Brian
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Post by Brian on Mar 22, 2014 23:57:38 GMT -8
The Dodgers opened their 2014 season against the Diamondbacks in Australia on March 22, eight days before the other Major League Baseball teams will finish spring training. They won both games at the Sidney Cricket Ground, which replaces Wrigley Field in Chicago as the oldest stadium to host an MLB game currently. The capacity crowds were attentive and enthusiastic, oohing and aahing at every ball hit in the air, some of them eating two-foot hot dogs that are served in long boxes with handles and cost $40. Vin Scully made the trip, I was glad to learn, because he quit traveling with the team beyond Phoenix years ago. Both games took place on Saturday, Los Angeles time. I was destined to miss the first one starting around 2 a.m., even if I didn't have to work in the morning. But I watched the entire second game for four hours, past 11 p.m. here, just like all of those people in a stadium built in the 19th Century on the other side of the globe. My television was one of only 30 percent in Southern California that could get Vinny, because it's hooked up to Time Warner Cable. Almost all of the other cable and satellite companies have so far refused to pay Time Warner to carry their new Dodger channel. Since the free broadcasts on Channel 9 have ended, only occasional Saturday games on Fox will come over the public airwaves. You'll still be able to hear him simulcasted for the first three innings on the radio. But most local viewers are now deprived of the Dodgers on TV. What a wacky season this is, already. And the other 28 teams have yet to start.
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Brian
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Post by Brian on May 7, 2014 23:00:14 GMT -8
Seven weeks into the Dodgers' season, most of Los Angeles is still being deprived of Vin Scully on television. Not one cable or satellite company has caved into Time Warner, which is now running ads for its exclusive Dodgers channel asking Direct TV subscribers to switch. But if they live in an area not hard wired by Time Warner Cable, like Comcast or Charter, they still won't be able to watch Vinny. This is the first time that I was glad to be a Time Warner subscriber. Since my best friend Don died in 2007, the only guy I know who loves Vin almost as much as I do has Charter Cable in Glendale. Bob scours the MLB Network, which also costs extra, for soundbites and clips of Vin's calls on the postgame shows -- you can watch up to 14 games every day, but local games are blacked out in your market. Yet one night, MLB actually broadcast an inning late in the game with Vinny at the mike, a rare treat. Bob is a native Angeleno and a lifelong fan who's a few years younger than me. I was born here two weeks after Vin Scully started broadcasting in Los Angeles. Bob has been typically -- in this case, I say remarkably -- good natured about losing Vin. I could not handle it. Vin can't get Time Warner at his house in Pacific Palisades. The L.A. Times sports section runs poignant and outraged letters every Saturday. Otherwise, I am feeling nobody's pain. Still I worry about the future. Could this absence of Vin from 70 percent of Southern California homes endure the whole season? And would that factor into his annual decision whether to retire?
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Roberta
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Post by Roberta on May 28, 2014 18:44:51 GMT -8
Does Vinnie have a cold?
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anni
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Post by anni on May 28, 2014 20:01:53 GMT -8
Yes, Roberta, for Monday and Tuesday he had a cold, but tonight....HE'S BAAAAAAAAAAAAAACK.
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Brian
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Post by Brian on Jun 9, 2014 23:00:28 GMT -8
One year ago today, the Dodgers were in last place in the National League West, seven and a half games back. Right now, they are in second place, eight and a half games behind. For many reasons, that's much worse.
In the summer of 2013, the Dodgers went on to win 42 out of 50 games, a phenomenon not seen in Major League Baseball for a century. That won't happen again in my life. And this year so far, the Giants are the best team in baseball, playing 20 games above .500. They could settle down to winning only half of their remaining games -- and still take the division easily. The Hated Ones are such a great team, you almost have to love them.
Inevitably, there will be injuries and trades. Some players will fatigue and others will get hot. Every season brings surprises, like me enjoying the San Francisco Giants.
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Post by Jeanne on Jun 16, 2014 5:19:53 GMT -8
Hi Friends.
I know some of us are baseball fans, even Dodger fans. Friday, August 15th is Methodist night at Dodger Stadium. CVUMC will have a group going. It should be fun. Yes, it conflicts with the vigil. Maybe some of us could start early or wear our MPV tshirts to the game. Let me know by 6/29 if you're interested.
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anni
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Post by anni on Jun 20, 2014 16:03:49 GMT -8
This sounds like total fun...with one important question answered, Jeanne. Do the Methodists stay until the end of the game, as God intended? Just asking because this is L.A. and L.A. fans occasionally leave in the 7th inning.
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Post by Jeanne on Jun 21, 2014 5:57:23 GMT -8
This sounds like total fun...with one important question answered, Jeanne. Do the Methodists stay until the end of the game, as God intended? Just asking because this is L.A. and L.A. fans occasionally leave in the 7th inning. Excellent question. I am not sure if there is a church wide policy on this. I, personally, stay until the end of the game. It is a little late in our conference to be putting a resolution about that on the agenda, but maybe next year, as Red Sox fans often say. I was thinking of you all last night. There have been thousands of prayers for peace lifted up from Redlands.
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Roberta
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Post by Roberta on Jun 22, 2014 12:47:14 GMT -8
Very tempting Jeanne. Baseball is baseball, even the Dodgers, but I will say no, and go to the corner that night. I'm missing enough vigils this summer. The week before I plan to be in Cincinnati seeing the Reds, etc., assuming I can score a ticket with the miles I earn on this trip. Today we went on an adventure, taking the Metro, SCNF train (free, billet sellers on strike!), then walking about a mile and a half when the taxi we called never showed, to one of Jean-Jacques Rousseau's homes: museejjrousseau.montmorency.fr/frWe hoped to get a taxi back to the train with the help of the musee staff, who of course were happy to call one for us, only to be told none available on a Sunday for 5 people. Who knows why, other than it is France. So more walking, but downhill this time! Why Rousseau? John likes to hit a philosopher's house as often as he can when traveling. It is as good an organizing principle as any. Hi Friends. I know some of us are baseball fans, even Dodger fans. Friday, August 15th is Methodist night at Dodger Stadium. CVUMC will have a group going. It should be fun. Yes, it conflicts with the vigil. Maybe some of us could start early or wear our MPV tshirts to the game. Let me know by 6/29 if you're interested.
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Roberta
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Post by Roberta on Jun 30, 2014 7:54:01 GMT -8
Brian,
You're welcome.
Roberta
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