goingyard

No it’s not seeing Albert Pujols smile just as you let go of your pitch. This is much worse.

 It’s hearing of these songs play as you leave the bullpen:
http://sportales.com/baseball/the-top-five-worst-songs-for-a-relief-pitcher/

I had bought tickets to last nights game a couple of months ago. Who would have known I was going to attend the first suspended game for Manny.

The mood of the fans entering Dodger Stadium was a somber one. The crowd seemed very subdued. That  feeling quickly went away after the first inning. The Dodgers came out swinging.They built a 6 - 0 lead with the help of a grand slam home run by Matt Kemp. The crowd woke up and it was a great feeling to be amongst craziness in the stands.

The euphoria disappeared when the Nationals took the lead in the 8th and never looked back. The Dodgers bull pen obviously didn’t hear the same speech the offense heard in the locker room before the game. The Dodgers clawed their way back and almost pulled off a come back victory but ultimately fell short.

If nothing else this showed that the Dodgers are not going to just lay down their bats and wait for July 3rd to arrive. They will move on without Manny. And they will be a better team for it.

In case you have been living in a bubble and have not heard yet, Manny Ramirez has been suspended 50 games by Major League Baseball for testing positive for a performance enhancing drug. Per Section 8.G.2 of the Program.

Here are the facts as of today (10:36 am, May 7 2009): Manny suspended 50 games. Tested positive. He will not fight the suspension. He will be eligible to be back July 3rd. Manny will be losing 1/3 of his salary (around 7.7 million dollars) from his 45 million dollar contract. Xavier Paul will be called up from triple A to take Manny’s roster spot.

Here is what is not known: What Manny tested positive for. According to Manny, in a statement he released earlier , that he was given a prescription drug from a physician for a personal illness. The doctor thought this medication was not on the banned list. And they are also saying it was not a steroid.

Being a Dodger fan I hope that what Manny is saying is true. I really really want to believe it. But it’s almost like “here we go again”. Another great baseball player showing us he’s not so great. What Manny needs to do now is come out with everything. Have the doctor come out and speak, tell us what ailment he has, show us the prescription, and let us know what drug he took. If he can’t or doesn’t do that, why should we believe him?

There’s something about opening day in baseball. The stadium, the food, the fans, the memories, but most of all hope. Hope that your team will still be playing in October.

I was really looking forward to opening day at Dodger stadium this year.  I had bought tickets with my best friend and both of us were planning on meeting up with family and friends to tailgate before the game. Unfortunately for us, traffic had other ideas. We never did make it to the tailgating and when we finally sat down at our seats, it was already the third inning. (On a quick side note, the Dodgers really needed more traffic officers around the stadium. It took us 2 1/2 hours to get to the stadium once we got off the 5 freeway. Now back to the story) The Dodgers were up 1 - 0, I had a beer, and a Dodger Dog. Life was good.

Now to say that Dodger fans can get a little out of control sometimes (like stabbing someone outside of the stadium) is putting it lightly. I felt sorry for anyone wearing a Giants uniform that day. But a part of me also says they had to know it was coming. I also believe that fans from other teams should be hazed or tormented, to a certain degree. It’s when things are thrown, cussing spews out of peoples mouth (especially when kids are around) or when a fight breaks out that I have a problem.  Luckily the section I was in wasn’t too bad. But forget about the pavilions.

The game itself was awesome. The weather was great and the Dodgers were even better. Bllingsley pitched an outstanding game. Not to mention he had a hit and a  beautiful sacrifice bunt. Ethier hit two home runs.  And the highlight of the night, Orlando Hudson hit for the cycle. Only the second Dodger to ever do it and the first one at Dodger Stadium. And I was there to see it. How awesome is that?

The Dodgers went on to defeat the hated Giants 11 - 1 on a near perfect day. My best friend and I went on to meet our friends and family at Havana’s after the game. It was truly a great day.

Now let the rest of the season begin!

I love this time of year. Baseball season is here. All is good in the world.

