Tony Varela’s Dodger Stadium Blog

Game #2 of the National League Championship

"To bad you worked Allll of those games and you cant work these ones," Damian told me last night.  I got kinda irritated by his comment but that is the truth.  I am working the next home game for sure and the boss at the school knows I will be hustling at the next BIG series.

For the last four play-off games I have been working at my regular job, teaching the teenagers of Los Angeles.  These earlier games make it impossible for me to cut into my real bread and butter job.  Stupid East Coast viewer-ship times.  I was going to write from Damian's perspective last night but I was too distracted. 

To tell the truth the only thing worth mentioning about yesterdays game is the fct that Damian saw MR hit the three run homer to bring the Boys in Blue back into the ball game from a four run deficit.  Something like that. 

Damian takes a smoke break after almost every inning.  Actually his smoking habit has given him the opportunity to witness many many Dodger feats during his 11 years at the Ravine.  Anyway, I asked him last night if he saw Manny's homerun.  "Of course," Damian shouted, "Some fans yelled out loud 'We forgive you now Manny! We forgive you Now!!!'  I saw that homer on TV and I forgave MR too. 

But today, Dodgers evened the series with the Phillies.  I listened to the game on the radio in class, while my spy and roommate Damian, witnessed the whole Enchilada (with cheese, baby!). 

By the time I got home there was still loads of traffic exiting the Stadium, Elysian Park, down Scott St., where I live here in Echo Park. 

"Can you believe there is still traffic coming out of the stadium, two hours later?" Damian cried out.  I couldn't believe it either.  The fans must have been relishing the win in their cars or they were jammed in the parking lot like sardines.

"Do you want to know who sang the national anthem," Damian asked me when I stepped into the house.

"Do you really want to know . . .?"

"Who Damn it!" I exclaimed.

"The Backstreet Boys!, he said with a grin. Puffing on a cigarette.  

"This one fan yells out ,'Don't Cheer for those guys they like the F-ing Boston Red Sox!' 

I thought the New Kids represent Boston, jk. When the group was done singing a small portion of the crowd Booed the BS Boys.

"You can't really diss on them" Damian said "Even if they were just singing the national anthem they still did a good job.  They were just hating because they were from Boston . . . but hey did a good job. 

OK   

About the game in Damians own words . . .

"Everybody was pounding beers . . . the stadium was literally running out of kegs of beer!  It was crazy . . .

"The fans were saying Give me my beer, I want my Dodger Dog! . . . It was f-ing crazy  . . .

"It was fun watching the fans, whenever they had the opprtunity to say: "Phillies Suck!  Phillies Suck!

According to Damian it was so hot that the fans were just drinking like crazy, even Dodger Stadium called down to Levy (our food company) to tell us to sell only one beer per person. 

"There were so many fans there that I don't think that there were enough seats for everybody . . .

"The crowd was pumped, even Vin Sculley called it, When I was taking a piss in the bathroom. . .

If you use the stadium restrooms the you can hear Vin Sculley make his colorful game-play commentary every time from the speakers at the ceiling.

"The fans were paying attention to every aspect of the game . . .

My Mom works at the Stadium by the way. She loves me that much I guess, lol. 

"I gave your mom some beads," Damian said.  I didn't know what he was talking about.  Apparently he got some Dodger Blue Bud Light beads from the Bud Light girls near the smoking section.   "Thats where I hang out," he said with a grin. 

 "Look holmes," jokingly, "Im the Bud Light Dodger Mr. T" with a thick ring of blue beads around his neck 

"I was talking to some random fans and they were talking about Kirk Gibson, the first game, how he was injured and how they were only in the 5th grade at the time . . . we were talking about Dwight Gooden and how he was all coked-out, and then one of the fans quoted Kirk Gibson:  'Enjoy the fruits of victory.'

Damian and the two fans went on about that series and then one of the fans girl friends interrupted for a second and asked "How do you guys remember all of that?" 

We Just Do.

"You see Antonio," Damian said "Where I work at 749 its like a party . . . they got a bunch of portables, a DJ, and their seats are just right there." 

