Pirates' Series Starts Tomorrow - Scheduled Autograph Sessions, Pregame Info and Other Stuff!

The next homestand starts tomorrow evening against the Pittsburgh Pirates, 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 18th at 7:10 PM
RHP Zack Greinke vs. LHP Jeff Locke
SNLA / AM 570 (Eng.), KTNQ 1020 AM (Span.)

Friday's game starts at 7:10 PM.  Auto gates open at 4:40 PM, and stadium gates open at 5:10 PM. It is Friday Night Fireworks, so fans will be able to go down onto the field after the game to watch the spectacle. The theme will be a salute to Frank Sinatra; in honor of his 100th birthday.  Go here for information about future firework themes.

“Frank was a dear friend to me, he was a Dodger and he bled Dodger blue,” said Hall of Fame Manager and Special Advisor to the Chairman Tommy Lasorda. “I am so pleased to join Frank Jr. and the Sinatra family in paying tribute to Frank on his centennial year at his favorite ballpark with his favorite team. In my book, Frank Sinatra is the greatest singer God ever put on earth.”

It is also Frank Sinatra Night at Dodger Stadium.  Folks who ordered a special ticket package in the All You Can Eat Right Field Pavilion or Infield Reserve will get an specially designed commemorative t-shirt with your ticket.  See that on the left.  If not already sold out go here for information. Now SOLD OUT!

Frank Sinatra Jr. perform the national anthem.Additional members of the Sinatra family will be in attendance along with Lasorda, a longtime friend of Sinatra. A giant birthday card celebrating Sinatra’s centennial birthday which will be given to his family will be in the right-field plaza for fans to sign. Sinatra’s favorite drink, Jack Daniels, will be featured in the plaza bar. Sinatra’s music will be played by DJ Adam from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Actress and star of “Castle” Stana Katic will throw the ceremonial first pitch. As part of the club’s Hispanic Heritage Month celebration, Mariachi Latina will perform in the left-field plaza from 5:15 p.m. to 6:45 p.m.

Dodger alum Kenny Landreaux will sign autographs in the left-field plaza from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

• The Military Heroes of the Game are U.S. Navy Hospital Corpsman Ernesto Hernandez and U.S. Navy Petty Officer Second Class Matthew Bamberger. 
• The Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation (LADF) conducts silent auctions throughout the season featuring more than 25 signed pieces of memorabilia from Dodger players, coaches and alumni. Auctions will take place behind the Vin Scully press box on the club level. The items up for auction on Friday include a Kenly Jansen photo, Corey Seager autographed baseball and Clayton Kershaw autographed Dodger jersey. The auction will end at 8:45 p.m.

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Saturday, September 19th at 6:10 PM
LHP Clayton Kershaw vs. LHP Francisco Liriano
SNLA & MLB Network / AM 570 (Eng.), KTNQ 1020 AM (Span.)

Saturday's game starts at 6:10 PM.  Auto gates open at 3:40 PM, and stadium gates open at 4:10 PM. 

As part of the club’s Hispanic Heritage Month celebration, Mariachi Latina will perform in the left-field plaza from 4:15 p.m. to 5:45 p.m. DJ Adam will provide entertainment in the right-field plaza. Reality Check will play in the right-field reserve plaza and DJ Lady Sha will be in the left-field reserve plaza.

Actor and star of “The Grinder” on FOX Fred Savage will throw the ceremonial first pitch.

Dodger alum Tommy Davis will sign autographs in the left-field plaza from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

• The Military Heroes of the Game are U.S. Army Sergeant First Class Raymundo Esteves and U.S. Marine Corps Corporal Samuel Sosa.
• The Dodgers will play host to their Annual Scouts Day and Egg Drop Contest. This special event ticket package includes a ticket to the game, an exclusive Dodger themed Scout Night patch and the opportunity to participate in a special pregame Egg Drop Contest, where scouts will test the laws of gravity by engineering the perfect apparatus to keep a raw egg from breaking. All scouts participating in the Egg Drop contest will be recognized in center field during our pregame ceremonies. Tickets are still available and can be purchased by visiting www.dodgers.com/scouts.

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Sunday, September 20th at 1:10 PM
RHP Gerrit Cole vs. RHP Mile Bolsinger
SNLA/AM 570 (Eng.), KTNQ 1020 AM (Span.)

Sunday's game starts at 1:10 PM.  Auto gates open at 10:40 AM, and stadium gates open at 11:10 AM. The last of the Cy Young Collectors' Pin Series giveaways is this night.  The first 40,000 fans will receive an Clayton Kershaw pin.  See it on the left.

