Dodgers' Last Game In Vero Beach - Dodgertown No More

The Los Angeles Dodgers played their final game at Holman Stadium in Vero Beach, Florida today. It marks the end of a sixty-year relationship between a team, a town and history.

Yesterday, the Los Angeles Dodgers lost to the Houston Astros 12 to 10 in a game at Holman Stadium, Vero Beach.

Something that will never happen again.

What happened in the game - Raphael Furcal going 4 for 5 with 2 triples; Jason Repko's fight to make the team, by raising his spring average to .343 - except for those of us who read box scores of exhibition games on the Internet, won't matter soon. In a couple of days, the team will pack up their belongings and head west - first to Arizona to finish out the spring season, then on to LA.

But what will be remembered by those who chose to is that today, St. Patrick's Day, 2008, was the end of the line for Vero Beach. And with it comes the end of the old Dodgers legacy.

In 2009, the Dodgers will hold spring training in a new facility in Glendale, Arizona.

Vin Scully, Dodgers' play-by-play voice now entering his 59th year with the team put it this way:

"I guess really this is cutting the umbilical cord. For 50 years we've really still carried the residue of Brooklyn, but it's time now for them to get closer to their fan base in Los Angeles."

And the fan base in Los Angeles, most of whom aren't old enough to remember who Sandy Koufax was, now get to grow closer to their team even as the team grows farther away from one of the richest histories in sports.

Dodgertown, was the co-creation of Dodger boss Branch Rickey and Vero Beach Cadillac dealer Bud Holman back in 1948. It was Holman who contacted the visionary Rickey the year before and sold him on the idea of planting a training facility on 2,000 acres of military base in the middle of rural Florida.

"One more time," public address man Dick Crago said into the microphone, "Welcome to another fine day of baseball at Holman Stadium."

On last time. One last game. One last sell-out crowd of 7,327.

In 60 years, Vero Beach, and Holman Stadium have seen a lot of changes, and made a few changes of their own. Holman Stadium, at the request of black Dodger players to then Vice-President of Operations and future team owner Peter O'Malley, became the first Grapefruit League stadium - the first southern stadium - to integrate the grand stands 1961. One of the players, left fielder Tommy Davis, in his autobiography Tales From the Dodgers Dugout said, "It didn't dawn on [O'Malley] at the time. But to his credit, the next day everything was gone. They white-washed all that stuff. And we had to physically take the black people to seat them in other spots around the stadium... we just took them and told them to sit wherever they wanted to from now on. That was the integration of Holman Stadium."

Just for the record, Geoff Geary won it for the Astros. Starter Chad Billingsley who worked 5 innings, took the loss. The last loss.

"This is very emotional for me," said one-time Brooklyn Dodger fan and better known TV celebrity Larry King. King attended the game the day before against the Boston Red Sox.

Oddly enough, this season the Dodgers will be celebrating another stadium from their past, the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. It was the Coliseum that was home to the Dodgers during their first 4 years in LA. In this, the 50th anniversary of the team's move from Brooklyn, the Coliseum will host an exhibition game between the Dodgers and the Red Sox on March 29th.

I wonder if, years after the team has become a part of the community in Glendale, AZ, there will be any kind of tribute game in Vero where not only the stadium, but the elementary school (Dodgertown Elementary) bear the name of the memories of history. After the proposed acquisition of the facility by the Baltimore Orioles, will it even matter? In this little baseball village, where the streets have names like Vin Scully Way and Roy Campanella Boulevard, will it be long before Jackie Robinson Lane, the main street in Dodgertown, is renamed Brooks Robinson Drive?

The Big Dodger in the Sky forbid!

"It's a sad day, but it had to happen," 80-year-old Dodger icon Tom Lasorda said. "It's the right thing to do, to make our Los Angeles fans happy, and it's something we'll have to accept."

If you say so, Tommy.

Being St. Patrick's Day, the Dodgers wore the traditional green caps. Being "Everybody's Irish Day", the mood was more like an Irish wake.

"Today is tough," Tom Lasorda said. "Tomorrow will be worse."

You said it.

Copyright © 2008 Bill Friday

Hillary's Running Mate Wins In Mississippi

Barack Obama wins another state in the Democratic Primary Race. Is there anything left for Hillary Clinton to do to win her party's nomination in August?

“First of all… I’ve won twice as many states as Senator Clinton. I’ve won more of the popular vote than Senator Clinton, I have more delegates than Senator Clinton, so I don’t know how somebody who is in second place is offering the vice presidency to the person who’s in first place… I am not running for vice president. I am running for president of the United States of America.” - Barack Obama

And now, after another decisive primary victory, this time in the state of Mississippi, the question has become, “Has Hillary Clinton begun to hear The Fat Lady sing”? With another 33 delegates awarded to Hillary’s “future vice president” now holds a 1,611 to 1,480 lead over the former first lady.

