Photo: Jill Weisleder/Los Angeles Dodgers --Manny Ramirez hits a home run in a game against the San Diego Padres back on April 30, 2009

It’s official, Manny Ramirez is no longer wearing Dodger blue. In a curt press release today that amounted to about 7 lines, the Dodger organization finally put the seal of truth on all those rumors about Ramirez heading to the Windy City: “The Los Angeles Dodgers announced today that outfielder Manny Ramirez was assigned on a waiver claim to the Chicago White Sox and right-handed pitcher Ramon Troncoso was recalled from Triple-A Albuquerque to take his spot on the active roster.”

After all the hoopla about Mannywood, those Manny Bobbleheads, and just last month, the P.R. splash from the Dodgers about the slugger donating his red Porsche to charity, it comes down to this. So much for building a relationship between Ramirez and the Dodger fans.

The news of Manny’s departure came on the same day as team owners,  Frank and Jamie McCourt, went to court in their bitter divorce and fight over the Dodgers. Maybe by getting rid of Manny, who has been struggling this season, they now have more money to spend on divorce lawyers. He walked into a Los Angeles court with six; she arrived with five. Oh yeah, this divorce and legal battle over the team is costing millions. They reportedly saved $3.8 million by unloading Ramirez at this time.

The McCourts court battle will be great fodder for the media, but how much damage will it do to the  team, the players, and the fan base? If Ramirez has lost his batting mojo then perhaps getting rid of him before the end of the season will be viewed later as a skillful bit of management. However, if  the slugger gets a second wind and begins to hit home runs for his new team, a whole lot of Dodger fans are going to be very unhappy with this decision.

The Burbank Leader goes after a blogger

UPDATE: June 20, 2010 — A new version of that controversial post is up on Semichorus blog and, you know, it’s more hard hitting than the first. Also, some pretty interesting comments on that post as well.  Check it out here.

Competition in the news biz is fierce, no doubt about it. Nevertheless, I was surprised to see the “Takedown Notice” posted over on the Semichorus blog last night. That notice is from The Burbank Leader and its parent company, The Los Angeles Times.

Be warned, if you click over to check out the notice, some of the language in that post is rather, ah, descriptive. Apparently, someone got upset about a post on that blog criticizing the Leader’s coverage of the Burbank cops recent arrest of a father whose 2-year-old daughter was found wandering around.  

This is worrisome for a couple reasons. First, Jim Carlile’s blog has scooped the Leader a number times in the coverage of the Burbank Police mess, city hall misdeeds, and so on. Also in the past, Carlile has used material from the Leader website to make a point about the newspaper’s coverage. So is this an effort to silence a competitor?

I read another blog called LA Observed. It’s a huge popular site. Kevin Roderick, the editor, has used material from the Los Angeles Times website to write some scathing critiques of the newspaper’s coverage, personnel changes/layoffs, and business operation. So why is it okay with The Los Angeles Times for LA Observed to do this and not okay for Semichorus to criticize a paper it owns, The Burbank Leader?

Lately, I got the impression the Leader has been attempting to improve its reputation and standing in the Burbank community with better reporting, a new look for its newspaper and website. In my opinion, this attack on a local blog/blogger is a serious setback for whatever progress the Leader was making.  

Update on political feud

I have more on those incidents involving local photojournalist Peter Musurlian, 43rd District Assemblyman Mike Gatto, and some of his supporters. Burbank Police Spokesman Sergeant Robert Quesada confirmed to me complaints have been filed as a result of two incidents.

The first complaint was filed against Musurlian on March 25, 2010.  Sgt. Quesada says:”It involved a confrontation between Mr. Musurlian and two other individuals that occurred March 24th in the area of the city council chamber.” From what I heard, Musurlian, who doesn’t mind being called a guerrilla journalist,  was chasing down then 43rd Assembly Candidate Mike Gatto and things got ugly.  Sgt. Quesada wouldn’t release anymore details because it’s “… an ongoing investigation.”

