DAN OPPERMAN

This morning the Rio Grande SABR Chapter held it's monthly meeting at Isotopes Park.  This months guest speaker was the 1987 first round pick (8th overall) by the Los Angeles Dodgers Dan Opperman.

Photo Credit Evan: Dann Opperman speaks to members of the Rio Grande SABR chapter

Dan's a graduate of Valley High School in Las Vegas Nevada.  He was classmates and teammates with former Major League pitcher Greg Maddux and Steve Rodriguez former major league baseball infielder, and current head coach of the Pepperdine University baseball team.

Dan's career was shortened by injuries, and made it as high as Triple-A Albuquerque.  While playing for the Dukes he was 7-7 with a 5.25 ERA.

Dan Opperman poses for a picture with Evan

After his baseball carreer ended he attended college and is now an attorney.  He now lives in Albuquerque and is an assistant coach at La Cueva High School.

UNM BASEBALL LOSES 1 MILLION DOLLAR DONATION

I saw this story last night, and I feel for the Lobo baseball team.  I want them to succeed and get this field so bad.

Johnny Cope pulls money over field name: krqe.com

DODGER CARAVAN 2012

It's that time again where the Dodger caravan travels throughout the Los Angeles area visiting hospitals, schools and meeting fans.  It's great to see the players take time out to visit the Los Angeles community.  Not only do you guys on the west coast have great weather but you get to see the Dodger caravan.  The season is right around the corner!

LATINO BASEBALL HALL OF FAME HONERS TOMMY LASORDA

Photo Advisory from the Dodgers

The Latino Baseball Hall of Fame yesterday unveiled a statue of Dodger Hall of Fame Manager and Special Advisor to the Chairman Tommy Lasorda at their Paseo de los Inmortales in La Romana, Dominican Republic.  Lasorda, who is a founding member of the Latino Baseball Hall of Fame and their Goodwill Ambassador, managed in the Dominican Republic for three seasons, winning two championships and one Caribbean Series championship (1973-74).

The Latino Baseball Hall of Fame annually bestows the Tommy Lasorda Award for a non-Latino who makes significant contributions to Latino baseball.  This year's winner is Pat Gillick with past winners including Peter O'Malley (2010) and George Steinbrenner (2011).

Photos credits Steve Fortunato/Fortch

RUSS MITCHELL BACK TO ALBUQUERQUE

Photo Credit Evan: Russ Mitchell at Isotopes Park 2011

Infielder Russ Mitchell has cleared waivers and was outrighted to Albuquerque.  Mitchell was ddesignated for assignment on Monday to make room for Todd Coffey.

Mitchell has spent two season with the Isotopes, where he has hit .302 with 39 homers and 156 RBI.  The last two season he has spent time going from Albuquerque to Los Angeles.

I was going through photos to put at the top of my post and I found this one that has Mitchell playing first base and Kansas City Royals star Eric Hosmer taking a lead.  Sometimes I forget the future stars that have passed through Albuquerque during the season. 

RUSS MITCHELL DESIGNATED FOR ASSIGNMENT

Photo Credit Evan: Russ Mitchell at Isotopes Park

To make room for new Dodger reliever Todd Coffey on the 40 man roster the Dodger Designated Russ Mitchell for assignment.  That means he has ten days to clear waivers and then must accept the assignment.  If he does then he will return back to Albuquerque to play with the Isotopes.

In other Dodger news the Dodger signed right handed pitcher Jamey Wright as a non roster invitee.  Wright was a first round pick by the Colorado Rockies in 1993.  since then he has spent time with  Rockies, Rangers, Mariners, Brewers, Royals, Blue Jays, Indians, and Giants.

Wright has a life time record of 85-121 with a 4.93 ERA.

KERSHAW AVOIDS ARBITRATION

Photo Credit Evan: Clayton Kershaw at Petco Park 2011

Like I have posted before could you imagine going to an arbitration hearing where you have to pick Clayton Kershaw apart and say what he has done wrong. 

Since being called up by the Dodgers in 2008 Kershaw has a life time record is 47-28 with a 2.88 ERA and 745 strikeouts in 118 game and 716 innings.

The Los Angeles Times is reporting Kershaw has a two year $19 million dollar deal.  They also write "The Times’ Dylan Hernandez reports Kershaw will earn a $500,000 signing bonus, $7.5 million this season and $11 million in 2013."

I love watching Kershaw pitch.  Not only can he pitch but when you need him to lay down a bunt and move the runner over he gets the job done.  That's one of my favorite things about him.

