SoSG Fest 2010 Pictures and Recap

Except for the outcome of the game, SoSG Fest 2010 was a successful afternoon spent.

I have to thank my fellow Sons, Orel, Alex Cora, and Delino DeShields for both attending and for footing the bill for the group. I have to thank Rafael and Kim, and their manager Chris, for their fine hospitality as well as the couple of rounds they generously donated to our livers.

And most importantly, I have to thank the fine readers of Sons of Steve Garvey for coming to watch Saturday's game with us, giving us a chance to meet the people behind the avatars (or future avatars). Honestly, your participation is a lot of the reason why we keep this blog going, and getting together and realizing that we're just as passionate about the Dodgers and sarcastic as all get out in person, as we are on the blog.

Plus, one of the Sons (who will go nameless), was honestly a little concerned that the event would be kind of lame. Unlike other Dodger blogs who organize big events at the Stadium, we figured a 45' tv screen might pale in comparison--but hoped that the prospect of endless sub-$12 beers (take that, Frank!) might compensate for being cooped up indoors (which frankly for an afternoon game isn't such a bad idea rather than baking to death; and, this was an outdoor patio). But the friendship, food and grog, and Dodgers made for a pretty sweet afternoon.

Communal laughing at the hipster wearing the open button-down shirt and orange short shorts was also pretty sweet (there's a European country waiting for you somewhere, buddy! This place is probably not your scene, however).

Dusty Baker was the first to show, almost an hour In advance, I needed a drinking buddy and he was kind enough to introduce me to Dos Equis Amber, which was a nice find (Dusty is the kind of guy who tells the change of seasons by the new Sam Adams brew getting connected on draft at the bar, so I trusted his recommendation).

Carlos (aka what_difference_does_it_make) was the next to show and he came jersey-adorned. Hearing him tell the tale of his visit to Angels Stadium, interacting with a racially offensive usher and totally uninterested guest relations department, built a level of bile about the Angels that I hadn't really established until then (I had always been neutral on the Angels, but the story of his treatment by Angels brass really pissed me off). Mr. Customer was close behind and finding out the overlap in his profession and some of the Sons' circles was pretty cool. Plus, he's bigger than I am, so I can attest he is indeed always right.)

Carlos, Dusty, and Mr. Customer get the party started. "At SoSG Fest 2010, Vin!"

The rest of the gang came pretty quickly thereafter. Nancy Bea, a regular reader but not yet a frequent commenter, said that what's holding her back from commenting was that she didn't have anything to say--which was met by a uniform chorus of "that doesn't stop any of us!", which was pretty hilarious. We are hoping Nancy Bea's friend "ShameyJamie" makes a debut comment soon. Josh S. came wearing a Win For Vin shirt and we are hoping that the unanswered texts to Mrs. S. doesnt mean he's sleeping on the couch. John G. had the coolest non-Dodgers t-shirt on; plus, his charming guest regaled us with tales of her friends who are dominatrixes (dominatrices?). Here's hoping she starts commenting, too.

And finally, betsy rodriguez and her husband were there. Some of you know that Betsy, a season-ticket holder, has graciously offered extra tickets on our site when they can't make the long drive from behind the Orange Curtain to the Ravine and back to Pomona. Those offers don't come all that often, though, because Betsy is a Dodgers diehard in the truest sense; she and her husband attend almost every game themselves. (And they don't pay for parking, so suck that, Frankie!) She's the kind of fan the Dodgers are honestly lucky to have--sticking with the team through this trainwreck of a season, and proud to be a Dodger fan throughout. We are grateful to have her as a reader on SoSG as well, and that she humped it out on a Saturday afternoon to help make sure that it wasn't a total "SoSG Fest".

But enough of this blather; on to the pictures:

Gentlemen, start your smartphone device! Dusty even brought his iPhone charger (visible from the prior picture), predicting "everyone would laugh at me at first, but then love me soon afterward."

Betsy and husband.

The anonymous Sons mingle in the crowd.

Casey Blake crosses the plate after his solo shot, which proved to be the Dodgers' only run.

Dusty holds court.

We promised we'd give away prizes. (To be fair, John G brought a Broxton bobblehead that we almost threw out onto the street when he blew the save, but ended up giving the bobblehead to Mr Customer for being the last man standing.) (There's also a photo-enhancement opportunity here a la No Way Out if someone wants to try to unveil Sax's identity.)

Paralyzed by the pain of losing. Another round!

One final thank you to all of you who were involved with SoSG Fest 2010, particularly those readers who attended. That was a fun time. We'll do this again sometime soon, so make sure your livers are still in training!

SoSG Fest 2010 Invitation Logo by karina!