DODGERS WIN THE PENNANT!!
Monologue:
Hello everyone and welcome back to another edition of Andy’s marketing ramble!! I bet you guys jumped on your social media platforms and checked those hashtags I was talking about? I tell you, I cannot look at another postseason game the same again. I find myself looking around for content marketing elements and they are everywhere!!
Anyhow, I know this blog is about the important elements in content marketing, but again, my boss decided to let the reins free and has allowed me to freestyle my blog this week. Well, being a lifelong Dodger fan, and, being able to watch them clinch the National League Pennant last night, I am going to have to drift away from those content marketing elements and discuss a little family history involving the Dodgers and my family. GO DODGERS!!
A Blue Family:
For as long as I can remember, my family has always gravitated towards the Los Angeles Dodgers, we would all go to Dodger Stadium, as a family back in the 80s and early 90s. We would sit around the television in our living room and watch the games with Vin Scully bringing us the story of the action on the diamond. How every way it was, we would always come together a family, because of the Dodgers. It was something that my father had proudly installed in all of us, 3 daughters and 2 sons, we all knew one thing was for sure in our home, YOU ARE A DODGER FAN!!
My earliest memory happened back on October 15, 1988, a gimpy Kirk Gibson, who had been the spark plug to the Dodgers’ magical season, and, did not start in Game 1 of the World Series, came out to pinch hit in the bottom of the 9th inning. I was a mere 8 years old, so, I did not understand the magnitude of the moment, but looking back, boy, was I witnessing one of the greatest moments in sports history, and, of course, my father was sitting right next to me. Well, if you did not know, Kirk Gibson hit a 3 balls – 2 strike slider into the Right Field Bleachers for a game winning and soul crushing for the Athletics home run. The Dodgers never looked back and ended up winning the series in 5 games. I probably thought at the moment, “Man, the Dodgers are always going to be winning World Series!”
29 Years Later:
Boy, was I wrong. Season after season, I would sit back and watch those same magical Dodgers fade into a mediocre organization, and, another World Series title seemed like the last thing they would ever get a change at again. They just could not get it together, and, when it looked like they were close to doing something special, the Dodgers would just crush our dreams. Matt Stairs, Jimmy Rollins, the Braves pitching staff, Matt Carpenter, and any other player or team would send us packing, but my family never wavered on their loyalty. My family continued to go to games, watch them on television, and, cheer them on to hopefully reaching that promise land, well, last night, IT FINALLY HAPPENED!!
October 19, 2017, I was sitting in my living room, with a busted up knee, watching the game with family. I had been in pain all day, but it felt good to be watching the game with family, it was only fitting that after 29 years, I got to be around the same people that has the Dodgers’ journey even more special. I was on painful pins and needles with every single pitch, my memories of past failures would continue to creep into my thoughts, but at the same time, the joy of those awesome memories back in the day with my father and family became stronger and stronger, as the Dodgers continued to crush the Cubs. I thought to myself, “I cannot believe this happening! I have waited 29 years to share this moment with my family, and, the moment is finally going to happen.”
Thanks Dad:
When the Dodgers finally made the final out last night, and, the realization that they were actually going to the World Series dawned on me, I was fully of emotions, but the one that truly stuck out was being thankful my father installed that blue blood in me. It was because of that Dodger bond, that it brought my entire family, if even for a few hours, together. It is because my father passed along his love for the Dodgers to his family, that it gave us a common love. A love that has survived disappointments, arguments, and, distance. It is that Dodger love that has continued to be the glue that brings my family together. Therefore, last night was not only for the Dodgers, it was also for my family to be able to say, “WE ARE GOING TO THE WORLD SERIES!!” And for that, I thank my dad for making us, Dodger Blue Bleeders, and I know, my father looks around his family now, and, is proud to see us all in Dodger blue and say to him, “If nothing else, I did this right.” Thanks, Dad. WE ARE GOING TO THE WORLD SERIES!! By the way Dad, I followed in your footsteps and have made your granddaughter a Blue Bleeder as well, what can I say, I had a great teacher!!
In the end, as I finish up this blog, you will still see, I have shared a story. A story that can create content for Major League Baseball, the Dodgers, or, for the importance of a father in the home. Therefore, even if you do not think you are creating content, you will be surprised that even if sharing the simplest of story, you are creating content for the new way of marketing, content marketing. Hey, give me a break here, I had to find a way to still splash some type of content market in this assignment, sorry, Boss!! I hope you understand!!
GO DODGERS!!
