A Dodgertown Retrospective
I never really liked baseball growing up, I went to games when I was a kid with my parents, but I just never got into it. Then one day, it clicked. I loved the Dodgers. Maybe it was that fateful afternoon when Kirk Gibson belted the home run and limped around the bases.
Whatever caused it, it was the day my blood turned Dodger Blue.
So naturally my trip to visit Dodgertown in March of 05 was quite emotional. I knew I was excited, but as I pulled in I had no way of knowing that simply seeing the sign “Welcome to Dodgertown” would, quite literally, bring me to tears.
I arrived at Spring training’s opening day several hours early. I was practically one of the first cars in the parking lot, besides the staff and players. I wanted time to soak in the entire experience. As I pulled up I saw players off on the practice fields taking batting practice, little did I know I was about to get up close and personal with the players!
That’s the magic of spring training. You’re allowed access inside the practice area. I watched as future Dodger Brad Penny and future trade bait Edwin Jackson worked on their fastballs. I watched future former manager Jim Tracy converse with the press from the comfort of his golf cart. I even got to watch future closer Takashi Saito, excited to be in America, work on his delivery.
The players signed autographs with the fans, conversed briefly then moved on to the next workout.
I made my way across the fresh cut grass to Holman Stadium as the Florida Marlins took their batting practice. I shagged a couple of former Dodger Paul Lo Duca foul balls, one of which I got him to autograph.
I don’t recall if the Dodgers won or lost on that day, but it’s just Spring ball so it didn’t matter. What mattered is that a dream came true on that day and I am glad I was able to saunter down Vin Scully Way before Dodgertown was no more.
See you in Glendale next year, maybe…
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