Dodgers Blue Blog

Dodgers, Phillies, Wild Card, Trade Deadline and my own Baseball card!

This morning as I was hurrying to take my train from Union Station, a lady was coming the opposite side and asked me "where is the train to San Diego?"   I pointed her in the right direction but Ughhh!  I wanted to hop on that train!   I thought about it briefly  "I can go the way I am right now..No, I need to go to work...I'll get updates from there :-(.     

I hope Padilla gets better support from the offense.   Our offense has been so anemic that they need one of these.    

Dodgers aquired Podsednik for  Class A RHP Elisaul Pimentel and Catcher Lucas May.  Not happy that Oswald went to the Phillies.   Dodgers have not even faced the Phillies yet.   The Wild Card just got a little harder and wilder.  Will the Dodgers be buyers or sellers by the Trade deadline? 

 

When I was at the FanFest, we got in line to get our our baseball cards.   They had different jerseys you could put on to pose for the picture.   Brother Vic posed with a Rays jersey.  He is a Rays fan in addition to being a Dodger fan.  We teased him afterwards that we had traded him to Tampa for Evan Longoria. 

 

I had taken my picture with a Dodger uni and as a hitter

 

 but when I saw my brother as a pitcher, I wanted one too so I put on the NL uni 

 You know the first youtube video I recorded of Kenley Jansen that I put in my prior post?  Well, last night I noticed that it has over 5,000 views!  Unbelievable!  

Let's go Padilla! 

Let's go Dodgers!

Photos from Steve Garvey Celebrity Softball game to benefit ALS

I way behind posting these pictures from the Steve Garvey Celebrity Softball Classic to benefit ALS. 

Thank you Mike for inviting Vic and I for this event.  A group of us made the trip after the Dodger game to Pepperdine in Malibu for this event.   The traffic was a little heavy but the ride on PCH is beautiful.   

Here is the booklet which many of us had Steve Garvey signed:

  

 I did not see Tommy Lasorda but he could have been there early for the Festival, we got there about 5:30.  It looked like it was a fun festival.  I also missed the auction that they had during the festival.  

Some of my pictures did not come out but here are some pictures

Here is Steve Garvey batting in full uniform.  His son is there ready to run for him.    

 

Jose Canseco practicing his swing as Maury Wills looks on.

 

 

 Pete Rose with someone wearing a Hollywood Stars jersey:

  Jay Johnstone, Maury Wills, Bill Russell, Ron Cey, Jerry Reuss

   

3/4 of the longest playing infield

Gilbert, Mike and I looking on.   

My brother Vic with CSI star Omar Miller.  He was very friendly.   . 

Jose Canseco, Jennine and I 

Mike and Jennine with Bill Russell

Jennine and Garvey :

 

Mike, Steve Garvey and I.   I told Garvey that he looked like he could still play.  He said "Oh you are so kind, thank you. "  

 

Thanks again Mike for the invite!    It was a great event for a great cause!

Is 55 since '55 Poster Night featuring Vin Scully tonight at Dodger Stadium!   Only 20K giving out at the stadium!

More pictures from the All-Star FanFest.

In a prior post, I had mentioned that Red Sox Mickey was on the DL.   He was brought back to FanFest after his trip to the mickey hospital.    Note how Red Sox Mickey has his left arm all bandaged and he has a hot water bottle on top.  Poor mickey.  

 

Here is the news flash  from MLB informing everyone that Red Sox Mickey was starting his rehab assignment at the FanFest on Friday and possibly would be ready for the All-Star game.  

Unfortunately Kansas City Royals Mickey could not make it on time.  

There was a wax figure of Tommy Lasorda.  Have you ever seen him this skinny? 

 Outside of the convention center was the Hilton and the Marriott hotel.  The Hilton has the American League Mickey   

 

The Marriott has the The National League Mickey!

 

After our final volunteering assignment we were given an All-Star baseball.   After three days I was really tired but I would do it again.  I met lots of fans, little ones and big ones and many other baseball fans that volunteered.  

There was a sheet to signup for the upcoming NBA All-Star FanFest in Los Angeles next year and we were told that starting in February we could sign up to volunteer for next year's MLB All-Star FanFest in Arizona.    

From the Hall of Fame section:.    

  

The NBA Fan-Fest will be in Los Angeles.  I put my name on the list.   Come Feburary you can start signing up to volunteer for the next MLB All-Star FanFest in Arizona.    I'll think about that one.  

Volunteering at the FanFest and another win for the Dodgers

I chose the table at the end to wait for our assignment to volunteer and I just happened to sit next to my friend Linda!   The volunteers around from left to right are fans of:

Dodgers, Mariners(but likes the Dodgers), Linda a Phillie and Dodger fan, Dodger fan (me!), Dodger fan and Angel fan at the end.    Way to represent Dodger fans!   

That is the only time you would catch me wearing red.     

Linda and I are designated hitters so we waited where they would take us. 

