A Dodger Stadium Blog by Tony Varela: Current Affairs

game 1 vs SF Giants, May 8th

THE INCREDIBLE

INFLATABALE CHAIR GIVE-A-WAY DAY!

+ = +

Los Angeles Dodger Ace Josh Beckett 0-1 (3.14)

vs.

San Francisco Giant Ryan Vogelsong 1-1 (4.60)

Bubble: Man, do I want to see Josh get a win, finally.

= + =

Here we go again . . .

After getting my Stand assignment at check-in, showing my employee ID at the Stadium gates,

and pulling my right pant leg out of my sock, Eye Spy Ronald Nelson the Dodger Vendor

Extraordinaire. (Dodger employee since 1958) I respect him so much that I have to greet

him and shake his hand whenever I get the chance.

"Hey RONALD!"

If I can get his attention . . .

"How are you Sir?"

Commencing handshake . . .

BOOOM!

We pull our hands back and snap our fingers like the homies do it.

(Sorry I don't have the pic)

Next Ronnie says, “Gosh that looks comfortable and cozy,” referring to

tonight’s give-a-way.

I agree.

“Who’s pitching tonight,” he asks me.

“Josh Beckett, Ron”

“How’s he doing?”

“He’s been pitching well, Ronnie, Beckett dropped his ERA into the 3’s but he hasn’t got a win.”

Ronnie surmises, “He lost cuz of that (Dodger) bullpen.”

I had to agree, once again.

Bubble: These extra inning games are ruining us too but I wont tell you that Ronnie.

= + + =

Back @ CK Tender Stand,

The Crew is in full effect.

JC Fry Guy, HawkeyeTommy, Rojelio the Fry Guy;the Flower Shop Girls: Jazzy the assitant,

Maggie the Garlic Girl, Maribel; the Boss Lady; ladies on the register Diana and Araceli;

Tommys Mom Judy and a rookie worker, who I call La Chiquita, cuz she is short, of course.

= + + =

Chicken tenders go:

Sizzle! + Crackle! + Pop!

= + + + =

Breakroom Breaktime, time!

I need to get my grub on, soooo dang hungry.

To my surprise, my Bossy Lady walks in and has a seat at my table.

She sets her food down in front of her and asks me, “Do you want some?”

Grouped on the carry-out tray set before her are:

An Elysian Park Burger, “Do you want half?” she asks.

A large mixed green salad, “Do want some?”

And a half eaten Dodger Dog.

Bubble: No thank you.

Next,

A Dodger Usher walks in the BR with a salted (Wetzel) Pretzel, cheese on the side.

He sits across from the Bossy Lady

Bossy tells him, “I could use a pretzel.”

Another Dodger Usher enters the BR with a Pizza in hand.

He sits at the table adjacent to ours.

Bossy says, “I could use a Pizza.”

Both Dodger Ushers turn to her as if to see if she is serious.

Bossys response is, “I got a knife” and she brandishes a plastic utencil.

Everyone in the break room shares a hearty laugh.

Except Boss, she wasn't playing around.

= + =

My Bossy Lady sure is funny : )

+ = +

1st inning,

Back in the CK tender Stand,

Chicken Tender and Fry handlers are talking current events: Spiderman 2.

Old school Hamburger Helper, Maggie drops a basket of criscut fries . . .

(SPLASH)!

Into the fryer . . .

The icy frozen fries convert to steam blasting up to the sealing. . .

and Maggie lets out a huge scream, “AAAAAHHHHH!”

Collective Bubble: "???"

Everyone goes to Maggie's aid but there is little to be worried about thankfully.

She was just over dramatically startled.

“You scared the $#!+ out of me!”

"Me too,” claims JC the Fry Guy.

“Cuidate, te quemas!” la Chiquita worker warns Maggie.

("Don't burn yourself!")

Suddenly, Tommy goes off,

“Yeah, like (the comic books)!

(I) fall into the french fryer- I’m a Spiderman villan . . ."

(SPLASH)!

