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These Dodgers fans finally get to see their team in the World Series — from their own backyard
Dodgers fans Juan Lara & Mike Altier waited outside the stadium before Game 1 of World Series 2017.
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Libby Denkmann/KPCC
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70-year-old Joseph Martinez has lived near Chavez Ravine all his life. He displays a hand-made Dodgers sign during Game 1 of the 2017 World Series.
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Libby Denkmann/KPCC
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Outside Guisado's on Sunset Boulevard, (left-right) Leandra Reyes, Meghan Taylor Bravo, and Juan Lomeli watch the traffic heading into Dodger Stadium for Game 1 of the 2017 World Series.
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Libby Denkmann/KPCC
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Mark Morocco of Palm Springs shows off his Vin Scully tattoo at the Short Stop bar during Game 1 of the 2017 World Series.
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Libby Denkmann/KPCC
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Felipe Nava sold Dodgers merchandise before Game 1 of the 2017 World Series.
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Libby Denkmann/KPCC
)
Listen
1:52
These Dodgers fans finally get to see their team in the World Series — from their own backyard
Fans who live and work near Dodger Stadium say there's electricity in the air around Chavez Ravine as the home team makes a run at its first World Series title in 29 years.
Joseph Martinez lives near the corner of Vin Scully Ave. and Sunset Blvd. The 70-year-old's roots go deep here, well before trendy boutiques and gastropubs began popping up around him.
"I’ve been here all my life," he said during Game 1 Tuesday, remembering how he and his seven brothers and two sisters would play baseball and cowboys and Indians on the empty hillside where Dodger Stadium was eventually built.
Martinez hung a big hand-made blue "LA Dodgers" sign on the retaining wall in his front yard. He said he hopes the players see it when they drive to the stadium.
"I figure it’s something for the Dodgers, you know, when they go by," Martinez said. "And everybody loves it. When they go by they’re just cheering it on."
Mark Morocco of Palm Springs shows off his Vin Scully tattoo at the Short Stop bar during Game 1 of the 2017 World Series.
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Libby Denkmann/KPCC
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At the Short Stop bar a few blocks North of Dodger Stadium, Mark Morocco left no doubt about his commitment to his favorite team, and his favorite broadcaster.
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Morocco showed off his tattoo of a smiling Vin Scully, the legendary Dodgers announcer who retired in 2016.
"That's dedication right there," Morocco said of his ink. "I'm Vin Scully's biggest fan. It's been a dream of mine to meet him."
Morocco is one of the vocal fans who've expressed hopes Scully will come out of retirement for an appearance during the championship series.
"He's the most iconic voice," he said. "I wish he'd come back and announce at least one game before the World Series is over."
Outside Guisado's on Sunset Boulevard, (left-right) Leandra Reyes, Meghan Taylor Bravo, and Juan Lomeli watch the traffic heading into Dodger Stadium for Game 1 of the 2017 World Series.
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Libby Denkmann/KPCC
)
Leandra Reyes, Meghan Taylor Bravo and Juan Lomeli took a break from their shifts at Guisado's, the popular taco spot down the street from Dodger Stadium, to watch the traffic headed to Game 1.
"Everyone's really hyped up. People are even more excited than ever," Lomeli said. "I just think it's creating a very positive vibe overall. It brings the community a lot closer."
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Felipe Nava sold Dodgers merchandise before Game 1 of the 2017 World Series.
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Libby Denkmann/KPCC
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Felipe Nava turned a traffic jam into an entrepreneurial opportunity by selling Dodgers gear to drivers waiting to get into the Stadium for Game 1. He said the most popular merchandise was flags, lanyards and blue Dodger mouse ears.
Dodgers fans Juan Lara & Mike Altier waited outside the stadium before Game 1 of World Series 2017.
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Libby Denkmann/KPCC
)
Juan Lara and Mike Altier were outside Dodger Stadium all afternoon Tuesday, hoping to score tickets to the game.
"I've been a Dodgers fan all my life. This is something I've been dreaming about," Lara said. "They're finally here. We're ready for the championship."
He said he has a collection of fireworks ready to go if the team wins the title. "I saved some of my 4th of July stock, because the Dodgers were doing so well," said Lara.
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