Beyond The Yard: A British Invasion

”  The one MLB venue The Fab Four performed at that is still in use and will be the only one standing after this year. Yup, you guessed it….”

(The Beatles, Dodger Stadium, 8/28/1966)

50 YEARS AGO TODAY, FOUR LADS FROM BRITAIN INVADE AMERICA, 2/7/2014.

53 years ago this week The Beatles would arrive to America, setting off a British Invasion of sorts. They would later perform on The Ed Sullivan Show.

 

During their touring years of 1964-66, The Fab Four would perform at 9 various MLB ballparks. Of the 9, of course, Dodger Stadium is the lone one standing. On August 28, 1966, as the Dodgers we’re battling the hated ones in a battle for first place at Candlestick Park, The Beatles would perform their 2nd to last ever concert at The Ravine on August 28, 1966. 

The Beatles would perform their final concert ever the next evening at Candlestick Park. That would be The ‘Stick’s most impressive event of 1966, as our Boys in Blue would win the NL pennant by 1.5 games over the hated ones…

Of course, we can never get enough of Beatlemania, or Vinny. We’ll just let Vin tell a tale of A Hard Days Night at The Ravine on August 28, 1966. The Beatles and Vin…

 

 

 

50 Years Ago…A British Invasion Sweeps Through The Ravine

 This weekend marks the 50th anniversary of The Beatles 2nd to final ever concert performed at Dodger Stadium on August 28, 1966…

 As both a fan of The Fab Four and The Blue, I’m always proud to share the fact that of all the MLB stadiums The Beatles have performed Dodger Stadium is the lone one standing. Proof that legends never die…YEAH YEAH YEAH…

The Fab Four and Blue….(Grammy Award Museum)

Ticket To Ride…

 Ticket stub from August 28, 1966. Grammy Award Museum

As The Blue continues their hopes to punch their own Ticket to Ride toward October, another potential October foe comes to town this weekend as the Cubs, owners of baseball’s best record come in for 3. After dodging Matt Moore’s attempt at a no-hitter The Blue looks to carry their momentum over after taking 2 of 3 over the Giants, maintaining a 2 game lead in the NL West

9th Inning…Hello, Goodbye

With the news of the trade of A.J. Ellis to the Phillies for Carlos Ruiz already making its way throughout the headlines, we all want to wish A.J. the best of luck on his way to Philadelphia. A.J. was a true professional behind the dish, giving us 6 plus quality seasons and also playing a big role in Clayton Kershaw’s success. While A.J. may be saying goodbye, as he returns back to The Ravine next season, we’ll always be proud to say…Hello. Speaking of Hello…

Congratulations, Rob & Robin!

Robinson Marley Segedin
• Born at 11:36 p.m. last night
• 6 lb 14 oz
• 20.5 in pic.twitter.com/LZhZU3up8H

— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) August 24, 2016

As Vin would say…”Why hello there…” Congratulations to Rob and Robin Segedin on their newest addition !!!

Extra Innings…Here They Are

From Dodger Stadium…August 28, 1966…THE BEATLES !!!

10 Years a Good Dre…Shawn Green

 Shawn Green, Santa Monica, February 2011 during the Dodger Community Caravan…

Shawn Green would don the Dodger Blue for 5 seasons from 2000 to 2004. Acquired from the Toronto Blue Jays in a trade that sent talented but embattled outfielder Raul Mondesi up north. In 2001, Shawn Green would slug an L.A. Dodger single-season best 49 home runs. 

In a game in May 2002 against the Brewers at Milwaukee’s Miller Park Green would tie an  MLB record by slugging 4 home runs in the same game while going 6 for 6. 

Green would have a huge Dodger playoff moment. Unfortunately, it came as a Met, during Game 1 of the 2006 NLDS. Perhaps you may remember ( Or forgot, or tried to) Green throwing out Jeff Kent and J.D. Drew at the plate on the same play as another former Dodger and his buddy Paul Lo Duca was on the receiving end. 