Our group was given the assignment to stuff the welcome bags in the back and to be a greeter handing out the bags.    I was going to greet but when I went to the back room, I noticed they needed help stuffing so there I sat stuffing and stuffing and stuffing..   

   

I had fun with the ladies but I had enough of stuffing.  

I took a little break and stopped by to see Rollie Fingers

I put back my volunteer shirt when I spotted this cutout of Andre Ethier! 

Then I was back to stufing bags. 

At 5, I headed back on the 5 freeway to Blue Heaven on Earth!  I got there 30 minutes before game time.   The Dodgers rewarded me with a win.  It should not have been that close but the score was Dodgers 9, Cubs 7.  

Checkout Dewce!  The famost "bailarin"  little dancer at Dodger Stadium.   Dewce is a riot!  Here he is doing his dance routine.  Everyone knows dewce, including the players.  

Busy day today with photo day, game and then a softball charity game that I am thinking of attending at Pepperdine.  It is being hosted by Steve Garvey.   Lots of players and celebrities will be there.

Hey Ernie Banks was at Dodger Stadium yesterday!   I missed taking a picture of him.  Maybe he will be back today! 

The Cubs at Dodger Stadium. FanFest Weekend.

I spent Wednesday at Anaheim going to the orientation session in order to volunteer for the FanFest.  

I have the second shift noon to 5 p.m. Friday, Sunday and Monday.  I will try to change Sunday to the 1st shift of 9 a.m. to Noon so that I have time to make it to the game on Sunday. 

I left Saturday open since is Photo Day at Dodger Stadium followed by the game.   Saturday is also the Poster Day for the Big Blue Wrecking forum.   

I am looking forward to meeting PastorKyle and seeing the rest of the posters of the forum.   There will be other people there as part of the group for those BBWC posters that could not make it. 

Thank you BabyToes for putting this together.  Babytoes is also volunteering at the FanFest.  Here is Babytoes next to the All-Star Mickey Mouse:

 

Linda (behindblueeyes) is also volunteering.  Here she is also posing with the All-Star Mickey Mouse.

 

The Cubs are at Dodger Stadium for a four game series.   Today is All-Star Andre Etheir action figure.   This is figure two (first one was Matt Kemp).  The last one will be of Manny Ramirez.  It is only for kids 14 and under but let's see how I can get a hold of one.  

 They did a video at the stadium of Matt Kemp and the action figure.  I can't wait to see the one with Andre tonight.  

And I can't wait to see Andre at the All-Star game.  I will be in the right field side, upper deck.  

Let's Go Dodgers!   Is Cub hunting season again!  

All-Star FanFest in the works.  This guy with the Strasburg jersey is also volunteering.

 

 More All-Star FanFest in the works

Independence Day Fireworks at Dodger Stadium

John Ely did not have a good night.  He could not get out of the 3rd inning.  The good news was the bullpen.  Jeff Weaver and Belisario pitched scoreless innings.  The Dodgers made it close with Rafael Furcal extending his hitting streak by belting a two run homerun.   Final score Marlins 6, Dodgers 5. 

Here are some pictures from the game:

I like this picture of father and son.  He is wearing a Bobby Welch jersey and the kid a Jackie Robinson.  

My friend James with his kids,  wish his dad was sitting here too to get alll three generations.   

fans on the field to watch the fireworks.  I prefer to watch them from above

fireworks at Dodger Stadium.  

After the fireworks, Victor and I stopped at the Music Center to see the Dodger Mickey.  i wanted Victor to see how beautiful it is. 

I love our Dodger Mickey Mouse!   Is is beautiful!

All-Star game and Mickey Mouses all around!

Wednesday when I went to Jury Duty in Downtown LA, I noticed that there is this Pittsburg Pirate Mickey Mouse at Union Station.     I had seen one at Anaheim Stadium when I went there for the All-Star FanFest interview.    I did not have my camera that day but Friday I made sure I had it with me.  

After googleing about the the Mickey Mouse, I read that there are 36 varieties of statues including designs for all 30 clubs to celebrate the All-Star game here in Anaheim.  I learned that there are three in the Los Angeles. 

After work I made my rounds.  First Union Station:  

After taking a few pictures at Union Station, I walked to the Music Center in Dowtown.  The walk is uphill.  I should have taken a bus but it was worth it to see the DODGER Mickey Mouse !

In back of that fountain there was a huge group of people dancing with an instructor on stage teaching Indian (from India) dancing.  Yep!  I joined in!  

Here is another picture of the Dodger Mickey Mouse

Here is the back of of the Dodger Mickey Mouse

OK, so after doing some dancing (or trying to follow the instructor with the dance moves), I headed to the third Mickey Mouse that is in LA.  

