Flower, Cinnamon Stick, & Sabo
A blog about three dogs.
Flower, our family dog growing up; Cinnamon Stick (aka The Missile), who was a good little dog; and Sabo... the doggy I just picked up this very evening from the pound.
23 Replies
1Game #1, April 3: Card's @ Padres.
It's another baseball season... and of course that means another Sabo's Dog Day Championship !!!1! Once again, minor league games count for the parent organization, and only games Sabo personally attend count. One thing we know for sure is that there will be a new SDDC champion, as the defending Royals have no Sabo games. Game #1 is an elimination game for the Cards, OTOH a Card's victory would eliminate the yet to play Cubs.
Game #1 Result: Sabo's Padres eliminated the Card's by a score of 3-2. Sabo had an especially good time on a beautiful Wednesday afternoon... between innings he was rolling around on the new grass of the significantly remodeled Gallagher Square (fka The Park at the Park). He's a good guy !!!1!
2Game #2, April 10: Stockton (A A's) @ Rancho Cucamonga (Dodgers).
It's a busy start to Sabo's baseball season with his second game in a week. It's my third game, as I took the train to Anaheim Sunday to see my Red Sox. He grudgingly stayed home to guard the house that day. There won't be any such staying home today, as we're off to Loanmart Field in Rancho Cucamonga for some Caloop action. He's a good guy !!!1!
This is a double elimination game in the SDCC race.
3Game #3, April 16, 6:40 pm: Cubs @ D'backs.
Sabo's busy start of the season continues tomorrow in Phoenix. It'll be our 21st overnight baseball road trip together, and our second visit to Chase field.
This is another double elimination game in the SDCC race. In addition, a D'backs win eliminates the yet to play Rockies and Mariners.
[b[Game 2 result[/b]: Sabo had a great time at the game. Once again our good friend Larry Kimmel joined as at the Quakes game. This time he got a buddy of his season tickets, and we literally had the best seats in the house. The Quakes, the Dodgers Single A team, beat the Ports 4-0. That eliminated the A's organization from the SDDC race.
4Game #4, Tuesday April 30, 6:40 pm: Reds @ Padres (1-0).
Game #4: Tomorrow Sabo will attend his fourth baseball game this season. It'll be the Reds visiting Sabo's Padres for the second Bark at the Park this season at Petco.
Game #3 Result: In a wild game with several lead changes, the D'backs tied the game with two outs in the 9th, and won it in the stupid-ass Manfred Man 10th. Final: D'backs 12, Cubs 11. Unlike our visit 10 seasons ago, the roof was open at Chase Field. Sabo had a blast at the game, and later at Lake Havasu City, where we spend several days on the way back.
SDDC Race: In game #3, the D'backs (1-0) win eliminated the Cubs (0-1), and the yet to play Rockies and Mariners. In game #4, the Reds are not eligible this season.
5Game #5, Wednesday May 8th, 6:05 pm: Inland Empire of San Bernardino 66ers (A Angels) @ Lake Elsinore Storm (Padres 2-0).
Game #4 Result: Man, Sabo & I have this whole going to see a game at Petco thingee down. A wonderful time was had by all, including Sabo. His Padres won 6-4 over the Reds.
SDDC Race: Game #5 is an elimination game for the Angels organization.
6Game #6, Wednesday May 22nd, 4 pm: Stockton Ports (A, A's 0-1) @ Inland Empire 66ers of San Bernardino (Angels 1-0).
Game #5 Result: Man, Sabo & I have this whole going to the greater LA area minor league games down too. A wonderful time was had by all, notwithstanding Sabo.'s Padres A league team, the Storm, losing 0-6.
SDDC Race: The A's organization was eliminated in game #2. Game #6 is another elimination game for the Angels organization. Also, a 66ers win eliminates the D'backs (1-0).
6 revisedGame #6 (revised), Sunday June 2nd, 1:10 pm: Rockies @ Dodgers (1-0).
