What A Season

Trust me, I’m right there with you.  Like you, I have suffered through many years of the Dodgers World Series drought.  I was at the stadium for Juan Uribe’s game winning homerun during the 2013 NLDS and thought we had it.  I was heartbroken watching Matt Adams hit that 3 run homerun off of Clayton Kershaw in 2014.  I thought we could do it against the Mets in 2015.  Last year, I was ecstatic watching Kershaw come in for Kenley to secure the save over the Nationals, only to be demoralized with the loss against the Cubs in the next round.  This year, hopefully, will be different.  New pieces, old veterans, solid pitching, should all come together for 11 more wins.

(Disclosure: This post was also for me to document my time at Dodger Stadium before my early onset dementia kicks in - I realize it is a laundry list)

However, if we DON’T make it, I still will cherish this season.  Maybe it was because I splurged and was able to get 4 seats for a 21 game mini plan so I could sit with my mom and aunt for the games.  Maybe it was because I witnessed so many wonderful moments at dodger stadium.  I was there for opening day when Joc Pederson hit a grand slam and we crushed the Padres.  On April 19^th, I saw Chris Taylor hit two doubles as a call up for injured Logan Forsythe.  On April 29^th, I stayed for the most incredible game I have ever seen with Yasiel Puig, Cody Bellinger, and Justin Turner hitting back to back to back homeruns to tie it in the ninth and Adrian Gonzalez win it with a single.  ABSOLUTE MADNESS.  Of note, my Dad can be seen on TV witnessing the event with one of the best amazed facial expression I have ever seen him display.  Despite the loss on May 1^st, I was able to see Kenta Maeda go 8 1/3 innings and Cody hit his 6^th homerun on May 10^th.   On May 18^th, I saw Yasiel Puig crush a homerun (442 feet!) against the Marlins.   On May 23^rd, I saw Logan Forsythe hit a walk off double in the 13^th inning to beat the Cardinals.  On June 6^th , I saw Yasiel Puig almost get into a fight in a loss to the Nationals.  Then on June 10^th, I was treated to the old timers game and then watch Corey Seager hit his first career walk off in the ninth inning against the Reds.  On June 21^st, I saw the Dodgers slide into first place behind two Yasmani Grandal homeruns against the Mets.  Against the Angels on June 26^th, I saw us lose despite Rich Hill going 7 innings.  However, July 6^th proved to be another game winning walk off hit against the Diamondbacks, this time provided by Chris Taylor.  We lost again on July 20^th against the Braves, but I again saw a walk off win on June 26th, this time provided by Justin Turner (8^th walk off win of the season!).  On August 12^th, I saw the Dodgers win their 82^nd win behind Puig’s baserunning.  Austin Barnes helped me witness the Dodgers go up 50 games over .500 on August 15^th.  On August 25^th, I had incredible seats in the Dugout Club (thanks Brother, I’m on TV!), was able to get Cody Bellinger’s autograph on a ball, and saw the Dodgers beat the Brewers on Player’s Weekend.  Unfortunately, the next day I saw us lose (maybe I was too tired).  Then September rolls around and I start to see us lose more - September 6^th against the Diamondbacks, September 8^th and 9^th against the Rockies.  Fortunately, we righted the ship and for my last game of the season September 26^th, when I saw us beat the Padres behind homeruns from Yasmani Grandal, Corey Seager and Adrian Gonzalez. 

I was also able to fly out to Washington DC and watch the Dodgers crush the Nationals on September 15^th.  We stayed at the hotel right across the street from the ballpark.  I lived in Washington DC from 2000-2004 and had not been back in a long time.  In fact the ballpark wasn’t even built yet and that area was known as a dangerous place to hang out.  So to walk around that area now was a completely new experience.  They have really done a nice job with the ballpark and the surrounding area (gentrification anyone?).   I went to the stadium early to watch batting practice and even caught a ball (well more like picked it up from the ground after it bounced near me).  We also splurged on seats right behind the Dodgers dugout and was able to snag a ball from Charlie Culberson which I gave to a 7 year old Dodger fan from Utah sitting right next to us.  The game was great because we absolutely demolished the Nationals from the start, especially since the cheerleaders couldn’t use their huge “Beat LA” signs they waved before the game.  My record this season was 15 wins and 8 loses.

Other little things that made this season special was meeting Justin Turner, Cody Bellinger, Okyea Dickson, Manny Mota, Brook Stewart, Mickey Hatcher, Dave Winfield, Andrew Toles, Brandon McCarthy, Kenta Maeda, Yasmani Grandal, Ken Landreaux, Alanna Rizzo, Trayce Thompson, and Chris Taylor at fanfest, around the stadium, and at various events.  So again, this season has already been special for me.  Thank you to the Dodgers organization for making so many wonderful memories.  

That said, lets go out and win this damn thing.  GO BLUE!