Black History Month: Dodgertown

Just before Black History Month ends, watch the video on the history of Dodgertown, that ESPN created. It includes interviews with some former Dodger players, such as Duke Snider, Johnny Roseboro, Lou Johnson and Ralph Branca. Watch it now!

Go Dodgers!

A San Francisco-raised, LA Dodgers Fan

At a Dodger game at AT&T Park

Dodger fans in the Bay Area are not unusual, but what might be unusual is a “raised in San Francisco- Los Angeles Dodger fan”.

People always ask me, “So, you’re a Dodgers fan? That must mean you’re from Los Angeles?”

“No”, I respond. “I’m from San Francisco”.

And here is where my story begins…
I was born in beautiful San Salvador, El Salvador in 1982 and then moved to the U.S. (specifically San Francisco- in the Mission District) on January 1st 1983. I grew up with mostly football and basketball, and a bit of baseball. Growing up in San Francisco I went to several Giants games but never really got into the sport.

During my teen years, I followed basketball (Sacramento Kings) and football (S.F. Niners). I continued to play no particular attention to baseball.
On Saturday August 7th 2004 I headed down south for a vacation trip to Disneyland. My boyfriend, a Dodger fan since he can remember, decides he wants to take me to a baseball game.

HOOORRAYYY!!! (Sarcasm) I’m not even a little excited but I go. The game starts at 7:10 p.m. against the Phillies. All I knew about this game was that the Dodgers were wearing blue and the Phillies were in red.

Look I still have my ticket stub from my first Dodger game.

After a Dodger Dog, garlic fries and three margaritas, I found myself cheering and yelling my lungs out for the Dodgers. I was even yelling obscenities to the Philly fans. Oh my gosh! This is so much fun! The energy in Dodger Stadium was nothing like I ever experienced at a Giants game. AC/DC’s “You Shook Me All Night Long” was playing in the background.

I’m having a great time. Who would’ve known?

By the end of the seventh inning, the Dodgers have six runs, the Phillies have none. In an effort to tie up the game or take a win, the Phillies score a single run in the eight and two more runs in the ninth.

Somebody stop them already. STRIKE HIM OUT! STRIKE HIM OUT!

After one more margarita the game has ended and the Dodgers win with a score of 6 to 3. Hoorrrayyy!!!! The Dodgers won! I’m cheering, jumping up and down, and giving high-fives to complete strangers. This is great.

This was the day I fell in love with baseball. The day I fell in love with the Dodgers.

Below is a slideshow of some of my Dodger escapades.

Ahhhh...Love is in the air

Valentine's Day is just around the corner and the Dodgers, one of my greatest loves will begin spring training soon. Pitchers and catchers will report to training on February 14th. This will be the last year the Dodgers will train in Vero Beach, Florida. Better known as Dodgertown. The Dodgers' spring training has taken place in Vero Beach since 1948 and after six decades, spring training 2009 will be held in Arizona. The facilities in Arizona are still under construction and will be shared with the Chicago White Sox.

The 2008 season marks the 50th anniversary of the Dodgers move to Los Angeles. The logo was designed by Los Angeles graphic designer Ross Yoshida with attention to every detail. From the 5 lights of beams that represent the five championships in Los Angeles, to the gold star that represents the star the Dodgers will receive on the Hollywood Walk of Fame this month.

This will definetly be an exciting year for the Dodgers. With a young, strong squad and the return of hopeful veterans, the Dodgers are sure to have a great season.

The signing of closer Takashi Saito was officially announced today. Saito who had 39 saves in 43 opportunites last season will receive $2 million for a one year contract, plus possible bonuses. Much deserved because he's worth every penny.

This is Saito's third year in the major leagues. He began his career in Japan and in his second season with the Dodgers he had an ERA of 1.40.

A key player for the Dodgers from the Dominican Republic is Rafael Furcal. The short stop who had an okay season (despite the injuries) last year with a .270 batting average and 47 RBIs, will return this year to help out the team. Furcal who plays for the Dominican Republic team the Aguilas (it means Eagles), was close to a Caribbean World Series early this month. Luckily, Furcal is still able to hit homeruns.

The Dodgers undoubtedly have had a few bad seasons, but with the return of their oldest player Jeff Kent, he will surely be a mentor and tremendous help to the younger players. The second baseman who will turn 40 years-old during spring training, had a .302 average last season. The outspoken baseball player has a true love for the game and I am are sure he'll put all of his effort and heart into the game to possibly end his career with a World Series. Even for his age, Mike Harmon of Fox Sports positions Kent as the 11th best major league second baseman. Not bad for an old man.

The Dodgers are facing another tough season but with the likes of Joe Torre (manager), Russell Martin (catcher), and Andruw Jones (center-fielder), the Dodgers are sure to have a better season than last year.

Go Dodgers!

Welcome to Think Blue!

Trying to decide what I wanted my blog to be about was frustrating. I found that I had a lot of ideas but was not sure if I could keep up a blog on a particular subject for the whole semester. So I've decided to create this blog on the Los Angeles Dodgers. I'm sure I'll have plenty to say about this upcoming season.

So as the new 2008 baseball season begins to close in on us, I can't help but to think what a great asset Joe Torre will be to the Dodgers. After 11 years with the New York Yankees, Torre comes to the West Coast to make a much needed difference. With younger players such as Kemp, Either and Martin, Joe hopes that this year the Dodgers will make it to the World Series.

The Dodgers home opener is on March 31st and you guessed it...I will be there. The weather should be about 15 to 20 degrees warmer than San Francisco. Perfect weather to catch a baseball game, eat a Dodger dog and have three or four margaritas. This will be my third home opener and it never gets old. I drive up to Chavez Ravine two hours before the game, hang out in the parking lot enjoying the atmosphere of the die-hard Dodger fans.

I met many Dodger fans from L.A. through an online messageboard. Many of these fans enjoy traveling to see one of the largest rivalries in baseball history. The Los Angeles Dodgers and San Francisco Giants rilvary extends back to the 1950s when both teams were based in New York. Before the big move the New York Giants had won five World Series titles, the Brooklyn Dodgers had only one.

When the Dodgers decided to move to California, the Giants followed. The big move to the west coast happened in 1958 and the very first game played in L.A. was on April 18th against

the now San Francisco Giants. The animosity between both teams grew greater that night when the Dodgers won 6-5. Dodgers-Giants Rilvary is a great site for more info if you are a Dodgers fan or Giants fan.

This blog will focus on the Dodgers, but will cover baseball in all aspects. With huge deals and signings during the off season and the ongoing steroids investigation, I am sure there will be more than enough to cover. Remember for all your baseball info and rumors make sure to check out this blog often.

Go Dodgers!