Revision: Man, I thought we had this whole going to the greater LA area minor league games down. Mainly because we've been acing the hardest part... getting there by game time. The traffic up that way is simply impossible to predict. Once again, we had that down... only to discover the game 66ers game was sold out. The parking lot was full of school busses, so it must have been senior night, or some such nonsense. Bottom line... a long ass time driving for no result. Luckily, Sabo enjoys simply going for a ride as well.
SDDC Race: A Rockies win eliminates the Dodgers. A Dodgers win eliminates the D'backs (1-0) and Angels organization (1-0). The Rockies were eliminated back in game #3.
7
Game #7, Tuesday July 9th, 6:40 pm: Mariners @ Sabo's Padres (2-1).
Preview: Sabo is excited today... because today is gameday !!!1! WE're off to Petco to see his Padres take on the Mariners. Today it's an outing with a blind man, a child, a dog, and all led by a fool (me).
Recap Game #6[b]. Sabo had a great drive up to LA, where our Uncle Bill (known as "the nuncle") once again joined us for the game. Despite being a day game, it stayed pleasantly warm, and a good time was had by all. The Dodgers (2-1) dominated the Rockies (0-1) by a score of 4-0.
4-0
[b]SDDC Race: The Dodgers eliminated all teams other than Sabo's Padres with their win in game #6. The Dodgers clinch the SDCC championship with a Mariners win in game #7
8Game #8, Wednesday, August 7th, 6:35 pm: San Jose Giants (A Giants) @ Inland Empire 66ers (Angels 1-0) of San Bernardino.
Preview: Sabo is getting a second chance of attending a game at San Manuel Stadium this season. Hopefully we won't get slammed by a surprise sell out as earlier this season, and hopefully it isn't brutally hot tomorrow in Berdoo.
Recap Game #7: The Mariners (1-0) crushed Sabo's Padres (2-2) 8-3. Despite this disappointment, fun was had by all the blind folk, children, dogs, and fools (me) in our party.
SDDC Race: The Dodgers (2-0) clinched the SDDC 2024 Championship with the Mariners win in game #7... their fourth in the last seven seasons which ties Sabo's Padres for second on the all-time list.
9
Game #9, Monday, August 12th, 6:40 pm: Pirates @ Sabo's Padres (2-2).
Preview Game #9: Sabo is attending his final game of the season.
Recap Game #8: The San Jose Giants (A Giants 1-0) beat the Inland Empire 66ers (Angels 1-1) of San Bernardino 2-1. It was a little warm on the drive up, but it was nice at San Manuel Stadium. Unlike our earlier attempt to attend a game here, this game was not sold out. In fact, I counted about 50 people and four dogs. We had the entire left field lawn section to ourselves most of the game. So I let Sabo off his leash to roam. Alas, no home run balls.
Season RecapIt was a good season for Sabo out at the ballparks. He attended nine games... at three different MLB stadiums, and three different minor league stadiums... featuring four games at Petco seeing his Padres. Sabo is such the good guy, and we've been doing this for 11 seasons now, we got the logistics down (except for those freak MiLB sellouts). Fun was had by all, including at last night's game #9, where in a good game Sabo's Padres beat the Pirates 2-1.
Of course, the season itself isn't over for Sabo. His Padres are in the thick of a playoff run, and he'll be backing them via the tv all the way. He always keeps the faith !
[table=head]2024 Final|Organization
1. 2-0 1.000|Dodgers
2. 1-0 1.000 ½|D'backs, Giants, Mariners
5. 3-2 .600 ½|Sabo's Padres
6. 1-1 .500 1|Angels
7. 0-1 .000 1½|A's, Card's, Cubs, Pirates, Reds, Rockies[/table]
1It's that time of year again... that time when hope springs eternal in a little dog's heart... it's time for Sabo's Padres 2025 edition. And, of course, this season's Sabo's Dog Day Championship (aka SDDC).
After a cold morning, it had gotten nice for the 1:10 start. Like a fool, I forgot my hat. Other than that, we had the logistics down flat. The nice milf who always remembers Sabo got our scans. We had nice dog folks around us (which is important when you are at dog day w/o another adult human, and want to go into the stadium to get a hot dog or use the restroom). A good time was had by all... including Sabo.
Sabo's Padres got up early and never trailed. The loss eliminates the Guardians from the SDDC race.
