Dylan Palmer, Third baseman/catcher
LLWS: 4 for 12, 1 HR, 3 R, 4 RBI, 1 BB.

 Christian Catano Outfield/second base
LLWS: 4 for 10, 2 2B, 2 RBI, 4 R.

And as for the rest of the team, here’s a link featuring the entire roster….

http://www.ocvarsity.com/articles/league-27393-little-team.html

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20110929&content_id=25379374&vkey=news_mlb&c_id=mlb

I had posted on my facebook that I wanted to see  two one game play in games today and when Boston was up 3-2 on the Orioles and the Yankees up 7-0 over Tampa, it seemed that my wish would come to a screeching halt.  Even a friend of mine commented on my fb status update ( D**N YANKEES !!! )  while I had responded back, GO ORIOLES !!! ( I was under the assumption at the time that the Yankees we’re gonna run away with the game and needed the O’s to rally so that both the Rays and Red Sox would play that one game playoff ). 

Meanwhile, over in the senior circuit, with the Cards running away with their game in Houston, the Braves are clining to a 3-2 lead when their closer Greg Kimbrell comes on and can’t shut the door down, forcing their game with the Phillies into extras.  ( So much for the Home Field Advantage bound  Phillies calling it in….)  The Phillies would eventually win in 13, and with the Cards winning, the Braves, after leading the WC by as much as 10.5 games, are heading home.

Meanwhile, in the junior circuit, after a rain delay in Baltimore, the Red Sox, despite a September swoon, are one out away from playing another game ( Sound familiar ? )  only to blow it in the end.  Minutes later, the Rays, who had been down earlier 7-0 to the Yankees, stage a comeback for the ages and Evan Longoria caps off an amazing evening.  For the actual order of last nights events….

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20110929&content_id=25386418&vkey=news_mlb&c_id=mlb

And so we head to October.  And for the 2nd straight year, our Boys in Blue will not be playing in the post season.  Now while an 82-79 record is not much, when you take into account where we we’re in the first week of July, all the off-field drama ( Which we won’t get into ), and what we, the fans, put up with as well, though this was one of the most enduring seasons anyone could imagine, in the end, it may have been the most non-playoff season we may have experienced. 

And if all goes according to our wishes, when all is said and done, we will have both and MVP and a Cy Young Award winner in Matt Kemp and Clayton Kershaw.  OK, as some of you may know, I for one did not stay away from The Ravine and am grateful for that.  Though not quite the season I imagined, a day at the ballpark always beats a day in the office, or in my case this past year, a day in the ballpark is a great way to get away from life’s realities.  And as always, I will miss going to the games with my crew until next Spring, but of course, at this time of year, I asked what their favorite moment at the Stadium was and for the most part, we all had the same one(s).  However, my buddy Daniel, one of the friendliest ushers at Dodger Stadium, had this as his favorite moment this year….

http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2011_09_14_arimlb_lanmlb_1&mode=wrap&c_id=mlb#gid=2011_09_14_arimlb_lanmlb_1&mode=video

This would be the game that Kershaw would be ejected against the DBacks for hitting Gerardo Parra in the back.  I don’t think it was intentional, but hey, the previous night, Parra started mouthing off toward the Dodger dugout after hitting a game tying homer.  Kershaw didn’t think to kindly of it and as for my man Dan, this just showed that Kershaw has come full circle , serving notice that he ain’t backing down to no one.  As for my man Dan, hopefully he will be back at his usual spot on the field level next season….

 Who da man, Dan ?

OK, as for a couple of Drei’s Crew of 2011 and their favorite moments, well, first off, Da Kid, whom I haven’t seen in what, 6 years and how many games did we go to together this year.  His favorite moment…Matt Kemps walk off, 4/21 against the Braves in extras.  Too bad he couldn’t stick around for the end.  Contrary to popular belief, his reasons for leaving early had nothing to do with the so-called Dodger fan tradition of leaving after the 7th inning stretch.  The game went extras that afternoon, and Marls, aka Da Kid, had to go to work.  Let this be a lesson to you that you NEVER plan anything after a ballgame.  As for Marls, we would go to quite a few games this season, had lots of GOOD TIMES, but their we’re times that his attention span was anywher but on the action on the field….

  Yo Marlon, wake up Marlon !!!  I know all that room in the pavillion was made possible by our ownership this season, but hey, there’s a game goin’ on.  MARLON !!!!

 Last home game of the season and AGAIN his mind is elsewhere.  What are you dreaming of kid ?

 Good times with Dan and Marls

 L.A., ALL DAY, ALL DRE !!!

