Game 4. Sigh.

Top of the 8th, the disaster inning

I went to last night’s Dodger game. Yes, game 4 of the National League Championship Series. Yes, the one they lost… and lost bad.

That lost has totally screwed with my mood. I couldn’t sleep last night. I woke up late, went to work sleepy and low on energy. I told my co-worker that I felt hungover despite only drinking water and Dr. Pepper at the game. The smoky air (thanks to the fires in the Valley) irritates my eyes and constantly makes me feel like crying.

Yeah, I’m sad, but it’s also not over. The Dodgers can bounce back. They’ll have to win three in a row. I’ll be crossing my fingers and cheering for Los Doyers.

And now, photos from the game.
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Deportes, Mexico

De Oro, Plata y Bronce

¡Vamos, Henry!

I was in Mexico during the 2004 Athens Olympics. It was strange. Rather than have several athletes considered favored in marquee sports, Mexico only had a few. I was so used to seeing the US on top of the podium and in the medal standings. But Mexico, not so much.

In 2004, the hype was all about Ana Guevara, a sprinter favored to win the 400 meter dash. While out dancing one Friday night, everyone in the club stopped to watch one of the preliminary heats. Everyone cheered loudly and ordered celebratory shots when Ana won that heat. On the day of the final in 400 meter, my cousin woke me up cheers of “¡Vamos, Ana!” Almost all Olympics commercials featured Ana. It was pretty exciting. But Ana didn’t win gold, she won the silver. Belem Guerrero, from Ciudad Neza south of Mexico City, surprised everyone with a silver in cycling’s point’s race. Finally, the last two silver and bronze medals were won by siblings Oscar Salazar and Iridia Salazar in taekwondo.

I wondered if Mexicans watched athletes like Oscar de la Hoya (aka the Golden Boy) and if they claimed them. I wonder if Mexicans will claim Henry Cejudo, the son of undocumented immigrants from Mexico City. He was born in LA and moved around with his mother and siblings.

Henry just won the gold medal in the 121-pound freestyle wrestling event. He reminds me a little of Oscar de la Hoya, especially posing with the US flag draped around his shoulders.

Will he be the new Golden Boy?

Photo credit: Elizabeth Dalziel/AP

Deportes, Los Angeles

The Ravine

Since April, I’d been avoiding Chavez Ravine. I wasn’t dealing with guilt over the history of the area. I saw Culture Clash’s play five years ago and dealt with it all then. Plus, I grew up without the knowledge of the history. All I knew were the names of my favorite players and all those guys who won Rookie of the Year in the ’90s (Eric Karros, Mike Piazza, Raul Mondesi, Hideo Nomo and Todd Hollandsworth).

My avoidance wasn’t even about the hassle of getting to/in/and out of the place. The happiness I feel in the stadium cancels out the frustration of getting in.

No, I was staying away because I didn’t like owner Frank McCourt’s business model of increasing admission and parking prices as well as creating more luxury seating. Last year, I only went when someone else was trying to pass off some tickets. Yeah, I can be coda…

But my boycott was half-assed, like a lot of other things I do. If a friend offered to buy tickets or needed to pass off some tickets, I’d gladly take them.

I was offered tickets last week for fantastic seats for the first game of the Freeway Series against the Anaheim Angels (eff that LA Angels of Anaheim crap).

Photos after the jump.

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Deportes

Number 32 and number 34

Sigh.

I’m still sulking. Yes, me the fair weather fan who only pays attention to the Lakers during the playoffs. To be fair, the playoffs do last forever in the NBA. But still, I’m very much a hometown girl and anything that makes LA look bad hurts me.

Anyway, I was trying to do a little writing therapy, but nothing was working. A beer didn’t help either.

And then I remembered the time I met Magic Johnson three years ago after a pick up game at UCLA where he played with a few other NBA players.

It got me laughing and feeling good for the first time all night.

Here’s the story as told to Matt, a friend from New Orleans:
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Deportes, Escuela

March Madness

Back in late December, I attended a UCLA basketball game with my friend Eligio at the storied Pauley Pavilion. UCLA handedly beat UC Davis. Eligio and I stayed afterward to talk to some people and try and get photos with some of the star players like Josh Shipp (junior, guard/foward) and Kevin Love (freshman, center).

UCLA plays Texas A&M tonight in the second round of the NCAA tournament. UCLA is seeded first in the West and Texas A&M is ten. From what I’ve read, the Aggies are a team with a lot of big guys who play in a physical and aggressive manner (LAT pre-game story). The game will be a challenge, but I know UCLA has a very strong team.

I packed my UCLA hoodie specifically because I wanted to represent while I was in Texas and New York during the beginning of the tournament. I may be in hostile territory right now, but I’ll proudly wear my UCLA hoodie as I explore more of Houston.

Go Bruins!

Lotería Chicana

Category Archives: Deportes