The second incident, reportedly happened at McCambridge Park on Saturday, May 22, 2010. Quesada says:”The information police received was that it was (a) disturbance between Mr. Musurlian and another individual. However, when police arrived, all involved were gone.”  But that was not the end of it. “Mr. Musurlian then came to the police station on June 2nd to file a battery report for what he said took place at the park.” No more details because this police investigation is also, “ongoing.” 

Burbank town hall meeting coming up in August

Photo: Buena Vista Burbank Library from the Burbank Library website  

The Burbank Police Commission is inching closer and closer to putting on that long-delayed town hall meeting.  From the discussion at last Wednesday’s June 16 police commission meeting, the only details that are solid are – the date, August 18, 2010 and the place, the Buena Vista Library. 

I won’t go into the convoluted town hall agenda plan proposed by two of the commissioners, Ray Adams and Elise Stearns-Niesen. To exhausting. This town hall meeting is supposed to be about HEARING FROM THE CITIZENS OF BURBANK. You don’t need folks to submit questions ahead of time for that.  Week after week, people speak at the Burbank City Council meetings by showing up and filling out a name card. It’s that simple.  Also, this is the way public comments are handled at the Burbank Police Commission meetings as well.

If the commissioners want time for city hall officials to promote themselves or city programs — let this occur BEFORE THE TOWN HALL MEETING.  That was the arrangement at the two city council-sponsored town hall meetings at the Buena Vista Library back in 2008. That worked. Why not just use the same format? That way the commissioners can put this town hall meeting on a fast track where it belongs.  It’s now about two months away — and the commissioners are still fumbling around over the format.

Dodgers’ Annual Father’s Day Catch event this Sunday

Photo: Courtesy L.A. Dodgers — The kicking Dodger Ticket truck will be on site at Dodger Stadium this Sunday, June 20, 2010, for the Father’s Day Catch event

The Los Angeles Dodgers organization is inviting families to come out and spend part of their Father’s Day at Dodger Stadium. The Seventh Annual Father’s Day Catch is a free event, which will run from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Sunday, June 20. The parking is free and fans can enter through the Sunset and center field gates. This is a rare chance for families to play catch right on Dodger field.

The first three thousand people get free Dodger dogs provided by Farmer John. Other freebies include Sparkletts water bottles and PowerAde supplied by Coca Cola.  Also, there will be music, Dodger fan clubs, the Dodger Ticket truck, and possibly some surprise guests to mingle with the crowds, too.

Lakers Victory Parade

There will be a celebration for the Los Angeles Lakers NBA 2010 Championship win on Monday, June 21 – however, it will not be the blow-out seen last year.  Even so, the price for the victory parade is expected to be around $2 million. The Lakers have volunteered to pick up the tab. Between 500,000 and two million fans are expected to line the two-mile parade route from Staples Center to the edge of the USC campus. Click over to the Lakers website for the details on the parade route and the celebration.

Photo: Wally Skalij/The Los Angeles Times — Lakers Superstar Kobe Bryant scores on Celtics Guard Ray Allen during the NBA Finals game 7 at Staples Center in Downtown L.A., June 17, 2010

It was not pretty, but a win is a win. The L.A. Lakers struggled by their rivals, the Boston Celtics, to win their second straight NBA Finals title at Staples Center tonight. The score was 83 to 79. Lakers, and especially Kobe, were shooting poorly, but they never gave up — despite being behind by several points most of the game.

Kobe was the game MVP with 23 points and 15 all important rebounds. After the game, Lakers Guard Sasha Vujacic, who made two critical free throws in the fourth quarter, explained his team’s winning record : “…when we play as a team no one can beat us.” This is the Lakers’ 16th NBA championship.

More on the Lakers, game 7, the fans, and the violence that erupted after the victory on the hardwood on The Los Angeles Times website.  

