Dear Santa,

Hello! I know you are very busy making toys and all, so I won't take up too much of your time. I just wanted to drop you a note and tell you what a good girl I've been this year.

I have been very good. I ate my vegetables. I cleaned my room and made my bed. And when my TV show got canceled 10 days before we were supposed to start production, I didn't even say any swear words! I didn't even say "sh*!". Nope. Not even once. How good is that? Instead, I looked at the bright side and saw the glass half full. I remembered how blessed I was regardless of being out of work.

I know you know how good I've been because you've been watching. So, in lieu of being nice and not naughty, I have composed my Christmas list for you.

1. Please ease the struggle for those who are suffering from the financial crisis.

2. Please end the war.

3. Please bring happiness and health to my friends and family.

That's it! That is all I want for Christmas! I bet you thought I was going to ask for Manny and Furcal to be Dodgers, or for two starting pitchers, or for the Dodgers to win the World Series, or things like that. Nope. I would never. Not me. Well, I mean, if you wanted to bring me those things, I certainly wouldn't send them back. You wouldn't even have to make a special trip to my house for those things! I don't think Manny would fit down my chimney anyway. Furcal might. You could just drop them off at Dodger Stadium. Yeah. That would be perfect.

Thank you, Santa Claus.

Peace,
Love,
AND BASEBALL,
Alyssa

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Well, at least now we can look back and say that in 2008 we were eliminated by the World Champions. Congratulations to all of you Phillies fans out there. It must feel good.

After the elimination game, there were some fans that stuck around cheering and showing appreciation, for about a half hour straight. It was a cool thing to be a part of. My voice was hoarse for two days. Nomar came out of the dugout, waved, and put his hand over his heart as if to say: "Thank you." It seemed like he was saying goodbye to something. Maybe he was saying goodbye to the stadium, maybe he was saying goodbye to baseball. The moment made me well up.

Mr. McCourt stuck around and the fans started a chant specifically for his behalf.

"Please sign Manny! (clap,clap,clap,clap,clap) Please sign Manny!" we chanted.

I said goodbye to my neighbors in my section, wished them a good offseason, and made the sad walk to the car with my brother (who was inconsolable), David and Rachael.

As I walked through the stadium to get to my parking lot, I saw sleepy children holding their gloves in one hand and their daddy's hand in the other. I realized, a whole new generation of Dodger fans got to experience the NLCS for the first time and that was special. Their fathers were probably kids the last time we had made it that far.

I didn't post a blog entry after that game because quite frankly, I didn't know what to say. I sat down to try and write something, anything, to express what I was feeling. Alas, I couldn't find the words and thought that it would be best just to be quiet for a moment and get some distance.

With that distance, I realized the good so outweighed the bad this season. With all the ups and downs, it felt like every game had its own heartbeat.

Thank you, Dodgers, for a great season.

Spring will be here before you know it and in the interim, we have the rumors and deals of the offseason to keep us occupied. Dodger free agents:

• Casey Blake
• Rafael Furcal
• Nomar Garciaparra
• Jason Johnson
• Derek Lowe
• Jeff Kent
• Greg Maddux
• Joe Biemel
• Chan Ho Park
• Mark Sweeney
• Manny Ramirez
• Pablo Ozuna

If you were Ned Colletti, what would YOU do?

I will try to continue to blog during the offseason when there's something to say. Until then, I will be working on Single With Parents and missing baseball.

Peace,
Love,
AND BASEBALL,
Alyssa

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We needed all the help we could get. I put Gibson in his rally cap in the second inning.

During the ninth, I was manically pacing around the living room wondering where it all went so horribly wrong. My chihuahua's just watched me go back and forth. Back and forth. Forth and back. I would stop my pacing ... slowly look at the screen ... then quickly turn away and just start pacing again. I couldn't bear to watch. I did peek out of the corner of my eye.

The postseason is such an odd thing. I was 16 the last time we made it this far (don't start). Everything feels so different. Am I right? It is still your team, your boys, your uni's, but it all feels totally different for some reason. SOOOOOO much is on the line with every pitch. And to make matters worse, you are listening to guys call the game that are not your guys. No Vin. No Charlie. No Steve. Everything just feels different.

I peeked back at the screen just in time to watch Nomar take that final hack and strike out for the final out of the game. I screamed. I got a little misty. And then ... Oh, yay! Finally, a familiar face. Ah, Kevin Kennedy. Yay! Phew.

