Tony Varela's Dodger Stadium Blog

Ladies and Gentleman: The New and Improved Los Angeles Dodgers

 

First game back under the NEW ownership!

 

 

Dodger Chris Capuano 4-0 ( 2.21) versus Rockie Jamie Moyer 1-2 (4.01)

 

 

 The transfer is complete.

 

Or should I say, the transformation is complete

 

 

 

In the Burger Stand, my co-workers seem a bit serious. No joking around. Not even a smile. This is understandable. Usually the first game of a home stand is the hardest. It’s not an easy adjustment for some of us Dodger employees that are going to school, with a second job, or raising children. As of this moment, the vibe is totally “harshing my mellow” as the kids say now-a-days. To add to the atmosphere, Boss Lady is already getting pushy with some of us. I know she has brought some of her delicious chocolate chip cookies treats from home to sell for a $1 so I try to break the ice with a complement.

 

“Do you have any more cookies,” I ask her.

 

“No!” she says They’re all gone!”

 

“Awww, I wanted a cookie sooo bad!”

 

“Too bad, besides, you are too cheap anyway.”

 

(Ouch!)

 

My Boss continues to tell me how I never have any money and so forth. Well duh! I’m still going to school at night, I have another job, and a father of two kids so of course I’m cheap. I’m Single Dad, (Poor) Dad, just, not in a bad mood, Dad. Next, in a low voice, my partner on the Burger line, Maribel, mentions to me that Magic (Johnson) is going to speak to us before the game.

 

Thought Bubble: AWESOME!

 

Now, things are starting to get a little bit BRIGHTER in here.

This New Ownership news gets the fire burning.

Hands get washed, rubber gloves (check), spoons (check), ingredients (check).

 

Objective: serve the dankest, freshest, juiciest Burgers this side of Elysian Park.

 

Mari, Jazzy the assistant, Anna, and I get our Burgertime on:

 

Pickles lettuce tomatoes onions - Pickles lettuce tomatoes onions - Pickles lettuce tomatoes onions - BBQ sauce onion rings bacon strips cheese - BBQ sauce onion rings bacon strips cheese - Pickles lettuce tomatoes onions - Pickles lettuce tomatoes onions - Pickles lettuce tomatoes onions, over and over, again.

 

Everyone working hard and quietly: with a pinch of attitude.

(I’ll touch on the “attitude” later)

 

When all is done, Bossy Lady sends me on my break.

 

____________________________________________________________________________

 

 

Break time,

 

During the pre-game ceremony, near home plate, the Veteran of the Game honored this special evening for “putting his life on the line” as the Dodger Field Announcer describes this proud soldier is Corporal Josh Vaugh. The crowd is full of enthusiasm and provides Mr. Vaughn with a welcome applause.

 

Come time for the National Anthem, the Field Announcer asks the people in attendance, “To please rise (and) remove your hats,” for a performance by Mr. Jeffery Osborne. The sonic voices of the entire Stadium freezes, compete silence respectfully ensues. Corporal Josh Vaugh is saluting the Red, White, and Blue between the score board and the Jumbo Tron, as the singer carries a vocal that is so powerful, that I wonder if Magic Johnson, himself, handpicked Mr. Osborne to sing for tonight’s momentous game. By the time of the verse “Home of the Brave!!” I am completely flabbergasted by the way the singer holds a note . . . totally Awesome.

 

Bubble: I get a feeling I am being watched.

 

• Walking the Stadium concourse, I swear that I see a hipster girl who is rocking an original Los Angeles Dodgers 1988 World Championship t-shirt. The stitching on the sleeve is coming apart but so what, its awesomeness.

 

 

-I see a cute heavy-set couple sporting an authentic Tommy Lasorda jersey #2 and Hershiser

#55 jersey. (Nice)

 

- It seems to me that the “Los Doyers” t-shirts are worn by every one, kids included. Lol

 

- There is some dude wearing a Clippers Blake Griffin T that reads “The Poster Child.”

 

 

 

Next on deck for the pre-game ceremony, (to my delight) is Mrs. Rachel Robinson, widow of late Dodger Great Jackie Robinson, who is introduced by Magic himself. She has some pleasant words about the acquisition by the Guggenheim group that purchased our Dodgers.

(Crowd goes nuts)

 

 

After getting a glimpse of Mrs. Robinson it is time for me to return to my Burger Stand.

 

(From inside the Stand I keep my ears open to what’s going on the baseball field)

 

Finally, last, but not least, Los Angeles Laker great and brand new partial owner of the LA Dodgers Erving “Magic” Johnson, is introduced by the Field Announcer as the participant of the ceremonial 1st pitch of the game. (The crowd goes bonkers, with cheers and applause.)

 

Next, Magic starts the game off with the monkier: “It’s time for Dodger Baseball.

(He sounded kind of funny)

 Dodger great and former pitcher Don Newcombe throws the 1st Pitch of the game.

photo courtesy of True Blue.com

 

The game,

 

Bottom of the 1^st, the Dodgers are up, Matt Kemps 1st at-bat at home under the new regime and he slaps a single. Andre Ethiers 1st at-bat under the regime and he pokes a single. Everyone gets so into the moment, it’s as if the crowd is sporting actual “pumped up kicks” for tonight’s event.

 

Meanwhile, in the Burger Stand, we are hustling and bustling.

 

There is no time but Burgertime.

Besides the Dodgers making a comeback against Colorado, I was able to enjoy the best part of the evening. In the 6th inning, while the Jumbo Tron “Dance Cam” is searching for video shots of random people grooving to the music thumping out of the Stadium Ghetto Blasters, the cameras find Magic Johnson in his seat. The cheers from the crowd persuade Magic out of his seat. With a big smile, he stands up, and he begins to dance, WOW, Magic does the “Dougie.”

 

He looked kind-of like this:

 

 

This ball game was a close one. Capuano eventually settled down and the Dodger offense shows up in front of the new and improved Los Angeles Dodgers ownership.

 

Thank Goodness!

 

Dodgers defeat the Rockies 5-0.

 

Capuano is 5-0, so Awesome.

 

Good times.

 

84ever

 

After the game,

 

Damian tells me that the new Dodger owner, Stan Casdan, stopped by his pizza stand and told his crew that they were doing a good job. : )

 

See, I knew someone was watching us.

 

 

Mothers Day at Dodger Stadium

 

Dodger Ted Lilly 4-0 (2.11) versus Alex White 0-1 (6.75)

 

I’m in line for the employee shuttle.

 

After checking into the Stadium I spot Mr. Ronald Nelson, Dodger Vendor Extraordinaire. I approach him to shake his hand like I do every game. Incidentally, he has something to show me. “A reporter from Utah interviewed me,” Ron tells me, “It’s about being happy with your job.”

 

Check it out:

Here is Ronnie

 

 

 

The paper reads: “Finding meaning in your job maybe the key to happiness.”

 

____________________________________________________________________________

 

I would like to live by the words above but there is a flip-side to everything. As I mentioned before in last post, there was some negativity and attitude in the Stand yesterday. I would have elaborated more but it was the first day of new Dodger ownership. What do you do? I couldn’t spoil the moment but I should touch-up on my struggles. I have to admit, I kind of made an honest mistake yesterday. Basically, I suggested last night that a few of the Ladies of the Stand should “work out and eat right.”

 

I shouldn’t have.

 

Never tell any woman to watch their weight because they might take it to the heart. I have to excluding the Boss Lady from this equation. I’m referring to my hamburger helpers, the Flower Shop Girls. I call them this because the three of them work at a flower boutique shop(s).

Honesty, I was only shedding a little bit of light on healthy living, but, there was more that was said on my part.

 

 

Jasmine the Assistant to the Assistant says, “Tony called me annoying yesterday.”

Bubble: Yes, because you are pushy.

 

Maribel says, “He called me fat.”

Bubble: No I didn’t! I said you should eat right and exercise.

 

Maggie the Hamburger Helper says, “Tony called me fat too.”

I had to say it: “I called you chubby, not f-a-t!”

 

The three of the Flower Shop Girls look at me with disapproval, while I keep my guard up.

 

Regardless, they wouldn’t hear it any other way. I am guilty of offending their physique. I am rude for criticizing the Assistant to the Assistant because she seems to correct me or anticipate my every move, when we work together on the Burger line. I guess I’ll just shut up and hold back any constructive criticism.

 

“I’m not going to tell you if you make a mistake, anymore,” Jazzy affirms.  This was yesterday.

 

The present.

 

Before the gates open, We load up the a-la-cart widow with tasty fast food.

 

(Not without incident that is.)

 

On the glorious silver prep counter, Jazzy is once again on Burger detail with me. Working to my left side, she dresses the bottom burger buns with onion rings, while I add cheese, (with her help) some bacon, and finally I add the beef patty. Western Bacon Cheese Burgers are done.

 

On to the next item on the menu.

 

“I need Famous (Stars),” Jazzy dictates.

(I know)

 

“Put on new gloves!” she commands.

(I know mom!)

 

I begin to swipe at least a dozen bun bottoms with mayonnaise and I sliding each one to my left. Jazzy is busy putting on new latex gloves so I seize the moment and reach across her to grab some pickles. Then I reach across again to add lettuce. Once more, I reach across to get tomatoes when all of the sudden Jazzy raises her right arm and blocks my hand, a la the

“Karate Kid” painting Mr. Miyagis house, karate method, and semi-shouts “GET OFF!”

 

Picture an atom bomb blowing up in my head.

 

I lose it . . . Boss Lady tells me to take a break.

 

____________________________________________________________________________

 

Break time,

 

Mother’s Day is a perfect day to bring attention to bring attention to a Women’s battle with nefarious Breast Cancer. On the baseball field, The Susan G. Komen Cure foundation is on hand to mark today as the official Breast Cancer awareness day. Ms. Komen is a B-Cancer survivor and the honorary person to throw the 1^st pitch of the game. She smiles for the Jumbo Tron Cameras and the fans in the Stadium give her a healthy applause. (Nic!)

 

"THINK CURE", the Pink Ribbon in full effect.

 

_________________________________________________________________________

Next,

The smoking area (ironicly) seems like a nice spot to have a moment so I take a stroll to my new favorite, scenic and yet, polluted rest area. The Dodger Blue crowds are arriving. “Take it easy,” a woman in Dodger Security says to the on-comers. She is looking down the steps. The same concrete steps that lead-up along the right side of the Field and Club Levels of the Stadium.

 

 

“Take it easy people, you can do it!” she encourages.

 

A mother and her daughter appear at the top.

 

“Welcome to Dodger Stadium . . . you are in the Reserve Level.” The little girl smiles as her father, who is just a few feet behind, gasps for air at the final step. “I know you can do it dodger fans!” the Security Lady shouts down the stairway.

 

“Take your time. Move at you own pace.”

 

Walking in the direction downward are two brothers in LA Dodger jerseys and Loc’s.

 

A woman approaches the Security Lady and exclaims, “You don’t have an escalator like the airport?” Laughter ensues.

 

Digression: I’m thinking about my 68’ Volkswagen beetle that is sitting in my sister’s driveway here in Echo Park. I still have to renew the registration. I miss that little monster.

 

One fellow is wearing a #15 Davy Lopes jersey. (Sweet!)

 

A sister and her brother, about 10 and 12, each have matching Ethier jerseys #16. The boy has a baseball glove. They are all smiles. Maybe they know 49 year-old Colorado Rockie pitcher Jamie Moyer is on the mound tonight. To tell the truth, I like Moyer. The guy has a tremendous competitor.

