March 2012
Dodgers Opening Day Facts
Next Week!! Thats right we are One week away from Opening Day as the Dodgers travel to San Diego to take on the Padres. In a Stadium where it’s expected to be A LOT of Dodger fans in attendence in San Diego there will also be fans at Dodger Stadium watching the game on the big screen at Dodger Stadium that day as well. As we approach opening day I looked up some Dodgers facts when it comes to Opening Day and came across some that you may or may not know about the Dodgers on Opening Day. Some quite Interesting and Schocking as we count the Few days till the Start of the Dodgers Baseball Season.
-Through out their time in Brooklyn and Los Angeles the Dodgers have played 128 Opening Day games. April 5th will be the 129th Opening Day Game the Dodgers have played.
-In those 128 Games the Dodgers have played their record on Opening Day is 63-61-4. The Boys in Blue are currently on a 4 game winning streak on Opening Day with 3 of the 4 wins over the heated San Fransisco Giants.
- The Dodgers open with the Padres. Dodgers and Padres met only 10 Times on Opening day prior to April 5th. Dodgers and Padres Split the Games against each other on Opening Day 5 to 5 (Last game on Opening Day 4-5-2004 Dodgers loss 8-2)
-Clayton Kershaw will be starting on Opening Day. The Last Cy Young Award Winner to pitch on Opening Day was Sandy Koufax on April 14th 1964 vs the St Louis Cardinals (9 Innings Pitched, 6 Hits, and 5 Strike Outs in a 4-0 Dodgers win)
-The Largest Margin of Victory on Opening Day was 14 Runs in 1969 vs the San Diego Padres (14-0)
-The Largest Margin of Defeat on Opening Day was 15 in 1912 by the Hands of the Then New York Giants (18-3)
-The First Game at Dodger Stadium on Opening Day of the 1962 Season was a 6-3 Loss against the Cincinatti Reds. Johnny Podres was the Pitcher for the Dodgers on that day.
(Credit to Baseball almanac for facts and stats)
Whats next for Magic and his Group?
Now that the Dodgers have a new owner in Magic Johnson, Stan Kasten, and Mark Walter a lot of Dodger fans still celebrate and are on cloud nine at the fact that we have a New Owner thats willing to win. Magic Johnson and Stan Kasten have done interviews and have said they will be involved and do what it takes to bring a Championship to Los Angeles. Seeing a Press Conference is coming next week whats Next for the new owners? They have control of the Parking lots and want to win right now. So what do they do? Well heres my take on what they can do.
First thing is first to me do what you can to win a Championship. The Dodgers currently have a solid team from the looks on the field but the Payroll has not been in favor of the Dodgers and now with the right people running the baseball side of things and experiance the Dodgers will be back sooner than we think. Stan Kasten has been in the front office before with Atlanta and Washington, Experiance in getting the players thats needed to win Championships. Even though Ned Coletti has made bad moves who knows what Stan Kasten has planned for him or baseball choices. Kasten wants to win and he wants to win right now so I know they will get to work ASAP but it starts with building a Team around guys like Kemp, Kershaw, Ethier, Gordon. But I ask for them to please keep Don Mattingely around!
Another thing is restoring the Dodger brand. The Dodger Brand and reputation has been damaged by Frank McCourt and the divorce between him and Jamie McCourt which pushed fans away and turned a deaf ear on fans. Magic Johnson is known to go out there and talk with the community and is pretty much the most beloved figure in Los Angeles. Expect Magic to go out and promote the Dodger brand and restore the Dodgers luster. Also bring the fans back which from the looks for things they’re all ready coming back as Opening Day at Dodger Stadium is Sold Out!! Improving the fan experiance is another as well. We as fans are very very Loyal to the Boys in Blue and pay to see the team, buy the merchindice, and watch the games on TV and all we ask is for the owner to keep the Dodgers at that Big luster of respectable Baseball Franchise and big hitters of the MLB again but also want our voices heard. Seeing the owners out in the public talking with the fans and listening to them and ACTUALLY taking it into account will go a far way with us. Magic wants to be heavly involved and will do what it takes to Sell the Dodger brand.
