I am going to Boston to watch my beloved Dodgers!!  Woohoo!

My friend LuvtheDodgers23 (Lore), her niece and I will be in Boston in mid June to cheer our beloved Dodgers!   We are doing the DodgerLife event!  

Thanks Lore for making the arrangements.  I will look into flights tonight!

Hit the Road with the Dodgers in 2010!

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I have been to Fenway once when after a business trip in N.H., I stayed in Boston on a Friday night so that I could see Fenway Park.  I saw the Tigers that Friday night.   I wrote about it here in a too long post.   http://crzblue.mlblogs.com/archives/2009/06/my_trip_to_fenway_park_82605_a.html

Funny that when I was in Toronto for a few days taking a class, I happen to catch the Red Sox at Roger Centre.  Again, I made the trip by myself to catch me a game.    

I can't wait!  

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First of all I want to give a BIG THANK YOU to all that participated in the Dodger Caravan and to all those that helped put the event together and those that worked the long hours from the morning event at the Children's hospital event, to Roscoe's Chicken and Waffles luncheon, to Best Buys to play video games with the fans and sign autographs to going to Olvera Street in the evening!  I could see how tired some of you look so THANK YOU SO MUCH for all your hard work!   

Ok, on to some more pictures!

El Senor Jaime Jarrin, the voice of the Dodgers in Spanish!   He is just a class act! This will be his 51st year with the Dodgers!  

Matt Kemp at Best Buys playing games with a young fan.  We made quite an impression on Matt Kemp that he said at Best Buys ""Hey, you guys made it here  too!".  We had an unforgettable day!    

Jaime Jarrin taking the mike en la Plaza de Olvera Street. 

Dylan Hernandez, Dodgers Beat writer for the LA Times

I asked Dylan if he wanted to ring the Bell at Olvera Street

Update:  I did not know the significance of the Bell but I found this (Thanks Greg!)

Bell of Dolores

Text from plaque:

This replica of the "Bell of Dolores" was presented to the City of Los Angeles by the Republic of Mexico in 1968. This cherished relic of Mexican history represents not only Mexico's bid for freedom, but also the beginning of democracy here in California. This bid for freedom began not in Mexico City, but in the little village of Dolores. And it was here that Father Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla was assigned as parish priest, where he became active in politics and sided with the less fortunate of Mexican society. On the night of September 15, 1810, at 11 p.m., Father Hidalgo rang the parish church bell, now known as the "Bell of Dolores" to summon patriots to fight for their independence from Spain. Every year on September 15, the President of Mexico tolls the original "Bell of Dolores" now hung at the National Palace in Mexico City, and cries out "Viva la independencia...Viva America...", Father Hidalgo's call to arms beginning the Mexican War of Independence

Matt Kemp at the tables signing autographs.  Notice the 55 since '55 patch.  All of the players were sporting the patch on their jersey 

Here is the patch

That is all folks!

Football prediction on this Super Sunday:

Colts 31

Saints 28.

Everyone have a wonderful Sunday.  I am heading to the hospital to visit tia Marina for her birthday celebration with a Mexican trio singing to her in the lobby. 

Thank you to my friends Erik, Lore (LTD23) and Elisa for contributing to a great day!     

Wednesday my friends and I went from Roscoes Chicken and Wafles at Pico in Los Angeles, to Best Buys near the airport to Olvera Street in Downtown L.A.  

Originally James Loney was supposed to be part of the Caravan but he was a late scratch.  

The Dodgers that attended on Wednesday were:  Matt Kemp, Fernando Valenzuela, James McDonalds, Ramon Troncoso, Jim Campanis and Steve Yeager and Hall of Famer Jaime Jarrin, the voice of the Dodgers in Spanish!. 

It was great to meet up with my friends Erik, Lorena and her niece Elisa.  

Loney:  We missed you at the Caravan!

Matt Kemp is adorable!

Fernando!

 Guess who crashed the party at Roscoes Chicken and Wafles?  

That is Barry Bond!   My friend Lore was able to take this picture.  Someone was saying that while we were waiting to get in that Lady Gaga was inside Roscoes. 

Here is Lore with Matt Kemp.  I love this picture!

My complain about Roscoes Chicken and Wafles was that once the fans finished eating they were waiting for the players to come around.  It was taking a little longer but the waiters/waitresses were telling them they needed the tables!  That was not right!   They did not tell us anything but just in case we ordered a slice of sweet potatoe pie that was delicious

Meet Jon Soo Hoo, the Dodgers great photographer! 

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The boys are playing games at Best Buys.  Matt Kemp said to us:  "Hey you guys are here too ".    He also greeted us at Olvera Street.    

the 2010 Dodgers Caravan bus.  :

At the Plaza of Olvera Street in Downtown L.A. The lines were huge when we got there but we  had already talked to the guys at Roscoes so it was OK with us.  We justed wanted to be there to support our Boys in Blue! 

