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About Jon
Thank You For Not ...

1) using profanity or any euphemisms for profanity
2) personally attacking other commenters
3) baiting other commenters
4) arguing for the sake of arguing
5) discussing politics
6) using hyperbole when something less will suffice
7) using sarcasm in a way that can be misinterpreted negatively
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11) commenting under the obvious influence
12) claiming your opinion isn't allowed when it's just being disagreed with

In-Your-Face Value
2007-12-19 16:41
by Jon Weisman

At True Blue L.A., ToyCannon writes about the skyrocketing cost of Dodger season tickets. I've long been a believer that teams charge what people will pay, as opposed to charging what they need. That's pretty much the way of the world. But it sure is painful to realize what some of us (like, thankfully, my dad) are willing to pay. Sometime, there has to be a tipping point, right?

From TBLA:

I would hate to be a parent these days who wants to take his kids to a game and sit somewhere between the bases. Figure the cost of around $160.00 for tickets, $15.00 for parking. At least $15.00 per kid to keep him happy with food and your looking at a $200.00 night just for a simple baseball game. Plus they would want to leave by the 7th inning and would spend most of the time texting their friends or getting excited about a beach ball. It would make more sense to not got to two games and buy them a WII instead.

Comments (146)
Show/Hide Comments 1-50
2007-12-19 16:52:16
1.   Bob Timmermann
You and your free market ways!
2007-12-19 16:52:26
2.   ImprobableImpossible
McCourt's apparent priorities, in order:

1) Maximizing Stadium revenue
2) Improving self image in community
3) Competing for championships

Not that any of them are bad, but I think they're out of order.

2007-12-19 16:53:38
3.   dkminnick
LAT'ed on last thread, first here.

The Dodgers priced me out long ago. I loved having season tickets for many years, but I can't do this $150 bucks a game routine.

Well, I can, but I don't want to.

2007-12-19 16:57:48
4.   Kevin Lewis
This is why I go with the 12 pack for the top deck. The tickets are still $4 a game. Can't beat 12 games for $48, plus some inexplicable handling fee.

But, it seems like the Dodgers still have some of the best prices compared to other baseball teams across the country.

Also, would anyone want to get the season ticket package for the AMPM Pavilion? I believe they are priced at $27.50 a seat, and it comes with your own portable defibrillator.

2007-12-19 16:57:58
5.   Bob Timmermann
2
The whole system's out of order!
2007-12-19 16:58:16
6.   Suffering Bruin
With regard to Dodger Tickets between the bases, well... "I've always relied on the kindness of strangers."
2007-12-19 16:59:28
7.   Bob Timmermann
6
To show my cultural background, I think that's a Simpsons quote.
2007-12-19 17:04:31
8.   MJW101
Since I live near Baltimore there is not a Major League team within reasonable driving distance. I prefer Minor League games, you usually get more entertainment for your $$$.

I do visit Scranton periodically, so I do get to see some Yankee prospects. However, since the Yankees took over tickets have become rather expensive.

2007-12-19 17:14:23
9.   Bob Timmermann
Osaar Rasshan will be the starting QB for UCLA in the Las Vegas Bowl with the Law Firm as the backup!

Woo hoo! I hope the Cougars are merciful.

2007-12-19 17:21:58
10.   Paul Scott
8 Wait a minute. Scranton is a real place?

Anyway. I haven't gone to a Dodger game since 2005, but when I did I had season tickets and sat just above the Dodger dugout. The season ticket plans I find are a good value - no matter where you choose to sit. Whether it is a 16-ticket plan or a full season, the Dodgers have made it both cost effective and easy to buy their plans. Some small increases in ticket prices won't change that.

I'd recommend that people check out the ease of reselling (legitimately, through the Dodgers provided network). In my last season attending, I went to about 50 of the 81 games for which I had tickets. The rest I sold through the provided network. I think you get access to this with any ticket plan and I am also nearly certain that I either used or resold every ticket - which was no small feat given our 2005 season (though, I'll have to admit I used most of the September tickets myself as I really did enjoy that Tracy could hear me yelling at him for not playing Choi...).