Renovations to the Stadium Is another that has been talked about for a while. Some Renovations are needed to Dodger Stadium and I know that will be adressed but please for the love of Dodger Blue Please don’t Touch the Stadium Name, Move Dodger Stadium downtown, or Go Completely change Dodger Stadium ie: Orel Hershiser’s Idea! Dodger Stadium designed as is is a beautiful Stadium and rennovations like the Next 50 Idea would be great but none of the Major Makovers or Renaming that will hurt the luster of the Dodgers and upset us the fans.
The new Owners will have work to be done but theres no doubt they will get to work to get the Dodgers to where they should be. We as Dodger fans have great things to look forward too. A Note to the new owners. Us As Fans Are very happy that you guys are very happy and passionate as we are to bring the Dodgers back. All we ask is to please don’t turn your back on the Team and the fans. We’ve been through a lot with Frank McCourt and to finally have a Owner that will promote the Dodger brand. All we ask is to Keep up the passion, Reach out to the Fans, And Keep the Dodgers Tradtiton the it’s been for years.
Its Magic!! One of L.A.’s Legends Buys the Dodgers
Say hello to you're new Owner
What a Great Night To Be A Dodgers Fan!! After dealing with the issues of Frank McCourt We Now Have A New Owner! NBA Hall of Famer and Laker great Ervin “Magic” Johnson!! Magic Johnson and his group have won the Bidding and came to an agreement to buy the Dodgers and Dodger Stadium for $2 Billion tonight. All Dodger fans this is the time we’ve been waiting for since the Divorce. Earlier in the week I said that If I had to pick anyone to be the Owner I want it to be Magic and his group. Well Tonight it happened and how great is it One week before the Season.
Speaking for many Dodger fans tonight I want you guys to know that With Magic Johnson we have a guy who knows the Dodgers and what the LA Fans and community is all about. All the frustration we had to deal with McCourt has turned into Joy with Magic Johnson. We are 100% Confident that Magic will do whatever it takes to turn this Francise around and get it back to the World Series winning style. He knows what to do and I am happy for a brand begining in Dodgers Baseball.
Fellow Los Angeles Dodgers Fans!! Celebrate and Cheer On As Tonight Marks the Begining of a New Chapter in Dodgers baseball and History. Magic Johnson Welcome to the Dodgers family and we Know you will do what it takes to Bring the Dodgers back to the Championship winning Franchise.
Freeway Series: The Marketing and Off the Field views of it all
Through Months is seems as if the Rivalry between the Dodgers and Angels has started to heat up. Since the addition of Albert Puljos and CJ Wilson most of the Positive attention has been shifted to Anaheim. Things then started to get a little turned up with Angel billboards posted in Los Angeles also being the media mentioning the Angels as Los Angeles team. Even some Angels fans saying We Run LA. The Minority that I’ve seen Not ALL Angels fans see it this way. As a Dodger fan I kind of took it as a Jab to the face. With the emberassment we’ve taken with the McCourt issue and Bankruptcy issue we now deal with the team down the freeway in Orange County making big signings, Posting billboards in Los Angeles, and the Media asking will the Angels take over. Even Some fans on twitter claiming that Dodger fans will now go to Anaheim just to see the Angels play now. What has happened? Whos to blame here? Well let me explain in my view.
Let me first go on to say this is Not bashing the Angels or anything because I want this to be a Non Trash talk post and I wanted to stay away from the topic but had alot to say of if Any Angels fans read this is not a jab toward your team and congrats on your team.
Now I the Angels as you know have went under different names. California Angels, Anaheim Angels, Now the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. I have a BIG ISSUE with the Angels using the Los Angeles name due to Location but at the sametime Understand why the name is there and thats to take advantage of the marketing in Los Angeles. I can’t blame the Angels Franchise because they’re trying to sell their team to people (Tickets, Merchindise,TV Ratings, Radio, etc) but in Los Angeles? Well this isn’t the first time it has been done in the city of L.A. as I call it Dodger Territory. Anyone Remember when the Angels put billboards up in Los Angeles I believe in 2004? Still the same unhappiness but didn’t understand the sports business like I do now. When I see them now yes I don’t like it at all because it’s the Angels in Los Angeles when they’re obviously in Anaheim..Orange County. It doesn’t stop with Billboards…The Sports Media like ESPN asks the question. “Has the Angels become Los Angeles team?” Some people play into the Media hype and that I can blame the media for that but the attention is offically there. Los Angeles and two baseball teams..That makes the Blood boils big time especially in Many Dodgers fans and I know Angels fans as well.
