First Time..go easy

So you think you’ve been To a Dodger Game

Let me explain something first: everyone has their own experience and rituals when it comes to sporting events. Some even have traditions that go back generations. Thankfully I live in the greatest city in the world, which is also home to the best baseball franchise ever to occupy a dugout. Names like Koufax, Drysdale, Hershiser, and Lasorda have provided countless memories for our fair city. I personally fell in love with the Dodgers when I was young. I actually remember getting my Steve Sax poster from the Unocal 76 station on the corner of Beverly and Rosemead. I treated that poster as if it was gold. I was five years old. Then came the ‘88 series and I was hooked for life. From that moment on no matter where I am I always “think blue”. Now I have seen my fair share of wins and losses in Chavez Ravine but I didn’t have my first “experience” until my buddy Carlos suggested we get season tickets. After I said yes, I would never look at it is just a game but more like a beautiful journey built around cheap beer, overpriced parking, and concession lines that never move. It’s life. It’s Dodger baseball.

To assure that you have the best possible experience a Friday night game in the left field pavilion is the only way to go. Dodger games have the privilege of starting at 7:40 PM on Friday nights. No other Major League team has games that start later. (Not even those bastards off the 57 freeway in Anaheim start later than us.) The late start is perfect for people trying to get to the stadium after work. Carlos and I usually take off from my house in Montebello and we jump on the 60 freeway around 6:00 PM. Pre game Dodger talk provides a perfect soundtrack as you come up to the Caesar Chavez (it should still be Brooklyn Ave.) exit. Some people get off on Vignes blvd. some even go as far as getting off on Sunset or Stadium Way. Not only are those exits some of the most crowded in L.A., they are even worse on game days. Caesar Chavez provides an opportunity to bypass the traffic and best of all provides a chance to stop at the CVS (it will always be Sav-On to me) and purchase a 12 pack of Miller High life before the game. As you make your way past the dilapidated apartments and run down car washes up the street from the stadium, the timeless voice of the Dodgers Vin Scully, utters that all too familiar phrase from not just mine but everybody’s childhood: “It’s time for Dodger baseball..”

As he utters those sweet soothing words you climb the hill and there it is the west coast cathedral of baseball. Walter O’Malley’s vision brought to life. As you pay the $15 parking fee, try to stay to the right and follow the road to park near the pavilion. It is a bit of a drive and hassle but as you will see later on it is a big part of the experience. As the sun sets you park your car there and begin to drink. While you drink you discuss the days pitching matchups and various other baseball topics and then all of a sudden, it sneaks in ever so gracefully right in front of your eyes, a scenic view that can rival any urban landscape, in any part of the world. Nothing tops a pink-and blue sky with Dodger stadium and the Los Angles skyline in the background. That sight over many spring and summer nights has stirred up every emotion in me that I can think of. I am also fairly certain it has the power to cause emotion and reflection in even the blackest of hearts. For me it has acted like a band aid when I am blue and an exclamation point when I am excited. For the most part it reminds me of my place in the world and that L.A. is my home and the Dodgers are in my blood. I guess you can say I bleed Dodger blue. (But my heart mind you is UCLA.)

Now the game has begun. If you are like me, then you should be well on your way to having a pretty good buzz going. As soon as you approach the gate you begin to hear Nancy Bea on the stadium organ while smells of Dodger dogs and freshly cut grass fill the air. Not even the sight of ridiculously long concession stand lines will bring you down. While you make your way to your seat you will see people laughing, joking and even throwing around inflatable beach balls. Now you are ready to relax and enjoy a good game of baseball. Sounds pretty good so far right? Well there is an additional part that is optional and should only be tried if you have been in the pavilion before and you have a pretty record of controlling your alcohol when you drink.

The tradition states you sneak in a pint of any Whiskey into the stadium. The reason you bring in Whiskey is because any whiskey goes well with the $7 coke or sprite that they serve in the stadium. The reason behind the sneak in is because they do not serve any type of alcohol in the pavilion area. Not many people know the reason why but I’ll let you in on the secret, left field pavilion Dodger fans have a notorious reputation. Ask any Giant, Padre, or Angel fan or player who has entered or played left field before. The visiting fan is immediately harassed upon their entry and as soon as they are in plain view of trying to find their seat they are immediately bombarded with peanuts, popcorn and verbal insults. Sad to say not even the younger fans are safe. Even sadder the usher usually ends up ejecting the visiting fan for their own safety. Visiting players have had to hear insults about their wives, mothers, and manhood throughout the whole game being yelled at them. They have tried to curb the problem by not selling alcohol, but like I stated earlier you go around that by drinking before and sneaking a bottle in. Regular pavilion fans will notice you throughout the whole season and the cool thing is that they get used to it, or if you are lucky, they will join you for a drink and next thing you know you have made a new friend. Isn’t funny how alcohol and sports brings people together?

As Vin would say: “Let’s get back to the game.” (He always says the phrase after the requisite “This day in baseball history” segment.) So now you have your bottle and at this point you can buy a soda, mix it with your forbidden bottle and sip your drink throughout the whole game or take shots (swigs). Rules for the shots dictate that you start off taking a shot every time the Dodgers score. If the game is slow, and no one scores after a few, you swig after every Dodger hit. If you are attending during a pitcher’s duel or lucky enough to be attending a no hitter you take a drink after every Dodger strikeout. By the seventh inning stretch you will be singing along to “Take Me out to the Ball Game” like a little kid. (I personally yell Bruins when the crowd yells Dodgers but that’s just me.)The positive environment combined with some more alcohol added to your system should be more than enough to get you to the end of the game.

The unfortunate reality is that the Dodgers don’t win all the time. To be honest they haven’t really won that much at all during the past couple seasons. But hopefully you attend a game in which they pull out a victory. Nothing caps off a good game and a good buzz than singing “I love L.A.” walking down from your seat to your car. (They only play Randy Newman’s classic after a victory, if not the equally satisfying sounds of the stadium organ fills the air.) During the walk back down to the car, people sometimes hoot and holler with fellow fans. It gets especially heated after games with our hated rivals the aforementioned San Francisco Giants. If that doesn’t suit you there are always topics of discussion that can range from either the game or the rest of the night’s events. (If you have any that is.) I usually take an extra shirt with me so I can go out and have a couple drinks and discuss the game further. (Win or lose.)

Again this is my way of going to a Dodger game. Some have tried it and liked it and others have not. But one thing you will see and hopefully agree with is that this is more than just a regular trip to a baseball game, it is an experience. A truly unique experience that combines and celebrates the game of baseball and the tradition, people and history of the city of Los Angeles. We should all take a time out and come together as a community and cheer on a team that goes on to represent our city and our beloved team. Remember how the city went wild during Fernandomania? Or how everyone remembers where they where during Gibson’s home run in game one in ’88? Future generations will be soon be talking about how Martin threw out that runner trying to steal second, how far Kemp hit that home run, or how Billingsley is on pace to win a Cy Young award this year. No matter what one fact remains, the Dodgers will always continue to create new memories (some better than others) and most importantly bring together fans of any age, race, or economic background. Instead of arguing over politics, race, and various issues that plague our city we should all just go to a Dodger game. Maybe then our problems and differences won’t seem so bad. It’s not a sure fire solution to our problems but it’s at least a starting point. You know what I’ll even buy the High Life and the first round of Dodger dogs….