Artistic Rendering of Today's Softball Game

Sorry I missed it... not that I would have been much help.

Where Has the DelinO Been?

Here.

But not as good seats.

Stories and more pics to follow.

Post Game(s) Thread: 2012 Dodger Blogger Softball Tournament

"I think @sosgsosg is the drinking team" - seen on the Twittersphere

SoSG team puts up a valiant effort...at drinking beer. Despite their best efforts, they still ended up everyone else's bitch, losing by a collective 64-12. We wouldn't have it any other way!

Here's to the SoSGers who traveled from near and far to join the cause. We'll get 'em next year!

Game(s) Thread: 2012 Dodger Blogger Softball Tournament

8am:   SoSG v Dodger Diaries (Diaries 17-3 SoSG)
10am: SosG v True Blue LA (TBLA 22-5 SoSG)
1pm:   SoSG v Mike Scioscia's Tragic Illness (MSTI 25-4 SoSG)

Lineups to be posted at game time. Pray for our hammies!

UPDATE: Per Nomo, 3 beers down between the first and second game.
UPDATE II: Pray for their livers, too!
UPDATE III: Words of wisdom from Central Valley Fan: Those who can, do. Those who can't, blog.
UPDATE IV: Dusty Baker's Toothpick is 4-4 on the day...on Stella Artois, that is.
UPDATE V: SoSG Sax is at ice skating lessons.

See You Tomorrow!

SoSG players: look for anybody wearing one of these and come get your own! Thanks again to John G and German Rivera (verdilak.com) for making our T-shirts possible.

• WHAT: 2012 Dodger Blogger Softball Tournament
• WHEN: TOMORROW
• TIME: 8AM/10AM/1PM
• WHO: organized by Mike Brown of theLFP.com
• WHERE: Big League Dreams in West Covina
• WHY: proceeds benefit the Los Angeles Regional Foodbank

Cheerleaders welcome!

And Then There Were Eleven

From "11 bidders remain in running to buy Dodgers" by Bill Shaikin at the LA Times:

The bidding on the Dodgers has moved into the second round, with 11 parties cleared to advance in the process. With various bid groups discussing mergers and/or trying to acquire additional financing, and with the investment bank handling the sale receptive to substantial offers even at this late date, the list below is subject to change.

The lineup of Dodgers bidders, as of Wednesday:

Magic Johnson/Stan Kasten: Could soon be joined by richest man in L.A., Dr. Patrick Soon-Shiong.

Rick Caruso/Joe Torre: Not out of the running in the Soon-Shiong sweepstakes.

Steven Cohen/Arn Tellem: Cohen about to invest $20 million in Mets, able to spend 15-20 times as much on Dodgers.

Stan Kroenke: Owner of NFL's St. Louis Rams could move L.A.'s football team back home.

Peter O'Malley: Former Dodgers owner backed by South Korean conglomerate E-Land.

Tony Ressler: Minority owner of Brewers has discussed partnership with O'Malley.

Leo Hindery/Tom Barrack: New York media executive has teamed with L.A. real estate investor and sportsman.

Stanley Gold/Disney family: That's the family of the late Roy Disney, Walt's nephew.

Jared Kushner: Publisher of New York Observer, son-in-law of Donald Trump.

Michael Heisley: Owner of NBA's Memphis Grizzlies hired Jerry West to run his team.

Alan Casden: USC Board of Trustees includes Dodgers bidders Casden, Caruso, Gold.

Afternoon Coffey

Huge new Dodger signing! No, not huge as in impactful. Huge, as in he's a fat tub of lard, a real chancho. Apparently he's been signed to shore up middle relief. I think he's actually been signed for load-balancing purposes on team flights now that Broxton is gone.

LA Times has more here.

UPDATE: I was listening to the MLB station on Sirius/XM on my way to work yesterday. The morning show was interviewing Coffey and what I heard made me reconsider how I feel about him. I didn't know this before, and maybe some of you do, but his entrance song is the theme song, "Unstable," that the Ultimate Warrior would use during his wrestling days. Big plus one from me! Also, he's a big Trekkie, so plus another one from me.

cc: Delino

Photo: Getty Images

SoSG Fantasy Football 2011 Conclusion

Hey, it's MLASF/MLASC!

It's over. The long, arduous process has finally concluded, and we have a winner: The New York Giants! Also NicJ! Everyone's favorite four-letter commenter has won the crown of 2011 SoSG FF Champion! He defeated Jason 234-171 en route to his victory. The final standings are:

1. NicJ
2. Jason
3. Karina
4. Dusty Baker
5. Prof. Dittmore
6. FernieV
7. Steve K
8. [REDACTED]
9. QuadSevens
10. Mr. LA Sports Czar
11. Spank
12. Loney Fan
13. Wicks
14. Paul
15. Central Valley Fan
16. Meaniebreanie
17. rbnlaw
18. [REDACTED]

As for Nic's prize, he wins a share of ownership in the Los Angeles Dodgers!

