A 2015 Dodger FanFest Roundup - Links and Photos

What a magnificent day for a Dodger FanFest.  The sun was out with hardly a cloud in the sky.  A sea of Blue had quickly enveloped Chavez Ravine like a fog during an early morn.  Everywhere you looked there were happy faces.  Children were dancing, fans were cheering and some fathers even had a catch with their kids on the outfield grass before the crowd overtook the field by early afternoon.  This Saturday's FanFest was a pilgrimage and it certainly provided a renewed sense of hope that this could be the year. 

Before I show you all of my pics from FanFest, I thought I would provide links to some other sites that include some great photos and recaps.  Check them out below:

• Part 1: Photos of Fanfest from Jon SooHoo, here
• Part 2: Even more photos of FanFest from Jon SooHoo, here
• Video -- Think Blue Review:  Caravan and FanFest Edition
• Via Cary Osborne at Dodger Insider, "Yasiel Puig steals the show at FanFest."

“You guys better support me more this year than last year after that display,” Puig said. “We better surpass 3 million here at home.”

• Via Ken Gurnick at MLB.com, "Dodgers faithful get up-close experience at FanFest."
• Blue Skinny Fan's Recap of FanFest, "2015 Dodgers Fan Fest Recap - More Autographs, Less Waiting (Sort Of)."
• Via Ron Cervenka at Think Blue LA, "Record crowd attends Dodgers FanFest 2015."
• Roberto at Vin Scully is My Homeboy autograph recap from FanFest, "Autographs: Joc Pederson."
• Via Dodger Penguin, "2015 Dodgers Fan Fest Recap."
• David's Autograph Signings provides a full recap of his day at the Dodgers FanFest, here.
• Video: The always great Bobby Crosby of Dodger Films shares his video recap of FanFest, here.
• Video: Dodgers-LowDown Presents FanFest 2015, here.

For a look back at my past post of this event check out the links below.  There are plenty of photos to look through.

• 2014 Fan Fest
• 2013 Fan Fest

I got to the Stadium before the scheduled opening of the gates, and found that they had already let the early risers into the lot.  Quickly, I parked and headed to the stadium gates.  I was greeted with a long line, but realized that it was hardly a wait.  (Click on any pic to embiggen)

Blog Kiosk: 2/2/2015 - Dodger Links - Rocky Bridges, Joe Wieland and Yasmani Grandal

To conclude the Dodgers Community Caravan last week the Dodgers visited City Hall on Friday and met with a group of combat-injured service members and the Wounded Warriors Project for lunch.  Photo above via Juan Ocampo/LA Dodgers 2015.  Go here to check out more photos from the event.

Below are some more links to check out:

• RIP, Rocky Bridges.  Mark Langill at Dodger Insider passes along the sad news that former Brooklyn Dodger Rocky Bridges has died.  Check out his story about him here.
• ICYMI: The two assailants who attacked Bryan Stow at Dodger Stadium in 2011 have just plead guilty to additional federal gun possession charges, via an AP report at ESPN.  They were already in state prison for attacking Stow and now face time in federal prison.  In other words, they are doing everything possible to make sure they never get released.
• Via Miles Wray at FanGraphs, "Which MLB Teams are Blazing New Trails in Scouting?"  As you would expect, the Dodgers are at the top of the list.
• Via Jon Weisman at Dodger Insider, "A healthy Joe Wieland is eager to move forward with the Dodgers."

“I’m gonna go into camp and just show ‘em what I have, and I’ll let them make the decision,” he said. “I’m 100 percent ready to go, and I’m gonna do all I can to make it a hard decision on them.”

• BTW, the Dodgers new marketing slogan for the 2015 season is "We Love LA."

“Since 1958, the fans of Southern California have had a love affair with the Dodgers, our broadcasters and Dodger Stadium, and the feeling has been mutual,” said Dodgers’ Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer Lon Rosen.  “What better way to express our admiration to our fans for their overwhelming support than with this year’s slogan, `We Love LA’” 

• Via Ken Gurnick at MLB.com, "Gabe Kapler's favorite player: A.J. Ellis."

