Tony Varela's Dodger Stadium Blog

This Vato is wearing his Favorite Dodger Jersey.

Oh Yeah!             Fernando Bobblehead Day is in effect.

LA Dodger Cap Give Away Day!

This is a Doyer Dog. Any Questions?

Dollar D Dog Day: Remembering Drysdale and A Rare Comeback Win

 

 

Remembering Don Drysdale

 and

Here Come the Dodger Promotions

 _____________________________________________________________________

Ted Lilly 6-10 (4.83) versus Tom Garzelanny 2-6 (4.07)

 

 

Before the game, a very complex discussion,

 

Damian: Guess what?

 

Me: What?

 

Damian: Every Saturday is Dollar Dodger Dog Day.

 

Me: No way!

 

Damian: Yes way.

 

 

The dungeon under the Stadium is going to fire up some Dogs tonight because there is going to be

 some grubbing a-going on- Yo!

 

________________________________________________________________________

 

 

While in the Stand,

 

Hardly working (jk).  Looking out of the Stand.  I’m thinking whether anyone will claim that

tonight’s attendance is weak. Anyone could mention it.  J.C. the Fry Guy might, a Fan in the waiting

if the beer line, Drew the Usher might, Damian of the Brotherhood might, or maybe not.  Maybe it

now remains unsaid. 

 

Well let’s find out.  How about I walk out to the fringe of the top row of isle 6 and yell out:

 

“Can everyone hear me!

 

(nobody in their seats notice)

 

“Can everyone hear me!!

 

(heads start to turn)

 

“I – can’t – HEEAR – you!!!

 

(heads start to turn)

 

“CAN every-body hear me!!!!

 

(heads are turning with the echo of the sound)

 

“Because I HAVE a question!!!

 

“Is it a weak night, TONIGHT!!

 

“IS IT???!!!

 

(No RESPONSE)

 

“Well GUESS WHAT!!!!???

 

“I, SAY!!!!

 

“NO - IT‘S - NOT!!!!!

 

“LET’S SAY IT TOGETHEER!!!!

 

“GO DODGERS!!!!!, so loud that the vain across the middle of my forehead gets so large that I am

 embarrassed afterward.  But, that would be crazy insane.

 

(I digress)  It’s slow tonight.

________________________________________________________________________

                            

                              

The real question in the Stand tonight is: Does anyone know that tonight is Dollar Dodger Dog

 Night? 

 

At first, people approached our al la cart widow at the Stand and hesitated about their choice of

junk food for a second.  (I have to do something)

 

“It’s Dollar Dodger Dog Day everyone!” I yelled out of my kitchen cubical. 

 

The family I said this too gave me, maybe, one full second of attention.  Then they browsed the

hamburgers, pointed at the prices above, looked back down at the food selection, and then they

finally grabbed about 6 or 7 Dodger Dogs.  (“That will be $7 Please,” the Cashier tells them) Good

choice my people. 

 

Got to get to get the word out, right?  Dollar D Dogs, every Saturday game- And to think that this

promotion was only scheduled for 1 Day in the Dodger Calendar of events. 

 

Wowsers!

 

Now no one will eat burgers on Saturdays.

 

 

On break the pre game business is going down,

 

The Dodger Field Announcer introduces the winners of the National Congressional Art

Competition from the 31^st District.  On hand is Congress man Javier Becerra to present First

place winner is future Cal State L.A. student Brenda Barajas for her art piece “Yesterday’s Heroes

in You”; next to her is second place winner Henrietta de la Cruz of Highland Park who is off to U.C.

 Berkeley.  The Dodger Jumbo Tron presents everyone a view of their work which is really great

stuff.  A three dimensional historical personal piece and an abstract color mosaic of humanity, in

my point of view by the former and later artists.  Great job. 

 

The Veteran of the Game, a Marine for 4 years and subsequently joining the National Guard

for 4 more years while stationed in Bahrain and Okinawa, is the humble and proud Omar Caro.

  This year, Omar is working his first year as a part of the Dodger Security team.  On the Dodger

Jumbo Tron, he looks like a modest old soul.  I envy this guy.

 

The National Anthem song is by Kimberly Locke who has an R&B tinged album right now on

Amazon.  One of the entertainment savvy Ladies of our Stand tells me Kimberly was once a

contestant in American Idol years ago.  Nice job.             

