GETTIN' ROUND IN DREI'S TOWN: April 2011

Baseball season is always a fun time for me. I go to at least 15 Dodger games this year, and so far have gone to 6. The crowds at Dodger Stadium havent exactly been standing room so far, but baseball as a whole has suffered at the gate as well. Of course there are many factors as to why people havent been showing up to Dodger games lately, amongst them, fans anger toward McCourt (though MLB has assumed operation of the team), low team expectations, a bad economy ( Season ticket sales plumetted from over 30,000 to over 17,000 which amounts to approximately a 43% dropoff in season ticket sales. OUCH !!!) , the unfortunate incident from Opening Day in which 2 thugs jumped SF Giants fan Brian Stow in the parking lot after the game. I'm sure you can come up with other reasons for the dramatic falloff at Dodger Stadium.

GREAT SEATS AVAILABLE

I can't really blame many of you for wanting to stay away from Dodger Stadium these days. However, things have improved somewhat at the Ravine since the senseless beating of Brian Stow. The crowds seem to be more family oriented, the presence of increased LAPD has drawn some mixed reviews, and perhaps the extra presence of the other Blue team in L.A. has scared away the fans as well ( And i'm not just talking the gang-bangers either ), but other than that, the LAPD has been very friendly.

OK, as for the Dodgers, when you consider all the injuries and off-field drama they've been forced to endure, 13-13 and being 4.5 games behind Colorado isn't so bad. The offense is starting to come around after a slow start, Matt Kemp is definately on a mission this year, Ethier, well, what can you say, 24 game hitting streak and counting.... The starting pitching has also been pretty stellar, now if only the back end of our bullpen can hold it's own, particularly Broxton, whom to me, just doesn't have any confidence. Many feel it all started after the Yankee game last year when he blew that 4 run lead in the 9th, I say it started in Game 4 of the '09 NLCS . Broxton has the potential, and I say potential ( A word you dont use often when describing an all-star ) to close out 40 plus games, if he would just trust his stuff and not worry about past failures, no matter how crucial they we're.

OK, there's my first rant of the year, FROM THE OLD BALLGAME. Allright, some Dodger pics from this past month.....

OPENING DAY, 3/31, FROM THE TOP DECK

FLYOVER

OPENING DAY WIN OVER THE HATED ONES

MY CREW

TONY GWYNN JR, 4/17

MATT HOLLIDAY, CARDS LEFT FIELDER ( Matt will always have a place in the hearts of many Dodger fans )

Matt Kemp caught stealing. It's all good, he would later hit a walk-off 2 run HR

My pre-game lunch, 4/21, from nearby EastSide Deli. I can always be eating Dodger Dogs

Kershaw on the mound, sporting the throwback Brooklyn jersey, 4/21

Atlanta also sporting throwback form the Boston Braves days

Both the Braves and Dodgers honoring their roots

The Dodgers come storming out of the dugout...IT'S ANOTHER MATT KEMP WALKOFF !!!

Somewhere in that pile of jubilation is Matt Kemp, 2nd walkoff this week !!! ( And I was at both!!! )

To Protect and To Serve

Before I forget, I also did get a chance to attend a candlelight vigil at County USC for Giants fan Brian Stow. As of right now, Stow still remains in a coma. If you would like updates on Brian and perhaps even contribute, here is the link

http://www.support4bryanstow.com/

While I was there I had the chance to meet with his family, who remain in remarkably high spirits