1 00:00:04,000 --> 00:00:11,200 Speaker 1: Bitch time for Dodger base I have dreamed of this 2 00:00:11,360 --> 00:00:22,120 Speaker 1: matchup my entire life. East Coast versus West Coast, Biggie 3 00:00:22,400 --> 00:00:27,280 Speaker 1: versus Tupac. The Los Angeles Dodgers are playing the New 4 00:00:27,360 --> 00:00:30,200 Speaker 1: York Yankees in the World Series. 5 00:00:30,480 --> 00:00:32,440 Speaker 2: Do you have the two teams with the best records, 6 00:00:32,760 --> 00:00:35,080 Speaker 2: two teams with the biggest fan bases, and the two 7 00:00:35,120 --> 00:00:37,720 Speaker 2: teams with the biggest stars. If your cousin or your 8 00:00:37,720 --> 00:00:40,239 Speaker 2: aunt or your uncle, or your friends that don't watch baseballs, 9 00:00:40,280 --> 00:00:42,040 Speaker 2: and hey, tune in, this is going to be fun. 10 00:00:42,640 --> 00:00:44,000 Speaker 1: Hey, their Dodgor Blue Dream. 11 00:00:44,159 --> 00:00:46,920 Speaker 3: So it's six twenty in the morning, Christmas Morning. 12 00:00:47,240 --> 00:00:49,400 Speaker 1: Anybody else have trouble sleeping last night? 13 00:00:49,680 --> 00:00:53,280 Speaker 3: The first day of the World Series twenty twenty four 14 00:00:53,520 --> 00:00:56,560 Speaker 3: Dodgers Yankees? So darn excited for this thing. 15 00:00:57,040 --> 00:01:01,240 Speaker 1: Welcome to Dodger Blue Dream, a documentary about the baseball season, 16 00:01:01,360 --> 00:01:05,280 Speaker 1: made in real time as the season unfolds. An incredible 17 00:01:05,520 --> 00:01:09,840 Speaker 1: twenty twenty four Dodgers baseball season, which is now hurtling 18 00:01:10,200 --> 00:01:16,840 Speaker 1: towards a guaranteed thrilling conclusion with this must watch, must listen, 19 00:01:17,200 --> 00:01:21,360 Speaker 1: must experience series. So today on the show, we're going 20 00:01:21,440 --> 00:01:24,000 Speaker 1: to briefly set the table for the World Series as 21 00:01:24,000 --> 00:01:27,959 Speaker 1: we get ready for Game one today October twenty fifth, 22 00:01:28,000 --> 00:01:33,080 Speaker 1: twenty twenty four, at five oh eight, very specifically Pacific 23 00:01:33,240 --> 00:01:36,440 Speaker 1: time at Dodger Stadium. I'm about to get ready and 24 00:01:36,520 --> 00:01:38,400 Speaker 1: head down there, so let's get her done. 25 00:01:38,680 --> 00:01:39,080 Speaker 2: That's what. 26 00:01:40,120 --> 00:01:41,920 Speaker 1: And after we give you a little setup for the 27 00:01:41,959 --> 00:01:45,000 Speaker 1: World Series, we will take a moment to pay tribute 28 00:01:45,200 --> 00:01:50,800 Speaker 1: to Dodgers legend Fernando Valenzuela, who died earlier this week 29 00:01:51,080 --> 00:01:52,720 Speaker 1: at the age of sixty three. 30 00:01:53,000 --> 00:01:57,120 Speaker 3: Finally, like Rasa, everywhere saw somebody who was being recognized 31 00:01:57,160 --> 00:01:59,440 Speaker 3: for being great because Rasa always knew they were great. 32 00:01:59,640 --> 00:02:02,760 Speaker 1: But who's memory is very much alive as these two 33 00:02:03,080 --> 00:02:06,800 Speaker 1: iconic franchises face off in the Fall Classic for the 34 00:02:06,840 --> 00:02:11,120 Speaker 1: first time since nineteen eighty one, the year of Fernando 35 00:02:11,200 --> 00:02:19,760 Speaker 1: Mania and the Dodgers One. I'm Richard Parks, the third 36 00:02:20,320 --> 00:02:24,080 Speaker 1: Welcome to the Dodger Blue Dream twenty twenty four World 37 00:02:24,160 --> 00:02:32,359 Speaker 1: Series preview. I'm a Dodger fan. You are a Yankees fan. 38 00:02:32,520 --> 00:02:37,119 Speaker 2: Yes, winning is all that matters. My name is Jimmy O'Brien. 39 00:02:37,200 --> 00:02:40,240 Speaker 2: I started John Boy Media, and I talk a lot 40 00:02:40,280 --> 00:02:41,120 Speaker 2: about baseball. 41 00:02:41,680 --> 00:02:45,040 Speaker 1: I reached out to John Boy, a lifelong Yankee fan, 42 00:02:45,200 --> 00:02:49,960 Speaker 1: to help contextualize why this matchup is so unusually exciting 43 00:02:50,080 --> 00:02:55,760 Speaker 1: and appealing in a way that transcends fandom. 