Well this certainly has been quite a week.  After winning a record 13 consecutive home games to start the season, the Nats, of all teams, are the ones who break the streak, but of course that would all pale in comparison to the news we would hear earlier in the day about Manny.  There were many things that went through my mind as I heard the news, the two being mainly shock and disappointment.  And as of this writing, the Dodgers are 1-2 without his presence, in which he was dealt a 50 game suspension.  Now of course we all could here the wolves howling out there when the Blue Crew lost their first 2 games without him, but relax, the 2 were within reach if not for a meltdown from our bullpen on Thursday night, or the fact that both the Dodgers home winning streak and Chad Billingsley was eventually going to lose his first game.  But with an outstanding performance by Eric Stults today in pitching a complete game 4 hit shutout against the hated ones, perhaps hopefully most, if not all doubts, about how the Blue will perform without Manny will be put to rest. 

WHAT I'VE LIKED SO FAR

To this point, there really has not been much flaws in our lineup all the way down to our #8 hitter, Casey Blake.  Even Rusell Martin is starting to come around.  And not enough can be said about contributions from our bench, especially Mark Loretta and Brad Ausmus, who have been more than what I could have bargained for to this point.  Loretta has gotta be what, 7 for 12 off the bench, and Ausmus , well, he's been a steady backup for Russ. 

The starting pitching has also been outstanding as well, save for a couple of rocky outings from Kershaw and McDonald.  Even Eric Stults has been a pleasant surprise filling in quite nicely for Hiroki Kuroda and Jeff Weaver has filled an nicely as well.  If Weav and Stults can continue their run and maybe give us more innings, with Billingsley and Wolf going as deep as they have been, we just may have one of the deepest rotations in the NL, something that was a concern coming into the season.  Now all we need is for our bullpen to remain healthy.  Our one guarantee from our bullpen of course, has been Johnathan Broxton.  He seems to have that " swagger " this year, like nothing is gonna get in his way, he definately is our closer this year.

WHAT I WANT TO SEE

You all didn't really think that Manny was going to completely carry the team did you ?  The Dodgers dont have the best record in baseball to this point solely because of Manny, and for them to continue their success, they are going to have to continue to receive key contributions all around, especially from our other bread and butter guys Ethier, Kemp, Martin, and Loney.  And Juan Pierre hasn't exactly disappointed off the  bench either.  Even without Manny until July 3 at the earliest, I still see a fun summer ahead for the Blue and their faithful supporters.

 

MY SLIDE SHOW FROM SACRAMENTO AND RALEY FIELD, 4/25 TO 4/26/2009

Recently I went up north to SacTown to catch a couple of AAA games at Raley Field to see the Sacramento RiverCats ( A's AAA afilliate ) take on the Las Vegas 51's ( Former afilliate of the Dodgers and now the Blue Jays AAA afilliate ) and as for my first AAA experience, it was really more than I expected.  I also went to the California Rail museum as well.  Enjoy the pics everyone

 

  http://s195.photobucket.com/albums/z146/dreispics/?action=view&current=390deb77.pbw

Feel free to ask about my experience at Raley Field.

 

AND FINALLY.......

