Dodgers 2024 World Series Game One – My First Baseball Game

On October 25th, 2024, I attended my first-ever baseball game, which also happened to be Game One of the 2024 World Series. I am a 35-year-old Angeleno, and growing up in Los Angeles, the Dodgers were a household name. Despite baseball’s popularity in LA and the variety of sports venues available to me, I had never taken the time to enjoy the sport personally.

So, when my friend Michael invited me to the game, I jumped at the chance to give baseball a shot, especially with a seasoned fan to guide me through it. Dodger Stadium is located in the heart of Los Angeles, surrounded by several major freeways. I couldn’t help but wonder how they manage to get 50,000 spectators in and out of the area, but they seem to have mastered it. Using Waze, we navigated to the stadium parking lot. Expect to pay around $50 for parking. It wasn’t difficult to get Michael’s Dodger Blue Hummer into a spot, thanks to the attendants directing traffic. From there, it was just a short walk to the stadium.

We had our tickets saved in our iPhone wallets because Michael’s daughter’s boyfriend, Andrew, works for the Dodgers. Michael had asked his daughter if Andrew could get tickets for us. Being from the Bronx, Michael grew up attending Yankees games at Yankee Stadium. He even went to the 1981 World Series, where the Yankees, like today, faced off against the Dodgers—a dream matchup for him. Andrew, who usually receives four tickets for every game and two for the World Series, opted to skip Game One and passed the tickets on to Michael. When Michael asked if I wanted to see the World Series, I immediately agreed. Initially, I thought he meant watching it at a sports bar, but when he clarified it was at Dodger Stadium, I realized how special this opportunity was. This was the game everyone wanted to attend.

When Michael and I entered through the ticket gates, the atmosphere was electric—a blend of a block party, tailgate, and Disneyland all rolled into one. Excitement buzzed in the air, with merchandise stands and a live band adding to the festive mood.

We needed to find our seats, which were on the opposite side of the entrance. The stadium attendants made it easy to navigate, guiding us to our seats just behind home plate. Pregame events unfolded on the field with two  massive Jumbotron screens in the back outfield. A particularly moving moment was the tribute to retired pitcher Fernando Valenzuela, who had passed away just weeks earlier. His family was in attendance, and the honor was heartfelt.

The highlight of the pregame ceremony was the unfurling of an enormous American flag that covered the entire outfield. Brad Paisley performed the national anthem, and then the game began with the introduction of the players. I had heard of Shohei Ohtani before and was eager to see him in action.

The game kicked off with the Dodgers at bat. Two of the early batters, including Ohtani, hit long balls into centerfield which were caught as outs. Michael explained that had those balls been hit to the far left or right field, they would have been home runs, as centerfield is the deepest part of the park.

The game itself was captivating, with the energy of the crowd and the chants keeping everyone engaged. The Dodgers held a slim lead for much of the game, but the Yankees later took the lead. By the 8th inning, it seemed the Yankees had all the momentum, and the Dodgers struggled to regain their groove.

I suggested leaving early to beat the traffic, as it looked like the Dodgers were going to lose. Michael, however, reminded me of the baseball adage, “The game ain’t over until the fat lady sings.” He explained that even though a game is scheduled for nine innings, it can go into extra innings if necessary.

In the bottom of the 9th inning, the Dodgers were trailing. Freddie Freeman stepped up to the plate with the bases loaded and two strikes against him. Michael said this was the pivotal moment: one more strike and the game would be over. If Freeman popped up or hit a line drive, it could easily result in an out, ending the game. Sensing the gravity of the moment, Michael began recording on his iPhone—and history was made.

Freddie Freeman hit a grand slam, clinching a dramatic walk-off win for the Dodgers in Game One of the World Series. The stadium erupted in a deafening roar as fans celebrated the incredible moment. Michael turned to me and said, “I can’t believe your first game was a World Series match and one that’s now historic.”

As we exited the stadium, Michael pointed out the empty seats of those that had left early, likely hearing the eruption of cheers as they walked to their cars only to realize that they missed one of the greatest endings in baseball. Thank goodness we stayed! He was right—the game isn’t over until the fat lady sings. Walking out with thousands of jubilant fans chanting “Freddie, Freddie, Freddie!” was unforgettable.

Game One of the 2024 World Series between the LA Dodgers and the New York Yankees was beyond exciting. Not only did I experience baseball firsthand, but I also witnessed an extraordinary game. The Dodgers’ last-minute grand slam victory turned what seemed like certain defeat into a triumphant win. The roller coaster of emotions made it a perfect introduction to baseball, igniting a newfound love for the sport. Thank you, Michael, Andrew, and Jessica—Go Dodgers!