Friday, September 26, 2008

Sunday Night Rally!

Unfortunately, I'll be in Las Vegas enjoying some hockey pre-season, but, if I were in town, I would definitely be at the rally. If you don't know already the Dodgers are holding a post-season rally at Dodger Stadium this coming Sunday at 6:00 PM. Parking is free and $2 Dodger dogs, drinks, peanuts and nachos will be available. Gates open at 5:00 PM

From the press release.
The Los Angeles Dodgers today clinched the 2008 National League West Title, sending the club to postseason play for the third time in five seasons. The Dodgers and the St. Louis Cardinals, who eliminated the Arizona Diamondbacks with their victory this afternoon, are the only two National League clubs to have earned that distinction.

Punctuating their 50th anniversary celebration, the club will play “October Baseball” for the 16th time since moving to Los Angeles and the 25th time in the history of the Dodgers franchise.

Fans are invited to a free “Postseason Rally presented by Bank of America” this Sunday evening, September 28, at Dodger Stadium from 6-8 p.m. The event includes Dodgers alumni, musical entertainment, special pricing for Dodger Dogs and other popular items, and the welcome back of the National League West champions after their afternoon game in San Francisco (provided the game and travel circumstances allow).

"This is an important first step towards our ultimate goal," said Dodger Owner and Chairman Frank McCourt. "The entire organization, from Ned Colletti and his staff, to Joe Torre and his coaches and all of the players and staff members throughout our front office and minor leagues deserve tremendous credit for their hard work and dedication over the last eight months. We expect that this culture of winning will continue and that today is just the first of many exciting days in the month to come."

“We cannot possibly thank the fans enough for their constant support,” said Dodger President Jamie McCourt. “They have come out to Dodger Stadium all season long, through thick and thin, and they continue to embrace the team in ways that surely contributed to the team’s terrific home record.”

Sunday’s rally includes free parking, free admission, and special pricing of $2 for Dodger Dogs, soft drinks, peanuts, and nachos.

Bank of America, the official bank of the Los Angeles Dodgers, will determine the “Fan of the Rally,” who will win four tickets to one game of the 2008 National League Division Series.

The Sunset gate and turnstiles at Dodger Stadium will open at 5 p.m., and merchandise commemorating the title and the anniversary will be on sale.

FSN Prime Ticket and Dodgers flagship KABC 790 Radio will present the event live.

This season marks the third time in L.A. ’s history that the Dodgers have reached postseason three times in a five-year span and the first time since 1985.

In the 1960s, the club made it to the postseason in 1963, 1965, and 1966. In the 1970s, they reached the level in 1974, 1977, and 1978. In the 1980s, they made it to October in 1981, 1983, and 1985. After winning the 1988 World Series, they reached postseason play only twice, 1995 and 1996, over the next 15 years, including an L.A. franchise-high drought of seven straight years starting 1997 through 2003.

The Brooklyn Dodgers won pennants four times in five years (1952, 1953, 1955, and 1956), the best five-year stretch in franchise history. They also won three (1949, 1952, 1953) in a five-year period. Note that the 1951 playoff versus the Giants concluding with Bobby Thomson’s “Shot Heard ‘Round the World” is not included as postseason play.

The Dodgers’ Sunday celebration will be part of Major League Baseball’s events in each qualifying city marking the arrival of October Baseball.