Ok. Maybe not so perfect. But still, it is a great time of year. Time for going to baseball games, eating hot dogs, peanuts, drinking beer, teaching my son more about the game, singing “Take Me Out”, watching a game at a local bar, and most importantly: cheering on your team becuase anything is possible right now.

I went to an Angel’s game on Tuesday with some friends and I am going to the Dodgers home opener on Monday. Will be there tailgating with my best friend. Drinking, eating, and just havng a great time getting ready for the game. To have a Dodger Dog will be awesome. To be with friends at the stadium, drunk, will be a blast. I can’t wait!

Baseball season is here people! WooHoo!!!

P.S. I’ll have a full report about opening day on Tuesday. With pics and everything!

Well according to KABC (Here in Los Angeles) and ESPN.com Manny has changed his mind. $45 million dollars over 2 years is good enough. He should be reporting to spring training camp soon. Manny is a dodger!

At least this chapter of the drama is over. Now we have to hope here in L.A. that we get happy Manny. Cause if we do the future looks bright at Dodger Stadium. If we don’t, well we will cross that bridge when we get there. But for now Dodger blue fans hopefully will see plenty of home runs and smiles from Manny. I really can’t wait for opening day now.

Manny turned down the latest 2 year offer of 45 miilion the Dodgers put on the table. 

Who does he think he is?

I can tell you who he’s not: Magic Johnson, Sandy Koufax, Wayne Gretzky, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Jerry West, Bo Jackson, Don Drysdale, Mike Piazza, Wilt Chamberlain, Eric Dickerson, Marcus Allen, Shaquille O’Neal*, Kobe Bryant*, James Worthy, Orel Hershiser or any of the other great players who played in Los Angeles I may have missed.

These players wanted to play in L.A. They loved playing here. Manny just doesn’t get it. Sure we would love to have him play for the Dodgers but we don’t need him. L.A. has always had and will always have great players who will play here. And we appreciate all that those players have done for us. But we don’t have time for players that don’t want to be here.

Manny your not that special.

*These players have shown some displeasure but for the most part love/ed to play in Los Angeles

No one can say the Dodgers haven’t tried.

Fox Sports reported today that in a meeting that included Dodgers owner Frank McCourt, Genral Manager Ned Colletti, and sports agent Scott (Show me the money) Boras the Dodgers offered Manny a 2 year deal worth 45 million. Not a bad chunk of change. Especially these days (but that’s a whole other blog).

Here’s how the deal breaks down. Manny will get 25 million his first year and 20 million in his second year. He can opt out of his contract after the first year if he so pleases. Which, hopefully, will make Manny happy. Boras plans to call Manny tomorrow with the offer details.

I really don’t know what else the Dodgers can do. They have shown time and time again that they want Manny. They have put thier money where thier mouth is. And I can attest to the fact that the fans here really want him also. But I don’t know how much longer that welcome wagon will be here in L.A.

It may leave soon.

News Source

At this point I don’t think anyone can blame the Dodgers if Manny Ramirez doesn’t sign with the Dodgers. As a long running huge fan of the Dodgers I in no way can say the Dodgers have no tried to sign Manny.

It’s no doubt that Manny turned the Dodgers around last year. His bat along with his attitude turned a so-so team into a contender. There were two seasons last year: BM and AM. Before Manny and After Manny. As a fan you could feel the electricity every in town. It was something that hasn’t been felt here for the Dodgers in a long time and it was great.  Going to the games also felt different. It was just all around a great time to be a Dodger fan.

All Dodger fans here in L.A. hope that Manny signs with the Dodgers again. But if he doesn’t I don’t think too many people will blame the Dodgers management.  They have been fair in the offerings (Manny is up there in age) that have come Manny’s way. They have not low balled him in any way. But Manny is looking for years + money. The dodgers have to also look at their future and how they will be able to re-sign the young talent they already have if they are locked up in a long term deal with Manny. The Dodgers are doing the right thing.

Hopefully all this will caome to pass soon and Manny will be in Dodger blue this coming season. All I ask is that he does not end up in that crappy Giant brown…