Dodgers Meal at Subway

The Dodgers Meal is now available at Southern California Subway shops.  The meal consists of  6-inch sandwich, a bag of chips and a 30-ounce drink in a Dodgers souvenir cup.  Take a look at the Dodgers cup below. It has the Dodgers logo and the schedule for May, June and July.

Follow me on twitter @TrueToTheBlue81

True to the Blue!

New Dodger Nike Caps

I was browsing the Dodgers website today and came across some new hats available in their on-line shop.  The are Nike caps with adjustable snap backs.  As you can see above, one of them is emblazoned with KERSHAW KNOWS across the front.  For the other three caps available, check out the pictures below.

This LA KNOWS cap is also available in gray

These are some pretty decent looking hats.  They go along with the t-shirts Nike put out right before the season started.  If you don't remember the t-shirts, you can check out my posts below.

For the Kemp t-shirt click here   

For the Ethier & Kershaw t-shirts click here   

True to the Blue!

Opening Day is 88 Days Away

Photo Credit: Me

The Dodgers 2013 season will begin on Monday April 1, 2013 @ 1:00 p.m.  The Dodgers will be taking on the defending World Series Champion San Francisco Giants.  The game will be televised by ESPN.

True to the Blue!



"The Dodgers Are Still Alive" - Vin Scully

Both the Cardinals and Dodgers win.  The Cardinals maintain their two game lead over the Dodgers for the final wild card spot.  Trailing by two games with 3 to go the Dodgers are still alive.



True to the Blue!

It Ain't Over Til It's Over

Dodgers beat the Rockies 3-0 and trail the Cardinals by 2 games with 4 to play.

It Ain't Over Til It's Over...


True to the Blue!

Red Sox and Dodgers Working on Blockbuster Trade

The Dodgers and Red Sox are hard at work on a blockbuster deal involving up to 8 players.  According to multiple sources including ESPNBoston, the Dodgers would receive starting pitcher Josh Beckett, first baseman Adrian Gonzalez, outfielder Carl Crawford, and utility player Nick Punto in exchange for Rubby De La Rosa, James Loney, Ivan De Jesus and Jerry Sands.  In a move that may show the validity of the rumors, De La Rosa was optioned to Triple-A early this afternoon.

Dodger ownership is taking no prisoners and showing they are willing to spend big money in absorbing some of these contracts.  We'll see if the trade gets completed.  What do you guys think of this possible trade?

True to the Blue!

Frank McCourt Sells Dodgers to Magic - Official Statement from Magic Johnson

In what could be the best move he's made since buying the team in 2004, Frank McCourt has agreed to sell the Dodgers to Magic Johnson's group.  Magic's group includes partners Peter Guber, Stan Kasten, Bobby Patton and Todd Boehly.  Accoring to Ken Gurnick at Dodgers.com the deal was agreed to Tuesday night.

The following is from L.A. Times writer Bill Shaikin:

The sale must be confirmed by the court in a hearing April 13. The transaction is set to close by April 30, the same day McCourt must pay his ex-wife $131 million in a divorce settlement.

If the deal closes as expected, the Dodgers would be owned by an entity called Guggenheim Baseball Partners and run by Stan Kasten, the former president of the Atlanta Braves and Washington Nationals.

More from Shaikin:

Johnson would own a small stake in the Dodgers, as would Peter Guber,  a veteran Hollywood executive and co-owner of the Golden State Warriors. Johnson and Guber are partners in the Dayton Dragons, a minor league baseball team that has sold out 844 consecutive games, an ongoing record in U.S. professional sports.

ESPN aka The Evil 4 Letter aka The Mothership is reporting the sale price was $2 BILLION dollars.

The New York Times is reporting:

The Johnson group will spend $2 billion for the team and $150 million for a joint venture with the beleaguered seller, Frank McCourt, on the land surrounding Dodger Stadium, including the parking lots.

Maybe McCourt will still hold on to a piece of the infamous Dodger Stadium parking lots along with the new owners? 

