Bobblehead News

Here's a bit of bobblehead news to start off the week:

Last month the Dodgers released the first images of the Don Mattingly bobblehead they'll be giving away on June 1. Roberto from Vin Scully Is My Homeboy has the first hi-res images of the bobble. This looks like another good one.

Today is the one-year anniversary of Ubaldo Jimenez' no-hitter. The Colorado Rockies celebrated the anniversary by giving away Ubaldo bobbleheads. Doesn't really look like him.

The Anaheim Angels have a few bobblehead nights on their 2011 promotional schedule. The first one falls on Tuesday, May 24, when the Angels will be giving away Kendrys Morales bobbleheads. The interesting thing about this bobblehead is, they'll be giving away two different versions of the star first baseman, one batting left-handed and one batting right-handed.  From Angels.com:

Right Handed or Left Handed? Which Kendry Morales Bobblehead will you get? (one per fan per entry, no exchanges)

I'll be attending this game with my wife. Maybe we'll get both of them.

On July 17, the Oakland Athletics will be giving away MC Hammer bobbleheads to the first 10,000 fans in attendance. No, the bobblehead will not be wearing the baggy pants. Hammer was an A's batboy when he was a teenager. The above picture is a prototype of the bobblehead.

And finally, the Tampa Bay Rays needed to come up with a new promotion to replace the Manny Ramirez bobblehead on May 29. Manny retired last week instead of taking a 100 game suspension for a positive drug test. With Manny going bye-bye, so did the bobblehead. The Rays are taking advantage of the hot start from outfielder Sam Fuld. The Rays will be giving away Super Sam Fuld capes instead.

I wonder what's gonna happen with the 10,000 Manny Ramirez bobbleheads that have been produced. Something tells me will see one on Ebay soon.

Bobblehead News

Johnnie B. Baker gets a bobblehead. On July 2, the Cincinnati Reds will be honoring manager Dusty Baker with a bobblehead. This is no ordinary bobblehead though. In Dusty's mouth is a toothpick and on the base there is a toothpick holder. This is one of the more creative designs I've seen on a bobble. Dusty, who is known for chewing on a toothpick or two, should keep one of these in the dugout.

Manny Ramirez gets a bobblehead. On May 29, the Tampa Bay Rays will be giving away Manny Ramirez bobbleheads to the first 10,000 kids in attendance. The last time Manny was honored with a bobblehead was back in 2009, with the "Curtain Call" Dodger bobble.  There is no picture on the Rays version yet.

Lake Elsinore Storm will have a Charlie Sheen Night. This will be held on May 5, and will be appropriately called "Charlie Sheen-co De Mayo" night. The Storm, a Single-A affiliate of the San Diego Padres, will also be giving away limited edition Sheen bobbleheads. Some other promotions for the night are a "Wild Thing" glasses giveaway, as well as retiring, for the season, his number 99 from his legendary role as closer Ricky Vaughn, a Rehab-style party on the exclusive Tiki Terrace featuring tigerblood cocktails and a two-for-one Ho Hos special.

Dirk Nowitzki and his bobblehead are winning. Had enough Charlie Sheen? Check out this Dallas Mavericks commercial for Dirk Nowitzki bobblehead night. In the spot, Dirk looks into a mirror, puts on a blonde wig that matches the hair on a bobblehead, and uses Charlie Sheen's catchphrase "winning". It's pretty funny. The bobblehead is pretty nice too.

Dodgers News And Notes

The Lakers won tonight.Can they go 82-0? I dunno about that, but I do see another championship parade down Figueroa in June. Go Purple and Gold!

Back to the boys in blue. Here are a couple of Dodger links:

Tim Wallach is out of the running for the Milwaukee Brewers managerial job. Wallach was notified by the Brewers on Monday. It looks like he'll be Don Mattingly's third base coach.

Blue Heaven shows us some 1955 Dodger World Series pictures that had never been seen before. From Life Magazine, you can see all 27 pictures here.

What do most players do when the season ends? Most guys take a vacation. For two Dodger pitchers,Kenley Jansen and Carlos Monasterios, the training continues. Jansen and Monasterios continue to pitch at Camelback Ranch in Gledale, Arizona in the organization's instructional league.

Mike at the LFP.com is making a set of retired numbers for someone's man cave. It's a cool looking man cave full of Dodger goodies, including a nice line-up of bobbleheads.