2-4Sorry I've been remiss blogging Sabo's games. Worse, it's been a busy time for Sabo... he went to three games in an eight day stretch! Starting with...
We made the drive up to San Berdoo to see a rare pro morning game. The 66ers do this yearly as a "school day" promotion. A good time was had by all. Next up...
After the 66ers game we headed down i-215 to Perris, and paid a visit to the Southern California Railway Museum. Sabo likes trains too. This museum is open daily except Monday, is dog friendly, and has free admission. They run (paid) train rides on the weekends. On the weekdays few visit, and we had their great campus, with the (then) static displays, and a very nice lawn area, almost to ourselves. We tried this a few seasons ago, but the RR museum visit was marred by extreme heat and some cluster f&ck on i-215. This day everything was perfect. After several hours enjoying the trains, we headed for...
The Diamond in Lake Elsinore, to see another MiLB game. Yes, it was a roll-your-own Calloop doubleheader! And it was a day that Sabo thoroughly enjoyed.
A week later, again on a Wednesday, Sabo went to his second game this season at Petco Park. The pretty ladies who take the scans at the dog games always remember Sabo. In fact, you might say he is a favorite at Petco. AFAIK he's the only one of the 100s of dogs at the dog day events who is greeted by name when he arrives, and who is requested to stop by after the game too to say hi again (and this time to have his pix taken). That Sabo... he's a good guy !!!1!
The 2025 SDDC Race
[table=head]2025 SDDC|Organization
#1 1-0 1.000 —|Dodgers, D'backs
#3 2-1 .667 —|Sabo's Padres
#4 0-1 .000 1|Angels[sup]x[/sup], Guardians[sup]x[/sup], Giants[sup]x[/sup][/table]
Game #2 was double elimination. The Angels organization was eliminated by the 66ers loss. The D'backs organization dodged elimination when the Rawhide scoring six in the ninth to beat Sabo's Padres' single A Storm in game #3. The Giants were eliminated by their loss to Sabo's Padres in game #4. Next up: game #5, another elimination game for the defending SDDC champion Dodgers, and a rematch of game #2, is at 6:35 pm on May 14th: IE 66ers @ Rancho Quakes, where we should be joined by our good friend Jimmy Kimmel.
5Yes, there was a change in the SDCC schedule. The Rancho trip has been postponed until later this season. Instead, game #5 was...
Sabo had a special, and a somewhat bittersweet, evening out watching his Padres. It was a great game. Sabo's Padres won. We were seated near some really nice folks... a couple with a 3yo boxer next to us, and a group behind us. They all loved Sabo, and he got spoiled with some dog treats (that he actually liked!), a little carne asada off an order of nachos, and as much of an order of fries as he wanted (he actually ate fries!).
Two nice young ladies have been taking our scans post pandemic. They have adopted Sabo as their favorite. Last game they asked Sabo to stop by after the game to say hi again. This game too, and Sabo was in a selfie. It turns out one is quitting the Padres. As a surprise, her friend is making a picture book of their favorite customers... and one particular dog.
After that, I carried Sabo the block to the parking. He wasn't tired out. I've also been quite remiss in blogging Sabo's health. He's 13yo, and he's doing pretty good. Except... he's hard of hearing, and has poor night vision. We came to Petco in daylight. He was fine. We exited at night, he was flinching. He didn't mind being carried at all.
This was a first for Sabo. He's always proudly got where he was going on his own four feet... thank you very much. He's getting old, but he's still a good guy !!!1!.
The 2025 SDDC Race
[table=head]2025 SDDC|Organization
#1 1-0 1.000 ½|Dodgers, D'backs
#3 3-1 .750 —|Sabo's Padres
#4 0-1 .000 1½|Angels[sup]x[/sup], Guardians[sup]x[/sup], Giants[sup]x[/sup], Marlins[sup]x[/sup] [/table]
The Marlins were eliminated with their loss in game #5. Game #6 is double elimination: June 22 1:10, Nationals @ Dodgers.
