The Perfect October Friday
It's a perfect October Friday here. A little rainy, leaves changing colors all around, and the World Series beginning tonight. I can't help but think about how much my Mom would have loved today. Our beloved Los Angeles Dodgers are about to take on the New York Yankees in the World Series for the first time since 1981.
My Dodgers fandom was passed down to me by my Mom. It was passed down to her from my Grandfather, a larger than life character who died before I was born and served as the inspiration for my name. The exact origins of his fandom have always been a little murky to me, but no mind, the blue has carried through from Denny Mo to Lisa to me.
This particular World Series matchup perfectly captures the duality of being a Dodger fan. Others may throw shade at the Dodgers for consistently having one of the highest payrolls in baseball, for attempting to buy championships, or for simply existing in Los Angeles. I could quibble with all of these complaints, but instead I'll just say, at least we aren't the Yankees. You may not like the Dodgers, but surely you hate the Yankees more, right?
I can imagine how much fun my Mom would be having talking smack about these Yankees. She would think Juan Soto and his antics were showy and obnoxious. She would complain about the fans at Yankee Stadium and the bland black and white of the Yankee uniforms. She would have a soft spot for Anthony Rizzo (because everyone has a soft spot for Anthony Rizzo). And she would have said that Aaron Judge is good, but Shohei Ohtani is way better.
I have to think that this particular Dodger team would have a special place in her heart. Mookie's bat finding its way in the postseason. Freddie Freeman hobbling around the bases and bringing back memories of Kirk Gibson. The clown car of relievers stressing her out inning after inning, but coming through when it counts. Shohei being the rare superstar who hits bombs and steals bases. Former Cardinals Jack and Tommy finding new life in LA.
Just like any World Series run, this postseason has been full of great stories, but the one that makes me think of my Mom the most is the return and resurgence of Kike Hernandez. The two of us declared Kike our favorite Dodger during his first tenure with the team from 2015 to 2020. The ultimate utility man, Kike won us over with his versatility, hustle, and ability to come through in big moments. It also probably helped that we thought he was cute. I still remember his grand slam in game 5 of the 2017 NLCS that helped send the Dodgers to their first World Series in my lifetime. After winning the 2020 World Series, Kike signed with the Boston Red Sox.
Its always a bummer to see your favorite players go to another team, but when they come back? Oh buddy, when they come back, it is such a gift. My Mom passed away in early 2022, and while it feels a little silly to associate great meaning with the trade of a professional baseball player I would be lying if I said I didn't think about her when Kike was traded back to the Dodgers. I got even more excited this postseason when he started smashing home runs and extra base hits again. The Dodgers are back in the World Series and Mom's favorite player is in the middle of all of it.
By the end of this weekend you could find me annoyed, stressed out, and frustrated with this Dodger team. It never takes long for the joy of victory to be replaced with the pain of defeat. I really hope that doesn't happen, but for now, I'm savoring today. The month-long build of excitement, the feeling that anything is possible, the awareness that it's just a game, gratitude for something to take my mind off of the problems of the world, and the connection to someone I loved who's not here anymore. The perfect October day.
