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HERE ! WE ! GO!
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game 1
Freeway Series 2016
@Chavez Ravine
Dodgers Scott Kazmir
vs.
Angels Lukas Giovarelli
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There are a number of changes going on this season.
At the employee check-in we get x-rayed for contraband like everybody else entering the Stadium.
For my crew and I, a bit of change has happened for the better.
We ain't Chicken Tenders Etc. anymore because our Stand #740 has magically turned into a . . .
DODGER DOG EXPRESS!
Finally!
Finally we are validated . . .
No more Flipping Burgers,
No more Frying Chicken Tenders,
No more Delivered D-Dogs (from J.C.'s Stand)
so long,
Pickles - Lettuce - Onions - Tomato!
HA! HA! HA!
So0-loOng-extra-ingredients!
HAAA!
HA!
An official Dodger Dog Stand now.
"I guess we are the Wrapping Princesses", Maribel says, alluding to her new roll.
"Yup! You'll be wrapping Dodger Dogs like Queens, too!"
Looking around the Stand, mostly everyone has returned from last season.
Awesome . . .
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How about the on-the-field changes.
We have a slightly retooled team.
I'm no expert but I can definitely spit a good game about baseball.
No Greinke? Yea, yea, whatever.
I like the new look of the Dodgers.
It is what it is.
Changes will always happen for better or worse.
I think we are going to be OK, for now.
(We can cry over the biggest change to come, later)
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Just outside the Dodger Express doors, eyespy Estella, the Little Dodger Usher that carries a big stick.
(Man, she is tough)
"So are we gonna make play-offs this year?"
She raises her hands above her head, arms in a "Y" like Nixon, with fingers crossed.
"Of course we are!"
LOL
Next, Estella starts to share with me all the new stuff the Stadium has for everybody,
I like what she is telling me!
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The Stadium gates open in about 15 minutes.
It's Dodger Dog Express time:
We have racks of Dodger Dog buns stacked 12 feet high,
We have a fridge half full of Dodger Dogs, a quarter full of Super Dogs, and the rest stuffed with papas fritas.
Souvenir Cups up the ying-yang.
Beers Cups ready for topping.
Ah!-There's the bucket of Garlic for the specialty fries.
The Peanuts are hanging out in front.
And that's it, that's all we got . . .
All that needs to be done is getting these D-Dogs on the grill but maintenance hasn't fired up our pilot
light for the first time of the season, juuuuust yet.
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The rivalry once again,
An allegiance to either party will rip a family apart (for a series).
Neighbor vs neighbor.
Sister vs Sister.
Brother vs Brother.
Husband vs Wife.
Tio vs Tia.
Girlfriend vs boyfriend.
Angels Rally Monkey vs 80's Dodger Koala Bear
In my families case, Grandpa was a Hollywood Stars backer, a team that turned to the California Angels
way back in the day.
You know which game I was watching while at Grandpas and Grandmas house.
Households divided.
Baseball united.
It's on. . .
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The Workers
It's been six months since the crew has seen each other.
Social media keeps me in the loop but time for catch-up . . .
"Coco, your daughter is precious!"
(Facebook)
"Rochelle, your boyfriend is one handsome dude"
(Instagram)
"Maribel, your son is a real character"
(He has a good dad, Facebook)
Rosa, the Bossy Lady, shows pics of her granddaughter in Cuba.
(IPhone)
"Jesus! Did you lose weight?- You look great, Ese!"
(New diet)
"Justine, you cut your hair!- Did you change to brown?"
(New boyfriend)
"Maribel, did I mention your little girl is sooo adorable!"
(Instagram)
"Eastside Art."
"What's up holmes," he acknowledges.
(He is cooking the Dodger Dogs)
Deadpool Tommy will be back on weekends.
(The dude is in love, left L.A)
The regular Fry Guy is MIA this evening so I'm stepping it up, after all, I'm the Main Spoon.
(Where is the salt shaker?)
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Break time,
The Angels are taking batting/infield practice and David Bowie's "Fame" is blasting out
of the Stadium ghetto blaster with some serious funkiness.
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Before the game begins, Ava Domini sings the National Anthem with a whole lot of heart.
