Father's Day at Dodger Stadium

The impact a father has on a child is not lost on the Dodgers. So, for Father's Day they have various activities planned for fans to celebrate the occasion.

First, before the game is "Viva Los Dodgers Day" starting at 11:10 AM. There will be live music from Latin band La Santa Cecilia and Gaby Moreno. It also happens to be a promotional day for MLS soccer club Chivas USA. The Chivas Brand Ambassadors, ChivaGirls, and Chivas USA mascot ChivaFighter will be onsite to greet the fans. Even a couple of Chivas USA players will be there to take photos and sign autographs: forward Tristan Bowen and midfielder Gerson Mayen.

Then, as you enter the game you will receive a Father's Day BBQ apron. Chivas USA defender and US National Team member Heath Pearce with throw out the first pitch as the Dodgers recognize their winner of MLB's "My Dad, My MVP" contestant, Dale Kerns of Hesperia.

Kerns is currently undergoing treatment for kidney cancer and was nominated for this award by his daughter Kristy. Kerns and his wife Rita are lifelong Dodger fans and had their first date at Dodger Stadium.

Kerns will be recognized on the field during pre-game ceremonies at Dodger Stadium on Father’s Day, this Sunday, June 19. His family, including five grandchildren, two children and wife, will join him on the field for this special experience and then take the field with the Dodgers as the game begins. Kerns will also announce “It’s time for Dodger baseball!” at the start of the game.

This contest was in support of the Prostate Cancer Foundation and the "Home Run Challenge" campaign.

Finally, after Sunday's game, father's can come out onto the field and play catch with their kids. Participants will receive a Father's Day foam baseball to use and will be open to all for 2 hours.

So, bring your gloves and enjoy the day.

Some Dodger Videos

Here are a couple of Dodger related videos. Below Tommy Lasorda gets interviewed.

YouTube Link:

Here's a funny video featuring Andre Ethier and his _____ at the Fan Cave.

YouTube Link:

Matt Kemp talks about All-Star balloting. Vote for him here.

Video Link:

Daily Conlon: 28 through 36

Here are the Daily Conlon cards numbered 28 through 36.

Some More Dodger Sketch Cards

I was wrong. There are actually a whole bunch of Sandy Koufax sketch cards in the 2011 Topps Series 2 boxes, and they are starting to show up on eBay. I've captured them below for you to enjoy. On top of that, a Series 1 sketch card of Jackie Robinson is also on eBay.

This one is really nicely done. It is a drawing of Sandy's 1965 Topps card, and is drawn by Brian Kong.

(eBay Auction Link)

Here is a Koufax fashioned after his 1955 Topps card.

(eBay Auction Link)

Here is the Jackie Robinson card fashioned after his 1952 Topps card that was found in a series 1 pack. It was drawn by Kevin Graham.

(eBay Auction Link)

Here is a great video from Topps spokesman Alan Narz explaining the Topps sketch card and its history.

YouTube Link:

National Little League Appreciation Day with Green & Hershiser

This past Wednesday was National Little League Appreciation Day and a couple of former Dodgers came out to celebrate the occasion with an afternoon of Baseball. To assist them was SUBWAY restaurants who sponsored the event to coincide with their Baseball DeSIGNS tour in benefit of the Little League Baseball Urban Initiative. The event was held at La Cienega Field in Beverly Hills, and Orel Hershiser and Shawn Green came out to coach the kids.

The Baseball DeSIGNS tour was put together by Subway as a way to help the kids. To raise funds they had various celebrities sign Baseballs that were then painted on by some of the Little Leaguers. On August 19 the balls will go on auction, so I will be sure to highlight them when whey become available. Go here to see some of them now.

In the meantime, check out some of the photos from Wednesday that they provided below.

(Casey Rodgers / AP Images for SUBWAY)

(Casey Rodgers / AP Images for SUBWAY)

(Casey Rodgers / AP Images for SUBWAY)

(Casey Rodgers / AP Images for SUBWAY)

The Sinking Ship

We are truly on a sinking ship. ESPN just came out with their 2011 Ultimate Team Rankings for every North American major sports franchise and, as you would expect, the Dodgers are near the bottom. In fact, they have us at 99 out of 122 different teams. I guess our only saving grace is that our team is better off than the Clippers.

To add to the misery, the two Orange County franchises (Angels and Ducks) rank far higher than any other LA team. This might cause you to ask, which LA team ranks highest? Well, my beloved Kings is the best Los Angeles franchise at #55. Go Kings Go!