Sabo had a great day trip to his ninth game at Dodgers Stadium. For unknown reasons, the Dodgers like scheduling day dog games. Which is unfortunate, as dog games should always be night games, and especially in LA where they put the dogs in the RF bleachers. This is the "sun field" there, and can be miserably hot w/o any shade what-so-ever. Like on the third day of summer...
But it wasn't that hot, low 80s. No shade however, and Sabo, along with 100% of the other dogs, stayed under the benches for the whole game. You'd never know it was a dog game by looking at the stands, because there were -zero- dogs in sight.
Sabo had no troubles walking in/out of the stadium, or climbing up/down the many steps to our seats. He's a good guy !!!1!
The 2025 SDDC Race
[table=head]2025 SDDC|Organization
#1 2-0 1.000 —|Dodgers
#2 1-0 1.000 ½| D'backs
#3 3-1 .750 —|Sabo's Padres
#4 0-1 .000 1½|Angels[sup]x[/sup], Giants[sup]x[/sup], Guardians[sup]x[/sup], Nationals[sup]x[/sup], Marlins[sup]x[/sup] [/table]
The Nationals were eliminated with their loss in game #6.
Next up: Back-2-back games #7 and #8. Game #7 is the D'backs @ Sabo's Padres on July 8th. Game #8 is the very next day... Inland Empire 66ers (Angels A) @ Rancho Cucamonga Quakes (Dodgers). Game 7 is an elimination game for the D'backs, while game #8 is an elimination game for the Dodgers organization. In addition, a D'backs victory -or- a Quakes victory, would eliminate the yet-to-play Brewers and Rockies. The Angels organization was previously eliminated by these same Quakes.
Also, the Dodgers organization could clinch a repeat SDDC title in game #8. All they need is the D'backs to win game #7 first.
7
#7, Sept. 11, 6:40p: Rockies 0 @ Padres 2
Sabo had a great time at his seventh game this season. He walked in and out all by himself. And... wait, what, this Rockies game was supposed his game $9. WTF happened to Sabo's season, the last few months? Well, it's been quite a story...
It was supposed to be D'backs @ Padres for game #7 on July 8, then Inland Empire (Angels A) @ Rancho Cucamonga (Dodgers) the very next day. It didn't go that way. First the Rancho game was postponed until Aug 6th (again vs Inland Empire) because of extreme heat. Then Sabo jammed up front right leg the morning of the D'backs game. He still wanted to go, but was limping pretty good, and I made the executive decision to cancel this game for him. He was feeling fine two days later. He's a good guy. Then the Rancho game was postponed again, again by extreme heat, this time to Sept. 3rd vs Fresno (Rockies) . Finally his Rancho game was just cancelled this season, once again by extreme heat.
The 2025 SDDC Race
[table=head]2025 SDDC|Organization
#1 2-0 1.000 —|Dodgers
#2 1-0 1.000 ½| D'backs[sup]x[/sup]
#3 4-1 .800 —|Sabo's Padres
#4 0-1 .000 1½|Angels[sup]x[/sup], Giants[sup]x[/sup], Guardians[sup]x[/sup], Nationals[sup]x[/sup], Marlins[sup]x[/sup], Rockies[sup]x[/sup] [/table]
The two cancelled games eliminated every team except Sabo's Padres and the hated Dodgers. The Dodgers could have clinched back-2-back SDDC championships with a win tonight by the Rockies.
Game #8, on Sept. 24, will be the SDDC final. Sabo's Padres chinch the SDDC title with a win. A win by the visiting Brewers would clinch the title for the Dodgers.
8 &final
#8, Sept. 24, 1:10p: Brewers 3 @ Padres 1
The Dodgers won 2025 SDDC Championship. It was their second in a row, and fifth over the last eight seasons. They have tied the White Sox for most SDDC wins.