HAPPY MOTHERS DAY TO ALL MOTHERS OUT THERE 1

This has been quite an Opening Week for me.  I went to two Opening Days this year, first in San Diego, the first time I'd ever  been to Opening Day outside of Dodger Stadium, and of course, our home opener as well.   San Diego was , as always, a fun trip, on the way to SD, I bumped into Jaime Jarrin ( Dodgers Spanish Broadcaster ) at Union Station.  He would be riding the same train with us down south ( I thought he would've been on the team bus, instead he was riding with us regular folks....) than I got to see the Dodgers open the season with a 4-1 victory over the Friars.  Not only that, it was their first win over Jake Peavy since Sept. 13, 2003.  In between the season opener and the home opener, an Angel buddy of mine took me to the Red-Sox vs Angels game on Easter Sunday as well.  Then of course, our home opener.  It too, had it's pomp and circumstance, beginning with the national anthem, sung by the Phillipines own Charice Pempengco ( Hey, as a fellow Filipino, I just had to get this in ) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8WG4IkWqHtg followed by a thumping of our hated ones up north, 11-1, highlighted by Orlando Hudson being the first Dodger in 39 years to hit for the cycle.  Oh yeah, on both openers, I was a part of the largest crowds in Dodger Stadium and PETCO Park history.  Unfortunately, baseball this past week hasn't been void of any tragedy, as we have lost 3 members of the baseball family.  L.A. Angels pitcher Nick Adenhart , who had just pitched 6 shutout innings in his first big league start the previos evening, was killed by a drunk driver along with 3 of his friends.  Harry Kalas, the longtime voice of the Phillies and voice of many of NFL Films productions, passed away Monday of heart disease , and later that same day, 1976 AL Rookie of the Year Mark Fidrych would also pass away.  For Nick Adenhart, he was taken away too soon for us, he had just realized a dream of many to come.  For Harry Kalas, I will always remember him doing voice overs for NFL Films, and as the broadcaster of the Phillies, although our boys in Blue would bow out to the Phillies in last years NLCS, I'm glad he got to see the Phillies win it all before he too, would leave us.  And for Mark Fidrych, another one gone to soon, and he too, will be missed, his ecentricity added so much color to the game.  RIP NICK, HARRY,  and MARK. 

And finally, a link to my slideshow on photobucket of pics I took from SD, Anaheim, and Dodger Stadium, including the memorial outside of Angel Stadium for Nick Adenhart. 

 

http://s195.photobucket.com/albums/z146/dreispics/?action=view&current=00afc3ac.pbw

 

I hope you've enjoyed these pics.  And now, the rest of the season.....GO DODGERS !!!!

Baseball couldn't come soon enough for me.  After departing Dodger Stadium after Game 5 of last years NLCS, I just couldn't wait another 6 months to see the Blue back in action.  And of course, I'm very excited about this upcoming season and hopefully the Blue can get back into post season play and bring home a championship, it's been 20 years now.  Anyways, this week has already been an exciting one for me , going to my first Opening Day away from Dodger Stadium and seeing the Dodgers finally beat Jake Peavy for the first time since 2003.  And of course, there were plenty of Dodgers fans who made the trek down south for this game too.    The day started off for me coming into contact with Dodger Spanish broadcaster Jaime Jarrin at LA Union Station as he would be riding the same Amtrak Surfliner with us to San Diego.  ( And I thought he'd be on the team bus with them rather than riding with us regular folks.....)  And then during the game, I would be called numerous times around the 6th and 7th innings by friends and family telling me that my buddy Josh and I were on TV.  Wow, 15 seconds of fame........

Anyways, now I look forward to our home opener this Monday against the hated ones.  By Tuesday I should have some pics from both Opening Day in San Diego and our home opener as well.  And one final thought......

My prayers, and the prayers of baseball fans everywhere to the family of Nick Adenhart and his 3 friends whose lives were taken cut prematurly by a drunk driver.  My first thoughts when I heard the news was of shock and anger, but then I had to tell myself that anger is not really the answer and to just keep thoughts positive for the Adenhart family.  RIP NICK ADENHART

 

 

 

 

Baseball 2009 is finally here !!!!  And it couldnt come soon enough.  I am so looking forward to Opening Day in San Diego tomorrow, and yes, I will be making the trek down south to see the Blue Crew do battle with the Friars.  It will be the first time that I will be attending Opening Day in a stadium other than Dodger Stadium so of course I am really looking forward to it.   Tomorrow is also a big day in that the Friars will be kicking off their 40th anniversary with some pre-game festivities.  I don't expect it to be as elaborate as the Dodgers 50th last year, but it should still be fun to watch.  I'm wandering if Steve Garvey will be honored tomorrow as well......Anyways, it's been an anxious 6 months of waiting for me, the last time I saw a game in a stadium was Game 5 of last years NLCS, where I was "privledged" to watch the eventual World Champion Phillies celebrate their trumph over us on our home field.  Though last season ended on a bitter note, 2008 was still a fun season, highlighted of course by the acquisition of Manny Ramirez, who helped sparked a late season run by the Blue Crew and a triumphant first round sweep of the Cubs in the NLDS.  As we all know by now, Manny is back, and much of the lineup from last years playoff team is intact, with really the only change being at 2nd base, where Orlando Hudson will be perhaps making the Furcal-Hudson tandem the best 1-2 punch in the league.  One of the main concerns by many heading into this season will be pitching.  Can Chad Billingsley assume the staff ace duties this year ?  Will Randy Wolf be healthy throughout the '09 campaign ?  Will this be Kershaw's breakout year or is he still a diamond in the rough ?  Is J-Mac a legit 5th starter ?  Can Guillermo Mota retain his form of '04 as the Dodgers middle reliever ?    Will Broxton really step up in the closers role ?  In spite of all these concerns, the Dodgers are still the favorites to win the NL West but it wont be easy.  Here are D-Drei's picks for 2009