Shawn was also known to toss his batting gloves to a kid in the stands every time he homered. If there is a current Dodger who reminds me of Shawn Green it would be Andre Ethier. I have felt that way for quite some time. Right Field was their primary positions, both could hit for power, Shawn a little more. Shawn’s D may be a little more polished, however, Dre could play all 3 outfield positions. The one difference between Shawn and Dre ? One kept his emotions in, the other wore his emotions. I’ll let you guess who did what…

WOO-HOO…

Remember Shawn’s walk-up song…Blur…Song 2…WOO-HOO…Nothing like hearing 50,000 fans yelling the phrase in unison…

Spotlight’s on You Kid…

 

The stage is set at The Big Apple. Julio Urias, the Dodgers highly touted prospect, will get the start against the Mets at Citi Field. The 19 year old kid will be making his Major League debut at the age of 19. The last Dodger to make his debut at 19 ? Fernando Valenzuela…

Around the NL West…

1. 30-19

4. 21-28 9.0

5 19-29 10.5

After completing a stretch of 20 consecutive games played, in spite of certain offensive and bullpen struggles along the way, which also saw Kenley Jansen blow his first two games of the season after reeling off 13 straight saves, the Dodgers would actually wind up 11-9 during that stretch. The Giants, however, have been on a tear winning 12 of 13. The Rockies have begun to cool off a bit as they now find themselves 2 games under .500 ….

9th Inning…Ticket to Ride

As any traveler will tell you it is all but impossible to do everything you want to do. Ballpark travelers are no different. One of my regrets in my years of ballpark chasing is not having paid a visit to Shea Stadium. Aside from visiting the site of Mike Scioscia’s game tying 2 run home run in Game 4, it was also the site of the first rock n roll concert to take place at a ballpark as Shea would play host to my ( And perhaps yours..)  favorite band… The Beatles…

Extra Innings…Drei and Shawn

 

Fab Four Friday… On this Day, 8/28/1966

The Beatles perform their 2nd to last concert at Dodger Stadium. The Fab Four would wrap up their touring days the following evening at Candlestick Park. Dodger Stadium would be one of nine MLB venues The Beatles would perform. Of the nine venues, Dodger Stadium is the only one left standing…

The Boys in Blue aren’t the only ones who can pack The Ravine…

Heading Toward The Pennant Chase

With the Dodgers beginning a critical 7 game homestand tonight against the Cubs and Giants, the Dodgers will be taking on two teams who are also in the midst of a pennant race. The schedule does not get any easier for the Blue, 16 games against teams with winning records including 7 against the Giants, who trail the Dodgers in the west by 2.5 games. It’s no secret the Dodgers have struggled against team with winning records, most notably against the Giants, who have won 9 of 12 against The Blue to this point. With the NL’s 2nd and 3rd best teams in the Central Division, as of right now, the Dodgers, if they are to play deep into October, will more likely have to win the west. At 70-56, Drei here says 92 wins takes the west, meaning we would have to go 22-14 the rest of the way. It won’t be easy ( Is it ever ? ) with both Puig and Gonzalez being listed as day to day. As for Puig, who had been on a 10 game hitting streak, his hamstring feels worse than his previous injury. Since the all-star break, Puig leads the club with 7 homers.

9th Inning… 

In keeping with our Fab Four Friday theme amidst the dog days of summer…

2014 in review… HAPPY NEW YEAR

The WordPress.com stats helper monkeys prepared a 2014 annual report for this blog.

Here’s an excerpt:

A New York City subway train holds 1,200 people. This blog was viewed about 6,200 times in 2014. If it were a NYC subway train, it would take about 5 trips to carry that many people.

Click here to see the complete report.

2014 was quite a year here on Good Dre L.A., as over 6,200 of you Dodger and baseball fans alike stopped by to glance and read through Drei’s posts on the Dodgers and other things Drei here found of interest, including some of the video links I provided throughout the year. With over 6,200 of you passing through in 2014, you all helped me exceed my 2013 viewership by well over 2,000 views, to which Drei gives a huge SHOUT OUT  and a big THANK YOU to all of you. in 2013, Drei here ranked 96 out of the top 100 MLB Fan blogs, so we can only speculate that Drei’s 2014 ranking will be significantly higher than 96, to which Drei again thanks you all ! What does 2015 have in store for Drei ? Only time will tell, though it’s going to be tough for this amature blogger to top 6,200 views. 

