A couple of weeks ago I was on ESPN making our case as to why Los Angeles should be named TitleTown.  Not only is Los Angeles Titletown, it is the sports capitol of the WORLD!

Combine all the championships the Dodgers have won with that of USC, UCLA, and, of course, the Lakers. 

Look at the coaches that have coached in LA: Rod Dedeaux (11 College World Sereis titles for USC), John Wooden (10 NCAA titles), Sue Enquist (11 Women's Softball titles), Pat Riley, Phil Jackson, John McKay, John Robinson, Ben Howland, and don't forget about Pete Carrol.

And there are many, many more...

Here's a link to the video clip:

TitleTown -- Los Angeles

Just scroll down the video bar until you see the TitleTown Los Angeles link.

Sparky Anderson made me one of his coaches for the 1977 All-Star Game.  It my first year as Manager of the Dodgers and we were battling the Reds all year, so for him to make me one of his coaches was a real honor.

Before the game, Sparky, Danny Ozark, and I were standing on the steps of the dugout at Yankee Stadium.  We were all looking around in disbelief. 

We said to each other, "Can you believe this?"

The three of us were big league managers, and in Yankee Stadium for the All-Star Game, while what felt like not too many years prior we were all sleeping in the barracks of Dodgertown in Vero Beach, Florida as minor league players for the Dodgers.

This year's All-Star Game was just as emotional.  The pregame ceremony was one of the greatest collections of Hall of Famers outside of Cooperstown.  They lined us up at their position, so players like Brooks Robinson and Mike Schmidt stood at third base, and players like Reggie Jackson and Willie Mays stood in the outfield.  As the AL and NL starters were announced they would run to their respective positions and flank the Hall of Famers.

I stood behind the plate with Earl Weaver and waited for Clint Hurdle and Terry Francona.

The game went into extra innings, and I was happy to see the way Clint and Terry held players back just for that situation.

I managed in four All-Star Games and each time I would tell my players that I might not use everybody, but that they are still All-Stars even if they don't get in the game.  I wasn't going to get caught without enough players to win the game.

Even though the National League lost, and the Dodgers won't have home-field advantage in the World Series, it was still a great game, and I was so impressed with Russell Martin.

Remember this Dodger fans; in the five World Series that we have won in Los Angeles, we didn't have home-field advantage for any of them.

I would like to congratulate the Commissioner for putting on one a tremendous Mid Summer Classic.  He and his staff did an outstanding job, and the fans had a great time, as did the Hall of Famers.

On July 7, 1971, Bobby O'Brien played his last game in the Major Leagues.  Most of you have never heard of Bobby.  He was a pitcher for the Dodgers, and he played for me in Pacific Coast League in Spokane.

To me, Bobby O'Brien represents something important. 

I can remember Cardinal O'Connor gave a memorial Mass for my mother.  After the Mass he said he wanted to see me, and he said that every time he heard me talk that I always talked about motivation. 

"Do you really believe that you need to motivate players making five, eight, 10 million dollars a year," he asked.

I told him that everybody in this country, from the President, down to the lowest job in the land, at some time or another needs to be motivated because they think they are doing their best when in reality they are not.

He asked when I started to believe this and I told him the story of Bobby O'Brien.

I knew the day I could motivate players.  We were playing in Tucson and I had a little left-hander on the mound named Bobby O'Brien.  The score was 3-2 in our favor and they had the bases loaded in the bottom of the 8th inning.

I thought now is the time I must go out to the mound and motivate my player because if he gets the out, we win the game.

I ran out to the mound and said, "Bobby, if the heavens could come apart and you could hear the voice of the Big Dodger in the Sky, and he says to you that this is the last batter you are going to face.  You're going to die and come to heaven with me."

I said, "Son, how would you like to go facing the lord, giving up a hit or getting this guy out?"

He said that he wants to go face the lord getting the batter out.

I said, "Well how do you know that when you make that next pitch that you're not going to die?"

I continued, "And if you do die Bobby, I want you to die getting this guy out!"

So I ran back to the dugout and before I could get back he threw the pitch, the guy got a hit, they went ahead by one run and I had to go back and take him out.

As I walked to the mound I said I thought I really had Bobby where I wanted him.

When I got to the mound I said, "Bobby, what happened?"