That's right! Nic is now a co-owner of the Dodgers! And if that empty gesture weren't enough, he also wins a Topps 2011 Marcus Thames card to sweeten the pot! So celebrate, Nic! And enjoy the spoils of winning!

Filed Under "Duh"

Ken Gurnick: Kershaw inks two-year deal, avoids [massively pointless] hearing (Dodgers.com)

Opinion in brackets mine.

Softballin'

Huge thanks and props to German Rivera (verdilak.com) for our T-shirt design!

• WHAT: 2012 Dodger Blogger Softball Tournament
• WHEN: this Saturday
• TIME: 8AM
• WHO: organized by Mike Brown of theLFP.com
• WHERE: Big League Dreams in West Covina
• WHY: proceeds benefit the Los Angeles Regional Foodbank

• Yeah, we made T-shirts! More huge thanks and props to John G for coordinating and co-funding the printing.
• Speaking of T-shirts, a message from Mike: "BTW I'm bringing out all the shirts in the LFP store to sell the day of the event....I'm blowing them out any where from $6 - $10 each."
• Here are the tournament rules. I need a translator. What does "Home runs - 3 and 1 up" mean? What in hell is the "Box Rule"? And "group business"?
• We play Dodger Diaries (bastards!) at 8AM, True Blue LA (bastards!) at 10AM and MSTI (bastards!) at 1PM. Pizzas and soda will be consumed at some point. Maybe during a game.

Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Dodger?

Oldman on the Field Level of Dodger Stadium after receiving a coded message in the secret urinal

Actor Gary Oldman has a really interesting perspective on baseball and his love for the game. Click on the link for the 21:05 minute of the podcast. There's a reference to him being a Dodgers man. [ESPN Podcast]

Goings and Goings

All from MLBTR:

• Cubs Designate Blake DeWitt For Assignment
• Rangers Sign Joe Beimel
• Cardinals Sign Alex Cora
• Mariners Sign Hong-Chih Kuo

Great and Greatest

Willie Mays and Matt Kemp at AT&T Park in 2009. Photo by Jon SooHoo.

The Best Super Bowl Commercials You Didn't See

aired in Canada only:

aired in Nebraska only:

Super Bowl XLVI Ad Watch

Note: not a sanctioned event.

6:55 GIANTS 21, PATRIOTS 17! Thanks for participating in the Adriana Lima Ad Watch!

6:26 Samsung. "The next big thing is here." Then, "coming soon." Uh-huh.

6:21 Kia, Optima. Adriana Lima AND Motley Crue? Are we so easy?

Oh yeah, Adriana Lima:

6:14 Bud Light, Here, Weego! See what happens when you drop the Platinum bit? Nice tag with HELP RESCUE DOGS.

6:08 Honda, Ferris Bueller; MetLife, various cartoon characters: is our generation so susceptible to the emotional mining of the icons of our childhood?

6:02 Jack in the Box, marrybacon.com. Have they out-Jumbacoed themselves?

Jumbaco!

6:01 NFL, Evolution. Tradition and an allusion to safety. Not bad.

5:56 Tom Brady: no bald spots. THERE IS NO GOD

5:49 Another good Bud commercial (the Cult one).

Acura, Seinfeld vs. Leno. New NSX!

Toyota, new Camry:

5:39 Fiat, Abarth. That got my attention! B+

MY EYES

photo by Chris Trotman/Getty Images

5:18: Chrysler. Holy shit, it's Clint Eastwood!

5:16:

"These new line judge uniforms are ridiculous."

photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images

From @Dodgers:

From left to right: LM, Javy Guerra, FAO.

4:44 G.I. Joe 2. Like G.I. Joe, but with Bruce Willis!

Doritos, E*TRADE, babies. Fewer babies, more dogs!

4:40 Skechers, Mr. Quiggly. Sorry about those fake fitness shoes! Here's another dog.

Teleflora, Adriana Lima. Adriana Lima? Adriana Lima.

Avengers. It's Iron Man! Captain America! The Hulk! And...Hawkeye? Oooh, a guy with a bow and arrow! Look out!

4:32 Sorry, George Lucas. Not watching Episode I again!

Chevy, Sonic. Real stunts. Can't fake that! B+ (7:02 Turns out that was OK Go.)

Beckum: limps off. Beckham: pants off.

"And Chad Ochocinco comes into the game. The one-time Johnson, the one-time Bengal." Well played, Al Michaels.

4:22 H&M, David Beckham. One for the ladies!

Don't forget the Lingerie Bowl was played today!

AP photo

4:14 VW. I love dogs! And I love Star Wars! B

4:10 Avatar 2 — I mean John Carter!

Another decent Bud spot!

4:08 Doritos: I love dogs. But I love cats too! B-

Budweiser, prohibition. How can Bud Light commercials be so bad and regular Budweiser ads be so decent? Not flashy but efficient. B-

4:04 Transformers 4 — I mean, Battleship!

4:02 GoDaddy: excuse to post photo of Danica Patrick.

