The 1962 Los Angeles Dodgers - (c) Los Angeles Dodgers/Walteromalley.com
Pirates at Dodgers, 1:10 p.m.
Kershaw CXVIII: Kershawmazing Grace
Dee Gordon, SS
Mark Ellis, 2B
Matt Kemp, CF
Andre Ethier, RF
Juan Rivera, LF
James Loney, 1B
Juan Uribe, 3B
A.J. Ellis, C
Clayton Kershaw, P
Kershaw CXVIII: Kershawmazing Grace
Dee Gordon, SS
Mark Ellis, 2B
Matt Kemp, CF
Andre Ethier, RF
Juan Rivera, LF
James Loney, 1B
Juan Uribe, 3B
A.J. Ellis, C
Clayton Kershaw, P
The Dodgers’ home opener celebrates the 50th anniversary of Dodger Stadium and the exciting 1962 team, but it will be missing a central component. This morning, the Dodgers announced that Vin Scully is resting at home with a bad cold and will miss today’s game. I know everyone is wishing him the fastest and easiest possible recovery, while being relieved he is putting his health first rather than trying to gut it out.
And, as we all know, Vin would want the rest of us to have a fun, exciting and responsible home opener. So here’s to a great day.
Anonymous
I first saw this news in an alert on my iPhone. When I saw the alert started off with “Vin Scully…” I have to admit I thought the worst. One of my biggest fears is seeing that he has passed. I’ve always felt like it would be losing a close family member. Ok, sorry for that terrible thought. Get well soon Vin. We love ya!
Anonymous
Has Vin ever missed a home opener?
Jon Weisman
From AP: Scully, who joined the Dodgers in 1950 and is the dean of major league baseball broadcasters, was preparing to announce the Masters golf tournament in 1977 when he last missed the team’s home opener. He did announce the Dodgers’ games at San Diego this season.
Michael Green
You may remember the time he wound up in the ER when he passed out at home. He was dealing with a cold he caught from his grandchildren and their preschool. So, clearly, we need to isolate Vin and keep him well!
Anonymous
So who’s calling it?
Anonymous
Steiner and Lyons on TV. Monday on radio.
Bob Bartholomew
Yikes!
Dane Pereslete
Is Monday gonna attempt all 9 solo?
Anonymous
Did not Ross do 22 all by his once???
Dane Pereslete
June 3, 1989 vs. Astros…
Anonymous
Was thinking ‘Stros.
Anonymous
In the 1977 home opener, Don Sutton pitched a gem except for the first pitch of the game.
http://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1977/B04070LAN1977.htm
Anonymous
Compliments of Vin, I remember all the umpires in that game.
Anonymous
That’s a shame. Hopefully it’ll be a quick recovery – you know it’s tough for him to miss Opening Day, especially with Kershaw pitching. I wonder if he thought about gutting it out for 3 innings before turning it over to the pen.
Jon – thanks for yesterday’s links. Your own photo series, as well as the pieces about Dodger Stadium memories and the interviews with Scully and Howard made for some very enjoyable reading.
foul tip
Vin takes himself out of the lineup because he’s not on top of his game and doesn’t want his performance quality to be affected.
What a revolutionary concept! Could Vin become a role model for macho players who want to compete and “play through the pain” and don’t want to give up PT but won’t be upfront with management and who wind up hurting the team because their performance is, well, affected by their injury?
Wouldn’t be hard to think of other examples, but the first to come to mind is a certain oversize closer now pitching in the Midwest.
Anonymous
Ask JD Drew how that approach worked out for him
underdog
Fun to see the ’62 guys coming out. Some of ’em look better than others. Very sweet scene, though.
Anonymous
I once read that Marcus Giles on the 2004 Braves used to say- can you come out and play with us today?-to Drew.
underdog
I not only miss Vin Scully, I already miss Charley Steiner’s beard. Eep.
Anonymous
So the Reds have locked up Phillips for another 6 years. Which, of course, brings us ever closer to the reality of there not being any free agents to be had anywhere for the next 5 or 6 years – because all the other teams are afraid of the soon-to-be spending power of the Dodgers… (Tongue firmly planted in check.)
foul tip
Little if anything new as si.com takes its turn featuring female Dodger trainer Falsone–
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2012/baseball/mlb/04/10/sue.falsone/index.html?eref=sihp&sct=hp_bf3_a2
Anonymous
Meanwhile, back at the game, a successful inning for the home team.