Kevin and I became friends last season. He has become somewhat of a mentor in my never-ending quest for baseball knowledge.

"EUREKA! He will tell me what went wrong," I thought to myself as I sat back down on the couch ready to listen to Kevin's wisdom. "Tell me Kevin. I can take it. I am all ears."

He said something about "sequencing" and then all of a sudden the postgame show was over. Just like that. I was left to wonder. "Did he just say sequencing? What is he talking about? Why is the postgame show only 14 seconds? Wait! Come back, Kevin."

I needed answers from Kevin and I needed them NOW. "I am just going to call and ask him what he thought of the game," I decided.

I figured I wasn't the only one wanting more of the postgame show. When I got him on the phone, I asked if I could record the conversation for the blog. He graciously said that I could. Below is the transcript of our conversation:

KEVIN: HI ALYSSA.

Me: That was painful. I started getting weepy when the game was over. I am miserable. I want to vomit.

KEVIN: SO SORRY MY PREDICTION DIDN'T COME TRUE. THOUGHT THEY WOULD SPLIT THERE. MY GUT DID HAVE A CONCERN THOUGH BECAUSE BILLS [CHAD BILLINGSLY] NEEDS MORE CONFIDENCE IN HIMSELF TO KEEP THE EDGE.

Me: It was painful. What do you think the difference in him was tonight compared to the Chicago series? He certainly seemed confident then.

KEVIN: IN CHICAGO, THEY WERE UP 0-1. TONIGHT THEY WERE DOWN 1-0. HE PUT TOO MUCH PRESSURE ON HIMSELF THAT HE HAD TO BE TOO FINE WITH HIS STUFF. HIS CURVEBALL WAS HIS BEST PITCH EARLY AND HIS COMMAND OF HIS CUTTER AND FASTBALL WASN'T THERE YET. SO AS A CATCHER YOU RECOGNIZE THAT, AND GO TO THAT WHEN YOU NEED AN OUT WHILE TRYING TO STILL CULTIVATE THE FASTBALL. NURTURE IT ALONG AS YOU FEEL THE FLOW OF THE GAME. PHILS WEREN'T TOUCHING HIS OVERHAND CURVEBALL.

Me: I heard you say something about "sequencing" in the postgame show.

KEVIN: SEQUENCING IS THE CATCHER'S RESPONSIBILITY.

Me: Okay. This may seem like a stupid question, but in layman's terms, what is Sequencing?

KEVIN: CALLING THE RIGHT PITCHES IN THE RIGHT COUNTS, AND RECOGNIZING WHO IS SITTING DEAD RED ESPECIALLY WITH RUNNERS ON BASE AND MEN IN SCORING POSITION.

Me: Sitting "dead red"? Now I feel really dumb.

KEVIN: SITTING ON THE FASTBALL. RUIZ, A .214 HITTER, FOULED BACK A 93-MPH FASTBALL ON THE FIRST PITCH. THAT IS WHAT HE WAS LOOKING FOR THE WHOLE AT-BAT WHEN HE DOUBLED IN THE FIRST RUN. BILLS SHOULD HAVE THROWN A CURVEBALL TO STRIKE HIM OUT AND END THE BOTTOM OF THE 2ND. INSTEAD MARTIN CALLED A FASTBALL AND RUIZ WAS LOOKING FOR IT. HE HITS ONLY .214 BECAUSE HE CAN'T HIT A BREAKING BALL. THEN LATER, VICTORINO ALWAYS, ALWAYS LOOKS FASTBALL NO MATTER WHAT COUNT. HE EVEN TOLD ME THAT THIS WEEK. AFTER LOOKING AWFUL ON A CURVEBALL EARLY, WITH 2 STRIKES, THEY CALLED A FASTBALL AND IT WAS UP OVER THE PLATE AND HE HIT THAT 2 RUN SINGLE TO LEFT-CENTER ... THUS A 4-RUN INNING.

Me: Don't remind me. So if a fastball isn't where it is supposed to be, should the catcher/pitcher abandon it all together?

KEVIN: NO. YOU STILL HAVE TO THROW FASTBALL, JUST NOT IN A PUTAWAY COUNT. HIS CURVE WAS HIS PUTAWAY PITCH EARLY IN THE GAME. AND MARTIN AND BILLS DIDN'T RECOGNIZE THAT. THAT IS ALSO THE PITCHING COACH'S AND ADVANCE SCOUT'S ISSUE. THE FASTBALL MIGHT HAVE COME ALONG AS THE GAME PROGRESSED, BUT IT NEVER GOT TO THAT POINT. THE PHILLIES KNEW THAT. YOU GO WITH THE CURVEBALL WITH TWO STRIKES UNTIL THEY PROVE THEY CAN HIT IT.  

