Friday, October 3, 2008
L.A. Dodgers
In case you're living under a rock somewhere, the Dodgers are 1 win away from making it to the National League Championship Series. The last time they were in this position I was 10 years old, so yea it's kind of a big deal. I posted this little piece in this sport forum I read/write called the sporthinkery. Just thought I'd post it here too. Enjoy...
I can't believe we're still stuck on politics and music while the baseball play-offs, er division series are in full swing. Maybe you're like me and feel weird about the Rays being there and not the Yankees. Say what you will about the Yanks, but I love watching them in the post season. Sure, the Sox are the late 90's version of the Yankees but it's no fun watching that Manny-less team. I'll take an annoying Paul O'Neil over fat ass Ortiz, I'll take Keith Olbermann's mom aiming Chuck Knoblauch over Dustin Pedroia any day of the week. You'll rarely hear this from a Dodgers fan but I miss the Yanks.
Expectations are low. If you get a chance, check out www.dodgerblues.com. Without the pathetic banter of Cubs fans of today and Red Sox fans of pre-2004 this guy captures the essence of being a Dodgers fan. We're realistic, crass, cynical, we love our team but we never ever take it too serious. Why, because it's baseball. Plus, we live in (in my opinion) the Rome of our time, Los Angeles. The Dodgers and Lakers are a part of the collective of our Angeleno identity not the be all end all of our existence. While there is something romantic and beautiful with such blind devotion, it's juvenile and I prefer to take the common sense approach. Hey, if its the bottom of the 8th inning, the Dodgers are down by 6 runs and I have a couple of girls lined up to meet my friends and me at the 35er in Pasadena you think I'm going to waste fun time watching my favorite team go down 1,2,3 in the 8th then 1...2...3 in the 9th? I'll play the odds and try my luck at the 35er in another kind of game. Granted, I live with my girl now and no longer partake in such debauchery but years ago? Forget about it.
Having said that, it's been a delight watching the Dodgers destroy the Cubs. The last time I felt this kind of jubilation I was 10 years old and the baddest lefty in Baldwin Park. My dad was my hero (still is actually) and my biggest worries revolved around getting the flat tire on my BMX Tracker fixed, doing my fractions homework, finishing my chores with enough sunlight left to play hours of "tackle the man with the football" and setting up boxing matches between my little sisters. Some things never change.
I really don't know how far the Dodgers will go. My heart tells me this team could be the one to re-write the history of sketchy 1988 replays, they've already busted the ghosts of Jose Lima that have haunted me for years. But I have my reservations. This Cubs team is not dead, they're one 3 run blast from it but their heart beat is very much alive. 27 outs alive. I remain cautiously optimistic.
Labels: Dodgers
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