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04/07/2012
Before the Magic: UCLA Hat Night @ Dodger Stadium 2011 and Final Game of 2011
UCLA Dodger Hat Night @ Dodger Stadium 2011
Clayton Kershaw 19-5 (2.58) versus Tim Lincecum 13-15 (2.30)
Thought bubble: This could be the best game of the year!
Dodgers are back at a .500 record. Cy Young Award on the line. And ten games out of first place.
HOWEVER, there is a bright side to all of this at least . . . Dodgers can help spoil any chances of the
Giants getting in the playoffs.
: )
The UCLA Alumni Band is playing the standards right in front of the Home Plate backstop.
Drew the Usher walks up to me and says, “I think it’s not fair, there was not even an alumni band
for USC (Dodger Hat Night).” I’m indifferent really. The only reason I cheer for UCLA is that my
Uncle Michael Rivera was a back-up quarterback for the Bruins in the 60’s.
The Dodger Score Board reads: “The Dodgers would like to salute our loyal season ticket holders.”
Names of these ticket holders with 45+ years are featured on the giant digital board. These people
are the true die-hards, for sure.
Meanwhile,
The UCLA Alumni Band is jamming the 1963 hit “Louie, Louie” when Drew the Usher approaches
me once more and says, “It sucks that (the band) does not have a guitar solo.” He is right, this rag
tag group consists of just horns and drums.
Drew proceeds to nerd out on me even harder than I could ever personally nerd out, hands down.
“Guess what Tony, I’m going to celebrate the 25 year anniversary of the “Phantom of the Opera”
debut.”
Respectfully and with a pinch of reluctance, I said , “Tell me more, dude.”
“The performance will be in London and it will be broad cast live in over 500 theatres around the
world, and I’m going to be watching.”
The grin on his face is too unreal for the claims he is making. I had been gone for a few games over
the weekend because I was in Buffalo, NY watching my Bills upset the Oakland Raiders.
“How was Star Wars night last Friday?” I asked.
“Well, Chewbacca showed up, R2-D2 did too, the music during the game started off with the one
song that was playing when (Luke Skywalker) was on Endor, the second Star Wars song they played
was “The Empire March”, and the game ended with “The Dual of Fates” where they battle Darth
Maul at the end of first film “The Phantom Menace”- Drew continues, “Let’s see, there were also
clips on the (Jumbo Tron) from “The New Hope”, “Return of the Jedi”, and “The Empire Strikes
Back” during the fireworks . . . we won 6-1 thank God.”
I tell Drew that I hate the “Phantom Menace” title.
He replies, “What else would they call it?” Drew goes on to defend the name and why it is an
appropriate name for the film.
“Stop right their Drew!” I insist, “You are getting to darn geeky for me, man!”
He laughs off our discussion as if I could handle his nerdy cerebral acumen. (He was right.)
This is why I call my friend “Drew the Jedi Usher of the Opera.”
Got to love him.
I see a SF Giants couple wearing a Will Clark #22 and a Tim Lincecum #55 jersey. That Will Clark
jersey reminds me of the 90’s when the Giants were killer Dodger adversaries with Kevin Mitchell
and Matt Williams on the team. Those dudes weren’t on the roids that’s for sure.
During the pre-game ceremony on the Field,
State Farm Insurance is on hand to give $40,000 to the Dodger Dream Foundation.
Some kid named Jason Estrada is throwing the 1st pitch because he won the 1st pitch contest on the
dodgers.com web site. Luck dude.
The Dodger Field Announcer is about to introduce the Veteran of tonight’s game. In 2009 this
fellow joined the UCLA ROTC program and entered with distinguished graduate honors. As an
officer of Battalion 055, he was soon commissioned to 2nd Lieutenant, and has now earned the title
of Commander Kevin Kilroy.
Awesome.
National Anthem is performed by Tiana Okoye, daughter of football power house Christian Okoye
of the Kansas City Chiefs. She hold her vocal notes are long and bridge each word of the song to the
next with elasticity. “That was a pretty sentimental,” a passing Dodger fan described Tiana’s
performance. Nice job.
As usual, the Dodger Stadium Microphone commando introduces the starting line-up of the San
Francisco Giants. At the end of the roll call, Tim Lincecum receives a hearty “Booooo!” from the
Dodger fans.
Next are the Dodgers:
Dodger Skipper: Don Mattingly
Short Stop: Dee Gordon
Second Base: Justin Sellers
Center Field: Matt Kemp
Left Filed: Juan Rivera
First Base: James Loney
Third Base: Aaron Miles
Right Filed: Jerry-Jerry-Jerry Sands
Catcher: Rod Barajas
And
Batting 9ith, Pitcher Clayton Kershaw
The crowd goes nuts for our ACE!
Randy Newman’s “I love LA” is pumping out of the Stadium Ghetto Blasters. And this song is my
cue to go back to work. Just before I go back to the burger line I notice the ceremonial 1st pitch of
the game is being thrown by Football Legend and UCLA alumni safety, James Washington. Instead
of a baseball, Mr. Washington throws a pro-football to the catcher. “That’s a strike and a
touchdown,” says the Stadium M.C.
Nice!
The UCLA fans in attendance pales in comparison to the USC Night fan that took over the Stadium
a few weeks back.
The Game,
(While flipping brgers)
- Jerry Sands hits a Homer in the 2nd inning. NICE!
- Matt Kemp up to bat in the 5th, “MVP! MVP! MVP!” chants the Stadium. Next MK hit a
single up the middle. James Loney is up top bat next and the crowd is still cheering for MK.
(Flipping Burgers)
- 8th inning, a homer by SF with one out and Kershaw us taken out of the game. Dodger
Pitching Coach Rick Honeycut gives the ball to Kenley Jansen. He strikes out the next two
batters to end the inning.
Moving to the top of the 9th, the Stadium Subwoofers is blasting Glen Danzig’s “Mother.” Time to
rock out while we clean up the Stand.
- Dodger Closer Javey Guerra shuts down the Giants and the Dodger win. Kershaw earns is
2oth win of the season and Guerra picks up his 19th save in this nail biter.
GREAT WIN!!!!
Cy Young around the corner? I think so . . .
Dodger Dana Eveland 2-1 (2.25) vs. Giants Ryan Vogelsong 11-7 (2.67)
The Dodger record is 77-76, one game over .500.
I’ll take it.
Second to the last day of the Dodgers final home stand,
In the Stand,
Jazzy tells me on the burger line: “I’m the one wearing the pants around here . . . you are the one wearing the apron.”
(What!)
My apron? My long, jet-black apron that I like to compare to Keanu Reeves’s Neo’s black cape in
the film “The Matrix” I tell her, “I can dodge bullets in this thing.” I arch backward as if I’m
dodging the same bullet that Neo avoids at the climax of the film. Time stopping sound effects
included:
“Wo-waa waa waa!
Wo-waa waa waa!
- Zip”
– I dodge the imaginary bullet. It misses me by inches.
Bubble: “It’s like wearing a cape around my neck but in the front.”
My co-workers look at me like I’m crazy.
“Step back Jazz,” I tell my Hamburger Helper counterpart, “I’m the Main Spoon in these parts,
comprendes?”
Anyway,
Someone mentions that there are only 8,000 people on the Reserve Level tonight. No body seems
surprised at this figure.
In no less than 30 minutes; the Burgers are done man!
