1 00:00:04,320 --> 00:00:08,360 Speaker 1: If you have not, would you please rate and review 2 00:00:08,720 --> 00:00:12,160 Speaker 1: Dodger Blue Dream. This will help the show, This will 3 00:00:12,160 --> 00:00:15,720 Speaker 1: help me, This will maybe even help the Dodgers win 4 00:00:15,760 --> 00:00:21,160 Speaker 1: a third consecutive World Series. Please rate and review Today, 5 00:00:21,800 --> 00:00:28,200 Speaker 1: let's get back to this one. 6 00:00:29,600 --> 00:00:31,640 Speaker 2: The East Coast got slammed with a northeaster or that 7 00:00:31,760 --> 00:00:34,160 Speaker 2: left some cities looking like a winter wonderland. 8 00:00:35,360 --> 00:00:41,400 Speaker 1: Welcome to Dodger Blue Dream. It's Friday, February twenty seventh, 9 00:00:41,880 --> 00:00:43,320 Speaker 1: twenty twenty six. 10 00:00:43,640 --> 00:00:46,320 Speaker 2: Here are our favorite shots for the blizzard this past weekend. 11 00:00:47,080 --> 00:00:50,479 Speaker 1: I've heard tell there's some weather over on the East 12 00:00:50,640 --> 00:00:56,440 Speaker 1: coast of our great nation. And while the northeaster ravages 13 00:00:57,080 --> 00:01:01,720 Speaker 1: New England and the Eastern Seaboard, the Dodgers could not 14 00:01:01,840 --> 00:01:09,960 Speaker 1: be farther away south and west in the state of Arizona, Phoenix, 15 00:01:10,360 --> 00:01:16,200 Speaker 1: to be precise, Camelback Ranch, the Dodgers' spring training facility, 16 00:01:17,120 --> 00:01:28,200 Speaker 1: doing what Dodgers do, plan ball baseball. Welcome to Dodger 17 00:01:28,240 --> 00:01:32,880 Speaker 1: Blue Dream. I'm Richard Parks the third, and I am 18 00:01:33,040 --> 00:01:38,200 Speaker 1: even farther south and west than the Dodgers are, in 19 00:01:38,280 --> 00:01:44,280 Speaker 1: our common hometown of Los Angeles, California, from which I 20 00:01:44,480 --> 00:01:49,840 Speaker 1: send to you this mellow report on what's going on 21 00:01:49,960 --> 00:01:54,560 Speaker 1: with the boys in Blue and what I'm hearing in 22 00:01:54,600 --> 00:01:59,440 Speaker 1: this final week of February twenty twenty six. We are 23 00:01:59,520 --> 00:02:04,280 Speaker 1: less than one month away from opening day at Dodger Stadium, 24 00:02:04,760 --> 00:02:07,960 Speaker 1: so let's talk about it. Let's hear from a few 25 00:02:08,040 --> 00:02:12,919 Speaker 1: voices around Los Angeles this week, including but not exclusive 26 00:02:13,000 --> 00:02:16,280 Speaker 1: to my own, and just spend a little time together. 27 00:02:16,880 --> 00:02:20,680 Speaker 1: That's what we're doing today. I hope that sounds okay 28 00:02:20,720 --> 00:02:25,320 Speaker 1: with you. Thanks so much for tuning in. We'll be 29 00:02:25,400 --> 00:02:31,360 Speaker 1: right back after this short break. 30 00:02:49,680 --> 00:02:52,359 Speaker 3: Howdy folks, Howdy howdy. 31 00:02:53,480 --> 00:02:57,080 Speaker 1: We're back, and like I said before the break, this 32 00:02:57,120 --> 00:03:02,600 Speaker 1: will be a mellow up. Spring training are happening every day. 33 00:03:03,320 --> 00:03:08,560 Speaker 1: Players are leaving in some cases for other countries to 34 00:03:08,840 --> 00:03:13,639 Speaker 1: join their national teams that will be competing in the 35 00:03:13,680 --> 00:03:18,120 Speaker 1: World Baseball Classic, which is like baseball's World Cup and 36 00:03:18,440 --> 00:03:21,520 Speaker 1: is happening for the first time in a few years 37 00:03:21,919 --> 00:03:24,360 Speaker 1: this year. So there's a lot of excitement about the 38 00:03:24,440 --> 00:03:27,760 Speaker 1: season and a lot of excitement about that special competition 39 00:03:27,960 --> 00:03:32,000 Speaker 1: as well. But for the casual fan or the non 40 00:03:32,160 --> 00:03:35,480 Speaker 1: fan who listens to this show, there's not a ton 41 00:03:35,560 --> 00:03:39,440 Speaker 1: to get into outside of the minutia of various players 42 00:03:39,720 --> 00:03:45,960 Speaker 1: specific development towards getting into regular season form. So if 43 00:03:45,960 --> 00:03:50,600 Speaker 1: you don't care a ton about average fastball velocity or 44 00:03:51,160 --> 00:03:54,920 Speaker 1: how pitchers have shown to control their command over the 45 00:03:54,960 --> 00:04:00,400 Speaker 1: course of these brief spring training outings, playing games that 46 00:04:00,800 --> 00:04:05,520 Speaker 1: have no consequence, or you know, the minutia of whether 47 00:04:05,600 --> 00:04:09,240 Speaker 1: it's going to be Hey Song Kim or Alex Friedland 48 00:04:09,480 --> 00:04:13,840 Speaker 1: playing second base as a stop gap before Tommy Edmond 49 00:04:13,840 --> 00:04:17,640 Speaker 1: comes back from his ankle surgery. If that type of 50 00:04:17,640 --> 00:04:20,320 Speaker 1: stuff isn't your bag, and you're not at that level 51 