2007-12-19 17:23:15
11.   Bob Timmermann
2005: The Summer of Choi.
2007-12-19 17:23:38
12.   MyTummyHurts
4

Also, would anyone want to get the season ticket package for the AMPM Pavilion?

I don't think i'll ever try the AMPM Pavilion, i mean seriously how many hot dogs & sodas can a man eat. The upper deck package you mentioned sounds pretty enticing i must say.

2007-12-19 17:25:21
13.   trainwreck
9
Karma and God can no longer save them.
2007-12-19 17:27:49
14.   Bob Timmermann
The Las Vegas Bowl is quickly taking on the appearance of the name of the commenter in 13
2007-12-19 17:28:12
15.   still bevens
I paid less than $450 for 4 seats for 20 games on the top deck last season and I loved it. We got them early so we were about 5 rows back from the edge and pretty much behind home plate. Great value.
2007-12-19 17:28:21
16.   Greg Brock
Please let Dan Hawkins be the secret interview that is supposed to be going down right now.

Outstanding coach is good. Outstanding coach who is also insane is beyond awesome.

Intramurals...Go play them.

2007-12-19 17:30:13
17.   trainwreck
Did you hear how they thought Rashaan got hurt today at practice, but he ended up being fine.

We were that close to the Law Firm.

This is going to be ugly.

2007-12-19 17:30:46
18.   trainwreck
16
I know that is the rumor on the boards, but I was told it was Pat Hill.
2007-12-19 17:33:16
19.   Greg Brock
18 Does he realize he can't recruit from prisons anymore if he gets the job?
2007-12-19 17:35:31
20.   Marty
It's DIVISION 1 FOOTBALL!!!! It's the PAC 12!!!!
2007-12-19 17:36:39
21.   trainwreck
Are you trying to say that the academic standards at Fresno State and UCLA are quite different?
2007-12-19 17:40:32
22.   Greg Brock
21 Let's just say our 23 year old players are older for a different reason.

20 If UCLA hires The Hawk, I shall go crazy.

2007-12-19 17:41:11
23.   KG16
Mainly because I live and work in Orange County, I don't go to a lot of Dodger games - I think the most I've been to in one season was 7 or 8 (and four of those were within a week) while I was in law school. I pretty much refuse to sit reserve level anymore so that leaves field and loge level seating. I don't mind spending a couple hundred bucks a few times a season, but I don't think I could justify spending $7500 over the course of the season for season tickets.
2007-12-19 17:43:38
24.   DXMachina
The Mets just raised their tickets an average of 20% (although there are some $5 seats available up at the top of Shea. It's fun. Between innings you can try to reach up and touch the planes as they pass over on approach to Laguardia.
2007-12-19 17:52:54
25.   MC Safety
14 Partaking in some of that stuff from up north bearing his namesake might make it a tad more interesting. : )
2007-12-19 17:56:33
26.   trainwreck
DG is in Vegas already. I think that means he knows who he is going to hire and is going to party it up the next few days.

Hopefully, it does not mean he wants to drink a lot to get over the fact that he is going to hire Slick Rick.

2007-12-19 18:27:24
27.   Dodgers49
Wells, Redman officially Rockies

>> Right-handed pitcher Kip Wells and left-hander Mark Redman officially became members of the Rockies today, two more issues general manager Dan O'Dowd has cleared up in advance of Christmas Week.

Right-handed reliever Luis Vizcaino, who has agreed to a two-year deal, will be in Denver on Thursday to undergo a physical and finalize his deal.

The Rockies, meanwhile, continue to look at protection for second base, where rookie Jayson Nix is expected to replace Kazuo Matsui in the lineup.

