Showing posts with label Nationals. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Nationals. Show all posts

Thursday, October 03, 2019

A Brief Look at the Dodger Roster for the NLDS


The Dodgers just released their roster for the NLDS against the Washington Nationals. Check it out below. As you can see, they are carrying 12 pitchers and 13 position players.

Notable omissions are Austin Barnes (catcher), right-handed relievers Yimi Garcia, Dylan Floro, Tony Gonsolin and Casey Sadler, utiliyman Kristopher Negrón, infielder Jedd Gyorko, and outfielder Kyle Garlick.

Right-Handed Pitchers

Left-handed pitchers

Catchers

Infielders

Outfielders

Below is a look at the Nationals roster.


* Please follow on twitter @ernestreyes *
* Dodgers Blue Heaven home page *

NLDS Series Against Nationals Starts on Thursday -- A Playoff Homestand Preview


The National League Division Series match-up between the Dodgers and the Washington Nationals begins on Thursday.  Below are some odds and ends for this series. Information about each game is still a bit scarce, so I will update this post as more information become available. Here are some important links:
---------------

Wednesday, May 08, 2019

Nationals Series Starts Thursday - Stadium Giveaways, Pregame Info and Other Stuff!


The next homestand starts on Monday against the Washington Nationals. Below are some odds and ends for this upcoming homestand. I will update this should new and updated information become available. Here are some important links:
-----------------------

Thursday, May 9th at 7:10 PM
TV: MLBN (out-of-market only), SportsNet LA, SNLA Spanish
Radio: AM 570 LA Sports, KTNQ 1020

Friday, April 20, 2018

Nationals Series Starts on Friday - Pregame Info, Autographs and Other Stuff!


DC Half Smoked Sausage
The next homestand starts on Friday against the Washington Nationals. Below are some odds and ends for this upcoming homestand. Here are some important links:
Pastrami Fries
There are two new food items being made available for this homestand only, and they are available at the On Deck Circle stand on Field Level section 48, Loge Level section 133 and Reserve Level section 4. First, you can get the DC Half Smoked Sausage which features a Pork and Beef smoked sausage topped with chili con carne, diced onions & mustard.

Chorizo Torta
Also available is the Pastrami Fries. This features Golden Crispy Fries topped with pastrami and brown gravy.

You can also get the Chorizo Torta that features a Chorizo sausage split in half, ranchero bean spread, shredded lettuce, sliced tomato, queso fresco, and smoke jalapeno aioli.


------------------------------

Friday, April 20th at 7:10 PM
Clayton Kershaw vs. Max Scherzer
TV: SportsNet LA, SNLA Spanish
Radio: 570 LA Sports, KTNQ 1020

Sunday, June 04, 2017

Nationals Series Starts on Monday - Pregame Info and Other Stuff!


The next homestand starts on Monday against the Washington Nationals. Below are some odds and ends for this upcoming homestand. Here are some important links:
The White House will be available for this homestand only against Washington at the Extreme Loaded Dog concession areas located on the field, loge and reserve levels. It features chile con carne, pickle, diced tomatoes & onions, mustard. Pic on the right via David Vassegh on twitter.

BTW, during the off-day on Thursday, June 8th, Dodger Stadium will host the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation’s Blue Diamond Gala, featuring a concert by Grammy Award®-winning bands Maroon 5 and Earth, Wind & Fire. Go here for information.
---------------

Monday, June 5th at 7:10 PM
LHP Gio Gonzalez vs. LHP Hyun-Jin Ryu
TV: ESPN, SNLA Spanish, SportsNet LA
Radio: 570 LA Sports, KTNQ 1020

Wednesday, September 28, 2016

Blog Kiosk: 9/28/2016 - Dodgers Links - Culberson, Puig, Urias, the Nationals and Vin Scully


Hey... We scored a run.

Last night the Dodgers played their first game after clinching their fourth consecutive division championship and lost... Not that I'm fretting, or anything. 