00:04:20,360 --> 00:04:22,840 Speaker 1: of Dodger fandom, then you probably don't want to hear 52 00:04:22,880 --> 00:04:26,400 Speaker 1: about that. And that is what is going on at 53 00:04:26,400 --> 00:04:30,559 Speaker 1: this point in the off season, outside of talking about 54 00:04:30,560 --> 00:04:35,679 Speaker 1: the weather, which we've kind of already done. So today 55 00:04:35,920 --> 00:04:40,240 Speaker 1: I'm gonna take a drive around LA with my microphone 56 00:04:40,640 --> 00:04:45,520 Speaker 1: and have a few chance encounters with people related to 57 00:04:45,560 --> 00:04:51,120 Speaker 1: the Dodgers, a little Meissan Sen from Los Angeles, and 58 00:04:51,320 --> 00:04:56,039 Speaker 1: I'm also going to play a special segment about an 59 00:04:56,360 --> 00:05:01,600 Speaker 1: iconic Dodger who recently passed away who is very important 60 00:05:01,640 --> 00:05:06,160 Speaker 1: to the Dodger story. In a short contributed segment from 61 00:05:06,600 --> 00:05:10,160 Speaker 1: a fellow member of the media whose work I enjoy 62 00:05:10,920 --> 00:05:15,480 Speaker 1: that's all coming up. But first, there is one kind 63 00:05:15,560 --> 00:05:18,360 Speaker 1: of fun thing that happened that you probably would want 64 00:05:18,400 --> 00:05:23,839 Speaker 1: to know about, a little goss that's not explicitly about baseball, 65 00:05:24,240 --> 00:05:28,560 Speaker 1: more of a cultural conversation, and as this show is 66 00:05:28,760 --> 00:05:33,000 Speaker 1: as much about fandom as it is about anything else, 67 00:05:33,480 --> 00:05:38,440 Speaker 1: and perhaps a little bit of a portrait of the 68 00:05:38,480 --> 00:05:43,960 Speaker 1: identity of ad Dodger fan, it's apropos that we get 69 00:05:44,000 --> 00:05:48,200 Speaker 1: into this. This is something that actually created quite a 70 00:05:48,240 --> 00:05:52,480 Speaker 1: stir in the baseball world, not just in Dodgerland, but 71 00:05:52,560 --> 00:05:56,640 Speaker 1: spilled out onto more of the national conversations about baseball. 72 00:05:57,279 --> 00:06:01,120 Speaker 4: Peter Armstrong is bringing the smoke this quote. 73 00:06:01,320 --> 00:06:03,760 Speaker 1: I'm playing a bit of a segment that aired on 74 00:06:04,120 --> 00:06:10,440 Speaker 1: Foul Territory, which is a popular national baseball show that 75 00:06:10,800 --> 00:06:16,200 Speaker 1: covered this story extensively on their daily broadcasts. Here one 76 00:06:16,240 --> 00:06:20,360 Speaker 1: of their hosts is reading off a quote that made 77 00:06:20,440 --> 00:06:25,000 Speaker 1: waves throughout the baseball world from a young player named 78 00:06:25,360 --> 00:06:31,720 Speaker 1: Pete crow Armstrong. Crow Armstrong grew up in Los Angeles, 79 00:06:32,279 --> 00:06:35,520 Speaker 1: but he plays for the Chicago Cubs and he's one 80 00:06:35,520 --> 00:06:39,599 Speaker 1: of the game's most exciting young talents. He had a 81 00:06:39,600 --> 00:06:43,599 Speaker 1: breakout season last year with the Cubs he was named 82 00:06:43,600 --> 00:06:47,480 Speaker 1: an All Star, and I saw him in a fun 83 00:06:47,560 --> 00:06:51,480 Speaker 1: series at Dodger Stadium with the Cubs, make some incredible 84 00:06:51,520 --> 00:06:54,599 Speaker 1: plays in the outfield and basically win the game for 85 00:06:54,720 --> 00:06:59,440 Speaker 1: his team against the boys in Blue, who Crow Armstrong 86 00:06:59,760 --> 00:07:02,960 Speaker 1: grew up watching at Dodger Stadium. 87 00:07:03,040 --> 00:07:04,679 Speaker 5: Piko Armstrong's bringing the smoke. 88 00:07:06,120 --> 00:07:06,840 Speaker 4: This quote. 89 00:07:07,080 --> 00:07:11,560 Speaker 1: The original quote, by the way, was printed in Chicago Magazine. 90 00:07:11,880 --> 00:07:13,320 Speaker 1: I love Chicago more and more. 91 00:07:13,880 --> 00:07:16,720 Speaker 5: The people are great. They give a shit. They aren't 92 00:07:16,720 --> 00:07:19,360 Speaker 5: just baseball fans who go to the game like Dodgers 93 00:07:19,400 --> 00:07:21,760 Speaker 5: fans to take pictures and whatever. 94 00:07:22,240 --> 00:07:23,120 Speaker 1: They're paying attention. 95 00:07:23,960 --> 00:07:24,520 Speaker 4: They care. 96 00:07:26,800 --> 00:07:30,040 Speaker 3: He's from La. Wow. 97 00:07:34,920 --> 00:07:43,800 Speaker 1: Some Dodger fans clapped back, Pico Armstrong. This is Dodgers 98 00:07:43,960 --> 00:07:50,120 Speaker 1: online personality Doze. If you look up the term spicy 99 00:07:50,280 --> 00:07:54,880 Speaker 1: Dodgers fan in the Illustrated Dictionary, you'd probably see a 100 00:07:54,880 --> 00:07:59,440 Speaker 1: photo of Dose, who had this to say In response. 101 00:08:00,280 --> 00:08:03,400 Speaker 6: PCA took a shot at Dodger fans today, stating that 102 00:08:03,440 --> 00:08:06,520 Speaker 6: Cubs fans actually give a compared to Dodger fans that 103 00:08:06,600 --> 00:08:09,920 Speaker 6: only go to baseball games to take pictures of themselves. 