 

(Anyway)

 

I step away from the stairs scene to follow the sound of the birds in the palm trees along the side of the Stadium walls. The birds are playing. Flying from treetop to treetop. The wind slightly pushes the palms, causing then to wiggle their multiple pointed fillangies . . . . . Birds chirp like crazy.

 

 

Back in the Stadium,

 

A lady Rockies fan with a CR hat and glasses meets me eye-to-eye. On my second glance at her, I give her a “What’s up?” node of the chin. She respectfully nodes back.

 

I spy an “I only kiss Dodger fans” t-shirt, a #15 Jeff Kent jersey (that’s a first), there are a couple of Dodger fans double fisting some brews, and one lady is wearing ear rings the size of Captain America’s shield.

 

 

The Veteran of the game is Staff Sergeant Reuben Martinez.

 

During the National Anthem, the Jumbo Tron cameras briefly focus on recently acquired Dodger Bobby Abreu, who has his hat over his heart. The NA is performed by a couple of teens named Megan and Liz. They harmonize so beautifully together. Staff Sergeant Martinez is not far away saluting the flag. By the time the sweet-sweet vocals of Megan and Liz are over, the Stadium is 100% loving it.

 

The Game,

 

2^nd inning Dodger catcher A.J. Ellis homers off of Jaime Moyer. I think batting Ellis second in the line-up is a great idea.

The Moyer destroyer, Ha!

 

 

On the scoreboard, I notice there is a message for a fan in the Stadium that reads:

“Will you go to the prom with me?” I like that! It’s better than the suckers that propose to their significant other during the middle of the ball game. By the end of the game I’m bitter but not battered.

 

Dodger light-up Moyer 5-0, we win.

 

 

 

Dodgers Aaron Haarang 1-2 (5.24) versus Rockie Juan Nicasio 2-1 (5.35)

 

The Dodger Field Announcer welcomes back to Dodger Stadium saxophonist Michael Lington, who is about to perform the National Anthem. His smooth take lifts the spirit of the Stadium, especially when he hits the “Home of the Brave” verse. The Stadium returns a huge applause for Mr. Lington’s fine performance. Totally Awesome. The Veteran of the game, introduced next is a 100 & 1st Airborne serviceman who takes tremendous pride flying home Soldiers returning from Iraq, SFC Richard McInnish. The Field Announcer tells McInnish, “Bring then back home sir!” The serviceman acknowledges with a nod.

 

From my breakroom perch I’m watching the umpires convene with the team managers Don Mattingly and Colorado’s skipper Jim Tracy at home plate. I have so much respect for our former skipper Tracy. I really liked his managing style. Unfortunately he was the first to go when McCourt purchased the Dodgers.

 

I’m surprised to see so many Rockie fans in the house today. Much respect.

 

An older gentleman is wearing a t-shirt that reads:

Los Angeles Colosium: The 1^st Home of the Los Angeles Dodgers. (Nice)

 

When the Dodgers take the field, once again, The Red Hot Chili Peppers jam, “Can’t Stop”, is thumping out of the Stadium Sub-woofers:

 

The World I love

The tears I drop

To be part of

The waves can’t stop

Ever wonder if it’s all for you

The world I love

The trains I hop

To be part of

The wave can’t stop

Come and tell me when it’s time too!

 

I think today’s Dodger pitcher chose that for today’s introduction. Pretty sweet!

 

Someone tells me, “Don’t be surprised if (James) Loney gets trades.”

 

Bubble: I like Loney, but I won’t be tripping if he doesn’t do better with his bat. The thing is I love his defense. He is totally Awesome with his glove, so, I’m a bit conflicted.

 

I’m thinking that, I like how Andre Ethier steps it up with a homer yesterday’s game in the wake of Matt Kemps time on the Disabled list. I want to hear him so it again!

 

The attendance is mild but full of old school Dodger fans. I bet everyone here experience Oral “The bulldog” Hershiser when he was racking up all of those innings leading up to the 1988 World Series. He was so Awesome. Can’t wait to see him for his Bobblehead Day.

 

I can’t believe the Dodgers picked up Bobby Abreu. I’m going to keep my fingers crossed for this guy. Go get ‘em Bobby!

 

 

 

Back in the Stand,

 

The Ladies of the Stand planned a potluck breakfast earlier this morning. I’m still stuffed. Despite our small differences, like a family, we come together and eat. J.C the Fry Guy and myself ate our fill. There is nothing like a tasty meal with the ones you love.

 

The game passes quickly. It’s a low scoring game. 1-2-3 outs, almost every inning.

 

J.C the Fry Guy tells me that Lamar Odom is here at the game.

 

By the 9^th inning the score is 2-1, Dodgers are on top.

 

Kenley Jansen is about to pick-up the save.

 

We are spent.

 

Dodgers win.

 

Keep it up Dodgers!

 

84ever.

 

 

 

 

 

Giants come to Town, Big Deal . . . 2012

 

 

Clayton Kershaw 2-1 (2.68) versus the SF Giants’ Ryan Vogelsong 0-2 (3.42)

 

 

The GIANTS return to the Stadium for the first time this season. Time to welcome all of the

Pumpkinheads back to the Ravine. Those funny looking Cisco fans are so . . . . so . . . whatever. . . .

 

The UCLA Alumni band is back on the infield playing to the tune of the masters of musicianship

before them. To back Drew the Usher is sick today. I really wanted to know each and every song

the band plays today.

 

Is new Bruin football coach Jim Mora in the house today?

 

I don’t think so.

 

I see that Bishop Amont High School baseball peeps have shown up. Nice

 

So are the Los Angeles Kings fans, with their Silver and Black crown ball-caps.

 

It’s a low-key night. There seems to be more positive vibrations in the Stand, less exasperation,

from my fellow employees who work another job.

  
________________________________________________________________________

 

 I’m just going to go ahead and say it: The Giants fans look so WACK! Orange reminds me of No

 

Cal. Don’t like it. Sorry.

 

Telling from today’s attendance the magic has yet to come. Still waiting.

 

 

UCLA nights are weak. I favor UCLA football, baseball, basketball, you name it so it hurts me to

say that this so-called UCLA support is disappointing. This is embarrassing. I would like to know

who is boosting these tickets?

 

Nuff said.

 

 

 

When the starting line-up of the SF Giants is introduced, the hometown crowd is ruthless. Each

player is booed to the max. I could only imagine the treatment our Dodgers get when they go to

Candle Stick Park or Giant’s Stadium, whatever they call their place.

 

 

When Dodgers are given their intro, the crowd is sure to give their love to Matt Kemp, Andre

Ethier, Clayton Kershaw (of course), and to my surprise, A.J. Ellis. Rivera sort of gets some love,

Loney gets a timid applause, Juan Uribe gets a little something-something but it’s short stop Dee

Gordon that ranks fourth in the fan favorite applause, yet Gordon still needs to work for it on the

base-pads.

 

 

 

 

As much as I talk crap about these Giant fans, they are not shy to show the support for their team.

 

Pic of the Go Go Dodger Fan club.

 

On the baseball field the GO GO Dodgers Fan Club present Matt Kemp with their own MVP award

for achievements last season and Clayton Kershaw is presented with the “Best Pitcher” award.

Because Kershaw is pitching tonight, Manny Mota is on hand to accept his award.

 

I just have to say that Manny Mota looks like one-stoic-bad-ass-senior citizen. There is something

about that dudes jaw line. Like he is a true captain, formidable.

 

_____________________________________________________________________

 

Kershaw has one difficult inning and the Giants Vogelsong gets the upper hand with a good effort.

It doesn't feel right knowing our ace lost tonight.

Oh well.

Let's go Dodgers!

 

84 

 

 

 

 

 

Chad Billingsley 2-2 (3.19) versus Tim Lincecum 2-2 (5.68)

 

 

 Driving to work I notice a family of three walking up the road that leads up to Dodger Stadium,

Stadium Way. They have a long walk ahead of them from the very bottom of the hill. The parents

let their tiny daughter walk ahead of them a tad bit. They all are wearing some fresh Dodger

apparel; the lady is sporting an Ethier jersey, of course. The game doesn’t start for another 3 hours

but I bet this family has been waiting days for this evening’s game. There is nothing like family time

at the Ball Park. I wonder how much money those tickets cost them. Did the father save-up enough

of his pay to make another lifetime memory for his little girl? Who knows, maybe mom did the

saving. Regardless, they did the right thing by parking their car outside of the Stadium parking lot.

 Hint, hint . . . . 

 

Right when I walk into the Stand, “Get the Mayonnaise!” my hamburger helper tells me.

 

Wow?!

 

There are some new (hire) kids on the block working with us lately. The crowd is steady increasing

so now more people with lower seniority are able to work. “I like the old guys that work here (at the

Stadium),” a 1^st year employee named Andy tells me.

 

“I like their stories.”

 

I agree with him. The guys that cook the Dodger Dogs, the Dodger way, are super cool. You can

find these expert cooks through out the Stadium. Being that I only do Hamburgers, I am still

envious of their gig. There is so much more honor in being a Dodger Dog cook on the grill,

marinating Famer John sausages with the good stuff.

 

Some times I feel like I’m new here in my own Stand especially when I have my own co-workers

telling me what to do when I already know what’s up. For example, I’m helping this new hire break

down cardboard boxes because it’s her first time doing the work. Next I hear: “Antonio Varela!

Aren’t you supposed to be making Burgers?!” I stop (freeze) and listen after punching in a box.

 

“Ok, I’m on it.”

 

Thought bubble: I feel a big falling out coming.

 

I start to talk to the new kids on the block about their first day on the job here at the Stadium. Both

Gia and Andy tell me that their first day was Opening Day this season. “There is nothing like being

thrown into the fire,” I tell them. “YEAH!” Andy expresses in agreement. He tells he has 5 games

under his belt. That’s a good start being the season is a quarter into the season.

 

 

 

 

 

Break time,

 

There are a bunch of little Giant fans in the house. : )

 

Some dude has a photo image of SF pitcher Tim Lincecum on front of his t-shirt. I wonder if I’ll

ever see a homemade “T” of Clayton Kershaw’s mug on it.

 

Probably not.

 

The Giant fans seem to have arisen. The beat our ace last night so they must have woke up and got

their butts off of their Ikea sofa.

 

It’s ON, tonight! I want ORANGE juice tonight!

 

 

I was lucky enough to hear the National Anthem performed by Katrin Parker. Nice vocal, really.

Next up, Kentucky Derby winner, Mario Gutierrez, throws the ceremonial 1st pitch of the game.

Gutierrez is a small Mexican dude, I assume. Nice job!

 

Gutierrez throws a strike!

 

Courtesy of the Washington Post

 

• I see a dude with a photo imprint of Darryl Strawberry in his Dodger jersey, he is posing for the camera with a baseball bat over his shoulder, smiling real big. The t-shirt is the first of it’s kind, hahahahah! Better than the Lincecum shirt, by far.

 

 

Back in the Stand, my manager is questioning whether the one of the new kids on the block are

“spies”. The dude with 5 games under his belt adamantly denies it. Then Bossy tells him to take off

his large earrings because they might be “microphones” she claims, besides the fact that it Burger

policy to remove all jewelry.

 

 

My Hamburger Helper Jazz the assistant to the assistant makes a great point.

 

“Do you like the way the lettuce is?”

 

I focus on the product.

 

“Yes, its really green and fluffy,” I tell her.

 

“Yes, it’s so fluffy . . .” she agrees.

 

“It’s art.”

 

“It is.”

 

This is one of the rare moments we don’t drive one another crazy.

 

 

 

 

When the Giants fans cheer, they sound so . . . . (I can’t say it).

 

 

 

 

 Anyway, Lincecum gets lit up by the Dodger offense.