"That's why he stands out to me. He does a great job providing a platform for his teammates to be heard and appreciated. A.J. checks all of those boxes, and that's why he's my favorite player."

• Via Mark Saxon at ESPNLosAngeles.com, "Yasmani Grandal ready to make his mark with Dodgers."

“No pressure at all,” Grandal said. “I want to keep doing the same thing I was doing in San Diego and try to help this team win. They say they needed a catcher. Hopefully, me and A.J. [Ellis] can take this team to a World Series. I think both teams got what they wanted.” 

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Blog Kiosk: 1/30/2015 - Dodger Links - Kershaw Blanket, MLB 15 and Bye Bye Billingsley

Dodger alumni (Kenny Landreaux, Tim Leary, Dennis Powell and Derrel Thomas) visited the LAPD's Harbor Division Station in San Pedro.  The photo above is via Juan Ocampo/LA Dodgers 2015.  Go here to check out more photos from him of this event.

Below are some more links to check out:

• With the Super Bowl this weekend David Davis at the Classical shares a fantastic interview with legendary sports photographer Neil Leifer, here.
• Here's an early peek at the Dodgers fleece blanket being given away on April 29th, via @Dodgers on twitter, on the right.  It's a Clayton Kershaw themed blanket.
• Here's more news on signing Cuban players Via Neil at Chicago Cubs Online, "Yoan Moncada Update: MLB Sent Memo to Teams Outlining New Regulations."
• Are you a gamer?  Planning on getting MLB15 when it comes out?  Well, Steve Noah at Operation Sports provides the, "MLB15 The Show Fact Sheet."  In case you forgot, Yasiel Puig is this seasons cover boy.  Below are a couple of gameplay pics of Puig.  Click on any pic to embiggen.  BTW, the PlayStation.Blog also mentions a gameplay reveal is scheduled for February 5th, at 2:00 PST, on Twitch.

• Boo!  I really like Billingsley.  At the same time I realize that there just wasn't any room for him in LA.  Via Mark Polishuk at MLB Trade Rumors, "Phillies Sign Chad Billingsley."

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Blog Kiosk: 1/29/2015 - Dodger Links - Some Odds and Ends

Featured above, Kenny Landreaux, Justin Tuner and another volunteer visited the Long Beach Rescue Mission to serve and prepare meals as a part of the Dodgers' Community Caravan yesterday.  Photo above via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2015.  Go here to check out more photos from Jon from the event.

Below are some more links to check out:

• I had failed to note this down on my calendar until today, so I apologize in advance.  Three Kings players will be signing free autographs later today at the Staples Store in Long Beach from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM.  They are Anze Kopitar, Jake Muzzin and Martin Jones.  Go here for information.
• Via Harold Uhlman at Think Blue LA, "Major League Scouting Bureau has Dodgers linage."
• With the TWC/Dodgers TV deal hanging in the balance, this story by Meg James at the LA Times is important; "Comcast-Time Warner Cable merger is no longer viewed as inevitable."  It has been widely speculated that if they do not merge then the TWC deal falls apart and forces SportsNetLA into bankruptcy.  I am uncertain as to how they chose to structure everything, but you shouldn't be too worried about the team if this is the outcome.
• Via JP Hoornstra at Inland Valley Daily Bulletin, "Dodgers’ Justin Turner aiming for a healthier 2015."

“I think the key to anything is obviously being on the field and staying healthy,” Turner said. “That was my emphasis this offseason, was to focus on that. Get stronger, get leaner, do some running stuff and prevent any breakdowns.”

JP also notes that thirdbase is where Turner is likely to play more:

“I haven’t talked to Donnie. I don’t know how he’s going to approach it, but I think they’d like to keep Uribe healthy throughout the year,” Turner said. “They might have built-in days off for him but I haven’t talked to Donnie or Wallie (bench coach Tim Wallach).”