How did that happen? Well... on Wednesday I took Sabo to his eighth and last game of the season. He had a great time, and his pix was sent around the world by his fans on the 'scan team'. Unfortunately, the Brewers were playing as proxy Dodgers vs Sabo's Padres for the SDCC championship... and the Brewers won 3-1
[table=head]2025 Final|Organization
#1 2-0 1.000 —|Dodgers
#2 1-0 1.000 ½|Brewers, D'backs
#4 4-2 .667 —|Sabo's Padres
#5 0-1 .000 1½|Angels, Giants, Guardians, Nationals, Marlins, Rockies[/table]
[table=head]All Time SDCC Champs|#|Seasons
Dodgers; White Sox|5|2018,2019,2020,2024,2025; 2006,2007,2008,2009,2014
Sabo's Padres|4|1978,2012,2013,2022
Twins; Pirates; Cubs; Card's; Rangers; Reds; Giants; Royals|1|1992; 2004; 2005; 2015; 2016; 2017; 2021; 2023[/table]
1
#1, March 31, 6:40p: Giants 9 @ Padres 3
It's another baseball season for Sabo!
Before we get to the games, allow me to chat a little bit about Sabo himself. He's 14yo now... and he's starting to show some age. He's not a puppy anymore. His hearing fell off quite a bit about 2yrs ago. He's pretty much night blind, and although he does fine with light... I know he's 'cheating' a bit doing that too. He tweaked his back a bit, prolly when he hurt his leg last year. The Vet say no more (high) jumping up/down. He sleeps more now. That all said, he's still active, happy, and loving. But... I had him on "secret probation" for his first game, to see how he did. He did great... passed with flying colors. He's a good guy!
Once again, Sabo was treated as a VIP by the tix scan crew. However, the game didn't go well for Sabo's Padres.
SDDC Race: This was an elimination game for the Giants. Instead their win eliminates the yet-to-play Braves, Pirates, Nationals. Next up tomorrow: Rancho Cucamonga Quakes (Angels) @ Lake Elsinore Storm (Padres). This is an elimination game for the Angels organization.
2
#2, April 8, 6:05p: Rancho Cucamonga 7 @ Lake Elsinore 9
The minor league scene in southern California was shook up this season. A company named Diamond Holdings own 48 minor league teams, which included Modesto Nuts (Mariners), Rancho Cucamonga Quakes (Dodgers), and Inland Empire 66ers of San Bernardino (Angels) of the single A California League. This season they abandoning Modesto after ~75 years in the league, switched the 66ers to the Mariners, switching the Quakes to the Angels, and created the Ontario Tower Buzzers (a Top Gun reference), playing in brand new ONT Field (an Ontario Airport reference) as a Dodgers team. The Lake Elsinore Storm, a Padres team, and under different ownership, make it four Caloop teams in the Inland Empire. Sabo is scheduled to see a game at each venue this season.
Sabo had fun. But... he's walking awfully slow now-a-days. He can still run, and occasionally does at home... where he knows his way around very well. I'm pretty sure the reason is that his eye sight has diminished some more, and he goes slow when out-and-about so he doesn't run into stuff before he can see it. He was also inexplicitly restless until the ninth, when he finally flaked out. I figure he tired himself out by then. He's a good guy!
SDDC Race: The Angel organization was eliminated with the Rancho loss. Next up on April 19: Fresno Grizzlies (Rockies) @ Ontario (Dodgers). This will be Sabo's 26th pro baseball stadium. This is an elimination game for the Dodgers organization, which has won the last two SDDC seasons. The Rockies are ineligible.
3
#3, April 19, 1:00p: Cal Poly (~Dodgers) 15 @ UCSD (~Padres) 16
The SDDC schedule was changed. We needed a ruling from the shadowy Competition Committee. And Sabo went to see his first college baseball game. First that ruling…
Games outside of Organized Baseball will have associated MLB franchises determined by.
The closest MLB stadium to the team’s home field.
If both team’s home field are closest to the same MLB stadium, then whichever team’s home field is farthest away from that MLB stadium will be reassigned to the second closest MLB stadium.
~ So ruled by the Competition Committee
Example1: Petco Park is closest to UCSD, Dodgers Stadium is closest to Cal Poly SLO.
Example 2: The closest MLB stadium to both La Jolla HS and San Diego Madison HS is Petco Park. However, as Madison is closer to Petco than La Jolla, LJHS is reassigned to Angels Stadium, it’s second closest MLB stadium.