NL WEST

1. DODGERS  2. D-BACKS   3. GIANTS   4. ROCKIES   5. PADRES

NL EAST

1. PHILLIES    2. METS (WC)   3. BRAVES   4. MARLINS   5. NATIONALS

NL CENTRAL

1. CUBS    2. CARDINALS  3. BREWERS   4. REDS  5. ASTROS   6. PIRATES

 

In the junior circuit, while many like the Evil Empire to win it all, I still feel Boston's pitching staff has a slight edge  over NY"s

AL WEST

1. ANGELS....2.  A'S   3. MARINERS  4. RANGERS

 

AL CENTRAL

1. INDIANS   2. TWINS    3. WHITE SOX   4. TIGERS   5. ROYALS

 

AL EAST 

1. RED SOX   2. YANKEES (WC)   3. RAYS   4. BLUE JAYS  5. ORIOLES

 

As for the WS , my heart says Dodgers over the Angels, but realisticaly, I think this could finally be the Cubs year to win it all.  Their strong starting pitching remains intact, and the addition of a switch hitter in Milton Bradley (remember him Dodgers fans ? ) can only help a right-handed heavy lineup, provided he too can avoid any major injuries .  CUBS over the RED SOX, and all talk of the curse are laid to rest ( perhaps....)

Whew, after 20 years, it feels great to be back in the NLCS.  And what a scene it was at the Ravine last Saturday, not only knocking the Cubs out of post-season play, but just dominating the Cubs in their 3 game sweep.  Mr. Worthy, there's another BIG GAME JAMES here in L.A. in James Loney, who had a huge series with 6 RBI'S, 4 coming off his 5th inning grand slam in game 1 and the other 2 coming in the 1st inning of game 3 with his 2-out double .  As for me being at the Ravine, it was 20 years of waiting, but man it was worth it !!!!  Though I missed the opening introduction of the players and the anthem, thanks to L.A.'s notorious traffic, once I got to my seat, it was on !!!!  From the time Dodger greats Don Newcombe and Duke Snider threw out the ceremonial first pitch, it was on !!!!  The atmosphere is definately different then during the regular season, with everyone on the edge of their seats from the first pitch on, the crowd getting on their feet and waving their rally towels each time Kuroda had 2 strikes on Cubbie hitters, the atmostphere was just electric.  Now if only I can be so fortunate to have tickets for any of the NLCS games... ( Perhaps someone in the FO who may be reading this can hook me up ?  Well, I can wish, right ?  ) 

Now, on to the NLCS and our next opponent, the Philadelphia Phillies.  The Dodgers and Phillies are no strangers to each other when it comes to post season play, having met 3 times from 1977-1983 , with the Blue coming on top in 2 of the 3 meetings.  In those 3 meetings, it was a best of 5 format.  Here's what went down in each of those 3 meetings.

