A 2015 Dodger FanFest Roundup - Links and Photos

What a magnificent day for a Dodger FanFest.  The sun was out with hardly a cloud in the sky.  A sea of Blue had quickly enveloped Chavez Ravine like a fog during an early morn.  Everywhere you looked there were happy faces.  Children were dancing, fans were cheering and some fathers even had a catch with their kids on the outfield grass before the crowd overtook the field by early afternoon.  This Saturday's FanFest was a pilgrimage and it certainly provided a renewed sense of hope that this could be the year. 

Before I show you all of my pics from FanFest, I thought I would provide links to some other sites that include some great photos and recaps.  Check them out below:

• Part 1: Photos of Fanfest from Jon SooHoo, here
• Part 2: Even more photos of FanFest from Jon SooHoo, here
• Video -- Think Blue Review:  Caravan and FanFest Edition
• Via Cary Osborne at Dodger Insider, "Yasiel Puig steals the show at FanFest."

“You guys better support me more this year than last year after that display,” Puig said. “We better surpass 3 million here at home.”

• Via Ken Gurnick at MLB.com, "Dodgers faithful get up-close experience at FanFest."
• Blue Skinny Fan's Recap of FanFest, "2015 Dodgers Fan Fest Recap - More Autographs, Less Waiting (Sort Of)."
• Via Ron Cervenka at Think Blue LA, "Record crowd attends Dodgers FanFest 2015."
• Roberto at Vin Scully is My Homeboy autograph recap from FanFest, "Autographs: Joc Pederson."
• Via Dodger Penguin, "2015 Dodgers Fan Fest Recap."
• David's Autograph Signings provides a full recap of his day at the Dodgers FanFest, here.
• Video: The always great Bobby Crosby of Dodger Films shares his video recap of FanFest, here.
• Video: Dodgers-LowDown Presents FanFest 2015, here.

For a look back at my past post of this event check out the links below.  There are plenty of photos to look through.

• 2014 Fan Fest
• 2013 Fan Fest

I got to the Stadium before the scheduled opening of the gates, and found that they had already let the early risers into the lot.  Quickly, I parked and headed to the stadium gates.  I was greeted with a long line, but realized that it was hardly a wait.  (Click on any pic to embiggen)

Into the stadium I went.

First, I checked out the Dodgers' Yard Sale and was immediately turned off by the long line.  So, I chose not to queue up.  But I did notice that they were selling vintage late-80's "junk wax" boxes at cut-rate prices.  It was $10 for the boxes ('87, '88 & '89) and $1 to $4 for Topps Update sets. 

Then, I headed to the field to check out the festivities.  Below is the autograph line, children's area and social media lounge.

Here's the stage before the day got going.

Fans were given an opportunity to walk around the bases

The media was set up in the right field bullpen.  As you can see in the photos below, Alanna Rizzo is seen interviewing pitcher Zach Lee.

Joc Pederson is surrounded by the media hordes below.

Check out Steve Yeager (seated) chillin' in the bullpen below.

The left field bullpen was open for all fans to walk around in. 

Best yet, you got a peek into the Dodger bullpen cave.

And the scribbles of bullpen past can be seen on the walls.  The photo on the bottom right includes the headline, "Nostradumbass," and includes funny quotes from some Dodger relievers.  I had some difficulty deciphering it all, but here is one line:

"Kenny(?) - At last we won't get rain, it is going to be nice the next three days... 20 minutes later a rain delay."

I only received an autograph voucher for Chris Hatcher and Howie Kendrick, so as soon as that opened up I immediately got into line.  I had them each sign a Baseball for me, and they couldn't have been any nicer.

Below are the lines adjacent to me.  Kenley Jansen is on the far left.

You could also get autographs near the bullpen area, as players walked to and from the stage and autograph areas.  Scott Van Slyke is seen signing for some fans below. 

All the while, the media overtook the bullpen for lunch.

Vin Scully was inspiring, as always.

Here are more Dodger bullpen sightings:  Yasmani Grandal, Darwin Barney, Brandon McCarthy, Ron Cey, Mickey Hatcher, Paco Rodriguez and Yasiel Puig.

Yasiel Puig and his entourage - heading to the autograph staging area.

Unfortunately, I missed Puig addressing the crowd later on, but I did hear Tommy Lasorda give a rousing speech.

"I Love the Dodgers, and the Dodgers Love You!"

And with that my afternoon was done.  All I can do now is wait for the season start and for Vin Scully to utter these important words:

"It's Time for Dodger Baseball!"

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