O'Dowd has had preliminary conversations with the agents for Todd Walker and Marcus Giles about possible non-roster invitations to spring training. <<

http://tinyurl.com/33gmej

2007-12-19 18:29:34
28.   old dodger fan
27 My first thought when I saw that headline was David Wells.
2007-12-19 18:35:47
29.   overkill94
ebay is the easiest way to keep your costs down for a Dodger game. For a weekday game you can normally get 4 of the crappiest Loge seats for less than face value (especially since the service charges are gone) and then move between the bases whenever you want. Add to that bringing your own snacks and parking outside the stadium and you have yourself a very modestly-priced night of baseball.

Plus, it'll teach your kids the value of a buck!

2007-12-19 18:42:07
30.   scareduck
9 - what bars are you frequenting, Bob?
2007-12-19 18:43:40
31.   scareduck
Angels season tix have also gone up, though it was odd to see my entire 2008 package paid for (with cash back!) from my purchase of the entire block of unused postseason tix. Gah.
2007-12-19 18:43:51
32.   Dodgers49
28 27 My first thought when I saw that headline was David Wells.

Yep, I had the same reaction.

2007-12-19 18:45:10
33.   Kevin Lewis
29

In 2006 I was able to get 4 seats in the Top Deck for $10 on ebay. I bought them the day of, and had no problem. Talk about value!

2007-12-19 18:45:39
34.   old dodger fan
I live far enough away from any MLB city that I only make 1 ML game a year but there is a AAA park nearby. Tix are $9.50, parking is $4.00 and you can get out of the stadium lot in 5 minutes or less. I've seen ex-Dodgers and plenty of future stars. They play hard and it's a great experience.
2007-12-19 18:51:30
35.   Dodgers49
From Tony Jackson:

Jim Slaton new Vegas pitching coach

Jim Slaton, an Antelope Valley High School graduate who pitched for the Angels for 2 1/2 seasons (1984-86) at the tail end of a 16-year career in the majors, is the new pitching coach for the Dodgers' Triple-A Las Vegas affiliate. He replaces Ken Howell, who was promoted last month to major-league bullpen coach.

http://www.dailynews.com/blogs/

2007-12-19 19:10:49
36.   LAbits
Just followed the DT link to realsportsheroes.com. Man, if Steiner lives to be 100, he still won't be able to carry Porter's shoes. Replacing the golden drawl of Porter for the wooden thumping of Steiner was horrendous, too. Not news but, ugh, had to type it.
2007-12-19 19:15:41
37.   68elcamino427
35 Jim Slaton:
2,683 mlb innings pitched, era 4.03.
Threw over 200 innings 1973-1979.
Threw 296 innings in 1976, era 3.44.
2007-12-19 19:16:19
38.   Bob Timmermann
30
I'm not going to Vegas, but I would likely be hitting all the LDS bars in Vegas.
2007-12-19 19:22:16
39.   Xeifrank
When does the college football exhibition season begin? vr, Xei
2007-12-19 19:23:32
40.   Bob Timmermann
The Poinsettia Bowl is tomorrow night in San Diego!

Navy vs. Utah!

Anchors Aweigh!

After that, there will be just 31 more bowl games.

2007-12-19 19:26:31
41.   Kingmans Performance
has anyone else seen this deal at the local Costco?

You buy a voucher for 4 field level box seats for $199 for a regular season game and you'll receive a second voucher for another 4 box seast to a mid week game of your choice at no extra charge.

The only black out dates for the $199 deal was OD & the Angels series. Looks like a holiday only offer so it'll probably be pulled after xmas.

2007-12-19 19:43:57
42.   Greg Brock
So, the mystery interviewee is Al Golden of Temple.

That's a very candidate.

2007-12-19 19:45:28
43.   Marty
Last season, the DT game was the only game I went to. The year before, I think I went to two games. Most of the time I'd rather watch it on TV with a pause button.

I'm waiting for Frank to figure out a way to charge me directly for watching on TV.

2007-12-19 19:46:05
44.   berkowit28
42 Very, indeed.

P.S. What are you talking about?

