My Children’s Book Proposal

For my interdisciplinary project I have chosen the title: My Grandmother Was a Catcher. It basically tells the story of Tomas' a young nine year old living in 1981 Los Angeles. Tomas' has been raised by his Abuelita Marta' due to fact that his mother died while giving birth and his father passed while serving in the Vietnam War. Even with a very loving grandmother, Tomas' still feels lonely and he tries to feel that void with baseball. Even as his community and favorite team, the Los Angeles Dodgers, are swept up in "Fernandomania", he still feels lonely wishing his parents could be there with him. Then one day his grandmother reveals to him her love of baseball. She tells him that she joined the All American Girls Professional Baseball League. She joined the league because she missed her husband Luis', as he died while serving in World War Two. She also tells him that she understands how it feels to miss someone and presents him with the gift of her old glove she used while playing. She said as long as you have this glove you will never be alone. Tomas' then forms a special bond with his grandmother and from there on in Tomas' and his Abuelita share a lifelong love of baseball together.

Since this story is being written primarily with Mexican American characters it would fit into the Mexican American genre. This book will also contain some of the themes that are familiar with this genre and one would be family. The bond between a grandson and a grandmother can be strong especially when both are sort of alone in this world. Another would be tradition. The book's setting will be around the time of Cinco de Mayo to coincide with Fernando's 6-0 start to the baseball season. Pride for one's country, will also be included. Mexican American's have a proud legacy of defending the United States. In many families a proud military tradition is often present. Finally and perhaps the book's central theme, would be the love for the game of baseball. Combing these themes with certain words and phrases of the Spanish language will certainly be familiar to most Mexican American children. For the illustrations I plan to enlist the aid of my cousin Erika Vasquez-Taylor who is an art student, (and a very good one in my opinion) at Los Angeles' FIDM Fashion school. Throughout the book there will be illustrations of Mexican American culture as well instances of Mexican American daily life. Events such as making Tortillas, working in a garden, and the feeding of chickens might also be familiar for some children; or they might simply become interested after viewing these events. The characters will also be clothing typical for that area and period of time. Hopefully the book will meet the requirements and be an enjoyable read for young children and anyone who is a fan of multicultural literature.

Ten Years Ago

(I'm reflecting on the first time I heard this artist.)

It was around this time. Well, anywhere between April and June if you want to get technical. I was still going to high school and, as was the style of the times, up to no good. I think I was ditching one day, and the girl I was with at the time (those close will know who she is) had a girlfriend whose grandparents lived a block away. After using said girlfriend's friend's fake i.d., we would walk to her grandparents house and take advantage of the situation and drink ourselves stupid. Well one time I was going through her Cd's and I liked what I saw for the most part. (Totally hated the Pep Torres) I saw the back on one of the cases and it said " Batman theme". A rockabilly version of the Batman theme? I just had to check this out.

After the song ended and feeling somewhat intrigued, I started the disc from the beginning and "Rumble" played. (I didn't know it yet, but I would later designate that song as my entrance music for if and when I make the majors) The dirty style of the guitar filled me with all sorts ideas. Most of them being deviant and sleazy in design. Not many songs back then could make the hair on the back of my head,and give me goosebumps as well.

What followed was a long and still standing appreciation for the genius that is Link Wray.

Cue the Organ

It's almost time. The weather's changing and the days are growing longer. Scully's voice draws closer and I can almost taste my first Dodger dog of the season. Time to finalize the rotation and get the bench straight. So much work has been put into building the roster and soon enough we'll see if it at least brings us the west. On paper the 09 version of LA's finest looks to not only improve on its eighty four win season, and league championship highs from a year ago, but to move on and win this beloved franchise's seventh world title.

First the big news is we signed Mark Loretta. (Just kidding) We got Mannywood for this year at least and he brings that long overdue bat we have been trying to acquire ever since we let Tommy's godson away. As always, the big question with Manny is will he be worth the headache. His antics have been well documented in the media, his defensive skills are lacking and you got to wonder when he gets bored. Hopefully Torre can keep him in line and focused on winning a title. This year should be the year Kemp finally breaks through. He has the size, strength and potential to break 30/30 this year. Ethier should continue to improve and Martin returns behind the plate as the game's best catcher. Furcal should continue to be one of the game's best leadoff hitters and hopefully he can provide the organization a full and healthy season. Casey Blake will be holding down the hot corner this year and hit for average while providing the best beard in the majors. Taking him off the free agent market was in this opinion, the organizations best move this winter. Anchored by a supporting cast that includes the aforementioned Loretta , the newly signed starting 2^nd baseman O-dog, DeWitt, "Mr. Ronrey" James Loney, and various comers and goers from Albuquerque, this team shouldn't have a problem producing runs this year.

Pitching is another story. After losing two solid and very ungrateful starters in Lowe and Penny, this latest incarnation of the Dodger starting rotation is shaky at best. Chad Billngsley returns as the staff ace after a shaky 08 post season. Kuroda is being elevated to a number two while Wolf and last season's darling Kershaw round out the top four. The battle for the five hole is between Macdonald, another one of the heralded youngsters, a returning Jeff weaver, a rebuilt Jason Schmidt, and a cavalcade of rising stars and tired retreads. If anything this will be the weakness of this year's Dodger club. With lack of a star pitcher teams traditionally rely on a strong bullpen to keep them afloat. This year Broxton is being thrown into the fire as this season closer. It will be interesting to see if he can hold down that role over the entire season. Few doubt that he'll fail in this new role; it's more the path to Broxton that worries everyone. Uncertainty surrounds Kuo, and the newly signed Will Ohman. At least we got Joe Beimel. Oh wait…

In summation, the Dodgers should win the West this year. The rest of the division is weak with the Padres rebuilding, the Rockies losing Matt Holiday, and even though the hated ones have some pitching prospects the Giants have no bats in their lineup. (Ha ha!) The only real competition should come from the desert and those pesky D'Backs. After winning the West, the Dodgers should do some damage in the playoffs (when was the last time anybody said that?) and make their way towards the World Series. It's been twenty one years since the magic of '88, and it's high time the Dodgers take their place at the top of LA's sports landscape. Dodger dogs anyone?

Projected record: 98-64

World Series: Dodgers over Red Sox in 7

THINK BLUE