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It was Jackie Robinson Day, Dodgers vs Giants – and I was There

Last Friday was Jackie Robinson Day, and I had the pleasure of attending. It was my first game of the young season. Here’s my photo report.

The game was a sellout, and there were going to be pregame ceremonies with Rachel Robinson, Jackie’s wife. I arrived early because I didn’t want to miss a second of anything.

Dig the Vin Scully t-shirt on this guy. I’ve gotta get me one of those…

Oscar Martinez
Oscar Martinez

The grounds crew were hurriedly finishing up on a large Number 42, just beyond second base.

Oscar Martinez
Oscar Martinez

What a cool experience it was to see all the players decked out in Jackie’s number 42. Even the Giants looked acceptable.

Oscar Martinez
Oscar Martinez

The sun was setting behind home plate, drenching the outfield in baseball twilight.

Oscar Martinez
Oscar Martinez

Rachel Robinson was escorted on the field by Magic Johnson (clapping) and Frank Robinson (on Mrs. Robinson’s right), the first African-American manager in the bigs.

Oscar Martinez
Oscar Martinez

The first pitch was symbolic and emotional, as Frank Robinson threw to Dave Roberts, the first minority skipper for the Dodgers franchise.

Oscar Martinez
Oscar Martinez

The handoff.

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Oscar Martinez

Vin Scully was in the booth and ready to go.

Oscar Martinez
Oscar Martinez

Dodger and Giants fans settling in for a good one.

Oscar Martinez
Oscar Martinez

Ol’ Number 42 said, “Play Ball!”

Oscar Martinez
Oscar Martinez

Here’s Hunter Pence fouling one off Clayton Kershaw. You can see the ball just behind the umpire.

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Oscar Martinez

This shot is when Kike Hernandez doubled into the left field corner. The Giants are starting the relay throw in, and Dodgers are clearing the bases.

Oscar Martinez
Oscar Martinez

Here’s Kershaw bringing it from another angle.

Oscar Martinez
Oscar Martinez

This was the shot that spelled out for me what Jackie Robinson Day was really all about.

Oscar Martinez
Oscar Martinez

Tokyo rush hour? Mexico City traffic? Nothing compared to trying to get around during a sellout.

Oscar Martinez
Oscar Martinez

As we all know by now, the Dodgers pummeled the Giants 7-3. After the game, it was time for a Dodgers fireworks show. Fans streamed onto the outfield to watch. We stayed in our seats for an elevated point of view.

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Oscar Martinez

Watching the show, I felt like every time I heard a fireworks explosion, a Giant lost his wings.

Oscar Martinez
Oscar Martinez

After the fireworks, we headed out to the parking lot to grab our shuttle bus back to Union Station, and the train ride back home. Trouble was, a thousand other folks had the same idea at the same time. The sellout traffic jammed up our buses, so a pretty long line developed.

Oscar Martinez
Oscar Martinez

Follow that long line of trees on the left side to the horizon line. See those orange-yellow lights way off yonder? Waaaay off yonder? That’s where to board the shuttle buses. But there aren’t any buses, so the line has grown to a very large “U”. We are standing in the curve of the U.

But the Dodgers beat the Giants, so everyone was in an upbeat mood. The folks from Metro LA reassured us the buses were on their way, so the wait didn’t feel all that bad. After about 30 minutes a convoy of buses arrived.

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Oscar Martinez

We hopped aboard and said goodbye to Dodger Stadium. Until the next time.

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Oscar Martinez

Oscar Martinez

I was born in the shadow of Dodger Stadium and immediately drenched in Dodger Blue. Chavez Ravine is my baseball cathedral, Vin Scully was the golden voice of summer all my life, and Tommy Lasorda remains the greatest Dodgers manager ever. My favorite things are coffee, beer, and the Dodgers beating the Giants. I also blog about my baseball card hobby at All Trade Bait, All the Time.

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Oscar Martinez
I was born in the shadow of Dodger Stadium and immediately drenched in Dodger Blue. Chavez Ravine is my baseball cathedral, Vin Scully was the golden voice of summer all my life, and Tommy Lasorda remains the greatest Dodgers manager ever. My favorite things are coffee, beer, and the Dodgers beating the Giants. I also blog about my baseball card hobby at All Trade Bait, All the Time.
http://alltradebait.blogspot.com/

14 thoughts on “It was Jackie Robinson Day, Dodgers vs Giants – and I was There

    1. By the way, Who is the tall, tall good-looking brunette, in the crowd picture? The one with the ripped arm.

  1. i wish the dodger would not show up for the games and have the seats empty ..since i cant watch them i cant get excited any more..it hard to get thrilled

    1. That’s one of the reasons I did the photo report. Just sharing the Dodger Stadium experience for folks who can’t see it on TV, or who live to far away to make it to a game.

      1. I’m watching it and so far it’s anything but boring. Archie Bradley pitching – first inning, 3 walks and a hit on 35 pitches and gave up no runs. That ain’t easy to do.

    1. Same. I’m reading “Playing to the Edge”, by Michael Hayden, who was the former director of the NSA and CIA before and after 9/11 (or as Trump would say, “before 7/11”)

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