2007-12-19 19:48:38
45.   Bob Timmermann
42
But Al Golden is younger than me!

Temple?

What's with the kids today? They've all got the brain damage with their bopping and hopping...

2007-12-19 19:48:58
46.   trainwreck
42
I am sure it is just Block trying to get some notoriety for his guy. Doubt he has any real chance of getting hired.

He seems to be an interesting candidate at least, but um yeah the fact that we would have about 5 recruits left in the 2008 class may be a problem.

2007-12-19 19:51:27
47.   Bob Timmermann
Not everybody can lead Temple to four wins in a season!

The last time Temple won more than four games in one year was 1990.

I remember watching Temple's last bowl appearance back in 1979 in the famous Garden State Bowl, a bowl game that was even worse than you would imagine.

2007-12-19 19:53:34
48.   Greg Brock
46 We have decent classes all the time. Doesn't stop us from playin Calvin Bethel McLeod Delano Wilkes Thompsons and the like.

I'm not worried about recruiting. I would like a coach that is good at coaching.

2007-12-19 19:56:20
49.   Bob Timmermann
I think with time Al Golden could become the UCLA version of Buddy Teevens.
2007-12-19 19:58:00
50.   trainwreck
48
Yeah, but this goes beyond just good recruiting. This goes to whether we have enough players to actually field a team.

The reason why this search has annoyed me is that they will go with Mariucci or Chow and the rest of this is just a waste of time. Like when DePo was going to hire Terry Collins.

Show/Hide Comments 51-100
2007-12-19 19:59:20
51.   trainwreck
Golden actually has a rep as a good recruiter at Penn State and Virginia, but with so little time left in 08 if we lose a bunch of recruits we are going to have problems replacing them.

We lose so many players this year that we need a lot of recruits just to field a team in the next couple of years.

2007-12-19 20:02:56
52.   Bob Timmermann
With college football coaches switching jobs all the time, which school has ever seen mass defections of recruits?

Remember that if a player backs out, he's got to find some other school that will want him. Scholarships are a finite resource.

2007-12-19 20:06:35
53.   trainwreck
52
True, but a lot of these guys have mentioned their alternative schools that are still after them.
2007-12-19 20:08:57
54.   Greg Brock
I wonder if his trip out to interview here was the first time he ever set foot in California.

I kid, of course, but I read the guy's history, and he's East Coast guy for life.

2007-12-19 20:11:00
55.   trainwreck
I just heard from source that DG might be in Vegas early to interview Mendenhall and that Mendenhall has been someone UCLA has looked at for awhile.

We will get that karma if we have to steal it!

2007-12-19 20:14:26
56.   Greg Brock
55 Mendenhall would be nifty.

Where's your God now, Daniel?

2007-12-19 20:19:24
57.   Daniel Zappala
Even if Mendenhall defects to UCLA, God will still root for BYU. Far higher Mormon quotient. Mendenhall, on the other hand, might have to be smited.

But back to Bob's objection about scholarships. I prefer to live in a world with infinite resources. .Think of all the problems that would be solved.

2007-12-19 20:21:20
58.   Daniel Zappala
How many Mormons does UCLA need on their team and on the coaching staff, anyway? What, you just want everyone we've got?
2007-12-19 20:23:09
59.   trainwreck
58
We want Austin Holt!
2007-12-19 20:23:43
60.   Jon Weisman
I believe Pat Summitt's team is doing a UCLA-Stanford run starting tonight. Go Pac-10!
2007-12-19 20:24:34
61.   Bob Timmermann
I predict that Tennessee will beat UCLA by at least 40.
2007-12-19 20:24:46
62.   Daniel Zappala
Bob's famous. He's even friends with Will Carroll.

http://www.baseballprospectus.com/unfiltered/?p=710

Oh, and Sandy Koufax didn't do steroids.

2007-12-19 20:25:06
63.   Greg Brock
58 Something tells me you aren't in danger of running out.

Just a hunch.