OK, now my other partner in crime.  Josh .  JJ has had season tickets with me for the past 5 season, so of course it would only be natural that we both would have the same favorite moment of 2011.  But this season would be unique because there would actually be 2 fav moments, both finishing tied for first in our books.  And they would happen 4 days apart from each other.

4/17/2011

Dodgers 2 Cards 1.  On the verge of being swept in this 4 game series with the Cards, down 1-0 in the last half of the 9th, after a leadoff double by Dre, with one swing, Matt Kemp to the Cards….” Time to Walk Off !!!  Who says Nobody Walks in L.A. “

http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2011_04_17_slnmlb_lanmlb_1&mode=wrap&c_id=mlb

 The start of the rally, Ethiers lead off double in the 9th 4/17.  I’m to the left of the 330 sign.  Next up was Matt Kemp, and you know the rest….

And the other fav moment of 2011, four days later, when Matt would do it again, leaving the Braves chopped…..

http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2011_04_21_atlmlb_lanmlb_1&mode=wrap&c_id=mlb

Oh yeah, the best part, later that evening, watching the highlights, and listening to how quiet the Braves broadcast team went after Kemp walked them off.  As for the Braves broadcast team being quiet, well, I guess they’ll be quiet all throughout October.

 It was another fun season Josh.  Next year, OCTOBER BASEBALL RETURNS TO THE RAVINE !!!

OK, enough for now.  I will continue to post other stuff and plenty of pics from this past season and I hope to be hearing from you. Speaking of hearing from you, what we’re some of your favorite moments at The Ravine this season ?  I’d like to hear them.  HAVE A GREAT OFF SEASON. 

 Kemp looking in toward Baumgardner, 4-1 Dodgers, bottom 5

 Kemp swings, and it’s a long drive….

 And Kemp has touched ‘em all !!!  ( OK, he didn’t homer, but he did score on a bases loaded walk that would make the score 5-1.  Kemp actually doubled to left center, just missing #35, which he would get later off Barry Zito…)

Click to view slideshow.

VISITING TEAM THROWBACKS

This past Wednesday was the final weekday afternoon game which the Dodgers wore their 1944 satin blue Brooklyn throwbacks.  In their 6 ” throwback ” games, 4 of their opponents wore throwbacks as well, with the Phillies and Padres being the party poopers. ( I’ll excuse the Padres since they we’rent an MLB franchise in 1944, but the Phillies ? )  Here are Drei’s visitor throwback uni rankings

4. Cincinatti Reds 6/15

 Really not much different from their road unis of today but still pretty sharp.  The cap is navy blue.  Joey Votto looking up at us.  And for the L.A. readers no we we’rent amongst “VOTTOS” out in the LF Pavillion…..

3. Chicago Cubs 5/4/2011

 This was the best pic I got that day.  Nothing really eye popping but nothing excessivly flashy either.  Check out ” former ” Cub Carlos Zambrano.  Apparently he was ok with wearing the throwback on this day rather than his usual alternate blue ( Yes, he was this days starting pitcher….)

2. Tigers 6/22/2011

 Another simple yet traditional looking uni .  Bonus points for Tigers wearing their home cap on this day, which was the cap that accompanied this uni in 1944.

And finally….

1. Braves 4/21/2011

 The one pic I did not take but this was the uni the Braves donned for their throwback, this Boston Brave uni from 1944 sans the Boston hat.  That image on the sleeve would be deemed ” politically incorrect ” by todays standards.

OK, now let’s see your rankings.  For a better view of the unis, please click on the pics above….

View This Poll

AUGUST  HIGHLIGHTS AND AUGUST 31, THE DAY I ALWAYS DREADED

I had meant to post this two days ago.  As a kid I always dreaded this day, August 31st.  One because it meant all the August birthday celebrations in our family we’re over with, two, it meant summer was approaching it’s end as well, which also meant BACK TO SCHOOL time ( It’s funny how I dreaded school as a kid and now wish I had applied myself to my fullest potential and these days enjoy learning anything new in life….) , and of course, with summer ending and school starting, that also meant baseball was nearing the end of the season as well. 

Well, as usual, I was not looking to turn the page to September this past Wednesday.  This year my August was filled with the usual August family birthdays, including my grandmothers, who turned 80 this year.  I mention my grandmother because my stepdad grew up 5 minutes away from Dodger Stadium  in nearby  Echo Park and I spent a lot of my childhood days there, especially after Dodger day games when my buddy and I would walk over and she would cook up a big meal for us.  This August was also memorable in that I had the chance to catch up with  friends I haven’t seen in what, 10 plus years  at , of course, the ballparks, Dodger and PETCO, as well as those I don’t see often and of course those I chill with regularly.  So of course what better way to finish the month of August than at, of course, a Dodger game……

 Just moments before the first pitch in front of another huge crowd.  Can it get any more sparse than this ? 

http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-plaschke-dodgers-crowd-20110901,0,7437893.column

 Ballparks may have different types of upscale cuisines these days, but nothing beats the good old fashioned hot dog.  Here is a Super Dodger Dog covered with traditional condiments.