He said, "Skipper, you had me so afraid of dying that I couldn't concentrate on the batter."

If I could get a guy to believe he's going to die, I sure as heck can believe I can get him to pitch better.

Motivation.

Geoffrey's is always nice, and sushi at Nobu is hard to pass on, but instead I had lunch yesterday in Malibu at Pepperdine University. 

I didn't see any celebrities, but did have the pleasure of eating with Chancellor Runnels, and other distinguished speakers who were there for Pepperdine's Youth Citizenship Seminar.

This is my 14th year speaking at the seminar.  The YCS is an outstanding program where the top juniors from high schools around California come to Pepperdine for a week to learn about leadership, and character.

I told these youngsters, these future leaders of our country, what it will take for them to succeed in life.

I try to stress the importance of self confidence.  Self confidence is without a doubt the first step towards success. 

You've gotta believe!

I told them my story of when I was the third string pitcher on the Norristown High School baseball team.

Do you know what a third string pitcher is?  Worthless!

I never played.  I only carried the equipment.

I told our head coach, Coach Harvey Fishburn, I said, "See those two pitchers over there, Buddy Rider and Red Henning?"

Yeah.

"Well you and those two guys are going to buy tickets to see me play in the Major Leagues."

And he almost fell over laughing.

Ten years later, the Dodgers are in Philadelphia and I 'm playing for the Brooklyn Dodgers.  Before the game, two guys holler at me from the stands.  I ran over and it was Buddy Rider and Red Henning.

I spoke with them for a while and then started into the dugout.  Someone hollered at me from above the dugout and it was Coach Harvey Fishburn.

"Hey coach," I said, and pointed to my chest and hollered back, "Dodgers!"

You see, I dreamt of being a Major League player.  When I would go to bed I would actually dream that I was pitching in the big leagues.

Dreams become a reality, but you've got to believe.

Fifty years ago today a man came to the United States that would change the face of Dodgers baseball forever.  Jaime Jarrin emigrated from his native Ecuador, uprooting his family in search of a brighter future.  Upon arriving in Los Angeles, he hadn't seen a single game of baseball, and has since spent the last 50 years broadcasting our beloved game in his native language, Spanish.

Jarrin feel in love with baseball, and the Dodgers, as many did, watching the 1955 Dodgers win the World Series.  Until the Dodgers moved to Los Angeles in 1958, he would attend minor league games in Los Angeles learning all about baseball.  He began calling games for the Dodgers in 1959, and the rest is history.

He has called more than 7,500 regular season games.

He has called about 25 All-Star games.

He has called 20 Fall Classics, and is a deserved member of the Salon de Fama.

I have had the pleasure of knowing Jaime for many, many years.  His wife Blanca, and his sons, are like a second family to me.

I congratulate you today, Jaime.  You have always represented the Dodgers to the highest degree of class, dignity and character.

You are a true caballero, and I say, salute a ti mi amigo, y bueno suerte!

Tonight the LSU Tigers play the North Carolina Tar Heels in the College World Series.  Omaha is a tremendous place to play baseball, and every time I watch the CWS I think about my late friend, the great Rod Dedeaux, as he led USC to 11 College World Series titles and 28 conference titles.  He broke the mold for college coaches, as they all wanted to pattern themselves after Rod.

This year, another great coach is on the verge of tasting the fruits of victory.  Paul Mainieri, head coach of the Tigers, has guided his team through an outstanding season.  At one point they put together a 23-game winning streak. 

Twenty three games!

I was great friends with Demi Mainieri, Paul's father.  Demi, who was the head coach at Miami-Dade, invited me to speak there and we became instant friends.  Paul has filled his father's shoes.  He was a credit to the Air Force Academy when he coached there, a credit to Notre Dame when he coached there, and is now a credit to LSU.

I love Paul, and he honored me by asking me to be Godfather to his son, Tommy.  In fact, I share that honor with the GM of the Cubs, Jim Hendry, as we are co-godfathers.  I just hope everybody knows that when Tommy wears blue, it's Dodger blue, and not Cub blue.

Coach Paul is one of the finest in the country.  To reach the finals in any tournament is impressive, but to reach the finals in the College World Series is special.  If I had a son who wanted to play college baseball, I would send him to Coach Paul.

College baseball coaches don't get the recognition they deserve.  Many times college baseball coaches have to chalk their own fields and wash their own batting practice balls when they get too dirty. 

