More Dodgers Stories: Who was the First Person to Make You a Dodger Fan?
Last month when we asked “who was the first person to make you a Dodger fan,” the number of submissions we received were overwhelming (and we thank you for that). Simply put: people love their Dodgers — both Los Angeles and Brooklyn. But more importantly, they love the people and the reason why they got into the team.
Here are more of your stories.
Thomas G.
We lost my Dad in a Marine Corps accident. So mom moved us to Los Angeles and we were regular visitors at the Coliseum for the first couple seasons. Then she bought tickets for the new Dodger Stadium and was it great. Mom laid down the law and I had to keep my grades B+ or higher in order to attend games. Got home from military service in ’76 and blue was a whole new team. Gone were Sandy, Don, Duke, and Wally. Our next generation of Dodgers were Garvey, Lopes, Russell, Cey, Baker, Monday, and Smith. Roseboro was gone and we had Joe and Steve. I believe I counted 20 different pitches by Sutton on any given date. Go Blue!
Gilbert
I watched my first Dodger game in the early ’60s and would listen to the games as well with my grandmother, who was one of the many women who understood the game better than most at the time. Since that time I have remained 100% faithful to the Dodgers and to the organization and will continue to root for our Boys in Blue! Think blue!
Ron H.
Coming from a small farming community in Nebraska it may seem hard to imagine becoming a Dodger fan… But at age 13(1949) Duke Snider became my favorite Dodger and I remember getting my Grandfather to take me to St. Louis so I could watch him play. It was a long trip in those days but well worth it as he hit two home runs that night.
Bob M.
I first became a Dodger fan at 12 when they moved to LA, Vince Scully hooked me for life, listening to Vince, me throwing a ball in the air and catching it for hours, Vince taught me the curve pitch how to officially keep score and on and on… miss you, Vince. Stay well.
Gabriel B.
As a child growing up in the ’50s in Memphis, TN, my father informed me of the African-American players on the Dodger team at that time. We would listen to the St. Louis Cardinal-Brooklyn Dodgers games broadcasted on radio station KMOX. That was the highlight of my evenings. Players like: Jackie Robinson, Roy Campanella, Junior Gilliam, Don Newcombe, Charlie Neal…etc. I’m a true blue fan forever!!!!!!!
Darrel D.
Two people: In 1953 a Sunday School friend asked me who I was rooting for in the World Series. When I said I didn’t know, he told me I should root for the Dodgers because they were the underdogs. After that it was Gil Hodges, then identified as the “nicest guy in baseball” and one of the strongest also. Go Blue!
My dad, here’s him and his Dodger themed b-day party a few years back pic.twitter.com/7eOph3KDuk
— Joser ????? (@joserod05) March 17, 2020
https://twitter.com/rm2nvg8/status/1239969341887545344
During the 1994 earthquake a brick wall was knocked down between my house & neighbor. It was then that I made my first friend & but was also introduced to the gave of baseball. My neighbor & I played catch all day, everyday. Soon, Mike Piazza became my favorite player & Dodger.
— Eddie Perez (@E_Double_D_Y) March 18, 2020
I’m hoping we can go for my 50th!! We bleed blue in Texas! ???? pic.twitter.com/03haltlEIf
— Jessica C ???? (@CarrancoJessica) March 18, 2020
A Few Comments From Part 1
Elias E.
My parents divorced in ’78 when I was 2 years old. I didn’t see my dad much after that. One day, when I was around 5 or 6 years old, he picked me up by surprise around my birthday and took me to my first Dodger game. I learned two things that day: 1. I lived 15 minutes from Dodger Stadium, 2. That my Dad loved me. We played the Pirates and lost. I remember that. But I will forever love my dad for making me a Dodger fan. Now with my own family, we Bleed Blue! Go Dodgers!
Kathy C.
1960’s Dodger team, Fell in love with Sandy Koufax in 1966 series, love baseball forever. Have seen Dodger teams at other national stadiums, my bucket list is to go to Chavez Ravine someday soon.
Mike
My neighbor took me to my first Dodgers game in 1970, versus the Reds. Growing up five miles from the Stadium made it a natural to be a Dodgers fan. The whole neighborhood and my school was full of nothing but Dodger fandom. Taking the RTD down Brooklyn Avenue to Sunset as a kid was standard for us as kids. I was blessed to see the beginning of “the Infield’ during the Pepsi Fan Club days.
Final thoughts
Thank you all for sharing your thoughts and stories and making us feel a little closer to Dodger Stadium during these tough times!
Don’t let the conversation end! How did you become a fan of the Dodgers?
NEXT: Things We All Miss About Dodger Stadium Right Now
as a boy of about 5 i remember listening to every game (was born in LA city) being mesmerized by Vinny’s smooth combo of the sense if having a conversation with him and experiencing the game itself. It was w/o a doubt Vinny made me a fan. Players were, while the end if their careers Drysdale & Koufax. Then when i was a few years older Billy Grabarkowitz and his blue glove made me follow his every move. Back in the 60s & 70s we got so many games on TV plus all in the radio. What a great time in life.
My brother and I both used to go a lot of games in the 70’s because of the Dodger-Pepsi Fan Club (those of us older fans know what I’m talking about!). And while I was a fan of all of the guys back then (Garvey, Cey, Lopes, etc), my favorite was Reggie Smith. He was a .300 hitter, a 30+ HR hitter (in the 70’s that was a big thing) and one of the best RF arms in the league.
It was 1962 and I was living here in Wisconsin, nine years old. The Braves were planning on moving. I decided that I would follow my second favorite team from then on.
What I loved about the Dodgers were Sandy, Don, Maury, Tommie, Willie, and Jim. They seemed to genuinely care about each other and won many many games. Much more than the Braves.
’62 ended up being a rather disappointing year (those darn Giants!) But following the Dodgers has been one of the joys of my life. JM
Im a dodger fan because of manny mota. He was my favorite player in the Dominican winter league he played for los Tigres de licey and when I got to the United state in 1969 Mota was playing for the Dodgers. So I became an instant dodger fan and I have been a loyal fan ever since.
I was an aspiring young ball player and left handed pitcher. My inspiration was Sandy Koufax and I followed him and other greats like Don Drysdale. Been a fan since the the 60’s!
6 rows back, first base side in the late 70’s watching Cey, Garvey, Russell, Lopes
Bill. My father was raised in Brooklyn and each night he would bring the New York paper home and we would reflect upon the Dodger game. After the 1955 World Championship celebration we were on top of the world I was 10 years old and surrounded by Yankee and Giant fans. What a great day! I’ll never forget it. Go Dodgers!