Random rantings and ravings about the Los Angeles Dodgers, written by a small consortium of rabid Dodger fans. With occasional comments on baseball, entertainment, pop culture, and life in general.
Yesterday's News, Today! aka How I Stopped Worrying and Learned to Love BLOGGER NIGHT
Finally, the Delino is breaking his vow of silence. After being alluded to as the "Other SoSG'er" by a site I will just call "the Other Dodger Blog," I am here with my own tarnished two cents on a fantastic evening.
The Dodgers Blogger Appreciation Night has already been covered by more legit sports bloggers than yours truly. So instead, I offer up lots of pretty pictures. (And an incredibly genuine thank you to all the organizers... as well as the mediocre talents of this season's American Idol, whose last second cancellation enabled us to take the suite in their place. Hope that car wash opening in Encino was worth it.) Please note - The SoSG guard their privacy like George Lucas protects the scripts for his newest lousy Star Wars retread. All faces have been replaced for the safety of the not so innocent.
Tom Petty once said "The Waiting is the Hardest Part." He also said "You're Jammin' Me." Both aptly describe the longest 10 minutes of our lives, as the distinguished gentlemen of SoSG were forced to wait for tickets like common vagrants. Surrounded by hipsters in leather ties and the world's slowest will call patron, the SoSG'ers grew impatient and let the boo birds fly. Finally, we got our tickets and showed up late to the suite, cutting down our time listening to Ned Colletti and admiring his kick-ass boots.
Bloggers have wives, children, and lives. Guess I should have known this based on the high percentage of non-virgins writing for SoSG (app 40 percent). I tried to convince Sax and Orel to start a Blogger rumble, but that idea quickly dissipated once we realized the suite had free hot dogs.
There's actually a transportation center (aka Throw Transport Down the Well, So My Parking May Be Free) An obscured Steve Sax expresses his appreciation for the center's diligence in taking months away from his life.
Tommy Lasorda has an outtie belly button. I'll keep that pic to myself, but his tight blue sweater left little to the imagination. Having grown up 3000 miles from this city, I always equated two people as THE Los Angeles Dodgers. Fernando Valenzuela, and Mr. Lasorda. Seeing him talk was my personal highlight of the night, if not the year (at least until my wife gives birth... or the season finale of Lost).
SoSG was the 60 Minutes of Blogger Night, if 60 Minutes accidentally started at 7:18pm. Led by the Wallace/Bradley duo of Sax and Orel, SoSG let the tough questions fly at Mr. McCourt. "Why do you seem to disappear from bad publicity." "What's with the autograph meshugas" "What are the Dodgers doing to recruit African American players" "What's your favorite Baseball Movie!?!" (Bull Durham. Never heard of it.) And Mr. McCourt answered every question with conviction. He even offered to invest in Delino's Sunset restaurant idea. (I'm thinking a Beard Papa's or Red Lobster). I was this close to asking Frank McCourt why 'Tis was such a letdown after Angela's Ashes. But fearing the wraith of Blue Blogger Nation (and not wanting to give Mr. McCourt an exit strategy), I kept the question under my hat.
Did I mention the free hot dogs?
Oh What a Night. I actually really hate that song. In fact, I forbade my wedding band from playing it, along with dozens of other crap 70s music. If you want my official "do not play" list for your own upcoming nuptials, just drop an email.
Shoot, even Orel did twoposts on the evening. Orel usually spends his weekends chained to the Smith-Corona (which he then scans into blogger), so I wasn't surprised. I did post a thank you note, but that's it.
So here it is. No pithy "five points I've learned" synthesis here; I'm just going chronologically.
Getting There Is Half the Fun. Over the weekend, I told the story of my Friday night to a friend who basically ripped me one for getting there late. "You were late to the suites?", he asked, incredulous. Not only late for the suites, we were so late that we entered the suite in the middle of Ned Colletti's speech. Nice. While everyone else was sitting in rapt attention, we stumbled into the suite like a bunch of idiots. This was really embarrassing, and we were fortunate that Chris (who suggested the evening) or Josh didn't hurl us down into the loge level head-first.
But it wasn't entirely our fault. See, Rawitch had given us the secret password to give to the knight guarding the Elysian Park gate, which saved us the $15 toll. But from that point on we had to convince not one, not two, but three different parking attendants why we were heading for Lot P without one of those preferred parking tickets (which was not given to us at the guard station). It was kind of a pain persuading each stop along the way (Orel channeled Bill Bixby by repeating, "You wouldn't like me when I'm angry."), but we thought the phalanx of bulwarks that we had to circumvent represented the labors that we three Hercules had to achieve to gain access to the Suites.
