Last night's game was a fun spectacle, to be sure. Placido Domingo was outstanding in his rendition of the national anthem before the game, and the outfield-sized flag is always fun to see up close. There was the much-ballyhooed plane with a message from Giants fans, but that was countered nicely by a plane with a message sponsored by frequent commenter LA Taco:
We also saw the flyover by the stealth bomber, but if it was so stealth, then how were we able to see it?
Then, Vin Scully's voice echoed throughout the stadium. He first introduced Jerry Reuss, the would-be starter for opening day 30 years ago, and one who in 1980 pitched a no-hitter against the Giants (for which the Dodger Stadium crowd applauded loudly). Then, Scully introduced Tommy Lasorda, which always gets a big ovation. Then, the biggest applause came for Fernando Valenzuela:
I have to admit, hearing Scully, seeing the ovations for Fernando and Tommy, and getting caught up in my first opening day at Dodger Stadium, it got a little misty in my section. Then again, maybe it was the onions from that Doyer Dog.
Luckily Clayton Kershaw was there to settle things down:
Happy Birthday
I had the pleasure of going to the game last night with family, including my brother Kelly, who often comments here. The plan for months was for all of us to go to opening day, which was originally scheduled for today, because it is Kelly's 50th birthday. But then, the Dodgers and Giants acquiesced to ESPN's to move opening day up one day earlier.
Last weekend, we had a party for Kelly, and my cousin Jen (she's sublimely talented) made this great cake (right).
Even though last night's game wasn't technically on Kelly's 50th birthday, we had a great time. Kelly and my other brother Greg are really the reasons I am a baseball fan today. Growing up, since they both are considerably older than me (Tony Randall had kids with less of an age difference), Kelly and Greg were my role models in many ways. They liked the Dodgers, so I liked the Dodgers. Without them, I might not have become a baseball fan. Without that, I would not have had the great pleasure of writing about the Dodgers here for the last 27 months.
So, thanks for everything, bros, and happy 50th birthday, Kelly.