1977

The Dodgers and Phills would split the first 2 games at Chavez Ravine, game 2 being highlighted by a grand slam by Dusty Baker .  Game 3 would forever be known in Philly as " Black Friday ", with the Phillies leading 5-3 in the top of the 9th, 2 out, no one on, and Vic Davalillo would drop down a bunt single.  The next hitter, Manny Mota, would have a 2-strike count against him only to drive Gene Garber's next pitch to the left field wall, where Philly left-fielder Greg Luzinski, the Big Bull, would trap Mota's fly against the wall, and on Luzinski's wild relay , Davalillo would score and Mota would end up at 3rd.  The next batter, current day Phillies first base coach Davey Lopes, would hit a rocket off Mike Schmidt, which current day Dodgers third base coach and former Phillie SS Larry Bowa would retrieve and throw to first, only to have Lopes beat it out, as Mota would score the tying run.  After a stolen base by Lopes, Bill Russell laced a single up the middle, scoring Lopes with the go-ahead run, and the Blue would prevail, 6-5.  The next day, Tommy John would pitch a complete game and the Dodgers would go on to the World Series against the Yankees.

1978

The 1978 NLCS didn't quite have the drama of 1977, as the Dodgers again would beat the Phillies in 4 games.  In the bottom of the 9th at Dodger Stadium in Game 4, the Dodgers would be aided by some shoddy defense by Phillies center fielder Garry Maddox, and Bill Russell would once again come through, singling home Ron Cey for the winning run of the series off Phillie closer Tug McGraw, sending the Blue Crew back to the World Series against the Evil Empire.

1983

5 years had passed since they last met, with each team having won a World Series title of their own.  This time around, 3/4 of the famous longest running infield were gone, with Lopes, Cey , and Garvey having moved on, leaving only Bill Russell left from that group of the 70's, leading that ever so promising infield of Pedro Guerrero at 3rd, Stave Sax at 2nd, and Greg Brock at 1st.  ( Wasn't it Guerrero who said, " Lord, don't hit the ball to me because I might not catch it.  And don't hit the ball to Saxie becuse he might throw it away " ? ).  Shoddy infield or not, the Dodgers found a way to win the NL West.  The Dodgers had also beat Philly 11 of 12 during the regular season.  But as we all know, the post-season is a new season, and the Phillies, led by future HOFers Steve Carlton and Mike Schmidt, would keep the Blue under control this time, as the Phillies would win this series in 4, Fernando getting the lone win for the Blue Crew.  Gary Matthews , the sarge, also had a huge series as well. 

So, another post-season chapter will be born between the Dodgers and Phillies.  Some great names came out of those epic clashes, Garvey, Cey, Lopes, Baker, Valenzuela, Russell, Schmidt, McGraw, Carlton.  And now it's time for some new faces to make some history.  Manny, Lowe, Bills, Kemp, Loney, our new " Big Game James ", and for the Phills, Rollins, Utley, Howard, Burrell.  Perhaps sometime in this series, we could see a matchup of 2 pitchers with over 80 years of age combined do battle in Maddux and Moyer.  This should be fun.      GO DODGERS !!!!!

Let's turn the Ravine BLUE !!!!  It's that time of year we all unite as one.  Let's show everyone how a DODGER BLUE OCTOBER looks on Blue Heaven on Earth !!!  Come out in your Dodger Blue attire and show that we are all united in bringing returning the Blue that much closer to glory !!!  Again, Let's turn the Ravine BLUE !!!!  GO DODGERS !!!!    

With the regular season now under the belt, on this 50th anniversary of our Boys in Blue here in L.A., we celebrate the 10th western division title , leading us to baseball in October, which, we all know, means it's PLAYOFF TIME !!!!   We all have our favorite stories we like to share during this time of year, and of course, being Dodgers fans, we have plenty of them.  For me, it started when I was in grade school during the glorious decade of the Eighties .  From 1980-1985, the Dodgers would  win 3 Western Division Titles, 1 World Championship, and come within one game and a one-game playoff of winning 5 divison titles and possibly another World Championship.  Here now are my recollections of October Memroies from 1980-1985

 

1980

The Dodgers and Houston Astros would battle tooth and nail all season for the Western Division title ( The Astros were part of the NL West at the time when there were only the East and West divisions ) , and as the final 3 games of the season approached, the Dodgers found themselves 3 games behind the Astros, whom they would play in the seasons final 3 games, at Dodger Stadium .  One win, and the Astros would wrap up their first ever division title in the teams 18 year existence.  For the Dodgers, win all 3, and they would force a one-game playoff for the NL West flag.  Win all 3 the Blue would do, highlighted by a walk-off home run by Joe Ferguson in th e 10th inning of the first of the 3 games.  Unfortunately, the Blue could not carry the magic over to the one-game playoff, as Astro knuckle-ball specialist Joe Niekro would shut down the Dodgers 7-1, giving the Astros the NL West flag. 