No, even with these trials, we were on time. What really stopped us was the bonehead at the Premium Will Call booth (only one window, unfortunately), who pulled out every credit card that he and his wife and seven-year-old daughter had in the course of twenty minutes, as he flailed around looking for his Ticketmaster receipt. Hey buddy, bring your goddamn receipt next time, or at least have your designated credit card at the ready rather than sending your daughter running all over the parking lot to find your wife. Stuck behind this troll (as well as Mr. Red Knit Tie Guy), we never had a shot at making the suite on time. Our fault for not factoring this in, but depressing nonetheless.
The Entrance. So back to our entrance to Suite #232. As the last group in, it was clear that all the other bloggers had introduced themselves to each other, so we were the pariahs. We politely listened to the rest of Ned's chat for about 15 minutes, wondering if his alligator cowboy boots were in fact real. Ned reiterated to the three of us what he told to notepad-toting Erin, that his words were off the record, so I can't get into details about the last hurdles to that A-Rod for Juan Pierre deal that he's finishing up. But as others have said, Colletti was polite and cordial but also seemed to have an edge in his voice that reflected the pressures of a MLB GM. Luckily, he didn't put said boots up our asses as we shook his hand when he finished his chat.
The Veil of Anonymity, Pierced. So then I meandered over to the Dodger Dog part of the buffet table, and bumped into Ernest. The conversation went something like this:
"Hi, I'm Ernest."
"Hi Ernest, I'm Bob."
"Bob? Are you associated with a Dodgers blog?"
"Well, some have referred to me as Steve Sax,..."
(shout from someone else in the room, as Ernest broke out into a big smile)"THE SONS ARE HERE!"
Honestly, that was one of the funniest moments I've had involving this blog, and it was well-timed as it helped myself, Orel, and Delino escape from the funk caused by our tardiness. And, as Orel already wrote, all the other bloggers were nice, funny, and shared in their passion for the Dodgers. It was a pleasure talking with everyone throughout the course of the evening. I counted two bloggers who humped it up to Chavez Ravine from behind the Orange curtain, which was impressive. Robert Daeley thanked us for the shirt he won (in last year's "Olmedo Saenz Pavilion Deadpool" contest). Robert Timm and I found out we had something in common with our kids (to which I deliberately won't refer here). And it was nice to see Erin mention the beer I was happy to buy for her, as this keeps me one leg up on Orel in our individual courtship attempts. Sax 1, Orel 0.
But also impressive, and I can say this now that everyone else as already posted on this, is that no other blogger gave up our identities on their blog, even though we forgot to ask everyone to please maintain our anonymity. All the other bloggers, without prompting, have played along, especially Trolley Dodger. And for that, I thank my brethren and tip my cap in appreciation (I need this day job).
McCourt, Frankly. Frank McCourt's visit had to be at least 45 minutes long, which was unbelievable given the priorities that man must have. He clearly relishes his position as the owner and Chairman of the Dodgers, and he went into his three-point vision for the Dodgers comfortably, covering his progress toward and commitment to the team, the fans' experience, and the community. He described the monumental efforts to redo the field level concourses (which I have to admit do look impressive this year), as well as the redesigned mens bathrooms. I can't recall how many gallons of water the flush-free urinals will save (McCourt recited the number off the top of his head), but I am pleased not to have a stadium restroom experience that seems like pissing in the back alley of a third-world country (note our urinals video posting).
On the parking initiative, McCourt started to fly a little bit off the rails, from my opinion. We challenged him a little bit on the public transportation issue, to which he replied that it wasn't a Dodgers problem but was a city problem, and when they had the Union Station shuttle before, it suffered from poor attendance. He also cited all the free shuttle service offered for the Coliseum exhibition game (which received mixed reviews, but admittedly was a nice effort that didn't need to be pursued in the first place). And then he cited parking things about which I was not aware, such as offering discounted parking to cars with three or more people, or cars that come early to games. I don't recall either of these things happening; I am well aware, however, that my pre-paid parking as part of my season ticket package hits an exorbitant $15 per game (sixth-highest in the major leagues last year). I still think there's work to be done here, but on this topic, McCourt is either stalwart in his opinion or grossly misinformed. Or both, perhaps.