 

My buddy Johnny Jackson, the Korean War vet who is working with me tells me that maybe Giants

pitcher Tim Lincecum is losing his once dominating edge. “To many miles on that arm,” he says. I

guess so. As long has he pitches the way he does against the Dodgers I’ll take it.

 

 

 

Dodgers win.

 

 

 

84-out

 

 

 

 

 

Change is Coming! : Dodger versus Washington Nationals 2012

 

 

 Dodger Cy Young Winner Clayton Kershaw 2-0 (1.61) vs. Washington National Ross

Detwiler 2-0 (0.56) 

 

 

Give-a-way night: Every kid gets a Kershaw replica jersey this evening. 

 

  

 

At Check-in, I find Dodger Vendor Extraordinaire Ronald Nelson who is usually just scoping out

the scene.  I go over to shake his hand.  Thought Bubble: This season I’ll make it an effort to say

hello to Mr. Nelson every game.  (Did it.)  He sure has a firm hand shake.

 

(Here is Ronnie making his arrival)

 

 

In the Stand, no sooner than I take a few steps in the work place, when my Hamburger Helper

orders me around: “Get the Mayonnaise!”  Then my co-worker Anna (aka “Banana bana fo fana”)

distracts me for a second and hands me a piece of paper that she claims is a Stadium post of her

own.  (?) I take a minute to read it.  I like it! So it deserves a post; after all, this blog is about the

people who work here, next to the game and a few tid-bits about the players.  

 

 She writes:

 

Tony,

 

I think you might be the only person that would take my recommendations to heart and

appreciate them.  I would like to know what your recommendations you can add.

 

Changes need to be improved in Major League Baseball.

 

1. Coaches.  Really, do (teams) need 1 coach for every position.  We need a (single) strong leader, not minions.
2. New uniforms.  They should be bright maybe include some kind of metal.  Hey, why not make them look like robots?
3. Cheerleaders.  Yes I said it.  We need more fans to come in. NBA/NFL/even soccer cheerleaders.  Everyone would watch: Men to check them out and be all googlee eyed while the women can criticize them.
4. No drug tests.  Allow then to take all the enhancers they need.  Hey, it’s their body and whatever it takes to win a championship. 
5. Speed up the game.  Really, does (the game) really have to pause every time a pitcher comes to the mound? Time is $!

 

So what do you think?

 

Thank you,

 

Anna Gutierrez

 

WOW!  I would comment but maybe someone else should.  : )

 

 Next, I go get the box full of mayonnaise out of the freezer.  I spy a small table where I place the

unopened mayo.  With fresh washed hands, latex gloves, and my large spreading spoon I begin to

scoop the stuff into a steel pan.  The mayo is nice and chilled. 

 

Thought bubble: I love you mayonnaise.  I love your consistency, giggly like Jell-O and yet so

reviled.  You are like . . . .

 

“Why are you putting that box there?”  Bossy Lady says to me with elevated voice. 

 

(Bubble pops!)    

 

I turn to her in a bit of confusion. 

 

“I don’t want that box there!” she continues. 

 

I look around my work place.  There is very little space on the small table that I am working on so I

wonder why she wants me to stop scooping my mayo.  “I don’t have room anywhere else,” I return. 

Bossy shifts her attention to her assistant, Jazz, and complains to her about the clutter of food

product in my work area.  Apparently some items are placed where they do not belong.  I watch

them talk and continue to scoop mayo until the pan is full. 

 

“There I’m done.” I tell them. 

 

I place the box of sweet Mayo back in the freezer.  The table is free for other purposes.  “What’s the

big deal,” I tell my manager.  She looks at me with a little bit off contempt.  (Whatever)  It’s just

Bossy Lady being herself, controlling. 

 

 

The Assistant of the Stand I call Jazzy finds me leaning on the counter and suggest that I go

retrieve the turkey paddies out of walk-in fridge from the Pretzel stand next door.  I oblige.  When

I walk to the Pretzel stand, I find the workers rolling the pretzel dough.  Another worker is sliding a

tray of pretzels in the oven.  “How long do you bake them in there,” I ask.  “3 minutes!” is the

answer.  Another worker is swinging and turning a length of dough, which she twists into a pretzel. 

“Awesome!” I tell her.  This Wetzel Pretzel crew is the real deal.         

 

 

When I return with the turkey paddies Anna Banana says to me, “Can you believe it Tony, Yolie

(Bossy) is mad at me because I called her fat.”  I smile because it’s funny, maybe true maybe not,

but funny.  “She doesn’t like it when I tell her the truth, Anna continues, but when she says it, it’s

ok.”  It seems that Anna is on one as they say.  Then again, Bossy is on one, also.  There is no need

for me to get into their tiff so I remain silent- keep, my, cool.  There is more going on in my head.

 

I’m more worried about tonight’s Washington National pitcher.  I hear he is very very good.  Some

outfielder for the Nationals named Bryce Harper is making his debut and he is only 19 years old. 

Apparently he is the next BIG thing.  Hopefully not tonight.

 

 

Gates still don’t open for a while.  Jazz announces she has a new phone!  We all gather to check out

her new upgrade.  “I’ve been waiting to get this one,” she admits.  The phone is like my own, with a

big touch screen.  “You’re going to get good pictures,” I tell her.  How appropriate, a hot pink

protective cover, too.

 

I notice there is a new worker in our Stand.  She looks familiar.  At some point, my Mom walks into

the Stand (Yes, my mom works at the Stadium also if you didn’t know; she follows me everywhere)

and she tells me that this new lady, named Lourdes, works at Eagle Rock High School.  Then I put

two and two together and realize she was a special education teacher’s aide during the time I served

as an aid for my mentor teacher, Mrs. Ward-Roncalli.  “It’s her second game,” Mom tells me.  I

graduated from ERHS and returned there to learn my trade in education.  How cool that Lourdes

made it here. 

 

At the soda fountain area, I notice my buddy Corey from Long Beach who is working with us in the

Burger Stand once again.  I approach him while he marks soda cups because I want to talk about his

tattoos.  I tell him I like his tats and suggest he go back to the parlor and get them outlined.  He

designs on his forearms are well done but faded.  He agrees.  I don’t have any ink on my body but I

know art and design.  I can thank Marvel and DC Comics for that.   

 

Eventually, the Ladies go to their break and I am by myself, once again, ready to make special

orders for anyone ready to eat a tasty paddy and bun.  At the silver counter I make my spoon

check by lining them up.

 

-          Jumbo spreader spoon (check)

-          Long spreading knives (check)

-          Mid-sized spreaders (check)

-          Pair of tongs (check)

-          Big spatchula (check)

-          And my baby spreading spoon, so cute. (check)

 

 

I’m ready to go.  Gates open at 5:40pm for tonight’s Friday evening 7 o’clock game so I get flipping.

 

A lady comes in the Stand and asks me to make a burger with extra pickle, light on the lettuce, no

dressing, with wheat bread.  She stands over my shoulder and watches my every move.  She

changes her mind and asks for dressing.  “I’ll take some cheese,” she adds. I tell her to be specific. 

When I am done with her order she asks for another one.  I look at her, “Another one?”

 

A fellow comes in and he wants a turkey burger and onion rings. 

 

“Coming up!”

 

A lady comes in and she wants onion rings, extra crispy, and a Double Western.

 

“Coming up!”

 

Another fellow wants a burger make with no sauce.”

 

“Coming up!”

 

This goes on for the next 20 minutes.

 

I hear Drew the Usher from outside the Stadium concourse call out: “TONNY!”

 

I turn and yell out “DREEEW!” into the face, incidentally, of the person I am making a

 

burger for.  I apologize but she should know better than to get in the way of our roll call.  

 

 

The ladies of the Stand come back from their break while I am on full cylinders:

 

Bunning, spreading sauce, flipping burgers, and wrapping the product on my silver prep counter.

I’m grooving.  Jazz the Assistant jumps on the line with me and we are teaming on orders for

Famous Star Burgers.  She is a little bit pushy with me. (why?) The next thing I know, Boss turns up

and kicks me off the line, “Go to break!”  And I am off . . . .

 

 

On my break,

 

I spy people posing for pictures.  The baseball field and the San Gabriel mountains is in the back

drop of the the camera man’s perspective.  Awesome.

 

In the break room and I break some bread with some LAPD officers.  Pretty cool.

 

My buddy Damian walks into the break room, to my surprise, because, he usually works on the

bottom Field Level, not my home, the heavenly Reserve Level.  He has a chiliburger that looks

more like a sloppy Joe.  I had to get a pic of him eating lol!

 

 

Once Damian has woofed down his meal, he needs a smoke so I join him at the smoking section just

outside the Reserve Level gates.  I don’t smoke, of course, but the open space could be good for

me, so I join him.  I’ll join him and the rest of the puffing pariahs. 

 

The smoking section is near the semi-lengthy stairs that lead up from the right side of the lower

level parking lots.  It’s the first set of second stairs that reach up to each level of the Stadium.

 

 

 To my amazement, and I’m serious about this, the droves of crowds are finally arriving. 

 

I spy a father of three with a Laker purple and yellow Dodger baseball jersey. 

 

The most of the fans walking the steps are exhausted when they arrive to the top.  Above them, at

the last step, is a blue sign that reads: “Welcome to Dodger Stadium home of your Los Angeles

Dodgers since 1968.”  Nice.

 

“I like this spot,” Damian tells me as he huffs and puffs. 

 

I concur, “This is my new spot.”

 

Even from where I sit, I can hear the Stadium ghetto blaster project the voice of the Dodger

Stadium Host Field Announcer as he introduces organist Nancy Bea, her fingers, instantly begin to

dance on the keys. 

 

(It’s a beautiful day)                               

 

 

                         

 

Damian starts to talk about how ugly #1 NFL draft pick Andrew Luck is. 

 

He looks like Sloth from “Goonies,” he claims.  I never really got a good look at Andrew

Luck but I believe Damian if he thinks so.

 

 

A child yells, “Wait!!” to his mother, who has done a much better job on the steps than he

and his father.  I can see her about thirty feet ahead of them.  “Wait up Mom!” he cries.

 

 

I spy a Raider silver and black colored Dodger jersey.  (Wow!)

 

A little girl arrives to the top of the stairs and she shouts down ward: “Apurate! Come on

Lady!”  (Hurry!)  Suddenly, her mother appears and reaches the top.  “Can you go any

faster” the little girl exclaims as her mother gasps for air.  To funny.

 

 

My break time is almost done.  Damian left his hat in the break room.  I walk back to my

Stand and realize that I left my apron in the break room also.  I find my apron and coincidently at

the table is the girl with the Pink Blush and Blue Eye shadow who I worked with during last home

stand.  We exchange hellos.

 

(“I’m late!”)

 

I’m practically running to the Stand when the Stadium Announcer introduces “Matt Kemp” and the

fans provide a hearty applause.  My ADD radar spots a dude with a Buffalo Bills baseball cap and I

give him props.  On the baseball field, the ceremony is still going on.  Fernando Valenzuela is on

hand to introduce an eye glasses program, where hundreds of children will receive Free glasses. 

The children are all smiles.  Awesome.   

 

 

 When I finally return to the Burger Stand, wash-up, put on my gloves and apron, I’m

 ready to go in less than 5 minutes.  We get it rocking in the Stand.  The Ladies handle

business.  Like every give-a-way evening, it’s super busy in the Stadium.

 

 Time flies. 

 

There is definitely a pitching match going on. 

 

 In the end, Kershaw gets the win 3-2.

 

Ethier homered, #5, wish I noticed. 

 

 “I love LA” is playing in the background.

 

 Great win.  Good fun.  Go Dodgers!

