My Exclusive Interview w/ ESPN's Stephen A. Smith

Nick Hamilton: I NEED YOU In MLB Fan Cave Contest Voting

Ladies, Gentlemen and sports fans around the globe, here's why Dodger fans and Dodger Nation should vote for me in the MLB Fan Cave Contest.

I have been campaigning like crazy the last few weeks, which I am grateful to have made the Top 50. I need YOU to help me make it into the Top 30 and eventually on to hosting the MLB Fan Cave. 

YOU will help to make it happen Dodger Nation, I win, we all win. I've been campaigning alot with little to no sleep, I want to be the Fan Cave Host that bad, very determined, however I can't do it alone.

I was born and raised in Los Angeles, and grew up in Dodger blue. I remember those great Dodger years from '80's and '90's with Orel Hershiser, Ramon Martinez, Kirk Gibson, and being at various Dodger games were phenomenal. I was also a fan, when the Dodgers were not good, and most jumped ship to other winning east coast teams. I was there when it was Lima time, I was there when the FOX company bought the team and almost destroyed this great & historic franchise.

I stood tall like my Dodger team through it all, watching the growth of a Matt Kemp, the development  of Clayton Kershaw, celebrated going back to back to the NLCS after we got Manny Ramirez in a blockbuster deal.

Being the MLB Fan Cave host is not only dream of mine, its my purpose. I love baseball, having played in junior high and part of high school, it just developed my love for this game. I have attended every Dodgers opening day since 2001 at Dodger Stadium.

If you vote for me http://atmlb.com/xRnvqh  I promise all of you, I will represent Dodger Nation well, making sure there is an East Coast New York City Dodger invasion highlighting the best Dodger players and the team.

I have written several articles about the Dodgers over this past season, I've even brought up a point on how Matt Kemp was robbed of his 40/40 season and just missed being MVP this past season.

This is my team, it is our time not just on the field, but off the field with potential new owners who have a great vision to bring this team & organization back to greatness.

It would also be a huge honor and a huge opportunity to host a great show like the MLB Fan Cave this 2012 season.

Not only have I contributed stories about the Dodgers to my blog but also to www.sportspagemagazine.com along with a few other baseball stories. I am very well rounded to the game of baseball, and whats going on in the MLB with other teams.

It would be a dream come true to meet Matt Kemp who's coming to the Fan Cave this season along with many others who will visit. I'm an aspiring journalist so interviewing these current greats would be fantastic. 

We're going to have a great team this year leading the way on the pitching staff Cy Young Award winner Clayton Kershaw, Chad Billingsly. Along with the power hitting of Matt Kemp accomplishing 50/50, with the speed of a young Dee Gordon, Tony Gwynn Jr., and solid infielder James Loney, Dodgers will finish second behind the Arizona D-Backs.

This is our time, Vote For Me - Nick Hamilton, Lets Win!!! Please VOTE many times as possible between NOW & Midnight Tonight, I really need & appreciate your time, Votes & support, thank you very much.

I'd like to take the time to thanks the Dodgers organization for their support as well.

The Dodger & Baseball Report w/ Nick Hamilton

Matt Kemp Being Robbed by MLB for MVP?

LOS ANGELES - After a roller coaster season for the Los Angeles Dodgers both on and off the field, the team managed to hold on to finished above .500 yet they only played 161 games. The two highlights of the season were the Cy Young accomplishments of pitcher Clayton Kershaw (21-5) and the MVP and triple crown efforts of outfielder Matt Kemp.

An interesting point was voiced by 710 ESPN’s Max Kellerman (host of the Max & Marcellus Show) in Los Angeles, where he stated that Kemp was being robbed because the Dodgers only played 161 games this season, and not having that extra game could cost Kemp a shot at the MVP award.
Which is true, Major League Baseball did not reschedule the second game of a rained out doubleheader against Washington earlier in the season.

Due to the lack of scheduling by MLB, this could definitely cost Kemp his chance at the MVP. There is no way that Ryan Braun should win MVP,  Braun who played in only 150 games, batted .334, with 111 RBI’s, 34 HR’s, 33 stolen bases, while Kemp finished the season 39 HR’s, batted .324, 126 RBI’s, 40 stolen bases. He also played in all 161 games this season and a sharp outfielder.

It would be a complete travesty if Kemp didn't win the award, especially him putting up the best numbers in the National League, with the exception of batting average. Now in all actuality Braun should win the batting title, but thanks to a real weak sucker move by New York Mets’ Jose Reyes, who when at the plate bunted and made it to first base. After doing that, he increased his average up to .337 after reached first base, took himself out of the game to keep his batting average at .337.

Matt Kemp had no help in his lineup and was still able to put up phenomenal numbers in comparison to Braun who had Prince Fielder, and Rickie Weeks who are significant hitters in the Brewers lineup.
Its about who’s most valuable, and Kemp has proven he’s the most valuable not only to his team, but to the National League as well. If he doesn’t win, we can all blame the sports writers who have a vote, and MLB who refused to reschedule that 162nd game, that Kemp and the Dodgers so desperately deserve.

Time will reveal if they will announce the true MVP of the National League this season, which should be Dodgers outfielder Matt Kemp.

