THE ULTIMATE OCTOBER

You probably can figure out where this is headed if you follow my travels and that of my family.  October is all about glorious baseball.  The planning, the steadfast rule of not making “other” plans until knowing the Dodger schedule, the commitment, the fatigue, the jubilation — all of it. Not to mention the “will we/can we/we’re screwed/we got this” range of emotions that one must endure.  Is it worth it? You bet your (insert your favorite adjective) it is. Without a doubt.

First up, I say this while still trying to grasp our improbable come-from-behind, extra inning Game 7 win just hours ago.  There would have been absolutely no shame in losing to the great Toronto Blue Jays. They have a lot to look forward to with their bunch of  young and very talented players. But boy victory is sweet.

So how did this run start?  Way back on September 30 and October 1, we won back-to-back Wild Card games against Cincinnati to clinch our spot in the National League Division Series against Philadelphia. The series started in Philly on October 4 and then the 6th; we won both games. It resumed back home on Oct 8, which we lost.  The following night – Oct 9 – we secured our spot for the next round with a win.  On to the National League Championship Series.

Next up, the excellent Milwaukee Brewers in Milwaukee with their league-leading win/loss record. October 13 and Oct 14 in Milwaukee. Two more Dodger wins. Back to LA for games 3 and 4 — Oct 16 and 17.  When the last out was recorded in game 4, the Dodgers had swept the Brewers with a positively epic performance by series MVP Shohei Ohtani.  Ten stikeouts as the starting pitcher.  Three home runs as the lead-off batter. How is that even possible? The game lasted just 2:41, which is almost the time it took everyone to exit the parking lots. No joke. The Dodgers do so many thing well, but their traffic management (or lack thereof) is absolutely appalling.

Below, an all Bialosky group at the game with David joining us

Here we go again to the World Series.  But will we be facing the Seattle Mariners or the Toronto Blue Jays.  I was rooting for Seattle as I wanted home field advantage.  In the end, that wasn’t an issue.  But we would need to be patient for an ENTIRE WEEK for the WS to begin!  Agony …

Finally, it is Game 1 vs Toronto in Toronto.  They have an incredible fan base, arguably representing all of Canada.  Someone quipped that the Dodgers are now hated by two entire countries! Yes, there are many Dodger haters — we bought a championship; unfair salary advantage; celebrity fan base, and on.  More about that later.

Game 1 on Friday October 24 to the Blue Jays 11-4.  Snell with the loss.  Shohei getting taunts of “we don’t need him” (he was rumored to be going to Toronto instead of LA).  Not so fast ..

Game 2 on Saturday October 25 to the Dodgers, 5-1.  Yoshi Yamamoto pitches the first of his brilliant series games for the win.  Back to LA with the series tied.

Game 3 on Monday October 27.  “Were you there?”  “Did you STAY TO THE END?”  Yes and yes to this 6:41 historic battle that ended with a walk-off home run by Freddie Freeman (who else if you know your Dodger lore) in the bottom of the 18th inning.  Yes, that is two full games (including a 14th Inning Stretch).  Time we left for the game:  3:30pm.  Time we got home:  12:30 am.  Eight of those 9 hours was at the stadium, mostly standing. The stress and anxiety were ever-present with each Dodger at-bat. Click HERE for a hilarious clip courtesy of MLB.

I’ll summarize Game 4 (Tues Oct 28) and Game 5 (Wed Oct 29).  Two home losses. Massive fatigue felt by all. But we still maintained our faith (mostly). Back to Toronto down one game with two to go.

Above, it ain’t always easy to survive our bullpen

Above, our ticket partner and great friend, Jon Fleischman

Game 6 on October 31. The hubby and I opted to watch from home instead of joining son Sam and the group at our family business The Cellar Beverly Hills.  At home we can constantly mute John Smoltz and even our own Joe Davis with their nonstop commentary.  That alone is worth it.  Dodgers win BIG with a remarkable double play to set up everyone’s two favorite words:  GAME SEVEN.

Game 7, November 1.  After much prodding, I convince the hubby that we must continue our tradition of watching the game with Sam.  Afterall, the three of us did travel to Dallas for the 2020 World Series win, and were together last year at The Cellar in the exact place for that win. Daughter Hannah, not a baseball fan, made us very proud by calling to say even she watched from home. Well done, darling daughter!

You all know the outcome. Dodgers win it all by one run in extra innings. If ever there were simply the quintessential series finale, it was this game. Talk about stress and anxiety.  Every improbable aspect from the Miggy Ro home run to the Andy Pages catch to the game ending double play, this game had it all.  Not to mention capping the spectacular career of life-time Dodger Clayton Kershaw after 18 seasons.  “Let’s win this for Kersh” had just come true. We may never delete the recording.

About the Dodgers fan base alluded to previously, yes there are those celebs.  Not the “bandwagonners” who get tickets to the big games only, but the day-to-day core who truly bleed Dodger blue.  And for every one of the “big game only” folks, there are those of us who go back year after year, make commitments of our time and money and endless discussion and debate about this franchise that brings us so much joy.  So you know what I’m looking forward to?  Hearing those five glorious words:

“It’s time for Dodger baseball!”