Diamondbacks Series Starts Tonight - Scheduled Autograph Signings, Game Give Aways and Other Stuff!

The next homestand starts this evening against the Arizona Diamondbacks, and several olde-tyme Dodgers will be in the house to sign free autographs for fans.  Below are the scheduled autograph opportunities and other odds and ends for this upcoming homestand.

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Friday, September 5th at 7:10 PM
LHP Vidal Nuno vs RHP Dan Haren

Tonight's game starts at 7:10 PM.  Auto gates open at 4:30 PM, and stadium gates open at 5:00 PM.  It is Friday Night Fireworks, so fans will be able to go down onto the field after the game.  The theme for the eveningis classic rock.

Luke Edgemon, former contestant on “The Voice,” who has also appeared on “Glee” and worked with Barbara Streisand and Idina Menzel, will perform the national anthem.

Former Dodgers Ken Landreaux (in right-field pavilion plaza) and Dennis Powell (in left-field pavilion plaza) will be signing autographs for fans from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM.  Both will then sign autographs in the Stadium club from 7:00 PM to 7:30 PM.

• The Veteran of the Game presented by Bank of America is U.S. Air Force Game 1st Lieutenant Nathan Welch of Seal Beach. Welch was commissioned in 2011, following in the footsteps of his two grandfathers, and serves with the 865th Airborne Control Squadron at Tinker Air Force Base where he flies surveillance and reconnaissance missions to provide intelligence to combatant commanders. He flew 24 combat missions over Afghanistan logging 260 combat hours, which provided more than 87,000 ground troops air support while several high value targets were eliminated. Welch’s accolades include the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the Humanitarian Medal and the Afghanistan Campaign Medal.
• The Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation (LADF) will hold a silent auction on the Club level by the Vin Scully Press Box. The auction ends at 8:45 p.m. with more than 25 items up for bid, including a Clayton Kershaw autographed baseball, Andre Ethier autographed photo and Yasiel Puig autographed game-used #42 LA Dodger jersey from Jackie Robinson Day. All proceeds will benefit LADF and its programs in sports and recreation, education and literacy and health and wellness which help children and families throughout the greater Los Angeles region.

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Saturday, September 6th at 6:10 PM
RHP Chase Anderson vs RHP Zack Greinke LHP Hyun-Jin Ryu

!!NOTE!!  Cary Osborn at Dodger Insider reminds us to, "Prepare for delays at Glendale Freeway exit on Saturday."  Find out more about it here.

Saturday's game starts at 6:10 PM.  Auto gates open at 3:30 PM, and stadium gates open at 4:00 PM.  The first 40,000 fans will receive Dodger headphones.  Check it out on the right.

Bassist, founding member of LA band Red Hot Chili Peppers, Grammy award-winner, Rock and Roll Hall of Famer and life-long Dodger fan Flea will throw the ceremonial first pitch.  Flea!!!

Fire Chief Mark Lorenzen will throw the ceremonial first pitch.

Former Dodgers Al “The Bull” Ferrara (in right-field pavilion plaza) and Derrel Thomas (in left-field pavilion plaza) will be signing autographs for fans from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM.  Both will sign autographs in the Stadium Club from 6:00 PM to 6:30 PM.  Also, there will be face painters in the left-field pavilion plaza area from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM.

• The Veteran of the Game presented by Bank of America is U.S. Marine Corps Lieutenant Colonel Rob Riggle. Riggle joined the Marines Corps in 1990 and started his career as a pilot and transitioned into Civil and Public Affairs.  Immediately following the attacks on September 11, Riggle served with the MTU 17 Unit, and worked at ground zero searching through piles of rubble by hand for six days in hopes of finding potential survivors.  Two months later he was deployed to Afghanistan. Riggle served nine years active duty and 14 years reserve.  He retired in 2013 and his accolades include the Combat Action Ribbon, The Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and the joint services Commendation Medal.
• The Dodgers will celebrate the first annual Champions Night honoring the accomplishments of local baseball and softball champions from the district, section and state. Five Southern California teams will be recognized prior to the game: Hart Mustang 9U Tournament team, Santa Monica 16U Patriots, Southridge Spartan All-Stars, South Pasadena 9-10 Softball and Jr. Softball All-Star Teams and the Thousand Oaks Little League All-Star State Champs. The California State University, Channel Islands (CSUCI) Alumni & Friends Association has invited more than 1,000 students, alumni, faculty, staff and community supporters from Ventura, Santa Barbara and Los Angeles counties to attend CI Alumni and Friends Dodger Day.

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Sunday, September 7th at 1:10 PM
RHP Trevor Cahill vs. LHP Hyun-Jin Ryu RHP Zack Greinke

Sunday's game starts at 1:10 PM.  Auto gates open at 10:30 AM, and stadium gates open at 11:00 AM.  It is another Dodger bobblehead day. The first 50,000 fans will receive an AJ Ellis Bobblehead.  See the bobblehead on the left.

International recording artist, from Ontario, California, T Lopez, will perform the national anthem. 

Former Dodgers Al Downing (in right-field pavilion plaza) and Billy Ashley (in left-field pavilion plaza) will be signing autographs for fans from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM.  Also, there will be face painters in the left-field pavilion plaza area from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM.

As always, Viva Los Dodgers begins in the Dodger parking lot at 11:00 AM and musical entertainment will be provided by Cava and Bachata singer J’Martin.  Hanley Ramirez will be there from 11:00 AM to 11:30 AM.  I am unsure if this is a photo only session or if he will sign autographs.  Additionally, Dodger Alumni Leaguer Dennis Powell will sign autographs at Viva Los Dodgers - his time was not provided, but is likely to be from 11:00 Am to 1:00 PM.

• Sunday’s “Héroes de la Comunidad” honoree at Viva Los Dodgers is LAPD Senior Office Gina Chovan who has been a member of the LAPD for more than 21 years. 
• The Veteran of the Game presented by Bank of America is U.S. Navy Petty Officer First Class Ricardo Ferrer of Walnut. Ferrer enlisted in 2002 and is currently assigned to the Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 85 onboard an HH-60H helicopter. He serves as a Door Gunner and Combat Search and Rescue Crewman in direct support of Special Operations Forces throughout the world. He has served deployments to South Korea, Malaysia and the Philippines. Ferrer’s accolades include the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals, National Defense Service Medal and the Global War on Terrorism.
• The Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation (LADF) will hold a silent auction on the Club level by the Vin Scully Press Box. The auction ends at 2:45 p.m. with more than 25 items up for bid, including an Adrian Gonzalez autographed baseball, Zack Greinke autographed photo and A.J. Ellis autographed game-used #42 LA Dodger jersey from Jackie Robinson Day. All proceeds will benefit LADF and its programs in sports and recreation, education and literacy and health and wellness which help children and families throughout the greater Los Angeles region.

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