If you can believe it, August is almost over! Teams are gearing up for a final push to the playoffs, and some of the best baseball is still yet to be played. Entering this weekend, I am scheduled to see my final two 66ers games from San Manuel Stadium. While they are in the midst of a pennant race, and may make the playoffs, today and tomorrow are their regular season home finales, and I couldn't think of any other place I'd rather be.
Before getting in to the games this weekend, I want to briefly tell all of you about my travels up to Dodger Stadium last Sunday. I would've thrown out an update during the week, but I was really busy with personal matters, and just didn't get a chance.
I think I have finally figured out this whole "bike-ride-up-to-Dodger-Stadium" bit. My pre-game downtown loop was perfect, taking me from Union Station, down to the Staples Center, through the Financial District with all the awesome skyscrapers, and up the big hill to Chavez Ravine. Yes, I was really sweaty, but I quickly locked up my bike, changed my shirt, and went right in to the park. Luckily, since I always have Top Deck seats, the Dodgers have made a really nice bar-like area on the very top concourse that overlooks the stadium. It's shaded, has a great view of not just the field, but also of the Hollywood Hills and the Hollywood Sign, and gets a great sea breeze because it really is the highest point around. So, I entered the ballpark, got a cold drink and a Dodger Dog, and sat down in one of the bar stools to decompress. Yep, I finally figured it out.
The Dodgers got racked up by the visiting Brewers. Jonathan Lucroy had five RBIs as the Brewers beat up on Dodgers starting pitcher Dan Haren. They ended up winning 7-3.
After the big roll down the hill, I ended up stumbling upon a rather large protest in front of City Hall. Last week, the LAPD shot and killed an unarmed, mentally-ill, African-American man in South Central. That, coupled with the large protests in Ferguson, MO, fueled this protest. The streets around City Hall were all closed down, and I had no other way of getting to Union Station without going right through the middle of it. After seeing all the media coverage of the Ferguson protests, and the violence that came about of it, I hastily made my way through with no issues. But, that doesn't mean people weren't very upset and that there were more police around than I could count.
Now, on to this weekend. My las two regular season 66ers games have come upon me. While I probably best sum it up in a Final Thoughts post, I want to preface by saying I have come to really appreciate the 66ers and their organization. I think they run a really fun experience that is very appropriate for families and baseball hacks, such as myself. I have really enjoyed their promotions and watching this team grow from the early days in April to, now, the end of August. Following their trials and tribulations has been fun, and now that they're in a pennant race makes it all worthwhile.
More importantly, the 66ers ballclub has evolved into a real companion for me. There have been some lean and trying times for me these past couple months, but I could always count on the 66ers being there for me. I have met a lot of people by going to games, and there have been times during this summer when the 66ers game was my only social outlet. Because of this, I will stand up and salute them and forever be indebted to them for being there.
Like always, tonight I'll get to the park early and pick up my promotion item, a Mike Trout Garden Gnome. For Sunday's game, I'm going to make sure I get a hot dog and a Ballpark Brew, one last time. And, after the final out, really try and soak in the experience. Hopefully, knock-on-wood, I'll be seeing them play again in two weeks for the playoffs...
Always take on a 3-0 pitch ;)
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