It is also Yoga Day at Dodger Stadium.  Folks who ordered a special ticket package in the All You Can Eat Right Field Pavilion or Infield Reserve will get a Dodger Yoga mat and post-game yoga session on Dodger Stadium's Field instructed by certified teachers from Yogaworks.  See that on the mat on the left.  If not already sold out go here for information.

Viva Los Dodgers will take place in lot 6 starting at 11:00 a.m. Dodger alum Lee Lacy will sign autographs for fans from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Musical entertainment will be provided by Remington and will include a folklorico performance by the Paso de Oro Folklorico.


As part of Viva Los Dodgers, two-time Presidential Award Recipient and United Farm Workers co-founder Dolores Huerta will throw the ceremonial first pitch and Sofie Landsman will perform the national anthem.

Dodger alum Tim Leary will sign autographs in the left-field pavilion from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

• The Military Heroes of the Game are U.S. Army Staff Sergeant David Zamora and U.S. Army Sergeant Art Hernandez.
• The Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation (LADF) conducts silent auctions throughout the season featuring more than 25 signed pieces of memorabilia from Dodger players, coaches and alumni. Auctions will take place behind the Vin Scully press box on the club level. The items up for auction on Sunday include a Yasiel Puig autographed photo, Don Newcombe autographed baseball and Jimmy Rollins autographed Dodger jersey. The auction will end at 2:45 p.m.

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Ambassador Fernando Valenzuela has a Nice Ring to it

I can't think of a better person to fulfill this role; especially at a time when immigrants from Mexico are being lambasted on the national political stage.

Fernando Valenzuela, who was named one of President Obama's Ambassadors for Citizenship and Naturalization today, had come to America as a chubby 18-year old kid from a poor section of town in Sonora, Mexico.  He initially looked out of place on the ballfield with his "Ruthian" physique and childish smile that seemed to reach from ear to ear.  Then they handed him a Baseball and everything became clear.  This kid had a magic left arm and he would eventually change the game.

His rise was swift and the reaction from the American masses culminated into an hysteria that folks called "Fernandomania."  Everywhere he went, from games in California to St. Louis, from New York to Milwaukee, fans flocked to the stadium to see the Mexican sensation at work.  And he turn heads in a way that made him an inspiration for thousands, if not millions, of Hispanics through the America's.

Fernando Valenzuela is synonymous with hard work and determination, and he exemplifies the character desired in this great country.  We, as Dodger fans, should be proud that another member of our team is honored as a beacon of hope and goodwill.

(pic via Yvonne Carrasco at Dodger Insider)

What is timely about this appointment is that Fernando became a citizen himself just a few months ago, so he surely has plenty to share.  He'll be able to provide words of encouragement that immigrants from all walks of life can learn from. 

Hopefully too, he'll inspire and cause American's to reflect on some of the ill-will being bandied about on the national stage today. 

Per a press release from the Dodgers:

Today, on Citizenship and Constitution Day, President Obama launched the “Stand Stronger” Citizenship Awareness Campaign and appointed Dodger broadcaster and legendary left-handed pitcher Fernando Valenzuela a Presidential Ambassador for Citizenship and Naturalization. In this role, Valenzuela will work with the White House and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) in promoting the rights, responsibilities, and opportunities of citizenship among eligible lawful permanent residents and help the “Stand Stronger” Campaign break down the barriers for eligible immigrants and refugees to become U.S. citizens.
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Valenzuela joins three other prominent Americans who are contributing to the arts, business and civic life in the inaugural cohort of Presidential Ambassadors for Citizenship and Naturalization. The Presidential Ambassadors for Citizenship and Naturalization include chef and restaurateur José Andrés, actress Diane Guerrero and singer and songwriter Dave Matthews. This first-of- its-kind collaboration will harness these Ambassadors’ inspirational stories to promote naturalization, bolster integration initiatives, and increase awareness of the contributions of new Americans.

The “Stand Stronger” Citizenship Awareness Campaign builds on recommendations by the White House Task Force on New Americans, established as part of the President’s executive actions on immigration. This initiative encourages the 8.8 million lawful permanent residents that qualify for citizenship to learn more about the naturalization process so they can solidify their roots and tap into the incredible opportunities that await new American citizens.

To find out more about the “Stand Stronger” Citizenship Awareness Campaign go here: www.CommitToCitizenship.org

Below is a word from the President about this initiative.

Video Link:

Photo at the very top via @Dodgers on twitter.

