Game 7: Mets 4 – Dodgers 3

Posted on May 12, 2016 by Todd Munson

The matchup: Dodgers vs Mets (5.11.16)
Special Guest: A solo mission (due to overly complicated reasons) in which I played bobblehead Sherpa.
Snacks: Brooklyn sauerkraut sausage, a slice of banana cream pie the size of my head and two Dodger Lagers.
Giveaway: Dave Roberts bobblehead.
Memorable Moment: Eating a slice of banana cream pie that was the size of my head.

The biggest highlight of an otherwise lousy game was discovering that the Stadium Club serves the best Banana Cream Pie in Los Angeles.

RECAP: This was the only game of the Mets series I was able to attend. Thanks to pulling consecutive all-nighters leading up to it, this game was the perfect surreal experience for my first visit to the Stadium Club.

Earlier in the day, my lovely wife enlisted me to pick up an extra Dave Roberts bobblehead for a co-worker who wasn’t going to be able to make the game. Dude just wanted one so he sent me just a single ticket, which happened to include admission to the Stadium Club. With a brain that was functioning as poorly as any pitch in Chris Hatcher’s current arsenal, I decided the best thing to do would be to go to the game solo, snag the bobbleheads, and see finally what the Stadium Club was all about.

I left my flip flops and favorite offensive sleeveless t-shirt at home and rolled to the game all business casual.

Obligatory bad Stadium Club selfie.

My immediate reaction to walking into the Stadium Club was “Where have you been all my life?” I’ve been to the Baseline Clubs a few times but the Stadium Club is on an entirely different level. I didn’t have a reservation so I wandered around before pulling up a seat at the bar.

The buffet is the main event at the Stadium Club

You guys… Dodger Stadium has a pizza oven.

The view of the field from the rail. To snag one of these seats, you’d want to make a reservation. The Stadium Club does two seatings, one before the game and one during.

Hello my friends.

The only drawback to the Stadium Club (if you even want to call it that) is that it’s so much its own world that you can forget there’s a game happening. The TV directly in front of me was playing Kansas City’s game against the Yankees. When it ended, it cut to an infomercial for the world’s greatest wheelbarrow and I was immediately entranced.

The WORX Aerocart transforms from wheelbarrow to upright dolly and can even pull a trailer thanks to its built-in ball hitch.

Luckily, a third inning bomb from Corey Seager broke the Aerocart’s spell right before I was ready to start making a few easy payments.

My first apartment in LA was smaller than this TV.

The view from the Stadium Club during the game.

I departed the Stadium Club for our seats in the top of the fourth but didn’t make it until the bottom of the sixth. I got distracted by all the great artwork on the walls of the Club Level. And then there was the issue of a food coma that was quickly setting in.

Such a fantastic color combo.

Just taking a guess but I think these are signs from Dodgertown in Vero Beach, FL.

A poster-size program from when Brooklyn Dodgers toured Japan at the end of the 1956 season.

Every Dodger legend who was on the field with Vin on Opening Day signed this jersey. I didn’t check but I assume it’s bolted to the wall.

Had a sweet little food coma induced nap going until someone kicked me awake to ask if Syndergaard really hit a second home run.

Game 5: Padres 5 – Dodgers 2

Posted on May 1, 2016 by Todd Munson

The matchup: Dodgers vs Padres (4.30.16)
Special Guest: This was a solo mission. Couldn’t stay for much of the game and had promised a Justin Turner Chia Pet to a buddy.
Snacks: Greek Salad from the healthy cart and a water. (Made the mistake of stepping on the scale before heading to the game.)
Giveaway: See above.
Memorable Moment: Clayton Kershaw threw me a ball during batting practice. (And I didn’t drop it!)

Made some sweet custom modifications to our tickets in honor of Justin Turner Chia Pet Night.

RECAP: Thanks to a prior obligation, I was spared the anguish of having to watch the Dodgers extend their losing streak to six and drop their second in a row to the lowly Padres of San Diego. When I left, neither team had scored and the Dodgers still had hope. We won’t rehash what happened in the following innings.

Howie Kendrick settles in to the batter’s box.

To help off-set the fact that I was a horrible Dodger fan who bounced at the top of the third, I did attend early batting practice to catch the festivities. I get out for it a few times a season and prefer to stick to the sidelines. Better to let the established ballhawks do their thing and not take any chances away from kids. The only time I ever make a play on a ball is if it’s coming right at me. My glove is purely for self-defense and you should definitely bring one if you go to BP. Balls can come in hot.

Even with this “strategy,” I’ve managed to snag several over the years and have had to invoke my self-imposed one ball limit more than a few times. Yesterday’s came from Clayton Kershaw(!) while he was shagging balls out in centerfield.