Where Damian works at stand 749 is basically the last regular Dodger stand on the Reserve level, third base side, just before the Bleacher Beach section of the stadium.  Apparently the Bleach Beach crap was removed for the play off series'.  Damian Wraps and steams D Dogs in that stand.  The view of the THINK BLUE sign by the Police Academy is directly across from stand 749 considering the point of view looking away from the Stadium, looking out towards the parking lot.  749 was my first stand actually.

Damian lights up a cigarette and tells me: 

"Kobe Bryant was there . . . .

"It was so funny after my shift some crazy fan tried to give me a hug and tackled me . . He said 'Sorry man I know you just got off work' . . . It was funny man . .  .

"They had the little bathroom towels with the LA logo on it so everyone could swing it . .  it looked cool.

"Even the Navy guys yesterday had their little Dodger towels folded in their back pockets, all neat . . . it was really cool . . . .

"Like all the Navy guys were drinking their beers, all in uniform, they were having a good time, because they were there for the Flag, and they got a lot of props and everybody thanked them for their service . . . that I thought that was really cool.

"Today was basically just Andre Either walking all game long . . .

"Everybody was cued on the 8th inning dude . . . that was awesome . . . .

"Pedro Martinez kicked ass dude, he really did . . .

"We cooked over 400 Dogs today . . . but keep in mind there were portables selling Dogs and easing our lines . . .

"There were drunken Jack Asses that wanted their beer and their Dog! . . . When you hear those guys you just have to shout them out . . .(of your mind) . . .

Keep the fun going and taking care of the fans. 

I asked Damian if he had seen Lalo and my people from the stand but Damian didn't see him, or my hamburger helper, or JC, or Joanne, or Melissa and Benny, or Francesca and Zeola.  The crew.  He didnt see any of them.  I miss them.

I am watching the Angels-Yankee talking with Damian and he says, "I'm not goin got talk shit about the Angels because of your Grandfather

"I'm not going to talk

I have a comment, is Joe Buck any good at all?

Anyway, good job Damian wrapping all those Dogs and smoking those stoggies during the crucial moments of the game. 

Missing these last few games has been killing me.  I miss the Stadium so much.  "You should be there," my co-worker told me after Broxton got the last out in the 9th.  It's hard to stomach that fact but I'm have another role to fullfill thats just as much fun, if not even better.  I'll be back thats for sure.  Dodger won, thats all that matters.

Go DODGERS!

84

 . . . the Dodgers still have their work cut out for them.  

Everyone was so laid back in the stand that it was on the verge of laziness.  I'm not down with that.  You got to put your heart in everything you do, right.  Even if it's flipping burgers.  Good thing I am teaching high school all year long.  It's the perfect outlet.  Anyway the crew seemed like they just wanted to cruise through the game.  Whatever.

The real work is just ahead of us. 

The regular season doesn't mean a damn thing.  The play-offs are everything now.  

The Rockies defiantly proved to be worthy opponents in the Pennant race..  Maybe we will see them a week in a half from now.  Before the game started I was able to greet Dave from Colorado, who made a trip with his father to Los Angeles to watch his Rockie team play us at the Ravine.  It's a pleasure to make the acquaintance of real baseball fans and true believers of their respective team.

The Dodgers won today.  The past few weeks are behind us.  Damian and I were reminisce about old memories at the stadium and the memories just keep on coming . . . I just need the time to share our  nuggets. 

Whatever happened to A Martinez, the former Dodger talk host.  The new guys never acquiesce to the callers when they know they are wrong.  Like the use of Pierre.  They make way to many excuses.  Still, Damian and I think you entertaining, just a bit annoying.  Ken and Josh, not as good as Martinez, sorry boys. 

Next subject. 

This blog is for the workers at Dodger stadium and the people before the Stadium existed.      

A fellow by the name of Seth Menachem has a great blog titled lifeadvicefromoldpeople.com.  Seth sent me his brief interview with Dodger Vendor Mort Rose about his history with the Dodgers.   It's short but sweet. I really appreciate his contribution to the Dodger Blog.  Thanks Seth.

