Tagged: Manny Mota
A father-son Freeway Series outing for the Motas
Jose and Manny Mota before Thursday’s Freeway Series opener. (Jon SooHoo/Los Angeles Dodgers)
By Cary Osborne
March 31 marked the first time in 2016 when fathers could once again take their sons to a Major League Baseball game in Los Angeles.
And they came.
You could look up and down the Field Level all the way to the Top Deck and see them. Eating popcorn together, father explaining to son what a shift is and why the team in blue are the good guys and the team in red are the bad guys, or vice versa.
Some dads wore blue. Some sons wore red. None stood out more than the Motas.
The grandest fiesta of the year is Saturday at Dodger Stadium
By Cary Osborne
Consider it Sabado Gigante!
Saturday’s 18th annual La Gran Fiesta Viva Los Dodgers event will be huge. There will be on-stage interviews, chances for autographs and photos and musical performances.
La Gran Fiesta Viva Los Dodgers is the culmination of the season-long series of family-friendly events celebrating Latino culture in Los Angeles and the legacy of Latino Dodgers past and present. It will go from 2-6 p.m. at the historic 76 station and is free for fans holding a ticket to Saturday’s 6:10 p.m. game against San Diego.
Tickets can be purchased by calling (866) DODGERS or by visiting dodgers.com/tickets.
Dodger players scheduled to participate in the Viva party include Luis Avilan, Pedro Baez, Carlos Frias, Yimi Garcia, Adrian Gonzalez, Yasmani Grandal, Alex Guerrero, Kiké Hernandez, Juan Nicasio, Joel Peralta and Ronald Torreyes. La Gran Fiesta Viva Los Dodgers will also feature live music presented by Mariachi Sol de Mexico de Jose Hernandez, Sonsoles, Los 5 and Sinverguenza.
The celebration will also include participation by the Dodgers’ Spanish-language broadcast teams: Hall of Famer Jaime Jarrín, Jorge Jarrín, Manny Mota, Pepe Yñiguez and Fernando Valenzuela. Dodger broadcaster Rick Monday will also be on hand for autographs. Dodger alums Ron Cey and Al Ferrara will participate along with Dodger scout Mike Brito.
WBC and Ring Magazine middleweight champion Miguel Cotto will also make a special appearance. Cotto is the first Puerto Rican boxer to win world championships in four weight divisions. On Saturday, November 21, he defends his titles against Mexico’s two-time World Champion Canelo Alvarez at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas.
Cotto will also throw tomorrow’s ceremonial first pitch and Kiké Hernandez will catch for Cotto. Also as part of Viva Los Dodgers, Mariachi Sol de Mexico de Jose Hernandez will perform on the field pregame at 5:35 p.m. and will also perform the national anthem.
Complete details on La Gran Fiesta Viva Los Dodgers presented by Coca-Cola, State Farm and Time Warner Cable can be found by visiting dodgers.com/viva or losdodgers.com/viva.
Lasorda, Scully, Newcombe, Jarrín and Edward Gonzalez
Edward Gonzalez has worked for the Dodgers for 52 seasons. Cary Osborne/Los Angeles Dodgers
By Cary Osborne
On June 28, Vin Scully announced he would return to the Dodgers for 67th season.
On Monday, Jaime Jarrín announced he’d be back for his 58th.
Put on the spot, Edward Gonzalez wasn’t ready to say he’d be back for a 53rd.
“I’m undecided,” said the Dodger Stadium Security assistant manager as he laughed. “I can’t make an announcement.”
Prior to the Dodger game on Tuesday, members of the organization with 25 or more years of service were acknowledged during an on-field recognition.
Gonzalez, 88, stood alongside Tommy Lasorda (66 seasons with the Dodgers) on the legendary manager’s 88th birthday, Don Newcombe (58 seasons), Jarrín (57 seasons) and Manny Mota (47 seasons) — all household names to Dodger fans.
Gonzalez was one of 66 employees with 25 years of service — most of them having worked behind the scenes in jobs like ticket takers, security officers, reception and maintenance.
