Success achieved! I went to all 30 MLB parks as of 2024. I visited Dodgers stadium (1962), the 3rd oldest behind Wrigley (1914) and Fenway (1912), on May 2-4, 2024. This cathedral of baseball is located in the Elysian Park neighborhood of Los Angeles, California. Traffic to go to this park is horrendous for it is surrounded by freeways and there is no easy way to get there by public transit unless you wait for Dodger Express. Dodgers have a no tailgating rule as well.
The stadium is considered a pitcher’s park (eg. 13 no hitters happened here, 2 of them were perfect games) and is the largest baseball stadium in the world by seat capacity (56,000 seat capacity). Anytime you put seats in; you have to remove equal amount of seats. This stadium is the home ballpark of the Los Angeles Dodgers, a national league team in NL West. The LA Dodgers are a highly lauded franchise. Most teams have not been as successful at developing talent, paying highly talented players, and winning games as much as the Dodgers.
Tommy Lasorda, Hall of fame manager, called Dodgers stadium “Blue Heaven on Earth” and said he would bleed Dodger Blue if cut. Famous dodgers include: Jackie Robinson, Sandy Koufax, Mike Piazza, Oral Hershiser, Fernando “El Toro” Valenzuela, Clayton Kershaw, Steve Garvey, Don Drysdale, and Don Sutton.
Vin Scully, the voice of Dodger baseball for 67 years, was known for his play by play commentary (1950 to 2016). His iconic phrase, “It’s time for Dodger baseball” starts every Dodgers home game. The street where Dodgers stadium lies, was renamed after him.
On this trip, I went to 2 games, Dodgers vs Braves, from 2 vantage points ( in field near 3rd base and in upper reserve section overlooking 1st base) and fit in a comprehensive ballpark tour. I happily saw the Braves lose (3-4 Dodgers, 2-11 Dodgers). As a Phillies fan, it is good when any NL team beats your hated rival soundly. That team is your friend until you play them head to head, then you are back to being foes.
The first night was one in which the game had to go to extra innings, until the Dodger rookie hitter Andy Pages hit a single winning the game in the 11th. The second night was a pitching masterclass by Tyler Glasnow, Dodger pitcher, with an offensive explosion by Dodgers lineup (eg, Max Muncy hit 3 HRs that night, Shohei Ohtani hits too).
On the tour of the stadium, I learned that Dodgers was named after the fans that had to dodge trolleys as they attended games. Dodgers name fits on the jersey, rather than Trolley Dodgers. This team started in 1883 in the American League, then renamed Brooklyn Bridegrooms (as of 1890) switching to National league, until finally settling on the name Dodgers in 1932. Once upon a time, the Dodgers had a bitter rivalry with Yankees (for they were in same city), for Dodgers have played in World Series 7x against Yankees. The Yanks beat them 5 in a row in the 1950s, until Brooklyn Dodgers finally won against the Yanks in 1955.
In Brooklyn, Dodgers only won one World Series in 1955. In LA, Dodgers have won 6 times (1959, 1963, 1965, 1981, 1988, 2020). They have won National League pennant 24 times. The present day rivals are the San Francisco Giants and the San Diego Padres. They are inner state rivals so when these teams play there will be a battle.
Of interest, outside the stadium there were two notable statues, Jackie Robinson and Sandy Koufax, in centerfield. Also, because of location, stadium was designed to be earthquake resistant and was built into a natural ravine. It is the only stadium that I know of in which you enter from the top and head down to the field. The awesome view of downtown LA and San Gabriel Mountains gives those who attend Dodgers games amazing views. On a clear day, you can see the Hollywood sign. Dodgers stadium is the only stadium in the National League with symmetrical outfield dimensions. If you like symmetry, the field is noteworthy for all baseball fans.
No matter which team you route for, baseball is fun when the fans are invested. I like when fanatical fans show up in Dodger gear, in this case. Win or lose the home fans cheer for a win. Because of the long baseball season, you need to marvel how a hitting/non-hitting streak, great or poor defensive play, or a pitcher dealing (meaning the pitcher has his good stuff rather than throwing meatballs over the plate) or not, can change the game.
There are 9 innings with 27 outs per team for a regular game. How the team does and which team has scored more would decide whether the fans go home happy after a win or disappointed after a loss.
Play ball. I will be watching as a baseball fan. It is only May. There is lots of baseball to see.
My last thought to ponder:
“There are three types of baseball players: Those who make it happen, those who watch it happen and those who wonder what happens.” – Tommy Lasorda
Is this not the case for life in general? You choose to be a player in your life, an observer, or a person oblivious. Choose wisely.
