Team Killeen Does FanFest

Team Killeen reports in from yesterday's FanFest. Words by BJ, pictures by Scott. Thanks, guys!

Dodgers FanFest 2014: Stan the Man had a Plan

Judging strictly by the debacle that was FanFest last year, we knew that this one-day pep rally had nowhere to go but up. After spending a few hours at Dodger stadium, we were more than pleased at how the Dodgers’ organization stepped up to the plate and hit a home run with this event. Yes, that’s a sadly overworn analogy, but in this case it applies.

Last year, Dodgers fans were packed into a tiny, gated area of the lower parking lot, fighting for personal space, autographs, and air. This year, someone got the message. The event was spread out over the top and second levels of the parking lot, specifically Lot B and Lot P. In addition, the Top Deck area was open, as was the Reserve Deck, allowing Dodgers fans to roam freely. The permanent kids’ play area was open, many concession stands were serving food (or what passes for food at the stadium), and even the area around the big stage was manageable.

Parking was free, and we waited only a few minutes in line for the security bag check before heading into the event. Lot P was set up with a large screen, jumbo inflated slide for kids, a bungee jump area, and other assorted kid-related booths for face painting, balloon art, and crafts. At the top of the park where the big Dodgers merchandise store is located, the line quickly formed for the purchase of single-game tickets. Before entering the event, attendants were handing out a general information brochure with a map and season schedules. If you were lucky enough, you got one with a silver sticker that allowed you the opportunity to purchase opening day tickets. Alas, we were not among the fortunate, but we did happen to get a photo of the Willy Wonka winning sticker. Overall, we were delighted to see an abundance of stadium ushers, security, and Andy Gumps, although all of the regular restrooms inside the stadium were open.

One area that was way more organized was the autograph area. For those who don’t own a computer or think that they don’t need to plan ahead, trying to get an autograph was a lesson in futility. Only those who went online and purchased a ticket to get a specific autograph were able to stand in line. They did have a few slots open that could be purchased at the stadium, but most of the good ones were sold out. While this purchase-ahead strategy did limit the amount of people who wanted a name scribbled on a ball, it also stopped the resellers from monopolizing the players’ time and getting aggressive with real fans. On our way out of the event, we saw one guy with a wagon full of unsigned minibats, shirts, and other memorabilia who, obviously, didn’t get the message. He didn’t think this was a good event, but the rest of us did.

Lot B was where all the action was, with the big stage for interviews, pitching games, more food, giveaways and — for SoSG Dusty — the ever-important beer garden. Other booths were for Camelback Ranch, sponsors handing out free food and sodas, and more ticket hawking. The Killeens managed to snag a few State Farm-sponsored FanFest towels, but spent their time more toward the observation rather than the participation side.

What else did we learn today? Some new ways to cater to the elite included purchasing a $300 Stadium Club membership for season ticket holders. Memberships also are available to mini-plan holders for either five bucks a seat or per game. And because people in LA would rather spend eternity in Hell rather than walk a few more feet, those who have season tickets can purchase a designated parking space with your name on it. For more information, you can email seasontix@ladodgers.com.

We did our best to tell everyone within earshot that this event compared to last year was equivalent to the difference between listening to Justin Bieber and Led Zeppelin. Quality is everything.

All in all, our first Dodger dog of the season ($7, still not cooked), sitting at the yard in the sunshine, and watching Charlie Steiner interview the new lineup without Steve Lyons made for an extremely pleasant Saturday afternoon. Next up, spring training.

Meet The New Not-Vins

The Dodgers officially unveiled their new broadcast team for SportsNet LA today:



Hmmm. Embedded video doesn't seem to be working for me. If it isn't for you either, here's the link

Welcome back, Orel and Nomar! Welcome aboard, Alanna Rizzo! Orel will partner up with Charley Steiner for non-Vin games on SportsNet LA. Nomar will join Rick Monday on radio for those games (with the Steiner and Monday pairing continuing to take over radio in the 4th inning of Vin-called games). Rizzo will handle "sideline" duties on non-Vin games, as well as pre- and post-game coverage. Vin, of course, will continue to preside over games in California and Arizona.

While not shown in the video above, Jerry Hairston, Jr. and former ABC7 sports anchor John Hartung will also be on the SportsNet LA team.

Excited yet?

UPDATE WITH THOUGHTS: This is a HUGE upgrade all-around. Steiner and Monday will both benefit from working with new partners (and Steiner's weird fly ball calls will be easier to take when you can see the ball on TV). Orel will provide professional, relevant analysis that Steve Lyons never could. I haven't seen much of Nomar's TV work, but he's definitely personable and can probably tell a good story. I was a big fan of Alanna Rizzo's work on MLB Network. She speaks fluent Spanish and should develop a good rapport with the players she'll be interviewing. (Plus, yes, she's cute, and we're shallow like that around here.)

The Other Broadcaster Shoe Drops

Earlier this month, Steve Lyons announced he will not be returning to the Dodgers next year, and now it's Eric Collins' turn.

I'm out with LAD. 5 magical years. People can be wonderful. Thx everyone for everything. No better MLB analyst/fella than @SteveLyons12

— E Collins (@ericcollinspbp) October 30, 2013

I don't think it's right to celebrate a guy losing his job, but it's safe to say most are going to be OK with this move. Collins' brand of bland commentary never once felt "right" over Dodger games.

So long, Eric. Best of luck to you. Thanks for being a good sport about The Collins Curse.

Game 125 Thread: August 20 @ Marlins, 4p

Chris Capuano (4-6, 4.66) vs. Jacob Turner (3-4, 2.89)

Chris Capuano, stopper? (Chris Stopuano?) How did we get HERE? Two days ago, we were flying high, riding a ten-game winning streak. Now, we've dropped two straight to pretty awful teams, looking lethargic in the process.