The Dodgers are in the midst of preparing for the division series against the Nationals, so the outcome of the last five games of the regular season are less important than setting up the club for success in October.  Per Doug Padilla at ESPN:
Manager Dave Roberts did start nearly all of his regulars in the first game after clinching the National League West on Sunday, but starter Kenta Maeda only went four innings, as did left fielder Andrew Toles and first baseman Adrian Gonzalez.
...
"As you saw tonight, I normally wouldn't have taken Toles out as early as I did, but I want to get Andre [Ethier] some at-bats, and it was nice to see him get that last at-bat and get a walk and have a competitive three at-bats," Roberts said. "Toles will start tomorrow, and we'll see how the game plays out. And Adrian had a sinus infection, so that's why he came out of the game."

It's not as if the Dodgers do not care about playing host to the Nationals for the opening two games of the NLDS, plus a potential deciding Game 5. But post-clinch baseball is usually different from the version that preceded it.
Below are more links to check out:
  • This Day in Dodgers Baseball:  In 1988 Orel Hershiser broke Don Drysdale Major League record for consecutive scoreless innings pitched at 59.  He threw ten scoreless innings against the Padres in San Diego.  In 1997 Mike Piazza set the Los Angeles Dodgers record for home runs at 40. 
  • Happy Birthday, Todd Worrell and Jerry Sands!

Monday, September 26, 2016

Blog Kiosk: 9/26/2016 - Dodgers Links - Division Champions!


Wow!

The Dodgers sure do have a flare for the dramatic.

On an afternoon that would mark Vin Scully's last home broadcast and Fan Appreciation Day the Dodgers did the unthinkable.  Not only did they capture their fourth straight National League Division Championship, a first in franchise history, they also did it with a 10th inning walk-off home run by a journeyman infielder.

Unbelievable.

In some ways, the way in which the team took the title yesterday is reminiscent of who this team is.  They are a group of men all moving together in the right direction.  Some of them are superstars, while others are the gritty pieces necessary to last an entire 162-game schedule, but they all know that they need to play their part in order to take home the grandest prize in the league.  Considering how tough it is for a team to compete when experiencing a high number of injuries like the Dodgers have had, it should shock the system that the team has gotten this far.  By rights, this season should have been a wash.  We should not be where we are.

Alas, though, here we are.  The Dodgers are the Western Division Champions, and I couldn't be more elated.

The photos above via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2016Go here to see a whole bunch of great photos from both yesterday's game and the ensuing celebration.  BTW, I am planning an encompassing post featuring a rundown of Vin Scully Weekend related links, so stay tuned.  Below are more links to check out:
  • This Day in Dodgers History:  In 1908 Cubs right-hander Ed Reulbach pitches two shutouts on the same day against the Brooklyn Superbas (Dodgers), 5-0, 3-0.  The entire doubleheader is played in under three hours.  In 1981 Nolan Ryan of the Astros no-hit the Dodgers at the Astrodome, 5-0.  In 1988 the Dodgers clinched the NL Western Division title in their 3-2 victory over the Padres.  As you surely know, they would go on to win the World Series several weeks later.

Sunday, June 19, 2016

Nationals Series Starts on Monday - Pregame Info and Other Stuff!


The next homestand starts on Monday against the Washington Nationals.   Below are some odds and ends for this upcoming homestand.

The DC: Half Smoke Dog will be available for this homestand only against the Nationals at the Extreme Loaded Dog concession areas located on the field, loge and reserve levels. It features a quarter-pound, all-beef hot dog topped with diced onion, yellow mustard and DC chili.

The sixth 2016 issue of the new Dodger Insider magazine, featuring Corey Seager on the cover, will be available at Dodger Stadium.  (see it on the left).  The Dodgers merged their previously separate Playbill and Dodger Insider magazines into one publication (at least 80 pages per issue) with a new edition available each homestand.  They are distributed at auto gates (one per vehicle) and via Fan Services for those who use alternate transportation. 

---------------

Monday, June 20th at 7:10 PM
RHP Stephen Strasburg vs. LHP Clayton Kershaw
SNLA / AM 570 (Eng.), KTNQ 1020 AM (Span.)