44 00:02:55,919 --> 00:02:57,840 Speaker 2: Do you have the two teams with the best records, 45 00:02:58,200 --> 00:03:00,520 Speaker 2: two teams with the biggest fan bases, and the two 46 00:03:00,560 --> 00:03:04,560 Speaker 2: teams with the biggest stars. You have the two players 47 00:03:04,600 --> 00:03:07,520 Speaker 2: that will win the MVP this year in their respective leagues, 48 00:03:07,560 --> 00:03:10,840 Speaker 2: and Otani and Judge facing off against each other. You 49 00:03:10,919 --> 00:03:17,600 Speaker 2: have six MVPs Judge, Stanton Mookie, Freddie Otani. Sodo's never 50 00:03:17,639 --> 00:03:20,000 Speaker 2: won one, but he sure plays like an MVP a 51 00:03:20,000 --> 00:03:23,240 Speaker 2: lot of years. So just the star power and then 52 00:03:23,480 --> 00:03:25,880 Speaker 2: the stars at the peak of their game. So it's 53 00:03:25,919 --> 00:03:28,480 Speaker 2: not star power but fading stars. It's no these are 54 00:03:28,480 --> 00:03:32,160 Speaker 2: burning bright. This is the brightest stars on the biggest stage. 55 00:03:32,320 --> 00:03:34,360 Speaker 2: If your cousin or your aunt or your uncle or 56 00:03:34,360 --> 00:03:36,480 Speaker 2: your friends that don't watch baseball, so hey, tune in. 57 00:03:36,840 --> 00:03:37,640 Speaker 2: This is gonna be fun. 58 00:03:39,160 --> 00:03:42,200 Speaker 1: You might think that Dodgers Yankees World Series happen all 59 00:03:42,200 --> 00:03:45,720 Speaker 1: the time. Well, in fact, this matchup has never happened 60 00:03:45,800 --> 00:03:49,360 Speaker 1: in my lifetime. They have met twelve times, and that 61 00:03:49,600 --> 00:03:52,280 Speaker 1: is more than any other two teams have met in 62 00:03:52,320 --> 00:03:55,480 Speaker 1: the World Series, but the lion's share of those matchups 63 00:03:55,520 --> 00:03:58,440 Speaker 1: happened in the forties and fifties, and there have been 64 00:03:58,520 --> 00:04:00,600 Speaker 1: unforgettable moments in series. 65 00:04:00,960 --> 00:04:03,960 Speaker 2: Kicky Robinson let at third base takes his lead. 66 00:04:04,320 --> 00:04:12,640 Speaker 1: And Jackie Robinson stealing home in Game one of the 67 00:04:12,760 --> 00:04:16,000 Speaker 1: fifty five World Series. He's safe tayting out. 68 00:04:16,200 --> 00:04:18,640 Speaker 2: He's oux, says Yogi Vera and brother Yogi. 69 00:04:18,760 --> 00:04:21,880 Speaker 1: Don Larson pitched a perfect game for the Yankees in 70 00:04:22,000 --> 00:04:25,400 Speaker 1: Game five of the fifty six series with Vin Scully 71 00:04:25,520 --> 00:04:27,560 Speaker 1: on the call. Got him. 72 00:04:29,520 --> 00:04:32,440 Speaker 2: In the nap back, passed them out of my willing man. 73 00:04:32,560 --> 00:04:33,600 Speaker 2: Then Lena burn. 74 00:04:35,120 --> 00:04:37,920 Speaker 1: Sandy Kofax got the last out of the sixty three 75 00:04:38,040 --> 00:04:41,200 Speaker 1: Fall Classic for a sweep for the Dodgers. And in 76 00:04:41,360 --> 00:04:45,760 Speaker 1: seventy seven and seventy eight, Mister October Reggie Jackson was 77 00:04:45,800 --> 00:04:52,400 Speaker 1: wreaking havoc all right, right, advine as the Bronx Bombers 78 00:04:52,560 --> 00:04:56,599 Speaker 1: bested dem Bums in both matchups in the seventies before 79 00:04:56,640 --> 00:04:58,279 Speaker 1: the Dodgers took it in six. 80 00:04:58,520 --> 00:05:02,080 Speaker 2: In eighty one, angelous Dodgers have guessed you're not done 81 00:05:02,120 --> 00:05:06,080 Speaker 2: the impossible. The shorter throws his hat away, run j 82 00:05:06,080 --> 00:05:08,680 Speaker 2: out with his hands and arms and mine. 83 00:05:10,240 --> 00:05:13,240 Speaker 1: This is a rivalry, and it's a rivalry that exists 84 00:05:13,480 --> 00:05:17,080 Speaker 1: because of the World Series. It wasn't until very recently 85 00:05:17,240 --> 00:05:20,520 Speaker 1: that National League teams and American League teams played during 86 00:05:20,560 --> 00:05:23,560 Speaker 1: the regular season. But because these are two of the 87 00:05:23,680 --> 00:05:26,880 Speaker 1: oldest teams and two of the best teams, there's a 88 00:05:26,960 --> 00:05:30,880 Speaker 1: lot of history here. But what about the present day matchups. 