I came for the infamous Dodger Dog, the opportunity to see a prime National League match up and left Dodger stadium with a rare find; a Californian team you (a Pacific Northwesterner) and I can actually like. I'll be honest, multiple intangibles panned out for this rare positive SoCal experience. 1) I drove to Dodger stadium all the way from San Bernardino county without seeing any congestion or getting lost 2) Thanks to a friendly tailgater bought 2 box seats for under face value. After those 2 miracles the LA Dodgers took care of the rest..
Pre Game:
I payed a slim $15 to park right next to the park, I saw flashes of tailgater's open beers and wide smiles. Then came the trip's second amazing stroke of luck , buying box seats for under face value (the 1st being traffic). From there I went to the pro shop and bought the Dodger's on field proback. I don't want to complain that official hats now cost $30+ because I get a lot of use out of hats, I'm just hoping they stay at this price point for a few years.
I poked around the ballpark, went all the way up to the upper deck after waiting in a cue for the elevator and was surprised by 2 things. 1) The sheer incline of the top level, reminded me of the Staples Center. The LA franchises have a flair for the steep angles 2) The parking lot outside of the stadium was hazy due to smog! This wasn't even a half mile away! (See below)
Pre Game:
I payed a slim $15 to park right next to the park, I saw flashes of tailgater's open beers and wide smiles. Then came the trip's second amazing stroke of luck , buying box seats for under face value (the 1st being traffic). From there I went to the pro shop and bought the Dodger's on field proback. I don't want to complain that official hats now cost $30+ because I get a lot of use out of hats, I'm just hoping they stay at this price point for a few years.
I poked around the ballpark, went all the way up to the upper deck after waiting in a cue for the elevator and was surprised by 2 things. 1) The sheer incline of the top level, reminded me of the Staples Center. The LA franchises have a flair for the steep angles 2) The parking lot outside of the stadium was hazy due to smog! This wasn't even a half mile away! (See below)
The season ticket holder next to me groaned at the introduction of the Dodger's starter, Brett Tomko. The righty from Placentia's El Dorado High managed a no decision and no boos from the Dodger faithful. Tomko is alright, he went to the same HS as Green Day's Jason Freese and married a playmate. Nomar Garciaparra hit a jack in the 2nd inning for his club's only score. Luis Gonzalez struggled on offense going 0-4 and on defense and was responsible for Tomko's only run after colliding with Juan Pierre going after a pop fly. After hitting a single in the 1st inning Pierre stole 2nd and 3rd and proceeded to look lame in Center Field. The Mets won.
Wrap Up:
Wrap Up:
This park has charectar, not like Fenway but isn't sterile like say the Kingdome was or like, what's the A's park called? The organ player, a cute little old lady named Nancy Bea plays tunes which contributes to Dodger stadium's old school, 'good time at the ballpark' feel and the chant's from the center field bleachers should make any baseball fan feel good. The food selection sucks but also adding to the old school feel which is cool. The Dodger dog does come boiled or grilled and shouldn't be passed upon. The teamshops are tiny, bathrooms clean and the ushers were friendly enough. People were allowed to hang out by the Dodger's dugout in the frontrow to ooh and ahh at Nomar's windsprints before the game. A number of players signed autographs right up until the National Anthem, which was sung by a soldier with an amazing voice. If the Dodgers are playing the next time you're in the HelLa area check 'em out.
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