 Time to go home,

 84

 

 

     

 Don Drysdale and Maury Wills Bobble Head Day!

 

 Dodgers Chad Billingsley 2-1 (3.04) versus Steven Stausberg 2-0 (1.08)

 

 

Enter pitchers match-up game #2, Dodgers up 1 out of 2, so far.

 

 

(Cool souvenier cup)

  

My buddy Robert the Vendor finally stops by the Stand for the first time this season to get some

water for his creatine mix.  “It’s going to be busy tonight,” he tells me.  It will be because I have a

feeling the Beast (the fans) are coming back.  Like Robert, I better start getting my nutrients and

energy in, so I make myself a BLT and eat it in the break room. 

 

After some our prep work is done, the Ladies are out to break eating chicken salad.   

It’s a Saturday 6:00 pm game.  I turn on the Stand stereo put on KCRM 89.9 to see what’s playing. 

“Harder they Come” by Desmond Dekker and the Ace Israelites is grooving at the moment.  That’s

the reggae jam.

 

Working with us in the Stand is this 19 years old kid who is a new employee this season.  He might

have seen me being obsessive about the Burger line when he asks me “Are you the chef around

here. 

 

“No, I’m the Spoon in this Stand,” I tell him.

 

(Laughter)

                                           

 

On my break in the Smoking section,

 

(I don’t smoke, but I like the view)

 

At the moment, the Dodger Ushers are breaking out the All Star Ballots. (So soon?)

 

 I spy a Brooklyn Dodgers jersey.

 

 There is an Andre Ethier Patriarchy family is in attendance, meaning all five family

members, father, sons, and mom, are rocking Ethier jerseys. (Nice)

 

 

One fellow is wearing the honorable Ethier National League All Star jersey. Nice threads.

 

A couple ladies are rocking the “Strike Em’ Out” Victoria Secrets Dodger apparel.  

 

On two different occasions I witnessed dudes with,

 

                                          “The Los Angeles Dodgers of Los Angeles” t-shirts.  

 

From this smoking section area, Downtown Los Angeles is a tiny bit present.  Great point of view.  I

don’t really smoke, so maybe I should pretend I do.  The sign at the top of the step is to my left

reads “Welcome to Dodger Stadium home of the Los Angeles Dodgers since 1968”.  The best part

of this rest spot for smokers is the fact that when baseball fans meet the steps next to me, steps

always win.  HA!

 

I just read on my smart phone that IGN Comic Book reviews features an movie review of Marvel

Comics “The Avengers” and basically it’s Awesome. . . can’t wait to see it!

 

More and more people are appearing at the top of these semi-formidable steps, just like yesterday. 

 

The Los Angeles Kings fans are in the house today, UCLA loyalists also, some kid is wearing an

“OBEY” T-shirt that almost looks like a Kings or Raiders threads. 

 

Snap! A Jonathan Quick #32 Kings jersey. 

 

GO KINGS!!

 

And of course a custom made LA Lakers/Dodger jersey is making another appearance! 

 

 

This could be a special Stadium Blog apparel post entirely Ha!

 

 

My break time is over.  On my way back to the Burger Stand, Led Zeppelin’s “Immigrant Song” is

rocking out of the Stadium sub-woofers.  I pass by a bartender friend of mind and she is singing the

high notes, while he pours a bottle of XX (Dos equis).   Funny.

 

 

We work work work,

 

I start to come out of my shell and start to talk about comics.  I mention the current Avengers

versus X-men story line event that’s currently in the works.  I even admitted that DC’s Wonder

Woman is actually pretty cool.  Jazzy liked that last comment. lol

 

We work work work,

 

 

Top of  the 7^th inning. Score is still 0-0. 

 

Time to clean up.

 

By the top of bottom of the night. Things get crazy.  Dodgers have 2 outs, Dee Gordon is up to bat

with 2 strikes and a Juan Uribe is on third base.

 

I’m standing next to Damian and my co-worker Maribel.  She says to me, “Damn, I haven’t seen it

this packed in a long-long time!”  I agree!  The moment is intense.  Damian is all smiles.  This scene

is almost overwhelming.   

 

 

 Nationals are up 3-2. 

 

A child is chanting:   “ Let’s GO Dodgers Lets GO!  (over and over)

                                  “Come on Dodgers you can do this!” (over and over)

 

Gordon up to bat, the pitcher wineds up, delivers, Dee Gordon swings and misses, the pitch gets by

the catcher, Dee runs to first, and is called “SAFE”.  The crowd goes crazy.  Suddenly, Juan Uribe

scores on a wild pitch to Dee Gordon!!!!

 

Dodgers are now tie-up with the Nationals 3-3.

 

The next batter (Mark Ellis I think) makes the 3^rd out for the Dodgers and we are on our way

home.  The crowd settles down. 

 

Unfortunately, Dodger employees can’t stick around for the 10^th when we are done with our work. 

 

Go Dodgers!!!

 

On Dodgers Radio 570 AM, I hear Matt Kemp has hit a walk off homer.  On 570 AM the Dodger

post game show Matt Kemp tells the radio host, “I had to (hit that homer) for Maury (Wills)” who

was in attendance this evening.  Must have been awesome.  I can imagine the moment.  Awesome

win! 

 

Go Dodgers!

 

84

 

 

Dodgers Chris Capuano 1-0 (2.04) versus Washington Nationals 2-0 (3.54)

 

Dodgers take 2 of 3 so far against the Washington pitching.  

    

 

 

The Ladies of the Stand are enjoying break time watching Ethier, Kemp, and Rivera hit BP.  My

buddy Drake comes to the Stand and asks for a Western Bacon Cheese Burger with lettuce and

tomato.  Yummy.  Drake is a really good guy.  When his daughter needed a car, not too long ago, he

gave his only automobile to her.  Now he tells me that she just got married and her husband is being

shipped off to Afghanistan for 7 months. 

 

“She is real sad,” he says. 

 

Drake served in the Marines for 7 years.  He starts to talk about how he keeps a Sports Almanac in

the stand he works in because it settles any arguments he has with his fellow co-workers. 

 

Roll Call: Drew hollers: Tony!

                 I yell back: Drew Down!

 

 

Thought Bubble:  Dodgers will have new owners in one more day.  Fingers crossed.

 

On my break,

 

I see a Dodger Blue related t-shirt that reads: “Chicks dig diamonds” by Nike.  What is the meaning

of that?

 

One fellow is rocking a Los Angeles Kings T and another chap is rocking a Blake Griffin jersey t-

shirt.  These teams, along with the Lakers, in the play-offs at the same time this year, is getting

this city popping.

 

- Dodger fans and Families are back this Sunday afternoon.  “Yes!”

 

- A Mommy holds the hands of her two sons as they walk across the Reserve Concourse.

 

- Dodger Babies with baseball caps.  Better bring out the sunscreen.

 

- Laker crossbreed Dodger, custom, t-shirts are all over the place. 

 

-Abuelitas are in teh house!

 

-Kershaw/Ethier family of jerseys strolling to their seats.

 

I run into Drew the Jedi Usher and he tells me that he can’t wait to go to the Renaissance Fair event

in a few weeks.  He tells me he lacked any Renaissance attire so he wore his Phantom of the Opera

costume. 

 

 

 

“Everyone loved it!” he claims. 

 

Seriously?

 

“I started using my accent” Drew says “Victorian meets Renaissance: And I fit right in!”  

 

Then Drew the Usher of the Opera warns me to not going to the Smoking section for break because

there is a swarm of bees nearby.  I take his advice and relax in the tiny break room like a good little

minion.

 

In the Stand,

 

On the Burger Line  it’s all comic book related movie talk.  The Dark Knight Rises, the Amazing

Spider Man, and the Avengers this Friday!  Based on a conversation I had with Jazz the assistant,

she was inspired to wear her Wonder Woman shirt under her Baby Blue Dodger work Jersey. 

Awesome!

 

While flipping burgers, I couldn’t help but notice the plethora of Dodger Blue that is roaming the

Stadium concourse.  This is just an allusion but, it’s like the Walking Dead out there in Dodger

Blue.  Laker purple and yellow keeps poking it head out in the masses.  The meshing of the two

organizations, although not formally so, is almost complete.  The fans will have it no other way,

except for the Clipper fans, that is.  Things are changing around here and it’s been almost two

seasons since the crowds have filled this place up like this.  Even the far left area of the Reserve

Level, first base side, where the sun is shining down the most this time of day is being taken up by

fans, once again. 

 

I see a #15 Shawn Green jersey, a Long Beach State baseball cap, and anther dude with a Clippers

jersey.  A kid is rocking a Dodger t-shirts that reads, “Try and Stop us.”  I hope LA fans aren’t

getting too arrogant.  Sheeezzzz

 

A highlight of the Pregame ceremony is The National Anthem performed by a very talented Ektor

Rivera!!! The crowd Loved it.

 

 

The Game,

 

It’s the 6^th inning and the score is still 0-0. 

I think James Loney is a big reason the Dodgers scored, later on in the game but I’m not sure. 

Dodgers win 2-0. We sweep the Washington and the Dodgers now have the best record in the

National league.  Awesome job this weekend!

 

Go Dodgers!!

 

84

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LA versus Atlanta: 2012

 

 

The Dodgers are winning, but where are the Fans?

 

 Where is the Magic?

 

 Chris Capuano 1-0 (4.50) versus Atlanta Brave Jar Jurrjens 0-1 (8.20)

 

 

 

 I don’t have much time to watch Dodger batting practice like I had in years past.  My

responsibilities before game time are to feed my fellow Dodger employees while they are on their

break.  During this leisure hour the workers sit in the Reserve Level seats eating the same stuff the

fans do: Nachos, D Dogs, Jumbo Dogs, French Fries, the good stuff etc. 

 

While they eat, they talk. 

While they talk, they watch Andre Ethier’s swing his bat.

While Ethier takes his whacks, I’m in the stand with a spoon full of mayo.

While I spread mayo on some buns, Justin Sellers lays down a bunt on the 1^st pitch

While I:  pickles, lettuce, onions, tomato; everyone else is watching BP but me.

I have no complaints. 

 

“It is what it is,” some say.

 

But,

 

When no one is around, when I made my last burger for the hungry folks, the pause gives me a

moment of clarity.  So I decide to walk over to get a glance of our Los Angeles Dodgers take some

BP.  In the seats to my right side are the chatty Dodger Vendors in their bubble bee uniforms:

yellow jersey shirts and black Dickies pants. To my left are the scores and scores of concession line

workers: I see the Wetzel Pretzel makers, I see perennial Vendor Roger “The Peanut Man” Owens,

Mort Rose the Vendor with the Golden Heart, and there is Ronald Nelson Vendor Extraordinaire. 

I see these wonderful people in their groups talking “life”. 

 

For a minute,

 I Listen . . . to all of their voices carry across the air.  In the batting cage is A.J. Ellis but my focus is

the sound.  The echoes of their conversation travel, up, down, and across the contour rows of seats

and concrete steps.  The Stadium is empty at this moment but it’s filled with their words.  The

crack of the bat from the baseball field is a footnote.  The baseball cuts through the air.  Words

combine, words overlap, mix, audible voices carry.

 

                                                                          PEACE.

 

 _________________________________________________________________________________

 

If there is a family that is known around the Stadium amongst my co-workers it’s Gina’s Family. 

With the attendance being so down for tonight’s game Gina will be the lead in the Burger Stand.  My

regular Bossy Lady will assist instead.  (It’s a Union seniority thing.)  So, with Gina, comes her two

sons, husband, and sometimes her daughter, but she isn’t present this evening.  They are very liked

and respected here.  It’s always good to see her.

 

“How are the girls?” Gina asks me. 

