When blue is in fashion.

If you have paid any sort of attention to Heidi Klum in the last ten years, you know that "one day you are in, and the next you are out." Granted, the supermodel is touting her famous phrase describing fashion and its designers and purveyors, but the tag line still makes so much sense to the world of sports.

I was just reading a horrendously sad article about Los Angeles' once beloved outfielder and slugger, Manny Ramirez. The 41-year old returned from China this year to attempt playing baseball in America again, only to sign a minor-league contract with the Texas Rangers. Unfortunately for Manny, he's only batting .250 (compared to a season-finishing .396 in 2008) with just three home runs and nine RBIs this season (compared to 37 and 121, respectively, in 2008), and shows little hope of playing in the majors again.

I remember the day Manny came to LA. It was July 31st, 2008. It was a little overcast, and really hot. My friend and I were walking up to the stadium and just sweating like hogs. For the first time I can clearly remember, there were big lit up signs on the roads leading up to Dodgers Stadium. They said, "GAME SOLD OUT." I couldn't tell you the last time that had happened.

The crowd was electric. There were lights flashing everywhere from Dodger fans new and old taking photos as Manny made his way to home plate for his first at-bat. Everyone chanted MANNY, MANNY in unison. The Dodgers didn't win that game, but it didn't matter. The fever for Manny Ramirez spread like wildfire. Signs went up all over town with the new #99 player plastered about. Elysian Park was suddenly dubbed Mannywood. The entire team stepped up and started playing like never before.

That was one the best seasons of baseball that I watched with the Dodgers. I'll never forget it. I'll always thank Manny for that season, in some way.

There's no need to discuss the demise of Manny in the MLB. It's all too common anymore, anyway.

But it makes me think: how many more Mannys will the Dodgers have? The MLB? And how many will go down as legends that we know and love forever? How many will retain a legacy untarnished? And how many will end up as a 41-year old playing terrible ball in the minor leagues while the rest of us joke about it on the internet?

As I watch the Puig-Mania already start to tease at a backlash as his insane hitting streak starts to fizzle, I want to remember that we love this game, and this game isn't about a player. It's about a team and a community. Take the good with the good, and take the bad as a team. I want to watch my favorite team succeed over and over again. Who doesn't?

But I don't want to disregard those who have come in and out like a flash of lightning when they contributed so much to our game at some point. And sometimes those contributions were not even on the field. So, no matter what happens next for any of these guys, they still created such special and memorable moments for us on the field. I know that I will cherish many of those moments forever, and I look forward to many more.

Settling the score.

So, we're two days into the MLB season and the league showed off a brand new Los Angeles Dodgers team by leading off their season with their west coast rivals, the San Francisco Giants. The young Clayton Kershaw, often touted as the next Sandy Koufax, was the grand opening. The 2011 Cy Young award winner has been considered a golden goose for the boys in blue as they have struggled over the last couple of years amidst ownership and team turnover.

The golden goose didn't disappoint, giving the Dodgers their first win of the season. A first win that meant more than just a 1-0 standing. A win that proves this team has really had this all along, but just hasn't been nurtured properly. Hopefully that is all changing this year with the new wind beneath their wings, and a payroll that rivals that of the New York Yankees.

The Dodgers went on to be defeated in their second game, but not without a fight. So, we're 1-1. We have 160 games to go in the regular season, and the third game in the season, the third game of this series, is really the one that I'm watching.

The always-dreaded Giants starter, Tim Linsecum, returns to the Dodgers mound tonight, and fans from Northern and Southern California will be paying close attention. Although Linsecum had a shoddy 2012 season with just 10 wins and a 5.18 ERA, the kid still shut out super star slugger, Matt Kemp. Kemp went 0-8 against Linsecum with four strikeouts. He was pretty much the only pitcher he couldn't get a hit off of.

With a shoulder injury in the not so distant past, and a slow start in the first two games, Kemp may show Linsecum what he's been saving his energy for. A true blue Dodgers fan can only hope that he comes out of the clubhouse swinging for the fences, but this time actually makes a connection with the ball.

We've got about an hour before we find out...

(image courtesy of baseballanimals.com)

The Rebirth...

I saw the Dodgers make a great post on their Twitter feed today.