2007-12-19 20:26:00
64.   trainwreck
61
Did you hear what Olivier said last night at men's game?

Basically said that Tennessee was going to destroy them and they hope that they do not get beaten by a ton.

What a coach.

2007-12-19 20:27:32
65.   Marty
The cortisone shots I've received are always referred to as a steroid injection by the doctors.
2007-12-19 20:27:44
66.   Bob Timmermann
62
For the record, I don't own that book. I was at work and in the words of Jim Morrison in "The End," I got up and "WALKED ON DOWN THE HALL!"
2007-12-19 20:28:24
67.   Bob Timmermann
65
Probably because that is accurate.
2007-12-19 20:29:01
68.   Daniel Zappala
63 Yeah, but there's only so many of us that can play football. I left my glory days on the intramural field at Stanford, and besides my eligibility is all used up.
2007-12-19 20:30:36
69.   Daniel Zappala
66 Come to think of it, why would you ever buy a book? I purchase only something I truly consider a classic, and borrow everything else at the library. And you're at probably one of the largest libraries in the country?
2007-12-19 20:30:44
70.   Jon Weisman
64 - Um, go Stanford?
2007-12-19 20:31:03
71.   Bob Timmermann
68
In the future, can UCLA have some of the GOOD Mormon football players?
2007-12-19 20:32:00
72.   Daniel Zappala
In 2004, BYU's library was ranked #1 among all universities. I'll put in a good word for you Bob, if you ever want to move up.
2007-12-19 20:32:59
73.   Bob Timmermann
69
You don't want to bring library books on a trip. If you lose them, you have to pay for them. And I tend to lose books on vacation.

I plan to buy a book to read on the flight to Germany, dump it there when I'm done, find another, read that, dump it, and go for two more.

2007-12-19 20:33:20
74.   Daniel Zappala
71 That's really harsh. We really thought Olson would be good. People here were really mad. Now we have Max Hall and no one seems to care any more.
2007-12-19 20:34:20
75.   Bob Timmermann
72
Ranked #1 by what standard? Salary? Working conditions? Number of neat looking chairs? Comfy offices? Size of collection? Large number of students who aren't jerks?
2007-12-19 20:34:41
76.   Greg Brock
But Daniel, if the Bruins get Mendenhall, you can hire Norm Chow!

Mormon Problem solved.

You're welcome.

2007-12-19 20:34:46
77.   Vishal
i spent the last half of the season wishing cal had one fewer mormon player. :/
2007-12-19 20:35:10
78.   Daniel Zappala
73 I'm a cheapskate, too. So I actually do take books on vacation, and put them in the bottom of my suitcase when I'm done.

The only good thing about flying a long distance is that you get to read a book in relative peace.

2007-12-19 20:35:22
79.   Sam DC
62 Not famous enough to get all his ns in place, apparently.
2007-12-19 20:35:35
80.   Bob Timmermann
74
If you think I'm harsh, you should listen to the guys who have the seats in front of me at the Rose Bowl. They're charter members of the anti-Ben Olson Marching and Chowder Society.
2007-12-19 20:36:24
81.   Sam DC
78 You put all 40 of your kids in the bottom of your suitcase too?

Planes have gone from "wonderful haven" to "stell cage parenting death match" for me.

2007-12-19 20:36:36
82.   Bob Timmermann
79
I'm sure Wil Carrol's heart was in the right place.
2007-12-19 20:37:59
83.   trainwreck
Can we have the Samoan Mormons?
2007-12-19 20:37:59
84.   Daniel Zappala
75 Based on student surveys. I tend not to argue with methodology if it turns out in my favor.

76 I don't think Norm Chow will ever come back to BYU after he was passed over for the job when Edwards retired.

2007-12-19 20:38:52
85.   trainwreck
70
I wish UCLA cared about women's basketball like Stanford does.
2007-12-19 20:38:58
86.   Bob Timmermann
If you leave a book behind when you're travelling, you give the next person at your hotel a chance to pick up a nice gift. And then that person can take the book to another destination and leave it behind there and leave it for someone else.