So what is this? To me the Freeway series not only within the Field and fans but has now spilled towards the Marketing side of things. Angels post up Billboards in Los Angeles. Dodger Commercials on KCAL 9, Fox Sports Prime Ticket, and Now Dodger Billboards going up. I don’t think the two Franchises are worried about each other because they’re selling their team as I mentioned but in a way they’re luring fans from the LA area (Dodgers being in LA is a bigger advantage with them being the LA Dodgers) As I looked at the Angels billboards (A lot of em that i’ve seen in Los Angeles) I wondered “When will the Dodgers put up Billboards?” “Why aren’t there any Dodger billboards up” With Albert Puljos on them the Dodger have the best player in baseball in Matt Kemp..Cy Young award winner Clayton Kershaw, 50th Anniversary of Dodger Stadium, Legends and yet none of it being taken advatage of. Marketing is Marketing but too much Momentium with in the Dodgers Organization with Matt Kemp, Kershaw, Great ending to the season, and the Stadium Anniversary.
I know with all that went on in the Off-Season between the Signings, Marketing, Fan Trashtalk, and so on the Freeway Series this year should be an Interesting one on the Field of play. The Angels with a Pretty good team and the Dodgers who look Very Solid right now. They may not be in our Division let alone our League but bragging rights are there. In the Words of Matt Kemp and Don Mattingley Los Angeles only has ONE Baseball team and that Team is the Los Angeles Dodgers (Get That ESPN?)
Don’t Stop Believin- Is it time for Dodger Stadium part ways with the Song?
Since 2008 Dodger Stadium has played the song “Don’t Stop Believin” In the middle of the 8th Inning. Incase you don’t know Journey, A Rock Band from San Fransisco, Sings the song that blast through Dodger Stadium every 8th inning of home games. To my knowledge many Dodger fans are really tired of the song and want the Dodgers to get rid of it. in 2010 a Dodger Blog on ESPN-LA was calling for the Dodgers to part ways with the song. Today on my Timeline many Dodger fans spoke. It’s time for Dodger Stadium to stop playing Don’t Stop Belivin and do something else.
I have to say that It’s time to part ways with Journey and the song Don’t Stop Believin. Lets be honest almost nobody likes the song in the 8th inning and the more they play it the louder the unhappiness for the song gets. I also get a bit annoyed by the song everytime it comes on. Lets think about it for a few here I mean it’s not a tradition like Take me out to the Ball game so theres no big controversy on getting rid of it. I won’t get into the Journey are SF Giants fans but Don’t Stop Believin is used at AT&T park which is a bigger reason to stop using it. Now don’t get me wrong I have nothing against Journey at all but the song to me and many others is overplayed and grows annoying by the minute.
Now i have heard a suggestion that th Dodgers should use Nancy Bea more than the DJ and where I don’t have an issue with that I do believe they should still use the DJ to satisfy the younger fans. I don’t know what you’ll use to replace Don’t Stop Believin but anything at this point will due. At this point the Fans and almost any blogger will agree with this. The Song has to go.
10 Days Away till Opening Day, 17 Days to the Home Opener
We are in the last month of March which always means good news for all Baseball fans. Opening day down the street. As of today we are TEN days away from the first pitch being thrown in the Regular season of the 2012 MLB Season. After all the moves in the off-season and ownership issues, Clubhouse issues of beer and sleeping and eating instead of playing a Brand new season is here. For us Dodger fans having to deal with the Ownership issues of McCourt and then wondering who the new Owner will be will finally be put to rest and we can get back to focusing on another season of Dodger Baseball. This year with the NL West up for grabs new hope raises especially with the way the Dodgers closed out the 2011 season. This year the Dodgers opens the season in San Diego to take on the Padres.
While All Baseball fans are excited for the Opening of the 2012 Season in 17 Days Something Historic will happen. April 10th will be the Home Opener for the Los Angeles Dodgers as they will take on the Pittsburgh Pirates. Not only will it be the Opening Day in Los Angeles BUT it will be exactly 50 years ago Dodgers Stadium opened its doors. It’ll be the 50th Anniversary of Dodger Stadium and it will be a very memorable day for the Dodgers, City of Los Angeles, and Dodger fans. 2 dates We’re all looking towards and it’s quickly apporaching but to some the days will be moving slow. In the end when the day gets here we will all finally get to hear the words from Vin Scully “I’s Time For Dodger Baseball!” and look forward to another season of Dodger Baseball!!
