50 Ways to Love Your Dodgers

50 Ways to Love Your Dodgers
Ray Busillos cheers for his beloved Dodgers during last year's opening day ceremonies at Dodger Stadium.
Photo Credit: Spencer Weiner / Los Angeles Times

By Kevin Bronson and Cindy Bertram

March 27, 2008

>> PHOTO GALLERY: Bleeding Dodger Blue

>> VIDEO: Dodgers history at L.A. Coliseum

In the 50 years since the moving vans arrived from Brooklyn, and in the 20 since the team's last title, Los Angeles' love affair with the Dodgers hasn't waned. Maybe it's the franchise's lineage of colorful players, maybe it's the allure of Dodger Stadium at dusk. But like sun worshipers to the beach, Angelenos are drawn to the grand ol' game even as it has become big ol' business. As the Dodgers mark their golden anniversary in L.A., we offer 50 ways to bleed blue.

SPECIAL NIGHTS

OFF WITH THEIR HEADS

The Dodgers are making quick work of honoring new manager Joe Torre -- his Bobblehead Night is April 25, the first of five doll giveaways for the season. Best of all? Fans vote online for which player will be immortalized in polyresin at the Aug. 12 giveaway. Voting ends April 3. dodgers.mlb.com

BLANKET STATEMENT

Nights in Chavez Ravine can get chilly. Among the team's many giveaways is the 50th Anniversary Fleece Blanket on April 16. Ostensibly, the team will be more careful this year than in 2005, when blankets commemorating Dodger titles were emblazoned with the wrong dates. That's 1958-2008, guys.

SINGLED OUT

Not a team player? Singles Night at Dodger Stadium is April 26, so get off the couch, change out of your bathrobe and fake a good attitude. You never know, you might meet your next ex. dodgers.mlb.com/la/ticketing/supergroup.jsp?group=

IT'S OK TO NEEDLE

Don't be surprised if the crowd on June 2 is especially close-knit. It's the National NeedleArts Assn.'s third annual Stitch 'N' Pitch, so be nice to those who bring their needlework. Somebody might crochet you a nice seat cushion. www.stitchnpitch.com

LIGHT MY FIRE

If you haven't been to a fireworks game (this year: May 23 and July 12) at Dodger Stadium, there's nothing like it -- except maybe those series against the San Francisco Giants. Postgame, the outfield turns into one big beach blanket strewn with fans craning to see the colorful explosions amid the palm trees. It's worth it just to see the stadium full in the ninth inning.

FOLLOW ALONG

LISTEN TO VIN AND JAIME

The comforting cadence of Vin Scully -- "The Voice of the Dodgers" -- has provided the soundtrack to summer for 58 seasons. And with Jaime Jarrín helming the team's Spanish-language broadcasts, it gives the Dodgers the distinction of being the only team with two Hall of Fame announcers. KABC-AM (790), KHJ-AM (930) and various TV affiliates.

SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS . . .

As a guy who, at age 10, "wanted to be Vin Scully" when he grew up, native Angeleno Jon Weisman has been synthesizing media reports, analyzing between-the-lines drama and occasionally venting on his Dodger Thoughts blog since 2002. If you're looking for online snark, move on; Weisman and his readers merely exude true-blue passion. dodgerthoughts.baseballtoaster.com/

. . . OR SPILL SOME VITRIOL

Not recommended for the true-blue fan, or anyone averse to blue language, the decidedly R-rated Dodger Blues website throws darts at players, management, ownership, even history. Like the clock that records "Time Since the Last Meaningful Dodger Moment" (going on 20 years). The franchise's lowlights are "celebrated" with an acidity usually reserved for divorce proceedings. Bitter? Yes. Funny? That too. www.dodgerblues.com

TRUE-BLUE FAN

Ernest Reyes, on his extreme-fan-tastic website Blue Heaven, links to countless player and fan blogs, dispenses obscure trivia, posts hard-to-find video and hawks collectibles. Oh, and he does real estate too. dodgersblueheaven.blogspot.com

STAT NERDS? US?

Streaming video via the Internet is great, but true geeks among us "watch" a game using the Gameday feature on MLB.com. Graphics track the game pitch-by-pitch, with a Caltech-ian cartel of charts and statistics.