 

 

 

 

On the way back to the Stand, the Dodger Vision screen lights-up and it reads

“Dodger Legends.” Blasting out of the Stadium speakers are a few familiar voices, We hear Ricky

 Monday, Vin Scully, Brooks Robinson talking about Don Drysdale.  Tonight Dodger Stadium one

of my favorite Dodger players, Don Drysdale.  I wasn’t aware until the moment that this day is his

75^th Birthday.  In honor of Don Drysdale, “The Big D from Van Nuys,” whom Van Nuys High

School baseball field is now named after the Big Man himself. Don Drysdale, my favorite play by

play guy next to Vin Scully as far as I can remember, back-in-the-day my Mother would blast her

car radio as  Drysdale called play-by-play during Dodger games, while we raced around Los Angeles

in her old Raider Bug like it was nobody’s business.  On the Dodger Vision, the voices tell us about

Drysdale’s 58 scoreless innings, his rein as a dominating and intimidating three-time World Series

Championship winner, and of course his formidable tower of power delivery on the mound, second

to Sandy Kofax himself.  I only remember him as a Dodger Sports Announcer. 

 

The Dodger Vision tribute also shows Don making television appearances on the Bob Hope hosted

 program and the Brady Bunch, at the height of his popularity.  Ann-Myers Drysdale spoke and

their sons, D.J. and Darren Drysdale are on the field to thank the Dodger organization for

recognizing Drysdale’s 75 birthday.  “Don Drysdale, the last to play in Brooklyn,” the Field

Announcer says in a voice over.   

 

What a sweet tribute.

 

 

 

During the game, the Dodgers get knocked around but the Dodgers don’t go down like bowling

pins.  Nope, we make a comeback, which is probably the best effort I have heard and seen all year

long.

 

The fans eat like crazy.  Dollar Dodger Dogs get swallowed whole it seemed because there were

plenty of repeat offenders, eating us workers out of the Stand. 

Dodgers Win and in the Stand we hardly broke a sweat flipping a Burger.

 

Great win. 

 

84’           

A "Happy" Blog

Hiroki Kuroda 6-11 (3.13) vs. Washington Nationals John Lannan 6-6

 

First game of the home stand #8.

 

In the Stand, the Assistant to Boss Lady who I call Jazzy Poo is slouched in her chair next to the walk-in cooler.  She has a gloomy little rain cloud over her head.  Not a chance for a smile.  (I have to help her!)  I ask her what is wrong.  “Are you sleepy,” I ask, “Are you sad?”  She replies, “No” and just shrugs off my genuine concern. 

 

I’m thinking: “Hmmmm. . . .”

 

A light bulb the size of a basket ball pops-up above my head: I got an idea!

 

The rest of the Stand employees take notice because I call her out with some exaggerated enthusiasm, “Jazz! Listen, I know how to make you feel better.  You will have to do what I say. Whatever is on your mind; I want you to write one word that is making you feel the way you do right now on this piece of paper.   Then I want you to fold it up ( and do not show it to anybody) and throw it away- You’ll feel better after!”

 

“Ok,” she tells me.   

 

So Jazz writes her “word” on the tiny piece of paper that I handed to her.  She gives it to me and I throw it in the waste paper basket near by.  I say to her, “You’ll feel better now.”

 

“Ok,” she says.  OK?  (I doubt it)  Not a glimmer of a smile and she is still sitting in her chair with very little energy.  How can such a pretty girl not glow like she should?  My plan is not going to work. 

 

Later, I go through the trash to see what she wrote.  (Yeah I’m a trash digger)

 

I open the piece of paper and it reads: “happy.”  She misunderstood me because I was expecting her to write the something quite the opposite, like migraine or sad. While I scratch my head, I’m  thinking, “Am I in Superman’s Bizzaro world where every thing is backwards,” because Jazz was supposed to write the opposite!  Anyway, I grab some scotch tape from Boss Ladies tiny table and I post Jazzy Poo’s tiny piece of “happy” paper on the wall above the sink where we all wash our hands and I show her where it is. 

 

She smiles.  Not word, but she smiles. 

 

Nuff said.

 

“It is kind of tuff getting back into the groove of things (on the Burger Line),” I tell my buddy, J.C. the Fry Guy.  He sees my point but he may not feel the same way because the dude is going through the motions like a machine.  It’s a good thing that a good work ethics is contagious.  So Mari, the Wedding Planner, is back on the line with me slapping burgers together and then I remember the insult she hit me with the last time we worked together.  I said to her then, “Hey do you remember when Paulie Shore was super funny?”  Her reply was, “I don’t know, I’m not that old.”  OUCH!  I reminded her and told her she is kind-a lame for not having the chance to enjoy Paulie Shore’s masterpiece “Encino Man” because she is soooo much younger than me. 