Anonymous
And the Bucs’ sun-assisted leadoff three-bagger avails them not. Or naught. Whichever.
Anonymous
Neil Walker saves a run for Pgh, or it’d be at least 2-0.
Anonymous
Through 4 innings, Kershaw has 5 Ks and a pickoff. Routinely excellent.
Anonymous
Uribe!!
KT
even a blind squirel finds a nut every now and then…at least he found two so far today
Anonymous
Nine outs to go. And the way Correia is pitching, prospects for an insurance run don’t appear bright. Gotta hope Clayton can keep it up.
Anonymous
Sigh.
Anonymous
Fitting that on a day honoring the 1962 Dodgers, we’re seeing a marvelous exhibition of banjo hitting. Uribe’s 3/3, but clutch hitting must’ve stayed over in San Diego.
Anonymous
The 1962 Dodgers averaged 5.1 runs per game, 2nd in the NL.
underdog
Now THAT was the Kenley Jansen we all know and love. Much better.
The pitching in this game overall has been terrific. The offenses have been weak but I give credit to some really good pitching. Sometimes you just have to tip your hat. That said, if Dodgers don’t make some noise here in this inning it may not happen.
Anonymous
Squeethier!
underdog
Hehe, that’s my line! ;)
Yes, a BIRTHDAY BLAST! Not the smart pitch to throw Andre, thankyouverymuch.
Anonymous
Happy 30th to Dre!
KT
DRE!!!!!!
Anonymous
An inning to late in terms of providing a lead for Kershaw – but I’ll take it!
underdog
I’m sure Kershaw would happily take a win. :) He’s got money coming, and doesn’t play fantasy baseball. So he’ll be okay. Please don’t blow this birthday game for Ethier (and us), Javy.
Anonymous
There’s no music in that montage! How will I be able to understand the highlights without the supporting music?
underdog
I had it on mute, anyway. Guess I didn’t miss anything. I wasn’t confused, but that may have been because I wasn’t watching it either.
Anonymous
Exa-bloody-lente!
Anonymous
WP – Jansen LP- Grilli S-Guerra BS – Rivera
Anonymous
Let’s pile up these wins in April!
Anonymous
“…for the DODGER…double play!” – Ross Porter
Anonymous
I would hope that a 50 year anniversary would include remembering Ross and Jerry.
Anonymous
Happy, happy, happy!
underdog
Sweet! Tailor-made DP. Well-done.
Anonymous
Nice! Is Dre actually happy? What’s happening?
Anonymous
He sure looked happy when he returned to the dugout. So did his teammates. And then he took a curtain call from an overjoyed crowd.
Anonymous
Jansen and Guerra are a great 1-2 punch. As much as we love Jansen’s stuff, Guerra just keeps getting outs and saves. As long as one of them are facing the best hitters on the other side, we’re good to go.
Anonymous
Missed the game, but it’s on my DVR. I’m really liking this 1-2 punch (or is it 8-9?) of Jansen and Guerra. Not too scary with the first names though… Kenley and Javy… what are they, Teletubbies? Watch out, League, here come those Teletubbies to save the day, Kenley and Javy!
KT
Just caught up (didn’t realize the early start time)…it was a feel good game…as winnipeg Dave says….keep piling up those April wins…makes the dog days of summer that much easier to take
Anonymous
Vin Scully is probably out for the rest of the Pirates series.
underdog
Rats. Can they call up an announcer from the minors? I’m sure they’d be am improvement over the vets the currently have on the broadcast bench.
Anonymous
So Kemp tied a Dodger record for most consecutive games with a RBI. Campanella we all know and love, but I confess to being a slacker – I don’t recall hearing of Augie Galan before. A quick check of Baseball Reference reveals he was a fairly decent player for the Dodgers from 1941-1946. He had a OPS+ of 142 during his years in Brooklyn…
Jon Weisman
Nearly a late add to the Top 50 Dodger list.
Troy Sexton
The highlight of todays game for me was Adam Kennedy’s bouncing bounder base hit.
Troy Sexton
….followed by a close 2nd to Juan Uribe’s 3rd blistering single of the game.
Jon Weisman
NPUT
Ian Skoblick
Vinny, I hope you get better soon! You are the best.