Well it looks like the two big guys are set now just get the sale over with and start the season.

HELLO TODD COFFEY GOODBYE KUO

Photo Credit Evan: Hong-Chih Kuo at Petco Park 2011

On Friday the Dodger signed reliever Todd Coffey.  ESPN Los Angeles is reporting that the one year deal is worth 1.3 million with an option for 2013.

Coffey spent last season with the Washington Nationals. The right handed Coffey went 5-1 with a 3.62 ERA last season.  He was originally drafted by the Cincinnati Reds in the 41st round of the 1998 draft. 

Meanwhile there are reports that Hong-Chih Kuo is close to a deal with the Mariners.  Kuo was originally signed by the Dodgers as amateur free agent in 1999.  He came up through the Dodgers farm system Kuo rehabbed in Albuquerque with the Isotopes in 2009 and 2011.  

Funny thing Kuo is a lefty but in the picture above he is signing autographs with his right hand.

COLLECTING THE LOCAL TALENTS BASEBALL CARDS

First let me say congratulations to a local UFC fighter Carlos Condit who had a big win last night!  Way to  represent Albuquerque!

Now back to baseball.  I have been real pumped up about the local guys out of  New Mexico who have been making their way to the Major Leagues.  I have been working on a project to try and collect the local guys baseball cards. 

My goal is to collect all local kids rookie cards.  I prefer autograph cards if available.  There are may be many different cards I usually try to buy the one catches my eye.  I have yet to purchase any of the cards but plan on having my collection done by the end of the 2012 season.

Lets start with one of the most expensive ones.  Matt Moore.  There are not to many autograph cards I have seen of Matt but this one caught my eye.  It is a 2011 Bowman Sterling Matt Moore Tampa Bay Rays Prospect Auto Refractor /199.  I found this card on Ebay and as I am writing this post it's price is $26.00 with eight bids and eight days left til the auction ends.

With such a talented pitcher like Matt you can't just have one card so here is another one that I like which is going for a bit more than the first.  This is a 2011 bowman chrome blue refractor Matt Moore rc auto /150 rookie card.  I always try to incorporate Blue into everything I own (Dodger Blue).  Two days left on this auction with six bids and it's at $125.00.  Not bad considering it started at .03 cents.

If you are going to purchase a card I would say to get a Blake Swihart 2011 Bowman Chrome autograph.  Blake was the 26th pick of the Boston Red Sox out of Cleveland High School in Rio Rancho New Mexico.  The switch hitting catcher was Baseball America's number three prospect for the Red Sox.  As time goes bye the price is only going to go up on everything Swihart.  Found several on Ebay with prices between $16.00 and $30.00.

I found several 2011 Bowman Platinum autograph cards on Ebay of Jordan Pacheco.  Jordan was a former La Cueva High school graduate, and played for the University of New Mexico. Jordan was a ninth  round pick of the Colrado Rockies in 2007.

Max Walla was drafted in the 2nd round of the 2009 draft by the Brewers.  I found one autograph card of Max but I liked this Bowman Chrome card better.  I am sure Max will have some autograph cards come out this year.

Kyle Blanks was drafted by the San Diego Padres in 42nd round of the 2004 draft.  Kyle comes out or Moriarty High School which is the same high school that Matt Moore attended.  Three are several  2006 Bowman Roookie cards on Ebay going for about $15.00.

Cody Ross was one of the first players out of  New Mexico to make a splash in Major League Baseball.  Ross was drafted by the Detroit Tigers in the 4th round of the 1999 draft.  While I mostly think of Cody as a Marlin, many people may remember him from the short time he spent with the Giants when they won the World Series in 2010,  But do you remember him as a Dodger?  If they Have a Dodger card then that's the one I want.  I couldn't find a card of Cody in a Dodger uniform so I liked this one the best.  Its a 2006 Upper Deck Future Stars Rookie autograph card of Cody in a Marlins uniform.You can find several on Ebay for around $15.00.

How about Brendan Donnelly who is from Albuquerque.  Brendan was originally drafted by the White Sox in 1992 but is probably best known for his time with the Angels. The only card of Donnelly I could find was a 2002 SPX.  It's not an autograph so if anyone knows of one let me know.  There is one on Ebay for $1.82.

From the past to the future.  I am going to start collecting cards of Alex Bregman who is still in high school at Albuquerque Academy, but I think will be drafted in the first round of the 2012 draft.  I even think he might be the highest drafted player out of New Mexico ever!  I will be posting more on Bregman later this spring as the high school baseball season starts. Bregman is a right hitting catcher/infielder.  There are several cards of Bregman while he played for Team USA in price ranges from $5.00 to $100.00.