 

I show her pics of my two daughters on my phone.

 

“They look like their mom,” she tells me.  I agree.  Gina knows a significant part of my life.  Over 12

years ago, I fell in love with a girl who also worked here at Dodger Stadium, and She knew Gina

very well.  We were in a relationship together and my co-workers in the Stadium knew it back

then.  It was a very special time.  Things happen fast when you are in love.  When I learned I was

going to be a father, it was a shock.  I was scared.  I was still in college, so was She, we were young,

unprepared, and we still hadn’t told our own parents the news.

 

One Sunday afternoon game, 11 years ago, She was scheduled to work in Gina’s Dodger Dog Stand,

and the pressure of the truth weighed heavy on Her.   It was Gina, who would be the first of anyone

in our small world to know that our baby was on the way.  Later, that same day, (to my surprise)

Gina approached me with a glare only a matriarch with her experience could impart.  She said the

most searing words to me that I can only keep it to myself.

 

My only response was two words, I will.

 

After all of these years, being that I only get to see Gina a hand full of times during an entire season,

I still marvel at our shared experience.  

 

In the Stand,

 

While we flip burgers, the popular topic is restaurants. 

 

“Have you ever been to the Soup Plantation?

“Never.

“How about Tony Romas?

“I’ve never seen a Tony Romas!

“Yea, I’ve been there.

“How about the Olive Garden?

“Black Angus?”

“Been there!

“Too expensive- I like Red Lobster but it’s too expensive.

 

 _______________________________________________________________________

 

Come Game time,

 

Attendance is dismal. 

 

Where is the magic at?

 

It’s so slow in the Stand.   More Brave fans are buying my burgers than Blue Fans.  I have a minute

to chill so I position myself to the right side of the soda fountain, look up to my left, through the

front glass of the Stand at a 45 degree angle and I am able look at the game on a tiny television

monitor.

 

Very uncomfortable.

 

Dee Gordon gets on base, he steal second, the small crowd squeezes out a healthy cheer.

 

 ______________________________________________________________________________________

 

Later in the game,

 

Matt Kemp is up to bat.  The Jumbo Tron features MK’s statistics.  He is the league leader in

batting averages, homeruns, runs scored, RBIs, and second in some category I ignore.  Next, MK

advances to 1^st base on base on balls.  Maybe MK is ranked second in walks?

 

The game is so slow that we clean-up in the Stand early.

 

Dodgers win, 7-2.  Capuano looks sharper than his last appearance. 

Nice job. 

Juan Uribe goes 4 for 4, & 3 RBIs? 

Awesome!

MK and Andre E are getting hits and more hits!

 

Thought bubble: Dodgers are undefeated at home, MK is the best in the game, and still very few

people come to see the Dodgers play.

 

(I’m tired)

 

84ever

 

Go Dodgers!

 

 

Sleeved Blanket Night at Dodger Stadium

 

I really wish I had one of the Ladies from my Stand model for this give-a-way but my buddy and

fellow co-worker will do:

 

 

 Game 2 against the Atlanta Braves: Aaron Harang 1-1 verses Braves ace Mike Minor

 

I noticed two women wearing the Dodger sleeved blanket give away and it looks like to me like the

same the same robe that the Statue of Liberty rocks.  It’s a stark contrast to the new Dodger

Victoria Secret apparel, that all of the ladies are wearing lately. 

 

The National Anthem is sung by Tyler Lillipol who croons like it game from the bottom of his guts. 

Nice job. 

 

While busting my hump, flipping burgers, I hear Juan Rivera has hit a homer and it’s barely the

bottom of the 1^st.  Next thing I know, Boss Lady sends me on break.  I feel so used.  So I roll to the

restroom to wash up and I hear Vin Scully, whose voice is coming out of the little speakers above

the steel trough that is the Stadium urinals, and he is telling his listeners that today is (Atlanta

Brave 3^rd baseman) Chipper Jones’ 40^th birthday.  Wow, I can’t believe Jones started his career

back in 1993.  Vin goes on to praise Chipper and says that this season is his last. 

 

Better head out to my break room perch and get a glance at the ball game. 

 

Well what do you know?

 

 Atlanta Brave 3^rd baseman is up to bat. 

 

In the seats above me a child hollers out, “Retire already.”

 

Ruthless! 

 

Next thing I know and Chipper Jones cracks a deep fly ball to center field and it drops into Matt

Kemp’s glove.  EEEsh!  The Dodgers have a 2-0 lead.  Drew the Usher spots me while I’m writing

my notes in my trusty little notebook and he exclaims, “We are undefeated at home!”  I tell him to

chill out because I had read somewhere that the 1989 Dodgers team started off 13-0 at home and

yet they ultimately collapsed that season.  1989! Reminds me of my favorite rookie 90’s rookie

Dodger pitcher, Ramon Martinez and to think that the Stadium head honchos are barely give

Ramon his credit were its due here at the Ravine. 

 

 

It is a cold evening; the clouds in the sky have stirred the fans to bring out the hoodies. 

 

I see a Gagne #38 jersey, my favorite 2000 Dodger pitcher!  Roids or not.  How else were we

supposed to face all of those juiced up ass holes, like Barry Bonds?  I say, (back then) fight fire with

fire.    

 

I kind of miss Atlanta pitcher Mike Hampton.  Dodgers used to handle that guy when we weren’t

getting demolished by the other Brave pitchers back-in-the-day.

 

Wait! 

 Did I just see what I think . . . . ?

 Oh yes, there it is.  Some dude with a NY Yankee ball cap-And at a Dodger-Brave game?

?????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????

Really? 

 

I bet this guy just bought that hat this morning.  I bet he doesn’t even know who the Yankee

starting short stop is.  I bet that guy likes to be seen with his new stylish ball cap.  I bet that, that

hat!, is the best false credential a poser fan could ever wear with a smile.

 

I’m utterly disgusted.

 

 nuff’ said.

 

 ____________________________________________________________________________________________

 

Back in the Stand,

 

I’m starting to get my sea legs back after a few weeks on this burger line.  The Stadium is only half

full but the demand is great.  These Dodger give-a-ways better start bring home more bacon

because this crowd should be larger.

 

The game,

 

The little kid and his dad better be biting their tongues because Chipper Jones hit a gnarly homer

and just made the last out of the game.

 

ASSOCIATED PRESS

buffalonews.com

 

Happy Birthday Chipper.

 

84

 

Go Dodgers

 

 

FYI: I missed the last game of the three game series because I showed up to the Stadium late after I

had a PTA meeting for my 11 year old.  Turns out she is struggling with math just like her good ol'

dad did.  That's ok. she is an artist and spacial learner, meaning she is a two-dimensional learner. 

Like good ol' dad. 

I love you Izel Varela.

 

  

 

 

CY YOUNG Replica Give-Away-Day to Jackie Robinson Day- The Good times!

 

Chad Billingsly 1-0 (0.00) vs. Pittsburgh Pirates Erik Bedard 0-1 (1.29)

 

Question: Who are the Pittsburgh Pirates, really? 

 

It’s near the end of Dodgers batting practice and Tony Gwynn Jr. is ripping singles in the cage. I

don’t know why, but I feel he is going to turn out to be a special piece to our team.  Can’t wait to

hear something about Tony G making an impact soon. 

 

Our pitching needs, Defense! Defense! Defense! 

 

Right?

 

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 

 

I pace back and fourth in the Stand like a mouse in its plastic cage, an ADD moment, then I hear. 

“TOOONNNYYYY!”  It’s Drew the Usher. 

 

(FOCUS)

 

I call back, “DRREEEWWWW DOOOWWWN!  (Not Dru Down “the Mack of the Year” lol)  Drew is

on his way to his post after an Usher briefing.  The last time I ran into him, it was during Opening

Day, like 7^th inning and he was charged up.  Appearing a little bit disheveled, Drew told me “It’s

crazy out there!” lifting his cap to push his hair to the side and then bring down the ball cap again.  

Drew was  still trucking on then, his patience tested, with three more innings to go.     

 

“Back in Black,” by AC/DC is pumping out of the Stadium ghetto blasters. 

 

In the Stand, there is a “new” worker.  Bossy Lady tells me she will be my temporary hamburger

helper for the evening.   Her countenance is different, stylistic, actually.  Her white complexion is

brushed with a very light-light baby-blue blush and above here eyes she painted a radiant but

lightly touched pink eye shadow.  My description doesn’t do her justice because she pulls off the

look with  her hair pulled back under her blue Dodger employee visor.  I ask her if her boyfriend is

the jealous type just to break the ice.

 

 She says, “No.” 

 

I flip the burgers and she wraps them in the wax paper that reads Turkey Burger and then the

Double Western and lastly Famous Star.  She catches on quickly.  I shouldn’t say she is new, I think

she has been an employee for over 10 years.  This is her first stint in the Burger Stand, actually.

 

While flipping burgers, one of the warehouse guys stops by the Stand with his counter part in a

back-brace to grab a burger during his break when I notice that the former is holding a new Dodger

Dog creation.  “It’s called a Tailgate Dog,” he tells me.  Holly Molly!  This D-Dog is loaded with

backed beans, shredded cheese, and a fat scoop of potato salad. Almost like a plate of grub from

my last BBQ.

 

(Wish I had a pic)

 

The game will start in about 20 minutes. We are low on fries.  I turn to the freezer to grab another

bag of potatoes.  I open up the freezer door on the right side of the ice box and attempt to open a

sealed box to pull out the potatoes.  I’m having trouble (struggling actually) prying the packaging

tape off of the box so I do my best to pull the cardboard open forcefully but to no avail.

Meanwhile, the hamburger helper with the Blue Blush opens the door on the left side of the freezer,

yanks open a box, pulls out a bag of fries, and then she rips open the bag of fries into the deep fryer

basket, drops the  basket into the boiling soy bean oil. 

 

“Thank you,” I tell her.

 

“Your welcome,” Blue replied.

 

The next second, I turned to the assistant boss Jazzy who had witnessed me get under cut on the

fryer.  “She just showed me up.” I tell her under my breath. 

 

“That’s good,” Jazzy approved.           

 

(Wow!?!)

 

 

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

 

 

On my break,

 

 

On the Dodger Jumbo Tron there is a video snippet featuring Legendary Dodger Manager Tommy

Lasorda, who is talking directly to the crowd about safe alcohol consumption and refraining from

the  use of foul language/obscene gestures at the ballpark.  He is next to a billiards table with a pool

stick in hand.  “I can run that table,” I’m thinking.

 

 Idea!: Taking down Tommy Lasorda in a game of pool. 

 

“I can beat him.”  The sight of the smooth green felt of the pool table next to Tommy, exacerbated,

on the Jumbo Tron started to get my trigger hand twitching.  I’m the best in Echo Park pool, self

proclaimed that is- That’s it, I think I’ll go to Echo Park’s Little Joy Bar tonight and hold down the

table for at least an hour. 

 

G n R’s “Appetite for Destruction” is blasting out of the Stadium Ghetto Blasters.

 

 

Pre-game ceremony,

 

Trisha Makiko Lopez sings the National Anthem like it’s personal, meditative.  & Awesome!  Pre-

game ceremony includes Clayton Kershaw with Fernando Valenzuela on the baseball field together,

representing the last two Dodger pitchers to win the Cy Young.  Two of Los Angeles’ finest on the

mound finally get a deserved photo Op. 