Three-time Cy Young Award winner Clayton Kershaw battles a bat boy (I believe it’s Sergio) for a ball during batting practice.

While Clayton was deciding where to throw it, I gave him a nonchalant wave that was borderline ironic amid all the screaming and waving that happens every time he touches a ball. Next thing I knew, it was coming right at me.

It’s amazing how time can freeze while a ball is in flight. As it made its way towards me, I got the chance to relive every horrific botched pop up from the days of Little League as my brain and motor skills rapidly began shutting down. Luckily, the solid thud of the ball landing in the pocket of my glove snapped me out of my two second flashback and the first thing my rebooted brain reminded me to do was to use my manners.

“Thanks, Clayton!” I yelled out.

Meanwhile, Clayton was probably like, “Great, now maybe that that stalker from the other night will leave me alone.”

Thanks for the ball, Clayton.

Close up of the ball.

Bonus shot of an empty Top Deck.

Not long after the Padres took the field for their portion of BP, I exited the stadium and moseyed up to our level so I could score a second Chia Pet and wolf down a shame salad before anyone was there to see it.

None of these fans were any the wiser that I was the only person to eat a salad at a baseball game.

For a brief moment during the second inning, a rainbow could be seen arcing across the stadium behind right field. It was nearly in the exact same spot as the rainbow that appeared during Vin Scully’s first bobblehead night back in 2012.

Right field rainbow.

Was it a sign from the baseball gods that things will be turning around for the Dodgers?

Let’s hope so.

Game 4: Marlins 6 – Dodgers 3

Posted on April 27, 2016 by Todd Munson

The matchup: Dodgers vs Marlins (4.26.16)
Special Guest: My friend Leslie. Thanks to her excellent choice in teams (Dodgers, Huskers) she’s like the best sports fan ever. Give her a follow, yo.
Snacks: Dodger Dog x 2, Stella x 1, Bud Heavy x 1.
Giveaway: Tonight’s gift was seeing Clayton Kershaw pitch for the first time this season.
Memorable Moment: Our ol’ buddy Giancarlo Stanton sending a Kershaw fastball to Glendale will be seared into my brain for a long time.

The lack of focus in this photo can be blamed on Dieter, the new organist. When the Dodgers lose, he likes to play Tomorrow (aka that depressing song from Annie) causing us to bolt out of the stadium as fast as we could.

RECAP: With Clayton Kershaw on the mound and Donnie’s Flailing Fish still the opponent, this game couldn’t have been more of a lock for the Dodgers. Unfortunately, as we all know, baseball can be a very cruel game. The Dodgers jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead on a pair of run scoring wild pitches. Clayton helped his own cause throughout the night with a fake-bunt-to-slap-single followed by a run scoring double that put the Dodgers up 3-0 heading into the sixth inning.

Normally, three runs is plenty of cushion for Kershaw but the Marlins refused to get on the hook. They strung together four consecutive hits (netting only two runs) in the top of the sixth to bring Stanton to the plate with two runners on. He promptly deposited a fastball into center field to give the Marlins a 5-3 lead that they would not relinquish.

In the bottom of the ninth, the Dodgers gave the fans who stayed until the bitter end a glimmer of hope. Joc Pederson roped a double and Chase Utley drew a walk, giving Corey Seager a chance to give himself an early birthday present but it was not to be.

Despite witnessing the Dodgers lose consecutive games, the evening at Dodger Stadium was far from being a total loss thanks to getting to watch Kershaw warm up from the bullpen overlook. If you ever get a chance, it’s definitely worth it to arrive early enough to claim a seat over the pitcher’s mound. You’re so close to the action that it’s like hanging out the top of the key while Steph Curry practiced his free throws.

Some photos of the Kershaw warm up experience follow below. Click to open in a new tab to see them full-size.

All eyes are on Kershaw as he begins his pre-game ritual.

Kershaw goes for a nice, relaxing stroll around the field.

Meanwhile, Yasmani Grandal goes through his own routine.

Grandal’s hand-eye coordination game is strong.

Grandal gives his glove a quick spritz of who-knows-what.

Grandal follows the spritz by dusting his glove with a rosin bag. Before you can frame a pitch, you gotta be able to hold onto the ball.

Kershaw arrives in the bullpen and is all business.

Dodgers pitching coach Rick Honeycutt follows Kershaw to the mound.

Kershaw begins to throw some heat.

Wait for it…

Look how far Kershaw strides from the rubber.

Catching instructor Steve Yeager, who’s normally a little salty on game day, noticed a tribute to Tommy Lasorda on DodgerVision and immediately became transfixed. It was a nice moment to see and one can only imagine the memories that were going through his head.

Time for Kershaw to go to work.

