I am a people watcher. I have been for years. I used to do it from onstage when I was performing. I did it in airports when I was flying somewhere, and I did it from the cab of my rig when I was on a run. I always do it when I go to a ballpark.
It started when I first went to the coliseum to watch a Dodger game. There were so many people there of so many different walks of life. The first game I went to there, I saw the first celebrity I had ever seen up close. TV western star, John Russell. He of Lawman fame. And he was actually sitting out in the knothole section with us peons.
The smells, noise and people were so much different that you would meet in everyday life. And I also noticed as time wore on and I grew older, that fans at different events showed different levels of intensity. I have gone to 2 college football games in my life. One, a USC-UCLA game in the early 60’s, and the other a Sun Bowl contest in El Paso. That was 1973, and Auburn played Missouri. The tickets were free, and Missouri beat Auburn 34-17.
I remember the student sections as being pretty loud. But the rest of the crowd seemed a lot more subdued. But it was a fun game to watch. Interesting also because both teams had the same mascot, Tigers. I have been to minor league games at a number of venues. The fans there usually have a major league connection to the team. They are interested in seeing the stars of the future.
Thus going to Rancho is fun for Dodger fans who want to see the kids play, and it is inexpensive compared to Dodger Stadium, and within a reasonable driving distance.
Been to only one pro football game, Rams got crushed by the Colts in the early 60’s, and one Laker game. Glad I got to see Elgin and Jerry on the court together. But baseball has always been my sport anyway, so I have seen more baseball fans than any other sport. The only thing that comes close is the Country music fans I have seen over the years. And their loyalty to their favorite artist matches the loyalty of most fans to their ball club.
The sights and sounds at a baseball game are unique. The fans are the same. Go to Dodger stadium, and just look down the row you are sitting in. There can be family’s, single girls, little leaguers, sometimes a baby or two. Old young, avid and casual. All types in one lone row. Multiply that, and you have a diversity seldom seen anywhere but the USA.
I sat one time next to Hubie Brooks uncle and a couple of his cousins. We talked baseball more than we watched the game. You will see some people still keep a scorecard. I miss them selling them at the stadium. They give them out free now in that little handout you get when you come to the ball park, but I miss those vendors walking around yelling Get yer scorecard here! Can’t tell the players without a scorecard! They were right if you were far enough away.
Now, with the big video boards, you can see a huge photo of the player on the screen, and most fans know the home teams number’s by heart. You say who is # 10, and some fan will tell you immediately, after he questions your sanity for not knowing, that is JT, as we like to call Justin Turner.
Baseball games are outlets for ones passion for the game, when they do not have the skill to play the game at that level. You can see a fan’s love of a certain player by the jersey he wears to every game. And most players are represented by at least one person in the seats. Although I have yet to see a Gonsolin jersey, or a May. I have seen Gonsolin catman T shirts. And Muncy’s “Go get it out of the ocean was a big seller last year.
I must have a lot of confusion in my life since there are 8 Dodger jersey’s hanging in my closet. Kershaw, Gonzalez, Bellinger, Gibson, Koufax, Robinson, and a Seager jersey that is special made, it is a armed forces special. Black numerals and Seager’s name in black too. With a camo American flag on the shoulder. It is green in color, olive green.
I also have an old school Brooklyn jersey that is wool. # 7 on the back. I have a Williams # 9 Red Sox jersey too. We sure do spend a lot of money showing our love of the team.
I think it was two years ago, I went to a game on the 4th of July at Dodger stadium. Very patriotic crowd that day. They were very vocal when the B-2 bomber flew over and cheered long and loud at the oversized American flag on the field.
Last year we went to a game, and sitting right next to me was a young couple who had just gotten engaged. I think he was trying to instruct her in how the game was played and what was happening on the field. But his knowledge seemed pretty limited. So he asked me about a couple of things. The pitcher had balked, and he wanted to know why the runner was given second base, so I explained it to both of them. They also knew little of Dodger history, so I told them some of that too.
I thought it was great that they wanted to learn. Not far away from us were maybe 6 fans of the opposing team. They got pretty feisty when their team took the lead for an inning or two, but very quiet when the Dodgers stormed back to win.