 

1981

The 1981 season will be best remembered as the season in which a mid-season strike cancelled over 700 games.  When baseball did resume, it would be announced that there would be " divison series playoff ", kind of what we see today, to determine the teams who would play in the leaguse LCS.  The format would pit the teams with the best record in their divisions at the time of the strike against the team with the best post-strike record within their division.  Because the Dodgers had a 1/2 game lead over the Cincinatti Reds at the time of the strike ( The Reds were also in the NL West ) , the Dodgers were already guaranteed a spot in post-season play no matter what they did after the strike.  And it was a good thing too, because they would only finish one game over .500 during that time.  ( It should be noted that teams who had finished  1st during the seasons first half became complacent with the knowledge that they were going to the post-season ) .  In fact, the Reds and Cardinals would end up with the best overall division records, and the Reds finishing with baseballs best overall record.  But with Cincy finishing behind the Dodgers and Astros before and after the strike, the closest the Reds would get to post-season play would be there TVsets.  

In the LDS to determine the NL West, the Dodgers and Astros would battle it out in a best of 5 searies, with the 'Stros taking the first 2 games in the cavernous Astrodome.  With the final 3 games at Dodger Stadium, the Blue Crew would rally back and win all 3 games to send the Dodgers to the NLCS against the Montreal Expos.  In this best of 5 classic, once again, the Dodgers would have to rally and what would forever be known as " Blue Monday " in Montreal, with 2 out in the top of 9th against Expos ace Steve Rogers, Rick Monday would send a high drive over the right field fence, hiting perhaps at the time the biggest home run in Dodger history, sending the Dodgers back to the World Series for the 3rd time in 5 years against our old nemesis, the New York Yankees. 

In the WS, the Dodgers would once again have to rally, losing the first 2 games in the Bronx, and rally they did, as they would take games 3, 4, and 5 at Dodger Stadium.  Game 6, back in the Bronx, would be no contest,as the Blue would pummell the Yanks, 9-2, bringing the Dodgers their 4th world title to L.A.  Game 6 would also mark the last time the longest running infield of Garvey, Lopes, Cey, and Russell would play together, as Lopes would be dealt to the A's in the off season.

1982

With ten games to go in the regular season and the Dodgers holding a somewhat comfortable 3 game lead over the Braves, the Dodgers would pick a bad time to go to a slump, going 3-7 in their final 10 games.  Despite their late season swoon, the Dodgers still had a chance at post-season play heading into the final weekend of the season in San Francisco trailing the Braves by 1 game.  The Dodgers would manhandle the Giants in their first 2 games by scores of 4-0 and 15-2, knocking the Jints out of possible post-season contention.  Unfortunately, the Braves also won their games, so the Blue would still remain one game back heading into the final game of the season.  A Dodger win and a Braves defeat, and the Dodgers and Braves would battle in a one-game playoff to determine the NL West Champs.  Well, the Braves would lose to the Padres, so a win over the hated ones, and the one-game playoff is on.  However, it was not meant to be, as Joe Morgan would line a 3 run shot off Terry Forster in the bottom of the 7th, and the hated ones would prevail 5-3, not only giving me a first taste of the Dodgers-Giants rivalry ( I was 8 at the time folks ), but keeping the Dodgers out of post-season play, giving the NL West title to the Atlanta Braves, managed by.........Joe Torre .

1983

Only Bill Russell remained from the longest running infield, as Ron Cey and Steve Garvey would depart in the off-season.  The 1983 team would also be remembered as having one of the most inept infield in the game, with Pedro Guerrero's struggling to play 3rd base, and of course Steve Sax's throwing problems.  Then there was also Steve Howe's drug problems.  In spite of all this, the Dodgers would still win the NL West by 3 games over Joe Torre's Atlanta Braves.  The Dodgers would lose the Best of 5 NLCS to the Phillies in 4 games.