And in Manny Ramirez news, the former Dodger says he'd like to play for new Blue Jays manager John Farrell. Manny and Farrell were teammates with the Indians in the 1990s. Farrell was hired as the Red Sox's pitching coach in 2007, Ramirez's last season in Boston. Could Mannywood be headed to the Great White North?

My Son's First Pack Of Allen & Ginter

I bought my 8 year-old son Kevin his first pack of 2010 Allen & Ginter today. Actually, I bought him three packs.  I've been slowly getting him into the hobby over the last year or so. We've been having  a lot of fun.  He's only 8, so I don't want to get too many expensive cards for him. I want him to just get a feel for the hobby first. So I've been giving him cards from my collection a little bit at a time.

Anyways, we went to the local card shop and bought the A&G packs, got home and had fun. I was hoping we would pull some Dodgers. Well, he opened his first pack and right on top was Manny Ramirez. Nice. That was actually the only Dodger he pulled, but he was happy. What else did he pull in pack #1?   Torri Hunter, Brett Gardner, Jesus Flores, Kevin Youklis mini,  Brian Roberts This Day In History.

Pack #2: Jesus Flores, Martin Prado, Mariano Rivera, Ichiro, Daniel Murphy mini, Pablo Sandoval TDIH

Pack#3: Brandon Allen, Carlos Lee, Grady Sizemore, Kendry Morales, Ian Stewart mini, Aramis Ramirez TDIH.

Not bad, although I wish we could have pulled more Dodgers. I can't wait to pick up some more packs for him.

Bobblehead of the Day: Manny Ramirez #2, The Curtain Call Bobblehead

Click here to purchase

Now that Manny Ramirez has been traded to the Chicago White Sox, I probably won't get too many more opportunities to talk about his bobbleheads.

I've already posted Manny's first Dodger bobblehead, the one given away on July 22, 2009. That night, Manny wasn't in the starting line-up because of his sore left hand. With the score tied 2-2 and the bases loaded in the bottom of the sixth inning, starting pitcher Chad Billingsley was removed for a pinch-hitter. That pinch-hitter was Manny. With the crowd chanting his name, he came up to the plate and crushed the first pitch he saw  into the "Mannywood" section in left field. A grand slam on his bobblehead night. It was dubbed the "BobbleSlam" game.

Dodger Stadium was going crazy. The fans wanted a curtain call.  Manny was forced out of the dugout to acknowledge the crowd. He walked up the dugout steps and raised his pine tar-covered helmet to the fans. This was the inspiration for the fourth and final bobblehead given away in 2009, the Manny Ramirez "Curtain Call" bobblehead.

On September 16, 2009 the Dodgers gave away Manny Ramirez "Curtain Call" bobbleheads to the first 50,000 fans in attendance. Presented by San Manuel Indian Bingo & Casino, the bobble was made by P Squared Promotions. This was the fourth and final bobblehead given away that season. The other three were Casey Blake(5/20) Manny Ramirez #1(7/22) and Matt Kemp(8/19).

The Dodgers played the Pittsburgh Pirates that day. It was a day game that started at 12:10. Hiroki Kuroda was the starting pitcher for the Dodgers, Kevin Hart for the Pirates. The Dodgers won the game 3-1, with Kuroda getting the win and Jonathan Broxton the save.

Let's take a look at the Curtain Call Bobblehead:

pine tar-covered helmet

dreads

how to screw in the arm

There are so many different opinions on Manny Ramirez. Some Dodger fans loved him, some hated him. I for one loved what Manny did here in LA. Yes, I was upset when he was suspended 50 game for using PEDs. But there were plenty of great times too.

I remember how excited I was when I found out Manny was coming to Los Angeles. There was finally a superstar playing in Hollywood. After coming to the Dodgers, Manny had two of the greatest months ever, hitting .396 with 17 home run and 53 RBI. He led the Dodgers to an NL West title and NLDS sweep over the Chicago Cubs, the Dodgers first playoff series win since 1988. The Dodgers would eventually lose the National League Championship Series to the Philadelphia Phillies in five games. In the 2008 playoffs, Manny hit .520 with 4 home runs, 2 doubles, 11 walks and 10 RBI.