But in a primary race that has grown so close, an even greater issue looms on the horizon, ready to divide the Democratic Party before any “Clinton/Obama” unification ticket could solidify its position in November.

The problem seems to be the “old girls club”.

Former Democratic vice presidential candidate Geraldine Ferraro, one-time running mate of Walter Mondale in the Presidential election of 1984, gave her take on why it’s Hillary’s world and Obama is lucky to be a part of it. In an article that first appeared in So Cal’s own South Bay Daily Breeze, Ferraro, 72, was quoted saying, “If Obama was a white man, he would not be in this position. And if he was a woman (of any color), he would not be in this position.” Ferraro concluded, “He happens to be very lucky to be who he is. And the country is caught up in the concept.” This from the woman who, in the same article, said, “I really think they’re attacking me because I’m white. How’s that?”

That’s great. Ferraro gave no indication if she was just calling a spade a spade or if, as Obama foreign policy advisor Susan Rice said, “…Geraldine Ferraro’s comments [don’t] have any place in our politics or in the Democratic Party. They are divisive… outrageous and offensive.”

But with only a few key states remaining in the Democratic delegate sweepstakes, one thing the appearance of Ferraro’s comments points to, even on the fringes of Hillary Clinton’s camp, is desperation. And with only 6 weeks to go until the 158-delegate Pennsylvania primary, race seems destined to divide the Democratic Party.

According to a FOX News exit poll, just under half of those who voted as Democrats Tuesday were black. Ninety percent of those voted for Obama. Conversely, 72 percent of white voters in Mississippi voted for Clinton.

Even Clinton’s chief campaigner, husband Bill, sounded like a cheerleader who knows his team may be running out of time.

“I think she’s got to win a big victory in Pennsylvania,” the former President said. “I think if she does, she can be nominated, but it’s up to you.”

Notice the use of the word can, not will in his description of team Clinton’s chances.

For his part, front-runner Obama downplayed the impact of Ferraro’s comments and any effect they might have on claiming his party’s nomination, merely calling the comments, “absurd.”

One thing Obama did not sound like following his win in Mississippi was desperate.

“Americans need a president… who will bridge our differences instead of exploiting them.”

Something the “old girls club” has, as yet, failed to do.

Just today, Geraldine Ferraro said she was “stepping down” from her position within the Clinton finance committee, “so I can speak for myself… about what is at stake in this campaign.” In a letter to Clinton, Ferraro added, “The Obama campaign is attacking me to hurt you. I won’t let

that happen.”

No word whether the Obama campaign wished the Clinton campaign could have held onto Ferraro until the Democratic National Convention in August.

Copyright © 2008 Bill Friday

As Seen On Food Network

For the first time, Bill Friday tracks down a food establishment "As Seen" on America's number one source for all things food. But maybe the folks at The Gaffey Street Diner didn't see this coming.

I love food.

That said, with all the time a writer has in between writing - and gainful employment - I watch a lot of TV. And when that watching isn't sports or lousy movies on SciFi Channel, it usually involves food. And that means Food Network. Now, besides making that one day road trip to watch baseball in all of the holiest shrines in North America - Wrigley, Fenway, maybe even that rat hole in the Bronx (or that real rat hole in Anaheim) - one of my biggest wants has been to take a long overdue roadie to all the really cool "Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives" Guy Fieri ever ate for free at.

The first stop on the world tour of soup du jour turned out to be a little place right in my old hometown of San Pedro, California. The Gaffey Street Diner. And after it was done, it left me asking myself one question.

What was I thinking?

A few quick points of information before we begin. One, I said in the open that San Pedro is my old home town. I lived there at the end of the last millennium. A lot of things have changed in the world since 1999 - real estate boomed, gas prices soared, I learned how to text message - and a lot of things stayed the same - Michael Cimino still can't get a job, the Dodgers still can't win the World Series, and San Pedro is still the armpit of the South Bay. Saturday's roadie did nothing to change my perception that getting out of Pedro with my life and a little positive cash flow from the sale of my little house on Mesa were the only good things about the experience. So what was I thinking, intentionally going to a joint two blocks off the last exit off the Harbor Freeway? You know what they say, "Alzheimer's makes the heart grow... umm... umm...".

But enough with the rant about my little town. If you don't like what I said, call with Petros Papadakis. This was a food review, right? Here goes...

