Jul 12 2011 12:40 PM
Edited 1 time(s), most recently on Jul 12 2011 12:44 PM
With my other 2 kids in camp for the summer my 14 year-old son and I seized the opportunity to go to California the same week the Mets were playing the Dodgers and Giants - why they didn't play the Padres that week is beyond me but whatever...
Anyway - we flew into San Diego because that's where my father lives and we figured we'd start there, spend a few days with my dad, then drive to L.A., see a game there, drive up the coast making our way to S.F. and see a game there before flying home.
So all-in-all a good trip, we had fun, saw some really cool things (including a model sunbathing topless at the pool at our hotel in L.A.) and did a little father-son bonding.
I had been to Dodger Stadium a lot as a kid - I used to go out to L.A. during the summer - but I hadn't been there in about 20 years. If you had asked me about Dodger Stadium previous to this trip I would have told you not to believe the hype. I thought of it as Shea Stadium West. Narrow concourses, bad sightlines, etc., etc. The only differences were the palm trees beyond the outfield fences and the great vistas provided by the San Gabriel mountains.
My view has changed. The place literally sparkles. They've done a really great job with it. Very clean and neat - nice family-friendly atmosphere (and lots of Po-Po). It was like walking into a '60s time machine. Weather was great, crowd was lame – not a great time to be a Doyer fan.
Driving up the coast along the PCH in our rented convertible was fun. We stopped and saw Elephant Seals in their natural habitat – just lying on the beach. They are immense.
Got to ‘Frisco and went to the Dickey/Hairston game on Friday night. That game was a LOT of fun. Great park although smaller than I'd thought. The concourses were narrow and crowded. Reminded me of Fenway a little actually. The place was PACKED. I think there was an announcement that said it was the Giants 48th consecutive sell-out. Good times to be a Giants fan.
The crowd was awesome - really into the game and very friendly. It made it hard not to root for the Giants. They loves them their team. Great pregame music - mostly Grateful Dead. Now I'm no Deadhead but still hearing The Dead being piped in at the ballpark on the 'Frisco Bay was cool.
Bottom of the 8th I think - Bochy comes on the scoreboard with a taped recording 'Hey fans, it's now time to pass your garbage and recyclables down the aisle to the Giants employee who will take them from you...' With that, nobdy thinks twice, polices their own little area and sends everything down the aisle - I was amazed, it was great. When Wilson came in, the place went bonkers – understandably. He is a huge personality and again – hard not to like a guy who makes fun of himself.
With the Mets beating up on 'The Beard' and winning, the whole night was just a great experience for me and soupy Jr. A great capper to our West Coast roadtrip.
Here's some photos for you good folks...
Sunset over Mission Bay in San Diego
View from our hotel in L.A.
Gene Simmons
His form could be better but he got it to the plate
Estadio Doyer - Nice place to watch a game
Another view of the place after the 7th inning exodus
Notice the Padres shirt? That's a shot over the Wilpon's bow - Sign Reyes....or else.
Freakin' Elephant Seals (I was calling them Sea Elephants all week...Doh.)
AT&T Park
The Beard enters...!
The Beard exits!