Manny started 2009 blazing hot. Through May 6, he was batting .348 with six homers and 20 RBIs in the first 27 games. Then news broke that Manny had been suspended for 50 games for using PEDs. Manny wouldn't be back in Dodger blue until Fourth of July weekend. The Dodgers were in San Diego that weekend playing the Padres. Thousands of Dodger fans made the trip down to Petco to see the game. That's how much love Dodger fans had for Manny. Later that month we would get the bobbleslam game, a game I won't ever forget.

If anything, Manny brought excitement to Los Angeles, something we hadn't seen in a long time. Maybe he'll do the same thing while in Chicago. Good luck Manny.

BobbleSlam Memories

Manny had many memorable moments as a member of the Dodgers. Here's my favorite, the grand slam on his bobblehead night. Click below to watch.

Mannywood No More

According to Tony Jackson at ESPNLosAngeles.com, Manny will be headed to the White Sox Monday. Because the White Sox will be getting Ramirez on a waiver claim, they will be on the hook for the remainder of Ramirez's $ 4.3 million salary.

Manny didn't start the last four games, so we all knew this was coming. Manny's last appearance in Dodger blue was him pinch-hitting in the sixth inning of Sunday's 10-5 loss to the Rockies. After seeing one pitch, which was called a strike, Manny argued the call, and was ejected from the game. There's been a lot of talk that he did it on purpose because he knew he was on his way out. Just Manny being Manny.

Word on the deal is trickling in. Sports Illustrated writer, Jon Heyman, tweets;

I think Frank McCourt would love to get some salary relief. But some talent in return would be nice.

I'd like to say it was great having Manny in LA for the last two seasons. Mannywood was something I'll never forget. I was at the BobbleSlam game. It's a game I can tell my grandchildren about. You can read about the game and the bobblehead here.

I'll be posting updates on this throughout the night.

Win Streak Ends, Dodger News, Notes And History

The four game-winning streak came to an end tonight, as the Dodgers lost 5-3 to the Colorado Rockies. Starter Chad Billingsley had a rough night going 6 innings and giving up 3 earned runs. He walked five Rockies and struck out NONE. Bills gave up a solo homerun to Todd Helton in the 6th inning, ending an MLB-leading 92-inning stretch without allowing a homerun.

After scoring 23 runs in the last four games, the Dodger offense failed to show up tonight. A two-run homerun by catcher Rod Barajas with two outs in the ninth came too late.

Manny Ramirez was not in the starting line-up again for the third straight game. Joe Torre says the benching has nothing to do with a deal the Dodgers have in place with the White Sox, who claimed Manny off the waiver wire on Friday. So why is the best hitter on the team being benched?

Torre:

"This is just my dumb move. There is no reason I can give you that makes sense. A lot of what I do is a feel thing."

Yeah right. Manny appeared as a pinch-hitter in the seventh inning and struck out.

In other Dodger news:

Dodgers assistant general manager Logan White is expected to be a candidate for the Arizona Diamondbacks general manager position.

Carlos Monasterios will make one more start Tuesday night against the Phillies in place of Vicente Padilla.

Russell Martin is expected to have his broken right hip rescanned next week to determine if the fracture is healing properly.

Frank McCourt gives away 40,000 Dodgers tickets to LAPD officers. TJ Simers questions his generosity.

This Day In Dodger History:

August 28, 2002
Eric Gagne, who at the beginning of the 2002 season wasn't even sure if he was going to make the ballclub, notches his 45th save, setting a franchise record and earning a bottle of Dom Perignon autographed by each Dodger teammate.


"It's kind of weird, seeing a little Canadian in the record books for a Dodger," said Gagne. "I'm proud to be in it."

Gagne moves past Todd Worrell, having already bested Jeff Shaw. He has more in a season than Ron Perranoski or Mike Marshall or Jay Howell or Steve Howe.
"It shouldn't be just my name on it, it should be the whole team," said Gagne.

Although Gagne broke the record with a flourish, striking out the side in the 9th inning, preserving a 1-0 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks at Dodger Stadium for starter Odlis Perez. The 26-year-old also made it exciting by allowing a single and a four-pitch walk.

"I was just thinking, 'Don't blow it for Odalis,'" he said.

Gagne would save seven more games in 2002, giving him a total of 52 for the season.

You can see Eric Gagne's 2004 Dodger Stadium bobblehead here.

