After going the entire season playing in front of cardboard cutouts and audio tracks, the Los Angeles Dodgers are poised to have their first game with fans in attendance.
They got a taste of it during the National League Division Series, with family members permitted to attend games at Globe Life Field. They will still be on hand for the NL Championship Series against the Atlanta Braves, but also MLB sold tickets for the pennant round and World Series.
“It will be exciting,” Justin Turner said. “This last series was exciting just having our families in the stands and hearing actual people cheering and clapping and being able to celebrate after games with them. I don’t know what the exact number is — 10,000 fans or something — so it’s probably going to feel like a sold-out crowd here.
“The other night, after we won Game 3 and we were going to get on our bus, there was a handful of Dodger fans outside the park cheering us on, telling us that they were ready and are going to be here Monday. We were already getting excited about it.”
In addition to Turner and other position players who will be in the Game 1 lineup, Walker Buehler will receive the first opportunity to be part of a game played in front of a live crowd. “We’ve gotten used to playing with none, so any fans is kind of a big plus for us, I think,” he said.
“I think they’ll be loud. I don’t think it’s going to be like what a sold-out Dodger Stadium would be, but there will be a little noise. We appreciate that, we like that, we’re used to that at home, so we’re excited to have some people in the stands.”
Blake Treinen looked beyond the scope of an MLB game that will have a gate, believing it’s a boon for society. “I think it’s a step back toward some normalcy, where people have the right to be free in their choice to go out and do what they want to do,” Treinen said.
“It’s not fun playing baseball without fans. Life in general right now is just so crazy, I think people just want to get back to living in the land of the free. It might be a little bit weird having people in the stands actually cheering for you instead of audio. I really don’t care if it’s going to add adrenaline or if it feels the same.
“I’m just excited people are going to be back in the stands.”
Dodgers potentially gaining advantage?
Not only were the Dodgers — and San Diego Padres — first to play with family members on hand, they winner of the NLCS conceivably will have gained an edge by experiencing that adrenaline once again before the World Series.
“I think any time there’s fans in the stands, there might be a heightened sense that it’s a real game and it might raise everybody’s play a little bit,” Clayton Kershaw said.
“I’m not exactly sue if it’s a huge advantage or not, but I think everybody would be really excited to have some fans in the stands. Get back to normal.”
It’s also an enjoyable aspect for Kershaw, a Dallas native, on a personal level.
Have you subscribed to our YouTube channel? It’s the best way to watch player interviews, exclusive coverage from events, participate in our shows, and more!
