Now Museum

There's a museum in the future of Dodger Stadium, but in the meantime, the new Los Angeles Sports Museum opens downtown November 28, and it gets a nice writeup today from Greg Johnson of the Times.

… The museum's sweet spot is an extensive Dodgers collection that fills a room in the nondescript building not far from Staples Center.

Visitors can gawk at a champagne bottle, glass and handful of infield dirt that select guests were given on the day Ebbets Field opened for big league play. There is an original Ebbets Field turnstile, musical instruments from the Brooklyn Dodgers' fabled marching band, a few grandstand seats and even the logo of the demolition company that knocked the old ballpark down.

Former Dodgers owner Peter O'Malley has described the collection as "the best that I know of." …

* * *

I'm remembering Sarah Gilfillan today.

Comments

[D4P]

1.  Visitors can gawk at a champagne bottle, glass and handful of infield dirt

"Hey, Dad! Is that...dirt?!?!?"

"Why, yes, son, it is."

Those are the moments you never forget.

[trainwreck]

2.  Red Sox have jumped in on the Burnett sweepstakes according to Gammons.

No love for Sheets?

[underdog]

3.  Slumdog Millionare is great, don't miss it.

--

Tonight I'm seeing a play with JoBeth (Mrs. Freeling) Williams. Looking forward to it, but haven't seen a play in awhile. Are there coming attractions?

[trainwreck]

4.  3
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1QXDrLHBoGo

[Tripon]

5.  Jon Paul Morosi of the Detroit Free Press reports that the Tigers are interested in LHP Joe Beimel, according to Beimel's agent.

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/

[kinbote]

6.  3 I always thought that was a cool special effect in Poltergeist when JoBeth turns around in the kitchen and the chairs are all stacked up.

[trainwreck]

7.  The old man in Poltergeist II may be the scariest looking person I have seen.

[underdog]

8.  4 Hee. Looks funny. But this is a play called Quality of Life. Also has Laurie Metcalf in it.

7 Boo!
http://www.thefleshfarm.com/poltergeist/poltergeist2P.html

[trainwreck]

9.  8
I just like excuses to post clips from shows I like that people do not watch here.

If the old man was still alive and I saw him, I would preemptively punch him in the face.

[Eric Stephen]

10.  7
The old man in Poltergeist II may be the scariest looking person I have seen

Don Mossi says hello:

http://tinyurl.com/5puvoo

[Kevin Lewis]

11.  7

Just the thought sent shivers down my spine

[Jon Weisman]

12.  I hadn't heard of Jeff Dunham, but apparently a bunch of other people have.

http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117996088.html

[Eric Stephen]

13.  D4P will be happy to know Jamie Moyer turned 46 today.

[Eric Stephen]

14.  I had no idea there was a Poltergeist II. I wish I could erase Caddyshack 2 from my memory like that.

[Marty]

15.  The creepiest/scariest old man in movies was William Hickey in Prizzi's Honor. Hickey was also the young interviewer in Little Big Man.

[Eric Stephen]

16.  15
"Hey Grizz, since you're not doing anything constructive, why don't you bring me my stogie."

[MollyKnight]

17.  Ha. I was just thinking today that the Tigers or Indians should snag Beimel and turn him into a closer. He's really good at baseball.

[Kevin Lewis]

18.  One of the scariest movies for me when I was a kid is "Watcher in the Woods"...made by Disney and the last time I was at Blockbuster it was in the family section. Man, that is twisted

[Kevin Lewis]

19.  16

"The Blessing"

[Tripon]

20.  17 Or set up man. It was odd that Torre turned Bemiel to a LOOGY, and odder still that Torre seemed to forget that Bemiel existed in the playoffs.

[Eric Stephen]

21.  20
Part of it was that the Cubs weren't hitting our RHPs, and not a single lefty was used in that series.

[Eric Stephen]

22.  On the LA Times' website, there is a poll:

You are starting an MLB franchise and have enough money to grab one high-priced free agent. Is it Manny Ramirez, Mark Teixeira or CC Sabathia?

With 4,419 votes in, the results thus far are:

CC - 40.4%
Tex - 35.9%
Manny - 23.7%

[Dane Bramage]

23.  Tony Jackson says it's official: the White Sox are coming...

http://tinyurl.com/5jlszg

[mwhite06]

24.  17 I agree. Beimel would be an excellent fit in Detroit.