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A Vintage Editorial Cartoon of Pete Reiser by Karl Hubenthal

Check out this fantastic original sports editorial cartoon created by the legendary Karl Hubenthal that I found on eBay.  It features former Brooklyn Dodger Pete Reiser, and celebrates his ascendancy as an coach for the LA Dodgers.  It likely dates from the early part of 1960.  (Click on the pic above to embiggen)

As you know, Reiser was one of the more popular and respected ballplayers in the game.  He played with everything he had, and often sacrificed his own body in the process.  Some might say he was reckless, but I think he was raised to never give up.  Leo Durocher said this of him:

"Pete had more power than Willie (Mays)—left-handed and right-handed both. He had everything but luck."

To prove that latter point, he recorded seven concussions and four fractures while on the field.  He was even given his last rites during a game.  Throughout nearly his whole career he was also hampered by a severe shoulder injury that he got whole playing ball for the Army during WWII.

"It wasn't as serious as the head injuries but it did more to end my career. The shoulder kept popping out of place, more bone chips developed, and there was constant pain in the arm and shoulder."

After retiring from playing he joined the Dodgers coaching staff.  He initially managed in the minors then served as a coach for Walter Alston in the early 60's.  Later on he joined Leo Durocher's staff in Chicago.

As for the cartoon above here are some excerpts to enjoy.

•  With Pete directing traffic, L.A. runners are bound to reflect the competitive fire he used to display on the basepaths...
• Injuries plagued Reiser throughout his playing career - He tangled with almost every fence in the curcuit - Collecting seven concussions and four fractures!!
• The ex-outfielder's greatest help to the Dodgers will be as a batting coach... His lifetime average in the Majors was .295.

The drawing was created by Karl Hubenthal.  For decades you could find his work within the pages of the Los Angeles Examiner/Herald Examiner.  Over his career he earned five Pulitzer nominations, the National Headliners Award and the Helms Foundation medal.

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Blog Kiosk: 9/17/2015 - Dodger Links - Wood, Rollins and Yasmani Grandal

How badly does Wood want to be in the rotation for the playoffs?

So bad he decided to match his cohorts by pitching an eight inning 78 pitch scoreless one-hitter last night.  Take that Kershaw and Greinke!

As to why he wasn't given an opportunity for a complete game, I'll let Alex Wood explain that; via Thomas Harding and Steve Bourbon at MLB.com:

"I wasn't going to fight too hard, especially after the [previous outing]," Wood said. "If I hadn't had the last one, then maybe I put up a little bit more of a fight, but in a 2-0 ballgame, we're trying to clinch our playoff berth, and the ninth inning, as everyone knows, is Kenley's, for the most part."

Go here if you want to watch highlights of Wood stifling the Rockies.  Photo of Alex Wood above via @Dodgers on twitter.  Go here to see a bunch of photos from yesterday's game from Jon SooHoo.  Below are more links to check out:

• Via Daniel Starkand at Dodgers Nation, "Mattingly Softens On Committing To Rollins At Shortstop."

“We’ll see. We’re going to continue to put the best lineup out there,” he said. “What mixture of guys that is, is where we going to see.” Rollins has used as a pinch-runner in recent games, but when he will be able to play the field is still up in the air. He took batting practice and fielder ground balls on Tuesday, but still hasn’t thrown. 

• Via Steve Bourbon at MLB.com, "Rollins feeling pain in finger when throwing."

"Jimmy didn't go that great. He started throwing, got about 10 or 12 into it and was feeling it, so we had to back off and stop that," Mattingly said. "So that didn't go as well as we would've liked."

• Via Zachary D. Rymer at the Bleacher Report, "Has Yasiel Puig Become Expendable Piece of Los Angeles Dodgers' Playoff Puzzle?"

This is to say Puig may not be healthy until the postseason arrives. At that point, it'll have been over a month since his last major league game, leaving the Dodgers little to go off of regarding whether he's worthy of a spot on their postseason roster.

It's no wonder that Mattingly's uncertainty about the situation comes across even in print: "I think we'd have to see a little bit. We just cross those bridges as we get there. I guess it would depend on what he's able to do at that point."

• Go Farm!  Cary Osborne at Dodger Insider, "Dodgers’ Single-A partner are Cardiac Quakes; will play for Cal League title."
• Via Matthew Moreno at Dodgers Nation, "Yasmani Grandal Adjusted Batting Stance To Aid Shoulder."
  

  “We’ve been working on a couple of different things, like changing the hitting stance a little bit. It doesn’t put so much strain on the shoulder,” Grandal said. “Obviously we had some inflammation in there and it kind of calmed down already. The training staff has done a good job. Hopefully going forward it stays the same.”

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