89 00:05:31,120 --> 00:05:35,839 Speaker 1: What's your biggest fear about the Yankees facing the Dodgers 90 00:05:35,920 --> 00:05:42,000 Speaker 1: in this World Series. Ah, let's talk about our hopes 91 00:05:42,080 --> 00:05:50,840 Speaker 1: and fears pitching and lineup first pitching, starting pitching. When 92 00:05:50,880 --> 00:05:55,120 Speaker 1: it comes to starting pitching, the Yankees have the clear advantage. 93 00:05:55,720 --> 00:05:59,640 Speaker 1: They have five real deal starters to the Dodgers three, 94 00:06:00,240 --> 00:06:03,760 Speaker 1: and really the Dodgers have two hole starters or one 95 00:06:04,080 --> 00:06:08,000 Speaker 1: and two half starters. Jack Flaherty, who is starting Game 96 00:06:08,040 --> 00:06:10,920 Speaker 1: one tonight, who showed flashes of greatness during Game one 97 00:06:10,960 --> 00:06:14,080 Speaker 1: of the Championship Series but has been knocked around a lot. 98 00:06:14,160 --> 00:06:18,720 Speaker 1: Other than that, Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Walker Buehler, both of 99 00:06:18,800 --> 00:06:22,360 Speaker 1: whom are in different stages of building themselves back up 100 00:06:22,480 --> 00:06:25,960 Speaker 1: from injuries. The Yankees, on the other hand, have Garrett Cole, 101 00:06:26,360 --> 00:06:29,560 Speaker 1: a very good pitcher and a very good postseason pitcher. 102 00:06:29,880 --> 00:06:33,160 Speaker 1: Cole starts Game one against Flerity and then Carlos rode On, 103 00:06:33,480 --> 00:06:36,400 Speaker 1: who can be very good, and then they'll probably fill 104 00:06:36,440 --> 00:06:39,239 Speaker 1: out games three and four with Clark. Schmidt would probably 105 00:06:39,279 --> 00:06:42,040 Speaker 1: go against Buehler and Luis Heel, all of whom are 106 00:06:42,160 --> 00:06:45,480 Speaker 1: solid starters. We are probably going to have to pitch 107 00:06:45,600 --> 00:06:49,040 Speaker 1: a bullpen game against Heel in Game four in lieu 108 00:06:49,120 --> 00:06:52,320 Speaker 1: of a fourth starter, and we've done that with success recently. 109 00:06:52,520 --> 00:06:55,000 Speaker 1: We shut out the Padres in a bullpen game. And 110 00:06:55,080 --> 00:06:57,720 Speaker 1: there's potentially a lot to be concerned about for us, 111 00:06:57,920 --> 00:07:00,320 Speaker 1: but also for the Yankees in this regard, and it 112 00:07:00,440 --> 00:07:03,160 Speaker 1: all relates to the use of the bullpen and then 113 00:07:03,240 --> 00:07:05,960 Speaker 1: of course the effect of the starting lineup. And that's 114 00:07:06,000 --> 00:07:09,359 Speaker 1: what I call a segue to the next topic. Let's 115 00:07:09,800 --> 00:07:16,320 Speaker 1: talk bullpen. In terms of bullpen, we're wiping the floor 116 00:07:16,440 --> 00:07:21,160 Speaker 1: with these guys. We've got the Dowgs, Kopek trying in. 117 00:07:21,680 --> 00:07:23,920 Speaker 1: Evan Phillips is not on the roster, which I don't 118 00:07:24,000 --> 00:07:26,200 Speaker 1: understand and I'm kind of scared about. So we're down 119 00:07:26,280 --> 00:07:29,680 Speaker 1: one dog, but we got a Dowg back. Alex Vesia 120 00:07:30,040 --> 00:07:33,680 Speaker 1: made the World Series roster, and that's particularly good news 121 00:07:33,920 --> 00:07:37,320 Speaker 1: because he is a left handed pitcher. With Vessia out, 122 00:07:37,600 --> 00:07:40,560 Speaker 1: Anthony Bondo is our only lefty and the Yankees could 123 00:07:40,600 --> 00:07:43,679 Speaker 1: have used that to their advantage. I'm not super familiar 124 00:07:43,760 --> 00:07:47,840 Speaker 1: with the Yankees bullpen. What's your biggest fear? When Jimmy 125 00:07:47,880 --> 00:07:52,239 Speaker 1: O'Brien started opening up about his fears, ah, the first 126 00:07:52,280 --> 00:07:55,280 Speaker 1: thing that he talked about was the Yankees bullpen. 