Editorials

Dodgers’ Alleged ‘Minor League Antics’ Bond Team and Fanbase

On June 9, 2019, Los Angeles Dodgers’ Max Muncy smashed a home run off of San Francisco Giants pitcher, Madison Bumgarner.  The ball sailed 424 feet out of Oracle Park into McCovey Cove.  The ensuing conversation has been well documented, but basically Mad Bum took exception to Muncy admiring his own handiwork.  From that moment the “go get it out of the ocean” phrase has become a household name.  Almost immediately, shirts and memes were being made to celebrate the now infamous splashdown and ensuing conversation between the two.

https://twitter.com/LADodger2018/status/1137815133349003269



Fast-forward two weeks to yesterday’s rematch between Bumgarner and Muncy. Multiple players were donning the phrase on t-shirts.  The team organist had a ocean themed playlist and even the individual responsible for the player facts on the big left field video board got in on the mix with this:

Their Reaction

A day later twitter was alive with judgement and ridicule for the Dodgers organization.  Referring to the antics as childish, minor league, and “poking a bear”. 

My Reaction

Well, this writer for one, loved it.  Not because I’m a Dodgers fan, not because the Giants are the Dodgers’ archrivals, but because the Dodgers as an organization were having fun with it.  Yes, they were rallying behind their teammate and being supportive, but they could’ve let it die after the game that started it all.  Instead, they used it as a bonding tool, a team building exercise.  One of the key components of leadership is finding something everyone can rally behind, something everyone can support.  What do you think a political campaign is all about?

https://twitter.com/Witneret81/status/1141770334800007169

Impact

This slogan transcended all levels of the Dodger organization and fanbase.  The players wore the shirts, the organist played the music, the video board-ist added his or her 2¢, and even fans were buying the shirts from street vendors as they made their way to the parking booths.  This was good for the Dodgers. 

Its the Fun That Leads to Wins

Childish? Maybe, but is this not a kids game?  Is that not why we as adults, love it, so we can feel like kids again?  I still bring a glove with me to games.  I got into a light-hearted argument with my wife when I expressed I wouldn’t give a foul ball to the kids sitting next to us if I caught one (relax, I would… maybe).  I’d still ask for an autograph if I met any of the players, that is, if I wasn’t too starstruck. 

The point is I’m glad to see the team and organization having fun.  Whether its Alex Verdugo “skiing” in the dugout, Kike being Kike, or Kershaw doing some kind of weird head-bobbing, heel-kicking, hopping-running man dance, I’m glad they are bonding through this childish fun.  It keeps the pressure down, the joy up, and the wins coming! 

Tip for Mad Bum

One final note to Madison Bumgarner if he happens to read this.  All will be forgiven when the Dodgers sign you as a rental this year, but if you really want win over the fans just show up to your press conference with a goggles, a snorkel and one water-logged baseball.

https://twitter.com/AJontheguitar/status/1142160954060419072

Jason McClure

Technically a Dodgers bandwagon fan. At 5 years old, I decided they were my favorite team after hearing they won the World Series on my mom’s car radio in 1988. My father (technically my stepfather) watered that seed, teaching me the game and introducing me to the beauty of Dodger Stadium. We got to know each other and bonded over games. Even when we couldn’t get along during my teenage years, we could come together over Vin Scully’s voice and a game. Dodger baseball is, and will always be, so much more than just a game.

7 Comments

  1. Oh no! Not Twitter! Lmao let those losers sitting on their ass continue to get outraged online while the real world has fun

    1. It would seem that the Giants’ need to refocus all of this (obvious) pent up frustration and Dodgers-envy on how to compete competitively again. And their disappointed, Dodgers- hating, fan base needs to drop that absurd (given the Giants continued last place Division status) “Beat LA!”chant. Psst, its not working. As for Dodgers team bonding and fan bonding….we are having a lot of well-deserved fun cohesively representing blue. And nothing any of these haters can say or do will take that away from us, GO DODGERS!!!

      1. Gotta be tough being in the basement, when your biggest rival just keeps pushing you down more, but I for one am loving the fun this team is having!
        Thank you for reading!

  2. Living in Northern California, I took plenty of crap from the Giants fans up here when they were having those great years not that long ago. So, if Dodger fans (and the team) want to whoop it up while we’re having this fantastic season, so be it.

    1. I was in the bay area a few years ago, caught a lot of crap for wearing my Dodgers hat. I can only imagine what it must be like to LIVE there! Good luck! Thank you for reading!!

  3. Loved this article and couldn’t agree more! For the fun of the game and the good of the team, a bit of bonding over something light-hearted is great all around! ? Go blue!

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