Thank You, Nancy Bea

Nancy Bea and her husband Bill.

We noted this earlier but it deserves its own post: Nancy Bea Hefley is retiring. (cries)

• Longtime Dodgers organist Nancy Bea Hefley announces retirement (TrueBlueLA)

From Nancy Bea's Instagram:

Wow! What can I say! I am overwhelmed by the response to my retirement notice. I can’t begin to tell you all how grateful I am for your love and support. In my wildest dreams I would never have thought I would get so much love. Many have asked if this was our decision and yes, it was and is. Last week Bill had to go back to see a specialist on his right eye while I stayed to finish the home stand. He has to see another specialist at the end of the season. We talked about it and decided maybe this was God’s way of saying it’s time to retire. We aren’t getting younger (however I have never heard of anyone that is) and we would like to enjoy our home and family. This was not brought on by the Dodgers in anyway. I know I said I would be back but it was taken out of our hands. I can’t begin to express my thanks to the Dodger organization for all the years I’ve enjoyed being there. They have told me I am welcome anytime we want to come back and will be back for some special occasions. I told them anytime they want me to come, let me know and if it is possible, we will be there.

Again, thank you ALL for you love and kindness.

Nancy Bea and Bil

Now we'll never get the all-organ music night at Dodger Stadium that we pitched years ago. Now we'll be subjected to more canned pop tunes (in addition to player walk-up tunes, mind you) that you can hear on any radio station or music stream — all at an ear-splitting volume. Now we'll have yet one less beloved Dodger Stadium employee among us during a home game.

Enjoy your retirement, Nancy Bea. You're a true Dodger and we'll miss you at every game we're at.

Game 161 Thread: Oct. 3 vs. Padres, 6p

Once more with feeling!

Zack Greinke (18-3, 1.68) vs. Robbie Erlin (1-1, 6.30).

Penultimate regular-season game! Cy Young vs. American professional baseball pitcher for the San Diego Padres of Major League Baseball (thanks, Wikipedia)! Dodgers gunning for home field advantage while the Mets, having just been shut out by the Phillies, are battling the weather and a doubleheader against the Nats. We're in a position to succeed...let's not fuck it up!

On a sadder note, longtime Dodger Stadium organist Nancy Bea Hefley announced her retirement yesterday. We'll dedicate a proper post to her soon, but wanted to recognize it here. We love you, Nancy Bea!

photo by @ThkBleu

Game 1 Thread: April 6 vs. Padres, 1p

Clayton Kershaw (0-0, -.--) vs. James Shields (0-0, -.--).

Welcome to Opening Day, Mixed Emotions Edition!

		Opening Day! Hells yeah, the wait is over!
		Matt Kemp as a Padre. weird weird weird weird weird weird
		Clayton Kershaw! Cy Young #3! MVP #1! In Vin's name this guy deserves a World Series ring. Maybe it starts today.
		#FreeNancyBea
		Who wants the D? We'll miss Hanley and Dee, but this special together-for-one-year-only Jimmy Rollins/Howie Kendrick DP combination sure excites the imagination.
		boooooooooooooooooooo oooooooooooooooooooo oooooooooooooooooooo oooooooooooooooooooo oooooooooooooooooooo oooooooooooooooooooo
		It's your turn, Joc! No pressure or anything, but the team needs you to fill Kemp's shoes while maintaining a positive UZR/DRS/TZ. You can do it!

Kershaw: Jon SooHoo/Dodgers

Way to Shit in Our Easter Basket, Dodgers

Bill Plaschke brings some terrible news today in his latest column. Buried almost as an afterthought is word that Nancy Bea Hefley has had her workload cut back and is now only in the Yard to play one song.

Missing will be the soothing sound of a ballpark organ, as 28-year veteran Nancy Bea Hefley's workload has been reduced to one song during the actual game. One. She waits for seven innings, plays "Take Me Out to the Ballgame," and goes home.

Assuming this was a Dodgers front office decision and not simply a choice made by Nancy Bea herself, this is, well, just some straight up bullshit. I can't imagine they didn't think there would be a backlash against relegating one of the stadium's most treasured assets.

Having attended last night's exhibition game versus the Angels, it is already evident that the stadium is continuing its tilt toward complete corporate dominance. Every inch is monetized, including by that sickening swill Montejo (owned by Budweiser, which is owned by InBev). I know players cost money but the front office has to realize what has brought fans to the Yard through thick and thin and keep sight of the idea of stadium as community, not just an ATM.