 

1984

Even though the Blue would not be involved in any late season dramatics, the 1984 NLCS would pit the Chicago Cubs against the San Diego Padres.  It would be the Cubs first post-season appearance since 1945, and it would be the Friars first ever post-season appearance ever.  The Cubs would take the first 2 games at the Friendly Confines and would need only one win in Lo-Cal to reach the World Series.  The Friars would win game 3, then games 4 and 5 would only add to the Cub Nations long lasting agony.  In game 4 , bottom of the 9th, with Cubs flame thrower Lee Smith on to pitch, with a runner at first, a walk-off home run would send this series to a decisive 5th.  Who hit the walk-off you ask, a guy named Garvey.  And in the 5th game, though the Cubs would grab an early 3 run lead, the Friars would battle back and finally take the lead in the 7th inning, aided by a ground ball that would be misplayed by Cubs 1st baseman Leon Durham.  ( What is it with ground balls and first baseman in the post-season ? ).  The Friars would go on to the World Series to lose to the Detroit Tigers in 5 games.  In game 5, some Tiger named Kirk Gibson would hit 2 huge home runs, the second one off future hall of famer Goose Gossage, to close the deal.  I could never imagine Kirk Gibson hitting a bigger home run ever.  EVER !!!

1985

Thjs would be the first year the LCS would go to a best of 7 format, and with the Dodgers winning the NL West by 6 games, they would be matched against the St. Louis Cardinals.  After winning the first two games at Chavez Ravine, two of the darkest days of my life as a baseball fan would occur in games 5 and 6.  With the Cards tying the series at 2 games apiece, the Blue and the Red Birds would battle to a 2-2 tie going to the last half of the ninth.  With one out, HOF shortstop Ozzie Smith, batting from the left side of the plate, would lace a Tom Niedenfuer fastball over the right field fence, his first, and only home run ever, from the left side, sending the Cards to a stunning 3-2 victory and lead in the series, setting off former Cards broadcaster Jack Buck's  call,  " Go Crazy Folks !!!! "  Game 6, back here at Chavez Ravine, the Dodgers had a 5-4 lead with two out in the ninth.  With 2 runners on and first base open, Jack Clark is up for the Red Birds.  Jack Clark, their only legitamate power threat.  And the question that would be asked for years to come... " Why didnt you walk Jack Clark ? " .   On Niedenfuers first pitch, once Clark's bat made contact with the ball, there was no doubt about the result.  I remember Pedro Guerrero turning around, slamming his glove to the ground .  Oh did I ever cry like a baby after the game.  However, if there was some bit of personal consolation for me, the 1985 WS between the Cards and Royals would forever be known for umpire Don Dekingers blown call in game 6, as the Royals, behind Bret Saberhagen, would shut out the Cards in Game 7, 11-0. 

So the early eighties would bring us 1 World Title, 3 division titles, and 2 second place finishes , 1 involving a one game playoff.  Those were some fun times in my youth.

It was a fun 3 days here in Houston, especially with the Blue Crew taking the latter 3 games of this 4 game series , and me attending all 3 of the wins.  ( Maybe I should have been here Monday, perhaps we may have had a sweep....)  It was good to see the Dodger offense heat up, hopefully they can keep it going into San Francisco this weekend.  Kent, Ethier, and Loney in particular came through big in this series, especially Kent, hitting a solo shot in the 10th in Tuesday's game to win it, coming back on Wednesday with a pair of RBI doubles.  Ethier had a couple of solo shots in this series and was actually a triple away from a cycle in the Wednesday game. ( A triple, you know, the hardest hit in baseball...)  He had a shot at it in the 9th inning and I had commented to a fan next to me that MMP was the perfect ballpark to hit a triple if he could send a shot up Tal's Hill ( More on that later ) , but he grounded out to short.  Matt Kemp earlier in the game hit a triple up the hill, one of the few times the hill came into play as Astros CFielder Michael Bourne had to chase Kemps shot up the hill.  Loney , a native of Missouri City , Texas just outside of Houston, had a good series as well, which included a solo shot into the Crawford Boxes in LF. 

