Chavez Ravine
2015
MLB, MVP, Cy Young Winner, and All Star
Dodger Ace Clayton Kershaw 0-0 (0.00)
vs.
James Shield on the mound for the San Diego Padres 0-0 (0.00)
Estimated attendance: 52,000 (Hot damn!)
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Lets begin with the Elysian Park Tailgating, of course . . .
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And, we, are, back . . . .
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Gates are open,
The Stand is intact:
Fryers frying, Mayo is chillin, and the Cervezas are ready to be pouring.
But not everything is good to go.
Currently half of the workers are out to break.
Our regular Fry Guy is MIA this morning.
The Ladies of the Stand no longer work here:
No more Bossy Lady,
No more Hamburger Helper Girl,
and
No more Assistant to the Assistant Girl.
The latest manager Candice is super nervous, like, shaky nervous.
While I’m learning how to prepare these new Sriracha Chicken Sandwiches and the fuse in the stand
keeps going out. We need electricity to get the cooking done. “What happened to my gas?” The pilot
light to the fryers went out again. Candice calls the warehouse for the Maintenance Guys to solve our
technical problems. They better come soon.
Meanwhile, the Dodger Fans are trickling in to experience the best time of the year.
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Flames are back on and we be frying everything, Oh Yeah!
Chicken Tender + Spicy Chicken Patties + Papas
(Sizzling)
Chicken Tender + Spicy Chicken Patties + Papas
(Crackling)
Chicken Tender + Spicy Chicken Patties + Papas
(Smoking!)
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Almost ready to go. . .
Only one register is open.
Now people are flooding in the Stadium gates.
The 1st True Blue customer of the season asks, “Are you open?”
Honesty is the best policy, “Yes and No, sir.”
At least one of the former Ladies of the Stand workers has returned. Mari, is in the cashier
booth ready to go. She smiles back at :) I rather have her work on the silver counter with me
inside but we need our best of the best in the most challenging positions today. Thankfully "Deadpool"
Tommy is back and ready to go. We will be training the New Hire workers today.
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Just as I figured out how to close the clam shell boxes for the sandwiches when a cry comes from outside,
“DODGER DOGS!”
A delivery of 90 Dodger Dogs has arrived from the stand next door. (We only cook-up chicken tenders
and fries in this present joint) My assistance is needed, so I make my way outside the stand to count the Dogs.
While I place 5 Dogs at a time on the al la cart warmers a lady customer can't wait long enough for me to
finish my task, I step backward and unknowingly step right on her big toe. "Ow!" She cries out. My back
heel definitely smashed it. SHIT! I’m surprised as hell; I turn around, look at her in the face, and she gives
me the ugliest stink eye. She reminds me of a truck driver angered for being cut off on the freeway.
Mari in the register booth is laughing.
But I am NOT!
A rude Dodger fan has already left a impression of buttheaded-ness and the game doesn't start for another
hour and a half.
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Back to the Fryer,
Chicken Tender + Spicy Chicken Patties + Papas
(Sizzling)
Chicken Tender + Spicy Chicken Patties + Papas
(Crackling)
Chicken Tender + Spicy Chicken Patties + Papas
(Smoking!)
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Candice imparts the sweetest words, "You can take your break"
And - I'm - off!
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Estella my co-conspirator Dodger Usher is at her usual post by the Stadium stair well.
"I'm sorry about everything?" I tell her.
"What?" She asks "Why?
"Your green shirt."
"I know it's UGLY!
Come on our beloved Dodger Ushers are in Green uniforms!
Ridiculous.
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Eye spy the Jersey Family:
Peterson
Robinson
Valenzuela-sons
Sons of Lasorda
Daughters of Drysdale
Koufax kids
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The Reserve Level concourse is packed with the Dodger Fan Family.
24 oz. Double fisters (yum)
Baby boy in stroller (cute)
Grandma in an electric chair (cozy)
A dude taking a pic of his carne asada helmet nachos (delish)
Familiar faces all around:
Maintenance brother-man calls out to me, "Que onda campion!"
5 Star Bar Ronaldo at the Portable beer counter ignores me, straight out.
And, the LAPD homies say what's up in the Breakroom.
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View from the Breakroom Perch- Section 10.