-On my Break-
The trusty little note books I had for the entire 2011 season that my Lady co-worker Mari the
Flower bought me last year are all filled up. I need paper. Andrea who is the steady Cashier of the
Stand pushes the feed button on the tiny printer above her register and the receipt paper appears.
I like writing on the register receipt paper anyway. Just like the good old days.
I’m discussing the end of the Dodger Season with the Bartender Lady near my Break Room Perch
and she tells me in a cute Midwestern accent, “I’m going to be lying down on my couch.” Clearly
she is looking forward to her time off of the regular baseball season, but not me so much. I’m going
to miss it. Making burgers. The rote, repetitive, flipping, and dressing of my tasty product is never
the same; they all differ and yet each burger is made with a tad bit of love.
(Yes, cheesy. I know- no pun intended)
At my break room perch looking over the baseball field, first base side:
I notice a couple of dudes walk past with a Doyer Dog and Beer in hand, then one says to the other,
“Did you get enough jalapenos on that?” His friend looks down at his meal and stares at the mess of
red and green chilies covering his meal and he replies, “That’s what’s up.”
As I write my notes the Dodger Custodian with a handle bar stash and tattoo on his neck salutes me
like the Veteranos usually do it. (Que Ondas?)
The Giant fans are showing up tonight. One of them is rocking a stuffed Panda Bear hat,
representing SF’s third baseman Pablo “Panda” Sandoval. (Wack!) Another Pumpkin head is
rocking a Lincecum jersey.
A young boy is sporting a Mexico National Team soccer jersey. His team is facing the United
States soon for World Cup Match (or they already played?)
On the Dodger scoreboard, a continuous list of individual names and family surnames are featured
who have over 40 games plus as season ticket holders. “The Dodgers thank our 40+ Season ticket
holders” the marquee reads above the loyal names of these True Blue troopers. Nice.
I see another Dodger Stadium fashion No, No!: Some dude is wearing Aviator glasses? During a
night game? Please . . .
Next the Dodger Field Announcer Microphone Commando is getting the party started.
The beginning of the pre-game program ceremony is interesting. The Dodgers Organization is
recognizing the many Dodger employees who have been working at the Stadium for years. A bunch
of these employees are standing along the first base, baseline, as the Dodger Field MC announces
each person by name, meanwhile, the Jumbo Tron cameras feature each person on the Big Screen.
I’ll try to list the number years each person of years worked individually: “25 years of service, 26
years of service, 27 years of service, 28 years of service, 29 years of service, 30 years of service,
Carlos Deleon 31 years of service, 32 years of service, 33 years of service, 34 years of service . . . .
The Bartender next to me says, “How come I’m not down there? I’ve been here for 29 years.” I see
her point but the people being recognized on the baseball field are “Dodger Stadium” employees,
but we, (including myself) are employed by the food service company Levy Restaurants in this
Stadium- we are kind of second fiddle.
“Those are the Dodger ticket takers and custodians,” I tell her.
The Dodger Field Announcer continues to count off the years of each person lined up along the 1st
base line: 38 years, 41 years, Manny Mota 42 years, Edward Gonzalez 49 years of service, 49
years of service Jerry Neilson, 53 years of service Ira Hankinson, 53 years of service Spanish
Radio Dodger Broadcaster Jaime Jarrin, 54 years of service Dodger pitcher great Don Newcomb,
and finally 52 years of service: Tommy Lasorda who is also among the dedicated people on the
baseball field and of course Vin Scully is given props for his 52 years of service in Los Angeles.
Scully waves down to the crowd from his tiny Press Box.
These are just few names of the new residence of the destroyed and subsequently remolded Chavez
Ravine, since 1960.
The sight of this puts me in a good mood.
“Enjoy the game,” I tell a family as they pass.
A veteran Los Angeles Police Officer with three stripes on his sleeve tells me: “Pretty light crowd
for 15 minutes before the start of the game, huh?” I agree. We are not surprised but this fact keeps
coming up, every home game. The attendance is weak this season, ‘nuff said about that.
Next, the Veteran of the Game is recognized on the baseball field. According to the Dodger Field
Announcer, the man we are honoring tonight started his basic training in 1997. Since then he has
been deployed to Bosnia, Iraq three times, Afghanistan three times, and also served on the home
front during Hurricane Katrina. A total of 10 deployments in 15 years, the crowd is introduced to
Deputy Sergeant Harry Walpole. The people in attendance give him an applause that must have
given him chills.
During the National Anthem the Los Angeles Recruiting Battalion is present baring their Flags.
American Idol alum Michael Johns does the honors. I like his flannel.
The game is about to start but the annual Roy Campanella Award, which is an honor voted on by
only the Dodger teammates is presented to Matt Kemp.
Nice!
Game time,
Bottom of the 5th inning, Matt Kemp is up to bat. The crowd is chanting “MVP! MVP! MVP!”- The
next thing I hear is the roar of the crowd. Matt Kemp has hit another homer and all of the sudden
the Dodgers are back in the game: 4-5 Giants.
SF changes pitchers. During the intermission the Stadium Ghetto Blasters jam “The Immigrant
Song” By Led Zeppelin. How appropriate, I love this jam!
Dodgers go down, Giant win 8-5.
We are back at .500 percent. : (
After the game,
My buddy Damian who cuts pizza’s on the Field Level finally had the gall to ask Dodger Great, third
baseman Ron Cey to sign his Cey baseball cards. “Ron,” Damian calls him now, visits his Pizza
Stand all of the time to say hello to his stand manager and to get his pizza. It’s crazy that Damian
and Ron Cey are on a first name basis now. Ha!
Here is Damian’s card, still unsigned. 81’ Donruss
Go Dodgers!
Final Game of the Season
Kuroda 12-16 (3.19) versus M Bumgarner 12-12 (3.21)
On the Reserve Level Concourse,
Looking out the a la cart window of my Burger Stand I see Perennial Dodger Vendors
Mort Rose and Roger Owens who are having a small chat. They stand stoically, facing the direction
of the baseball field, while Dodger batting practice is in effect. It’s hard to believe that between
these guys, they have worked over 5,000 Dodger games combined since the Dodgers first arrived
to Los Angeles. The gates have yet to open, so these work horses get to chill before making their
rounds up and down the Stadium isles, hawking their product to their fans- Even with all of the
years under their belts, these guys as still strong. I can see it in their posture. They will return
once again, next season.
Being it is the final game here at the Ravine, this day is traditionally the day most employees here
have a tiny party/feast within our little groups of workers who are stationed through this massive
place. The Vendors might get together, the Dodger Custodians definitely do, the Ushers and the
Dodger Security do, even the Fan Photo peeps are a part of the fold, and now, the Los Angeles
Police Department break bread with all of us- Famil(y)ar faces.
Well, to the delight of my fellow Stand workers and I, our Bossy Stand manager brought
Chinese Food for all of us to enjoy. Our final meal together for the season. I can’t bring myself to
the small feast my co-workers are enjoying because I might have to flip a few burgers for a few
Stadium employees who need a bite to eat. I’m the Main Spoon in this joint after all, so I rather
wait to eat. While everyone is being served their chow mien and spicy chicken, my co-workers are
co-incidentally assembled for a small “final game of the homestand” speech that Boss Lady has
prepared for us to hear. (I think it was off the cuff) She tells all of us that she is thankful for our
hard work. (I think it’s being “thankful” for dealing with her, actually, jk-all-day) Then she goes on
to giving each one of us individual workers her own personal advice for us to consider during the
off-season.
