Amputee Tries Out For Dodgers

Alright...this is my favorite story so far from Spring Training.

Thursday, Daniel "Doc" Jacobs tried out for a spot with the Los Angeles Dodgers, but unlike the countless others that hit the field at Camelback Ranch...dude is a disabled Navy veteran.

You see, seven years and three days prior to his tryout, Jacobs was on a battlefield in Ramadi, Iraq when an IED exploded beneath him.  His body was left shattered, his left leg amputated from the knee down.  The Marine with him...killed.

50 surgeries later, Jacobs, now 27 years old, is back on his feet (well, one of them, his left foot is a prosthetic) fielding grounders while Dodgers scouts look on.  But, Jacobs, who once had dreams of playing in the Majors, wasn't out there to impress the scouts.

"It's all about the experience, and letting America and these guys know that not all disabled veterans are going to be a statistic in the news," Jacobs told the Long Beach Press-Telegram. "I'm here to combat the suicide rate, homicide rate, divorce rate statistics. I just want to get out there and prove to America there are awesome disabled veterans out there and we are making a stand against that."

Do yourself a favor and check out some pictures from Jacobs' day...just CLICK HERE!

Dodgers to Broadcast in Korean

The Los Angeles Dodgers are about to become trilingual.

When their new contract with Time Warner Cable takes effect prior to next season, the Dodgers will become the first team in the Majors to broadcast in three, count 'em, three different languages...English, Spanish and Korean.

And it makes sense, too...Los Angeles is a pretty Korean-friendly city.

Team co-owner Todd Boehly said the Dodgers have shared “lots of details” with MLB without delivering a copy of the actual contract. The 25-year deal with Time Warner is believed to be worth between $7 billion and $8 billion to the Dodgers.

But, according to the Los Angeles Times, the Dodgers have yet to submit the contract for approval.

We can only hope that this gives Korean pop sensation Psy his second fifteen minutes of fame.

Dodgers Addition Goes Gangnam Style

Over the weekend, the Los Angeles Dodgers broke the proverbial bank when they added free agent pitchers Zack Greinke and Hyun-Jin Ryu to their already bloated payroll.

But they only made one go "Gangnam Style" during his first photo shoot with the team.

Seriously, is that how we welcome a Korean-born baseball player to the Majors?  I can't imagine that dude donned the Dodger blue, sat down, voluntarily broke out the make believe lariat and told photographers that he was ready for his close up.

Ugh.

How soon until pitchers and catchers report?

Agent Says Hyun-Jin Ryu is Big League Ready

Remember when the Los Angeles Dodgers new ownership group came on board and everyone predicted they'll be opening up their wallets and spending some cash on bringing in talent?

Yeah...it's a real thing.

Already in the fold for 2013 are Hanley Ramirez and Adrian Gonzalez.  Now, it would seem, you can add Korean pitcher Hyun-Jin Ryu.  You see, this weekend, the team learned that they had submitted the winning bid to talk to the lefty...for a tidy sum of $25.7 million.

And, according to his agent, Scott Boras (naturally), Ryu could immediately be the a number three starter in the Majors.

“He’s ready to pitch in the big leagues right now,” Scott Boras said. “He’s not a developmental project.”

According to Boras, the intention is for Ryu to be in the starting rotation somewhere and whether or not Los Angeles will depend on how they plan on using him.  Failure to comply might send the 25-year-old back to the Hanwha Eagles.

Ryu owns a career record of 98-52 with a 2.80 ERA in seven seasons in the Korean Baseball Organization.  In each of his seven seasons, he was named an All-Star.

In 2010, he set a KBO record with 17 strikeouts in one game.

The Beginning of the End for Matt Kemp?

For the love of Vin Scully...I hope this is just a rumor.

After running into him at a Los Angeles Clippers preseason game, show business pariah Kris Jenner is looking to add a pretty heavy hitter to her stable of clients...Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Matt Kemp.

Yup, according to Terez Owens, Jenner has taken a shine to the outfielder and wants to manage his "off the field career".

"Kris sees Matt as a huge star off the field. She believes she can take him to the next level of endorsement deals," reports the sports gossip website.  "Kris is giving her best sales pitch to Kemp, and also looking to add more athletes to her roster in 2013 with him as the centerpiece."

Yup, because we all saw how well that worked for Lamar Odom.

Sitcom Star in Altercation at Dodgers Game

Typically, it's rappers and musicians that get in fights to drum up interest for their upcoming projects, but, on Saturday, it was "Modern Family" star Eric Stonestreet getting into the act.

Well, not really.  Probably.

