Freeway Series Concludes at Dodger Stadium on Saturday - Homestand Information Against Angels

Saturday will be the first game of the year at Dodger Stadium and the last Spring Training game of 2015.  It is the third and concluding game of the Freeway Series.

I hope to have similar information (or more) like this available for every homestand matchup this season.  So stay tuned. 

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Saturday, April 4th at 6:10 PM
LHP Brian Anderson vs. LHP Hector Santiago

Tonight's game starts at 6:10 PM.  Auto gates open at 3:30 PM, and stadium gates open at 4:00 PM.

Southern California native and singer Paige Williams will perform the national anthem.  There are no scheduled Dodger autograph guest at the stadium for the evening, and I am uncertain if the Dodgers will continue doing it this year.

BTW, Dodger Stadium Express is now offering two express services to Dodger Stadium: the Dodger Stadium Express Union Station and the Dodger Stadium Express South Bay.  Per a Dodger press release:

Dodger Stadium Express Union Station and Dodger Stadium Express South Bay services are free of charge with a Dodger game-day ticket. Both complimentary bus services offer transportation from downtown Los Angeles and the South Bay directly to Dodger Stadium starting 90 minutes before the game and 45 minutes after the game. Service will be provided every 10 minutes starting 90 minutes prior to the start of the game and runs approximately every 30 minutes throughout the game. Fans traveling from Union Station without a ticket will pay regular one-way fare of $1.75. Those traveling from the South Bay without tickets will be charged $2.50.

The Dodger Stadium Express Union Station has two stops on site—in center field, behind the pavilions, and at the Top Deck, Lot P. The Dodger Stadium Express South Bay will drop off in Lot G by the right-field pavilion. Fans can also park at Union Station for $6 and take the Dodger Stadium Express free with a game ticket.  Fans can also board the Union Station bus at Broadway and Cesar Chavez, a short walk from the Chinatown Gold Line Metro stop. Complete details on the Dodger Stadium Express services, route information and helpful tips from METRO can be found by visiting www.metro.net/around/dodger-stadium-express or by calling 323.GO.METRO.

Have fun and stay safe Dodger fans. 

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Welcome to the Blue, Todd Leitz!

The newest personality to join the Dodger ranks is Todd Leitz.  The onetime KNX 1070 NewsRadio anchor and KABC 790 reporter will now be the Dodgers 2015 Public Address Announcer.

Per a Dodger press release:

“Todd is a terrific broadcaster and a lifelong Dodger fan,” said Lon Rosen, the Dodgers’ Executive Vice President & Chief Marketing Officer.  “He was the perfect choice to be the next Dodger Stadium public address announcer."

“I couldn’t be more thrilled and excited to be part of a world-class organization like the Los Angeles Dodgers,” Leitz said.  “I can’t wait to start working with the crew that does such a great job making the Dodger Stadium experience second to none for the best baseball fans in the world.”

You can follow Todd on twitter here: @TODD_LEITZ.

In celebration of Leitz's arrival to the club I made the above fantasy card for him.  I grabbed a photo he tweeted when he was trying out for the Padres job last year and the 1964 Topps Baseball card design.

BTW, Leitz is no stranger to Dodger Stadium.  He sung the National Anthem in 2013 and God Bless America a couple of years before that.  Watch them below.

Video Link:


Video Link:

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More Babe Ruth as a Dodger Memorabilia at Heritage Auctions

Oh, how I would have loved to meet Babe Ruth!  What a pleasure that would be.

I can imagine it now.  I'm riding the rail car in downtown Los Angeles on a lazy summer afternoon when I look down at my transit pass to see the "Sultan of Swat" gracing Dodger Blue.

I think to myself, "what is this about? Holy moly, the Bambino is coming here?" 

The dreary expressionless face I typically wear on hot days like this would instantly transform into the kind of smile seen on children as they scamper about with no worries at all.  Joy and pure elation would be the feeling.  Man alive, what I would do to be able to experience that.

Featured above is a 1947 Los Angeles Transit Lines Weekly Pass good for August 24th through August 30th, and as you can see it advertises a once in a lifetime event.  The ticket offers all who can attend a chance to "Meet the Babe at the American Legion Little World Series - Gilmore Field - Aug. 28-31."  I am there.  I am so there.