The Gaffey Street Diner, located at 247 N. Gaffey St. serves real food. Diner food. This trip just past the smoke stacks would have been worth it just to have the size-of-my-head biscuit and country gravy, complete with a ladle full of sliced link sausage mixed in for extra flavor. But the fact that this fluffy, that's right, FLUFFY hunk of home style heaven came with a breaded pork cutlet, two eggs and a half pound of seasoned home fries for all of a whopping $8.50...

You want more? Blueberry pancakes, moist and sweet, and as big as the hubcap on a Mini Cooper. Three on a plate for $4.75. And an under appreciated specialty, Menudo. A to-go order (32 ounces!) with all the add-your-own, fresh fixins before you pack it yourself, $8.95. And this version of the Saturday morning favorite probably had more fork-tender tripe than the law allows. At least it there ought to be a law about such things.

Anyway, out the door for five people with enough food to feed ten... 52 bucks and change. On top of all that, the wait staff - and I mean staff was fast, fun (I literally saw a lady clear a table, with dirty dishes for four, in two stacks she carried out in just one trip) and apologetic. Our waitress actually apologized for taking two minutes to get back with our coffee with a packed house on a Saturday morning. Oh, and one more thing. Parking is a hellish nightmare. I had to park three blocks south, then hike it back to wait with the thirty or so folks waiting just to get into the place at 9:30 in the morning.

So, do I recommend the Gaffey Street Diner? Absolutely. Do I recommend the street named Gaffey in the "rustic" seaside community of San Pedro?

Call Petros at 1-866-987-2570. I'm sure he'll care.

Copyright © 2008 Bill Friday

American Idol: Place Your Bets Everyone!

European odds-makers have already set the betting line on season 7 of American Idol. How karaoke does that sound Simon?

The finals are still three months away, yet the world is already set to bet the house on the winner of season 7 of American Idol. At the risk of losing what shred of cred I may have had, I admit that I watch the show that launched the Hollywood Walk of Fame career of Ryan Seacrest, Simon Cowell, and a slew of national anthem singing, future cast members of The Surreal Life (Chris Daughtry not withstanding). According to tip site http://www.allsportslocks.com/, this year's Idol will see more than $1 million bet on the 24 finalists.

UK online sportsbook http://www.bet365.com/ has action open for non-U.S. residents only. Entering the first night of finals competition, Irish bookmaker http://www.paddypower.com/ has domestic sites like online poker giant http://www.bodoglife.com/running a distant second in this year's Sanjaya sweepstakes. While Bodog won't post odds until the men and women merge into the final 12 contestants, Paddy Power is laying odds right now.

Published on http://www.gambling911.com/, a complete list of the 24 finalists and their odds, which is too damn long to include here. For those of you with enough degenerate gambler in you to get down on Alexandrea Lushington at 20-1, God bless you. Log on, knock yourself out. What I will give you here is the first ever Bill Friday, American Idol prop bets - with no payouts available in the US, the Cayman Islands, the Islands of Langerhans, or any back alley from Gardena to Las Vegas. However, if you can find someone to give you some action on these, take it to the bank (preferably cash, in amounts under $1000 per deposit), unless you have an uncle named Sam. In which case, he gets 40 percent off the top.

• Danny Noriega... most likely to play Dr. Frank N. Furter in an indie remake of The Rocky Horror Picture Show. ODDS: 9 to 5.

• Amanda Overmeyer... within 3 years will retire from a career as a Janis Joplin impersonator after her larynx explodes while opening for a Kansas cover band at the Shelby County Fair. ODDS: 2 to 1.

• Michael Johns... after being compared to dead rocker Michael Hutchence by Idol judge Randy Jackson, will have more face time on tmz.com on TV than time at the top of the Billboard charts. Wife will leave him after he is caught on video with Paris Hilton, Nicole Ritchie and Margaret Cho in a bungalow at the Chateau Marmont. ODDS: 6 to 5.

• Ramiele Malubay... will play short-lived pop career into second career as a contestant on the 11th season of American Gladiators. Will climb the 30 foot-high foam pyramid and punch out host Leyla Ali. ODDS: 3 to 1.

• Alaina Whitaker... will continue to tell Simon Cowell just how good she is after he reminds her one more time, "You're not as good as you think you are." After 9 weeks of this, America believes her and votes to fire Paula Abdul and replace her with Alaina on the panel of judges. Paula tells tmz.com, "She's absolutely talentless!", to which America says, "What's your point?" ODDS: 7 to 5.

Finally...

• David Archuleta, the 17-year-old singer from Salt Lake City, Utah (who at the time of this writing already had 4,569 friends on his MySpace page), wins the season 7 finale of American Idol over runner-up Syesha Mercado. David's devout Mormon parents will file for a preemptive restraining order on season 2 Idol runner-up Clay Aiken. When asked why, young David's father will answer, "Just because I can". ODDS: Even Money.
  