According to The Thirty Mile Zone, Stonestreet got into a verbal altercation (video HERE) with a rival fan while the two took in a Los Angeles Dodgers-St. Louis Cardinals fan.

The video doesn't really show what was said, but, I can't help but wonder if the Emmy-winning actor might not have been simply discussing the cultural divide between his native Kansas City and his I-70 neighbor from Missouri.

Subsequently, both fans were asked to leave, or, as Stonestreet tweeted, they were simply escorted to the top of the stairs by security.

No word as to whether or not Stonestreet was back in his seat (or any seat for that matter) to see the Dodgers thrilling comeback in the ninth inning.

Welcome to "Hanleywood"?

When the Miami Marlins brought in Jose Reyes to play Hanley Ramirez's position, you kinda knew the writing was on the wall for the 28-year-old infielder.

But, gosh, fellas...did it have to take you this long to trade the guy?

Dude hit the Twitters Wednesday to sum up his feelings.

The last time a Ramirez joined the Los Angeles Dodgers and Chavez Ravine was re-named "whatever-wood", it was 2008 and all Manny Ramirez did was hit .396, slug 17 home runs and knock in 53 runs in as many games.

With Hanley Ramirez in the midst of a two seasons long slump, my guess is Dodgers fans are hoping some new surroundings might yield similar results.

For the year, he was hitting .246 with just 14 homers and 48 RBI for the fish.

Superman Hits Chavez Ravine

Dwight Howard sure isn't helping to kill those "Dwight Howard to the Lakers" rumors now is he?

The NBA All-Star and his girlfriend Christine Vest hit the Los Angeles Dodgers game Tuesday night and, apparently, were pretty well received by the Chavez Ravine faithful.

On in other Dodgers-related basketball news...team owner Magic Johnson is still out yachting with Dave Winfield and Samuel L. Jackson.

Tommy Lasorda Released from the Hospital

Well that didn't take long.  It's being reported that Tommy Lasorda has already been released from the hospital.

But if you're looking for the cause of the former skipper's heart attack Monday...you can cross where he ate Sunday night off the list.

Thankfully, the Thirty Mile Zone is on the case!

Anthony Bamonte, owner of Bamonte's in Brooklyn, told the website that the 84-year-old Hall of Famer's "coronary catastrophe" on Monday had "nothing to do with the food here. A heart attack is a heart attack."

Bamonte is probably right, but to be on the safe side, don't order the same dish that the Los Angeles Dodgers legend did...fresh mozzarella with tomato, linguini and clam sauce, and veal scaloppine pizzaiola with mushrooms.

Oh, he also had some red wine.

Naturally, I had to put on my detective hat and make a quick trip over to the Googles to see what causes heart attacks.  And not knowing the former Los Angeles Dodgers manager's family history...I've narrowed it down.

• Age
• Gender (apparently men are more prone to heart attacks than women)
• Obesity
• Lack of Physical Activity
• Alcohol

So, for what it's worth, I guess I kinda agree with Bamonte.  I'm positive that Lasorda's lifestyle (and his heart attack in 1996) has nothing to do with why he ended up in the hospital earlier this week.

Get well soon Tommy...Twitter misses you!

Matt Kemp is Hoping to Strike it Rich

What do you get the Major Leaguer who has everything?

Well, if you're Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Matt Kemp...you buy yourself a fistful of Mega Millions tickets.
 

But, hey, didn't Kemp just ink a new eight-year, $160 million deal this past off season?  Yes.  But when the jackpot is a whopping $640 million...even $20 million a year looks like a paltry.

I guess when you've already dated Rihanna, you're not scared off by a one in 176 million chance of picking the winning numbers and you're hoping lightning strikes twice.

Best of luck.

Tommy Lasorda Kills Off Former Dodger

It wasn't that long ago that paying attention to Tommy Lasorda's Twitter feed was a daily requirement.  I think it's time to re-visit that stance.

Today, the former long-time Los Angeles Dodgers skipper killed off Jim Wynn.

Happy birthday to Raul Mondesi, 2004 HR hero Steve Finley, Darryl Strawberry, and Jimmy Wynn who would have been 70 years old today.

Problem is, you guessed it, the diminutive outfielder (and former Dodger!) is still among the living.

It has come to my attention that Jimmy Wynn is not dead. Sorry for the error. Hey, not even Babe Ruth batted 1.000.

This whole thing is funny to me for two reasons. 

One.  It reminds me that, as I said, I need to pay closer attention to Lasorda's Twitter feed.  That's a given.

Two.  Not only was Wynn the Dodgers every day centerfielder in 1974 and 1975 when Lasorda was the team's third base coach, he scored 184 runs.  Meaning, only Davey Lopes (and his 203 runs scored) saw Lasorda more while rounding third and heading home.