You have to give the Marlins a little credit. Their core group of young players, led by Jose Fernandez (who may have been helped out a touch by John Hirschbeck's erratic strike zone), played like they had nothing to lose. They went right after the Dodgers, treating them like the big dogs of MLB they've suddenly become.

So, what's the deal? Are the Dodgers tired? Burnt-out? Full of themselves? Do we really need to prove Steve Lyons right by losing a few to "stay hungry?" No, no one should prove Steve Lyons right...EVER.

So, snap out of it, Blue. The media's ready to jump all over you the second you falter. Don't take the bait.

UPDATE:

Puig out of Dodgers lineup

— Anthony Jackson (@dodgerscribe) August 20, 2013

Swell...

Patrick O'Neal Is Not Impressed With Steve Lyons' Bracelets

Screenshot taken from Dodgers Live post-game show, July 8, 2013.

Old-Timers' Game Recap

DODGERS 1, YANKEES 1

Last Saturday, as you recall, the Dodgers hosted an Old-Timers' Game featuring former Dodgers and Yankees in a two-inning exhibition. These had been held in the past but recently discontinued. Now, it's back - at least for this year. hats off to the Dodgers for bringing the event back, as it is a great opportunity to catch some old friends in uniform and re-live some baseball moments with favorite players from years past. Yeah, perhaps a little over-nostalgic, but baseball brings that out in us. And yes, the competition is terrible and it's sometimes sad to see some of the greats who now can't even leg it out to first base. But nonetheless, it worked.

I'm no Scott Killeen, but I thought readers would enjoy a few pictures I took during the game.

Steve Lyons Screwed Up This Shot

All photos: SoSG Dusty Baker

Steve Lyons, on Ump Shows

Steve Lyons, from yesterday's telecast:

So in 1985, my rookie season, Jerry Neudecker's behind home plate with his pillow*.

And he called a pitch that was about chin high for a strike on me.

And I said, "Gee, Jerry, I can't swing at that pitch. There's no way I can even hit that pitch!"

And he looked at me and he said, "Son, you don't tell me that pitch was high. You ask me if that pitch was high." [...]

I said, "All right, Jerry, was the pitch high?"

He said, "Yep."

*According to Baseball Reference, "Neudecker is best remembered for being the last umpire to use a balloon (outside) chest protector."

Post-Game 21 Thread: Ninth-Inning Heroics

Steve Lyons, with some Andre Ethier penis envy?*

DODGERS 3, METS 2

Facing a 1-1 tie and on the precipice of wasting a marvelous outing by Hyun-Jin Ryu (7.0 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 3 BB, 8 Ks, ND), the Dodgers actually sacked up in the ninth inning. Nick Punto led off with a double to right, and Adrian Gonzalez sacrificed him over to third base. The Mets intentionally walked Matt Kemp to get to Andre Ethier, who singled to center to score Punto. Kemp then scored when Juan Uribe snuck out an infield hit to short. Ramon Hernandez (0-for-4, 5 LOB, batting .067) came up to unsurprisingly GIDP and end the inning, but it was now 3-1 Dodgers.

Brandon League once again looked shaky with his meatball servings, one of which went over the centerfield wall to make it 3-2. And then League settled (kinda), getting Justin Turner to foul out, last night's hero Jordany Valdespin to strikeout, and Mike Baxter to ground to first (League covering, barely). We will take it.

Dodgers come on back home following a 3-3 road trip, and prepare for a weekend set with the Milwaukee Brewers. .500 is in our grasp. I can almost taste it.

More importantly, SoSG GTs go 2-0 this year when it focuses on boobs. Noted.

* Actually, Psycho was describing Ethier's belt buckle being back during his swing. But that doesn't make for as funny a caption.

At-Game Recap: Opening Day 2013 (Part 3)

Yikes, we're on the precipice of the second homestand of the year, and I haven't even gotten in all of the pictures I took from Opening Day 2013 back on April 1. They may be dated now, but shoot, since I have already uploaded all of them, I might as well use them.

Field level still had the batting practice cage set up.

Clouds on Opening Day weren't threatening, unless you were a Giant.

The new right field scoreboard was still shining retro-color flair.

All sorts of Dodgers dignitaries and sportscasters on the field. "Psycho" Steve Lyons responded to a shoutout with a nice wave to the crowd.

Luckily for my ass, my seats still came with cushioney padded goodness.

Closer shot of the right field scoreboard and enhanced ribbon scoreboard underneath.

Spotted this pirated Dodgers t-shirt and had to take a photo. A little over-proportioned (Rob Liefeld would be proud!), but the point still holds.

For a while at least, the concession stand lines on the field level weren't too long or onerous. (This changed soon thereafter.)

New multi-lingual callouts atop the dugouts.

Everybody's taking pictures!

The mini-sirloin television monitors in the concourse, above the concession stands, could still stand to be expanded a bit. Some guys in line had luckily brought their binoculars.

Game used memorabilia? But this is the first game of the season?! I'm so confused.

Now up on the loge level: television monitors facing the field.

New loge level signage. Missing, however, were the column wraps with players' pictures.

The Opening Day view of the field, from Loge Level.

This guy had just gone to the Baseball Hall of Fame, and picked up this shirt. Our Dodgers shirt is slightly more full than the Diamondbacks' shirt, I assume.

New loge level viewing areas, at the top behind each section. (Note grumpy guy in the bottom right, totally unimpressed.)

No player column wraps, but there were Opening Day column wraps, however.

Hey look, it's a Giant fan! (Get it?)

Yep, life begins when the season starts. So let's get this season started already, right?

More Opening Day 2013 shots coming shortly (hopefully, before August)!

Earlier: Part 1, Part 2