It’s some pretty good parting advice but when she gets to me she says, “And you, you, are just an
A-hole . . .” and then Bossy goes on to tell Jazz to commit herself to completing school. Wow, she
was so sincere the way she said that to me that I had to give her hug when she was done. And to
think she is the only woman I know that I had the heart to actually gave a gift too, twice actually, in
one year.
(wink-wink)
On my break and the pre-game ceremony,
This may sound ridiculous but an actual pig from the Los Angeles County Fair throws the 1st pitch
of the game.
Veteran of the Game is Corporal Ernie Cortez; the crowd provides this brave soldier with a hearty
applause. Last game of the season at the Ravine, the last Vet of the Game.
Thank you for your service.
While walking through the Reserve Level Concourse, I notice a Lady Usher call out: “Martita!” (in
an endearing way) to a tiny lady Custodian who has a mop in hand. The other replies, “Todo bien,
mija?” (“Is everything good, my dear?”) When the ladies approach each other I sense a warm
affection between the two. Nice. Indeed, everything is “good”- could be worse.
It’s the last game at the Ravine and the Dodgers are going out in style against the defending champs
with Kuroda on the mound. Unfortunately, according to his contract this is also Kuroda’s final
game as a Dodger. The L.A. Times has also mentioned he desires to retire from baseball with his
original pro-baseball team, The Carp, back in Japan.
Game time,
Top of the 1st inning, with two outs under his belt, Kuroda is facing San Francisco’s Carlos Beltran.
I’m looking for a ground out but Kuroda throws a bad pitch and Beltran hits a dinger over Matt
Kemps head and just passed the center field wall.
Giants 1, Dodgers 0- already.
KURODA! This is his last stand for our ball club. I respect him so much. Up to the plate is Giant’s
3rd baseman. Fat Panda Sandoval . . . And Fat Panda hits a single, Dang It! The damage is done.
Giants are winning the game- Kuroda just needs to settle down.
Wow! Did you know that Cookie Monster is a Dodger fan? It’ true, I saw it on some dudes t-shirt.
Cookie Monster is wearing a LA ball cap
More of the game,
Bottom of the 4th inning and Dee Gordon is batting leadoff. The song “Culture Personality” by the
rock band Living Colour is rocking out of the Stadium Ghetto Blasters as Gordon steps up to the
plate. Love that jam!
Later, Dodger Jerry Sands hits a towering pop fly into center field. I have feeling this dude is going to smash next season.
Just before Matt Kemp walks up to the plate, the Dodger Jumbo Tron features Matt Kemp’s
statistics: 1st in RBI’s, 2nd in stolen bases, 2nd in homeruns, 2nd in the league with 184 base hits,
and 3rd in the National League in batting average. Next, Kemp is introduced as the next batter and
the crowd begins to chant:
MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP! : Over and over and over again.
So Awesome!
With a 2-2 count, Matt Kemp hits his 29th double of the season to the delight of the entire
Stadium! Dee Gordon scores. Again the crowd chants: MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP! Over and over
and over, again.
SO AWESOME!
The game is tied 1-1.
Next, Juan Rivera is up to bat and in a matter of a few pitches, he blasts a liner into the Left Field
Pavilion! Home Run Baby!
Dodgers are up 2-1.
Nice!
After flipping burgers for about 6 innings Bossy Lady gives me a 10-minute break.
At my break room perch, I run into my friend Jules Sanchez, the American Idol Alumni/National
Anthem singing/ Fan Photo guy and he is telling me about how pissed off he is because his bike was
stolen from the bike rack on a Metro Bus that he was riding. “I’m want those (bleeping bleeps) to
pay for my bike!” he insists. I sympathize with the dude. He goes on to say “I voted on a ballot
measure to finance that (bus) transit so I better get me money back.” I agree with Jules, but
unfortunately, Jules tell me that the Metro department people are telling him that they are not
culpable. Wow that sucks.
Suddenly, one of Jules’s Fan Foto associates approaches us and she pulls him away saying,
“Come-on, lets go say Good Bye to everyone- Come ON!” She playfully tries to pull on his arm.
“It’s been good working with you,” he tells me and then Jules is escorted away. Gone until next
season, sadly, on a bad note . . . bike-less.
During the game, it is impossible to say goodbye to everyone for workers like myself. To bad we
Dodger fans have to say goodbye to a few of our core Dodger players during the last 4 years: Loney
(maybe), Ethier (maybe), Kuroda (last year on his contract), and possibly Tony Gwynn Jr.
We are going to miss them.
With a few minutes left on my break, I get a gander at the Giants fans here tonight. They are
holding on to that Championship feeling, while the Dodgers are trying to end their prospects of
getting into the playoffs. These SF fans, these Pumpkin Heads, Traffic Cone Necks, Tangerine balls . . . they are so lame . . .
Got to get back to my Stand but I want to see Kuroda get one more out. There are already 2 outs
recorded. He just needs one more. Kuroda goes into the wind-up and swish! The next batter goes
down swinging!
BOOM!
One, more BIG, FAT, K!
Kuroda stoically walks back to the Dodger Dug out,
Nuff said.
More Game,
Kuroda is pulled out in the 7 inning- the remaining fans in attendance give him a hearty applause as
he walks to the Dodger Dugout.
In the 8th inning, the chant continues.
“MVP! MVP! MVP!”
Matt K is up to bat.
“MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP!
San Francisco pitcher Edlefsen serves up a meatball and MK pounds the pitch into the Left Center
Pavilion! The Stadium goes crazy! Matt Kemps final at-bat at the Ravine for the 2011 season is his
36th homerun. So Awesome!
See it at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wcki1qTsgA , thank you for the post TLCNL4
Dodgers win 8-2
What an ending for Kuroda, MK, and the fans that stuck it through the Season.
It was a good season. To this Stadium, the fans, my beloved co-workers who are such an inspiration.
Thank you.
This year the Dodgers organization recognized a particular the Veteran of the Game that is very
very important, he is Veteran for all of the Vets. A few games ago, the Dodger Field Announcer
introduced Sergeant Blas Villalobos, of the United States Marine Corp from 1999 to 2003.
Deployed to the Iraq invasion and Squad Leader in 2003, according to the Dodger Field
Announcer, Villalobos received his BA from Long Beach State in 2009 and is currently working on
his Masters Degree in social work at USC. Currently Sergeant Villalobos works as a case manager
with the U.S. Vets –Long Beach where he assists “at-risk” veterans find employment and housing.
He specifically works with OEF/OIF veterans with PTSD. Given all of the men and women that
are over seas who have since returned home from the wars, we need more good people like Mr.
Villalobos to step it up and aid the future returning soldiers that need it most. People like
Villalobos will be instrumental for the soldiers returning from Afghanistan and Iraq, in order for
our beloved soldiers to adjust to civilian life while dealing with their experiences at war. Thank
you Mr. Villalobos. I hope you don’t mind me posting a picture of yourself on this blog.
One final thing-
I like to dedicate this season of posts to Brian Stow and his family.
Baseball is a family game and we are all family in this ball park.
I hope you get better soon buddy.
Honestly, I kept thinking through the season: “What if I could have helped you that day?”
I wish I could have.
Get better man!
Your daughters are waiting for you.
From a father to a father.
2011 is done.
Maybe next year, Go Dodgers!
84
Nuff Said . . . . . . . .
03/09/2012
MONSTER JAM in Dodger Town 2012
Dodger Stadium
It’s
Saturday! Saturday! Saturday!
(Had to do it)
Will Robosaurus make a triumphant appearance?