2015 Resolutions ?

I’m not one to do any resolutions really. Just too many I don’t even think about. However, The Unbiased MLB Fan has given us his five resolutions for 2015

1. Blog at least once every 5 days. As a blogger who really enjoys delivering content from my POV, finding time to blog, not so much finding something to blog about, is the one difficult aspect for me. Believe me, I always have a topic or few that I never get around to. Right now, my goal is at least one a week…

2. Post 100+ blog entries… It is my hope that I can continue this, as this would be an average of a little over 7 posts a month….

3. Get more views than 2014… This probably will be the most difficult of the 5 listed for me to accomplish with other personal agenda’s going on in my life right now. Top 6,000 views ? Certainly not impossible…

4. Go on a 3-post-blogging-streak… Certainly possible at some point during the season…

5. Reply to every comment that is left… Not that I ever get any, but when I do, I am always responsive, if not always prompt, to every comment that you the fan leaves behind. It’s the views from all of you that I really pay more attention to…

Good Dre In L.A.’s Top 5 Views of 2014

So, what posts from Drei caught your attention the most in 2014 ? Here are the top 5…

5. On This Day, August 22, 1965, Marichal vs Roseboro… Looking back at the baseball’s most famous on-field fight. Did you know that Juan Marichal would finish his baseball career in a Dodger uniform ?

4. 10 Years Ago Today, 1/24/2004, The Day Frankie Had Us All Fooled… Looking back at that dubious day in 2004 when Frank and Jamie McCourt took over ownership of the Dodgers

3. First Plastic Bags, Now Ticket Stubs… Ranting over the ban on plastic bags and, get this, NO MORE PAPER TICKETS FOR SEASON TICKET HOLDERS !!!

2.  50 Years Ago Today, Four Lads From Britain Invade America… Celebrating The Beatles 50th anniversary of their arrival here in the U.S., and the MLB parks they would perform at, including Dodger Stadium

1. Welcome To The Dodger Blue Family… Welcoming the OKC and Tulsa to the Dodgers minor league circle, and a flashback to the 4 home run game, as told by… Vin Scully…

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Drei’s Favorite 5 of 2014 ?

5. Team Chemistry Issues, Nothing New Here… At 31-30 on the 1st week of June and 8.5 games behind the Giants, questions about team chemistry we’re raised once again. At the end of June, the Dodgers would tie the Giants atop the NL West…

4. Our Love/Hate Relationship With Matt Kemp … Posted in Mid-July as many of the fans had enough of the Beast Mode, in which I raised the question, Was it really fair to put all the blame on the offensive struggles toward Matt Kemp ? As it turned out, Kemp’s bat was only heating up

3. Drei’s Tales, The Magic of the Rally Pet Minion Dave … One of a several of Drei’s light-hearted posts throughout 2014 this one including Minion Dave, and the magic he would bring on the night the Dodgers would clinch the NL West…

2. Dre’s Baseball Themed Filled Birthday… One of the many baseball themed activities I got to do on the week of my 40th, taking a tour of Dodger Stadium with my little brother, capped off by a walk-off win against the Angels. The Dodger Stadium tour really does make a great birthday gift for that big Dodger fan in your family…

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 26 years and counting…. We’re due !!!

 On the field with the lil’ bro Daniel

And finally, Drei’s favorite post of 2014

1. Ballparks, Bytes and Bites… A Sunday Fun-Dre at the Park, From the 619… Another one of my light-hearted posts, and my favorite of 2014, giving everyone a first person’s POV of what it was like heading on a baseball road trip with the guys, and on this day, the ballpark and the park, for that matter, made all of us, including this 40 year old here, feel like, well, kids, including Drei’s Bro-Ham… Kid Marly Marlz… as shown making some kids happy with the bubbles  !!!