Check it out- Mort is a true class act. 

http://www.lifeadvicefromoldpeople.com/2009/09/mort-peanut-guy.html

Go Dodgers!

84ever

We all can sleep easy tonight . . . Dodgers win.

I really wasn't worried.  We did it again. Two years in a row, the Western Division Champs.

Kershaw struck out 10 Rockies after six scoreless sixth innings at one point of the game and the score was still Dodgers: 0 and Rockies: 0.  Then the Dodgers broke it open beginning with Casey Blake's double.  We score five runs and even Manny gets a rip in the mix.  Damian mentioned that George Sherril looked awesome on the mound.  "He bends back when he winds and throws the ball pretty fast."  Damian acted out Sherril's delivery exactly like him.  Sherril shut them down.  Actually, the Rockies literally broke down.   

These pennant races really get my guts twisted but its so damn worth it. 

During the first three innings we got slammed so I was putting my ADD to work and multi tasked like I was aiming for a Gold metal.  I actually really believed that the harder and faster I worked; the harder, faster, and by the luck of chance, the Dodgers would win this one.  I kept my back to the view of the fans and the field and just looked at my hands.  I got into a zone of sorts.   

Anyway, I had a real good feeling that we were gonna win tonight. 

Here are the reasons: 

First, I knew that Kershaw was going to shut the Rockies down so it was just a matter of us scoring.  

The second reason is at the beginning of the game just before the National Anthem was sung Juan Pierre was given the Roy Campanella award for his good sportsmanship and being a model ball player.  Juan is my favorite out fielder on the team regardless of his playing time.  If I could I would rock that "Pierrewood" shirt thats out there.  

The third reason may sound absolutely ridiculous but I said it first, it is ridiculous.  I was spreading the mayo on exactly 25 burger bun Tops that I tossed to my left across my silver counter to my wonderful Hamburger helper Maria, while she dressed the Tops with pickles, lettuce, tomatoes, and onions, then, I wantonly spread mayo on exactly 25 bun buttons with out counting and slapped together exactly 25 Famous Stars, perfectly.  I didn't count the bottoms, I just eye balled it and spread the mayo.  I think I improvised this way for three sets of burgers.  I thought it was an omen, seriously.

After the last out I went about patting the backs of Dodger fans.  Saluting random people like last year.  I vaguely heard Joe T. speak to the crowd.  It was amazing. 

We all worked hard in the stand as usual.  Some of my coworkers didn't understand the senarios regarding our work schedule as to whether the Dodgers have home field or away advantage.  Some thought Sundays game is the last game of the season.  I explained the facts.  We have home field advantage after tonight.

Walking back to my car with my apron and hat still on I heard a some interesting things:

"To bad I'm a Yankee fan," one guy said to his date on their way to the car.  I thought: Yeah It Is too Bad.

As cars exited the Sunset parking lot people were bumping their music loud, celebrating.

"I had fun," a lady said to her partner. "Yeah", he replied.  I think it was her first game.  Or maybe his.  It wasn't just "fun" it was friggin fantastic,.

The excitement has just begun.  I met Damian at my VW and I am about to have a celebration of my own but not to much, we have a game tomorrow. 

Lets go Dodgers!  You guys are the best.

84

I

Tonight was Italian night at Dodger Stadium.  The Italian flags were waving and Los Angeles all time favorite Dodger manager Tommy Lasorda was honored for his Hall of Fame induction, his 60 years in the Dodgers organization, and the recent addition of his portrait at the Smithsonian.  The video montage of Tommy Lasoradas achievements was great.  Especially the clip showing Tommy beating up the Phillie Fanantic.

Tuff loss. 

The only highlight for me tonight was that I saw William Hung near the mens restroom signing autographs.  Thats the kind of night it was. 

William Hung. The Chinese American star from the reality show American Idol.  I'm serious that was the only highlight. 

The eight inning was painful to watch.    

Manny struck out four times today.  I think Joe T. is gonna switch the line up around tomorrow. 

Anyway I need to apologize.  I missed working the last two games of the last home stand against San Francisco because I was In Buffalo, New York to see my Football team the Buffalo Bills take on the Buccaneers.  I go every year for opening day. At least we can tail gate in Buffalo.. 

