Dodger Broadcasting Changes - Steve Lyons and Eric Collins Will Not Return

According to Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times, the announcing team of Eric Collins and Steve Lyons will not return for the 2014 season.  Collins and Lyons call all Dodger road games outside California and Arizona.  Collins just completed his fifth season as a Dodger broadcaster and Lyons has worked on Dodgers television for nine years.

I will not return with the Dodgers in any role in '14. Shattered, but not broken. I still LOVE this team.
— Steve Lyons (@SteveLyons12) October 12, 2013

According to Shaikin team officials have not confirmed the decision to let Collins go.  Beginning next season, the Dodgers broadcast rights belong to Time Warner Cable.  Much like their deal with the Lakers, Time Warner will create a regional sports network around Dodger programming.  Programming schedules and new broadcasters will be announced in the off season.  Rick Monday, Charley Steiner, Fernando Valenzuela, Pepe Yniguez, and Jaime Jarrin are all expected to return in 2014.

Time Warner Cable SportsNet recently announced the addition of Byron Scott and Luke Walton have joined the network's on-air team.  They will both be part of Lakes pre- and post-game shows.  Scott played 10 years in a Lakers uniform winning three NBA titles with the Lakers and Walton wore the purple and gold for 9 seasons winning two NBA titles along the way.

TWC SportsNet has done really well hiring former Lakers players for their broadcasts.  I hope they do the same when it comes to their Dodgers broadcasts.  I'm not sure what his contract status is with Fox Sports, but I would like to see Eric Karros be part of Dodger broadcasts.

True to the Blue!

2013 NLCS Schedule is Set

The 2013 NLCS schedule has been set.  All times listed are Pacific Time.

Game 1  Fri.    October 11   Dodgers@ St. Louis     5:30pm
Game 2  Sat.   October 12   Dodgers@ St. Louis     1:00pm
Game 3  Mon. October 14   St. Louis@ Dodgers     5:00pm
Game 4  Tues. October 15   St. Louis@ Dodgers     5:00pm
Game 5  Wed. October 16   St. Louis@ Dodgers     4:00pm
Game 6  Fri.    October 18   Dodgers@ St. Louis     5:30pm
Game 7  Sat.   October 19   Dodgers@ St. Louis     5:30pm

This Date in Dodger History - Mike Scioscia and Kirk Gibson Homeruns

On October 9, 1988, the New York Mets hosted the Dodgers in Game 4 of the 1988 NLCS. Trailing 4-2 in the top of the ninth with John Shelby on first, Mike Scioscia pulled a Dwight Gooden pitch over the right field fence for a 2-run game tying homerun. The game went extra innings and in the top of the twelfth, Kirk Gibson hit a homerun to give the Dodgers a 5-4 lead. Even though he was the starting pitcher the day before in Game 3, Orel Hersisher came in to pitch the bottom of the twelfth and got the save! The win tied the series at two games a piece. Check out the video below.

 

True to the Blue!

Darryl Strawberry Autograph Signing - Photos & Recap

On Saturday September 28, 2013, former Mets, Dodgers, and Yankees outfielder Darryl Strawberry was scheduled to sign autographs at the Long Beach Coin Expo from 12pm - 1:30pm.  After I obtained the autograph of A.J. Ellis, I hung around the expo and wanted for Strawberry to arrive.  Shortly after 12pm, Darryl sat down and began signing.  I was the second person in line and was done within a matter of minutes.  Darryl was in a great mood and asked how I was doing.  I told him I was doing well and thanked him for his time.  I handed him a program from the 1988 National League Championship Series and he said, he remembered the series well especially since "we lost".  He put a nice big clean signature on the program for me and then signed my ROLMB.  I had him add the 83 NL ROY inscription on the ball.

Check out the photos below.

Darryl Strawberry signing a bat

Strawberry signing my ball

Darryl Strawberry auto with 83 NL ROY inscription

Darryl Strawberry auto on 1988 NLCS program

True to the Blue!

A.J. Ellis Autograph Signing - Photos & Recap

On Saturday September 28, 2013, Dodgers catcher A.J. Ellis was scheduled to sign autographs at the Long Beach Coin Expo at the Long Beach Convention Center.  Ellis was scheduled to sign from 11am - 12:30pm.  I arrived early at around 10am so I had time to park and get my will call tickets.  This is the second signing I've been to at the Long Beach Coin Expo and I like they way the organize their events.  They line up everyone based on the number on their autograph ticket.  Luckily, I was in the first five.  A.J. was in a great mood, asked me how I was doing and thanked me for coming out.  I thanked him for his time and told him the team needed to bring it all home this year.  He smiled and shook my hand.

While I already have a few items signed by A.J., I wanted to get the photo of his division clinching homerun signed.  I wrote down the inscription I wanted on a piece of paper and he made sure to get the inscription just the way I wrote it.  Check out the 8x10 photo below.

A.J. Ellis autograph with inscription - NL West Clinching HR 9/19/13

Thanks to A.J. and the Long Beach Coin Expo!

True to the Blue!

Matt Kemp out for 2013 Postseason

For those of you that were unable to witness the Dodgers post game rally today, Matt Kemp was walking with the aid of crutches.  Several sources including Mark Saxon of ESPNLA, are reporting that Matt Kemp has been ruled out for the entire postseason.  According to Dr. Neal ElAttrache, the Dodgers official team doctor, if Kemp continued to play he risked further damaging his ankle.

Matt Kemp:

"It's like a bad nightmare, injury after injury after injury after injury.  Honestly, I don't know what to say any more except that the season's over with for me and I have to be that cheerleader or that leader on the bench to help those guys through those tough games they're going to play."

Don Mattingly:

"To be honest with you, and I'm not saying it in a bad way, we played all year long without Matt and we went 42-8 without Matt.  We're capable of winning. We're not just going to roll over."

This is definitely not the way the Dodger faithful saw the playoffs unfolding and the news wouldn't be so bad if Andre Ethier were healthy.  However, with Ethier still not clear to run, the Dodgers are looking at Skip Schumaker being their starting center fielder during this playoff run.

True to the Blue!

Stephen Fife & Tim Federowicz Autograph Signing - Photos & Recap

On Saturday September 14, 2013, Dodgers pitcher Stephen Fife and catcher Tim Federowicz were scheduled to signed autographs at Harry's Dugout in the city of Whittier.  Both signers were scheduled to sign from 10am - 11am.  Being that I worked late on Friday night, I was running late on Saturday morning and didn't get to Harry's Dugout until 10:50am.  There were only a few people in line and was up front in a matter of minutes.  Both Fife and Federowicz were cheerful and friendly.  I had them both sign 8x10 photos.  You can see the Fife autograph at the top of this post and the Federowicz photo below.

Fife & Fed Ex just chillin

Fife and Fed Ex waiting for the next signer

As always, an excellent experience at Harry's Dugout.  They are definitely fan friendly there! 

True to the Blue!