You’re a Yankees fan headed to Los Angeles for the primary time. In fact you’ve got questions.
In any case, you’ve come west from an previous, dense, smelly, shrinking, corruption-plagued metropolis whereas we wait right here in a younger, sprawling metropolis that’s — effectively, OK, additionally smelly, shrinking and stricken by corruption.
However we now have In-N-Out. And on these winter days if you’re susceptible to freezing like an ice sculpture on the sidewalk, we’re standing round in yoga pants and board shorts, pretending we’ve simply been browsing.
You’re rooting for a fledgling crew (based 1901) whose house is a newfangled ballpark (opened 2009). We cheer for a extra venerable establishment (Brooklyn Trolley Dodgers’ first season: 1884) and cavort in a classic 1962 stadium.
You gave the world George Steinbrenner, Billy Joel and the Bronx Cheer. We gave the world Vin Scully, Randy Newman and the Excessive 5.
You might need tastier pizza and bagels — though at the very least one meals critic from New York thinks the very best bagels are in Berkeley. We now have tastier every part else, together with Dodger Canine.
Anyway, you’re right here now. Upon arrival, put together for the fantastic ease of LAX, the homespun great thing about Century Boulevard, the high-speed comfort of the 405. Subsequent it’s possible you’ll surprise: Will there be sufficient parking at Griffith Observatory? Is it a straightforward stroll from North Hollywood to West Hollywood? Is the ocean clear beneath the Santa Monica pier?
Sure, sure, sure, in fact. And for icebreaker in any chat with a Dodgers fan, simply say one thing good about Manny Machado.
Simply kidding. We wouldn’t lead you astray. Right here’s some higher recommendation for getting round city.
You may be afraid of driving right here. We’re too. However wait till you see our subway. Now, which do you concern extra?
Desire a glad shock? Take Crystal Springs Drive to the Wilson & Harding Golf Programs in Griffith Park and search for the plaque close to the clubhouse. Right here, the plaque says, is the place Babe Ruth was having fun with an low season spherical in January,1920, when he discovered he’d been traded from the Pink Sox to the Yankees, pending his approval. The bearer of that information was Yankees supervisor Miller Huggins, who received Ruth’s OK by providing a large wage hike. So principally the best second in Yankees historical past occurred on an L.A. golf course, 38 years earlier than L.A. had a serious league crew.
Perhaps you want some extra landmarks that will help you get oriented.
That brick constructing at 757 S. New Hampshire Ave. in Koreatown? The “Seinfeld” condo constructing.
That coffeehouse on the Warner Bros. studio lot in Burbank? The Central Perk inside from “Buddies.”
The gritty crime scenes in all these “Regulation & Order” episodes? — oh, these are again in New York.
However in the event you’re wistful for giant metropolis glitz and grit, the sights, sounds and smells of Hollywood Boulevard await. Should you’re lacking the modern, silvery traces of the Chrysler Constructing, have a stroll round Disney Corridor. Should you miss the skaters in Rockefeller Middle, try those on boards on the Venice Skatepark.
Need to begin an argument? Ask the place the road is between the east facet and west facet.
Ultimately, in fact, you’ll go to the ballpark, a midcentury marvel surrounded by palm bushes, fetching greenery and bittersweet reminiscences of Fernando Valenzuela. Should you see an unpermitted vendor, don’t try to purchase pretzels. They’ll hand you an Ohtani T-shirt and demand $700.
I need to confess, we’re nervous about what Aaron Decide would possibly do to our bullpen. In any case, final time he was right here, he broke the door.
And talking of bullpens, as soon as the sport begins, don’t blink otherwise you’ll uncover one other new Dodger on the mound. Of their peculiar type of invincibility, the Dodgers undergo extra pitchers than McSorley’s Outdated Ale Home on a Saturday night time.
You realize to be nervous about Shohei Otani’s bat. Simply don’t overlook Chaz Perea’s inexperienced thumb (he’s the panorama supervisor behind all that greenery) or Dieter Ruehle’s organ. Together with his fast wit and keyboard prowess, Ruehle has performed the Dodgers, Lakers and Kings to 6 championships. However don’t fear. You continue to have Billy Joel.
Lastly, in the event you’re questioning what’s truly in a Dodger Canine, there’s a neighborhood saying which covers that: Overlook about it.