“Those people, they deserve a lot of credit for their dedication to their job,” Mota said. “They’ve been loyal to the organization, and the main thing about those people is they’re humble, and I congratulate all of them for getting recognized tonight. They deserve it. It’s great for the organization to reward their service and loyalty for doing a great job.”
Mota was in his second big league season when Gonzalez started working for the Dodgers in 1963. Gonzalez wasn’t a baseball fan at the time. He actually had never been to a Major League game prior to working for the team. But the Los Angeles native’s friend who worked at Dodger Stadium urged him to get a job at the ballpark.
He’s been here ever since.
Gonzalez has gone from usher to usher director, to usher captain, to assistant usher chief, to usher chief to his current position.
Co-workers call him “Chief” or “Fast Eddie” today.
He works up on the eighth floor — a part of the stadium most fans won’t see unless they’re injured or caused some trouble at the stadium. “Chief” operates mostly out of a small room where he dispenses Walkie Talkies to ushers and security officers.
In five-plus decades, he’s made quite the impact.
“He’s like our father,” said 63-year-old usher captain Richard Angona, now in his 40th season. “My father passed away (years ago), so he’s been like my father.”
Gonzalez is a father of two, grandfather of two. His son Eddie is a security guard at Dodger Stadium. His granddaughter Adriana also works in the stadium taking photos.
The El Monte resident still is spry. Age has slowed his gait, but not his ability to carry a conversation. And it hasn’t taken away his memories.
“There are so many I recall,” he began. “When I was working the dugout (seats) and Sandy Koufax was pitching, I just loved to watch him pitch. That big rainbow curve. They knew it was coming, and no one could touch it.”
Gonzalez doesn’t get to touch the same field Koufax pitched on too often. Usually just once a year when he and long-serving employees like him are honored on the field annually in September.
To be recognized with Hall of Famers and other baseball royalty was pretty special, Gonzalez said. Though he’ll never be considered for the Hall of Fame, he and those honored on Tuesday will still be remembered for the same thing as those legends. All of them are Dodgers.
Remembering ’65: After tense week for Dodgers, Koufax survives rough All-Star outing
By Jon Weisman
Fifty years ago at the All-Star Game, Willie Mays (not Mike Trout) dominated from the plate, and Sandy Koufax (not Clayton Kershaw) had his struggles in his fifth consecutive All-Star year.
The difference: Koufax sneaked away with the victory.
As John Hall of the Times reported, when Koufax entered the game in the bottom of the sixth with the score tied, 5-5, his first seven pitches missed the strike zone. He needed to strike out Jimmie Hall with two on and two out to escape his only inning of work.
In the top of the seventh, Mays led off with a walk, went to third on a Hank Aaron single and scored the winning run on Ron Santo’s infield hit, all off “Sudden” Sam McDowell. That made Koufax the winning pitcher.
“Sandy looked a little sheepish when he was congratulated,” Hall wrote.
Koufax, however, was proud of one thing at the All-Star Break.
Who were the last Dodgers born in each decade?
Manny Mota
By Jon Weisman
Something in the news today made me notice that Joel Peralta, Jimmy Rollins and Juan Uribe are the only active Dodgers remaining who were born in the 1970s.
Naturally (or, upon reflection, perversely), I became curious about who held that honor in past years. Here’s the honor roll of players who were the last Dodgers born in each previous decade:
- 1960s: Brad Ausmus, b. 1969 (2010, age 41)
- 1950s: Rickey Henderson, b. 1958 (2002, age 44)
- 1940s: Rick Dempsey, b. 1949 (1990, age 41)
- 1930s: Manny Mota, b. 1938 (1982, age 44)
- 1920s: Hoyt Wilhelm, b. 1922 (1972, age 49)
- 1910s: Pee Wee Reese, b. 1918 (1958, age 40)
- 1900s: Curt Davis, b. 1903 (1946, age 42)
- 1890s: Kiki Cuyler, b. 1898 (1938, age 40)
- 1880s: Jack Quinn, b. 1883 (1932, age 49)
- 1870s: Kid Elberfield, b. 1875 (1914, age 39)
- 1860s: Patsy Donovan, b. 1865 (1907, age 42)
- 1850s: George Shoch, b. 1859 (1897, age 38)
Sutton was the last Dodger born before the end of World War II, Reese the last before the end of World War I and Donovan the last born before the end of the Civil War.