127 00:07:55,560 --> 00:07:57,800 Speaker 2: The first high end bullpen that gets beat is going 128 00:07:57,880 --> 00:08:00,640 Speaker 2: to be pretty brutal, but close enough that the Yankees, 129 00:08:00,680 --> 00:08:03,040 Speaker 2: after they use their top bullpen and then the Dodgers 130 00:08:03,120 --> 00:08:05,520 Speaker 2: get to them, it's kind of all she wrote, like 131 00:08:05,920 --> 00:08:08,600 Speaker 2: if they just feel comfortable against Cainley and Weaver. 132 00:08:09,240 --> 00:08:11,200 Speaker 1: The other side of the coin is that if our 133 00:08:11,240 --> 00:08:14,240 Speaker 1: starters get knocked out early and the Yankees hitters have 134 00:08:14,440 --> 00:08:18,040 Speaker 1: chances to see our dogs early on or multiple times, 135 00:08:18,320 --> 00:08:22,080 Speaker 1: god forbid, and our bullpen starts getting generally taxed, you 136 00:08:22,160 --> 00:08:24,840 Speaker 1: can see how the dominoes start falling all of a sudden. 137 00:08:24,880 --> 00:08:27,559 Speaker 1: We don't feel so good about that bullpen game start 138 00:08:27,800 --> 00:08:30,720 Speaker 1: for Game four, But the same logic applies for the Yankees. 139 00:08:31,080 --> 00:08:34,439 Speaker 2: So those first outings by Kayleean Weaver, Kopek and Hudson 140 00:08:34,800 --> 00:08:37,800 Speaker 2: and Brazier and all the guys. The Dodgers bullpen, I'm 141 00:08:37,800 --> 00:08:39,720 Speaker 2: going to be really looking closely at. 142 00:08:40,400 --> 00:08:43,000 Speaker 1: So while we have a strength here, it all comes 143 00:08:43,080 --> 00:08:46,360 Speaker 1: down to how things play out, how deep our starters get, 144 00:08:46,600 --> 00:08:49,440 Speaker 1: what type of lead we might have when we use 145 00:08:49,600 --> 00:08:53,520 Speaker 1: our high leverage dogs, and when we use our innings eaters, 146 00:08:53,920 --> 00:08:56,720 Speaker 1: the Brent Honeywells of the world. But damn, I'm looking 147 00:08:56,760 --> 00:09:00,280 Speaker 1: forward to seeing that turtleneck at Yankee Stadium. The point 148 00:09:00,320 --> 00:09:03,800 Speaker 1: that I'm coming around to is everything relates to everything else. 149 00:09:04,480 --> 00:09:07,000 Speaker 1: So you're afraid of our offense and you're afraid of 150 00:09:07,080 --> 00:09:07,640 Speaker 1: our bullpen. 151 00:09:08,720 --> 00:09:11,160 Speaker 2: Now I'm not. I'm not afraid of your bullpen. I 152 00:09:11,280 --> 00:09:13,040 Speaker 2: think the Yankees can get them. I'm afraid of the 153 00:09:13,120 --> 00:09:14,800 Speaker 2: offense getting to the Yankees bullpen. 154 00:09:15,360 --> 00:09:20,160 Speaker 1: All right, let's talk offense. Starting lineup. Look, both these 155 00:09:20,240 --> 00:09:23,079 Speaker 1: teams have superstars, but you know, if you listen to 156 00:09:23,160 --> 00:09:27,599 Speaker 1: this show, the Dodgers' role deep. The Yankees lineup is 157 00:09:27,640 --> 00:09:31,440 Speaker 1: honestly more top heavy. They've got Judge, Stanton and Soto 158 00:09:31,559 --> 00:09:34,520 Speaker 1: up there, but after that it kind of falls off. Conversely, 159 00:09:34,640 --> 00:09:38,600 Speaker 1: with our lineup We've got sho Hey, Mooky Freddie. Then 160 00:09:38,760 --> 00:09:44,120 Speaker 1: we've got Tao, Will Smith, Max munci Kik, who is 161 00:09:44,360 --> 00:09:48,520 Speaker 1: an October god and owns both Cole and Rodin could 162 00:09:48,600 --> 00:09:51,079 Speaker 1: hit seventh or eighth in this lineup and one of 163 00:09:51,160 --> 00:09:53,600 Speaker 1: the keys to the Yankees path to the World Series 164 00:09:53,679 --> 00:09:57,000 Speaker 1: this postseason has been those big three guys coming through 165 00:09:57,160 --> 00:10:00,680 Speaker 1: in big moments, getting to the opposing team's bul even 166 00:10:00,720 --> 00:10:04,959 Speaker 1: the incredible Cleveland Guardians bullpen. I didn't even mention Tommy Edmond. 