Me: Was that how they shut down Howard? They seemed to be throwing him a lot of curveballs.

KEVIN: YEAH. THEY DID A GREAT JOB ON HOWARD WITH CURVES AND WENT AWAY FROM IT WITH EVERYONE ELSE.

Me: It is always so enlightening speaking with you about baseball. You made me feel better for some reason. I don't feel like throwing up anymore.

KEVIN: GOOD. GLAD I CAN HELP. THINGS WILL GET BETTER! I REALLY BELIEVE THAT THEY WILL WIN GAME 3. IT IS NOW A MUST-WIN.  

Me: Are we going to have pitching issues for the rest of the series? And by the way, between this and the election I have constant heartburn.

KEVIN: BECAUSE LOWE AND BILLS DIDN'T GO THAT DEEP, THEY CAN BOTH COME BACK ON SHORT REST FOR GAMES 4 AND 5. TAKE SOME TUMS.

Me: I love the strategy. It is an amazing game.

KEVIN: I BET YOU HAVE FUN TALKING STRATEGY WITH YOUR DAD DURING THE GAME.  

Me: Oh, yes. He still teaches me new things about the game. There are always things to learn. If you were Joe, what would your strategy be going into Game 3?

KEVIN: HE JUST HAS TO MANAGE WITH A SENSE OF URGENCY AND KEEP THE MOMENTUM ON THE DODGERS SIDE. THIS TEAM IS GOOD ENOUGH TO WIN.

Me: Thank you so much for spending the time with me and answering my questions (no matter how silly they may have been).

KEVIN: YOU ARE WELCOME. RELAX. HAVE FUN THIS WEEKEND AND DON'T WORRY.

Me: Easier said than done. Thanks again.

KEVIN: Bye.

Me: Bye.

Peace,
Love,
AND BASEBALL,
Alyssa

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On the eve of the NLCS, I am sitting here typing away as a nervous wreck. Everyone around me, is predicting a Dodgers-Red Sox World Series. I hold my breath when they speak of it. I knock on wood. I cross every limb. Funny how superstitious one gets when the thing you want so badly is completely and totally out of your hands.

Could you imagine a Dodgers-Red Sox World Series? Torre against his old rivals. Manny against the team still paying his salary and the fans that turned against him. Wow. Emotions will run high.

But first we have to make it past the Phillies. They have a lot of lefties in their lineup. I wonder how we will match up considering our lack of lefty pitchers. Sometimes, the numbers kill me. Stats are an important part of the game. And on paper, this looks like it may be a tough series for us. The stats don't cover heart and chemistry though. If we can pick up where we left off last week, I think we are unstoppable.

I can't begin to express what it felt like to watch the Dodgers sweep the Cubs. All the media experts picked the Cubs in that series. That's okay. Keep underestimating us. We don't mind. It only makes for a better story in the end.

I leave you now with this YouTube video.

This has made me laugh out loud numerous times. If we win the World Series,  I hope Joe Biemel, Manny, Russell, and Furcal remake this.

And here are some photos of the game last Saturday:







Peace,
Love,
And Baseball,
Alyssa

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It is hard to believe that the season is over. Where does the time go? It really does speed up the older you get. To all my readers in your twenties: Enjoy it. Don't rush. Bask in the glory of this time in your life.

I hate the end of regular season baseball. Not only because it means that we will shortly be without baseball, but also because it means winter is coming. That's another thing about baseball that I love. I love that it is so representative of a passing year and time. The postseason brings fall. The offseason brings winter. Spring Training brings the promise of the summer and a clean slate.

We have clinched the NL West and that is glorious. Manny should be the NL MVP. We wouldn't be where we are right now without him. And Andre Ethier had a breakout year. I am very proud of you, Andre.

The season has had its ups and downs but overall, it was a great reminder of what I love about the sport. With a little bit of hope, an amazing skipper, and a player with a big bat and a seemingly bigger heart, the boys in blue fought the good fight and made it to the postseason.