Tommy shouts in excruciating pain,

"NOOOOOOOOO!"

His skin starts to bubble from the scalding heat of the soy bean oil, one eye ball

socket drops two inches lower, the cartilage in his nose is depleted, patches of his red hair begin

to fall off his exposed skull, the skin on his arms is completely charred.

Next, he pulls his employee jersery over his head and Tom proclaims with clenched fists,

"I'm the Sizzler!"

Dodger Stadiums 1st Supervillan

+ +

3rd inning,

La Chiquita and I are scooping fries into the CK tender boats.

“Who eats this crappy food!” I tell her.

She calls me out, "You eat this crappy food.”

Bubble: Daaaamn!!!

+ + +

4^th inning,

Game score is 0-0.

People are eating this stuff like crazy!

Chicken tenders go:

Sizzle! + Crackle! + Pop!

"(The score) is stressfull for the fans so all they want to do is eat the food,” la Chiquita claims.

Bubble: Damn she makes good points!

+ + + +

5th inning,

The Fans are eating us out of the Stand its ridiculous!

Sizzle! + Crackle! + Pop!

+ + + + +

6th inning,

La Chiquita keeps asking me when the lines will die down.

Sizzle! + Crackle! + Pop!

"7th inning, hopefully."

= + ++ + =

7th inning,

My little co-workers is cleaning this stand like a true pro.

+ = + = + =

8th inning,

After a long evening of hustling, the Crew is ready to go home.

Boss Lady is checking all of our work stations before we sign-out. She notices that

me and La Chiquita did not clean the fridge well enough under the prep table. So we

start cleaning again. My little partner is pissed off as hell that Boss kept us long and she

tells me, "I'm never working in this Stand again." Her eyes beaming at the Boss with

ghetto discontent.

The Boss is always made out to be the Bad-gal

=+ + + + + =

The Game,

Dodgers fall to the Giants 3-1 in the 10th inning.

84'

__________________________________________________________________________________

Friday May 9, game 2

Los Angeles D Paul Maholm 1-2 (4.70)

San Francisco G Madison Bumgarner 3-1 (3.18)

Check out Yasil Puig the Villan LOL, thanks Stadium Bound!

(I can't write a damn thing bout this game, but that these extra inning games are killing us!)

Dodgers lose in the 10th inning, 3-1

Bubble: AGAIN!

____________________________________________________________

Saturday May 10, game 3

LA Dodger Zack Greinke 5-1 (2.35)

SF Giant Matt Cain 0-3 (4.35)

(I can't write a damn thing about this game but that what a relief)

Dodgers finally take one from the Giants, 6-2!

Bubble: Finally!

__________________________________________________________________

Sunday May 11, game 4

LA Dodgers Cy Young Winner Clayton Kershaw 2-0 (0.66)

SF Giants solid arm veteran Tim Hudson 4-2 (1.99)

= + =

(It seemed like any other)

MOTHERS DAY

Dodger Stadium

It's a beautiful Sunday fun day.

+ +

Shake Ronalds hand.

+ +

As usual,

All of the Stadium Mothers are provided with these nice bouquets of flowers.

La Senora who sweeps up the Stadium clean offers Sylvia flowers of her own.

So Sweet!

Back in the Stand,

Chicken tenders go:

Sizzle! + Crackle! + Pop!

Break time music with the 45's band.

A little bit of Petty

a little bit of John

Nice.

Everything is super chill.

"Happy Mothers Day," is the talk of the Stadium.

The Dodger Dog I ate for breakfast tasted bomb with extra deli

mustard & jalapenos.

All we need is a win over the Giants, I'm thinking when I hear someone say:

"They might close the Stadium!"

What the heck?

People nearby are pointing toward the kids Playground Area.

What the Heck is going on!

A woman cries out,

"BEES!"

Stand workers at the Elysian Park Grill have to evacute.

Fear is in the air.

But not of Mother Nature.

This, this is sabatoge.

Calculated.

Last I read in the Los Angeles Times, the super villian SWARM was

here in LA causing trouble.