[Johnson]

25.  22 Makes sense. CC and Tex should be productive for a longer span than Manny, and if you're starting a franchise, you're kind of destined to be in "win later" mode.

[trainwreck]

26.  12
That is crazy.

[madmac]

27.  1 there you go again with the parenting advice

[Tripon]

28.  According to Geoff Baker of the Seattle Times, Don Wakamatsu will be the next manager of the Seattle Mariners. Wakamatsu has worked previously as a bench coach for the Oakland Athletics, and also as a third-base coach for the Texas Rangers.

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/

[trainwreck]

29.  28
The last A's bench coach hired by another team did not do too bad. (Terry Francona)

[trainwreck]

30.  What is the largest margin of victory in NFL history?

I think the Broncos have a chance to beat it this week against the Raiders.

[Eric Stephen]

31.  30
I like your style. Butter up the Underdogs of the world, then knock them off their high horse with an upset.

Bob used a similar tactic in Aught Six before the USC-UCLA game. :)

[trainwreck]

32.  31
Greg Brock pretty much expected a public execution.

[Eric Stephen]

33.  30
http://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/194012080was.htm

[Eric Stephen]

34.  33
The Bears had 5 different players successfully kick an extra point in that game.

[trainwreck]

35.  33
Hmmmm. That will be tough, but Shanahan won't let up for a second.

[Bob Timmermann]

36.  34
Back then, there wasn't unlimited substitution, so once a guy came out you had to find someone else to try the PAT.

[underdog]

37.  I know what you're up to -- the ol' reverse jinx! Well, it ain't gonna work. Oh wait, did I just reverse-reverse jinx it? Wait...

{head explodes}

Anyway, even when the teams have been mismatched they often play close, so you never know. I feel like the Broncos by all intents and purposes should cover the 9 point spread at least, but again, you never know.

[trainwreck]

38.  37
The Broncos destroying the Raiders again may lead to Al Davis going into a coma or having a heart attack.

Now are you sure you want to win?

[Eric Stephen]

39.  37
In their last 6 games, the Raider offense has 2 touchdowns.

But they do have 8 field goals over that span, so watch out Denver!

[Jim Hitchcock]

40.  Underdog...got my tent cot today:

http://tinyurl.com/6d8bfm

[trainwreck]

41.  Tonight will be a rare occasion where I root for Kentucky basketball.

[Indiana Jon]

42.  41 I do that only once a year, not tonight though. I'll be saving mine for December 13th.

[oshea2002]

43.  41 - Ashley Judd will be sitting in the UNC student section apparently.

[Bob Timmermann]

44.  Total yardage for the Bears in their 73-0 win in the 1940 NFL Championship: 393 yards.

Total yards for Washington: 232.

Turnovers by Washington: 9 including 8 interceptions

Passes attempted by Chicago: 8
Passes attempted by Washington: 49

[Bob Timmermann]

45.  I noticed at dinner that this is "Interactive Tuesday" on ESPN college basketball.

This is not a feature that makes me want to tune in.

[D4P]

46.  Didn't Kentucky just lose to some small school or something? Kinda takes the lustre off their matchup with UNC...

[Bob Timmermann]

47.  Kentucky lost its home opener to VMI.

[DBrim]

48.  Manny being choosey: http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2008/11/17/choose-your-own-adventure-manny-being-choosey-in-free-agency/

[Bob Timmermann]

49.  There will be no UCLA alums in the Senate when the new one assembles on January 3.

[D4P]

50.  49
Are there currently any UCLA alums in the Senate?

[Bob Timmermann]

51.  http://www.uclalumni.net/AlumniStories/Awards/bio/Stevens.cfm

[Tripon]

52.  Dodger prospect Ivan De Jesus, who hit just 12 home runs in 428 career minor-league games, is tied for the Puerto Rican League lead with three homers in nine games for Carolina. He's also batting .351 and ranks among the league leaders in hits (13), runs (10) and RBI (9).

Looks like DeJesus is back to top prospect status.

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/sports_blog/2008/11/winter-league-r.html

[D4P]

53.  51
Oh. Him.

[El Lay Dave]

54.  53 That guy.

[Bob Timmermann]

55.  Other notable winners of the UCLA Alumnus of the Year include:

Henry Samueli, recently convicted on stock fraud in the Broadcom case, and H.R. Haldeman!