It's an endless cycle that brings literature to the world.

Or else the person cleaning the room throws the book away.

2007-12-19 20:41:14
87.   Daniel Zappala
81 I'm up to 40 now? You've more than doubled the number of kids I supposedly have. One more year like this and I'll be breaking 100.

I have been very very lucky and not had to deal with terrible kid situations on planes. These days it seems like they all have PSPs or Gamecubes to keep them occupied.

2007-12-19 20:41:16
88.   Bob Timmermann
85
UCLA cares a lot about women's gymnastics however. Perhaps the women's hoops teams needs to get John Wooden interested in them.
2007-12-19 20:41:53
89.   Marty
I tend to leave belts and jackets behind on my trips.
2007-12-19 20:42:27
90.   Jon Weisman
78 - "The only good thing about flying a long distance is that you get to read a book in relative peace. "

Don't you have any kids?

I collect books. I hate to let 'em go.

2007-12-19 20:43:20
91.   Bob Timmermann
90
We should send Jon Variety's "pushy questions" to find out how many books he has.
2007-12-19 20:43:24
92.   Daniel Zappala
Bob:

http://bookcrossing.com/

2007-12-19 20:44:40
93.   Gen3Blue
29 A wise and valuable post. I hope I get to the west coast again sometime.
I would love to see baseball become a more accesable sport again.
2007-12-19 20:45:46
94.   Daniel Zappala
90 I have never taken my kids on a flight. If I travel with my kids, I drive. Saves my wallet and my sanity. (You try flying with 40 kids.)

Actually, I can't remember the last time I took a flight for pleasure and had to pay for it myself. All my flying is for work, and so I am either alone or sometimes taking my wife.

2007-12-19 20:49:24
95.   Greg Brock
I don't mind flying a bit. I have my little DVD player with impenetrable earphones, and quickly convey that I have no interest in talking to anyone, at any point, for any reason.

If you are a flight attendant, you shall be summoned when needed.

2007-12-19 20:51:49
96.   Gen3Blue
86 At the end of my recent cruise, a travelling companion graciously gave me the paperback bestseller he found he couldn't fit in his bulging luggage. What could I do but graciously accept and then leave it on an upper shelf for the steward to find, and hope it wasn't too much of a pain for him to dispose of.
2007-12-19 20:54:52
97.   Bob Timmermann
92
I signed up. Now I have to hope people will want to read something I read.
2007-12-19 21:13:38
98.   Jason in Canada
All I've ever left in a hotel room was the best pillow I ever owned.
2007-12-19 21:15:12
99.   Jason in Canada
Have you guys read any of A.J. Jacobs stuff?
2007-12-19 21:20:43
100.   Greg Brock
98 That sounds like the beginning of a detective novel.
Show/Hide Comments 101-150
2007-12-19 21:23:01
101.   overkill94
93 Thanks. The only problem is when you take a date to a Dodger game; then all the cost-cutting techniques go right out the window and you're left with a much bigger hole in your pocket. I've been told it's not the smoothest move to ask your date to sneak into better seats after trekking half a mile with a backpack full of peanuts.
2007-12-19 21:24:30
102.   overkill94
86 I accidentally did the same thing with my rental car last week when I left my burned copy of Destroyer's Rubies in the CD player. At first I felt like an idiot, but then I realized I was possibly helping to spread the joy of quality music.
2007-12-19 21:27:09
103.   overkill94
95 My holy trinity of airplane diversions are

1. Book of crosswords for take-offs and landings
2. Portable DVD player for in-flight entertainment
3. mp3 player for both walking around the airport and listening pleasure while falling asleep

The only wrench in these plans is if an attractive lady happens to be situated nearby.

2007-12-19 21:45:54
104.   KG16
As for my traveling, it's been a long time since I have been on a flight that lasted more than an hour, but I always had a few magazines and at least two book (or even three).
2007-12-19 21:51:50
105.   sporky
101 Frugality isn't sexy anymore?