 

Like a total Valley Girl she replies, “Whatever.”

 

I go on to tell her that I’m not going to speak to her because she insulted me that bad. 

 

“Good that’s better for me,” She tells me.

 

“OOOOO!  OK! Now I’m not going to shut-up.” I rephrased.  And I didn’t.  I also made sure her hamburger making experience with me on the line was intolerable with my continual smart-alec remarks and poignant criticisms of her poor hamburger making skills.  This’ll show her for calling me old and dissing my favorite Paulie Shore comedy.   

 

“You guys fight like a married couple,” Jazzy Poo tells us.  She is already married. 

 

Once the initial Burgers were fed in the a la carte slots of the Stand for the fans to retrieve “Go to break,” Jazzy ordered and I was on . . . my . . . way. 

 

________________________________________________________________________

 

At my break room perch,

 

Dodger Field Announcer is getting the vocal cords warmed up and Nancy Bea’s fingers are dancing on the organ keys like so many times before.  On the baseball field representatives from the Kaiser Permanent “Thrive” program is being recognized for their efforts to inform the pubic about “Exercise and Fitness, Cooking and Eating, Healthy Kids, and the many aspect of Mind, Body, and Spirit.”  Check it out at thirvewithkp.org.   

 

The Antioch Long Beach International Conference is also in the house according to the Jumbo Tron.  Who are they?

 

Next,

 

The Dodger Field Announcer introduces Veteran of the Game, 1^st Lieutenant Scott Hendrickson, a Purple Heart recipient who has just recently returned to the States from Kandahar. He is wearing camouflage fatigues and cap. Upon his introduction, Lt. Hendrickson receives a huge applause from the fans.  It was Awesome.

 

Since it is the first day back and beginning of the 8^th  Dodger homestand I remember to go find my good buddy Drew the Usher at the entrance to the Section 22 seats (Reserve Level of course) and catch up with him for a bit.  He tells me things are good and the next moment the “National Anthem” is about to begin.  The Dodger Field Announcer introduces a man named Joshua Creek, who will perform the National Anthem as a representative of tonight’s “Annual Mormon Community Night” at Dodger Stadium.  Wow, this explains the big crowd.  A few seconds into Joshua Creed and the two other fellas, who are by his side singing the NA into the mics, I realize that most of tonight’s decent crowd is the populace of the Mormon faith.   Just then, I notice a woman who stops in her tracks near the entrance (as if to not disturb the performance) and then I ask her “Are you Mormon?” 

 

She tells me “Yes.” 

 

“What church are you with”? I inquired.

 

“The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.” She tells me.  I try to write this information down in my trusty note pad and she makes sure that my sloppy writing is succinct.  Because she seemed to make sure I was correct with the details I introduce myself.  I tell her I want to write about tonight in the blog.  I introduce myself, as I should, and she tells me, “I am Shianne.”  I didn’t know how to spell “Shianne” so she corrected me while I wrote and then she told me her last name, which was easier to spell.  Pretty Cool fan.  The next second, with a hint of sarcasm, Drew the Usher says to me, in (front of my new spell-checking acquaintance) “Wow your are giving autographs now.” 

 

Yeah right, for being a Burger maker and annoying co-worker.  I tell Drew that was unnecessary, but funny. 

 

The ceremonial first pitch of the game is thrown down the pipe for a strike by a man named Quinton L. Cook, had a nice little wined-up before the throw.    

 

Still on my break, I hear the Dodger Field Announcer mention Jason Werth as one of the starting outfielders for the Nationals.  I think to myself: who remembers Jason Werth as a Dodger anymore?  What a shame . . . I use to like him in LA.

 

I see a girl with a LA Dodger “Pink” T-shit that reads: “Stirke ‘Em Out”

 

I see a man and woman wearing San Francisco Giant jerseys- the guy has a custom made World Series Champion patch on his sleeve. They look like they are related.  Momma Pumkinhead and Pumpkin head Jr.  Why are these two flashy people at a Dodgers/National game? 

Show offs . . . . 

