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We left the house at 6:30 on Friday. My brother (above) drove and we listened to "Home Plate" on XM Radio. We were giddy to be making the drive to the stadium for the first time in months. Giddy and giggly. My brother drove like a NY cab driver, weaving in and out of traffic. Normally this would drive me nuts but I knew he was just excited to get there.

Once there, we parked the car. We went through security where we were greeted with "welcome backs" and "how have you been's?" As soon as we walked through the gates we noticed all the renovations on the field level at Dodger Stadium - our home away from home. Wowie! The stadium looks gorgeous. The McCourt's have outdone themselves this off-season. Everything looks sparkly, clean and bright. There are many new vendors like - Canters Deli, Mrs. Beasley's (love their lemon cake), Ruby's and Camacho's. The walkway seems to have been widened. Say what you will about Frank McCourt but I think he has done an outstanding job with maintaining and improving the stadium. I guess coming from real estate the man understands the value of property. I appreciate what he has done to better the fan experience at the park. And that's what it is all about isn't it? The experience. Sitting there with your family and friends enjoying an evening in the yard.

What is it about the smell of a ballpark? It smells so deliciously distinct. You know how your home has a specific smell? As soon as I unlock my front door, it is the smell that tells me I'm home. I feel the same way about the ballpark. As soon as I walk through the gates, it is the smell that tells me I'm home.

We got to the seats and got settled in... and low and behold...there he was. Joe Torre in all his glory. So yeah, I squealed like a teenage girl at a Jonas Brother's concert. So what? He wears his hat down low and his jacket was zipped all the way up (it was chilly). All you could see was his tan nose. Tommy Lasorda was right there next to him. So exciting.

It was a good game. Billingsley looked good with 7 strikeouts in 5 innings. Sweeney, Kent and Ethier all doubled. The rooks looked solid. My brother and I made endless jokes, a la Abbott and Costello's "Who's On First" routine. I would ask, "Who's on deck?" and he would reply "Hu". I would follow up with "I don't know. I asked you." That's never going to get old. I can see us driving everyone nuts with banter like this. Brother and sister humor. Ah, thank God for siblings.

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And then there was Saturday's exhibition game celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Dodgers moving from Brooklyn. The last game played in the Coliseum (pictured above and below) was in 1961. I was sitting next to a gentleman who used to go to those games with his dad. He was there with his son. Baseball is such a generational experience. I was there with my family. We lost but being a part of the record turnout and listening to Vin dedicate his tribute to the great Dodger fans was enough for me.

There were 115,300 fans. That was the most ever for a baseball game, according to the Guinness Book of World Records. The best part of all was that it benefited a wonderful cause: ThinkCure, the Dodgers' new official team charity, which aims to raise funds for the treatment and eventual prevention of cancer. "This record is a tribute to the passion and compassion of our fans, with whom this event clearly struck a chord," Frank McCourt said. "It's a marvelous launch for 'ThinkCure' and great news for our partners at City of Hope and Childrens Hospital L.A."

Poor Loaiza. He had his hands full with the odd shape of the field. Anyone know the distance of left field? It looked like only 200 feet! Loney homered and rookie Dewitt made up for his two-out error in the second with a two run homer off Paplebon in the 9th. The fans created a massive wave. It was the biggest I have ever seen (inclusive of the players in both dugouts participating)!

It was a great weekend. Spring has sprung. You know how I know? Vin told me so. He said, "It's time for Dodger baseball."

Peace,
Love,
AND BASEBALL,
Alyssa

P.S. How about that Opening Day win?

P.P.S. I have two words for you. Larry Freaking Bowa.

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"I'm not concerned with your liking or disliking me...All I ask is that you respect me as a human being" - Jackie Robinson

HAPPY JACKIE ROBINSON DAY!!!! Sixty-one years ago, Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier in Major League Baseball. It is hard to imagine that just 62 years ago, there was segregation in the sport we love. Having said that, I just read that only eight percent of big leaguers are African American and that's the lowest level in at least 20 years. So I ask you this: Why do you think this is and what can we do to engage our African American youth in the sport? I would love to get your thoughts on this.

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Who watched that game last night? I got home from work and turned it on during the third inning. I'm completely aware that your closer can't save every game, but being aware of that fact didn't make watching that home run any easier. Ouch. I was by myself (well, with the doggies) and when McLouth hit that bomb in the ninth, I let out an audible yelp that spooked the Chihuahuas. They then proceeded to look at me like I was out of my mind, which I very well may be.

I know it is early in the season and it is a marathon not a sprint, blah, blah, blah. BUT...anyone frustrated?

I'd be lying if I said I wasn't frustrated, but it's weird, I also feel a tremendous amount of faith that things will turn around. I have this weird faith/hysteria combo going on (further proof that I may be out of my mind). And I think I feel the faith because of Joe Torre. There is something about having him at the helm that puts my mind at ease. I just feel like he has the brain capacity to make the appropriate changes and get things on track. More importantly, I think he will ask that some changes be made if he thinks he can't win with this roster. Isn't there something in his contract about player/roster consultation? Please say yes. Please say yes. Please say yes. Yes, I know that patience is a virtue but when we are in the basement of our division, patience eludes me.

Hence, the hysteria.

Going to the field in two hours and twenty minutes. GO BLUE.

Peace,
Love,
AND BASEBALL,
Alyssa


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Thoughts ?

Peace,
Love,
AND BASEBALL,
Alyssa


It was a great weekend for the boys in blue. It was a good feeling to sweep the Rockies after they won seven in a row last season. Two walk-off victories in one series! Let's hope we can ride this momentum and keep it going.

Some highlights for me:

• Matt Kemp: To ask a guy like that to bunt, the night after he hit a grand slam, is pretty unorthodox and he bunted like he does it every day. Effortless and effective.
• James Loney: After he had hit into that double play in the eighth, for him to mentally come back by bringing Rafael Furcal home with a single in the 10th to win the game was outstanding.
• Esteban Loaiza: He had a ribbie that led to two runs in the fourth, and he pitched like he had the fifth spot in the rotation to lose with those four scoreless innings to begin. A solid outing, even though he didn't get the win.
• Russell Martin: Saturday night, the guy played third (his Minor League position) when Nomar Garciaparra got hurt. Then in the 13th, Martin hit the ball deep enough to get Matt Kemp home for the win. Martin is batting .414 (12-for-29) in his last 10 games and has raised his average nearly 100 points to .280.
• Brad Penny: He looks good. He always looks good. The guy is solid.
• Ten runs against Mark Redman in the first.
• Jonathan Broxton: There is nothing like watching a pitcher pitch his way out of trouble.
• Joe Torre: I love watching him manage this team. Some of it works, some of it doesn't, but at least there is guidance and some semblance of a plan with every at bat.

Well done, my beloved Dodgers. Well done.

Peace,
Love,
AND BASEBALL,
Alyssa

P.S. I think my Dad should be worried. It seems like my mother has a little crush on Joe Beimel.