Jon Weisman on the sad–okay, infuriating–turn of events for the Dodgers:
I haven’t been at Dodger Stadium in the past week, and I’m also familiar with no-shows dotting Dodger Stadium in the best of times, but there have been too many reports to ignore from longtime Dodger watchers that things had really changed. I’ve been a passionate skeptic of fan boycotts, but even I have to concede that there was a statement being made here. More and more people just didn’t want any part of this.
The thing is, it hasn’t been an organized boycott, not on any widespread level. It’s been people on their own coming to the conclusion that life was too short to waste on a franchise in this condition.
This includes people like my father, who chose during the offseason not to renew my family’s season tickets for a 30th season. It also includes the people who typically would improvise their ticket purchases after the season was underway.
That’s not to say Dodger Stadium was or would be empty. Some still show up because they love the team through thick and decidedly thin. The game’s pull remains strong. I myself have been trying to figure out when to get my kids to their first game of 2011.
But things haven’t been this low at Dodger Stadium before, have they? I think back to 1992, the worst team in Los Angeles Dodger history playing against the backdrop of a city torn by riots, and there was not such bitterness over the state of ownership.
Donnie must be having a feeling of deja vu, but if anyone should be prepared to deal with chaos, its Mattingly.
Apparently gangs have taken over parts of Dodger stadium and surrounding environs. It's not that an opposing fan got beaten up severely, it's that there is a late 1970s NY ugliness on steroids out there. Would you want to feel threatened every time you went to the game? Heck, it's why when the Yankees are in Detroit, I only go to Sunday afternoon games.
2) I heard that too.
I'm making my first trip to Dodger Stadium in July (as part of an SABR outing). I'm glad I'm traveling in a group.
So much for the stereotype of laid back Southern Californians. I thought New York was the only place with rowdy fans. (Sarcasm)
On a larger note, what a mess the entire Dodgers franchise has become. When you cannot make payroll, that's a clear sign that something has to be done. They need new owners--pronto.
[4] I think you'll love it. It's a really special place to watch baseball. I went to dozens of games (10, a dozen, to 20 or more a year) when I lived in L.A. from 96-02. Great fans.
Dark days, and nights for Los Dodgers, but this too shall pass.