#FreeNancyBea

Grass Matters

• Ever wonder what kind of grass is used at your favorite MLB stadium? Wonder no more. Turf Grass At Major League Baseball Parks (bestgrassseed.net)
  
• Sarah Wexler has compiled a history of organists for the Dodger organization. A history of Dodgers organists (New Grass on the Field)
  

SoSG Blogger Night Addendum

Pop Quiz - What song was playing at the end of last Wednesday's game?

Well, you're wrong.

With Nancy Bea on the sidelines, the LA Kings organist made the whole evening a little funkier. Besides Duran Duran, there were not one but two Depeche Mode tracks. And the offer of a D.E.L.I.N.O streak if he played any Jesus and Mary Chain. For the good of all, this did not come to pass.

At-Games Recap: May 14/15 vs. D'backs

Orel's still got it.

As Mrs. Orel and I raced along the I-10 to make it to Dodger Stadium in time to catch pre-game festivities on Orel Hershiser Bobblehead Night, I read Josh Suchon's excellent piece on his connection with Hershiser (hat tip: @dodgerfan_net). We parked and hustled toward the Reserve Level, passing more than a few people leaving the grounds clutching their Orel bobbleheads. One guy was even toting a whole case of them, no doubt rushing to fulfill his eBay pre-orders. A+++ WOULD BUY AGAIN

A couple things struck us as we watched Hershiser become the center of attention. He was inclusive, insisting Tommy Lasorda accompany him to the mound for the ceremonial first pitch. He was gracious, greeting first-pitch catcher Clayton Kershaw with warmth and making sure Kershaw was in the center of the trio for post-pitch pictures. He was humble, carrying the microphone stand off the field after announcing "It's time for Dodger Baseball!" And he was classy, making his way over to the visitors' dugout to shake Justin Upton's hand before leaving the field.

(Extra kudos to Nancy Bea Hefley for reviving her rendition of "Master of the House" to accompany Orel's return to the spotlight. The sentiment couldn't have been more perfect.)

So yeah, I picked a fine pitcher and a pretty good guy to borrow a name from. The game was a wash, but I met SoSG Nomo for a beer and a stroll along the Reserve concourse as we conducted an unsuccessful reconnaissance mission to locate Dusty. It was oddly peaceful for two Dodger geeks to walk and talk away from the game, discerning what was happening on the field only by the sounds of the crowd.

To the pics!

"Hey man, see you in the pantheon."

Vin Scully with his seventh-inning benediction.

More photos after the jump!

Dodgers Honoring Longtime Heroes

Jaime Jarrin, in his 55th season with the Dodgers, was recognized during pre-game ceremonies on opening day.

Organist Nancy Bea Hefley, in her 25th year with the team, threw out the ceremonial first pitch Saturday.

Vin Scully returned Sunday to officially kick off his 63rd year with the Dodgers.

1: SoSG Orel; 2&3: Jon SooHoo/Dodgers

Good Luck Charm

From @Dodgers:

Matt Kemp receives a pre-game hug from Nancy Bea Hefley, who threw out the ceremonial first pitch. Kemp has hit two home runs in his first two at-bats tonight.

Friday Odds And Ends

• 7:2
• Turns out that Beli was on those nose candy - at least once - and was caught, which kept him from entering the US last season. Thank god for small miracles. Here's hoping he gets back on the snow and stays far away from our bullpen. Although we could perhaps use him on the SoSG softball team, where drug testing and moral determinations of recreational substance use are not in place.
• Mike MacDougal had a bullpen session pushed back on Thursday after feeling stiffness in his back. That's meh.
• Clayton Kershaw had a bullpen session pushed back on Wednesday after feeling stiffness in his back. That's HOLY SHIT THAT BETTER NOT BE THE START OF SOMETHING.
• Jerry Sands went from substitute 1B/outfielder last season to substitute teacher this offseason, teaching English and math to middle and high schoolers. Thanks for contributing to the enlightenment of our youth, Jerry.
• Dodger coaching is putting out the word that they expect more from Billingsley this season. Don't we all. Not that we can complain that much. It was a little surprising to note that "He's...one (and the youngest) of only three pitchers in the league to notch double-digit wins in each of the last five seasons." But clearly we're all yearning for a little more from him. Apparently there have been some mechanics issues identified that he will be addressing as we round into training camp.
• Interesting piece on how Stan Conte assesses the potential health and success of prospective signees. I found this part humorous:

Since he knows it's coming, he brings up Jason Schmidt before he's asked about him. It's a wound Conte wears on his home screen. Every time he fires up the Internet on his laptop, it loads the career statistics of Schmidt, the $47 million pitcher he signed off on five years ago whose previously injured right shoulder lasted a total of 43 innings for Los Angeles.

• What is wrong with this sentence?:  "Hawksworth was a mostly effective middle reliever for the Dodgers last season, going 2-5 with a 4.15 ERA and 1.17 WHIP in a career-high 49 games."
• Oh, and a very happy birthday to Dodgers organist Nancy Bea Hefley today!