Sunday, August 09, 2015

Nationals Series Starts Tomorrow - Scheduled Autograph Sessions, Pregame Info and Other Stuff!


The next homestand starts Monday evening against the Washington Nationals.  Below are the scheduled autograph opportunities and other odds and ends for this upcoming homestand.

----------------
Monday, August 10th at 7:10 PM
SNLA / AM 570 (Eng.), KTNQ 1020 AM (Span.)

Monday's game starts at 7:10 PM.  Auto gates open at 4:30 PM, and stadium gates open at 5:00 PM. The fifth of eight Cy Young Collectors' Pin Series giveaways is this night.  The first 40,000 fans will receive an Fernando Valenzuela pin.  See it on the left.

Ranchera and mariachi superstar Pepe Aguilar will throw the ceremonial first pitch and his 11 year-old daughter, Angela, will perform the national anthem. Aguilar, winner of 9 Grammys and Latin Grammys, has an album “Pepe Aguilar: MTV Unplugged” which has been awarded Gold and Platinum Records for its sales.

Dodger alum Billy Ashley will sign autographs in the left-field plaza from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
  • The Military Hero of the Game is retired U.S. Army Corporal Armando Barron of Los Angeles.

----------------
Tuesday, August 11th at 7:10 PM
SNLA / AM 570 (Eng.), KTNQ 1020 AM (Span.)

Tuesday's game starts at 7:10 PM.  Auto gates open at 4:40 PM, and stadium gates open at 5:10 PM.

It is Lakers Night at Dodger Stadium.  Folks who ordered a special ticket package in the All You Can Eat Right Field Pavilion or Infield Reserve will get an exclusive Lakers t-shirt.  See that on the left.  If not already sold out go here for information.

As part of Lakers Night, the Lakers’ 1988 NBA Larry O’Brien championship trophy will be on site in commemoration of the only year to date in which both the Lakers and Dodgers brought championships to L.A. The Lakers’ 1988 trophy along with the Dodgers’ 1988 World Series trophy will be set up for photo opportunities in the right-field plaza from 5:10 p.m. through the second inning. The Laker girls will also be on hand for photos, DJ Adam will provide musical entertainment in the right-field plaza and Levy Restaurants will feature a special Lakers drink in the plaza bar.

Lakers guard Jordan Clarkson will throw the ceremonial first pitch. Clarkson and the Laker girls will officially start the game with “It’s time for Dodger baseball!” Singer, songwriter and trumpeter Spencer Ludwig, from the band Capital Cities, will perform the national anthem.

Dodger alum Dennis Powell will sign autographs in the left-field plaza from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
  • The Military Hero of the Game is U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Thomas Seago of Gilbert, AZ.

----------------
Wednesday, May 12th at 4:50 PM
SNLA / AM 570 (Eng.), KTNQ 1020 AM (Span.)

Wednesday's game starts at 7:10 PM.  Auto gates open at 4:40 PM, and stadium gates open at 5:10 PM. 

It is Kings Night at Dodger Stadium.  Folks who ordered a special ticket package in the All You Can Eat Right Field Pavilion or Infield Reserve will get an exclusive Kings t-shirt.  See that on the left.  If not already sold out go here for information.

As part of Kings Night, Bailey, the Kings’ mascot, and Kings girls will take photos with fans in the right-field plaza from 5:10 p.m. through the second inning. DJ Adam will also provide musical entertainment in the right-field plaza from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Kings players Jeff Carter, Matt Greene, Alec Martinez and Tyler Toffoli will throw the ceremonial first pitch. They will also officially start the game with “It’s time for Dodger baseball!” Recording artist Stephen Amerson will perform the national anthem.

Also on Wednesday, a representative from Kiehl’s LifeRide for amfAR, The Foundation for AIDS Research, will throw out an honorary first pitch.  Beginning in Denver and ending in San Diego this 12-day, multi-stop charity ride takes place August 4-15. Kiehl’s will donate a total of $150,000 over the course of the ride.

Dodger alum Tim Leary will sign autographs in the left-field plaza from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
  • The Military Hero of the Game is U.S. Marine Corps Gunnery Sergeant Victor Montanez of Calexico.