Good luck to all the local guys.

Photo Credit Evan

Spring training is right around the corner, and then it's a hop, skip, and and jump to the 2012 season.  First is hopefully there will be a new owner for the Dodger by the time the season starts.

Since my last post on this situation The L.A. Times has reported  Mark Cuban, Dennis Gilbert eliminated from Dodgers' bidding race.  The article says the Dodgers' outgoing owner, has pledged to identify the winning bidder by April 1 and complete the sale of the team by April 30. I was really pulling  for Dennis Gilbert. The full story can be read by clicking here.


Then in another article by the L.A. Times says that Peter O'Malley is supported by financing from the South Korean conglomerate E-Land.  for more on that article click here.
 
I have never heard of these guys but then I haven't heard of alot of the people bidding on the Dodgers but again the L.A. Times is reporting that Tom Barrack, Leo Hindery are latest players in Dodgers bidding  According to the article Leo Hindery is the founder of the Yankees Cable Channel, and Tom Barrack head of Santa Monica's Colony Capital.  The article also says that Barrack heads Colony Capital, a Santa Monica firm that controls $29 billion in assets.  That's alot of money.  Fro the whole article click here. 


All this big money is CRAZY!  Just hope the right person wins!

SABR DAY WITH RIO GRANDE SABR IN ALBUQUERQUE

Photo credit Evan: Isotopes Park n January 2012

Saturday January, 28 was SABR (Society for American Baseball Research) day across America.  Rio Grande SABR held it's meeting yesterday at Isotopes Park.  The meeting had three guest speakers, and a guided tour of Isotopes Park.

Photo credit Evan: Albuquerque Isotopes General Mananger John Traub

The first of the three guest speakers was Isotopes GM John Traub.  John talked about his journey as a kid in Los Angeles then starting in baseball with the California Angels, that took him through working for the Dodgers during the 1988 World Series then up to Canada and finally brought him to Albuquerque.

One thing I have learned about John while talking to him is he is a baseball fan just like us.  He has great knowledge of the game.  He probably had alot more to say and I could have listened to him all day.  We can't forget how generous he is with Rio Grande SABR by letting us hold our meetings at Isotopes Park. Thanks for everything John!

Evan and Max Walla of the Brewers organization

The next guest speaker I met walking from the parking lot, that would be Max Walla.  My first impression of Max was he is a very respectful young man.  I think he is very mature for his age (20).  Max was the 73 pick by the Milwaukee Brewers in 2009.  Max who is an outfielder, grew up in Albuquerque and attended Albuquerque Academy High School.  One thing Max talked about that I thought was very interesting was how the transition to wood bats.  Max said "It's like hunting with shot gun and then using a rifle". 

We are going to have to keep our eye on Max this season.

Photo Credit Evan:  Left Red Sox Minor League player Blake Swihart right Brewers Minor League player Max Walla

The next guest speaker was the first round pick 26 overall for the Boston Red Sox Blake Swihart.  Blake is a switch hitting catcher from Cleveland high school in Rio Rancho New Mexico.  Blake talked about taking batting practice at Fenway Park,and his trip to the Dominican.

Evan and Red Sox Minor League Player Blake Swihart

I am going to post updates on all local players once a week once the season starts. I have a feeling we are going to see more local kids get drafted in the years to come.

Next we took a tour of Isotopes Park.  I had never been up in the press box before and that was pretty cool.

It was a great SABR meeting and can't wait till the next one.

MAX WALLA

This Saturday Rio Grande SABR is having a meeting and the guest speaker is Max Walla.  Here is a little information on Walla.

Walla was drafted out of Albuquerque Academy in the second round in the 2009 draft by the Milwaukee Brewers.

In 2009 Walla spent time with the Arizona Brewers in the Arizona League and he also spent time with the Helena Brewers in the Pioneer League.

In 2010 he also split time between Arizona and Helena.

In three season in the Brewers organization Walla has a BA of .249 with 16 RBI and eight homers, four were hit in 2011 while with Helena. 

The Rio Grande SABR meeting will be held at Isotopes Park at 11:00 AM.

THE BIDDING HAS STARTED

Photo Credit Evan

The bidding has started and I think it's the beginning of the road to a new era of Dodger baseball.  So what is the word on the bidding?  I've check several site around the web and here is what I have come up with.