Even now, well not now because there are no fans to watch, I love watching the crowd while the game is being played. The kids are always fun because some are really into the game, and others have a look of “why did you drag me out here? ” .
You see all kinds of fans. The rabid, and those who are just there for the beer and the Dodger dogs! The celebs are sometimes the most rabid. I remember seeing Kobe going crazy at one game having about as good a time as anyone there.
Then sometimes they will interview a player’s parents who are there in the crowd watching their son on the biggest stage in the sport. Fan reactions are priceless too.
When the Dodgers do something good, and the crowd goes nuts, it is a lot of fun watching the fans get into it like they are on the field celebrating with the team.
And that is one reason baseball is so hard to watch this year. I am not a huge basketball fan anymore, have not been since Kobe retired, and the Lakers stinking for so long. But them playing without fans has no nearly bothered me as much.
But no fans in baseball? That just does not compute. Do not get me wrong. I am very glad I have baseball to watch. It means I do not have to watch my entire DVD and Blu-Ray collection, or watch every movie on TCM and Netflix to be entertained. And lately, I have had this blog to write for, and believe me that has been fun. Simply because it keeps my mind active, and everyone knows how bad it is when us OOF’s do not use our mind regularly.
The piped in crowd noise is to me more of a distraction than anything else, and considering how many F bombs these guys drop, is most likely necessary. I do like that you can really hear the crack of the bat better. I could tell last night immediately when someone hit one on the screws.
But I miss the human element. I miss seeing Giant fans almost cry when the Dodgers pull one out, and I miss the pure elation you see on a kids face when his favorites win. The game itself is important to all of us. But without us, there is really no game.
Discussion (72)
Disagree, not disagreeable
I am sure you all heard the news that Chadwick Boseman, who played Jackie in “42” and was also the Black Panther, passed away at 43 from colon cancer. RIP Chadwick, You will be remembered well.
A’s get Tommy LaStella from the Angels for Franklin Barreto. Steve Cohen looks to be the front runner to buy the Mets. Sorry A-Roid, Ray’s got lefty Cody Reed from the Reds for RHP Riley O’Brien. Matt Magill to IL.
I know we have the best record in baseball but we’ve played a lot of crummy teams. But there’s something about this team that doesn’t add up to a championship in my opinion. Can’t put my finger on it but something’s missing. A Kirk Gibson type intensive and fiery personality.
Not a fun game to watch. But a stinker in this weird season is nothing new. Just hope JT’s injury is minor. If I were the manager, I would fine Cody Bellinger every time he comes out of his stance and bends over to try and hit a ball a snake could not hit. Frustrating as hell to watch. Different game if JT’s ball leaves the yard instead of being caught. Dodgers could learn something from the Rangers approach in that bad inning. Everything went the other way except Choo’s hit. Throwing out runners is becoming a lost art. To Smith’s defense, no way he was throwing out Taveras. Guy has some serious wheels.
Dodger catchers simply cannot throw out base stealers. If I am the opposing team, I am running on them almost every chance I get. This will be a sure fire way to upgrade the catching on our team. Having a catcher with an arm is a great asset to have. Neither Barnes or Smith have that quality. Even Grandal was better than they are. This is a position they need to address since the batting is also subpar from these players.
We obviously need to pick up a right handed hitter.
Unfortunately Manny Ramirez just signed in Australia today so he’s not available.
I guess that leaves JD Ramirez.
As long as we get someone named Ramirez we should be fine.
Well Jake McGee had a .79 ERA coming in. He was due for a bad game.
Before the game started today. Will Smith’s expected batting average was about 100 points higher than his actual batting average. Can you say bad luck.
Beaty also 61 point difference.
I’m not an old-fashioned baseball guy and what I mean by that is I’m not into bunting and stealing bases. But I do miss going with the pitch to try to get a base hit instead of always swinging for the fences. I just watched Bellinger with that loopy swing popping up for an out with runners on base. I miss when players used to go with the pitch to try to get a hit and drive in a run or more. It’s just something I thought I’d mention.