And I think Agnes de Mille, the 1953 winner, sold nuclear secrets to the Russians.

But I could be mistaken on that last one.

[trainwreck]

56.  Remember how Kentucky fans did not appreciate Tubby Smith?

Bet they feel stupid.

[Tripon]

57.  56 Like ND fans feel about Willingham... oh wait.

[Bob Timmermann]

58.  Does Billy Gillispie give Kentucky a decided schematic advantage in every basketball game?

[scareduck]

59.  http://www.google.com/trends/hottrends?q=pushing+daisies+cancelled&date=2008-11-18&sa=X

[D4P]

60.  Some of the schools taking on Top-25 teams tonight include:

Tennessee-Martin
Florida Gulf Coast
New Mexico State
SIU Edwardsville

[D4P]

61.  Been trying out the new Dido lately. Took a while to get used to, but I'm starting to really like it.

[scareduck]

62.  61 - http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/la-et-dido18-2008nov18,0,6823922.story

Had no idea she had a new album out. I like her stuff, but she begins to sound all alike after a while.

[Tripon]

63.  http://minors.baseball-reference.com/players.cgi?pid=15236

According to baseball reference, Don Wakamatsu played at the Dodgers Triple-A affiliate, Albuquerque in 91, and 92. Posting a .798 OPS, and a .913 OPS.

[trainwreck]

64.  Ben Olson's college football career is over.

[Tripon]

65.  You make it sound like Ben Olsen has a college football career.

[Bob Timmermann]

66.  64
I remember when UCLA fans called Ben Olson "Southpaw Jesus."

That lasted about two weeks.

[trainwreck]

67.  Yeah, that was used a lot for a guy that never played. Of course, as soon as he did...

[LAbits]

68.  64 Reference?

[Eric Stephen]

69.  I like the new show "Worst Week," but that was a really poor title for longevity purposes. Once the week leading up to the wedding is over, then what happens?

Then again, I had similar concerns about "Prison Break," but that is in, what, its 3rd season now?

If I ever create a show, I want to title it "One Episode Only" as a personal challenge.

[Bob Timmermann]

70.  http://blogs.dailynews.com/ucla/2008/11/olson-done.html

[ToyCannon]

71.  Luis Polonia is still playing winter league baseball at age 45. I bet he looks younger then Greg Oden and Angel Berroa.

[ToyCannon]

72.  Gonzaga had a 47-11 point lead at halftime tonight against Idaho and outscored them 30 - 4 going into the half.

[Eric Stephen]

73.  71
The only people that look older than those two are Al Davis and Joan Rivers.

[Eric Stephen]

74.  Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News was the lone writer to not have Pedroia in his Top 10.

http://tinyurl.com/5tnk4q

Also, Pedroia was in Arizona on his way to work out with Andre Ethier when he got news of winning the award.

http://tinyurl.com/6b2kfl

[Eric Stephen]

75.  Casey Blake continues to draw interest from the Indians, Dodgers and other teams as a free agent.

"I won't tell you if we've made an offer, but we have had productive talks with Jim McDowell [Blake's agent]," said Dodger GM Ned Colletti.

McDowell and the Indians have been talking as well. McDowell said his client is looking for a three-year deal.

http://tinyurl.com/69zfha

[trainwreck]

76.  75
Come on, Indians!

[Tripon]

77.  Don't analyze beyond that. True, Howard can't field (19 errors). And Pujols outhit him by .357 to .251. Howard strikes out a ton while Pujols walks constantly. But none of it outweighs Howard's RBI total, built on his .320 average with runners in scoring position. For what it's worth, Howard wasn't even in the top half dozen in baseball in runners-on-base when he came to the plate. His 146 RBI wasn't a fluke. He's Mr. Multi-Run Homer.

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/baseball-insider/2008/11/mvps_howard_k-rod_not_pujols_p.html

So apprently, having Chase Utley and Jimmy Rollins hitting in front of Howard vs. Caesar Ituzris, Aaron Miles, or Adam Kennedy hitting in front of Pujols does not give Howard any advantage whats so ever in the RBI totals.

[Tripon]

78.  76 75 Twins already offered a framework for a 3 year deal for Casey Blake. We're getting that Type-B comp pick no matter what.

...Unless the Dodgers do the stupid thing and resign him.