 Kid Marly Marlz throwin’ a post-game Dodger Foam Party for the kids in the 619

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 With the Bro-Hams, Marlz and JJ, paying tribute to Mr. Padre, Tony Gwynn…

So, what does 2015 have in store for us ? Do the Bro-Hams go on another road-trip this year ? Do Kid Marly Marlz and Dodger Drei, ( Kid N Drei for those of you who have been paying attention to my posts ) have more Bytes and Bites for you come the 2015 season ? Speaking of The Kid… Hey Kid ! How’ bout a New Year’s greeting for our readers ?

http://instagram.com/p/xSUHnGnmNi/

I hope your 2014 was as fun-filled or even more than what Drei here had. What does 2015 have in store for you ? Planning on any road trips this upcoming season ? Check us out at Stadium Journey for your travel tips. While you’re there, also check out the top 100 stadium experiences of 2014, sure to be up for some good-nature debate…

I hope you all have a great 2015 ! What road will you all be traveling this upcoming year ?…

OK, time for Drei here to help you all ring in the New Year. FYI, the kid in this video was not harmed ( Matter of fact, he didn’t even seem fazed…) Here’s to a HAPPY and PROSPEROUS 2015…

http://instagram.com/p/v9v-ccnmJa/?modal=true

 

December 8, 1980, The Monday Night When Howard Announced The Tragic News…

     “Remember this is just a football game, no matter who wins or loses. An unspeakable tragedy confirmed to us by ABC News in New York City: John Lennon, outside of his apartment building on the West Side of New York City, the most famous perhaps, of all of The Beatles, shot twice in the back, rushed to Roosevelt Hospital, dead on arrival. Hard to go back to the game after that news flash, which, in duty bound, we have to take. Frank?”

The exact words Howard Cossell would announce to viewers 34 years ago this Monday evening, on December 8, 1980, as the New England Patriots would battle the Miami Dolphins in a huge game on Monday Night Football. It was during the waning moments of the 4th quarter as the Patriots we’re attempting a game winning field goal when Howard Cossell would do the uneviable task of announcing to the viewers that former Beatle John Lennon had been shot outside the Dakota Apartments in New York City as he was returning home from a recording session. Just six years prior, Cossell had interviewed John Lennon during halftime on Monday Night Football…

There are so many way’s to describe how the music of The Beatles and John Lennon has to this very day touched so many peoples lives. The influence that Beatlemania had was so huge and so rapid that The Beatles we’re the first rock n roll band to perform live concerts at Major League Baseball venues, performing at Shea Stadium in 1964 and evnetually performing their 2nd to last ever live performance at Dodger Stadium in August of 1966.

 From August 2006, looking back on the 40th anniversary of The Beatles performance at Dodger Stadium

 The Fab Four performing at Dodger Stadium, August 28, 1966. ( Dodger Stadium’s appearance sure has passed the test of time…)

 Front cover of the L.A. Times, December 9, 1980

Here is a 2010 clip from ESPN’s Outside The Lines reflecting upon the ill-fated night of December 8, 1980…

At the time Cossell announced to the viewers the untimely death of John Lennon on that ill-fated evening of December 8, 1980, it was not possible for people around the world to have known the news right away. There we’re only 3 major networks at the time, but most notably, in 1980, we didn’t have such things as ipads or droids among other electronical devices that we take for granted today. There was no way fans could have shared their feelings at that very moment with fellow family and friends as we do today with the ever so endless social media outlets available in our pockets.

So of course it was impossible for the 75,000 plus fans at the Orange Bowl to have been aware of what happened to the famed Beatle. I can only imagine that if an event of this magnitude had taken place today during a huge sporting event, be it MNF or the World Series, what the mood would be like inside the venues. Would many of us be on a emotional roller coaster of excitement of being at a huge sporting event while hiding the somberness on our minds, knowing that someone who had a profound impact on us has passed on ? I’m sure many of us would be paying instant tributes throughout the world of social media.