* Please follow on twitter @ernestreyes *
* Dodgers Blue Heaven home page *

Tuesday, February 17, 2015

Blog Kiosk: 2/17/2015 - Dodger Links - Pedro Guerrero is Doing Well


I looks like Yasiel Puig had a blast in New York for the NBA All-Star Weekend.  He was introduced as a PlayStation Hero (complete with his own cartoon caricature), visited the American Natural History Museum while also making fun of Juan Uribe and met all kinds of other famous folks; including the big fellow featured in the above pic.  As Puig wrote on his instagram photo shown above:
It was a pleasure meeting this #beast @shaq I though I was big till I met this little fella!
Below are some more links to check out:
"If we can put a full season together and if that lull toward the end of the season is not there — he has a big September, big playoffs — there's no question he's going to have several MVPs," McGwire said.
The Dodgers’ top three starters all throw into the lowered strike zone area less often than average. Ryu is particularly adverse to throwing in that area since he throws low pitches less often than most starters in baseball. McCarthy is the highest above the average among Dodger starters, which isn’t surprising since he depends on ground balls. 
It's no surprise to find the two World Series favorites, the Nationals and Dodgers, at the top of the MLB over/under win total betting list released on Monday by online sportsbook Bovada.

The number for both teams is 92½ wins. Last season Washington won 96 games and Los Angeles finished with 94 wins.

    * Please follow on twitter @ernestreyes *
    * Dodgers Blue Heaven home page *

    Wednesday, December 31, 2014

    Blog Kiosk: 12/31/2014 - Dodger Links - Kuroda, Kershaw and Garvey


    An obviously befuddled Jake Pitler, a Brooklyn Dodger coach, looks on as skipper Walter Alston takes a pick axe to a Dodgertown mound during Spring Training.  The photo was taken by legendary team photographer Barney Stein in 1955.  Check out the eBay auction where I found the photo here.

    Below are some links to check out:
    • RIP, Hank Presswood.  Via Nick Diunte at Examiner.com, "Hank Presswood, Negro League player with Cleveland and Kansas City, dies at 93."
    “Willie Grace went to the Buckeyes and he was the one who told them about me,” Presswood said to me during a 2010 phone interview. “He was from Laurel, Mississippi. One day I was working and who was at my job, Grace and the foreman! He asked me about going, and I wanted to go you know. … I said, ‘What in the world are you doing here, I thought you were with the Buckeyes?’ He said, ‘I am with the Buckeyes, but I told them about you. I came after you.’ I was really surprised. I accepted and went on up there.”
    Even though Kershaw’s no-no has been ranked as the most dominate no-hitter in modern baseball history by ‘Game Score‘ and was but a Hanley Ramirez throwing error away from becoming baseball’s 24th prefect game, it was not the only near perfect game to be tossed by a Dodger at The Ravine.
    • Via Eno Sarris at FanGraphs, "The Best Pitches of 2014 (By Whiffs)."  Clayton Kershaw is mentioned as having the best slider of all starting pitchers... Of Course!
    • If you don't already know, there will be a hockey game between the Washington Capitals and the Chicago Blackhawks on News Years Day at Nationals Park in DC, and Mike Bertha at Cut4 has some video of them transforming the field into a hockey rink.  There's also a video of the NHL ice crew playing some ball on ice.  Go here to check that out.

    * Please follow on twitter @ernestreyes *
    * Dodgers Blue Heaven home page *

    Thursday, September 04, 2014

    Blog Kiosk: 9/4/2014 - Dodger Links - A Disappointing Dodger Loss so Thank Goodness for a Day Off


    I have no words.

    The Dodgers should have won yesterday's game, but they didn't.  And frankly, I don't have the energy to recount how screwed up that is.  If you want a good rundown on the frustrating sequence of events that was yesterday's loss check out Mike Petriello post at Dodgers Digest, "Nationals 8, Dodgers 5: The Game That Broke Baseball."  He hit it out of the park - if only the Dodgers could do the same.