And it’s not just Bellinger so don’t get me wrong that I’m picking on Bellinger.
I don’t think an innings eater is a big issue, especially with the increased rosters giving us more bullpen arms. Plus, there’s only like 28 games left, so nobody will get worn down in 4 weeks, in a shortened season.
But unless Dustin May gets the game 3 start, we need a game 3 starter. That’s a bigger priority, especially in a 1st round 3 game series where Jacob deGrom might pitch game 1 against us.
The Dodger Way? 1st and 2nd, no outs – no runs.
I’m convinced, AC. Sign him up.
The Dodgers seemingly have two “issues”. One is hitting LHP, and the other is finding another SP who can go deep into the game, thus helping the relievers.
Tonight the Dodgers get to face a LHP in Mike Minor. Let’s see if they can tee off on a pitcher who has been hit pretty hard this year. The second issue the Dodgers get to face first hand when they will go against one of the pitchers who consistently can go deep into the game…Lance Lynn.
Since the start of the 2019 season, Lance Lynn has started 40 games for Texas. In 38 of those games, Lynn has pitched 100+ pitches. In 39 of those starts he failed to reach 5.0 innings one time (31 IP). Only 8 games did Lynn pitch less than 60 IP. In 24 games, Lynn has pitched greater than 6.0 innings, including 15 games 7.0 innings or greater. This year, Lynn has pitched 45.1 innings in his 7 starts with a 1.59 ERA and a 0.860 WHIP, 50 K’s and 14 BB.
Lynn has been healthy throughout his career, and while he may not have been as stellar with St. Louis, Minnesota, or NYY, it is irrelevant to me what his numbers were 2 years and prior. This is the year that matters, and this year
Lynn has been exemplary. If he helps the Dodgers win the WS, he and his contract will not be hard to move in the winter so as LAD does not block Urias, May, or Gonsolin in 2021. Lynn’s salary for 2021 is $8MM ($10MM AAV).
Mike Clevinger is being made available for trade. Per Jon Heyman, the price is “ridiculous”.
The Reds plan on holding on to Trevor Bauer as they are planning to “go for it”. They are currently only 1 game behind Philadelphia for #8 seed.
Kersh yesterday became the all time left handed leader in winning percentage. The all time wins leader for a lefty is Warren Spahn who won 373 career games, oddly, the same number as Grover Cleveland Alexander. Two more wins without a loss, and Kersh would be 100 games over .500 for his career. Right now his pct is .698. Not too shabby.
Thanks Phil.
This looks like the lineup I would have for most of the playoffs pitchers Kersh and Buehler the other two games. Anyone know the Dodgers record with Mookie leading off?
Today’s line up
1. Betts RF
2. Seager DH
3. Turner 3B
4. Bellinger CF
5. Pollock LF
6. Taylor SS
7. Muncy 1B
8. Smith C
9. Hernandez 2B
May P
So right, philjones. Loved and agreed with your remarks other than I am not sure I like the extra runner at 2nd base in extra inning games, but maybe will get used to it if they make it permanent. Your description of being at the ballgame, along with Bear’s, was right on the nose, meaning the smell of popcorn, cotton candy and freshly mown grass, and good friendly fans. Made me remember some very fun times.
ps…I did not take offense to your comment about the Giant’s announcer. Heck, I agree with her, lol.
Terrific stuff Bear. Great pictures as well. Nice to see your mug. I too like to take newcomers to games and explain baseball. I take my Canadian neighbor in Az to Spring Training games. He knows nothing. He has a ball, buys my beer, and I explain the game.
I too miss the sights and sounds of sitting at a ballgame. While I think the Dodgers have done a nice job matching the game action with the piped in crowd noise and the cardboard folks. The canned chants and cheers are the same as with fans in the stands as is Dieter’s organ music….”charge”. The volume seems lower so I like that. I like the pace of baseball and the opportunity to discuss things with my friends during the game. When the audio is so loud the I can’t talk to the person next to me without shouting, I prefer to be at home. College baseball is the worst for excessively loud “music”. I think they give a scholarship for the “audio director” at events. Hey, get off my lawn!
