Dodgers vs Braves/Old Timers Game 6-8-13

After the Oscar Robertson signing Benson and I headed to Dodger Stadium for the Dodgers Old Timers Game. On our way to the stadium traffic was bad so we arrived late. I didn't anticipate that the Old Timers game would be a big draw but I guess fans liked the concept since the Dodgers haven't had an Old Timers Game since the mid 90s.

The gates were open to the public at 4:10 which was three hours before the start of the game. Thus the MVP passes were no use today since it didn't matter if you had them to get inside the stadium early. As soon as we entered the gates we were handed a replica 1963 World Series Championship Ring.

The Old Timers Game Roster for the Dodgers included

• Bill Buckner
• Ron Cey
• Tommy Davis
• Al Downing
• Ron Fairly
• Pedro Guerrero
• Mickey Hatcher
• Lou Johnson
• Ken Landreaux
• Tommy Lasorda
• Davey Lopes
• Rick Monday
• Manny Mota
• Don Newcombe
• Jerry Reuss
• Pete Richert
• Bill Russell
• Darryl Strawberry
• Don Sutton
• Fernando Valenzuela
• Bob Welch
• Maury Wills
• Steve Yeager
• Sandy Koufax

For the Yankees the Roster included

• Rick Cerone
• Chris Chambliss
• Ron Davis
• Dwight Gooden
• Goose Gossage
• Rickey Henderson
• Jay Johnstone
• Graig Nettles
• Bob Watson
• Jim Leyritz

The Yankees were also coached by comedian Billy Crystal and Larry King was the umpire of the game.

Graphing itself was a bit challenging today since we arrived late to the stadium. There were hundreds of non graphers trying to get autographs as well which meant a bigger crowd and more competition. By the time we arrived some of my buddies already got Doc Gooden and Bob Welch to sign for them. Darryl Strawberry signed a bunch but he kept on skipping me over. Sandy Koufax signed as well but for fans with Prime Ticket Club VIP seats. Today would have been a good day to invest in some good seats since it was easier to get autographs that way. I thought I was going to get shut out as I ended up with zero autographs during batting practice of the Old Timers Game.

I took a few photos while the players were being introduced with Sandy Koufax getting the loudest ovation. I saw some of the Dodgers and Braves players coming out to watch the game and some even ended up asking Sandy Koufax to sign their baseballs. Here is a picture of Craig Kimbrel getting a jersey signed by Sandy Koufax courtesy of twitter.

As soon as the game ended we headed to the Vin Scully Press Box to catch some of the players walking up. Luckily I didn't strike out today as Goose Gossage signed my Rawlings Official Hall of Fame Baseball on the SS. It's always a relief when you don't strike out. Getting Goose's autograph made my day since it's not everyday you get a HOFer's autograph.

Afterwards I decided to witness Puigmania.

Puig merchandise at the stadium are selling out. I saw hundreds of people with Puig jerseys and shirts on. It was easier to graph him back when he was playing for the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes last year when nobody cared. Now I hear from fellow graphers that Puig doesn't SS baseballs anymore since he tells everyone "contracto" whenever people ask him to sign on the SS. I'm glad I racked up on him before Puigmania.

Here are my results from postgame graphing the Braves.

Tim Hudson on a SS ROMLB

Cards signed by David Carpenter and Andrelton Simmons