Overall, I certainly appreciated McCourt's candor and the fact that he didn't shy away from any questions throughout his suite visit, from the barbed (why he appears to shrink away from the press upon controversy or bad press--to which he replied that he doesn't want to get in the way of other people on his team doing their jobs; I would argue, in situations like the overblown autograph fiasco in which other Dodgers brass respond to controversies by saying they want to just "collect data," McCourt would be better served on the front lines fielding questions) to the softball pitches (his favorite baseball movie is Bull Durham). He confessed to being a private guy, suddenly ushered into the public spotlight, and it kind of makes sense.
Meeting McCourt and getting that sort of time with him helped me appreciate that he's a passionate guy, and is pretty hard to dislike in a small setting as he's pretty personable. He's got a mission for the Dodgers, and despite what the apocalyptic projections have envisioned, to date he has invested in improving the stadium facility that is the second-oldest NL stadium behind Wrigley (rather than razing it altogether). However, like any new CEO, he could use a bit of training beyond just the factoids, and in particular could stand to take the heat on some mistakes and therefore cut the firestorm off early on. Great CEOs, like Jim Burke of Johnson and Johnson during the Tylenol cyanide scare, stand accountable in times of crisis. If McCourt really wants to stand behind his three-pronged vision for the Dodgers organization (and the vision isn't a bad one per se), he needs to be front and center in both good and bad times. But again, this is how an experienced and principled CEO acts; McCourt could still grow into this role over time, particularly with the right coaching.
Tommy Lasorda Shoots From the Hip. I was surprised to see Tommy in the suite in the first place, as he looked out of place in his blue vest and up close and personal (I had met him a couple times before, but it's always a thrill), but once he started rolling with the stories, he soon hit stride and had the whole suite in stitches. Tommy sure can spin a yarn.
But instead of writing about this, here's footage of two of his stories. First, here's Lasorda as he regales a Dodger Stadium suite with a tale of Yogi Berra, a grandfather clock tribute, and the drunk who bumps into Yogi:
And second, here's Tommy as he describes a fan who says he loves him, as well as the relative intelligence levels of former players Steve Sax (yours truly!) and Ken Landreaux:
Other Suite Observations. After Tommy left, Rawitch soon left as well; he had already brought his whole staff through the suite and on top of that, in between guests, opened up with a perspective of the Dodger Talk squabble from last year (off the record, again). As I wrote before, he's a really nice gentleman who is trying to keep the Dodgers organization at the forefront of digital media, be it his own blog (insidethedodgers.mlblogs.com) or a Dodger fan's blog, and it is pretty amazing to see him embrace the new medium. I know all of us were quite appreciative of his efforts to set this night up, as well as of Chris Volk's efforts to suggest the darn thing in the first place. (You know, maybe a blogger should take an at-bat in the next 10-run-lead game?)
The other nice thing about the suites which I want to mention (and may post pictures on later) was the fact that everything on that level is a high-class, sparkling clean operation. The suites are comfortable, full of flat screens and comfy sofas, and would be fine places to entertain while watching the game. On the walls of the hallway leading up to the suites hang tasteful sepia-toned pictures of Dodger stars of yesteryear, as well as black and white shots of Ebbets Field and Dodger Stadium. And the attendants are helpful, even when you're carrying back beers from the Stadium Club (which serves beer until a half-hour after the end of the game, so no need to race there to beat the end of the seventh inning!). This was not my first time to the suites, and I hope it wasn't my last, either.
1. The Dodgers are a baseball team, and the Dodgers are a business, and never the two shall meet. The Dodgers' notoriously indiscriminate fanbase (2005 record: 71-91, 2005 attendance: 3,603,646; 2006 record: 88-74, 2006 attendance: 3,758,545) gives the franchise the rare luxury of developing off-the-field interests, such as real estate and charitable work, regardless of the team's performance. It's good for the community, it's good for the McCourts. It's not so good for fans who don't believe in supporting a bad team.
2. Nothing is new: The Dodgers have heard it all. There was no question posed to Josh Rawitch, Ned Colletti, Frank McCourt and especially Tommy Lasorda they hadn't already addressed countless times. Not that they were unwilling to give answers—they couldn't have been more gracious. Rather, the preparedness of their answers demonstrated they had considered all angles. Whether you agree with their subsequent decisions is another matter.
3. The Dodgers don't know what to make of bloggers. Blogs are a strange new animal: safer than journalists, more dangerous than the average fan. Of course, all teams are dealing with this trend, and the blurring line between reporter and blogger (see: Jackson, Tony; Leung, Diamond) complicates the issue further. Rawitch's reaching out to bloggers was savvy as it was kind, since the only certainty is that blogs aren't going anywhere.