(old pic of Ava)
Solid work!
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1st inning,
We are in business.
I drop 6 baskets full of fries in the boiling Soy Bean oil. (Sizzling)
Two baskets for Garlic Boy.
Four baskets for me . . .
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At a steady pace Eastside Art is shifting the D-Dogs, left to right/right to left, on the hot grill.
"Rapido!"
"Rapido!"
The old man shouts into the smoke before him.
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The Homie with the "Dragon" shades is bunning the Dogs.
Pat the bun
Add the Dog
Pat the bun
Add the Dog
etc.
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Little Coco be Wrapping
Mari and Rochelle be ringing the register.
Octavio be pouring the suds
It's all good.
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2nd Inning,
Coco is getting her groove on!
Twisting each end of the D-Dog like a Tootsie Roll machine.
Behind the glare of her pink framed glasses are determined eyes.
"Is that a Super or a Regular?" Justine asks.
"SUPERS!" Coco replies.
"I see that girl!"
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3rd Inning,
Anaheim is already giving us trouble.
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4th Inning,
The crowd is here to eat, alright.
Some Vato with tattoos decorating his scalp asks me for a French fry because we are out.
"Coming up!"
Simon
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5th Inning,
The assistant to the assistant complains that the D-Dogs are too greasy.
Art looks at her in disbelief.
Coco agrees with Justine but I got Art's back.
"I love that greasy smell"
"No, it's too much!"
???
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6th Inning,
The guy running the sodas and brews name is Octavio, as I said before.
"Yo, Ocatavio, do you know the poet Octavio Paz?"
He grins, nodding with certainty, "Of course he is one of my favorite writers, poet, he wrote children's
books, some prose, he is great!"
"Did you read the Labyrinth of Solitude? I ask.
Octavio's facial expression suggests, "Yes, of course (you idiot).
Simon!
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Octavio laughs out loud: Ha Ha Ha!
"They just showed the (same) Cholo on the "Kiss Cam" Jumbo Tron mans he just pumps his chest
looking all hard!"
Hahahaha!
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Top of the 7th,
Garlic Boy asks if the Dodgers are winning.
"We're losing!"
Nuff said.
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Bottom 7th,
It's clean-up time.
"Take Me Out to the Ball Game" is playing in the background, wait, wait a second . . .
that's not our NANCY BEA playing!!!
The song plays on but it's not the same.
Nancy Bea Hefly! (retired)
What can I say but we miss your beautiful music, your smile on the Jumbo Tron, the sight of your fragile hands.
Your hands! Your fingers, that had brought millions of us SO-MUCH-JOY!
I can still see them glide on the keys of your instrument!
How painful disappointing it is to finally realize the beauty you brought to the Stadium all of these years
is gone. The joy that is your music, so distinct sound, like Vin's own golden voice is irreplaceable.
We love you and miss you Nancy Bea . . .
Talk about changes :(
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Dodgers drop this one to Ana's home, 6-2
84ever
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
game 2
Los Angeles Dodger Kenta Maeda
vs.
Anaheim Angel Hector Santiago
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1st Inning,
"Tony, YOU are cooking Dodger Dogs," Justine commands.
(Right in front of Eastside Art, No less)
Gulp!
I look over at Art and shrug my shoulders, "You can cook the Dogs, Art, you the man!"
"No A, it's alright, we can take turns."
"Are you sure?"
"It's no big deal A."
Simon.
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D-Dog time . . .
Eastside Art was ahead of the game.
D-Dogs were already defrosting in water.
I just need to set up the required tools:
Tongs. (Check)
Dodger Dog towers. (Check)
Apron, on. (Check)
Deep steel pans. (Check)
Warmers turned-up to high. (Check)
Bud Light. (check)
Defrosted Dodger Dogs and Supers (Ready)
LETS GO.
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7th Inning,
I over-cooked 100+ D-dogs.
Most of them are in the warmer,
The Midnight Mission is eating good tonight.
In the corner of my eye I can see the grin on Eastside's face.
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DAMN IT!
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The Assistant to the Assistant tells me, "WE are going to give you a head start Tony, RUN."
So I run . . .
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Dodgers fall to the Angels, 5-1.
84ever