    Thankfully, I was working throughout the afternoon, so I didn't have to sit through it all.  Instead, I received intermittent updates; which is probably just as bad as sitting through that mess.  I dunno...

    A shining light in yesterdays loss was the performance of starting pitcher Carlos Frias.  He was effective in his six innings of play; having given up just three hits, walked only one, struck out four and allowed no runs.  Frias may prove to be an important piece down the stretch.  The photo above is of Frias, via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2014Go here to check out more pics from Jon.

    The Dodgers maintain a 2.0 game lead over the Giants.  They have a day off today.  Now, below are some links to check out.
    • Happy Birthday, Mike Piazza!  He is 46 years old today.
    • Bill Chuck at the Daily Gammons writes, "Want to defeat the Dodgers? Let them load the bases."
    • Via Eric Stephen at True Blue LA, "Vin Scully to reduce schedule in 2015."  As he gets older he'll be more selective about what road games he calls. 
    • Carson Cistulli at FanGraphs writes, "The Fringe Five: Baseball’s Most Compelling Fringe Prospects" that includes Dodger farmhand Jharel Cotton.
    The production has been excellent. Regard: over 25 appearances (20 starts) and 126.2 innings, Cotton has produced almost precisely the same strikeout-walk differential (about 20 percentage points, in each case) as considerably more celebrated Dodgers prospect (and Cotton’s High-A teammate) Julio Urias*. The point which separates the pair, besides Urias’s considerable youth, is that, while Urias features three plus pitches, Cotton’s fastball and breaking pitches are inferior to his changeup.
    • Topps newest direct sale product is a movie pin-up poster, measuring 18" x 24", featuring the 2014 Dodger playoff race.  See it on the right.  It is limited to 99 copies.  Check it out at Topps here.
    • Matt Eddy at Baseball America names Corey Seager and Joc Pederson to their 2014 Minor League All-Star Team.
    • Here's some news that is not at all surprising.  Via Michael Lananna at MLB.com, "Beckett likely done for the season." 
    "He threw the other day, and it went OK," Mattingly said. "Still, I don't think that leaves us enough time to get him ready to pitch."
    • I won't take too much advantage of this funny moment at Dodger Stadium yesterday, but I will link to this SB Nation story about it.  Via Seth Rosenthal, "Here's how you can get an entire section to yourself at a baseball game."
    • BTW, they have started building the ice surface at Staple Center for the upcoming Kings season.  WooHoo!



      * Please follow on twitter @ernestreyes *
      * Dodgers Blue Heaven home page *

      Wednesday, September 03, 2014

      Blog Kiosk: 9/3/2014 - Dodger Links - Kershaw the Great and Pederson Gets his First Hit


      Nothing Clayton Kershaw does should surprise you anymore.  He is a master on the mound, and is unquestionably the best pitcher in Baseball.  Last night he was sharp in eight innings, giving up three hits, striking out eight and allowed just a single run (on a home run by Bryce Harper).  Kershaw now leads the league with 17 wins.

      The Dodgers offense knocked out eleven hits and scored four runs.  AGon drove in the first run of the evening with an infield single in the fifth inning, then a subsequent throwing error scored another run on the same play.  A couple innings later Juan Uribe slammed a two-run home run.

      Of note, Joc Pederson started his first Major League game of his career and recorded his first hit on a Texas Leaguer to centerfield.  Check out my post from last night titled "Chronicles of Joc" for a complete rundown on his day, here. BTW, the photo above was taken by Jon SooHoo/LA Dodogers 2014Go here to see more photos of his from yesterday; including pics of Little League Star Mo'ne Davis.