Some crazy stuff out there, folks. Let's try to have a good weekend. 40 days, 978 hours, 58,718 minutes until opening pitch.

Friday Notes

• Here's to a Dodger Blue birthday for Nancy Bea Hefley! Happy Birthday Nancy! (Blue Heaven)
• The Dodgers will be playing a spring training game to benefit the Christina-Taylor Green Memorial Fund. Sources: Dodgers to play benefit game (Tony Jackson, ESPNLosAngeles.com)
• Who wants a job? From a Dodgers press release:

  DODGERS AND DODGERS DREAM FOUNDATION TO HOST 16TH ANNUAL COMMUNITY JOB FAIR THIS SATURDAY

  WHAT: The Los Angeles Dodgers and the Dodgers Dream Foundation will host the 16th Annual Community Job Fair this Saturday, February 26. Job seekers are invited to join more than 100 companies from the public and private sector, including Amtrak, El Super, Excel Paving, Kaiser Permanente, Los Angeles Fire and Police Departments, Levy Restaurants, Los Angeles Unified School District, Pacific Asian Consortium & Employment, Southern California Gas Company, University of Southern California, United States Secret Service, W Hollywood Hotel and the Los Angeles Dodgers. Last year, more than 10,000 participants gathered at Dodger Stadium for the Community Job Fair and approximately 1,500 found employment as a result of the event.

  WHEN: Saturday, February 26, 2011 (rain or shine)
  Kick-off Event 9:30 a.m.
  Event 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.

  WHERE: Dodger Stadium
  Field Level Concourse
  Parking in Lot 6

  MISC: Parking at Dodger Stadium and admission to the job fair are free. Free shuttle service will also be provided into the stadium from the corner of Elysian Park Avenue / Sunset Blvd. and Elysian Park Avenue/Stadium Way. Participants are encouraged to dress in business attire and bring multiple copies of their current résumé. On-site interviews will occur and many companies will be hiring on site. Additionally, the Southeast Community Development Corporation will have their Mobile Technology Unit on site to provide assistance to the job seekers including formatting and printing their résumés.

  No word if Scott Podsednik will be attending.

Tuesday Notes, Visiting SD Edition

• In case you missed it, here's Chris Volk's recap of his visit with Nancy Bea Hefley. Who's next, Chris? Nancy Bea Hefley Provides the Soundtrack to the Dodgers Season (dodgerfan.net)
• Occasionally, managers and umps get along. Already umpire's first ejection, Torre willing to be Harvey's last (Big League Stew)
• Clayton's getting a few extra days rest this week. Kershaw drops appeal, will serve suspension (Dodgers.com)

Saturday Notes Alright (For Fighting)

• Someone got the Nancy Bea Hefley memo, and Chris of dodgerfan.net was there to shadow her last night. Look for his report later today.
• Everything you wanted to know about Frank McCourt possibly selling the Dodgers, answered by Josh Fisher of Dodger Divorce. McCourts, divorce and the Dodgers (ESPNLosAngeles.com)
• Josh Rawitch declined to comment on this note. Dodgers' attendance isn't always what it seems (LA Times)

photo by AC/SoSG

How About "Nancy Bea Night" at Dodger Stadium?

We Dodger fans have it pretty good. Although the franchise hasn't won a World Series in *cough* decades, we still have six championships to celebrate. And there's a reason why Vin Scully's approval rating is astronomically high. But we've got some hidden gems too, including Dodger Stadium organist Nancy Bea Hefley. Although her role has decreased in recent years, Nancy Bea at the Roland organ remains one of the best parts of the Dodger Stadium experience.

Thanks to Chris of dodgerfan.net, I was reminded of Nancy Bea, and of Beantown West's Erin and me complaining to Josh Rawitch about the loud canned music at Dodger Stadium. As if Josh were personally responsible.

But we were on to something: a throwback night at Dodger Stadium with no canned music, only the dulcet tones of Nancy Bea's music. No player introduction music (although who wouldn't want to hear Jay-Z's "Déjà Vu" on the organ?). No dot races or scoreboard antics to distract the crowd. (Quarter Dodger Dogs and fifty-cent beers would be nice too, but let's stay real here.)

My initial worry was that a full game might overtax Nancy Bea, until I read the Pasadena Star-News:

In her early Dodgers years, [Hefley] played during batting practice, pitching changes and even when the groundskeepers prepared the field for play. She provided accent music for whatever was happening down on the field and adopted theme songs for various players.

I believe Nancy Bea has the stamina for such a game. Am I just an old fart, or would Dodger fans actually support this?