The oldest recorded birth year for any player associated with the Dodger franchise is 1851, for outfielder Jack Remsen, who finished his career with the 1884 Brooklyn Atlantics of the American Association. For the National League years, you can go all the way back to infielder Jack Burdock (b. 1852), who got the 1,231st and final hit of his career with the 1891 Brooklyn Grooms.
A miracle man at the Old-Timers Game: Pedro Guerrero
Pedro Guerrero tips his cap after being announced at Saturday’s Old-Timers Game. (Matt Mesa/Los Angeles Dodgers)
By Cary Osborne
The moment Pedro Guerrero walked into the old visitors’ clubhouse at Dodger Stadium on Saturday to get dressed for the 2015 Old-Timers Game, he announced his presence.
“What’s happening! What’s happening!” he blared.
The fact that Guerrero was at the Old-Timers Game at Dodger Stadium was, as he considers it, miraculous.
Guerrero was hospitalized in February after suffering a stroke at his house in the Dominican Republic. The 58-year-old said he woke up early one morning to attend a meeting. He came home from the meeting exhausted and headed to the restroom. Once inside, he couldn’t move.
The three-time Dodger All-Star and one third of the 1981 World Series tri-MVPs was rushed to the hospital in an ambulance and spent five days under the care of doctors.
“It was serious. It was scary,” Guerrero said. “All the doctors that attended to me in the Dominican, they all said the same thing: ‘They can’t believe I’m alive.’ I’m serious. There’s one doctor who told me, ‘I don’t know if it’s the color of your blood or what, but 92, no 99 out of 100 people who had the same thing you had, they’re gone.’
“I know some day we’re all going to die, but I didn’t want to go that early. Keep me here a little longer so I can see my youngest daughter and my grandsons play ball.”
Dodger legend Manny Mota, who lives 15 minutes from the hospital, went to visit Guerrero there. Mota, another participant in the Old-Timers Game, recalled seeing his friend.
“When I saw him, he looked better than what I read in the newspaper,” Mota said.
Guerrero looks nothing like a man who had a stroke just three months ago. He said he’s given up smoking and is eating better. And when he got the invitation to participate in the Old-Timers Game, he jumped at the opportunity. He even played left field in the game.
“This was very important for me to be here,” Guerrero said. “I don’t know how to express this, but this made me feel active again, more alive. Especially seeing these guys. You can tell I’m so happy to be here. I wish I could live here. The Dodgers gave me everything and I feel like I grew up here.”
Guerrero said this was his first time at Dodger Stadium in three years. He didn’t know how fans would react to him on Saturday.
“Remember, it’s been 30 years. It’s different people,” he said. “I remember when I played. It was big. It was exciting and exciting for my people to see me play. But it’s been too many years (for people to remember me).”
Prior to the Old-Timers Game, Guerrero was announced with all the other Dodger greats — Sandy Koufax, The Infield, Tommy Lasorda and members of the 1955 and 1965 World Series championship teams among other greats.
They remembered Guerrero. He got a nice ovation. He tipped his cap and smiled wide. He took his place in line next to fellow 1981 tri-MVP Steve Yeager, who wrapped him with a big hug.
Guerrero smiled again. Happy to be home. Happy to be alive.
Sandy Koufax to join Old-Timers Game celebration of ’65 title team
By Cary Osborne
In recognition of the 50th anniversary of the Dodgers’ 1965 World Series championship team, this year’s Old-Timers Game at Dodger Stadium on May 16 will be a celebration of that legendary squad.