And lastly, a statement from Magic himself:

“I am thrilled to be part of the historic Dodger franchise and intend to build on the fantastic foundation laid by Frank McCourt as we drive the Dodgers back to the front page of the sports section in our wonderful community of Los Angeles.”       

True to the Blue!



Injury Bug Bites Rafael Furcal...Again!

I was looking forward to watching Rafael Furcal over the next few days as the Dodgers take on the Cards in St. Louis.  Rafael was always one of the most exciting Dodgers to watch when he was healthy.  However, I was disappointed, but not surprised to read on Dodgers.com Furcal missed the Cardinals game on Sunday and will miss tonight's game against the Dodgers.

According to Ken Gurnick:



Furcal said his thumb is healing from a freak injury he suffered Saturday during batting practice at Wrigley Field, where a wooden board split when he stepped on it and he broke his fall bracing with his right hand, twisting the thumb. He said he can now hold a bat and throw a ball and hoped to be back in the lineup Tuesday night.

Tripped on a wooden board and twisted his thumb? Damn, poor Furcal.  The more things change, the more they stay the same.  Hopefully, he can get back in the lineup Tuesday night.

On a happier note, Furcal showed some love for the L.A. fans.  Gurnick also qouted Furcal as saying:

"The fans there treated me so good. I got hurt and I was disappointed I couldn't play for them. This was a tough decision for me. But I'm a professional. It was tough for me, emotional. I played there 5 1/2 years, I still have a home there. It was a great experience there."

True to the Blue!

How Many Games Can Kershaw Win This Season?

Clayton Kershaw's record sits at 13-5 and he has matched his win total from the 2010 season when he finished with a record of 13-10.  Kershaw started 30 games in 2009 and started 32 games in 2010.  Thus far in 2011 he as made 24 starts and will probably only get 6 or 7 more starts.  Based on that, it is unlikely he will reach 20 victories this season.  The Dodgers have not had a 20-game winner since Ramon Martinez went 20-6 in the 1990 season.

While it appears a 20-win season is unlikely, Kershaw can still finish with the most wins by a Dodger pitcher in the last 7 seasons.  I'll admit number of wins isn't the sexiest pitching stat and there are other modern stats that can prove a pitcher's worth.  However, to most fans whether they be die-hards or casual fans, the number of wins for a pitcher is one of the first things they look at.

These are the Dodger leaders in victories in a season over the last 6 seasons:

2005 Jeff Weaver - 14-11

2006 Derek Lowe - 16-8

         Brad Penny - 16-9

2007 Brad Penny - 16-4

2008 Chad Billingsley - 16-10

2009 Chad Billingsley - 12-11



With 4 more victories, Clayton Kershaw can have the most wins for a Dodger starting pitcher since Chan Ho Park in 2000.  Park finished the 2000 season with an 18-10 record and was the last Dodger pitcher to win more than 16 games.  My humble prediction is Kershaw will finish with a record of 17-7.  What's your prediction?

Clayton Kershaw Reacts to 4th Complete Game

After the game on Monday, Clayton Kershaw was interviewed by Jim Watson & Steve Lyons on Dodgers Live.  Check out the video below:

Happy Birthday Don Drysdale - Don Drysdale Autograph

The Dodgers recognized Don Drysdale yesterday July 23rd on what would have been his 75th birthday.  His sons Darren & DJ participated in the ceremonial first pitch along with their mother and Drysdale's widow Ann Meyer Drysdale.  Drysdale spent his entire career with the Brooklyn/Los Angeles Dodgers (1956-1969).  He was a 9x All Star, 3x World Series Champion, won the Cy Young Award in 1962 and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1984.  He passed away in 1993 while on the road with the Dodgers as one of their broadcasters.