30 days until we head to Camelback Ranch. 30 days until that threaded ball gets tossed around in the glistening Arizona sun. 30 days until baseball.

If you're new to me, you should know that I believe baseball to be the best six months out of the year. It's my church, my serenity, my favorite pastime. There's numbers, statistics, and explosions. There's always some sort of calm before the storm. A pitching game can turn into a four run lead in a matter of seconds. There's the thrill of that pennant chase. And as much as the guys on TV like to tell us who is looking to make into October, there's just no telling what could happen over summer.

With every burst of new talent, there are old horses waiting to go out to pasture. There are injuries. Sometimes there are scandals. The Dodgers have seen it all, and I am sure they are not through.

Regardless of the drama, we welcome the 2013 season with open arms, big hearts, and wide eyes. Because this year is finally shaping up for our boys in blue.

I know I'm hoping to see Matt Kemp, Chad Billingsley, and Ted Lilly all coming off of injuries feeling stronger than ever. If Kemp can drag Ethier up the rungs with him, I think the rest of the batting lineup will follow suit. Adrian Gonzalez had an outstanding 2012, and Hanley Ramirez is hoped to raise the bar as a wild card in this lineup. Newby, Carl Crawford aka "The Perfect Storm," completely rounds out this hurricane of a team.

Our pitching game is what finally looks glowing. The Dodgers have not had a pitching lineup like this in quite some time. Josh Beckett and Matt Greinke are expected to be quite the fire starters, but Clayton Kershaw and new Korean pitcher Hyun-Jin Ryu will presumably have an exceptional season as well.

This team didn't come without a hefty price tag, but under new ownership and at the brink of a fresh year, there are finally worlds of possibilities for these guys.

Hey, MLB, watch us go. Go Blue!

Let the countdown begin....

Out with the old.

The holidays have arrived, and basketball is returning just in time for Christmas. While I am thankful that the NBA and its players have kissed and made up, I am still waiting patiently for baseball to kick up in February. I look forward to spending long weekends in Arizona watching my favorite teams get ready for a new season of freshness.

The Dodgers can look forward to new ownership and management, and hopefully the acquisition of some young and outstanding players. With the McCourts being forced out of the picture, hopefully the team can heal and re-establish its greatness within the league. I feel like 2012 could be a year to remember for the boys in blue.

Until all of my sports interests regenerate, I might be a little quiet. Football has been mostly disappointing to me this year, and I am hanging on for sports to come alive again in 2012.

For now, stay tuned for other things that interest me, like FOOD and MUSIC in my other blog.

Thanks for reading. Love, Kristin.

I'm on a world tour.

It seems like it has been a wild couple of weeks in my life, and it seems the sports world has been following suit. Ron Artest is changing his name to Metta World Peace, the Dodgers are filing for bankruptcy, and I gained a new found love for Nascar in a place I never thought I would...Hawaii. Who knew?

I was lucky enough to spend a few days on the North Shore of Oahu with some incredible people a couple of weeks ago. I watched Rory McIlroy win the US Open with a record setting 16 under par game. I got taken out by the waves at Pipeline. I jumped off of a really big rock into a bay (sounds petty to you, but I am terrified of anything higher than five feet off the ground). And most importantly, I learned a lot about Nascar. I learned about the rivalries, the stats, the fans. I left Hawaii with a lot of photos and a lot of cars driving in circles in my head. More to come on this.

Following my amazing weekend in the Pacific, I trekked up to Northern California to spend more time with a special person and some amazing family. I flew into Sacramento, drove up to Roseville, and then rode on the back of a Harley up to Lake Tahoe. What a trip. I had no clue I would sit on the back of a motorcycle without feeling like I might die every five seconds let alone absolutely love it. There is something so serene and zen in sitting there taking in your surroundings with the fresh air swirling around your entire body. There is an evolution happening here. I like it.

Now that I am back in Los Angeles and back to work, I have some time to get in some LA athletics. There might be some Dodgers this weekend, maybe even the Seattle Sounders/LA Galaxy game. We will see which stadium takes me in. I'm happy to be home, but longing for the mountains like I long for a rainy Sunday spent on the couch listening to my favorite records.

Perfect Human Specimen.

