Joined: 13 Oct 2004 Posts: 8550 Location: California Country:
Posted: Wed Jun 28, 2006 5:11 am Post subject:
Dodger Dog creator Thomas Arthur dies at 84
By JEFF WILSON, Associated Press Writer
June 27, 2006
LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Thomas Gregory Arthur, the baseball stadium concessionaire whose foot-long Nathan's knockoff came up short and became the beloved Dodger Dog, has died. He was 84.
Arthur died of a heart attack on June 8 in St. Louis, his son Steve said Tuesday.
The former New Yorker came up with a foot-long hot dog -- borrowed from his favorite Nathan's dogs -- to put excitement into the ballpark menu when the team moved from the Coliseum to Dodger Stadium in 1962.
"He called it the foot-long dog, but it was actually only 10 inches. It was before truth in advertising, but he decided to call them Dodger Dogs," his son said.
It meant big business for Arthur Food Services, stadium concessionaire for 29 years until 1991. Along with beer, popcorn, peanuts and Cracker Jack, some 50,000 Dodger Dogs were sold each game day.
"It was our staple," his son said, adding, "100 percent of the people who came to the ballpark had a Dodger Dog. It was pretty popular. Vincent Price was a big baseball fan and he put it in his cook book back then.
"It's one of the best dogs in the country. It's not the meat. The secret is the spices."
Dodgers team historian Mark Langill agreed, saying Tuesday: "Besides peanuts and Cracker Jack, its probably the most famous delicacy in baseball."
Arthur was born in Los Angeles but grew up in New York City. His father owned theaters, including the Roxy in New York City.
After serving as a B-24 navigator during World War II, Arthur returned to Los Angeles to become a cartoonist or illustrator, studying briefly at the Art Center College of Design and the University of Southern California School of Architecture.
He earned money supplying vending machines to theaters and aircraft plants and later gave up on art and concentrated on business.
In 1955, he won a Coliseum contract, which he served until 1976. He also had concessions at the Los Angeles Sports Arena and Chicago's Wrigley Field. But Arthur had his longest run at Dodger Stadium.
Besides his son Steve, Arthur leaves daughter Barbara Arthur of St. Louis and sons Thomas Gregory Arthur II of Lafayette, Calif., and Terry Arthur of Chicago.
Arthur was cremated and a private service was planned in Los Angeles within two weeks.
Joined: 30 May 2004 Posts: 2182 Location: on topic: off forum Country:
Posted: Fri Jul 07, 2006 1:07 pm Post subject:
Went to the Dodger game tonight against the hated Giants I was really surprised, Barry doesn't seem to have the pop in his bat anymore, he hit a couple that would have been home runs a couple years ago that were just routine flyballs, is it age or no more "enhancements"
Went to the Dodger game tonight against the hated Giants I was really surprised, Barry doesn't seem to have the pop in his bat anymore, he hit a couple that would have been home runs a couple years ago that were just routine flyballs, is it age or no more "enhancements"
He probably played without his artificial talent _________________
Joined: 13 Oct 2004 Posts: 8550 Location: California Country:
Posted: Tue Jul 18, 2006 6:02 am Post subject:
I forgot to say that I watched the Phillies/Giants game on Saturday, and saw Phillie Jimmy Rollins get his 1000th hit. It's too bad this milestone wasn't celebrated at that time. I appreciate accomplishments like this.
Joined: 30 May 2004 Posts: 2182 Location: on topic: off forum Country:
Posted: Tue Aug 01, 2006 8:56 am Post subject:
Quote:
CHICAGO (AP) -- Greg Maddux came back to the Cubs and got his 300th win and 3,000th strikeout.
He couldn't get them to the postseason.
Now he's leaving again, traded Monday to the Dodgers for infielder Cesar Izturis in a move that will give the 40-year-old pitcher a chance to return to the playoffs. Chicago will pay $2 million to Los Angeles as part of the deal.
Joined: 30 May 2004 Posts: 2182 Location: on topic: off forum Country:
Posted: Wed Aug 09, 2006 1:52 pm Post subject:
Dodgers win their 11th in row Saito-oh gets save number 12, Andre Ethier(the guy the Dodgers got for Milton "prozac" Bradley) went 1-for-4, so his average dropped to .349
Dodgers win their 11th in row Saito-oh gets save number 12, Andre Ethier(the guy the Dodgers got for Milton "prozac" Bradley) went 1-for-4, so his average dropped to .349
Yow, following the Dodgers this season has been a rollercoaster ride.
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(who needs Eric Gagne?) 
I was really surprised, Barry doesn't seem to have the pop in his bat anymore, he hit a couple that would have been home runs a couple years ago that were just routine flyballs, is it age or no more "enhancements" 
the Dodgers didn't play tonight 
Dodgers win 3-0 and Takashi Saito get his 11th save 
