ROGER, DODGERS GREATS TOUR TO PROMOTE TEAM.

Byline: Rachel Uranga Staff Writer

PACOIMA - With chants so loud one observer quipped they could be heard in Anaheim, hundreds of elementary school students cheered current and former Dodgers greats Tuesday as they wrapped up a preseason publicity tour in the San Fernando Valley.

During the event, dubbed the Dodger Caravan, the team has been busing some of its past and present stars to venues throughout Los Angeles on a roving, four-day pep rally to stir up fans ahead of opening night in April.

``This is the greatest thing ever,'' exclaimed Vanessa Gomez, a fifth- grader at Broadus Elementary School, the first of four stops in the San Fernando and Santa Clarita valleys.

The caravan, which some say was fueled by a rivalry between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the recently renamed Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, has stopped at elementary schools, community centers and entertainment plazas from Anaheim to Santa Monica.

At Broadus, pitcher Jeff Weaver, outfielder Milton Bradley, former first baseman Steve Garvey and former pitcher Fernando Valenzuela stepped up to an impromptu stage set up with blue curtains in the middle of the school playground.

Kids threw out a number of questions, including one hardball from fifth-grader Anthony Espinosa.

``Are you going to get angry this year?'' he asked Bradley, who was suspended for the final games of last year's season after ripping off his jersey and batting helmet in response to fans' taunts.

Bradley hugged Espinosa and reassured him that the new year has brought a new attitude.

Weaver, who was born in Northridge and grew up in Simi Valley, said the caravan trips reminded him of his youth.

``When I was younger, I was the one coming to these events,'' Weaver said. ``It's nice to be the one to come to familiar places and be on the other side of a Dodger uniform.''

After Broadus, the bus stopped at California State University, Northridge, then a Valencia high school baseball diamond and ended at Universal CityWalk.

At the William S. Hart PONY Baseball and Softball Complex in Valencia, about 100 youngsters, some in full Dodgers uniform, waved L.A. Blue caps as they greeted the legends, the stars and players climbing the minor league ranks.

``Are they gonna watch our game?'' asked 7-year-old John Carroll, a miniature Dodger warming up for an afternoon contest.

Crowding outside the chain-link fence, adults waited for autographs, coaxed their little ones onto the field and took pictures. Stuart Weingart of Newhall, fondly recalling the Dodgers' Brooklyn roots, was first in line for autographs with his 19-year-old son, Brian.

``We're all kids when it comes to the Dodgers,'' he said.

Staff Writer Patricia Farrell Aidem contributed to this story.

Rachel Uranga, [phone]

rachel.uranga(at)dailynews.com

CAPTION(S):

2 photos

Photo:

(1) Students at Broadus Elementary School in Pacoima chant and cheer on Tuesday for past and present greats from the Los Angeles Dodgers, part of the team's publicity sweep through the Valley.

(2) Fernando Valenzuela, former pitching great with the Dodgers, addresses the students of Broadus Elementary on Tuesday.

John McCoy/Staff Photographer