KNOW YOUR HISTORY

MEET THE 'BOYS'

To appreciate where you are, you need to understand where you've been. Before the Dodgers' 50 years in L.A., the franchise spent some 75 in Brooklyn. No book embodies the Dodgers' special place in lore quite like Roger Kahn's loving 1972 memoir "The Boys of Summer," which offers an eye into the historically significant Jackie Robinson era. Young fans, take note.

THROWS LEFT, READS RIGHT

Not your bullpen-variety sports biography, author Jane Leavy's "Sandy Koufax: A Lefty's Legacy" deconstructs the myth surrounding the reticent pitcher and dissects what made him the dominant pitcher of his era.

BEST. DAY. EVER.

"Game of My Life: Dodgers," the collection of reminiscences from franchise greats about their best day on the ball field, is rich with detail and humor.

THE WONDER YEARS

No blue-blooded fan's DVD collection would seem complete without highlights from the glory days. And you have two choices. "Dodger Blue -- The Championship Years," released in '05, covers all six championships in just over an hour, and tosses in the Hall of Fame induction speeches of Tommy Lasorda, Don Drysdale and Duke Snider. MLB's "Vintage World Series Films" installment on the Dodgers is L.A.-only (omitting the '55 title). Aw, heck, Amazon batches them for $35.98.

THE COMPLETE GAME

If what you seek is comprehensive knowledge, "The Dodgers: 120 Years of Dodgers Baseball," by Glenn Stout and Richard A. Johnson, covers franchise history from Brooklyn to Los Angeles, with photos, essays, charts and other ephemera.

VIEW FROM THE TOP

Dec. 30, 1965. "Dear Walter: I will wave my championship flags high! As always, Francis." That letter, from Frank Sinatra to Walter O'Malley, is among the trove of documents, letters, photos and artifacts on the official website of the former owner. www.walteromalley.com

A HOLLYWOOD STAR

For the serious baseball aficionado only, membership ($20) in the Pacific Coast Baseball League Historical Society offers an eye into the game's colorful and occasionally rough-and-tumble past on the West Coast. The "PCL Potpourri" newsletter services those nostalgia cravings, and the annual banquet is good for a yarn or 20. No surprise, since the likes of Tommy Lasorda and Sparky Anderson once toiled in the league. www.minorleaguebaseball.com/about/content_league.jsp?

ROAD TRIPS

BACK TO BROOKLYN

Looking to connect with the franchise's Brooklyn roots? There's not much reason to genuflect at the former site of Ebbets Field -- it's now a housing project. But there's plenty to see at KeySpan Park on Coney Island, home of the Class A Brooklyn Cyclones. KeySpan houses the Brooklyn Baseball Gallery, which includes the Brooklyn Dodgers Hall of Fame collection. 1904 Surf Ave., Coney Island. $1. (718) 449-8497; www.brooklyncyclones.com

BEAT THE BUSHES

Minor league ball is often as entertaining for its wild promotions and whimsical atmosphere as it is for the action. The Inland Empire 66ers -- who last year became the Dodgers' first entry in the Class A California League since 2000 -- have a roster of hungry twentysomethings, a chubby 6-foot-9 mascot named Bernie and a stadium, despite its windy corporate name, that won't break your bank. I mean, $3 for parking and $9 for a box seat? Opens April 3. Arrowhead Credit Union Park, 280 South E St., San Bernardino. (909) 888-9922; www.ie66ers.com

SEE THE NEXT BIG THING

Sin City. The glitz, the glamour, the gaming. Oh, and prospects such as highly touted Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw will likely spend part of the season with the one-step-from-the-big-leagues Class AAA affiliate, the 51s. Viva Las Vegas. Opens April 3. Cashman Field, 850 Las Vegas Blvd. North. $8-$14. (702) 386-7200; www.lv51.com

BREAKING AND ENTERING

Or maybe there's a good road trip in visiting the home field. Dodger Stadium tours go where no fan has gone before, except maybe if he or she's gone there illegally. Includes the dugout, the press box, the Tommy Lasorda Training Center and an almost museum-like collection of photos and artifacts. $15.

