Spending on a multitude of levels also included revitalizing the front office and

The Dodgers are spending money on players and on stadium improvements. Photo: Kirby Lee/Image of Sport-USA TODAY Sports

scouting departments. An international scouting team has been assembled, and the Dodgers have already made headlines by signing prospects like Cuban defector Yasiel Puig and 2013 starting pitcher Hyun-Jin Ryu out of Korea. They are also spending money on Dodger Stadium infrastructure including new clubhouses for the players, installation of cell phone towers for improved Wi-Fi connectivity for fans, increased opportunities for fan interactions and autograph events, and other yet to be announced amenity improvements to the ballpark itself. The primary target of the GBM’s spending spree is top tier

Magic Johnson and Zack Greinke are in it to win it. Photo: Kirby Lee/Image of Sport-USA TODAY Sports

talent. With Frank McCourt long gone, Ned Colletti is free to pursue almost any player whether via free agency or trade. While he was scrambling last offseason to sign a couple of bargain pitchers like Aaron Harang and Chris Capuano, a two-for-one deal if you will, this offseason Colletti is instead bringing big names like Zack Greinke into Blue. No contract is too big for this new ownership. Players are wanting to play in Los Angeles. There was even rumors that Josh Hamilton contacted the Dodgers to talk before he signed with the Angels. I’d bet that if the Dodgers hadn’t already shored up their outfield with Matt Kemp, Carl Crawford, and Andre Ethier, they would have been in on Josh Hamilton as well. That’s okay though since I’d take Matt Kemp over Josh Hamilton any day.

Dec 15, 2012; Anaheim, CA, USA; Newly signed Los Angeles Angels outfielder Josh Hamilton is introduced during a press conference at Downtown Disney. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Many writers are predicting a “Freeway World Series” for 2013. The Angels and Dodgers both have signed some elite players who garnered gargantuan contracts, but will all this West Coast shopping equal success on the field and into October? While a potentially very lucrative television deal is in the works for the Dodgers whether with FOX, Time Warner, or by creating their own network, they will need to not flop in 2013 while the expectations for the team are at an all-time high. Many fans of other teams would like to see the Dodgers fail after all this expenditure. The thing is, all this spending was in order to rebuild the franchise for many years to come. Of course they want to win now, but the Dodgers had a lot of catching up to do. We could very well see a Dodgers and Angels world series in 2013. I can’t wait for a Joe Blanton versus Josh Beckett game five.

Tim Leary

The event was right next to Lucille’s Barbecue, and the William Sonoma. I showed up and noticed there were three different booths setup. Two booths where people were spinning a raffle wheel to win free Dodger tickets, and another one for Dodger fans to sign up for 2013 season tickets. The third booth was where Punto and Leary were signing autographs. I decided to bring my 2012 opening day commemorative playbill for Punto to sign. Then I had a special treat for Leary. I brought my 1988 World Championship Dodger Blue magazine. Back in those days the Dodgers printed a monthly magazine called “Dodger Blue”. The publication was distributed by the Press-Telegram. This edition I had was from October of 1988, and features many pictures of Kirk Gibson, Tommy Lasorda, Orel Hershiser, Mike Scioscia, Mickey Hatcher, and of course, Tim Leary. My goal was to have Punto sign the Opening day playbill, and Leary to sign the 88’ Dodger Blue publication.

The line wasn’t too long, and while waiting I ran into Josh from Dodgerbobble. Punto signed the playbill, and I had him make it out to Lasorda’s Lair. Next I got Leary to sign the 88’ Dodger Blue magazine. I had him sign in two places. First he signed underneath his picture at the back of the magazine, and I also had him sign the front. He was pretty impressed, and hadn’t seen one of those in years, or so he said. He also said he remembers driving with Kirk Gibson to Dodger Stadium every day, since they were roommates at the time. Good times!

I wasn’t there for very long, but I was happy as I got my autographs that I wanted, and Punto you could say slid into my autographs head first. You can check out some of the other pictures below. Will Punto be sliding head first into our hearts next season? Thank you to Punto and Leary. A good time was had by all.

Dodger Blue Publication-October 1988 Edition

The Dodger’s holiday mall tour continues with their final stop on Saturday December 22^nd, at the Del Amo Fashion Center in Torrance, CA. That event will be held from 10AM – 6PM, but the Dodgers have not yet announced which players will be attending. You can find more information about the Dodger’s holiday mall tour on the Dodger’s web site Here.