It has been a 67-year love affair. I was 5 when baseball first entered my life. I was not very good at it back then. I threw right-handed until I shattered my wrist on a teeter-totter in my aunt’s backyard. After that throwing with the right hand was odd to me, so I became a lefty. Hitting lefty came naturally too. \I went to a few Angel games at old Wrigley in LA, but do not remember who they were playing. I do remember that first ballpark hot dog. Nothing tasted better.
Then we left the state for a while and I did not return until I was 8. Me and my mom lived in Hawthorne on 132nd Avenue. I went to Jane Adams Elementary. We played some softball there and the guys introduced me to over the line and 3 flies up. If you caught 3 fly balls, you got to hit. If I remember right, one of the kids showed me that I was hitting cross-handed. Once I figured out that my right hand belonged on the bottom of the bat, I started to hit a lot better.
In 58, the Dodgers came to town, and I was sent to live in a home for kids in Highland Park. One thing about living there, you always had plenty of kids to play with, and playing baseball on our little dirt field was an everyday thing most of the time. The home got free tickets in the knothole section at the coliseum to see Dodger games.
My first Dodger game was sometime in July 1958. All I remember was the players looked like ants because they were so far away, and I met John Russell, who played the lead role in the Lawman series. I also remember hearing Vin’s voice echo through the stadium blaring from thousands of transistor radios. I guess they could not see the action either. We went to 3 games that year.
In 59 I remember going to at least 5 games. But we had a lot of other activities. Sunday was movie day and they would load us into the station wagons and we would go see some movie that was more of a kids movie. I remember us going to see the Alamo when it opened in 1960, and also going to see The Magnificent 7. Then they covered the baseball field with a new building in 1961.
Larry and Norm Sherry and Tommy Davis came to the opening. Heady stuff for a kid who loved the game and the team. I have told the story before that we kids used to shag balls for the Sherry brothers before they would head to Vero. I really wish I would have had a chance to go see spring training there. We also would go to special events they would have for us underprivileged kids.
We once went to the Moulin Rouge in Hollywood for a Christmas show starring Soupy Sales. What a whack job he was. We would go to the coliseum every 4th of July for the circus and the fireworks. And we would go to about 4 Dodger games a year, Once we went to see the Angels play the Tigers at Wrigley their first season in existence. I remember Daddy Wags and Albie Pearson. Vic Wertz hit one over the right-field fence and Detroit won 9-3.
The first game I went to at Dodger Stadium was the last game I went to with the home and it was an Angel game in April of 62. In May I was placed in a foster home in Redondo Beach. And while there, we did not attend a single game. My foster father was not a baseball fan. So I followed them on the radio and watched when they played the Giants on KTTV. I remember the heartbreak while listening to the 3rd game of the playoffs and them losing by giving up 4 runs in the 9th. I still dislike the decision Alston made to use Williams instead of Drysdale to close it out. And he left Roebuck in too long.
After I went into the Army, it was hard to follow the team other than in the paper and the Sporting News. And especially when I went to Korea. Stars and Stripes was usually a couple of days or more behind in the scores. When I came home, and later got married, we would go to games whenever I came back to Cali on leave. Or we would go to the AA games in El Paso.
Today it is so much easier to follow the blue. I have the internet and MLB.TV. Once in a while, I can go up to Denver to see them play the Rockies. So far my record is untarnished. I have been to 5 Dodger-Rockie games at Coors and they have not lost one yet. So, on Tuesday, I will be heading back to Cali until the end of May. One big difference from other trips is that I will not be going to Dodger Stadium. The cost of going is way above my pay grade. We might head out to Rancho Cucamonga and see the kids play once their season starts.