      On the 4 to 1 win the Dodgers maintain their 2.0 game lead over the Giants.  Now, below are some links to check out.
      • Via Jon Weisman at Dodger Insider, "Mo’ne Davis lights up Dodger Stadium."  He shares a bunch of pics and videos of the young hurler.
      • ICYMI: The Dodgers called up Erisbel Arruebarrena, Carlos Frias and Miguel Rojas as a part of their September roster expansion.  BTW, Frias is expected to start this afternoon's game.
      • Watch Buster Olney's interview with Clayton Kershaw at ESPN, here.
      • Via Eric Stephen at True Blue LA, "Andres Santiago, Chris O'Brien win Southern League weekly honors."
      • Ron Shah at FanGraphs shares a scouting report on Julio Urias and wonders, "Is Julio Urias Ready For The Big Leagues?"  No... Come one now! 
      • Via Brian Macpherson at the Providence Journal, "Money can't buy success for MLB teams anymore." 
      But more than at any time in the last decade, the relationship between payroll and wins is almost nonexistent. Teams that once could acquire the game’s best players through the depth of their pocketbooks now find themselves with diminishing opportunities to spend their money in ways that will help them win games.
      “Last night, I did eat Roscoe’s chicken and waffles,” Span said. “I think that might have helped a little bit tonight.”
      Roscoe's!  The elixir of the Gods!
      • Tim Dierkes at MLB Trade Rumors takes a look the "2015 Free Agent Power Rankings."  Is there anybody there you would like to see in Dodger Blue next year?
      • Via Tom Bartsch at Sports Collectors Digest, "Catching Up With Cardboard Pioneer Sy Berger."  Berger was the top dog at Topps during the golden years of Baseball card production.
      • The Los Angeles Kings just released their promotional schedule for the upcoming season.  Check it out here.  BTW, Dodger Night will on Tuesday, November 18th.  Other must attend games include replica Stanley Cup ring night on Thursday, October 16th and Opening Night, Wednesday, October 8th, to watch the Sharks sulk as we raise our Stanley Cup Banner!  I am sad to report that there will be no bobbleheads.  Boo!

      * Please follow on twitter @ernestreyes *
      * Dodgers Blue Heaven home page *

      Tuesday, September 02, 2014

      Blog Kiosk: 9/2/2014 - Dodger Links - Pederson's Debut and an Interview with Urias


      Roberto Hernandez took the mound for the Dodgers yesterday, but labored as he surrendered four home runs on five hits.  The ball was jumping and carrying off the National bats like they were hitting beach balls in the stands at Dodger Stadium.  Just about any ball hit in the air looked dangerous, and unfortunately for the Dodgers they hit less of them then their counterparts.

      The Dodgers offense was anemic once again.  After Kemp's two-run home run in the first inning they didn't record another hit until Kemp singled in the seventh inning.  They did attempt a rally thereafter, but it just wasn't enough.

      Of note, the two Dodger newbies came into the game with differing results.  Yimi Garcia pitched two innings in relief, and gave up just a single and struck out one.  He was fantastic.  The photo above is of Yimi, via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2014Go here to check out a bunch of pics from yesterday.  Joc Pederson had an exciting pinch-hit at-bat in the ninth inning.  There were two runners on base with the Dodgers down two, so he had an opportunity to be a difference maker.  Unfortunately, after working the count full, he struck out looking on an off-speed hanging slider out-and-away.  On this holiday afternoon, mighty Casey struck out.

      The Dodgers lost 6 to 4, and maintain 2.0 game lead over the Giants.  Oy Vey!  I feel like I'm having a heart attack.  Now, below are some links to check out.
      "I'm excited," Pederson said. "It's a dream come true. But it's now time to help the team win."
      After last nights game he shared his thoughts about his game ending at-bat.  Via Eric Stephen at True Blue LA, " Joc Pederson on his first AB: 'It was pretty special.'"
      "That's a thing as a little kid you're chasing in a game, and it came in my first at-bat, so I thought it was pretty special," Pederson said. "Unfortunately it didn't go the way I want."
      • I'm super envious.  The Albuquerque Isotopes gave away this cool hat (as seen on the right) to fans during yesterday's last game of the season, pic via Isotopes on twitter.  The Dodgers need to give something like this away.
      • Peter Gammons notes that if Hanley doesn't sign with the Dodgers then he'll likely be best suited for the American League.  He can be an occasional DH.  It's also less likely that Matt Kemp gets traded if Hanley leaves the Dodgers.
      • Via Eric Stephen at True Blue LA, "Dodgers extend affiliation with Ogden through 2016."
      • Via David Brim at Dodgers Digest, "Investigating The Hyun-Jin Ryu Rest Effect."
      One thing that is said often about Ryu, especially during broadcasts, is that he pitches better with long rest than he does with four days of rest. It makes intuitive sense, since the pitching schedule in Korea involves longer gaps between starts. His W-L record is usually the first thing cited, which we know is irrelevant. But looking beyond that, Ryu has a 3.52 ERA while pitching with four days of rest and 2.71 ERA while pitching with five or more days of rest through his young career. There’s some truth to this. Pitching well on regular rest is especially important since Ryu will need to do so during the playoffs.
      • Check out this great interview with Julio Urias by Brian Tabije of http://www.ieprosports.com/ about his season with the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes and what helped him to accelerate his strikeout count.  This is from just a few days ago.