Game 2: Dodgers 3 – Giants 1

Posted on April 18, 2016 by Todd Munson

The matchup: Dodgers vs Giants (4.17.16)
Special Guest: Big Daddy Delino from Sons of Steve Garvey.
Snacks: Dodger Dog, garlic fries, peanuts, and enough Shock Tops to numb the pain of the Giants fans surrounding us.
Giveaway: Beating the Giants was the only gift we needed.
Memorable Moment: Sniffing Uribe’s jersey.

Son of Steve Garvey Delino protects his secret identity.

RECAP: Like his namesake, my buddy “Delino” is also a native son of the Blue Hen State. I can’t begin to tell you what a privilege it was to have the second most famous Delino to ever come out of Delaware flying as my wingman for the game. Delino and I go all way back to the early 2000s when we were neighbors in an apartment building that straddled the border between Los Feliz and Little Armenia. On more than a few occasions, I’ve parlayed my status of knowing one members of the ultra-secretive SoSG into marginally legit street cred among the geekiest Dodger fans.

It was a welcome sight to see the Dodgers not stink up the joint during their first Sunday Night Baseball appearance of the season. I should be more optimistic but sometimes Sunday Night Baseball PTSD still creeps out thanks to having witnessed the horror and anguish of Jonathan Broxton’s legendary meltdown many moons ago.

Between Joc’s two run jam and seven ridiculously solid innings from Kenta Maeda, the Dodgers flexed just enough muscle to keep any doubting vultures at bay. Puig coming out on the right side of a total Puig move (trying to score from second on a ground ball that made it 10 feet into center field) was the icing on the cake.

In the top of the sixth, Delino and I abandoned our post and wandered off for beverage reinforcements (the Giants fans around us were more annoying than usual) and never returned. We ended up taking the long way down to the Field Level where I made a spiritual connection to a game used Juan Uribe jersey.

Soaking up the sweet, sweet smells of a dearly departed Dodger.

Our lap around the Field Level ended at the Dodgers’ bullpen. For some unexplainable reason, the seats directly over the mound were open so we got to see Kenley Jansen get ready to mow down the Giants. It was my first time seeing him warm up and I gotta say he was all business.

Kenley Jansen goes through his pre-flight checklist.

Once his cannon was properly pre-heated, Kenley stood patiently on the mound and waited for his cue.

This photo was taken a split second before California Love started blasting.

After giving up a single to Buster Posey, Kenley made quick work of the Giants, giving the Dodgers sole possession of first place.

It was a perfect way to close out a weekend.

Game 1: Dodgers 3 – Diamondbacks 1

Posted on April 14, 2016 by Todd Munson

The matchup: Dodgers vs Diamondbacks (4.13.16)
Special Guest: My wife.
Snacks: Dodger Dog w/ spicy mustard and onions (the only way to dress one), garlic fries, Heineken, churro.
Giveaway: Hooded Sweatshirt
Memorable Moment: Kobe Bryant getting the biggest cheers of the night.

Dodger Stadium’s new address.

RECAP: Rolling up Vin Scully Avenue for the very first time, I took a moment to bask in the glory of Dodger Stadium’s new address and pay tribute to the East Side Kings. The East Side Kings were the closest thing my Nebraska high school had to a “real” gang. It was tradition for those dozen or so dudes to skip the first day of school and roll hard on day two, all decked out in the finest LA Kings gear that could be found at the Conestoga Mall.

For my wife and myself, the day after Opening Day has become our traditional first day back at the ballpark. I couldn’t help but feel a little East Side King-ish when we got to our seats and our neighbors said they were wondering if we’d be back. I thought for sure they’d know how we do it by now. This is our third season in the same spot and all the regulars in our section know each other which has given our section a real Cheers like vibe.

This game also marked our 11th season together. One of our very first dates was a Dodger game and lucky for me, I was only kidding when I tried talking her into stealing a tub of spicy mustard. As someone who only knew the world of Field Level corporate seats, our first game together was a whole new experience for her, starting with buying some strongly haggled tickets off a scalper in the parking lot behind the Left Field Pavillon. Oh the fun you could have in the days before StubHub.

11 seasons together and still trying to get on that Kiss Cam.

As for this game, the snakes struck first but Adrian Gonzalez got things tied up with a solo bomb to right center field. The Dodgers then pulled away in the fifth thanks to a couple of errors by the Diamondbacks that led to a pair of runs. Kenley Jansen sparred fans the horror of seeing the bullpen in action by coming on for a five out save that required only 18 pitches.

It was a great start to a new season at Chavez Ravine.

A Very Pleasant Good Evening

Stories from Dodger Stadium

Category Archives: Game Recap

Game 7: Mets 4 – Dodgers 3

Game 5: Padres 5 – Dodgers 2

Game 4: Marlins 6 – Dodgers 3

Game 2: Dodgers 3 – Giants 1

Game 1: Dodgers 3 – Diamondbacks 1