In 1994 I was at Dodger Stadium when Larry Walker of the Expos made one of the most infamous plays in Dodger Stadium history. You've probably seen the clip where he makes a catch and hands the ball to a fan, only to discover it's the second out of the inning and not the third. His frantic attempt to retrieve the ball while Jose Offerman runs the bases is part of baseball lore. I actually saw the whole thing on TV, standing next to Kings owner Bruce McNall while waiting for drinks at the Outfield Bar.
I didn't know it at the time but both McNall (on the verge of bankruptcy and prison) and Dodger Stadium (a few years from being sold by Peter O' Malley to the Fox News Corp.) were headed for big changes. One of them was the Outfield Bar, up on the club level but open to the public. The one place the average fan could get a cocktail and freshly popped popcorn. Served up by bartenders straight out of "The Shining." It sat next to the cafeteria, where a big chef in a big hat would carve out a roast beef dinner with mashed potatoes and vegetables on the side. All for $8.00, or about the current price of a beer. In 2000, Fox installed private luxury suites on the club level and razed both the cafeteria and the bar. So long average guy, hello big spender.
The 21st century brought more changes, and none of them worthwhile. How about the blanket fiasco, where fans were given a nice bit of fleece saluting the championship teams of 1962 and 1966, even though the Dodgers won in '63 and '65? This was the start of the Frank McCourt era, and hopefully it will end soon.
This carpet bagger raised the price of parking to $15.00 and raised ticket prices so high that many season ticket holders relinquished seats they’d had since 1962. He instituted a police state where cars are directed to specific spots by stern-faced attendants and fans are searched upon entry. Its like going to the airport but not quite as fun! Whatever joy I felt when going to Dodger Stadium has been completely drained by McCourt’s actions, and of course, the public embarrassment of his divorce trial. Now we know Frank and his wife were just using the Dodgers as a personal ATM machine to buy expensive homes instead of expensive players.
This year on fan appreciation day only 20,000 fans showed up and most of them ending up
booing any mention of the McCourts. Its a sad situation.
It’s a crazy world when the Oakland Raiders allow tailgating but the Dodger security force will order you to leave your car immediately. Don’t even think about having a quick beer before going inside. I have traveled all over the country for sports and concerts and never been treated this way! Thank goodness for Vin Scully, the only reason to remain a Dodger fan. When I was growing up, everyone I knew listened to him. At the beach, at home or at the stadium, Scully's voice was synonymous with summer. Now Vinny only does three innings of radio and I’m not sure who the other announcers are, but I know they don’t hold a candle to Ross Porter, who was fired a few years ago for no reason.
Since my first game in 1965 I have been to Dodger Stadium at least 500 times. This year I’ve been once. I will never go again as long as McCourt owns the team.
Showing posts with label dodgers. Show all posts
Showing posts with label dodgers. Show all posts
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Lakers and Dodgers Success Leaves This Fan Cold
June in Los Angeles and two of the hometown teams are at the top of their game. The Dodgers have the best record in baseball and the Lakers are in the NBA Finals for the second year in a row. So why is my mood as dark as the fog that lingers outside my window? Why am I am not giddy with the anticipation of a another championship for a city that hasn't won one since 2002? Is it because I no longer feel a part of the teams I grew up with? I think that's the answer. Now I have to find out why.
When the Lakers moved from the Inglewood Forum to the cavernous Staples Center in 1999, they alienated a large portion of their fan base in the process. The Forum had no luxury boxes, nothing to divide the upper class from the middle, and plenty of affordable seats for the average fan. The Staples Center has not one, but THREE levels of luxury suites. Below them are seats that only the wealthy can afford, and above them are seats not worth sitting in at any price. They are so far away from the action-be it a game or a concert-that I wouldn't sit there even if I had a free ticket! That's exactly what happened on October 17, 1999 when I saw Bruce Springsteen perform at the grand opening of the Staples Center. I was given a ticket in the upper level and after the first song I snuck down to the floor level. It was either that or go home. I know its a cliche but one really needs a telescope and an oxygen mask when sitting in the third level at Staples Center.
Bruce Springsteen apparently feels the same way about the place. On opening night he implored the people to come out of their luxury boxes and join the party. He later called the building a "barn" which is an understatement. A real barn has more atmosphere than the sterile Staples Center. Maybe that's why Springsteen has never returned, preferring the modest Sports Arena when he comes to town. Staples reminds me of ancient Rome. If you have a ticket in the upper stratosphere you have to take an escalator which passes the luxury boxes. You can see fancy buffets with carved beef and turkey, and sumptuous dessert carts being wheeled to the wealthy. But you can only watch, since the escalator doesn't even stop at that level! Talk about separating the rich from the poor.
