A few more...

Steve Yeager WS home run...Dodger Stadium...metal cleats...playing in the dirt...Beantown's favorite 8...major league cowhide..."old school" excellence from Mr. Brock and the patented corkscrew swing of Mr. October.

Saved a flag...delivered a pennant.

In researching imagery for a book for which I hope someday to write, I came across a few images of a special moment in Dodger history provided by one of the best in the game.

Rick Monday will always be best remembered for nineteen seasons in the majors highlighted by saving the American flag at Dodger Stadium on April 25, 1976. For me personally, there was another moment, Game 5, Montreal, Canada 1981 that I will never forget. Ninth inning of the deciding game between the Dodgers and Expos, winner to represent the National League in the Fall Classic against the New York Yankees. The weather was brutal, the game the day before cancelled due to cold and snow. As the team photographer my primary focus was on each and every swing at that point of the game. During those days it was film, no digital, so if I found myself running the motor drive on every swing it also meant quickly dropping out and putting in another fresh roll of film so not to get caught short on frames available. With the photo well full of half used film canisters at my feet the routine paid off because Rick delivered with a shot to deep right off the Expos' pitcher, Steve Rodgers. I stayed focused on him through the telephoto lens and only by seeing his reaction through the lens as he rounded first base did I realize we were headed back to the "House That Ruth Built"...this time, to win the 1981 World Series. I take pride in having the only still photo of Rick reacting in mid air between first and second base as he sees the ball go over the wall. The rest of the still photographers in attendance at Olympic Stadium concentrated on right field hoping for a dramatic catch.

I posted earlier this week about my visit with Nobe, Sy and Dave. Clubhouse personnel see the players for who they really are. If you ask Nobe Kawano who his all time favorite player and true friend is...the name Rick Monday is quickly answered. For any of us that have had the pleasure of his company and friendship you would certainly understand our excitement for Rick on that cold Canadian day in October of 81'.

Water droplets look great on...

...fresh picked fruit, the side of a martini glass but never a 1940 Ford on display at the Grand National Roadster Show in Pomona, California.

The show, the granddaddy of hot rod shows as they say, featured hundreds of the country’s most innovative and radical street rods, customs and monster motorcycles. In attending the show today, despite the rain, we all had a blast enjoying the unparalleled horsepower, nostalgia, good friends and automotive fun at its best.

Hi-top Keds...

...birthdays celebrated outside, I Love Lucy reruns and hanging with your best friends on the block spelled childhood for me. Pictured at one of my birthdays is myself on the left. Judi Mazur, my brother Pete standing (never photographed without the hair looking just right), an unrecognized invited guest with the headband, Nancy, Bruce and Mickey Mazur! What's with the sour puss faces...we all look like junior detainees at Gitmo!

I can only hope I received new sneakers that year.

As a dad, some photos...

...never get old to revisit.

Four Dodgers and one Yankee...

...because Gene's allegiance is to the dreaded Bronx Bombers we positioned him on the end in the event we chose to crop him out.

From left to right; David "Super Dave" Wright, Nobe Kawano, Sy Sussman, myself and Gene Chino.

I had the sincere pleasure of a visit by my long time friends Dave, Sy and Nobe this past week. We spent the afternoon together reminiscing our Dodger days together. Nobe is well known throughout the baseball world as the long time Dodger club house and equipment manager since their arrival to Los Angeles over fifty years ago. In fact, this past spring the Dodgers, celebrating their fiftieth season in LA, arranged to have a spring training game against the Boston Red Sox at the Los Angeles Coliseum, home to the Dodgers prior to Dodger Stadium being built. It was at that special evening that the Dodgers recognized Nobe's loyal service to the club by introducing him to over one hundred thousand fans in attendance. In the 1980's Nobe handed off the clubhouse duties to Dave and he not only handled his business but as in Nobe's case gained the respect and friendship of the many greats that wore the uniform. Sy, a member of the famed William Morris Agency for many years was a loyal friend to the Dodger organization and often assisted the club with entertainment talent over the years.