 

I seed a Dodger Dad walking with his to little girls, the father holding the eldest hand and the eldest clinging on to her trailing little sister.  They pace off quickly like ducks in Echo Park lake. 

 

I see two pregnant women friends who are about to be due anytime next month- OH!  A third Momma-to-be just passed by . . . Future Dodger fans getting an early start, hee hee

 

Kuroda is about to take the mound and I can’t stop thinking of his 3.14 ERA.  I am utterly baffled at his win loss record, still.

 

A huge family passes by, they look like Japanese tourists. 

 

Before I return to my Stand a gentle man approaches me and tells me, “It’s been a long while since I have been here (at the Stadium); Do you still sell hot dogs and peanuts?”

 

“Yes, I tell him, right to your left.”  I point to the direction of the Doyer Dogs Stand

 

“How much does it cost?” He asks.

 

I tell him, “The peanuts cost 5 Dollars, and the Dodger Dog cost 5 Dollars,” and the next moment the guy kind of flinches and walks off.  Wow, did I say something wrong?  I don’t blame him I wouldn’t want to hear my 40 dollar calculations for a D Dog, a coke, a peanuts, and a (you fill in the blank), either. 

 

 _______________________________________________________________________

  

Back in the Stand,

The game is typically slow paced with Kuroda on the mound. 

The Nationals strike first.  The Dodgers make a small comeback.  National up 3-2. 

Not much happens with the Dodger offense. 

During the shift, I argue with the rest of the Ladies of the Stand like I’m married to them.  “You don’t need a girl friend," Mari the Wedding Planner tells me, you have "girl friends."  Then why do I still feel like Single Dad, Lonely Dad.  Hmmm, I think I'll write a comic about it in the off season.  I like the sound of that.  Echo PArk Comixs presents, "Single Dad, Lonely Dad." 

Nice

 

During the 7th inning stretch I hear the loudest Stadium Fan filled vocal of “God Bless America” like I have never heard it before in this place.  The people sang LOUD.

 

Around the 8^th inning the Dodger Jumbo Tron features television and movie star, Alyssa Milano in some sweet Club seats.  The crowd recognize her with an applause as she waves to the masses.  Then Alyssa stands up and low and behold he is pregnant too.  She is rocking a top with a huge upper body length LA symbol right on her large belly and points to her future Dodger fan.  The guys and I start to talk about her movie “Commando” with Arnold Schwartzenagger.  Mari apparently hasn’t seen “Commando” either. 

 

In the 9^th inning, the Nationals smack in some more runs for a for-sure win.  I’m disgusted. 

 

So I grab a small piece of paper, I write a very specific word on it, roll it up, and toss it into the trash can.  I hope what I wrote goes away.   

 

13 ½ games out. 

 

 Kuroda still did a good job tonight.

 

Nuff said.

 

84 

   

   

A Great Win and Dedication

 

 

(A Late blog is like a Day old Dodger Dog, not fresh, Sorry : )

 

 

Chad Billingsley 7-7 (4.15) versus San Diego Padre Matt Latos 5-9 (4.26)

 

 _____________________________________________________________________

 

 

The cool news in the Stand is that there is some wedding planning going on.  One of the Ladies of the Stand is tying the knot.  It a BIG deal!  Today’s Chavez Ravine family matters.  Just like the ghosts of our past.  The celebration continues.  The story continues. 

 

Not to long ago my Stand peeps and I were all invited to a quinceanera thrown by our very own (sweet) cashier.  It was a family gathering by association not by blood but grounded by our places at the Ravine.

 

 I’m thinking of this Stadium. 

 

Here, we all have a reason to celebrate, Life. 

 

The past: I’m thinking of faces that I had never seen and the names that I never may know that belong to the beautiful people before the Dodger Stadium.  The residence of Chavez Ravine.   

 

The present: I see the faces that appear every game night and Sunday and I might learn a name from one of these beautiful people at Dodger Stadium.  All of you eyes and foot steps overwhelm me. All of you people.  

 

The Hand with Needle and the Thread,

And the tapestry of your stories unite us,

Everyone is Family at Dodger Stadium. 

 

We all share a moment together, Here- from Everywhere.   

 

The families of Chavez Ravine, now and forever.