I have another problem with the Lakers. For as long as I can remember their games have been broadcast on AM570, a powerful station and home to the late, great Chick Hearn among others. This past December the Lakers announced they are moving their games to AM710, the local ESPN affiliate. Just like the switch to the Staples Center, this one is all about the money. Forget about the wall-to-wall coverage of the team currently heard on AM570, forget about the decades of tradition. Next season the team will be competing with USC football on a station that also carries national broadcasts. Jeanie Buss-daughter of Lakers owner Jerry-had no problem in throwing AM570 under the bus even though she used to be a regular on their Laker shows. Of course this is coming from a woman who actually believes her dog has conversations with animal psychics.
As for the Dodgers, they have always been my #1 team since I went to my first game at Chavez Ravine in 1966. Since then I have been to countless sporting events all over the country. There's one thing that separates Dodger Stadium from all the others: NO TAILGATING ! For many years the security turned a blind eye to those enjoying a discreet beer in the parking lot. Now they are writing tickets and telling people to leave their cars the minute they pull into a parking space. Like I said I have been to hundreds of concerts and games and NEVER have I been told that I could not sit in my car for as long as I wanted. Hell, for $15, I should be allowed to sleep there!
This is all because of Frank McCourt, the former parking-lot proprietor from Boston who bought The Dodgers in 2004. Since then he has done everything possible to alienate the average fan. Besides raising prices on everything from tickets to parking to concessions, he's also done his best to separate the wealthy from everyone else. The Field Level has been remodeled with new bathrooms and fancy wine bars. Same with the second tier and the dreaded luxury boxes. Above them is the reserved level where nothing has changed since McCourt bought the club. Of course, those sitting in the reserved level are not allowed below.
Outside the ballpark his obsession with parking involves "funneling" many lanes of cars into one or two, so his goons can exercise as much control over the fans as possible. Last month I saw the "Parking Nazis" issuing some sort of tickets to a couple guys drinking beer in plastic cups. Which made me wonder how come a team with the reputation of the Oakland Raiders can allow full-blown tailgating while the Dodgers are busting people for a single brewski? Either the Dodgers have the most violent fans in sports or Frank McCourt is a control freak who has taken the fun out of going to a game. I believe its the latter.
If the Lakers and Dodgers go all the way, I hope the rich people stick around for the celebrations. After all, that's who the teams are really playing for this season.
When the Lakers moved from the Inglewood Forum to the cavernous Staples Center in 1999, they alienated a large portion of their fan base in the process. The Forum had no luxury boxes, nothing to divide the upper class from the middle, and plenty of affordable seats for the average fan. The Staples Center has not one, but THREE levels of luxury suites. Below them are seats that only the wealthy can afford, and above them are seats not worth sitting in at any price. They are so far away from the action-be it a game or a concert-that I wouldn't sit there even if I had a free ticket! That's exactly what happened on October 17, 1999 when I saw Bruce Springsteen perform at the grand opening of the Staples Center. I was given a ticket in the upper level and after the first song I snuck down to the floor level. It was either that or go home. I know its a cliche but one really needs a telescope and an oxygen mask when sitting in the third level at Staples Center.
Bruce Springsteen apparently feels the same way about the place. On opening night he implored the people to come out of their luxury boxes and join the party. He later called the building a "barn" which is an understatement. A real barn has more atmosphere than the sterile Staples Center. Maybe that's why Springsteen has never returned, preferring the modest Sports Arena when he comes to town. Staples reminds me of ancient Rome. If you have a ticket in the upper stratosphere you have to take an escalator which passes the luxury boxes. You can see fancy buffets with carved beef and turkey, and sumptuous dessert carts being wheeled to the wealthy. But you can only watch, since the escalator doesn't even stop at that level! Talk about separating the rich from the poor.
I have another problem with the Lakers. For as long as I can remember their games have been broadcast on AM570, a powerful station and home to the late, great Chick Hearn among others. This past December the Lakers announced they are moving their games to AM710, the local ESPN affiliate. Just like the switch to the Staples Center, this one is all about the money. Forget about the wall-to-wall coverage of the team currently heard on AM570, forget about the decades of tradition. Next season the team will be competing with USC football on a station that also carries national broadcasts. Jeanie Buss-daughter of Lakers owner Jerry-had no problem in throwing AM570 under the bus even though she used to be a regular on their Laker shows. Of course this is coming from a woman who actually believes her dog has conversations with animal psychics.
As for the Dodgers, they have always been my #1 team since I went to my first game at Chavez Ravine in 1966. Since then I have been to countless sporting events all over the country. There's one thing that separates Dodger Stadium from all the others: NO TAILGATING ! For many years the security turned a blind eye to those enjoying a discreet beer in the parking lot. Now they are writing tickets and telling people to leave their cars the minute they pull into a parking space. Like I said I have been to hundreds of concerts and games and NEVER have I been told that I could not sit in my car for as long as I wanted. Hell, for $15, I should be allowed to sleep there!
