Looking back at The Dodgers and the 00 Decade
The 00 decade saw me going from single games, to mini packages to returning to being a season ticket holder.
When I review my Dodger pictures, what I remember from the 00 decades are the thrill of victories, the friends that I have made because of baseball and or the Dodgers, the friends that I continue to have, the sadness for departed players, the pain by the beloved players that have used PEDs, the way I have learned to accept that we can’t win every game but still the frustration of some of those winnable games, my beloved Dodger Stadium, the road trips, Vero Beach, Camelback Ranch, the game at the Coliseum, the Dodger float at the Rose Parade, the Bluetopia movie, the Dodger Star in Hollywood Walk of fame, my family and non-baseball friends accepting and understanding for my love for the Dodgers.
Dodgers Most Remembered during this 00 Decade.
Vin Scully. Hearing Vin Scully on the radio or TV or when I ride the elevator at the stadium brings a big smile to my face. He is the reason I carry a radio to the stadium.
Adrian Beltre. My first and last player’s jersey. After his departure, I vowed not to get a current player’s jersey. My next jersey was a Jackie Robinson jersey.
Paul Lo Duca. He lingered in the minor league for a while. From 2001 to 2004, he hit .288 and hit 55 homers and 286 RBIs. I cried when I heard him crying when he found out he got traded to the Marlins.
Eric Gagne. Oh, how electrifying it was to listen to “Welcome to the Jungle” when he exit the bullpen gate. There was such energy from the entire stadium with the anticipation of him coming into the game.
Paul Lo Duca and Eric Gagne: How dissapointed I was when I read the Mitchell report.
Shawn Green He hit 91 homers in a two-year span, including four of them in a single game at Milwaukee on May 23, 2002. Shawn just went quietly about his business. He was such a nice guy.
Here is a picture of Shawn Green with Sandy Koufax:
Jeff Kent. He was the Dodgers’ best offensive player for the bulk of his four seasons with the club. He got a raw deal with a writer from the L.A. Times. I am glad that he got to host the WIN Baseball clinic for four years so that we, the fans that attended those events and others he attended got to see a more approachable and friendly Jeff Kent.
Derek Lowe. Reliable, never been on the disabled list. At times, I felt bad for the lack of run support. I made it a point to go by the bullpen after his starts to praise his starts when he lost. He was nice and friendly with the fans. He helped Jeff Kent at one of the WIN baseball games
Manny Ramirez. He energized the team when he was traded during the July 2008 tradeline. His production dropped off after his return from his suspension but one must also remember that he got hit on the wrist after coming back. Likable and friendly when my friends and I met him by coincidence in the parking lot during Spring Training.
Andre Ethier. There was no other player I’d like to see when the game was on the line than Andre. He lead the majors with six walk-off hits in 2009 and a total of nine walk-off hits in 2008 and 2009 combined, with five of those hits home runs. What an incredible year he had in 2009.
Dodger Blue World 
It’s can be fun looking back, remembering what seems like for ever ago, yet was not that long actually… Eric Gagne there’s a guy who once put fear into any batter….
Happy New Year
~peter
Outside the Phillies Looking In
http://devilabrit.mlblogs.com
Being on the east coast, the Dodger (..grrr, hisss) games come on at 10:30pm, ya know, on the “package”. Anyway, many nights I’m tuning into the game for one reason and one reason only….VIN Scully!! I could listen to him all night! I’m sorry Em…there’s a portion of Dodger history you and I will never agree on. LOL! But we’re definitely friends! ; ) I recognize your passion. be well!
For me the 00’s were about becoming more than just a casual fan. Before Gameday and MLB.tv it was pretty hard to follow them. My dad and I were in Arkansas so we could only see games on ESPN or Fox and sometimes on WGN or TBS if the Dodgers were playing the Cubs or Braves. We couldn’t afford any special TV package to see more games. When the Dodgers started off strong in 2005 I really kicked it into high gear doing whatever I could to see or hear or watch the games on Gameday. I seem to grow more obsessed every season. It doesn’t hurt that the Dodgers have made the playoffs 3 of the last 4 years. Let’s hope the Dodgers usher in the 10’s with a great season this year.
Of any one player, Lo Duca’s sudden disappearance after the Mitchell Report bothered me the most. I was a big fan of his… totally let down in the end. He was an idiot, writing personal checks to the clubhouse boys to go buy his illegal drugs. Unbelievable.
–Jeff
http://redstatebluestate.mlblogs.com/
http://mtrredstatebluestate.com
Hey Peter! Happy new year to you too! Gagne was at Dodger Stadium watching a playoff game. He was received well by the fans when they flashed the camera on him. He seemed a little embarrased by it.
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bklyntrolleyblogger,
I know what you mean. When I travel for work, I stay up late on the computer following game threads. And about the Brooklyn Dodger history, I go to a Brooklyn Dodger forum, so I know how many people feel about the L.A. Dodgers, but I still visit and post there every once in a while.
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Aducker,
Happy New Year. 2005is when I kicked up high too starting with going to Vero Beach.
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Jeff,
Yep, Lo Duca was totally dumb. Perhaps it was because he lingered in the minor league for long because we had Piazza at that time. I was very disappointed on him.
It’s fun reminiscing about the players we’ve loved, even if they leave or end up disappointing us. Happy New Year, Emma, and here’s to a wonderful 2010 season.
– http://janeheller.mlblogs.com
Im making the Adrian Beltre vow as well. I had a Pirates Ian Snell jersey. He is now a Mariner and quite the headcase. Everyone has a Clemente/Stargell/Mazeroski jersey. So I opted to buy a Barry Bonds jersey. May cause some controversy but this is Pittsburgh Bonds-prior to steroids
http://pittpeas.mlblogs.com
Happy New Year Emma!
When he was here, Shawn Green was one of my faves! And what can I say about Vinny that hasn’t already been said about him. To this day I remember listening to him as a little girl. I KNOW he’s one of the main reasons why I’m such a HUGE Dodger fan today! When he does decide to turn the mic off, I don’t know what I’ll do.
Oh, and how can I forget about Andre? I’ll tell ya, I have never gravitated toward a player, the way I have with Andre. Maybe it’s the way he plays the game, perhaps it’s his looks; I don’t know. But whenever he hits another walk-off, or makes some play that makes me say “wow” I end up saying, “That’s my boy!” And he’s young enough to BE my boy! Or I’m old enough to be his mom (whichever way you want to put it). I’m just thrilled that he’s finally getting the press coverage that he so richly deserves!
Emma,
Heard tonight that Dodger slugger Matt Kemp is seeing rock star Rihanna recently. Love it! glamor,glitz and baseball. a perfect combination.
I am so at awe at times as to the talent that has walked through Chavez Ravine. Not just from the Sandy Koufax days, but even in the recent decade with the likes of O-dog, Manny-mania and seeing Andre Either’s star rising every season.
Can’t wait for the Cactus League games to start so I can see these guys playing again.
Rays Renegade
http://raysrenegade.mlblogs.com
Jane,
Is nice looking back at the decade that we left behind.
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Matt,
LOL. You too ha? Barry pre-steriod is a good choice. Somewhere I have a baseball card of his playing days in Pittsburgh.
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Carol,
My friends Steve and Ronda who sit in front of me have two little girls. One of their girls favorite player was Shawn Green. They had to remove the name Frucal from the back of her shirt because anytime anyone would say “#15, Furcal, she would correct you and No! Shawn Green!.” And Andre is young enough to be my boy too!
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Cliff,
Yeah, I’ve been hearing about Kemp dating Rihanna. I better check what he is posting on twitter.
I can’twait for the whole Spring Training to start too!