From Left to right, Jim Campanis, James McDonals, Ramon Troncoso (Tron), Matt Kemp, Steve Yeager, Jaime Jarrin and Fernando.    

 Ran into Josh Rawitch there!   When I yelled his name he came over and gave me a hug.  I suggested Philippes for next year's luncheon.  He said "that is a good idea, Emma."  

We watched all the boys sign and took more pictures.  Ran into Pat,Jo, Roberto, Jack and other Dodger fans there. 

Afterwards we went to El Paseo for dinner.  Pat, Jo and a friend of them came in later and had the table next to us.   Since Pat had told me at Olvera Street that it was her birthday, I called the trio that was singing there and had them sing "Las Mananitas" to her.  Las Mananitas is the tipical song sang on your birthday, right after singing it they went into the Happy Birthday song.  

After dinner, Erik and I walked Lore and her niece Elisa to their car.  Mine was across the street but both Erik and I were craving a cup of coffee so we walked across to Philippe's.   Philippes has been around for 102 years!  http://www.philippes.com/   The coffee tasted so good!  and the price, can you believe it costs 10 cents !  

I had a wonderful time at the Dodgers Caravan and I put a post in the ITD blog to let Josh Rawich know.  Everyone from the current to the past Dodger players in attendance to Jaime Jarrin to the Dodger workers that were there helping the event were wonderful.  They had a long day since their day started with a trip in the morning to the Children's hospital and it did not end until very late at night at Olvera Street.  You could see the fatigue on some of their faces from the long day but they were being troopers still smiling.   A BIG THANK YOU TO ALL  !!!!!!

A big THANK YOU also to my friends Erik, LTD23(Lore) and Elisa!   I miss you all during the offeseason so it was great seeing you again!   This is the third year we do this!  Let's do it again next year!  

This is part from my post last June when I went to Nashua, NH. 

In 1946 when Branch Rickey signed Don Newcombe & Roy Campanella   He had to send them to A Ball because of their history as Negro League stars. 

When a Midwestern league made it clear that blacks were not welcome, Rickey contacted Buzzy Bavasi, then a young general manager with the Nashua Dodgers. Bavasi made it clear that his only interest was in a player's ability.

Nashua holds another first in the history of the desegregation of major league baseball. When Nashua manager Walter Alston was ejected from a game that year, he left the team in the hands of Roy Campanella, who became the first African-American to manage an affiliated major league game. The Nashua Dodgers beat the Lawrence Millionaires 7-5. 3 That year the team won the New England League Championship.

There is another interesting note to the 1946 season. A local poultry farmer, Jack Fallgren, offered 100 baby chicks for every home run hit by a Nashua player. At the end of the season, Campanella shipped 1400 chicks to his father, who started a chicken farm outside of Philadelphia.

Holman Stadium has also been home to three other minor league teams, the 1980s Eastern League affiliates of the California Angels (1983) and Pittsburgh Pirates (1984-86), as well as the short-lived independent Nashua Hawks (1995-96).

Very nice plaque.

Notice the retired numbers of Newk, Campy and Jackie. 

 After Roy Campanella's car accident he would require a wheelchair for the remainder of his life.  He worked in Vero Beach mentoring and coaching young catchers for the Dodger organization. 

In 1978 he moved to  California  and took a job as assitant to the Dodgers' director of community relations and longtime friend Don Newcombe. 

Don Newcombe was promoted to Special Advisor to the Chairman.    

February is Black History Month so I thought I honored a few Dodgers for their contribution on the field and off the field. 

Let's start with Maury Wills. 

His perceverence paid off!  Maury emerged from the Washington D.C. projects.  He was one of 13 siblings, he went without shoes fro much of his childhood.  He spent eight years in the minors before joining the Major Leauge club.  He'd go on to win an MVP award, two Gold Gloves,be named to five All-Star Games and lead the NL insteals six times. 

Go! Go! Go!   In September 23, 1962, Dodger shortstop Maury Wills broke Ty cobb's record of 96 stolen bases in one season.  Dodger Stadium would erupt in  chant  of "Go! Go!' whenever he was on the basepaths.  The exciting Wills ended up with 104 bases swipes and woudl go on to win the National League MVP. 

Maury became the manager of the Mariners but after he got fired in 1981,  he turned to alcohol and drugs.

Maury credits God, and the Dodgers, for saving his life. His personal angel was another Dodger legend, Don Newcombe. Alcohol had ruined Newcombe's brilliant career 20 years earlier. When he got sober, Newk set about saving others.

Maury continues to work with the Dodgers spending time as an instructor for the Dodgers and their minor leaguers in spring training and during the season.

He contributes not only to baseball but to help others make that cross to sobriety.  

Last year I attended the RBI (Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities)dinner where Maury Wills was given   the organization's Lifetime Achievement Award. 

At the dinner, my friend Erik and I chanted "Go! Go! Go!  when Maury's name was announced!   Larry King commented "There is your fan club Maury!". 

