It's finally here. The Los Angeles Dodgers kicked off their 2012 regular season with a game on April 5 in San Diego against the Padres. It was great to hear Vin Scully's voice again, there is something magic about it for Dodger fans, it just makes us smile and know it's Dodger Time again. The Dodgers won 5-3 and looked good doing it.
What a difference a year makes. On Opening Day 2011, we were watching the battle of the McCourts as then Dodgers owner Frank McCourt was engaged in a divorce battle with his ex-wife over control of the team. We also experienced the tragedy of the post-Opening Day beating of Giants fan Bryan Stow in the parking lot of Dodger Stadium. Things are different this year, as we start the season with new ownership, Magic Johnson and his group are in the process of taking over the team after their winning mega-bid of $2.1 billion. It was good to see Magic sitting with Frank McCourt at the game, kind of a show of unity.
Kershaw started the game and looked good, but we kept hearing from Vin Scully about how he had the flu and also heard graphic descriptions of Kershaw's pre-game stomach problems. Kershaw is the first Cy Young Award winning Dodger to start Opening Day since the great Sandy Koufax. I think he should have sat out the game, he left after three innings.
The Good
All the usual stars looked good, Kershaw, Matt Kemp and Andre Ethier, but we also saw some great plays from catcher A.J. Ellis and a sensational play by Dodgers shortstop Dee Gordon. I think Gordon is the player to watch this year.
The Bad
Clayton Kershaw looked OK in the few innings he pitched, but I am worried he could cause himself more problems by not resting. Dodger relievers Kenley Jansen and Mike MacDougal both struggled and gave up too many homers for my liking.
Technology
I watched the game via the new MLB.tv app for the Xbox 360 game console. The app, when used with the Xbox LIVE network and an MLB.tv annual subscription, really represents the future of baseball viewing. I can watch every game in HD, control the video, watch archive games, game summaries and also switch between the home and away broadcast feeds. It really put every moment of the 2012 (and 2011) season at my fingertips. The MLB.tv subscription also allows me to watch the games on my computer, iPhone, iPad and Android devices, in addition to the Xbox.
Freddy Sherman grew up in Philadelphia, which didn't make being a Los Angeles Dodgers fan easy. He has lived in Los Angeles for twenty years, now able to follow the Dodgers openly and attends games frequently. You can follow him on Twitter -@thefredsherman.
More from this contributor:
Magic Johnson's Group to Buy the Dodgers: Fan's View
Top 5 Dodgers April Giveaways: Fan's Look
Xbox LIVE is Revolutionizing the Way I Watch Baseball with New MLB App
