I’m a total sports nut, the kind who screams when watching a game, whether it’s on TV or in person. Years ago, when the Lakers were at their peak, I was so loud that the daughters (and the neighbors) could hear me yelling from out in the street during the games. If my team is winning, I will stay rooted to one spot, afraid I’ll jinx them if I move.
I should clarify that I’m actually a baseball and basketball fan. Other sports, like football, go right over my head.
ELBEE She’s not kidding. One time she and my brother Charley were on the field at the Rose Bowl for a special UCLA appearance. The director told her to go stand on the ten yard line. When she asked where it was, he told her that it was next to the nine yard line. That guy was funny.
The Lakers and Dodgers are my teams. I once ducked out of a fancy wedding reception at a hotel in Beverly Hills to sneak into the bar and watch the Lakers in a pivotal play-off game. Meeting Magic Johnson at a charity event is one of my prized memories. So is casually running into long time Dodgers’ announcer Vin Scully when he was out shopping with his family.
ELBEE There was absolutely nothing casual about the way she ran up to him. I think she scared the poor man.
One of my favorite perks of volunteering at UCLA with the dogs is the Laker/Dodger connection. UCLA Heath is in partnership with both teams so there are often events where we get to meet the players.
Gus and I spent a morning visiting patients with Kenta Maeda when he was a pitcher for the Dodgers. We had the chance to take photos with Brandon Ingram when he was a Laker.
ELBEE Wonder if meeting her has anything to do with the fact that they’ve both moved on to other teams. Just a thought.
Recently, I received an e-mail requesting volunteers for a Zoom Father’s Day event at Mattel Children’s Hospital called “Dogs, Dads and Dodgers.” I couldn’t sign up fast enough, figuring that virtual Dodgers would be better than no Dodgers.
ELBEE Hmm wonder where she got the title for this post.
I was so excited when I signed in for the Zoom meeting that Sunday. I expected half of the team would be on the call and that we’d all chat.
ELBEE Seriously?
I was momentarily disappointed when I saw that it was only going to be one player, Ross Stripling. Then, as he began to read to the kids, I was really touched. I mean how often do you have the privilege of, even virtually, seeing a Dodger pitcher enthusiastically reading a children’s book to kids in the hospital. On another positive note, he’s still with the Dodgers so I didn’t scare him away.
