Fans

Posted By on February 16, 2021

I thought today I would write about fans. Go to any ballpark on any day and you will find a cross-section of America.  Fans of all sizes, shapes, races, and religions.  Big, small, short, tall. They all come to the ballpark.

Some are laid back, some are knowledgeable, some barely know the game, others can quote the rule book. Some know stats, some do not. Some come for the game, and others just to take in the atmosphere.

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – AUGUST 30: Fans in the left field bleachers try to catch a home run ball hit by Nicholas Castellanos of the Chicago Cubs in the 1st inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at Wrigley Field on August 30, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

Some are quite rabid, others not so much. Some are as rowdy as they come, and others just yell when the scoreboard pleads for noise. Some come in their team’s favorite colors, some in plain T shirts. There was a time though when the men dressed in suits, and the women in their Sunday best.

BOSTON – SEPTEMBER 2: Young fans of the Boston Red Sox watch as David Ortiz #34 bats and Manny Ramirez #24 waits on deck during the first inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Fenway Park on September 2, 2005 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

Most are anonymous to the players. Some they know by name. And some even gain national recognition for things they do at the ballpark. Brooklyn’s most famous fan was probably Hilda Chester. Hilda had a voice that could be heard all over the ballpark. She was a fixture at Ebbets Field for many years. She also carried a cowbell. It was her signature.

In LA for years there was Frances Friedman. She always sat in the LF Pavilion way over towards CF. When the opposition would start a rally, Frances would start twirling a bag of garlic to put a hex on them. Very colorful character. She would always be wearing her Dodger cap that was covered in pins, and her Dodger warm up jacket. Unfortunately, finding a photo of her is practically impossible. At least I could not find any.

And there are as always, the celebrities who frequent Dodger Stadium. Other ballparks have celebrities also. But Dodger Stadium draws some biggies. Sinatra, Hope, Danny Kaye, even Cary Grant were spotted there in the early years. Doris Day was a huge fan. When Nick Punto came to LA, he immediately became Danny DeVito’s favorite. DeVito could be seen often in his #7 Punto jersey.

 For the last several years you would see Mary Hart on the 3rd base side of home plate, and one we will miss now that he has passed, Larry King, who was in about the 3rd row behind home plate. Occasionally I would see Jacklyn Smith sitting close to Hart. Kobe came to some games, and of course, the occasional Dodger great like Koufax would be in the stands.

Some fans of the other team come to Dodger Stadium, but it is usually a sea of Blue. I have sat with fans of other teams during the games. The exchange’s usually were cordial, but once in a while you would run into one who was convinced his team was the best there is. Sat among a couple of Braves fans like that back in the early 90’s and also among some Reds enthusiasts during a game in the 70’s. The Reds were coming off of back to back series wins, so they had some reason to gloat. But it did not last long, I remember the Dodgers coming back to win that game, and eventually went to the Series in 77.

I have gone to games in Arizona, Denver, and San Diego. Only other parks I have had the chance to visit, and it was old Qualcomm Park in SD when I went there. Only about 6,000 in the stands for a game against the Cubbies, and Rick Monday was still with the Cubs, so that gives you a timeline. I got about 6 baseballs that night. Just walked around to LF and picked them up. No one out there during batting practice and the Cubs were crushing balls into the seats.

Arizona seemed like it was full of Dodger fans. But it was probably more like 70-30. Same thing in Coors. Az fans were at that time about as laid back as Dodger fans feel at the Stadium. But they would come to life if the D-Backs started a rally. Fortunately for me, both of the Dodger games I went to were Dodger wins, and one of them a blowout.

I have been to 6 Dodger games at Coors. And to this point, they have not lost any of them. One was an epic comeback after blowing a 7-0 lead. The Rockies scored 5 in back to back innings, and then the Dodgers scored 5 off of Jake McGee to win the game 12-10. I was sitting in the 5th row, right behind home plate. Best seats I have ever had at a ballgame. Oh yeah, Friedman’s mistake, Kazmir started the game and blew part of the 7-0 lead.

Some fans literally HATE the Dodgers. And many of them wear Orange and Black. But lately Yellow and Brown have joined them in their vocal vitriol against the boys in blue.

 Now I know there are some who say Yankee fans are the most obnoxious fans in the game. Yet, the Yankee fans I know are pretty knowledgeable about the game, and only rag on the Dodgers when they play them. Otherwise most of their ire is directed towards Boston.

I know some Giant and Dodger fans do get along. I have a musician friend here in Colorado who is a die-hard Giant fan. And when they were winning their 3 titles, he would razz me some. But since LA started winning the division over and over and the Giants have not really been heard from since 2014, he has backed off a lot. What was nice was that I got an email about 5 minutes after LA won the series congratulating me on the win. Like I actually had anything to do with it.

On the other hand, when the traitor is in your family, it can be a little different vibe.

My daughter married a Giant fan. When she was a kid, she was a Dodger fan. But she joined her hubby in his allegiance and following her were two of my granddaughters. The youngest also became a fan when she got old enough. So all of my 3 granddaughters crossed over to the dark side. My grandson remained loyal to the blue, as did my oldest daughter, and my son.