 

 

 _____________________________________________________________________

 

        

 On my break,

 

Just before pre-game ceremony,

 

Located in shallow center field there is number of youth assembled in their little league baseball uniforms.   Over the Dodger Ghetto Blasters, the Dodger Field Announcer begins to introduce the teams separately in his usual flashy “Price-is-Right” intro baritone, “Ladies and Gentlemen I would like to bring your attention to the 2011 All-Star teams representing the Little League Baseball from the 18^th District:  The El Monte Nationals, Temple City, South El Monte Nationals, Alhambra Nationals, Alhambra America, North East Los Angeles, Temple City America,” I think that was all of them. 

 

While each city team is announced, one could hear pockets of rousing fans from different parts of the Stadium cheer for their respective team. These sounds are the proud parents of these fine ball players.   

 

Little league families are in the hizzy tonight!  Next, the Field Announcer wishes the teams “Good Luck” on their voyage toward the Little League World Series Tournament. 

 

Pretty Awesome!

 

Looking around the Stadium Concourse, where I am on the Reserve Level, I couldn’t help but notice the scores of families that are in attendance.  There are a number of youth dressed in their team apparel.  A couple of girls with their softball gear are checking out the scene below.  Love seeing this stuff.

 

 

 

 

Sergeant John Scott, a Santa Monica College graduate and soldier who has battled terrorist cells in the most dangerous regions in the world.  He is a recipient of a redeployment ribbon and is here today to represent our men and women over seas.

 

Singing the National Anthem is a participant in the show “The Voice,” Lily Elise.  She can definitely hold some wind, good job. 

 

Next,

 

The honors of the ceremonial first pitch of the game is give to a man by the man of Barry Weiss, an older fellow with gray hair and with some tinted shades on his dome, the Field Announcer tells the crowd he is a star in the show “Storage Wars.”  So this guy goes to the mound and throws the ball in the dirt.  It was the lamest attempt I have ever scene.  The guy walks away, and shrugs as if he doesn’t care.  What?!!!  Now this guy to me is officially the epitome of wackness.  What a jack-ass.  Nuff said. 

 

Gotta keep the good vibe.

 

 

-         During the Padre player introduction, Orlando Hudson is acknowledged.  I like “Ol’ Dog.”  To bad he had that O’l take-it-or-leave-it attitude.

 

-         The lead off hitter for the Padres Will Venebal gets a single to drop in center field.  Seriously, I was totally amazed S.D is still giving this guy a chance.  Oh well.

 

-         J.C. the Doyer Dog Stand manager comes up to tell me that Andre Ethier has been invited to the All-Star Game in Arizona.  Looks like our boy is going back home!

 

-         I see a fan with a #29 Beltre jersey.  

 

-         The soft ball girls in their knee high striped socks are still present, getting their gander on.  Makes me think I better get my own girls to start throwing the baseball more often.

 

 

 

 

 

In the Stand the crew is taking care of business.  There is a better than average attendance tonight.  Little League family patrons combined with the average Dodger fan makes for flipping a bunch of burgers. 

 

Last nights combined shut-out game (I lost my blog notes for this one) pitched by our future star Rubby de la Rosa was a gem and now Chad B. is cruising through the 8^th inning with a 1-0 lead- a typical Dodger lead.  The Little League Ballers are hungry because I’m still flipping burgers until the 9^th.  We clean up good in the Stand and all of the silver is shiny. 

 

Damian stops by the Stand and he tells me that our new closer Javi Guerra has the bases loaded with zero outs.  Billingsley shut out win is in jeopardy.  I tell Boss Lady that I’m gonna check out the game with my homie.  Amazingly, Guerra gets out of the wicked little jam that he dug for himself with back-to-back strike outs and a line-out. 

 

The Dodgers win. 

 

The crowd goes crazy. 

 

What can I say, Awesome win.

 

That’s three shut-outs in the row.

 

Who’s in last place now?

 

 

Do your best- Go Dodgers!

 

 

84’        

 

 

 

 

Chad Billingsley 7-7 (4.15) versus Matt Latos 5-9 (4.26)

 

 

 

 

The cool news in the Stand is that there is some wedding planning going on.  One of the Ladies of the Stand is tying the knot.  It a BIG deal!  Today’s Chavez Ravine family matters.  Just like the ghosts of our past.  The celebration continues.  The story continues. 

 

Not to long ago my Stand peeps and I were all invited to a quinceanera thrown by our very own (sweet) cashier.  It was a family gathering by association not by blood but grounded by our places at the Ravine.

 

 I’m thinking of this Stadium. 

 

Here, we all have a reason to celebrate, Life. 