Unfortunately, no.
Tonight is not that caliber of event. But it Might as well because at 7 o’clock, it’s:
MONSTER JAM!
@
Dodger Stadium
The best in the business are here tonight. The Jumbo Tron shows that the Grave Digger truck is
celebrating it’s 30th anniversary of gear crushing strength, the Iron Outlaw is here, The
Crusader is holding it down, an actual “Monster Drink” Monster Truck is making an
appearance, a few Marvel Comics inspired trucks known as the Iron Man and Captain America
are here, and then of course there is the much dreaded
Maximum Destruction, among a few others Trucks (I think) that are here to tear apart the
baseball field.
The best thing about tonight’s event is No rain this year.
Not like last years disappointing event.
That’s right.
Not like last year, heck No. This time, we are going to witness real MONSTER TRUCK AIR!
There will be No mud, there will be No Big Wheels spinning in complacent circles, there will be No
Monster Trucks slipping and sliding around all over the pitcher’ mound to put on a show, this
time. There will be No sight of Monster Truck Patrons in plastic ponchos, braving the cold and
rainy weather; No clamor for the Monster Truck fans to get their money’s worth out of the sight of
muddy gear grinding.
No way Hoser- Not like last year.
Tonight, there is absolute zero precipitation in Southern California, and the result is: tons and tons
and tons of Dodger infield dirt shaped in the form of table tops and launch jumps; Sure I am a
rookie witnessing this type of action but honestly, the track looks so tasty that this very Earth
would make the Legendary Big Foot Truck, itself, come right out of retirement.
photo courtesy of 4wheeloffroad.com
Doesn’t everyone want to see Big Foot again? You know we do.
(*****?)
Hold up!
Wait a minute.
Let me put on the breaks for a second . . .
I have to check myself before I wreck myself.
I’m conflicted about this.
The baseball purist in me still does feel the ultimate shame that the baseball field is going to be
trounced tonight.
Poor Dodger in-field, poor outfield grass, dead and gone.
It really is, very sad.
Earlier at check-in, I read that tonight’s attendance is 13,500 peeps on the Reserve Level. Holy
Smokes! - And things are just getting started.
From my current point of view; over looking the Loge Level, it’s easy to tell how good business is
going to be by watching the people as they, slowly, trickle straight down the isles of stairs and then
make their way horizontally toward their seats. Nice. And it’s only one hour before Crunch time
begins.
Interestingly, the entire Field Level is closed to the public; the every section of yellow seats is
totally covered in plastic. We will not have an accidents down there tonight. “Safety first,” the
bosses say. Well, I guess this arrangement means WE are going to be busy as heck in the top levels.
Check it out.
I had to make sure so I asked my buddy, Drew the Dodger Usher, what he knows about the
attendance. “They sold so many tickets, that the Top Deck is selling out!” he warned. Nuff said.
Anxiety kicking in, now.
Good thing our Burger making skills got a tune-up during the Super Cross Bike Race last
month. We got this one tonight . . .
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
In the Stand,
Burgers,
as usual.
We make them,
They Come
And
Get them.
Before the lines get really crazy outside the work place, Jazzy the Assistant to the Assistant tells me
to go on my break.
So I go.
Walking out of the Stand on to the Reserve Level concourse immediately I see a woman in passing
who is rocking a Metal Mulisha hat while her daughter keeps up with her at the heals. The
daughter, about 12ish, (probably a Mommas girl) is wearing a shirt with the words “Santa Clarita”
on it. I’m thinking, maybe, this is the town where the Metel Mulisha gang is from in Cali. But not
sure. jk
(At isle 14) I step out to see a better view of the dirt track and notice a Dodger Usher who is
helping a woman to her seats. The Usher proceeds in the direction of a few rows down. “Oh my
God! I don’t like heights!” she tells her guide. The Usher stops and listens. Quivering, again, the
woman exclaims, “I don’t like heights!” I walk a few steps away from the drama because the man
has a job to do, so, I then focus in the direction of the third base side Loge Level where I see entire
rows of families comfortably bundled up in their seats.
Above, the sky is like the color of the Blue chalk that my girls use to draw on the sidewalk.
I know I don’t have the license to claim this but tonight just might be perfect Monster Truck
weather. I then notice a familiar face, a talkative and tiny Lady Usher who worked in this location
last season, so I say hello with a nod. “It looks like rain, 50%” she says to me while I jot down in
my trusty little note pad. I don’t agree with her but I nod anyway. Suddenly, a coarse whisper
from behind me, like inches away, tells me, “Aren’t you supposed to be working?” I turn and it’s a
tall Monster Truck fan-dude. He then passes me up and kindly asks the Tiny Lady Usher to direct
him and his son to their seats.
Then I realize: Get the (F) back to Work!
Walking back to the Stand I notice two little kids (brothers probably) with the Awesomest Grave
Digger graphics on their T-shirts. I then check the souvenir booth close by and there is an adult
size as well. Can’t help but want to buy one.
BUT, $45 Bucks?!?
Nuff said. Quick glance at the Stadium gates and there are more and more people arriving.
Dodger Stadium is experiencing a rare thing at the moment: We are filling up!
F-ing, AWESOME!
While flipping burgers in the Stand, the action on the Field is about to begin.
The host of the event is a thirty something dude on the microphone. He announces to the crowd
that tonight’s event will also commemorate 30 years of the GRAVE DIGGER in the Monster
Truck business. The subtle crowds slowly become more ecstatic. Meanwhile in the background
(deep center field) awaits the Grave Digger itself, revving its engine LOUD. As the MC waxes poetic
about GD, the kick-ass jam, “Bad to the Bone” by George Thorogood is blasting out of the Stadium
Ghetto Blasters. The crowd gets crazier. Next Grave Digger peels out and starts to shred in circle
8’s.
Fierce Fire Works Blast. (Missed it) and then the lights go out.
Enthusiastic Monster Truck Fans CHEER and ROAR at the sight of the light effects and the
pyrotechnics.
Next, the Monster Truck MC asks the fans:
“Los Angeles!! Are you ready for Monster Jam?”
The crowd responds with a Holler.
“I GET this FEELING,” the Monster Truck MC shouts out, “That’s HOW we ROLL!”
(This is Fricking Awesome!)
10 seconds later, the Monster Jam countdown begins on the Dodger Jumbo Tron:
9 ! – 8 !– 7 !– 6 !– 5 !– 4 ! – 3!!! – 2!! - ONE !
M- Truck engines !RIP!!!!!.
The Crowd roars.
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Monster Trucks are timed as they are pit against one another. Check out the pictures below, they
are in sequence but the time in-between the shots may vary. Check it!
BITCHIN!
________________________________________________________________________
In the Stand, my regular Boss Lady manager is temporarily m.i.a, so we make do with another
stand-lead to help us out. As usual, Hamburger Helper and I are holding the fort down as we
provide fresh burgers for the salivating Fans outside of our a la cart window, special orders
included, but what’s really kicking our ass is the voracious appetites for French Fries. Basket,
after, basket of French Fries, our Fry Guy is working the ol’ deep F’er like nobody’s business.
Every time I turned to see how J.C is doing, our Fry Guy is, either, reloading frozen fries in the
basket; dumping the fries in the fryer; or scooping sizzling sliced taters into the serving boxes, all-
event-long! The Heat from the fryer can be ridiculous, but the pressure of the demand is what gets
the blood boiling with the Gusto,
(On the other side of the glass)
A little girl with her Dad is waiting for fries.