We enjoyed a great lunch together along with many laughs and tales of the past. Before leaving town I asked them to stop and meet some special friends of mine, Gene and Janet. The fact that the Chinos are baseball fans as well was added value. They opened their home and their hearts to my three friends and for that I am so appreciative. We all hated to see the visit end but grateful for our friendships, both new and old, making for a memorable day. In closing, the best looking member of the group, Janet, is not pictured because she volunteered to take our photo...thank you.

:)

Respect at it's best...

Came across one of my images taken during the 84' Olympics at Dodger Stadium. It's one of my favorites from that experience. The reason why I took it was that I was impressed with the discipline of the Japanese style of play...after each inning of play as they came off the field, their manager would hold court at the top of the dugout for a few moments to critique their performance and discuss their upcoming at bats. Note that all players removed their caps out of respect for the manager and coaches.

Can you imagine that implemented today in MLB...yeah right!

Frosty's eclectic collection...

...of retro reminders of years past have been assembled and on display in his unique Temecula auto garage. His collection challenges the old saying, "The whole is often greater than the sum of all it's parts". Whether you view this impressive structure in it's entirety or single out it's intriging elements, it's just a plain and simple treat to visit. Decaled windows, vintage soda machines, neon signage, flying pigs, stamp machines or even a milkshake mixer to mention a few...he makes it all work.

Bat rack...

1000 Elysian Park Avenue, Los Angeles, California, 1981.

Macro-state of mind...

Enjoying this photography career of mine I found myself looking back to self examine what influenced my shooting style. Without a doubt, it was my visual partner-in-crime, Sharon Amestoy. A lifetime friend, Sharon and I attended Brooks Institute together. Observing her appreciation of the often overlooked, no matter what assignment she took on, taught me that the simplest of elements spoke the most effective when communicating through the lens. If it is the graphic simplicity of red stitches on a ball describing the game of baseball, the iconic chrome bullets of a Cadillac bumper or anything else I tend to capture in a uncomplicated manner...I owe it largely to the early influence of my Oregonian friend. As they say, imitation is the greatest form of flattery.

P.S. If you happen to like my choice of music, especially any inclusion of Bonnie Raitt...thank her as well. May all of you be blessed with a friend equal to Sharon in your own life.

:)

Just one element of the game...

Recent chrome...

Regular people...

...performing exceptional jobs! At a time when the nation and the media is focused on the manufactured hype of the Washington DC events it took God's good grace, a professional flight crew, compassionate tug & ferry boat operators, NYC rescue workers and a pilot by the name of Chelsey B. "Sully" Sullenberger to remind us all why we're proud of our fellow Americans.

Hard to top...

...the fun a dad has watching the prettiest girl in the world take on Disneyland.

Got milk?...

Dodgers clinch the 1977 National League West Division in San Francisco, the first for rookie manager, Tom Lasorda. Long after the supply of champagne and beer were exhausted, the clubhouse party continued as I captured Tommy tied to a support with a garden hose and doused with shaving cream and milk. A memorable celebration that continued into the wee hours of the next day. It was also the first of many clubhouse celebrations I was fortunate to experience with the Boys in Blue over the years. Hope you enjoy.

Simply good people...

I recently came across one of my personal favorite images captured during my tenure as photographer for the Los Angeles Dodgers. Taken in 1981, it showcases two of the nicest guys in the sport...Bob Welch and Terry (Hoss) Forster. Years later Bobby inscribed his autobiography (Five O'Clock Comes Early) to me with the message related to this particular photo.

Good friends...good memories.

January 9th...

Watching your son grow up into a kind unselfish human being is one of the best experiences in your life as a parent. Today I celebrate my 26st anniversary of that ongoing experience.

Happy Birthday Ry!

Love,

Dad

Robin being Robin...

Enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=puMz1Q3E000

A nice memory...

A friendship from day one, Laura and former Dodger Dusty Baker, were true blue Dodger compadres. As much time as Laura spent at Chavez Ravine only one man in uniform mattered to her...Dusty. Regardless of what he was doing at the time, he would stop and direct his attention to her. Time has certainly placed quite a few years between when this photo was taken and the present, however, it will never dissipate the fun we all had witnessing the bond between the two.

Ripley's Believe It or Not...

The lovefest moment was my first introduction to the joys of acid reflux.