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A Lady Fan arriving to the top of steps, stops. ( I smile at her) She smiles back at me-
"That's all you have to do,” Javier the Vendor says.
“Just smile."
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I’m thinking of a different topic for this blog:
Love letters from dodger stadium
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View from the Top Deck,
(Totally Filtered)
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30 minutes later, back to work, apron on . . .
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Back in the Stand,
We have 5 rookie workers handling business in here!
Good thing Deadpool Tommy is assisting the manager, otherwise she would fall apart.
The crowds are swarming the Reserve Level!
Damn it my regular Fry Guy couldn't make it today.
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Ceremonial 1st pitch of the Game . . .
(Pic courtsey of lapostexaminer)
. . . belongs to Don Newcombe and Fernando Valenzuela, Eric Gagne.
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The National Anthem is performed by Tinashe.
It sounded whatever. . .
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Oh Shit!
Tommy tells me the Stadium Crowd just cheered for MK at his first plate appearance.
Sweet!
Clayton Kershaw vs Matt Kemp!
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Kemp wins this dual, driving in the 1st Padre run of the season.
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It's Fry Time!
1st inning,
Pickles + Lettuce + Tomato + Mayo
Pickles + Lettuce + Tomato + Mayo
Pickles + Lettuce + Tomato + Mayo
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2nd inning,
Pickles + Lettuce + Tomato + Mayo
Pickles + Lettuce + Tomato + Mayo
Pickles + Lettuce + Tomato + Mayo
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3rd inning,
Pickles + Lettuce + Tomato + Mayo
Pickles + Lettuce + Tomato + Mayo
Pickles + Lettuce + Tomato + Mayo
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Bottom of the 3rd,
Military Hero of the Game is Stephan Hudson- Air Force.
Thank you for your service!
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4th inning,
The Crew is resilient.
We cook and cook and cook to tame The Beast.
“We need Garlic Fries!” Coco shouts out!
Tommy informs us that the Dodgers are up 2-1. (Hellsyeah!)
“We ARE out of Dodger Dogs!” the girl at the soda fountain shouts.
“CRIPES!!” There are ZERO D Dogs out on the food display!
“Call for Dodger Dogs!”
Immediately, Candice is on the Dodger phone and orders 90 Dogs.
The line of hungry people outside the stand starts to grow, longer and longer. Their eyes look for Dodger Dogs
at the window but it’s empty. In the meanwhile, Tommy and I are filling up chicken tenders and spicy chicken
sandwiches. No one wants what we present to them. The fresh Garlic Fries won’t appease the fans. They want
Dodger Dogs. I can see it in their faces.
5 minutes pass, ZERO Dodger Dogs for the Beast.
“Can we get some Dodger Dogs,” a lady requests.
The pressure is mounting.
“We do not cook Dodger Dogs in this Stand,” Tommy explains to the growing crowd, “They are being delivered now.”
5 minutes pass, nothing.
“This is a set up!” the Soda Fountain girls claims.
A guy with a huge mustache asks me, "Do you have any Dodger Dogs?"
“They are coming soon sir.”
“But I have been waiting for 10 minutes!” he complains.
The pressure is palpable; I can’t look behind me.
Just stare straight; must-not-meet-their- piercing-eyes.
Coco pleads, "When are the Dodger Dogs coming?"
All we have are excuses: “Sorry, we ran out sir,” they will be arriving shortly.
"Where are the Dodger Dogs?" a drunken fan blurts.
"We want Dodger Dogs," says some lady.
"When are they gonna get here," asks some kid.
This is a set up!
These Fans want one thing! This is the biggest day of the Season, Opening Frikking Day, and these people are
waiting for Dogs, they are missing the game for damn Dogs and we don’t have a bun to give them, SHIT!
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“Dodger Dogs are HERE!” Coco shouts.
Finally! (GASP!)
As I slide the Dogs onto the warms for the fans to grab a gracious True Blue Dude praises me,
“Thank you, sir, YOU are my hero.” He grabs a handful and heads to see Mari at the register.
Within the next 5 minutes, all of the Dogs are gone, and Candice back on the Dodger horn, ordering
you-know-what. . .
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5th inning,
Meanwhile at the cash register:
D Dogs are sold out.
An infuriated woman is complaining to Maribel, “Isn't this Dodger Stadium?"