Man in a Raider hat is waiting for fries.
Mullet guy in a Kings jersey wants his fries
Rocker wearing an AC/DC - T is a little impatient
“We need fries!!” our manager shouts out.
“Rock n Roll, Baby!” J.C. calls out, como un grito de Espanol..
(Outside)
The cacophony of engines punching massive tork with the slight of the pedal, five-speed
transmission attacks, ricochet of sound off of the ¾ dome that is Dodger Stadium. The patron’s
lungs absorb the exhaust.
The Iron Man Truck flips on its side in right field and it’s like Matt Kemp hit a Homer?!
The kids, the families: Mothers and Fathers, Grandmas and Grandpas Go Nuts at the sight!
Looking up at the Dodger Jumbo Tron, there are 4 fan/judges raising their numerical ratings of the
Iron Man flip on huge placards: 6-6-5-3. The driver crawls out of the truck, then takes off his
helmet and raises it triumphantly. (The crowd goes bonkers nuts!) He is a real Super Hero!
AIR
In between sweeping the floor I catch the GRAVE DIGGER get some on a jump, and then, the
Grave Digger tips on its left side, “skiing” on 2 wheels. The fans go bonkers! It's amazing to see
that there are so many people of all ages enjoying the shredding.
Later, the Monster Drink Monster Truck wins the award for Best Freestyle driving.
Unfortunatley, I don’t know which truck won the timed racing that was going on most of the night.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
The really neat thing about Monster Jam is that the evening belongs to
The Grave Digger. I was most honered to see the GD and not I am pining over a t-shirts.
When all is said and done with MJ, it’s crunch time as the fans exit out of the concourse. Some kid
is wearing a #5 Glendora All Stars jersey t-shirt and then the proverdial lightbulb goes on!!!
Baseball is just around the corner.
Can wait to see our Boys in Blue.
84
01/29/2012
A Stadium Blog Plug: "Los Angeles Stories" by Ry Cooder
Has any one heard of Ry Cooder?
He is the guy who exposed the fabulous Cuban music of the Buena Vista Social Club some 10 or
more years back. He also produced the multi-performer music album, “Chavez Ravine” which is
about the culture and time period of a Los Angeles Community that existed before the Dodger
Stadium was built on top of it. He said, "Chavez Ravine (today) is filled up with dirt."
He also composed soundtracks for more than twenty films.
Well, Mr. Cooder has a new endeavor in prose with the book “Los Angeles Stories.”
I was able to catch his book signing and discussion at the Vroman’s Books in
Pasadena. I bought and read the book amazingly. I only read comics btw.
Here is a glimps:
"What's that you say?
Nothing happens in Los Angeles?
Ask your downtown friends and neighbors , working folks
you pass on the street - the cross dressing piano player,
the Filopino labor agitator, the Mexican bolero singer, or the
steel string guitar-playing, dental technican- buy them a cup
of coffee and they'll tell you their stories. Sit down, take a
load off, try some pork fried rice.
Dig it and pick up on it, it happened like this."
I highly recommend it.
Check it out.
Cooder discusses his new book with Los Angeles Times columnist Lynell George
Aside from his book, Cooder also spoke about writer Dominic Stanzbury, artist Vincent Valdez,
musician Lalo Guererro, the inspiration of his book a 1931 City Directory, Don Normak's photo
historical book "Chavez Ravine A Los Angeles Story, his love for "golden era" Mexican films,
and his own Lowrider.
Also check out Chávez Ravine: A Los Angeles Story circa 1949, by photographer Don Normark
Great stuff.
The Bikers are Back! 2nd annual Supercross @ Dodger Stadium
Happy New Year!!!!
Los Angeles, California welcomes the 2nd Annual Monster Energy Drink Super Cross @ the
Chavez Ravine- Dodger Stadium 2012.
It’s a somber three o’clock afternoon. The steady drizzle ended a few hours earlier. The city got a
good wash over the night and now the ocean is going to have a bad taste in its mouth. Poor Santa
Monica. I’m overlooking Downtown Los Angeles view from Stadium parking lot. It’s quiet, no
sirens, the sound from the 110 freeway is soft. The city is in chill mode. No one moves. I bet even
the birds in this part of town are too cold to get their flight on.
This is the calm before the NOISE! . .
________________________________________________________________________
At check-in I have the thought to ask one of the Classic Dodger Vendors who have been working at
the Stadium since day 1 this exact question:
“Which Billionaire do you prefer to buy the Dodgers?”
Maybe that’s a bad way to put it.
How about a comment, instead, like: “I hope a person who loves LA buys the Dodgers.”
Nuff said about this fiasco . . . enough damage has been done.
________________________________________________________________________
The grass is dead . . . . I’ll say it again, the grass is dead! On the baseball field once again.
Thousands of tons of dirt have been shaped into a zigzagging, vertically challenging, maze of jumps
and quick turns that is going to kick some serious ass during tonight’s event- the track is ready to
go.
No baseball, just Bikes.
So Weird, but not as weird as when the Christian Harvest event comes to hold their worship
here at Dodger Stadium, last September. Non-baseball events like these are very similar when it
comes to the participants who attend. Bike enthusiast and the religious folk share a similar trait, devotion.
Hold up! I’m not knocking on the evangelical following because I call them “weird.” They love the
Dodgers, I’m sure, and they take up every seat in the Stadium.
Every seat!
They are powerful group, BUT, to the amazement of my Dodger co-worker Damian and me, we
are astonished that not one beer is sold during these Christian events. Now that’s just weird, to me.
This is story I didn’t touch on last season, but I will another time, because this chilly evening, a
group of young professional dirt biker riders, straight out of hell, are about to take over Dodger
Stadium tonight.
It’s going to be the Night of the Living Biker Fans. The Supercross fans, straight out of Valencia,
out of San Bernardino, Orange County, San Diego County, Riverside, Los Angeles County, Ventura,
Azusa, Glendora, the people who my buddy J.C the Fry Guy calls the “METAL MULISHA” are in
the house.
Before the races start, fans were allowed to walk the track.
An hour or so later, Bike Riders to their practice runs.
While flipping some burgers with the regular Burger Crew, it was impossible to not want to see the
Bike Riders make their practice runs, so when the moment was right I made it a out of the Stand to
check out the revving engines that are so loud that the noise is literally bouncing of the quarter
dome that is Dodger Stadium. Near isle 14 (Reserve Level of course) I find Dodger Vendor
Extraordinaire Ronald Nelson checking out the view for himself.
Ron then asks me, “Why did Evil Knievel need a parachute?” as he marveled at the highflying
Bikers soar through the air where shallow center field should be. I agree.
For second I scrutinized the passing patrons. There is an older bearded fellow wearing a stonewash
jean jacket with a sewed on patch that actually reads “Metal Mulisha.” Where is that gang from?
Next, a lady passes us, who I believe is about the age of my mom, and she is wearing a black hat
with a design of flaming fire on the bill of the cap. A kid crossing her path I notice has a nylon key
chain that is hanging from his pocket with the printed word “Derelli.” Nope, these peeps ain’t no
Dodger fans. Very, interesting.
Back in the Stand the Crew is in full effect. The Ladies of the Stand are back, J.C. the Fry Guy too,
Eric the scrub made a visit, and strangely Anna(banana) returned with really positive spirits. I
think it’s because she is now a married woman. Anyway, we need to find our rhythm again. The
menu has changed so we need to focus. The Dodger season is just few months away. Monster
Truck at the Stadium is just around the corner.