Do you ever see a college football coach lining the end zone?

Do you ever see a college basketball coach inflating his own basketballs?

We know the answer to those questions.  And it's the same answer when I ask if you've ever seen the NCAA sanction a school for any infractions by a baseball team.

As for tonight's game, I wish all the players in the College World Series luck, but rest assured that I'll be pulling for Coach Paul and the LSU Tigers.

I have thrown out many first pitches in ballparks all across the country, and even a few throughout Asia, but to do it in front of young men, future Major Leaguers, is a privilege.

When you see their eyes light up at the splendor and pageantry of any All Star game, it is special, especially when they are part of the celebration. 

Four players from the Dodger system were selected in the Midwest League All Star Game: Steven Johnson (RHP), Miguel Ramirez (RHP), Andrew Lambo (OF), and Kenley Jansen (C).  All four of these players play for the Great Lakes Loons, our Single-A affiliate.

What made it even more special was the Loons hosted the All Star game.  And they played a fantastic host!

What makes a city memorable aren't its bridges, buildings, streets or neighborhoods, it's the people.  I've been to Midland five times now and each time I return I am even more impressed by the hospitality and courtesy of the citizens of Midland.

These people are the bloodline of America.  They are the pulse of the country, and I am so  proud for the Dodgers to be associated with Midland, Michigan, and Dow Chemicals who own and operate the Loons.

Talk about a beautiful ballpark!  Dow Diamond could very easily be the most beautiful minor league park in the country.

Dow built the stadium so its employees could have a place to go for wholesome, family entertainment, and they did an outstanding job.

Although the West team won, it was a great game and I wish all the players good luck with the rest of their season, and their future. 

A word to the players: Remember, the only person who can stop you from making it to the big leagues is yourself. 

Set your goals high, and go after them with all the drive and determination you have within yourself. 

Self confidence is the first step towards success.  You've got to believe that you will play in the Major Leagues!

They say managers are hired to be fired.  That's the way the game is these days, and it's sad to see Willie get fired.  He played for me for a couple of years and ALWAYS played with extreme desire. 

He was a credit to whichever uniform he wore, and was always one of the classiest guys on the team.

Over the weekend I went to the Pamona Fairplex to receive a most prestigious award.  Actually, my Pinot Grigio received the award, as it received a gold medal and was named Best Wine, Best in Class at the 2008 Los Angeles International Wine & Spirits Competition's inaugural Wine World of Sports, which pitted sports celebrities' vintages against each other.

My Chianti and Montepulciano, d'Abruzzo were also in the top ten, which makes me so happy because I would never get involved with a wine that wouldn't please the people who drink it. 

It's especially satisfying because all the wine comes from Italy, which means it's the best in the world. 

Nobody makes better wine than the Italians!

My father made his own wine in our basement.  He would take me around the markets with him tasting grapes, and by taste alone he would know if it would make good wine.

Here are the top ten winners from the weekend's competition:

1. LASORDA, Pinot Grigio, Veneto IGT 2007, Best Wine, Best of Class, Gold Medal,
2. JOHN DALY WINES, The Perfect Round, Red Blend, Stellenbosch 2003, Best of Class, Gold Medal
3. GREG NORMAN CALIFORNIA ESTATES, Chardonnay, Santa Barbara County 2006, Best of Class, Gold Medal
4. ANDRETTI WINERY, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa 2005, Best of Class, Gold Medal
5. GUARDIAN PEAK (Ernie Els), Frontier Red, Western Cape 2006, Gold Medal
6. GREG NORMAN AUSTRALIAN ESTATES, Chardonnay, Eden Valley 2006, Gold Medal  
7. ANDRETTI WINERY, Merlot, Napa 2005, Gold Medal
8. LASORDA, Chianti Classico DOCG 2005, Gold Medal
9. LASORDA, Montepulciano, d'Abruzzo DOC 2006, Gold Medal
10. 99 WAYNE GRETZKY ESTATE WINERY, Icewine Vidal, Niagra Peninsula VQA 2005, Gold Medal

I am very proud of Bill Goldberg and Lorenzo Torelli-Lesky of Casa Torelli Imports.  They run the day-to-day operation of the wine business and put their heart and soul into the business so I say to them, "Salute!"