Lets start with ESPN Los Angeles.  Tony Jackson posted this at January 24, 2012, 12:15 AM ET. 

As the deadline passed, there were only two confirmed bids:



• Dennis Gilbert, the Beverly Hills insurance agent and founder of the Beverly Hills Sports Council who also serves as a special assistant to Chicago White Sox owner Jerry Reinsdorf, confirmed that his group, which is largely financed by Imperial Capital chairman and chief executive officer Jason Reese, placed a bid.


• Joshua Macciello, CEO of ArmItal Sports Inc., issued a news release through his company stating that he also had made what Macciello characterized in that release as "a more than fair and considerable offer to both Frank and Major League Baseball."

Jackson also goes into all the in and outs of bidders and the process of everything.  The one thing Jackson talked about was the parking lots at Dodger Stadium.  According to his post they are still not included in the sale of the team.  You can read the who post by clicking here.

The L.A. Times Bill Shaikin is really on top of this story.  I suggest you follow him on Twitter for updates.  Shaikin reported The Dodgers received "more than 10" opening bids for the team by Monday's deadline, according to a person familiar with the sale but not authorized to discuss it. 

The article also goes on to say that Mark Cuban, Steven Cohen, and Peter O'Malley, all placed bids yesterday.  He Also reports several groups and a joint bid by Leo Hindery and Marc Utay who made a run at buying the Cubs but fell short.

You can read the whole article by clicking here.

I usually don't read the Wall Street Journal but I imagine I will be reading it alot in the next couple of month because of their coverage on the Dodgers sale.  Their headline says $1 Billion Play: L.A. Dodgers Draw First Bids.  You can read their whole article by clicking here.

CBS Sports has an article on the bidding and how some groups were talking about merging.  Two bidders said talks about possible group mergers were ongoing. They both spoke on condition of anonymity because Blackstone Group, which is managing the sale for owner Frank McCourt, made them sign nondisclosure agreements.


You can read the whole article by clicking here.

Dodger fans have alot to look forward to in the future. This sale and era of Dodger baseball is all going to be part of  Dodger history.

NAME THIS AUTOGRAPH

A funny thing happened to me. I went to San Diego this past season to catch a Dodger game and while I was there I collected some autographs.  I had a picture I and had some players sign it.  I was writing down the players names who had signed my picture.   I came across an autograph I couldn't figure out who it was.  Can you?  He was the only player who didn't put his number next to his autograph.

I finally figured out who's sig it was.  I happened to text my wife the names of all the players who signed and the cross checked it through s pictures of his autograph on the internet.

Lets see how long it takes a reader of the blog to figure this autograph out.

WHERE WILL IVAN DE JESUS END UP IN 2012

Photo Credit Evan: Ivan De Jesus Jr at Isotopes Park

Not much going on here in Albuquerque. I just like just about every other Dodger fan is awaiting the big day coming up when we here about the bidders who are making a run at purchasing the Dodgers. 

I got to thinking last week, the Dodgers signed infielders Mark Ellis, Josh Fields, Jerry Hairston and Adam Kennedy.  So does that mean they have given up on Ivan De Jesus Jr?

De Jesus was not called up last September.  He did have 32 at bats early last season with the Dodgers.  He hit .188 from March 31st, thru June 5th last season.

De Jesus finished the season hitting .310 (120 hits for 387 at bats) in 100 games with the Isotopes in 2011. 

De Jesus is playing winter ball in the Puerto Rico where he has hit .328 in 125 at bats. 

So what does the 2012 season have in store for De Jesus?

ETHIER AND LONEY AVOID ARBITRATION KERSHAW REQUEST 10 MILLION

Photo Credit Evan: James Loney Petco 2011

Andre Ethier and James Loney both are done deals.  The L.A. Times and others reported  Ethier for $10.95 million and Loney for 6.35 million.

Now if I was a GM I would have rather faced those two in an arbitration hearing rather than Kershaw.  I almost feel embaressed for what the Dodgers have offered Kershaw.

Again the L.A. Times and others are reporting that  Clayton Kershaw, officially requested a $10 million salary for 2012 and the Dodgers countered with Dodgers countered at $6.5 million.  I think Kershaw requested a low amount considering what others have been paid. 

What can anyone say bad about Kershaw, lets see he won 21 games, had an ERA of 2.28, pitched 233 innings, started 33 games, does charity work, and represents well the team on and off the field.  I hope that this as all talk and we hear about a long term deal in the next couple of days.