"Doesn't this place supposed to have dodger dogs?"
"I am sorry ma'am, we get our Dodger Dogs delivered from the Stand next door"
The lady starts to fume.
Turning Dodger Blue in the face.
Fists clenched.
Eyes glazed over from the 4 beers she consumed earlier.
She paces over to catch the statistics on the Jumbo Tron.
Mari thinks the lady had left but she reappears to the side of the register box and she hollers,
"Take that sign down!" pointing to the $5.00 D Dog sign.
She walks off down the concourse.
Seconds later, the Dogs arrive. . .
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6th inning,
Pickles + Lettuce + Tomato + Mayo
Pickles + Lettuce + Tomato + Mayo
Pickles + Lettuce + Tomato + Mayo
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7th inning,
Chicken Tender + Spicy Chicken Patties + Papas
(Sizzling)
Chicken Tender + Spicy Chicken Patties + Papas
(Crackling)
Chicken Tender + Spicy Chicken Patties + Papas
(Smoking!)
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8th inning,
Clean-up!
"The dishes are done, man!"
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The Game,
Dodgers pick up the win.
Jimmy Rollins’ homer seals the deal.
Sold out of Dodger Dogs or not, Los Angeles MUST win on Opening Day.
Final score, 6-3 over the San Diego.
Opening Day.
Got to love Opening Day.
Time to go to the Lot 1 Cafe for a brewski.
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Game 2 vs SD
Los Angeles Dodger Ace Zach Greinke 0-0 (0.00)
Vs
San Diego Padre Tyson Ross 0-0 (0.00)
50,000 in attendance.
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If you are a Union, you know the Union line. We have a seniority system here.
In order to work today's game, workers must have previously worked at least 90 games because the bar is
set at "90 games" seniority. Currently there are 30 people standing in line with a single game of seniority
under their belt. The probability is very few will earn a paycheck tonight.
Everyone starts off in the Stand-by line in this business.
It sucks.
Some people amazingly started with 1 game and have thousands of games worked there after, like this guy:
Ronald Nelson the Vendor Extraordinaire, since 1958'
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Why am I here?
Every game day I help organize the new hires. If they have a question or a complaint, it's my job to relay the message
to the higher-ups in the Union. Mostly, I want to get to know the people I work with. They are and we are, the
New Family of the Chavez Ravine, since the Original Family was evicted.
It's starting to drizzle a bit now.
These Standbys, these New-hires will most likely be driving home in the next 5 minutes or so.
Being curious about the new blood I ask, "Where do you live?"
"USC," she says.
"Pomona," he says.
"Highland park," he says.
"L-A," he says proudly.
"Exposition park", she says.
"La Puente," she says.
"I'll be back to work tomorrow," one kid tells me "I took some time from school to work here."
Cross your fingers buddy.
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Rain drops are falling . . .
The stand-by line is 50 deep.
"I'll take ten (workers)!" Miss Lavern calls out from the check-in tables.
Next,
I count the first 10 workers with seniority closest to 90 games.
The first 10 workers exhale a breath of relief.
The next 40, stare on.
Listless.
Hungry for a pay check.
"That's all we need," Miss Lavern laments.
40 workers, standing in the rain, disappointed, look at one another disappointed, and they turn their backs
to the Stadium walking toward the shuttles that will take them to their cars.
"Come back tomorrow!" I shout.
One guys turns around and waves his hand downward, as if he just signaled to me, "Whatever!"
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As I make way for the work place, I spy Ronnie once again.
So I shake his hand, like always. . .
"Where are you working today Ronnie?"
"Well, I'll be down where I am always, 3rd base side."
That's right Ronnie, Always!
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A 30 minute rain delay ensues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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Finally,
National Anthem is performed by Elena Sogard
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Ceremonial 1st Pitch of the game honors belongs to Indy Car Champion Ryan Hunter-Reay
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1st inning,
Pickles + Lettuce + Tomato + Mayo
Pickles + Lettuce + Tomato + Mayo
Pickles + Lettuce + Tomato + Mayo
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2nd inning,
Chicken Tender + Spicy Chicken Patties + Papas
(Sizzling)
Chicken Tender + Spicy Chicken Patties + Papas
(Crackling)
Chicken Tender + Spicy Chicken Patties + Papas
(Smoking!)