The ticket is paired with another Babe Ruth as a Dodger collectible that you can see below.  You can also see the auction here at Heritage Auctions.  It is just a preview.  The actual auction begins April 24th.

The 1938 scorecard below is from a summer exhibition game between the 1938 Dodgers, with Babe Ruth as a coach, and a group of semi-professional Baseball All-Stars from Indiana.  Click on any pic to embiggen.  There are descriptions of the players involved.

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Police Expand Tailgating Clampdown Around Dodger Stadium for Opening Day

Partying in the parks around Dodger Stadium for Opening Day had become an annual tradition.  Unfortunately, some of the revelry has spread to the streets and neighborhoods, as well.  According to the police and some of the residents, folks were found drinking in front of homes, using those homes front lawns as bathrooms and being a general nuisance around town.  As a result, the LAPD is clamping down.

This past Monday I posted up some of the initial rules and regulations being implemented.  Check out that post here. 

Those initial restrictions have now been expanded.  Per the Eastsider, not only will parking be banned on "Avenue of the Palms" and two-hour parking restrictions enforced on streets in the Echo Park neighborhood, but additional two-hour parking restrictions will be expanded to cover the Solano Canyon neighborhood, as well. 

Check out the below maps.  Frankly, I still believe that two-hour parking restrictions will be further expanded, so you shouldn't expect much on-street parking being available to use on Opening Day.  BTW, this all starts at 7:00 AM, and these restrictions are only applicable on Opening Day.

I should also note that there is likely to be a strong police presence throughout the area; including Elysian Park.  You should not be drinking alcohol anywhere.  I suspect that even having it hidden within a nondescript cup will not stop you from getting a ticket. 

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Blog Kiosk: 4/3/2015 - Dodger Links - Zach Lee, Olivera and Seager

Yasiel Puig and Howie Kendrick met in a nasty collision in the fifth inning of last nights game.  It was one of those bloop flys into no-man's-land.  Unfortunately, it doesn't appear either guy was communicating out there.  They came together in a violent crash; running into each other like a couple of Mack Trucks being tested for structural integrity.  Based on the video replay it looked like Puig got the worst of it.  Kendrick gave Puig an hockey-styled elbow to the throat.  You can watch the replay here.  

Via Earl Bloom at MLB.com:

Puig was checked by a doctor and the Dodgers said there is no injury. He is expected to be available to play Friday.

Puig waved off media requests as he left the clubhouse, saying only "I'm fine."

This is one of those events that could have scarred the entire season.  Fortunately, it looks like both men will be able to walk away fine; if not a little bruised.  The photo above is via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2015.  Go here to check out more photos from Jon from yesterday's game.  Below are some links to check out:

• Gene Maddaus at LA Weekly has a fix for those who don't have TWC: "Here Is a Simple Solution to the Dodgers TV Blackout."
• Via Dustin Nosler at Dodgers Digest, "Zach Lee shows glimpse of the pitcher he can be."

Depending on the day, his best breaking ball is either his curveball or slider (#analysis). Scouts have graded both his best, which just shows the inconsistency. I’m of the opinion his curveball is better, but his slider has the potential to miss more bats (if he were to finish it more often). That’s his biggest weakness right now. If he can figure it out (and that’s a substantial “if”), he might reach his ceiling.

• Via Bill Shaikin of the LA Times, "Dodgers' Hector Olivera hasn't made it to U.S. yet."

Olivera remains in the Dominican Republic, waiting for a visa. When he gets one, he will fly to Los Angeles for a physical examination, which will not be routine because of concerns over the condition of his right elbow. Under the deal, if Olivera requires elbow surgery, the Dodgers can add a seventh year to the contract for $1 million.

• Via Megan Zahneis at MLB.com, "Big league camp a learning experience for Seager."

"It's been a whirlwind in my first Major League camp, but it's also been so much fun," Seager said. "You are with those guys in the locker room, [some] who I grew up idolizing, so it is a pretty amazing experience. I'm trying to soak up every little bit of it.

• Check this out.  Gary Joseph Cieradkowski of the Infinite Baseball Card Set has a book coming out soon.  Check out details here.

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