I am also taking a train trip up to Oregon to see my oldest daughter, who is a loyal Dodger fan. I taught her well. Here is hoping they have continued success and win another title. That would be awesome. — Bear
Rants & Raves on Friday’s Game by MT
It was a wild and crazy game, full of errors, bad pitching, bench-clearing, and clutch hitting. Potential closers, Knebel and Jansen coughed up hairballs. although Kenley’s stuff looked pretty dang good. The Padres are a good team… make no mistake about it. However, in the 12th inning, the Dodger’s Released the Kracken started by a 2-run homer by Seager. By the time the top of the 12th inning was over, the Dodgers had scored 5 runs and the Padres were beat like rented mules! A few takeaways:
- The Price was righter! David Price closed out the game with two strong innings, showing he can pitch on back-to-back days. On Thursday, he threw 14 pitches (12 for strikes), and last night, in his 2 innings, he threw 18 pitches (16 for strikes). That’s efficiency! He could be that “Andrew Miller-Type Weapon” in the bullpen.
- Knebel really struggled. There was nothing good I saw there.
- I like Dennis Santana’s spunk and stuff. He might just be a keeper, over Scott Alexander.
- I really like Luke Raley. Matt Beaty’s job is in danger.
- This never gets old: Zach McKinstry is a ballplayer!
- Kershaw and Darvish go at it tonight. Let’s teach these boys a lesson!
Discussion (78)
Disagree, not disagreeable
Love the Intensity of this series. Go Blue. such a scrappy team. Kershaw battled. Darvish just doesnt have the mental toughness. I think this is the best team i have ever seen talent wise and just playing smart smart mentally tough baseball. Tonight Bauer on the hill to bring home the sweep. watching playoff caliber baseball in April is awesome
What a catch by Mookie.
As bet favourite player, MJ would’ve absolutely loved watching him in Blue.
That one was for you Eric!
We’ve outscored opponents 44-18 thus far
I just hope as the year goes on our offense and our starters can catch up to our bullpen!
Mookie is the real deal. Great catch to save the game. Kersh was dealing as was the rest of the staff. Turner has hit 5 HR’s so far, and he had only hit 3 before May in his career. Bauer goes for the sweep tomorrow.
MOOKIE!!!!!!!!!! Another glove save!!!!!!
Wow. JT IS BADASS
Jimmy Nelson has the stuff of a closer. Let him get more comfortable.
He hasn’t pitched in over two years and has never been a bullpen piece.
I am very high on him!
I guess when you’re a team that sits on fastball just keep throwing them off speed! Can someone go up there and sit on off speed!!!!!!
What a competitor Kershaw is , it’s just a joy to watch
Well, I predicted that Beaty’s time was short…
They needed another pitcher tonight… sooo…
Well maybe Cash will come and take out Darvish out if someone gets a hit in the 5th!
Pee Yu is dealing tonight!
Great start for Kersh! If he can locate 92 he’s golden!
Looks like the start of another great game
Go Dodgers, go Dodgers, go Dodgers, go
Sung to the melody of the little old lady from Pasadena
Sorry to see Beaty sent down but he is just lost right now. How good is it to be Luke Raley right now! What an opportunity. Jimmy Nelson time tonight! Now Robertsbisnt going to let Kenley go back to back. Right?
Vesia called up. Beaty sent down. Line up. Betts CF, Seager SS, Turner 3B, Muncy 1B, Taylor 2B, McKinstry RF, Raley LF, Barnes C, Kershaw P. Brewers place Yelich on IL>
I meant to ask: while Buehler was good his velocity and strikeouts seem to be down. Anybody know why?
Great win for Dodgers!! The Dodgers continue to battle no matter the score. For those of you who were ready to move on from Turner what do you think now? He is still the heart and soul of this team.
A few observations:
We need a productive Bellinger and a healthy Pollock to win another World Series unless we find a rh bat. The lineup last night looked vulnerable vs. a lefty
Jansen never seems to have a clean inning. A base runner against him is at least 2 bases mb 3. He can be useful in a long season but he cannot protect a 1run game.
I think we really missed David Price last year but in a full season he is going to be crucial with his versatility.
I think one of the smartest things AF did was let Ryu and Maeda go to allow May and Urias to blossom.
Being on the east coast (South Carolina) these late games are difficult for someone my age (78)! That being the case, I am looking forward to tonight’s game. Go Dodgers!
New report on Twitter says Vesia is being activate. Not confirmed anywhere else I have looked.