Kershaw Gets Kicked Out As Dodgers Still Get Victory

LOS ANGELES - The NL West rivalry heated up on Tuesday night as Diamondbacks slugger Gerardo Parra hit a home run, then as he crossed home plate began to taunt many in the Dodger dugout which allowed Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw to get into a heated war of words between Parra and former Dodger, now Arizona Diamondbacks manager Kurt Gibson.
Many wonder what Wednesday night would bring at Dodger Stadium since Kershaw was the starting pitcher going for his 19th win against the now hated Diamondbacks. Would he retaliate or would he keep his cool and focus not only on the win, and take the opportunity to make an even stronger case for NL Cy Young award?

Kershaw came out on fire in the first inning and his teammates Tony Gwynn Jr who craftily slid home safe to score the first run, thanks to a Matt Kemp single. The Dodgers weren't finished as Jerry Sands drove in another run, hitting a single in shallow center giving the Dodgers a 2-0 lead. Kershaw was magnificent only allowing one hit until the sixth inning.
Diamondbacks starting pitcher Daniel Hudson showed Los Angeles no mercy as he shut down the Dodgers just allowing two runs through seven innings of work.

In the sixth inning, as Parra batting at the plate, Kershaw threw the pitch which seemed to lose control somewhat, actually hit Parra, and home base umpire Bill Welke immediately ejected him.
Kershaw singled out Welke about the same time as Dodgers manager Don Mattingly sprinted out on the field to seek Welke out and ask him why the sudden reaction. Kershaw attempted to plead his ephemeral case that he pitched inside and not intentionally hit Parra. When Kershaw hit the showers, the Dodgers seemed even more determine to get the win not only for themselves but their fallen comrade.

In the eight inning, Dodger hitter Aaron Miles ended the drought as his RBI single gave the Dodgers more run insurance in their attempt to close out the game in the ninth inning.
Dodger closer Kenley Jansen gave up a one run single to Miguel Montero, cut into the Dodger lead 3-2. The next Arizona batter would not be so lucky as Jansen focused and struck out center fielder Chris Young on a breaking ball to end the game.
Dodgers held on to get the victory 3-2. Even though Kershaw was ejected, he got the win, which brings him to an impressive (19-5) record.

After the game Kershaw spoke about his what seem to be unjust ejection "Bill [Welke] is back there just trying to make sure that everything is OK. I understand that he has a job to do, but at the same time, just pay attention to the game and understand what's going on."

Manager Don Mattingly who was also ejected for arguing the call also chimed in on Kershaw's ejection and how his pitching staff pulled it together "The momentum could change there with Clayton coming out of a game he was pretty much dominating. But Josh came in and really did a lot more of the same."

According to Arizona pitcher Daniel Hudson the Diamondbacks were contacted by MLB and given a swift warning before Wednesday nights game. No one in Dodger organization could confirm if they receive that same MLB warning.

USC's Fight Not Enough For CAL Bears

LOS ANGELES - USC Trojans were looking for only their second Pac 12 win against a very sharp and second place CAL Golden Bears team. Thursday nights game would either gain USC another victory and confidence of beating a contender, or give CAL a much needed boost to top supremacy in the Pac 12.

CAL’s super sophomore Allen Crabbe came out aggressive in the first half, hitting his first five shots, setting the tone early for his team. However USC’s star guard Maurice Jones made sure the Trojans had enough fight to hang in the game with CAL. CAL’s lead was never more than four points, and at one time USC even lead by a basket, thanks to the key shooting of Jones. At half time CAL led USC 35-29. Maurice Jones had 11 points on a perfect 5-5 shooting, while CAL’s Allen Crabbe also had 11 points.

In the second half unfortunately USC came out flat, and CAL began to pull away thanks to the hot hand of CAL’s Harper Kamp who was 9-11 shooting, and scored 18 points. Freshman forward David Kravish who out hustled the Trojans on the boards came up big with 18 rebounds on the night. Crabbe continued to set plays and ended up scoring 19 points, 4 rebounds on 8-12 shooting in front of his hometown family and friends. 

Despite the the great court vision and spectacular play Maurice Jones, who finished up with 17 points on 8-13 shooting, along with Trojans guard Byron Wesley who finished with 11 points were no match for CAL. The Trojans fell to the Golden Bears 75-49, which drops them to 1-11 in Pac 12 Conference play.

After the loss USC Head Coach Kevin O’Neil talked about CAL’s game changers “Those guys are more experienced and better than us on the front line.”   He also added this about his Trojans team “When Mo's not in there, we don't function very well. Not that we function at a high level when he is in there."

“You can't really blame them, they're all new to this" USC guard Maurice Jones speaking on his current teammates. “We have seven guys in black suits, its a another team out there.” Despite the frustration, and several injuries to his five teammates, he still is able to put it in perspective, yet he isn’t making or taking excuses for his team’s performance.

Jones has logged in heavy minutes for USC, and has truly put his blood, sweat & tears into this team. He is the true definition of USC’s moniker Fight On.

One bright spot in USC’s defense was the how they neutralized CAL guard Jorge Gutierrez, who was held to 4 points total in the game.

CAL Head Coach Montgomery shared his thoughts about difference his team played in the 2nd half "They just played hard, despite their record. I think Kevin has done a good job over there, just getting his team ready. They [USC] were a good defensive team, and 2nd half we had to be better. Grabbing rebounds, loose balls, just better offensively."

Next up for USC a visit from the Stanford Cardinal, who can be hopeful because USC has won its last six home games vs. Stanford.

*CAL’s Harper Kamp was just 1 point shy of making CAL’s list of 1,000 point players. Kamp will be the 41st player to make that achievement.