104 00:08:11,360 --> 00:08:14,840 Speaker 6: First of all, you know why we'd like to take 105 00:08:14,880 --> 00:08:17,040 Speaker 6: pictures of ourselves because we look good. 106 00:08:17,800 --> 00:08:19,040 Speaker 7: Dodger fans look like this. 107 00:08:21,560 --> 00:08:25,680 Speaker 3: Cubs fans look like this. Get the gott of here. 108 00:08:26,360 --> 00:08:31,400 Speaker 1: Dose continued with a data deep dive on this Instagram reel. 109 00:08:31,680 --> 00:08:34,240 Speaker 6: Now let's talk about fans support, shall we. Let's start 110 00:08:34,240 --> 00:08:37,600 Speaker 6: with attendance, and twenty twenty five alone, the Dodgers drew 111 00:08:37,640 --> 00:08:41,200 Speaker 6: four million, twelve four hundred and seventy fans. That's nearly 112 00:08:41,240 --> 00:08:44,520 Speaker 6: fifty thousand per game, the highest in Major League Baseball, 113 00:08:44,679 --> 00:08:47,800 Speaker 6: compared to the Cubs thirty seven thousand per game. Get 114 00:08:47,840 --> 00:08:48,920 Speaker 6: the guy out of here. 115 00:08:49,080 --> 00:08:50,400 Speaker 3: Now, let's talk about revenue. 116 00:08:50,559 --> 00:08:53,720 Speaker 6: That's when fans actually spend money on ticket sales and merchandise. 117 00:08:54,200 --> 00:08:57,800 Speaker 6: Dodgers annual revenue seven hundred and fifty two million dollars 118 00:08:57,960 --> 00:09:01,040 Speaker 6: compared to the Cubs five hundred and six million dollars. 119 00:09:01,080 --> 00:09:03,200 Speaker 6: Not to mention, the Dodgers on a first team ever 120 00:09:03,280 --> 00:09:06,760 Speaker 6: in MLB history to generate over a billion dollars. 121 00:09:06,600 --> 00:09:10,120 Speaker 3: In one season. Get the out of here. 122 00:09:10,440 --> 00:09:12,440 Speaker 6: Now, let's talk about franchise value. 123 00:09:12,640 --> 00:09:14,240 Speaker 7: The Dodgers valuation. 124 00:09:13,920 --> 00:09:17,360 Speaker 6: Sits at six point nine billion compared to the Cubs 125 00:09:17,360 --> 00:09:18,760 Speaker 6: four point six billion. 126 00:09:19,120 --> 00:09:20,440 Speaker 3: Dip them out of here. 127 00:09:20,720 --> 00:09:22,640 Speaker 7: Now, let's continue global audience. 128 00:09:22,960 --> 00:09:25,559 Speaker 6: Dodgers games reach twenty five plus. 129 00:09:25,160 --> 00:09:29,600 Speaker 7: Million viewers internationally. That is the largest global MLB audiates ever. 130 00:09:30,800 --> 00:09:35,679 Speaker 1: And he goes on on the other side of this issue. 131 00:09:36,240 --> 00:09:40,680 Speaker 1: Some defended crow Armstrong to me, this is just his personality, 132 00:09:41,920 --> 00:09:44,360 Speaker 1: like let his personality shine through. 133 00:09:44,840 --> 00:09:47,560 Speaker 3: He's saying how it is, and I think good for 134 00:09:47,640 --> 00:09:48,439 Speaker 3: him for saying it. 135 00:09:49,520 --> 00:09:53,240 Speaker 1: How did I feel about this quote from PCA. I'm 136 00:09:53,280 --> 00:09:56,520 Speaker 1: not going to talk about that. I'm an unbiased reporter. 137 00:09:57,160 --> 00:10:04,400 Speaker 1: Here's my analysis. I feel like you could take this 138 00:10:04,520 --> 00:10:09,240 Speaker 1: one of two ways. PCA is either playing to the 139 00:10:09,360 --> 00:10:14,600 Speaker 1: Chicago fans or he's taking a direct jab at Dodger fans. 140 00:10:15,160 --> 00:10:15,720 Speaker 3: Which is it. 141 00:10:16,360 --> 00:10:20,240 Speaker 1: After we heard this quote, we all wondered, we looked 142 00:10:20,559 --> 00:10:25,040 Speaker 1: for context. I didn't and still don't know much about 143 00:10:25,080 --> 00:10:28,199 Speaker 1: Pete crow Armstrong other than the. 144 00:10:28,120 --> 00:10:29,400 Speaker 3: Stuff that I've already told you. 145 00:10:29,880 --> 00:10:33,760 Speaker 1: He did grow up in LA, in Sherman Oaks, which 146 00:10:33,800 --> 00:10:38,280 Speaker 1: is an affluent neighborhood in the San Fernando Valley, and 147 00:10:38,320 --> 00:10:43,480 Speaker 1: he went to Harvard Westlake, a private school here in 148 00:10:43,679 --> 00:10:48,680 Speaker 1: LA that has a great baseball program. Several prominent Major leaguers, 149 00:10:48,840 --> 00:10:52,800 Speaker 1: including the Yankees Max Freed, also went to Harvard Westlake, 150 00:10:53,320 --> 00:10:55,960 Speaker 1: historically known as a feeder to Harvard. 151 00:10:56,280 --> 00:10:57,360 Speaker 3: I was a boys' school. 152 00:10:57,360 --> 00:11:01,160 Speaker 1: At one point, Westlake was the girls school they merged. 153 00:11:01,840 --> 00:11:06,400 Speaker 1: I actually applied to Harvard Westlake when I was looking 154 00:11:06,600 --> 00:11:10,680 Speaker 1: at private middle schools. I must have been twelve years old. 155 00:11:11,000 --> 00:11:15,240 Speaker 1: I was waitlisted, did not get in. It's a nice school, 156 00:11:15,640 --> 00:11:22,160 Speaker 1: very expensive. Crow Armstrong's parents are both in the industry Thespians. 