[Eric Stephen]

79.  Dempster's contract, reported all day as a 4/$52m deal, is slightly different, as 2012 is actually a player option. Same salaries as previously reported:

$4m bonus
2009: $8m
2010: $12.5m
2011: $13.5m
2012: $14m player option

[Jon Weisman]

80.  "The Office" alum Rashida Jones has joined the cast of NBC's don't-call-it-an-'Office'-spinoff" comedy starring Amy Poehler.

http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117996112.html

[Tripon]

81.  79 What's the buyout on the last year?

[ToyCannon]

82.  77
Good point, however Shoemaker got on base quite a bit from the leadoff spot while Adam Kennedy rarely batted 2nd this year. Howard batted fourth and had some combo of .350 or better OB hitters in Rollins, Victorino, and Utley while Pujols had Shoemaker (.359) and low on base guys until August when Ludwick, Glaus, and a hot Lopez all took turns.

Juan Pierre might have had 50 Rbi's batting fourth for the Phillies but 47 home runs is 47 home runs.

[trainwreck]

83.  80
It is no longer an Office spinoff? What the heck? I thought that was the whole point.

[Jacob Burch]

84.  81 Player options get buyouts? What a sweet deal!

Albert hit 339 RISP, for what it's worth.

And Howard was #5 on AB with RISP. Pujols was somewhere below that.

[Eric Stephen]

85.  77
Howard wasn't even in the top half dozen in baseball in runners-on-base when he came to the plate

Howard - 483 runners on (259 in scoring position)
Pujols - 436 runners on (201 in scoring position)

[ToyCannon]

86.  79
I think one of my bets next year will be that the Dempster will be known as the Dumpster at some point of that contract.

[Bob Hendley]

87.  Blake for three years actually makes Hudson at 4 not look so bad. Yuck.

[Eric Stephen]

88.  81
No buyout; Dempster just gets to decide whether or not he wants $14m in 2012.

Unless he's dead, I'm guessing that option gets exercised. I don't know if we want to live in a world where Ryan Dempster can turn down $14m to earn even more.

[ToyCannon]

89.  78
For all we know the framework is 3 years at 5 mill per year. The Twins are cheap, I wouldn't be counting that draft pick yet.

[Tripon]

90.  88 84 Oh, I didn't see the player option part. >_>

And I think some player options gets buyouts, but I can't remember which player. I want to say Eddie Guardaro when he was with the M's, but that can't be right...

[Tripon]

91.  89 I think its almost a given now that the Dodgers offer Blake arbitration, and then walk away. There's too much demand for Blake's services to reasonably think Blake would take the one year deal arbitration provides.

[Jacob Burch]

92.  90 Still seems like an odd way to put it. Wouldn't that just be a deferred bonus?

[Dodgers49]

93.  Bonfire built by students caused Montecito fire, sheriff says

http://tinyurl.com/5shlw4

[Eric Stephen]

94.  90
I think buyouts generally aren't included on player options, but are included on some mutual options.

[Eric Stephen]

95.  90
Per MLB4u, regarding Barry Zito:

"the deal includes a team option for 2014 worth $18M or a $7M buyout- + the option becomes a player option if he pitches 200 innings in 2013 (with at least 180IP in either 2011 or 2012), 400 innings combined over 2012 and 2013 or 600 combined from 2011 to 2013- + if the option becomes guaranteed as a player option, but he chooses to decline it then he receives a $3.5M buyout"

http://www.mlb4u.com/profile.php?id=209

[Eric Stephen]

96.  77
Man, I just read that entire Boswell article. Can't Fire Joe Morgan come out of retirement? Please?

But in 30 years, nobody is going to remember anything Pedroia did this year. Howewver, Francisco Rodriguez saved 62 games for the first-place Angels may still be the MLB record

I must have missed all the shrines to Bobby Thigpen in the last 20 or so years.

[Jacob Burch]

97.  Right, I don't doubt cluster-conditional options would have some sort of buy out.

My that's a headache of a contract.

[Kevin Lewis]

98.  93

Wow, I went to Westmont and the whole Catholic affiliation is news to me.

I really hope it wasn't students from there. Montecito and Westmont already have a troubled relationship

[kinbote]

99.  I read comment 61 a little too quickly.

[Eric Stephen]

100.  99
Awesome.