My son and I have attended games at Coors together: Him sporting his Kemp jersey, and me any one of the 6 I have. Rockies fans only gave us grief if the Rocks happened to score, or take the lead. But we still emerged victorious.

I am looking forward to seeing fans in the stands again. They make the game that much more exciting.. Seeing guys lose their beer to try and get a baseball, or risking injury diving after a foul ball. What I won’t miss is people spending more time on their cell phones texting at the game than watching the action.

  The smells and sounds and atmosphere are something I really have missed. As a fan of the game, the best part to me was walking through the tunnel, and seeing the field again. That sight never leaves you. I would really love it if the family of LADodgertalk could all meet up at the Ravine sometime. Won’t happen in this climate though. But somewhere down the road, that would be awesome. Because, no matter what our differences might be on any other subject, we all are after all, just fans.

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – SEPTEMBER 02: Right fielder Charlie Blackmon #19 of the Colorado Rockies watches as fans in the bleachers try to catch the home run ball hit by Matt Beaty #45 of the Los Angeles Dodgers in the sixth inning of the MLB game at Dodger Stadium on September 02, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers defeated the Rockies 16-9. (Photo by Victor Decolongon/Getty Images)

This article has 34 Comments

  1. Nice reminder, Bear! The smells are the greatest … can’t wait to get back to Dodger stadium. No other like it!!

    1. Yep, that’s her. She came down out of her seat to meet me the night I sang the anthem. She was a very rabid fan.

  3. Bear -great write up. Nothing like an avid fan..
    My first run in with a super fan was ‘Angel Annie’ at Wrigley Field, Los Angeles, home of the PCL Angels… Her voice was said to be somewhere between a police siren and a dynamite explosion. I kept asking my Father who she was and when we could walk down the line and see her.. Quite a day when I met her..
    A Place in my Dodger colors I knew I didn’t belong…. The bleachers at Wrigley… As a Cubbie fan fan put it “that’s our place” and I respected it… Great fans longing for a ring…
    No disrespect DBM, but the placards with the fans pics on them depressed me.. Whether I was watching my beloved Irish, or Trojan basketball, empty or damn near empty stands make me sad.. One day at a time, and I’ll be back at a packed Philippe’s for beef dip and head to the Ravine to see my BLUE…
    P.S. With a LADT crew would be special…

    1. No disrespect taken, peterj. My cutout was a big hit at Christmas time when the kids and grandkids took selfies with it. It sits by a window now scaring my cat. By the way your description of “Angel Annie’s” voice was very witty and made me laugh out loud. Needed that. Thanks.

    2. Az has those seats that are dugout level behind home plate. After some very rabid Dodger fans sat there a couple of times they quit allowing anyone in Dodger gear to sit there. You watch a D-Backs game at Chase this season, if fans are there, not one of them behind the plate will be wearing Dodger blue.

  4. Good write-up, Bear. Love the story about Hilda.

    The Dodgers need to build a museum and fill it with memories.

    1. There was supposed to be one built on the loge level. Not sure if it ever happened. But that is a great idea.

  5. Very fun and interesting article, Bear. Thank you. My favorite fan is Mr Suit, Dennis Gilbert.

    1. Yeah, he is there a lot. But he really does not get into it like Mary Hart does. DeVito was so funny to watch. Especially if Punto did something good.

  6. I, too, loved the story about Hilda Chester. She was and still is a story for the ages. Those interested just type in her name and you will get a chill up your spine, especially those of us who saw her in person and remember the clang of her cow bell.
    Rest in peace Hilda. You were loved by many many Dodger fans.

  7. Dodgers have announced ST non-roster invitees: Sborz is on the list which might mean he went unclaimed or maybe this was an error.

    Pitchers (17)
    RHP Josiah Gray
    RHP Michael Grove
    RHP Landon Knack
    RHP Nolan Long
    RHP Jose Martinez
    RHP Bobby Miller
    RHP Brandon Morrow
    RHP Jimmy Nelson
    RHP Ryan Pepiot
    RHP Nick Robertson
    RHP Josh Sborz
    RHP Gus Varland
    RHP Kendall Williams
    LHP Mike Kickham
    LHP Robinson Ortiz
    LHP James Pazos
    LHP Enny Romero

    Catchers (3)
    Steve Berman
    Tim Federowicz
    Hunter Feduccia

    Infielders (9)
    Jacob Amaya
    Andy Burns
    Michael Busch
    Omar Estevez
    Kody Hoese
    Devin Mann
    Rangel Ravelo
    Elliot Soto
    Miguel Vargas

    Outfielders (2)
    James Outman
    Andy Pages

      1. Neither is Nolan Long (for right now). It is possible that Sborz will find himself back on the 40 man roster.

        “A player who is designated for assignment is immediately removed from the team’s 40-man roster, after which the team must, within 7 days from the date of designation, return the player to the 40-man roster, place the player on waivers, trade the player, release the player, or outright the player from the 40-man roster.”

