I’ll tell my grandkids I saw a World Series doubleheader in one game, a seven-inning slugfest preceding 11 nearly scoreless innings, which ought to quiet complaints about the Dodgers bullpen. I’ll tell them I was there when Shohei Ohtani reached base nine out of nine times, more than anyone in the history of the World Series. I’ll tell them I snapped a photo just as he swung for the seats in the bottom of the seventh, his second home run. I’ll probably be able to tell them I saw Clayton Kershaw’s last relief appearance.
I won’t be able to tell them that I saw Freddie Freeman’s walk off blast in the bottom of the 18th, since my hearing aid batteries began to give out at the bottom of the 17th. No one wants me driving home in heavy postgame traffic in that condition. As I walked along Sunset on the way back to my car at St. Paul’s Commons, Echo Park, passing food truck workers who had been expecting hungry post-game hordes for four hours, I heard Dodger fans celebrating the moment in bars and restaurants.
My photo album contains a shot of the Dodgers mobbing Freeman at home plate taken by my old friend Steve Futterman, who was covering for NPR. We had a nice chat during the 16th inning. He took this from a spot not far from where I was sitting in 9RS. Once I’ve seen the video of Freeman’s HR a few dozen times and a few years pass, I may discover the memory that I stayed for the whole game and didn’t miss a thing.
Nor did any of the fans in my vicinity. This is my second World Series game. Angels vs. Giants in 2002 was the other. At a normal game, people chat up a storm. Tonight, like that evening back in Anaheim, we were like surgical residents watching a five-way bypass. We applauded each Blue Jay strike and foul and every Dodgers ball, disputed every called strike against the Dodgers, and missed none of the dozens of hits and thrilling plays.
I’ve also included the “Star-Spangled Banner” and a photo of the honor guard holding the flags of the United States, our friend and ally Canada, and California. This moment was one of the most moving of the evening. Canadians have fought beside United States forces for generations and deserve to be treated with respect by our government. Before too long, they will be once again. After a game like this, anything is possible.