ESPN LA Live has the Yankee Mickey Mouse

The LA Live is next to the Staple Center, home of the 2010 World Champion Lakers!   A few blocks away from there is the Convention Center where they are having the Anime convention.   I've never seen so many costumes!  I took a picture with this guy 

 

It was sad to read that the Red Sox Mickey Mouse that was somewhere in Anaheim, was vandalized.  His arm is being repaired.   

I'll try to go take pictures of the ones that are in Hollywood sometime this weekend.  They have Royals, Reds, Indians, Mariners and Phillies.   I have pictures of the the Pirate and Yankee Mickey Mouses also if anyone likes me to post them, let me know.  

Congratulations to Gibby on his first win as a manager.  Now Dodgers go take the next two!

Let's Go Dodgers!

Giddiness ! Dodgers sweep the Giants!

Can you believe Matt Cain is 0-8 against the Dodgers!  Jonathan Sanchez is 0-5.    That is 0-13 for two of the Giant starters.  

Dodgers Swept the Giants to end the June gloom with a 14-13 record.  Dodgers just love to play against their own division.   On to Arizona for three now.   

I am just amazed at the amount of double plays that the Giants hit into.  They are leading the league in that category!.   Vin Scully was saying "....and yet another double play."   

Love Vin Scully! in the second game when the Panda was caught at second.  He said "The Panda turns into a pussycat"    LOL.   

You know why the Panda was caught at second? 

LOL   I love that picture!

Congratulations to Padilla on his #100 win! 

Dodgers Lose, Dodgers Win. Check out this MLB All-Star FanFest Special!

I did not want to blog after the Dodgers lost that heartbreaker in the 9th to the Yankees.   We all left the stadium so demoralized

Hey Torre:  Did you fall asleep in the 9th?  

But we won last night against the hated ones on my birthday!!   YEAH!!

Young John Ely goes tonight against Cain.  Let's see what this game brings us.   Truebluewill was reminding me of the Dodgers record against the NL West!  19-5!    We swept the Padres earlier in the year so yeah let's play the NL West!

 

MLB All-Star FanFest  Special courtesy of Pepsi!

I went to the Vons and noticed this special last Sunday.   Checkout the voucher!

If you spend $20 in qualifying Pepsi products, you can earn two free tickets to the MLB All-Star FanFest.    The tickets cost $30 each so this is a pretty good deal.   Thanks Pepsi!

I don't care for Pepsi, but I bought products made by Pepsi like Gatorade and Aquafina water.  If they don't call me to volunteer for the Fan-Fest, then I already have a voucher for tickets.   

Woohoo!!  I just got the email that says "Congratulations!'  You have been accepted to the 2010 Major League Baseball All-Star  FanFest Volunteer Team!   

Dodgers Win! Furcal Web Gem! I met Jane Heller!

When we were down 3-0 in the first inning, I was saying"Oh boy here we go again, having a bad first inning."   but the boys came back and Kuroda-san settle down.   Kuo was NASTY!  Was that really a 98 MPH fastball he threw?!?!   

The game ended with a great play by Furcal.  It was the #1 Webgem for Saturday: 

Let me say this again,  "(insert team) suck" has to be the most immature, stupid chant I've ever heard.   You don't hear it with the regular season ticket holders around me and I imagine with true Dodger fans and Baseball fans.    I also don't boo great players. 

On his birthday, Derek Jeter struckout three times.  Kuroda, Kuo and Broxton struck him out.  Joe Torre was quoted as saying "Well, it was my present to him"    

Earlier in the day, Joe Torre and Derek Jeter had gone to the John Wooden public memorial at the the UCLA Pauley Pavilion.  

Did  I say that Kuo has been NASTY lately.  This guy has gone thru so many T.J. operations and is basically an out away from ending his career but he keeps on pitching!   My Dodger hat off to you Kuo!

And my boy James Loney drove in four runs!  Here is Loney with my friend Erik who is celebrating his birthday today.  Happy birthday Erik!  May the Dodgers bring us a win!

  

  I finally got to meet the famous Jane Heller! Too bad I just spent a little time with her.   I also got to meet her husband and LadyJane who posts in  Jane Heller's blog.   Wish I would have gotten a second chance to take the pic as this came out a little blurry and to spend more time with you and your husband Jane. 

   

A battle of lefties for the rubber matchup today:  The tough Veteran Andy Pettitte against 22 year old Kershaw.   Kershaw needs to control those walks.  He has given up 48 walks, the most in the NL and the Yankees lead the Majors in OBP.

 With Fox doing the game yesterday and today ESPN,  I MISS VIN SCULLY!   

Oh I forgot to mention that after his running, Padilla came over to the rail in the left field side and signed alot for fans in that side then the center field side.   Quite a few Yankee fans were there too getting his autograph.  I and many congratulated him on his outing the day before.  He signed my scorebook.    I asked him in Spanish who he was rooting for in the World Cup after USA was already out.  He looked at me, smiled and said "Is going to be tough but I am rooting for Mexico.  

LET'S GO DODGERS! 

LET'S GO MEXICO