Marlon B getting ready for game time with his Super Dog.  Behind him, the starting lineups.  Check out that huge gathering in the right field pavillion….

 Today is throwback Wednesday, so we pay homage to our roots in Brooklyn

 WHAT’S UP MATT !!!!  Matt Kemp stylin’ with the shades….

 Matt getting ready to snag another routine fly

 Matt making a nice running catch.  MVP ! MVP !

 Matt looking sharp with the old-school Brooklyn uni

 In the meantime, with so many seats to choose from on this lovely afternoon on this final day of August, Marlon B, aka Da Kid, decides to take advantage of all this legroom out in the LF Pavillion

 On the opposite side, Christian, one of the few and proud in the RF Pavillion, is yelling for Juan Rivera to toss him a baseball…

 And after catching his  souvenier from Juan Rivera, Christian is seen admiring his prized gift.  This is a much happier day for Christian.  A couple of months ago, Matt Kemp tossed him a ball only to have another fan next to him bump him and lodge the ball loose , making some kid happy and Christian, well….

           Why Drei ? Why ?

OK, time to stretch                                                                                        Marlon, IT’S TIME TO STRETCH !!!!

Hey Marlon, Matt’s got a message for you        Oh well, can you blame Marlon B for chillin’ under the sun with that huge crowd behind him

As for the game, the Dodgers would go on to beat the Padres 4-2, completing a 3 game sweep and posting their 8th win in their last 9 tries.  As for the pics below , sorry for the quality….

  Time for a victory bump  WE LOVE L.A. !!!!

Game’s over kid !!!    Uh, Marlon, time to go home…

Never a dull moment at the ballpark.  HAVE A GREAT LABOR DAY WEEKEND EVERYONE !!!!                                                                             

4. Day Tripper.  A description on how Frank must feel about Jamie

3. Ticket to Ride.  Another one about Frank and Jamie

2. Not a Second Time.  We’re these Franks words to Jamie ” THE NIGHT BEFORE “  the divorce ?

And Finally, Number 1 of Drei’s Fab Four

1. Money.  Oh Frank, how much have you been crying over this

OK, all McCourt bashing aside, these are really some cool Beatle clips on YouTube.  Have a Great Weekend everyone, GO DODGERS !!!!

To this day, I still laugh at those who went on this bonfire.   I mean, really,  John gives his god honest opinion, no pun intended, and these so-called religious freaks burn him in effigy.  WOW, I’m sure God really appreciated his name being linked to these so-called bible thumpers.

 I wonder how many of these people came back on the Beatle Bandwagon the following year when Sgt. Pepper came out

 Promotional poster for their Aug. 28th 1966 concert.  Check out the reference to Sandy Koufax

 The Fab Four performing in front of over 45,000 screaming fans at Chavez Ravine, 8/28/1966.  All those years of touring in front of  screaming fans must have turned into plenty of HARD DAYS NIGHTS.  Oh yeah, check out the stands in the background, it’s amazing how she looks so much the same today as she did in 1966

To honor the occasion, Beatles tunes will be played throughout the weekend series with the Rockies, as well as this Tuesday, 8/30 , when performers from Love will be here for a pre-game performance as well.  A Splendid Time Is Guaranteed for All….  THE BEATLES ARE MORE POPULAR THAN….Frank McCourt, YEAH YEAH YEAH… what did you think I was gonna say ?

NO SUCH THING AS A STUPID QUESTION ?

Earlier this week Dodger season ticket holders we’re asked to rate Vin Scully ?  There’s another one to chalk up in the reasons why  FRANK MUST GO list.  Rate Vin Scully ? REALLY FRANK ?

http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-simers-20110824,0,3680136.column

 LONG LIVE VINNY !!!!

http://dodgerdrei.wordpress.com/2011/08/23/dreis-rants-8222011-rivalries/

MY 2 DARKEST CHILDHOOD DAYS AS A DODGER FAN

10/14/1985

With both teams tied at 2 games a piece in the best of 7 NLCS and the score tied at 2 in the bottom of the 9th, Ozzie Smith, who had never homered from the left side of the plate, had to pick this moment to go yard from the left side of the dish, and the folks of St Louie WENT CRAZY FOLKS….

