Cubs fans flock to Dodger Stadium for Game 3 of the NLCS
LOS ANGELES — There was no ivy on the outfield walls at Dodger Stadium on Tuesday. With that exception, the place looked like Wrigleyville West.
Chicago Cubs fans arrived early and in large numbers for Game 3 of the National League Championship Series between the Cubs and the Los Angeles Dodgers.
“I’m shocked at how many Cubs fans are here,’’ said Andrew Batstone, a police officer in Southern California who said he named his 10-month-old son, Jake, after Cubs pitcher Jake Arrieta.
The pockets of Cubs fans in part of the stadium were almost as thick as Arrieta’s beard. Three of those fans, including Chris Potts of nearby La Canada, recalled collective heartbreak in 1984. That year, they said, they traveled to San Diego to watch the Cubs play the Padres for a chance to advance to the World Series for the first time since 1945.
The Cubs led the series two games to none when the team and the friends reached San Diego. The Cubs then lost three straight and the series, extending their World Series drought. Potts said he’ll never forget what Padres fans chanted at him and other Cubs fans.
“Forty more years! Forty more years!’’
Thirty-two years later, Potts stood near the right field bullpen at Dodger Stadium during batting practice Tuesday.
“We have to correct that history once and for all,’’ he said.
Added his friend Scott Stine, “They broke my heart, but I loved them so much.’’
Anthony Rodriguez, wearing a Sammy Sosa jersey, walked into the stadium flanked by two Dodgers fans. A stranger looked at the Dodgers fans and motioned to Rodriguez.
“Where’d you get him?’’ he joked of the interfaith Cubs-Dodgers alliance.
Actually, Rodriguez said, the fans of opposing teams met through Alcoholics Anonymous. And although Cubs fans have joked that such frustration has led them to drink, Rodriguez said it’s just the opposite for him.
A Southern California native, Rodriguez adopted the Cubs as his team of choice in the 1980s and rooting for the team has helped keep him sober for the last eight years. Even though not everybody respected his baseball allegiance.
“I’ve been laughed at and ridiculed for a lot of years,’’ he said. “But I believe. I’m a believer.’’
At Dodger Stadium, he had plenty of company.
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