Everyone is terrified!

Swarm might be trying to take control of all the Stadium workers like he did in

that old episode of "Spiderman and his Amazing Friends"!

The Horrer!

First there was The Sizzler super villain, my Boss The Badgal,

the SF Giants and now we have to deal with mf'n Swarm!?!

Just great!

+ +

My break time is over, better get back to the CK Tender Stand.

Back in the Stand,

I am starting to feel really weird . . .

Chicken tenders go:

Sizzle! + Crackle! + Pop!

That Bee problem Swarm caused has got my mind zoning out . . .

Worse things could happen at the Stadium:

+ + +

2nd inning,

SWAAAAARRRRMMMMMM!

3rd inning,

SWAAAAARRRRMMMMMM!

4th inning,

SWAAAAARRRRMMMMMM!

5th inning,

SWAAAAARRRRMMMMMM!

6th inning,

SWAAAAARRRRMMMMMM!

+ + +

Bottom of 6th,

I snap out of Swarms Worker Bee mind control.

And realize that all game long the crew had been working under Swarms spell.

Swarm had our minds under control there was nothing we could do but

pour Cokes, stuff fries, and load the fryer with Chicken Strips without

our own thoughts. Things are a lot more clearer now and I can finally check

my Facebook on my new Iphone. This mind control really sucks!

Sizzle! + Crackle! + Pop!

+ + +

8th inning,

Look Brian Wilson is in the game and we're losing.

Woop-Dee-Doo!

The game,

Dodgers lose in the 10th, Again!

I may be mild manner school teacher but when I get angry, you don't want to see me angry.

I can't control . . . my . . SELF AAAARRGGG!

CHICANO HULK SMASH!

Giants - 7

Dodgers - 4

game 1

Dodger Ted Lilly 0-0 record

vs.

Rockie Tyler Chatwood 0-0

+++

Arrival,

My buddy Damian and I car pool to the Stadium every game unless he is lollie-gagging. Sometimes

I’ll be swinging by the house (in Echo Park) to get my slip-resistant shoes for the Stadium, where I

find Damian relaxing on the balcony puffing on a cigarette. “I still have to brush my teeth, dog,” he

might tell me. I’ll look at the time. I just raced from my other job in Van Nuys within a matter of

25 minutes- Stadium job starts in 15. The house is only a 10 minute walk from the Stadium.

(decisions-decisions)

I hate to wait- so I ditch him.

So far this season I haven’t had to diss but I’m late a lot.

Pulling into the employee parking lot I find a sweet shady space under a young palm tree.

We have 10 minutes to get to check-in. (Grab my radio and apron) There is a visible small line

leading to the shuttle that takes us up to the Stadium. In our hurry we notice Dodger Vendor

Extraordinaire Ronald Nelson who is grabbing his stuff from the trunk of his nifty Ford

Focus. I can hear Ronnie singing to himself as we pass him- His voice reminds me of Robin

Williams’ Popeye the Sailorman singing a tune in the 1980's feature film.

Click here for the video,

Sounds just like Ronnie

@ minute 1:45

(Vid is blocked because it's so awesome but here is a pic)

As Damian and I pass by our friend, Damian calls out, “What’s up Ronald!”

Startled, Ron turns around, seemingly annoyed.

Not a word from him but a raised eye brow- like Popeye’s good eye- eyebrow.

As we continue to walk, my buddy tells me, “Our (Pizza) Stand always holds his bag for him

(Puffs cigarette, exhales), sometimes Ronald is counting his money in the back of the

stand and we have to politely ask him to move. Other times he won’t listen and we just have to

wait.” I can easily picture Damian holding a bunch of dirty dishes watching Ron slowly count his

hard earned money.

Bubble: That’s respect . . .

In the shuttle-

I close my eyes and meditate.

(Tired)

+++

In the Burger Stand,

The attendance on the Reserve Level for tonight’s game is barely 6,000. Stadium employees

can finally have it easy after yesterday’s Kids Batting Helmet give away. We basically took on

every little league baseball team (in L.A.), along with their Moms and Dads and Sisters and

Brothers.

