In spite of the whole Mitchell Report and Roger Clemens controversy, I refuse to give up on Major League Baseball! Some of my fondest memories revolve around the sport and especially my hometown Los Angeles Dodgers.

One of my earliest memories is listening to Vin Scully announcing a game. Soon after, watching Tommy Lasorda run out on the field to get in the umpire’s face was always amusing. When I was at the stadium for this, I swear the ground would shake when he made his trot to the mound. Even better were the extremely colorful tirades Lasorda would berate the press with after the game.  That Kirk Gibson home run when they won the world series is one of my favorite highlights in professional sports. 

When I was away at college in Florida it would be very comforting to catch a game on television. The aerial shots of Chavez Ravine would tease my homesickness but make me smile nonetheless. I had my first experiences at an indoor venue in Tampa, watching the Devil Rays at Tropicana Field.

Since I have been back home in Los Angeles, I have been to many more games at Dodger Stadium with my husband. We’ve watched Eric Gagne close the deal, Nomar Garciaparra belt one out of the park, and seen tributes to Fernando Valenzuela, Steve Garvey, and Ron Cey. We usually see Tommy Lasorda sitting just behind home plate as well. In spite of the scandals and bad apples, there is a league with passionate players and that still make me a fan!