 

 

Ceremonial first pitch of the game goes to, two, special women in the Dodger organization: Elin

Kershaw, (you know whose wife) and Cindi Ellis, wife to catcher A.J. Ellis, literally takes the

mound.  It was a funny  scene when these ladies first walked toward the pitchers mound.  Elin K

keeps second-guessing where she should throw the ball, so, she back steps further from home

plate, hesitates again, and then steps back, incrementally, closer and closer to the pitcher’s mound,

until she eventually arrives to the rubber.  The crowd cheers with laughter.  Elin Kershaw winds up

and overthrows the pitch past Clayton, who is catching.  The crowd applauds.   Very Funny . . .

 

Game on:

 

Echoing out of the ¾ dome that is Dodger Stadium, the crowd chants:

“MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP!” Matt Kemp is up to bat. 

 

At the Dodger souvenir stand, I notice, there are two Lady Dodger fans with Dodger Blue apparel

the reads “THINK PINK PLAY BALL” in chrome font.  I ask them where they got their threads. 

They say from Victoria Secrets.  Huh? The rumors are true, MLB and lingerie are in cahoots.

 

 

 

Back in the Stand we get our Flip on.  The Stadium crowd is small but very enthusiastic.  There is a

strong unity in the seats.  “We need onion rings!”  Boss Lady calls out.  I get on the job between

burgers.  So I drop a basket of rings in the fryer.  A few minutes pass and my partner with the Blue

Blush lifts the basket up and dumps the rings in the warmer.  The product is golden brown, not to

overly hardened, deliciousness.  Then Boss Lady exclaims, “Who made the Onion Rings; they look

Great!”  I was about to say I did, but I didn’t, and the regular Ladies of the Stand know it.  “Tony,

didn’t make them,” Maribel insisted.  This was true.  Up staged, under cut, again, by the new

girl.           

 

During the game the regular Ladies of the Stand keep getting their shots in at me, while hustling on

the Burger Line.  For example:

 

Me: Can you please clean you side?

Maribel: Whatever!

Me: Don’t whatever me . . .

Maribel: I just did.

(And I said please too, ouch!)

 

Once more again:

 

Bossy Lady: Move over, Wey; Move over, “dude” i.e. Spanish slang)

Me: Don’t call me “way”.

Bossy: And change your gloves.

Me: OK, but don’t call me “Wey”.

Bossy Lady: I just did.

 

(Ok!)

 

It’s going to be a long season . . . . .

 

 ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

The game,

The game is going by really fast.

 

Billingsley is looking sharper than ever on the mound!

 

At the top of the 7^th inning, Andre Ethier knocks in the go-ahead-run, Dodgers over the Pirates by

a couple of runs!  To add to the experience the Jumbo Tron is featuring a scene from the National

Lampoons film “Animal House” where the actors are dancing to “You make wanna shout!!!”        

 

 

 

Dodgers win, 4-1

 

Bills record is 2-0!  Guerra gets save #4

 

Nice Start for Los Angeles

 

 

 

84ever

 

 

 

 

 

Aaron Haarang 0-1 (6.23) versus San Diego Padres Clayton Richard 1-0 (0.00)

 

 

Tonight is a 7:15 game. 

 

It’s 5:30 now and the rain is coming down. 

 

The infield is covered under a white tarp.  There is no sign of BP so the game might not go on. 

 

“Look the sun is shining down,” my co-worker Teresa tells me about 30 minutes later. 

 

Well what do you know? The dry streak continues.  I don’t remember a rain out game here in over

10 years.

 

Later, out of the Stadium Sound System, the R&B group The Spinners cry out: 

 

“When ever you call me, 

I’ll be there . . .

When every you need me,

I’ll be there . . .

You don’t have to worry,

I’ll be there . . .

I’ll be arooouuund . . . .”

 

On the baseball field this evening’s Veteran of the Game is about to be introduced.  This gentleman,

first enlisted in 1992 according to the Stadium M.C. and has been a fan of the Dodgers since the

1970’s, Commander Brian Fagan.  Among his achievements, Commander Fagan has Captained the

U.S.S. Wisconsin and (if I heard right) escorted national diplomats on the U.S.N.S Carmel.  The

attending crowd acknowledges him, whole heartily. 

 

A few minutes later, Carly Rae Jepson performs the National Anthem in a quick fashion that is

much appreciated by the fans in attendance.

 

Next, there is some business that is about to go down on the infield.

The Dodger Field microphone commando is about to introduce the Silver Slugger Mel Ott Award

presentation.  The award goes to Matt Kemp for his fine offensive performance last season, leading

the National league in homeruns (39), RBIs (126), and runs scored (115) in 2011.  Next, the MLBPA

Award Foundation honors Clayton Kershaw for ending the 201 on top by earning the National

Triple Crown, with 244 strikeouts, 2.28 ERA, and 21-5 win/lose record. 

 

The awards just keep on coming!

 

 

Voted on by MLB National League managers every year, The Golden Glove Award has honored the

superior defensive skills since 1937.  Three Dodgers, introduced in the following order: Clayton

Kershaw for his defensive skills on the on the mound, Andre Ethier in right field position, and Matt

Kemp in the center field are each applauded as they receive a giant life sized, golden trophy of an

baseball mitt, palm open on a small ceramic base.  They all take quick group photo.  These guys are

proud, modest, and all together Loved by the nascent crowd here at the Ravine.  Thankfully these

guys lifted the Dodgers up from a less than average season that was marred with discontent due to

ownership.  I think Don Mattingly should have been acknowledged for his managerial fortitude as

well. 

 

But, it doesn’t matter in the end.  Four of the five I mentioned will be here for the long run, the

ownership is a different story.

 

 _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

At game time there is no sight of rain to come.  Just before the Dodgers take the field, the Stadium

sub-woofers beings to blast out loud “Can’t Stop” by Los Angeles’s own Red Hot Chilli Pepepers,

the Dodgers run out to their positions in the infield and outfield in between the lyirics:

 

“The world I love/

 The tears I drop /

 To be part of /

 The waves can’t stop /

 Ever wonder if it’s all for you!”

 

The scene is so Damn Awesome!!! –and then, I start to think of the people I worked closely with

here at the Stadium who have recently passed away: Frank just before the season started and

James just two days ago, both from cancer.  The baseball field, this sight, they shared it with me

and with so many like me, like so many times before.  I listen to the song . . .

 

“The world I love /

  the trains I hope /

  to be part of /

  the waves can’t stop /

 Come and tell me when it’s time to . . .”       

 

(A moment of silence for Frank and James)

 

Game time means I head to the break room, now-a-days.  The tiny television monitor is showing

the game.  The Padres are up to bat.  Then I ask myself, “Who are the San Diego Padres?” 

Cameron Maybin?  Can this guy help find this teams identity because I don’t think Will Venable is

going to do the trick.  Then I just notice that Haarang has two Padres down on strikeouts.  Tailing

fastball looks nice.  As fast as I eat my Dodger Dog and slam water a courtesy cup of water the third

 Padre batter in a row strikes out. 

 

Break time . . .  Over. 

 

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

My co-worker with the Blue Blush has returned to the Stand but she is on the register outside, to

my dismay.  I really miss her get-it-done work ethic.  But!  I have Stand regular Maribel by my side

to help me deal with a finger pointing assistant manager who takes command from her tiny stool off

to the side of the Stand entrance.

 

I’m working on a Famous Star Burger and out of know where, the assistant calls out to me, “Did you

put pickles in that?”  I’m working on about 12 burgers so I second guess myself and check each

burger to see if I forgot the pickles.  “No, I got pickles in all of them,” I assured her. 

 

“We need turkey burgers,” she says aloud.

 

“Ok.”

 

“And, she adds, “We only have two Double Westerns at the window!”

 

“OK.”

 

While I work, out of the corner of my eye, I keep tabs of her sitting on her stool, watching my

every move.  Out of frustration I complain to my Boss Lady about putting my new favorite worker

out on register when she could be hustling inside the Stand with us.  “That’s because you like her,”

my Bossy Lady Manager insists.  I try to deflect her point of view, “She has a boy friend.”   

 

 

 _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

The game,

Turns out I saw Harang strike out the first three of nine batters in a row.  A Dodger record!  Not

bad for a dude we got from San Diego.  Matt K hit a 2 run homer.  Dodger win four in a row, but we

barely squeeze by 9-8.  Who would have thought they would have such a good start for the season? 

I don’t want to jinx anything so ‘nuff said about that. 

 

84ever

 

 

Dodgers Ted Lilly 0-0 (0.00) versus San Diego Padre Joe Weiland (0-0)

 

I’m late to work. So I hang around the Stand while the rest of the crew goes on their break.

Bossy Lady walks in and catches me writing some notes in my trusty little note book. 

 

“Are you writing about me?”  she asks.

“Yes, I always do”

“About what?”

“About how much I love you.”

 

When I mean by “you”, I also mean everyone.

 

Because today:  Is employee appreciation day at Dodger Stadium!

 

(In my book)

 

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 

 

Looking out from the inside of this plastic box that is my Burger Stand, I watch my entire crew

sitting together enjoying their meals, while batting practice takes place below them on the baseball

field. 

They talk and eat, talk and eat, occasionally smile.  Three years of working with the Ladies of the

Stand, the Fry Guy, I appreciate all of you.

 

 

 

 As mentioned on the Dodger promos and commercial for tonight’s event all in attendance will

receive a tiny commemorative replica cast model of Dodger Stadium to honor 50 years of the

home of our Los Angeles Dodgers.  Perfect for your fireplace mantle or your office cubical, this

little treasure could also pick up about $10, no less, on Ebay. 

 

The other day I was asking myself: Who where the San Diego Padres?

 

What I should be saying is: Who are the Los Angeles Dodgers with this 7-1 start?  I guess they are

the same team as last year without catcher Rod Barajas, SS Jamey Carroll, 2B Rafael Furcal, and

Hiroki Kuroda.  Hopefully their replacements do the job they couldn’t.  Where the heck is Carroll

playing btw?  Guess I better find out . . .

 

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

I just noticed that the Fan Photo people who worked the Stadium the last two seasons are missing

this year.  That means my friend and singer, Jules Sanchez, may be absent.  I hope not.  Whatever

the case I bet he was in line earlier this year, here at the Stadium for the National Anthem try outs,

which means he will be back again singing his big heart out.  Miss you bro.

 

In the Stand,

A Dodger Dog delivery has just arrived.  “45!” cries out the carrier.  That’s right 45 grilled Dogs

delivered.  Unfortunately we don’t make them here.  It’s not in the Burger contract I guess. 

 

While I place the D Dogs out in the a-la-cart window in front of the Stand, I spy, The Vendor with

the Biggest Heart Mr. Mort Rose who is carrying his peanut cart with him to his destination- and

walking very quickly I might add. 

 

There is a new worker in the stand, with 2 game under his belt named Josh, who introduces himself

to me.  He is very affable.  I tell him that I currently am in my 16^th season, maybe even 17^th

season.  I started in 1997 but who’s counting anymore.  His face expresses a tiny bit of amazement. 

I’m thinking he is thinking about my age.  “Yeah, I’m getting old,” I affirm.    He tells me, “I hope we

are busy; It (the game) goes by faster.”  I agree. 

 

It’s Saturday night, 6 o’clock game.  All Saturday games this season are at this time, in fact.  People

are adding up in the Stadium just before the game starts.  It starts to get very busy.  The rest is a

blur. 

 

I notice Dodger vet Ted Lilly just struck out his second opponent in a row.  Nice!

 

“MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP!” is shouted being shouted out as MK goes to bat.  Matt Kemp

answers back with a homer.  The burgeoning crowd gets nutty.   

 

On the silver burger counter where I rule with my spoon and spreader a rhythm is in full effect

tonight:

 

pickles, lettuce, tomato, onion

pickles, lettuce, tomato, onion

pickles, lettuce, tomato, onion

pickles, lettuce, tomato, onion

Over and over . . .

