Happy Birthday Jackie Robinson

All thanks goes out to Emma at http://crzblue.mlblogs.com/

She alerted us today it's Jackie Robinson's Birthday!!

Here's a quick tribute I threw together.  I want to thank my room for some of the pics.

(Keyspan Park, Home of the Brooklyn Cyclones)

(DeeSteakHouse)

Happy Birthday Jackie!

His spirit is alive and well.  Everyone in Brooklyn lives with his memory and his legacy.

We are all better for it.

http://thebrooklyntrolleyblogger.mlblogs.com/

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Winter Leagues: MEXICO has a Champion!! 2010 Caribbean Series set.

MEXICAN LEAGUE CHAMPIONS

You're getting it here first (maybe...not really). I just finished watching the game. If you like pitching duels, this was the game for you. It was a fitting game 7 square-off.

Vinny Castilla, former Colorado Rockies, drove in the only run scored of the game with a sacrifice fly.

Los Naranjeros de Hermosillo defeated Los Venados de Mazatlan in the 7th game of the series for the Mexican Pacific League Championship. Los Naranjeros will move on to the 2010 Carribean Series in Venezuela.

If you want to see the last out the Naranjeros de Hermosillo secured over the Venados de Mazatlan to win the Mexican Baseball Championship, and the celebration on the field - click the link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zkJfEiXc6CA

If you want to see some of the locker room celebration - click the link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b6xlmNY_12s

If you want to see the championship trophy and some more celebration - click the link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i8Rjz4bPwuk

(those are videos I uploaded)

The 2010 Caribbean Series is set.

Consider yourself updated.

http://thebrooklyntrolleyblogger.mlblogs.com/

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Jorge Posada...the Jack Morris of Catchers

 

 

 

Jorge Posada is one of my guys.  Let's be clear.  A comment I made to: http://southernbelle.mlblogs.com/   "Live, Eat, and Breathe Yankees"....it inspired me to pen this post.

Jorge Posada will never get the true credit for being, in a most literal sense, the Yankees Back Bone.  Jorge has always been willing to stick his neck out for his team mates, when so many of them over the last 8 years have not.  He was always willing to do what needed to be done when so many wouldn't, even if it meant going against the Yankee way.  Who else I ask you?  Who? - ...took it upon himself to send an occasional message to the American League, Don't Mistake Our Kindness For Our Weakness! (my words to express the sentiment).  I defy you to compile that list for me.  Jorge always had his team mates backs!  So many would never step their game up and bring to the game what, at times, the situation dictated.

Because he's in the shadow of Jete and ARod, and other players and contracts of yor..(Giambi et-al), Jorge has to simmer inside.  He often gets criticized.  Sometimes it's warranted when it concerns defense, but I'm not here to speak of that today.

Casey Stengel used to say of Yogi Berra, "I never play without my Guy".  Whether Yogi was behind the dish, left field or first base, Casey always played with his Guy.  The Yankees more than ever are reliant on their GUY!. Jorge Posada.  He gets knocked, disrespected, barreled over, nicked and under appreciated for all of it.  Pitchers and their issues are no less guilty contributing to this phenomena.  But I will tell you those same pitchers love him when he connects in clutch moments.  WHO'S Knocking Jorge Then?  You know who you are!! And I'm Not Even A Yankee Friendly!!  I'm talking to you "select" Yankee fans.  You know who alright.

No catcher has more RBI over the last 10 years in baseball.  Championships?  He's moving on to the next hand.  I'll say as it stands today, no he is not a Hall of Famer.  He's close...Real close.  He should be able to solidify our opinions over the next 2 years if hopefully Father Time is good to him.  Let's see.

(baseball almanac.com)

Until then he is like the Jack Morris of Catchers. 

That's not a bad thing. 

Jorge is still one of my Guys no matter what!

Hip-Hip  Jorge!!

Hip-Hip  Jorge!!

How's that Yankee fans?

(Jorge Posada pic: keeperleaguegm.com)

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Winter League Update: Three Champions and Another Tonight!!

DOMINCAN REPUBLIC BASEBALL CHAMPIONS

Los Leones de Escogido defeated Los Gigantes de Cibao 5 games to 4

Los Gigantes were once leading this series 3 games to 1.

Francisco Liriano of the Twins struck out 10 batters over 5 innings to help Escogido gain their Championship.

Los Leones de Escogido will be heading to La Isla de Margarita, Venezuela for the 2010 Carribean Baseball series.  They will be able to make a few more selections from the remaining teams to reinforce their efforts.

http://www.lidom.com/

http://baseballdeworld.com/2010/01/30/escogido-leones-win-dominican-league-title/

VENEZUELAN BASEBALL CHAMPIONS

Los Leones de Caracas defeated Los Navegantes de Magallanes for the Venezuelan League Championship.  They will move on to the 2010 Carribean Series.

http://leones.com/

http://www.lvbp.com/scripts/home/index.asp

PUERTO RICAN BASEBALL CHAMPIONS

Los Indios de Mayaguez defeated Los Criollos de Caguas 4 games to 1.  The deciding game went 11 innings.  Mayaguez as Puerto Rico's League Champion will move on to the Carribean Series in Venezuela.

http://www.vocero.com/

http://puertoricobaseballleague.com/

MEXICAN LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP

GAME 7  Tonight Saturday, Jan. 30

Los Naranjeros Team Photo

Los Venados

Vernados de Mazatlan vs. Los Naranjeros de Hermosillo

for all "los Marbles"!