Minute Maid Park is a nice cozy ballpark.  A bandbox.  For the most part, you really are close to the action, even in the upper deck seats too.  It's got a retractable roof to protect the fans from the harsh summer elements in these parts, the roof is in use mostly from June on toward the end of the season.  Other features here include Tal's Hill, beyond the CF warning track that is reminiscent of old Crossley Field in Cincinatti, and the field is in play.  The hill also has a flag pole out there, reminiscent of old Tiger Stadium.  And should a potential HR hit the pole and bounce back into the field, the ball is in play.  This has happened only once, last season, when Richie Sexon of the Brewers accomplished the feat and had to settle for a triple. 

If you are on a budget, you may want to buy the cheap seats then claim a spot out in the home run porch in left center, where there is a balcony hanging above the warning track.  Out there , you'll likely to encounter the Puma's, a devoted following of Astro Lance Berkman, dubbed The Big Puma. 

MMP is worth a stop for your ballpark road trip, and while in Houston, you may also want to check out the Johnson Space Center about 30 minutes south of the ballpark.  And of course, no trip to Texas would be complete without sampling some BBQ, which I did over at Goode Company.

OTHER NOTES

Thur 7/3 there were many armed forces tributes during the game in the day before the 4th, including a nice video tribute to Rick Monday rescuing the US Flag at Dodger Stadium in 1976 as a member of the Chicago Cubs. 

HAVE A GREAT 4TH OF JULY EVERYONE !!!!

Tonight was night one of what has hopefully become my annual road trip to see the Dodgers, not counting Anaheim, San Diego, or San Francisco.  Last year, it was Atlanta, this year, Houston.  I had been to Minute Maid Park three years ago and ironically the 'Stros were playing the hated ones that evening.  I was really impressed with how intimate the park felt that I wanted to come back and perhaps see the Dodgers play here.  So here I am for 3 days  with my buddy Josh.  On this first night in the second of game of a 4 game set, Russel Martin and Jeff Kent would account for  6 of the 7 RBI'S tonight as the Blue, in spite of blowing a 6-1 lead, would pull off a victory in 11 thanks to Jeff Kent's solo shot during the top half of 11.  What was funny was that right before Kent's home run, some Astro fan in the aisle next to us felt " obligated " to bring up the Lakers " choking " in game 6 of the finals, to which the Dodger fans felt to reply back, " And where were the Rockets ? " .  Nice timing buddy.....Other news, had the bullpen , notably Faulkenborg and Broxton been able to hold onto the lead, Kershaw would have had MLB  career victory number 1 and I would have been there to see it.  Oh well, I guess we'll have to wait another day kid.  Well, I'm out for tonight, i'll be going to Space Center tomorrow before the game.  Day 2 activities tomorrow.  GO DODGERS !!!!

Well fellow Angelinos, I had been writing lately of being the 20th anniversary of our great city being the City of Champions, with the Lakers and the Dodgers coming out on top in 1988.  And what a great time it was.  And I had been exicited about the possibility of us repeating the feat again this season in this season of celebrations.  And the way the Lakers had cruised through the playoffs there was no reason for us not to feel giddy.  Oh for having high hopes.  But hey, it was still a great season. And c'mon, back in October, when Kobe wanted outta town, did we really expect to be watching Laker basketball this late in June ?  We have a young team, Bynum will be back next season, and Gasol will be around for a full season.  But tonight really hurt.  And as for me, personally, this is now the second time i've in a span of 3 months i've gone through personal heartbreak, with UCLA losing to Memphis in the Final Four .  As a fan, I'll say it...IT HURTS.  But in retrospect, it was a great season nonetheless.  OK, our full  focus is now on the Blue Crew.  And in spite of how bad we've looked lately, hey, were still only 4.5 gack of Arizona.  We still got the dog days of summer ahead......   L.A. FANS, IT WAS A GREAT SEASON.