 

“We got lines,” hollers out our Fry Guy. 

 

By the 8^th inning people are still eating.  The Dodgers are up 6-1 thanks to a good start by our Boys

in Blue.  Lilly is back in the rotation and looks strong, calculated.   

 

I step outside for a breath of fresh air and I spot Dodger Vendor Extraordinaire Ronald Nelson and

he tells me: “Someone told me (the Dodgers) started off 9-1 back in 1981 . . . I don’t think I

remember that.”  I couldn’t confirm that one, I told him.  The next minute I was back to work.

 

Back to the rhythm in the Stand:  I wipe the silver prep counter, over and over and over again.  

 

Tired, working at the school during the day all week and the Stadium at night is getting to me this

first homestand but I’ll handle.

 

Matt Kemp hit 2 homers in the game, Ethier hits 1, and Lilly is holding form. 

 

 

Dodgers Win, 6-1, but I’m beat.

 

84ever

 

Go Dodgers!

 

 

 

Sunday @ Dodger Stadium JACKIE

ROBINSON DAY 2012

 

 

Clayton Kershaw 0-0? (0.90) verses Padre Edinson Volquez 0-1 (?ERA?)

 

Vin Scully is back from an illness for this series finale against the Padres, thankfully. 

 

It’s his 63 season in the Dodger media booth, hopefully he doesn’t need to break a sweat after the

flu.  Welcome back.  Just in time for Jackie Robinson Day.

 

 We Love you Vin!!!

 

 _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

 

Peeps from the Stand planned breakfast this morning.  I brought the orange juice.  : )

 

“I had an espresso this morning,” I tell my Boss

“Oh, that’s why you are crazy,” she replies nonchalantly. 

 

Ha! That was a good one.  Little does she know that my ADD is not disability, Duh!

 

I promised my co-worker in the Stand Mari that I would lend her my “Walking Dead” graphic

novels so she could get ahead of the show, so I brought them today.  When I check my bag to show

her the book I realized I brought book 14, 2,3, and 4.  I mistook book 14 for book 1!  Argggggh!!!! 

She told me that she could wait until next home stand.   As my high school student say, “What a

burn.”

 

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 

 

By the time the action on the field gets started the Jackie Robinson tribute on the Dodger Jumbo

Tron is in full swing.  The footage feels so fresh, so tangible.  Every ball player is wearing his jersey

#42 in tribute for J.R’s success and especially to recognize his travails. 

 

So awesome!

 

Making a guest appearance during the ceremony is former Dodger greats, Don Newcombe and

Tommy Davis.  The National Anthem is performed by the 1^st AMG Unity Choir. 

 

They tear it up! 

 

Newcombe looks so cool in his aviator glasses, btw.

 

 

During the game there is no pause for me and the crew.  I hear Kemp homers, I hear Ethier doubles,

and I hear Juan Rivera doubles in a run.  This modest crowd is becoming electrified again. 

 

The song, “It takes two to make a thing go right,” the Dougie Fresh classic always bumps out of the

Stadium speakers when the Dodger defense pulls off a double play.  So Dope!

 

 

The only place I get to hear Vin Scully’s voice is in the Dodger restrooms. The acoustics are

amazing by the urinals.  I’m being honest.  Scully mentions something  about how James Loney,

“Needs toget back on track.” 

 

I see a Shawn Green #15 jersey, nice.

 

Later on, Clayton Kershaw is up to bat and the Stadium Boom Boxes are sounding off the song “We

are young” by the band Fun.  The song goes: “Tonight we are young/ so let’s set the world on fire /

we can burn brighter than the sun.”  It’s my Hamburger Helper, Mari’s ring tone.  Not my personal

favorite however.

 

Speaking of comics, around the 7^th inning, the Dodger Jumbo Tron is going Super Hero.  Select

Dodger players are asked which comic book hero they identify with most. 

 

Here is what they chose: 

-          Matt Kemp, Superman  

-          Scott Elbert, Spiderman

-          Blake Hawkworth, Wolverine

-          Javy Guerra, Popeye

-          Aaron Harang, Spidey

-          Mike MacDougal, Batman

-          Kenley Jansen, Aquaman?  Ha!

-          Tony Gwynn Jr. Superman

And lastly

-     Dee Gordon identifies with the “Incredibles”, Dash

 

 

The game,

 

MK hits another homer, 4^th in the series.  What’s even more awesome is that there was a bizarre

triple play that threw me of guard.  First off, I have never ever witnessed or heard of a triple play

completed by the Dodgers, maybe against us last season though.  From the view I had on the

television monitor in front of the Stand I saw the awkward pitch that started the whole thing.  I

could have sworn that initially it the play seem to be an automatic out because Padre Juan Guzman

didn’t attempt to move out of the way of Guerra’s pitch when he squared up to bunt.  I couldn’t tell

what was going on.  On second thought, I assumed the ball actually hit Guzman’s bat and it went

into automatic play but A.J. Ellis threw to third based to start the 2-5-6-3 triple play!  (Did I get

that right?) 

 

Anyway, we couldn’t quite tell in the Stand when the play went down. 

 

Wowsers!! 

 

By the 9^th the Padres had caught up to the Dodgers.  “Everyone is still here,” Mari says with

surprise, when we approach isle 10 to see the commotion on the field.  The score is 4-4.  Dee

Gordon is up to bat with a man with the bases loaded.  The count is full and then Gordon pokes the

ball over the Padre infield.  The Dodgers rush out of the dugout to surround Gordon and Matt

Kemp is the first one there.

Check it!

 

 

 

Dodgers win, 5-4. 

 

Dodgers record is now 9-1, 6-0 at home. I’ve never seen more wins in a row by the Dodgers but

then again our opponents have been labeled struggling teams even before the season started. 

 

A win, is a win.

 

Wow. . . Nuff said.

Thank you Jackie and welcome back Vin.

 

Time to go home,

 

 

 

  

84ever

 

What up Dog?

 

I'm Doing Twitter

 

- Check me During the Dodger Game.

 My only follower, so far, is the LAFD.

tonyvarela1984@twitter.com

 

Beach Boys performing "Surfer Girl" 4/10/12, Sounded sweet.

 

thanks for sharing the footage ayapapayaJB!

50th Anniversary of Dodger Stadium, Opening Day 2012!

 

Kershaw 0-0, 0.00 ERA vs. Pittsburgh Pirate Correia (?)

 

Today is Opening Day for Dodgers baseball at the Chavez Ravine, the gates open at 10 am to the

 public but the game doesn’t start until 1pm.  Why open up so early while everyone going to the

game is partying at Elysian Park just down the street around the corner. 

 

This is how you get you grill on.

(The pic doesn't do justice because  the entire park looked this way!)

 

Like every Stadium in the nation, this is a huge event for our city. True diehard fans make it a

mission to experience the first HOME game of their favorite team, hoping that the game ends in a

win, as if it’s an predicator to a successful season.  I have heard stories of people going to a Dodger

Opening Day game for over 20 years straight; even if it’s the only game a fan goes to all season

long.  It’s a tradition, a family tradition actually.  Now-a-days it’s a corporate business day on the

Field level but up where I am located on the Reserve level, today belongs to the family and friends

who love the game of baseball. 

 

It’s been more than two, maybe, three years since I worked this annual event due to conflict with

my “real” job.  Not this time.  Things are different around here.  We are going to be slammed in the

Stand today and I’ll be darned if I  leave my crew hanging. 

 

So, I’m here,

 

 

It’s a glorious sunny day shining through the haze. 

 

I sense an easygoing vibe. 

 

The Dodgers are playing the Pirates and not the Giants, after all.  This makes a huge difference.

When I arrive to my beloved Burger Stand, the whole regular Crew was present: the Ladies of the

 Stand and our Fry Guy.  We get the wheels turning right away.  The Dodger fans will overwhelm us

soon.  When the work is done all there is left to do is the waiting for the Beastly appetites to come.

 

   ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

After being pent-up in the Stand for a few hours, Bossy Lady tells me to go,

 

On my break:

 

“GET YOUR FREEEEEE DODGER JERSEY,” cries out the Sparkletts water sales man as I pass. 

 That’s right, the Sparklets guy will give you a free jersey if you sign-up with the service.  As long as

 it’s not Arrowhead, YUCK!

 

The view is the usual, Dodger fans galore.  What I would like to see is a few Pirate fans in the

house.  Everyone is in his or her Dodger blues . . . LA LA LA LA LA LA apparel everywhere you

turn.  Some guy is wearing a #22 Jerry Sands jersey, (already)?  And he is down in the minors at the

 moment- that’s what I call “props.”

 

Near isle 12, I take a look at the Pirates taking batting practice and it seems they got their Los

 Angeles Lakers colors going on, how apropos!  Another woman is actually wearing a LA Clipper hat

 to complement her Dodger T.  Some creative dude is wearing a homemade t-shirt with an image of

Kobe Bryant with a Dodger Ball cap, photo shopped on his head! 

 

Check this dude.

 

This is a Dodger Blue jersey btw, Ha! 

 

What is going on over here?  These fans are creative all of the sudden.  Is basketball making a

 crossover?  I think it was the 90’s group C&C Music Factory that sang, “Things that make you go

 hmmmm.”  Seriously, the new ownership of the Dodgers is definitely “A whole new era of Dodger

Baseball,” as L.A. radio personality Vic the Brick describes  the Guggenheim ownership.  Perhaps

Magic Johnson should brush up on his Dodgers baseball knowledge and read the classic, “How to

Play Baseball” by former director of Dodger scouting Al Campanis.  I actually have my

grandfather’s old copy from 1954, check it out. 

 

 

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

 

People watching from break room perch, isle 14:

(Image of legendary Dodger manager Walter Alston from 1954-1976)

 

 

 

I might have mentioned this before but Andre Ethier’s jersey is hands down, the most popular

jersey or T-shirt for the ladies in this town.  Their favor of him is almost overwhelming. 

 

“The guys like him too,” my co-worker Mari pointed out.  I disagree.  I think the dudes’ rther rock

Kemp threads.  Hey, I spy a Pirate fan with the ultimate jersey. 

 

 

(Thought Bubble) 

Every notice the large groups of guys with the beers in their hands.  I’m talking about individually

LARGE guys, with the LARGE beers.  Mostly Latinos who are packing the poundage, almost like

blue Pac Mans.  Yea, I wouldn’t want to cross them.  Ever notice the packs of ladies with the beers

in their hands.  They are like professional home-girls with some really long fingernails and tight

white jean shorts.  I wouldn’t want to cross them either. 

 

At a day game like this in California, the odds of spotting a guy with a Bermuda hat are 50/50.

 

 I digress. 

 

What I want to highlight are the beautiful people who are here today. 

 

The families,

 

Mother with their grown daughters, Mother with her pre-teen sons, Father with his college age son,

even little babies are making their first appearance today, there are boy friends with their girl

friends, husbands and wives along with their parents, I love to see these wonderful people. 

 

I spy a Lakers-Dodger Blue hat!  Seriously? 

 

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________  

 

By the time I returned to my Stand from break, the Stadium Field Announcer was about to

introduce the legendary, and recently functioning group, the Beach Boys.  I never thought I would

ever see these guys sing together! They sounded great.  But what is the name of that song? Is it

“Surfer Girl”? 

 

Naturally, Tommy Lasorda was provided a shout out where he sat along the 3^rd base line.

 

Next, the Stadium Announcer tells the crowd that the Opening Day ceremony will honor players

 from the 1962 World Series Championship Dodger team. 

 This is a pic of them from a far.