Whether our Boys in Blue are fighting for a division title or just playing out the string I still enjoy coming out to the games.  I have been coming out to the games for almost 30 years now, going back to my first ballgame in August of 1982 at the height of FernandoMania.  I, like many of you, have gone through both the good and bad and like a true fan has stuck through .  Now while I myself may be stretching things a bit by saying that I wont be going to the games anytime soon ( As stated I love this team too much ),  the atmosphere and attitudes of certain personel during the last 2 homestands, particularly up in the  reserved level and with the Operations and Marketing department, hasn’t exactly given me reason to brag about my experiences at Chavez Ravine. ( I’m probably putting it kindly….) 

OK, I will admit, I may be looking for more reasons to want to bash our ownership ( Who isn’t ), but having said that, you would think that those associated with our Dodgers, including the parties mentined earlier, would be doing their best NOT to give fans more reasons not to want to show up to the games.  First, the stadium personel on the reserved level.  On a hot Sunday afternoon 7/31 against the DBacks with plenty of empty seats in the reserved level down the 1st base lines many of us chose to move up to the seats under the shade only to be yelled at by this heavy set female usher that the area was closed.  Then she threatens everyone AGAIN this time  by getting both a cop and a security guard, and this time the security guard is yelling adamantly ” IF YOU WANTED THESE SEATS YOU SHOULD’VE BOUGHT THEM IN THE FIRST PLACE !!! “  As for those seats, they would end up filling up by more fans eventually, and in most stadiums during non sold out games ushers in the upper levels don’t care about seat hoppers anyways so the fact that we we’re being yelled at by stadium personel was pointless.

This past Sunday, in what was a pleasant afternoon, my buddy and I stayed in our seats after the game to watch the highlights on the video board as is custom by some fans.  As the highlights are about to conclude, another usher comes up to us saying we need to vacate the seating area.  As the highlights are being played ?  If I remember Eric Smith’s words ( Dodger Stadium P.A.  announcer ) ” We Invite You to Stay and Watch the Highlights….” .  In the past, when I’ve stayed to watch the highlights, ushers would wait about 5 minutes after the highlights before kicking everyone out of the viewing areas.  Oh yeah, did these ushers forget that fans and visitors take photos AFTER THE GAME as well ?

OK, now with the marketing and operations departments.  During the Dodgers/Phillies game on Mon Aug. 8, an ad was flashed on the video board promoting $5 reserved level tickets to all MON/WED/FRI home games in August.  So I go to the ticket office during the 6th inning to buy a couple of reserved level tickets for that Wednesday’s game against the Phillies.  I’m told that the ad was no longer in effect and that should not have been posted on the video board.  So I send a text to the (323) DODGERS hotline and my response is that the promotion was from the last homestand.  My buddy and I still go to that Wednesday afternoon game and our tickets our on the reserved level.  Since the Phillies we’re in town, we wanted to grab some CheeseSteaks  at the South Street stand, only to find it closed ?  REALLY, closing the CheeseSteak stand with the Phillies and their following  in town ?  Oh yeah, that wasn’t the only stand shut down either as half the stands in the reserved level we’re closed as well, creating massive lines for a game that’s nowhere close to sold out.  Yes, I have seen long food lines many times, but when there actually is a large crowd of lets say, 45,000, that’s one thing.   Our we trying to operate on the cheap here Frank ?  ( OK, don’t answer that question….)

It got to the point where I just had to let the organization know it.  Now, there was a somewhat happy ending to this as I got a response from a manager 30 minutes after I sent my email to fanfeedback@ladodgers.com  , which i’m speculating that I haven’t been the only one voicing my concerns this season because how often does one get a response that quickly ?  The result, a voucher for 2 field level tickets to any game the rest of the season (  Excluding the final 3 games of the season against the Giants and FleecBlanket night on 9/13) .   

Well, I hope you’ve all enjoyed my ranting.  There is more I could bring up but why, you the fans have already and continue to bring them up and I applaud you for that and I say KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK !!!  As for the any other experiences that you may have either during the game I strongly urge you all if you’re at the games to text (323) DODGERS or email your concerns ( Other than an apathetic owner, c’mon, let’s be fair now ) to fanfeedback@ladodgers.com  .  Who knows, you may get a quick response.  A bit of advice, and I want to be fair to all parties, should you get a call from a rep from the Dodgers, if you can, try not to yell at the rep.  The rule of thumb when dealing with a customer service rep anywhere really, don’t yell at the person working with you.  They already know you are mad and let’s face it, you don’t like to be yelled at yourself either right ? 

As for the issues brought up, I really hope that they are fixed soon. 

If you think this is empty, imagine how 2012 will be if  fixes beyond ownership aren’t made ?