You heard it here first. You could make book on it.



Copyright © 2008 Bill Friday

Side Effects May Include...

Are you taking prescription medications? If you are, you may want to read this article as soon as possible. Your life may depend on it.

No one likes to feel stupid. That's probably why the furniture with the funny names from Ikea comes with assembly instructions in 47 different languages. Probably why, if you've ever stood in line at the pharmacy inside Kaiser-Permanente, you know that the most thoroughly explained part of your managed care experience is the two minutes you spent listening to the pharmacist tell you what to do - and not do - with your prescription. If Heath Ledger had spent two minutes with the pharmacist at Kaiser instead of several private physicians spread out over three continents, he might still be with us today.

As cautious drinkers know not to mix the grape with the grain, and post-Belushi nug smugglers know not to combine heroin and cocaine, so now every actor from Manhattan to Manhattan Beach knows OxyContin and Vicodin, Valium and Xanax, Restoril and Unisom don't mix.

And don't think you'e safe just because you haven't formed the habit of mixing your meds. A whole slew of "safe when used as directed", FDA approved medications - target-marketed toward YOU - are being sold and sold and sold again through incredibly innovative radio and television ad campaigns. You've seen them. You've sung along to them.

Catchy, sure. But maybe also a little misleading.

What follow is a little "advertising between-the-lines". The things you won't hear when Side Effects May Include...

(cue music intro)

"We're not gonna take it... NO!, we ain't gonna take it!... We're not gonna take it... ANYMORE!"

(up-beat female announcer)

"Introducing YAZ, the first birth control pill marketed exclusively for the viewers of the mindless reality programs Laguna Beach and The Hills. YAZ contains the same hormones as regular birth control pills, but with MORE of the exciting reality generation side effects than any other oral contraceptive.

"Use YAZ according to directions and you too may experience... symptoms of a MASSIVE HEART ATTACK... symptoms of FUGU POISONING... symptoms of a STROKE... symptoms of BOWEL and LIVER CANCER... and, of course, symptoms of CLINICAL DEDPRESSION!

"Ask your doctor if sudden numbness or weakness, especially on one side of the body; sudden headache, confusion, pain behind the eyes, problems with vision, speech or balance is right for you. If stomach pain, chest pain spreading to the arm or shoulder, breast pain, loss of scalp hair, vaginal itching or discharge is right for you, then YAZ is right for you. Check it out for yourself at www.drugs.com/yaz.html or ask someone who's nearly died from it."

(cue music outro)

"We're not gonna take it... NO!, we ain't gonna take it!... We're not gonna..."

(celebrity voice impersonation of Michael Clarke Duncan)

"Men, you've tried match.com, craigslist, J-Date, even E-Harmony, but still haven't found... the woman of your dreams. With increased competition on Internet dating sites, and the growing Federal restrictions making on-line purchases of Rohypnol more and more difficult, we at the Flunitrazepam Advocacy Group believe it's time to take chemical romance in a whole new direction.

"Introducing... ROPINIROLE. Once used exclusively to treat the symptoms of Restless Leg Syndrome, ROPINIROLE is the only FDA approved medication proven to cause increased sexual urges in double-blind, clinical trials. Women taking ROPINIROLE have been shown to regularly engage in obsessive/compulsive high risk behaviors such as A PATHOLOGICAL URGE TO GAMBLE... INCREASED SEXUAL URGES... HYPERSEXUALITY... other UNUSUAL URGES AND BEHAVIORS.

"With more and more clinical evidence becoming available daily, we at the Flunitrazepam Advocacy Group believe that ROPINIROLE, when used as directed, has the potential to become the Roofie of the new millennium.

"If you want to know if ROPINIROLE is right for you or your partner, or if you would like information on how to become a distributor of ROPINIROLE in your area, log on to www.ropinirole.com to find out more.

"ROPINIROLE. Much more than medicine... it's a new way of life."

Finally, the mother of all Side Effects May Include... warnings, courtesy of NOZULLA.

(voice-over)

"At Gene Enterprises, we've harnessed the power of the human gene so you can say good-bye to your allergies forever with new NOZULLA. NOZULLA may cause the following symptoms:

"Itchy rashes... Full body hair loss... Projectile vomiting... Gigantic eyeball... The condition known as "hot dog fingers"... Children born with the head of a golden retriever... Seeing the dead... Bone liquefication... Possession by the Prince of Darkness... Tail growth... Elderly pregnancy...

Now enjoy the video one (okay, fifty) more time.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2nMkpMvvgY4

Copyright © 2008 Bill Friday