TORRANCE TRIBUNE May 26, 2016 Page 7 TerriAnn in Torrance The Freeway Series Photo and stories by TerriAnn Ferren What do Bill Abernathie, Chase d Arnaud, Dane De La Rosa, Chris Demaria, Robert Fick, Dustin Garneau, Aaron Holbert, Ray Holbert, Bart Johnson, Steve Kealey, Fred Kendall, Bart Miadich, David Moraga, Carlos Muniz, Skip Schumaker, Jim Scranton, Ryan Wheeler, Trevor Wilson, Nick Wittgren, Fred Kendall and his son, Jason Kendall have in common? This long list of athletes all played, or are currently playing, professional baseball and were born in Torrance. That’s right. These ballplayers represent the homegrown athletes of Torrance who have successfully risen to the ranks of Major League Baseball. There are many other players who have grown up in Torrance, attended Torrance high schools, and gone on to play professional ball. And as we enter the sweet summer months, our thoughts turn to baseball and what our home team, the Dodgers are doing. The number one thing about this particular Dodger baseball season revolves around the voice of the Dodgers, our 88-year-old Vin Scully. Yes, that unmistakable, melodious, informative voice of the Dodgers for 67 seasons. No one can replace him, and no one can come close to his record. In my mind, he and the Dodgers are one, and I can’t imagine listening to the game without his comforting voice, explaining in his ever so gentle way, the details of the players and of the game he loves, making each story and fact sound golden. Because I can’t watch the Dodger games anymore on regular television, I rely on Vinnie exclusively – calling each and every play – painting the scene for me as my minds see every pitch, ball, and strike. For Mother’s Day, I received tickets to the first Dodger/Angel ‘freeway series’ game in Chavez Revine and couldn’t wait to sit in the stands and root for the home team. Remembering what my friend, Carolyn Weyant told me, I needed to secure a baseball glove because no one should ever go to the game without one. Carolyn is my ‘go to’ person for the Dodgers after she told me, “There are 162 games in a season – at home it is 81 games and somebody figured out that my average, in 46 years of going to games, would be over 2,500 Dodger games. Plus, don’t forget 42 Opening Days.” It was a cool Monday afternoon when I headed off to Dodger Stadium for the first of two games scheduled to be played at home, before playing games three and four of the freeway series at Angel Stadium. My seats were located on the right side of home plate so I had a great view of the field. What is it about a baseball field? The pristine grass, the chiseled-out batters box area, and outlined home plate were being ‘detailed’ by a skillful and busy ground crew, making the field look perfect and setting the stage for the game. Granted, it had only been last season since I was at Dodger Stadium, but on this particular evening, everything seemed new. Dodger dogs, ice cream, hamburgers, French fries, cotton candy, licorice, soda, and beer were readied for the rush of hungry fans. In case you were wondering, yes, I did have a Dodger Dog. I mean, how can you not have a Dodger Dog at Dodger Stadium? Waiting in a line, I met Kim Wiley, dressed in her Dodger finest. Visiting from Redding, California, Kim and her husband Keith were excited about the game. “We love the Dodgers. We are here visiting family - and while we were here in LA, we have to come see a Dodger game. We have two boys [Kody, age 9 and Kaden, age 5] – and this is their first time at Dodger Stadium so they are super excited. We are all long Dodger fans,” Kim said. Most of the people at the stadium were wearing ‘Dodgers clothes’ and I was kicking myself for not wearing my Dodgers t-shirt. Fans took their seats, the National Anthem was played, announcements were made, and then the game began. Of course I had high hopes for the team but was just excited being Kim and Keith Wiley - loyal fans from Redding, California. there with the crowd. Looking at the dugout, I spotted former player, coach, Manager, and Hall of Famer Tommy Lasorda sitting with two nuns. Somehow that sight made me smile. Behind Tommy, I also spied basketball player, Olympian, newscaster, and wife of the famous Dodger pitcher, Don Drysdale, Ann Meyers-Drysdale. They all looked as thrilled as I felt. Now, I am not going to retell the story of the game because I am sure most of you know we lost, 7-6. However, we gave it a valiant try, and nearly pulled it out in the late innings. Between the excitement of the game, and the lull of when I was looking for something more to eat, I noticed two young boys standing in the aisle. They dressed for the game; one in Dodgers gear, the other in Angels gear, including Send Us Your Father And Sons Photos! We’d love to publish them in our Father’s Day issue. We will include as many as possible. All you need to do is email us a photo as a .jpg file and we will do our best to get it in. Please submit by June 9th. E-mail them to management@ heraldpublicatons.com. Include a phone number, in case we have to reach you. Thank you! A Salute to Graduates! A Chance to Honor and Recognize your Graduating Senior Tell us what college, vocational school or other endeavor they will be embracing after graduation and highlight their accomplishments. Send a photo and 100 words, or less, and we will publish in a special section “Salute to Graduates”. The section will be published in our June 16th issue, so you have an opportunity to include a graduation photo. High School photos would work nicely too. Cost is $100.00 Please send photo and text to marketing@heraldpublications.com. by June 9th congratulations The Cofre Brothers, Brady, age 8 and Tyler, age 10. Yasiel Puig. See TerriAnn, page 8
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