Every night I dream that the Dodgers have won the elusive Western Division. 

They are poised and ready to win

The Dodgers are looking for that last win

We have been waiting and waiting

The win is out there somewhere

The Yankees have hit their way to an early dominance of the AL.

The Angels also have won their division dedicating their winning season to their fallen Nick Adenhart

 

I got something in the mail yesterday to keep my dreams going.

My postseason tickets!!  I hope I tear these out correctly.  Last year I accidentally tore off the barcode.  Security knew me so they let me in without getting my ticket scanned.  I was freaked out over my mistake.

Hopefully the Dodgers will get to use the World Series tickets.

They do look pretty wonderful, don’t they?

 

Hopefully they finish it up tonight against the Padres.

Maybe they are waiting to bring the celebration home over the weekend.  That would be cool but it’s getting stressful.

 

Congratulations to all the teams who already have a playoff slot.  All the teams have played their hearts out this season.

And also congratulations to those teams who will not be playing in the posteason for all their accomplishments.  The Pirates won the series against the Dodgers last week.  The young talent certainly did shine against my team.  They played with spirit and dedication.  What about that ex Dodger Andy LaRoche.  He is such a wonderful guy.  I was upset when he was traded but was happy that he can play along with our DY Delwyn Young.  They are two who will definitely make a difference next season.

Tonight I will keep my fingers crossed that I can finally relax

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Maybe I should be off to see the Wizard and see if I can wish for a win!

 

Then I can sleep like a baby.

 

Thanks for stopping by.  New pictures on Friday when the Dodgers come home. 

The Dodgers have me frustrated!!

The win is so close…..!

Today I am trying to just relax.

I have been stressed, overwraught, beside myself.

So today I am trying to stay busy doing other things to keep my mind off my Dodgers and what they think they are doing.

Yesterday’s game was embarrassing although it was a great game for ex-Dodger Andy LaRoche.  He always was one of my favorites.  I have his autograph which I got last year.  He and Delwyn Young,, now with the Pirates, will always be among my favorites.

So today I am downloading some new CD’s into Itunes so I can put them on my new Nano. I bought Mariah Carey’s Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel, Madonna’s Celebration, Barbra Streisand’s Love is the Answer, and Paramore’s Brand New Eyes. That should keep me busy. 

Tonight the Dodgers will be in San Diego and possibly will do the final deed.  Many Dodger fans will make that trek.  I have to work or I might have tried to go.  I was part of the celebration last year.  It was tremendous.  Tonight I will keep my fingers crossed at work.

I am still waiting for my postseason tickets.  Hopefully they didn’t get lost.  They were sent 2 day mail last week and now 6 days later, I am still waiting.  I know that no one else can use my season ticket so I am not too worried.

Please keep your fiingers crossed for my Dodgers.  They have worked so hard for this moment. 

Thanks for stopping by and I hope your team is doing well.

All ready to go

Just wishin and a-hopin

The Dodgers have already earned a place in the playoffs.  The next step is to win the National League Western Division.  The bubbly was on hand in Pittsburgh today but in the ninth inning the Pirates swept away any chance, at least today.

the Dodgers are headed for postseason with the win today against the Pittsburgh Pirates 8-4.  There will be no celebration yet according to Joe Torre.  The celebration will take place when the Dodgers clinch the Western Division.  They will be on the road when this happens.

I will be waiting for them to return to Los Angeles.  Hopefully there will be a celebration planned as there was last year for the fans. 

I got an email from the Dodgers yesterday that they had mailed me my postseason tickets.

yeaaaaah!!!Life is good!!!  Congratulations also to the Yankees. 

Thanks for stopping by. 

Congratulations DODGERS!!!

(more…)

I thought I would broaden my horizons by going to a baseball game other than a Dodgers game.  I knew that the Yankees were playing close by so I found a great ticket.  Actually my goal was to snag an autograph for my wonderful friend Virginia.  I knew that I could get at least one.                                                   

                                                                                            

I went to the game riight afterr work knowing that the gates opened two hours before the game.  The entry to Angel Stadium is very nice.

There were many Yankees fans.  I went to the game wearing Dodger wear.  Surprisingly enough I got no negatve response.  A few Dodger fans gave me high fives.  One guy pointed to his own Dodger cap.  One guy wearing an Angels shirt told me his son was the Angels fan. 

This is only the second time that I have been to Angel Stadium.  It is a very niice stadium.

