The first baseball game at the L.A. Coliseum since the Dodgers played their last game there back in 1961 ...
A possible record crowd of 115,300 for a baseball game? (The people at Guinness will let you know on Monday) ...
Tons of passionate Dodger and Red Sox fans hurling insults at each other ...
This was a game you didn't want to miss.
With the left-field foul pole only 201 feet away, a huge netting was in place to keep the balls in the yard. The Teams played with five infielders and two outfielders for most of the night. The dugouts consisted of tarp with a metal bench under it.
The fans did the wave, and even some players on the Red Sox bench joined in.
Big Papi and the Case of the Woo Woo...
Maybe you've heard him do it before, maybe this will be your first time. I heard it for the first time at Fenway last year after ALCS Game 7, when Big Papi addresssed the crowd. He punctuated his World Series guarantee with it -- with what? With a "Woo Woo."
Screwballs correspondant Nathali Parker went to Big Papi to find out why ...
Guys that played Cops on TV in the '80s Like Baseball
'80s TV cops Don Johnson, aka "Sonny Crockett" from the show "Miami Vice," and Fred Dryer, aka "Hunter" from the show "Hunter," were at the game.
Dryer hung on the field while Johnson sat next to his "Tubbs" for the game, Commissioner Bud Selig (not pictured). Both were in brown leather jackets - a coincidence or something more?
I wondered all night who would win in a battle of '80s cops. I have to think it would have been Hunter, although I think it's a worthy discussion topic without a clear-cut answer. Any thoughts, post 'em.
Don't Drink and Sing...
I don't know what I like more about this guy, his enthusiasm or his satin cut-off Steve Yeagar Dodger jacket ...
Food For Thought...
I usually review some food at the ballpark each week. But after seeing this sign in the L.A. Coliseum, I lost my appetite (and since it's really only a football stadium, I don't feel that bad)
And after seeing Derrick (owner of the stand?), I was even more disturbed.
Sights and Sounds...
Someone actually has (and wears) an Eric Karros jersey - I was just as shocked as you. Lasorda and Manny pose for the cams (unfortunately not exactly at mine)
Former Dodger Steve Garvey (he's still got picture-perfect hair). Former Dodger Don Newcombe (still got that cool hat) Kareem Abdul-Jabbar hangs with (and above) Coco Crisp.
Kareem threw out some type of ceremonial pitch during the game, and he bounced it bad. He did, however ,have the presence of mind to get the ball back and do a "sky hook" to the catcher that got a huge ovation from the crowd.
My most artistic shot of the day ... Jason Varitek through the backstop netting
And of Course...
The funnest part of my day, and probably your favorite. The Pickups.
Sonny McLean's (a local L.A. watering hole that is the home of Red Sox Nation West) came 250 people strong to support their Sawx. They go up easy with no explanation needed.
It was all fun and games until a "Wally" imposter tried to steal my move - Not Cool Wally
DON'T FORGET TO TUNE IN THIS SATURDAY AT 3:30 PM ET/12:30 PT ON FOX
WEEK 1: METS at BRAVES or WHITE SOX at TIGERS or DODGERS at PADRES
Hey I went to all 3 games, and let me tell you... I actualy liked the Dodgers until I came out here. While tailgating in the Coliseum parking lot, we had full beer cans thrown at us (with a 9 year old child nearly getting knocked in the head), verablly insulted at every turn, 3 red sox teens got attacked and chased out of the parking and got their red sox flag stolen... and a gangs of dodgers fans screaming "Go the F home... DONT YOU KNOW WHERE YOU ARE? THIS IS LA, MAN!" unbelevable... that was the mood all night... I mean come on, we were here to have fun and watch a historic game... Not to get threatened with death... and yes that happened too.. after talking to the beer can throwers.. "If you don't walk away right now they will shoot you" QUOTE! Lovely, Thanks LA... great sportsmanship!!!
There were two pics that I didn't get--all I got was a white area. Unfortunately, one was of Nathali Parker. The other dude I could have done without. Wally gets thrown under the bus for imitating Screwballs.
What a great personality that Nathali is! Very vibrant and funny. And she's pretty hot too. Looks like Papi really enjoyed talking to her. Let's see more interviews with her!
Bryan, You got me feeling almost like I was there. I could even smell the hotdogs and mustard. That Nathali gal sure did bring the smiles on Big Papi's face. She seemed as excited as I would have been to interview him, and she's not bad to look at either.