I’ve heard many people talk about the night John Lennon was assassinated, putting it in the same sentence of the tragic assassinations of King and Kennedy. To many, the night John Lennon was killed marked the end of an era . I was not around when King and Kennedy we’re shot, and I was only 6, in the beginning stages of being a Dodger fan. ( I’m also trying to put some light into this folks…). I don’t really recall where I was the night John Lennon was shot, however I do remember various radio stations playing continuos music from The Beatles during the week as it was played in our house in Hollywood.

Do any of you recall where you we’re the night of December 8, 1980 ? Did you find out while watching MNF ? We’re you putting up a Christmas tree when the news was announced ?

 Happy Christmas…. Someday, War will be over….

 

Ballparks, Bytes and Bites, 626 Day From The Ravine to the 626, 6/26/2014

But First…
On This Day, 1966, The Beatles perform their 2nd to last concert ever at Dodger Stadium on this day, August 28, 1966. Their final concert ever would be the next evening up in San Francisco’s Candlestick Park. Dodger Stadium would be 1 of 9 MLB parks The Beatles would ever perform at . With Candlestick Park scheduled for demolition soon, Dodger Stadium will be the only MLB park left standing where The Fab Four has performed.

We’re Baaaaaaaaack !!!

Kid N Dre bringing you our 2nd edition of Ballparks, Bytes, and Bites …

Featuring once again, Kid Marly Marlz

And Dodger Dre with the story-telling. Or as Kid Marly Marlz likes to say when Dre has his beats on …

Dre Beats !!!

There’s something about being around a ballpark that brings out the kid in all of us…

Every kid dreams of making it to the bigs someday, such as this kid looking from a distance high up on the Elysian Hills ( even this 30 something kid can dream, right ? )

Once inside the stadium walls, there certainly has to be other fun things and sweet treats that bring out the kid in all of us. After all, what kid can’t resist the sweet taste of cotton candy at the ballpark, right ?

We’re just never too old for cotton candy are we Marlz ?

Of course there are also other sweet treats inside the yard that kids big and small can sink their teeth into…

Whoa Marlz ! That’s quite a BIG APPLE there for a BIG KID !!!

What kid doesn’t like to play with toys ? Dodger Stadium has toys of all sizes for kids of all ages…

Here’s a flashback here. Kid Marlz and his Koufax bobblehead in 2012. Notice no facial hair for the kid ?

Now that, is a big kid’s bobblehead !!!

Speaking of bobbleheads…

It looks like Kid Marly Marlz is having fun with his new lil’ bro, Brian, aka, THE BEARD…

See the resemblance between the two ?

On this Thursday evening, June 26th, 626 day to those in and from the San Gabriel Valley ( 626 being the main area code of SGV ) , the Boys in Blue would do battle with the St. Louis Cardinals in a rematch of last year’s NLCS.

 The Dodgers and Cardinals both have long and storied histories, having met in the post-season 3 times in the last 10 years, something the Kid and I look back on among other throwback topics in this upcoming video byte as Andre Ethier is at the plate.  It’s a custom for Dre here to “try” and call the action when Dre is at the plate…

Drei+n+Kid+Marlz%2C+626+Night+at+The+Ravine%2C+Part+1 from Good_Drei on Vimeo.

The Dodgers and Cardinals would be deadlocked in a scoreless game through 7.  As Dre here again try’s to do play by play for Dre, Marlz decides to use the moment to do some self-promoting of his instagram tag @mdario83

<p><a href=”http://vimeo.com/103876835″>Marlz Self Promoting @MDario83</a> from <a href=”http://vimeo.com/user29602044″>Andre Ojeda</a> on <a href=”https://vimeo.com”>Vimeo</a&gt;.</p>  

The game remained scoreless until the bottom of the 8th, when Justin Turner would come off the bench and deliver…

 

Before Kenley Jansen would come in and shut the door down on the Dodgers hard earned 1-0 win over the Red Birds, Kid Marlz decides to strut his stuff to some California Love…