 

The past: I’m thinking of faces that I had never seen and the names that I never may know that belong to the beautiful people before the Dodger Stadium.  The residence of Chavez Ravine.   

 

The present: I see the faces that appear every game night and Sunday and I might learn a name from one of these beautiful people at Dodger Stadium.  All of you eyes and foot steps overwhelm me. All of you people.  

 

The Hand with Needle and the Thread,

And the tapestry of your stories unit us,

Everyone is Family at Dodger Stadium. 

 

We all share a moment together, Here- from Everywhere.   

 

The families of Chavez Ravine, forever.

 

 

 

 

        

 

 

On my break,

 

Just before pre-game ceremony,

 

Located in shallow center field there is number of youth assembled in their little league baseball uniforms.   Over the Dodger Ghetto Blasters, the Dodger Field Announcer begins to introduce the teams separately in his usual flashy “Price-is-Right” intro baritone, “Ladies and Gentlemen I would like to bring your attention to the 2011 All-Star teams representing the Little League Baseball from the 18^th District:  The El Monte Nationals, Temple City, South El Monte Nationals, Alhambra Nationals, Alhambra America, North East Los Angeles, Temple City America,” I think that was all of them. 

 

While each city team is announced, one could hear pockets of rousing fans from different parts of the Stadium cheer for their respective team. These sounds are the proud parents of these fine ball players.   

 

Little league families are in the hizzy tonight!  Next, the Field Announcer wishes the teams “Good Luck” on their voyage toward the Little League World Series Tournament. 

 

Pretty Awesome!

 

Looking around the Stadium Concourse, where I am on the Reserve Level, I couldn’t help but notice the scores of families that are in attendance.  There are a number of youth dressed in their team apparel.  A couple of girls with their softball gear are checking out the scene below.  Love seeing this stuff.

 

 

 

 

Sergeant John Scott, a Santa Monica College graduate and soldier who has battled terrorist cells in the most dangerous regions in the world.  He is a recipient of a redeployment ribbon and is here today to represent our men and women over seas.

 

Singing the National Anthem is a participant in the show “The Voice,” Lily Elise.  She can definitely hold some wind, good job. 

 

Next,

 

The honors of the ceremonial first pitch of the game is give to a man by the man of Barry Weiss, an older fellow with gray hair and with some tinted shades on his dome, the Field Announcer tells the crowd he is a star in the show “Storage Wars.”  So this guy goes to the mound and throws the ball in the dirt.  It was the lamest attempt I have ever scene.  The guy walks away, and shrugs as if he doesn’t care.  What?!!!  Now this guy to me is officially the epitome of wackness.  What a jack-ass.  Nuff said. 

 

Gotta keep the good vibe.

 

 

-         During the Padre player introduction, Orlando Hudson is acknowledged.  I like “Ol’ Dog.”  To bad he had that O’l take-it-or-leave-it attitude.

 

-         The lead off hitter for the Padres Will Venebal gets a single to drop in center field.  Seriously, I was totally amazed S.D is still giving this guy a chance.  Oh well.

 

-         J.C. the Doyer Dog Stand manager comes up to tell me that Andre Ethier has been invited to the All-Star Game in Arizona.  Looks like our boy is going back home!

 

-         I see a fan with a #29 Beltre jersey.  

 

-         The soft ball girls in their knee high striped socks are still present, getting their gander on.  Makes me think I better get my own girls to start throwing the baseball more often.

 

 

 

 

 

In the Stand the crew is taking care of business.  There is a better than average attendance tonight.  Little League family patrons combined with the average Dodger fan makes for flipping a bunch of burgers. 

 

Last nights combined shut-out game (I lost my blog notes for this one) pitched by our future star Rubby de la Rosa was a gem and now Chad B. is cruising through the 8^th inning with a 1-0 lead- a typical Dodger lead.  The Little League Ballers are hungry because I’m still flipping burgers until the 9^th.  We clean up good in the Stand and all of the silver is shiny. 

 

Damian stops by the Stand and he tells me that our new closer Javi Guerra has the bases loaded with zero outs.  Billingsley shut out win is in jeopardy.  I tell Boss Lady that I’m gonna check out the game with my homie.  Amazingly, Guerra gets out of the wicked little jam that he dug for himself with back-to-back strike outs and a line-out. 

 

The Dodgers win. 

 

The crowd goes crazy. 

 

What can I say, Awesome win.

 

That’s three shut-outs in the row.

