A huge Thank You from ThinkBlueLA

They say time flies when you’re having fun, and whoever they are, they are right.

As the World Wide Web celebrates its 30 birthday, the 2019 season will mark the beginning of ThinkBlueLA’s second decade on it.

On a cool, crisp spring day in 2009, Scott Harvey, an IT supervisor for LA County (and a lifelong Dodger fan), and yours truly, a (then) soon-to-be retired detective for the Burbank Police Department (and a lifelong Dodger fan) came up with the brilliant idea of starting a fan-based interactive Dodgers forum.

At the time, Scott, obviously the brains of the operation, suggested that we start with a blog site. But having zero knowledge of what that even was – not to mention the intimidation factor – I told Scott that I would prefer to do the interactive forum thing, just as we had done with a bass fishing forum during our professional tournament bass fishing days. Scott gave me the expected “Ok, but I really think we should do a blog site instead” line.

ThinkBlueLA.com co-founders Scott Harvey and Ron Cervenka

Over the next two seasons the forum was quite successful, with nearly 1,000 members, and all was well in the universe.

… or so it seemed.

As the 2012 baseball season was about to get underway and having just returned from the Dodgers fourth spring training at Camelback Ranch in Glendale, Arizona, I contacted (then) Dodgers Director of Public Relations Amy Summers (now Amy Summers-Millstone), inquiring about the possibility of getting a media credential for the purpose of being able to interview Dodger players, something that a number of our forum members had requested.

Amy, who is an absolutely wonderful person, explained that they (the Dodgers) do not issue credentials for forums but occasionally do so (on a case-by-case basis) for blog sites.

After thanking Amy for sharing her valuable time with me and as I was driving out of Dodger Stadium, I repeatedly heard Scott’s words echoing in my mind: “Ok, but I really think we should do a blog site instead.”

(Note to self: NEVER question the IT guy again).

ThinkBlueLA’s original forum members gathered at Spring Training 2013 for a reunion of sorts. (L to R) Harold Uhlman, Mike LeClair, Will Isabella, Kevin Sparkuhl, the Camelback Ranch mime, Dick Greenblatt, Gary Smith, Ron Cervenka, Joe Pierre and Linda Valkenberg.

Within days and with Scott’s tremendous IT knowledge and experience, ThinkBlueLA – the blog site – was born.

The rest, as they say, is history … whoever they are.

On behalf of the entire staff at ThinkBlueLA.com, I extend a heartfelt Thank You to all who have supported us over the years.

(Note: The ThinkBlueLA Forum is still up and running (and even has a new look). If you are so inclined, you can access it by clicking on the forum link at the top of this – and every – ThinkBlueLA web page.)

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6 Responses to “A huge Thank You from ThinkBlueLA”

  1. You’re welcome, and thank you, it’s been a wonderful hobby.

    • Bob says:

      Now that Harold seems to have disappeared are you and Ron the only remaining members of that group?
      Does Dick Greenblatt actually resemble Tom Lasorda?

      • Ron Cervenka says:

        Actually, aside from Harold I believe they are all still around. Most are on Twitter and Linda still posts on the forum from time to time. And no, Dick does not resemble Tommy, but he is a great guy anyway. lol!

  2. Ron! A lot of wonderful people at the Dodgers have helped along the way – so glad you’re still going, and stronger than ever!

  3. Drew C Nelson says:

    Ron, when my family of life long Dodger fans (inherited from my Dad who became a Dodger fan in 1959 when he was 8 years old) toured Dodger stadium a couple years ago, I thought it was pretty cool when I recognized your name in the press box! I think the whole blog thing worked out well hahahaha!

    • Ron Cervenka says:

      Thank you Drew, I am flattered.

      Being in the Vin Scully Press Box is a blessing that I never take for granted. It is indeed a blessing.

      Thanks again for the kind words.

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