I miss the fans, the vendors, and the smells of the park. Having been around the game close up, I miss the smell of pine tar and freshly mowed grass. There’s no place I’d rather be then twilight at the ball yard. And I keep score so I know what’s going on. My mom kept score for everyone of my games she attended as well as for my dad who was an acomplished fast pitch, pitcher. Her cards were a work of art and I still have a few.
Thoughts:
* I’m in favor of keeping the DH, K-Zone, the 3 batter rule, the extra inning rule with the runner on 2nd and the coming of the ABS system. I think I like the seductive voice of the Giant’s stadium announcer….”now batting, #35, Cody Bellinger. And doesn’t he look marvelous in those tailored baseball pants”. (sorry DBM not trying to be sexist)
* Things I don’t like: super loud stadium music, 7 inning baseball games, anything associated with the Asstros and Gabe Kapler.
On the games:
* Giants score zero runs yesterday in 14 innings. Belt got both hits in game 2. I think the pitching including Johnny Wholestaff is pretty good.
* KJ is starting to make his appearances too interesting again. The mandatory walk never helps. His velo looked down to me on the cutter again. With an 89 cutter without premium location, he’s just another guy.
* Bellinger’s catch in center was amazing. The catch itself plus the ground he covered and his route was one of the best, if not THE best of the year.
* Maybe he was a late bloomer out of Vandy, but how does Mike Yastrzemski spend 7 years in the minors with a crappy organization like Baltimore?
* I watched the replay frame by frame and the move that picked Bellinger off 1st was a balk. Pitcher stepped way past the imaginary 45 degree line toward home. Nice balk move.
* The K-Zone technology has ruined me for good watching on TV. Before the implementation years ago you just guessed about balls and strikes calls. That little strike zone box has changed everything. When you see glaring inconsistency from the umpire which I now see all the time, It’s time for the ABS system. The technology is there. Use it.
* IMO, if Gonsolin wasn’t at USC and getting work with the big club, he wouldn’t have thrown 99 pitches in an inter squad game on Monday, he would have been available to Doc when Ferris was scratched. Just sayin.
WOW…Jordan Alvarez had knee surgery ….on BOTH knees! Ouch. Seems awful young for that. Around the Majors, Legares DFA’d by the Mets, old friend Luis Avilan released by the Yankees. Aaron Judge back to the IL> and the White Sox traded thier international pool money to the Pirates for Jarrod Dyson. Toronto plans to be very active at the deadline, most likely seeking pitching. Lakers and Blazers continue tonight. Blazers will not have Lillard.
One thing I should have mentioned is that today is Jackie Robinson Day around the league. They decided to have it today because it was the day in 1946 when Rickey called Jackie in for an interview which led to him being the first to break the color barrier. I have a # 42 jersey, the real kind not the one with his name on the back. It is a 55 World Series Jersey. I wish I could have seen him play in person instead of just on TV, or in old newsreels. Never been in the crowd at Fenway Matt, but I can guess in that kind of weather surrounded by the Boston faithful, it could not have been fun. The worst ones I ran into in person were some Reds fans at Dodger Stadium in the mid 70’s and later some Braves fans with their annoying tomahawk chop. Game today starts at 5:05 PST. May has been announced as the starter against Minor, who is 0-5 with a 6.75 ERA, but he is a lefty, which automatically spells trouble for this bunch. We do get our first look at what may be the venue for the World Series. Sat, Strip vs Lynn, Sun, Gonsolin vs Gibson.
Nice article Bear! I have attended more baseball games than I can count, from youth ball through professional baseball. I have always enjoyed the fan experience. With one or two rare exceptions, I have never had a negative the fan experience. My first experience was attending a Dodger game at the Colosseum when I was 8 or 9 years old. I got hooked right away. The crowd, the lights, the sounds, the smells, and of course Vinny’s voice weaving through the stadium. I’ve attended all sports, and baseball is, and probably always will be, my favorite to watch live. Hockey is a close second, mostly because the speed of the game.