Returning to my stand was such a great feeling.  I missed all my friends so much.  I couldn't top smiling once I got to my stand. 

Looking back, I do not think I would have ever believed that the Dodgers would have maintained the best record in the National League up to this point.  Yes, we are still knuckling it up for the Division Title but I think I could at least say that this has been a fantastic tumulous year.  If only the Dodgers pulled it off for all of us in the eight tonight. 

Oh well.  All we can do is Believe in our Boys in Blue.

I have an idea.  I did made it a point to interview Vendor Extrodinare Ronald Nelson during the off season last year so I am going to keep up the interviews after October. 

I plan on interviewing a series of employees during the off season to keep the blog fresh.  I managed to get at least 4 phone numbers which includes famed peanut man Mort Rose, the Head Warehouse Lloyd Benton, and the "Big Guy: Eddie Rivera of the Concession stand army, all legends in their own right at Dodger Stadium.  

I signed my play off calander and there were two possible senarios: "Dodger Team Advantage" and " "Away Team Advantage."  I know that all of us at the stadium are hoping for the former Dodger schedule. 

Put a Fork in me.

We love you Tommmy Lasorda! 

Lets Go Dodgers!

84ever

The Stadium was sold out.  Go figure.  Again we busted our humps in the stand to feed all of the self righteous demanding Dodger fans. Do I seem agitated.  I apologize.  I didn't take my break tonight.  I held down the fort while my beloved coworkers took theirs before the game started.  I didn't want to go on break because I didn't want to see my buddy Lalo or Maria ,my Hamburger Helper, swamped by the demand of the voracious appetites that pay MR's salary.

Some of the Fans acted like it was their first game of the season.  Rude peeps tonight. But then again there is no better time to jump on the band wagon other than Blanket Night.

When the stadium gets really busy things get really hairy.  Sometimes people in line act like they are suffocating because we don't have French Fries at the window when we are actually deep frying them in that moment.  Someone has to wait 2 minutes. Boo friggin Hoo! 

When the Stadium get busy there seems to be a hand full of Homies walking around the Reserve Level with nothing better to do but look angry as they roam around with their fresh new shiny heads.  Damian and I always snicker at their Wackness.  Shouldn't these sparse groups of so-called Dodger fans that wear the LA paraphernalia actually be watching the game other than looking for static?  Only on the Reserve Level.  My Home. 

When the Stadium gets busy my coworkers think they need a break in the middle of the 5th inning when in fact we are getting slammed by the hungry.  Getting slammed means we are preparing the food just in time to serve the persons waiting at the widow.  

When the Stadium gets busy I kick it up a notch no matter what.     

I think I'm just uptight.

I just got an up date.  Fred Rogan on NBC just announced Dodgers won in the 13th inning on a two run blast by Either.  The Rockies lost.  Wow.

I got out of the stadium in the ninth so I was only able to see Either hit a lead off double, only for him to score two outs later to tie the game. 

Another walk off homer for Andre Either . . . . Awesome! 

"That makes it 30 homers!" Damian said. 

What a great note to leave on.  I won't be working tomorrows game because I have to teach in the morning.  Tomorrow is a day game and the Dodger Organization is handing out the second round improvised MR Bobble heads to commemorate his bad ass grand slam a month or so ago.  I guess its to remind all of the fans that didn't get to experience the actual event that it was amazing.  It doesn't measure to Steve Finely's walk-off grand slam against the Giants in 2004 to win the Western Division.

I digress again.  Go Dodgers.

84ever

A few weeks ago the Dodgers organization announced the promotional "Free Dodger Dog Night" for tonight's game. 

What ensued was a monsterous Dodger Fan smack down of pure Farmer John indulgence. Going home hungry from Dodger Stadium tonight would be absolutely out of the question because behind the scenes, the wieners were-a-grilling, until all in attendance got their D-Dogs. 

All game long!     