I was glad to find out that my seat entitled me to field access.  The Yankees were out warming up.

I really am not good at identifying Yankees so I will just post some of the pictures I took.

I really like this picture

There weren’t too many players out in the field.  It was already getting warm. They predicted it would be about 95 degrees.

Oh great, a player signing.  Who is this??  I know that he is a relief pitcher so that is a good hint.  I found out that this was Coke.

Here is a closeup of him. 

This is Hinske.

These players were really nice and talked to us.

We saw A Rod.  He was wearing practice clothes and just ran around the field.

I also got Edwar Ramirez’s autograph.

Here is one side of the ball

Here is the other side.

This ball I plan on sending to Virginia as soon as I have a chance.

My seat was in the shade at the beginning of the game but soon that evil sun was hanging over me.

I was starting to feel a bit hot but I thought I would stick it out a little longer.

I took a few pictures but I really wasn’t sure who they were.

I’m sure Jane and Virginia know.

Here are AJ Burnett and Molina headed toward the dugout

I even know this is Derek Jeter.  He is even better looking in person.

I sat pretty close to the field.

so I was able to get some nice shots.

I stayed in my seat through the third inning and then I just couldn’t stand it anymore.

The Stadium is a bit small compared to Dodger Stadium.  The fans are much more subdued.  There was no heckling.  No beachballs.  No wave.  No drunk and disorderly.

I was starting to feel sick.  I had brought two bottled water but I still was starting to get dizzy.  I didn’t have my usher Ernie to watch over me..  In fact the Angels ushers kept wanting to see my ticket.  I was getting a little irritated.  How could they not recognize me, the only person in the whole place wearing Dodger gear??

I was beginning to panic because I felt too hot.  I was dizzier.  And then I felt really nauseated.  Great.  I stumbled over to the front gate thinking that maybe I had better get home before I was not able to drive.  I got out the gate and sat down when I found a folding chair.  I went back  and told security that I had to go back in and use the restroom.

I also told them I felt really sick.  They let me back in and I stumbled around a little more..

I could see that the game was in the sixth inning but I suddenly had lost interest.

I felt a little better so I thought that I had needed to get on the road.  I was able to walk to my car.  Of course, it felt like a sauna in my car.  I took a few breaths and got my GPS out.  Thank goodness I thought of bringing iit with me.  I could not have found my way home without that little voice telling me where to go.

I did make it home but I was so sleepy, nauseated, and panicky.  I was like Dorothy repeating “There is no place like home”  I wish I could have been transported there without having to drive.

I would have clicked those heels together.

 

Later I found out that my Dodgers had lost to the Nationals.  There were a few costly Dodger errors.  That certainly didn’t make me feel any better.  The only saving grace was that the Rockies and Cardinals also lost.  Today was Matty Kemp;s 25th birthday.  Happy Birthday Matty! 

 

I’m sure I will feel better tomorrow.  No work tonight.  Tomorrow I am spending the day with my Dad.  Yikes…part of the day will be spent at DMV!!!

Thanks for stopping by.  GO DODGERS!!!

 

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Tomorrow I will try doing something very different.  I am going to go to a Yankees-Angels game.  I plan on cheering the Yankees on for my friends who are Yankees fans.  I know that later on when the Dodgers and Yankees play in the World Series, I will be cheering my Dodgers on..

I have to work tonight and will be going to Angels Stadium right after I clean up and change. I have only been there once so I will be taking my GPS.  I am wearing my Dodger stuff so that I won’t get hurt and look like I am neutral. 

My seat is in the 9th row, at the edge of the visitors dugout, behind the batters circle.  That ticket was going for $300 so I am lucky getting a much better deal.

I only wish that Jane and Virginia were sitting with me but I will scream loud enough for all three of us

I will be taking many pictures since I am behind the Yankees batting circle  The seat is in the same location as my dugout seat at Dodger Stadium except back about 6 rows

The Dodgers are in Washington getting ready to play the Nationals so I will say good bye until tomorrow.  Go Dodgers. Go Kuroda san!  Go Yankees.

Thanks for stopping by.

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It appears that the Giants left their hearts in San Francisco.  The Dodgers won the series, winning Saturday and Sunday against Brad Penny and Tim Lincecum.

Saturday and Sunday were hot days and unfortunately for me, they were both day games.

The sun seemed to be relentless.  I had decided to sit in the baseline section so there was no reprieve from the sun.