The stars of that ’65 team — Sandy Koufax, Tommy Davis, Maury Wills, Wally Moon, Ron Perranoski, Wes Parker, Jeff Torborg, Ron Fairly, Jim Lefebvre, Al Ferrara and “Sweet” Lou Johnson — are scheduled to take part in the festivities, prior to the 6:10 p.m. Dodgers-Colorado Rockies game.
The Dodgers beat the Minnesota Twins in seven games to capture the 1965 World Series title. Koufax, the World Series MVP, pitched a shutout in Game 7 on two days rest, and Johnson hit a home run in that 2-0 victory.
Dodger greats Fernando Valenzuela, Orel Hershiser, Ron Cey, Bill Russell, Davey Lopes, Rick Monday, Reggie Smith, Eric Karros and Nomar Garciaparra will lead a host of Dodgers in the game following introductions beginning at 4 p.m. The first 40,000 fans in attendance will receive a replica 1965 World Series ring (presented by Security Benefit).
In addition to saluting the 11 members of the 1965 team, the Dodgers will also acknowledge members of the organization’s first World Championship in 1955 when the team beat the New York Yankees in seven games, capped by a 2-0 shutout by the late Johnny Podres. Five members of the 1955 Dodgers will be part of the festivities — Koufax, Tommy Lasorda, Don Newcombe, Ed Roebuck and Roger Craig.
The Dodgers’ Old-Timers rosters will also feature Chan Ho Park, Tommy John, Pedro Guerrero, Mickey Hatcher, Steve Sax, Tim Wallach, Steve Yeager, Rick Honeycutt, Eric Gagne, Charlie Hough, Manny Mota, Shawn Green, Ken Landreaux, Steve Finley, Todd Zeile, Mike Marshall and Jerry Hairston Jr.
Tickets can be purchased at dodgers.com/tickets or by calling (866) DODGERS.
Manny Mota has upbeat report on Pedro Guerrero
Manny Mota and Pedro Guerrero before Old-Timers Day at Dodger Stadium in June 2013. (Jon SooHoo/Los Angeles Dodgers)
By Jon Weisman
Manny Mota called from the Dominican Republic to say that he saw Pedro Guerrero, who is recovering from minor bleeding in the brain, at the hospital today for a 10-minute visit.
“Pedro’s doing fine, doing much better,” Mota said. “He’s very alert. He sounds good; he’s in a good mood.”
Mota said that Guerrero’s doctor has told him he should be ready to go home in about two or three days. Guerrero also said thanks for all the attention and concern people have had on his behalf.
September 2, 1979: Manny Mota sets pinch-hit record
By Mark Langill
Today is the 35th anniversary of Manny Mota’s record-setting 145th career pinch hit, a bloop single against Cubs reliever Lynn McGlothen on September 2, 1979.
It was a Sunday afternoon, and the Dodgers were going nowhere in the standings, languishing in third place after consecutive National League pennants in 1977 and 1978. After his bloop single, which barely eluded the leap of second baseman Steve Macko, Mota hugged first base coach Jim Lefebvre and left the game for a pinch runner. He returned to the dugout and received a hero’s welcome, along with a standing ovation from the crowd.
How did a seemingly obscure record, held for 12 years by a reserve catcher named Forrest “Smokey” Burgess, become so important to Dodger fans?
Fun before the game with Hanley Ramirez, Yasiel Puig and Jessica Alba
By Jon Weisman
Admittedly, the start of today’s Dodgers-Brewers game wasn’t pretty for the hometown fans, not with Jonathan Lucroy driving in five runs in the first two innings to power Milwaukee to a 7-0 lead over the Dodgers after four. But it was plenty festive inside Dodger Stadium and at Viva Los Dodgers at the historic 76 station beyond center field.
Hanley Ramirez, Yasiel Puig and first-pitch tosser Jessica Alba were among those who put on a show before the show …
Here’s @HanleyRamirez and friends at Viva Los Dodgers #iseeyou pic.twitter.com/JByAVWBV4I
— Dodger Insider (@DodgerInsider)
August 17, 2014
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