We whistle while we work: Pickles, Lettuce, Onions, Tomato- Pickles, Lettuce, Onions, Tomato,
over and over again.
Meanwhile, the Supercross organizers are having a good time. While me and the crew are in full
effect making Double Western Bacon Cheeseburgers, I noticed that a kid is getting the chance to
operate his remote control car on the dirt race track at the urging of the Supercross race
announcer who is narrating every turn of the tiny car. The crowd seems to be amused at the fun
the kid is having. The way the announcer talks, he almost sounds like Jimmy Hart the eccentric
manager of the Hart Foundation from the 80’s World Wrestling Federation, wa-back-when that
medium of entertainment was real. ; )
Jimmy Hart, not the actual Supercross Announcer who is actually an Awesome Stadium Host!
http://www.allwrestlingsuperstars.com/wrestling/jimmy-hart/
Back in the Burger Stand where I rule with the mighty Spoon, the biker enthusiasts are a starting to
snatch up all our delightful Dodger Dogs, Burgers, and fries. These hungry people are a sight to see
looking out of the windows of our fast food box. Before the races begin we get slammed by the
rough and tough people who wear black attire, beanies, and ball caps with flat bills, flannels, and
goatees. (Five o’clock shadows are in full effect.) Lots of families too, mothers and father, sons and
daughters.
As they line up in our a la cart line, J.C. the Fry Guy says to me, “Wow, so many heavenly souls.”
He jests because he is a thrill seeking biker himself. J.C. often describes his street bike experience
on the freeways as “Flying.” So, we try to keep up with the demand on the burger line but the
people are eating our burgers like skittles.
I spy a LA hat but it’s not Dodger Blue, but Dodger Black.
“There are so many cute white guys,” Jasmine the Assistant to the Assistant says but I think she
just wanted me to write that.
Ha! One dude is rocking a black poncho!
One sweater reads: Mayhem Street Riders. Another reads OBEY. Anther reads FOX, with a cool
icon of a fox face. One lady who looks like a college professor is wearing a pink colored “Beautiful
Disaster” mesh trucker hat. How cute!
The races are about to go down.
On the Dodger Jumbo Tron, one of the featured biker rides says: “This is my time!”
The lights in the Stadium go out and the next thing I know a huge flame blasts out of a machine
located on the middle of the track (or second base). A light show of green lasers criss-cross above
the race track like in the cartoon battles between G.I. Joe and Cobra. So AWESOME!
The competition begins at 7:00pm.
1st, there is the Supercross Lite Heat #2, consisting of 20 riders, 6 laps, top 9 riders advance to the
main event. All others go to the Supercross Lite last chance qualifier. Next is the Supercross Lite
Heat #1 , consisting of 20 riders, 6 laps, top 9 riders advance to the main event. By the time these
heats are over, it’s 9:23 pm and there is the impending Last Chance Qualifier, that consists of 22
riders, 6 laps, and the top 2 riders advance to the main event.
The crowds were awed, thrilled, aghast, hanging by their seats, as the bikers ripped through the
track. The smell of fumes smoked out the entire Stadium. Totally Awesome experience for all.
In the end, the winner of the 2012 Supercross is Eli Tomac.
The Supercross Main Event of 20 riders, 20 laps, I believe this event is won by a kid with the last
name of Grant, who seemed to have a comfortable lead ahead of the 2nd place rider.
Btw, here is last years Supercross Blog, check out my culture clash with the Biker fans:
http://tonyvarela.typepad.com/blog/2011/02/index.html
________________________________________________________________________
After the races . . .
Damian tells me, “All I did was wrap Dodger Dogs, take out the mats, sweep and mop the floor and I
was out of there.” I kind of envy the guy. At least he still makes D Dogs. I mean, that is legit,
compared to making Burgers. Phaa! My friend has also been consistent with his chiding me about
my failure to post the last 8 blogs of the 2010 season. What can I say but that the wheels fell off. I
did write them so expect the completed posts this week or I have to hear more crap from my
buddy.
On a final note, I really wish the Dodgers would give Clayton Kershaw the duckets (money) he asks.
Shall I say it? Awww why not?
GO DODGERS!!
84ever.
10/15/2011
A Sweep? & a Courageous Night
(Apology: Late Blog to the extreme, more will follow, regardless)
Clayton Kershaw 16-5 (3.74) versus Matt Latos 6-12 (2.51)
When Kershaw is on the mound we expect nothing more than excellence. This is going to be a good
game, Latos seems like he is dealing with the weak run support that our Hiroki Kuroda had to deal
with this season. If Latos really has a 2.51 ERA then you have to feel sorry for homeboy. Then
again the statistics that tell of Lato’s statistics I see on the Dodger scoreboard might be an error by
the scoreboard guy. That ERA is way to sweet for a 6-12 record.
(5 minutes till the Stadium gates open)
Time to Flip some Burgers with the Crew . . . .
The fingers dance to the tune:
Pickles Lettuce Onions Tomato,
Pickles Onions Lettuce Tomato,
Pickles Onions Lettuce Tomato,
Pickles Lettuce Onions Tomato,
the fingers dance.
With the wave of the mayo Spoon, like conducting an orchestra with the conducting baton, to my
ingredients on the silver counter, to the beautiful and fresh ingredients produced from the fields of
this beautiful land, for you to enjoy. I spread the mayo, with the glide of the wrist. The Broiler
radiates, tasty bbq sauce, ranch dressing, tomato base sweet sauce, wax paper wrap . . .
Hamburger Helper by my side,
her fingers,
to the song,
flip,
fold,
wrap,
the burgers away.
Over and over and over and over and over again
To you.
“A Sweep,” I say to myself.
(Thought Cloud)
A sweep.
“What’s a sweep?”
HA! . . . ha
That depends on who you ask around this Stand.
Everybody knows that in the game of baseball, “a Sweep” is defined for example, if the Dodgers
win all three games of a three game series against the San Diego Padres this weekend (hopefully) -
But there is another connotation to this word.
Consequently, “A sweep,” is also a superstitious-marital thing to the Spanish speaking Ladies of this
Stand. It’s the same story to La Salvadorena, La Mexicana, La Nicaraguensa, and even the La
Chicana. They all agree on this one.
I’m talking about the actual act of Sweeping with for crap’s sake!
I didn’t know this. I didn’t know that I have to be very careful with a broom around my co-
workers.
“Don’t sweep my feet Tony,” Bossy Lady tells me one game day while I’m in the act, “If you do I
won’t get married.”
(Huh?)
At that time I wasn’t really concerned with what she said. I just kept on sweeping. Like an
obsessive compulsive fool, I continued to rapidly sweep up all the tiny bits of lettuce that escaped
my creation; Sweep up the sesame seeds that jumped the buns; Sweep up the slippery sliced pickles
that look so sad on the floor; and Sweep up, lastly, the lonely French fries into the plastic dust pan.
I do my job indiscriminately, because, when I’m done I usually go to my break. Bossy said, “Don’t
sweep my feet” but I took no heed.
Then it happened.
While cleaning up around my silver prep counter where I rest my Spoon after making a round of
burgers I accidentally swipe some broom bristles over Ms. Jazzy’s fake black Vans and all of the
sudden she screeches out loud like she just saw a mouse: “EEEEEKKKK!”
(It was unintentional!) Overtly negligent and careless, but it was an accident. It took only a second
but I then realized I just cursed her with the sweep of her feet. Marriage is out the window for her!