I recently had a request for more material...from a fan. Okay, a friend...same thing. I think. Anyway...

It has been an interesting few months for me. I enjoyed watching the Lakers choke themselves to an embarrassing death, I have only been to one Dodgers game (I know!), my cat died (RIP), I had a birthday, my boyfriend dumped me and I lost my best friend.

However, all is not lost. I also started at a new firm in a higher position, so my career is on the up.
I have been working with some amazing artists and athletes, I have fantastic summer plans, and my mom is coming this weekend! Nothing like a visit from mom to pick me up after a rough couple of weeks.

I also got the news that one of my old roommates is coming into town over the 4th of July weekend to watch the Seattle Sounders play the Los Angeles Galaxy. I tend to stay away from American soccer, but I will not pass up the chance to go see David Beckham run around before my very eyes. I also get to spend time with a life long friend who does not drink and will therefore drive the rest of us to and from the game safely as we consume copious amounts of beer all day.

David Beckham...the perfect specimen. That body deserving of a marble statue in a courtyard. Those eyes the color of arctic ice. That tan...can't be real. I still can not comprehend why he is married to an alien that has not eaten since the Spice Girls had a hit, which I believe was in 1996. Someone get that girl a double-double!

I would picture Becks to be with someone of true beauty and sex appeal. A woman who is just that: a woman. A woman like Christina Hendricks. She is a real woman. Maybe a goddess. [Insert long pause for thoughts of Christina.] Le sigh...there are some things I will never understand. Men are one of them. They love us, they can't live without us, they can't live with us, and then they leave us for some uneducated bimbo who answers telephones for $10 an hour.

I'm not bitter! Love is just one of the few games that I don't get.

So, back to the locker room. That's where I really belong. Get your mind out of the gutter. I'm wearing clothes!

The Lakers take a beating.

Sometimes I waver with religious my beliefs, however, I think that karma always finds its way in the end. The report of Kobe Bryant exiting the arena after being defeated 104-99 by the worst team in the NBA, the Cleveland Cavaliers, without saying a single word, really made me all warm and fuzzy inside.

Like, hey, you aren't the best in the world. At least not anymore. And it looks like your downfall is going to make me feel as your uprising did you.

Note: the Celtics are still killing it. Per usual. Damn the Heat, but #2 ain't bad. For now.

Being a Los Angeles native, I am really supposed to idolize this team as any other wildly retarded Angeleno would. Really. I really should. But I look at Kobe Bryant with so much disdain that I want to close my eyes and visualize Brooklyn Decker in a yellow bikini. Don't get me wrong. I don't hate Kobe as some sort of feminist. I don't look at him [every time] and think, that damn rapist. I really don't.

I look at him and think, that cocky mother f-er has to fall off of his pedestal and realize that he is just another human being at some point in time.

Oh, that time is now. Feels good, don't it?

Goin', goin'. Back, back...

  

                  

The Los Angeles Dodgers announced that they will wear throwback getups for six games this season. You can go vote for your favorite at www.dodgers.com/throwback. 

I went ahead and voted for the 1911 road uniform (pictured top). It looks to be the least metro sexual of them all. The whole frilly B thing and the baby blue really don't do it for me. I know that baseball is sometimes looked at as the wimpiest sport aside from figure skating or curling...I'm still trying to figure out how either of those became known as 'sports.' Regardless, men in tight pants should still have the option to look masculine if they so desire. I based my vote on that assumed desire. Plus pinstripes are super sexy.

The other two outfits are the 1931 road uniform (center) and the 1940 home uniform (bottom). You should not vote for those. Unless you're gay. In that case, you don't fall into my assumed desire category. I totally appreciate your personal choices. I like dudes too.

So, get your ass over to the dodgers site and vote. You have until February 17th. That's coming faster than you think.

So is spring training!

(images courtesy of dodgers.com)

Post-Superbowl blues.

So, football season has come and gone, leaving our Sundays wide open for activities that don't involve staying in pajamas all day, eating greasy food, and drinking beer at 10am. I might get back on the hill and do some canyon hikes, get some sunshine, or maybe I'll just sleep all day. Regardless, I have a few things that take me through basketball season into my favorite time of year: baseball season.