Ted Lilly is starting for the Dodgers for his second time since being activated from the disabled

list.

He throws a lot of pitches so it may be a long night.

+++

The Ladies of the Stand are readying themselves for break (Meals in one hand, cell phone in

the other), destined for the top seats in isle 6 to settle in before the game.

Scoop the Mayo

Hamburger Helper says for all to hear, “I’m going to be reeeaal bad.” Hinting at the cheese

burger and fries she has on her carry-out tray.

The Assistant to the Assistant is thinking about doing the same . . .

Boss Lady, in a fit of disappointment cries, “You never have a dollar!” to a warehouse guy who

doesn’t have the money to purchase one of her delicious homemade cookies.

Mari-bell laments, “I’ll be outside (on the register) by myself (bored)”, weary, because

Monday night Dodger games are real sleepers.

Tommy Gun prepares his vegan hotdog sandwich.

The Fry Guy is still contemplating “What too munch on?”

Burger Time- solo styles,

Lean (forward) on the silver prep counter.

(Relax)

No need to feel pressured this evening.

(Relax)

Mari was right- attendance will be small.

(Take it easy)

It’s best that I work on my technique.

Stack a set of burger buns, lift my spreading spoon, and begin:

+++

Top Buns

Spoon: Scoop the Mayo- turn of the wrist- spread

(Ready)

Scoop - turn of the wrist – spread

Scoop - turn of the wrist – spread X 2

Scoop - turn of the wrist - spread

Bottom Buns

Spread –East Coast to West Coast

Reverse spread – East Coast to West Coast X 2

Spread – East Coast to West Coast

Bottom buns

Pickles – Lettuce – Tomato – Onions

Pickles – Lettuce – Tomato – Onions X 2

Pickles – Lettuce – Tomato – Onions

Top buns

Spoon: Scoop the Mayo and Special Sauce

Spread – East Coast to West Coast

Reverse spread – East Coast to West Coast X 2

Spread – East Coast to West Coast

Top with 6 hamburger patties-

Flip tops on top of the bottoms

Wrap wax paper around burgers-

With room to breathe.

(Someone is going to enjoy this.)

+++

The Awesome co-workers return with a little bit of break time left over.

Tommy usually feeds the broiler but he is still washing up (safety first!) so I take up the tongs

and begin to insert the bread and patties.

For some reason I notice an eerie squeaking sound coming from the broiler conveyer belt as it

turns.

“Better call the maintenance guys Boss, the Broiler is making sounds.”

“Why? It sounds ok,” J.C the Fry Guy chimes in.

“Yeah, that’s the sound it makes,” Bossy claims.

Bubble: But it sounds like crying.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Outside the Stand: Vendors are kicking it near isle 8- Eye spy Super Vendor Mort Rose

chuckling it up.

2 Police Officers (REALLY TALL) walk the concourse, side by side, toward the 3^rd base side:

Twin Towers.

The Dodgers Ushers have finished their game briefing- they walk to their respective positions,

proud.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Break room,

I’m sitting across from Flamboyant Bobby of the Wetzel Pretzel eating my lunch, chit-chatting.

“Dancing with the Stars and that Diving show, those are the only reality shows I watch Tony . . .

News flash on the mini TV: “1^st openly gay player has come out.”

Bubble: NO WAY!

Bobby’s Bubble: Way!

“What do you think of that?” Ronin of Wetzel Pretzel asks me.

“That’s cool!- but who is the player?”

Everyone in the room shrugs.

In between two bites- more chat,

“Did you work the Michael Jackson concert when it was here?” Bobby asks me.

“No, I didn’t.”

On the mini t.v. screen is a “Dancing with the Stars” commercial for the next themed episode that is

titled “Noche de Latino”- it’s a salsa flavored dance off- “tonight!” The DWS judge that looks like

Martin Short does this funny movement like he is doing the “Bat Dance”. Bubble: Was that

Flamenco?