3:52 Kinks outro music! Love it!

3:44 Collinsworth re: Brady safety: "You have to be inside the tackle box." We're fishing now?

3:43 No, that wasn't Ryan Gosling in that Hyundai commercial. But they probably won't mind if you think it's him.

3:42 Pepsi, Elton John. Plus half a grade for Flavor Flav save. C-.

3:40 Gisele was probably drawing up a play for her husband.

3:39 Audi takes on the Twilight phenomenon. Is there any crossover here, even for a parody? D

3:39 Bud Light Platinum? Light platinum? Contradiction in terms? F

3:33 From @AaronGleeman:

Over/under on National Anthem was 1 minute, 34 seconds. Kelly Clarkson's version? 1 minute, 34 seconds.

3:30 You say Gostkowski, I say Gronkowski.

3:26 Eli Manning interviewed minutes before the game? Would you interview a starting pitcher before gametime?

3:22 How much dough is Jeff Bridges making from these Hyundai ads?

3:20 The Dictator. Who loves political satire?! Anybody?

3:19 Ladies and gentlemen, Kelly Clarkson and the Awkwardly Prepubescent Choir!

photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

3:17 That's who!

3:15 Miranda Lambert and Blake Shelton! Who?

photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

1:38 Via the unsinkable @molly_knight:

Rumored Madonna halftime setlist: 1. Vogue 2. Music (w/ @LMFAO) 3. Give me All Your Luvin (w/ @NICKIMINAJ) 4. Like a Prayer (w/ @CeeLoGreen)

1:20 HOLD EVERYTHING! TBS is showing The Wedding Date, starring Debra Messing as a woman who hires a hunky male escort (Dermot Mulroney) as...pause for suspense...her wedding date! This is now The Wedding Date Ad Watch.

Welcome to the fifth annual (kind of) SoSG Super Bowl Ad Watch! Mostly this is an opportunity to make snap judgments about commercials that hundreds of people labored on and companies spent millions on. And post some sexy pictures. And I guess there's a game mixed in there somewhere.

Penny Lands in Japan

From MLBTR:

Pitcher Brad Penny has signed with the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks of Nippon Professional Baseball, according to the team's website (Japanese link). Penny's deal is for one-year, $3MM with performance bonuses, according to a report from the Yomiuri Shimbun passed along by Patrick Newman of NPB Tracker.

ESPN.com's Jerry Crasnick recently reported that Penny was weighing an opportunity with the Hawks. The 33-year-old posted a 5.30 ERA with 3.7 K/9 and 3.1 BB/9 in 31 starst for the Tigers last season.

"Weighing an opportunity," get it?

Message From Left Field Pavilion

An open invitation to all players past and present.

I’m sorry we don’t have the money to pay you an appearance fee. But if you could spare a few moments of your weekend to come out to the Dodger Blogger softball tournament and help us raise money and food items for the LA regional food bank. We would greatly appreciate it. See we are not a big organization. We’re just a bunch of long time fans who cheered for you through our childhoods and adult lives. Hell we don’t even have an organization or a secretary for that matter. So you can see our / my budget is really limited. So if you can spare just an hour to come out and shake some hands and maybe sign a ball or two. You could really help us, help those that are truly in need.

Relaxin' with Andre

Retroactive Comment of the Week

This comment was made March 11, 2011, by John G:

My St Lousian GF got us tix to this game for my birthday. I'm assumming so she has one last chance to see Albert in Cards gear before he goes to Anaheim next season.

Six Nine months later...

Ten Days Until Softball Players Report

Attention:

• Bobby [send us your last name so we can get you officially on our team!]
• Central Valley Fan
• Dusty Baker
• Dusty Baker's Toothpick
• el montanero
• G-woman
• Friend of G-woman
• Johnny Blanchard
• John G
• Josh S.
• Mr. Customer
• Neeebs
• Paul
• rbnlaw [the manager!]
• SoSG Orel

Are you ready for some softball? Good! Here are the deets:

• WHAT: 2012 Dodger Blogger Softball Tournament
• WHEN: Saturday, February 11, 2012
• TIME: The tourney starts at 8AM. Yikes!
• WHO: organized by M. Brown of theLFP.com
• WHERE: Big League Dreams in West Covina
• WHY: proceeds benefit the Los Angeles Regional Foodbank

Miscellania:

• Dodgers photographer Jon SooHoo will be there with glove and gear! So be sure to show up looking all pretty and stuff.
• A reminder from M. Brown: "Also remember to bring a box or bag of items to donate to the food bank the day of the event."
• Ahem.

UPDATE:

Also, a word from Fearless Manager:

I just saw the schedule for the tournament. I can't be there until the 1:00 pm game, as I will be in beautiful Lancaster with my son watching him tend goal for AC Brea. In my stead, I designate DB as interim manager until I can get there and lead us to glorious victory in the elimination round. I know I'm taking a chance trusting him with pizzas and pitchers of soda (now if it was beer on the other hand. . . ), but all should be fine until I get there.