Sunday, May 23, 2010

At-Game Recap: Dodgers vs Tigers (May 21)

Save me Chad Billingsley, you're my only hope! On a night celebrating the 30th anniversary of Empire Strikes Back (wasn't it also the anniversary of Pacman - why not a Pacman night?), the Dodgers put in a line up of bit players and still pulled it out.

We arrived super early in order to get our free ESB poster. But before going through the gates, we stopped by autograph alley and there were all the Star Wars characters milling around. It was a scene from the cantina, but with Dodger fans looming around with cameras. The best part were the kids that dressed up as Star Wars characters who had the opportunity to meet with their idols. Darth Vader, Stormtroopers, Snowtroopers, Yoda, Chewbacca, Red 1- 5 (and they were really standing by as not many people were getting their pictures), R2D2, and Boba Fett were all there for nerds and geeks like me to take pictures with. Al "The Bull" Ferrara was back there too signing autographs, but the line was unusually short.

After the picture madness, we got our posters, 2 Dodger Dogs and nachos and settled in for the game. There were some stars around including LIMA TIME, Paul Moyer (retired NBC news anchor), Dustin Hoffman (who was on the kiss cam - and obliged enthusiastically!), James Denton from Desperate Housewives, and some other guy that people recognized but I have no clue who he was (see picture below - anyone, anyone, Bueller...). Jose Lima was sitting near us in a stunning black pinstripe suit with a red shirt (UPDATE - After reading the latest news - this is kinda eerie.) Miguel Cabrera stopped by and said hello as well as Jeff Weaver from the field and Manny even waved to him when he was introduced during the game after a little diamond vision montage. I even saw that Frank McCourt was there in his usual dugout club seat.

The game started off shaky with a bloop double that landed right in front of Manny in which the runner eventually came around to score. I was afraid that Chad would get frazzled, but he held it together and shut them down. On the flip side, I was also worried about our B-team line up against the D-train, but we prevailed with cheapo run scoring wild pitch and a Nick Green hit by pitch on the pinky toe. Thanks for taking one for the team Nick! Manny gave us an insurance run with a bullet that ate up Brandon Inge and the bullpen came in to close it out. The defense was nice too and Jamey Carroll always surprises me with his range and arm.

Funny things during the game: A paper airplane that ALMOST hit Larry Bowa in the ass. Darth Vader giving the fans the rules and regulations - Do not throw things on the field or I will have to go all empire on you. Photoshopping players faces onto star wars characters - Manny was Chewbacca. And people booing me for dropping a ball that Jamey Carroll tossed to me.

We had to bug out a little early, but it was so enjoyable to see a Dodger win AND exhibit my star wars geekdom all in one night. Go Blue!

Red 5 you made it!

So how much for one of those Manny wigs? I'm sure Admiral Ackbar would LOVE one of those.

Boba Fett in the house.

Put me in Torre, I will crush the Tigers.

Snowtrooper and trainee.

Darth Dodger and R2-D2.

Dodger fan I am.

Is this R2-D2's brother?

Chewie posing in centerfield.

Patrolling the stadium for rowdy fans.

Before the game.

After reading the latest news posts, this is kinda eerie.

Miggy signing for some fans.

Happy 30th ESB!

Lando and Jim Hill - these guys NEVER seem to age.

Here's looking at you.

Our fifth starter?

Casey warming up.

Thanks Jamey!

Desperate Housewives star James Denton catching a Dodger game sporting the "jeans too long so I roll up the cuffs" look.

Who is this guy? Anyone?

Los Angeles NBC retired news anchor Paul Moyer.

Photo mash-up.

Trivia time.

Manny right before he smoked the ball to 3rd base for another RBI.

I liked the "My Town This Is" a lot better.

The paper airplane that almost hit Bowa.

8 comments:

Kyle Baker said...

I don't think that's R2's brother. I think it's a brotha R2.

rbnlaw said...

I believe your unknown celeb is Bachelor Bob from "The Bachelorette."

rbnlaw said...

Oh, and nice pics, AC. Fitting that you got Lima in there.

Greg Hao said...

Nice seats. Can I be your +1 next time?! And ya, I have no clue who that effer is.

Delino DeShields, Sr said...

RBNLAW - you could lose your JD for knowing that :-)

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Parsecs are units of distance. Morons.

Eric Karros said...

nice pics AC

Unknown said...

The unknown man is Bob Guiney, who is currently with the Band From TV (http://www.bandfromtv.org/)