“Did you work the Rolling Stones concert?”

“Nope, I didn’t Bobby.”

“They are playing at the Staples Center- $200 bucks a ticket . . . do you believe that? They play

the same song -what’s it called- Satisfaction?”

I nod.

“(They) charge all of that money . . . they play the same song?”

Suddenly, the Dodger Vendors in their yellow jerseys uniforms swarm into the break room- one

Bee, then two, more Bees enter. They swarm in circles over the tables, landing on the bench seats.

This is my cue call to get the hell out.

+++

From the break room perch I see 5 Dodger suits.

They are talking about serious matters.

Their eye brows are arched with wrinkled foreheads.

5 suits’ collective Bubbles:

“No long concession lines tonight- What do we do?”

My attention turns from the cheap suits to the passerby fans when suddenly EYE spy the one and

only, Drew the Jedi Usher!!!

He is decked out in a Dodger jersey, LA cap, and old ass Reeboks.

(A wtf moment: Stoked)

I have a bunch of questions because I’ve been looking for my home-dog since the Freeway

Series:

“DREW! Where have you been buddy? –

I was worried about you bro! –

What happened to you?” –

Did your car break down? –

I tried calling you, man!

He pauses, takes a restrained breath and says, “I got a full time job.”

Bubble: Awesome.

Drew looks healthier. Still stalky but squared out- like a linebacker.

Bubble: Must be eating good now with that extra money and stuff.

“I miss you bro!”

“I miss you too bro.”

Big brotherly hug- bro.

This guy has been my best friend since Ozzy Osborne used to come to every Dodger game, going

back to 2009. Drew affirms, “Now I can enjoy all of this.” He waves his arm across as if to

encompass the entire Stadium. Bubble: The all-you-can-eat Right Field Pavilion is all his!

Everyone knows him as Andrew but he knows better. “I remember, he points out, (I’m) Drew the

Jedi Usher of the Opera, right?”

That’s right, the one and only . . .

Outside the Stand,

Poor Maribel is in the cockpit/cashier booth. The poor girl is in a very precarious position. With

all of the new technology popping up in every corner of the Stadium someone decided to turn up

the volume on the little piece of crap TV outside of our Burger Stand in order to add to the

extravaganza of bright LCD screens and the bumping Stadium speakers on the baseball field. In

the past, the purpose of this piece of crap TV was only to show the Dodger game while peeps waited

in the Burger Stand line. Anyway, now there is a reoccurring Carl’s Jr. commercial promoting

(every 8 minutes) the new Jim Beam burger. This darn promotion consists of a country theme

song that goes something like: “Oh whisky O’- Johnny O’ – rise her up from down

below!”- BLASTING VERY VERY LOUDLY! on top of poor Maribel who is trapped ringing up

the register.

Unfortunately, it’s a slow-as-heck this evening so there is no way that the regular Stadium

cacophony will drown out the irritating advertisement. We don’t sell the Jim Beam Burger,

either.

“This is unacceptable,” I told Tommy Gun.

“(Only) when you’re in North Korea,” he replies.

The National Anthem is performed by a charismatic woman by the name of Rachel Stark.

Tommy Gun’s Bubble: Rachel + Stark /Iron Man = Awesome!

During the game,

The beat of the rush for food is very infrequent. There isn’t much to do but lean and clean . . . but

with so much time to kill there is more time to get on one another’s nerves. Luckily for us, we have

the Stand radio to jam too. There is a played-out jam on Power 106 so I go to change the channel

to KROQ. I return to the burger-line and Hamburger Helper is glaring at me. I notice for a little bit

but without any concern.

1st inning,

Rockies rope 3 runs off of Lilly.

Collective "sigh!" from the few fans in the Stadium.

+++

The sight of the Stadium crowd is . . .

. . . very few.

We wait for the Dodgers to come alive . . .

. . . but to no avail.

5th inning,

Dodger Rookie J. Wall gets hammered for 5 runs.

A collective audible Stadium "Sigh!" carries in the air.

