Los Angeles, California
Dodger Stadium
Home of the Dodgers
Date Attended: September 20-21, 1991
Dodger Stadium
Home of the Dodgers
Date Attended: September 20-21, 1991
Ron's View - Los Angeles, California
“He spent all night staring down at the lights of L.A., wondering if he could ever go home” - Bob Seger
California. The land of milk and honey. The State of California houses the second largest metropolis in the United States. Los Angeles is a most contradictory urban area. Some of its cities are actually a part of L.A. Some aren’t. Hollywood is not a city at all. It is just a state of mind. Rodeo Drive houses the glitzy retail shops that cater to movie stars and other well to do people that have way too much disposable income, and not enough self-image to realize that a person is made from the inside, not by the worth of the adornments he or she wears or drives.
Yet there are beautiful parts of L.A. An early morning swim in and jog along the Pacific Ocean at Huntington Beach is intensely peaceful and revitalizing. A ride down Route 66 through peaceful bedroom suburbs, and past some icons of the old road invokes a pause for reflection.
Then again, one might stumble upon Disneyland in Anaheim. In my humble opinion, Disneyland is the perfect symbol for what is wrong with America. Rampant commercialism, the manufactured experiences, the hype, the bright colors, the crowds of people willing to part with $40 to “experience” an escape from their real world. Yes, the real world where most people live is in need of escaping once in a while.
But why not escape to a walk on a beach at sunrise, or even a drive up to the High Desert region of the State. And yes, parts of old Route 66 will carry you there while it carries you away from reality. And away from crowds, commercialism, and hype. You can save your $40 for a good meal or two.
Now for Dodger Stadium. Located in Chavez Ravine, and along Route 66, not many Ballparks can lay claim to being nestled in such beautiful surroundings. It’s just a few minutes from downtown L.A., yet sits by itself, surrounded by acres upon acres of asphalt parking lots. It definitely is the only Ballpark I’ve seen with a functioning Union 76 gasoline station IN one of the parking lots.
It’s probably a good idea to fill up before leaving the game, because egress from Dodger Stadium is hilly, and exit roads are minimal. After a game with a large crowd, you could sit there for an hour idling away precious fuel.
Scott and I first visited Dodger Stadium as a part of our 1991 Baseball Trip. We saw games on two consecutive nights. We sat in the lower grandstand on the first night. Great sightlines, comfy seats, and a warm evening greeted us. After consuming a “Dodger Dog” and a few beers, we thought the evening was to turn out perfect. THEN, a belligerent old man seated behind us started hurling insults at most DODGER players in a loud tone of voice. After several innings of this foolishness, he left his seat for a time. Upon his return, while walking down the aisle steps, he slipped on some spilled ice cream and did a comedic pratfall on his keister!
Most of the section turned to see what happened, and upon noticing it was the belligerent old man that had fallen, broke into muffled snickering and mild applause.
The old man left. The game went on. It ended pleasantly, but forgetfully.
The next night found us in the left field bleachers. The first thing we noticed was the wavy blue steel roof that overhangs the bleachers. On t.v. the roof structure looks imposing, but architecturally beautiful.
In person, the roof structure seemed tiny, and not at all beautiful.
Maybe it was the mood we were in. The bleachers were crowded, many unruly youths with big mouths and “butt springs” constantly made us get up so they could get yet another sugary snack.
And what’s with the SOLO beer stand for the entire bleacher section? Especially given no beer vendors in the bleachers!
Now for the 180 degree contrast. I visited Dodger Stadium late in the 2000 season. I was on a business trip, and had a free evening. I went there by myself on a gorgeous September evening. Driving up 90 minutes before game time, I was able to park close to the stadium entrance. Upon asking at the ticket booth for an upper deck reserved seat, the ticket lady told me I could upgrade to an upper deck box seat behind home plate - for the same price! I quickly accepted that offer, and thought I must be at a Minor League Stadium. After all, the Major Leagues ceased providing special values like that 20 years ago!
Feeling energized by the cool breeze, I rode the escalator up to the upper deck and marveled at the panoramic view provided from my seat. I was able to look out over the San Gabriel mountain range as the waning sunlight danced over the craggy rocks and finally set in a blaze of orange.
The game pitted the Dodger’s Darren Dreifort against the Diamondback’s ace Randy “Big Unit” Johnson.
These two pitchers proceeded to make easy work of the opposing batters for 7 shutout innings each.
The bullpens of both teams held the enemy until Eric Karros of the Dodgers batted with 2 outs in the bottom of the ninth inning. Karros blasted the first offering deep into the L.A. night for a most dramatic game ending, walk-off home run. Dodgers win 1-0!
Seldom have I been to a more dramatic pitching duel, let alone a game with a walk-off home run.
I only wish that Scott was there to share the moment.
