

Javy Guerra RHP

Eric Krebs RHP

Aaron Miller LHP

Travis Schlichting RHP

CATCHERS

Lucas May

Jessie Mier

INFIELDERS

Russell Mitchell

Justin Sellers

OUTFIELDERS

Andrew Lambo

Trayvon Robinson

Baseball America listed the top ten prospects of every Minor League level. Five Dodgers made the top ten, and three made the top twenty. Dee Gordan ranked highest at number two. They have Josh Bell listed as a Dodger, but he was part of the George Sherrill trade.

SOUTHERN LEAGUE

Andrew Lambo #18

CALIFORNIA LEAGUE

Chris Withrow #4

Trayvon Robinson #15

MID WEST LEAGUE

Dee Gordon #2

Ethan Martin #10

PIONEER LEAGUE

Bret Wallach #16

ARIZONA LEAGUE

Allan Webster #3

Jonathon Garcia #9

Even though Matt Moore (Tampa Bay Rays) is not a Dodger he is form New Mexico and is listed at number three in the South Atlantic League.

MY THOUGHTS ON LAST NIGHTS GAME

Photo Credit Evan

I have had a few hours to soak in last nights game and sort out my thoughts. So what's on my mind this morning? This is the first of seven games. Kershaw was real good till the fifth. Ethier, Kemp, and Loney have matured so much, and I can't stand the Phillie's.

It was an exciting game and I think it will go seven. Both teams played their all and the Phillies came out on top. By looking at Lidge on the mound he did not look confident. He didn't have the look. He got the save but I think the Dodgers can get to him. The Dodgers also 3 for 14 with runners in scoring position and I believe they will make the adjustments needed.

I thought Clayton Kershaw was outstanding till the fifth. I give the Phillies credit for being patient. The walks hurt the Dodgers. I think Kershaw will take this experience and learn from the experience and move on.

Andre Ethier, Matt Kemp, and James Loney hit for a combined 8 for 14. They have matured so much. How about Kemp doubling up Ruiz at first.

The Phillie's just get on my nerves. What's up with Victorino talking smack to Martin. I respect them and they are a talented team but they just get to me.

This is going to be a great series lets see how game two goes.

BBTN: Pedro Starting Game 2 - ESPN Video

BBTN: Phillies' Game 2 Analysis - ESPN Video

BBTN: Phillies Vs. Dodgers NLCS Preview - ESPN Video

PIERRE WINS FOURTH ANNUAL ROY CAMPANELLA AWARD

Photo Credit Evan

Outfielder voted “Most Inspirational Dodger” by his teammates and coaches

LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles Dodgers announced today that outfielder Juan Pierre was named the winner of the fourth annual Roy Campanella Award, which is given to the Dodger player who best exemplifies the spirit and leadership of the late Hall of Fame catcher. The award, which was voted upon by Dodger uniform personnel, will be presented to Pierre by Campanella’s daughter, Joni Campanella Roan during a pregame ceremony prior to tomorrow night’s contest against the Colorado Rockies. Dodger shortstop Rafael Furcal received the inaugural award in 2006, Dodger catcher Russell Martin won it in 2007, and first baseman James Loney took home the honor last season.

In his third season with the Dodgers, Pierre is hitting .305 with 56 runs and 27 stolen bases in 142 games. The outfielder has started 74 games overall, 62 in left field and 12 in center field, making just one error in those contests. The Alabama native is hitting .300 (93-for-310) with 16 doubles, four triples, 41 runs scored, 27 RBI, and 25 stolen bases in those starts.

Pierre filled in admirably during Manny Ramirez’s 50-game suspension this season, starting all 50 games in left field and hitting .318 (68-for-214) with 14 doubles, 21 RBI, 16 walks, 32 runs scored, and a .381 on-base percentage in that time. Pierre also stole 21 bases in 28 attempts during the 50 games, good for a 75 percent success rate. The Dodgers went 29-21 over that span.

Pierre won the clubhouse nod for the honor in the closest balloting in the Roy Campanella Award’s four-year history. Beginning on the first day of Spring Training at Camelback Ranch – Glendale, Pierre wore a t-shirt that simply read “BEAST MODE” on the front and “24/7, 365” on the back. The slogan became an early rallying cry for the Dodgers and helped propel the team to the best record in the Major Leagues at the All-Star break with a record of 56-32.

Over the second half of the season, the 10-year veteran has established himself as not only the Dodgers’ top pinch-hitter, but also one of the best pinch-hitters in the National League. Pierre leads all Major Leaguers with 12 pinch-hits since the All-Star break and overall is hitting .333 (14-for-42) with two triples, five walks, nine runs scored, and a .404 on-base percentage in 49 pinch-hitting plate appearances.

Pierre is batting .317 vs. left-handers, .307 with runners in scoring position, and .366 against the National League West. The speedy outfielder stole at least 25 bases for the ninth consecutive season and is currently tied for fifth in the NL in that category, despite just 74 starts.

Off the field, Pierre continued his “Pierre’s Pack” community initiative this season in which he treated groups from after school inner-city organizations to tickets, a meal, and a pre-game meet-and-greet. Pierre also joined James Loney at the State Farm Dodgers Dream Foundation’s annual bowling Extravaganza in July as well as lending a hand to Orlando Hudson during his “Around the Mound” tour in May.

Campanella was a three-time National League Most Valuable Player (1951, 1953, and 1955), eight-time All-Star, and a member of the 1955 World Championship team. He played in five World Series and his 142 RBI in 1953 set a franchise record, since surpassed by Tommy Davis (153 in 1962). In 1,215 career games during a 10-year career, all with the Dodgers, he batted .276 with 242 home runs and 856 RBI.

He began his career in the Negro Leagues, establishing himself as one of the top catchers in the league before joining the Dodger organization in 1946. Campanella played for Class B Nashua of the New England League, making that club the first integrated affiliated baseball team in the United States.

On Jan. 29, 1958, just as the Dodgers were making final preparations for their move to Los Angeles, Campanella was involved in a tragic car accident that paralyzed him from the neck down, marking the end of his playing career. On May 7, 1959, a Major League record-setting 93,103 fans filled the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on “Roy Campanella Night” for an exhibition game between the Dodgers and Yankees.

He was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1969 and was among the first three Dodgers to have their uniform numbers retired alongside Robinson and Sandy Koufax. Campanella remained active in the Dodgers’ Community Relations Department until his passing on June 26, 1993 at the age of 71.