157 00:11:22,640 --> 00:11:27,200 Speaker 1: Both of them mother is Crow, father is Armstrong. His 158 00:11:27,400 --> 00:11:31,079 Speaker 1: mother even had a part in the baseball film Little 159 00:11:31,080 --> 00:11:34,480 Speaker 1: Big League and has also appeared on The good Son, 160 00:11:35,000 --> 00:11:40,400 Speaker 1: Everybody Loves Raymond, and Grey's Anatomy, and his father appeared 161 00:11:40,600 --> 00:11:47,400 Speaker 1: in television shows including American Horror Story, Supernatural, and The 162 00:11:47,520 --> 00:11:48,840 Speaker 1: Young and the Restless. 163 00:11:49,280 --> 00:11:53,480 Speaker 3: Both parents have worked on the show Heroes. 164 00:11:54,240 --> 00:11:57,320 Speaker 1: Like so many who come to the City of Dreams 165 00:11:57,679 --> 00:12:04,079 Speaker 1: to pursue fame and fortune. Both are transplants from elsewhere. 166 00:12:07,559 --> 00:12:12,600 Speaker 1: And guess where Daddy Armstrong grew up. Not Los Angeles, 167 00:12:13,679 --> 00:12:18,880 Speaker 1: not New York either. Daddy Armstrong grew up in another 168 00:12:19,000 --> 00:12:24,080 Speaker 1: town where the wind blows cold and hard, the trains 169 00:12:24,120 --> 00:12:37,280 Speaker 1: are elevated, and the spicy beef flows like wine. Chicago, Chicago, Chicago, Chicago, Chicago. 170 00:12:40,600 --> 00:12:45,600 Speaker 1: Following the publication of the article that contained this controversial quote, 171 00:12:45,800 --> 00:12:51,560 Speaker 1: Crow Armstrong has since clarified his comments, appearing on The 172 00:12:51,600 --> 00:12:55,720 Speaker 1: Foul Territory Show with a clear message. When he was 173 00:12:55,760 --> 00:13:00,240 Speaker 1: talking about Dodger fans, he was not talking about out 174 00:13:00,679 --> 00:13:06,400 Speaker 1: Dodgers players nor the Dodgers manager Dave Roberts aka Doc. 175 00:13:07,480 --> 00:13:12,400 Speaker 5: I didn't get a chance to really, like like back 176 00:13:12,480 --> 00:13:14,400 Speaker 5: that statement up with the fact that that has nothing 177 00:13:14,440 --> 00:13:16,440 Speaker 5: to do with Docs, That has nothing to do with 178 00:13:16,480 --> 00:13:19,199 Speaker 5: show any of the players over there. I love Mookie Betts. 179 00:13:19,240 --> 00:13:22,160 Speaker 5: I look up to him like crazy Freddy's only ever 180 00:13:22,240 --> 00:13:26,000 Speaker 5: been great to me. If anything, those are the guys 181 00:13:26,000 --> 00:13:28,319 Speaker 5: that have given these fans a reason to be fans. 182 00:13:28,520 --> 00:13:32,800 Speaker 5: And you know, I grew up going to Dodgers games 183 00:13:32,840 --> 00:13:37,720 Speaker 5: when they weren't always good, when they had like Manny 184 00:13:37,720 --> 00:13:42,560 Speaker 5: would pop up. But it's like they go in phases, 185 00:13:42,800 --> 00:13:47,600 Speaker 5: and I remember, like, you know, all fans fighting, stuff 186 00:13:47,679 --> 00:13:49,120 Speaker 5: like putting the Giants fan in the camba like that 187 00:13:49,120 --> 00:13:52,200 Speaker 5: stuck with me as a kid, like little things, you know, 188 00:13:52,240 --> 00:13:56,080 Speaker 5: and sitting in the stands, just nasty stuff goes on. 189 00:13:56,120 --> 00:13:59,120 Speaker 5: I didn't always experience that at other ballparks. But like 190 00:13:59,160 --> 00:14:00,960 Speaker 5: I said, that has nothing to do with who's actually 191 00:14:00,960 --> 00:14:05,280 Speaker 5: on the field for them. I love playing against them 192 00:14:05,520 --> 00:14:07,720 Speaker 5: and I love I just love what they're doing right 193 00:14:07,760 --> 00:14:12,160 Speaker 5: now because they're they're creating a dynasty. But I want 194 00:14:12,160 --> 00:14:14,000 Speaker 5: to take them down too, And again. 195 00:14:14,240 --> 00:14:14,680 Speaker 7: I love it. 196 00:14:15,200 --> 00:14:18,400 Speaker 3: All the people that are up for sports ben rivalries. 197 00:14:18,440 --> 00:14:22,000 Speaker 3: Let's go rivalries, Let's go. 198 00:14:23,760 --> 00:14:27,240 Speaker 1: So now you're up to date on the latest spring 199 00:14:27,320 --> 00:14:33,000 Speaker 1: training scuttle but a national conversation once again involving the 200 00:14:33,040 --> 00:14:37,840 Speaker 1: Los Angeles Dodgers. What happens next with this time will tell, 201 00:14:37,880 --> 00:14:41,200 Speaker 1: But I'd ventured to guess that when the Cubs come 202 00:14:41,240 --> 00:14:45,120 Speaker 1: to Dodger Stadium, as they do early this season, when 203 00:14:45,200 --> 00:14:49,240 Speaker 1: PCA is announced, he'll be hearing it from the Dodger faithful, 204 00:14:49,760 --> 00:14:53,680 Speaker 1: who no doubt