I always dreamed of roaming centerfield for the LA Dodgers in lovely Dodger Stadium in Chavez Ravine. Never imagined I would do so at age 71. But when I learned that most MLB teams offered adult camps with an opportunity to live a veritable field of dreams, I signed up for the Dodger Adult Camp. As it worked out, I played for Team Garvey, coached by my all-time hero, perennial all-star, 1974 NL MVP and Gold Glove first baseman Steve Garvey! Imagine, venturing on to Dodger stadium for the first time, seeing your name on the giant Dodger video screen as the day’s cleanup hitter, and batting while they post your photo on the big screen and play your chosen theme song!
Also in attendance were Bill Russell, Reggie Smith, Charlie Hough, Mickey Hatcher, Jerry Reuss, Manny Mota, Rick Dempsey, Kenny Landreaux and other members of the Dodgers’ 1981 and 1988 world champion teams. Being coached, taught and guided by these Dodger greats was truly a dream come true for a 50+ year Dodger fan. Even better was forging lasting relationships with my fellow teammates, and even a few on the other three teams with whom we were competing.
And before you say, how could anyone hope to perform at such a level at any age, gender, nationality, or any other excuse, let me tell you about our teammates. My rocket-armed shortstop, Californian Matt Reyes, was a longtime yoga instructor, in perfect condition for this event. The aptly named Becky Bravo, there with her husband Jamie, proved the MVP of our team, chosen by Garvey for her unbelievable outfield play and boundless team spirit. My locker mate, Bob Brook, an 80+ year old man from Long Beach, NY, played a key role in helping to win the Championship for Team Landreaux. Two players named Saito came all the way from Tokyo and showed off excellent Japanese style baseball play. Eduardo Nieves, a self-made man from the Bronx, rose from a desperate existence to making rockets for a living, and even donned the catcher’s gear when his catcher became overheated. I wasn’t even the oldest guy on my team; that distinction went to Jim Morely, in his 70’s and one of our team’s best hitters. Finally, there were my California friends, Alfred Hsi, Ray Ng, David Lew, Keith Wan, Keith Au and John Soh, who were languishing in their team’s bottom of the batting order in the Championship Game, until the bats of the team’s stars fell silent, whereupon they all got consecutive hits in the last inning to overcome a 3-0 deficit and bring home the championship! They very much reminded me of my best friends and Greenwood High School baseball teammates, Gary, Jimmy, Frank and Paul, who enjoyed sports and much of life together for over 60 years.
But, oh, let me tell you why this was such a special experience. Of the four team MVPs, two were women’s softball players, and they looked sharp in the Dodger uniforms we were wearing, and played outstanding baseball The friendships we made with our teammates will last for years being borne by such an extraordinary experience.
Dodger team historian, Mark Langill, led us on a tour of the part of Dodger Stadium where all the trophies, awards and memorabilia of Dodger history from Brooklyn to Los Angeles were exhibited. He knew every aspect of Dodger history and was the perfect guide to tell us all about Sandy Kooufax, Jackie Robinson, Duke Snider and another of my heroes, Willie Davis.
As for my own experience, I loved the professional trainers who kept us going, the Dodger speakers who enlivened our every meal, and the way our teammates pulled together and supported each other win lose or draw. But the highlight for me was injuring a hamstring running the bases and being moved from centerfield to first base. Why a highlight? Because even though I had never played that position before, Garvey and my teammates coached me up, and I made one spectacular scoop or tag after another, rescuing errant throws as Garvey had done his entire career. Even better, after I made an error, I erased the mistake by turning an unassisted double play, to add to the two other double plays Matt turned in the game. I was in heaven when Coach Garvey smiled and said, “Gold Glover!”
It should surprise no one to know that Steve Garvey is every ounce the all-American nice guy we thought he was. He always had a kind or wise word for all of us, let everyone play where they wanted, given the talent to play the position, and even led the team in a short prayer before the last game. We even discussed his political career, and how he and others have formed a group to educate Californians on political realities and show them that there are conservative alternatives to the current toxic California politics.
But all the pros were splendid fellows. Reggie Smith gave us batting tips in the batting cage while Steve Yeager spun rare world series stories. Charlie Hough showed us how he threw the knuckleball, and how his pitch was different from Burt Hooten’s knuckle curve.
Mickey Hatcher regaled me with a classic tale. Mickey Mantle was his hero, so he often dined in the Mick’s NYC restaurant until the day Mantle invited him to his table. “Your name is Mickey?” Mantle asked.
“Yes,” Hatcher replied.
“Then you better start hitting some home runs!”
A few days later, Hatcher replaced injured Kirk Gibson in the 1988 World Series against the A’s, and slugged multiple homeruns to help the Dodger capture the title.
The Dodger staff were always there to see to our every need and treated us like kings and queens the whole weekend. And we needed their support, playing five games over one weekend, with batting practice and fielding practice thrown in every day. And they also provided a professional photographer to record the memories we would cherish forever. What’s more, they provided free tickets to family and friends so they could watch us play and cheer us on to victory.
So never say never at any age, no matter what your situation. The Los Angeles Dodgers, and many other MLB teams, have a field of dreams waiting for you. The cost is about the same as trip to Europe, but the experience is far more memorable; that of playing centerfield and hitting cleanup as a Los Angeles Dodger, something you can’t do in France.
Jim Fraiser is a long-time Northsider who now lives in Bay St. Louis.