        Note the option of “return the player to the 40 man roster”. Sborz was designated on February 11, making February 18 final decision date, which is after the date that Pitchers and Catchers are due to Report (02-17-21). Per rules interpretation:

        A player cannot be placed on the MLB 60-day Injured List after the conclusion of the MLB regular season, and during the post-season and off-season, up until the start of Spring Training (beginning on the date that pitchers & catchers are scheduled to report)

        Could it be that both Josh Sborz and JT will be added tomorrow or Thursday? Was the date he was designated strategically picked?

  8. I thought Berman worked for ESPN? I am glad this article made some smile. I forgot all about Fed-Ex coming back.

  9. Dodgers Trade Josh Sborz To Rangers
    By Steve Adams | February 16, 2021 at 2:18pm CDT

    The Dodgers have traded recently designated-for-assignment righty Josh Sborz to the Rangers, reports Jorge Castillo of the Los Angeles Times .

    So much for Josh.

    1. Good luck to Josh. He has a real chance at cracking the opening day roster with Texas. The return…Jhan Zambrano, 19 year old RHP out of Venezuela, who has pitched very well out of the DSL.

      1. This strikes me as an excellent deal because Sborz was falling farther and farther down the depth chart. This is good for him because he does have some talent and good for us because we’re replenishing our system with young pitchers. This is the fourth young guy we’ve picked up in less than a week.

        1. Actually the 5th, we got two for Kolarek and two for Floro. They are all below 26, which to me is young.

          2. No problem Blue. Yeah, 4 of them are young arms. 2 of them coming to spring training, Vesia and Varland

  11. Just announced that AF has signed Matt Davidson to a minor league deal and he has been added to the NRI list.

    Actually had two 20 homer years with the White Sox in 2017-18 and was a former first round draft choice of the Dbacks. Righty bat who plays first, third and DH.

    1. Saw him hit a couple of monster HR’s in spring training. Longest one I saw was off of the bat of Cody Thomas. He crushed one to right that went over the grassy area where the fans sit and hit the sidewalk.

    2. I just do not see the upside to this. He is a 30 year old with a career OPS of .726 with 1,075 PA. He has a K rate of 34%+. I think I would rather see what DJ Peters can do. Peters is RH and is a better defensive OF than either Reks or Raley. Peters is 25 and it is time to find out if he is a real OF option or just another fill in. He may not be an All-Star, but he could be a ML OF.

      1. Could it be that they are looking at Davidson as a potential two way player? Davidson has made six pitching appearances out of the bullpen. He threw three scoreless innings over three appearances for the White Sox in 2018, but allowed two runs in 3.1 innings across three games last season.

        For his career, the right-hander has a 2.84 ERA with three strikeouts in 6.1 innings pitched.

        Not likely, but it is another consideration for AF thinking outside the box.

        1. Davidson is a local So CA product. Yucaipa HS right down the road from me. Before he was drafted he had a full ride to play for USC. Very nice guy. I’ve met him a couple times at local charity events in the area. The invite doesn’t make a lot of sense to me either. I can’t see him getting much of a shot with the group of outfielders already competing for MLB at bats. Might just be trying to give a local player a shot.

          I think a lot of people seem to have written off DJ, for some reason. The guy is very motivated. I predict he has a very good spring and will fight his way into a decent number of ABs during the regular season.

          1. Now, if he had gone to USC, I would have agreed he should be moved to the top of the list.

      2. DJ Peters is already on the 40 man roster, so I believe he already has a spring training invite, and will get plenty of looks.
        Davidson is a non roster invitee, so no risk to Dodgers. And as a former first round pick with good power, he may have untapped potential the Dodgers can unlock. He hit 46 HRs in 2017-2018 for the WhiteSox with better splits against LHP, so at least has a bit of MLB success. With the local connections, I think it is a good invite, and maybe he can be the missing RHB they are looking for.

        1. You are correct, he does not need an invite. I was not trying to indicate that Davidson was taking an invitation from DJ, but rather he is not an upgrade over DJ Peters for that RH bat (IMO). It is time to let DJ succeed or fail, unless they believe he is nothing more than a Matt Davidson bat or a reserve OF. He is the one LAD OF prospect that is close to being a regular OF in the Dodger organization over the next three years. Kody Hoese is at least a year away as a RH bat. Devin Mann is a utility player who may have been passed by Sheldon Neuse. Miguel Vargas maybe 2023. I do not like letting the prospects continue to be blocked by “iffy” players. Especially those 5 years their senior. DJ had 13 HRs in a half season, and nothing less than 23 HR for 2017-2019. He does not lack for power. If Matt Davidson goes off in ST and DJ falters, okay. That is what competition is for.

  13. Heat wave here today, up to 34 degrees! Looks like the really cold stuff is behind us for a while. Who says old bears can’t learn new tricks???? First time ever, I renewed my registration on line rather than go down to the local government building and do it in person. Do not want to make you who live in Cali jealous, but it was only 71.22 for the year. Baseball news all over the place. Mostly minor league guys. But fun to see actual movement going on.

      1. 76 degrees here in Punta Gorda Florida. Chance of snow zilch. 20-25 mph winds making it hard to rake leaves.

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