Dodgers Earn 10,000th Win on my 18th Birthday

 

What a birthday it has been for me today.  Today is my 18th birthday and the Dodgers just pretty much gave me the best damn present.  The Dodgers have defeated the Twins with a score of 6 - 1 in order to win their 10,000th game on a day that has so much meaning for me.  Now April 30 also is of significance to the entire world.  I share my birthday, April 30, with El Dia Del Nino, Hitler's death day, and among others.  Now I can add the resume of the Dodgers historic victory to the list of events that have happened on my birthday.  I'm am not sure if I'll be around should the Dodgers get to 20,000 considering it took them since their start in the late 1800s to achieve this feat.  I do know that I might just be around for a lot of good things to come in the future.

Clayton Kershaw Cy Young Bobblehead Giveaway Game Recap

Yesterday was finally the day that I was able to finally go to a Dodgers game.  This game was vital for me considering that it was the first bobblehead giveaway of the year.  My father and I arrived at the stadium just around 4 in the afternoon.  Parking gates opened at 4:30 while the stadium gates for right field opened at 5:00.  My father and I immediately headed for the food and drinks, but we did have trouble carrying the stuff to our seats.  Nevertheless, we quickly got over that mess.  While the batting practice for the Dodgers was underway a ball had bounced off the wall and headed towards me.  I was completely ready for the baseball as I had my glove and caught it easily.

That was the only ball that headed toward my direction.  After batting practice commenced, a former American Idol competitor sang the national anthem and Max Greenfield from New Girl threw the first pitch.  I didn't take a picture of him throwing the pitch, but I did take his picture later in the game when he was on the jumbo tron.

By the way we were sitting in  Section 308, Row F, Seats 15 and 16 so we were able to get close enough to see the action.  Here is my view from numerous standpoints.

Well anyway the Dodgers scored first on a two run home run by Juan Uribe at the bottom of the fourth inning.  However, it didn't take long for the Phillies to tie as they scored two runs in the fifth.  Pitching for both sides seemed to be good as both starters only allowed two runs and left with a no decision.  In the seventh,  Adrian Gonzalez homered a couple sections towards my right and the Dodgers got the lead.  Everyone went crazy and I pretty much thanked God for that home run. 

Both managers challenged individual calls by the umpire.  Don Mattingly challenged an out where Hanley was tagged at home because he thought he wasn't given enought room to slide.  Ryne Sandberg challenged a play where Uribe was safe at first.  Both calls stood as they were ruled by the umpires.

My father and I left after the eighth inning because of the fact that we wanted to avoid traffic as we headed home to Baldwin Park.  While we were driving, I was looking at the score on ESPN and found out that Brian Wilson and Jamey Wright each surrendered two runs.  That information was hard for me to process at the moment as it was really devastating.  I really wanted the Dodgers to win that game especially after all they did in order to make it close.  Well I just have to deal with it and move on as the season goes.  I really do have to thank my father for taking me as next Wednesday will be my 18th birthday.  I also made sure not to leave empty handed as I added the new bobblehead and batting practice home run to my collection.

Chris Anderson Bowman Chrome Refractor Card

Saturday wasn't the only day for the Bill Russell signing.  Like I said on the previous post, I looked around Frank and Son to see if I could buy anything of the Dodgers that intrigued me.  I was looking to build my collection in cards and bobbleheads.  Well, after I bought the Saito and Karros bobbleheads, I came across a booth with a lot of Dodgers cards.  The seller had a stack of prospect cards for 50 cents.  Of all the prospect cards, this Chris Anderson refractor caught my attention and I paid the price of 50 cents. You can't notice  it, but there was a bit of a scratch on the left side of the card.

Bill Russell Autograph Signing at Frank and Son

Yesterday I went to Frank and Son with my father in order to attend the Bill Russell autograph signing.  Of all the signers that were scheduled, Bill was the only one that was doing it for free.  I just had to take the opportunity to start my project on getting the entire infield.  I already met Steve Garvey during the Mall Tours, but I had him sign on a separate picture of himself.  Once we arrived 20 minutes past 9 at Frank and Son, there was a limited amount of parking space left and a line was formed to get inside the exhibit center.

 

As you can see Darren Sproles couldn't make it to the event.  We were also given gift bags containing a bunch of stuff concerning the Lakers and LA Kings.  Hall of Fame Sports was also giving  out stuff via a raffle and selling memorabilla.

 

My father and I didn't win the raffle, but I did buy some stuff during the wait.  First, I went to see the autographed pictures they had of athletes and the Jesse Orosco was the one that interested me the most.  I say that because it pretty much looks to be when he closed out the 1986 World Series and celebrated.  The picture was $7.  I also looked around Frank and Son and bought  two Dodgers bobbleheads: Takashi Saito and Eric Karros.  Therefore, I decided to put everything  in my dad's car and headed back where the autograph signing was about to get underway.

 

The line formed at 10:45, but we were informed that Bill was going to run late.  Bill arrived about 15 - 20 minutes after 11, but promised to sign for everyone that had a ticket.  My turn came up at just about noon and Don Newcombe arrived to greet Bill.  It was an amazing sight to see two Dodger legends right in front of my eyes.  Anyway, Bill signed my 8x10 picture of the infield and we shaked hands after.  My father then got my baseball card signed and we quickly left. 

 

 

I left Frank and Son happy as ever whenever I get an autograph, but I did feel the fatigue of standing up for a while. I want to give thanks to Frank and Son, Hall of Fame Sports for arranging the event, the fans for coming out and making the atmosphere wonderful, and my father for taking me and helping out with the extra autograph.



2014 Gypsy Queen Card Pack Break

I'm back! Okay I guess that return statement was a little too much, but yeah I've returned to do some blogging.  I have been busy all month long in school getting projects done before I went onto vacation for spring break.  So yeah, I'm on vacation for the next 9 days and it couldn't have been even better.  Tomorrow I will be going to Frank and Son for the Bill Russell signing since he is a free signer.  I will also attend the Clayton Kershaw Cy Young bobblhead giveaway game on April 24 as an early birthday present for me as my birthday is on April 30.

Now let me get to why you are here in the first place.  I went to Target to buy two card packs of Gypsy Queen cards.  In the first pack of cards, I got my hands on Andre Ethier and Hyun Jin Ryu.  I also got Angels great Ron Carew and Roberto Clemente.  It's crazy how I ended up with two different variations of Jarrod Parker and Greg Maddux.  Pedro Martinez, Jayson Heyward, and Rickey henderson were included in the packs.