Chavez Ravine

Compared to my Chavez Ravine (pre-refurbishing – before the new rows and seats were added), it had the luster of a new car. Comfortable seats, plenty of interesting vendors, and I was pumped to be there. But all of the locals complained! I came to realize that the city had a strange love-hate relationship with the Rays. One fan told me that he didn’t like them because of the timing they released their inaugural season tickets. He felt they somehow were undermining the Bucs when they weren’t very good. Others told me they hated the dome. Huh? How can you hate the dome? I was told baseball should be played outside. I agree – its just that the area has severe thunderstorms in the summer. The thought of a full-time open-air baseball stadium in the area was odd to me. Regardless, almost no one I encountered in the area had a favorable view of Tropicana Field. I thought it was just fine. In fact, I quite enjoyed every game I attended there.

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A native of the city, I have had a love affair with my Los Angeles Dodgers since I can remember. As a young girl some of my fondest memories are watching the game with my dad – listening to Vin Scully and Jerry Doggett on a summer afternoon. I vividly remember Fernando Valenzuela’s arrival and Fernandomania throughout the Southland. That awesome team with Steve Garvey, Davey Lopes, and Ron Cey that brought us a championship all those years ago still gives me goose bumps! And Tommy! Oh yes, Tommy Lasorda – I remember being at Chávez Ravine, feeling the ground shake as he ran out to scream at the umpire. Those were the days…

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