A Stranger In A Strange Land
He Said: Here I am a Dodger fan in the land of Giants. When my cousin, who has been living and working in Europe for three years, called me to say that his company was sending him to the city for meetings, we both had the same thought. "Are the Giants in town?" They were. So we began planning a day at the Park. He had never even been to SF, let alone AT&T Park. I've been to the city plenty, but never for a game. He scored some great seats from stubhub.com and we sat like kids waiting for Xmas to get to the game. Having lived here for two years and on the other side of the Rockies in Colorado for 9 years, it's not as easy to get to Major League games.
Growing up in the Los Angeles area, baseball was aplenty. I couldn't even begin to tell you how many times I was able to watch Dodger and Angels games from inside the park. I feel fortunate that I have been able to say "Yeah, I've seen him play" about the likes of Garvey, Cey Lopes and Russell to name a few. I remember the season that four guys hit over 30 home runs each...EACH. That just doesn't happen, especially in and beyond the steroids era. Not just the boys in Dodger Blue, I saw guys like Jackson and Winfield. I feel like I was a part of baseball history... Mr October jacks one out... Herschiser on his magnificent scoreless innings streak... Gibson going a yard against the A's in the Series... Getting my first foul ball from Fred McGriff's attempt at a Chan Ho Park fastball.
The last game I went to was a Rockies game. I was there with the same guy with whom I was about to see the Giants take on St Louis at a park neither of us had been to. At that Rockies game (I can't remember who they played), I wore my team's cap. An official Dodger baseball hat. All my life I've owned one. I was even wearing one when I met Richard Nixon. I have the photo to prove it. So here we were in Coors Field and from outta nowhere a big purple hand reached from behind me and yanked off my cap. It was Rockie the Mascot and he was running up the stairs with my cap in his furry clothed hand. I chased and he relinquished my hat. The crowd loved it and so did I.
So I knew right away that at this game, I'd be wearing the same hat the my boyhood idols wore as they played our favorite sport. A bright blue hat with the hated interlocked LA emblazoned on the front stands out quite well in a sea of orange and black. Of course I was well aware of the rivalry from a SoCal-er's state of mind. Over the last couple years living in this area I have gotten to see it from the the other side. There I was, walking past Willie Mays' statue, sporting the hat of the team that gave him fits. Willie was one of the greatest ever. I tipped my cap to the Say Hey Kid with relish.
Entering the park was spectacular. The smell of hot dogs hit my nose and I knew where I was and where I wanted to be for the rest of my life: at the game. I did always like a good field. I grew up wanting to call Dodger Stadium my office and work for the greatest game of all. I was good, but not that good.
The weather was fantastic, and as we made our way to our front row seat of the greatest show on earth, we were kids again. I heard some jeers like, "nice hat," dripping with sarcasm. I once again tipped my cap. I was in the Giants' house and since they were playing the Cards, I said I would be rooting for the home team. And I did.
Lincecum was brilliant and threw 11Ks. The rookie Bowker was great and extended his newly born career with more production. We had a great time in park by the bay. I once again tip my cap to not just the players, but to the crew and the fans. Thanks for a light-hearted ribbing and I will see you again. I will be at the Rivalry Series in August and be just as grateful.
By the way, we've had 5 championships since we both moved here 50 years ago. How many do you guys have? That dig is for Tom and Ted and the rest of Giants nation. See you at the park.