 

Announced in order:

# 12  Tommy Davis of the 1962 team until

# 15 Ken McMullen  (LA Dodgers 1962-1964, 1973-1975)

# 9 Wally Moon  (LA Dodgers 1959-1955)

# 37 Ed Roebuck (Brooklyn/Los Angeles Dodger 1955-1963, 1955 Word Series Champ.

# 16 Ron  Perranoski (Dodgers 196-1967, 1972)

#45 Pete Richert (Dodgers 1962-1964, 1972-1973)

# 34 Norm Sherry (Dodgers 1961-1964)

 #20 Daryl Spenser (Dodgers 1961-1963)

# 57 Stan Williams (Dodgers 1958-1962)

# 30 Maury Wills   Los Angeles Dodgers (1959-1966, 1969-1972)

 

The fans gave Mr. Wills a standing ovation when he was finally announced.  To see all of those men

 stand there was amazing!  I dont know who sang the National Anthem but it was some guy with

Average vocals.  During the NA, the sight of the ceremony was Awesome! 

 

 Notice the Pidgeons flying in near the smoke from the fireworks.

 

 

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

 

The Game,

"Where's Magic?" my Hamburger Helper asked me a few times over.  I didn't have an anwer but

one thing is for sure, he wasn't anywhere to be found.  Hmmmmmmmm?

 

We were busy as bees in the Stand.  I couldn't say that I saw a darn thing, but I did hear the reaction

of the crowd when Dodger right fielder Andre Ethier hit a homer in the 8th to give the Dodgers a

2-1 lead.  The crowd is livid! 

 

Time to go home and marinate my mind on this fresh win!

 

 

 

 

84ever

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

Freeway Series 2012 and Opening Day @ Petco Park

 

 

Freeway Series at Dodger Stadium: Dodger vs. Angeles

 

 

 

Aaron Harang 1-1 3.15 ERA versus Ervin Santana 1-1 2.19 ERA

 

 

Walking through the Stadium Gates at check-in, I’m thinking, “This is my Spring Training.”  Then,

I spy Dodger Vendor Extraordinaire Ronald Nelson who is having a moment to himself.  

 

I genuinly love this man.

 

When I get to my Burger Stand, I find my Bossy Lady is doing some paper work.  I had seen her just

one time during the off-season.  I look around and I notice all of the regular workers are not

present.  Just me and Bossy, tonight.   

 

“What’s up?” I ask her

 

She replies, “I got married.” 

 

(What the . . . . . .?)

 

Her eyes are super-expressive.  I stand for several seconds looking into her face.  She is still

smiling.  She is telling the truth.  And I don’t even know this guy. 

 

I wash my hands with hot water thoroughly.  The dishes need rinsing so I do it.  The food needs to

be prepped so I do it.  When it’s time to assemble burgers, I do it.  I begin by swiping mayonnaise

on the wheat bread for the new turkey burgers but something is not right.   I start to sense myself

working like I am off a step or two.  Like, I still have to find my sea legs.  A tiny bit of anxiety

surfaces. 

 

It’s the pre-season jitters.  

 

 

A little bit later,

 

A couple of guys from the warehouse are taking their break and ask the assistant manager for two

Bacon Western Cheese Burgers.  I am within hearing distance (like three feet) and I start on the

burgers. 

 

“Two Bacon Cheese Burgers, Tony,” (the borrowed) assistant manager lady tells me. 

 

“I’m on it.”

 

Not a few minutes later, a lady from the front office tells the (borrowed) assistant that she would

like “A cheese burger, with only mayo, pickle, and cheese.”  I’m within hearing distance (like 5 feet)

and I start the burgers. 

 

“Tony!” the assistant manager calls out, “A cheese burger with mayo, pickle, and cheese.”

 

“I’m on it.” 

 

Annoyed but, “On it!” I tell her.

 

 

 

Just before the Stadium gates are open.  I see a figure of an elderly man outside of the Stand. 

Thought bubble: “Original Dodger Vender sighting?”  Just outside the a-la-cart window where the

people snatch-up their food, the man I noticed is an elderly African-American man who I have

heard about but never been formally introduced.  I have to seize the moment because I know three

of the four original Dodger Vendors since they arrived to Los Angeles.  I have to be blunt.

 

“Excuse me, Sir,” I say to him, “How long have you been working here?” 

 

With a soft-spoken voice he tells me, “I’ve been here 55 years.”

 

“My name is Tony.”

 

“I’m Leo, pleased to meet you, Tony.”

 

“I would like to talk with you, sir.” I ask him if I could interview him and he said he would love to

talk to me.  Leo continues to grab his food and he was on his way. 

 

Leon!?!  So Cool . . . can’t wait to talk to him. 

 

Once the gates open, the fans start to line-up at the a-la-cart window for their tasty burgers.  Within

my silver table counter, my ingredients are in their proper place, and with a spreading spoon in my

hand, it’s time to get down on the burger line.  Boss Lady provides me with a replacement

 

hamburger helper.  Like good Union employees, we work like a team right off the bat.  While in the

moment doing my duties, I hear a little boy’s voice singing the National Anthem.  The crowd loves

his charisma and showmanship.  His name is Anthony Mercado from Redlands and he is decked out

in a sweet suit.  Good job Anthony!

 

The game goes by like a blur. We are so busy I don’t remember to take my break until the top of the

6^th inning.  From the looks of the Stadium crowd, it seems that there are more people here tonigh

t than there were the final game of the (2011) season.  The beer lines are long as heck.  I spot a

young lady softball player that is rocking a South Pasadena Tiger hood sweater. 

 

The game,

 

The Dodgers are up 1-0.

 

There are a couple of friends wearing rival jerseys: #48 Hunter and #21 Kershaw, it’s on!

 

I walk the out to the concourse to my break room perch. Angel player #8 Kendry Morales is up to

bat and he grounds out.  Nice to see that fellow is playing again.  On the Dodger Jumbo Tron, there

is an image of Bobby Abreu, who is up-to-bat. 

 

Man! 

His face is preposterous on that screen. 

Abnormally huge! 

I’d like to see that in HD and 3-D.

I mean . . . Abreu’s cheeks are huge! 

 

Abreu pic

 

Harang walks Abreu and there are now two men on base.  Two outs and Albert Pujos comes to bat.

Big “Boooos” come from the crowd.  The pitcher balks.  The runners move to 2^nd and 3^rd.  “Shit!”

  The next pitch Pujos whacks a towering (and I mean towering) fly ball that lands at the left field

track, where Tony Gywnn is to catch the ball.  As the ball popped off of Pujos bat it was pretty cool

to hear the collective “Oooooo’s and Awwwee’s” from the crowds.  Out three is recorded, excellent.

  Unbeknownst to me, somehow, the Angels got a run.  Game is tie, 1-1.

 

Out of the Dodger Stadium Speakers an audio of the Beatles, “Come Together!” is jamming to the

delight of the Stadium.  The pitcher Hisanori Tagahashi of the Angles is on the mound.  (Never

heard of him)  I missed it but Juan Rivera gets on base.  Next Adam Kennedy lays down a sacrifice

bunt and Rivera moves to second base.  Justin Sellers is up next.  He pokes a tiny single beyond the

infield and Rivera scores. 

 

Awesomess!

 

Someone shouts out, “Tony!!!”  I turn around and it’s Drew the Jedi Dodger Usher.  “It’s good to be

back in my natural habitat.” He tells me.  On the Dodger Jumbo Tron an unflattering picture of

Dodger new-bee Matt Treanor appears for his at-bat.  “Looks like we got him form Jupiter,” Drew

adds.  Good!  Treanor smacks Tagahashi’s pitch and Dodger pick-up two runs.  We concede that

the game is over. 

 

Dodgers win.  Angels still have our number. The series is tied 1-1.  The Dodger fans will take it after

the beating Pujos and Trumbo gave us last night in Anaheim. 

 

Go Dodgers!

Go Sellers!

Go former Angel, Dodger players 20121

 

84

 

 

 

 

 

Game 3 of the Freeway Series 2012

 

Dodger Evaldi versus C.J. Wilson

 

A woman with long curly hair, Leah Ibarra, sings the National Anthem. When she sings “Red glare”

and “Air” I hear a southern under tones in the vocal.  Then again, I could be completely wrong. 

 

Nice Mattingly Dodger jerseys are starting to appear now a days. 

 

A foul ball tip, zips directly behind home plate and over the protective net, right into the glove of a

young Angel fan.  Everyone who witnessed the catch applause the boy as he hold the ball up for

everyone to see.

 

In the Burger Stand we are prepping a new Turkey Burger so the guys in nice suits from corporate

show up for tonight’s game to see if I got the skills to make what’s on the menu.  “I flew from San

Francisco to see you make this burger,” one of the guys said to me.  I give him a demonstration by

assembling a Turkey burger that is just like the Famous Star is make, just different meat.  Then the

Suit tells me that the order of my ingredients of my burger making is wrong!  What?  No way!?!  All

along I thought it was: pickles, onion, lettuce, tomato.  But no!  It’s: pickles, lettuce, tomatoes, and

then onion.  He wants us workers in the Stand to try it his way.  Looking around “Who’s going to try

it?” he asks the Stand workers.  I volunteer because of who I am: The Main Spoon, in these parts of

the Reserve Level.  As I assembled the new Turkey Burger, the corporate suits watched.  They

approved. 

 

I was under the scrutiny for about 4 innings. Every time I look behind me, the suits where

watching.  If I was close to making a mistake, I was quick to fix it before I had my final burger

product. 

 

 In the end I realized I was official.  .  . I am a corporate bitch.

 

 

 

By the 5^th inning, the Dodgers are down.  Pujos hit a homer I think, again.  It’s my break time. 

Feels like a lazy daisy ball game.  The Dodger scoreboard lists the Los Angeles line-up at the

moment.  The Dodgers are Tim Federowicz, Garcia, Wallach, Nunez, Field, Paisley, Cruz, Angle,

Nieve; when the Dodger announcer announces Blake Smith as the next Dodger batter, one person

cheered him on.  I want to know where is Van Slyke?

 

Who are these guys?

 

They are the future!

 

Our skipper needs to rest the Dodger regulars for tomorrow’s Major League opener against San

Diego Padres at Petco Park.

 

 

 

Dodger lose this one and yet again another Freeway Series against the Los Angeles Angels of

Anaheim.  Oh well . . . the Stadium will be open to the public for free for a viewing of the

Dodger-Padre opening game.  Free parking, free entrance, and 50% off concessions.  I’ll be there. 

 

Go Dodgers

 

84ever

 

 

 

 

Dodger 2012 Open Day of the Season

@

Petco Park (?)

 

 

Clayton Kershaw 0-0 vs. Padres Volquez 0-0

 

Time to start counting games, wins and loses- Fingers crossed.

 

The Stadium is open to the pubic for free to view tonight’s game on the Dodger Jumbo Tron.  The

Field and Loge Level sections of the Stadium will be available for seating.  This is the first time I

have heard of this promotion in 16 seasons. 

 

I like the idea.   

 

Radio personality Vic the Brick was on hand between innings to entertain the crowd and Dodger

great Ron "The Penguin" Cey also mad an apperance.

 

There is a catch to this new program.  My Burger Stand is closed on the Reserve Level.  The crew

and I have been relocated to a Dodger Dog Express stand in the Loge. 

 

Exit Burgers.

 

Enter Dodger Dogs.

 

Check out my creation: A Dodger Dog with Garlic Fries, add spicy mustard and Hunts Ketchup. 

Yum!

 

By the time I was done grilling Dodger Dogs, I was out the door.  It was a slow evening that

underscored a great 1st win for the Dodgers.

 

We got this one.

"It's on like Donkey Kong," some say.

 

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