167 00:10:05,280 --> 00:10:09,679 Speaker 1: He was our NLCS MVP, batting cleanup in the decisive 168 00:10:09,760 --> 00:10:12,800 Speaker 1: game and hitting bombs in addition to the bunts he 169 00:10:12,960 --> 00:10:15,840 Speaker 1: laid down earlier in the postseason. And that's a clear 170 00:10:16,000 --> 00:10:21,160 Speaker 1: illustration of how deep this Dodgers' offense really runs. So 171 00:10:21,360 --> 00:10:24,280 Speaker 1: in a comparison of these two lineups, the Dodgers win 172 00:10:24,559 --> 00:10:25,360 Speaker 1: flat out. 173 00:10:25,760 --> 00:10:28,599 Speaker 2: And the Yankees pitching has not faced the lineup that 174 00:10:28,760 --> 00:10:31,720 Speaker 2: has depth yet this postseason. With the Royals and the Guardians, 175 00:10:31,720 --> 00:10:34,400 Speaker 2: they're top heavy and then pretty light, so they are 176 00:10:34,400 --> 00:10:37,240 Speaker 2: able to really navigate and not pitch this guy pitch 177 00:10:37,360 --> 00:10:37,640 Speaker 2: that guy. 178 00:10:38,160 --> 00:10:41,599 Speaker 1: Dodgers are super deep, I would argue deeper offensively in 179 00:10:41,640 --> 00:10:43,920 Speaker 1: the Yankees, I kind of doubt that you would argue 180 00:10:43,920 --> 00:10:47,040 Speaker 1: against that. Yeah, So there's a little bit of a 181 00:10:47,160 --> 00:10:51,720 Speaker 1: preview the history, the matchups for pitching, both starting pitching 182 00:10:51,800 --> 00:10:55,400 Speaker 1: and bullpen, and the lineups. But of course, now we 183 00:10:55,520 --> 00:10:58,680 Speaker 1: gotta go play the games. We'll see what happens. Thanks, 184 00:10:58,960 --> 00:11:03,920 Speaker 1: thank you Day as well, thank you John Boy, Big Fan. 185 00:11:04,480 --> 00:11:08,840 Speaker 1: But now we are sworn enemies as rival podcasters whose 186 00:11:08,920 --> 00:11:16,240 Speaker 1: favorite teams are facing off in the World Series. So 187 00:11:16,440 --> 00:11:18,920 Speaker 1: all this week, since we found out that the Dodgers 188 00:11:18,960 --> 00:11:21,280 Speaker 1: and the Yankees would be in the World Series together, 189 00:11:21,520 --> 00:11:24,439 Speaker 1: I have been thinking about nineteen eighty one. And you 190 00:11:24,600 --> 00:11:27,480 Speaker 1: can't think about nineteen eighty one if you're thinking about 191 00:11:27,520 --> 00:11:31,679 Speaker 1: the Dodgers without thinking about Fernando Valenzuela. 192 00:11:31,840 --> 00:11:34,319 Speaker 2: Oh, listen to the crowd most of the book on 193 00:11:34,400 --> 00:11:37,480 Speaker 2: their feet down, Valenzuela delivers Roba. 194 00:11:41,200 --> 00:11:45,640 Speaker 1: Fernando Valenzuela has died at the age of sixty three. 195 00:11:46,480 --> 00:11:49,760 Speaker 1: We just got the news the other night, and it 196 00:11:49,800 --> 00:11:52,640 Speaker 1: would be insane to have a show about the Dodgers 197 00:11:52,800 --> 00:11:56,480 Speaker 1: and not take a moment to make some kind of 198 00:11:56,600 --> 00:12:02,040 Speaker 1: tribute to this incredibly important Dodgers figure. Fernando is on 199 00:12:02,400 --> 00:12:07,679 Speaker 1: a very short list of Dodger legends that US fans 200 00:12:07,760 --> 00:12:12,359 Speaker 1: are on a first name basis with Tommy, then Fernando 201 00:12:12,880 --> 00:12:18,240 Speaker 1: Brnando Valanuela. In an age where this word is applied 202 00:12:18,640 --> 00:12:26,400 Speaker 1: superfluously and almost flippantly to completely undeserving people. Fernando Valenzuela 203 00:12:27,080 --> 00:12:31,280 Speaker 1: was and is an icon, and he's so integrated with 204 00:12:31,400 --> 00:12:35,400 Speaker 1: the city and this baseball team. If you know, it's 205 00:12:35,480 --> 00:12:39,199 Speaker 1: not something that needs to be discussed or defined, you 206 00:12:39,440 --> 00:12:41,960 Speaker 1: just get it. But for those of you who may 207 00:12:42,040 --> 00:12:44,880 Speaker 1: not know, we're going to try on this episode to 208 00:12:45,679 --> 00:12:50,600 Speaker 1: describe and encapsulate who this person was and his impact 209 00:12:51,080 --> 00:12:54,320 Speaker 1: on the city of Los Angeles. In addition to being 210 00:12:54,559 --> 00:13:00,400 Speaker 1: a very remarkable baseball player, Fernando Valenzuela truly trans ended 211 00:13:00,840 --> 00:13:04,559 Speaker 1: the game. What does that mean, Well, just start with 212 00:13:04,720 --> 00:13:08,400 Speaker 1: the experience of going to the ballpark in Los Angeles. 