Sunday, April 20, 2014

The Next Homestand Against Phillies - Scheduled Autograph Signings!

The next homestand starts tomorrow with the Phillies, and several old-time Dodgers will be in the house to sign free autographs for fans.  Below are the scheduled autograph opportunities and other odds and ends for this upcoming homestand.

BTW, the Extreme Loaded Dog concession stands will be making the Philly Dog, a Super Dodger Dog combined with Philly cheese steak meat, caramelized onions and melted cheese.  Mmmm...  Check out a pic on the right.

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Monday April 21
LHP Cliff Lee vs. LHP Paul Maholm

Monday's game starts at 7:10 PM.  Auto gates open at 4:30 PM, and stadium gates open at 5:00 PM.  2014 Sochi Olympics luger and La CaƱada native Kate Hansen will throw the ceremonial first pitch and officially start the game with “It’s Time for Dodger Baseball!”  Meredith, Chris and Cam Jobe, sons of the late pioneering medical surgeon Dr. Frank Jobe, will throw an honorary first pitch. The national anthem will be performed by David Larsen, who portrays Elder Price in the TONY Award winning musical “The Book of Mormon.”  Also, 34 actors from “The Book of Mormon” will lead the crowd in singing “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” during the 7th inning stretch.

Former Dodgers Matt Luke (in right-field pavilion plaza) and Mickey Hatcher (in left-field pavilion plaza) will be signing autographs for fans from 5:00 PM to 7:10 PM. 

From a press release:
The Veteran of the Game presented by Bank of America is U.S. Army Specialist Cheyne Gomez of Hacienda Heights. Gomez enlisted in 2008 to follow in the footsteps of his grandfather and is assigned to the 1908th Medical Detachment and was deployed to Iraq in 2009. Gomez’s accolades include the Iraq Campaign Medal with Campaign Star and the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal. 
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Tuesday, April 22
RHP A.J. Burnett vs. LHP Hyun-Jin Ryu

Tuesday's game starts at 7:10 PM.  Auto gates open at 4:30 PM, and stadium gates open at 5:00 PM. The first 40,000 fans through the gates will receive a Dodger blanket.  See a pic on the left.  The national anthem will be performed by Los Angeles native Elliot Yamin of “American Idol” fame.

Former Dodgers Tim Leary (in right-field pavilion plaza) and Lee Lacy (in left-field pavilion plaza) will be signing autographs for fans from 5:00 PM to 7:10 PM.

From a press release:
The Veteran of the Game presented by Bank of America is U.S. Army Specialist Candy Gamboa of Los Angeles. Gamboa enlisted in 2011 inspired by September 11 and serves with the HHC 508th Military Police Battalion. Gamboa is currently on a mid-deployment break from her assignment in Afghanistan. Her accolades include two Army Achievement Medals. 
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Wednesday, April 23
LHP Cole Hamels vs. RHP Zack Greinke

Wednesday's game starts at 7:10 PM.  Auto gates open at 4:30 PM, and stadium gates open at 5:00 PM. USC alumnus and Laker Nick Young and UCLA alumnus and Laker Jordan Farmar will throw the ceremonial first pitch and officially start the game with “It’s Time for Dodger Baseball!” Country recording artist Eric Paslay will perform the national anthem.

Former Dodgers Kenny Landreaux (in right-field pavilion plaza) and Ken McMullen (in left-field pavilion plaza) will be signing autographs for fans from 5:00 PM to 7:10 PM. 

From a press release:
The Veteran of the Game presented by Bank of America is U.S. Marine Corps Corporal Francisco Demara, Jr. of Victorville. Demara enlisted in 2010 and is assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 7th Marines at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center in Twentynine Palms. Demara has served two combat tours to Helmand Province in Afghanistan, proudly displaying a Dodger banner on both deployments. His accolades include the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Navy Commendation Medal and the NATO Defense Medal.  
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Thursday, April 24
RHP Kyle Kendrick vs. RHP Dan Haren

Thursday's game starts at 7:10 PM.  Auto gates open at 4:30 PM, and stadium gates open at 5:00 PM.  This is Clayton Kershaw Bobblehead Night.  The first 50,000 fans in attendance will receive one.  Check out what it looks like on the right.  Max Greenfield, star of “New Girl,” will throw the ceremonial first pitch.  The Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation (LADF) will hold a silent auction on the Club level by the Vin Scully Press Box.

Former Dodgers Billy Ashley (in right-field pavilion plaza) and Al Ferrara (in left-field pavilion plaza) will be signing autographs for fans from 5:00 PM to 7:10 PM. 

From a press release:
The Veteran of the Game presented by Bank of America is U.S. Marine Corps Captain Vic Sanceda of La Puente. Sanceda enlisted in 2005 and is responsible for source staffing requirements for units deploying overseas and is the Officer In Charge of personnel affairs for Division field exercises. His accolades include a Combat Action Ribbon and Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals.

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Sunday Dodger Videos: Katz Speaks about his Puig Story on CBS

Here are this Sunday's Dodger videos.

Contributing writer Jesse Katz wrote "Escape from Cuba: Yasiel Puig's Untold Journey to the Dodgers" in LA Magazine  (read it here).  CBS News' Ben Tracy sat down with Katz to discuss how the Los Angeles Dodgers player got from his native Cuba to the U.S. through Mexico with the help of smugglers and cartel members.

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ICYMI: Last Week, Yasiel Puig and Hyun-Jin Ryu had some fun fooling around in the dugout before their game against the Giants.

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Here's a vintage recap video featuring the 1963 World Series between the Dodgers and Yankees.  I love the old footage of Dodger Stadium.

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Ryu has some power.  Watch him hit 2 home runs in batting practice on Saturday.

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* Dodgers Blue Heaven home page *