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TEAM ::: LOS ANGELES DODGERS
LOCATION
::: LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA
MY FIRST GAME ::: JULY 11, 2004
OPPONENT ::: HOUSTON ASTROS |
RATINGS
BALLFIELD ::: A+
SCOREBOARD ::: A
FOOD
::: C
FACILITIES ::: A+
MLB STADIUM RANK ::: 6 OUT OF 40
MY TAKE ON THE PARK
Ever since 1989 when I read Bob Wood's book "Dodger Dogs
to Fenway Franks" I have wanted to come to Dodger Stadium to see a game. The book rated Dodger Stadium #1 and it described
is as a Baseball Palace with delicious hot dogs, a sparkling clean interior, and a huge parking lot.
I wanted to experience it all and 16 years later, I did. 20 years later
I did again and I can assure you nothing has changed. The place is still spotless, the parking lot is still huge, and the
hot dogs are pretty darn good.
Off of Sunset Blvd., turn onto Elysian Park and head up the hill. At
the top of the hill it hits you, Vin Scully's "It's time for Dodger baseball." It is a feeling that cannot be described.
To the gate a friendly Dodger parking attendant takes you $15 and sends you into the most efficient parking system in
baseball.
Los Angeles sure does know how to take care of its cars and unlike the east coast where parking is
at a premium, parking goes on forever at Chavez Revine. They even have a gas station in the back of the lot.
After leaving the car in this pot hole free lot, head into
the stadium with the current Dodger photos around the outside and the new slogan. "The World of Dodgertown, all are Welcome."
To enter the Stadium you can walk to the level
you are sitting in and enter there. Walking through the tunnel out into the seating bowl, the Stadium shines. As an
aside, to show how forward thinking they were when they built the place, you can walk around most levels and watch the game
from the concourse. A feature ballparks are now incorporating all overm the Dodgers thought of it 50 years ago.
The field is just perfect here with a bit more foul territory than I thought. The multicolored seats, which looked
silly at Shea Stadium, work very well in LA. the yellow seats in the lower level and the Dodger Blue in the upper level, it
all looks great.
If there was a major disappointment it was the Dodger Dog
.. I was so excited to try this and well, Farmer John's Dodger Dog tasted kind of like metal. I would suggest the Kosher Dog
served at many of the concessions. Carl's Jr. and some
other chains can be found inside the park. I have to say though, a white batting helmet filled with popcorn is a pretty cool
item to enjoy at the ballpark.
Two huge scoreboards in the outfield, left field
handles the video , right field the baseball stuff .. Line score, Line ups, & Batter .. All well presented and easy to
follow.
For a national League park, I always like the Line ups to remain
on the board for both sides the entire game. The new board here no longer does that. Come to think of it, I don't think
the new board at Shea does either.
At the end of the game, and even in the middle of the 8th Dodger
Stadium becomes a kareoke bar. In the 8th it is sing a long to "Don't Stop Believing," I wonder if that will ever catch on.
But my favorite is at the end of the game, Randy Newman's "I Love LA."
Dodger Stadium is a MUST destination for every baseball
fan. Like Wrigley Field, Dodger Stadium only deals with baseball. There isn't a playground in left field or a swimming pool
in right, just palm trees to hide the parking lot so we can concentrate on the game.
If you'd rather not eat at the game, head over and
maybe meet a celebrity at Pink's on La Brea or visit one of the many In and Out Burgers in the LA area.
The park really has to be seen to be enjoyed, to
notice the forward thinking in the architecture. Why tear down parks because you can't go to the concession stand
and not see the game, the Dodgers tought of that in ther early 60's.
Finally, stick around for the post game high
light reel, hearing Vin Scully's voice boom through the park is enough to make you want to come back tomorrow for more Dodger
baseball.
THE LINE UPS
HOUSTON ASTROS MANAGER :::
3 JIMY
WILLIAMS
LOS ANGELES DODGERS MANAGER :::
12 JIM TRACY |
HOUSTON ASTROS
7 Craig Biggio lf
5 Jeff Bagwell 1b
15 Carlos Beltran cf
17 Lance Berkman rf
12 Jeff Kent 2b
14 Morgan Ensberg 3b
28 Adam Everett ss
46 Raul Chavez c
44 Roy Oswalt p / LP
LOS ANGELES DODGERS
30 Dave Roberts cf
3 Cesar Izturis ss
16 Paul Lo Duca c
15 Shawn Green 1b
28 Jayson Werth rf
23 Robin Ventura 3b
18 Jose Hernandez lf
13 Alex Cora 2b
27 Jose Lima p / WP
ASTROS 000
002 002 4 7 0
DODGERS 101 001 04x 7
13 0
TIME ::: 2:27
ATTENDANCE ::: 40,484
WEATHER ::: 78 CLEAR
SEND ME AN E-MAIL
UNCLEBOBSBALLPARKS@GMAIL.COM
LINKS
**** HOME ****
My site Listed by State
My site Listed by Team
My site Listed by Stadium
The Official web site of the Los Angeles Dodgers
The Official Box Score from my first game at Dodger Stadium
ESPN's view of Dodger Stadium
For great Hot Dogs in LA - Pink's Hollywood
The IN-N-OUT Burger site
The most comfortable bed near Dodger Stadium - The Westin Bonaventure
The 76 Gas site - Sold in the parking lot @ Dodger Stadium
A great breakfast spot about 3 miles from Dodger Stadium - The Original Pantry
Los Angeles weather from WEATHER.com
LOS ANGELES DODGERS
LOS ANGELES DODGERS
LOS ANGELES DODGERS
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© 2000-2012 UNCLE BOB'S BALLPARKS
I AM IN NO WAY AFFILIATED WITH ANY OF THE TEAMS ON THIS PAGE ... THIS PAGE IS MEANT FOR INFORMATION PURPOSES ONLY.
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