      Video Link:

      * Please follow on twitter @ernestreyes *
      * Dodgers Blue Heaven home page *

      Sunday, August 31, 2014

      Nationals Series Starts Tomorrow - Scheduled Autograph Signings, Game Give Aways and Other Stuff!


      The next homestand starts on Monday against the Washington Nationals, and several olde-tyme 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 Washington Dog, an all-beef hot dog wrapped in Virginia Ham.  It will be available Friday through Sunday at extreme loaded dog concession stands on the Field, Loge and Reserve levels. 

      ---------------
      Monday, September 1st at 5:10 PM

      Happy Labor Day!  Monday's game starts at 5:10 PM.  Auto gates open at 2:30 PM, and stadium gates open at 3:00 PM.  This afternoon the Dodgers celebrate Josh Beckett's No-Hitter.  The first 40,000 fans will receive an Beckett Commemorative No-Hitter Pin.  Check it out on the right.

      As part of his 27,273-mile media tour, Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao, eight-division world champion in boxing, will throw the ceremonial first pitch on Monday.  The Filharmonic, who appeared on NBC’s “The Sing-Off,” will perform prior to Monday’s game and will also sing the national anthem.

      Former Dodgers Tim Leary (in right-field pavilion plaza) and Ken Landreaux (in left-field pavilion plaza) will be signing autographs for fans from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM.

      • The Veteran of the Game presented by Bank of America is U.S. Marine Corps Sergeant Leon Pierce of Los Angeles. Pierce enlisted in 2002 and served with a Mortar Platoon maintaining personnel and equipment and ensuring his unit was mentally and physically prepared for combat operations. While deployed at Camp Leatherneck in the Helmand Province, Afghanistan, his vehicle was hit by an IED where he sustained several injuries. He is now recovering at the Wounded Warrior Battalion West, Camp Pendleton and hopes to attend SDSU to become a trauma nurse. Pierce’s accolades include the Purple Heart and the Iraq and Afghanistan Campaign Medals. Bank of America Senior Vice President Global Commercial Banking Felix Whittaker will present Pierce with an authenticated flag that has proudly flown over Dodger Stadium and display case.
      ---------------
      Tuesday, September 2nd at 7:10 PM

      Tueday's game starts at 7:10 PM.  Auto gates open at 4:30 PM, and stadium gates open at 5:00 PM. It is another Dodger bobblehead day. The first 50,000 fans will receive a Magic Johnson Bobblehead.  See the bobblehead on the left.

      Dodgers Radio AM 570 Fox Sports LA’s Petros and Money show will broadcast live from the left-field pavilion plaza. R&B singer Jeffrey Osborne will perform the national anthem.

      Former Dodgers Dennis Powell (in right-field pavilion plaza) and Derrel Thomas (in left-field pavilion plaza) will be signing autographs for fans from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM.
      • The Veteran of the Game presented by Bank of America is U.S. Marine Corps Sergeant Wyatt Waldron of Palmdale. Waldron was a 50 Caliber Heavy Machine Gunner with the 3rd Battalion 4th Marine Infantry and served three combat tours in Iraq. In 2004, his unit fought in the battle of Fallujah, Iraq, and pulled down the statue of Saddam Hussein. Waldron’s accolades include the Purple Heart for injuries he sustained from an IED blast, two Marine Corps Medals with Valor and the Silver Star. 
      ---------------
      Wednesday, September 3rd at 12:10 PM

      Wednesday's game starts early at 12:10 PM.  Auto gates open at 9:30 AM, and stadium gates open at 10:00 AM.