AUGUST 28, 1977:

Dodger first baseman Steve Garvey enjoys a monstrous night against the St. Louis Cardinals, collecting three doubles and a pair of home runs – including a grand slam – as he piles up 14 total bases in an 11-0 victory. Garvey, who scores five times and drives in five runs, falls one base shy of the Los Angeles Dodger single-game record for total bases set by Davey Lopes on Aug. 20, 1974. His standout performance helps the first-place Dodgers maintain their 8 ½-game lead in the National League West. The dependable Garvey went on to enjoy one of the best seasons of his career, batting .297 with 33 homers and 115 RBI while helping the Dodgers to the N. L. Western Division title and an appearance in the World Series.

You can see Steve Garvey's Dodger Stadium bobblehead here.

Dodgers Win Four Straight And Other News

Dodgers win four in a row. Clayton Kershaw pitched another gem. He outdueled Cy Young candidate Ubaldo Jimenez, going 6 innings, while giving up one run on 5 hits and two walks and striking out six. His only blemish was a second inning homerun he gave up to Todd Helton. Kershaw finally had his first 1-2-3 first inning of the year.

The Dodgers offense keeps rolling as they scored six runs tonight. That's four games in a row now that the Dodgers have scored five or more runs. The offensive hero tonight was the Beard, Casey Blake, who hit his fifth career grand slam tonight off of Colorado reliever Matt Belisle. That gave the Dodgers a 5-1 lead, and they wouldn't look back. Matt Kemp knocked in one more run in the ninth inning as the Dodgers went on to win 6-2.

In other Dodgers news:

The Chicago White Sox file a waiver claim on Manny Ramirez.
Ted Lilly is the latest Dodgers player to be placed on waivers.
Frank McCourt gives 40,000 Dodgers tickets to LAPD officers.
The Dodgers will celebrate team photographer Jon Soo Hoo for 25 years of service.
Joe Torre's wearing an "In Beard We Trust" shirt from theLFP.com. You can order a shirt here.

Dodgers Down Brew Crew

The Dodger offense came alive for the second game in a row, as the boys in blue beat the Milwaukee Brewers Wednesday night.  The Dodgers were led by Manny Ramirez, who went 2 for 2 with two walks, two doubles, one run scored and one RBI. That RBI gave the Dodgers a 5-4 lead, and they didn't give it back, going on to win by the same score. It was reported earlier in the day that Manny had been placed on waivers by the Dodgers.

Hiroki Kuroda, who was also reported as being placed on waivers, had a nice night on the mound. Hiro went seven innings, giving up four runs on seven hits while striking out six. He did not walk any Brewers.

Andre Ethier got the Dodger offense started, hitting a solo homerun in the third inning, his 2oth on the year.

Jonathan Broxton shut down the Brewers in the eighth inning. Joe Torre then used Ronald Belisario, George Sherrill and Octavio Dotel for one batter each in the ninth inning, with Dotel earning his 22nd save on the year.

Manny Ramirez and Hiroki Kuroda weren't the only Dodgers placed on waivers. It's being reported that Casey Blake, Scott Podsednik and Jay Gibbons were also placed on waivers as well.

Dodgers News And Notes

Manny starts rehab assignment, Furcal suffers setback. Manny Ramirez, sidelined since July 17 because of a right calf strain, went 1 for 2 tonight with a single and a walk as the Designated Hitter for the Single-A Inland Empire 66er's. The Dodgers expect Ramirez to play for the 66er's again Thursday and Friday before being reevaluated.

From Sports Illustrated:

It's thought that Manny will be placed on waivers once he's off the DL. The waiver rules states that every NL team has first dibs, and if none want him, then every AL team gets a crack. If no one claims Ramirez, the Dodgers may then trade him to any team. If one team or multiple teams claim him, then the team with the worst record at the time of claiming (with every NL team having priority over every AL team) is the only one that can get Ramirez. The Dodgers have the option of letting him go to the claiming team for nothing except the obligation of paying his salary or pulling him off waivers and working out a trade, but only with that one team.

Rafael Furcal, who was scheduled to begin a rehab assignment this week, complained of back soreness, which had worsened Wednesday. Furcal, who has been out the past 15 games because of a low back strain, will stop baseball activities and have a bone scan on Thursday.

Will Manny play next season? His agent, Scott Boras, says Manny wants to play. I wonder where he'll sign.

Dave Roberts expects full recovery from cancer. Former Dodger Dave Roberts, who was diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma in March, is expected to make a full recovery. Roberts, who didn't go public with his diagnosis until May 3, completed eight rounds of chemotherapy, and he is undergoing three weeks of radiation treatments at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston. Get well Dave.