Sabo’s first college game, which was Division I by the way, was a wild game. Check out the line score…
[table=head]SDDC|2026
1. Giants|1-0 1.000 —
2. Padres|2-1 .667 —
3. Angels, Dodgers|0-1 .000 1[/table]
SDDC Race: The ruling and schedule shakeup brought the Angels, as well as the yet-to-play Braves, Nationals, and Pirates zombie like back to life. Also, if college ball counts, then high school ball counts too… so the HS game Sabo saw nine years ago is now added to Sabo’s game log. Finally, this new game #3 was not an elimination game.
Next up: another roll-your-own minor league doubleheader on May 6. At 11:05, game #4 is Lake Elsinore (Padres) @ Inland Empire of San Bernardino (Mariners). Seattle is ineligible. At 6:30, game #5 is Ontario (Dodgers) @ Rancho Cucamonga (Angels). This is a double elimination game.
4,5
#4, May 6, 11:10 am: Lake Elsinore (A Padres) 2 @ (Mariners) 3 (pix above)
#5, May 6, 6:30 pm: (A Dodgers) 6 @ Rancho Cucamonga (Angels) 5 (pix below)
Everyone is pointing out that he's an old guy now, which wasn't the case last season. Time is catching up with my little boy .He might be my Special Needs Sabo now, or for this next two weeks, as I'm rehabbing from a minor surgery, Good Special Needs Nurse Sabo... but he's still a "go dog" and as always a good guy! We were out of the house from 8am to 11pm for our "roll your own" doubleheader.... he was happy to go and did great. We had a few hours to fill between games so I took him on a drive along some roads that used to be part of US-66. When he was a youngster he'd really enjoy watching the scenery go by out the window. Now he just takes a nap in the back of the minvan (the passenger seat was in direct sunlight, which he doesn't care for). However, driving through Upland, he gave me the one yap signal. So I pulled over, lifted him out of the car, and he took a pee. He's so smart and so good!
[table=head]SDDC|2026
1. Giants, Mariners[sup]i[/sup]|1-0 1.000 —
3. Padres|2-2 .500 ½
4. Dodgers|1-1 500 ½
5. Angels[sup]xx[/sup]|0-2 .000 1½[/table]
SDCC Race: In our second game, the Angels organization was eliminated for the second time. The Mariners organization, despite being tied for first, are ineligible this season.
Next up: After Good Special Needs Nurse Sabo sees to my rehab, we are off on another one of our baseball road trips. We'll be visiting Gilroy, and on the 23rd will be making a day trip into San Jose to see the Stockton Ports (A A's) @ San Jose Giants (Giants). This is an elimination game for the Giants organization. OTOH a Giants win will eliminate all teams excepting Sabo's Padres. The A's organization is also ineligible this season.
6,7
#6, May 23, 5:00: Stockton Ports (A A's) 4 @ San Jose Giants (Giants) 3 (pix above)
#7, May 25, 6:40:: Phillies 3 @ Sabo's Padres 0 (pix below)
This was Sabo &I's first road trip this year. We stayed in the garlic capital: Gilroy CA. When Sabo was younger he liked to watch out the window while I drove. Older Sabo just curls up and takes a nap. Nevertheless, I'll detail our trip. We drove up on Friday via the central valley on I-5, which Sabo has ridden a few times before, most recently in 2023. We cut over the coast mountains to Gilroy via Pacheco Pass on CA-152... new mileage for both of us. We drove back on Sunday, starting on US-101 to San Luis Obispo, new mileage for Sabo. We continued on US-101 to Pismo Beach, which Sabo had ridden 11 years earlier on our great San Francisco trip. Then we detoured via CA-1 through Lompoc... new mileage for both of us. Back on US-101 we continued to Ventura, which Sabo also rode in 2015. We then continued on US-101 to I-405 in LA... more new mileage for Sabo. Finally, and after dark, we took I-405, to I-5, to home, which Sabo has also ridden several times.
Once again, everyone pointed out that Sabo's an old guy now (which wasn't the case last season). But he's still a good guy, and was perfect on the drive, the hotel, and the games. Once again on Monday his friends on the ticket scan team treated him as a VIP.