Lakers blow out the Celtics in game 6 of NBA Finals

Photo: Robert Gauthier/The Los Angeles Times — Actor and Devoted Laker fan, Jack Nicholson points to the Celtics bench during game 6 of the NBA finals at Staples Center, Downtown Los Angeles 06/15/10

 The Los Angeles Lakers came out swinging and slamming in a must win game at Staples Center here in Los Angeles tonight. The Laker defense was awesome. Lakers trounced the Boston Celtics 89 to 67 in front of thousands cheering fans. But it ain’t over yet. The final “do or die” game 7 of this tough series between the two rivals is this Thursday at Staples.

Game notes and more photos on the Los Angeles Times website.  

White House party crasher lands TV series job

You might not remember her name, but I bet you remember the face in photos like the one above with Vice President Joe Biden and her husband, Tareq Salahi.  Michaele Salahi and her partner gained notoriety for crashing President Obama’s first State Dinner on November 24, 2009. A very bold duo. They took photos with the likes the veepee and White House Chief of Staff, Rahm Emanuel, and then posted them on Facebook!

Yeah, the White House staff, Secret Service and other authorities got embarrassed and upset by the couple’s antics. But it paid off for them in tons of publicity and now a role on the new TV series “The Real Housewives of D.C” for Michaele Salahi.  Get more details on The Wrap.

Hollywood studios and agencies meet over Box Office gloom

The domestic Box Office was up this past weekend, but the bad vibes produced by the downturn of recent weeks still hangs heavy over Hollywood. So much so, that studio executives  are meeting with top Tinseltown agencies to try ti figure out what moviegoers want to see on the big screen, says Nikki Finke over at Deadline.com/Hollywood. And that may be a good thing for creators of original and fresh scripts. Let’s hope.

Hollywood shines at the Tony Awards

The telecast of the 64th Annual Tony Awards hit a soar note in the Nielsen ratings (down 6 percent from last year) with an average viewership of 7 million, according to TV by the Numbers .  Still, it was a super night at the Tony Awards for Hollywood stars with Catherine Zeta-Jones, Scarlett Johansson, and Denzel Washington winning trophies.

Also, Actor Sean Hayes is getting kudos for his hosting duties.  The Hollywood Reporter has a nice recap of Broadway’s big night, the best lines, the dramas, the musicals, and who won what.

Photo: Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times 02/26/09

Superstar Golfer Tiger Woods broke his silence today and spoke to his friends, fans, sponsors, and the world. Woods’ statement at a clubhouse of the PGA tour in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida this morning, came across as sincere and genuinely apologetic to me. Oh, he was smart enough to take personal responsibility for the huge sex scandal that turned his life into a train wreck.  

 Tiger Woods

“The issue involved here was my repeated irresponsible behavior. I was unfaithful. I had affairs. I cheated. What I did is not acceptable, and I am the only person to blame.

I stopped living by the core values that I was taught to believe in. I knew my actions were wrong, but I convinced myself that normal rules didn’t apply. I never thought about who I was hurting. Instead, I thought only about myself. I ran straight through the boundaries that a married couple should live by. I thought I could get away with whatever I wanted to. I felt that I had worked hard my entire life and deserved to enjoy all the temptations around me. I felt I was entitled. Thanks to money and fame, I didn’t have to go far to find them.

I was wrong. I was foolish. I don’t get to play by different rules. The same boundaries that apply to everyone apply to me. I brought this shame on myself. I hurt my wife, my kids, my mother, my wife’s family, my friends, my foundation and kids all around the world who admired me.

I’ve had a lot of time to think about what I’ve done. My failures have made me look at myself in a way I never wanted to before. It’s now up to me to make amends and that starts by never repeating the mistakes I’ve made. It’s up to me to start living a life of integrity.”