213 00:13:09,960 --> 00:13:13,200 Speaker 1: When you go to Dodger Stadium, you walk in, there 214 00:13:13,280 --> 00:13:17,280 Speaker 1: might be Mariachi's playing in the center field plaza. Every 215 00:13:17,400 --> 00:13:24,240 Speaker 1: concession stand sells Michelada's, the seasoned Mexican beer drink, they 216 00:13:24,320 --> 00:13:27,480 Speaker 1: sell tacos, and you look around and the fan base 217 00:13:27,760 --> 00:13:33,240 Speaker 1: is predominantly in most cases Latino and Mexican and you 218 00:13:33,320 --> 00:13:37,040 Speaker 1: might think, well, it's la. Of course it is, but 219 00:13:37,120 --> 00:13:39,760 Speaker 1: it's possible that that would not be the case if 220 00:13:39,800 --> 00:13:44,040 Speaker 1: it weren't for Fernando Valezuela. He was the first prominent 221 00:13:44,160 --> 00:13:49,200 Speaker 1: and still the greatest Mexican pitcher in Major League history. 222 00:13:49,720 --> 00:13:52,719 Speaker 1: He was a lefty, he threw a screwball, which is 223 00:13:52,800 --> 00:13:56,199 Speaker 1: not super common, and in nineteen eighty one he arrived 224 00:13:56,240 --> 00:14:02,240 Speaker 1: in Los Angeles and changed the culture of baseball here forever. 225 00:14:02,960 --> 00:14:07,280 Speaker 1: Because before Fernando there was actually a general aversion to 226 00:14:07,440 --> 00:14:10,920 Speaker 1: the Dodgers in the Latino community. And that's a very 227 00:14:11,360 --> 00:14:16,199 Speaker 1: complicated story. Basically, the site where Dodger Stadium is was 228 00:14:16,280 --> 00:14:20,280 Speaker 1: once a predominantly Latino neighborhood, and the arrival of the 229 00:14:20,360 --> 00:14:24,560 Speaker 1: Dodgers in the late fifties from New York was accompanied 230 00:14:24,600 --> 00:14:28,480 Speaker 1: by the displacement of all these families via eminent domain. 231 00:14:29,000 --> 00:14:32,520 Speaker 1: The extent to which the Dodgers organization was responsible for 232 00:14:32,640 --> 00:14:36,840 Speaker 1: what happened is the topic of some debate. In any case, 233 00:14:37,280 --> 00:14:41,440 Speaker 1: it's thanks to Fernando and his celebrity and his massive 234 00:14:41,840 --> 00:14:45,800 Speaker 1: cultural impact that Dodger Stadium looks and feels the way 235 00:14:45,880 --> 00:14:46,880 Speaker 1: that it does today. 236 00:14:47,720 --> 00:14:50,200 Speaker 3: I don't think people understand the cultural impact that Fernando 237 00:14:50,320 --> 00:14:52,320 Speaker 3: Lenzoela had on the city of a Lake two Mexican 238 00:14:52,360 --> 00:14:54,360 Speaker 3: American and to immigrants, to any brown folk. 239 00:14:54,440 --> 00:14:59,600 Speaker 1: Really, this is Memo Torres. Memo writes for La Taco, 240 00:15:00,120 --> 00:15:05,480 Speaker 1: local grassroots online publication. He is always eating tacos all 241 00:15:05,520 --> 00:15:08,800 Speaker 1: over Los Angeles and I found out after years of 242 00:15:09,240 --> 00:15:13,600 Speaker 1: following his eating adventures that this is because Memo is 243 00:15:13,840 --> 00:15:17,440 Speaker 1: all over town doing work for his landscaping business. This 244 00:15:17,560 --> 00:15:20,000 Speaker 1: will become pertinent to Memo's recollection. 245 00:15:20,400 --> 00:15:24,560 Speaker 3: We're talking about an era where Latinos had been marginalized 246 00:15:24,880 --> 00:15:28,160 Speaker 3: with different reasons, whether it be as farm workers, laborers, 247 00:15:28,560 --> 00:15:32,160 Speaker 3: whether it be through different propositions. Your stadium's own history. 