There was the Billy Goat Curse and the Curse of the Bambino ... so what do we call this?
I have nothing useful to say today (I'm really tired and about to go take a nap), so I'm going to let this reader say it for me. This was an email this person sent me earlier today, and after receiving permission from him/her (the first initial is rather gender neutral, IMO) to post it here, I have done so. I can neither confirm nor deny the accuracy of any of this, and anyone who has been reading this blog for any length of time knows how I feel about the spring-training move ... oh, and anyone who actually WENT to that one week of spring training in Arizona knows what it was like from the perspective of a Dodgers' fan living in SoCal. But since I have nothing to say, I'll let this guy/lady have the floor for the day. It could explain why the Dodgers are struggling ... but then, didn't they stuggle last year, too?
BELIEVE IT!
>Everyone can talk about the 2007 Dodgers failure by blaming it on Mr. Chuckles & the vets whining & lack of production or Grady "Stuart" Little's managing in slumber or Ned "No Head" Colletti's wheeling & dealing inept hasbeens. But the real reason for the Dodgers next to last place finish is "The Vero Beach Curse." After the Parking Lot Attendant announced the Dodgers would be leaving Dodgertown after 60 years to Arizona, "The Vero Beach Curse" was set. Us, true blue Dodger fans, went on the Holman Stadium field after a spring training game on March 15th (the ides of March) and set the curse with the Big Blue Dodger in the Sky that as long as the McCourts own our beloved Dodgers they would never win another pennant.
>
>The Big Blue Dodger in the Sky agreed and granted the curse and 2007 was just the beginning of "The Vero Beach Curse." Dodger pride and tradition has been eliminated by the McCourts for attendance records so he can pay his debts. Frank & Jamie claim the move to Arizona will benefit the fans as Vero is an east coast site for when the Dodgers were in Brooklyn. But the Dodgers have been coming to Vero for 50 years while they have played in Los Angeles. Dodgertown is a sacred site with the ghosts of Jackie, Campy, The Twin D, Pee Wee, that have inspired the Dodgers to 6 World Series titles. Now the McCourts need more money and say to hell to us loyal east coast Dodger fans who have spent our hearts, souls, and yes $$$$$ supporting our Dodgers by attending games, fantasy camps, and vacations to the beautiful Dodgertown.
>
>Believe it, this curse is REAL; The Big Blue Dodger in the Sky has spoken! The Vero Beach Curse will live with the McCourt Dodgers until he is relieved of ownership or he reverses his doomed Arizona plans. There was the Curse of the Bambino, The Billy Goat Curse, and now there is The Vero Beach Curse.
>
>E. Losciale
>Vero Beach, FL
Tony Jackson has covered the Dodgers for the Daily News since 2004 and has covered Major League Baseball on a regular basis since 1995. He previously covered the Colorado Rockies and Cincinnati Reds. He is a native of Springdale, Ark., and a graduate of the University of Arkansas.
Comments
Bitter? Think Blue!
Posted by: Lucky | April 10, 2008 4:07 PM
I'm an old Dodger fan from the east. If the curse just started, What was that the last 20 years?
Posted by: Joe Pierre | April 10, 2008 5:18 PM
Joe,
That was just managerial ineptitude. Imagine how bad it's going to get now!
Posted by: gpellamjr
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April 10, 2008 5:30 PM
While the idea of changing historical traditions seems unthinkable, there are obvious reasons why the Dodgers moved to AZ as have already been mentioned. To think it was solely for money is purposterous (SP?).
So, please lift your curse just because you are an angry Dodger fan in FLA because I want the Dodgers to win!
Sincerely,
angry Dodger fan in Alaska
Posted by: Dusto | April 10, 2008 5:34 PM
"so what do we call this?"
I would call this guy an industrial strength tool.
Posted by: Chris H | April 10, 2008 6:06 PM
I'm a Dodger fan in NY, and did, in fact, attend spring training in Vero this year, precisely because it was the last year. I enjoyed it so much, I plan to be at the first one in Arizona next year.
It's about 1200 miles from NY to Vero, and about 2500 miles to Glendale, AZ. What's the big deal? The flight isn't all that much longer (two hours?). I am even considering taking my car instead. There's a number of places between NY and Glendale that I would like to visit.
I don't know that the move was made solely for monetary reasons, but I'm sure it played a role. Maybe the additional revenue will enable the Dodgers to sign an additional player or two, or maybe even allow them to eat a contract or two (Loaiza and Pierre come to mind).
Also, the number of old Brooklyn Dodger fans in the east has shrunk considerably over the years. The core Dodger fan base is now in the west, and it's only right that spring training be made more accessible to those fans. And, I'm sure, there are fans in the west who wouldn't mind attending a fantasy camp, now that it will be closer to home.
Change is a part of life, and people will just have to deal with it. Most everyone I know in NY is either a Mets fan or a Yankee fan. The disconnect from the Dodgers is, for all practical purposes, complete.
Since it was asked above, it's spelled "preposterous".
Posted by: Brooklyn Dodger | April 10, 2008 6:22 PM
Obviously, a slow news day...
Posted by: Mario DiLeo | April 10, 2008 6:50 PM
As a Brooklyn native and current Ohio resident, I regret the abandonment of Vero Beach even though I understand the reasoning behind it. I was a teammate of Mr. LoSciale at a Dodger Fantasy Camp a number of years ago and suspect his post was written with his tongue firmly planted in his cheek.
For crying out loud, the team has one post season win in two decades, so it hardly seems like we're just now being visited by a curse.
It's the team we root for, wherever they play (spring training or regular season) and a lot of us have been doing so for more than a half a century. I regret free agency and ownership changes which have led to a lack of stability far more than geographical repositionings. I can follow the Dodgers wherever they may be (even China) on this computer and in person by going to lots of interesting places. So let's make the most out of what we've got and start a winning streak tomorrow on our way to the Fall Classic.
GO BLUE!!!
Posted by: Ebbetsfld | April 10, 2008 9:00 PM
Lamest thing I have ever read. I guess I'll go over to Dodgerthoughts and see what the local losers have to say. Maybe the stupidity published above can be topped by an over opinionated Toycannon post. Ooh I can only hope.
Posted by: Karl Hungus | April 11, 2008 7:58 AM
Curses are reserved for the east-coast bias, as well as the 100-losers, not the LA Dodgers. I have asked the Big Blue Dodger in the Sky to stop laughing at the "Vero Beach Curse" idea and, now that the team is 4-6 and those who claim the curse have had their 15 *seconds* of fame, to lift the heaviness off the bats of the Boys in Blue and just let them play.
What kind of Dodger fan wishes a curse on the Blue?
Posted by: Pastor Kyle | April 11, 2008 11:27 AM
it's a slump. when they get over it, we fans will get over it and have reason to cheer again. it's just going to be frustrating for a little while because the manager is new...the big bat is new...Larry Bowa is new and crazy...this team needs time to gel a bit before they fire on all cylinders.
I don't expect the dodgers to win against Peavy tonight (i hope they do)...but if they get a win against him the players and fans will be so pumped up that this bum streak of bad play will quickly be history.
Posted by: Garrett
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April 11, 2008 1:51 PM
Thanks Tony for taking the time to post the lineups for us... it's really appreciated here!
Kevin
Posted by: Kevin S. | April 11, 2008 3:36 PM