dodgerfan.net Celebrates One-Year Anniversary

So it’s hard to believe, but the end of December marks the one-year anniversary of dodgerfan.net.  We’ve learned a tremendous amount about running a blog over the past 12 months and are proud of what we’ve started, and, most importantly, the people we’ve met along the way.  This includes the Sons of Steve Garvey (our blogging role models) for their wit, encouragement and enthusiasm, as well as a collection of other Dodger bloggers and writers that we enjoy reading, including Dodger Thoughts, Blue Heaven, The Trolley Dodger, Robots Took My Medicine, Blue Notes and Inside the Dodgers.  Josh Rawitch at the Dodgers (the author of the other Inside the Dodgers blog) deserves a special shout out for his help, knowledge and hospitality to a couple of novice bloggers.

Faithful readers will know the ultimate highlight of the year came very early on in the season with “Blogger Night” at the Ravine, when Josh gave a few lucky Dodger bloggers the opportunity to discuss the state and future of Dodger baseball with the likes of Frank McCourt, Ned Colletti and Tommy Lasorda.  Being in the communications business, it was refreshing to see an organization like the Dodgers treat the blogging community seriously.

Other highlights included the 50th Anniversary celebration, the Manny Ramirez and Casey Blake signings, the sweep of the Cubs, the fight with the Phillies, the continued brilliance of Vin Scully, Joe Torre being Joe Torre, Clayton Kershaw, Matt Kemp, James Loney, Andre Ethier, Russell Martin, Blake Dewitt, Tiger Woods, Troy from West Virginia…the list goes on.

Over the past year we’ve had more than 5,700 people visit the site from 60 countries around the world, so we’ve saved our biggest thank you for all the Dodger fans out there.  2008 was a great start for the Dodgers and for dodgerfan.net, and we look forward to celebrating more milestones with all of you in the years ahead.  Enjoy the new site and we’ll see you in Spring Training!

Chris and Alex

From Vince Vaughn to Ellen Pompeo, The Stars Come Out for the Dodgers

 

So we know that many of you are eager to see what Hollywood stars that came out to see the Dodgers in the playoffs.  According to ESPN, here’s who was in attendance for Game 3 against the Cubs (I’ll try and add some photos of these stars from the game later tonight).  Ellen Pompeo is representing the women?  Where’s Alyssa Milano?  (maybe she’s been going, but she’s not keeping her blog up to date…must be that clothing line).  Where’s Jennifer Aniston? (not sure she’s a baseball fan, but it would be great to see her there).  Come on Hollywood, we can do better than this! I expect a better turnout during the NLCS!

Stars at Game 3 included: Vince Vaughn, Ellen Pompeo, Dennis Haysbert, Pierce Brosnan, Larry King, Paul Walker, James Denton, Isiah Thomas and Eric Balfour (NOTE: I also heard Baron Davis was also rockin’ it at the Ravine on Saturday night).

Celebrity Dodger Fans: From Frank Sinatra to Alyssa Milano

 

Back in the day, Tommy Lasorda’s clubhouse office was well known as the place where celebrities and athletes rubbed elbows. The office walls were covered with shots of Tommy with his pals, and it certainly wasn’t uncommon to see Frank Sinatra in the Clubhouse before a game.

Today, one of the biggest celebrity fans of the Dodgers is season ticket holder and actress Alyssa Milano. Now I know what you’re thinking, but Alyssa really is passionate about her team, and has a blog to prove it (well, I guess having a blog doesn’t prove anything, but her content does). Check it out here. She also did some post-season work with TBS’ “Hot Corner” broadband service and has launched her own clothing line for female baseball fans…and I’m certainly not against having more ladies out at the ballpark!

I’m sure Alyssa’s blog will kick into high gear once Spring Training and the regular season start, and recommend checking it out. Unlike Frank, she’s got an interesting take on the Dodgers, and at DodgerFan.net, we’re all about supporting great blogs and points of view.

Tiger Woods gets personalized Sandy Koufax Autograph

Tiger Woods’ autograph is hard to come by.  He gives it very sparingly and uses Upper Deck to help limit forgeries that typically flood the market for autographs.

Tiger himself has only asked for two autographs in his entire life.  The first was from boxing great Muhammad Ali.  Who was the other?

Dodger great Sandy Koufax.

Why Koufax?  It turns out that Tiger Woods is a lifelong Dodger fan and has always felt that Sandy Koufax, along with Jackie Robinson, epitomized what the Dodgers were all about

Said Woods, “I’ve been a Dodger fan my entire life, and Koufax is the man.  For pitchers, you wouldn’t think of any other player.  During [five years in the 1960s] nobody could catch him.”

Tiger actually secured the autograph by reaching out to his sources at Upper Deck.  He mentioned to them that if any of them had contact with Koufax, could they possibly ask for an autograph.  The next time that Tiger bumped into his Upper Deck source, the rep handed him a baseball with a personalized inscription.

Woods has placed the ball amongst his other trophies and memorabilia.  “It’s at home in my bedroom, sitting right there.”

Tiger Woods - Golf Superstar and L.A. Dodgers Fan!