Dodger god Steve Garvey made a cheesy commercial with Tillman the Skateboarding Dog promoting Bark in The Park Night at Dodger Stadium on August 21. The James Loney bobblehead even makes an appearance. Check it out here.

Manny To DL, Tron To AAA And Other Dodger Notes

Manny Ramirez  is heading to the disabled list. This was expected. He injured himself sliding back into second base last Tuesday in San Francisco. An MRI  showed inflammation in the lower part of the hamstring.  His hot bat will surely be missed. Xavier Paul has been called up from AAA.

Ramon Troncoso has been sent down to AAA Albuquerque. This move came out of nowhere, but the Dodgers needed to do it. The often used Troncoso needed some rest. He's safe from Joe Torre's abusive ways now. Travis Schlichting has been recalled to replace Tron in the bullpen.

The Dodgers will be back in town on Monday for their final homestand before the All-Star break. They will be taking on the Marlins and Cubs. Here's the official release from Dodgers.com:

The Dodgers play their last homestand before the All-Star Break starting Monday as they take on the Florida Marlins (July 5-7) and Chicago Cubs (July 8-11). Special events next week include Independence Day Fireworks presented by Hyundai following the Monday, July 5 game and an Andre Ethier Action Figure giveaway presented by Claim Jumper Restaurants on Thursday, July 8.


Starting this homestand, the Dodgers are offering a variety of new ticketing options, including new Coca-Cola Value Packs. For both Thursday home games in July, fans can purchase Coca-Cola Value Packs that include four tickets, four Dodger Dogs, four Cokes and four Matt Kemp Action Figures, which will be included in the package in addition to the action figure giveaways scheduled for those nights (Ethier and Ramirez). The Dodgers also recently launched two new Summer 4-Packs that offer savings of up to 50% off of the box office prices and include giveaway nights and special events. For a limited time, groups of 30 or more who purchase tickets on the Field or Loge levels for any game will receive a free Dodger T-shirt with every ticket.
Fans can purchase tickets to any games this homestand at dodgers.com, losdodgers.com, or by calling 866-DODGERS.

Monday, July 5 vs. Florida Marlins - 6:10 p.m.
To celebrate the Fourth of July, the Dodgers will incorporate several military elements into the night's pregame ceremonies, including a flyover by a USAF 144th Fighter Wing out of Fresno, the USMC presenting the colors and members of the 2nd Battalion, 23rd Marines from Pasadena lining the bases with both teams during the National Anthem.

Five hundred veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars from Port Hueneme and Port Mugu will be at Monday's game as part of the Miller High Life "Give a Veteran a Piece of the High Life" program. Veteran Paul Rieckhoff, the Executive Director and Founder of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, will throw out a ceremonial first pitch, the group of veterans will be honored in center field during pregame ceremonies and Miller High Life delivery man Windell will be in attendance as well.

The Dodgers will recognize newly selected medical professionals for the United States Army Medical Department in a special commissioning ceremony during pregame ceremonies. Fourteen graduate level health care professionals will be sworn in as soldiers on the field.

The Dodgers will honor Alma Martinez as their "All-Star" of the PEOPLE "All-Stars Among Us" campaign during pregame ceremonies. Martinez from Redondo Beach has been chosen by fans across the nation for her community service through Amigos Sin Barreras, an organization that serves low-income, HIV-positive Los Angeles residents with medical care, food and social engagement and helps to prevent the spread of and provide quality services for people suffering from HIV/AIDS. Martinez plus the other 29 "All-Stars Among Us," one representing each MLB Club, will attend and be honored during the pregame ceremony of the 81st Major League Baseball All-Star Game on July 13 on FOX beginning at 5:00 p.m. PT (8:00 p.m. ET).
Chad Billingsley will host a group of 10 children from Mattel Children's Hospital at UCLA at the game as part of his personal community initiative, Chad's Champs. Each child will get a T-shirt and to meet with Billingsley on the field during batting practice and get his autograph.