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Weekend Autograph Opportunities: Dodgers FanFest this Weekend

Here are this weekends autograph opportunities and events throughout the Southland. As always, be sure to check the Blue Heaven Calendar for other events (a link can always be found on the tab at the top of this page, just left of center), and always confirm with the establishment. Everything is subject to change.  Please email me with any tips about upcoming events in Southern California.  As the rest of the week progresses I'll update this post with other events (if there are any) as I become aware of them.  Also, I don't always list every event below, so be sure to check my Calendar.  I always try to favor free signing events over paying events.  Click on any pic to embiggen.

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FanFest, baby!

The event that officially kicks off the new season will be on Saturday, and I plan on being there as early as possible.  Unfortunately, I only received one autograph voucher (Howie Kendrick during Session 2), but I figure that just gives me more time to roam around an enjoy the sights.  This year FanFest will be held within Dodger Stadium, so we have the added bonus of spending the day in our second home.  Jon Weisman at Dodger Insider points to a very helpful guide to Saturday's festivities, here.  Below is the map.

(click to embiggen)

Go here for more information about FanFest.  All autograph vouchers are sold out, but VIP Experiences remain available online (they are pricey).  Go here to check that out.

BTW, parking is FREE and there is no admittance fee.  FanFest starts at 10:00 AM and closes at 4:00 PM.  I am unsure when the parking gates open.

Of course, I'll have plenty of photos to share in my upcoming report on the event, so stay tuned. 
If you have any photos that you'd like to share please pass them along.

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Blog Kiosk: 1/28/2015 - Dodger Links - About Yoan Moncada

The Dodgers continued their community caravan yesterday afternoon at Hollenbeck Middle School in Los Angeles.  Former Dodgers' Al Downing, Lee Lacy, Tim Leary and Dennis Powell visited with 100 students.  The photo above of the entire group is from Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2015.  Go here to check out more photos from him of the event.

Below are some more links to check out:

• Jon Weisman at Dodger Insider tells us the "New uniform numbers for the 40-man roster."  Joc Pederson will wear a new number; #31.
• Via Eric Stephen at True Blue LA, "Robert Carson, Theo Alexander suspended 50 games for positive drug test."
• ICYMI:  Here's a great story by Jorge Arangure Jr. at Vice Sports about Yoan Moncada and, "The Weirdest Cuban Baseball Defector Story You'll Ever Read."

Hastings won't talk about what role Nicole Banks—a California based agent with previous experience representing Cubans—played in Moncada's travels.

Banks is rumored to be romantically involved with Moncada and to have possibly had his child in September. In early October, a baby registry existed on the website thebump.com that listed Banks' and Moncada's names with a due date of September 2014. That registry has since been changed to show only Banks' name and a September 2015 due date.

• Just more Yoan Moncada news.  Via Ben Badler at Baseball America, "MLB, Not OFAC, Is Why Yoan Moncada Can’t Sign."

The holdup is that MLB won’t let Moncada—or any Cuban player, for that matter—use the general license any more. That wasn’t always the case. Yasiel Puig, for example, signed using the general license. It’s not clear what exactly changed, but at some point in 2012 after Puig signed in June that year, MLB no longer allowed Cuban players to sign using the general license and instead required them to apply for the specific license, which is a written document from OFAC. That goes beyond what the government requires from Cuban players to be able to begin their careers, and with some players waiting six months to receive their licenses, MLB’s policy has added a significant bottleneck for those players.

On the other hand, Jeff Passan at Yahoo writes that the Treasury Department has just announced they will no longer be issuing specific licenses referenced above, so Moncada may be able to sign a contract sooner rather than later.

MLB was drafting a letter to OFAC on Tuesday asking for a meeting in the near future to clarify the new regulations and potentially change league policy, which requires a specific unblocking license. Should a meeting take place soon, one league official estimated Moncada could be free to negotiate with teams within two weeks.

“If OFAC confirms that the process for unblocking Cuban players is no longer to apply for a specific license,” the official said, “MLB will conform to the law.”

• Topps is selling exclusively through their website a Sy Berger 1951 Tribute Collection of cards featuring the 1951 Red/Blue Back set design, and several Dodgers are included.  See them above.  Available are 10" X 14" sized prints of Kershaw, Puig and Jackie Robinson, as well as, postcard-sized cards sold in complete set form.  Go here to check them out at Topps.

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