But, hey, not even Babe Ruth batted 1.000, right? 

On the flip side, though, when it comes to life and death...I'd actually prefer a higher percentage than the .342 career average Ruth carried.

Matt Kemp Unloading Condo

In what seems to be a growing trend (or at least it's being reported more), you can add Matt Kemp to the expanding list of baseball players selling their multi-million dollar pads.

Apparently, the Los Angeles Dodgers All-Star is looking to unload his "fancy-schmancy LA condo" for a mere, wait for it, $2.5 million.

This...from the Thirty Mile Zone.

The swanky 2-bdrm, 2-bath pad, located at the glitzy Carlyle Residences, is 2700 sq. feet of AWESOME with marble baths, outdoor terrace and a GINORMOUS master suite.

Also included for your millions...a full service doorman, valet, climate-controlled pool, private elevator for EACH resident, wine cellar and round the clock concierge service...for all your late night Taco Bell cravings. 

You can check out the property over at the Carlyle on Wilshire website.  Not listed, however, are some of Kemp's fellow A-List neighbors in teh 78-unit condo...Bruce Willis and Larry King.

Yippie-ki-yay, mother slugger!

Don Mattingly in Drag?

In a couple of weeks, we'll know whether or not New York Yankees legend Don Mattingly will be inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame.

And while he probably won't (he was at just 13.6% last year)...it's probably a good thing.

No, not because he isn't a viable candidate, one could argue that his six-year stretch from 1984 to 1989 was one of the best of the 80s...but this.  The six-time All-Star and current Los Angeles Dodgers manager recently took the stage during a Evansville (Indiana) Ballet performance of "The Nutcracker".

His role?  Mother Ginger..."a wigged, made up female character whose gigantic skirt and petticoats hide more than a half-dozen children who spill out to dance in the ballet's second act."

You can check out video from the performance over at TriStateHomepage.com.

In the Wake of Ryan Braun's MVP Award

Sure, sure, Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Ryan Braun took home the National League MVP Tuesday, but it was a prediction by second place finisher Matt Kemp and an obvious error by ESPN that are making the headlines.

First...the prediction from the Los Angeles Dodgers slugger.

"I'm going to go 50-50 next year.  I'm telling you, y'all created a monster. I'm about to get back in the weight room super tough so I can be as strong as I was last year."

"Forty-forty is tough, so 50-50 will be even tougher, but anything can happen. I have to set my limits high so I can try to get to them as much as I can. I'm going to try for 50-50, which has never been done.  I'm serious."

"If I don't (get there), it means I let y'all down and lied to you, and I don't like being a liar. I know y'all are over there thinking I'm crazy, but hey, I'm trying to take it to another level."

Awesome.

Keep in mind...the closest anyone has gotten to 50-50 was Alex Rodriguez (42-46) in 1998 and Alfonso Soriano (46-41) in 2006.

Now...the goof from the Worldwide Leader (courtesy of Brace Hemmelgarn).

Pretty cool of ESPN to tie the success of the Brewers to their neighbors to the north.

The only problem...Milwaukee and Green Bay are in Wisconsin and not, well, Minnesota, as shown.

Friday 5: John Lindsey

One of the best stories to come out of the 2010 baseball season was that of John Lindsey.  You know the story, right? Dude spends 16 years in the Minors before getting called up by the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Yeah...THAT'S John Lindsey.

I sat on this the entire season hoping Lindsey would make his way back to the Majors...but now, a year after he got his lone big league hit (it was a year ago this past Monday by the way), it was time to break this puppy out.

HOVG: You spent more time in the Minors that most people do playing the game itself...where were you when you got the call that you were heading to the show?

JOHN: Wow! Yes, I have spent some time in the Minors but I am truly blessed to still be playing baseball. I was in Round Rock, Texas when I received the call. It was a great day for me and I still remember it like it was yesterday.

HOVG: While you were set to make your debut in San Diego, you were pulled before you could make it up to the plate. The next night in Houston, with your family in the crowd, you dug in against Gustavo Chacin...walk me through that experience.

JOHN: It was a lot of fun when I was in San Diego. I was all set to get my at bat and they had a lefty on the mound. I was really pumped because I was getting ready to face him. But when they made the pitching change I could only laugh when (then-manager Joe) Torre put someone in to pitch hit for me. It was awesome for me to have the opportunity to play in Houston because my family was able to see my first at bat. They have  been with me for so long in the minors, so I was so happy that they could be a part of it. As for the at bat, I was actually normal after I stepped in and saw the pitcher. Once my nerves calmed down and it was just like riding a bike in my opinion.

