I picked a damn good night to wear this:
The night started off fantastically well. I avoided paying $15 for parking and got some great exercise walking up the never-ending hill into Chavez Ravine and Dodger Stadium before meeting Tommy Davis. Davis was kind enough to sign my mini-helmet for me, which hadn't moved from the shelf on which it has been resting on since the day I got it, back in September of 2010 at Dodger Day at the L.A. County Fair.
I saw fantastic pitching from both Chad Billingsley and Stephen Strasburg, and Stras is every bit as good as advertised. Bryce Harper made his major league debut, and he was massively impressive. He displayed good speed, excellent anticipation, power with a double he laced to the base of the outfield wall, and an absolute rocket for an arm. Not only did I not think he had a chance to get Jerry Hairston, I thought it was foolish when I saw him release the ball from left. My mindset quickly changed upon seeing this (the video will soon be removed, but I imagine you can find it somewhere - also of note, a guy moons during his first at-bat).
The original main draw was the dual Don Drysdale/Maury Wills Bobblehead, which I'm stoked to have picked up. Wills threw out the first pitch with Don's two sons - but not before removing his blazer and tossing it on the back of the mound - which was an entirely awesome scene to witness. Drsydale's daughter sung a beautiful rendition of the National Anthem, and some church dude did a great job with God Bless America as well.
There was also an idiot who ran on the field in the ninth and made a beeline for Harper, pointing at him before getting tackled by a slew of security guards; an excellent Dodger Dog; a chance encounter with an old friend; and an edge-of-your-seat ending that still has me amped up, even though it's already after midnight and I should be sleeping or doing classwork.
I'm definitely keeping my ticket stub from this game.
Beast Mode never sleeps....
Playoff atmosphere for sure. Last night was awesome!
ReplyDeleteYou's a lucky man, Zakwin.
ReplyDeleteWas quite a game. Emo Juan Uribe even contributed!
I'll be at a game there in about 3 weeks. Looking forward to it.
That's awesome that you were there. I was up late watching the game. I wonder what will become of the 3 kids that mooned the camera during the hit?
ReplyDeleteI hadn't seen those guys moon!! Recorded the replay on my DVR, but they didn't air that part and on ESPN they put another angle of the double. By the way, didn't see you there with Tommy Davis, I was like the 5th in line.
ReplyDeleteyup - awesome game. very cool you were there. watched it at the beer tasting and even though it was on a TV screen, it still ROCKED !!
ReplyDeleteI can't believe you mooned the camera.
ReplyDeleteThat was the first game I've watched on TV in entirety in quite a while. It was a great game, though I would have rather seen the Dodgers come back in the ninth without having Henry Rodriguez throw a horrendous inning of wild pitches. Kemps blast was a freaking bomb though.
ReplyDeleteDB- Awesome indeed! With the ownership change, I think the park will be closer to last night at its low-point most nights, especially if we stay in contention.
ReplyDeleteScott- I was going to mention Juan, but then I was like, fuck it, he still blows. What game are you going to?
Ryan- Heard they were thrown out, probably a fine coming their way for public indecency, I'd imagine.
Harry- I didn't meet Davis until almost 5:30, so well after you.
Stealing Home- Thankfully I bought the mini-plan! Hopefully all bobblehead games are this exciting.
A.J.- Haha! + 1 million.
Adam- We definitely got lucky, but it is better to be lucky than good sometimes, they always say.