Dodgers Tribute

True Blue Dodger fans cheered as team Koufax and team Lasorda battled (well, not exactly a battle - more of a friendly romp in the park) to a 3-3 tie on Saturday afternoon at Dodger Stadium in the Old-Timers’ Game.

When asked in the pre-game interview, “How is team Koufax going to approach this game?” Cy Young winner and starting pitcher Orel Hershiser said, “We just want to get through two innings without an injury.”

Among the Dodger greats in attendance were Ron Cey, Fernando Valenzuela, Don Newcomb, Tommy Davis, Dusty Baker, Davey Lopes, Eric Karros, Steve Yaeger, and Shawn Green were announced representing members of the World Series Champion Dodgers from 1955 and beyond.

With sharp line drives former MLB short stop, Nomar Garciaparra, and center fielder, Steve Finley, for team Koufax recorded base hits and drove in two runs. And after the first inning were in the lead 3-2.

The crowd roared with laughter in the bottom of the first when manager Tommy Lasorda stomped to home plate waiving his arms and had his say with the umpire. Could it be any other way with Lasorda at the helm?

In the second, allowed 7 strikes, 6 fouls, and 5 balls Darrell Strawberry came to the plate and grounded out to second baseman Steve Sax. With Manny Mota at the plate Nomar was called in to pinch-run.

In the battle of the microphone Rick Monday came to bat against Valenzuela and promptly grounded out to short.

With the game on the line Lasorda made a pitching change. Cy young winner Eric Gagné jogged in from the bull pen to shut down team Koufax with the tune Welcome to the Jungle blaring over the loud speakers.

In two hilarious innings every player had a chance at the plate. The tying runs scored on a wild pitches from Hershiser to end the game. That's the way I remember it.

It was the grand finale to a 6-2 Dodger victory over the San Francisco Giants for all who stayed. Well worth the price of a ticket on a beautiful 69 degree day in the ballpark at Chavez Ravine.

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