Today the Dodgers continue their 10th homestand of the 2012 season as they welcome the San Diego Padres to town for a three-game series before heading out to San Francisco over the weekend.
The September edition of Dodgers Magazine debuts and features a cover photo of new Dodgers Hanley Ramirez and Shane Victorino. Fans can enjoy features on Ramirez and Victorino, as well as other new Dodgers Joe Blanton, Randy Choate and Brandon League. A behind-the-scenes look at the first day in the Dodger organization for the newest acquisitions Gonzalez, Josh Beckett and Nick Punto is also included. Fans can purchase Dodgers Magazine at merchandise stands throughout Dodger Stadium or they can order subscriptions at www.dodgers.com/magazine.
Monday, Sept. 3 vs. San Diego Padres – 5:10 p.m.
It’s $1 Dodger Dog Day presented by Farmer John. Fans can leave the grilling to the Dodgers this Labor Day and enjoy the fan-favorite Dodger Dog for just $1 each. ThinkCure! at Dodger Stadium concludes with a special “Kids Take the Field” before the game that will feature children from City of Hope and Children’s Hospital Los Angeles running on field to get the autographs from their favorite players. City of Hope and Children’s Hospital Los Angeles guests will officially start the game with “It’s Time for Dodger Baseball!” and will be recognized as honorary bat kids.
ThinkCure! is an innovative, community-based nonprofit organization that raises funds to accelerate collaborative research to cure cancer. The organization aims to find the cure for cancers by funding innovative research projects at City of Hope and Children’s Hospital Los Angeles by convening an objective, peer-based panel of expert doctors; awarding two-year grant applications once every year; and giving to the most promising collaborative and cutting edge cancer research projects that can involve other top cancer research hospitals. For more information, please visit www.thinkcure.org.
Veteran(s) of the Game: U.S. Marine Corps Corporal Armando Mendoza of Arizona. Mendoza enlisted in 2008 and twice served in Afghanistan in the role of cameraman/videographer, documenting everything from firefights to ceremonies for historical purposes.
First Pitch: Members of the 2012 US Women’s Gymnastics Olympic Team Gabby Douglas, McKayla Maroney and Kyla Ross will be on hand for the first pitch. The team won the all-around gymnastics gold medal in London. Additionally, Southern California native Maroney took the silver medal in vault and Douglas won the individual all-around gold medal.
Singing: Graham Fenton, who plays Frankie Valli in the Las Vegas smash-hit “Jersey Boys,” will sing the national anthem and “God Bless America.”
Tuesday, Sept. 4 vs. San Diego Padres – 7:10 p.m.
Fans with the first 30,000 tickets will receive a Matt Kemp replica jersey presented by State Farm available in sizes medium and extra large. The adult-sized batting practice jersey is one that has not been offered in several years.
Veteran(s) of the Game: U.S. Marine Corps Sergeant Roy David who has served for 9 years as a sniper, reconnaissance scout and demolition expert. He has been recognized with numerous awards including the Combat Action Medal.
First Pitch:Christian Haupt, a 4-year-old baseball phenom and Dodger fan discovered by Adam Sandler, will throw the ceremonial first pitch. Haupt, a native of Thousand Oaks, will star in an upcoming baseball movie, “That’s My Boy,” with Adam Sandler.
Wednesday, Sept. 5 vs. San Diego Padres – 7:10 p.m.
Back by popular demand, the Dodgers will distribute Hello Kitty ® tote bags to fans with the first 50,000 tickets. Hello Kitty will throw the ceremonial first pitch. Hello Kitty designer Yuko Yamaguchi will be on hand. Yamaguchi makes personal appearances throughout the world, and conducts signings in which she visits Sanrio stores and events and personally draws, signs and distributes pictures to fans. On Wednesday, Yamaguchi will draw a special Hello Kitty during pre-game which will be given away to a fan as part of the game’s lucky fan giveaway.
A special Hello Kitty premium package that includes an opportunity to meet Yuko Yamaguchi and Hello Kitty in person is also available now and can be purchased by calling the Dodgers Premium Seating and Services department at (323) 224-1370.
First Pitch: “Go On” star Matthew Perry will throw an honorary first pitch. Perry stars in NBC’s new comedy series as sports talk radio host Ryan King. “Go On” premieres this Tuesday at 9:00 p.m. on NBC.
Singing: NBC’s “Go On” Actress and Tony Award winner Lauren Benanti will sing the national anthem and “God Bless America”.
Autograph Alley: Dodger alumnus Billy Ashley will be in autograph alley signing for fans from 5:10 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Veteran(s) of the Game: World War II veterans including Millie Taylor, Samuel Lee Nickens, and Roy Riley “Ryp” of the U.S. Navy and Sadie Sonnenreich, Edward Baker, Leon Brookins, Robert Zinzel, Wellington Kwan, William Davis and Otto Verdekel of the U.S. Army.