I just want to take a moment to thank St. Louis for their unbelievable hospitality during my visit. Thank you, St. Louis Cardinals and thank you to everyone who stood in line and supported the TOUCH appearance (Kent Loan and CJ - you are the best!). I truly had a wonderful time and will remember it with great fondness. I am such a lucky girl.

Here are some pictures from the event:

See you in the postseason! We're back!

Peace,
Love,
And Baseball,
Alyssa

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Four games against the Pirates, six against the Giants, and three against the Padres. That's all that stands in the way of a trip back to the postseason, and everyone knows that all you have to do is be one of the eight these days and anything can happen. Obviously I am happy with a 4 1/2-game lead entering the Pirates series. Let's take it one game at a time and GO BLUE! In the meantime, thanks for your continued comments and I wanted to pass along this press release for my upcoming appearance in St. Louis for TOUCH. I look forward to meeting more fans.

ALYSSA MILANO SHOWS OFF HIGH-END CARDINALS FASHION FOR WOMEN AT BUSCH STADIUM SEPT. 26

Sportservice, the Food and Retail Provider at Busch Stadium, Welcomes Actress and Fashion Designer Alyssa Milano for an Autograph Signing for her TOUCH Fashion Collection

ST. LOUIS (Sept. 12, 2008) - Cardinals fans purchasing their favorite team's apparel will receive more for their money on Friday, Sept. 26. Thanks to the St. Louis Cardinals and Delaware North Companies Sportservice, the food service and retail provider at Busch Stadium, actress Alyssa Milano will be greeting Cardinals fans from 5:30 - 6:30 p.m. for a promotional autograph signing of her TOUCH clothing line at the Official Cardinals Team Store.

"I created TOUCH for women who love sports as much as I do and want to be comfy, but still stylish, while cheering on their favorite team," said Alyssa Milano. "Cardinals fans are known for their passion for their team, and I was inspired to create the TOUCH collection for exactly that kind of fan!"

Milano, a celebrated actress best known for her role on the hit television shows "Charmed" and "Who's the Boss," created the women's fashion line TOUCH by Alyssa Milano to give female fans a chic option for sporting their team's logo. Major League Baseball and G-III Sports partnered with Milano to bring the TOUCH collection to baseball stadiums across the country, including Busch Stadium and select retailers.

"The St. Louis Cardinals and Sportservice have always been ahead of the curve when it comes to providing St. Louis fans with the most innovative, fashion-forward apparel available. We're proud to have been one of the front-runners in offering fans Alyssa's wildly popular fashions," said Loren Pawlitz, Sportservice retail manager at Busch Stadium. "Women appreciate the versatility of the TOUCH line because it's both stylish and comfortable, and the pieces are hip enough to transition to post-game celebrations."

Sportservice oversees all retail operations within Busch Stadium and was instrumental in bringing Milano to St. Louis for this event. Retail managers made the decision to carry Milano's line in 2007, in response to fans' needs. Milano's TOUCH line is one of hundreds of retail options making the Official Cardinals Team Store one of the most diverse and authentic selections of Cardinals merchandise available.

"We're thrilled to host Alyssa and are excited to see the fans' reactions," added Pawlitz. "Cardinals fans are some of the most passionate fans in the country, and we have no doubt they'll convey this enthusiasm when they welcome Alyssa to St. Louis for this special event."

• Archives: Phillies appearance

Firstly, I just want to say thank you to all those who left words of support regarding SINGLE WITH PARENTS being picked up. I am extremely appreciative that ABC has given me the opportunity to be on the network and hope that you guys like the show. I can't wait to start filming.

Now, on to why we are all here -- VERY IMPORTANT SERIES THIS WEEKEND AGAINST THE D-BACKS! Oh God, it gives me heartburn. We're a game and a half behind Arizona. There are 22 games left to go. You do the math. Dodger Dugout has listed our numbers this season against the D'Backs, so take a look.

And now I pose a question:
Do you think it is a coincidence that the Dodgers have been winning ever since Jeff Kent, the supposed "clubhouse cancer," hasn't been in the clubhouse?

Peace,
Love,
AND BASEBALL,
Alyssa

P.S. I was being sarcastic in my last post about the K.M.I.L.A.F. Jeeze, tough crowd. But Manny did wave to me from the dugout Wednesday night so if he keeps that up, I may just defer my weekly paychecks from SINGLE WITH PARENTS to help the McCourts out. Yup. Team player here. Again...sarcastic. (My weekly paychecks probably couldn't even pay for Manny's dreadlock maintenance.)

