A reminder to Dodgers (and Giants) fans everywhere
Yes, the rivalry is heated. Yes, smack talking is expected and even encouraged. But it's still never cool to throw down over your teams in the Ravine parking lot. Never. Especially when doing so leaves a woman legally blind in one eye. Said victim is alleging that stadium security didn't do its part to keep the brouhaha from escalating, thus a lawsuit now in play. The plaintiff's are asking for a mil in damages. We'll see how this shakes out.
As for Dodger matters limited strictly to the field, mlb.com's Ken Gurnick breaks down the upcoming season when it comes to first and third base. I won't reveal which corner feels more solidified, but let's just say job security isn't among James Loney's bigger worries these days.
-AK
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As a Padres fan living in LA, I have enjoyed visiting Dodger Stadium in the past to witness a little friendly baseball rivalry. However, I must agree that the last couple of years have seen an increasingly hostile atmosphere towards non-Dodger fans showing up to enjoy a dog and a beer while rooting for their team of choice.
I must say that I am always respectful and do not trash talk when I visit "enemy territory", but that I almost always make my allegiance known by wearing a shirt, cap and or jersey bearing the Padres or SD logo. One particular night in the parking lot of Dodger Stadium, a guy glared at me as I walked past and said "you're wearing the wrong shirt, homey." Now, this could have been a friendly taunt. . .but believe me: judging by the way this guy was mad-dogging me and the tone in his voice, he meant business. I just ignored him and walked past, and there was no incident, but for a brief second I was a little concerned for my safety. That's not a feeling one wants to have when going to the ballpark.
In the stands, I can't say I have personally been treated particularly bad, but I have witnessed over-the-top taunting of other fans by Dodgers fans, which often include torrents of profanity around where kids are seated. After one Dodgers-Giants game, as we were filing out of the stadium, I saw Dodgers fans steal a Giants fan's hat and play "keep-away" with it, ultimately tossing it back down into the stands where he could not get it. That's just plain stupidity. . .and those baseball caps aren't cheap!
Anyway, I will continue to attend Dodger games because I live nearby. But I am distressed at the general uneasy feeling I now get when I visit there. Maybe from now on, I'll just leave my Padres gear at home. But where's the fun in that?
Posted by: Meadows | January 16, 2008 at 09:54 AM
You want to see animals,then go to any NY Rangers home game at madison square garden and sit in the upper level,especially when they play the NY Islanders.Talk about being in a zoo.
Posted by: gary | January 17, 2008 at 05:55 AM
Hey sportsfan...the shhoting of a fan was at the chavez ravine parking lot not PacBell (or whatever the phone company is these days). That being said, In goin to games at the evil and hated Ravine (although i must say that it is a gem among all of the parks) has been an ok experience for me, mainly because i don't go to Giants/Dodger games and I don't wear any Giants gear. I can tell that it has gooten a lot worse over the years, watching all of the profanity and boorish behavior. I have seen fights in the parking lot and in the pavillion. On more than one ocassion I have been near groups of loud/ foul mouthed and inebriated fans who have just ruined a wonderful day/night at the park. I love going to games at Chavez Ravine because it is a magical place but the bad apples have just gotten worse and worse. just my two cents....
Posted by: SFfaninLA | January 18, 2008 at 12:34 PM
I went to my first GIants-Dodgers game on opening day, I enjoyed it and was ready for all of the heckling and everything. BUt I didnt have beer dumped on which sucked.
Posted by: shaun | April 02, 2008 at 03:19 PM
I am a Dodger fan. San Diego Padre fans are getting payback when the go to dodger stadium. Padre fans throw things and threaten me at Petco. I do not fell bad at all. And I do not know what the hell you are talking about getting threaten. DODGER FANS are quiet every time i go with my family who are all padre fans no dodger fans ever hassled my family or friends. Padre fans need to show respect as I do when entering to another stadium.
Posted by: Alex | May 02, 2009 at 01:17 PM