They served brunch that day, I suppose because it was a day game:  They served a delicious ham, hash browns, chive scrambled eggs and an apple cobbler that was deadly.

I kept getting ice cream but it melted before I got to my seat.

 

The Saturday game was interesting because Brad Penny was back in Dodger Stadium for the first time since he was a Dodger.  The crowd gave him no love.

Brad didn’t last 3 innings.  The crowd loved it since Brad has voiced that he is a Dodger hater. 

The final score was:

It was definitely satisfying for all of us Dodger fans.

Before the game there were many Dodgers on the field warming up.

Charlie Haeger our knuckleballer and Kuo were deep in conversation

Kuroda san was out running

He looked fantastic

I told Kuroda san something in Japanese that means “Hang in there.” in oldtime Japanese.  I remember my beloved Mom had told me that phrase often.  Kuroda san appreciated my stumbling Japanese by laughing heartily.

Here is another photo of Charlie

He signed some autographs and decided to put his glove in a handy spot, his head.

Here are a few autographs I got that afternoon:

Charlie Haeger

Hiroki Kuroda

James Loney

Matty Kemp

James McDonald.  This ball was a batting practice ball that almost hit me.  That smudge you see by the autograph is Dodger dirt.

I saw Tim Lincecum during batting practice the day before he pitched.  I was surprised at how little and young he looked.

He looks like a little boy.

Everyone kept calling his name but he never turned to look.

It was funny to see Guillermo Mota and Broxton doing girly situps together

One of my favorite ushers Oliver tried to keep from getting burned with a cap and sunglasses

I actually sat both days in the Baseline Section in the sun.  Most of the people who had tickets to that section sat in the air conditioned club watching the game on television.  Actually on Saturday many were watching USC football.  I don’t understand that.  I was having fun watching Brad Penny get beat.

Here is Sergio the batboy who sat right in front of me.  No, you can’t have a foul ball, they are all mine, Lady!

Here is Jon Garland warming up before the Saturday game.

He has done well with the Dodgers.

Barry Zito was out in the field on Sunday during batting practice.  I stood in front of my season seat.  Someone behind me started to heckle him with comments like “You are overpaid.”   I decided to move since I don’t like heckiling and didn’t want hiim to think I knew this guy.

He signed my ticket for me. 

On Sunday, the food was still brunch.

The salads were really good, very refreshing on a hot day..

There were scrambled eggs, hash browns, buttermilk fried turkey and hambuger sliders.

The food was really outstanding.

The peach cobbler was so good that I had seconds and maybe thirds, I’m not telling.

Matt was working out again near the bullpen and stopped to talk to Ramon Troncoso

Kuo also was working out.  Notice the Giants in the background.

Randy Wolf was our SP against Tim Lincecum.  The Dodgers had not won a game against the Giants when Tim is pitching.

Wolfy has been consistent

Wolfy deserves to be one of the first starters in the playoffs. 

We Dodger fans feel confident when Wolfy is the SP.

Our bullpen has been stellar as well.

Tim just wasn’t sharp against the Dodgers.  I won’t make excuses for him since I don’t make excuses for my Dodgers either.  His back had been bothering him enough that he missed one start.  He arches his back to pitch which might be the problem.

Randy had a great game only allowing homeruns to one Giant Torres which accounted for their two runs.  He stayed for six innings, Kuo, Sherrill and Broxton finished the game with the final score being 5-2.  The tide turned with yet another 2 run homerun by Andre the Giant killer.  Lincecum had walked Wolfy prior to the homerun.  What’s with walking the pitcher? 

There was much discussion among the Giants as to what they could do to upend the Dodgers.  The Dodgers offense has come alive.

The magic number is four for the Dodgers to make the playoffs.  They will be on the road.  The magic number to win the Western Division is eight.

I took many pictures over the weekend so I thought I would share my favorites with you.

It’s tiring being the hero all the time

Hey, throw it here.  Matt will catch it.

Haha, did I say that?

Andre without his cap

Andtre’s hair is getting long

Matt getting up gracefully

Andre

Raffy running home on a wild pitch

My pants have to be dragging just right

Andre lovers:  Andre follows these steps to hit a homerun/

Make sure your batting helmet is on tight

Dig a nice hole before you get in the correct stance

Make sure you have the right bat

Stare Tim in the eye and say over and over “I’m hitting a homerun.”

Meditate before the game, believe in yourself

Andre has hit 31 homeruns and has 101 RBis.