I do wish his number would be retired at Dodger Stadium.   We Love you Maury! 

ref: maurywills.com, dodgers.com

Next: Don Newcombe

Jackie Robinson was born January 31, 1919.  He passed away October 24, 1972.  

Although he left us too soon, he left us all with some wonderful memories of his incredible life.   

Jack Roosevelt Robinson was born in Cairo, Georgia, in 1919.  He grew up in Pasadena.  Two decades later, Robinson, a top UCLA athlete, became the school's first four-letter man. He excelled in basketball, football, track, and baseball.

He debuted with the Dodgers in 1947 and was the recipient of the inaugural MLB Rookie of the Year Award in 1947.   

I could say more, but I rather just share this pictures that I that I have taken from posters at Dodger Stadium, a billboard and a Time magazine from 1947.

This is on the wall when you head to the dugout level at Dodger Stadium.  Yes, that is a Montreal jersey and hat.   

This is in the club level.   Love that Don Drysdale is also here.  Don also passed away too young.

I saw this billboard when I was walking to the train station in Chatsworth.  Although I was chancing missing my train, I stopped to take a few pictures.

 from Time magazine September 22,  1947:

From Time magazine 1947

And if you were reading above, here is the end of the article so you would read:

"After Slaughter did his spiking job a ...

Happy Birthday Jackie!

Today was my Select-a-Seat appointment at Dodger Stadium.   I went hoping that the two seats next to me were available.   The owner of those seats lives out of state so you always see different people there and I am always talking to my friends to the right over those two people.   Anyway, no luck, the seats were already renewed.  

There were alot of cars in the parking lot when I got there.   The Dodgers also have free Dodger Dogs, chips, sodas and bags of peanuts on those days.    As I was going up the escalator, I ran into Ben Platts from MLB.  I told him "I LOVE this place!"   He said "I know!"  LOL 

I went to the Top Deck so that I could sit in my seats!  Ahhh. take a look at the view from there.  So beautiful, so relaxing.   You can see a little snow in the mountains.

Looking at another side from the Top Deck, you can see the Hollywood sign

Here is a view of the Top Deck from the field level.  See the Dodger Logo?   to the right are my seats against that wall where I put the tag so stop by and say HI if you are at the stadium.    

Here a view from the Club level and the row of pictures down the hall.  Here it starts with the Captain Pee Wee:

Here is the Duke (pic size 444 because of his number)

Vin Scully Press Box.  The door was open but NO!  I would not go in to sacred grounds!

 One view from the Top Deck parking lot.  Between the two palms to the right you can see City Hall (pointy building) where scenes from Superman, Dragnet and Adam 12 were filmed.  It was built in 1923.    

Top Deck Ticket office.  I love the mural. at the other side of the mural wall is the gift shop.  See the Dodger Logo?  Is on both sides.  Right there is elevator.  

This to the right of mural.  I like the tree here.  Beyond you can see snow in the mountains.  This is one of the entrances for the media.   I am curious about that white wall and  the indentations.  I don't know what is depicting.  

from the dugout level.  Players pass here on their way to the clubhouse.  This wall has the name of every player that has played for the Dodgers.  Don't remember up to what year.  Sandy Koufax and Jackie Robinson's names  are on this part.    

On the other side of the player's names wall are some pictures.  Here is one of the longest playing infield of Ron Cey, Russell, Lopes and Garvey.  

well, after all that I went to the gift shop!  Great bargains there!   The store has been having a 50% discount on the entire store since December.   Some stuff is even cheaper now.   Players  jerseys no longer wtih the team are $20 to $30.   I got other kind of t-shirts from $2.50 to $5.     

Note:  I am saving the pictures of Jackie Robinson to post on his birthday.  

Dodger Caravan has been announced!   

Caravans are great! The best one was in 2008 at Panda Inn where James Loney and Andre Ethier were our waiters! It was AWESOME having them say to us "Is there anything else I can get you?'

My brother Vic, my nieces Krystal and Kirsten.   Notice Kirsten putting some horns on Vic. 

Kirsten now is also wearing glasses.   I love you guys!

Vicente Padilla signs with the Dodgers for One Year.

the right-hander will get $4 million plus a $1-million signing bonus and could earn another $1 million in incentives. He was 4-0 for L.A. in the final stretch of the regular season.

And no, my brother Vic does not look like Vicente!

Rest in peace Bobby Bragan.  

Robert Randall Bragan was born in Birmingham, Ala., on Oct. 30, 1917. He played parts of seven seasons from 1940-48 for the Philadelphia Phillies and the Brooklyn Dodgers, playing mostly shortstop and catcher and batting .240 for his career. He missed the 1945 and '46 seasons to serve in the U.S. military.

In 1947, he made his only plate appearance in a World Series game, delivering a pinch-hit double for the Dodgers.

I've been working on a post that is not ready yet but it has all the surviving Dodgers that played in Brooklyn.  Now I got to update my list to drop Mr. Bragan.   Down to 63 now.