 

Who’s in last place now?

 

 

Do your best- Go Dodgers!

 

 

84’        

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

WORD UP! Ethier Bobble Head Night 2011

 

 

Clayton Kershaw 8-4 (3.23) versus Dillon Dee 8-2 (3.47)

 

 

Dodgers lose 5 games in the row.  I’m thinking they are going to take this one because we always manage to sneak in at least on win in a series. 

 

Besides Kershaw is pitching tonight. 

 

 

 

 

In the Stand, before game time,

 

The Ladies are gone to break talking there chismes and I am by my lonesome ready and willing to make the special orders for my hungry co-workers that come from the many different places in the Stadium to get the burger just the way they like it made.  They come individually, sometimes in groups, sometimes a person with an order for another, and at the counter I will be waiting, ready to create exactly what they want.

 

As usual, I start to do the prep, and feed the patties in the conveyer belt that carries the food into its belly of fire.  The flames started to rise higher as the fire strikes the frozen burger.  Like in the cartoons, the Broiler becomes animated starts to heave in and out.  It convulses as it spits out the patties and blows out the burger buns from its nose.  I think it’s giving me an attitude problem

 

I yell, “Calm the Fµ©& down!”

 

The broiler doesn’t listen so I just go along as I always do and fed more patties into it and more buns into it despite its behavior. 

 

“Don’t be mad at me,” I told it, “I’m just doing my job.”

 

 

 

The Dodger fans are flowing in through the gates.  They want their Ethier BH in their possession. 

 

The fans are here in Full Force baby!

 

One lady is fumbling the three BH boxes in her arms.  

 

It’s hard to get around the Reserve Concourse

 

Ha!  There is a Met fan with a Lenny Dykstra #4 jersey- Now that is a true NYer.

The more I get to serve and speak with these Met fans, the more I see their New Jersey/Shae Stadium roots shine through.  I much rather see these folks that their wacked Yankee counterparts.

 

On the baseball field, representative from the City of Gardena are in the house. These people include a Pasture, a Police Chief, a Special Olympics Coach (I think his name is Greg Horn), and some other fella paid by the Gardena tax payers. 

 

The vato cholos are well behaved- no long stares or trouble making, just love for the game.  I like that.  The rest of the Dodger Blue fans are busy, busy getting their expensive food and drink on.  They want to see the Dodgers win.

 

 

Veteran of the Game is EOCS Keith Boyd.  This mans storied career includes 13 deployments, a hand in Operation Iraqi Freedom, 2 tours in Afghanistan, Kuwait, Guam, Okinawa, and may other places in the world.  Being a parent and a prominent figure in the military since 1987, he says that the real “Heroes” are the children of the parents serving in the military because they “make the ultimate sacrifice” of going about their lives while their family are else where.   “It breaks his heart,” Boyd says, but he is adamant about our military kids and wives and husbands and extended family- they are the REAL heroes. 

 

 

 

The Dodger Field Announcer calls everyone’s attention to the Dodger Vision screen. 

Hall of Fame Manager Dick Williams who lead the Red Sox to the Major League Pennant and the Oakland Athletics to back-to-back World Series titles had padded away.  Williams a one time Dodger player was a tuff nosed coach who demanded the respect of the game from all of his players.  As Tommy Lasorda put it, “ Once a Dodger always a Dodger.”  The Announcer asks for a moment of Stadium moment of silence.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 “Thank you.”

A strong applause followed.

 

 

Following this sad news, the National Anthem is performed by the winner of the television program “The Voice” Javier Colon, who with guitar in hand, sang a hearty felt song as he strummed simple cords.  The crowd loved it. 

 

Kershaw is pitching great tonight thus solidifying his deserving spot in this years 2011 All Star Game.  8 shout out innings, The Dodgers are roping the ball into the gaps, and finally Dodgers shut out the lowly Mets.  Gwynn look great too.

 

Just looking at all of the enthusiastic fans, I could this group loved this performance, they love Andre Ethier, All Star or not, we don’t want him to ever leave Los Angeles.

 

 

Go Dodgers!

 

84

The Def. of a Shutout: Clayton Kershaw- Dodger 6-0 over the Mets.

 

Andre Ethier Bobblehead Night 2010.