HOVG: A couple of nights later you got your first hit, your only hit, a single off Nelson Figueroa...how did that finally feel?

JOHN: Well that was a great time for me after 16 seasons and to be able to get that hit made it worth every second. Now I hope it is not the last!

HOVG: After a lifetime in the Minor Leagues, your story (like that of "Bull Durham") reads like a movie script. If they made "Mayor: The John Lindsey Story"...who would you cast to play you?

JOHN: I do not know...maybe James Earl Jones, but he's too old to be a 30-year-old slugger. I guess the second choice would be "The Rock" aka Dwayne Johnson, but I think he might have to get in a little better shape. (Laughs)

HOVG: What's next for John Lindsey?

JOHN: What's next for me is to get red hot and make it back to the Dodgers and become the right hand bat off the bench for the next six years! Sounds like a great plan or have the opportunity to play in Japan.

The 34-year-old John Lindsey spent the entire 2011 season for the Dodgers Triple-A team in Albuquerque.  In 75 games, he hit 13 home runs and collected a .309 batting average.

He is hoping to, again, get that elusive cup of coffee with the Dodgers.

Alyssa Milano's Baseball-Themed Baby Shower

All obvious references to former boyfriends aside...Alyssa Milano has had a longstanding relationship with professional baseball.

On "Who's the Boss", she played the daughter of a retired baseball player.

In 2007, she launched a line of MLB-licensed team apparel for female baseball fans.

Two years after that...she penned the book Safe At Home: Confessions of a Baseball Fanatic.

And now, the 38-year-old mom-to-be had her baby shower at, of all places, Dodger Stadium.  Take it away Us Weekly!

Milano and her talent agent hubby David Bugliari celebrated their baby-to-be with 35 of their closest friends, a source tells Us Weekly. Guests included Holly Robinson Peete, Colin Hanks and Twitter founder Jack Dorsey.

The fete included Dodgers cupcakes from Crumbs Bakery. The Who's the Boss star posted a photo of herself on her blog holding up a tiny, custom-made Dodgers jersey.

Alright, I've question for the rest of you who follow Milano on Twitter (don't judge me)...doesn't it seem like this chick has been pregnant forever?  Sure, she's due next month, but doesn't it seem like the former "Charmed" star has a gestation period that rivals the black alpine salamander?

And so you don't have to look it up...their pregnancies can last from two to three years

"Mr. April" Looks to Extend Streak

Just over a week ago, Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Andre Ethier set a record by hitting in 23-straight April games.

A few days later, “Mr. April” ended the first month of the season with a 26-game hit streak.

Now, as we enter the first weekend of May…the 29-year-old is on the verge of becoming the all-time hit king for the Dodgers. And with Chris Young on the bump for the New York Mets, odds are Ethier will get the job done and tie Willie Davis’s 42-year-old Dodger record of getting a base knock in 31-straight games.

Simply put…Ethier owns Young. In 29 at bats, dude has 12 hits against the 6’10” hurler (good for a .414 batting average) and six home runs.

But Sunday is a whole different story.

In order to set the Dodgers all-time hit streak record, Ethier is going to have to take his cuts against a guy that he’s only faced twice in his career…knuckleballer R.A. Dickey.

Andre Ethier...Mr. April?

With a first inning double Tuesday night...Andre Ethier set a Major League record by hitting in 23 straight April games.

The Los Angeles Dodgers rightfielder broke the 40-year-old record set by his former manager, Joe Torre, who hit in 22 straight April games in 1971.  And while he's a long way away from surpassing Joe DiMaggio's record 56 game hit streak...he's not that far from catching up to Dodgers hit king Willie Davis.

Wait...Willie Davis?!?

Sure, Willie Davis might not be the first name you think of when someone mentions "hit king"...but dude does have two of the longest hit streaks (31 in 1969 and 25 in 1971) in team history.

But what kind of road bumps stand in the way of the 2010 All-Star from eclipsing Davis?  Let's break it down...and figure out exactly where Ethier ranks in Dodgers history since the team packed up and went west in 1958.

If Ethier's streak ends Wednesday against the Florida Marlins...he'll be tied with Brett Butler's 1991 hitting streak. But should the rightfielder get a hit off of pitcher Anibal Sanchez (he's 0-for-6 all-time against the righty) he match John Shelby and his 1988 feat of hitting in 24 straight.

Now, should Ethier get his first hit off Sanchez, he'll get a day off before he squares off against San Diego starter Clayton Richard Friday night.

And as luck would have it...Richard will be the toughest foe the Dodger will face on his march to match Davis. Head-to-head...Ethier is 1-for-13 against the Padres hurler.