The start of the evening began pretty easy.  I made a few burgers and went to my break, read my LA Times Sorts Section, enjoyed tehe Stadium ambiance, and watched the USC Marching Band play a mediocre National Anthem.  It was different to hear the band play a rendition that echoed Football. Not that satisfying.  Maybe because it wasn't the UCLA Marching Band.  I kid. 

Upon going back to my stand I noticed that the Fans were quickly assembling near game time, 7:10 pm.  It's Monday night and I realized the Stadium attendance started to look like a near sell out.    

Anyway, I have mentioned before that I work at the Carl's Jr. on the Reserve level so our menu is pretty much burgers and fries.  We do sell Dodger Dogs also but our stand doesn't grill them.  The D Dogs come from the Gordon and Bierch Stand next door.  Around the first inning me and the coworkers watched as the Fans passed by with their Dodger Dogs on their trays with drinks in hand.  No one was gonna buy burgers I thought.  Nobody.  Eeryone in attendance had their free voucher.  Tonight's game is gonna be a breeze I had thought, but then the second inning came around and the Fans began to snatch up our menial selection of Dodger Dog faster than the Gorden and Bierch stand could supply for us.  Our burgers and fries were getting stale at the window.  Everyone wanted their free D Dog and that was it, nothing more. 

Since I am the main Spoon in my respective stand I have to make sure my stand is feeding everyone accordingly.  Well, the line of fans forming in front of the stand weren't waiting for beers or "Chicken Stars", they were for Dogs.  Not a single Dog was at our al la cart window.  Next thing I know, our patroling stand supervisor saw me standing around and ordered me to go next door to see how our D Dogs were coming.  

"If they are behind, I want you to help them," he said.  I agreed like a good soldier and walked into the G and B stand to see the progress of the D Dogs my stand needed.  What I witnessed was total chaos.  They were barely keeping their heads above water trying to supply their own stand with enough D Dogs. 

For the next three hours, I found myself stuffing D Dogs in hotdog buns and then wrapping D Dogs once again like I had done so many times before.  It felt pretty good.  After unceremoniously assembling Carl's Jr burger all season long I was doing what I believe to be the REAL labor of love at Dodger Stadium.

Once me and a few others wrapped a basket full of Dogs I hurried back to my stand with the basket held above me like I'm a waiter holding up a tray of hot food above my head.  I made like 5 to 6 trips. Each time I made at trip, I noticed that the eyes of the passing fans grow at the sight of the fully loaded basket of Dogs.  Once I arrived to my stand with the D Dogs the Fans patiently waiting in line for the Dogs to arrive.  Once I placed then out for them to grab, the Dogs were gone in an instant.  I liken it to a bunch of piranhas.  Sorry my beloved Dodger fans.  You guys are amazing.  It was like throwing a pinch of fish food into a bowl of Gold fish and watching them shoot for what ever they could get. 

About the game.  Colorado was on the ropes tonight.  Pittsburgh some how tied-up the the game but then Ethier crushed a two run homer to break the tie against Pittsburgh.  That was awesome.  I noticed that Blake was on base a few times.  Its good to see him back on the field again.  There was such a good vibe around the Stadium after that. 

Anyone who is anyone that has attended a Dodger game this season knows that before the bottom of the 8th inning the Stadium plays "Don't Stop Believing" by Journey.  Well, the Dodger Jumbo Tron cameras have recently found a lip singing fan that is so entertaining that everyone in the stadium can't help but marvel at his expressive antics. He defiantly puts on the hit.  I love it.  There is a lady lip singer I've seen but on just as good of a rendition but more emotionally connected compared to tonight physically electrifying performance.

"I made 1,060 hotdogs tonight" Damian said.  Wow.  That out of the 32,045 D Dogs that were actually provide for the Fans tonight according to the guys from Dodger Talk.  Levin and Suppan game us the coveted "Player of the Game" tonight.  Awesome.

Keep on battling Dodgers! 

Put a fork in me.

84  

I   

The vent for the broiler wasn't working in our stand when it was time to cook today so Lalo and I decided to watch some batting practice until the maintenance guy showed up to get the thing running. 

So me and the hamburger helpers walked over to see some batting practice.   