I had hoped that Tim wouldn’t be able to find the strike zone but was amazed that he too did not last many innings.  My Dodgers have been amazing. 

I was able to talk to Clayton Kershaw and asked him how he was.  He told me that he was better.  Hopefully he will be well enough to pitch soon. Notice all the boys looking at me.

 

Thanks for stopping by.  Over the next week while the Dodgers are on the road, I will post more of the pictures I took during this homestand.  Go Dodgers. 

Win the big prize…..pleae. 

The day after the 13 inning game, the Cat was tired.  I got up at the usual 600AM and felt like crawling right back into bed but I knew I had to leave for Dodger Stadium early in case there was a crowd.  I read my 3 sports sections, drank a cup of coffee and was on my way.

It was Manny Bobblehead Day.  It turns out that it was a record setting turnout of over 53,000, a high attendance for a day game.  It was surprising since it was a school day and also a regular work day.  And it was hot!!

It is so nice to have him as an addition to our family

He is a nice guy and so far has been an exellent pitcher

He was nice enough to sign a ball for me.

Kuo, one of my favorites, was also out on the field.  He neveer gives up even after 3 arm surgeries.  He is one of our fine bullpen

Vicente Padilla, one of our new members and Jeff Weaver were also warming up.

He was signing autographs for the fans.

Here is the ball he signed for me

Guillermo Mota is off DL.  His ingrown toenail must be better.

He usually is talking to Broxotn

Guillermo Mota and Juan Pierre

If you talk to me, you have to run with me

It was nice to see Dougie Baseball himself, Doug Mankiewiecz.  It appeared that he was being tested by the trainer.  This picture is especially for Miss SheFan Jane Heller.

It was a surprise seeing Matty out there in practice jersey, white pants and ipod.

Please let me be the hero toay.  I want to hit a two run homerun that will win the game!

The neck was a little sore from last night

My two Dodger buddies, Linda on the left without wolf hat, wolf earrings or wolf shirt, and lovely Jo Anna on the right.

Kuroda san was making his third start since his accident.  His last start was magnificent.

I still find it amazing that he seems unscathed by what happened to him

I love this picture of him.  Look at his eyes!

Matty had changed and looked more like a Dodger

And last night’s hero Andre Ethier came out to warm up

It was business as usual for Andre signing autographs and talking to fans

It was Dominican Republic Day as well

Andre and Matt who take turns being the hero of the game

The bullpen making their way accross the field

Matty and J Mac

Brad Ausmus, our substitute catcher and Kuroda san

They take their walk to the dugout

Andre signed the child’s ball and apparently had to tell her what to do next

The Pirates started out getting a run early on but were held to that one run.  It was a pitcher’s game until the 6th inning when Matty hit a two run homerun which was the clutch hit of the game.  Ronnie Belliard then hit a solo homerun.

Here is Matty running in after the homerun.

There were only 3 regular players in the game:  Andre, Matty and James Loney, first base.  The substitutes were Juan Pierre in left field taking Manny’s place, Juan Castro taking Raffy’s place, Blake DeWitt taking Casey Blake’s place (Blakey has been called up from Albuquerque 6 times.  I wonder if he ever unpacks his suitcase) and Brad Ausmus taking Russell Martin’s place

So the Dodgers sweptt the Pirates.  But the Pirates were tough to beat.

Manny sat out the entire game although it was his bobblehead night

I found a seat in the shade.  It was way too hot in my regular seat

Whew, where’s the air conditioner?

Man, if those sprinklers could just come on!

It feels like Death Valley out here

No, I’m not comparing James with the camel although their legs are both about the same length.

Here is Belliard #3 getting high fives from everyone after his homerun

The great Jim Thome

Our closer Broxton who has been stellar.  He is only 24 years old.

 

Thursday was a day off, much needed for the guys and for me too.  Tonight we start a 3 game series with the Giants who just won a series against the Rockies.

It should be a great series.

 

Thanks for stopping by.  I hope your team is doing as well as mine.

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I wanted to start this entry by talking about the passing of Mary Travers of Peter, Paul, and Mary.  She had a long struggle with leukemia which ended yesterday.  We know her as the harmonious voice who sang about Blowing in the Wind, Puff (the Magic Dragon) and If I had a Hammer.

Also passing on the same day as Mary was Henry Gibson of Laugh In fame.  He was not as well known as Mary but still held a place in many of our hearts.

