DODGERTOWN

Weather: Most interestingly, the sky sported several Kelly green clouds. We wondered what caused that unusual phenomenon. The temp range was a delightful 70o – 78o; it was mostly sunny (except for those occasional pesky green clouds); the wind was out of the east at 15 to 20 (higher gusts) knots.

Comment: A couple of days ago, we discovered that the Los Angeles Dodgers conducted spring training in Vero Beach. We had no idea. Furthermore, after 60 years, we saw a report that the Dodgers are leaving town. Next year, they should open their spring training facilities in Arizona. Then we learned that today, Monday, March 17 was to be the Dodgers last spring training game in “Dodgertown.” Articles abound in the newspapers (and no official will confirm) that the Baltimore Orioles will occupy the facilities next spring.

We thought it most appropriate to pay a visit to “Dodgertown” for this last Dodger game. To do that, we boarded the bus (route 1) and traveled to the transfer station where we boarded bus 8. In a little over 45 minutes, we arrived at the ball park. Ten thousand fans were expected. We were there an hour before the game anticipating a sell out. As we walked into the grounds, we observed several scalpers further underscoring our perception that legitimate tickets might be scarce. We walked up to the ticket booth and were able to purchase ($36.00) two seats just to the left of home plate!

Everyone was wearing Dodger GREEN? After all, it is St. Patty’s Day! Even the Dodgers wore green caps.

We checked out the souvenir stand and made our way to the security checkpoint without making a purchase. Once inside the stadium, we purchased a “Bleed Dodger Blue” Yearbook ($6.00). We could have purchased a score card, but it has been so long since I scored a game, I’m not sure I’d remember how to do it.

On the way to our seats, we purchased Dodger Dogs and drinks and a pretzel ($24.00). Our seats were terrific – just to the third base side of home plate and about 15 rows from the field. We downed our dogs while watching major league players sign autographs as the ground crew lined field and wetted down the infield.

The crowd started cheering in earnest when Tommy Lasorda walked onto the field, entering from right field. He walked down the foul line to the visitors’ dugout where he hugged one of the Houston Astro players. They chatted few moments before he continued his journey to the home bench, waving at the crowd and acknowledging their cheers along the way.

At the entrance to the home bench, Lasorda got into a protracted conversation with non-other than Hall of Fame Dodger Pitcher Karl Erskine! What a scene!! There were photographers and media snapping away for several minutes. A guy with a boom mike dangled it over their heads apparently trying to capture bits of their conversation.

The ceremonies included the proverbial first pitch by a Florida congressman. When introduce to the crowd, Tommy Lasorda was the recipient of a protracted standing ovation. He suggested that the fans wanted “to see me cry.”

Tommy took to the microphone to say a few words of farewell to the Vero Beach faithful. He thanked them for sixty years of support and mentioned how great it was to see the town develop over those years. He offered that even though the Dodgers are leaving, they can’t take away sixty years of memories. Those memories will live on in the minds of all who have visited the stadium.

Lasorda’s final words were very typical for the man who “bleeds Dodger Blue.” He said to the fans, who were listening as if he was their third grade teacher, “Just remember, if you don’t pull for the Dodgers, you just might not get into Heaven!” After another lengthy ovation, he went back to the dugout. As it happens, he has managed the last six games in Dodgertown including this one.

All that was left was for the game to begin was the playing of the National Anthem and the command to “Play Ball.” Hall of Famer Karl Erskine took the field and played the National Anthem on his harmonica. What a treat this was!

Even though it was a good contest between the Dodgers and the Astros, the game was anticlimactic. Several homers were hit by both clubs and there were good plays in the field, some stolen bases and even a pickoff that should have worked had the short stop not botched the throw from the first baseman.

It was great to see Philadelphia favorite Larry Bowa who is now the Dodgers third base coach.

We had a great time and sadly, because of the bus schedule, we couldn’t stay for the whole game. We left after the seventh inning with the Astros leading 10 – 6.

We consumed another experimental meal this evening. Tuna Helper Tetrazzini was a smash hit. Add tuna and heat in a skillet. We both liked the meal very much. It mad our “A” list!