The Trolley Dodger

No guarantees of course, but these are potentially tickets for the first 66ers home game featuring Manny Ramirez.

There was a steady stream of ticket buyers coming up to the windows at Arrowhead Credit Union Stadium in downtown San Bernardino this morning when I stopped by. I poked my head in to the office and confirmed with a front desk person that there had been a swing upwards in ticket sales this morning.

I’m guessing tickets will still be available until there is more confirmation about dates, but of course at this point there’s no telling for sure.

If this does turn out to be a Manny-splendored game, I’ll naturally be posting pictures and audio afterwards — during, if I can get it worked out.

On July 25, 2007, I attended an Inland Empire 66ers game versus the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes, in San Bernardino. It was a rehab start for Randy Wolf, who was attempting to recover from shoulder issues at the time.

I came across a picture I took of the lineup board from that day (click to embiggen):

Out of curiosity, I decided to find out what has become of these players, not quite two years later, as a cross-section of Dodger minor-leaguers.

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SS Shane Justis

Currently: 2B Huntsville Stars (AA Brewers). Selected by Brewers in 2008 Rule 5 draft. Hitting .313/.377/.462/.838 with 3 HR, 15 BB, and 19 SO in 182 AB.

CF Ryan Rogowski

Currently: OF New Jersey Jackals of the independent CanAm League. In 2008, he made it up to Jacksonville (AA Dodgers) then was sent back down to the 66ers. He was released in Spring Training 2009. Hitting .323/.355/.436/.791 with 0 HR, 3 BB, and 3 SO in 31 AB.

2B Travis Denker

Currently: 2B Pawtucket Red Sox (AAA Red Sox). Traded from Dodgers to Giants in August 2007 as PTBNL in the Mark Sweeney trade. Placed on waivers after 2008 season and selected by the Padres, who subsequently waived him in April 2009, and was claimed by the Red Sox. Hitting .247/.339/.351/.690 with 2 HR, 19 BB, and 30 SO in 154 AB at Pawtucket.

C Lucas May

Currently: C Chattanooga Lookouts (AA Dodgers). Hitting .298/.391/.468/.859 with 4 HR, 14 BB, and 23 SO in 94 AB.

RF Jamie Hoffmann

Currently: OF Los Angeles Dodgers. Started 2009 at Chattanooga, then went to Albuquerque. Called up after Xavier Paul (another 66ers alum) went down with an staph infection. Likely headed back to AAA soon. Hitting .190/.174/.429/.602 with 1 HR, 0 BB, and 5 SO in 21 AB.

3B Russell Mitchell

Currently: 1B Chattanooga Lookouts (AA Dodgers). Hitting .175/.234/.296/.530 with 5 HR, 14 BB, and 40 SO in 189 AB.

1B Drew Locke

AKA Andrew Locke, Andy Locke. Currently: OF Corpus Christi Hooks (AA Astros). Hitting .351/.395/.566/.961 with 10 HR, 18 BB, and 37 SO in 205 AB.

DH Bridger Hunt

Currently: recovering from off-season shoulder surgery in Glendale AZ. Listed as “inactive” on the 66ers roster.

LF Adam Godwin

Currently: CF Chattanooga Lookouts (AA Dodgers). Hitting .253/.304/.295/.599 with 0 HR, 6 BB, and 28 SO in 95 AB.

SP Randy Wolf

Currently: SP Los Angeles Dodgers.

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Thanks to Matt Pedersen, 66ers Media Relations, for the assist on tracking down a couple of the guys.

Made it out for the Inland Empire 66ers opening night this past Thursday. The park and food improvements made since the team re-affiliated with the Dodgers a few years back continue, and despite a small increase in various prices ($4 parking, versus $3; $10 for best seats, versus $9) still represents a fairly good value if you’re looking for cheap entertainment. Food prices are steep, but that’s true of anywhere sports or movie related, I suppose.