<p><a href=”http://vimeo.com/103877650″>Jansen Entrance Featuring @MDario83 (Short Version.mp4</a> from <a href=”http://vimeo.com/user29602044″>Andre Ojeda</a> on <a href=”https://vimeo.com”>Vimeo</a&gt;.</p>  Hey Kid !  As you we’re doing your strut to some California Love, I noticed the fans behind you we’re leaving you… ( I had to get that out kid !!! LOL )

So on this Thursday evening in a hard fought match-up between the Dodgers and Cardinals, the Dodgers would prevail 1-0.  Could these two teams meet again in this years post-season ?  It’s getting close to that time of year folks…

From The Ravine to the West 626 For Some Post-Game Bites

Tonight, our post-game dining ventures take us to Alhambra located on the west end of the San Gabriel Valley on 626 day on 6/26.  Along Valley Blvd., one can find many late night Asian dining options.  On this night however, Kid Marlz and I decide to go to that one non-Asian spot on the corner of Valley and Garfield where patrons have gone for their pastrami fix for many years, The Hat.

 Having grown up not to far from here in San Gabriel, I have made many ventures to The Hat for my pastrami fix for many a years .  Sliced paper thin and piled high, marinated in it’s own juices, The Hat still continues to be my occasional late night stop especially after an evening game.

 Some wet fries to go with the pastrami.  Looks like the Mini Beard and the Mini Puig have their eyes set on this meal.  

 Ready to dig in Kid ?

 In the meantime, while Kid Marlz is reading to chow down, Mini Puig and MIni Beard are wondering how are we going to finish all this food ?

 Mini Puig doesn’t seem to thrilled that Kid Marlz would chow down like that in front of them…

 You hungry kid ?  His lil’ bro, the Mini Beard doesn’t seem very amused , especially since the Kid isn’t sharing.  The Mini Beard looks like he’s ready to deliver some chin music to The Kid if he don’t share some of his pastrami…

 And the Mini Bearded one and The Kid are now at peace.  

On a side note, when Kid Marlz put some ketchup on his pastrami sandwich, that had to be the first time in all the years I’ve dined at The Hat that I’ve seen someone put some sort of “foreign” condiment on the sandwich.

Dre: ” You’re really gonna put ketchup on that ? “

Kid: ” Yeah buddy !!! ” 

Dre: ” Who put’s ketchup on their pastrami ? “

Kid: ” This guy !!! “

So, that sums up this edition of Ballparks, Bytes and Bites.  L.A. and it’s vast area is full of pre and post game dining options that many a Dodger fan has favorited.  I’m sure you have one of your own in your town as well.  So, what’s your favorite pre and post game dining spot ?

 Kid N Dre chowing down.  FYI, we we’re not able to finish the wet fries with our pastrami.  We aren’;t the first not to accomplish this feat.  We certainly won’t be the last.  That was a lot of food.   Even the Mini Puig and Mini Beard couldn’t help us.

I hope you’ve all enjoyed this edition of Kid N Dre’s Ballparks, Bytes and Bites.  Next up, San Diego and PETCO Park.  What will Kid N Dre have in store for you next ?  Stay tuned…

 You really are enjoying quality time with your new Lil Bro aren’t you kid ?  As always… Once a Kid, Always a Kid, Forever a Kid, Kid at Heart….  

 Hey Kid !  You ain’t the only Big Boy who still plays with toys !  Dre got his Mini Bison to help with his Beats !!!  ‘Til the Next Episode…

 

 

 

 

 

 

World Series Preview ?

After losing 2 of 3 to the Cubbies this past weekend, the Dodgers begin the start of a home and home series with our neighbors down I-5 in what could be a possible World Series preview. The first two against the Angels will be here at Dodger Stadium tonight and tomorrow with games 3 and 4 moving to Angel Stadium. Zack Greinke takes the hill for The Blue tonight in his attempt to get The Blue back on the winning track. The Angels currently have the 2nd best record in baseball but also sport the 2nd best record in their division behind the Oakland A’s. It is a strong possibility that baseball’s 2nd best team could very well end up playing in the 1 game American League Wild Card playoff so yes, this is a big series for both teams as every game from this point on is huge with each team battling for the Western Division title against their Bay Area rivals. I expect a playoff type atmosphere these next 4 games. This also marks the latest in the season that both teams will be playing each other and with both teams in must win situations from here on out, this series should make for some pretty good drama.