Well it wasn’t the Mona Lisa last night but it was certainly exciting. It’s great to see butts in the seats and all the enthusiasm and the crowd noise again. While only 15K it was loud and they seem to put more folks behind home plate at Petco.
* Striker competed hard despite not having his best stuff.
* McKinstry is a gamer and can hit. Defensively, he’s a work in progress. We are spoiled with CT3 and Kike defensively in the utility role. McKinstry didn’t need to hurry on the double play he threw away for a big error. But he made up for it with a double the next inning.
* V-Gone needs to watch out that he doesn’t eat his way off the mound
* Treinen’s pitch mix interesting. His Turbo sinker is amazing but he seems to prefer to live on the hitter’s trademark. Sinkers to righties and cutters to lefties. I’m not sure of the reluctance to pitch lefties down and away with that turbo. I’d like to see him work faster too. He puts the infield to sleep.
* KJ blew away Cronenworth on overpowering stuff that was great to see. And then allowed a run after a typical walk the next inning. His curse. He just has to make it interesting. Nice to see his increased velo but he now lives at the top 1/3 of the zone. It’s only an occasion breaking ball in the dirt. It’s a steady diet of high stuff where there’s not much room for error .He now live in the upper 1/3 of the zone. Live and die up there especially after a walk or two.
* The Padres are lippy SOB’s but Santana was the problem in the little altercation in, my view. Shut up and pitch. Don’t give them reasons to get fired up.
* I like the extra-inning rule for the exact reasons we saw last night. The Padres were out of pitchers and the Dodgers were too. What do you get if it goes 15? I’m not interested in seeing non-pitchers, pitch. Plus the game is instantly exciting and strategic. There are so many options both offensively and defensively. Doc played match ups more than a set strategy. When the home team gets the runner to 3rd with one out the wheels really turn. I would choose to walk at least one guy and play at double play depth hoping one ground ball gets you out of the inning. But if you don’t turn it, you lose. Playing the infield IN with first and third makes me nervous especially with someone like Hosmer at the plate. But Doc’s strategy and some great pitching came through in the 10th and 11th, when the Padres looked to have it.
* I was wondering where Price was much earlier, especially before Santana. Nice to see him pitch well as a late reliever.
18 more times with these hot-dogs, Go Dodgers.
I agree, Eric. And I think that our pitching is better than that of the Big Red Machine.
The game last night was one of the most fun regular season games I’ve seen in a long time. High drama. Had me hanging on the edge of my seat the last couple of innings. It is the beginning of a great rivalry. I think back to the classic Dodgers-Giants rivalries of my youth. It’s great for us as fans, great for baseball. I agree that it was our bullpen depth that ultimately made the difference. Gritty performances from Santana and Price.
Right now, 8 Dodgers have an OPS of over .900. I know it’s a small sample size early in the season, but still, can you imagine how intimidating that must be for opposing pitchers? I know it’s early to prognosticate, but this may be the best Dodgers team ever.
I don’t think Santana is someone to try and act tough with. Maybe he didn’t intend to plunck the SD player, but I’m glad he did and then stood tall and badass. Sent a good message to the Friars to start the series and the season. I like it, intimidation was and should be the part of any sport.
Cassidy, i guess Kenley was not going for the save, he was going for the win, but maybe I am wrong. Knebel blow the save, the rest was for the win
Let’s see how Darvish performs in a big game tonight. If Kersh can get through the first inning and gets the slider working then we’ll be in good shape.
I still say this is the best bullpen top to bottom we’ve had maybe ever. I liked Jansen stuff last night. Great battle between him and Machado. He barely missed with that last elevated fastball. If Seager catches a perfect throw by Smith then Kenley gets the save. Knebel will be fine. That’s probably the first meaningful game he’s pitched in years. He was just a little over amped and lost location. We need Kersh to give us some innings tonight. Gonzalez, Nelson and Graterol on deck tonight!
Report this morning that the Dodgers may activate the Bazooka for tonight’s game, which starts earlier than last nights game. He traveled with the team. Old friend Scott Schebler activated by the Angels. Jon Jay DFA’d.
