(cries)

Terrible Way to Ring in the New Year

Potentially sad tale of Vinny's 1988 World Series ring turns out okay. And Vinny has better hips than Matt Kemp. According to the LA Times' Bill Plaschke:

Vin Scully can find his way into our hearts even during the gloomiest winter afternoons, as he proved again Thursday when he unwittingly starred in his own holiday movie.

The Ribs That Saved Christmas.

"I feel like such a dummy," Scully said with a laugh. "Only Scully could lose a ring while putting meat in a bag."

So Vinny was shopping at Costco (I would give anything to sample some microwavable mozzarella sticks with him on aisle 27 there) with his wife, and after snagging a nice standing rib roast (I got mine at Whole Paycheck, so sounds like he may have found a better deal) his ring slipped off his finger.

On Tuesday, they were walking past the meat department when Sandi pointed at some ribs. With five grown children and 16 children to feed during the holidays, we're talking Fred Flintstone-sized ribs. Vin grabbed the packaged meat, stuffed it into plastic bags, and piled it on top of the overflowing cart. Eventually the couple navigated the extravaganza past the cashier, past the hot dog and pizza stand, and out to their SUV in the parking lot.

Once they had loaded the trunk, Scully climbed into the front seat, glanced down at his Costco-weary hands, and noticed something missing.

His 1988 World Series ring had disappeared from his finger.

All's well that ends well, thankfully.

Sure enough, while Vin was unloading the stacks of items, he heard a cry from inside the house. While emptying the ribs, Sandi found the ring at the bottom of the bag.

It would have been a blue Christmas without Vin's ring, indeed.

Happy Holidays from the Dodgers

Dodgers Shave Beard, Take $10M Chance

• Brian Wilson designated for assignment by Dodgers (Eric Stephen, True Blue LA)
  
• Source: Dodgers land lefty Anderson with $10 million deal (Ken Gurnick, Dodgers.com)
  

It's official: 2015 is Andrew Friedman's "Undo Colletti's Terrible Deals" Year. And Friedman/Zaidi may not be done: Rumor has it that Brandon League is on the trading block. Talk about cleaning house!

Matt Kemp Says Goodbye

Not gonna lie, this one hurts. From Matt Kemp's Instagram:

It is with a lot of emotion that I say goodbye to the city and the fans who have been there since the beginning of my career. You have given me so much. Your faith and support for the last 9 years through good times and bad, homestands and home runs was showcased through the volume of your cheers and the love for your team. I'm thankful to the Dodgers organization for taking a chance on an Oklahoma kid. I believe we control our paths. The paths we take, control our destiny. I'm excited for the future. God Bless

HOT STOVE IS HOT II

CORRECTION: Andrew Heaney to Angels for Howie Kendrick, not Austin Barnes.

— Ken Gurnick (@kengurnick) December 11, 2014

Source: McCarthy four years, $48M with #Dodgers.

— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) December 11, 2014

HOT STOVE IS HOT

Trade is done: Dee Gordon to #Marlins. Other names not confirmed.

— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) December 10, 2014

I'm told #Rollins to #Dodgers is done. Don't know who goes to Philadelphia.

— J.P. Hoornstra (@jphoornstra) December 10, 2014

Well then! After losing out on Jon Lester, the new Dodgers front office is certainly showing it's not going to leave the Winter Meetings without making a splash. No idea who's going to PHI for Jimmy Rollins (who is most certainly here to bridge the gap to Corey Seager), or what the return for Dee is. Also, Dan Haren may be going with Dee? This is nuts.

More as we know it.

2015 Blogger Softball: It's On!

From theLFP.com:

The date for the 2015 Blogger Charity softball tournament is set. It will be held at Big League Dreams in West Covina on April 11, 2015 and starting time should be about 8AM. A few more teams have been added and are listed in the graphic above. A few more will be added later today. I’m still looking for teams to play in the open class who are not blog affiliated. So if you would like to bring your team. Contact me and I can add you to that list.

Here is what each team will receive.
Includes:
3 game guarantee
Softballs
Umpires
Tournament Director
Single Elimination playoffs for qualifying teams
3 large pizzas and 4 pitchers (per team)
1st Place Trophy
2nd Place plaque
Entrance fees included (for rostered players)
Any questions contact me here. thelfp.com@gmail.com