We all saw the atrocity that was the Super Bowl halftime show. Wow. Aside from following some of the greatest acts ever, like Prince, Tom Petty, The Boss, and...Prince, the Black Eyed Peas had their work cut out for them. 150,000 rednecks don't really care about pop songs performed by two black men, a recovering crack addict, and the token asian friend dressed in sparkly space suits. I think Axl Rose cut himself somewhere when Fergie attempted to duplicate his...accent...if you can call it that.

Anyway, let's congratulate the Green Bay Packers on their big win. Supposedly over half of Green Bay went to Lambeau Field to party. Sadly, their stadium can actually fit half of the city. Maybe more than half. Oh, Wisconsin...

Basketball isn't proving to be very exciting this year either. We have Boston leading the Eastern conference (shocker), and the Lakers barely trailing the Spurs in the West. In good news, the Lakers might be on their last leg of championship games knowing that their beloved coach is leaving the team to go swim in his vault of purple and gold coins for all of eternity.

While that is boring me to tears, I find more enjoyment in music. Some of my top songs to get me through the next few weeks are...

1. Everest - Let Go
2. The Decemberists - The Calamity Song
3. We Are Scientists - After Hours
4. Neon Trees - 1983
5. Nicki Minaj - Fly
6. One Republic - All the Right Moves
7. Marina & The Diamonds - Hollywood
8. Adele - Rollin' in the Deep
9. Michael Lowman - In My Own Words
10. LCD Soundsystem - Drunk Girls
11. The Radio Dept. - Heaven's On Fire
12. Lucy Schwartz - Take a Picture
13. In This Moment - Iron Army
14. Blindside - Pitiful
15. Carina Round - Do You

Let those wet your earholes for a few days. You won't be disappointed.

Loving this...not believing it.

I'm reading through the sports news, the emails, and the cheap cigar adverts in my inbox today, and I come across this headline:

"Celtics looking to slow Bryant in game 2"

You might ask, is this a Craigslist ad?

Is it a joke?

As much as I dislike Kobe Bryant and his Laker lackeys, I find this to be really funny. REALLY funny. So, I click on the headline to read more. Inquiring minds want to know! There is more!

"Celtics scheme ways to overcome Kobe in game 2"

Now we're scheming!! I wonder what we're coming up with in the locker room. I'm imagining Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett heating up a kettle of tar to dump at the doorway into the court. Maybe some banana peels. Koopa shells...I could go on. You get it.

How about instead of trying to slow one man down, you try and up your entire squad's game so that they have a shot at matching this one man and all his greatness. And by that, I mean man the hell up and don't let this one crybaby take you down that easily. At least let the other four in on the fun.

In the mean time, I'm still giggling about this scheming stuff...writers these days.

And, it continues...

Remember that time I had a sports blog?! Oh, right!! Baseball season started, and I seem to have forgotten all of you. I kid, I kid.

I'm alive, and well. New digs, new computer, new boyfriend. Okay, that last part is a lie. But I did get rid of the old one. No offense to him in any way...

Moving on...let's get down to business.

The NBA finals are giving us the showdown that everyone loves and hates to see. It's probably the biggest rivalry in basketball. It's The Boston Celtics versus the Los Angeles Kobe...I mean, Lakers! We all know how I feel about Kobe Bryant and his little cronies, but what you may not know is that my father's side of the family hails from Boston, and that allows me to default my team of choice as such. Done.

In deathmatch #12 (yes, they have battled in 12 series against one another), we can look at overall numbers, or we can look at today's team. I prefer to look at the overall numbers since they make the Lakers look massively inferior. The Celtics have only lost three finals ever. Lakers, 15. Which makes a draw for them, only winning 15 titles ever. Celtics - 17 of those shiny ass rings. Yep.

This series will be fun to watch regardless of who wins. Don't forget to watch for the Kardashian clan in the audience. You know, if you're into that sort of thing. Game one starts tomorrow at 6pm PST.

May the best team -- ahem, Celtics -- win!

Athletes are getting funny again!

The world is once again turning, and the stars are all misaligned. At least that's what I feel like when I start receiving awesome news about athletes doing dumb shit.

Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Vicente Padilla was reportedly treated for a minor gunshot wound in Nicaragua. It was earlier believed that Padilla shot himself, but Padilla's reps confirmed that it was actually his shooting instructor who shot him. I'm willing to bet that lesson was free.

Reports say that Ned Colletti is checking out the extent of Padilla's injury before deciding whether or not the Dodgers will bring him back this season. I mean, jeez, the bullpen is already so crowded....oh, wait.

Weaver is back in the southland.

The Los Angeles Dodgers have brought pitcher Jeff Weaver back on a minor league contract for a whopping $800,000 for the year. How much did Manny make last year?

Just sayin'.

Maybe we'll get to see the Weaver family wear their fucked up half and half jerseys during the Freeway Series again this year.

Sweet.

Mr. Baseball passes on.

I'm surprised that I missed this one. Bobby Bragan, known to many as Mr. Baseball, has passed away at the ripe old age of 92. Bragan died in his Fort Worth, TX home on Thursday.

Bragan originated his MLB career with the Brooklyn Dodgers. After returning from a stint in the military, he came back and played for the damned Yankees. Bragan also managed many teams in the majors over many years, and also coached the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Definitely one of the best things to happen to baseball. But all good things must come to an end.

Loretta is moving on.

Los Angeles Dodgers infielder Mark Loretta has accepted a front office position with the San Diego Padres. After spending 15 years in the big leagues, and being a two time all-star, Loretta goes back to San Diego after spending a few years in Los Angeles.

This once again leads me to wonder what the Dodgers roster is looking like these days.

But hey, congrats for actually maintaining a career post-baseball.

Pre-season action for Kemp

Rumor has had it that Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Matt Kemp had been running around with none other than our beloved Princess RiRi. Looks like the above pictures are worth a thousand words. The two were recently spotted really enjoying one another's company in Cabo San Lucas.

I just hope he can hold his A-game on the field in the coming weeks as pre-season training kicks off. I think he might be the only player left on the Dodgers this year...but that's another story.

I will give credit where credit is due - that is one sexy couple. Rawr!

They're baaaaaack!

The Los Angeles Dodgers were lookin super sexy (just the way I like them) at Coors Field this evening as they powered their way back into wider lead on the Rockies for their division title. With consecutive home runs by Andre Ethier (3-4, 3 RBI) and another by James Loney (2-4, 3 RBI), the Dodgers took a 6-1 lead on the Colorado Rockies, and managed to hold them there for the remaining five innings.

This puts the boys in blue 3 games ahead of the Rockies, and I'm going to sleep better tonight knowing that.

Keep it up!

Dodgers add to the pen.

Los Angeles Dodgers manager Joe Torre announced today that they have signed former Texas Rangers right handed pitcher Vicente Padilla. The totally ballsy move was made after Hiroki Kuroda was put on the DL for getting a line drive to the head last Saturday, and the Dodgers needed a starter to fill his little shoes.

Padilla is scheduled to make his debut in blue against Colorado on August 27th. I'll be watching.

Wolfin' down the competition.

Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Randy Wolf stole the show yesterday against the Arizona D-bags to avoid a sweep at Chase Field. Just a triple shy of hitting for the cycle, Wolf struck out ten, and retired 20 batters straight. This comes after 13 no decision games of his 26 starts. Maybe he's finally heating up. Our bullpen could use some dirty.

Andre Ethier also smacked a multi run homer to help the Dodgers defeat Arizona 9-3.

Go Blue!

Man down!

Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Hiroki Kuroda was dinged in the head and knocked to the ground tonight by a line drive from Arizona Diamondbacks Rusty Ryal. Awkward elevator music played for what seemed like decades as the emergency cart came out and twenty people worked to get the pitcher off the field.

Kuroda signaled to onlookers as he was being hauled away at 3 mph by lifting his hand in the air.

CT scans have shown no signs of fracture or internal bleeding, which is a great sign. Kuroda never lost consciousness, and has been diagnosed with only a concussion. He will remain in St. Joseph's hospital overnight for observation.

I say he's out for the season, but we'll see.

The Dodgers (and by Dodgers, I mean Jonathan Broxton) went on to blow the game for Kuroda in the tenth inning. I'm having nightmares of last year's NLCS all over again. Get it together, boys.