will join in a chorus of booze 205 00:14:53,840 --> 00:14:56,640 Speaker 1: that you will probably be able to hear from Sherman 206 00:14:56,680 --> 00:15:02,080 Speaker 1: Oaks to the South Side. All right, stay tuned, because 207 00:15:02,240 --> 00:15:05,120 Speaker 1: after the break, you'll be joining me on a drive 208 00:15:05,240 --> 00:15:09,239 Speaker 1: around LA to talk to some people about the Dodgers, 209 00:15:09,640 --> 00:15:15,720 Speaker 1: plus a special contribution from an LA focused podcaster that 210 00:15:15,880 --> 00:15:31,000 Speaker 1: I really enjoy. Stay with us, Welcome back to the 211 00:15:31,080 --> 00:15:37,480 Speaker 1: show now as promised some mellow reportage from yours truly 212 00:15:37,880 --> 00:15:39,360 Speaker 1: this week in Los Angeles. 213 00:15:40,000 --> 00:15:41,680 Speaker 3: Our first stop all right here. 214 00:15:41,720 --> 00:15:47,440 Speaker 1: I am at Mercado, which is like a food hall 215 00:15:47,480 --> 00:15:53,680 Speaker 1: basically of new businesses that get their start here, kind 216 00:15:53,680 --> 00:15:58,120 Speaker 1: of like a I guess, an incubator in a way, 217 00:15:58,760 --> 00:16:04,320 Speaker 1: by providing affordable retail opportunities. Reads Mercato La Paloma's website, 218 00:16:04,480 --> 00:16:09,600 Speaker 1: Technical Assistance, startup capital and Support. Mercado La Poloma seeks 219 00:16:09,640 --> 00:16:14,040 Speaker 1: to create business ownership opportunities and living wage jobs in 220 00:16:14,080 --> 00:16:18,560 Speaker 1: our community. That community being the figaroa corridor of South 221 00:16:18,560 --> 00:16:23,800 Speaker 1: Los Angeles, a neighborhood that has quote historically suffered from disinvestment, 222 00:16:24,200 --> 00:16:27,920 Speaker 1: including a lack of quality jobs and business opportunities and 223 00:16:28,320 --> 00:16:32,920 Speaker 1: quality food according to the website, but it's become one 224 00:16:32,920 --> 00:16:36,880 Speaker 1: of the most popular eating destinations in all of LA, 225 00:16:37,440 --> 00:16:41,160 Speaker 1: with the La Times naming it the number one place 226 00:16:41,200 --> 00:16:43,400 Speaker 1: to eat in Los Angeles on their one hundred and 227 00:16:43,440 --> 00:16:49,480 Speaker 1: one Best Restaurants list that just came out. Also, Michelin 228 00:16:49,640 --> 00:16:55,640 Speaker 1: has recognized with their bib gormand both Holbosch and Comal 229 00:16:56,080 --> 00:17:01,280 Speaker 1: two of the restaurants here. There's, like know, almost a 230 00:17:01,320 --> 00:17:04,920 Speaker 1: dozen places to eat here and all of them are delicious, 231 00:17:05,000 --> 00:17:08,080 Speaker 1: and all of them are. 232 00:17:07,840 --> 00:17:10,040 Speaker 7: Different takes on Mexican food. 233 00:17:10,600 --> 00:17:15,359 Speaker 1: There's also a wahawkan crafts store, and I think the 234 00:17:15,440 --> 00:17:21,840 Speaker 1: longest standing business here Joe's Sports World. I'm looking for 235 00:17:21,960 --> 00:17:28,000 Speaker 1: a Dodgers hat today, so let's see what they got. Okay, 236 00:17:28,160 --> 00:17:31,880 Speaker 1: I am here at Maybe you could tell me where 237 00:17:31,880 --> 00:17:32,399 Speaker 1: we are. 238 00:17:33,400 --> 00:17:39,440 Speaker 2: Here's Joe spher War. I'm here for eighteen years. Eighteen years? 239 00:17:39,640 --> 00:17:42,880 Speaker 2: Really did the place happen twenty five years? I'm gonna 240 00:17:42,880 --> 00:17:46,840 Speaker 2: stay here in eighteen and April had nineteen years. My 241 00:17:47,000 --> 00:17:47,800 Speaker 2: kid's wrong here? 242 00:17:48,440 --> 00:17:48,800 Speaker 7: Wow. 243 00:17:49,240 --> 00:17:54,719 Speaker 1: Lena Warez is the proprietess of Joe's Sports World. Has 244 00:17:54,760 --> 00:17:58,000 Speaker 1: it always been a la sports store? 245 00:17:58,400 --> 00:18:01,640 Speaker 7: Yes? Lots of Dodgers do years? Yeah? 246 00:18:01,880 --> 00:18:05,440 Speaker 2: The people when I come to eat here and look 247 00:18:05,480 --> 00:18:08,520 Speaker 2: in my store, go to enter and buy a few 248 00:18:08,640 --> 00:18:10,040 Speaker 2: hats t shirts. 249 00:18:10,359 --> 00:18:13,200 Speaker 7: What's changed in eighteen years? What's different? What's the same? 250 00:18:13,760 --> 00:18:14,400 Speaker 2: Uh? 251 00:18:14,800 --> 00:18:15,480 Speaker 7: Litterally leaving? 252 00:18:15,560 --> 00:18:19,159 Speaker 2: My story's grown and now I'm recusting my brand. I 253 00:18:19,280 --> 00:18:21,560 Speaker 2: have my trademark Joseph for War. 254 00:18:22,000 --> 00:18:22,639 Speaker 7: Oh nice? 255 00:18:22,960 --> 00:18:23,160 Speaker 2: Yeah? 256 00:18:23,680 --> 00:18:24,320 Speaker 7: Ah cool? 257 00:18:24,960 --> 00:18:26,159 Speaker 2: Eighteen years later? 258 00:18:26,880 --> 00:18:30,320 Speaker 7: Yeah, it takes is the drink. 