October 2009
Postseason Thoughts
Now that the season is officially over for the Dodgers, I can gather my thoughts. It has been a difficult couple of weeks for many of us fans, especially those who love the Cardinals, Angels, Rockies, and the rest of the AL and NL.

I am glad it is over. I can now concentrate on other parts of my life. I have a huge pile of books that I could not get to. I approximate that I went to about 75 games during Spring Training, the regular season and postseason. I barely had time to do anything else.
I can finally relax and not worry about the next game. I realized that I was always a little stressed. I kept trying to tell myself that it wouldn’t be the end of the world if the Dodgers lost a game. Unfortunately I couldn’t convince myself. One day I’ll grow up.

What I enjoyed about the season besides going to the games was my blog. It has brought me great joy. I have met wonderful baseball fans like myself who love the sport. We may not always cheer on the same team but we all share the love of the game. I will always consider Jane, Julia, Virginia, Hyunyoung, Kaybee, Jenn, the two wonderful Matts, Buz, Cliff, Ginnie, Sue, Jeff, good friends. I will never forget, Jeff, how you wished my Dodgers good luck after the NLDS. You are the best!

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I also have become friends with the wonderful staff at Dodger Stadium. The best ushers in all of baseball are part of the staff there. Thanks to all the concession people, security and waiters. There is no other group as awesome as you are!

And also thank you Dodgers for the awesome 2009 season. I personally think that they are the most hardworking, loyal, dedicated group of men in baseball. Virginia will agree with me that they also are the cutest and nicest. Thank you Andre for being so fan friendly. Thank you for the handwritten thank you note to Mrs. Nelson and her first grade class in Merced. Thank you Matty Kemp for being you. Thank you James Loney for playing your heart out. Thanks to Kuroda-san for having the courage to come back and pitching after that terrifying injury. I could go on and on thanking each Dodger but they know I love them. Next year we will go to the World Series. No matter what, I will always be a Dodger fan and bleed blue.
Now it’s time to get some sleep.

Thank you also everyone for supporting my blog. I have poured my heart and soul into it so each and every one of you can enjoy the Dodgers as much as I do. I want you to know the Dodgers as real people who laugh and cry . Right now they are sad and disappointed but then they will pick themselves up as they have during the season and play the next game with even more heart and tenacity. Those are my guys!!!
Tied up so Far
The Dodgers are heading to Philadelphia tied up. The series is now 1-1.
Last night’s game was actually a great game to watch except that the Phillies won that one.

The World Series Trophy was on display just outside the Stadium.

Batting practice was well underway. It was nice to see that a couple of Phillies were out on the field talking to some of the Dodgers.



















































Getting Ready For the Next Series
I hope that I see this sign flashing again after Thursday’s game.


























A View From My Seat At Dodger Stadium
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Since the Dodgers swept the Cardinals early, the drama between the two clubs was over early. I have been watching the other teams to see how their matchups have ended. So far, it looks like it will be the Yankees and the Angels. The Phillies and the Rockies are still duking it out in cold Colorado so we aren’t sure who we will play. I predict a Phillies winner.
I have many pictures that I have not published so I thought I would use this entry to show some of my faves to you.
























SWEEEEEEP!
The Dodgers have swept the St Louis Cardinals. I am celebrating by being here at work. Oh well. They won the game today 5-1.
My Dad told me that whoever won the second game of the series would be the winner. I always believe my Dad. He was right. He kept telling me that St Louis probably expected to play more than one game at Busch Stadium. I still feel sad for Matt Holliday but I know he will get over it.
I will post again tomorrow afternoon when I have access to some of the pictures I took from the first two games of the series.
The next game will be at Dodgers Stadium on Thursday when they meet either the Phillies or the Rockies. All of us loyal fans will be there to greet our Dodgers.
I would probably make the co-heroes of today: Andre Ethier with his 2 run homerun and Vicente Padilla with his stellar pitching!
Also a hat tip to Manny Ramirez who is in playoff mode, hitting two doubles and a single with two RBI’s.
Kudos to the whole team who take turns being the heroes. There is not one player that the whole team depends on. They work as a unit.
The Cardinals proved to be a class act as well. Some comments made by Lugo: “They had the best record in the National League and you can’t wonder why. It shows. they have a great team.” Miller: “They beat us pretty soundly. They have no weaknesses that I see. They have a quality lineup. There’s not one guy in there that you can pitch around because they can all do damage.”
Thanks for stopping by. Much more tomorrow.
Deja Vu -One More Game To Go
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I am still excited about the Dodger win over the St Louis Cardinals yesterday. It was the most unbelievable win all season. I had thought that the Dodgers would lose the game.. Someone sitting behind me told me that he thought the Dodgers would win and that it would be a walkoff in the ninth inning. I thought he was living in a dream world. Wainwright pitched a fantastic game. The only hit he had given up was Andre Ethier’s booming homerun. So with the score 2-1 with one out left, I thought that I should pack up and get ready to go home. I had told the fan sitting behind me that the only way the Dodgers could win this game was when and if the relievers take over for Wainwright.