      Singer and songwriter Kim Devine will perform the national anthem. 

      Former Dodgers Billy Ashley (in right-field pavilion plaza) and Matt Luke (in left-field pavilion plaza) will be signing autographs for fans from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM.
      • The Veteran of the Game presented by Bank of America is U.S. Air Force Staff Sergeant John Smith. In 1961, after hearing President John F. Kennedy’s first inaugural speech in which he stated ‘“Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country,” Smith enlisted in the Air Force and served at the School of Aerospace Medicine at Brooks Air Force Base doing medical research. 

      * Please follow on twitter @ernestreyes *
      * Dodgers Blue Heaven home page *

      Thursday, June 13, 2013

      Blog Kiosk: 6/13/2013 - Dodgers Links - Draft Picks Signed, Puig and No National in California (for a long time)


      Both our first and second round picks from the 2013 amateur draft have just signed contracts with the Dodgers.  They were both at the stadium last night, as evidenced by the photo above.  Pic via twitter @Dodgers.  The Dodgers press release is here.
      Lee, 21, was the Dodgers' first round pick (28th overall) in the 2010 Draft and has been rising quickly through the system ever since. The right-hander has four pitches that he can throw for strikes and has good movement on a fastball that sits at 92-93 mph. Still, Lee is not expected to arrive in the Majors until next season.

      • Via Bill Shaikin at the LA Times, McCourt would be a principle landlord if a football stadium was built in the Dodger Stadium parking lot.  Because of this, I believe there should never be football at Chavez Ravine.  NO!  NEVER!  I absolutely despise McCourt and knowing that he will have some role so close to our second home makes me sick!  I propose designating Dodger Stadium and its surrounding land a National Historic Landmark, so that they can never develop the land.  Screw them!
      • This is just awesome.  "New Origami Street Art in Angers, France by Mademoiselle Maurice," via This is Colossal.com.  Definately a must see.
      • In some brief card show news.  You should not expect the National Sports Collectors Convention to make it to the West Coast til 2020, at the earliest.  Via Susan Lulgjuraj at Beckett, "National Sports Collectors Convention planned for next six years, headed back to Atlantic City". Sports Collectors Daily shares a quote from the promoter explaining why the West Coast gets shut out.
      “We have size requirements now,” NSCC Director and Co-Founder Mike Berkus told Sports Collectors Daily in 2012.  “Operating  under 325,000 square feet would mean that many exhibitors would be shut out. Vegas and Atlantic City pose challenges on diversion of attention and attendance. Philly, New York, and Boston have financial and union issues that require exhibitors to have large increases in booth fees. Anaheim, San Francisco, and Boston will not host us without a cancellation policy that would kill advance travel and planning for all concerned. They want trade shows that require 8000 to 10,000 room night guarantees or they can cancel us without recourse. We are constantly researching and negotiating as many locations as possible.”
      Near the end of spring training in March, Vince received a hand-written note on personalized stationery from Mark Lerner, principal owner of the Washington Nationals. It was an invitation to come work for the National League team in Washington, D.C. 

      After more than a decade hawking such ballpark delights as frozen lemonade, cotton candy, peanuts and, most famously, ice-cold beer, in the minors, Vince had received his call up to the majors. 

      "I'm ecstatic," Vince said as he proudly held the note he carries in his wallet. "My entire life, I've been waiting for something to happen because everything I do – every beer that I sell – I put 100 percent into it. Every sale – peanuts, cotton candy, whatever."
      BTW, he's not just a vendor.  He's a recent UCF Grad with a degree in Communications.  The Nationals plan to train him in the marketing department and have him hawk goods during games. 

      * Please follow on twitter @ernestreyes *
      * Dodgers Blue Heaven home page *