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Going to the bottom of the 3rd Inning,
Military Hero of the Game is Alejandro Salazar- Navy.
Thank you for your service!
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4th,
Pickles + Lettuce + Tomato + Mayo
Pickles + Lettuce + Tomato + Mayo
Pickles + Lettuce + Tomato + Mayo
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5th,
Chicken Tender + Spicy Chicken Patties + Papas
(Sizzling)
Chicken Tender + Spicy Chicken Patties + Papas
(Crackling)
Chicken Tender + Spicy Chicken Patties + Papas
(Smoking!)
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6th,
Pickles + Lettuce + Tomato + Mayo
Pickles + Lettuce + Tomato + Mayo
Pickles + Lettuce + Tomato + Mayo
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7th,
Chicken Tender + Spicy Chicken Patties + Papas
(Sizzling)
Chicken Tender + Spicy Chicken Patties + Papas
(Crackling)
Chicken Tender + Spicy Chicken Patties + Papas
(Smoking!)
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8th,
CLEAN-UP!
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Game,
Dodgers lose, 7-3.
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Game 3 vs SD
THE RISE OF ADRIAN GONZALEZ
Los Angeles Dodger Brandon McCarthy 0-0 (0.00)
vs.
San Diego Padre A. Cashner 0-0 (0.00)
48,000 in attendance.
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The Crew is setting up the Stand when we hear a familiar voice. . .
"Nothing like the smell of garlic on the morning!"
Our Fry Guy has finally made his entrance!
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The radio is tuned to KROQ.
Fry Guy hits me up, "Tony can you change the station to KLOS."
We have a new stereo in the Stand that I bought at a yard sale. It has a USB connection, CD player and an antennae.
Of course I am happy to oblige, because for some reason Fall Out Boy is still playing on the radio these days.
Set the dial to 95.5.
Ozzy Osbornes' "Crazy Train" is basting.
Rock Music to Cook to. . .
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Drop the fries in the fryers. (Check)
Drop the chicken tenders in the fryer. (Check)
"FEEL THE BURN!" my friend hollers.
Ohhyeah!
"We sell Spicy Sirracha Chicken sandwiches in the stand now, "Bro!"
Fry Guy nods in approval.
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Myself, The Main Spoon with D.P. Tommy handle our business:
Pickles + Tomato + lettuce
Pickles + Tomato + lettuce
Pickles + Tomato + lettuce
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"Can you smell that smoke?!" the Fry Guy hollers.
Pickles + Tomato + lettuce
Pickles + Tomato + lettuce
Pickles + Tomato + lettuce
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Pickles + Tomato + lettuce
Pickles + Tomato + lettuce
Pickles + Tomato + lettuce
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Bottom of the 1st,
Matt Kemp is up to bat.
The Stadium finally feels comfortable enough to boo his ass.
I honestly miss him.
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On my break eye spy,
Cholos with Compton hat.
Guero in a Dodger poncho.
Man representing a ILWU local 142 Longshoreman Warehouse Union T.
Girl rocking super bright white knee socks with blue stripes.
Girls rocking a SD tee with a padre swinging a bat.
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Isle 10 Breakroom Perspective:
Dodger 1st baseman Adrian Gonzalez is awarded his 2nd Silver Slugger Award and Gold Glove Award.
It all about GONZO tonight!
1st inning,
SOLO HOME RUN
3rd inning,
SOLO HOMER
5th inning,
GOING YARD for the 3rd Time!
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The Game,
Dodgers over the Padres, 7-4.
5 Homers for Adrian Gonzalez in the 1st three games is amazing!
One last thing to say . . .
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In Memory of Johnny Jackson
"You the man, Tony," Johnny would tell me.
"No sir, you the man," I'd reply right back.
"How about that Kershaw?" Johnny would ask.
"He's gonna be MVP."
"Yes sir!"
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When Johnny worked in my Stand, I asked him where he works regularly in the Stadium.
"I'm a floater," he'd say, "I work everywhere." And this he did for over 10 years plus. My dear friend
Mr. Johnny Jackson. The most courteous fellow I have know with in all my years here.
I would like to say it one more time: You the man, Mr. Johnny Jackson.
May you rest in peace.