Yikes! In the glare of her beautiful black eyes I can see her grab the broomstick from my hands
and break it over my head. Suddenly, three tiny chirping birds circle over and around my head.
XX’s appear over my eyes before I spin to the floor unconscious.
(Thought Cloud)
I would later become notorious for squashing any sign of matrimony.
Again, another day, another game, while cleaning up around my silver prep counter where I rest
my Spoon after making a round of burgers, I accidentally swipe with the bristles of my greasy
broom Boss Ladies oil slip resistant shoes and all of the sudden she cries out, “TONY!!!!”
(It was an accident!!)
In the glare of her glare eyes I can see her clench her fist, wind-up like Popeye on Spinach where
then Boss Lady punches me right in the gut. I keel over and then with her other hand she smashes
a bag of fresh cut lettuce, over my head. Then she walks away nonchalantly.
“I’m so sorry,” boss I think, while laid out on the floor.
Again, another day, another game, while cleaning up around my silver prep counter where I rest
my Spoon after making a round of burgers, (let me catch my breath) I accidentally swipe the black
swimming pool slipper shoes of my very own Hamburger Helper. She freezes in her tracks, stares
at me, her teeth cringed, and like out of a scene from the game Mortal Combat, black daggers shoot
out of her pupils that shank me in the heart! Hamburger Helper walks away: Game Over.
AGAIN!!!!!, while cleaning up around my silver prep counter where I rest my Spoon after making
a round of burgers I automatically realized that I am sweeping way to close to Anna Bananna's feet,
who, is the Lady of the Stand that is about to get married this November.
“Anna, are you worried that I sweep your feet,” I ask her.
“I don’t care,” she replied as if to criss cross me with a bit of attitude and independence.
At that moment, I began to think to myself that I have the answer to my past anti-
matrimonial transgressions. I can reverse all of the damage I have done this past season!
“Anna, look.” I tell her. I grab my broom and sweep my own feet for a whole minute. “Look!” I
exclaim. “I’m reversing the curse, I’m reversing the curse!” She shakes her head and carries on
about doing nothing.
The marriages are on man!
(Pop goes the thought balloon)
“The Burgers are Dun Man!”
The Boss Lady sends me on my break.
And I am off . . .
Walking to the break room perch I see a fellow walking the Reserve Concourse is wearing a Sandy
Kofax #32 jersey, sweet.
Another fellow is wearing a T with an image of Mr. T that reads “Shut up foo!”
No way! On the Dodger Jumbo Tron it says that you can text a certain # for a chance to win free
burritos for a year a Chipotle Grill! This is definitely the best promotion of the year.
I go to find Drew the Usher who at his usual spot directing fans to their seats and I invite him to eat
my extra Dodger Dog. He is more than happy to oblige, of course. After he chomps on his first bite
he expresses, “This is good.” I had added a slice of cheese, tomato, and a bit of mayo. Drew then
brings up the comedian Gabriel Iglesias again, because the dude was doing his comedy bit here at
the Stadium last weekend.
“Did I ever tell you I met Gabriel Iglesias”
“No.”
“Yeah, I met him because me and my mom were going to buy his condo in Whiter.”
“No kidding.”
“Yeah, I asked him what level he thought I was, but (Iglesias) didn’t know what I meant, so I asked
him what level of “fatness” he thought I was.”
“Oh, are you fluffy or not,” I questioned.
Drew is still not finished with his Dodger Dog because he is talking- other wise it would be long
gone.
“Yeah, Gabriel Iglesias told me that I wasn’t even close to fluffy,” Drew shrugged of the notion as if
he knew he has the potential anyway.
Next thing, Drew does is wipe his mouth with a napkin after his last bite.
The music of De La Soul’s “Me, Myself, and I” is funking out of the Stadium Ghetto Blasters when
we exit the break room and Drew begins to reminisce of the movie “Good Burger” where there is a
scene in the film that features this jam.
I see a dude wearing a James Loney #7 jersey. That’s the first one I’ve seen all season long. Then
another True Blue fans appears his #34 Valenzuela jersey, like true brother of the Blue
Brotherhood. Nice!
Next, the Stadium Field Announcer introduces the a woman by the name of Martha, who is on hand
to throw a “1st pitch” off the mound in representation of the USC Cancer Hospital and USC Norris
Hospital. The Dodgers have done such a good job bringing the people who are behind Cancer
research and Cancer treatment this season, like a constant reminder that our friends and family
must never underestimate the likelihood of this enigmatic disease. I have a friend in mind right
now who is slowly succumbing to Cancer right now. I think if my friend Jamal Navarro everyday.
The Veteran of the Game, according to the Dodger Field Announcer is a “Long time Dodger Fan”, a
member of the Marine Corps who fought the war during the Invasion of Baghdad in Iraq. States
Marine Corps Veteran David Franco who was awarded the Purple Heart after surviving a missile
attack which “flipped his tank” while on patrol, is on hand to
The National Anthem is performed by Drew Drysdale, daughter of former Dodger pitcher great
Don Drysdale. She stands tall like her father, beautiful blond hair, the sound of her voice has a
touch of Country but not really. The Dodger Vision camera features her proud mother near the
Dodger Dugout and Marine David Franco saluting the Flag during her performance. When Drew D.
is done with her last note, the fans in attendance respond with a hearty applause. Sweet.
Next,
On the field there are three Seeing Eye Guide Dog handlers just before home plate. Eric, the
Rookie from my Stand mentioned a woman who is blind was going to the throw the actual
ceremonial fist pitch for today’s game. Low and behold a woman named Lorrie Bernson, who had
lost her sight at a younger age, according to the Field Announcer, has been given the honors. A
dozen or so Guide Dog handlers with their beautiful Golden Retrievers and Black Labradors are
present as Ms. Bernson takes the mound. Just a few feet before the mound she gets in her wind-up,
recoils with ball in hand, and launches a straight on pitch that bounces just twice before reaching
the Dodger catchers mitt. The hairs on my arms come alive with excitement. The applause from
the crowd is huge.
So AWESOME!
pic courtesy of inflexwetrust.com
The starting line-up of the Dodgers is about to be announced and I’m on my way back to the Burger
Stand to join my Crew.
________________________________________________________________________
I’m too busy to know what is going on in the game but I’m positive Loney hit another homer with a
man on base. Kershaw cruises to his 17th win and the Dodgers take game one of three against San
Diego.
For Jamal.
Go Dodgers
84
09/11/2011
9/11/11-Los Angeles Fire Department Training Center parking lot near Dodger Stadium ... A man visits a piece of the World Trade Center to take a moment to remember the lost lives on 9/11 and the brave Men and Women who made the ultimate sacrifice to save them.
Peace and Love to everyone.
08/31/2011
08/28/2011
The Beatles Return to the Ravine: KEMP Powers 30th Homer! Simply Awesome . . .
Ted Lilly 7-13 (4.58) versus Colorado Rockie Esmil Roger 6-2 (6.00)
Tonight’s game commemorates the 45th anniversary of the Beatles 1966 Concert @ Dodger Stadium. The Friday Night Firework after the game will blast off to the music of the Beatles.
So cool- The wallpaper of the Dodger Jumbo Tron screen is lit up with moving kaleidoscope spirals behind the font that reads:
CR vs. LA
Totally psychedelic, a la the Revolver album by the Beatles via 1966.
In the Stand we are trying to get warmed up for another seven game homestand. I’m a bit tired because I was teaching the school today- First week back.