Now, whether Tiger can make the changes he talked about to save his marriage and career, only time will answer that. Tiger’s decision to forgo golf for a while and stay in therapy is a good sign. His mother, Kultida Woods, was among the 40 or so selected individuals who gathered in that clubhouse for Tiger’s statement. His wife, Elin, was not there. For the full text of Tiger’s 13 and 1/2 minute statement click here.

Photo from http://www.whitehouse.gov

Quite a week for the 2009 NBA Champions, the Los Angeles Lakers. Last Monday, they were honored at the White House by President Obama and some local congressional Lakers fans among them, Jane Harmon, Laura Richardson, Lucille Roybal-Allard, Brad Sherman, and Adam Schiff.

President Obama belatedly congratulated the Lakers on their 15th NBA title — their fourth in the past ten years.  Here are some of the president’s remarks. 

“I want to congratulate everybody who helped make this team what it is -– from the assistants to the front office staff, to the trainers and the ticket-takers, all the fans back in L.A. who bleed purple and gold.  You all should be very proud. ”

“Of course, I’ve got to recognize Kobe Bryant -– one of the most competitive players I’ve ever seen — (applause) — for being named Finals MVP last year, obviously already MVPs under his belt, the youngest player ever to reach 25,000 points in his career.  And he’s playing with a broken finger.  Now, if I was — if I had a broken finger I would have trouble getting out of bed. (Laughter.)  And he’s still leading the team day in and day out.”

“This is a team that never lost its focus last season -– from the first tip-off to the final buzzer.  I know that the Lakers have a tradition of ending each team gathering -– whether it’s a practice, or a game, or a team meeting -– by with the chant, “1,2,3, Rings.”  As Lamar Odom said, “We kind of always saw that light.”  Everyone was willing to do what it took to get a little stronger, to play a little harder, and to bring home that title.”

“But I think it’s important to note that this team also knows that being a champ is about more than trophies and rings.  It’s about being a winner off the court as well as on it –- and giving back to those who are less fortunate.  The Lakers and the NBA have always been about serving others –- at home and around the world.  And that tradition continued last week, when the NBA and the Players Association, led by Derek Fisher, pledged to donate $1 million to support relief efforts in Haiti.  (Applause.) Jordan Farmar and Pau Gasol are also donating their money to the Clinton-Bush Haiti Fund.  Pau pledged $1,000 for every point he scored against the Knicks — and I’m glad he dropped 20 –- (laughter) — helping the Lakers to beat New York and changing the lives of Haitians thousands of miles away.”

“And earlier today, the team joined with our United We Serve initiative to hold a fitness clinic for kids from Stanton Elementary School right here in Washington, D.C. -– teaching them about a few moves, but also how to live healthy and active lives.”

“So I just want to again thank the entire Lakers organization for your service, for the great joy that you have given the city of Los Angeles, but also the incredible competition your organization has graced the basketball court with for decades now.  If this season is anything like the last one — I know that you guys have your sights on the NBA finals — so we might see you here before long.  But we are very grateful for your presence here today.”

The full text of the president’s comments is on the whitehouse.gov website.  The day before meeting the president, Sunday, January 24, the Lakers lost a close one to the Toronto Raptors 105-to-106. That White House visit may have helped the Lakers get their basketball groove back.

On Tuesday, January 26, the Lakers played the Washington Wizards and beat them 115-to-103. The Lakers continued their winning ways by taking out the Indiana Pacers 118 -to-96 on Wednesday, January 27. Then yesterday, they whipped the Philadelphia 76ers 99-to-91.

Tomorrow, the Lakers take to the court in Boston to square off against the Celtics.

Photo: Annie Leibovitz/Vanity Fair website

Golf Superstar Tiger Woods’ life is a train wreck that we can’t stop gawking at or shaking our heads about. I admit it, I’m shocked at some of the salacious stuff Tiger is accused of doing. Meanwhile, a pre-scandal Tiger is shown on the cover of the February issue of Vanity Fair. Does he look a bit sinister in this photo?