Hershiser and Dodger Stadium Upgrades: Do they need to be Major?
Dodger Stadium has been around for 50 Years and has been through some renovations. If you look at the picture this is the latest plan to renovate Dodger Stadium. I know you look at it and say “Who combined The Ballpark in Arlington and Dodger Stadium” Well this is the Renovation plan that Former Dodger Pitcher Orel Hershiser have for Dodger Stadium. In a report Hershiser and LG CSN want to partner with one of the Bidders and propose this design to them. Now Lets think about this for a few seconds. This renovation would change everything about Dodger Stadium that made it so unique just to get with the times. Scoreboard in the center, Suites in the outfield and so on. Nothing from the Classic Dodgers Stadium would stand at all. Looking at this I know will outrage Dodger Fans.
I know Orel really cares about the Dodgers and want to do whatever to help the Franchise but Bulldog this Is pushing it too far. I’m sure everyone remembers the last Stadium renovations that was planed that McCourt had. “Next 50″ Project that was halted due to financial reasons. It was such a good idea which didn’t call for major renovations. It amazes me that some people want to make major changes to Dodger Stadium but I’m shocked that Hershiser wants to make such changes to the Stadium. Dodger Stadium is such a unique Stadium that doesn’t need Major Renovations done at all.
Now I’m not saying the Stadium itself don’t need renovations because Dodger Stadium can use it but Major Renovations shown here is not needed at all. The outrage that a name change recieved is enough to make you not change it. Moderized Mega Stadium is not what’s wanted or needed. I believe that Orel should inquire somethings from the “Next 50″ Stadium plan instead of this. Dodger Stadium is apart of that LA Tradition that is preached within the Dodgers. I hope Orel doesn’t go through with this at all because such change could do some damage. You saw the outrage we gave for a name change and potential new Stadium talk. This is committing the ultimate Dodger Crime. Dodger Stadium is one of the few historic Baseball Stadiums that are standing (Wrigley Field, Fenway Park to name a few) and A lot of history happened in this Stadium that plays in the minds of many people to this day. Why Destroy that with a Modern Stadium on site? You want more motivation not to do Major Renovations? Look at the new Yankee Stadium.
Just like the KCAL Dodgers Commercial Dodger Stadium is where History is Made and Legends are Born.
And then there were 3: My thoughts on Dodgers Bidding
It’s been a long process for the Dodgers and now its down three Bidders. Magic/Kasten, St Louis Rams owner Stan Kroenke, and Steven Cohen/ Soon Shiong are the three that will be voted by MLB before negotiating with Frank McCourt. Looking at the potential owners I have different thoughts about different ones which is something I won’t get into at this moment. I don’t know what each owner has on their agenda as far as bringing the Dodgers back from the mess that was brought during the McCourt issues but hopefully it’s the right one. Now as I mentioned Next Week MLB will vote on the 3 bidders which means by April 1st the Dodgers auction will be done and who ever MLB votes will talk with McCourt on finalizing a sale by April 30th. It’s been a rough process after going through a lot of bidders and multiple things but in the end the Dodgers will have a new owner and we’ll be rid of McCourt.
Whoever the new Dodgers owner is I hope the first thing that comes is getting the Dodgers out of the Bankruptcy mess and other mess McCourt has left. In order to get back the left over damage that McCourt left must be fixed. Another is the fan experience. Dodger fans are the most Loyal in baseball as I always say and the new Owner must notice that and not make it about the Money Makers. The tradition of the Dodgers must stay too. No changes!!!! Upgrades to make the Stadium wouldn’t but No Name changes or moving the Stadium.
As far as who I want as the owner I would love to see Magic Johnson and Stan Kasten as the owners of the Dodgers. Magic knows how deep the Los Angeles/Dodgers connection is being in Los Angeles when the Dodgers won the World Series. Stan Kasten, who looks like he will be on the baseball side of things, knows what to do as far as putting a winning product on the field. Kasten is a Veteran Baseball executive. He and Magic look like a good team that will make everyone in Dodgertown extremely happy. It rest in the hands of MLB as of now but I have faith that they will do whats best for the Los Angeles Dodgers and it’s Fans.