Another story in the L.A. Times talks about the parking lots at Dodger Stadium.  They are reporting that Frank McCourt has the option to sell the Dodgers but keep the surrounding parking lots, and his interests as landlord and potential developer might not coincide with those of the new owner.

That makes me mad!  Come on I really don't want to give the guy any of my hard earned money.  I don't get out to Dodger Stadium much, but it would kinda make me cringe to hand the parking attendant money that will eventually go to McCourt.  Just sell the team and move on. Fans shouldn't have to think about this stuff.   Anyway you can read the whole story by clicking here.

Just a couple of more days till the bids are submitted.

KURODA TO THE YANKEES, PADILLA TO THE RED SOX

Photo Credit Evan: Vincente Padilla at Isotopes Park

I am alright with Padilla leaving the Dodgers organization, but I would have like to see the Dodgers bring back Kuroda.

Kuroda signed a one year $10 million dollar deal with the Yankees.  Kuroda was very loyal to the Dodgers after he exercised the no-trade clause last season.

Padilla on the other hand was on the DL most of last season.  Padilla signed a minor league deal with an invite to Major League camp.

Padilla spent time with the Isotopes while rehabbing.  I don't know why I remember this but when he made his first start at Isotopes Park he ran out of the dugout and tripped right a the third base foul line.

Good luck to both, I wish them well.

I just got an email from Rio Grande SABR saying that at the next meeting the speakers will be Isotopes GM John Traub and Max Walla who is in the Brewers organization and grew up in Albuquerque.

NEW MEXICO HIGH SCHOOLS USING WOODEN BATS THIS SEASON

Last July the New Mexico Activities Association voted to implement the use of wood bats for the 2012 season.

In a press release last July Dusty Young, NMAA Assistant Director in charge of baseball, said, “coaches across the state have been interested in making this change for many years, and with the new BBCOR standards going into effect in 2012, these coaches felt it was a perfect time to make the move and their proposal was in fact passed by the membership.”

I like the move to wood bats.  I have spoken with a couple of high school coaches and they both like the implement of wooden bats.  As a matter of fact they both told me the same thing saying their team was built for wooden bats.

I don't get to many high school game but I am going to make it a point to make it to several this season.  good move for everyone involved.

According to the NMAA website the official bat of the NMAA is the DEMARINI PRO MAPLE COMPOSITE BAT. 

For more info on this topic click http://www.nmact.org/athletics/baseball/

A WHOLE LOT OF RICH PEOPLE WANT TO BUY THE DODGERS

Photo Credit Evan

People are coming from all corners of the universe to try and place a bid on the Dodgers.  Everyone one wants to be the next owner of the greatest franchise in Major League Baseball.  I don't blame anyone for trying.  Heck if i had that kind of money I would be in line with everyone. I don't so I am not in line.

Lets take a look at who might be the next owner of the Dodgers.

Fan favorites 

I read Tweets and talk to Dodger fans who are so excited that Steve Garvey and Orel Hershiser are going to buy the Dodgers.  They would get the team if the fans were voting on it.

Magic Johnson is also a fan favorite he would also get the popular vote from fans.

Joe Torre might have an edge on everyone because he is not only a fan favorite but also has the financial backing.  His partner Rick Caruso was smart to put Torre as the face of the group.  Torre is not only popular with the fans, but he is a baseball guy on and off the field.  He would be good for the Dodger franchise.

Mark Cuban  I would like to see him as the Dodgers owner.  but I think alot of people don't.

Steven Cohen I read he has never been to Dodger Stadium. End of discussion.

The O'Malley's?  They should have never sold the team in the first place.  While a fan like me would like to see the Dodger traditions return back to when the O'Malleys owned the team I think it is a long shot.

Then there is Dennis Gilbert who I am pulling for.  But don't trust my judgement I once thought the McCourt's would bring back the family tradition to the Dodgers.  I was wrong!  I admit it.

Then there is this guy by the name of Joshua Macciello who is interested in buying the Dodgers.  vinscullyismyhomeboy.com has some interesting post on Macciello.

I have an idea how about all of us Dodger bloggers get together and form a group? 

Corporate

Then there is Time Warner Fox, and others who would like to have the team.  I would rather see a face owning the team rather than a logo.

All I know is it we might be watching history in the making.  Not only for the sale price of the Dodgers but the way the sale is going to take place.

JOSH LINDBLOM ON BLACK AND GOLD LIVE

I was browsing the Internet on Friday when I came across a Tweet on Twitter from Josh Lindblom saying "ask me a question on Black and Gold Live."  Check out Josh talking about his foundation, baseball, and other things on this video.