Also, they’ve really got to replace the scoreboard and monochromatic video screen someday soon — it looks like a large version of an old Gameboy. In fact, their newer advertising video screen out by the freeway is way better than the one in the park. It does, however, have a certain quaint charm, not unlike an Amish buggy. ;)

The Sixers wound up losing despite some great pitching from the awesomely named Alberto Bastardo, who has been with the team for at least a couple of years. Got to see Preston Mattingly for the first time, not to mention catcher Kenley Jansen, who looks even bigger in person than he did during the World Baseball Classic for the Netherlands.

Not a great game for the team otherwise, but it was still fun to finally be at a ballpark. Looking forward to being at one during the warmer months. And hey, at least it didn’t get rained out like a couple of years ago. ;)

First Dodger Dog of the year — definitely better grilled, of course, but it was a happy moment nonetheless.

Don Mattingly’s son, formerly an infielder. He’s been struggling at the plate I understand. Good to know left field is also protected by the US Border Patrol. I noticed the "Dodgertown Inland Empire," which I guess is the new theme of having several Dodgertowns around (LA, IE, Camelback AZ, etc.) instead of just the one. Sorry for the blurriness — camera on extreme zoom.

Bacon Wrapped Hot Dogs & Roasted Corn. My stepson Hans reacting to the foodstuff available. We haven’t tried those yet, but I hear they’re crazy good. Perhaps they’re just crazy. ;)

This is the 66ers’ mascot Bernie, who has a very funny act. Kids love him, as do most of the adults. Good crowd rapport, plus funny shtick with the umpires.

Bernie and handlers advertising the Dodger blanket giveaway the next night. With the weather forecast I read, they would probably need it!

About half the size as previously, but now free.

In advance of tomorrow night’s Inland Empire 66ers home opener (which we have tix for), I’ve been waiting for the team to announce their roster. Ken Gurnick’s note about Greg Miller being re-signed and sent to the High-A team had me looking again. And sure enough, the press release is up:

The 66ers will be managed Carlos Subero, who enters his first year with the club after leading the Birmingham Barons of the Southern League to a 74-63 record and playoff birth. Former Dodger and 25-year Major League veteran Charlie Hough returns for his third year as pitching coach. Hough will work with three former Dodger first-round draft picks on the 2009 pitching staff, Greg Miller (2002), Justin Orenduff (2002) and Withrow. Another former Dodger, Franklin Stubbs, joins the 66ers as the hitting coach. The former first baseman was a key part of the 1988 Dodgers World Series championship team.

The 2009 roster includes five of the Dodgers top-30 prospects according to Baseball America. Four of the top five prospects are pitchers: Chris Withrow (9), Steven Johnson (15), Daigoro Rondon (23) and Josh Wall (29). Rounding out the prospect group is infielder Pedro Baez (13), who slugged 12 homeruns and drove in 50 runs in 61 games with short-season Class-A Ogden in 2008.

Here’s the whole 66ers roster.

And the other affiliate rosters are up as well:

• AAA Albuquerque Isotopes: Press Release and Roster
• AA Chattanooga Lookouts: Press Release and Roster
• Low A Great Lakes Loons: Press Release and Roster

You blink in the world of blogging, and everything changes. :)

First of all, massive congratulations to Jon Weisman and Dodger Thoughts, now part of the LA Times website. It’s certainly been a bout of culture shock for the DT community, but the rapid rebound points to its strength. Way to go, Jon!

On the flip-side of that coin, we are unfortunately losing The Griddle, Catfish Stew, and the rest of the Baseball Toaster blogs. They will definitely be missed.

Back to happier matters. The Official Dodger blogs are expanding, with the ‘Topes Tattler bringing us the lowdown on the new AAA affiliate Albuquerque Isotopes (can’t wait to pick up a new cap and pennant!). And closer to home, the 66ers Baby Blue Blog will be doing the same for the High-A Inland Empire 66ers.

One of Jon’s last DT posts was “Dodger Blogs Ready for 2009″, listing some of the now-established Dodger blogs and pointing out there are a bunch of newcomers. I’m pretty sure I have everybody new and updated in the sidebar here, but if I missed you please feel free to let me know via the comments.

Can’t wait for the season to start!