With our free press under threat and federal funding for public media gone, your support matters more than ever. Help keep the LAist newsroom strong, become a monthly member or increase your support today.
Dodgers Return To Blue (And Colder Than Usual) Heaven On Earth In Season Opener
The view into and beyond Dodger Stadium last May.
(
Ronald Martinez
/
Getty Images
)
The forecast for Dodgers Opening Day so far: Rain in the morning, pockets of gray clouds in the skies and a temperature dropping into the low 50s and potentially into the 40s.
But none of that matters to the fans excited for the return of Dodger baseball.
The Dodgers meet the Arizona Diamondbacks at 7:10 p.m. tonight at Blue Heaven on Earth without longtime third baseman Justin Turner and All-Star shortstop Trea Turner.
Support for LAist comes from
But lifelong Dodger fan Martin Rodriguez is still confident that the Dodgers will stomp the Diamondbacks, "9-2 ... guaranteed," he said.
Rodriguez was standing just before Sunset Boulevard and Vin Scully Avenue, planning his opening day. He hasn't missed one in 25 years, and he wouldn't let the threat of cloudy skies and cold weather deter him.
Weather? What weather?
"I'm gonna wear two thermals and my jersey on top ... and maybe a Dodger beanie."
When asked what jersey, Rodriguez said, "Urias, number 7."
For Jason Aguirre, who grew up in Echo Park, being a Dodger fan is about commitment. His grandfather was a fan and he used to work at El Compadre near Dodger Stadium, where Turner — now with the Boston Red Sox — used to have lunch regularly. He acknowledges Turner was a loss, but Aguirre says being a Dodger fan goes beyond fandom.
Support for LAist comes from
Why Opening Day is like a family reunion
"We do [this] religiously," he said. "We're here every year ... we have food together. It's more of a family reunion because there's family members we don't see until this day."
Dennis Guzman has also been a Dodger fan since he was a kid. He grew up near Dodger Stadium and remembers when Vin Scully Avenue was called Elysian Park Avenue.
Guzman says Opening Day "is like a holiday; it's always love, much love here."
Season predictions
Some pundits are predicting the Dodgers to finish second in the National League race behind the San Diego Padres, who outspent the Dodgers by signing shortstop Xander Bogaerts and re-signing Yu Darvish and Manny Machado.
Rodriguez acknowledges how good the Padres could be, but he remains optimistic.
Support for LAist comes from
"I just hope the Dodgers get first place in the west, Rodriguez said. "Because the Padres are loaded."
As for Opening Day —or night — against the Diamondbacks, Rodriguez reiterates, "Easy win."
At LAist, we believe in journalism without censorship and the right of a free press to speak truth to those in power. Our hard-hitting watchdog reporting on local government, climate, and the ongoing housing and homelessness crisis is trustworthy, independent and freely accessible to everyone thanks to the support of readers like you.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
What do stairs have to do with California’s housing crisis? More than you might think, says this Culver City councilmember. -
Yes, it's controversial, but let me explain. -
Doctors say administrator directives allow immigration agents to interfere in medical decisions and compromise medical care. -
The Palisades Fire erupted on Jan. 7 and went on to kill 12 people and destroy more than 6,800 homes and buildings. -
People moving to Los Angeles are regularly baffled by the region’s refrigerator-less apartments. They’ll soon be a thing of the past. -
Experts say students shouldn't readily forgo federal aid. But a California-only program may be a good alternative in some cases.
Best of LAist