You can watch the stream tonight!!

http://www.naranjeros.com/   should be streaming the game

http://www.lmp.mx/

http://venadosdemazatlan.com/  should also be streaming the game

The 2010 Carribean Series will be televised on MLB Network

Here is an excellent site that will cover the series:

http://seriedelcaribe2010.com.ve/scripts/home/index.php

I'll be watching that game in Mexico tonight.

Consider yourself updated

http://thebrooklyntrolleyblogger.mlblogs/com/

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I Was Back At Dee's SteakHouse

This was literally one of those times...I just happened to be in the neighborhood.  I noticed DeStefano's SteakHouse was taking deliveries early in the afternoon.  I wondered if this was a good time to be able to see him face to face since I made my post about his fine restaurant.  I saw Joe at the door and gave em the ol "Hey Joe...me -  Mike..the Trolley Blogger".  He smiled and invited me back in.  We had a good chat about a good many things.  He was pleased with the write up and the response we all gave him.  He asked me in an e-mail if he could link the post to his website.  Of course I said.  The pleasure was all mine!

Joe related to me how he just started collecting Brooklyn themed memorablilia quite innocently, and how it was never intended for his restaurant.  It's funny how life evolves that way.  It seems a perfect fit.  Joe like me, thinks Brooklyn is the greatest place in the world.  After sharing stories and him allowing me to shoot more photos of the things I didn't get around to the first time around, I sensed I was holding him up a bit.  I asked him as much.  He agreed but told me, "...yea, but I don't care.  I love talking about Brooklyn and stuff."

See, there ya go folks.  It's just not me.  We're all kinda nuts for this place.

I'll have you know, my reservation is in for next weekend for a nice dinner with my wife for my B-day.  I can't wait till she sees the place.  My wife of twenty years is a Manhattan girl and is still learning her way around Brooklyn.  Sheesh!  I'm looking foward to the evening out and spending part of it at Dee's SteakHouse.


Here are a few photos of all Brooklyn themed movies, and the view from the other end of his Wall of Fame.

These are a few of my all time favorites:

the cast of "Welcome Back Kotter"

Behind a glass cabinet were many old time Brooklyn relics. 
The beer breweries were a major industry here

in Brooklyn back before Prohibition. 
There were eight major breweries in the Bushwick area alone. 
That was in a more classic time.

That's Leo "the Lip" Durocher pitching the local brew.

But as classics go, what better way to get a feel for a different era, than to look into these pictures at Dee's and let your imagination do the rest.  I took all these pictures and believe me, there are so many more.

There are two pictures in particular you should take notice of;  this sweatshirt of the Dodger Sym-Phony Band and T-shirt from the 1947 N.L. Champion Dodgers.  Phil Caccavali was a member of the famous Sym-Phony Band; God rest his soul.  These two shirts belonged to Phil.  They were given to Joe by Phil's brother.  They are the next two items that will find themselves in display cases on the wall soon.

Enjoy the pictures everyone, but just remember on your next trip to NYC, come over the bridge to DeStefano's.  The Borough is changing faster than it has in a long time.  I'm not saying for the worse or better.  What I am saying, is if you want to know what a more classic time in Brooklyn used to offer, you can come get that feeling in a unique and authentic Brooklyn setting.  DeStefano's SteakHouse is the real thing, built by the family, started in the neighborhood and loved by the locals.  Come in and know Brooklyn.  By the time you leave we'll have you saying - "Fuggedaboudit" all the way home.

http://www.deesteakhouse.com/

Thank you Joe!!  See you next Saturday, as myself for a change.

http://theBrooklynTrolleyBlogger.mlblogs.com/

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Post Script:
I'll have you know, Joe made quick mention during our conversations about one -
 Me being a Red Sox Rooter and I believe he called me the "Yankee Rouser or Rouster" 

Two:  He also brought up my arch nemesis Fred Wilpon, owner of the N.Y. Mets, of which I am a fan.  I had mentioned him in jest last time I was here about not being on the wall, but Joe seemed more interested in actually getting him on the wall.  I hope Fred appreciates that!  I put him through hell.

My point is, pay attention to detail folks.  If you take care of the little details in life the larger problems will take care of themselves.  Joe was prepared with details about me on a chance AND second encounter.
Sharp as a tack!...and that's what you're 'gonna' get here.  He red up on me. 
I tip my Brooklyn Dodger cap to you Sir!

My sincerest gratitude,
Mike,  BTB



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