We saw Either take some warm up cuts, Juan Pierre slapping the ball, and next to the batting cage was MR stretching and swinging his arms before taking some batting practice of his own.  MR had his helmet off and he was wearing a white beenie/doo-rag that kept his long hair rolls down. 

"Look at his pants," Lalo said, "Look at his pants; look at theirs."  He was taking about how MRs pants were baggy compared to the other players pants.  I started to laugh because MR did look way more relaxed compared to his teammates that were standing just a few feet away. 

"He's lazy," Lalo claimed.  Thats a bold statement I thought then.  Now I guess I am the official MR apologist or excusemaker for the guy but I still believe he can be clutch.  We will see. 

I think Manny needs a slight trim and he will be ripping the ball again.

During the middle of the game I noticed that MR was up to bat on the tiny tv monitor near my stand.  He drilled a single to right field. 

"Lalo! Manny hit a single," I shouted. 

"Yeah right . . . a single.  A single?  How about a homerun," he said under his breath.

I hesitantly agreed with him: "Yeah thats true." 

We walked back to our stand without seeing Manny taking a any cuts at all.  I do recall that MR scored a run after that hit.  My buddy Lalo his just being a nihilist, pesimistic, whatever . . . The Dodgers need to win!

Damian saw MR hit batting practice on thursday and he said that he was hit every pitch in to the pavilion seats.  I think he needs to change something . . . whatever it may be, and then MR will start knocking doubles and homers again.

Keep the faith.  We gotta win this division.  Lets go Dodgers!

84 

Three days ago I heard the whole stadium expell a loud: "AWW!" . . . . (and then a very loud) "BOOO." 

I was the crowd reacting to a small Styrofoam lightweight remote control airplane crashing near the visitors dugout.  Apparently the plane came from the third base side of the reserve level.  No one from Dodger Stadium enforcers identified who the bandit was.  During the middle of the game the crowd could see the tiny plane make sharp turns, slowly drifting hundreds of feet high above the baseball field.  I don't believe I have heard of anything like this before.  It must have been astonishing.  The Dodger Stadium Security (God Bless them) where baffled and a bit embarrassed.  The entire stadium crowd booed because the plane was crushed by a player once it was on the ground.  The crowd will boo down an usher after they confiscate a beach ball that has being tossed around, everytime.   

Remote control airplane?  Wow.

I spoke with one Dodger Security worker yesterday and he told me the details, sorta.

"Man, we knew where (the plane) came from isle 22 but we couldn't single out the guy who did it," he said.  "He made us look stupid." 

 I don't think so. 

I'm sure it was pretty frustrating that there was a guy in probably plane sight operating a plane that was hovering over a Dodger game that was actually in progress.  What a sneaky guy.  The airplane bandit must have been maneuvering the plane with the remote in his pocket. 

I asked a dude who is a Usher I'm familiar with about the air plane incident and he equally expressed the same frustration.  "Man, that guy was crazy.  We knew where he was sitting, we knew where the plane came from but we couldn't find him."  I'd be a little perplexed if i was supposed to be the eyes and ears of the Stadium.  I kinda digresses and asked my Usher friend what was the craziest thing he had seen this season.  "One time," he said, "I was down below and I wouldn't let a kdi go down the isle because he didn't have his ticket and everyone in the seats threw whatever they had in their hands at me: popcorn, soda, peanuts, hot dog wraps.  It was hell."  I sympathized with my friend.  The fans are ruthless. 

Today was the annual Viva Los Dodgers event.  There was a really big party out in the Dodger parking lot to the left of the Sunset exit. I guess it was appropriate to have a Latina sing the National Anthem tonight.  Other than Paquita del Barrio, who performed on stage earlier in the game.  The fine lady that sang tonight struck me with her sweet voice and the way she This girl is about 5 feet tall, with a short angled, just below the ears hair cut named Luz Rios.  She also sang God Bless America in the seventh inning.  Her National Anthem performance absolutely gave me shivers, which is very rare.  Its such a good feeling when a singers voice strikes a cord down the spine.  Damian said it was the best rendition he heard this season.  I agree.    