Fantasy Fix: Dodger players who can help you win
For those who play Fantasy Baseball like myself looking into Spring Training and picking players who could bring you wins and a Fantasy League title can be a hard process. Well look no further than here for your Fantasy Fix here (On the Dodgers end that is). Looking at the Spring Training games and Projecting what players could help you win and theres quite a few who could put up solid numbers, Just enough to get you by. While some maybe Obvious others will really make you think. Just a heads up Im exluding Matt Kemp and Clayton Kershaw because those are no brainers right there.
OF Andre Ethier- I truely believe that Ethier will have a big year this year. This spring he has impressed a lot of people and can only carry over to the season (As we hope). If you’re drafting Don’t take him too early. Ethier will likely be there around the 4th and 6th round. 5th round would be best to take him. He’ll put up solid numbers if you’re loking for RBI’s, HR, and Batting AVG.
OF/1B- Juan Rivera- Last year Rivera had a solid year with the Dodgers. Second Half of the season He put up some decent numbers to help the Dodgers. People who picked him up also loved the year he had as well. This spring he struggled some what but I can see Rivera picking it up in time for the season. Juan Rivera will likely get picked up late in Drafts so there shouldn’t be a urgancy to scoop him up in a hurry. Just like Ethier you can expect Rivera to give you RBI’s, HR, and Batting AVG Stats.
SS Dee Gordon-Looking for Steals? Dee Gordon is your guy for that! Dee Gordon ,who wowed fans with his Speed stealing bases, Looking to add on to last season. During Spring training Dee improved getting on base by hitting into the gaps and successful bunts. Another guy you can pick up between the 5th and 6th round of a draft. Gordon will help with Steals in a BIG way this season and if the chance is there then get to it.
RP Kenley Jansen- Looking for a under the radar pick for the Bullpen? Kenley Jansen is your guy. Jansen who is a setup Pitcher had a monster year with the Dodgers Striking out 61 Batters in 32.2 Innings and having 0.55 ERA at the time before going down with a Irregular Heartbeat. Spring Training it looked as if he Didn’t lose a step. Likely Jansen will be a steal for you if you can’t get that pitcher you had your eye on.
CL- Javy Gurrea-Javy Guerra closed for the Dodgers last year and did wonders closing for LA. Guerra along with Jansen make a deadly 1-2 Punch in the Bullpen. You can’t go wrong picking Guerra if you don’t get Jansen. Guerra I believe will put up solid numbers for fantasy teams. Guerra will likely be there later on in the Draft so no need to rush for him.
Dear Bidders: Don’t Touch The Stadium Name!
Blue Heaven on Earth, Chavez Ravine, The Ravine…These are all nicknames that Dodger Stadium have that still stands to this day. Dodger Stadium has been the name for the Stadium of your LA Dodgers since 1962. Yesterday a report came out that one of the Bidders asked about the naming rights to Dodger stadium and those who saw it including me were upset that someone even mentioned it. Why would a bidder want to change the name just for a Sponsor? It’s not right.
Bidders to become Dodgers owner. From the Los Angeles Dodgers fan base DO NOT TOUCH THE STADIUM NAME!!
Some maybe wondering why am I tripping over the name change. Well Every Baseball fan knows about Dodger Stadium and it’s history. When you go to Dodger games you saw signs pointing towards Dodger Stadium or saying Welcome to Dodger Stadium and I feel such a change to it just join the marketing hype will make things feel very different. I mean just imagine a Dodger game and as you travel you see “Welcome to Capital One Field” Or when you’re on a tour and you hear it under a different name. It’ll make it feel different. The Stadium will be there but the name will be different and That will make me and other Dodger fans very unhappy.
Dodger Stadium has been the idenity of the Stadium for 50 years and Shouldn’t be touched now or ever. Just no. Do I believe the name will be changed? No I don’t see it happening now or anythime soon but the mention of it is something that shouldn’t even happen in my opinion. Why change something just for the sake of sponsors and money? To me and many others Dodger Stadium shouldn’t be touched at all.
Who ever the new owner: You can make imoprovements to the Stadium and Parking lots but we ask you Don’t change the Uniforms, Don’t change the Name of the Team, Don’t Move the Stadium or the team and DON’T CHANGE THE STADIUM NAME!!
Matthew
Recent Comments