Don Drysdale's autograph was on of the first autographs I ever obtained and to tell you the truth i'm not 100% if I got it at the 1991 National Convention in Anaheim or at another big West Coast show.  I just remember being awed by Drysdale and the strength of his grip when he shook my hand.  Ever since I could remember, my dad would tell me how great it was being a Dodger fan during the 50's & 60's and watching the likes of Drysdale, Koufax, Snider, etc.  So actually getting to meet Big D was a very cool moment and my dad was there to share it with me.

In the two years before that signing we had purchased 3 Don Drysdale baseball cards.  Nothing too spectacular but cards I honestly do cherish.  I haven't collected sports cards seriously since around 1994/1995 but occasionally a card will catch my eye and i'll buy it.

Take a look below at my Drysdale cards and my Drysdale autograph.  More importantly a tip of the cap to Don on what would've been his 75th birthday.

Drysdale 1962 Topps All Star #398

Drysdale 1967 Topps #55

Drysdale 1964 Topps #120

My Drysdale 8x10 displayed with two baseball cards.

True to the Blue!

Upcoming Dodger Appearance - Tim Leary

October 1, 2011 

Tim Leary

1988 Silver Slugger Award

1988 Comeback Player of the Year

1988 World Series Champion

$19 - flats, balls, figurines & minis

$29 - equipment, bats, jerseys & artwork

11:00am - 12:30pm

This signing will take place at Frank & Son and is promoted by Hall of Fame Sports.  Check back for more players to be announced.



True to the Blue!

Public Ownership of the Dodgers?

KTTV Fox 11 in Los Angeles aired a report & brief interview today with L.A. City Councilwoman Janice Hahn.  If Frank McCourt loses ownership & control of the ball club, Councilwoman Hahn wants the Dodgers to be pubicly owned, like the Green Bay Packers.  It would take congress to pass legislation as MLB rules currently do not allow this.  A web-site, ownthedodgers.com has been set up and posted the following statement:

The Los Angeles City Council voted today in favor of public ownership of the Dodgers. The Hahn Dodgers Resolution, introduced by Council Member Janice Hahn, supports the concept of public ownership of the Dodgers. This historic occasion was the first time the City Council has voted on a preference of ownership of this Major League Team . OwnTheDodgers.com is delighted with the vote of support by the City Council, and is now planning events and rallies to engage Dodger Fans throughout Southern California.

It's gonna take a lot more than a City Council Resolution to get this done.
You can view the Fox 11 report by Phil Shuman below.



True to the Blue!

Dodger Road Trip - Citi Field, New York - Dodgers vs Mets

May 6, 2011 through May 8, 2011, the Dodgers were in New York taking on the Mets in a 3-game series at Citi Field.  The Dodgers lost 2 out of 3 and Andre Ethier's hitting streak was snapped at 30-games.  Just like she traveled to Florida to watch the Dodgers take on the Marlins, Ariana S. traveled to the Big Apple to watch the Dodgers battled the Mets.

I must admit that Citi Field looks awesome!  Take a look at the pics Ariana shared:

This is the Jackie Robinson Rotunda as you enter Citi Field.  The brick archways are modeled after Ebbets Field.

The giant sized baseball cards look really cool.

Thanks again to Ariana for sharing her pics!

True to the Blue!

Dodger Road Trip - Sun Life Stadium, Florida

When I started this blog back in February, one of the first people to "like" the facebook page for the blog was Ariana S.  A few weeks back, April 25 through April 27 to be exact, the Dodgers were in Florida to take on the Marlins in a three game series and Ariana made the trip to be there too.  The Dodgers lost 2 of 3 but Andre Ethier had extended his hitting streak to 24 games and his 10th inning homerun on April 27th won the game for the Dodgers.  Ariana was nice enough to e-mail some photos from her trip.  Check them out below.

Ariana also made the trip to Citi Field to watch the Dodgers take on the Mets.  Stay tuned for thos pictures.

Over the last three years i've made two trips to Camelback for Spring Training, two trips to Petco Park in San Diego, a trip to Wrigley Field in Chicago and a trip to Chase Field in Arizona.  I'm hoping to get out to the two remaining NL West ballparks soon.  Anyone else made any Dodger Road Trips?