But, should Ethier get the best of the Padres Friday night, he'll be the fourth Dodger to get a hit in 25 straight games.

The others?  Davis, second baseman Steve Sax in 1986 and catcher Paul Lo Duca in 2003.

The road from 25 to 31 might be the easiest stretch of the season thus far for the slugger. Against the six probable starters he'll face...he is hitting a combined 22-for-53 (good for a .415 batting average).

Let's put the cart before the horse for a minute and look ahead to Saturday, May 7...Ethier and his Dodgers take on the New York Mets and (more than likely) Chris Young.

Thankfully, this cat OWNS the 6'10" righty.  In 29 at bats...Ethier has 12 hits against Young (a .414 batting average) and six home runs.

So, just how far can "Mr. April" go? If you can grant me the cliche for a moment...only time will tell.

2011 Milestone Preview: National League West

For a number of teams, it isn't really as much what goes on on the field...but, rather, what goes on off of it.

Such is the case with the 2010 World Series champion San Francisco Giants.

The Giants transformed from a bunch of misfits to the team everyone was talking about.  They appeared on magazine covers, talk shows and, soon, will have their own series on Showtime (you can check out the preview below).

And with that…here’s the NATIONAL LEAGUE WEST.


ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS

A glance up and down the Diamondbacks roster looks like a journey through the Land of Misfit Toys.  Seriously, their pick ups this past off season included Melvin Mora, Geoff Blum, J.J. Putz and, ugh...Mike Hampton.

Pretty much the only thing Arizona has going for them is hope that newly acquired pitcher Armando Galarraga can get screwed out of a perfect game and they are front page fodder for a week.  Until then...all they've got is celebrating the ten-year anniversary of their World Series championship in 2001

COLORADO ROCKIES

Former American League MVP Jason Giambi is, again, hoping for one last gasp with the Colorado Rockies.  Provided he can break camp with the team (and it is looking good that he will), dude is going to need to double his 2010 output in order to get to 2000 hits for his career.

You see, "The Giambino" enters 2011 86 hits shy of the milestone...he finished last season with 43.

While Todd Helton isn't knocking on the door of any milestones (this season), it's pretty cool to point out that only Stan Musial, Lou Gehrig and "The Toddfather" have put up career numbers of 525 (or more) doubles, 300 home runs and a .320 batting average.  Now, I've seen all the "black ink" arguments against Helton...but dude is a Hall of Famer, right?  Right?!?

LOS ANGELES DODGERS

Prior to last season, all the milestone talk in Los Angeles was about manager Joe Torre and outfielder Manny Ramirez.

This season...not so much.

The big story, of course, is new manager Don Mattingly.  The former New York Yankees star is the team's ninth manager since moving west and unlike some of his predecessors...has zero managerial experience.

SAN DIEGO PADRES

Alright, I'm going to be the guy that says it...how in the world did the Padres almost win the West last season?  I mean, have you looked at their roster?  They've got no huge names (outside of Heath Bell), no one approaching any marquee milestones and the best thing to pay attention to on a daily basis...the Twitter feed of the newly acquired Pat Neshek.

Seriously...the guy is a good follow.  Check him out.

SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS

Without even mentioning Brian Wilson's beard, "Kung Fu Panda" or the rally thong...it's safe to say that the Giants have become one of the most exciting teams in all of baseball.  Not since the 2004 Boston Red Sox have a cast of characters taken over the world like San Francisco did following their World Series win last fall.

The guys are everywhere.

As far as milestones are concerned...fans haven't had too much to look forward to since Barry Bonds was chasing the home run record and Randy Johnson came on board to nail down his 300th win.  But do you think they care?  That said, outfielder Pat Burrell is 15 long flies away from 300 for his career.

So there you have it, gang…all six divisions and a preview of their upcoming milestones.

Check them out here:
American League East
American League Central
American League West
National League East
National League Central

Duke Snider (1926-2011)

According to CBSSports.com...Hall of Famer and Dodger legend Duke Snider passed away Sunday morning following an undisclosed illness.

The outfielder made his debut for the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947 and put together a solid career including a .295 batting average, 407 home runs and 1333 RBI. 

Snider was part of the charmed "Boys of Summer" with the Dodgers in the late 1940s and 1950s and helped slug Brooklyn to its only World Series championship in 1955. Snider also won a crown with the Dodgers in Los Angeles in 1959.

An eight-time All-Star, Snider is the Dodgers career leader in home runs (389), RBI (1271) and extra-base hits (814).  "The Silver Fox" was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1980 with more than 86% of the vote.

Duke Snider was 84.