The Dodgers Hate Children

by Drama on Apr 10, 2008 11:10 AM PDT

LA Times columnist TJ Simers got an email from an angry Dodger fan exposing the Dodgers new policy at Chavez Latrine that denies field level access to autograph seekers unless they have box seats.

His first article on the story came out on Tuesday and he has a follow-up in today's paper.

LA fans are not pleased with the new policy (to put it mildly) and the wonderful public relations staff of the Dodgers would love to resolve the issue:

CALLED THE Dentist, the Dodgers' new PR guy, and he said nothing has changed for the kids, but "we've had vigorous debate today about it. We need more data."

This from another pissed off Dodger fan:

"I was in the Dugout Club last Tuesday," wrote Mike Rizzi, "and the Dodgers advertise that there is a special place to get autographs after the game.

"After the game, EVERY player walked straight by, as if not one of those kids was there, everyone pretending to be on a cellphone or just ignoring the kids were there.

"Every kid was turned away without a signature from their on-field heroes, but fortunately for those attempting to get a signed ball, Joe Torre was more then willing to accommodate. As an adult, I was happy, but I just don't see the kids preferring the manager [over the players.]"

8 recs | Comment 30 comments

Read Related

Story-email Email | Print |

Comments

Hmmm...

If I hate the dodgers, and the dodgers hate children, does that mean that I also hate children?

by pjbno4 on Apr 10, 2008 11:57 AM PDT 0 recs

the enemy of my enemy

is my friend. therefore... the dodgers are the enemy of children and we're the enemy of the dodgers, so we're friends to the children.

by Dex on Apr 10, 2008 12:03 PM PDT up 1 recs

That's pretty

sad that they can't figure out a workable solution. I could understand closing the boxes from 1st to 3rd, but you should be able to go down the lines.

Also, love this quote:

Not to sound like a stuck-up snot, but 90% of the time the people swarming field level before the games for autographs are incredibly rude and don't have a problem stepping on you or shoving you out of the way," wrote Susan Lee. "This is not to sound racist, but a majority of Dodger fans appear to be 'gangbanger types.' "

by Phantom on Apr 10, 2008 12:19 PM PDT 0 recs

Don't worry, Susan

No one who uses stereotypes like "gangbanger types" would ever be considered racist. At all. Ever. Really.

by Winfield's Ghost on Apr 10, 2008 12:34 PM PDT up 0 recs

I find it interesting

that of all the purported e-mails he received, that Simers decided to include this one. He obviously shares some of these concerns if he decided to select this paragraph for publication.

It's the whole conundrum about journalism and documentaries as not really unbisaed. The quotes you select say as much about the author as they do the subject.

by Phantom on Apr 10, 2008 12:55 PM PDT up 0 recs

Blech

I clearly need to learn how to use these fool-proof tagging tools.

by Phantom on Apr 10, 2008 12:56 PM PDT up 0 recs

he should be framing an opinion - that's why Simers is really good - he picks one side and hammers at the other - he never goes middle of the road, which is the worst thing a columnist can do. He's not a beat reporter - he's not doing straight journalism.

by Winfield's Ghost on Apr 10, 2008 1:01 PM PDT up 0 recs

Funny.

That's not how I read it. I thought he picked her quote to highlight exactly what type of people had complained about the autograph seekers in the first place. He printed it to rip her.

And the word "unbiased" is not one to describe T.J. Simers.

by Drama on Apr 10, 2008 1:06 PM PDT up 0 recs

Yes and yes

by Winfield's Ghost on Apr 10, 2008 1:08 PM PDT up 0 recs

I can see that

but I also would argue that there were probably less...colorful e-mails that made the point in support of the autograph-ban.

And sure, he's an opinionated guy. He's not a stenographer, but what he does choose to emphasize reflects something about him. What that is, is certainly debatable.

Either way, I think it's hillarious that the LA Times printed a piece that refers to Dodgers fans (at Chavez Ravine) as "gangbangers."

by Phantom on Apr 10, 2008 1:24 PM PDT up 0 recs

Simers...

But the "less colorful emails" don't adequately emphasize the absurdity of the people that support the ban.

by Drama on Apr 10, 2008 1:29 PM PDT up 0 recs

Agreed

He used an absurd quote to paint just how snobbish and exclusionary this new 'policy' is. Need to make things more comfortable for the rich white folks dontcha know!!

by Christina on Apr 10, 2008 1:56 PM PDT up 0 recs

Actually if one interprets "gangbangers" to be of the minority race...

Then isn't one racist? She seemed to sidestep race by saying gangbangers. Gangbangers are troublemakers, not necessarily representative of a certain race.

Looks like I picked the wrong day to stop sniffing glue...

by UnleashTheGore on Apr 10, 2008 1:15 PM PDT up 0 recs

I would love to hear Susan's description of those "types"

by Winfield's Ghost on Apr 10, 2008 1:23 PM PDT up 0 recs

I'm sure

it would have nothing to do with their ability to pronounce "Dodgers" accurately.

by Phantom on Apr 10, 2008 1:25 PM PDT up 0 recs

I don't think she sidestepped it all.

I think she stepped right in it.

"This is not to sound racist, but a majority of Dodger fans appear to be 'gangbanger types.' "

The only one who brought up race was her.

by Drama on Apr 10, 2008 1:25 PM PDT up 0 recs

And

when one generally prefaces a statement with "Not to sound racist..." it usually means "Here comes my racist statement."

by Winfield's Ghost on Apr 10, 2008 1:25 PM PDT up 1 recs

Exactly

It's the same thing with the "With all due respect" construction. It's a weak logical mea culpa that people almost always see through.

A more honest Susan Lee:

"Those brown people with their tattoos and shaved heads are really rude! How dare we let them into the stadium!"

by Phantom on Apr 10, 2008 1:27 PM PDT up 0 recs

LOL - yes exactly

My other favorite one is "No offense, but..." The person should just say "I'm about to offend you, but I don't want you to be angry about it, okay?"

by Winfield's Ghost on Apr 10, 2008 1:28 PM PDT up 0 recs

on a very very slightly related note

did anyone read the article saying we should sign Japanese Players or have opening day in Japan because of Pearl Harbor.

"I feel sorry for people who don't drink. When they wake up in the morning, that's as good as they're going to feel all day. " ~Frank Sinatra

by Sammy G on Apr 11, 2008 12:20 PM PDT up 1 recs

Unreal.

Here it is.

BTW - Sammy G meant to type "we shouldn't"...not saying he's been drinking...oh, wait...yes I am.

Look at the soil around Des Moines, Stuart. You can't build on it; you can't grow anything in it. The government says it's due to poor farming. But I know what's really going on, Stuart. I know it's the queers. They're in it with the aliens. They're building landing strips for gay Martians, I swear to God.

by Drama on Apr 11, 2008 12:35 PM PDT up 0 recs

check out FJM today....

"I feel sorry for people who don't drink. When they wake up in the morning, that's as good as they're going to feel all day. " ~Frank Sinatra

by Sammy G on Apr 11, 2008 12:43 PM PDT up 0 recs

I just reread it

I think the author really thinks that the Soviet Union still exists....I wonder why he didn't bring up to fact that non-white players are allow to play this game too, talk about breaking a tradition.

The ATL is one place I don't need to go to again.

"I feel sorry for people who don't drink. When they wake up in the morning, that's as good as they're going to feel all day. " ~Frank Sinatra

by Sammy G on Apr 11, 2008 12:49 PM PDT up 0 recs