259 00:18:30,640 --> 00:18:32,639 Speaker 1: Could you maybe just give me a little tour of 260 00:18:32,760 --> 00:18:36,359 Speaker 1: the place. Just describe for people at home what it's like. 261 00:18:36,480 --> 00:18:39,119 Speaker 1: Especially my show is the Dodgers show. So if you 262 00:18:39,119 --> 00:18:40,440 Speaker 1: could show me the Dodgers though. 263 00:18:40,440 --> 00:18:44,480 Speaker 2: Well, I signed a jersey. Oh wow, my hobin take 264 00:18:45,480 --> 00:18:46,360 Speaker 2: Jewish ago. 265 00:18:46,560 --> 00:18:49,520 Speaker 1: The first thing you see when you walk in assigned 266 00:18:49,640 --> 00:18:54,960 Speaker 1: Fernando Valenzuela jersey, the Mexico borned left handed pitcher who 267 00:18:55,000 --> 00:18:58,359 Speaker 1: had a meteoric rise with the Dodgers in nineteen eighty 268 00:18:58,400 --> 00:19:02,600 Speaker 1: one and is credited with bringing in the now prominent 269 00:19:02,760 --> 00:19:05,680 Speaker 1: Latino fan base to Dodger Stadium. 270 00:19:07,320 --> 00:19:09,440 Speaker 2: No, no, it's only when the people come in to 271 00:19:09,560 --> 00:19:11,640 Speaker 2: my store. Look, I love Doyers. 272 00:19:11,880 --> 00:19:14,639 Speaker 7: Yes, would you remember when Fernando was playing? 273 00:19:15,119 --> 00:19:20,240 Speaker 2: Yes, my my dad is a it's a crazy fan Balinzuela. 274 00:19:20,960 --> 00:19:28,040 Speaker 2: Yeah yeah, that's where that play in Mexico too. Yeah yeah, 275 00:19:29,440 --> 00:19:31,960 Speaker 2: ma Ra Cruz, Yes. 276 00:19:31,920 --> 00:19:33,600 Speaker 7: So you grew up a Dodgers fan. 277 00:19:34,119 --> 00:19:37,920 Speaker 1: Yes, I think that you are the only pretty much 278 00:19:37,920 --> 00:19:41,480 Speaker 1: everything else is a restaurant now right, Yes, the one. 279 00:19:41,320 --> 00:19:46,240 Speaker 7: Thing left is the sports store restaurants and only me. 280 00:19:46,760 --> 00:19:50,760 Speaker 7: Yeah yeah, yeah, I'm a good Yes. 281 00:19:51,320 --> 00:19:55,119 Speaker 1: You'd think that business would be busier than ever for Lena, 282 00:19:55,320 --> 00:19:58,360 Speaker 1: given that the Dodgers are on this historic run where 283 00:19:58,359 --> 00:20:02,000 Speaker 1: they've won two straight World Series and it started out 284 00:20:02,040 --> 00:20:04,800 Speaker 1: that way with the first championship in twenty twenty four. 285 00:20:05,000 --> 00:20:08,600 Speaker 2: Two years the first year championship in twenty twenty four 286 00:20:08,720 --> 00:20:12,240 Speaker 2: is crazy, crazy in my eighteen years here is the 287 00:20:12,280 --> 00:20:16,560 Speaker 2: first time I'm selling aloud. Right, it's crazy, but it's crazy, 288 00:20:16,840 --> 00:20:17,800 Speaker 2: and last year is. 289 00:20:18,440 --> 00:20:21,320 Speaker 1: But that trend did not continue with the Dodgers second 290 00:20:21,359 --> 00:20:26,440 Speaker 1: straight championship in twenty twenty five. The ice raids slowed 291 00:20:26,480 --> 00:20:29,960 Speaker 1: down business across the board at Mercado La Paloma. 292 00:20:30,200 --> 00:20:34,320 Speaker 2: Lina says, the business is, the business is a little down. 293 00:20:35,640 --> 00:20:38,840 Speaker 7: I had to employer whin. 294 00:20:39,560 --> 00:20:44,000 Speaker 2: Yeah, and the business I'm used by saving last year 295 00:20:44,720 --> 00:20:50,359 Speaker 2: because it's crazy, it's crazy. Hopefully this year is more better. 296 00:20:51,200 --> 00:20:56,280 Speaker 1: Yeah, but yeah, hopefully another championship. 297 00:20:57,760 --> 00:20:59,639 Speaker 7: No more ice exactly. 298 00:21:00,840 --> 00:21:03,080 Speaker 2: And being has grown more and more and more, like 299 00:21:03,520 --> 00:21:09,920 Speaker 2: they're saying, is the best cheer for me here in. 300 00:21:12,720 --> 00:21:18,840 Speaker 1: Yeah, excellent Joe's Sports World. 301 00:21:20,520 --> 00:21:21,280 Speaker 2: Thank you so much. 302 00:21:21,320 --> 00:21:25,680 Speaker 7: Down for a bite to eat, Get get a Dodger's hat. Yes, okay, 303 00:21:25,800 --> 00:21:27,680 Speaker 7: thank you so much. Thank you man. 304 00:21:28,119 --> 00:21:30,440 Speaker 1: Okay, that's it, and now I'm going to get a hat. 305 00:21:30,960 --> 00:21:32,800 Speaker 1: So I guess I get this one. This one's adjustable, 306 00:21:33,640 --> 00:21:34,520 Speaker 1: so just one size. 307 00:21:34,680 --> 00:21:36,320 Speaker 7: Okay, I'll get that one, thank you. 308 00:21:41,760 --> 00:21:44,400 Speaker 1: I leave the Mercado with more on my mind than 309 00:21:44,600 --> 00:21:52,359 Speaker 1: just baseball. I am at Dodger Stadium, fast empty parking lot, 310 00:21:53,920 --> 00:21:56,280 Speaker 1: but I still do have baseball on my mind when 311 00:21:56,320 --> 00:22:00,320 Speaker 1: it's empty like this. Since COVID times come up here 312 00:22:00,359 --> 00:22:04,720 Speaker 1: and getting tested. My next stop Dodger Stadium to see 313 00:22:04,720 --> 00:22:08,080 Speaker 1: what's cracking at the Team Store, open five days a week, 314 00:22:08,400 --> 00:22:12,159 Speaker 1: even during the off season, close to five o'clock on 315 00:22:12,160 --> 00:22:21,280 Speaker 1: a weekday a time, beautiful view of downtown. Missed classic 316 00:22:21,480 --> 00:22:25,040 Speaker 1: l a smoke. You guys coming from the team store. 