As part of the second fan club broadcast of the season, three Women In Blue winners, three Boys in Blue winners and three Viva Azul club winners will each call an inning from the Vin Scully press box with KABC 790 Dodger Talk host Ken Levine. Women In Blue winners include Jennifer Amsbaugh from Long Beach, Rosanna Bules from Hesperia and Cathy Shanahan from Tarzana, Boys In Blue members calling an inning are Steven Smith from Orange, Kevin Maldonando from Walnut and JD Miller from Rosamond and Viva Azul club winners include Steven Ayala from Pico Rivera, Mario Olvera from Canyon Country and Jose Duran from Bellflower. On Tuesday, the entire game broadcast will be posted on dodgers.com and fans will be able to listen and vote for their favorite broadcaster. A winner for each club will be chosen at the end of the season and the grand prize winners will receive Dodger tickets and a guest appearance on Dodger Talk on KABC. Fans can register to be broadcasters and vote for their favorites at www.dodgers.com/broadcaster.
The July edition of Dodgers Magazine debuts on Monday and features Manny Ramirez on the cover posing with the rare Porsche that he has donated to ThinkCure! and the Maryvale home for youth. Fans can purchase Dodgers Magazine inside Dodger Stadium or order subscriptions at www.dodgers.com/magazine or by calling 877-258-3062.

The sixth edition of the Dodgers Playbill features a photo of Jonathan Broxton, Clayton Kershaw and Hong-Chih Kuo in cowboy gear from the Young Guns poster photo shoot on the cover. Inside stories include a behind-the-scenes look at the photo shoot, other features from the Dodgers Media Network, information on ticket specials and other great deals.

Following the game, fans can enjoy Independence Day Fireworks presented by Hyundai from the field.

Tuesday, July 6 vs. Florida Marlins - 7:10 p.m.
20 pre-selected kids from the Optimist Youth Home will be treated to a shopping trip at Sports Authority in Burbank from approximately 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. with Reed Johnson, Ramon Troncoso, A.J. Ellis and George Sherrill before the game.

James Loney will host a group of seven children from Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities - Los Angeles at the game as part of his community program, Loney's Lounge. Each child will get to watch the game from the Baseline Box Club and meet with Loney on the field during batting practice and get his autograph.
Olympic gold medalist ice skater Evan Lysacek, who was also on the most recent season of "Dancing With the Stars" will throw out a ceremonial first pitch.

Wednesday, July 7 vs. Florida Marlins - 7:10 p.m.
Fernando Valenzuela will host a group of 40 students from the California State Universities Educational Talent Search Program as part of the community initiative Amigos de Fernando. The children will all get program T-shirts and will meet with Valenzuela on the field during batting practice and get his autograph. The Educational Talent Search Program assists students with completing high school and attending the college of their choice.

Lake Balboa Birmingham High School female baseball player Marti Sementelli will throw out a ceremonial first pitch before the game. Sementelli is a 17-year-old pitcher and has led Birmingham High to the City Section playoffs and also won a bronze medal playing for Team USA in the 2008 Women's Baseball World Cup in Japan, where she was named the best pitcher in the tournament.

Jake Pavelka from "Dancing With the Stars" season 10 and "The Bachelor" season 14 will throw out a ceremonial first pitch.

Thursday, July 8 vs. Chicago Cubs - 7:10 p.m.
At 2:00 p.m. in the Dugout Club, the Dodgers will announce a new partnership with global computer manufacturer MSI. MSI will introduce a Dodgers limited-edition Wind Top (AIO) All-in One PC and Netbook, on sale at La Curacao stores in July.

The first 15,000 kids age 14 and under will receive Andre Ethier Action Figures presented by Claim Jumper Restaurants.

Fans who purchase tickets in Dodgertown, Bikini Bottom will receive Sponge Bob T-shirts and an all-you-can-eat menu including mud pies, pineapple under the sea and bubble burgers. To purchase tickets in Dodgertown, Bikini Bottom visit www.dodgers.com/mytown. Sponge Bob will also throw out a ceremonial first pitch and meet with fans in Autograph Alley before the game.
Friday, July 9 vs. Chicago Cubs - 7:10 p.m.

The first 20,000 fans will receive Dodger Young Guns Posters presented by MSI Computers.
Fans who sit in Dodgertown, Kings on Friday will receive L.A. Kings T-shirts and an all-you-can-eat menu including pastrami sandwiches, kettle-style potato chips and kosher-style pickles. Kings mascot Bailey and Kings alumni will be on hand to sign autographs for fans in the section and Kings Captain Dustin Brown will throw out a ceremonial first pitch.

California Lottery will honor California Education with a pregame presentation that acknowledges several California Teachers of the Year. California State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell and Director of the California Lottery, Joan Borucki, will throw out a ceremonial first pitch and join a group of approximately 25 teachers and their families to watch the evening's game.