The action on the gigantic Dodger Vision Monitor aka Jumbo Tron is already getting started and the gates don’t open for another hour and a half.
An older video short is playing on the Jumbo Tron that features television personality Bob Eubanks who is speaking with a person I’m not familiar with. The two men are sitting at a table with four Beatle bobbleheads in front of them. Ubanks who originally promoted and booked the Beatle gig at the Stadium is telling a tale about how they got the Beatles out of the Chavez Ravine after the concert. Apparently, the Beatles were to leave the ball park via “armored car” but someone had slashed the tires, so the people that be thought of using an ambulance that was originally supposed to be used as a decoy to for the armored car. The vehicles were parked at the 76 gas station in the Stadium parking lot due to the damage. There, there were a bunch of young fans that was composed of about 99% of women that surrounded the ambulance and they couldn’t go anywhere until a motorcycle group of Hells Angels showed up and disbursed the crowd. Ubanks says that the ambulance and the armored car that contained that was transporting the Beatles left Chavez Ravine following a pack of Hells Angels. Ha!
-After flipping burgers, I get to go to break and the Dodger pre-game program is in effect.
The action on the infield is being entertained by the Dodger Field Announcer who says to everyone one in attendance, that tonight, is also the 11th annual “Strike Out AIDS Night at the Stadium. Tanya Rodriquez and other representatives of this group are introduced one-by-one by the FA.
We are also told that this evening also marks the 18th Episcopalian Church Night. The reps from the Church are also introduced by the FA. They look like wonderful caring people to me.
The “sponsored” 1st pitch of the night is thrown by a man named Terry Lee, who is the president of the company that produces the Nongshim the Noodle Bowl, a new feature on the menu at Dodger Stadium “Where you can sample it on the Reserve Level.” It’s kind of like a cup-o-noodles without the chicken and shrimp flavors.
The Veteran of the Game is a LA native, with a 21 year career in the military, which started when he was 18 years old. He served on the U.S.S Missouri his first year and since then he has spent many years over seas transporting land use vehicles around the globe. He is a 2009 UCLA graduate with a major in telecommunication, Petty Officer 1st Class Robert Palma. Robert got a really nice applause from the Stadium crowd.
The National Anthem is performed by Tony Award winner Michael Miguire of “Le Miserables.” This gentleman is the real deal tenor. As Mr. Miguire performs it’s cool to see Justin Sellers, Jaime Carroll, and Aaron Miles stand together with there hands and caps over their hearts as they listen to the song- Our mighty Dodger infielders, 2011.
It time for the introduction of the Dodger starting line-up.
Dodger Manager, Don Mattingly is the first to be introduced. Comic book thought bubble over my head reads: I like our skipper. He has done his best to manage the cards he was dealt with. Let’s see if we can get to .500 at least.
The first player introduced is Justin Sellers, who is batting lead-off. Bubble over the head reads I like our new short stop too. (Better than Dee, for now)
While writing down my notes in my trusty pocket note pad I spot American Idol alum and Fan Photo guy Jules Sanchez and tell him that I really liked his performance of “God Bless America,” last home stand. He tells me that he got a call around 6:45 pm that day and was asked to sing. So he went home to take a shower instead of working the camera at the Stadium. Jules tells me that the girl who was scheduled to sing the song in the 7th inning “didn’t know the words.” Ha! Next thing he knows, Jules is impressing thousands of people with his vocal. Pretty cool.
So! Tonight the Dodgers organization is commemorating the 45th anniversary of the historic arrival of the Beatles to Dodger Stadium. Sweet. The Dodger Jumbo Tron features a sweet montage of Beatle pic from there performance at the Ravine, along with other images from their storied career. Along with this the Stadium ghetto blasters are sampling a bunch of songs.
♫ “She loves you, Yeah,
Yeah,
Yeah! ♫
♫ “I wanna hold your hand!”♫
A Jumbo Tron slide of the cover from the 1966 Revolver album.
♫The tripped out drum beat of “Tomorrow Never Knows” is thumping out loud!
♫ “We all live in the Yellow Submarine!”♫
♫ “Cuz I’m THE Taxman!”♫
♫ “Paper back writer, paper back writer!”♫
♫ “We’re Sergeant Pepper Loney Hearts Club Band!”♫
♫ “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds!” ♫
♫ “Hold ooooon! The Magical Mystery Tour! ♫
Video footage of the Beatles running onto the stage at Dodger Stadium as they briefly wave with their instruments in hand.
Big fan myself.
I see a hard core Dodger fan is strolling the Reserve concourse rocking last years “The Rivalry Renewed LA (Dodgers) vs. NY (Yankees) T-shirt.
The first pitch of the game is tossed by no one other than the man responsible for landing the Stadium Beatle performance and the two night shows at Hollywood Bowl, channel 9 KTLA Emmy winner, and Pasadena Rose Parade host Bob Eubanks. Eubanks with his son Nick walk up to below the pitchers mound and he throws a low pitch into the mitt of A.J. Ellis. The Dodger Field Announcer says, “It’s in the glove Bob, nice job.”
Looking up at the rows of the contour seats toward third base side anyone can tell that the Stadium half empty (or less).
What is really hard not to notice is all of the Andre Ethier t-shirts and jerseys. There are so many of them, it’s hard to think that we can possibly lose Andre next season. Dang it.
WHAT! I see a Mexican dude wearing a “SKIN” t-shirt! No MAMES!
The folks in their wheel chairs getting ready to watch the game near by are AWESOME Dodger fans!
The cover of the newest issue of Dodger Magazine features Matt Kemp in his National League All-Star duds.
The Dodgers take the field and the meager crowd provides our players with some hearty hoots and hollers & some whistles too.
The Dodger Jumbo Tron tells the Stadium that Matt Kemp has played in 333 consecutive games, the longest current streak in MLB. There is an advertisement for a new drink called “Muscle Milk”, I wonder if Kemp has been mixing that in his Wheaties . . .
I see a lady with a t-shirt that says, “:My heart belongs to the Dodgers”-a Pink t-shirt?
Got to go back to flippin patties
________________________________________________________________________
I have a ten minute break so I’m heading back to the break room perch to catch the action.
It’s the top of the 6th inning, not a single run from the Dodgers for Lilly. Rockies 1- Dodgers. I go out of the Stand to take a look at the game in play and I see Ted Lilly Strike Out Rockies short stop Troy Tulowiski looking, to end the 6th.
Heck YEAH. The crowd goes nuts.
A Los Angeles Police Officer standing next to isle 6 tells me, “How’s it going sir?” Cool!
Comic book thought bubble: “How many times have I seen Todd Helton take the field for Colorado? The guy is Awesome, I have to admit.”
I think it’s the first time all season that I have heard (notice) a person listing to his iphone (?) for play by play radio action on KABC, or some other network. I’d do it too if I was an “Apple guy”.
Bottom of the 7th I hear the excitement. It sounds like the Boys are breaking open the game! Matt Kemp just hit a three run homer, his 30th of the year! Looking out side of the I can see a boy no older than 13 years old boy with a #15 Furcal jersey, pick up his little brother and celebrate with the rambunctious Stadium fans.
My buddy Damian tells me that the sound of the fans was the loudest he had ever heard from this type of attendance. “MVP! MVP! MVP!” was being hollered like I remember when Adrian Betre was on top of his game here. SO AWESOME!
Lilly did great. That’s 4 in a row.
Dodgers win.
I’m out of air.
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