This Stadium is empty,

No children-

No fun-

7th inning,

Dodgers are down 8-0

+++

In the Stand,

The Radio is playing some Cumbia beats- (Not feeling it) I turn the radio dial to a rock station . . go

back to the burger line. Hamburger Helper is standing there glaring at me: Dagger eyes. I can’t

shake her look. Bubble: She was feeling it?

“Don’ look at me that way – they pierce my soul.”

She continues to stare until I change the station back to Cumbias.

Bubble: Hanley will return to the team tomorrow.

+++

The Game,

The Dodger Jumbo Tron says that a Rockie rookie player Arenado got the 1^st hit of his career and

hit his 1^stmajor league homerun.

Must be nice . . .

+++

Dodgers get an ass whooping 12-1

The highlight of the evening: Dodger utility man Skip Schumaker pitches a scoreless 9th inning,

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Game 2

Hanley Ramirez "I See You" Bobble Head Night

Dodger Hyun Jin Ryu 2-1

vs.

Rockie J. De la Rosa 2-1

+++

Employee parking lot,

Standing at the very end of the line for the employee shuttle, Damian and I notice the homegirl

"Jessie" approaching our orderly crew.

"There's Jessie," Damian points out.

Bubble: Jessie! I remember her when I first started the Stadium back in 96'- she was this

tall (6'1) rail-thin Chicana from where ever she was from. Three dots at the bottom of her thumb

grip. Now, Jessie is a working mother (grave yard shift), not as skinny. Talks a good game of

life- still a scrapper too, for sure. Damian worked with her extensively a few years back and

knows her well. My friend once referred to Jessie as someone you could trust. "She used to

talk to me when I had my smoke (break)," he once mentioned. "She told me about how hard it

was raising her son by herself . . . always doing her best, man- she can be sad sometimes but

Jessie always does her best because of the love for her son . . . ." (Pop!)

"I love Jessie," Damian admits with a warm smerk.

We watch her walk to about a quarter ways past the front of the line when she spots a familiar

face. Jessie smiles, engages into some conversation with a tiny older lady. Next, she inserts herself

into the line.

"Ha! She cut!" Damian says under his breath.

Both of us won't say jack because of her old school status.

A few seconds later, a really pretty employee appraches the line.

"I've never seen THAT girl," Damian salivates.

"Me neither"- but my focus is not the apple in Damian's eye.

I'm thinking of my first year at Dodger Stadium

Bubble:

+++

About 5 minutes pass when a shuttle is in our sights.

"What kind of shuttle is that man?" Damian's voice climbs higher.

"Aww Come ON! That looks like a school bus!"

As people make their way into the school shuttle/bus we hear Jessie cry out "Aww shit! I left

something in my car!" She immediatley leaves the moving line heading back to her automobile.

Damian and I are inching closer and closer but we get cut off at the retracting door just as the

shuttle reaches capacity.

"Fuck!"- Damian is pissed.

"N ow we have to wait for another shuttle and then wait in line for check-in!"

(Shrug)

+++

Reserve Level Concourse,

The crowds are packing it in the Stadium.

The people are packin' their Bobbleheads.

"Where can I find the Garlic Fries," a brace-face teen asked me.

Fans are representing:

- Kirk Gibson #23 Jersey.

- Davey Lopes # 15 jersey.

I see Mommies, Babies, and Bobbles all over the place!

A Dodger Blue family of 7! - Wow!

Bubble: It's pop-locking up in here!

+++

Back in the Burger Stand,

It's Tommy's turn to man the Burger Stand register/cock pit.

"I feel like I'm getting into Voltron," he claims.

(In the Voltron Black Cat)

+++

1st inning,

Some Rockie player cranks a homer off of Ryu- the entire Stadium sighs.

+++

Pickles - lettuce - tomato - onions

+++

Bottom of the 3rd,

The entire Stadium is pumped up because Hanely Ramiez, the man of the evening, is up to bat.

Guess what happens next . . . .

The STADIUM cheers out:

"Hanley! Hanley! Hanley!"

