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Tuesday, March 18, 2008

The Problem With Los Angeles Sports



Posers! Yeah, you heard me – posers! I had this conversation with some other natives and relocated sports fans recently. It started with the topic of the newer seats near the field in Dodger Stadium. I lovingly call them the Poser Seats. Ever since they put them in I’ve noticed that they are nearly empty for about 80% of the game. While I sit in my used-to-be-good, beloved field box seats these are occupied with mostly transplants that want to make a “scene” out of things. They couldn’t care less about the team and can’t name any player besides Nomar Garciaparra. In addition, they are the ones who arrive in the second inning and leave in the 7th because they think “that’s what we do in L.A.”! These are the people that spend the game looking for Owen Wilson and Jimmy Kimmel between hitting the beer stand and searching for a smoking section. In case you didn’t recognize them, they’re that coworker/acquaintance that you run into who tells you all about the fact that they sat behind Matt Damon at the game last night but can’t even tell you who the visiting team was.

This is not reserved for Chavez Ravine folks, the Staples Center is even worse! Those of us who grew up here are lucky to score seats in the middle section to see the Lakers a few times a year. In case you wanted to try the Clippers, that would be problematic as well! Ever since Billy Crystal decided to make it vogue to be a fan, seats aren’t much easier to get. You think college football games are any better? Try to get USC or UCLA tickets that aren’t in the nosebleeds.

Unfortunately, there probably isn’t any cure for any of this and my rantings will be mocked and poked fun at. I just had to get it out to the world that there are a very large majority of us who really do love sports in Los Angeles. We come to the games during the warm-ups and leave when it’s over. We are natives, longtime residents, and other diehards that truly appreciate the teams and not who is watching them.

I would like to ask a favor of all the poser star-gazers out there: would you please stay out of my stadiums? You don’t see me buying $500 t-shirts claiming to be an agent/actor/singer/model. You stay in your element and I’ll stay in mine. Thank you!

12 comments:

This is why im hot! said...

we don't have that kind of problem in chicago...for the most part.

there are some that show up at Wrigley, just for the sights and sound...and beers.

Apryl DeLancey said...

You're lucky!

Mr. Shife said...

I can see how that would not be cool and get very old. I just wish I had a pro sports team in my hometown. Boise has nothing but the minor leagues. The Boise State football team has a bunch of bandwagoners but not me. I went to the other school in the state of Idaho so I am not a big fan of the Broncos.

Apryl DeLancey said...

Trust me, I know how fortunate I am to have so many sports choices to complain about! I feel your pain as well - when I was in grad school I lived in a small town with no pros and it was awful. You do have some choice ski/snowboard spots in the Boise area though as a nice consolation!

Thanks for stopping by! Come again!

Anonymous said...

Posers and Bandwagon fans should be put on a little island so they can rot. I am sick and tired of both. I like the picture thought it made me laugh.

Apryl DeLancey said...

Here, here Nate!

George said...

that picture works perfectly!

George
http://sportstsar.com/

Apryl DeLancey said...

He's priceless, isn't he!

Westy said...

Hillarious and True...& it can happen in any arena, but your location leaves you open for this type of "fandom".

Great post!

Apryl DeLancey said...

Yeah, I know...lucky us...

Thanks for stopping by and the compliment Westy!

Unknown said...

A. Thanks a lot for the link. I'll try to keep pointing up posts here whenever I can.

B. Is there a reason your poser looks stereotypically gay? Knowing what I do about you I'm guessing you don't want to send a homophobic message, and there are many gay Dodger fans, so...why does poser = queeny?

-FL

Apryl DeLancey said...

Fat Louie! So good to see you!
A. You are so welcome for the link - I really enjoy your content!

B. Correct - you know there is no homophobia or any sort of "demographic prejudice" here. The model was chosen for his aloof/sarcastic expression. Poser = what I pointed out in post without any regard for "classification".

Thanks for stopping by!