Congratulations Matt

Let the numbers speak for themselves. He’s BAAAAAAAACK !!! Hopefully he’s here to stay . As i’ve said all along, this is still your team Matt. As Matt goes, so goes The Blue.

And The Awards Keep On Coming…

What more can be said about Mr Cy K ?

Dre’s POV

The two losses over the weekend to the Cubbies, games in which Haren and Beckett pitched, only confirmed our worst fears. Haren, well, we all know the obvious with him. Beckett, as good as he was during the 1st half, my fear for him even prior to the all-star break was that he would not be able to survive the entire season. Not so much because of his current hip situation, which is not helping either, but let’s face it. When was the last time Beckett has pitched an entire season ? Beckett has admitted himself he is no longer an 8 inning pitcher. At this point, the feeling here is that Beckett is running on fumes. The bullpen pitched 15 innings this weekend, 10 of those coming from the 5th inning on in games that , yup, Haren and Beckett pitched. That, my friends, is an average of 5 innings a game from the bullpen. We can’t be having that on a regular basis if they are to make a serious run deep into October. Yes, the back end of our rotation needs some help folks.

Oh Yeah I, Tell You Something…

With Sir Paul McCartney coming to the Ravine this Sunday evening, I leave you with this Beatles concert clip from 1964…

Throwback Thursday

Heading into this weekend with a big 3 game series against the Giants up north, on this Throwback Thursday before our big series, I share with you a couple of old programs from past Dodgers/Giants games.

August 2006

Greg Maddux, having been acquired from the Cubs to bolster the Dodger pitching staff for the stretch run, is featured on the front cover of this months program. Greg Maddux, who will be inducted into baseball’s Hall of Fame this Sunday, would come back one last time with the Dodgers in 2008, his final season in baseball. Also in this August issue of the Dodger Magazine …

Two of the Dodgers 1st round draft picks of 2006, Preston Mattingly, Donnie’s kid, and some 18 year old , Clayton Kershaw. What ever became of him ?

Looking back on the 40th anniversary of The Beatles performance at Dodger Stadium on August 28, 1966. This would be the 2nd to final ever live performance for The Fab Four. The following evening would be their last live gig, at Candlestick Park, home of the Giants from 1960-1999.

The song list from that evening’s concert. I’m guessing Sir Paul McCartney, who will be making his first return to Dodger Stadium since performing there in 1966, will entertain the crowd with his present day version of Yesterday…

The scorecard from Sunday evening, August 13. Maddux and the Giants Jason Schmidt would get the start that evening. Both the Giants and Dodgers would put up goose eggs up until the 10th inning, when a rookie catcher, Russel Martin, would end things in one swing, capping off a 3 game sweep of the hated ones.

September/October 1993

On the front cover of the final Dodger Magazine for 1993, the past and the present are celebrated with Orel Hershiser and Don Drysdale gracing the cover. 5 years prior in 1988, Orel Hershiser had broken Don Drysdale’s major league mark from 1968 of 58 consecutive scoreless innings pitched. Drysdale would also be part of the Dodgers broadcast team from 1988 until his untimely death on July 3, 1993 . Rick Monday would replace Don Drysdale for the remainder of the 1993 season and has been with the Dodgers broadcast team since.

What’s this ? A pager ? It’s a digital book that keeps track of all the up to date baseball facts and numbers. I wonder if I can stream live games on this device…

