The Trolley Dodger

Hiroki Kuroda vs Hideki Matsui Carp vs Giants, September 7, 2002.

2007 NPB All Star Game July 20, 2007

Hey, if you are by chance up tomorrow morning at 4:30 AM Pacific, and get the Fox Movie Channel, be sure to check out It Happened in Flatbush (1942). The description: “A blacklisted player becomes a baseball team manager.” It includes some real game footage from the 1941 World Series games at Ebbets Field.

It’s on again on March 6 at 7 AM, so not very convenient times. :)

Cast and Crew: Jane Darwell, Sara Allgood, Ray Mccarey, Lloyd Nolan, Carole Landis, William Frawley

Yeah, this guy was a little intimidating:

SI.com has a cool feature that allows you to browse Sports Illustrated covers of days gone by, and even to search by team. Like this for the Dodgers, showing 41 covers with Dodgers on them, from Don Drysdale on August 20, 1962, to Sandy Koufax on July 12, 1999, and lots in between. You can even buy covers at sicovers.com.

I think the word that best describes my reaction: eewwwwwww!

“Manny’s new agent: Scott Boras”

Manny Ramirez spoke to reporters about his contractual situation Thursday, but when he did he failed to mention one new revelation: Ramirez is switching agents and has hired Scott Boras, a friend of Ramirez’s told SI.com.

“Furcal, Jones make the most of reunion”

For his part, Brad Penny won’t miss pitching to [Andruw] Jones.

“He’s hit six homers off me. I’m sure glad we got him,” Penny said. “He’s a tough out. He likes fastballs and likes them up, and if he gets one, good-bye. In center field he’s definitely the best in the business — no offense to Juan Pierre.”

Can’t imagine why this was important.

Torre said he was pleased with what he saw of the club’s first full workout. Particular attention was paid to baserunning fundamentals, with third-base coach Larry Bowa providing a station-to-station lecture.

Oh wait, yes I can. ;)

And let’s hope the Beimel Hair situation isn’t a Sampson kind of deal:

“[Torre] said he wanted me to cut my hair and I said, ‘OK,’” said Beimel. “It was looking bad anyway. It hadn’t been cut since August.”

Beimel said he consulted the wife of teammate and former Vero Beach resident Chad Billingsley for a recommendation of a stylist and was pleased with the results.

Beimel said he’s gone with long hair since 2004 Spring Training, when he reported to Pittsburgh Pirates camp with a shaved head, had a poor spring and was released.

from “Notes: LaRoche takes field with starters”

Fascinating glimpse back at the time leading up to Jackie Robinson joining the Dodgers, what Red Barber calls a “stormy period,” and at the decision he had to make (due to the upcoming chaos and controversy) whether to continue being their broadcaster or not.

Pitchers and catchers have reported to Spring Training at last! Thanks be to the gods.

Speaking of catchers, a certain catcher famous for playing beyond his years has finally cracked the quarter-century mark: Joyeux Anniversaire, Russell Martin, who seems like a nice guy no matter which language he’s speaking.

Oh, and just in case you forgot, here’s a reminder that the kid can hit the ball:

While we’re on a retro Dodger Stadium kick, here’s a clip from Elton John’s 1975 concert there:

The sequined LA Dodgers cap and uniform are a nice touch. ;)

A bit of fun from (gulp) 28 years ago: Dodgers vs Astros 1980.