WITH THE KIDS

LITTLE LEAGUERS WITH GAME

The first six Sundays of the season are "Youth Baseball or Softball Parade Days" at the ballpark. Groups who buy at least 300 tickets get to strut their stuff in a pregame on-field parade. They're cute to watch, too. (866) DODGERS

HOW INSTRUCTIVE

Want tips from a former pro? Reggie Smith -- who, with Dusty Baker, Ron Cey and Steve Garvey in 1977, made the Dodgers the first team to have four players hit 30 home runs in a season -- now runs a baseball academy in Encino. Swing away. www.reggiesmith

A SURE SIGN

You can write it down -- the 50th Anniversary Autograph Day on July 27 at Dodger Stadium will be a hit with the kiddie corps.

ALPHABET SOUP

Now I know my ABCs, next time won't you sing with me? "Dodger Baseball from A to Z," a children's book featuring illustrations by Dodger wives, rates "A," for adorable. $19.95 plus shipping. dodgers.mlb.com/la/fan_forum/childrens

POSTER CHILD

The Dodgers website has plenty to keep youngsters occupied. They can send a letter to their favorite player, learn baseball basics and download cool games. Sign them up for the Blue Crew ($25) to get six ticket vouchers, a birthday card from the team and tickets to Universal Studios Hollywood. dodgers.mlb.com/mlb/kids/

START 'EM YOUNG

They might not smell like bubble gum, but trading card company Topps lets you make your own baseball card, complete with stats on the back. topps.mytradingcards.com.

A DIET OF DODGERS

WORKS FOR PEANUTS

Under-the-leg, behind-the-back, two-at-a-time . . . it's worth a seat in the loge level to receive the perfect pitch from Roger Owens, the Dodger Stadium Peanut Man. Catch a bag in one hand and a fly ball in the other. And if you've known him all your life, he'll even tell stories about you. rogerowenspeanutman.com

OLD DOGS, NEW EATS

New stadium vendor Levy Restaurants offers an array of dining choices -- when a Dodger Dog's 12 inches of grilled goodness just won't do. And the loge level now has "the Healthy Cart." Save room for some of Roger's peanuts while you're up there.

NO SOUR GRAPES

Who says nothing's free anymore? Tommy Lasorda has lent his name to a label of Italian wines, which, naturally, includes a "Championship Series." Buy half a dozen bottles and he'll throw in his book, "I Live for This." www.lasordawines.com

SUPER-SIZE ME

No place for dieters, the All-You-Can-Eat Pavilion offers unlimited Dodger Dogs, nachos, peanuts, popcorn, soda and water with a ticket purchase. Note: "The Healthy Cart" is about a 5K run away. $35; $40 on game day.

PRE- OR POSTGAME

Myriad eateries in the Echo Park and Silver Lake areas cater to the ballgame crowds, but our favorites are pregame fare at Taix French Restaurant -- which isn't known so much for its French as its collegial atmosphere -- and a nightcap at the Short Stop, though there can be culture clashes between ball fans and the jukebox-and-photo-booth crowd. Taix, 1911 Sunset Blvd.; Short Stop, 1455 Sunset Blvd.

GET INVOLVED

TRUMP CARD

Charity begins on the links: The annual Dodgers Dream Foundation Charity Golf Invitational (May 22 at Trump National Golf Club) offers foursomes (at $5,500 a pop) a chance to tee it up with a Dodger player, coach or legend. It's for a good cause -- the DDF was started in 1998 to create educational, athletic and recreational opportunities for L.A.'s underprivileged youth -- and it'll get you out of the boardroom. (323) 224-1413

ALLEY CAT

Another charity event challenges participants to find the strike zone. It's the fourth annual Dodgers Dream Foundation Bowling Extravaganza at Lucky Strike Hollywood on Aug. 18. Pitcher Derek Lowe hosts. (323) 224-1413

OR SUIT UP YOURSELF

Will the semiannual diamond vacation known as the Los Angeles Dodgers Adult Baseball Camp survive now that the team is moving its spring training from Vero Beach, Fla., to Glendale, Ariz.? Hope springs eternal. Stay tuned. www.ladabc.com