317 00:22:25,920 --> 00:22:31,959 Speaker 1: Nice you guys, Dodger fans. Yeah, hey you from Japan? 318 00:22:32,080 --> 00:22:36,000 Speaker 1: Yeah okay, as you made much there. I just got 319 00:22:36,040 --> 00:22:41,560 Speaker 1: back from Japan. Yeah yeah, I was in Tokyo and 320 00:22:41,720 --> 00:22:46,160 Speaker 1: Kyoto and Osaka. Before I even get to the team 321 00:22:46,200 --> 00:22:50,760 Speaker 1: store entrance, I run into a group of Japanese tourists. 322 00:22:51,119 --> 00:23:02,560 Speaker 4: Can name is Yeah Joe. 323 00:23:00,560 --> 00:23:04,919 Speaker 7: Okay, I'm Richard. 324 00:23:05,560 --> 00:23:07,800 Speaker 3: They're here for o tany swag. 325 00:23:08,280 --> 00:23:12,200 Speaker 1: Yeah okay, there's a ball with the show his name 326 00:23:12,280 --> 00:23:13,000 Speaker 1: and number on it. 327 00:23:14,080 --> 00:23:16,400 Speaker 7: You got the same thing, okay? Nice? So you've got 328 00:23:16,400 --> 00:23:18,680 Speaker 7: a jersey? 329 00:23:18,680 --> 00:23:22,560 Speaker 1: Oh I got now like workout Jersey, very nice something. 330 00:23:22,920 --> 00:23:26,000 Speaker 1: Here's another group of tourists over here, and see where 331 00:23:26,000 --> 00:23:26,520 Speaker 1: they're from. 332 00:23:26,840 --> 00:23:28,560 Speaker 7: How's it going good. 333 00:23:28,800 --> 00:23:31,800 Speaker 1: I'm I'm interviewing some people from my podcast about the Dodgers. 334 00:23:31,840 --> 00:23:33,560 Speaker 7: You might have asked you, guys a couple of questions. 335 00:23:33,880 --> 00:23:34,720 Speaker 5: We're not We're not. 336 00:23:35,520 --> 00:23:38,359 Speaker 1: You're not a huge baseball fan. Oh yeah, then what 337 00:23:38,400 --> 00:23:39,879 Speaker 1: brings you to the team store? 338 00:23:40,560 --> 00:23:42,480 Speaker 7: Actually, let's catch the sunset. It's a good view. That's 339 00:23:42,720 --> 00:23:45,280 Speaker 7: it was a really nice view. It's like very picturesque here. Yeah, 340 00:23:45,280 --> 00:23:47,400 Speaker 7: it's actually very nice. So you just came for the 341 00:23:47,640 --> 00:23:50,879 Speaker 7: for the sunset. Yeah, we're also from Toronto, okay. 342 00:23:52,040 --> 00:23:52,440 Speaker 1: In l A. 343 00:23:52,720 --> 00:23:54,639 Speaker 7: Yeah exactly. And you like read that there was a 344 00:23:54,640 --> 00:23:55,439 Speaker 7: good sunset up here. 345 00:23:55,600 --> 00:23:56,399 Speaker 4: Yeah we heard about that. 346 00:23:56,480 --> 00:23:58,920 Speaker 7: Okay, cool. Well, sorry about the World Series last year? Yeah, no, 347 00:23:59,000 --> 00:24:01,680 Speaker 7: it's tough to watch. Yeah, not baseball fans. I'm sure 348 00:24:01,680 --> 00:24:03,280 Speaker 7: you got into it a little bit, right, Yeah, for 349 00:24:03,280 --> 00:24:03,960 Speaker 7: for the whole series? 350 00:24:04,000 --> 00:24:06,000 Speaker 4: Yeah yeah, yeah, it was big for the city. 351 00:24:06,240 --> 00:24:07,840 Speaker 1: Yeah, I'm sure. Yeah know, it seemed like it was. 352 00:24:07,960 --> 00:24:10,239 Speaker 1: It was a really good story. You know, even though 353 00:24:10,280 --> 00:24:12,359 Speaker 1: you're not baseball fans, you got into it. Would you 354 00:24:12,359 --> 00:24:13,640 Speaker 1: say that was true for everybody. 355 00:24:13,920 --> 00:24:17,520 Speaker 5: Uh yeah, yeah, like Vancouver watches it, Calgary obviously, other places, 356 00:24:17,840 --> 00:24:19,720 Speaker 5: but in the States obviously has LA Dodgers. 357 00:24:20,840 --> 00:24:23,320 Speaker 7: He's a bunch of other LA teams. So it's much different. 358 00:24:23,760 --> 00:24:26,800 Speaker 1: Yes, no, it's more factionalized here. Yeah, there's h You 359 00:24:27,040 --> 00:24:31,120 Speaker 1: certainly wouldn't find someone from New York rooting for the Dodgers. Yeah, 360 00:24:31,200 --> 00:24:36,040 Speaker 1: or you know, only transplants. But thanks for letting me 361 00:24:36,040 --> 00:24:37,280 Speaker 1: stick a microphone in your face. 362 00:24:37,359 --> 00:24:40,160 Speaker 7: Thank you. I Wouldson McGill, by the way, so yeah 363 00:24:40,200 --> 00:24:44,080 Speaker 7: I did. Yeah, I'm from LA. Yeah, and I went 364 00:24:44,160 --> 00:24:45,440 Speaker 7: to Canada and came back. 365 00:24:45,840 --> 00:24:49,639 Speaker 1: As the last rays of sun refracted off of the 366 00:24:49,680 --> 00:24:54,679 Speaker 1: glass windows of downtown LA's skyscripers, I knew it was 367 00:24:54,760 --> 00:25:03,719 Speaker 1: time to end this segment. Beautiful up here, the Canadians 368 00:25:03,720 --> 00:25:08,520 Speaker 1: were right to come up here for the sunset. Just 369 00:25:08,640 --> 00:25:13,040 Speaker 1: outside the entrance to the team store, you'll find installations 370 00:25:13,240 --> 00:25:19,600 Speaker 1: of like ten foot tall big blue numbers metallic sculptures. 