Take it from Dan Edelson: There are many more pleasant experiences in life than getting blindsided in the men's room at Dodger Stadium.
But that's what the long-time Mets fan discovered first hand last week while wearing his New York jersey and cap to the third game of the N.L. Division Series game at Dodger Stadium and ended up getting roughed up by a so-called Dodgers fan while trying to take care business.

The version that ran in The New York Post's Page Six on Tuesday had it this way:
"Tommy Lasorda is making amends for lowlife Dodgers fans. While the Mets were dismantling L.A. two weeks ago, Daily Variety researcher Daniel Edelson, a Queens native decked out in Mets gear, was punched and pummeled by rowdy locals in a Dodger Stadium bathroom. When word of the attack reached Hollywood gossip legend Army Archerd, he jumped on the phone, and hours later, ex-manager Lasorda called Edelson to personally apologize and invite him to a game next season."

Edelson, a former L.A. Daily News librarian, relayed that story to a reporter friend at the Post. The North Hollywood resident tells us that while he was punched, he wasn't hurt physically, and was left bruised psychologically the most from the act of stupidity. And those "rowdy locals" turned out to be just one over-serviced patron.

Here's Dan's account:
"I was sitting in my brother's season seats in the reserved level, section 35. I was catching grief all game from fans around me, who were growing increasingly frustrated as the game went on. I didn't respond to them because I knew I was outnumbered.
"I got up to use the bathroom about the seventh inning. There we some guys in there yelling 'F- New York" and "Mets Suck." Again, I didn't say anything. I'm no fool. Anyway, I'm doing my business at the trough and one of the guys in question starts whaling on me from behind. A couple of guys saw what was happening and got the guy off me, but it was pretty scary for a moment.

"Now, I'm a big guy, so the fact that this idiot attacked me leads me to believe he was liquored up. Going to Dodger Stadium is quickly becoming like going to a Raider game at the Oakland Coliseum. The crowd is unruly and sometimes downright dangerous. I have season tickets at both Angels stadium and Dodger Stadium, and Angels Stadium is a much better place to see a game.
"Anyway, I told Army Archerd what happened and he was so upset, he called Lasorda. Lasorda then called me, and he apologized for the incident (he also said he thought the Tigers would win it all). It was very nice of Tommy to call, and I appreciate the fact that the Dodgers felt the need to do something.

"A PR person from the Dodgers called me later and said they would be contacting me in March 2007 to arrange for some tickets to a game. They also sent me a formal letter of apology."

Here's what Camille Johnson, the Dodgers' senior VP of communications had to say:
"From what we have learned, Dan never filed a report or asked for help in anyway from anyone while he was at Dodger Stadium. So we aren’t really sure what occurred, but I think the words 'punched and pummeled' are entirely inaccurate considering nobody here was aware of it – and he never tried to make us aware of it."

Says Dan:
"I didn't contact security because as far as I was concerned, it was over. I didn't feel like escalating things.
I just didn't want to inflame things....I am grateful that there were some good people there among the fans in the bathroom who helped me. Army was the person who was so upset. I just felt like it was one of those things that happened and just put it down to life's little experiences."

Josh Rawitch, the Dodgers director of public relations, adds: "The first we heard of it was when Army contacted Tommy, who made the phone call to apologize and offer him tickets to a game next year. I know that we followed up with a letter and we will be taking care of him for a game next year."

Back to Dan: "I think the ballclub has been very forthright in its actions, and I appreciate they recognized that this was a situation that had to be corrected."