In recent weeks we have lost many people of our past including Michael Jackson, Farrah Fawcett, Patrick Swayze and Edward Kennedy.  May they rest in peace.  Prayers for their families.

Every game for the Dodgers from now on is crucial.  I worried about the Pirates.  Even after the win on Monday, I still worried.

Tuesday was fleece blanket day so I scurried around getting my blankets.  I bought an extra ticket so my Dad could have his own too.  Therefore I did not make it to my seat in time for batting practice.  Sacrifices I make!!

Randy Wolf was the starting pitcher for the Tuesday game.  He had been out because of a hyperextended elbow.

Of course, Linda was there with her wolf hat, wolf earrings, wolf teeshirt, etc.  I asked her to not scare him off.

He looked pretty good. He makes funny faces while he pitches so it was difficult to get a good picture of him.

Here is one of his back

 It was law enforcement day.  Many officers were awarded medals of valor for their bravery.  The police also presented the colors.

I love this picture of Andre with a big smile on his face.

Here is Matt also looking amused

Russell looking intent

Russell again

our outstanding bullpen

J Mac talking to Matt as he usually does on the way to the bullpen

and don’t forget that knuckle bump

Randy Wolf started walking to the dugout alone

Hey wait up Randy.  You forgot me!!

Notice Russell and Randy are about the same size?

Raffy Furcal, our SS, is about one inch shorter than those two.  Notice he is wearing his stockings out.  I think it makes him look shorter.

Matty was busy skipping and doing bunny hops out in the field.

I love watching the children getting autographs before the game.  Above is Matty carefully signing a ball for a child.

Manny throwing the ball before the game

another Manny view

I predect that this wil be a 13 inning game.

Oh right, Andre, now you are a palm reader!

The game seemed to drag along.  I only think that when the Dodgers are trailing.  The Pirates were ahead until the ninth inning when Andre doubled and scored on a Matty Kemp two out single to tie the game.

Randy Wolf was slightly rusty to start the game but recovered enough to limit the runs to three.

The Dodgers seem to be back to the last minute heroics that we were used to seeing at the beginning of the season.

The game went into extra innings.  The crowd thinned out a little but many stayed.  I decided to stay until it was over.  It went into the eleventh inning.  Then it went into the twelfth inning.  I was starting to get a little tired since it was starting to be a four hour game. I realized that the Wednesday game was a day game so I would have to get up my usual 600AM and start out for the stadium about 830 AM.

And then at the top of the thirteenth inning, the Pirates got a run.  I thought, oh great, the Dodgers are going to lose after I spent all night sitting there.  But I scolded myself.  Ye of little faith, you have to stay and scream your lungs out for your Dodgers.

I watched Andre out in right field.  He was doing his usual stuff.

Blowing bubbles

checking his nails

chomping on his fingers

scratching when it was itchy

Blowing even bigger bubbles

Waiting for the ball to come in his direction

running to make a play

checking o see what might be lurking in the grass

Matty was a little tired

After 13 innings 4 hours everyone needed a good bath

Everyone was a little impateint

we resorted to counting the blades of grass

Raffy’s stockings were feeling a little tight

Jimmy Mac did a bang up job.

Here is Russell and James McDonald.  He also looks about 2 feet taller than Russell

Matty was also chewing gum.  It was past his bedtiime.

Then it was three out and the Dodgers were finally up.  It was the bottom of the thirteenth inning.  My eyes felt a little blurry..  I had already taken more than 300 pictures.  What will happen next.

Much discussion went on among the Pirates especially when there was a runner on first base and Andre Ethier was up.  Will magic happen again.  Andre has had 5 walk offs with 3 walk off homeruns.  How could it happen again?

I had my fingers crossed.  All I could do was BELIEVE in my Dodgers.

And it happened.  Andre hit the ball and it kept sailing.  All of us held our breaths as we watched it go over the right field wall.  No one said a word and then we started to scream as loud as we could.  He had done it again!!! 

Our Andre Ethier has 6 walk off hits, the most in the Major League.  He has 4 walk off homeruns this season. 

Here he is right after he hit the homerun and he is running to first.  I was so excited, I’m surprised I got this picture.

The Dodgers are back to being the exciting team that they were at the beginning of the season when magic happened with two out in the ninth inning.

I got home very tired but a very warm, nice tired.  I went to bed knowing I had to get up early for Manny Bobblehead Day the next afternoon.

Thanks for stopping by.  Another post to follow.