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Even though by my amateur estimation there will be (something like) $50 million freed up in salary, there is a lot of talk that the Dodgers won't be able to keep Manny in L.A. next season, because his free agency price tag might be too steep.

How about this for an idea on how we can afford Manny next season? For every home game remaining, we should pass around a collection basket at the stadium. You know, like the collection baskets at church. We can call it the "Keep Manny In L.A. Fund."

Let's say the Dodgers average 48,000 fans for the remaining 20 home games, and everyone puts $10 into the "Keep Manny In L.A. Fund."  That's $480,000 a game and $9.6 million total. Add that to the $50 million in other contracts that will come off the books, and you have 59.6 million. That means the McCourts only would have to come up with another $40.4 million to reach the $100 million contract Manny most likely is seeking. Piece of cake.

I don't know about you, but I don't want to give him up. The energy he has brought to the team and the stadium is something that I haven't felt in a long time. It's amazing how one MANny can make a difference. And not to mention, how he can get us to wear these ridiculous wigs:









Peace,
Love,
AND BASEBALL,
Alyssa

I was in the middle of writing an entry blasting the Dodgers for not doing anything significant before the Trade Deadline and then, out of nowhere, my cell phone chimed alerting me of a text message. I expected to look down and see an MLB Text Alert saying, "Yup Alyssa, the Dodgers are lame," but low and behold, instead it was an MLB alert that read, "Alyssa, the Dodgers got freaking Manny Ramirez!" Well, that's not really what it said but ... wow.

Ding.

Now I am getting an email. I'll be right back.

Ummmm. Okay. There were two emails in my inbox. One was an email from a friend/baseball insider that said "Congrats. Might be an interesting dynamic with Torre" and the other was from my Dad and he said, "I can't even imagine Jeff Kent and Manny in the same clubhouse but I'm glad Ethier is safe."

Oh, the drama.

Ding.

Hold on. Another email.

I'm back. It was my brother. He is very excited about Manny. His email said, "I am very excited about Manny."

Okay. Boston is paying the remainder of Manny's contract. We didn't have to give up Kemp, Loney or Ethier. We now definitely don't have to play Jones (release him).

Ding.

Oh. Another email. Hold please.

I'm back. It was Kevin Kennedy. His email said, "This is a difference maker. We will win the division." From his mouth, to God's ears. I love Kevin Kennedy. I love him. He is so passionate about the Dodgers.

Holy cow! Ding.

Another email. Jeeze. Sorry. Be right back.

It was Rachael (my brother's sweet girlfriend). The subject said, "OMG". Her email said, "M A N N Y" and that was it.

So, where was I? Oh yeah. Okay. Big bat. Didn't have to give up much to get him.

When I was in Boston last year doing the postseason coverage for TBS, I met Manny in the parking lot. He rolled down his VERY tinted window of his VERY expensive car and said...

Ding.

DEAR GOD PEOPLE STOP EMAILING ME!!!! I'm writing over here!!! Hold on a sec. So sorry.

Ha! It was a very disgruntled Red Sox fan/friend of mine. Ha! He is so bitter. He said, "Manny is now YOUR headache." Paging Dr. Bitterman. Dr. Bitterman, please pick up the white courtesy phone.

Anyway, Manny rolled down his window and said "Hi Aleeeeesa. How are you?" I told him that it was nice to meet him and he smiled and rolled up his window and that was it. Kind of an anticlimactic story but it was cool to get to meet him.

I LOVE BASEBALL!!!!! I FREAKING LOVE IT!!!!

I leave you now to go reply to all those emails in my inbox regarding our new outfielder. Talk amongst yourselves and let me know what you think.

Peace,
Love,
AND BASEBALL,
Alyssa

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Well, there's no question that Casey Blake will potentially produce more than Andy LaRoche or Blake DeWitt. Could another trade be in the works now that we have a surplus at third and we didn't have to expand payroll to get Blake? The Indians will pay the remainder of his contract. He is a free agent after this year.

Peace,
Love,
AND BASEBALL,
Alyssa

P.S. Last night's win was a great all-around team effort.
 
P.P.S. Andre Ethier (who just posted a new restaurant review to his MLBlog) deserves to play every day. If we aren't going to give him that chance here then let's trade him (even though that would bum me out) so he gets that opportunity someplace else.

P.P.P.S. Here is a picture of Gibson taking a nap last Sunday and dreaming of October. This picture makes me cackle out loud. Check out his Dodgers collar.



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