248 00:15:32,320 --> 00:15:35,840 Speaker 3: They literally kicked out Mexicans to take over the land 249 00:15:36,000 --> 00:15:38,280 Speaker 3: so they could build out your stadium. And I know, 250 00:15:38,360 --> 00:15:42,080 Speaker 3: growing up, it was hard to see any Latinos prominent 251 00:15:42,160 --> 00:15:44,800 Speaker 3: on TV or anywhere else. I mean, I think the 252 00:15:44,920 --> 00:15:48,040 Speaker 3: only other Latino was Paunch from Chips, you know, the 253 00:15:48,280 --> 00:15:51,480 Speaker 3: Higher Patrol Cops show. So you know, even with that, 254 00:15:51,560 --> 00:15:53,920 Speaker 3: we couldn't relate with him. But when you see Fernando 255 00:15:53,960 --> 00:15:57,760 Speaker 3: Valle in Soila, guy that reminds me of like my uncles, 256 00:15:57,960 --> 00:16:00,960 Speaker 3: you know, and my dad and my uncles. They didn't 257 00:16:01,080 --> 00:16:04,520 Speaker 3: like sports, but they watched the Dodgers. Actually, no, they 258 00:16:04,520 --> 00:16:08,040 Speaker 3: didn't watch the Dodgers. They watched Fernando Valinzuela and that 259 00:16:08,200 --> 00:16:09,960 Speaker 3: was every time they watched them. It was a source 260 00:16:10,000 --> 00:16:12,400 Speaker 3: of pride and be like, look, Miko, that's one of 261 00:16:12,440 --> 00:16:14,880 Speaker 3: our own. He's over there and he's beating a lingos 262 00:16:14,920 --> 00:16:17,760 Speaker 3: at their own game. You know, he was a pride. 263 00:16:17,800 --> 00:16:22,120 Speaker 3: It was like finally, like Rasa, everywhere like saw somebody 264 00:16:22,240 --> 00:16:24,520 Speaker 3: who was being recognized for being great, because Rasa I 265 00:16:24,600 --> 00:16:27,160 Speaker 3: always knew they were great. We were, you know, my people, 266 00:16:27,240 --> 00:16:30,680 Speaker 3: we were. I grew up in a hard working family gardoning, 267 00:16:32,120 --> 00:16:35,120 Speaker 3: you know, servicing the mansions of like bel Air and 268 00:16:35,200 --> 00:16:39,240 Speaker 3: Beverly Hills. Funny enough, my uncle, he was the gardener 269 00:16:39,320 --> 00:16:41,640 Speaker 3: for the O'Malley's, one of the original owners of the Dodgers. 270 00:16:42,480 --> 00:16:46,200 Speaker 3: And for Fernando Vealinzuela to come along, he kind of 271 00:16:46,400 --> 00:16:49,800 Speaker 3: like made us feel proud that he could be in 272 00:16:49,920 --> 00:16:54,760 Speaker 3: that space and dominate, and in a way he brought 273 00:16:54,880 --> 00:16:58,720 Speaker 3: everybody closer together. You know, now you're having conversations out 274 00:16:58,760 --> 00:17:01,320 Speaker 3: and about as you're working with folks that you would 275 00:17:01,320 --> 00:17:04,320 Speaker 3: never have conversations with, you know, people that were your 276 00:17:04,520 --> 00:17:09,680 Speaker 3: bosses as you're gardening around in different parts of the 277 00:17:09,720 --> 00:17:12,520 Speaker 3: city and only saw you as a gardener. Now you 278 00:17:12,600 --> 00:17:15,360 Speaker 3: know Fernando Alenzoela, you know all the Dodgers. 279 00:17:15,520 --> 00:17:15,680 Speaker 1: You know. 280 00:17:15,920 --> 00:17:18,879 Speaker 3: It's just it sparked an icebreaker for the city to 281 00:17:19,000 --> 00:17:23,639 Speaker 3: be able to have a conversation in almost relaxed of fashion. 282 00:17:23,840 --> 00:17:25,960 Speaker 3: And I think it really brought the city together, and 283 00:17:26,119 --> 00:17:29,399 Speaker 3: it really helped people rally behind the Dodgers. And I 284 00:17:29,440 --> 00:17:32,800 Speaker 3: don't think if Fernando Venezuela would have happened, I don't 285 00:17:32,840 --> 00:17:35,520 Speaker 3: think our city would be as united and as close 286 00:17:35,560 --> 00:17:38,040 Speaker 3: together as that are. I mean, granted, Ali still has 287 00:17:38,440 --> 00:17:41,680 Speaker 3: a lot of divisions, there's a history of redlining, communities 288 00:17:41,720 --> 00:17:45,879 Speaker 3: are segregated, but I think the Dodgers, or Fernando Valenzuela 289 00:17:46,000 --> 00:17:50,200 Speaker 3: with the Dodgers at