This is all because of Frank McCourt, the former parking-lot proprietor from Boston who bought The Dodgers in 2004. Since then he has done everything possible to alienate the average fan. Besides raising prices on everything from tickets to parking to concessions, he's also done his best to separate the wealthy from everyone else. The Field Level has been remodeled with new bathrooms and fancy wine bars. Same with the second tier and the dreaded luxury boxes. Above them is the reserved level where nothing has changed since McCourt bought the club. Of course, those sitting in the reserved level are not allowed below.
Outside the ballpark his obsession with parking involves "funneling" many lanes of cars into one or two, so his goons can exercise as much control over the fans as possible. Last month I saw the "Parking Nazis" issuing some sort of tickets to a couple guys drinking beer in plastic cups. Which made me wonder how come a team with the reputation of the Oakland Raiders can allow full-blown tailgating while the Dodgers are busting people for a single brewski? Either the Dodgers have the most violent fans in sports or Frank McCourt is a control freak who has taken the fun out of going to a game. I believe its the latter.
If the Lakers and Dodgers go all the way, I hope the rich people stick around for the celebrations. After all, that's who the teams are really playing for this season.
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Dodgers Camel Ride Is Too Costly
Dodgers, oh Dodgers. Why has your name become synonymous with frustration? What happened to the team I grew up with that got everything right? Is it because your owner somehow manages to get everything wrong?
Okay, not everything. Camelback Ranch-the new spring training facility in Arizona-has plenty of delightful little details. Yet Frank McCourt somehow manages to miss seeing the big picture in everything he does and his latest venture is no exception.
Spring training used to be a low-cost venture for fans who wanted to get a head start on the baseball season. Especially those in cold weather climates who needed a break from the snow. The ballparks in Florida and Arizona were small and so were the ticket prices. When I made my first visit to Vero Beach over 20 years ago I think the top price was $20 and you could sit on the grass for $5. I'm not going to wax nostalgic about that wonderful place called Dodgertown. I suppose it was the right move for the team to move closer to their fans in Los Angeles.
Suffice to say the Vero Beach experience exceeded my life-long expectations. Camelback Ranch did not. First off, its not in Phoenix but in far-flung Glendale, one of those depressing suburbs full of tract houses waiting to be sold. No one is going to want to spend their spring break there so it means a half-hour drive from downtown, or even longer from the vibrant towns of Scottsdale, Mesa and Tempe. Considering the 400 mile drive from LA, I can't imagine anyone wanting to jump back in their car upon arrival.
Then there's the parking fetish, a phenomenon wholly unique to Mr. McCourt. This guy employs more attendants outside the ballpark than he does inside, but they don't make up for the fact it costs $5 to park in a dirt lot. At Dodger Stadium there's the strange penchant of funneling more lanes into less, and unfortunately that trend continues in Arizona.
And the micro-managing doesn't stop outside. I guess the Dodgers must have the most violent fans in sports because I saw more security personnel at Camelback Ranch than I've ever seen at LAX! My small bag was checked twice! That second check-point resulted in long lines of ticket holders waiting to get inside the actual ballpark. Many of those fans had already waited in long lines at the ticket counter in the hot desert sun. Those lines are long because the ticket booth is squeezed between the ballpark and a large pond so instead of straight lines leading up to the ticket counter, there's more funneling going on.
The ballpark is a gem. Great sight lines, friendly atmosphere, and plenty of clean bathrooms. But what does it cost to get inside? Ten bucks for the lawn is not a bad deal, and I enjoyed spreading out my blanket and taking in the game. I found a beer for $5.50 which is around the going rate for spring games, but I did not pay $4 for a hot dog (and I never will)
which costs a dollar more if you want onions and relish! No kidding! The bar-b-que and mexican food booths smelled wonderful, but those prices approached ten dollars. I thought spring training was supposed to be cheaper than the regular season! They do have beer vendors that stroll the aisles-unlike Dodger Stadium-and fans are free to mill about the entire ballpark-
unlike Dodger Stadium. The earthy tones of the complex befit the desert surroundings but charging as much for a spring game as a regular season game is ridiculous. Which explains the numerous empty seats at what was supposed to be a sure sell out.
That's the worst aspect of Camelback Ranch. The ticket prices. They charge more for so-called "premier games" which is a joke since all the games are meaningless! $45 is the top price for those games, unless you want to pay $90 to sit in the home plate club. For that price, they better send a limo to pick you up!
When I left the ballpark there were countless security guys lining the long walkway back to the parking lot. One of them actually yelled at some kids to "stay off the landscaping!" I was just happy he didn't ask to check my bag.
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