Ed Fuentes

DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES — Dodger fans gathered at L.A. Live this afternoon for the chance to get autographs from current players and past greats. The event was the last stop on the first day of the Dodgers' Caravan, an eight-day send off to Spring Training.

Players from the current roster included Andre Ethier, Blake DeWitt, Hiroki Kuroda, and the just signed Brad Ausmus. Also appearing at Nokia Plaza were former players Steve Garvey, Rudy Law and Fernando Valenzuela, still a crowd favorite.

Most of the Dodger faithful had hands filled with bats, balls, and shirts waiting to be signed. Combined with the juggle of managing cell phone cameras and kids, it wasn't a fevered rally. Still, the chant "We Want Manny" briefly stalled MC and Dodger announcer Charley Steiner for a moment.

The Times' reported today, that Manny Ramirez rejected the Dodgers' latest contract offer, and prompted owner Frank McCourt to say at an earlier caravan stop that the team while the team is still interested, "At some point in time, it's time to move on."

No more Manny won't stop a lot of these fans from rooting for their team. Some, like Daniel Rivera of Norco, wear the team colors year round and are fans for life.

Later on the caravan schedule, the Dodger front office will volunteer some time at the Midnight Mission in Skid Row. The week is filled with appearances around Los Angeles before the team heads for its brand new Spring Training facilities in Arizona.