As a final thought, I hope that I didn’t scare anyone off from visiting Los Angeles. The city has many redeeming features, and I know that I haven’t seen most of them for myself. Yet.
“He spent all night staring down at the lights of L.A., wondering if he could ever go home” - Bob Seger
California. The land of milk and honey. The State of California houses the second largest metropolis in the United States. Los Angeles is a most contradictory urban area. Some of its cities are actually a part of L.A. Some aren’t. Hollywood is not a city at all. It is just a state of mind. Rodeo Drive houses the glitzy retail shops that cater to movie stars and other well to do people that have way too much disposable income, and not enough self-image to realize that a person is made from the inside, not by the worth of the adornments he or she wears or drives.
Yet there are beautiful parts of L.A. An early morning swim in and jog along the Pacific Ocean at Huntington Beach is intensely peaceful and revitalizing. A ride down Route 66 through peaceful bedroom suburbs, and past some icons of the old road invokes a pause for reflection.
Then again, one might stumble upon Disneyland in Anaheim. In my humble opinion, Disneyland is the perfect symbol for what is wrong with America. Rampant commercialism, the manufactured experiences, the hype, the bright colors, the crowds of people willing to part with $40 to “experience” an escape from their real world. Yes, the real world where most people live is in need of escaping once in a while.
But why not escape to a walk on a beach at sunrise, or even a drive up to the High Desert region of the State. And yes, parts of old Route 66 will carry you there while it carries you away from reality. And away from crowds, commercialism, and hype. You can save your $40 for a good meal or two.
Now for Dodger Stadium. Located in Chavez Ravine, and along Route 66, not many Ballparks can lay claim to being nestled in such beautiful surroundings. It’s just a few minutes from downtown L.A., yet sits by itself, surrounded by acres upon acres of asphalt parking lots. It definitely is the only Ballpark I’ve seen with a functioning Union 76 gasoline station IN one of the parking lots.
It’s probably a good idea to fill up before leaving the game, because egress from Dodger Stadium is hilly, and exit roads are minimal. After a game with a large crowd, you could sit there for an hour idling away precious fuel.
Scott and I first visited Dodger Stadium as a part of our 1991 Baseball Trip. We saw games on two consecutive nights. We sat in the lower grandstand on the first night. Great sightlines, comfy seats, and a warm evening greeted us. After consuming a “Dodger Dog” and a few beers, we thought the evening was to turn out perfect. THEN, a belligerent old man seated behind us started hurling insults at most DODGER players in a loud tone of voice. After several innings of this foolishness, he left his seat for a time. Upon his return, while walking down the aisle steps, he slipped on some spilled ice cream and did a comedic pratfall on his keister!
Most of the section turned to see what happened, and upon noticing it was the belligerent old man that had fallen, broke into muffled snickering and mild applause.
The old man left. The game went on. It ended pleasantly, but forgetfully.
The next night found us in the left field bleachers. The first thing we noticed was the wavy blue steel roof that overhangs the bleachers. On t.v. the roof structure looks imposing, but architecturally beautiful.
In person, the roof structure seemed tiny, and not at all beautiful.
Maybe it was the mood we were in. The bleachers were crowded, many unruly youths with big mouths and “butt springs” constantly made us get up so they could get yet another sugary snack.
And what’s with the SOLO beer stand for the entire bleacher section? Especially given no beer vendors in the bleachers!
Now for the 180 degree contrast. I visited Dodger Stadium late in the 2000 season. I was on a business trip, and had a free evening. I went there by myself on a gorgeous September evening. Driving up 90 minutes before game time, I was able to park close to the stadium entrance. Upon asking at the ticket booth for an upper deck reserved seat, the ticket lady told me I could upgrade to an upper deck box seat behind home plate - for the same price! I quickly accepted that offer, and thought I must be at a Minor League Stadium. After all, the Major Leagues ceased providing special values like that 20 years ago!
Feeling energized by the cool breeze, I rode the escalator up to the upper deck and marveled at the panoramic view provided from my seat. I was able to look out over the San Gabriel mountain range as the waning sunlight danced over the craggy rocks and finally set in a blaze of orange.
The game pitted the Dodger’s Darren Dreifort against the Diamondback’s ace Randy “Big Unit” Johnson.
These two pitchers proceeded to make easy work of the opposing batters for 7 shutout innings each.
The bullpens of both teams held the enemy until Eric Karros of the Dodgers batted with 2 outs in the bottom of the ninth inning. Karros blasted the first offering deep into the L.A. night for a most dramatic game ending, walk-off home run. Dodgers win 1-0!
Seldom have I been to a more dramatic pitching duel, let alone a game with a walk-off home run.
I only wish that Scott was there to share the moment.
As a final thought, I hope that I didn’t scare anyone off from visiting Los Angeles. The city has many redeeming features, and I know that I haven’t seen most of them for myself. Yet.
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