The scorecard from the final game of the season against the hated ones. Heading into the final game of the season, the Giants, having won 103 games, we’re in a first place tie with the Atlanta Braves for the NL West. The Braves, in their final season in the NL West, would beat the 1st year expansion Colorado Rockies earlier in the day so for the Giants, it was win or go home. ( 1993 was the final season without the current wild-card format ) . The Boys in Blue would only be so glad to spoil the party, as Rookie of the Year catcher Mike Piazza would belt 2 home runs and the Dodgers, who would have their hearts broken by the Giants 4 times prior, in 1951, 1962, 1982, and 1991, would demolish any hope the Giants had of playing deep into October, thrashing the hated ones 12-1. In spite of winning 103 games, first year manager and former Dodger Dusty Baker and the Giants would be left out of post-season play. ( From 1969-1993, the Reds and Braves we’re in the NL West, while the Cubs and Cardinals we’re in the NL East. During that time, only division winners qualified for the playoffs, making the Giants the last team to win over 100 games and miss out on post-season play , a feat that is virtually impossible to achieve today under today’s wild card format.

As for me, that final game of the 1993 season would ease the pain of Joe Morgan’s home run in 1982 on the season’s final game, or the smugness of Will Clark in 1991. I can still hear Nancy Bea Hefley serenading our visitors from The Bay after the game’s final out, to Tony Bennet’s classic tune, I Left My Heart In San Francisco , to the joy of the 55,000 plus Dodger fans, including this 19 year old kid, or to the dismay of the loyal ones from The Bay, who made the 400 plus mile drive south to have their broken hearts turned away, toward , San Francisco…

Is it obvious a Dodger fan is writing this post ?

What moment will this weekend’s Dodgers/Giants series bring us, as Zack Greinke takes the mound against Tim Lincecum as the first of 3 kicks off tomorrow night. What are some of your favorite Dodgers/Giants memories ?

My Camelback Ranch Experience, 2/28/2014

A couple of firsts for me on my trip to The Ranch. One, it’s the first time I’ve seen a live baseball game in the month of February, and yes, that also includes our local colleges. Two, after all these years of ballpark travels, I finally get to experience Spring Training live, thanks to my friend Mike who won these tickets through a contest on KOST 103.5

Mike being interviewed by Vic the Brick before the game…

We would fly into Phoenix that Friday morning with a bunch of other Dodger fans who won their experience through other Clear Channel radio station contests from 102.7 KISS FM all the way to AM 570 KLAC .

Waiting for our bus to take us to Camelback…

We arrived around 11:30 AM local time so I had a chance to walk around and view the complex.

Feeling You Vic !!!

View from our suite

Group pic from the suite

Now lets go beyond the fences outside the yard….

Enjoying the scenery outside the yard…

OK, back inside the yard…

With former White Sox Jerry Hariston, father of JHair Jr. I’m sure most of you are aware the Dodgers and White Sox share the yard, which is a common ST practice these days. I would think the fans are the biggest beneficiaries of shared ST complexes especially those who chose to take a week off and cruise through as many venues possible.

My first Spring Training experience was everything I had expected AND some. The sparse weekday crowd in a stadium isolated from any kind of big city life really does a lot for the ST atmosphere. Most of the fans here we’re a good mix of families and snowbird ex-pats of Chi Town. Yes, there we’re a good amount of diehards who made the trip from L.A. as well, and it felt like we diehards we’re in ST mode as well, which is exactly what the ST experience should be like. We’ll be ready for the raucous sound of 50,000 plus fans come April all the way to October. Speaking of fans…

Kicking it with Eric from the Dodgers-LowDown to Arizona native Armando, aka DaaDozer.

Given that I got to fly out to Arizona thanks to my friend Mike winning this experience through Clear Channel Radio, I had the chance to meet a couple former Dodgers who stopped by our suite…

Tim Leary

Steve Yeager

Also…

Longtime Dodger Spanish broadcaster Jaime Jarrin

And…

The Skipper himself…. Tommy Lasorda !!!

This was quite a first Spring Training experience for me. My goal for next time is to arrive as early as possible and get more pics with other current and future, and perhaps, past players as well. Of course, i’m always more than thankful for a free trip for such an experience.

Postgame group pic behind 2nd base

Postgame with Vic The Brick, and still FEELING YOU …. Oh yeah, as for that mic…

Perhaps I may have a future in this ? ( ” Please don’t wake me no don’t shake me, leave me where I am… I’m Only Sleeping ” John Lennon )

One last shot from the field