371 00:25:20,160 --> 00:25:23,200 Speaker 1: The numbers prominent Dodger players used to wear on the 372 00:25:23,240 --> 00:25:27,960 Speaker 1: backs of their uniforms, including the number thirty four, that 373 00:25:28,280 --> 00:25:34,520 Speaker 1: of Fernando Valenzuela. You heard reference to Fernando Valenzuela earlier. Sadly, 374 00:25:34,560 --> 00:25:39,119 Speaker 1: Fernando died recently after being a fixture at Dodger Stadium 375 00:25:39,480 --> 00:25:42,880 Speaker 1: for decades, first as a player who brought in an 376 00:25:43,040 --> 00:25:47,119 Speaker 1: entire fan base and later as a broadcaster and Dodgers legend. 377 00:25:47,480 --> 00:25:49,919 Speaker 1: If you're not from LA or if you're just getting 378 00:25:49,920 --> 00:25:52,760 Speaker 1: into the Dodgers, you might not have a grasp on 379 00:25:53,400 --> 00:25:58,800 Speaker 1: just how huge Fernando's impact has been on this organization 380 00:25:59,160 --> 00:26:02,000 Speaker 1: and on this city and on the sport as a whole. 381 00:26:02,720 --> 00:26:05,439 Speaker 1: To close out the episode, I'm going to play something 382 00:26:05,560 --> 00:26:10,560 Speaker 1: contributed from Evan Lovett of the La in a Minute 383 00:26:10,800 --> 00:26:14,879 Speaker 1: podcast and Instagram channel, which I am a huge fan of. 384 00:26:15,560 --> 00:26:18,359 Speaker 1: Evan has a knack for summing things up in a 385 00:26:18,480 --> 00:26:22,719 Speaker 1: concise way for a broad audience that I don't and 386 00:26:22,800 --> 00:26:25,640 Speaker 1: I asked him to summarize for those who don't know 387 00:26:26,040 --> 00:26:30,840 Speaker 1: the impact Fernando Valenzuela had on our beloved city, take 388 00:26:30,880 --> 00:26:31,280 Speaker 1: it away. 389 00:26:31,480 --> 00:26:36,760 Speaker 4: Evan simply put, Fernando Valezuela was a hero Los Angeles 390 00:26:36,760 --> 00:26:40,560 Speaker 4: and beyond. He exemplified the La American dream. I mean, 391 00:26:40,600 --> 00:26:45,680 Speaker 4: here's a kid, an indigenous Mexican kid from Echuaquila, Sonora, 392 00:26:45,920 --> 00:26:49,680 Speaker 4: who comes to Los Angeles Dodgers Stadium, the biggest stage 393 00:26:49,960 --> 00:26:54,320 Speaker 4: in the American the national pastime, goes out and dominates 394 00:26:54,359 --> 00:26:57,919 Speaker 4: and captures the hearts and imaginations of a city and 395 00:26:58,000 --> 00:27:01,160 Speaker 4: a fan base that had been starved for a hero. Now, 396 00:27:01,160 --> 00:27:04,080 Speaker 4: it's important to know the context that Los Angeles had 397 00:27:04,119 --> 00:27:08,560 Speaker 4: a strained relationship with Latino fans since the violent displacement 398 00:27:08,600 --> 00:27:12,440 Speaker 4: at Chavez Ravine two decades prior. But Fernando Valezuela, through 399 00:27:12,520 --> 00:27:15,800 Speaker 4: force of will and amazing pitching and a little bit 400 00:27:15,800 --> 00:27:18,959 Speaker 4: of mysticism looking to the sky during his wind up, 401 00:27:19,680 --> 00:27:22,639 Speaker 4: became somebody that the city could rally behind, that the 402 00:27:22,680 --> 00:27:27,000 Speaker 4: city could relate with. And he truly truly exemplified that 403 00:27:27,080 --> 00:27:30,240 Speaker 4: American dream. And that's why Fernando Vealezuela is so important 404 00:27:30,240 --> 00:27:31,080 Speaker 4: to Los Angeles. 405 00:27:35,000 --> 00:27:39,960 Speaker 1: Thank you Evan Lovett from LA in a Minute and 406 00:27:40,080 --> 00:27:45,879 Speaker 1: that is our show. Thank you for listening to Dodger 407 00:27:45,960 --> 00:27:50,120 Speaker 1: Blue Dream. I'm Richard Parks, the third. My co host 408 00:27:50,440 --> 00:27:55,240 Speaker 1: is Chef Wesley Avila. Original music in today's episode by 409 00:27:55,280 --> 00:28:00,879 Speaker 1: William Ryan Fritch and by Jonathan Snipes. Please rate and 410 00:28:00,920 --> 00:28:05,080 Speaker 1: review Dodger Blue Dream if you haven't yet. Dodger Blue 411 00:28:05,160 --> 00:28:10,120 Speaker 1: Dream is produced in partnership with iheart's My Cooltura podcast network. 412 00:28:10,280 --> 00:28:15,240 Speaker 1: For more podcasts from iHeart, visit the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, 413 00:28:15,400 --> 00:28:17,359 Speaker 1: or wherever you listen to your favorite shows. 414 00:28:19,400 --> 00:28:20,280 Speaker 3: See you next time.