The Trolley Dodger

So I made my way downstairs last night after the final out, taking the infamous elevator — nowhere near as slow as I was expecting based on Tony Jackson’s stories ;) — from level 5 where the press box and suites are to level 1, which is where the Dugout Club, clubhouse, and field access are. I was heading for Joe Torre’s office, where he always does a brief media post-game Q&A.

With all the fans leaving, the elevator headed up to the top before going down again. Russell Martin Sr. happened to get on the same time I did, but he was on the other side of the large car, so I didn’t have a chance to talk to him. He had a bemused expression on his face, listening to all the fans’ conversations.

Before the game, I had come down to the first level to head out on the field for batting practice. Now there was a roped-off line in front of the Dugout Club where fans were crowding, hoping for an autograph or just a glimpse of the Dodgers as they left. I walked past and through a pair of closed double doors, down a hallway to where a guard was stationed at a sort of lectern, double-checked with him that the clubhouse was open, then through another pair of double doors and another long hallway full of boxes, baseball equipment, and miscellaneous items. The actual door to the locker room was a little ways down, and I approached uncertainly.

The locker room was a lot smaller than I expected. Just beyond were the sinks and showers, and various Dodgers were here and there preparing to leave. To my right stood first-base coach Mariano Duncan, and I asked him where Joe’s office was — he pointed out a doorway nearby.

Just past it was the rack you might have seen before, with the five bats representing the five NL West teams, arranged in the order they are in the division, Dodgers currently on top. Then to the right of that I heard the familiar voices of Fox Sports West’s Michael Eaves and manager Joe Torre. Inside his office, I placed myself amidst the reporters and held out my voice recorder.

In the first audio file — joe01.mp3, 1:16 — you’ll hear Eaves asking his last question about Cole Hamels, then Joe’s answer, then one of the other media members asking about infield placement at a particular point in the game, and another answer. Torre had a cold, I believe, so you’ll hear them wish him well.

Suddenly everyone had left the office, and there I was alone with a recorder in my hand and Joe Torre sitting in front of me.

Luckily, I had prepared a pair of questions just in case I had the opportunity, so in the second file — joe02.mp3, 1:07 — you’ll hear me nervously asking him about Kershaw’s performance, then (knowing he’s a big horse racing fan and horse owner) asking for his prediction in the Belmont Stakes this weekend. Great answers, by the way. :)

I thanked him, told him I hoped he felt better, and left, heading back to the locker room in a daze.

More later.

Two runs. Eleven hits. Five Errors. A missed third base. Gaffes galore.

I wouldn’t be surprised if Mets Manager Jerry Manuel called Torre “Jim” while exchanging lineup cards.

That was the closest laugher I’ve ever seen. No wonder the Sunday Night Baseball booth crew was going off on the Mets last night.

I would not want to be in the visitors’ clubhouse tonight except as a fly on the wall. What a painful performance.

On the non-laugher side:

• Ethier 0-5, 1 K, 6 LOB
• Martin 0-4, 1 LOB
• Kemp 0-5, 5 LOB

Great job from Wolf:
7.2 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 2 K, 0 HR

From the ESPN.com article, “League set to pay Dukes’ fine” — here is Jim Mraz, president of the Little League organization that Elijah Dukes was fined for visiting, talking about the situation:

Said Mraz: “You’re a little stunned. Like, ‘Whoa, wait a minute.’ Here’s the game of baseball — it’s got steroids hanging over it, all these issues. … Needless to say the Nats kind of need help with what they’re doing. I could see if he was out trying to do something small or private, but he just came into my community and gave us a shot in the arm.“

(Emphasis mine.)

From the Atlanta Journal-Constitution comes this gem from one Andruw Jones in “Andruw: Once and future Brave?”:

“I’ve got one more year in my contract,” said Jones, now playing with the L.A. Dodgers. “Hopefully, I can come back to Atlanta. I would love to finish my career here.”

Yeah, you know what Andruw? I’m afraid you already did.

Congratulations to the Philadelphia Phillies on their victory tonight and on becoming World Series champs. Evidently the ghost of William Penn was appeased. ;)

I would be remiss in not congratulating the Tampa Bay Devil Rays on a stellar season and a great run at the championship. Here’s to next year for you guys and continued dominance of the AL East.

Let the off-season madness commence!