Being a peanut mule is better than being promised a game, only to have your date 'lose' the tickets, and be forced to watch the game in a godforsaken bar (where said date's friend was just hired as the bartender) with flat beer.

2007-12-19 21:58:35
106.   das411
35 , 37 , is that THIS Jim Slaton, of the greatest accidental baseball card pic ever? (#2 on this list)

http://tinyurl.com/2xjsaz

2007-12-19 22:04:07
107.   gvette
The McCourts have to have a rising revenue stream to pay for all the severance packages they're paying to the high level employees who exit on a monthly basis.

Besides, the days when you could buy a loge seat for $3.50 (same price for about 20 years) are long gone.

Then again, back in 1958 a steak dinner probably cost $3.50, and people thought O'Malley was gouging them on ticket prices.

2007-12-19 22:08:42
108.   68elcamino427
106 That photo is Picasso-esk.
2007-12-19 22:09:00
109.   KG16
105 - flat beer? that's pretty much grounds for no more dates.

So, I've got a hearing at the Stanley Mosk Courthouse tomorrow morning. I then have to kill some time before going to LAX. Any suggestions for a kid from Orange County who has to go into the big bad city? Need to kill maybe 3, 4 hours

2007-12-19 22:11:30
110.   Bob Timmermann
109
Go to the Central Library.
It's my day off, so the biggest drawing card is gone. Get a library card (no charge) and you can get your parking discounted too.
2007-12-19 22:11:33
111.   Jon Weisman
Tennessee trailed 31-27 and 36-35, led 62-43, won 82-70.
2007-12-19 22:14:29
112.   KG16
110 - that would be like going to the Vatican only to find that the Pope has taken the day off.
2007-12-19 22:19:00
113.   Bob Timmermann
112
Then come to my home and help me fold laundry and wrap Christmas presents.
2007-12-19 22:19:49
114.   Bob Timmermann
111
That margin would be < 40!
2007-12-19 22:23:22
115.   Megaballs
Not to be a downer but this town crushes the middle class family guy..I don't know how we do it...Dodger ticket prices aside...
2007-12-19 22:42:02
116.   LAT
Two words for those flying with kids: Jet Blue. The in seat personalized TV with 30+ channels keeps them occupied for hours.

I think I regularly get stuck behind Daniel and his 40 kids in the security line.

My Firm's seats went up $15 a seat or $60 a game. Ouch.

2007-12-19 22:44:48
117.   LAT
109. Disney Hall and MOCA are close by. Both are worth a visit. Library without Bob, not so much.
2007-12-19 22:47:43
118.   Bob Timmermann
117
Disney Hall without a concert is about as uninteresting as visiting the library without me there.

You can go hang out at the Central Market. If it's not raining, you can go ice skating at Pershing Square.