Over on the mag’s website, the photo of the shirtless 33-year-old athlete, staring unsmiling into the camera, appears a number of times. So I couldn’t help but look at Tiger’s face and search for signs of trouble or places where the perfect façade might be cracking.

The cover story is an interesting report about the two Tigers; the congenial sportsman with the incredible golf swing and billion dollar career and the other newly revealed Tiger, embroiled in damaging allegations of sexcapades, which now threaten his marriage and the image he has so carefully crafted over the years. The story is a good read. It doesn’t answer the tough question of who is the real Tiger Woods? A question, I don’t think anyone can really answer, except maybe the golfer himself.  And he’s not talking, at least, not right now.

File photo of Matt Kemp from his blog

A sad day-after for Dodger fans. Last night the guys in Dodger blue were soundly beaten by the Phillies 10-to-4, allowing Philadelphia to win the National League Championship Series. Second year in a row that the Phillies have dusted the Dodgers in the NLCS and moved onto the World Series.

A lot of analyzing and “what ifing” going on today and that will probably be the case for the days, weeks, and perhaps months to come. I have to say I like the insider’s view posted by Dodger Matt Kemp on his blog early this morning: “We just need everyone back, plus anyone who can help us win. We have a good team to win, we just didn’t get it done. We’re definitely closer to Philly this year. We beat them in the season series. They definitely outplayed us in this series. Those boys can hit over there, man.

This year we were definitely ready to do something big, I think. They just outplayed us. Did everything better than us. All it comes down to. Our team was better prepared this year, we knew what we needed to do, we just didn’t do it. We got to play good when it comes down to it. The last two years they outplayed us.”

You know, I think I can hear the faint whisper and wish of the loyal Dodger fans, “wait ’til next year.”

A crucial game for the guys in Dodger blue in Philadelphia tonight. The Dodgers are down 3-1 games in the National League Championship Series. The Dodgers must win tonight to keep their dreams of playing in the 2009 World Series alive. No doubt, some folks in Philly are thinking the L.A. team should be packing its bags and getting ready to head for home today. On the other hand, Southland fans are still rooting for the homeboys to win tonight’s game and the NLCS series.

Here’s what Dodger Matt Kemp posted on his blog yesterday about the team’s present situation: “Everybody has faith in us. My friends tell me to keep your head up. This is the right team to come back from 3 to 1. I’m good. I’d be way more looser if it was 2-2 going into tomorrow, because we hit Cole pretty good the first time we played him. But this is just something we have to deal with and fight through it. ”

Go Dodgers!

Photo: Jon SooHoo/Los Angeles Dodgers 10/10/09

The Los Angeles Dodgers breezed by the St. Louis Cardinals last Saturday to win the National League West Division Series with a three game sweep. After a lot of champagne celebrating and several days off, some are wondering if the Dodgers will still have that winning spark tonight, when they play game one of the National League Champion Series against the Philadelphia Phillies.

I think Dodger Matt Kemp has the best answer to that on his blog:”It’s time to play baseball. We had four days off to get our legs under us. We were still working hard, lifting weights, taking batting practice in the cage, watching video. Everything we had to do to prepare for the games. We’re excited and ready to go.”

This is the second straight year that the Dodgers and Phillies will be battling it out for the National League Pennant. Game one is 5 p.m this evening at Dodger Stadium. Also, Game two is tomorrow, 1 p.m. at Dodger Stadium. The Dodger organization is encouraging fans to arrive early and carpool when they can.  Go Dodgers!!!

Photo: Keith James/ freelance photographer

Cleveland Cavaliers Superstar, LeBron James has signed on to take his game to the big screen. 24-year-old James will star in a comedy called, “Fantasy Basketball Camp” set to go before the cameras next summer, according to Daily Variety.

James’ role in the film will not be much of a stretch, he’ll be playing himself. The story reportedly revolves around five guys who get to head off to Vegas to live out their fantasies at the LeBron James Adult Basketball Camp. This is a co-venture between Universal Pictures and Imagine Entertainment.

