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.
Of course, being in the Dugout Club, I had to eat. The food was delicious as usual. There was a scrumptious beef tenderloin, grilled vegetables. Louisiana sausage, my favorite grilled pineapple, sauteed shrimp, plus a made to order omlette bar. There was also the salads. I finished eating and went out to my seat.
The Rockies were restless in the dugout anxious to show the Dodgers a thing or two.
Some of the wonderful employees who work at Dodger Stadium were honored for their loyal service, some for as many as 30 years.
Tommy Lasorda walked across the field right in front of me.
Later that day, I was able to snag an autograph from him. I told Tommy that my son was in the Navy and he told me he has great respect for my son. I was very touched. I plan on sending the ball to my son because of what Tommy had said.
The umpires made their way across the field. I was hoping that they would be fair. I have seen more than one lousy call against the Dodgers. It is easy for me to see the plays since I am there at the games. They usually show the close plays on Dodgervision and there have been many horrible calls.
Joe Torre made his way to home plate for the pregame stuff
Here is Joe and Jim Tracy talking. The Dodger official photographer John Soo Hoo is so in my way, isn't he?
Matt Kemp is usually perched on the top step of the dugout dancing up and down like a fighter waiting in the ring to fight.
Vicente Padilla was our SP. We got him for almost free from the Rangers. They just wanted him gone. He has been a huge asset for the Dodgers. He had a great game, striking out ten in five innings.
Here is Padilla warming up in the batting circle with his jacket still on
Amazingly, he hit a basehit. Considering that he came from the American League where the pitchers aren't required to hit, it was huge.
Hu substituted for Furcal. He is a fan favorite. His walk on music is "Who let the dogs out, who who who." We are always saying, "well, hu's on first base."
Here is O Dog on second.
And Casey Blake on third base.
I decided to eat some more so I ordered a Dodger Blue Burger (hamburger with blu cheese crumbles) and jalapeno poppers.
Juan Castro came in later during the game.
Juan Pierre was awarded the Roy Campanella award yesterday for being an inspiration to the team.
Boy, how did I get so dirty???
Joe Beimel, an ex Dodger was one of Colorado's relievers. I thought he was a National. These guys sure move around a lot.
Here is Andre on first base. Jason Giambi is standing right next to him. Andre looks half Giambi's size.
Here they are again
A closeup shot of reliever James McDonald
Manny in the Dugout
Giambi warming up in the batting circle in front of me
Swing!!! Matty hitting the ball
Matty scoring a run
There he goes
Andre shifting the Dodger dirt around a little
Matty looking like he is ready to make a golf swing
The great Jim Thome shifting the Dodger dirt back
Juan Pierre checking out his bat
Matt as scarecrow
I decided to check out what was going on in the dugout especially since our unofficial manager of the day was Brad Ausmus and he had subsituted many players.
Here is Clayton Kershaw, the pitcher who did a great job on the day we clinched the Western Division on Saturday. Good to see he survived the champagne celebration on Saturday. He is on the far right. Luckily he recently turned twenty-one in time to be able to drink the champagne.
Andre in the middle and Casey on his right
This is my favorite picture of Russell Martin this season. He seems to be relaxed and laughing. He sat out this game.
Here's Matty after he was taken out. He only played 3 innings. He looks a little tired.
James, Casey and Matty enjoying conversation
It's wonderful to see Kuroda-san on the left. He has a herniation in his cervical spine that will keep him from pitching in the first round.
It seems no matter where I am sitting, Andre can spot me and looks right at me. It must be radar.
Hey guys, better smile, there's Cat with her camera again.
The Dodgers beat the Rockies again 5-3.
I was able to get my Western Division champions shirt signed by Bellisario, Casey Blake and of course, my Matty after the game, my last autographs of the season.
The signatures are on the upper right part of the shirt. Nice shirt??
The next games are Wednesday and Thursday against St. Louis. Randy Wolf will be pitching the first game, Clayton Kershaw the second. The third game may be Billingsley's. With the great pitching Sunday, the fourth may be Padilla's. Our bullpen is well equipped with our closer Big Boy Broxton, George Sherrill, Bellisario, Mota, Elbert, Kuo, and maybe Weaver, Troncoso or McDonald. We have one of the best bullpens in the major league. I am confident that the Dodgers will do well.