Saturday, July 10 vs. Chicago Cubs - 1:10 p.m.
Saturday's game will be televised nationally on FOX.
Saturday is also On Field Photo Day presented by Staples and fans can take pictures of Dodger players on the field before the game. Fans will be able to access the field starting at 11:10 a.m.
Winners of the 31st Congressional Student Art Competition will be honored on the field before the game. Each year members of the United States House of Representatives recognize artists nationwide and winners will have their artwork displayed in the U.S. Capitol Building.
Actor David Duchovny of "Californication" will throw out a ceremonial first pitch and pop singer and "American Idol" alumnus Jordin Sparks will sing the National Anthem.
Captain Morgan will also throw out a ceremonial first pitch as part of his Major League ballpark tour.
Sunday, July 11 vs. Chicago Cubs - 5:05 p.m.
Sunday's game will be televised nationally on ESPN.
Sunday is a Viva Los Dodgers Sunday, presented by State Farm. Starting two hours prior to the game fans can enjoy live music and a family-friendly celebration in Lot 6 and this Sunday fans can enjoy live musical performances by Debi Nova.

Team USA forward Landon Donovan, who recently returned from representing the United States at the World Cup in South Africa, will throw out the ceremonial first pitch. Actress and singer Demi Lovato of the Disney Channel's "Sonny With a Chance" will sing the National Anthem.

Jr. Dodgers Broadcasters will call Sunday's game as part of the Jr. Dodgers Broadcast. Regular David Gottlieb from Studio City will be joined by Max Merkin and Nick Renteria. Merkin is a 13-year-old seventh grader at Lincoln Middle School in Santa Monica where he is on the newspaper and yearbook staffs. Renteria is a 13-year-old from La Puente who attends Jarupa Middle School and loves baseball and basketball. Fans can listen to the Jr. Dodgers Broadcast at dodgers.com/jrdodgers.

A Sweep in San Francisco And Other Dodger News

The Dodgers leave San Francisco today with a series sweep over the Giants. How nice does that sound? Three days ago Dodger fans were up in arms over Joe Torre's bullpen debacle. What a difference three days in San Fran makes.

Matt Kemp started today after staying out of the starting line-up three consecutive games. He was huge in today's 8-2 victory, going 3 for 4 with a walk, homerun and three RBI. I hope this is the game that gets Matt Kemp going. Kemp and manager Joe Torre had a meeting on Tuesday. And even though the details of the meeting haven't come out, I hope the tension between the two has been cleared.

Rafael Furcal had another big game going 3 for 4 with a homerun and 2 runs batted in. He also scored three times. Since his father passed away, Rafa has gone16 for 34 with 11 runs and seven RBI. His father passing away is very sad, but it seems to have motivated the Dodger shortstop.

Vicente Padilla hit a milestone with his win today. It was win number 100 for the righty from Nicaragua. Vicente looked good, going seven innings, allowing one run on three hits, walking one and striking out five. His only blemish was a solo homerun given up to Aaron Rowand.

I have to say, I'm happy inter-league play is over. It's nice to get back to National League play. The team is off to Arizona to take on the Diamondbacks. They get to face former Dodger Edwin Jackson who pitched a no-hitter just last Friday. Let's hope the roof is closed and the air conditioner is on in Phoenix. Today's high was 109 degrees.

In other Dodger news:

Manny Ramirez is scheduled to have an MRI on his injured right hamstring during Thursday’s day off in Phoenix.

After being designated for assignment on Friday, Charlie Haeger cleared waivers, and was outrighted to AAA Albuquerque.

All-Star voting ends Thursday. Andre Ethier still has the third most votes for National League outfielders.

Ely Starts, Bison Finishes

Can the Dodger offense please score some runs for poor John Ely? He's allowed only one stinkin' run over the last 14 1/3 innings. His ERA is 0.63 over that stretch. How many runs have the dodgers scored for him? ZERO. He lowered his overall ERA to 2.53 after tonight's game. Mr. Ely earned the win tonight, Jeff Weaver will have the "W" next to his name though.



Manny made a couple of nice catches tonight in front of the fans in Mannywood.



Russell Martin slid into Stephen Drew a bit too hard at second base in the seventh inning. The two had some words and the benches and bullpens cleared.



Matt Kemp hit a walk-off homerun in the bottom of 10th inning.





Another dramatic victory.