The Def. of a Shut Out: Dodger Offense

 

 

 Ted Lilly versus some Met Pitcher

 

It’s a super low attendance at the Stadium tonight.  It’s definitely a hang over from last nights 4^th of

 July game.  I’m with my manager in the Stand, out of thin air she begins to talk to me about

 relationships. The red lights in my brain start to flash on and off, I can hear the recurrent horns

because my “Relationship Talk” alarm is sounding off.  “Come over here I want to hear what

you have to say?” she tells me.  I respectfully, if not reluctantly, listen and give her my most expert

opinion about “What I think.”  Then she goes on to talk, and talk, and talk, while I forcefully tame

my focus to take in every word.  I tell her, if I could, I would open the door of one of the chambers

in my mind and make some comparisons related to her experience from my last relationship BUT

I’m not going to go there.  Still I painfully do my best to give her my best advice- What are friends

for.

 

 

 

Break time and Pre- game ceremony,

 

Veteran of the Game is Sergeant 1^st Class Jesse Lopez who is a California native and True Blue fan

who graduated from South Gate High School in 1997.  With the Army, Sergeant Lopez served in

Operation Iraqi Freedom with the responsibilities of rifle team leader and Platoon Sergeant.  He is a

recipient of two brown stars and has earned the 2009 Sergeant Murphy award which is only

accomplished by 1% of his class.  Lopez received a very energetic applause for such a mild

attendance.  Nice.

 

14 year old Ellie Smith is back again to sing the National Anthem.  Now-a-days young Ellie is

credited with performing in the theatrical play the Secret Garden, Le Miserable, and staring in the

production of Annie.  With a powerful semi-country like falsetto, Ellie belted out the song with the

heart of a lion.  The crowd, along with me was taken back by her vocal skills.  Bravo!  Wow I

remember when she was just 11 years old belting out the National Anthem back-in-the-day. 

Totally Awesome job, I love to see Ellie shine.

 

Walking around the stadium I see a party of people walking to their seats, the EJ Jackson

Foundation is in the house tonight.  I think I can tell who the leader or organizer of the group is and

he seems to be proud.  Right on!

 

The Dodger Field Announcer announces the ceremonial first pitch of the game and low and behold

it’s Jean Simmons from the rock Super Star band KISS.  I hurry to check him out in action.  As he

walks to the mound the Stadium Ghetto Blasters is jamming “I Wanna Rock n’ Roll All Night and

Party Everyday!”  What a sick intro!  So Jean Simmons posts right at the top of the rubber, he

wineds up to pitch but holds on to the ball for at least 3 long seconds, before stepping into the

throw and to everyone in the Stadiums surprise, he delivers a strike down-the-pipe to Jamie Carroll

behind home plate.  He pumps his arm and walks over to Carroll who gives him the ball.  Very

entertaining.

 

After the 1^st Pitch Damian tells me that his co-worker was actually in the Stadium elevator with

Jean Simmons (of Kiss the band fame) while the elevator was making its way to the Filed Level.   

There was some music playing that wasn’t Simmons taste so he pretends to have a shot gun in his

hands and he then acts as if to pump his imaginary gun and shoot the elevator speakers.  Then,

according to Damian’s source, the elevator attendant says to Mr. Simmons, “We get a lot of

complaints about the music.” 

 

Ha!

 

 

 

The game,

 

After steering the ship for a good 5 ½  innings I finally take a ten minute break and head off to the

break room perch.  I notice the Mets fans seem to be sticking out way more with their NY hats

around here.  I kind of like these buggers, they like their baseball team heartily. 

 

The vibe is good. 

 

 

On the field the Dodgers are making it happen.  Ethier, Kemp, and I think Miles are on the base

pads- Bases loaded.  The crowd is aching to see some runs to come if for the Dodgers, Uribe is on

the hook.  With a 2-2 count Juan smacks a long line drive straight to the Met center fielder and the

air of hope and excitement is quickly deflated from the Dodger experience.  “AWWWWW!” never

had so much meaning.

 

Next, the Dodger Jumbo Tron starts the “Kiss Cam” entertainment.  Stadium camera men focus on

random couple and pressure of the moment initiates a kiss  while they are show on the Big screen.   

The crowds laughs at the surprised people who warrant a kiss but the Kiss Cam feels to me like a big

ploy to keep our thoughts of the Dodgers to be less disappointing. 

 

Dodgers lose and we get shut out again- Stupid kiss cam, stupid relationships, stupid, stupid,

stupid. 

 

84

No Bandwagoners Here Tonight

From the Break Room Perch: The die hard LA baseball Fans