My all time favorite fan experiences, however, have been an Indiana High School basketball game, and a Holland vs Poland soccer game. It’s a long story, the short version is that I had the opportunity to attend a Warsaw (Ind.) Tiger basketball game. They were playing a team from Gary, Indiana. At the time Warsaw was undefeated and the top ranked team in Indiana, and the Gary team was ranked number 3. At the time, Warsaw had a population of roughly 15,000 people. The high school gym held 7,800 people. The game was sold out (mostly through season tickets), and the moment the Warsaw players set foot on the court, the place went nuts and the excitement did nothing but build from that moment until the game ended. Warsaw lost the game 74-72(their only loss of the year), but the intensity and excitement from the fans was unparalleled.
My wife and I took a delayed honeymoon to Holland, so I could introduce her to my extended family. While there, my uncle too me to a Holland vs Poland soccer game. By and large, soccer(voetbal in Dutch) is a boring sport to watch. Not so when you watch one live. The singing, swaying back and forth, and cheering was electric.
Bottom line, baseball without the fans is not fully baseball for me.
I do NOT like this idea of the Dodgers having to play their playoff games in the Rangers park. This isn’t the NBA or NFL, where every field/court is the same size. Every MLB park is slightly different, and as Michael said a few days ago, it sucks that we’d have to get adjusted to the nuances of a new park, when we likely will have earned home field advantage throughout the playoffs.
Send the AL teams to the AL park; they already know those ballparks. NL should be in LA and SD.
Nice article. I remember going to my first Dodger game at the coliseum in 1960, the Dodgers lost to the Reds, 9-3. I remember men dressed in white shirts with ties, dress hats on their heads. I recall the giant screen in left field and all the transistor radios people brought so they could listen to Vin Scully and Jerry Doggett call the game.
Much has changed. The white dress shirts with ties are gone, replaced by Dodger shirts. The hats, replaced by Dodger caps. People now wear shorts and tennis shoes, way more casual than the old days.
While this is a strange season in a crazy time, no question the biggest thing I miss are the fans. Add so much to the game. Sometimes the piped in noise is too much, sounded a little weird in the Bay Area. But hey, it’s San Francisco. I’m glad they did the cutouts, better than looking at empty seats.
I’m so glad the Dodgers hired Dave Roberts as manager and not Gabe Kapler. The Dodgers were apparently notified at 4:02 that the second game scheduled to start at 4:05, would be delayed until 4:40. Kapler said the delay was to allow the Giants to prepare for Caleb Ferguson, who started and tossed one shutout inning. Are you kidding me? What a knucklehead.
Very very nice write-up, Bear and great pictures. I agree with you, fans are one of the missing elements to this shortened season this year. It is always interesting to see the different reactions to what is happening on the field. Thank you for the article.
Speaking of yesterday’s double header, of which I also liked the 7 inning games, I have a few comments. First of all, congrats to Mookie on his 1000th hit. Clayton pitched a great game and Barnes a nice comeback. Contributions from others including home runs from Pollock and Joc, nice hitting by Barnes, Bellinger, Seager and Smith. Good to see Lux also. It was a start for him and I think he will do better the more he plays. I hope I did not miss anyone.
But , to me, the big star yesterday was the bullpen, Ferguson Gonzalez, Graterol, McGee, Alexander, Treinen and Jansen, who were wonderful. Glad to see Sborz finally get to play and he was very good. Bravo Dodgers.
It’s always nice to sweep the giants!
I liked the 7-inning doubleheaders.
Another old friend, Josh Lindblom, started for the Brewers yesterday. Had a decent outing but has struggled in his other appearances.
MLB has sent a proposal to the union for a bubble set up for the playoffs. They would use the 2 LA stadiums and San Diego, and both of the stadiums in Texas with the new Texas stadium being used for the World Series. There seems to be some question as to if this will be imposed in the first round costing the best teams home field. Most think that the first round will stay at those ball parks, and then move to the bubble for the rest of the playoffs. Jedd Gyorko sighting tonight. I did not know that he was with the Brewers on the MLB roster. Also saw old friend Kyle Farmer play. He is hitting .293. And he was playing SS tonight for the Reds. The AL would have their playoffs in California, and the NL in Texas.