Kershaw (5-3) 2.95 ERA versus Ricky Nelson (4-0) 3.04
(I smell pitching dual. This is going to be a good game.)
____________________________________________________________________
The day after the fire at Dodger Stadium.
Workers are entering the employee shuttle. A seated woman calls out to another, “How are you doing?”
The other says, “I’m blessed.”
Nuff said.
____________________________________________________________________
Sunday, Viva Los Dodgers is going on in the parking lot just beyond Center Field. The sound of violins and trumpets punctuate the moves of the Ballet Folklorico dancers as they swing side-to-side on the small stage. Meanwhile, Dodger Batting Practice is going down. I go back to the Stand and summons my ambidextrous super powers and slap burgers together with the wonderful people who are my co-workers. I’m really excited this morning because I took a photograph of the LAFD on the scene last night after a fire had broke out on the Top Deck of the Stadium. If you haven’t heard already there was a fire on the Top Deck during the middle of the Dodger game last night. Most of the fans sitting in right field Reserve Level had to be relocated as the LAFP went to work. Eventually the fire was doused by our Awesome Fire Fighters.
Anyway, the picture was rather popular for a second. I guess timing is everything. I brag to my co-workers about the picture without trying to over do it. It not too much of a big deal, after all, they were right next to me when I took it. Cool beans.
________________________________________________________________________
On my break,
As I sit down to write a few notes in the break room. Some woman is talking on her cell phone and then I here her say, “Dear Diary . . .” as if she was providing me a narrative. I could only raise one eye brow at her. I must look pretty conspicuous when I suddenly bring out my little note book and start to jot notes down.
Whatever.
- Some parts of the third base side Reserve Level, there are Buckets that are still catching some remaining water that is dripping from the area the Top Deck Fire had taken place.
It’s another cloudy day in Los Angeles.
-The Jumbo Tron features a Topps Baseball commercial. It’s a Diamond card anniversary promotion. Baseball cards? Baseball cards! Don’t even get me and my buddy Damian started. Since the recent Human Growth Hormone scandal era, all of our coveted baseball cards that were supposed to be our future retirement fund are now nothing more than tainted statistics, masked my smoke and mirrors. Back in the day, Mark McGuire was Damian’s favorite ball player. He had every one of his cards. I on the other hand had all of Sammy Sosa’s baseball cards. We loved these guys. Now, Even my Rafael Palmeiro rookie card has hit the skids, value wise. Well at least my Edgar Martinez Upper Deck Rookie cards might pay out in the future. Damian is still hedging on his Rookie Ken Griffey Jr. rookie cards and so am I.
(I’m not Kidding)
The Jumbo Tron also informs that the Dodger Booster Club participates with the Red Cross Blood Drive, periodically @ redcrossblood.org. Legs are tired. I head to the break room for some table time with the Sports page.
I run into my good buddy Drew the Usher. He is eating a Dodger Dog in the break room. He is taking his first bite. “I’m going to time you,” I told him. Drew can’t reply because he is chowing down, so I step out of the break room with-in a second before Drew can respond. I wait no more than 10 seconds before I walk back into the break room to find that Drew has finish off his Dog.
“Wow! 30 seconds! You ate it in less than thirty seconds!”
Drew was unimpressed with my props. “That’s nothing,” he insists, “: I ate 12 of those things last year at the All-You-Can-Eat Pavilion during the Dodger-Yankee game- three at a time.” You are a beast I told him. “I’m going to break my record in a few weeks,” he tells me. He holds open his arms as to present his large body frame to me as if to champion his bearish physique. Impressive- If not Awesome.
I get to thinking- How long has it been since the Dodgers taken a series?
The Jumbo Tron is featuring a preview to the Summer Blockbuster Green Lantern. Nice!
- The on field announcer says this 10 minutes before every game:
“ . . . She provides the sound track for the Blue Heaven on Earth; she has been here for 24 years- Ladies and Gentlemen, Nancy Bea!” The Jumbo Tron shows our sweet Nancy Bea smiling into the camera, her fingers dance on the organ keys again, the sounds are like a conscience trance of Loftiness. Listening to her play is like seeing the aura of baseball. These day games must illuminate at all MLB stadiums across the nation, just like here at the Ravine. Down below me, the baseball field glows and so does the empty rows of seats that line our Stadium. The people who are walking through the Reserve Level concourse may not realize this but I see it right now, they are immersed in it.
So beautiful.
The new “Wonderful Pistachios” company at the Stadium sponsored sweepstakes winners. Family of Grandfather, Son, and Grandson that won the chance to say hello to everyone in the Stadium on the Field! They all get to watch the game in some sweet seats for tonight’s game. The grandfather is rocking a pitchfork mustache. They look like a rag tag family of true Dodger fans.
Today’s Veteran of the Game has served for 15 years; he has been to 45 countries, including Bosnia in 1996. First serving in the Armey, Technical Sergeant T.D. Wigons later joined that Air Force to eventually fight in Operation Enduring Freedom. The Stadium crowd applauds this fine soldier as he respectfully nods to their collective appreciation.
The Dodger Jumbo Tron then features a montage of vintage footage shows grainy black and white footage of men and women who have served our country. “We remember America’s fallen,” it reads, “Over 1 million lives, we honor their sacrifice, we remember the fallen, and remember their lives.” The images are of real people. I think of my Uncle Al who was a paratrooper during World War II. I think of all of my mother’s cousins who served in Vietnam, only to come back to a place that was not ready or unable to help them with the traumas they endured. I think of my buddy J.C. the Fry Guy who was also a military man himself. I love you my family, if I only knew your stories better.
On Memorial Day, recognize the National Moment of Remembrance at 3:00 pm and observe for a moment, where ever you are, in your own way, “those who have made the ultimate sacrifice with their lives.
The National Anthem is performed by a former American Idol contestant that really knows how to hit then notes, Jules Sanchez. Very nice job.
____________________________________________________________________
The game is rocking our side of the Stand and most of the action is being done by our Boys in Blue. Furcal hits homer. There is a 3rd inning 2 out rally that get the crowds pop locking. The next thing I realize is that Kershaw is keeping a one hitter through the 5th inning. The baseballs are exploding off of the Dodger bats because the 5th inning is the start of another 2 out rally, I believe. This is what our line up should be doing for Peanuts sake!
In the end, the Dodgers have only one error, and Kershaw pitches a 2 hit complete game shut out. The second shut out of his career. 15 hits by the Dodger offense. Best game of his career and best game of the season. Dodgers beat the Marlins 8-0.
Go Dodgers!
84ever
THIS IS JULES I SANG THE ANTHEM...IM ALSO A FANFOTO PHOTOG AT THE STADIUM
Posted by: JULES | 07/15/2011 at 10:46 AM