Meanwhile, James is busy with some other entertainment projects.  Yesterday, the Los Angeles Times reported James is on tour promoting his new book/memoir called “Shooting Stars” and a related documentary titled, “More Than A Game.”  Both projects deal with James’ tough childhood and close bond with four long-time friends. The documentary is due to hit theaters October 2.

James has been a hoop shooting sensation on the NBA court since being drafted by the Cavaliers at the young age of 18.  Last spring, LeBron was named the NBA’s Most Valuable Player for the 2008-2009 season.

Photo: Los Angeles Dodgers

Dodger slugger Manny Ramirez heads for home after hitting an amazing grand slam into the Dodger Stadium seats last night. And the home crowd went wild!

 Ramirez was not in the line up because of a bruised left hand. He was called in to pinch-hit for pitcher Chad Billingsley. Manny helped power the Dodgers to a 6-2 win over the Cincinnati Reds.

This is Ramirez’s 21st grand slam, which ranks him second to the legendary Lou Gehrig who holds the record with 23. Also, Ramirez now has the first pinch-hit homer of his career. Oh yeah, Manny’s back!

Photo courtesy Jose Sandoval — some of the players and coaching staff

Burbank Volunteer Coach Jose Sandoval probably would have preferred to spend this morning out at a sunny park, teaching some local kids how to swing a bat or throw a baseball. Instead, Coach Sandoval was in Burbank Superior Court at 8:30 a.m. today, to face a charge of misdemeanor battery arising from an altercation during a game at McCambridge Park on May 18, 2009.

After a heated exchange over a disputed call, Sandoval says he headed for the dugout followed close on his heels by an umpire. When Sandoval turned around to face the ump, apparently the two men brushed up against each other. In most places, and with most folks, that would have been ignored. Not in this case. Sandoval got thrown out of the game and suspended from coaching for a year. Also, the Burbank City Attorney’s Office hit Sandoval with a criminal case.

I dropped by the Burbank Superior Court this morning and was surprised to find more than 50 other citizens along with Coach Sandoval, his wife Nancy and their two girls. Also, George Garcia and his two kids were there to show support for Sandoval. Folks with traffic violations got their cases heard first. As the clock ticked away, more and more defendants arrived in the courtroom to present their cases before Commissioner Dennis L. Shanklin. I was not able to stay for Coach Sandoval’s case, but he updated me this afternoon.

With a public defender representing him, Sandoval pleaded not guilty to the misdemeanor battery charge and was ordered back to court on August 18, 2009 for a preliminary hearing. Sandoval is now collecting evidence and the names of witnesses to build his case and prepare for that hearing.

To say that Sandoval loves baseball is an understatement. For the past 16 years, he has been a volunteer coach for the Burbank Parks & Recreation Department. He speaks with affection about the five teams and 80 kids he coaches, or was coaching, until that controversial incident on a park field this spring. While he probably would rather be thinking about or playing baseball this evening, Sandoval is gearing up to defend himself in a criminal case.

The Dodgers are hosting their Sixth Annual Father’s Day Catch at Dodger Stadium tomorrow. Families are invited to come out and spend some of the Father’s Day holiday out on the playing field.  As part of the free event, Dodger legends Tommy Davis, “Sweet Lou” Johnson, Ken Landreaux, Rudy Law, Al Downing, Bobby Castillo, and Jimmy Campanis will be there to ”… offer Father’s Day wishes, pose for photographs, and sign autographs,”according to a press release sent out by the ball club. By the way, the Dodgers are playing the Los Angeles Angels down in Anaheim this weekend.

The event runs from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Father’s Day, Sunday June 21. Fans and their families can enter the baseball field at Dodger Stadium through the center field gates. Parking is free. Macy’s, a co-presenter with the Dodgers, is sending over a load of soft souvenir baseballs to be handed out to the crowd.