Bear, how dare you call Soupy a whack job… I ran home from grade school to eat lunch and watch Soupy and White Fang…
I remember we made up a game called sock ball, so we could play in front of the the house… Just a bunch socks jammed into another and play ball…
It’s good to be back… My wife informed me while in the hospital that MT was quitting!!! I told her that all will be well… He’s created a monster blog with Bear and others at the ready and you don’t walk away from that… Just read Bear’s story and he’ll take you there…
THANK GOODNESS FOR THE PAFRES! Otherwise we’d win the West in August and play 4 meaningful games all year! Price! What a teammate! With his cred and willing to go to the pen for the good of the team. And that’s definitely some good! He was on the corners all night with good 94 stuff. What a weapon! And Santana’s inning. High drama. That’s the kind of outing that could elevate him to a new level. Trust his stuff and throw more strikes. Best non pennant game ever!
Hey Jorge! Not so fast, I’ll say in Tijuana we are as much Dodgers fans as Padres, Just check the stands when Dodgers are Playing in San Diego
Great game.
Padres are fun and talented. Also I think their GM is much better than I initially thought.
At this point (in games played) last year we’d be > 20% done with the season.
One down and 18 to go. I predict we will go 14-5 against them for the season. They will probably make the playoffs but I doubt they face us for the pennant
Only the Dodgers have a weapon like David Price. His willingness to pitch out of the bullpen is a difference maker.
Lots of discussion these days about the San Diego Padres willing to spend big to chase down the Dodgers and the team is at a record $176 million plus payroll. But the Dodgers are at $241 million plus, allowing them to have a Price in his current role.
Found it interesting that despite the “Ban the Blue” campaign in San Diego, lots of Dodgers fans paid the inflated ticket prices and made their way down the 5 for the game.
Cory Seager’s blast reminds Dodger management of the need to re-sign him this winter. Definitely a difference maker. Apparently they tried to extend him earlier, according to reports. Not sure if they’re still engaged. Possibly.
I really believe the Dodgers will ink him to a long term deal. Seems like the Dodgers have changed their approach. No longer Stan Kasten’s Atlanta Braves mentality. Like We’re LA and You’re Not. We can do things you can’t.
Good write-up Bear.
Z-Mac is on fire. I’ll say it again, he’s so much better than Kike. That said, I think Muncy should have bailed him out on that 2 bouncer.
That game was really freaking stressful. Lot’s of players on both sides showed their nerves with a lot of miscues in the field.
I’m really happy for Luke getting his first bomb last last night. That guy is strong.
JT is money right now. But, he’s clearly lost a step on defense.
David Price was painting those last two innings. What a heart breaking loss for the Padres. So good to see. If you’re gonna talk a bunch of smack, you have to back it up.
I still can’t tell who I dislike more, Tatis Jr. or Machado. They have a lot of swag for a couple of guys who haven’t won anything. Sorry but eye-black smeared all your face is a pet peeve for me.
Looking forward to beating Darvish like a drum tonight. Hoping for some vintage CK.
Nice article, Bear. A lot of memories.
– Phillip Evans from PIT is McKinstry’s primary NL rival for ROY if they both continue to get playing time and continue to perform.
– Prediction: Acuna wins NL MVP. He looks like he’s breaking out into superstar status. The Braves are stacked offensively and their rotation is upgraded. Not sure what’s going on with them.
– Raley looked like he was barely swinging on that HR, but the exit velocity was 113. He was Rios power.
– I don’t blame Kenley so much for that performance. He was overthrowing to Manny and walked him. He would’ve been out had Seager fielded that ball.
– relief corps depth won that game. The Dodgers were able to roll out Price (who we all wanted to cut or trade last week). The Padres had to roll out Tim Hill.
– the Dodgers just need to maintain a .700 winning % the rest of the season to break the all time record for wins in a season. Easy
I’m not worried about Beaty, his time will come, for now he hasn’t found his rhythm yet, but he will come. He is an important part of the team, he was an important part of last year and he will be this season, good that it has not yet been necessary to win, season is just beginning, there is still a long way to go. Be patient!