Thanks everyone for stopping by. Also many thanks for your support and kind words. I hope your team is doing well and you have a great baseball week.
Cat, supr pics as usual. Speaking of supper.. grilled pineapple? : ) that was pretty neat of Tommy to verbally acknowledge and honor your son. He's a class act, a tribute to baseball.. and .. thankfully.. ours for the history books : )
Buz - http://buzblog.mlblogs.com/
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Cat wonderful pictures. I am so hungry from the pineapple you had. : ) Wondeful !!! Tommy is a wonderful dude, and everyone respect's him. Just love when he took a tumble. Great blog as usual Cat, new post up.
Ted
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Finally - the post season has arrived! I'll be happier when I know what the Red Sox schedule will be! I'm glad you enjoyed the pictures on my blog of me sporting the "evil empire"shirt! lol!
Julia
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Good eats, Cat. I'm glad your favorite team has clinched the division. They sure have their work cut out for them against the Cardinals. It should be a fun series.
Matthew Tang
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Joe Beimel came over a month or so ago, but yeah, it's hard to keep track of where everyone goes. I'm looking forward to an interesting series against the Cardinals!
Emily
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CAT....OMG...I can not believe the regular season is over. I am glad that a lot of the great players played in the last game. Even if it was only for a couple of innings. Lasorda was really nice to autograph a ball for you. Your son is so lucky to have a mom like you. And like always....LOVE YOUR PIXS....Martin's pix is a great one. He does look very happy and relaxed. Any Martin pixs are great for me. Andre smilling for your camera...LOVE IT! I can not wait to see the pixs from the playoffs. And for those who's teams did not make it to the playoffs....there is always next year!
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Cat: I was wondering if Kershaw was going to be able to drink! Hahaha, I'm glad he's okay. Lovely Andre pics, I love the one of him leaning off first base next to Giambi. Did you say any special goodbyes to your beloved Dodgers?
That is a lovely shirt, by the way. I hope you get an NLCS one, too. And God forbid my Yankees don't get to the World Series, I hope you get one of those, too :)
-Virginia
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Cat, how do you manage to eat all that and not have to roll out of the stadium? I feel full just looking at your pix! (though it does look very yummy) Is Kuroda's neck problem from taking that ball off the head, or is it unrelated? Too bad he will miss the first series - hopefully for him it will clear up. Good luck against the Cards - maybe we will have a Dodgers/Phillies NLCS rematch?
Sue
Rants, Raves, and Random Thoughts
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and so you get to welcome the Cards to town and I see Wolf is up first, actually my favorite Dodger pitcher and one of my favorite ex-Phillies....good luck in the post season
~peter
Outside the Phillies Looking In
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Well Cat, this is it. This is what we have been waiting for all season long. It is good to be there but also it means the season will soon be over.
I catalogued my new Dodger cards today and have two Andre cards that have a piece of a game worn uniform in them. How cool is that?
I see Matt has a blog on the Dodger MLB site.
Enjoy the post season games Cat.
GO DODGERS!!
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Cat just got your email, and thanks. : ) Sorry that you aren't too fond of HER. I love your blog and I am sorry for the mixup. Make sure you email back.
Ted
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Nice pictures! Good luck in the post-season :O)
Jenn
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Cat! We did it!! Whew! that game was crazy.. but 1-0 : )
Buz - http://buzblog.mlblogs.com/
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Hi Cat!!!!!!!! You're the first person I wanted to say hi to because you were also the first person that noticed I was gone for a while and it made me so happy when I read your message to check in :] You're the sweetest! I've been in the process of moving and it's just been such a busy time...and of course I have no internet at Grandpa's where I'm hanging for a while. Anyway, LOVE the entry as usual and I watched the Dodgers game last night with Grandpa and thought of you all the way and wondered if you were there! Go Dodgers!!!!!! xoxo http://diamondgirl55.mlblogs.com
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