SHOPPING

FASHION PLATE

Shirt doesn't fit like a glove? Actress (and baseball blogger) Alyssa Milano has gone from dating major leaguers to dressing their women. Her "touch" MLB clothing line adds style to the Dodger divas. Although we have qualms about her Dodger "Pink." shop.mlb.com

IF THE SHOE FITS

There's almost no place you can't have a Dodger logo -- including, it turns out, Reebok's new MLB Clubhouse or Talent sneakers for men, women and kids. Gives head to toe a whole new meaning. shop.mlb.com/

GO AHEAD, CALLER

Yes, you can replace that awful Top 40 song you're using as your ringtone with announcer Jack Buck exclaiming "I don't believe what I just saw!" -- from his call of Kirk Gibson's 1988 World Series home run. $2.49. mshop.mlb.com/

MY NAME'S ON THE BACK

You'll have to dig deep into your pockets, but the Authentic Home Personalized Jersey will set you apart from the blue-clad masses. It features the authentic lettering and numbers, as well as a 50th anniversary sleeve patch. $189.99 shop.mlb.com/product/index.jsp?productId=1960282&cp=1452355.1452789.1665479

STEP UP TO THE PLATE

Roll your eyes all you want, but there is a complete line of Dodger party supplies.Our favorite: the four-piece Duck House Dodger Dinner Plate set. www.cbssportsstore.com/family/index.jsp?categoryId=2407424

AND OTHER KEY STUFF

Ticket-holders to Saturday's Coliseum game get a souvenir LED keychain presented by ThinkCure. If you can't make that, the June 6 game against the Cubs has your quieter 50th anniversary keychain.

AT THE STADIUM

SPACE FOR RENT

Have Dodger Stadium all to yourself for a day? OK, that might be out of our price range. But group rentals are available. (323) 224-1469 or e-mail jilld@ladodgers.com

BEATS A TEXT MESSAGE

Yes, it will set you back $50 to tell your girlfriend you love her, or wish Dad a happy birthday, with a message on the Dodger Stadium Ribbon Board behind first and third base. But proceeds go to the Dodgers Dream Foundation, and you get a 5-by-7 color photo of the message. dodgers.mlb.com

GET ME OUTTA HERE

Now there's no excuse not to stay past the seventh inning. The new Transportation Center on the Club Level allows patrons to monitor 255 acres of parking lots on video screens. (Plus, there are traffic updates on 1610 AM.)

OR AVOID ALL TRAFFIC

With few practical mass-transit options available to and from Dodger Stadium (not exactly shocking considering how the team must love its parking revenue), there's another way to get to the game, if the hills don't daunt you. Bicycle in. Pedalers can chain their bikes in Lot P and join the ranks of healthier, thirstier Dodger fans.

OH SAY . . .

Can you see yourself singing the National Anthem to a crowd of 56,000? Submit your rendition on a DVD, CD or video, with a professional bio to: Jane Biondi, Special Events, 1000 Elysian Park Ave., Los Angeles CA 90012

OBJETS D'BLUE

COLLECTOR'S CORNER

There are too many clearinghouses and dealers who trade in collectibles to recommend any one, but team historian Mark Langill, a hoarder of artifacts himself, offers this advice. "Look for one-of-a-kind items, especially game-used one-of-a-kind items, and don't worry about value," he says. "Get something you like."

TOP OF THE PARK

Yes, the Dodger store in the uppermost reaches of the stadium is teeming with souvenirs and knick-knacks. Our favorite is the stadium-seat back signed by the four infielders from the 1981 champs, Ron Cey, Bill Russell, Davey Lopes and Steve Garvey. $350

LET US KNOW IF YOU FIND THIS

Crate-diggers, get to work: In 1963, Reprise Records released a 45 rpm single titled "One Love" by a possible future teen idol. His name was Don Drysdale.

IT WOULD BE NICE TO HEAR

John Miley, 77, of Evansville, Ind., may soon part with his massive collection of audio sports recordings -- even the Library of Congress is interested in the Miley Collection -- so don't call him looking for the CDs of Vin Scully's play-by-play of Sandy Koufax's 18-strikeout game against the Giants (Aug. 31, 1959). Just the thought that a copy might turn up on the Internet somewhere will keep us browsing.