least, helped build bridges for everybody, 290 00:17:50,880 --> 00:17:54,000 Speaker 3: and for us Latinos and brown kids growing up like 291 00:17:54,119 --> 00:17:56,600 Speaker 3: myself and seeing Fernando Venezuela and what he meant to 292 00:17:57,200 --> 00:17:59,760 Speaker 3: folks like my parents who weren't into sports at all, 293 00:18:02,200 --> 00:18:04,159 Speaker 3: how that person could be a source of pride, and 294 00:18:04,400 --> 00:18:07,960 Speaker 3: it just it really affected us all psychologically, our attitude 295 00:18:07,960 --> 00:18:11,359 Speaker 3: towards La and in our acceptance in the city, and 296 00:18:12,040 --> 00:18:15,480 Speaker 3: just the feeling of belonging so Bernanda Venezuela meant a 297 00:18:15,560 --> 00:18:18,080 Speaker 3: lot more to us than just the game of baseball. 298 00:18:19,960 --> 00:18:25,280 Speaker 1: Thank you so much, Memo Torres for this contribution. I 299 00:18:25,480 --> 00:18:29,600 Speaker 1: highly recommend you look Memo up on Instagram. He's a 300 00:18:29,640 --> 00:18:36,040 Speaker 1: great follow, and check out La Taco. The timing of 301 00:18:36,160 --> 00:18:41,000 Speaker 1: Fernando Valenzuela's passing is cosmic. Not only are the Dodgers 302 00:18:41,080 --> 00:18:44,120 Speaker 1: facing the Yankees in the World Series for the first 303 00:18:44,200 --> 00:18:47,840 Speaker 1: time since nineteen eighty one, the year this icon took 304 00:18:47,920 --> 00:18:51,320 Speaker 1: the city by storm, but also Game six of this 305 00:18:51,520 --> 00:18:55,080 Speaker 1: World Series, should the series get there, will take place 306 00:18:55,320 --> 00:18:59,920 Speaker 1: on what would have been Fernando Valenzuela's sixty fourth birthday, 307 00:19:00,720 --> 00:19:03,720 Speaker 1: and it just so happens that in eighty one, the 308 00:19:03,880 --> 00:19:09,040 Speaker 1: Dodgers won the series in six games. We've been following 309 00:19:09,160 --> 00:19:13,040 Speaker 1: this season since spring training, a documentary made in real 310 00:19:13,160 --> 00:19:16,320 Speaker 1: time as the season unfolds, where you never know what's 311 00:19:16,400 --> 00:19:20,880 Speaker 1: going to happen next, and what an ending that would 312 00:19:20,920 --> 00:19:24,680 Speaker 1: be with the Dodgers beating the Yankees in six, just 313 00:19:24,840 --> 00:19:29,600 Speaker 1: like they did in eighty one. On Fernando Valenzuela's heavenly birthday. 314 00:19:31,080 --> 00:19:36,119 Speaker 1: I'm Richard Parks the third and that is my Dodger 315 00:19:36,240 --> 00:19:42,200 Speaker 1: Blue Dream. Dodger Blue Dream is written and produced by 316 00:19:42,320 --> 00:19:46,879 Speaker 1: me Richard Parks. Music in this episode by William Bryan Fritch, 317 00:19:47,160 --> 00:19:51,159 Speaker 1: The Blasting Company, and by me. I made this episode 318 00:19:51,320 --> 00:19:55,080 Speaker 1: with the help of Tyler Hill, Elizabeth Parks, Kibbi and 319 00:19:55,440 --> 00:19:59,639 Speaker 1: Caitlin Esh. Special thanks to Memo Torres and thanks to 320 00:19:59,720 --> 00:20:02,680 Speaker 1: Bryan Hidalgo whose voice you heard at the beginning of 321 00:20:02,760 --> 00:20:06,240 Speaker 1: the episode. I highly recommend you check out John Boy, 322 00:20:06,640 --> 00:20:11,440 Speaker 1: his video breakdowns, his podcasts like Talking Baseball. The man 323 00:20:11,600 --> 00:20:14,760 Speaker 1: has an obvious passion for the game that is infectious 324 00:20:15,200 --> 00:20:20,199 Speaker 1: and a knack for story that draws you in. If 325 00:20:20,280 --> 00:20:23,679 Speaker 1: you like Dodger Blue Dream, please subscribe, listen to our 326 00:20:23,760 --> 00:20:27,159 Speaker 1: back catalog, rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, or 327 00:20:27,240 --> 00:20:30,560 Speaker 1: however you can and help me spread the word. I'm 328 00:20:30,600 --> 00:20:34,359 Speaker 1: off to the World Series Game one. Thanks again for listening. 329 00:20:34,840 --> 00:20:36,119 Speaker 1: Go Dodgers.