Excite Ballpark was a new stadium for both of us. And... I got a foul ball. Not on the fly of course, as hard balls are indeed hard. The only other time I've ever got a ball was also with Sabo. I got two balls at San Manuel Stadium in San Bernardino on June 5, 2017. Both were by players on the visiting Visalia Rawhide, then a high-A team. Neither C Matt Jones or OF Henry Castillo made the majors. This ball was from Stockton Ports' Gavin Turley, considered a prospect in the A's system. Hopefully he'll make 'The Show'.
[table=head]SDDC|2026
1. A's[sup]i[/sup], Mariners[sup]i[/sup], Phillies[sup]i[/sup]|1-0 1.000 —
4. Dodgers, Giants[sup]x[/sup]|1-1 .500 ½
6. Sabo's Padres|2-3 .400 1
7. Angels[sup]x[/sup]|0-2 .000 1½[/table]
SDCC Race: The Ports win in San Jose eliminated the Giants organization. The Phillies win created the strange situation where three organizations are ineligible while also being tied for first.
Next up: Angels @ Dodgers at 1:10 on June 7th. This is an elimination game for the Dodgers, who are going for their third straight SDDC championship. The Angels were previously eliminated a few times.
8,9,10
- #8, Jun 7, 1:10: Angels 13 @ Dodgers 5 (above pix)
- #9, June 21, 1:05: Rancho Cucamonga Quakes 1 (A Angels) @ Ontario Tower Buzzers 3 (Dodgers) (next pix)
- #10, June 24, 5:40: Braves 2 @ Padres 5 (bottom pix)
After 105 games for Sabo, this is the hardest recap to write. At the Dodgers game, shortly after I took the pix above…
Sabo had a seizure.
He was doing the “Uncle Wiggily” dance scarily good. As humans do, he lost his ****. All the folks around us, who were also there with their dogs, were freaking out. After he finished his dance, and I cleaned up the mess, I scooped him up. I carried him down the steps, and out of the stadium. There I found a bench in the shade, where I sat us both down.
Sabo’s not only a good guy, he’s a tough guy. Unlike humans, who need to sleep it off after that dance, he insisted on walking back to our car. As the Dodger Stadium parking lot is large enough to see from space, and we were in the far corner, that was about half a mile. After talking to his vet on the phone, they recommended taking him home (a three hour drive), and bringing him in the next morning.
The next morning, I took him to his vet. Sabo really, really hates going to the vet, and is in a state of open warfare with the folks who work there. I’m happy to announce that no humans were harmed during his visit. The recommendation there, as Sabo appears to have no after effects of his dance, was to hold off on an MRI and putting him on anticonvulsants. Like humans, a single seizure isn’t usually a sign of some underlying problem, and unless there is a pattern of seizures, it’ll always be a mystery as to why it happened.
Oh yeah… the Angels were winning 6-1 when we left the game. The Dodgers had made it 6-5 by the time we got to the car. The Angels then blew it open, and won 13-5.
Our next game, also a day game, was two weeks later. This was a big test for Sabo… which he passed with honors. He’s such a good guy! This was his 30th stadium… the brand new ONT Field in Ontario California, also a day trip. The stadium was very nice. The name sponsor is the nearby Ontario Airport. The the stadium name “ONT” is the airport’s airport code, the team name is the “Tower Buzzers” (a Top Gun reference), the stadium is decorated as an airport (ex: they have ‘arrival’ gate signs at the entrance), and the staff wore pilot gear.
The Tower Buzzers won 3-1.
Three days later it was time to take Sabo to see his Padres at Petco Field. I shared the news of his dance with his friends on the ticket scanning crew there. They were shocked and concerned, but happy to see and hear he’s doing just fine. He’s well loved… and a good guy!
His Padres completed a sweep of the Braves with a 5-2 win.
The SDCC Race: Their Dodgers will not three-peat! Well at least not in the SDCC, as they were eliminated with their loss to the Angels. The Braves were eliminated with their loss to Sabo’s Padres. Next up: D’backs @ Padres on July 6th. This is a championship game… the D’backs claim the SDCC title with a win. OTOH, with a loss the D’backs are eliminated, and the race continues.