2007-12-19 22:48:27
119.   68elcamino427
Jet Blue out of Long Beach, the anti-LAX.
2007-12-19 22:52:12
120.   68elcamino427
Here's a suggestion. Go Ice skating, go to Heritage Hall and see the trophies, then go to the Sky Bar and have a cold drink.
2007-12-19 22:54:48
121.   Bob Timmermann
So when did USC end up in Downtown?
2007-12-19 23:01:48
122.   68elcamino427
He said that he had a few hours, it's not like he'd be driving through all of the traffic to Westwood. But, if he has a few hours, he could include that as well.
2007-12-19 23:10:54
123.   LAT
When did the Sky Bar end up Downtown?
2007-12-19 23:19:13
124.   68elcamino427
That's at the airport, a reward at the end of your journey :)
2007-12-19 23:22:15
125.   Strike4
109 Park at Yang Chow's on Broadway in Chinatown and have a bite to eat, and then do a roundtrip walk over to Union station to burn off the grease and admire the building. I'd say it's a 3/4 mile jaunt each way.
2007-12-19 23:22:48
126.   Bob Timmermann
Just don't go asking people where the Stanley Mosk Courthouse. Just ask people where the big civil courthouse is.
2007-12-19 23:28:25
127.   scareduck
119 - SNA is cheaper with better flights and about the same level of (non-)congestion as LGB.
2007-12-19 23:32:07
128.   LAT
124. Sorry, I thought you meant the snooty place in the Mondrion Hotel owned by Cindy Crawford's husband.
2007-12-19 23:32:53
129.   LAT
125. You can never go wrong with some slippery shrimp from Yang Chow.
2007-12-19 23:40:04
130.   D Money
19
Pat Hill is at Fresno....Hawaii's coach was the one recruiting in prisons
2007-12-19 23:46:59
131.   Strike4
129 Philippe's would be a fine choice too if french dip and a shorter walk is preferred, but I'm not sure it's open all afternoon. Dreaming about food trips is my punishment for skipping dinner tonight.
2007-12-19 23:48:39
132.   Bob Timmermann
131
Philippe's has pretty long hours. It will be open in the afternoon. They do a lot of business, I can't see why they would close the doors until fairly late.
2007-12-19 23:59:18
133.   68elcamino427
Phillippe's open 6:00 am till 10:00pm daily.
You might try the lamb sandwich, very nice.
2007-12-20 00:04:02
134.   Lexinthedena
133- Lamb and swiss....mmmmm....

No one has mentioned Olivera St.?......Some Taquito's with that perfect green sauce....man.....

2007-12-20 00:11:35
135.   hernari
106 Gotta love Dodger stadium in the background of Ken Oberkfell's card...
2007-12-20 00:16:51
136.   Strike4
132 Is LA City Hall still a nice walkaround including the observation floor, or is it all securitized now? Parking must be near impossible. The LA Cathedral is an option, although count me as one of those who doesn't get the architecture.
2007-12-20 00:19:25
137.   overkill94
130 Yeah, but Fresno's basically a 400,000 person prison, so I think the point is still valid.
2007-12-20 00:21:15
138.   Bob Timmermann
The observation floor of City Hall has been closed for quite a while.

Unless you're Huell Howser.

2007-12-20 01:04:45
139.   dzzrtRatt
136 The third floor is still very nice, and it's open to the public during business hours. Council chambers, Board of Public Works hearing room and especially the tiled thing at the center of the floor.
2007-12-20 06:30:35
140.   Aug C
just wanted to get this off my chest...

CURT SCHILLING IS SO OBNOXIOUS I WANT TO PUNCH HIM IN THE FACE

i greatly greatly detest clemens, but any enemy of schilling is a friend of mine, so now i am confused

2007-12-20 06:30:57
141.   Daniel Zappala
If you have a significant other, you could always go to the jewelry district and buy a Christmas present.
2007-12-20 06:39:08
142.   D4P
There's plenty of room to dislike Clemens and Schilling.
2007-12-20 06:44:28
143.   Daniel Zappala
I don't understand why people hate Curt Schilling. He's a very good baseball player with strong opinions who posts them on a blog. So disagree if you want, but hate?
2007-12-20 07:48:30
144.   bearlurker
Another great column Jon. I agree that teams do and should charge whatever they want but that doesn't mean we have to like it.

As a father of four, I'm particularly attune to this. Fortunately, I have the Oakland A's, with two dollar nights, 2 for 1/half price deals, plentiful scalpers and a somewhat free stealth free parking spot near the Oakland Coliseum. I am going to rue the day they move to Fremont. Unfortunately the A's are going to stink this year (but on the upside this will make tix easier).

2007-12-20 08:01:06
145.   Vishal
127 i have never found SNA to be cheaper. in fact, usually when you see, for example, southwest announcing one of their fare sales, they have in the fine print an asterisk with a note *orange county not included, because i think fees are higher at SNA, i there are some operational restrictions.
2007-12-20 08:44:33
146.   bearlurker
146 Count me among the non-haters of Schilling, I don't even dislike him.

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