I took the picture above after the walkoff win. I stood there with the rest of the Dodger fans screaming and jumping up and down in excitement. We were giving each other high fives and just yelliing.
But I am getting a little ahead of myself. Scroll back to before the game.
Our starting pitcher was our baby Clayton Kershaw who just turned 21 not that long ago.

He still looks like a teeenager. He had a birthday just in time to drink champagne and celebrate with the rest of the team on Saturday when the Dodgers won the NLDS West. He had been out for a few weeks with a separated shoulder and had only pitched that game Saturday..

He was out in the field warming up.

He kinda looked like the right shoulder was bothering him a little

When he first came out, he had his warmup jacket on.

And then he threw a few warmup pitches.

It was nice that so many Dodgers were out in the field so we could see them up close.

Here is Billingsley in the front

There is Juan Pierre in the middle

I could see Ron Howard, the director and former Opie, trying to direct batting practice.

Here is Juan Pierre again. He never is out in the field with the relief pitchers so I was happy to see him. He just won the Roy Campenella award for most inspiring player. You go, Juan. He’s standing with James McDonald.

Hey, man, I think something’s under my shirt!

Let me tell you a thing or two. Jeff Weaver on the left.

I was shocked to see even Manny Ramirez out there looking halfwway interested.

Here is Vicente Padilla in the middle who will be our SP on Saturday. It is amazing that we really don’t have anyone on our team that is considered an ”Ace” and yet we were able to defeat two incredible St Louis aces. Go figure.

Here is Juan Castro who relieves Raffy Furcal at shortstop. He just signed my NDLS West champions teeshirt.

A nice pic of Kuo, one of our great relief pitchers even after 3 elbow surgeries. This guy just keeps coming back.

I was happy to see Kuroda-san in the field throwing the ball.

It looks like he was being tested to see how he did by the trainers. To his right is his translator who also translates for the Spanish speaking players. Kuroda-san has been out with a herniation in his cervical spine. The doctors say it is not from the hit in the head but I wonder about that.

Or course there was a little goofing off on the field. Here are Belisario and McDonald acting quite chummy.

They all ran back into the dugout to change and regroup.

Matty came out to warm up.

He loves getting stretched by the trainer.

Here he is stretching with the bat

Andre also came out early and did his own yoga

He always has a quiet moment after stretching and before signing autographs. You can see how yoga really helps him relax

Another picture of Andre.. I really love this picture

Our relief pitchers made their way back to the bullpen. About this time the fans are getting excited.

Russell was still out in the field warming up

He played catch for a while

I caught him without his cap

Slash played the National Anthem on an electric guitar which was a bit weird..

Then Clayton and Russell made their way to the dugout

Clayton pitched a wonderful game.

Manny

Ronnie Belliard who hit one of the basehits at the bottom of the ninth inning with two outs which tied the game

James Loney, who got the rally started with his double. Matt Holliday totally misplayed the line drive to left field. The ball hit him in the stomach. That would have been the third out. James didn’t pay any attention to whether the ball was an out or not. He just ran his heart out. Juan Pierre took over as pinch runner. Poor Matt Holliday. He was hecked by the Dodger fans before the incident and they were merciless after. I know he felt terrible.

George Sherrill had a terrific ninth inning

Andre

Matt and Manny. Manny threw a warm up ball to someone two seats to my right. He certainly made that fan’s day.

Raffy Furcal pulled his stockings up a few games ago and kept them that way since he has been so hot

Russell on base with Matty up

Manny fixing his hair

Andre running to right field

Manny with Matty in the background

Matty scuffling around in the dirt

Andre

Clayton

Casey Blake had the most important at bat. He walked but had to settle down and gain his composure after a pitch that was thrown was called a strike. Ball one-Strike two.
Mark Loretta had the bloop single to centerfield that was the walkoff. Casey slipped as he came home. I remember telling Mark Loretta shortly after he signed with the Dodgers that he signed with them just in time to be in the playoffs with them. I wonder if he remembers my telling him that.
When Andre was asked whether he minded someone else having the walkoff this time, he answered that all he was concerned about was being the first to jump on Mark Loretta. Looking at pictures, Matty was first. It was a huge dogpile of Dodgers.
I am so proud of my Dodgers. They go to St Louis ahead with 2 wins. St Louis, here they come.
Thanks everyone for stopping by. GO DODGERS.
That Important First Win



The Last Game of the Season
I had many emotions surrounding yesterday’s game with the Rockies.
I was happy because the Dodgers had already clinched the Western Division title.
I was a bit sad because it was the last game.
I was excited because the first game of the postseason is this Wednesday.
I was looking forwarrd to the game since I was sitting in the Dugout Club for the last time this season and couldn’t wait to see my friends who work in that section.










































Dodgers Win!



























Still Waiting
I wish I may, I wish I might…… ![]()
If only the Dodgers could win ONE GAME. They are back at Dodger Stadium and simply are playing badly. There’s no way around it. Offensively and defensively, they look terrible. Where are the real Dodgers?
Last night was Tommy Lasorda Night. Too bad the Dodgers couldn’t win for him. Everyone got a replica of his Hall of Fame plaque.

The real plaque was on display in front of Dodger Stadium with a special guard.


















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