True to the Blue!

Upcoming Dodger Appearance - Tony Gwynn Jr.

I've had two posts about Matt Kemp's upcoming appearance on July 30, 2011.  The most updated information can be found on my post right here

Just announced making an appearance along with Matt Kemp at Frank & Son is Tony Gwynn Jr.

July 30, 2011

Tony Gwynn Jr.

$20 - small items - flat items & baseballs

$30 - large items - everything else

$10 - inscriptions

$8 - PSA/DNA

Time: 11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

True to the Blue!

Dodger Swag Trade

On Tuesday April 19th, the Dodgers gave away a FernandoMania fleece blanket.  I posted on the True to the Blue FB page that I wasn't going to be there.  Luckily, one of this blog's readers, Enrique, had an extra one and offered up a trade.

We decided he would give me the FernandoMania fleece blanket in exchanged for a This is My Town Star Wars poster that was a SGA last season.  We met up in Autograph Alley, where the players were signing to benefit Tornado Relief, before Tuesday's game against the Cubs which was cooler bag night.

Here's the Fernando Fleece & the Star Wars poster

Thanks again for the trade Enrique! It's always cool to meet Dodger fans and people that read the blog!

I have a few more items that i'll probably be giving away through contests in the next few weeks so keep watching.  Don't forget, there is an FB page for the blog.  If you're on FB, make sure you "like" the page.

http://www.facebook.com/truetotheblue81

True to the Blue!

Dodgers Head To Florida To Take On The Marlins

After taking 2 of 3 against the Cubs to start the road trip, the Dodgers next head to the Sunshine State to take on the Florida Marlins in a 3-game series.  The Marlins are 13-7 and in second place only 1.5 games behind the first place Phillies.  The Dodgers arrive in Florida 12-11, in second place 3.0 games behind the first place Rockies.  The probably pitching match-ups for the series look like this:

Monday 4:10pm pacific time

Jon Garland (1-1, 4.15 ERA) vs Ricky Nolasco (2-0, 3.00 ERA)

Tuesday 4:10pm pacific time

Clayton Kershaw (2-2, 3.00 ERA) vs Chris Volstad (1-1, 6.60 ERA)

Wednesday 9:10am pacific time

Chad Billingsley (2-1, 4.13 ERA) vs Anibal Sanchez (1-1, 3.55 ERA)

Hopefully, the offense can stay hot, the team can get quality starts from Garland, Kershaw & Billlingsley and gains some ground on the Rockies.

Andre Ethier will look to continue his hot hitting and extend his hitting streak to 22-games.

True to the Blue!

O'Malley To Run The Dodgers?

Steve Dilbeck of the L.A. Times just posted on his blog L.A. County Supervisor Mike Antonovich released a statement suggesting former Dodger owner Peter O'Malley run the Dodgers while MLB completes it's investigation.

Antonovich's statement:

"I commend baseball Commissioner Bud Selig’s wrestling control of the Dodgers and

bringing integrity back to the game. It is my hope that the commissioner appoints

a representative from the O’Malley family to oversee the team’s business affairs

 during the investigation -– a return of the O’Malley family to the Dodgers

would be a home run for fans and the Dodgers."
Dilbeck's post is linked here

True to the Blue!

Dodgers Opponents Announce They Will Also Wear Throwback Uniforms

As most of the Dodger Universe knows, the team will be wearing 1940 Brooklyn throwback jerseys for six mid-week day games this year.  Today, the team announced 5 of their 6 opponents during these games will also wear throwback jerseys.  First up, will be the Braves this Thursday April 21st followed by the Cubs Wednesday May 4th, the Reds Wednesday June 15th, the Tigers Wednesday June 22nd & the Padres Wednesday August 31st.  There was no mention of the Phillies wearing throwback uniforms on Wednesday August 10th.

True to the Blue!