4. Ned Colletti has got his mind set (and it's not on you). It's pretty clear who makes the big baseball decisions for the Dodgers: Ned Colletti and Joe Torre. Colletti spoke with conviction and specificity about his baseball philosophy. This did not strike me as someone who would be influenced by the press—if he reads the press at all. As for Torre: The Dodgers are 5-7 but thus far most criticism has centered around Andruw Jones and Juan Pierre.
5. The Dodgers need to hire more help, inside the stadium and out. Rawitch has a staff of energetic young people, some of whom we had the pleasure of meeting. But I suspect he could use more of them, especially if the team's foray into China pays off in increased international popularity. Inside the stadium, more ushers have been added to deal with the recent Field level autograph situation, but anyone who's witnessed fights at Dodger Stadium can tell you that even more ushers—and security guards—would be a welcome addition.
Free Dodger Dogs. Free. Dodger. Dogs. No, not as in "Free James Loney." As in eat all you want, we'll make more. And that wasn't even the best part of last night. The best part was meeting and interacting with some of our fellow Dodger bloggers (apologies if I've missed anyone):
Not a basement-dweller in the bunch. Quite the opposite, in fact: We were a friendly, diverse group of knowledgeable fans passionate about the Dodgers. Which, frankly, is sometimes hard to find...even at Dodger Stadium (Field level seats, I'm looking at you).
Frank McCourt paid us a passing compliment when he noted how all conversation would cease every time the crowd reacted. Dodger hit? Hoots and hollers. Padres run? Moans and groans. I was happy and proud to be part of this group.
Sax and I were at the Clippers game the other night. (No, this is not the start of a joke.) While watching A.I. and Carmelo destroy the home team, we discussed the idea of the Dodgers hosting a bloggers' box. Bloggers might not merit all-out press credentials, but it's at least worthy of consideration to offer a press-like area for inspired bloggers to post live during a game and get access to press releases and players for interviews. In fact, the New York Islanders are experimenting with this very idea, though we don't know of any blog-box experiments for a real sporting team.
Coincidentally, the next day our buddy Josh—er, the Dodgers' Vice President of Public Relations and Broadcasting Josh Rawitch—announced he is organizing a "blogger conference" at Friday night's game. In a suite. Yeah, boyee!
Naturally, our first reaction was to conduct a rigorous discussion regarding the ethical ramifications of accepting the team's offer of hospitality. Just kidding. Took us two seconds to RSVP yes. Then the questions started. Will we have to reveal our identities? Will the other bloggers make us sit at the kids' table? Should we blog about the night's experience? What will we wear?
Actually, with theflak we've been giving Frank McCourt since, well, our inception, it occurred to us this could be McCourt's Michael Corleone-esque way of dealing with bloggers:
Delino:
I'm not worried about any Dodger vengeance. But did you guys find it weird that they're sending a car to pick us up at Crenshaw and 80th?
Or maybe Juan Pierre, the bane of many Dodger bloggers, would be waiting in the suite with a baseball bat. He might be able to chase us down on foot, we thought, but it was highly unlikely he'd be able to make contact with the bat. (Plus, he's supposed to be a pretty nice guy.)
Just to be safe, we thought: we're wearing masks!
Delino:
Ideas for masks, to conceal our real identity:
Point Break - Presidents
Eyes Wide Shut - We wear masquerade ball masks, and NOTHING ELSE
Mask - The Eric Stoltz one
M.A.S.K - The cartoon one. Where they had powers based SOLELY on the masks they wore:
Friday the 13th Part Two - Gunney sacks (before Jason could afford the hockey mask)
Superman - Glasses! Nobody will be able to tell.
The Delino collection - Woody Allen, Rush Limbaugh, Monica Lewinsky, or the Howard Stern wig
But wait, masks won't be enough, not if we need to pick up our tickets at will call! Last I checked, my drivers license doesn't sport the word "Hershiser." Better get out that McLovin ID.
Anyway, tomorrow night, we are rolling the dice and graciously accepting the Dodgers' generous offer to enjoy a game in comfort. Will access to a Dodger suite grant us such luxuries (besides a player autograph, of course) that we become out of touch with the common Dodger fan? Will we come home with our integrity, sarcasm, and rapier wits intact? Will we come home at all? Stay tuned.
(Thanks to Sax for the post assist, and big thanks for Chris at dodgerfan.net for suggesting the blogger conference idea to Josh!)
