JC's Dodger Snapshots | June 15: Under the Lights in Los Angeles

Folks line up behind center field for the event, a total of 225 fans attended this event which cost $500.

Looking up to the Dodger Diamond vision board from the left field warning track. Dodger retired numbers are displayed along the pavilion roofline. Here we see #2, retired for manager Tommy Lasorda, and the #4 of Duke Snider.

The Dodgers policy is to retire only the numbers of members of the Hall of Fame who played a significant portion of their career with the Dodgers. An exception has been made for Jim Gilliam, a long time player and coach going back to the Brooklyn days. Gilliam's #19 was retired after his death just before the 1978 World Series.

Looking towards home plate from the warning track in left-center.

Looking down from the previous shot. It was interesting how short the grass is trimmed and the fairly large size of pebbles on the warning track.

Standing in front of the bullpen gate, where some of the best arms ever in Major League Baseball history prepared to dominate the opposition.

The small window under the 360 sign looks out from the room where players can sit and watch the game.

This is the view from the rubber in the Dodger bullpen. Yeah, I was kind of freaking out standing on this special patch of dirt. But in a good way.

A look at the bat rack and bench in the Dodger dugout. Manager Joe Torre's favored perch is just to the right of this shot.

Dean Lagasse, a coach at Village Christian High in nearby Sun Valley, was the primary batting practice pitcher. He did an excellent job trying to let the fans look good.

Another shot of Dean, from the batter's box.

Standing at home during BP

The first few fans line up for their shot in the cage.

Of this chance to fulfill some dreams.

Shot of the swing that has wrecked havoc on softball fields from Los Angeles to San Diego. Dr. D and I helped teach her the enjoyment one can derive from team sports. Cat was quite the basketball player as well.

Displayed in the right field corner, just below the main dining room at Dodger Stadium, is banners honoring the World Championship teams. Shot taken from right field.

Chef seasons some burgers for the fans. This station is on the warning track directly behind home plate.

Can't have a proper meal at Dodger Stadium without some grilled Dodger Dogs. Tasty!

Courtesy of Levy Restaurants, the food service vendors at Dodger Stadium.

They also have the contract at Staples Center, home of the World Champion Los Angeles Lakers.

This is the clubhouse for the new seats behind home plate. Food served here is included in your ticket price. There are a number of artifacts on display...

...including these Emmy's awarded to Hall of Fame broadcaster Vin Scully...

...and this ring and ball from the Dodgers only championship in Brooklyn.

The ball is from the last out of game seven, and is signed by all the players on that team. The autographs of Jackie Robinson and Roy Campanella are on the top of the ball.

One wall leading from the elevators has a timeline of major events in Dodger history from their time in Los Angeles...

While the other side has the names of all players and managers going back to Brooklyn days. Jackie Robinson's name is in the center of this display, with the rest displayed at random.

Framed jersey's of all retired numbers in Dodger history line the path as players walk to their clubhouse.

One empty frame is closest to the clubhouse as incentive for current players, will their number be enshrined next?

Sadly, due to major league rules, no photographs are allowed in the clubhouse.

Outside the clubhouse, adjoining the laundry and showers, is a batting cage where players can get loose prior to pinch hitting. There is a long hallway where they can run wind sprints to get loose as well.

This is where Kirk Gibson was hanging out during game one of the 1988 World Series before emerging in the ninth inning to make some history.

Dodger catcher Russell Martin signs autographs for the fans, with Dodger legends Ron Cey and Steve Garvey flanking him.

A good Dodger fan and better husband has his wife's jersey signed by her favorite player, Ron Cey. She couldn't make the event, and her guy stepped up to take care of business.

It should be noted the reason I had Cat join me, beyond her photography skills, is because Cey is her all time favorite player as well.

Close up of first base, standing in foul ground just beyond the bag.

Yeah, this shot is staged, half way down the line in left field.

Still, I could hear Vin intoning, "Fair ball, down the line and in the corner for extra bases."

The Los Angeles logo behind home plate, a fitting shot to end this show. Hope you all have enjoyed this rare view of Dodger Stadium.

Copyright © 2009, JC Ayvazi and Cathy de León. All rights reserved.