Once me and my buddy Lalo heard the Anthem we walked together back to our stand.  He noticed that there were some dudes in the line and they were not paying attention to the song.  "We got a bunch of communists here," he said.  Apparently they were not observing the National Anthem like we were. Go to show what generation Lalo is, he is 70 years old after all.  I thought it was funny.

I also have to mention one more thing I saw that was interesting.  There was this fan that was arguing with an officer with a few security fellas in the background.  It seemed like a big scene.  What happened was a vendor tried to throw a bag of peanuts to a fan that was a distance away.  The peanuts didn't reach the intended recipiant but landed directly in an unassuming fans face.  This unassuming fan decided to keep the peanuts.  This usher is no Roger Owens apparently.  The fan that was struck by the peanuts fought tooth and nail to keep the peanuts with out pay ragardless of the police, the security, and the poor usher.  I thought that was funny. 

I actually went to the game yesterday. I'm not attending a game anymore because we lose when I'm sitting in the stands. 

We won tonight.  So did Colorado and Frisco.  We got to keep battling.  After tomarrow, two more homestands in the regular season.

Lets go Dodgers!

84

Super slow tonight.  I don't remember hearing to many cheers from the Dodgers tonight.  Thats OK.  Me and J.C. carried the stand.  I like to call it multi tasking.  I could see that the end of the seasonis near in all my coworkers faces.  Me included.  The heat gave me three big pimples in this micowave.  Nevertheless, we dont want to stop so, Lets Go Dodgers! 

Tonight I feel there might be something wrong with Billingsly but he can work it out. 

84 

At this point of the season things get very familiar.

Nowsdays, I don't mind hooking up my fellow co-workers with any type of burger they like.  Sounds silly, Aye? I actually have to according to corprate.  I am in a power position at the Stadium of course.  Stadium Staff have a choice where they want to eat in the Stadium.  Lots of people eat our stuff.  In the spirit of good ol' capitalism, Everybody Eats.  Since I'm the head Spoon, I have to do it. Its Dodger Stadium by God!.

Feed everybody.

When our shift starts I intermittently make Special orders for my fellow concession workers as soon as the patties and buns pop out of the broiler.  This usually means adding some jalapenos to a Famous Star or a Swiss Chicken Sandwich without dressing (Ranch).  However they want it.  Everyones got it.  

Francesca or Zeola, the ladys that pour fountain drinks at our stand window will certainly holler out a special order:

"Western Bacon Cheese Burger with no bacon, no cheese, and BBQ sauce." 

"Coming Up!" I shout. 

I feel like Mel of Mel's Diner from the TV sitcom "Alice" circa 1982.  I'm not joking around.  Everybody eats.  Me and Lalo noticed that the vendors are eating the burgers I slapped together in the breakroom.  After the 5th inning rush, the ladys at check-in come down stairs to us and get their orders along with a list of their bosses orders.  During the 7th inning the Stadium Warehouse workers come one-by-one and walk away with their hefty junk food.   

The best part about this job is how thankful everyone is when their order is perpared just like you want it.  To bad the baseball season is only six months long. I am so thankful for everything.

I tried not to eat to much tonight.  Good win.  Great season so far. 

I think it's appropriate that I talk a little bit of baseball since tonight is the first game of September.

After the game tonight it was smooth exit from the Dodger Stadium parking lot . . .Oh yeah.  Dodgers took this one from the Arizona snakes. 

The Dodgers recognized the United States Air Force tonight.  Either robbed a homer, Kemp hit another homer, Pierre scored the go-a-head run, and Manny struck out looking with the bases loaded. Broxton earned his save number 30.   

I have a question for all of you statistic driven Dodger fans and so called experts:  Why does Torre pull out our starting pitchers an inning to soon?  It happened with Wolf last night and Padilla tonight.  Wolf got the no-decision and the middle relief could not keep the lead for Padilla.  I'm not really complaining.  I just think that the bullpen are working to much, despite their successes.  But if it ain't broke why fix it, right?  I guess I'll just take this topic up with the boys on Dodger Talk tonight. 

Go Dodgers!

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