Jon can put anyone to sleep

Recently Jon Weisman had this to say about True Blue on his Los Angeles Times Dodger Thoughts blog

It has to be heartening to the Dodger community, if scary for me on a personal level, that I can take two days with my family at Legoland and find that online Dodger coverage has not suffered in the slightest. I like to think I’ve done some good work over the years, but it’s pretty clear that Dodger blogging’s MVB for 2009 is True Blue L.A. Smart, thoughtful, relentless and fun (and without the weight of my personal anxieties) -- the site has simply become a powerhouse.

I have a couple more weekend trips planned for 2009, and will otherwise be trying to maintain my relevance and justify the Times' investment in me. But with Eric Stephen, Phil Gurnee and Brendan Scolari around, supplemented by the several other Dodger sites that have flowered, Dodger fans never have to worry about being abandoned.

You have no idea how heartening it is for me to read what Jon had to say about us. Most of this credit goes to Eric Stephen, but I'm sure Eric would be the first to agree with me that we owe everything to Jon Weisman from his even tempered take on the Dodgers, his excellent writing, how he handled his commentators, and finally for recommending us. We learned to write and think by watching one of the best ply his trade. True Blue has come a long way since Jon first linked to a True Blue column but I still get the same sense of accomplishment when he does so several years later. If is confirmation that we are on the right path, and though I'm much older then Jon, it is like getting approval from your big brother. If Jon had disapproved of the True Blue content I would have felt I had failed miserably as a Dodger Blogger.

This is not to say that Jon and I always agree on what is good or bad about the Dodgers, from resigning Manny to McCourts finances we have found ourselves on the opposite sides of the discussion but if we can write a thoughtful reason to support our opinions I feel that is the best we can do, and Jon more then anyone taught me how to write such columns.

It is a strange thing to say but because of Jon, True Blue is what it is today. So if you enjoy True Blue, Jon Weisman is a big reason why. May his unflagging enthusiasm for writing about the Dodgers never stop, because if it did it would mean the loss of one of the bright lights of our Dodger community.

While many of you were enjoying the devaluation of the Giant Penny, I spent an even better time with my wife watching True Blue's own Lidlbit get married.

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The Setup, read this link before clicking on the video. Chills when watching greatness in action, no matter the sport.

Roger Federer between the legs shot vs. Djokovic (via rootzooDOTcom)

Today is the second annual Think Cure! "Radiotelewebethon," to raise money and awareness for cancer research.  Tune in all day to the following media outlets to follow and/or participate:

• KABC 790 (all day and all night)
• Prime Ticket (from 11am to 7pm)
• KCAL (a special edition of Think Blue TV at 6:30pm)
• 95.5 KLOS FM (interviews throughout the Mark & Brian Show as well as updates from 10am to 2pm)
• ThinkCure.org

In addition, there is an online auction at Dodgers.com/ThunkCure, that runs through Monday, were you can bid on unique experiences involving the Dodgers.

At the stadium tonight, for a donation of $100 or more you can do one of the following:

• Steve Garvey, Ron Cey, and Bill Russell will be taking photos with fans from 5-6 p.m. in the ThinkCure! Suite (221) on the club level at Dodger Stadium
• During the 7th & 8th innings of tomorrow night’s game, Dodger pitching legend and current Spanish-language broadcaster Fernando Valenzuela will take photos with fans alongside the 1981 World Series trophy

From the Dodgers:

Last season, the inaugural radio telethon raised more than $165,000 for ThinkCure!, an innovative, community-based non-profit that accelerates collaborative research to cure cancers.

"ThinkCure! is dedicated to making a difference in the fight against cancer and last year, we started to show what was possible with an annual event like this," said ThinkCure! President Janet Clayton.  "We’ll offer ways in every medium – radio, television and online – for the community to come together and participate in our common fight against cancer. We’ll also have special opportunities for fans who attend those two games on August 21 and 22.  It’s all about doing good while have fun doing it. We know that this event will just get bigger and better every year."

Last month, ThinkCure! awarded $600,000 in grants for research at City of Hope and Childrens Hospital Los Angeles. The one-year grants support research in the development of new therapies to treat brain tumors, gene therapy for lymphoma, and a vaccine for leukemia. The grants were the first research-specific grants awarded by ThinkCure!.

Hiroki Kuroda has announced that he will match the first $25,000 raised in today's telethon with a donation of his own.

Here at True Blue LA, we are doing our part, with the 50-walk challenge, and will donate $100 $200 to Think Cure once all eight regulars have 50 walks.

[update] -True Blue readers are responding in a big way. Bhsportsguy($50), Dr. Geek($50),  Paul Scott ($100). Phil Gurnee will match Eric's donation of $200.

Fans can make donations to the Dodgers’ official charity online at ThinkCure.org, by calling (866) 554-CURE.

More photos » by David J. Phillip - AP

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The Lakers look to close it out tonight, while Orlando looks to send it back to Los Angeles.

More photos » by David J. Phillip - AP

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Lakers win the first two at home, followed by a road loss in Game 3.  Where have I seen this before...

More photos » by Chris Carlson - AP

The Machine

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Sasha Vujacic, aka "The Machine," will throw out the first pitch tonight at Dodger Stadium.

That gives me an excuse to show this video...

Congratulations to the Lakers for making the NBA Finals Friday night.  This is the 15th time in my lifetime that they have made the Finals, and the record 30th trip overall.  Bring on Orlando or Cleveland!

For more Lakers' coverage, be sure to visit the SB Nation Lakers' blog, Silver Screen and Roll.  Josh Tucker and his crew boast some of the finest basketball writing around.

Photo credit:  John SooHoo / Dodgers