My Favorite Dodger Moment of 2012

We are almost upon a new year, and I’m always looking back and reminiscing about the previous 365 days which have flown by. Why is it that as one grows older years go by faster and faster?

Thinking back to the moments we experienced as Dodger fans in 2012 makes me extremely excited yet cautious about 2013. 2012 was the year of injury, transition, and one in which many fans began to come back to Chavez Ravine to usher in the fresh ownership and sentiment.

2012 was also a year of disappointment. Matt Kemp’s injuries prevented him from vying for that 50/50 season, the Dodgers couldn’t squeak out a postseason berth after collapsing in the standings after their red hot start to the season, and our arch rivals took the coveted crown again.

There were bright moments nonetheless. The long rollercoaster of a season has many dips and crests, and 2012 was no exception. For my personal favorite Dodger moment of 2012, I think back to August 25th when Adrian Gonzalez blasted a three-run homerun in his Dodger debut.

That exhilarating moment must have been epic to see and feel in person. In fact, Scott was lucky enough to be sitting in the press box that game. The homerun was still thrilling from my living room though. The Dodgers had just made headlines by completing a mega deal with Boston, and Adrian Gonzalez along with Nick Punto, and Josh Beckett were whisked away on a private jet to Los Angeles.

After a standing ovation, Adrian Gonzalez smashed a three-run shot off the second pitch he saw as a Dodger which lead to a 8-2 victory over the Miami Marlins that Saturday. The ball hit off Miami’s Josh Johnson landed in the Field level seats in the right-field corner. Dodger Stadium went crazy as their new first baseman rounded the bases.

I first was shocked and silent as I realized what had happened. Then the excitement set in as I jumped up and down in front of my t.v. It wasn’t so much the homerun which created this euphoric feeling, but it was the fact that we now were turning the corner from the dark McCourt days. A new era was upon us. This homerun was symbolic of this transition.

The revamped Dodgers won behind not only Gonzo’s dramatic bat swing, but also Clayton Kershaw’s three-hit eight inning performance, Andre Ethier and Mark Ellis also both went deep, and Dre tied a Dodger franchise record with his 10th straight hit while also collecting four hits in the game.

The fireworks at Dodger Stadium were something else that night, but there were many other notable moments throughout the season. Magic Johnson buttoning up his Dodger jersey as the new ownership took the helm, Vin Scully announcing that he was going to return to the broadcast booth in 2013, A.J. Ellis’s walk-off three-run blast against the Astros, Juan Rivera’s rare Loge homerun, Elian Herrera’s early season heroics and Luis Cruuuuuuz’s later success, Clayton Kershaw’s complete game shutout and well mostly every Kershaw start, Andre Ethier’s Opening Day homerun, the back-to-back-to-back homeruns by Dre, Ramirez, and Cruz, etc.

Here’s to many more exciting moments in 2013.

What was your favorite Dodger moment of 2012?