Oh, my dad would have been thrilled to walk out on the field at Dodger Stadium where the Major League Baseball players compete. To stand on the pitcher’s mound. To check out the bases up close. Maybe even kick the dirt at home plate and take a swing or two with an imaginary bat.

In 2003, my dad passed away. We didn’t get a chance to go to a Dodgers’ game together. Still, I  am hoping somewhere on a heavenly field of dreams, my dad is getting the chance to talk the game and maybe even toss a baseball with some of the legendary players of yesterday.

 Happy Father’s Day! 

Photo: Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times

Victory is sweet. I don’t think anyone needs to tell hard charging, hoop shooting, Kobe Bryant that tonight. Bryant led the Lakers to the NBA championship title tonight, beating the Orlando Magic 99-86 in the fifth game of the NBA finals.

Bryant scored 30 points, six rebounds, and five assists in the title clincher. Along with the title, Bryant won the MVP trophy for the NBA Finals. This is the 15th NBA championship for the Lakers. The fourth for Bryant and probably best of all, his first without center Shaquille O’Neal. Bryant has silenced the naysayers. He has proven he can win the big one without Shaq.   

Photo: Jon SooHoo/Los Angeles Dodgers

Dodgers Andre Ethier had a slamming good time at Dodger Stadium today. Ethier’s second home run of the game, in the 12th inning, gave the Dodgers the 3-2 victory over Philadelphia. It was the outfielder’s second career walk-off homer. Ethier and Casey Blake are now the team’s lead home run hitters this season with nine each.

Photo: Jason Reed/Reuters

A speedy filly named Rachel Alexandra thundered past a pack of males to win the Preakness yesterday in Baltimore, Maryland. Rachel was the favorite and she did not disappoint. She’s the first filly to cross the finish line first at the Preakness since 1924!  You go girl! 

Photo: Tim Shaffer/Reuters

Rachel got high praise from her jockey, Calvin Borel: “She’s the greatest horse I have ever been on (in) my life.” Two weeks ago, Borel rode Mine That Bird to victory in the Kentucky Derby. This time around, Mine That Bird had to settle for second to a lady. It was the sixth straight win for Rachel. The $1.1 million Preakness Stakes is the second race in the U.S. thoroughbred racing’s Triple Crown series, which kicks off with the Kentucky Derby.

Photo: Juan Ocampo/Los Angeles Dodgers

Los Angeles Dodgers Matt Kemp and Andre Ethier leaped into the air to celebrate at Dodger Stadium last night, as the boys in blue beat the San Diego Padres 2-to1. The Dodgers are now in first place in the National League West. Also, the win means the Dodgers are 9-0 at home, which ties the 1946 record set by the Brooklyn Dodgers for the best home start in franchise history.

Photo: Jon SooHoo/Los Angeles Dodgers

 The Los Angeles Dodgers rolled right over the Colorado Rockies yesterday in a 14-to-2 victory to extend their winning streak to eight straight games. In front of a spectator crowd of around 41,000 at Dodger Stadium, Matt Kemp hit a grand slam in the fifth inning scoring four runs. The center fielder was congratulated by teammates as shown in the photo. That was the first of two homers for Kemp in that game. The homeboys in blue are now in first place in the National League West.

Photo: Jon SooHoo/Los Angeles Dodgers   

 How sweet it is! Los Angeles Dodgers second baseman Orlando Hudson celebrates after hitting a triple for a cycle, which launched him right into the record books yesterday. A cycle is a single, double, triple, and a home run in the same game. Hudson did it against the San Francisco Giants during the first home game of the 2009 season at Dodger Stadium.

A crowd of more than 50,000 was on hand to see Hudson’s fantastic hitting spree. The last Dodgers player to hit for the cycle was Wes Parker back on May 7, 1970 — 39 years ago! Also, it was the first time ever a Dodgers player had accomplished the feat at Dodger Stadium.  

By the way, the Dodgers slammed the Giants 11-to-1.