The Dodger Jumbo Tron captures the guy who caught the homer: He holds the ball up in the air

for all to see. The crowd is going bonkers!

Soooo AWESOME!!!

Bubble: Feels like deja vu . . . but without flashes of Juan Pierre.

+++

Pickles - lettuce - tomato - onions

+++

Bottom of the 5th inning,

(15 minute breaktime)

Need to take a walk.

Reserve Level Concourse.

3rd base side,

the Kids Playground is a smash hit for ages 2-6

One of them is climbing the huge coil like a champ . . .

A giggling toddler is slowly spun around in the spinning bucket seats by his father.

+++

Ryu "K's" the final Rockie to end the inning . . .

Gets his props in the dugout- 10 K's, so far!

+++

The Game,

Ryu strikes out 12batters- "poned" the Rockie batters.

The fans got what they paid for.

Handley did what he is paid for.

6-2 Dodgers over Rockies.

Good times . . .

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

game 3

In the shuttle,

(Tree needs trimming)

+++

(Dodger BP)

+++

I might have mentioned this before but I just want to say (once again) that every time I first walk

into the Stadium gates, I shake the hand of Dodger Vendor Extraordinaire Ronald Nelson.

I just said Hello to him right now where he is relaxing in isle 8.

He has a firm hand shake.

And always has an opinion about the Dodgers.

+++

Burger Stand,

Pickles - lettuce - tomato - onions

Break room,

On the mini TV set, the Wetzel Pretzel Crew and I watch the new footage of the fire taking place in

Banning, CA. “The fire is 100% uncontained,” the newscaster tells the viewers.” Michael the

specialty cook didn’t expect the talking head to say those words, “WTF!” he mutters in disbelief.

The footage of the fire is like a bull rampaging through the streets of Pamplona.

Eye spy some dude rocking a NY Yankee pin-strip jersey with a #23 Don Mattingly jersey.

Bubble: Nice! . . . or maybe not, can’t decide.

+++

On the Burgerline,

“Last night you over cooked 56 burgers!” Hamburger Helper accuses me.

Bubble: Yikes! I promised I wouldn’t do that.

“I even took a picture.”

Next, (Jazz) the Assistant to the Assistant shows me an image of a stack of Burgers in the shape

of a pyramid. "See!" Hamburger Helper exclaims.

Bubble: Yikes!

“At least the homeless at the Midnight Mission ate some tasty Burgers, last night: )”

Combined, the eyes of HH and the AA look at me like I am an ignorant dumb-dumb . . .

Bubble: Yikes! I'm being ambushed . . .

“This is what I have to carry up!” Hamburger Helper complains, pointing out the Burger

Pyramid image on the phone once again- “My back hurts, Tony!”

Bubble: I - Feel - Bad . . .

+++

Pickles- lettuce- Tomato – Onions

Pickles- Lettuce- Tomato – Onions

+++

The National Anthem is performed by Army Veteran Jonathan Hernandez- sounded great.

The Veteran of the Game is Purple Heart recipient Army National Guard Specialist Jason

Watts who says the most satifaction he felt while serving is "helping the citizens of Iraq."

And the 1^st pitch of the game belongs to Julia, granddaughter of former AAA announcer

Bob Hough, of the Spokane Indians. Hough was also formerly affiliated with the Dodgers

organization.

The occasion is a fitting tribute to a man's life dedicated to MLB.

6th inning,

The game, saddly, is uneventful for our Boys in Blue.

Jumbo Tron highlight: Chris Tucker is at the game with a buddy.

Bubble: Smokey!!

The Game,

J. Beckett continues to struggle.

Colorado 7, Dodgers 3

Uneventfull

A Dodger Stadium Blog by Tony Varela

I work at Dodger Stadium and I have something to say about it.

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Echo Park, Dodger Stadium 2008-2011

Current Affairs

07/03/2014

The Stadium vs the SF Giants and other Villains

06/03/2013

Rocky Time, Ryu Time, Rockie Time